Bunker drain system

Abstract

An improved system for draining bunkers on golf courses. A receptacle is positioned below the bunker surface and can have an aperture for receiving drain water and an outlet for discharging the water through a conduit. A perforated pipe water collection system can be attached to the receptacle to direct water to the receptacle interior space. A receptacle cover is removable to permit access to the receptacle interior space. The cover is sufficiently strong to support the overlying weight of people and equipment and can have apertures for permitting water entry while resisting sand entry into the receptacle interior space.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for draining water from a bunker having a surface covered with sand, comprising: 
 a receptacle having an interior space for collecting water and for discharging the water through an outlet in said receptacle, wherein said receptacle is capable of being positioned in the bunker surface at an elevation substantially below the sand;    an aperture in said receptacle for permitting water entry into said receptacle interior space; and    a cover detachably engaged with said receptacle, wherein said cover resists entry of sand into said receptacle interior space, and wherein said cover is movable to permit entry into said receptacle interior space.    
     
     
         2 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a perforated pipe having an end attached to said receptacle for directing water into said receptacle interior space.  
     
     
         3 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pipe attached to said receptacle outlet for directing water away from said receptacle interior space.  
     
     
         4 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle aperture is located in said cover.  
     
     
         5 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge for attaching said cover to said receptacle.  
     
     
         6 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cover includes a plurality of apertures for permitting water entry into said receptacle interior space.  
     
     
         7 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cover includes a mesh for permitting water entry into said receptacle interior space while preventing entry of the sand.  
     
     
         8 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to said cover to facilitate movement of said cover relative to said receptacle.  
     
     
         9 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cover is sufficiently strong to resist failure caused by an object impacting said cover.  
     
     
         10 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cover includes a screen formed with expanded metal screen.  
     
     
         11 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cover includes a filter screen in combination with a support material resistant to deformation.  
     
     
         12 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cover is detachable from said receptacle.  
     
     
         13 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said aperture is substantially closed by said cover, and wherein said cover has openings for permitting entry of water into said receptacle interior space.  
     
     
         14 . A system for draining water from a bunker having a surface covered with sand, comprising: 
 a perforated pipe for collecting water from the bunker sand;    a receptacle attached to said pipe and having an interior space for receiving water from said pipe and having an outlet for discharging water from said receptacle interior space, wherein said receptacle is capable of being positioned in the bunker surface at an elevation below the sand; and    a cover detachably engaged with said receptacle, wherein said cover resists entry of sand into said receptacle interior space, and wherein said cover is movable to permit entry into said receptacle interior space.    
     
     
         15 . A system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said pipe comprises at least two pipe branches for collecting water from different locations in the sand.  
     
     
         16 . A system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said cover is sufficiently strong to resist failure caused by an object impacting said cover.  
     
     
         17 . A system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said cover has at least one opening for permitting entry of water into said receptacle interior space.  
     
     
         18 . A system as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a filter screen for resisting entry of sand into said receptacle interior space.