AU2016201199A1 - Cover for underground hydrant - Google Patents

Abstract

A cover assembly can be placed over an underground fire hydrant to protect the hydrant against becoming clogged by debris, tree roots, soil and the like. The cover assembly has a base member that can be easily fitted between the fire hydrant and the below water pipe (riser). The base member has a support platform for a sleeve that can extend over the fire hydrant and which can sit on the base member. A cover can then be fitted to the sleeve to provide a clean area about the fire hydrant. The base member can be retro fitted to a hydrant by having a two piece base member interlocked by locking keys. Alternatively, the base member can be a unitary member which can be fitted to new hydrants or hydrants where the existing gasket is initially removed and replaced with the unitary base member.

Description

COVER FOR UNDERGROUND HYDRANT TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a particularly designed cover assembly to protect a below ground fire hydrant against debris buildup that could otherwise make coupling of a fire hose to the hydrant difficult.

BACKGROUND

Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

In ground fire hydrants are common in a number of countries. These include the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. In areas subject to freezing temperatures it is also known to place the hydrant below the frost line.

Figure 1 illustrates a PRIOR ART in ground hydrant 10 used in parts of Australia. This illustrated hydrant is one of several different designs but illustrates common parts. The hydrant has a main body 11, a lower inlet 12 and an upper outlet 13. This type of hydrant has a spring loaded valve in the outlet which is pushed in when a hose is attached to open the valve. The hydrant is bolted to a below water pipe (not illustrated in figure 1) which usually comprises a “riser pipe” and the riser pipe is in fluid communication with the mains water supply. A strong thick metal flange 14 forms part of the hydrant and enables the hydrant to be bolted to a similar metal flange on the top of the riser pipe. A rubber “O” ring seal (not illustrated) is positioned between the flanges to prevent leakage. The seal has a diameter smaller than the flange size so that the bolts holding the flanges together pass along the outside of the seal and do not damage the seal. The upper part of the hydrant has locking lugs 15 to enable a fire hose to couple to the hydrant.

As mentioned previously, this is an example only of a hydrant.

For in ground hydrants, a pit is prepared. Some sort of open top and bottom box is placed in the pit and around the hydrant. A top (usually a steel plate) extends over the box and can be hinged or otherwise connected to or supported by the top of the box. A disadvantage is that, over time, the pit fills with slime, mud, debris, soil, tree roots and the like. When urgently required, the hydrant outlet may be so buried in debris that coupling a fire hose becomes difficult and time consuming.

There would be an advantage if it were possible to better protect the hydrant from debris but in a manner where the hydrant would still be readily available if required, and in a manner that could be easily and reliably be achieved.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover assembly for an in ground hydrant and which would overcome at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice in the marketplace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cover assembly for an in ground hydrant attached to a water pipe, the hydrant having an inlet and an outlet, the cover assembly comprising a base member adapted to be connected to the hydrant and/or water pipe at a position below the outlet of the hydrant, and a sleeve having a lower end supported by the base member and extending about at least the outlet of the hydrant.

Suitably, the sleeve is open topped and a removable lid is provided over the top.

With this design an existing pit containing a hydrant can be readily retrofitted with the cover assembly. The base member can be fitted just below the hydrant which means that it is not necessary to extensively dig down to find the mains water pipe to attach the base to. Once the base member is fitted, the sleeve can be passed over the hydrant to rest on the base.

The cover assembly can function to seal off any access between the open pit and the hydrant, or at least the outlet part of the hydrant.

The cover assembly is also suited for new hydrants where, once the pit is dug, the base member and sleeve are used without requiring the traditional box like lining.

It is particularly preferred that the base member is fitted in a particular manner to the hydrant so as to enable quick fitting and with little or no possibility of the base member slipping or even becoming dislodged over time - for instance with soil movement or tree roots etc.

Thus, it is preferred that the base member has a projection that engages into the small peripheral gap that is present between the flange on the hydrant and the corresponding flange on the riser when the flanges are clamped together with the seal between the flanges.

Figure 9 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of the invention and particularly illustrates a hydrant 17 having a lower flange 18 and which is connected to a flange 19 on a riser pipe. A rubber “O” ring type seal 20 is provided but is necessarily of smaller diameter than the flanges and therefore provides a small peripheral gap 23 corresponding to the thickness of the seal 20. It is particularly preferred that the base member has a portion that can engage with the gap to secure the base member to the hydrant.

The base member may comprise any suitable material. In order to provide resilience and strength, it is envisaged that the base member will be made of a sufficiently strong plastics or rubber type material. However, it is also envisaged that the base member will be made of metal.

The base member suitably comprises a step or platform to enable the lower end of the sleeve to sit on top of the step/platform. It is preferred that the step/platform extends entirely about the hydrant (when fitted) such that the lower end of the sleeve can be supported along its entire edge on the step or platform. A further advantage of this arrangement is that it eliminates any gap between the base member and the sleeve in which debris, tree roots etc. could pass.

The step or platform on the base member may be provided with a channel or groove and the like to accommodate the lower end of the sleeve to enable the sleeve to fit more snugly to the base member. It is also envisaged that the lower end of the sleeve may be provided with a channel or something similar in which case the step or platform on the base member may be provided with a rib which can pass into the channel again to provide a snug fit. It is also envisaged that both the base and the sleeve may be formed with channels and projections that can mate with each other.

The sleeve may be fastened or otherwise fixed relative to the base member. In one form, it is envisaged that the base member may be provided with a channel/groove and the lower end of the sleeve is dimensioned to fit tightly into the channel/groove to provide some form of friction fit.

Alternatively, the sleeve may be fastened relative to the base member by a screw arrangement whereby the base member is provided with a threaded portion (typically on an outside face) and the sleeve is provided with an internal thread (for example) such that the sleeve can threadingly engage to the base member.

It is also envisaged that the sleeve can be fastened to the base member by some form of "bayonet" type mounting or a twist lock type arrangement or a press lock arrangement.

There may be circumstances where there is an advantage in providing separate fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets to attach the sleeve to the base member, or by the use of adhesive tape or adhesive.

The base member preferably extends entirely about a lower part of the hydrant or other parts of the hydrant. It is therefore preferred that the base member comprises at least two body portions that can be fastened together to facilitate extension of the base member entirely about the hydrant.

There may be circumstances where it is desirable for the base member to comprise three or more body portions that can be fastened together.

Suitably, the base member comprises two body portions of equal size such that each body portion extends approximately halfway about the hydrant. There may be circumstances where it is desirable for one body portion to be a major portion and another body portion to be a minor portion.

If the base member comprises two or more body portions, it is highly preferred that these are attached to each other in a particular manner to provide simplicity and reliability and ease of attachment. Particularly, it is preferred that the body portions have overlapping tongues and slots, each containing at least one opening such that when the body portions are attached together, the openings align and the body portions can be held in place using a key.

It appears sufficient that the tongues are provided with a single opening; however there may be circumstances where the tongues may be provided with two or more openings and therefore the body portions can be held in place by two or more keys.

The key may comprise a substantially L-shaped rod member that can be dropped into the aligned openings to lock the body portions to each other. Removal of the keys enables the body portions to be removed.

It is envisaged that the body portions may be connected other than via a key passing through aligned openings. For instance, the body portions may be snap fitted or press fitted together, or fasteners such as bolts may be used.

It is particularly preferred that the attachment arrangement is in association with attachment of the base member in the small gap between the bolted together flanges. This will be described in greater detail below, and greatly facilitates reliability and ease of attachment of the cover assembly.

Suitably the, or each, body portion is provided with a projection adapted to enter into the gap formed between the clamping flanges of the hydrant and the riser pipe. The projection may comprise a bead extending inwardly from the body portion. The bead may be a continuous bead or may comprise a number of separate beads spaced apart. It is also envisaged that the projection may comprise an array of tongues that can at least partially pass into the gap to assist in attachment of the base member to the hydrant.

It is also envisaged that a separate member can be provided and adapted to extend at least partially into the gap and that the base member is adapted to be connected to the separate member. As an example, a separate member may comprise two or more "biscuits" that can extend into the gap, and the base member may be provided with a number of openings in which the biscuits can pass to connect the base member to the hydrant via the biscuits.

It is also envisaged that the base member may be connected to the projecting threads on the bolts that attach the flanges together. In this alternative, the base member may be provided with openings through which the projecting threads can pass and further nuts may be used to secure the base member to the hydrant. The sleeve can then be attached in the usual manner.

Suitably, the base member includes a further attachment portion adapted to extend over an upper part of a flange to further secure the base member to the flange.

The base member can be seen as a collar.

The sleeve may be of any suitable length, shape, size or manufacture. It is envisaged that the sleeve will be formed of strong plastics material to provide resilience and corrosion resistance. However, it is also possible for the sleeve to be manufactured from metals and particularly aluminium or brass and the like. Composite materials and laminated materials may also be used.

The sleeve will typically have a length which approximates the distance between the base member and ground level. Thus, it is envisaged that the sleeve will typically have a length of between 20-50 cm.

It is considered suitable that the sleeve comprises an open ended hollow cylindrical tube. However, there may be circumstances where there is an advantage in having the sleeve with a rectangular cross-section or other type of cross-section.

It is preferred that the sleeve comprises a single piece. However, there may be circumstances where it is desirable for the sleeve to be made of two or more pieces that are attached together. For instance, the sleeves may be made from plastic tubing that can be attached together using couplings and the usual solvent cement. An advantage of this arrangement is that it may enable the sleeve to be slightly curved along its length - possibly for awkward areas. A cover or lid may be provided over the top of the sleeve. The cover or lid may be brightly coloured or otherwise shaped or identified as a cover for a hydrant and according to the regulatory requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. The cover or lid may be hinged, press fitted, screw fitted or positioned in any suitable manner.

It is also envisaged that the sleeve may be closed at the top and open at the bottom and therefore may comprise an inverted closed tube. A nonlimiting example of this is illustrated in figure 10. In this arrangement, the closed top sleeve can be simply placed or otherwise located on the base member and placed in an existing pit with an existing metal cover. To access the hydrant, the metal cover is removed, and the sleeve is pulled off the base member to enable the hydrant to be accessed.

There may be circumstances where it is desirable to fit the base member over each exposed face of the flanges. This option may be desirable if there is no gap between the flanges. As an example, the further attachment portion adapted to extend over an upper/lower part of a flange to further secure the base member to the flange may be made larger to attach the base member to the upper face of the hydrant flange and the lower face of the flange on the riser pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1. Illustrates a PRIOR ART hydrant.

Figure 2. Illustrates the base member attached to the flanges between a conventional hydrant and a conventional riser pipe.

Figure 3. Illustrates the sleeve sitting on top of the base member to protect the hydrant.

Figure 4. Illustrates a base member disassembled.

Figure 5. Illustrates the base member of figure 4 in the assembled and locked position.

Figure 6. Illustrates an internal side view of part of the base member and particularly illustrating the projection.

Figure 7. Illustrates a plan view of figure 2.

Figure 8. Illustrates a plan view of figure 3.

Figure 9. Illustrates schematically one embodiment of the cover assembly. Figure 10. Illustrates schematically a second embodiment of the cover assembly.

Figure 11, Illustrates a one piece base member according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12, Is a cross section along the line A-A’ of the base member of figure 11.

Figure 13 Is a top plan view of the base member of figure 11.

Figure 14 Isa partially cutaway side view of a cover assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention that includes the base member of figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to figure 2, there is illustrated part of the cover assembly for an in ground hydrant 34, the hydrant being attached to a water pipe (riser) 35, the hydrant having a lower inlet (not visible in figure 2), an upper outlet 37, and a base member 24 connected to the hydrant in a particular manner which will be described in greater detail below. Referring to figure 3 and figure 8, a sleeve 38 fits over the hydrant 34 and sits on top of base member 24. Sleeve 38 has a length sufficient to extend past the upper outlet 37.

Referring to figure 4 and figure 5, base member 24 comprises a pair of substantially equally sized body portions 25. Each body portion 25 is adapted to extend approximately halfway about the hydrant. Each body portion 25 comprises a lower outwardly extending platform 30 to enable the lower end of sleeve 38 (see figure 3) to sit on top of platform 30. If desired, the sleeve can be attached to the platform by any suitable means including adhesive, fasteners, friction fit and the like.

Each body portion 25 has an inwardly extending projection in the form of a bead 28 this being best illustrated in figure 6.

Each body portion 25 is provided with an extending tongue 31 at one end of the body portion, and a corresponding slot 40 at the other end of the body portion. This enables the tongue 31 of one body portion to enter into the slot 40 of the other body portion. Each tongue 31, and the walls of each slot 40 are provided with an opening 41,42 and when the two body portions are fitted together, openings 41 and 42 align.

An L-shaped key 43 (see particularly figure 5) passes through the aligned openings to lock the two body portions together in a simple yet reliable manner.

Referring to figure 9, there is illustrated schematically a hydrant 17 having a lower extending flange 18. Below the hydrant is a riser 22 which is also provided with a corresponding upper extending flange 19. The flanges are bolted together in the usual manner by bolts 44 the bolts 44 also being illustrated in figure 2. To provide a watertight seal, a thick rubber “O” ring sealing member 20 is sandwiched between the flanges. The diameter of sealing member 20 is such that the sealing member locates inwardly from the bolts 44 such that the sealing member is not damaged by the bolts. Consequently, a small gap or space 23 is provided between the flanges and from the outermost edge of the sealing member to the edge of the flange. The height of the gap 23 is determined by the thickness of the sealing member 20.

The internally extending bead 28 (see particularly figure 6 but also figure 9) on the base member 25 is shaped and sized to fit inside the gap 23. A major advantage with this arrangement is that the base member 25 can be fitted without any possibility of the base member sliding or becoming dislodged.

The inner edge of the body portions are shaped to fit about the flanges. The particular shape as illustrated particularly in figure 4 and 5 is rectangular to fit about the rectangular flanges. Figure 3 illustrates an example of a rectangular flange at the bottom of the riser 35 (there being an identical rectangular flange at the top of the riser), and figure 2 illustrates that the exemplary hydrant 34 similarly has a rectangular lower flange. However, this will change depending on the shape of the flanges. Thus the PRIOR ART hydrant illustrated in figure 1 has a circular lower flange and if this hydrant was used, the riser would have a circular upper flange, and the body members would be redesigned to have a circular inner edge to fit about the circular flanges.

In use, the body portions 25 (see figure 4) are positioned around the hydrant and are pushed together until the openings 41 and 42 align. At this stage, the internal bead 28 has also extended into the peripheral gap or space 23 between the flanges. The two body portions are then fastened together using keys 43 to locate the base member to the hydrant.

Each body portion 25 includes a further attachment portion 46 adapted to extend over an upper part of a flange to further secure the base member to the flange.

Sleeve 38 can then be placed on top of the base member and the sleeve will extend about and protect the hydrant against being covered by debris, slime and the like.

Referring to figure 9, a lid or cover 45 can be placed over the top of sleeve 38 to provide a clean debris free area about the hydrant and particularly about the outlet area 13 of the hydrant.

Figure 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the hydrant 50 is bolted to the riser via the flanges 51 as mentioned above. The base member can then be attached in the usual manner. The sleeve comprises an open bottomed but close topped tube 52 which is placed upside down onto base member 24 to protect hydrant 50.

Referring now to figure 11 there is shown a view of a single piece base member 60 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in the cross section of figure 12, the base section 60 is formed with opposed upper and lower square recesses 61 and 63 which are separated by an intermediate gasket 64. The intermediate gasket 64 is formed with four corner holes 62 for the passage of bolts and with a central hole 66 for the passage of water. Figure 11 is a top plan view of the base member 60. The base member 60 has a peripheral skirt or platform 70 which provides an upper surface for supporting a sleeve such as sleeve 38 of the first embodiment.

Referring now to Figure 14 there is shown a partially cutaway side view of the base member 60 in use. The hydrant 34 is firstly entirely unbolted from the riser 35 and any preexisting gasket removed. Alternatively, in the case of a new install there will not be any preexisting gasket in place. The gasket portion 64 of the base member 60 is then located upon the top flange of the riser and the hydrant 34 is then positioned on the topside of the gasket 64. Bolts 65 are then used to secure the hydrant 34, base member 60 and 35 together and to sufficiently force the hydrant and the riser toward each other so that the gasket 64 makes a waterproof seal with each.

Once the base member 60 firmly secured in place the sleeve 38 is then placed about the base member 60 so that it rests on the peripheral platform 70. The sleeve 38 is then closed with a tight fitting, though removable lid 71. The lid may be formed with a finger recess for example to assist a worker in removing it from the sleeve when desired to gain access to the hydrant.

USE FOR THE INVENTION

The cover assembly provides a reliable means to protect the outlet portion of a fire hydrant and the above description identifies at least one specific, substantial and credible use for the invention.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A cover assembly for an in ground hydrant attached to a water pipe, the hydrant having an inlet and an outlet, the cover assembly comprising a base member adapted to be connected to the hydrant and/or water pipe at a position below the outlet of the hydrant, and a sleeve having a lower end supported by the base member and extending about at least the outlet of the hydrant.
2. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base member extends entirely about the hydrant or pipe.
3. 3. The assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base member includes a platform adapted to support a lower end of the sleeve.
4. 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the platform extends entirely about the base member.
5. 5. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve has an open lower end.
6. 6. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a rigid tube.
7. 7. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, including a removable cover supported by an upper part of the sleeve.
8. 8. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base member comprises at least two body portions adapted to be fastened together.
9. 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the body portions comprise tongue parts that locate in slot parts, each said part including an opening for a locking key whereby when the portions are attached together, the openings align and the locking key is adapted to pass through the openings to lock the portions to each other.
10. 10. The assembly of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the hydrant includes a lower mounting flange and the water pipe has an upper mounting flange, the hydrant and water pipe being fastened together via the flanges, the flanges being spaced apart to present a peripheral gap, wherein the base member is adapted for at least partial attachment about the gap.
11. 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the base member includes a projection adapted to at least partially pass into the gap to assist in location of the base member to the flanges.
12. 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the projection comprises a bead on the base member.
13. 13. The assembly of any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the base member comprises a unitary member having an extending platform adapted to support the lower end of the sleeve.
14. 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the base member comprises an upper recess adapted to accommodate at least part of a lower flange of the hydrant and a lower recess adapted to accommodate at least part of an upper flange of the water pipe, and an intermediate gasket formed with an opening for the passage of water.
15. 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the intermediate gasket includes openings for the passage of fasteners to fasten the hydrant to the water pipe.
16. 16. An in ground fire hydrant containing the cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.