Device For Evacuating Liquids

Abstract

A portable device for evacuating liquids from areas where pooling occurs, or for places where pooled spilled liquids require removal, which can be mounted to a vehicle, and is operable by a single person, and which is characterized by a novel pump housing and novel straining means. An example for the use of the present invention is the removal of standing water from a sand trap on a golf course.

1 . A self-contained portable apparatus for evacuating a body of liquid to a selected location, said apparatus being removably secured on a carrier connected to a transporter and having a drive means:
 wherein said apparatus comprises:   a housing removably secured to said carrier, forming a chamber for a pump;   said pump having an inlet and an outlet enclosed in said housing chamber;   a liquid intake means connected to said housing in flow communication with said pump inlet; and   a liquid ejection means connected to said housing in flow communication with said pump outlet;   whereby said body of liquid may be drained by placing said carrier in proximity to said body, adjusting said liquid intake means to place it in flow communication with said body, adjusting said liquid ejection means to eject said liquid from said pump to a selected location, and operating said pump to drain liquid from said body and discharge said liquid through said liquid ejection means to said selected location.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pump further comprises:
 an impeller;   wherein said impeller is contained in said pump chamber; and   said impeller is connected to and rotated by said drive means.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said liquid intake means further comprises:
 an intake strainer; and   a guard plate;   wherein said intake strainer and said guard plate protect said pump from particles and debris in said body; and   said guard plate is of a larger diameter than said intake strainer to deflect particles and debris originating from said body.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said liquid ejection means further comprises:
 a discharge tube;   a directional nozzle;   wherein said discharge tube has a proximate end in flow communication with said pump outlet, and a distal end connected to said directional nozzle.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said directional nozzle is rotatable in both the horizontal and vertical planes. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said directional nozzle oscillates while dispersing said body of liquid. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said directional nozzle controls the intensity of the dispersed liquid. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pump housing is formed from a single cast material. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pump housing provides support for said drive means. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pump housing provides connection means for mounting said portable apparatus to said carrier. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said drive means is a motor connected to an independent fuel tank. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said motor draws fuel from said transporter. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said drive means is connected to quick connections for a hydraulic motor. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said carrier is a hydraulic lift assembly that is used to raise and lower said apparatus. 
   
   
       15 . A grounds maintenance device for evacuating a body of liquid, in particular, water from a sand trap bunker on a golf course, to a selected location, said device being removably secured on a carrier connected to to a rake vehicle and having drive means:
 wherein said device comprises:   a housing having a chamber;   a pump having an inlet and an outlet enclosed   in said housing chamber;   a liquid intake means connected to said housing in flow communication with said pump inlet; and   a liquid ejection means connected to said housing in flow communication with said pump outlet;   whereby said body may be drained by placing said carrier in proximity to said body, adjusting said liquid intake means to place it in flow communication with said body, adjusting said liquid ejection means to eject liquid from said pump to a selected location, and operating said   pump to drain liquid from said body and discharge said liquid through said   liquid ejection means to said selected location.   
   
   
       16 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 15  wherein said pump further comprises:
 an impeller;   wherein said impeller is contained in said pump chamber; and   said impeller is connected to and rotated by said drive means.   
   
   
       17 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 15  wherein said liquid intake means further comprises:
 an intake strainer; and   a guard plate;   wherein said intake strainer and said guard plate protect said pump from particles and debris in said body; and   said guard plate is of a larger diameter than said intake strainer to deflect particles and debris originating from below said body.   
   
   
       18 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 15  wherein said liquid ejection means further comprises:
 a discharge tube;   a directional nozzle;   wherein said discharge tube has a proximate end in flow communication with said pump outlet, and a distal end connected to said directional nozzle.   
   
   
       19 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 18  wherein said directional nozzle is rotatable in both the horizontal and vertical planes. 
   
   
       20 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 15  wherein said pump housing is formed from a single cast material. 
   
   
       21 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 15  wherein said pump housing provides support for said drive means. 
   
   
       22 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 15  wherein said pump housing provides connection means for mounting said portable device to said carrier. 
   
   
       23 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 15  wherein said carrier is a hydraulic lift assembly that is used to raise and lower said apparatus. 
   
   
       24 . The grounds maintenance device of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a rake assembly;   wherein said rake assembly is adapted for mechanical attachment to said grounds maintenance apparatus; and   wherein upon draining said sand trap bunker, said rake assembly is employed to condition said bunker sand trap.   
   
   
       25 . A method for the draining a body of liquid, in particular water from a sand trap bunker comprising the steps of:
 a. transporting a liquid evacuation device with an intake means and a discharge means with a transporter to a flooded sand trap bunker; and   b. incrementally lowering said intake means below said water level within said flooded sand trap bunker with a carrier connected to said transporter; and   c. adjusting said discharge means so as to direct the flow of said water to be drained; and   d. activating said liquid evacuation device to drain said liquid from the flooded sand trap bunker; and   e. monitoring said water level to incrementally lower said intake means in response to the decreasing water level; and   f. raising said intake means of said liquid evacuation device from said flooded sand trap upon achievement of the desired level of liquid removal.   g. treating and conditioning said evacuated sand trap bunker with a rake.