Abstract: A valve device includes an operating portion including an operating rod switchable between a first state where the operating rod is at a first position, a second state where the operating rod is displaced from the first position, and a third state where the operating rod is displaced from the first position, a push member that can advance by being pushed by the operating rod, a first valve that can be opened and closed in accordance with the amount of displacement of the operating rod and the push member from the first position, a housing storing the first valve, and a second valve that can open and close a communication passage allowing communication inside and outside the housing by switching operation of the operating rod so as to switch from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A valve for preventing water hammer includes a speed reduction device for reducing a speed at which the valve may be closed. A method of preventing water hammer includes closing a valve at a fire hydrant after extracting water from the fire hydrant, in which the valve comprising a speed reduction device that increases an amount of time needed for closing the valve, and operating the valve to close the valve comprises operating the speed reduction device.

Abstract: A valve control device includes an operating stem, a valve top plate, a valve seat rubber, a valve bottom plate, and a valve seat ring. The valve top plate has a conical base with at least three stabilizer arms extending therefrom. Each of the at least three stabilizer arms has a flat outer surface. The valve bottom plate secures the valve seat rubber between the valve bottom plate and a flat bottom surface of the valve top plate. The valve bottom plate, the valve seat rubber, and the conical base are mounted on the operating stem. The valve seat ring has multiple slots, with each of the slots corresponding to one of the at least three stabilizer arms. A standpipe drain system, a method of draining a standpipe, and a locking fire hydrant with a valve access channel drain also are described.

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.

Abstract: A drain ring adapted for use in a device for flushing a dead-end of an underground municipal water distribution system includes a pair of annular seals and a channel between the seals, an outlet passage extending from inside the ring to the channel, and a flapper adapted to close the outlet passage under the influence of at least one of pressure and flow. The drain ring is removably positioned between a shut-off valve and an outlet of the device.

Abstract: An air valve assembly for a fire hydrant includes a pressure responsive valve means removably mounted at or near a top of a fire hydrant and more specifically to a fire hydrant bearing housing. The pressure responsive valve means is adapted to open when the fire hydrant is not in use and to close when the fire hydrant is in use.

Abstract: A recessed, frostproof water faucet having a tubular stem connected to a pivot plumbing unit connected to a subsurface water line through the rear wall of a box-like recess unit. A slider connector connects the water faucet tubular stem and the access panel or lid of the recess unit. The lid pivots on hinges and as one lifts the lid, the faucet is lifted by the slider connector from a horizontal storage position to a vertical locked position for use, the slider connector being connected to a faucet flange and sliding along grooves in tracks mounted along the inner side of the lid. A sliding hinge locks the lid upright, sliding downward along the upper end of the rear wall. The faucet is returned to the storage position by pulling upward and lowering to the closed position, the slider connector sliding forward along the grooves to the stored position.

Abstract: A fire hydrant of the “dry” barrel type having an improved means of draining the barrel after the hydrant has been used. The hydrant is provided with a drain passageway communicating the interior of the hydrant barrel to the exterior. A diffuser is attached to the hydrant at the drain passageway and receives water therefrom. The diffuser eliminates the need for force flushing the drain passageway and the localized draining of the hydrant barrel, thus eliminating soil erosion in the vicinity of the hydrant. Furthermore, the diffuser protects the interior components of the hydrant from entrance of foreign matter.

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.

Abstract: An automatic draining back flow prevention apparatus, for use with hydrant structure, comprising tubular body structure having main passage structure between flow entrance and exit ports; the body structure having a first side port communicating with the passage structure; diaphragm structure carried by the body structure to be exposed to flow in the passage structure; a stopper in the passage structure cooperating with the diaphragm structure to pass forward fluid flow from the hydrant structure, while the diaphragm structure is positioned to block exit flow of fluid through the first side port, and to block back flow of fluid through the main passage structure when the diaphragm structure moves to unblock flow of fluid through the first side port; a first seat in the body structure exposed to the passage structure, and seating the first diaphragm as it moves to block flow of fluid through the first side port; and spring structure carried by the body structure to urge the stopper toward the first diaphragm,

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.

Abstract: An automatic draining back flow prevention apparatus comprises tubular body structure having main passage structure between flow entrance and exit ports; the body structure having first and second side ports communicating with the passage structure; first and second diaphragms carried by the body structure to be exposed to flow in the passage structure; a stopper in the passage structure cooperating with the first diaphragm to pass forward fluid flow while a first diaphragm flexes to block exit flow of fluid through the first side ports, and to block back flow of fluid through the main passage structure when the first diaphragm moves to unblock exit flow of fluid through the first side port; the second diaphragm movable to allow in-flow of air through the second side port when the stopper and first diaphragm block back flow of fluid through the main passage structure.

Abstract: Process for replacing a cartridge in a housing of a freeze proof hydrant. A plunger within the cartridge is urged against a roller pin lodged in the cartridge. A first end of the cartridge is deformed away from a ridge in the housing. The cartridge is slid out of the housing and the first end of the replacement cartridge is deformed. The replacement cartridge is slid into place within the housing. The first end of the replacement cartridge expanded to capture the ridge in the housing.

Abstract: Freeze-proof hydrants having a housing, the first end thereof having a fitting for flow communication with a pressurized liquid source. There is a passageway in the housing for liquid flow, a back flow preventer in the passageway and a drain in the housing. A removable cartridge is located in the passageway between the back flow preventer and the first end of the housing. The cartridge has a casing having a passageway therein, a drain therein with a drain channel and at least one hole in the drain channel which extends through the casing, arrangement for retaining the removable cartridge in the passageway, and a plunger in the passageway which can be moved from an open or liquid flowing position to a closed or liquid draining position, and vice versa. The plunger has a plunger head which blocks the passageway in the closed position and which allows liquid flow in the passageway in the open position.

Abstract: A hydrant water control system is provided which includes a clutch assembly operated by a control wrench which will eliminate the vandalizing of the hydrant and loss of water pressure by illegal opening of the hydrant. A swing away coupling assembly eliminates cost of replacing a broken solid cast iron coupling presently in use on the main valve rod located between the hydrant barrel and bury.

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.

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 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 having a hydrant valve seat assembly positioned between the flanged lower end of the hydrant barrel and the flanged end of the hydrant shoe. The hydrant valve seat assembly and the hydrant valve element may be retained with the hydrant shoe when the hydrant barrel is removed and replaced or the hydrant valve seat assembly and the hydrant valve element, when in the closed position, may be retained with the hydrant barrel when the hydrant shoe is removed and replaced from the barrel. The fire hydrant includes an improved valve seat ring and seat ring housing, both of which may be made of brass so as to provide easy removal of the valve seat. The hydrant is provided with an improved drain valve facing strip for cooperating with the drain passage when the hydrant valve is open.

Abstract: A fire hydrant of the "dry" barrel type having an improved means of draining the barrel after the hydrant has been used and the main hydrant valve closed. The hydrant is provided with a drain passageway from the interior of the barrel above the main hydrant valve to the exterior of the valve. A first valve means, which is automatically opened or closed by actuation of the main hydrant valve element, is arranged to close the drain passageway when the main hydrant valve element is open and to open the drain passageway when the main hydrant valve element is closed. A pressure responsive one-way check valve in series with the valve means in said drain passage is automatically actuated to open position by pressure of water when there is water in the hydrant barrel and the valve means in series therewith in the drain passageway is open.

Abstract: An improved frostproof hydrant having a readily removable valve seat-valve body assembly which may be easily replaced from the nozzle end of the hydrant as a single unit or as a portion thereof without any special alignment.

Abstract: A recessed, frostproof water faucet having a tubular stem connected to a pivot plumbing unit connected to a subsurface water line through the rear wall of a box-like recess unit. A slider connector connects the water faucet tubular stem and the access panel or lid of the recess unit. The lid pivots on hinges and as one lifts the lid, the faucet is lifted by the slider connector from a horizontal storage position to a vertical locked position for use, the slider connector being connected to a faucet flange and sliding along grooves in tracks mounted along the inner side of the lid. A sliding hinge locks the lid upright, sliding downward along the upper end of the rear wall. The faucet is returned to the storage position by pulling upward and lowering to the closed position, the slider connector sliding forward along the grooves to the stored position.