Abstract: An improved portable fire hydrant that can operate a water main valve disposed within a water main to produce water for fighting a fire by rotating a valve stem coupled to the water main valve includes an extension through which water can flow when the fire hydrant is coupled to the water main. The portable fire hydrant may also include a sealing mechanism disposed on the extension that seals the portable fire hydrant to the water main. A valve operator may also be coupled to the portable fire hydrant and attached to a valve rod that extends down through the extension of the portable fire hydrant. Disposed on the end of the valve rod may be a coupling mechanism for coupling the valve operator to the water main valve. When the portable fire hydrant is attached to the water main, the valve operator of the portable fire hydrant is coupled to the water main valve so that manipulation of the valve operator will cause the water main valve to reposition.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow from an outlet aperture, particularly a standpipe such as a fire hydrant. There is a first cylindrical collar element for location around the standpipe and connected with that element a second cylindrical element such that a space is defined between the two elements. There is a base provided between the two elements and a first outlet pipe for location above the standpipe. When the system is located about the standpipe fluid fills the space and stabilizes the elements relative to the standpipe. Fluid can then be directed away from the area of the aperture in the standpipe through the flexible pipe.

Abstract: A support system for use in construction or repair of a fire hydrant installation includes a lower bracket and an upper bracket. The upper bracket has an adjustable hydrant riser clamp which is connected to an adjustable hydrant valve casing clamp by an adjustable spacer. The lower bracket also has an adjustable riser clamp connected by a like spacer to an upright bar. Ends of this bar then join a pair of vertically spaced apart adjustable casing clamps. As constructed in an open hole, the hydrant installation includes a hydrant riser that is positively joined to a water main and a valve casing that merely sits with a gravity fit on a hydrant valve located between the main and riser. For use, the lower bracket spacer is placed in an adjustable state allowing its respective clamps to be attached to respective lower ends of the riser and casing. Then, the lower bracket spacer is secured in place. Next, the upper bracket is attached in a like manner to respective upper ends of the riser and casing.

Abstract: A tamper proof fire hydrant which may only be operated by the application of pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid engages the fire hydrant and travels through a pathway in the upper portion of the fire hydrant. The pressurized fluid engages a turbinelike impeller and then the pressurized fluid pressure rotates the impeller, the impeller is connected to a worm gear and turns the worm gear which then operates to open the hydrant's water main valve. Later the flow of fluid is then reversed in order to turn the turbinelike impeller in the opposite direction thereby causing the worm gear to operate to close the hydrant's water main valve. A cylinder and piston may be used in place if the impeller and worm gear, to open and close a water main valve in response to the application of pressurized fluid to the fire hydrant from an external source.

Abstract: A single piece hat-shaped catchment device for preventing machine parts and tools from falling into the inaccessible interior of a mechanism during the servicing thereof. The catchment device includes an inner section defining a central hole and a plurality of radially disposed segments, and an outer section defining a stop for limiting the depth to which said inner section can penetrate into the interior of said mechanism. During servicing the device is pushed downwardly over the exposed part of the mechanism to form an annularly disposed catchment trough for machine parts and tools. After servicing has been completed and any dropped parts or tools have been removed from said trough, the device is quickly and easily pulled upwardly off of said exposed part to permit the mechanism to resume normal operation.

Abstract: A three-way wet barrel fire hydrant includes an enlarged intermediate barrel section, which effectively reduces pressure loss in the fire hydrant. The hydrant barrel is formed by an improved sand molding process which requires the mold parting line of the barrel to be selected to coincide with the centerline of the upper nozzle opening. In this manner, a pattern which forms the sand mold may be removed cleanly from the molding sand, thereby eliminating the need of multiple side cores during the casting process.

Abstract: A water distribution system includes flushing hydrants having buried valve assemblies and a removable top stock carried from valve assembly to valve assembly. A vertical marker replaces the top stock when the hydrant is not in use. The buried valve assembly includes a valve urged closed by water pressure and an actuator rod extending through a spider in the top of a vertical barrel. A lock nut on the upper end of the actuator holds the valve closed even if water pressure is lost. The upper end of the vertical barrel includes an internally threaded adapter. The top stock includes a casing which is externally threaded to mate with the adapter and a second rod which is threaded to mate with the actuator rod. The hydrant is assembled by removing the lock nut and screwing the parts together while an operating screw is swung free, then swinging the operating screw into engagement with the second rod. A preferred embodiment permits water samples to be taken from the hydrant.

Abstract: A three-way wet barrel fire hydrant includes an enlarged intermediate barrel section, which effectively reduces pressure loss in the fire hydrant. The hydrant barrel is formed by an improved sand molding process which requires the mold parting line of the barrel to be selected to coincide with the centerline of the upper nozzle opening. In this manner, a pattern which forms the sand mold may be removed cleanly from the molding sand, thereby eliminating the need of multiple side cores during the casting process.

Abstract: A system consisting of multiple independent units each of which includes two standard fire hydrant connections located on two riser pipes and an interconnecting underground pipe providing a means for drafting tide, lake or river water from a streetside conneciton. Any pumper/tanker truck can thus connect a suction hose to the streetside riser and draft water through a second suction hose with one end connected to the riser at a bulkheaded waterside location and the other end equipped with a strainer is lowered into the water source. Standard lengths of fire hose suffice at both water and streetside connections when the water is bulkheaded and water level variations are sufficiently small that the lift capability of the pump is not exceeded. Pumping many begin when connections are complete. Backflushing with fresh water carried on the pumper/tanker may be performed if the pump is not well sealed and pumping begins after backflushing is complete and flow direction is reversed.

Abstract: A harness is provided for supporting a water meter on a fire hydrant so as to minimize the possibility of the water meter being accidentally dislodged from the first hydrant. The harness comprises a first loop which fits around the conical top of the fire hydrant and a second loop which fits around a portion of the water meter. A rod extends between the two loops and tensioning means is provided to draw the two loops toward one another via advancing the rod so as to both pull the water meter back toward the fire hydrant and to suspend that end of the water meter to which a water hose is attached from the conical top of the fire hydrant.

Abstract: A hydrant includes one or more novel and improved features, namely: (1) a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle and a retainer ring mounted from within the upper standpipe section of the hydrant; (2) an operating assembly defining an excess reservoir volume to receive valve stem lubricating fluid to prevent blocking movement of the valve stem; (3) a coupling assembly including a collar, a retainer ring for engaging one end of the collar against one standpipe section, and a retainer bar inserted through the collar and bent around an adjoining standpipe section; (4) a coupling assembly including a floating seal band carrying two seals, one of which seals against one standpipe section and the other of which seals against an adjoining standpipe section; (5) an otherwise conventional valve body but for a double-D valve body cavity in which a complemental boss of a valve member retainer disk is nested to prevent rotation therebetween, and also including a flat sealing gasket disposed between the valve stem and an ann

Abstract: A hydrant includes one or more novel and improved features, namely: (1) a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle and a retainer ring mounted from within the upper standpipe section of the hydrant; (2) an operating assembly defining an excess reservoir volume to receive valve stem lubricating fluid to prevent blocking movement of the valve stem; (3) a coupling assembly including a collar, a retainer ring for engaging one end of the collar against one standpipe section, and a retainer bar inserted through the collar and bent around an adjoining standpipe section; (4) a coupling assembly including a floating seal band carrying two seals, one of which seals against one standpipe section and the other of which seals against an adjoining standpipe section; (5) an otherwise conventional valve body but for a double-D valve body cavity in which a complemental boss of a valve member retainer disk is nested to prevent rotation therebetween, and also including a flat sealing gasket disposed between the valve stem and an ann

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrant comprising a trunk body in which novel valve means for opening the water main is positioned completely within the trunk body and wherein a novel assembly cap is required to activate the valve means.

Abstract: A hydrant includes one or more novel and improved features, namely: (1) a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle and a retainer ring mounted within the upper standpipe section of the hydrant; (2) an operating assembly defining an excess reservoir volume to receive valve stem lubricating fluid to prevent blocking movement of the valve stem; (3) a coupling assembly including a collar, a retainer ring for engaging one end of the collar against one standpipe section, and a retainer bar inserted through the collar and bent around an adjoining standpipe section; (4) a coupling assembly including a floating seal band carrying two seals, one of which seals against one standpipe section and the other of which seals against an adjoining standpipe section; (5) an otherwise conventional valve body but for a double-D valve body cavity in which a complemental boss of a valve member retainer disk is nested to prevent rotation therebetween, and also including a flat sealing gasket disposed between the valve stem and an annular

Abstract: A variable riser conduit for the adjustable vertical positioning of a fire hydrant both in conjunction with, and subsequent to, completing the hydrant installation. The riser conduit is formed of a housing which may be tubular, having a passageway therethrough and also having annular collars disposed around and adjacent each end margin of the passage. These collars cooperate with mating flanges on the shoe of the hydrant at one end and the water main or auxiliary valve at the other end to provide a water tight mechanically restrained joint when a split restraint collar is secured and tightened in place behind each annular collar. The ends of the passage are parallel and laterally offset or disposed one to another such that, when the restraint collar is loose or loosened, the riser conduit may be rotated with respect to both hydrant and water main.

Abstract: A control means for ground hydrants is disclosed for use in combination with a conventional freezeless ground hydrant having an elongated vertical housing with a valve means at the lower end thereof to control the inflow of pressurized water. The valve means includes an elongated control rod that extends upwardly through the housing. A fluid passageway extends through the housing and terminates in an exit port. The control rod for the valve means is spring loaded in a downward or closed position by a tension-adjustable spring secured thereto. A solenoid means is mounted upwardly of the rod and is operatively secured thereto. An electrical timer is connected in series with the solenoid. When the solenoid is electrically actuated, the solenoid will pull the rod upwardly to open the valve in the bottom of the housing. When the electrical timer de-energizes the solenoid, the spring adjacent the rod will cause the valve to close.

Abstract: The control mechanism to which the invention relates is intended to equip fire hydrants of the type comprising an outer body (1) extended downwards by an underground elongated pipe (2) connecting it to a water supply pipe (3), a valve cooperating with a valve seat, a control member (21) opening out at the upper end of the outer body (1) and said mechanism. The latter is constituted by a control rod (19) integral with a support member (7 ) constituted by a central sleeve (14) connected by radial arms (15) to a circular rim (16) provided with cylindrical bosses (17) and at least one lug (18) engaging in corresponding housings (11-13) provided in a support holder (6) fixed to the upper end of the elongated pipe (2).Application to fire hydrants.

Abstract: A fire hydrant having a generally elbow-shaped hydrant shoe with an improved interior bowl configuration and an improved hydrant valve for minimizing head or flow loss of the fire hydrant between the inlet opening of the shoe and the outlet nozzle positioned on the upper portion of the hydrant barrel. The interior bowl of the shoe, adjacent its inlet, is provided with a diverging transitional surface of rotation having a generally part frusto conical shape and, adjacent its outlet, is provided with a converging transitional surface of rotation having a generally part frusto conical shape, the transitional surfaces of rotation merging with the shoe's part spherical chamber.

Abstract: A fire hydrant is designed to break away at the point of the coupling between the upper and lower standpipes when hit by a moving vehicle or the like, to reduce the chance for damage to the hydrant, the vehicle and possibly to the occupants of the vehicle. A valve push rod extends from a valve operating nut at the top of the hydrant down to operable connection with a hydrant valve so that the valve can be opened when water is to be delivered through the hydrant. To provide a breakaway connection for the push rod, a semi-cylindrical frangible coupling sleeve connects an upper valve rod section to a lower valve rod section in about the same horizontal plane as the upper and lower standpipes are coupled to each other. Then when the upper standpipe is broken away from the lower standpipe, the frangible coupling sleeve will also break, allowing separation of the upper valve rod section from the lower valve rod section without substantial danger of damage to the hydrant.