Automatic Draining Freezeless Wall Faucet

Abstract

A fluid hydrant is provided that includes an improved plunger and stem screw, which controls the position of the plunger. More specifically, a plunger having a generally flat face is provided that helps users appreciate when the hydrant is in a closed position. Furthermore, the stem screw is provided that prevents rotational motion of a control rod that controls the location of the plunger.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a wall hydrant for delivering fluid. Some embodiments of the present invention employ an inlet valve with a flattened plunger and/or a stem screw that substantially prevents rotation of a control rod and associated plunger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, wall hydrants 2 are commonly used for supplying water and are usually associated with an outside of a structure. As such, wall hydrants are exposed to the elements, most notably, reduced temperatures that may damage the hydrant during freezing. Hydrants 2 generally include a partially-hollow housing 6 with a handle 10 rotatably interconnected thereto. The hollow portion, or bore 14 provides a fluid path from a fluid inlet pipe 18 to an outlet. To initiate or cease fluid flow, the handle 10 is turned, which transitions a control rod 26 located within the housing 6 and the pipe 18. An end of the control rod 26 is associated with a plunger 30 that selectively engages an inlet fitting 34 to form an inlet valve 38 that opens and closes the hydrant 2. The plunger 30 is spaced from the inlet fitting 34 to create a fluid path. To cease fluid flow the inlet valve 38 is shut wherein the plunger 30 is located at least partially within the inlet valve 38.

Often, the plunger 30 includes a hemispherical portion that interfaces with the inlet fitting 34. Such plungers 30 are prone to compress and extrude into inlet fitting 34 when increased pressure from the control rod 26 is applied. That is, most users do not appreciate when the hydrant 2 is in a closed position, some fluid will naturally leak from the outlet and/or other ports of the housing to prevent fluid. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, fluid within the pipe 18 and housing 6 must be drained in order to prevent damage caused by freezing. After the hydrant 2 is closed, this draining fluid is often viewed by the user as an indication that the hydrant is not completely closed and additional rotational force is applied to the handle 2 to “close” the inlet valve 38. Generally, when the user subsequently tightens the handle, any fluid that was located within the pipe 18 and/or housing 6 has been expelled and, thus, the user believes that the subsequent tightening achieved the desired effect. What is often accomplished, however, is that the plunger 30 has been extruded into the inlet fitting 34, thereby potentially damaging the plunger 30 and possibly preventing subsequent closure of the inlet valve 38. More specifically, when attempts are subsequently made to open the hydrant a portion of the plunger may be sheared therefrom, a stem screw that interconnects the handle 10 to the drain valve 50 may snap, etc.

The inlet valves 38 of prior art hydrants 2 include an inlet fitting 34 that receives the plunger 30 to cease flow of fluid therethrough. The inlet fitting 34 thus includes a cavity therein having sidewalls 42. Contact of the plunger 30 to the sidewalls 42 somewhat obstructs fluid flow through the inlet valve 38. This sidewall/plunger interaction is often referred to as a “blind spot”. For example, the plunger 30 can travel approximately 0.25 inches into the cavity without completely closing the inlet valve 38. As the plunger 30 travels through the blind spot and to its ultimate engagement with an end of the cavity, i.e., the “seat” 46, a drain valve 50 (See FIG. 4) positioned on the end of the hydrant 2 adjacent to the outlet is opened to allow non-pressurized fluid to drain through holes 54 associated with the housing 6. The drain valve 50 is often employed within a hydrant and situated adjacent to a stem screw 66. Rotation of the handle 10 initially closes the drain valve 50 and opens the inlet valve 38, the handle 10 is rotated in the opposite direction, to close the hydrant, which initially closes the inlet valve 38 and then opens the drain valve 50 to allow any fluid located within the pipe 18 and/or housing 6 to drain through the drain hole 54 of the housing 6.

The drawback of the blind spot of the prior art is that when the plunger 30 initially contacts the blind spot, some users believe that the hydrant 2 is closed. As explained above, this may be the case, but fluid trapped within the pipe is not able to drain since further rotation of the handle 10 is required to open the drain valve 50. That is, further rotation of the handle is needed to completely close the inlet valve 38 and to allow the drain valve 54 to open such that substantially all fluid within the pipe 18 and/or housing 6 can drain. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, if the plunger 30 is not completely sealed, the fluid may continue to enter the pipe 18 and that fluid will remain trapped within the housing 6 and the pipe 18 which leads to freezing and bursting of the hydrant 2.

Prior art hydrants 2 also include a large nut 58 or, i.e. “head”, that seals the housing 6 and provides a location for operable interconnection of the handle 10. One drawback of nuts 58 of the prior art is that leak paths are present due to the complicated interconnection of the nut 58 and the housing 6. Furthermore, a plurality of drain holes 54 are often provided that require a splash guard 62 to prevent pressurized fluid from exiting the hydrant 2 and soaking the user.

Another drawback of hydrants 2 of the prior art are that they employ stem screws 66 that are made of a brittle material. Stem screws 66 are devices that are interconnected between the handle 10 and the control rod 26. As the handle 10 is rotated, the stem screw 66, which is threadingly engaged within the nut 58, also rotates. The rotational motion causes the stem screw 66 to translate along the axis 70 of the pipe 18 by way of a threaded interconnection with the nut 58. The stem screw 66 is slidingly and rotatably interconnected to the drain valve 54 such that rotation of the stem screw 66 does not impart substantial rotation onto the drain valve 54. The drain valve 54 is also interconnected to the control rod 26. Stem screws 66 of the prior art are constructed of Delrin, a material that is similar to plastic and thus is susceptible to cracking.

Although the stem screw 66 has been described as being slidably and rotatably interconnected to the drain valve 50, one skilled in the art will appreciate that some rotation may be imparted from the stem screw 66 due to frictional contact between the two components. Any rotation of the drain valve 50 will necessarily impart rotation on the control rod 26 and thus the plunger 30. Rotation of the plunger 30 will increase wear as it is inserted and removed from the inlet fitting 34. That is, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a rotating and translating plunger 30 wears more quickly than a plunger 30 that simply translates into the inlet fitting 34 without substantial rotation.

Thus it is a long felt need to provide a hydrant that includes a control rod that does not substantially rotate relative to the rotation of the handle. It is also a long felt need to provide a plunger that is wear resistant and that allows a user to quickly ascertain whether closure of the inlet valve is complete. The following disclosure describes an improved hydrant having a unique stem screw and plunger design that addresses at least the above-identified issues. Other advantages of the hydrant described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a hydrant. More specifically, hydrants of embodiments of the present invention are generally comprised of a housing that possesses a bore for the transportation of fluid therethrough. The bore is also in fluidic communication with a fluid outlet. Rotation of the handle moves a control rod located within a pipe associated with the housing that opens or closes an inlet valve. One end of the control rod is interconnected to a drain valve, which selectively blocks or allows fluid through a drain hole of the housing. The drain valve is also threadingly interconnected to a stem screw that is rotated by rotation of the handle. In some embodiments, the stem screw is rotatably associated with the housing by a nut, which also caps the housing. The stem screw is also positioned by a washer that is spaced from the nut. An insert interconnects the control rod to the plunger that is designed to selectively enter and exit an inlet fitting associated with the pipe to form the inlet valve.

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a plunger with a generally flat face for selective engagement with a valve seat with a generally flat portion. The face provides a “solid” stop against the inlet fitting, thereby indicating to the user that the hydrant is completely closed. The flat face also helps prevents extrusion of the plunger into the inlet fitting after additional force is applied by the user. Since the plunger can not extrude into the inlet valve, the force applied to the handle to open and close the inlet valve is generally the same. To further prevent such extrusion, the distance between the insert and the face is minimized over that of the prior art. More specifically, a 20 percent reduction of the material between the insert and the face of the plunger with respect to that of the prior art is realized. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may include an inlet with a reduced sidewall. Reduction of the sidewall, i.e., “blind spot”, is conducive to indicate to the user that the hydrant is shut off. That is, the deeper the blind spot, the more turns subsequent to fluid shut off are needed to completely close the fluid flow and to open the drain valve. Thus by reducing the “blind spot”, less handle turns are required to open the drain valve and the chances are increased that the fluid located within the pipe and/or housing will be drained.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an ergonomic housing. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention position a fluid outlet on the right side of the handle, thereby making it easier for operation by right handed users. In addition, the outlet may be curved somewhat to enable the positioning of an anti-siphon valve away from the handle to facilitate interconnection of a hose, for example. Such anti-siphon devices are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/126,476, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the outlet may be positioned on the left hand side of the handle, above the handle or below the handle. Furthermore, a plurality of handles may be incorporated onto the housing to provide a hot and cold water through the outlet as shown, for example in U.S. Pat. No. RE 39,235, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an air vent, i.e., a hole in the housing to allow air to enter the bore. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention employ a hole through an upper portion of the hydrant that is, preferably, capped with a plug, such that air can enter into the housing and splash associated with the expulsion of a pressurized fluid from the bore is prevented by the plug.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a hydrant employing a smaller nut. More specifically, as described above, a nut is used to interconnect the handle to the housing. Nuts of the prior art are screwed into the housing and threadingly interconnected to the stem screw by a fastener. The handle is also interconnected to the stem screw such that rotation of the handle will impart rotation of the stem screw, which is threadingly engaged to an inner portion of the nut. Thus, two leak paths exist. One between the housing and the nut and one between the nut and the stem screw.

Alternatively, the nut of embodiments of the present invention are shorter and less complex than the nuts of the prior art. The nut of the embodiments of the present invention are threadingly engaged onto the housing and include hole therethrough. The hole receives and rotatably engages the stem screw, which is interconnected to the handle via a fastener. Thus, the nut of embodiments of the present invention are smaller and weigh about 80 percent less than those of the prior art, which translates into material savings and part complexity reduction.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide an improved handle. Embodiments of the present invention achieve interconnection of the handle to the stem screw via a spine connection and screw. Alternatively, hydrants of the prior art employ a handle with a square recess that receives a portion of the stem screw. Further, handles of embodiments of the present invention are enlarged, and preferably oval, which increases grip and the torque applied to the stem screw.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an improved stem screw. Embodiments of the present invention employ a stem screw made of brass or other rigid metallic material that is not brittle and thus is not prone to cracking. One of skill in the art will appreciate that plastic or other similar material may be employed. The stem screw also includes a portion, i.e. “shoulder”, that resides between an inner surface of the nut and a washer, which is spaced from the nut within the housing. This configuration captivates the stem screw and prevents substantial longitudinal movement thereof when rotated. Preferably, the stem screw rotates within the nut, as opposed to being threadingly interconnected thereto, which reduces complexity of the stem screw and the nut. The stem screw is threadingly interconnected to the drain valve such that rotation of the stem screw will impart translational motion onto the drain valve and the control rod. Prior art devices, alternatively, employed a stem screw that translated along with the drain valve and the rod. Other mechanisms are employed within the housing that help prevent the rotation of the drain valve. For example, the drain valve may include flats that selectively interact with flats inside the housing to prevent rotation of the drain valve, which will be described in further detail below. Finally, the thread pitch of the stem screw may be decreased over that of the prior art such that the number of turns required to open the hydrant is substantially reduced. For example, in one embodiment, the pitch of the threads is changed from about 8 threads per inch to about 10 threads per inch, an about 20 percent change over stem screws of the prior art.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a hydrant that has ease of assembly. More specifically, the hydrants of the prior art require that the handle, nut and stem screw be interconnected in a subassembly prior to assemblage into the housing. Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention have been designed with interior diameters that step down so assembly may be accomplished from the front of the hydrant. That is, a subassembly comprising the control rod, the plunger and the drain valve may be initially placed within the housing and the pipe. Next, the washer, the stem screw, the nut and the handle may be added to complete the hydrant assembly.

The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydrant of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional detailed view of the inlet valve of prior art hydrants;

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an inlet valve of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the hydrant of the prior art;

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a hydrant of one embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded perspective view of components of one embodiments of the present invention.

To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

#   Components
2   Hydrant
6   Housing
10  Handle
14  Bore
18  Pipe
22  Outlet
26  Control rod
30  Plunger
34  Inlet fitting
38  Inlet valve
42  Side wall
46  Seat
50  Drain valve
54  Drain hole
58  Nut
62  Splash guard
66  Stem screw
70  Longitudinal axis
74  Insert
78  Valve
82  Vent
86  Face
90  Outer surface
94  Seal
98  Screw
102 Washer
106 Inner surface
110 Handle
114 Shoulder
118 Sealing ring
122 Drain valve flat
126 Housing flat
130 Plunger
146 Seat
150 Drain valve
158 Nut
166 Stem screw

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7, one embodiment of a hydrant 2 the present invention is provided that generally includes a housing 6 that is interconnected to a handle 110 on one end and a pipe 18 on the other end. The pipe 18 is also interconnected to an inlet fitting 34 that is associated with the fluid source of a building. The pipe 18 also includes a centrally-located control rod 26 that is interconnected on one end to an insert 74 that is also interconnected to a plunger 130 that selectively moves into and out of the inlet fitting 34 to form an inlet valve 38. The other end of the control rod 26 is interconnected to a drain valve 150 that is threadingly interconnected to a stem screw 166. The stem screw 166 is interconnected on another end to the handle 110 that is held in place by a nut 159. Rotation of the handle 110 rotates the stem screw 166, which transitions the drain valve 150 along a longitudinally axis 70 of the pipe 18. The transition of the drain valve 150 also translates the control rod 26 and thus moves the plunger 130 into or out of the inlet 34 to cease or begin the flow of fluid through the pipe, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the housing 6 is generally constructed of cast metal. One skilled in the art will appreciate however, that the housing 6 may be machined or otherwise formed of a rigid material. The housing 6 is designed to fasten to an exterior portion of a structure, wherein the pipe 18 is then interconnected thereto. The housing 6 includes an outlet 22 that may be designed to threadingly receive an anti-siphon valve 78 or other backflow prevention device. The housing 6 also includes a vent 82 positioned on the upper end thereof to allow air to enter therethrough to prevent a vacuum being created within the housing and/or to aid in the expulsion of fluid through a drain hole (not shown), when the flow of fluid is ceased.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the inlet valve 38 of the hydrant 2 of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. FIG. 2 shows the inlet valve of the hydrant of the prior art for comparison purposes. The plunger 130 includes a generally flat (or semi-flat) face 86 that selectively engages a seat 46 of the inlet fitting 34. Other shapes can also be employed. The face 86 provides a stop that helps users identify when the inlet valve is completely closed. The inlet fitting 34 also includes a sidewall 42 then interfaces with an outer surface 90 plunger to initially close the inlet valve 38. As the plunger 130 is fully inserted, the drain valve 150 is opened to allow fluid to exit the hydrant. The inlet fitting 34 is threadingly engaged to the pipe 18. Preferably, however, the inlet fitting 34 is interference fit onto the pipe 18 wherein a seal 94 provides additional leak prevention.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the stem screw 166 and drain valve 150 of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. FIG. 4 shows the prior art and is provided for comparison purposes. The handle 110 of one embodiment of the present invention is interconnected to the stem screw 166 via a spline connection and further interconnected thereto via a screw 98. A nut 158 is provided with an aperture therethrough that is interconnected to the housing 6. A portion of the stem screw 166 is rotatably engaged within the nut 158. A washer 102 is spaced a predetermined distance from an inner surface 106 of the nut 158. The stem screw 166 includes a shoulder 114 that is positioned within the space between the washer 102 and the inner surface 106 such that longitudinal movement of the stem screw 166 is substantially prevented. Further, the stem screw 166 includes a plurality of threads that operably interconnect the stem screw 166 to the drain valve 150. The housing 6 includes at least one drain hole 54, slot or opening and an air vent 32 that allows fluid to exit the housing 6. Alternatively, with reference to FIG. 4, hydrants of the prior art employ a nut 58 having a plurality of drain holes 54 and a splash guard 62. Of course, embodiments may employ the draining scheme of the prior art.

The drain valve 150, which is operably interconnected to the stem screw 166 on one end, is also interconnected to the control rod 26. The drain valve 150 includes a sealing ring 118 when closed. When closed, the sealing ring 118 engages the inner surface of the housing to prevent fluid from escaping from the drain hole 54 and directing fluid from the pipe 18 to the outlet 22 of the housing and the valve 78 if applicable. When opened, the drain valve 150 is positioned such that the sealing surface 118 is positioned away from the inner surface of the housing 6 such that fluid can both escape from the outlet 22 and the drain hole 54, which allows any trapped fluid within the pipe and/or the housing to escape.

In operation, with reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, when the handle 110 is turned in a clockwise position, the stem screw 166 is also rotated. Rotation of the stem screw 166 imparts a rotational motion which pushes, via the threaded interconnection between the stem screw 166 and the drain valve 150, the drain valve 150 to an open position, thereby allowing fluid to escape from the outlet 22 and the drain hole 54. Initially, rotation of the stem screw 156, via the drain valve 150, translates the control rod 26 longitudinally to place the outer surface 90 of the plunger 150 and engagement with sidewalls 42 of the inlet fitting 34, to cease pressurized flow of fluid through the pipe 18. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that embodiments of the present invention may not employ a drain valve wherein the stem screw is associated directly with the control rod or associated with the control rod by way of another member that imparts translational motion onto the control rod when the stem screw is rotated. As rotation of the handle 110 continues, the drain valve 150 is further transitioned until the control rod 26 pushes the plunger 130 completely into the inlet fitting 34 wherein the face 86 is sealingly engaged onto the seat 46, thereby completely preventing flow through the hydrant. Any fluid trapped within the pipe 18 and/or housing 6 is thus allowed to drain through the drain hole 54 and/or the outlet 22 and interconnected valve 78, if applicable. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the stem screw 166 is captivated between the washer 102 and inner surface 106 of the nut 158 such that rotation of the stem screw 166 does not impart substantial translation thereof.

In order to open the hydrant 2, the handle is rotated clockwise, thereby rotating the stem screw 166 to pull the drain valve 150 towards the handle 110 via the threaded interconnection between the stem screw 166 and the drain valve 150. This action also pulls the control rod 26 towards the handle 110 and disengages the face 86 of the plunger 130 and the seat 46 of the inlet fitting 34. It is important to note that the outer surface 90 of the plunger 130 of the side wall 42 of the inlet fitting are at this point still engaged, not interconnected, thereby preventing substantial fluid flow from the pipe 18. As the handle 110 continues to be rotated, the drain valve 150 is further pulled towards the handle 110, thereby placing the sealing ring 118 in contact with the inner surface of the housing 6, which prevents fluid from exiting the drain hole 54. Prior to or just subsequent thereof, the plunger 130 is completely removed from the inlet fitting 34 which allows pressurized fluid to flow through the outlet 22 of the hydrant 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, in order to ensure that the control rod 26 does not rotate, which imparts possible damaging, rotation on the plunger 130, the drain valve 150 of embodiments of the present invention include flats 122. More specifically, described herein, the threaded interconnection between the drain valve 150 and the stem screw 160 may impart some rotation onto the control rod 26, which would rotate the plunger 134 and cause wear thereof. In order to avoid this possible rotation, the drain valve 150 may include at least one flat 122 that cooperates with a flat 126 within the bore 14 of the housing 6 to prevent substantial rotation of the drain valve 150. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms may be used to achieve this goal such as the use of a key and keyway.

The hydrant 2 and associated hardware may be integrated into any faucet assembly. Preferably, the faucet assembly are those manufactured by WCM Industries, Inc., which hold various patents and published patent applications, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. For example, the following are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein: U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,609 entitled “Yard hydrant with closure valve check valve”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,875 entitled “Wall hydrant with slip clutch assembly”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,637 entitled “Wall hydrant having backflow preventor”, RE39,235 entitled “Freezerless wall hydrant for delivery of hot or cold water through a single discharge conduit”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,337 entitled “Fluid hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,518 entitled “Escutcheon for wall mounted faucets and hydrants”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,509 entitled “Fluid hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,534 entitled “Freeze protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,442 entitled “Freeze protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,063 entitled “Freezeless protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,154 entitled “Freeze protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,446 entitled “Freeze protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,473 entitled “Push and turn hydrant for delivery of hot or cold water through a single discharge conduit”, D482,431 entitled “Wall hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,986 entitled “Freeze protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, D470,915 entitled “Wall hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,204 entitled “Solenoid actuated wall hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,039 entitled “Freezeless wall hydrant for delivery of hot or cold water through a single discharge conduit”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,172 entitled “Freeze protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,359 entitled “Heated yard hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,428 entitled “Combination wall hydrant and backflow preventor”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,925 entitled “Sanitary yard hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,303 entitled “Wall water hydrant having backflow and back siphonage preventor”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,679 entitled “Wall water hydrant having backflow and back siphonage preventor”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,028 entitled “Sanitary yard hydrant”, 20080047615 entitled “Yard hydrant with check valve”, 20080047612 entitled “Automatic draining double check vacuum breaker”, 20080006327 entitled “Hydrant Roof Mount”, 20070095396 entitled “Assembly to mount a hydrant to a roof”, 20070044840 entitled “Motor actuated wall hydrant” 20070044838 entitled “Yard hydrant with closure valve check valve”, 20070039649 entitled “Yard hydrant with drain port air line” 20060254647 entitled “Yard hydrant with drain port check valve”, 20060196561 entitled “Wall hydrant having a backflow preventor”, 20060108804 entitled “Wall hydrant with slip clutch assembly”, 20060086921 entitled “Wall hydrant assembly with a rotatable connector”, 20050067833 entitled “Pipe coupling for joining pipes of varying diameters”, 20050034757 entitled “Freeze protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, and 20040194395 entitled “Round wall-mounted hydrant housing for freezeless wall hydrants and method of installation thereof”.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A fluid hydrant including:

a pipe with a first end and a second end, said pipe having a longitudinal axis,

a housing associated with said first end of said pipe,

an inlet valve associated with said second end of said pipe,

a handle operably associated with said housing,

a rod with a first end and a second end positioned within said pipe,

a plunger associated said second end of said rod that cooperates with said inlet valve to selectively open and close said inlet valve, wherein rotation of said handle transitions said rod between a first position that closes said inlet valve and a second position that opens said inlet valve, the improvement comprising:

a stem screw associated with said handle and positioned within said housing, said stem screw including a threaded portion, and

a drain valve with a first end operably associated with said stem screw and a second end operatively associated with said first end of said rod, wherein rotation of said stem screw moves said drain valve along said longitudinal axis, said drain valve being associated with said rod whereby said rod is moved between said first position and said second position, wherein said drain valve is substantially prevented from rotating, and wherein said stem screw does not move substantially along said longitudinal axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plunger has a generally flat face for engagement within said inlet valve, whereby said plunger is substantially prevented from extruding into said inlet valve upon application of additional handle rotation.

3. A wall hydrant, comprising:

a housing with a bore therethrough;

an outlet in fluidic communication with said bore;

a fitting associated with said housing and including an aperture therethrough, said fitting having a first portion positioned outside said housing and a second portion positioned within said bore;

a washer positioned within said bore and spaced from said second portion of said fitting;

a stem screw, which is at least partially threaded, having a first end and a second end with a shoulder therebetween, said shoulder positioned between said second portion of said fitting and said washer, said stem screw being rotatably associated to said fitting and said washer;

a handle associated with said stem screw, wherein rotation of said handle rotates said stem screw;

a means for transitioning associated with said stem screw, wherein rotation of said stem screw transitions said means for transitioning from a first position to a second position;

a pipe interconnected to said housing;

an inlet valve interconnected to said pipe; and

a rod positioned within said pipe, said rod being associated on a first end to said means for transitioning and on a second end to a plunger that is selectively positionable within said inlet valve, wherein rotation of said stem screw moves said plunger from a first, open position away from said inlet valve and to a second, closed position into said inlet valve, and wherein the position of said stem screw is substantially maintained.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for transitioning is a drain valve that is threadingly associated with said stem screw wherein rotational interaction of said threaded portion of said stem screw and threads of said drain valve imparts translational motion of said drain valve along said longitudinal axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for transitioning is a threaded portion of said rod that is threadingly associated with said stem screw wherein rotational interaction of said threaded portion of said stem screw and said threaded portion of said rod imparts translational motion of said rod along said longitudinal axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said plunger includes a generally flat face that is adapted to engage a seat of said inlet valve to substantially prevent the flow of fluid through said inlet valve.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an insert associated with said rod wherein said plunger is interconnected to said an insert.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said housing includes a wall that extends into said bore that engages a portion of said drain valve to generally prevent rotation thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an anti-siphon valve associated with said outlet that allows fluid within said pipe to drain from said wall hydrant when said inlet valve is in said second, closed position.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said threaded portion of said stem screw comprises a left-hand thread.

11. A wall hydrant, comprising:

a housing including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;

a fitting associated with said housing;

a washer positioned within said housing and spaced from said fitting;

a stem screw rotatably associated with said fitting and said washer, said stem screw having a protrusion that is positioned between said washer and said fitting that prevents longitudinal travel of said stem screw;

a pipe associated with said housing; and

a rod positioned within said pipe, said rod being associated on a first end to said stem screw and on a second end to an inlet valve, wherein said rotation of said stem screw selectively opens and closes said inlet valve.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a handle associated with said stem screw, wherein rotation of said handle rotates said stem screw.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an insert associated with said rod wherein said plunger is interconnected to said an insert.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said rod is associated with said stem screw by way of a drain valve operably associated with said stem screw, wherein rotation of said stem screw transitions said drain valve from a first position to a second position.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said housing includes a wall that extends into said bore that engages a portion of said drain valve to generally prevent rotation thereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an anti-siphon valve associated with said outlet that allows fluid within said pipe to drain therefrom when said inlet valve is in said closed position.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said inlet valve includes a plunger, which is associated with said rod, for selective insertion into a fluid inlet of said wall hydrant.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said plunger has a generally flat face for engagement within said inlet valve.

19. A method of supplying fluid, comprising:

providing a hydrant having a handle interconnected to a stem screw that is associated with a rod positioned within a fluid pipe;

selectively rotating said handle;

selectively rotating said stem screw while preventing longitudinal movement thereof;

transitioning said rod with respect to said stem screw; and

transitioning a plunger from an inlet valve, thereby allowing fluid from a fluid source through said fluid pipe and out an outlet of the hydrant.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said plunger possesses a generally flat face for insertion within an inlet.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising blocking fluid flow through a port of said hydrant with a drain valve that is interconnected between said rod and said stem screw.