Degassing apparatus for golf course water drainage system

Abstract

Improved golf course drainage systems ( 10 ) are provided which include respective drainage subsystems ( 12, 16 ), beneath the greens( 14 ) and fairways ( 18 ) of a golf course, together with degassing apparatus ( 36, 64, 84 ) operably coupling the subsystems ( 12, 16 ) and permitting venting of contaminating gases generated within the drainage systems ( 10 ). The degassing apparatus ( 36, 64, 84 ) includes a tubular connector ( 44, 66, 85 ) establishing an offset distance between the adjacent ends ( 40, 42 ) of the subsystems ( 12, 16 ), along with a vent ( 46, 68 ) in communication with the connector ( 44, 66, 85 ). The connector ( 44 ) maybe upright to establish a vertical offset distance, or a generally horizontal connector ( 66, 85 ) may be used to establish a lateral or axial offset distance. The apparatus ( 36, 64, 84 ) permits normal drainage of water while preventing build up of undesirable gases which would otherwise rise through the soil and adversely affect the turf of the golf course.

1 . A golf course drainage system for a golf course including a green and a fairway, said system comprising:
 a first drainage subsystem beneath said green and including at least one tubular green drainage line oriented to convey excess water away from the green and presenting a first end;   a second drainage subsystem beneath said fairway and including at least one tubular fairway drainage line oriented to convey excess water away from the fairway and presenting a second end; and   degassing apparatus operably coupling said green drainage line and said fairway drainage line and including a tubular connector operably coupling said first and second ends and establishing an offset distance between said first and second ends, and a tubular vent in operable communication with said connector in order to vent gases from the first and second drainage subsystems to the atmosphere.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , said offset distance being at least about 3 inches, measured center-to-center between said first and second ends. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , said distance being from about 3-12 inches. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , said first end being above said second end with said connector being upright and said offset distance being vertical. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , said vent having an open lower end containing particulate fill material. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , said first end being laterally offset relative to said second end with said connector being substantially horizontally disposed. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , said first end being axially offset relative to said second end with said connector being substantially horizontally disposed. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , including an apertured vent cap located at the upper end of said vent.