Patent Application
20100307609
The present invention generally relates to fire hydrants, and more particularly, to a system for preventing unauthorized removal of water or insertion of material into a new or pre-existing fire hydrant.
Modern fire hydrants typically include a bonnet mounted on a standpipe extending out of the ground and connected at a lower end to a fitting and a coupler which is, in turn, connected to the water distribution conveyance piping, also called a water supply main. A valve extends down through the bonnet and standpipe to control the flow of water through the fire hydrant from the water supply main. A valve operating nut extends outward from the bonnet to provide for selective movement of the valve.
One or more discharge nozzle caps are threadingly mounted on sleeves extending outward from the bonnet. Removal of the discharge nozzle caps allows a threaded connection between the sleeve and a fire hose for dispensing water from the fire hydrant when the operating nut is rotated to move the valve to an open position allowing water flow through the hydrant to the fire hose.
Tampering is a constant problem for municipal utilities. Frequently, a discharge nozzle cap is removed from the bonnet and the valve moved to the open position by a non-utility person or fireman to allow water flow from the fire hydrant. While this can be a harmless prank, an open flowing fire hydrant causes a significant decrease in the pressure of the water supply main. This results in an inability to fight fires within the entire section or loop part of the supply main grid since all nearby fire hydrants on that portion of the grid are rendered useless.
A more serious problem is the easy access to the water supply through the fire hydrant for the introduction of harmful elements, such as bacteria, virus, poison etc. It is relatively easy to remove the discharge nozzle cap, introduce a harmful element into the empty interior of the fire hydrant, re-thread the discharge nozzle cap onto the sleeve and then operate the valve stem to move the valve to the open position. The flow of water through the water main will then draw the introduced elements into the water supply.
Various tamper resistant devices have been constructed to make it more difficult to unauthorizedly open the fire hydrant and the discharge of water therethrough. Such devices are typically mechanical in nature and fit over the valve operating nut or one or more of the discharge nozzle caps to prevent unauthorized movement of the spindle or cap.
Examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,450,148, 5,072,750, 5,205,312, 5,469,724, 6,089,253, 6,112,761, 6,691,732, 6,802,338, 6,901,950, 6,994,106, 7,040,342, 7,096,882 and U.S. Published Application Number 2007/0095113.
However, such tamper resistant devices have met with limited success as a deterrent for children whom open fire hydrants to cool off and the average water thief, such as, contractors, pool companies, lawn spraying companies, etc.
In addition, the prior tamper resistant devices are inadequate for security purposes in the case of the deliberate introduction of contamination or toxic materials into the water supply through a fire hydrant. The wrenches, special tools and mechanical locks or actuators used in such tamper resistant devices are easily defeated by means of homemade tools, large pipe wrenches, or, in many cases, the actual fire hydrant opening tools acquired from water departments, fire departments, etc., and circulated through a public works department to contractors, plumbers, etc. Further, the only way to determine if a fire hydrant has been tampered with is to visually inspect the hydrant or the tamper resistant device to see if it has been damaged, opened, etc. An individual intent on the deliberate introduction of contaminates into a water system can undetectedly remove a discharge nozzle cap, introduce the contaminates into the hydrant, reinstall the cap, and then open the valve operating nut to cause the contaminates to be drawn into the water supply main. Since there is no discharge of water from the hydrant or resulting pressure loss in the water supply section or grid, this activity is undetectable.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a tamper resistant system for fire hydrants that prevents the introduction of foreign materials into a water supply via a fire hydrant. The system should also prevent unauthorized removal of water through from the hydrant while providing fireman and other authorized users easy and fast access to water within the water system.
Briefly, the present invention is directed toward an anti-tamper system for fire hydrants that prevents introduction of contaminates into the water system which supplies water to the fire hydrants and also prevents unauthorized removal of water from the water system the supplies water to the fire hydrants while providing easy access to water by authorized personnel, such as firemen.
In most areas, particularly those subject to freezing temperatures, only a portion of the hydrant is positioned above the ground. In these systems a valve is located below the frost line and connected via a riser to the above ground portion. A valve stem extends from the valve through a seal in the top portion of the hydrant, where it can be operated with the proper wrench. This design is known as a “dry barrel” hydrant, in that the barrel of the hydrant is normally dry. One or more outlet ports are provided for connection of hoses and the like for distribution of the water.
In warmer areas, where freezing of the water is not a problem, one or more valves may be incorporated above the freeze line, “wet barrel”, whereby one or more valve stems may be rotated, via the proper wrench, to allow water to flow from one or more outlet ports.
The present invention is directed toward an anti-tamper system for fire hydrants that prevents intentional introduction of contaminates into the water system as well as prevents unauthorized removal of water from the water system while still providing easy access to pressurized water by authorized personnel. The system is constructed and arranged to prevent the rotation of the valve stem and/or the nozzle cap(s) by unauthorized users. The system replaces or modifies the stem to include at least one aperture therethrough. A replacement nozzle cap is also provided. The nozzle cap includes a centrally located locking bar that cooperates with both the valve stem and the nozzle cap to prevent rotation thereof by unauthorized persons. A release tool is provided to remove or retract the locking bar from the valve stem, to allow valve operation, while simultaneously allowing rotation of the nozzle cap to allow removal thereof from the outlet port. Relocking merely requires the valve stem to be rotated to close the valve. Thereafter, the nozzle cap is replaced over the outlet port and the locking bar is moved into engagement with the stem and the nozzle cap to lock both in their respective positions until the locking bar is removed or retracted with the release tool.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an anti-tamper system for new or pre-existing fire hydrants.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an anti-tamper system for fire hydrants that prevents rotation of both the valve stem and at least one nozzle cap.
It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide an anti-tamper system for a fire hydrant having a locking rod that enters the stem of the fire hydrant to prevent rotation thereof.
It is still yet another objective of the present invention to prevent intentional introduction of contaminates into a water system, such as a city or town water system.
It is still a further objective of the present invention to prevent unauthorized removal of water from the water system that supplies water to fire hydrants.
Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
Referring to
Referring to
In a first embodiment, (FIGS. 1,2) a spring 46 extends between a shoulder 56 on the locking rod 28 and the valve stem 20 to bias the locking rod away from the valve stem aperture 32. In operation, the valve stem 20 would be moved to a closed position and the nozzle cap 24 would be threaded onto the outlet port 22. Thereafter, the locking rod assembly 26 is merely slid into the splined aperture 34 until the locking element passes the snap-ring 44. In this position the distal end of the locking rod penetrates the valve stem and the locking element engages one of the splines to prevent rotation of either element while the snap ring prevents the spring from biasing the locking assembly out of the aperture. The locking rod assembly is released by sliding distal end 62 (
In a second embodiment,
Both embodiments are suitable for wet or dry barrel applications and more than one locking rod assembly may be utilized on a single hydrant. It should also be noted that spring pins and the like may be utilized in place of the locking element without departing from the scope of the invention.
All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
