Patent Application
20090158791
This invention relates generally to hose bibs and, in particular, to tamper-resistant hose bib locks that prevent unauthorized access to fluid dispensed by a hose bib.
Hose bibs are utilized for dispensing fluids in many different environments. For example, almost every residential home includes an external hose bib to dispense water. However, hose bibs are not limited to use with systems for dispensing water. Hose bibs may be utilized for dispensing fluids for chemical processing, such as in a chemistry laboratory or an industrial environment.
Regardless of the environment in which hose bibs are utilized, it is frequently desirable to limit access to the dispensed fluid. For example, in certain areas of the country, water has become expensive. Preventing unscrupulous neighbors or others from “stealing” water from a hose bib is becoming increasingly important. Furthermore, it is frequently desirable to limit access to a hose bib for innocuous reasons. A small child could, for example, carelessly turn on a hose bib adjacent to a home, potentially resulting in flooding and water damage to the home.
While hose bib locks have been developed to address some of these issues, conventional hose bib locks are poorly designed and can easily be circumvented. As a result, a tamper-resistant hose bib lock is desirable. Such a device is disclosed and claimed herein.
A tamper-resistant hose bib lock is disclosed. The tamper-resistant hose bib lock may be utilized in connection with a hose bib having a threaded end and a narrow region proximate the threaded end.
The hose bib lock includes a sealing cup having internal threads to engage the threaded end of the hose bib. The sealing cup creates a fluid-tight seal between the sealing cup and the threaded end of the hose bib.
The hose bib lock further includes a first mating and a second mating jaw connected by an intermediate hinge. The hinge enables the mating jaws to be positioned in an open state and a closed state. The mating jaws, when in a closed state and positioned around a sealing cup secured to the threaded end of the hose bib, form an enclosure that surrounds and prevents access to the sealing cup.
Each mating jaw has a neck flange. When the mating jaws are in a closed state and surround a sealing cup secured to a hose bib, the neck flange of each of the mating jaws abuts or is sufficiently proximate the narrow region of the hose bib to prevent removal of the mating jaws from the hose bib.
In one embodiment, when the mating jaws are in a closed state, a seam between the two mating jaws is zigzag in shape. In such an embodiment, the first mating jaw has a first extension that mates with a first recess in the second mating jaw, and the second mating jaw has a second extension that mates with a second recess in the first mating jaw.
Each mating jaw may further include an end cap and a lock receptor extension secured to the end cap. Each lock receptor extension may be generally perpendicular to the end cap to which it is attached. In one embodiment, the lock receptor extensions of each of the mating jaws are aligned only when the mating jaws are in a closed position. This configuration more securely retains the mating jaws in a closed position, decreasing or eliminating the possibility that the jaws may be pried apart.
In one embodiment, lock receptor extensions are positioned on each mating jaw on proximate portions, which are situated generally opposite the hinge. In this embodiment, the lock receptor extensions, when the mating jaws are in a closed and locked state provide additional leverage, decreasing the possibility of prying the mating jaws apart.
In one embodiment, there is insufficient friction between the proximate surfaces of the sealing cup and the enclosure to cause the sealing cup to rotate by rotating the enclosure. This feature provides additional security, making it more difficult to remove the sealing cup and access the protected fluid.
The tamper resistant hose bib lock may be used in the following manner. A sealing cup having internal threads is secured to the threaded end of a hose bib to create a fluid-tight seal. The mating jaws are closed around the sealing cup. In the closed state, the mating jaws surround and prevent access to the sealing cup. The neck flange abuts or is proximate the narrow region of the hose bib to prevent removal of the mating jaws from the hose bib. A lock is secured through openings in each of the lock receptor extensions to secure the mating jaws in a closed state.
In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other features and advantages of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the tamper-resistant hose bib lock of the present invention, as represented in
The hose bib 102 of
The hose bib 102 may be configured in a number of different ways for use with the disclosed tamper-resistant hose bib lock 100. For example, the hose bib 102 may have a generally linear nozzle region rather having a curved nozzle region 118, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. The hose bib 102 is not part of the hose bib lock 100.
The sealing cup 106 is generally in the shape of a cup and includes internal threads 120 to engage the threaded end 114 of the hose bib 102. The purpose of the sealing cup 106 is to prevent fluid, such as water, from exiting the hose bib 102 when the sealing cup 106 is secured thereto. To achieve this purpose, the sealing cup 106 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the sealing cup 106 may be made of a polymer-based material. Alternatively, the sealing cup 106 may be made of a metal material and a sealing material (not shown), such as a resilient sealing material. The dimensions and overall shape of the sealing cup 106 may be varied within the scope of this invention so long as the sealing function is achieved.
The hose bib lock 100 includes a first and a second mating jaw 108a-b, as indicated above. The mating jaws 108a-b are secured to each other utilizing a hinge 112. Thus, the mating jaws 108a-b may be positioned in an open and a closed state. In
Each mating jaw 108a-b includes a neck flange 122a-b, an outer wall 124a-b, and an end cap 126a-b. When in a closed state, the neck flange 122a-b creates an opening (shown in
Referring to
Also, the shape of the lock receptor extensions 128a-b, as shown in
In one embodiment, there is insufficient friction between the proximate surface 134 of the sealing cup 106 and the proximate surface 135 of the mating jaws 108a-b to cause the sealing cup 106 to rotate by rotating the mating jaws 108a-b. The lack of friction between the sealing cup 106 and the mating jaws 108a-b may be achieved in a number of different ways. For example, it may be achieved by manufacturing the mating jaws 108a-b and sealing cup 106 and to have proximate surfaces 134, 135 that are smooth. It may also be achieved in the alternative or together with the use of a smooth surface, by selecting materials from which the sealing cup 106 and the mating jaws 108a-b are made that will have relatively low friction coefficients. In addition, the neck flange 122 may extend and engage the hose bib 102 at the narrow region 116 before the proximate surfaces 134, 135 engage, thereby eliminating or mitigating any potential friction between the proximate surfaces 134, 135.
As illustrated in
A locking device 137 has been positioned and secured through the openings 132a-b in the lock receptor extensions 128a-b of each of the mating jaws 108a, 108b. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many different types of locking devices 137 may be utilized with the tamper-resistant hose bib lock 100.
In the locked condition, the mating jaws 108a, 108b are secured in a closed state, preventing unauthorized access to the hose bib 102 and, in particular, preventing removal of the sealing cup 106. Because the sealing cup 106 creates a fluid-tight seal between the hose bib 102 and the sealing cup 106 itself, water will not flow from the hose bib 102 even if the adjustment knob 138 of the hose bib 102 is rotated to an open position. Thus, the tamper-resistant hose bib lock 100 prevents unauthorized use or waste of water or another fluid dispensed by the hose bib 102.
It may be noted here that the exterior shape of the enclosure 136 may be varied within the scope of this invention. For example, the outer wall 124a-b could have a generally square or rectangular or polygonal shape while the proximate surface 134 (shown in
As shown, the sealing cup 106 optionally includes a sealing material 140, such as a resilient material, that creates a fluid-tight seal between the sealing cup 106 and threaded end 114 of the hose bib 102. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing cup 106 itself may be made from a material to create a fluid-tight seal between the hose bib 102 and sealing cup 106.
The neck flange 122a-b of each of the mating jaws 108a, 108b abuts or is proximate to the narrow region 116 of the hose bib 102 and thus prevents removal of the hose bib lock 100 from the hose bib 102. In particular, the opening 141, optionally a circular opening 141, created by the neck flanges 122a-b is narrower than the adjacent portions of the hose bib 102, thereby preventing removal of the hose bib 102 without removal of the lock (shown in
As illustrated, a seam 142 between the mating jaws 108a, 108b is generally zigzag in shape. The first mating jaw 108a includes a first extension 144 that mates with a first recess 146 of the second mating jaw 108b. Further, the second mating jaw 108b includes a second extension 148 that mates with a second recess 150 of the first mating jaw 108a. Of course, the mating jaws 108a, 108b may include any number of mating extensions 144, 148 and recesses 146, 150 within the scope of this invention, and the seam 142 may be curvilinear or zigzagged so long as the mating jaws 108a-b mate to prevent access to the sealing cup 106.
The central portion 152 of the seam 142, to which the lock receptor extensions 128a-b are adjacent, is generally oriented at perpendicular angle 154 relative to the remainder 156 of the seam 142. The perpendicular orientation of the lock receptor extensions 128a-b relative to the remainder 156 of the seam 142 improves the design, making it more difficult to pry the mating jaws 108a, 108b apart and access sealing cup 106 in an unauthorized manner.
It should be observed that in an alternative embodiment, the lock receptor extensions 128a-b may be oriented at a different angle, other than a perpendicular angle 154, relative to the remainder 156 of the seam 142. Also, the lock receptor extensions 128a-b could be positioned at different locations along the seam 142. There could be more than one set of lock receptor extensions 128a-b utilized within the scope of this invention. As an example, the lock receptor extensions 128a-b and/or zigzag seam 142 could be positioned on other sides of the mating jaws 108a, 108b, such as being positioned generally opposite the hinge 112 on the outer walls 128a-b (shown in
The hose bib 202 of
As explained in connection with the
The sealing cup 206 is generally in the shape of a cup and includes internal threads 220 to engage the threaded end 214 of the hose bib 202. The sealing cup 206 may be embodied in a number of different ways so long as the sealing function is achieved, as discussed in connection with
The hose bib lock 200 includes a first and a second mating jaw 208a-b. The mating jaws 208a-b are secured to each other utilizing a hinge 212. Thus, the mating jaws 208a-b may be positioned in an open and a closed state. In
Each mating jaw 208a-b includes a neck flange 222a-b, an outer wall 224a-b, and an end cap 226a-b. When in a closed state, the neck flange 222a-b creates an opening (shown in
The embodiment shown in
Referring to
In one embodiment, there is insufficient friction between the proximate surface 234 of the sealing cup 206 and the proximate surface 235 of the mating jaws 208a-b to cause the sealing cup 206 to rotate by rotating the mating jaws 208a-b. As noted in connection with
As illustrated in
A locking device 237 has been positioned and secured through the openings 232a-d in the lock receptor extensions 228a-d of each of the mating jaws 208a, 208b. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many different types of locking devices 237 may be utilized with the tamper-resistant hose bib lock 200.
In the locked condition, the mating jaws 208a, 208b are secured in a closed state, preventing unauthorized access to the hose bib 202 and, in particular, preventing removal of the sealing cup 206. Because the sealing cup 206 creates a fluid-tight seal between the hose bib 202 and the sealing cup 206 itself, water will not flow from the hose bib 202 even if the adjustment knob 238 of the hose bib 202 is rotated to an open position. Thus, the tamper-resistant hose bib lock 200 prevents unauthorized use or waste of water or another fluid dispensed by the hose bib 202. As explained above in connection with
Further, the embodiment shown in
Positioning of the lock receptor extensions 228a-b of the embodiment shown in
With reference to
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
