Sand Trap Liner Assembly with Spaced Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sand traps on golf courses require substantial maintenance due to vegetation growth and water retention issues, leading to undesirable conditions that can frustrate golfers and cause economic losses for course owners.
Innovation Solution
A liner assembly for sand traps, featuring a retainer layer with spaced projections made from plastic or synthetic turf materials, positioned between the base and filling material, which is water impermeable to inhibit water movement and prevent vegetation growth, while also including a drainage system to facilitate quick water evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liner assembly with water impermeable retainer layer is installed, then water accumulation is prevented and drainage is improved, but vegetation growth control requires additional retainer layer functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single retainer layer component: water impermeability (via geomembrane material), vegetation barrier functionality (via projections and filling material configuration), and structural support. This integration resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable drainage and vegetation control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer layer serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a water barrier, a vegetation barrier, and a structural element that maintains sand trap integrity. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve multiple improvements (drainage, vegetation control) without adding separate components for each function.
2Ease of operation
If plantings are allowed to grow near sand traps, then natural landscape is maintained, but vegetation spreads into the sand trap causing maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer layer with its projections and filling material acts as an intermediary barrier between the sand trap interior and surrounding vegetation. This intermediate structure prevents direct contact and spread of vegetation into the sand trap while maintaining the natural landscape outside, thereby reducing maintenance requirements without completely isolating the sand trap.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sand traps are enlarged and increased in number, then golf course difficulty is enhanced, but water retention and ponding problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liner assembly segments the sand trap into distinct functional zones: the water impermeable retainer layer creates a clear separation between the sand filling material and the base/substrate. This segmentation allows for controlled water movement and drainage while maintaining the enlarged sand trap structure, enabling course design flexibility without compromising drainage reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The liner assembly effectively prevents water accumulation and vegetation intrusion, maintaining the integrity of the sand trap and ensuring better drainage, thus enhancing playing conditions and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer layer can be substantially water impermeable to inhibit movement of water between the base and the filling material
Data Source
AI summary
A liner assembly (322) for a sand trap (10) includes a retainer layer (329) that is positioned between a base (18) of the sand trap (10) and a filling material (16) within a cavity (13) of the sand trap (10). The retainer layer (329) is covered by the filling material (16) so that the retainer layer (329) is substantially unexposed. The retainer layer (329) includes a plurality of spaced apart projections (330) that can be formed from plastic, such as synthetic turf material. In certain embodiments, the filling material (16) fills the spaces between the projections (330). The retainer layer (329) can be substantially water impermeable and can cover at least approximately a majority of the surface area of the cavity (13). The retainer layer (329) can be positioned within the cavity at an angle (328) that is at least 10 degrees relative to the horizontal (300).