Lever Actuator Patents (Class 137/292)
  • Patent number: 10017921
    Abstract: An embodiment wall hydrant includes a reservoir, conduits containing an operating rod assembly and a service rod assembly, and a fluid outlet with a hose connector. The service rod assembly allows water supply to the hydrant to be shut-off from the front of the hydrant which allows servicing of the hydrant without requiring water shut-off to all or a portion of the water supply to the building. Embodiments include a vacuum relief dual check valve assembly at the fluid outlet which prevents backflow of water into the hydrant. Embodiments include a box which protects the hydrant controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Jay R. Smith Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: William Anthony Stanaland
  • Patent number: 9458609
    Abstract: A device for flushing a hydrant includes a stem connected to a valve of the hydrant; and an actuation system including a biased translational system coupled to the stem. An actuation system for flushing a hydrant includes a fluid; a piston assembly movable by the fluid; and a biasing element at least indirectly biasing the piston assembly towards a stop position. A method of flushing a hydrant includes operating an actuation system coupled to the hydrant, the actuation system including a stored energy device, a piston assembly coupled to a stem of the hydrant; and a biasing element coupled to the stem, the stem connected to a valve of the hydrant; and opening the valve of the hydrant by releasing energy from the stored energy device against a piston plate of the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Leo W. Fleury, Jr., Normand James Roy, James Ola Williams, Kenneth A. Clark, Edward C. Parish
  • Patent number: 9228327
    Abstract: A freeze resistant sanitary hydrant is provided that employs a reservoir for storage of fluid under the frost line or in an area not prone to freezing. To evacuate this reservoir, a means for altering pressure is provided that is able to function in hydrant systems that employ a vacuum breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: WCM INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk, Cody Jackson
  • Patent number: 8955538
    Abstract: A freeze resistant sanitary hydrant is provided that employs a reservoir for storage of fluid under the frost line or in an area not prone to freezing. To evacuate this reservoir, a means for altering pressure is provided that is able to function in hydrant systems that employ a vacuum breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk, Cody Jackson
  • Patent number: 8474476
    Abstract: A freeze resistant sanitary hydrant is provided that employs a reservoir for storage of fluid under the frost line or in an area not prone to freezing. To evacuate this reservoir, a venturi is provided that is able to function in hydrant systems that employ a vacuum breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk, Cody Jackson
  • Patent number: 8408238
    Abstract: A yard hydrant of a type utilizes a reciprocating valve for controlling the flow in a hydrant flow pipe vertically movable within a standpipe. The lower end of the flow pipe has a valve body attached thereto for controlling the flow of water from a supply of water under pressure. An upper end of the flow pipe is secured to the hydrant head and in flow communication therewith and such head is vertically movable with the flow pipe and valve body relative to the standpipe. The opening of the valve is accomplished by elevating the hydrant head with respect to the standpipe and the ground, which correspondingly elevates the flow pipe and valve body to the open position of the valve. Closing the valve is accomplished by lowering the hydrant head, flow pipe and valve body, which simultaneously allows water to drain from the hydrant head/flow pipe/valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen J Anderson
  • Patent number: 7258128
    Abstract: The present invention is a post yard hydrant with controlled adjustable flow. The post yard hydrant includes a valve housing located below ground level for connection to a water supply under pressure, a head portion with an integral discharge nozzle positioned above ground level, and a casing portion with a first end connected to the head portion and a second end connected to the valve housing. The post yard hydrant further includes an operating rod disposed in the casing portion for reciprocation therein and an operating means configured to interact through a flow control linkage to reciprocate the operating rod. The flow control linkage is adapted to adjust water flow from a trickle level to a full pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Michael Gomo, Doug Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 7228868
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrant system that is projected over the ground while being buried in the underground. The hydrant system comprises a sluice valve connected to a water-guide tube within a manhole M, the sluice valve having a first openings/shutting shaft disposed therein; a female cylinder having a drain valve that is opened when the sluice valve is locked and that is locked when the sluice valve is opened, and a bracket having a through-hole; a male cylinder having a piston for opening/shutting the bottom of the male cylinder as a piston rod is rotated in the forward or reverse direction; a rod for limiting a projection range of the male cylinder protruded against the female cylinder; a manhole cover having a sub hole through which the male cylinder passes; a second opening/shutting shaft for rotating the first opening/shutting shaft; and a universal joint, which connects the first opening/shutting and the second opening/shutting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Doo Suk Kang
  • Patent number: 6899120
    Abstract: A yard hydrant has an elongated wet pipe with a plunger that seals against the inside of a well casing. Lifting a pivoting handle at the top of the wet pipe lowers the wet pipe which opens a normally closed supply valve. Pressurized water can then flow up the wet pipe and out of a nozzle head mounted to the upper end of the wet pipe. Lowering the handle pulls the wet pipe upward, thereby clearing it from the supply valve which is spring biased to shut off the water supply. The handle has a cam that positively actuates a normally closed anti-siphon valve so that water left in the wet pipe can fall under gravity to a collection chamber within the well casing beneath the piston. Lifting the handle again lowers the wet pipe and forces the water in the collection chamber back up the wet pipe. At the same time, the anti-siphon valve will close and the wet pipe re-opens the supply valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles B. Motley
  • Patent number: 6178988
    Abstract: A hydrant valve assembly including a spool member having at least one spool seal which is at times under extremely high pressure tending to cause the seal to be displaced from an associated recess, the spool member forming venting passages in the seal recess to alleviate seal pressure, the invention also including a new wet pipe design and a new collar design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Manufacturing
    Inventor: Stephen D. Royle
  • Patent number: 5289840
    Abstract: A yard hydrant includes a head section with a nozzle, a standpipe and valve housing in traditional hydrant relationship that is constructed and assembled into an integral unit which cannot be disassembled. An operating rod with valve means reciprocates in the standpipe and a valve housing in a well known manner. The rod extends through an enlarged opening formed in the head section for which there is provided a novel two piece gland unit with one piece being a packing gland nut for seal engagement with the operating rod in a well known manner and the other piece being a concentrically larger nut that is removably mounted in said opening in a watertight relationship thereto and in pressing engagement with the packing gland nut. Removal of the gland unit permits the operating rod and any attached components to be quickly and easily withdrawn from the integral unit through the opening in the head section for servicing or repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Merrill Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4372339
    Abstract: A yard hydrant includes an improved valve assembly connecting the hydrant standpipe at a point below the frost line to a source of water under pressure. A hollow and generally cylindrical housing of such assembly is provided with a bore concentrically reduced relative to the diameter of the housing and having an upper plane spaced inwardly from the upper end of the housing to receive a rod mounted and handle operated valve. The bore terminates at its lower end in a valve seat defining a further concentrically reduced access opening to the water supply. In spaced concentric relationship about the bore are a plurality of water passageways each in communication with said bore and each extending from the upper plane thereof for communication with the standpipe to a point spaced above the valve seat so that the bore is full circle only intermediate the valve seat and the lower limits of the passageways. A drain hole is provided through the housing to the bore near the upper plane thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Merrill Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Stephen J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4096877
    Abstract: A water supply control appliance adapted to be buried in soil beneath local frost level contains a chamber fitted with a piston which is spring-biased in opposition to inlet water pressure. Such pressure forces the piston to fully charged position at one end of the chamber whereupon a piston valve is opened to pass the water to outlet. Closing the supply valve releases pressure on the piston, permitting the piston to move in response to the spring bias. The piston movement pumps water below the piston out to drain and drains water from the outlet lines into the expanded chamber above the piston, safe from frost. Water in the drain line will, at the end of the piston travel, fall back into the chamber above the piston after piston travel is completed, when a piston ring seal spans a port to the drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Inventor: E. R. Arledge, II