Tamper resistant valve actuator for fire hydrant
First Claim
1. In a fire hydrant assembly including a hydrant standpipe, a vertically oriented valve stem positioned within said standpipe, said valve stem being rotatable for displacing a valve member and a bonnet enclosing said standpipe and valve stem, wherein the improvement comprises tamper resistant valve actuating means for selectively rotating the valve stem, said actuating means including a body portion extending below said bonnet, coupling means provided in said body portion for engagement with the valve stem and further including a nongrippable conical surface portion projecting through said bonnet, said conical surface defining a bullet shaped nose having a plurality of recesses therein being adapted for cooperative interaction with wrench means for operating said actuating means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tamper resistant valve actuator for a fire hydrant has a bullet shaped nose presenting a nongrippable conical surface. Three equally spaced shallow recesses are provided in the conical surface at a common elevation. A special wrench includes radially projecting set screws adapted for complementary fit within the recesses and adjustable tightening thereto for operating the valve stem. The actuator is designed for installation on conventional hydrant assemblies and in substitution of the existing pentagon head operating nut. In a modified embodiment, the valve operating nut is provided with a valve stem socket for compatibility with another form of hydrant assembly. In addition, the wrench receiving recesses are placed in a variant pattern.
21 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. In a fire hydrant assembly including a hydrant standpipe, a vertically oriented valve stem positioned within said standpipe, said valve stem being rotatable for displacing a valve member and a bonnet enclosing said standpipe and valve stem, wherein the improvement comprises tamper resistant valve actuating means for selectively rotating the valve stem, said actuating means including a body portion extending below said bonnet, coupling means provided in said body portion for engagement with the valve stem and further including a nongrippable conical surface portion projecting through said bonnet, said conical surface defining a bullet shaped nose having a plurality of recesses therein being adapted for cooperative interaction with wrench means for operating said actuating means.
- 11. A tamper resistant rotatable actuator in combination with a fire hydrant comprising a cylindrical body member defining a conical surface at one end, said conical surface adapted to project through a housing member for covering a fire hydrant opening, said conical surface further including a plurality of recesses selectively engageable by wrench means for operating said actuator, said recess having a first portion semicircular perimeter wall inclined approximately 60 degrees from a plane normal to the conical surface with the remaining portion of the perimeter wall gradually covering with the conical surface to define a slip surface corresponding with the direction of rotation for substantially eliminating a leverage point by which the actuator could be operated other than with the companion wrench.
Specification