Fire hydrant security cap closure system

• US 20090301571A1
• Filed: 06/04/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jack Ruhs
• Original Assignee: Jack Ruhs
• Inventors: Ruhs, Jack
• Granted Patent: US 8,020,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/296
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/06 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/16 with locking member actuated by magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5468 Cap, cover or hood
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7131 Common lock and valve actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5628 Valve encasing

Abstract

This invention provides a fire hydrant security system with an inner cap having means for attaching an outlet port of a fire hydrant in a fixed position which includes a member capable of extending from the periphery of the inner cap into a slot in the inner part of an outer cap and having means for retracting and retaining the position of the member in the inner cap, wherein said outer cap includes means for attaching the outer cap to the inner cap so that the outer cap can spin freely with respect to the inner cap, and a key wrench having means for fitting the key wrench over the outer cap and for aligning the outer cap and key wrench in a fixed position wherein the key wrench has a magnet located on the wall of the key wrench that becomes aligned with a slot on inner wall of the outer cap and wherein the rotation of the key wrench causes the magnet to align with the member and to extend the member into the slot on the inside of the outer cap thereby joining the outer cap to the inner cap.

Claims

1. A fire hydrant security system comprising

an inner cap having means for attaching an outlet port of a fire hydrant in a fixed potion and includes a member capable of extending from the periphery of the inner cap into a slot in the inner part of an outer cap and having means for retracting and retaining the position of the member in the inner cap.

wherein said outer cap includes means for attaching the outer cap to the inner cap so that the outer cap can spin freely with respect to the inner cap, and

a key wrench having means for fitting the key wrench over the outer cap and for aligning the outer cap and key wrench in a fixed position wherein the key wrench has a magnet located on the wall of the key wrench that becomes align with a slot on inner wall of the outer cap and wherein the rotation of the key wrench causes the magnet to align with the member and to extend the member into the slot on the inside of the outer cap thereby joining the outer cap to the inner cap

2. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 1 wherein the member is extended in a radial direction from the periphery of the inner cap into the slot.

3. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 2 wherein the inner cap has two members in the form of pins and wherein the means to retract and retain the pins includes springs that compress when the pins are extended.

4. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 2 wherein the means for fitting the key wrench over the outer cap and for aligning the outer cap and key wrench in a fixed position include a protrusion located on the inside wall of the key wrench that mates with a slot on the outside of the outer cap.

5. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 3 wherein the key wrench has a magnet that aligns with each pin for extending each pin into a slot in the inner part of the outer cap.

6. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 5 wherein the pins are located about 180 degrees apart in the inner cap.

7. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 1 wherein the top of the key wrench attaches to water valve fitting that is capable of mating with a water valve nut on a fire hydrant.

8. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 1 wherein the key wrench has a tracking module inside the key wrench capable of transmitting a position signal.

9. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 8 wherein the entire key wrench is made out of a material that allows the tracking module to transmit signals through the key wrench.

10. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 1 including a cradle for charging a key wrench having a tracking module wherein the cradle has means to charge a battery in the tracking module and wherein the key wrench has means for aligning the cradle and key wrench in a fixed position so that the battery charger in the cradle can make electrical contact with the battery.

11. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 10 wherein the means for aligning includes protrusion on the inner wall of the key wrench that can mate with slots located on the outside wall of the cradle.

12. A fire hydrant security system according to claim 11 wherein the key wrench has magnets located on the wall of the key wrench and the cradle has metal inserts located on the inner wall of the cradle and wherein the means for aligning the cradle and key wrench in a fixed position wrench aligns the magnets with the metal inserts.

13. A charging system for a key wrench having a tracking module wherein the key wrench is capable of opening a cap on a fire hydrant comprising

a cradle having means to charge a battery for a tracking module and

a key wrench having a tracking module having a battery located in the inside of the key wrench

where in the key wrench has means for aligning the cradle and key wrench in a fixed position so that the battery charger in the cradle can make electrical contact with the battery.

14. A charging system for a key wrench according to claim 13 wherein the means for aligning includes a protrusion on the inner wall of the key wrench that can mate with a slot located on the outside wall of the cradle.

15. A charging system for a key wrench according to claim 14 wherein the key wrench has magnets located on the wall of the key wrench and the cradle has metal inserts located on the inner wall of the cradle and wherein the means for aligning the cradle and key wrench in a fixed position wrench aligns the magnets and the metal inserts.

16. A cap for locking a fire hydrant outlet port comprising,

an outer cap having means for attaching the outer cap to an inner cap so that the outer cap can spin freely with respect to the inner cap, and

an inner cap having means for attaching in a fixed potion to an outlet port of a fire hydrant and includes a member capable of extending from the periphery of the inner cap into a slot in the inner part of an outer cap to join the inner cap to the outer cap and having means for retracting and retaining the position of the member in the inner cap.

17. A cap for locking a fire hydrant outlet port according to claim 16 wherein the member can be extended in a radial direction from the periphery of the inner cap into the slot.

18. A cap for locking a fire hydrant out let port according to claim 17 wherein the inner cap has two members in the form of pins and wherein the means to retract and retain the pins includes springs that compress when the pins are extended.

19. A cap for locking a fire hydrant out let port according to claim 18 wherein the pins are located about 180 degrees apart in the inner cap.