GB2467924A

GB2467924A - Drainage and irrigation system

Info

Publication number: GB2467924A
Application number: GB0902807A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark R Jones; William J Grimshaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-19
Filing date: 2009-02-19
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Also published as: GB0902807D0

Abstract

The drainage and irrigation system, for use with domestic, industrial, sports or leisure ground-works, comprises a channelled mat covered with an upper permeable membrane 4. The mat is formed from upper 1 and lower 2 sections which each include raised inserts which form, in use, channels between them through which water can drain or into which water can be back-filled. The mat has drainage holes in its upper and lower sections and a hose system is connectable to the outer edging of the mats. The system may include a pallet which can be integral or detachable. The mats are preferably formed from rubber granules in a resin suspension.

Description

Drama t[ic] Drainage mats

Description

The form and function of the invention is to allow water and or rainfall to drain away effectively through the device known as drainage mats in a variety of areas to include, domestic, industrial, sports and leisure ground-works. This invention coualso be used as an effective irrigation system. This list is not exhaustive.

It is described as follows; The mats may be constructed of recycled material including rubber, plastics or other suitable materials which has been reduced to granular size and moulded in to a tile-like mat of various sizes with channels through which water is displaced.

The accompanying drawings will show the top surface area (Fig 1) has a specific number of holes to allow water to drain through at a rate conducive to allowing the turf to retain moisture for normal growth whilst removing the excess. The lower section of the mat (Fig 2) has a smaller number of holes to accommodate an allowance of water through in order to enable the ground under the mat to remain pliable. The internal lower mat surface (Fig 3) will be smooth to facilitate the clearance of water and stop the silt build-up.

The structure also uses a permeable membrane (Fig 4) with much smaller diameter holes that sits on the top surface so that the water flow through the turf can drain through at an allowable rate consistent with turf (Fig 5) and soil (Fig 6) retaining sufficient moisture for growth without saturation. The membrane's prime function is to prevent silt build-up in the mats whilst allowing good water flow.

The mat will be moulded to produce a series of channels (Fig 7) which will enable water to disperse throughout the length and breadth of the mat by way of raised inserts or spacers. ,.

The mats are intended to be used as single or multiple units with a capability for interlocking to provide greater ground cover. The mats will incorporate a water directional capability by way of an edging system (Fig 8) so that recycling or specific drain positioning can occur. Edging will act as blocking walls to the peripheral edges of the mats. Edging will be attached using a variety of means. The underneath of the mats will have optional, removable stakes that would allow the mats to be held firmly to the subsoil.

The recycling collection system consists of attached shaped lengths of rubber channeffing and a collection receptacle. The edging system will incorporate a hose connection point (Fig 9) at various designated sites on the laid out matting to allow the flushing out of silt build-up or to be used as an irrigation facility.

Technically they can be of pressure formed rubber granules in a resin suspension. The mats may of flat construction with raised spacers that form drainage channels (Fig 7).

This is aided by a permeable membrane (Fig 4) that allows water through but minimises through-put of silt from the above soil and turf layers.

The mat offers a duality of purpose in the domestic and industrial fields because of its ability not only to allow the drainage of excess surface water but also can be back pressured keeping the water within the body of the mat enabling the turf and soil to draw up the required amount of moisture when needed in arid locations.

Claims

Claims Drama t[ic] Drainage mats 1. A drainage and irrigation system comprising of an upper permeable membrane covering a channelled mat, the channels being pressure formed by the inherent construction of the mat.
2. A drainage and irrigation system as claimed in Claim one, where the channelled mat has vertical drainage holes in both upper and lower sections.
3. A drainage and irrigation system as claimed in Claim one, where side pieces are attached to the mat edges or periphery for directing water-flow.
4. A drainage and irrigation system as claimed in Claim one, where a hose system and connection point is attached and sited to designated mat edging areas for flushing or back filling.
5. A drainage and irrigation system as claimed in Claim one where channels are created by bonding or attaching top and lower mat sections by using integral raised elements to form channels.
6. A drainage and irrigation system as claimed in Claim one, which can be incorporated into a pallet which can be detachable or form part of the overall structure as an inbuilt carrier.: *
7. A drainage and irrigation system as claimed in Claim one which also has *: an interlocking capability formed as part of the mat structure. ** Si * * S *S f'sS * ** * 1 5 a.. *