Polymeric fire hydrant

• US 20060201550A1
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David L. Bangs, Peter C. Blyth
• Original Assignee: David L. Bangs, Peter C. Blyth
• Inventors: Blyth, Peter C., Bangs, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,588,049 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/294
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/04 Column hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/006 of hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5327 Hydrant type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5456 With casing

Abstract

The claimed universal polymeric molded fire hydrant is lightweight, weather resistant and will meet the UL, FM, NFPA and AWWA standards established for conventional metallic hydrants. Polymeric fire hydrants will also exceed standard performance expectations by eliminating rusting, binding, cracking and the associated need for periodic painting and lubrication. This polymeric fire hydrant costs less to produce than traditional metallic models providing significant costs savings to commercial and residential developers as well as municipalities. The inherent light weight nature of the units will reduce manpower and heavy equipment required to install it. This hydrant can be manufactured to resemble all existing traditional hydrant designs and performance specifications and will allow for future design modifications as future performance specifications and designs evolve.

Claims

1. A standard polymeric fire hydrant comprised of a hydrant with barrel, cap, rod assembly, bonnet, standpipe, stem, elbow, foot, and internal valve.

2. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 for use in wet, dry barrel and other fire hydrant applications known to those skilled in the art.

3. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 manufactured to perform to UL, FM, NFPA, and AWWA standards and rated to meet or exceed minimum working and test pressure standards.

4. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 is manufactured from a wide variety of amorphous, semi-crystalline, crystalline, thermoplastic and thermoset plastic resins.

5. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 manufactured by standard polymeric forming techniques commonly known to those versed in the art.

6. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 manufactured and assembled utilizing a wide variety of polymeric welding and attachment techniques commonly known to those versed in the art.

7. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 manufactured utilizing a wide variety of polymeric reinforcement materials and techniques commonly known to those versed in the art.

8. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 having molded in color fast, UV resistant color(s) appropriate for each municipalities flow rate color code and or color preferences.

9. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 incorporating UV stabilizers to minimize light induced degradation of the polymer.

10. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 incorporating fire retardants to maximize hydrant resistance to high temperature conditions.

11. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 incorporating lubricants to minimize the binding of threaded fittings.

12. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 manufactured with appropriate fillers to minimize differential material expansion and contraction between polymeric and metallic parts.

13. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 will include all barrel and standpipe dimensions.

14. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 manufactured with metallic and polymeric subassemblies.

15. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 having the necessary number of properly sized hose connections.

16. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 4 incorporating threaded inserts.

17. The polymeric fire hydrant described in claim 1 incorporating metallic and polymeric mechanical part connections such as nuts, bolts, clamps and nozzle cap retaining device.