Fire hydrant assembly

• US 5,803,110 A
• Filed: 11/24/1997
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Milton Segal
• Original Assignee: Milton Segal
• Inventors: Segal, Milton
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US08/976,609
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• Field of Search: 137/68.11, 137/68.14, 137/68.15, 137/68.16, 137/272, 137/281, 137/291, 137/294, 137/296, 137/304, 137/305, 137/306, 137/307, 137/308, 137/315, 137/797, 251/291
• US Class Current: 137/68.14
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/02 Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/46 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1654 Separable valve coupling or conduit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1662 Tensile or sheer pin or bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5521 Unidirectional abutting connection between main valve or actuator and waste valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8811 Frangible

Abstract

An improved fire hydrant having a lower portion and an upper portion. Under normal circumstances the upper portion is simulated fire hydrant made of resilient plastic and connected to the lower hydrant by a special fitting attached to the rim of the hydrant and opened or closed by a key. The special fitting is fastened to a plate projecting upwardly from the lower hydrant. The plate is connected to the lower hydrant through a segmented collar that is secured around a flange of a basket housing. In case of a fire the simulated fire hydrant is replaced by a light weight metal portable hydrant on which the key is suspended, and transported on a fire truck. The portable hydrant has a plurality of dowels that fit into grooves located on an upper extension of the lower fire hydrant.

Claims

1. A fire hydrant comprising a lower fixed hydrant assembly and a variable upper portion and means connecting said upper variable portion to said lower fixed hydrant assembly, said lower fixed hydrant assembly being substantially mounted in the ground and said variable upper portion being above ground, said lower fixed hydrant assmebly including a basket housing having an upper extension and having an upper end and a lower end, a water inlet valve seated in said lower end having means for urging said valve to a normally closed position, said means comprising a first operating rod disposed in said lower hydrant assembly, one end of said rod being engaged with said valve, another end extending to said upper extension, means for supporting said rod for axial movement between a first position when said valve is opened and a second position when said valve is closed, said variable upper portion comprising a simulated fire hydrant of resilient plastic mounted to said lower fixed hydrant assembly under normal conditions and a light weight metal portable fire hydrant mounted to said lower fixed hydrant in the event of a fire, said simulated fire hydrant having a base, a circular rim adhesively attached around said base, a solid circular plate fastened within said rim, said plate extending to an inner periphery of said simulated fire hydrant and sealing said simulated fire hydrant from said lower hydrant assembly, said means for connecting said simulated fire hydrant to said lower fire hydrant assembly including a segmented breaking collar having housings aligned at ends of segments of said collar and extending outwardly therefrom, said housings including threaded openings in said housings, a rectangular plate having a lower and upper spaced threaded aperture, said lower aperture being aligned with said threaded apertures in said housings, a bolt passing through said apertures to fasten said segments of said breaking collar, said circular rim having a housing extending outwardly from said rim, said housing having an opening for a fitting that includes an enlarged head and a bolt integral with said head extending through said opening, said bolt having a threaded section externally of said head and a non-threaded section, a groove for an O-ring adjacent said threaded section, said head having a plurality of concave indentations with an O-ring in said indentations surrounding said non-threaded section of said bolt, said upper threaded aperture of said retangular plate being placed adjacent said housing extending from said rim so as to be in alignment with said threaded section of said bolt, and a key for locking said bolt to said plate.

2. A fire hydrant as in claim 1 wherein said lower fire hydrant assembly a has a lower portion having a flanged upper surface affixed to a basket housing, said segmented collar being fastened around said flanged upper surface.

3. A fire hydrant as in claim 1 where said means for connecting said portable fire hydrant to said lower hydrant assembly includes a rim on a lower end of said hydrant, said rim having a plurality of spaced dowel pins, said basket housing having an upper extension having grooved sections, said grooved sections including a wider section and a narrower section, said portable fire hydrant being placed over said extension so that the dowel pins mesh with the wider section, said portable hydrant being rotated until said dowel pins lock into said narrow section, a seal placed between said rim of said portable hydrant and said upper extension.

4. A fire hydrant as in claim 1 wherein said resilient plastic of said simulated fire hydrant is a rubber material and said light weight metal of said portable hydrant is made of aluminum, said key being carried on said portable hydrant.

5. A fire hydrant as in claim 4 wherein said key is cylindrical with four spaced bearings on the cylinder, said key having a rod extending through apertures in said cylinder, said rod being located at an opposite end from said bearings, said bearings engaging said concave indentations in said head to rotate said bolt when said rod is turned.

6. A fire hydrant as in claim 5 where said key is secured to said portable hydrant by a button that engages a slot on a bushing in a cover of said portable hydrant, said button attached to said key through a flexible wire at one end, another end of said wire having a spring clamp that fastens to a handle of said key, a connecting rod passing through said bushing and having a wheel above said cover for rotating said connecting rod and engaging said first operating rod in said lower fire hydrant assembly when it is necessary to open said water valve.