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US20100276009A1 - Lock for Fire Hydrants - Google Patents

Lock for Fire Hydrants Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100276009A1
US20100276009A1 US12/223,078 US22307806A US2010276009A1 US 20100276009 A1 US20100276009 A1 US 20100276009A1 US 22307806 A US22307806 A US 22307806A US 2010276009 A1 US2010276009 A1 US 2010276009A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fastening means
weathershield
stem
lock
activating end
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/223,078
Inventor
John H. Wilber
Randall K. Looney
Larry Montee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aage V Kjaers Maskinfabrik AS
Original Assignee
Aage V Kjaers Maskinfabrik AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aage V Kjaers Maskinfabrik AS filed Critical Aage V Kjaers Maskinfabrik AS
Assigned to AAGE V. KJAERS MASKINFABRIK A/S reassignment AAGE V. KJAERS MASKINFABRIK A/S ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LOONEY, RANDALL K., MONTEE, LARRY, WILBER, JOHN H.
Publication of US20100276009A1 publication Critical patent/US20100276009A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K35/00—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
    • F16K35/10—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation with locking caps or locking bars
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B9/00—Methods or installations for drawing-off water
    • E03B9/02—Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
    • E03B9/04—Column hydrants
    • E03B9/06—Covers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C35/00—Permanently-installed equipment
    • A62C35/20—Hydrants, e.g. wall-hoses, wall units, plug-in cabinets
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/5327—Hydrant type
    • Y10T137/5456—With casing
    • Y10T137/5468—Cap, cover or hood

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a lock for fire hydrants and the like liquid discharge outlets, where the lock includes a stem with an activating end, which at the top projects through a fixedly mounted top cover, said fire hydrant including a weathershield to be mounted on the activating end.
  • the fire hydrants were conventionally structured so as to be easy to use because the safety measures were to be quickly removed in order to allow a quick access to water for extinguishing the fires.
  • the fire hydrants are often coupled to the public water system, and accordingly it is of vital importance that the safety level is high so as to prohibit stray vandalists or persons intending to damage the water system from using the fire hydrant or a similar liquid discharge outlet.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a lock which in a simple and inexpensive manner ensures the necessary safety against unauthorised use of the hydrant at the same time as said hydrant can be taken into use in a relatively easy manner, if necessary.
  • the lock including a fastening means adapted to be fixedly mounted on the top cover adjacent the activating end of the stem, and by a locking device being provided for locking the weathershield together with said fastening means.
  • the locking device and consequently the weathershield can be removed or released by means of special purpose tools, such as a tool for cutting or splitting said locking device into two parts.
  • the fastening means may be adapted to be mounted adjacent the activating end of the stem and be covered by the weathershield in the mounted state thereof with the result that said fastening means is exceptionally well protected against unauthorised attempts at removing it.
  • fastening means and the weathershield may according to the invention include mutually matching openings which allow the locking device to be used in form of a padlock.
  • the locking device is of a particularly simple type which can be removed by means of a key.
  • the fastening means may according to the invention advantageously include a recess for receiving at least a portion of said thrust nut. As a result, the mounting of the fastening means can be stabilized by the thrust nut.
  • FIGURE is a perspective view of the top cover for a fire hydrant and including the lock according to the invention, where the individual parts have been spaced apart for the sake of clarity.
  • the top cover shown in the FIGURE is designated the reference numeral 1 and is a top cover of a conventionally known type used for an existing type of fire hydrants.
  • the top cover 1 forms part of the external housing of the fire hydrant and protects the uppermost end of said fire hydrant while allowing passage of an uppermost activating end 2 of a stem.
  • the stem renders it possible to open or close the valve of the fire hydrant.
  • the uppermost activating end 2 is a separate member fixedly connected to the stem and retained on said stem by means of a thrust nut 3 .
  • the thrust nut 3 includes a central through opening 4 allowing passage of the activating end 2 .
  • the lock includes an integrally cast fastening means 5 with a recess 6 .
  • the recess 6 When seen in the mounted state, the recess 6 is downwardly defined by a wall 7 with a through hole 8 for receiving a bolt 9 .
  • the bolt 9 is adapted to co-operate with a threaded bore (not shown) in the top cover 1 in such a manner that the fastening means 5 can be fastened to the top cover 1 by means of said bolt 9 .
  • the fastening means 6 is shaped such that it allows both a turning of the activating end 2 and a mounting of a weathershield 7 .
  • the weathershield 7 is of a conventionally known type and is adapted to be mounted atop the top cover 1 by means of a bolt 18 .
  • the bolt 18 is screwed fixedly into a central, threaded hole 19 in the top of the activating end 2 .
  • the weathershield 7 includes an activating top adapted to receive at least a portion of the activating end 2 .
  • the activating top 10 is shaped such that internally it matches the cross section of the activating end 2 and externally such that the stem of the fire hydrant can be activated through the activating end 2 by a turning of the weathershield 7 by means of a suitable key adapted to engage the activating top 10 .
  • the weathershield can be removed and the activating top be engaged directly by the key.
  • the fastening means 5 includes a through hole, and the axis 12 of said hole in the mounted state of said fastening means 5 extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 13 of the activating end 2 .
  • the hole 12 is interrupted by the recess 6 of the fastening means 5 .
  • the weathershield 7 includes two holes 14 and 15 positioned in such a manner that in the mounted state thereof and with the activating end 2 in the closing position, they are aligned with the through hole in the fastening means 5 .
  • a suitable padlock 16 can be fastened through the two holes 14 and 15 of the weathershield 7 and the through hole 11 of the fastening means 5 .
  • said padlock 16 can be locked in a conventionally known manner and only be removed by means of a key or a suitable cutting or splitting up tool.
  • said fastening means 5 can include a recess matching a portion of the thrust nut 3 in such a manner that the resulting mounting of the fastening means 5 on the top cover 1 is particularly stable.
  • the fastening means 5 can be made of any suitable material, such as stainless steel, and in the illustrated embodiment the fastening means 5 is completely hidden by the weathershield 7 in the mounted state. Therefore, unauthorised persons cannot remove the mounting bolt 9 without removing the padlock 16 and the weathershield 17 first.
  • the fastening means In the mounted state the fastening means must be fixedly connected to the housing of the fire hydrant, but said fastening means 5 can also be placed outside the weathershield 7 provided the demounting thereof is impossible unless the padlock 16 or another suitable locking device has been removed first.
  • the locking device 16 is a padlock, cf. above, but other locking devices can, of course, also be used provided they require special purpose tools or keys for their removal.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A lock for fire hydrants includes a stem with an activating end (2), which at the top projects through a fixedly mounted top cover (1), said fire hydrant including a weathershield (7) to be mounted on the activating end (2). The lock includes a fastening means (5) adapted to be fixedly mounted atop the top cover (1) adjacent the activating end (2) of the stem. Further, a locking device (16) is provided for locking the weathershield (7) together with the fastening means (5).

Description

  • The invention relates to a lock for fire hydrants and the like liquid discharge outlets, where the lock includes a stem with an activating end, which at the top projects through a fixedly mounted top cover, said fire hydrant including a weathershield to be mounted on the activating end.
  • Previously the fire hydrants were conventionally structured so as to be easy to use because the safety measures were to be quickly removed in order to allow a quick access to water for extinguishing the fires. However, the fire hydrants are often coupled to the public water system, and accordingly it is of vital importance that the safety level is high so as to prohibit stray vandalists or persons intending to damage the water system from using the fire hydrant or a similar liquid discharge outlet.
  • The object of the invention is therefore to provide a lock which in a simple and inexpensive manner ensures the necessary safety against unauthorised use of the hydrant at the same time as said hydrant can be taken into use in a relatively easy manner, if necessary.
  • The above object is according to the invention accomplished by the lock including a fastening means adapted to be fixedly mounted on the top cover adjacent the activating end of the stem, and by a locking device being provided for locking the weathershield together with said fastening means.
  • As a result it is not sufficient that the user merely screws off the weathershield, but he or she must also open the locking device in order to remove or release said weathershield and in order to obtain access to the activating end of the stem on the fire hydrant. If desired, the locking device and consequently the weathershield can be removed or released by means of special purpose tools, such as a tool for cutting or splitting said locking device into two parts.
  • According to the invention the fastening means may be adapted to be mounted adjacent the activating end of the stem and be covered by the weathershield in the mounted state thereof with the result that said fastening means is exceptionally well protected against unauthorised attempts at removing it.
  • In addition, the fastening means and the weathershield may according to the invention include mutually matching openings which allow the locking device to be used in form of a padlock. In this manner the locking device is of a particularly simple type which can be removed by means of a key.
  • When the top cover is associated with a thrust nut including a through hole allowing passage of the activating end of the stem, the fastening means may according to the invention advantageously include a recess for receiving at least a portion of said thrust nut. As a result, the mounting of the fastening means can be stabilized by the thrust nut.
  • The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the FIGURE of the accompanying drawing. This FIGURE is a perspective view of the top cover for a fire hydrant and including the lock according to the invention, where the individual parts have been spaced apart for the sake of clarity.
    •
  • The top cover shown in the FIGURE is designated the reference numeral 1 and is a top cover of a conventionally known type used for an existing type of fire hydrants. The top cover 1 forms part of the external housing of the fire hydrant and protects the uppermost end of said fire hydrant while allowing passage of an uppermost activating end 2 of a stem. The stem renders it possible to open or close the valve of the fire hydrant. Usually, the uppermost activating end 2 is a separate member fixedly connected to the stem and retained on said stem by means of a thrust nut 3. The thrust nut 3 includes a central through opening 4 allowing passage of the activating end 2.
  • According to the invention, the lock includes an integrally cast fastening means 5 with a recess 6. When seen in the mounted state, the recess 6 is downwardly defined by a wall 7 with a through hole 8 for receiving a bolt 9. The bolt 9 is adapted to co-operate with a threaded bore (not shown) in the top cover 1 in such a manner that the fastening means 5 can be fastened to the top cover 1 by means of said bolt 9.
  • The fastening means 6 is shaped such that it allows both a turning of the activating end 2 and a mounting of a weathershield 7. The weathershield 7 is of a conventionally known type and is adapted to be mounted atop the top cover 1 by means of a bolt 18. The bolt 18 is screwed fixedly into a central, threaded hole 19 in the top of the activating end 2. In the top, the weathershield 7 includes an activating top adapted to receive at least a portion of the activating end 2. Internally, the activating top 10 is shaped such that internally it matches the cross section of the activating end 2 and externally such that the stem of the fire hydrant can be activated through the activating end 2 by a turning of the weathershield 7 by means of a suitable key adapted to engage the activating top 10. Alternatively, the weathershield can be removed and the activating top be engaged directly by the key.
  • The fastening means 5 includes a through hole, and the axis 12 of said hole in the mounted state of said fastening means 5 extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 13 of the activating end 2. As illustrated in the drawing, the hole 12 is interrupted by the recess 6 of the fastening means 5. The weathershield 7 includes two holes 14 and 15 positioned in such a manner that in the mounted state thereof and with the activating end 2 in the closing position, they are aligned with the through hole in the fastening means 5. As a result a suitable padlock 16 can be fastened through the two holes 14 and 15 of the weathershield 7 and the through hole 11 of the fastening means 5. Upon mounting of the padlock 16, said padlock 16 can be locked in a conventionally known manner and only be removed by means of a key or a suitable cutting or splitting up tool.
  • On the side of the fastening means 5 opposite the recess 6, said fastening means 5 can include a recess matching a portion of the thrust nut 3 in such a manner that the resulting mounting of the fastening means 5 on the top cover 1 is particularly stable.
  • The fastening means 5 can be made of any suitable material, such as stainless steel, and in the illustrated embodiment the fastening means 5 is completely hidden by the weathershield 7 in the mounted state. Therefore, unauthorised persons cannot remove the mounting bolt 9 without removing the padlock 16 and the weathershield 17 first.
  • The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Many modifications can be carried out without thereby deviating from the scope of the invention. In the mounted state the fastening means must be fixedly connected to the housing of the fire hydrant, but said fastening means 5 can also be placed outside the weathershield 7 provided the demounting thereof is impossible unless the padlock 16 or another suitable locking device has been removed first. The locking device 16 is a padlock, cf. above, but other locking devices can, of course, also be used provided they require special purpose tools or keys for their removal.

Claims (4)

1. A lock for fire hydrants and the like liquid discharge outlets, where the lock includes a stem with an activating end (2), which at the top projects through a fixedly mounted top cover (1), said fire hydrant including a weathershield (7) to be mounted on the activating end (2), characterised in that the lock includes a fastening means (5) adapted to be fixedly mounted atop the top cover (1) adjacent the activating end (2) of the stem, and that a locking device (16) is provided for locking the weathershield (7) together with the fastening means (5).
2. A lock according to claim 1, characterised in that the fastening means (5) is adapted to be mounted adjacent the activating end (2) of the stem and be covered by the weathershield (7) in the mounted state thereof.
3. A lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fastening means (5) and the weathershield (7) include matching holes (11, 14, 15) allowing a padlock to be used as locking device (16).
4. A lock according to claim 1, and where a thrust nut (3) is associated with the top cover (1), said thrust nut including a hole (4) for the passage of the activating end (2) of the stem, characterised in that the fastening means (5) includes a recess for receiving at least a portion of the thrust nut (3).
US12/223,078 2006-01-26 2006-01-26 Lock for Fire Hydrants Abandoned US20100276009A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/DK2006/000042 WO2007085250A1 (en) 2006-01-26 2006-01-26 A lock for fire hydrants

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100276009A1 true US20100276009A1 (en) 2010-11-04

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/223,078 Abandoned US20100276009A1 (en) 2006-01-26 2006-01-26 Lock for Fire Hydrants

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US (1) US20100276009A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2007085250A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8302623B1 (en) 2011-01-25 2012-11-06 Nichols H Brunson Anti-backflow insert for a fire hydrant outlet
RU188164U1 (en) * 2018-07-30 2019-04-01 Игорь Валерьевич Медведев Locking device for fire connection heads
US10480680B2 (en) 2018-02-15 2019-11-19 Jock Alston McCartney Tamper resistant locking device for fire hydrant
US20230133256A1 (en) * 2020-02-24 2023-05-04 Avk Holding A/S An adapter cap for a fire hydrant, a fire hydrant and a method for remote monitoring an open-close status of a fire hydrant

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10513838B2 (en) * 2018-01-03 2019-12-24 Mueller International, Llc Hydrant cap with retainer
USD852932S1 (en) 2018-07-13 2019-07-02 Mueller International, Llc Dome-top hydrant

Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1743350A (en) * 1926-09-13 1930-01-14 Cons Ashcroft Hancock Co Spring adjustment for valves, etc.
US2176399A (en) * 1938-02-09 1939-10-17 Gilbert J Garrett Valve control
US3185336A (en) * 1963-09-13 1965-05-25 Goss Gas Inc Protective device for valved fittings or the like
US3623498A (en) * 1970-05-25 1971-11-30 United States Pipe Foundry Hydrant guard
US3626961A (en) * 1970-03-11 1971-12-14 Carlos Manuel Quinones Magnetic hydrant lock
US4033372A (en) * 1976-06-16 1977-07-05 Bowman Harold M Fire hydrant locking device
US4369807A (en) * 1980-08-01 1983-01-25 Camp John P Protective fire hydrant guard
US4484595A (en) * 1984-04-02 1984-11-27 Vanek Kenneth F Tamper-proof cover for the operating nut of a fire hydrant
US4727900A (en) * 1986-12-11 1988-03-01 Dooling Joseph S Tamper-proof hydrant cover
US5238141A (en) * 1992-09-08 1993-08-24 Callegari Peter C L.P. tank locking cover
US5469724A (en) * 1994-01-12 1995-11-28 Pollard; Jerry K. Fire hydrant locking device
US5722450A (en) * 1996-06-07 1998-03-03 Mcgard, Inc. Tamper resistant construction for hydrant
US6463953B1 (en) * 2001-12-07 2002-10-15 Joseph Cuzzo Fire hydrant protection device
US6994106B1 (en) * 2004-12-13 2006-02-07 Plasticsworks, Inc. Fire hydrant locking device

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1743350A (en) * 1926-09-13 1930-01-14 Cons Ashcroft Hancock Co Spring adjustment for valves, etc.
US2176399A (en) * 1938-02-09 1939-10-17 Gilbert J Garrett Valve control
US3185336A (en) * 1963-09-13 1965-05-25 Goss Gas Inc Protective device for valved fittings or the like
US3626961A (en) * 1970-03-11 1971-12-14 Carlos Manuel Quinones Magnetic hydrant lock
US3623498A (en) * 1970-05-25 1971-11-30 United States Pipe Foundry Hydrant guard
US4033372A (en) * 1976-06-16 1977-07-05 Bowman Harold M Fire hydrant locking device
US4369807A (en) * 1980-08-01 1983-01-25 Camp John P Protective fire hydrant guard
US4484595A (en) * 1984-04-02 1984-11-27 Vanek Kenneth F Tamper-proof cover for the operating nut of a fire hydrant
US4727900A (en) * 1986-12-11 1988-03-01 Dooling Joseph S Tamper-proof hydrant cover
US5238141A (en) * 1992-09-08 1993-08-24 Callegari Peter C L.P. tank locking cover
US5469724A (en) * 1994-01-12 1995-11-28 Pollard; Jerry K. Fire hydrant locking device
US5722450A (en) * 1996-06-07 1998-03-03 Mcgard, Inc. Tamper resistant construction for hydrant
US6463953B1 (en) * 2001-12-07 2002-10-15 Joseph Cuzzo Fire hydrant protection device
US6994106B1 (en) * 2004-12-13 2006-02-07 Plasticsworks, Inc. Fire hydrant locking device

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8302623B1 (en) 2011-01-25 2012-11-06 Nichols H Brunson Anti-backflow insert for a fire hydrant outlet
US10480680B2 (en) 2018-02-15 2019-11-19 Jock Alston McCartney Tamper resistant locking device for fire hydrant
RU188164U1 (en) * 2018-07-30 2019-04-01 Игорь Валерьевич Медведев Locking device for fire connection heads
US20230133256A1 (en) * 2020-02-24 2023-05-04 Avk Holding A/S An adapter cap for a fire hydrant, a fire hydrant and a method for remote monitoring an open-close status of a fire hydrant
US11939750B2 (en) * 2020-02-24 2024-03-26 Avk Holding A/S Adapter cap for a fire hydrant, a fire hydrant and a method for remote monitoring an open-close status of a fire hydrant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: AAGE V. KJAERS MASKINFABRIK A/S, DENMARK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WILBER, JOHN H.;LOONEY, RANDALL K.;MONTEE, LARRY;REEL/FRAME:021485/0765

Effective date: 20080714

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

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