This invention relates to drainage devices and is particularly but not exclusively concerned with an improved drainage device for use on golf courses.

As is known, sand bunkers or sand traps are located on golf courses usually on fairways and/or in the vicinity of the greens. The purpose of the sand bunkers is to create artificial hazards on a golf course. Sand bunkers are shallow pits filled with sand and generally incorporating a raised lip or barrier and it is another challenge to hit a ball which is lying on sand rather than a ball on grass. However, it is the intention of the game of golf that a golfer should be able to hit a ball that has gone into a sand bunker but in order to do this, the sand in the bunker must be comparatively dry. It is therefore a requirement that water should drain rapidly from the sand in a bunker after, for example, heavy rain. Accordingly, it is customary to provide drainage systems to allow the removal of surface water from sand bunkers. Existing drainage systems are usually located below the surface of sand in a bunker and frequently become clogged with sand and contaminants thereby adversely affecting the ability of the system to drain water from the bunker. It is then necessary to dig down into the sand in the bunker and may require the removal and replacement of drainage stone/material in order to clear the blockage. This is a time-consuming and costly process and can often take holes out of play.

The present invention aims to provide an improved drainage device.

According to the present invention, a drainage device for use in a golf course sand bunker, comprises a hollow gulley body comprising a trap for fluid slurry entering the body in use a trap outlet through which fluid can exit the body, a removable member adapted to be received in the trap to prevent direct fluid communication between the trap and the outlet, a hollow tubular member extending through the removable member, an upper end of the hollow tubular member being spaced above the removable member so as to define the trap between the walls of the gulley body, the removable member and the upper end of the hollow tubular member, the device being operative such that when the gulley body is mounted in the sand bunker or the like, fluid slurry enters the hollow gulley body through the perforated lid, further ingress of fluid slurry causing the fluid slurry to rise to the upper end of the hollow tubular member, particulate matter in the fluid slurry settling in the trap, fluid from the fluid slurry flowing through the tubular member and out of the device through the outlet.

Preferably the device further comprises a perforated lid which is intended, when the device is mounted in a sand bunker in use, to be located approximately at the level of the sand surface of the sand bunker,

A lower end of the tubular member may project from the removable member and extends into a lower part of the gulley body to a position below a lower margin of the outlet.

A bucket may be provided in the gulley body, the top of the bucket being located at a level above an upper margin of the outlet and below the removable member such that fluid slurry flowing from the trap through the tubular element enters the bucket, further ingress of fluid slurry causing the fluid slurry to rise in the bucket, particulate matter in the fluid slurry settling in the base of the bucket, fluid from the fluid slurry flowing out of the bucket through the trap outlet. The bucket and gulley body may be arranged such that the removable member rests on the top of the bucket.

The bucket may be provided with an opening aligned with the outlet in the gulley body.

Preferably the lower end of the gulley body is closed and the base of the bucket is provided with ribs which are adapted to rest on the closed end of the gulley body to space the base of the bucket from the closed end of the gulley body.

Preferably the removable member comprises a disc through which the tubular member extends.

Preferably the disc is provided with a seal, said seal engaging with the walls of the gulley body to prevent the passage of fluids and contaminants therebetween.

Preferably the seal is provided on the under side of the disc to seal against the top of the bucket.

The upper end of the tubular member may be provided with a transverse bolt or cross bar by means of which the tubular member and the disc can be withdrawn from the gulley body.

A collar may be provided and is adapted to be fitted to the upper end of the gulley body to increase the length of the gulley body.

A filter may be housed in the collar.

The lid may be adapted to be fitted to the collar. The gulley body may also be provided with a drain inlet adapted to be connected to a drainage pipe comprising part of an external drainage system.

The outlet may further comprise a filter to filter particulate matter from fluid slurry passing through the outlet.

According to another aspect of the invention a drainage device is provided comprising a gulley body having a closed base, an open upper end, and an outlet positioned intermediate the opposed ends of the gulley body, a removable member positioned above the outlet to prevent direct access to the outlet from the open upper end of the gulley body, a tubular drain extending through the removable member, an upper end of the tubular drain being above the inlet and outlet and the removable member, fluid slurry in use of the device entering the open upper end of the gulley body such that sediment settles on the removable member and, as fluid slurry continues to enter the open upper end of the gulley body, fluid rises to the upper end of the tubular drain, the fluid subsequently overflowing into the tubular drain and into a lower part of the gulley body below the removable member, continued flow of fluid causing the fluid in the lower part of the gulley body to flow out of the device through the outlet, further sediment settling on the closed base of the gulley body.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a drainage device which comprises a gulley body having a trap for liquid, an inlet and an outlet; a removable member which is adapted to be fitted in the trap to prevent direct fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet, a tubular member passing through the removable member and extending from below the inlet and outlet in one direction and almost to the top of the gulley body in the opposite direction and a perforated lid the top of which is intended, in use, to be located approximately at the level of the sand surface of a sand bunker.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a drainage device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figures. 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device shown in Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line V - V in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a front view of a modified device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 is a side view of the modified device of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional side view taken on line A-A of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the modified device of Figures 6 to 8; and

Figure 10 is the sectional side view of Figure 8 enlarged and showing the modified device in use. In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Referring to the drawings, a drainage device comprises a hollow, tubular gulley body 1 that functions as a trap having an open upper end 2' , a closed bottom 2, a drain inlet 3 and a drain outlet 4. The drain inlet 3 is either connected to a drainage pipe (not shown) or is blanked off. The drain outlet 4 is connected to a drainage pipe (not shown) for conducting water entering the gulley body 1 away from the drainage device.

A bucket 5 is located in the gulley body 1 , the underside of the base of the bucket 5 having ribs 6 which rest in use on the bottom 2 of the gulley body 1 to space the base of the bucket 5 from the bottom 2 of the gulley body 1. The sides of the bucket 5 are provided with openings 7 and 8 which are aligned, respectively, with the drain inlet 3 and drain outlet 4. The top of the bucket 5 is open but is provided with a ledge 9 the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

One or both of the gulley body 1 and bucket 5 may be corrugated as shown to improve their torsional and longitudinal strength.

The upper end of the gulley body 1 has a throat 11 and a removable member comprising a removable plunger assembly located in the throat 11. The plunger assembly comprises a disc 12 having a seal 13 which is arranged to rest on the top of the bucket 5. The seal 13 provides a seal between the disc 12 and the internal surface of the walls of the throat 11.

A tubular member comprising a hollow tubular rod 14 extends through and is secured to the disc 12, the lower end of the tubular rod 14 being located in the bucket 5 below the level of the inlet 3 and outlet 4. The upper end of the tubular rod 14 extends above the disc 12 and terminates just below the upper end of the throat 11. The upper end of the tubular rod 14 is thus in the form of a hollow boss projecting up from the disc 12.

The trap is thus defined between the internal side walls of the upper part of the gulley body 1 , the upper surface of the disc 12, and the upper end of the tubular rod 14 that projects from the disc 12.

The upper end of the tubular rod 14is provided with a bolt or cross bar 16 which extends through aligned holes 15 in the upper end of the tubular rod 14. A shackle 17 is located on the cross bar 16 which is held in the tubular rod 14 by a nut (not shown) .

When the drainage device is to be used during the winter months, a coupler 19 is fitted to the upper end of the throat 11 and a collar 20 is fitted on top of the coupler 19. This effectively extends the length of the throat 11 of the gulley body 1.

A top coupler 21 is fitted to the upper end of the collar 20 and a perforated lid comprising a perforated grill 23 is fitted to the coupler 21.

In use, the drainage device is installed in a sand bunker in such a manner that the top of the perforated grill 23 is located substantially level with the surface of sand in the bunker. If the bunker is already equipped with a drainage pipe, the drain inlet 3 and drain outlet 4 are connected to the drainage pipe. This may mean that the top of the grill 23 is not then located substantially at the level of the sand in the bunker. This problem is easily solved by adjusting the length of the throat 11 either by shortening the throat 11 or by adding another collar which can be fitted onto the throat 11 by means of another coupler 19. Once the drainage device has been installed in a sand bunker it can deal effectively with draining surface water from the bunker 5 which will carry away or trap a high proportion of contaminants. A fluid slurry comprising water and particulate matter such as sand will flow through the perforations in the grill 23 and enter the throat 11 and the sand will settle on the disc 12. The throat 11 will gradually fill with water until the water level reaches the top of the hollow tubular rod 14 when water will flow down the inside of the rod 14 and enter the bucket 5.

Because most of the sand in the 10 throat 11 will settle on the sealing disc 12, only fluid slurry comprising comparatively clean water will pass down the rod 14 into the bucket 5. Nonetheless, some sand and debris may flow into the bucket 5. This will collect at the bottom of the bucket 5, as the bucket 5 is filled with fluid slurry until the fluid slurry level reaches the opening 8 when it can flow out of the bucket through the drain outlet 4. Because the fluid slurry has been subjected to two settling processes, only almost clean water 15 will flow through the outlet 4 thus practically eliminating the risk of blockage in the connected drainage pipe.

With the passage of time, sand and debris will accumulate on the disc 12 and the throat 11 will be filled. The state of filling of the throat 11 can be readily monitored by green keepers simply by lifting the grill 23. If the throat 11 is nearly 20 full of sand, the shackle 17 can be engaged by a suitable tool or by hand and the plunger assembly, namely the rod 14 and disc 12, pulled up vertically out of the throat 11. Sand and debris will be forced out of the throat 11 by the vertical upwards movement of the disc 12 which seals against the internal wall of the throat 11. A pipe

(not shown) may be fitted in the upper coupler 21 so that the sand and debris drawn up out of the throat 11 will enter the pipe and can be removed for cleaning or disposal.

At the same time, the bucket 5 can be inspected and, if it contains an appreciable amount of sand and debris, the ledge 9 can be engaged by a suitable tool or by hand and the bucket 5 drawn up vertically out of the gulley body 1 and throat 11. The presence of the ribs 6, which space the bottom of the bucket 5 from the bottom 2 of the gulley body 1 , ensures that any water leaking to the bottom 2 of the gulley body 1 will not create a suction effect on the bucket 5 so that lifting of the bucket 5 is not impaired. Once lifted out of the throat 11 , the bucket 5 can be cleaned and replaced after which the plunger assembly 12, 14 can be refitted in the throat 11. The grill 23 can then be re-fitted to the top of the drainage device. In this manner, the time that the sand bunker is out of use for maintenance purposes is minimised.

In the event of persistent heavy rain, it is possible that the throat 11 will be completely filled with sand and debris before it can be removed. In that event, water, sand and debris can flow down the tubular rod 14 into the bucket 5 allowing the drainage device to still function. Thus, the drainage device has a relatively high capacity as only when both the throat 11 and bucket 5 are full will the drainage process be slowed.

Once the sand and debris in the bucket 5 reach the lower end of the tubular rod 14, it will act as a partial blockage and prevent sand and debris from being flushed down the outlet 4. By keeping the outlet 4 clear, it is possible to avoid the necessity of cleaning or replacing a pipe leading from the outlet 4 which is expensive, time-consuming and undesirable. The drainage device includes the following advantages:

• Will substantially eliminate flooding in sand bunkers in most cases

• Can be fitted in approximately one hour

• Removes up to 80% of contamination

• More than doubles the time between refurbishments

• By doubling the time therefore halves the costs of refurbishments

• Increases course playability therefore increases revenue, especially during the winter, when revenue is at is lowest

• Eliminates the need for pumping

• Cost effective

• Requires minimal maintenance

• Provides a flushing point for drainage

• Allows bunkers to be pushed up and raked within hours of heavy rain

• As bunker will not flood there is always a point of relief if needed

(no penalty)

• Reduces leaf catchment allowing for immediate blowing prior to raking especially in the Autumn when flooded bunkers trap excessive leaf fall and severely hamper pumping • Environment friendly

• Eliminates surface pumping onto fairways/rough, which can leave stones and a sand build up on these areas which in turn can damage cutting machinery

• Can be retro-fitted to provide peace of mind prior to tournaments or particularly prestigious days

• Designed to fit drainage pipes at various depths

• Due to its segmented design can be tailored to any bunker

• Because of the reduced need for maintenance, green staff are freed up for other tasks

• Provides a datum point for monitoring the depth of sand in the 15 bunker.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, during the summer months when there is usually less rain, the collar 20 and the top coupler 21 may be removed and the grill 23 fitted 20 directly to the coupler 19. In this case, the drainage device will be located at a lower level in the bunker and completely covered by sand. A supplementary filter 22 in the form of a perforated disc may be located in the coupler 19 and fastened to the grill 23 by means of a pin 18 which engages in a bore at the lower end of a fastening pin 24 which passes through the grill 23 and filter 22.

Referring additionally to Figures 6 to 10, a modified drainage device comprises similar features to the drainage device of Figures 1 to 5, with like features being given like references.

In this embodiment, the openings 7, 8 of the sides of the bucket 5 are additionally provided with a filter mesh 7A, 8A which in this example comprises a 300 micron filter mesh. This mesh 7A, 8A is intended to block any sand or other particles remaining in the fluid that exits the device through the openings 7, 8 to prevent such particles blocking the main drainage system to which the device is connected in use.

With additional reference to Figure 10, in use of the modified device, fluid slurry containing water and particulate matter such as sand, enters the throat 11 via upper grilled lid 23 as shown by arrows A. The heavier particulate matter settles on the upper surface of the sealing disc 12.

Further ingress of water and particulate matter gradually fills the throat 11 with fluid slurry as indicated by arrows B until the slurry reaches the level of, and overflows over, the upper end of the tubular rod 14 as indicated by arrows C. The fluid slurry, which may still contain some particulate matter, then, as per arrows D, flows down the inside of the tubular rod 14, and into the bucket 5. Again, the heavier particulate matter settles on the base of the bucket 5, and the fluid slurry level rises within the bucket. When the fluid slurry reaches the level of outlet opening 8, the fluid slurry, flows through the mesh 8 A and out of the modified device, as shown by arrow E. The particulate matter contained in the fluid slurry initially entering the throat 11 of the device from the sand bunker or the like, is subject to a triple separation process caused by the initial separation of fluid and particulate matter in the throat 11 , the subsequent separation of fluid and particulate matter in the bucket 5, and the final filtering of any remaining particulate matter through the mesh 8 A.