Security device

• US 9,212,761 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christian Michael Ruddell, Timothy Daniel Manning
• Original Assignee: Christian Michael Ruddell, Timothy Daniel Manning
• Inventors: Ruddell, Christian Michael, Manning, Timothy Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): Donegan, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US14/026,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20150075646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 137/296, 137/294, 137/382, 137/377, 248/649, 248/574, 248/616, 248/125.1, 248/670, 248/188.2, 248/188.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/12 Covers for housings
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/00 Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/06 using a removable actuating or locking member, e.g. a key F16K35/10, F16K35/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/10 with locking caps or locking bars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7062 Valve guards

Abstract

A security device is configured to limit access and prevent removal of a backflow preventer connected to a fire hydrant. The security device includes an upper enclosure rotationally and detachably coupled to a lower enclosure. The upper enclosure has an upper enclosure left end and the lower enclosure comprises a lower enclosure left end each being configured to accommodate a portion of the fire hydrant. An upper access door is attached to the upper enclosure and permits and restricts access to the backflow preventer. A side door is attached to the lower enclosure and permits and restricts access to the backflow preventer to install a hose to the backflow preventer. A plurality of height adjustment legs are attached to the lower enclosure to adjust a height of the lower enclosure from ground and to carry weight of the security device which avoids plastic deformation of the backflow preventer.

Claims

1. A security device configured to limit access and prevent removal of a backflow preventer connected to a fire hydrant, the security device comprising:

an upper enclosure rotationally and detachably coupled to a lower enclosure wherein the upper enclosure further comprises an upper enclosure left end and the lower enclosure comprises a lower enclosure left end each being configured to accommodate a portion of the fire hydrant;

wherein the upper enclosure further comprises an upper enclosure left end mechanically coupled to an upper enclosure left end front corner and an upper enclosure left end rear corner;

wherein the upper enclosure left end has a generally rectangular shape with a side comprising a hemispherical recess to accommodate a portion of the fire hydrant which is more narrow than the backflow preventer such that, when closed, the security device will not slide off the fire hydrant or the backflow preventer;

an upper access door mechanically coupled to the upper enclosure wherein the upper access door permits and restricts access to the backflow preventer;

a side door mechanically coupled to the lower enclosure wherein the side door permits and restricts access to the backflow preventer to install a hose to the backflow preventer;

a plurality of height adjustment legs mechanically coupled to the lower enclosure to adjust a height of the lower enclosure from ground and to carry weight of the security device.

2. The security device of claim 1, further comprising

a right handle and a left handle mechanically coupled to the lower enclosure to facilitate moving the security device

wherein the upper enclosure further comprises an upper enclosure right end mechanically coupled to an upper enclosure right end front corner and an upper enclosure right end rear corner;

wherein the upper enclosure right end has a generally rectangular shape with a side comprising a hemispherical recess to accommodate a portion of the fire hydrant which is more narrow than the backflow preventer such that, when closed, the security device will not slide off the fire hydrant or the backflow preventer.

3. The security device of claim 1, further comprising a front leg connected to the lower enclosure and angled to avoid irregular protrusions on the fire hydrant while still supporting the weight of the backflow preventer.

4. The security device of claim 1, further comprising a grated portion mechanically coupled to the lower enclosure to permit water from the backflow preventer to drain through the lower enclosure.