AU2018204497A1 - Cover Assembly For In-Ground Hydrant - Google Patents

Abstract

A cover assembly for an in-ground hydrant, the hydrant including a riser for support and water provision, the cover assembly including a base member adapted for positioning at a lower portion of the riser of the hydrant; a sleeve extending upward of the base member, the sleeve configured to surround at least a portion of the riser; and a sheath having a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion enclosing a portion of the riser, such that the sheath defines a barrier between the ground and the hydrant. 704 -- 122 Figure 12C

Description

COVER ASSEMBLY FOR IN-GROUND HYDRANT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a particularly designed cover assembly to protect a below ground, or in-ground, fire hydrant against debris buildup and ingress by ground-dwelling life that could otherwise make coupling of a fire hose to the hydrant difficult.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is for an invention related to that disclosed in Australian Patent Application No. 2016201199 (and counterpart New Zealand Patent Application No. 717454) in the name of a present inventor, the contents of which application (herein the “co-pending application”) is hereby incorporated by cross-reference.

BACKGROUND

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.

For in-ground hydrants, a pit is prepared. Some sort of open top and bottom box or frame typically is placed in the pit and around the hydrant. A top (usually a steel or reinforced plastic plate) extends over the box and can be hinged or otherwise connected to or supported by the top of the box or frame.

A disadvantage is that, over time, the pit fills with slime, mud, debris, soil, tree roots, insect nests and the like. When urgently required, the hydrant outlet may be so buried in debris or clogged by nest material that coupling a fire hose to the hydrant becomes difficult and time consuming.

There would be an advantage if it were possible to protect the hydrant from debris in a manner in which the hydrant would still be readily available if required, and in a manner that could be easily and reliably achieved. There would be a further advantage in providing a protective assembly configurable for a variety of hydrant installations in the above manner, whether they be new hydrant installations or existing installations requiring retro-fitting of protection.

Figure 1A illustrates a PRIOR ART in-ground fire hydrant installation 100 of a first arrangement wherein a hydrant 110 is located in a pit 102 and situated below ground level 104. The hydrant is fed from an underground water main 120 via tee piece 121 and riser pipe 122 which is coupled to inlet flange 113. The pit includes a supporting metal box 106 surrounding the hydrant 110, which box rests on a foundation 107.

The metal box is closed by a metallic lid 108 that is recessed into a pre-cast concrete surround 103. In some installations, the hydrant 110 is encircled by a shroud 109,

2018204497 21 Jun 2018 such as a section of PVC pipe, disposed within the foundation 107. This first arrangement is particularly suited to trafficable locations, such as roadways. The underground area below the hydrant 110 in the vicinity of the riser pipe 122 is open and exposed to the surrounding soil environment, such as gravel bedding materia!

124.

Figure 1B illustrates a PRIOR ART in-ground fire hydrant installation 130 of a second arrangement wherein a hydrant 134 is again located in an underground pit 132 and fed from a water main via bend 123 and riser pipe 135. However, a pit liner in the form of a PVC shroud 136 with supporting base 138 and associated lid 137 with supporting surround 139 are not required to be trafficabie, and accordingly are manufactured from plastic material. Like the trafficable arrangement depicted in FIG. 1 A, the area below the hydrant in the vicinity of respective mating flanges of hydrant 134 and riser pipe 135 is open to the subterranean environment.

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 Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cover assembly for an in-ground hydrant, the hydrant being mounted on a hydrant riser in a pit for support and water provision, the riser extending operatively upwardly from a substrate at a bottom of the pit, the cover assembly including a sleeve that is configured for positioning in the pit to surround at least a portion of the riser; and a barrier arranged in the sleeve and configured to enclose a portion of the riser to obstruct access to the hydrant from the substrate within the sleeve. The substrate may be pit fill.

The cover assembly may include a base member adapted for positioning around the riser and on the substrate, in which the sleeve extends upward of the base member.

The barrier may be a sheath with an upper portion and a lower portion, in which the upper portion encloses the portion of the riser. The sleeve and the sheath may be of a unitary construction, or the sheath may be a separate component particularly suited to retro-fitting to already installed hydrants. This embodiment of the sheath is mounted onto a sub-assembly which can include an outer ring, and an inner ring spaced from the outer ring, and arranged for use in substantially co-axial relation to one another. The sheath may bridge an annular gap or space between the co-axiaily disposed inner and outer rings. The outer ring may be composed of a resilient material, such as nitrile rubber, high impact plastic, butyl rubber, PVC, foam rubber,

2018204497 21 Jun 2018 sponge rubber, EPDM, or another appropriate material, since the external wall of the outer ring may be resiliently held against an inner wall of the sleeve, or the base.

The inner ring of the sheath may be in the form of an elastic, rubber ring or band, that is arranged to both resiliently grip an outer wall of the riser pipe, and, during installation, be expanded sufficiently to pass over a hydrant and associated fittings such as mounting flanges. The sheath may be composed of a suitable porous woven textile material, to allow passage of moisture whilst preventing ingress of debris or nest building insects and other ground-dwelling life. The sheath may be composed of neoprene.

Alternatively, the sheath may be a tubular configuration of resiliently flexible material, which is fixed at a lower end to a lower portion of an inside surface of the sleeve, or to the base, such that in use, when the base and/or sleeve is passed over the hydrant, the upper portion of the sheath stretches to accommodate the hydrant and its components, and encircles the riser when the cover assembly is in position around the hydrant.

In this way, the sheath defines a barrier between the ground and the hydrant, preventing ingress of debris or nest building insects and other ground-dwelling life.

In one form, the base member and the sleeve may be of unitary construction and adapted to be received over the hydrant. In this form, the sheath can be reversibly included in the assembly.

In another form, the base member, the sleeve and the sheath may be of unitary construction.

If required, the base member is composed of a resilient material such as rubber.

In another form, the base member may include a sub-assembly of substantially annular configuration having an inner ring portion adapted to surround the riser and support the lower portion of the sheath, and an outer ring adapted for retention of a lower portion of the sleeve. Preferably the inner ring portion is sufficiently flexible to allow the base member to pass over the hydrant during installation of the assembly. The inner ring portion is suitably composed of an elastic rubber.

The sleeve suitably comprises an open tube, having an open lower end. The sleeve may have an upright dimension that extends at least from the base to the inlet of the hydrant. Preferably, an upper mouth of the sleeve is closed by a cover or cap. Suitably, the cap has a removable lid. In use, the cap is located over the outlet of the hydrant.

If required, the sleeve may include a transitional section having a first cross-section at one end and a second, different cross-section at an opposite end. The transitional

2018204497 21 Jun 2018 section of the sleeve may have a substantially circular cross-section at said one end and a substantially square or rectangular cross-section at the other end. The sleeve may include modular sections.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for installation of a cover assembly for an in-ground hydrant, the hydrant being mounted on a hydrant riser in a pit for support and water provision, the riser extending operatively upwardly from a substrate at a bottom of the pit, the cover assembly kit including a sleeve that is configured for positioning in the pit to surround at least a portion of the riser; and a barrier adapted for arrangement in the sleeve, and configured such that the barrier encloses a portion of the riser to obstruct access to the hydrant from the substrate within the sleeve.

The cover assembly kit may further include a base member adapted for positioning around the riser and on the substrate. The base member may include an inner ring adapted to surround the riser and an outer ring adapted for retention of a lower portion of the sleeve. The substrate may be pit fill.

The cover assembly kit may further include a cap which includes a removable lid, the cap configured to fit on an upper mouth portion of the sleeve.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing the cover assembly as described above, the method comprising the step of positioning the sleeve in the pit to surround at least a portion of the riser such that the barrier encloses a portion of the riser to obstruct access to the hydrant from the substrate within the sleeve. The substrate may be pit fill.

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 1A is a schematic sectional side view of a first hydrant installation of the prior art;

Figure 1B is a schematic sectional side view of a second hydrant installation of the prior art;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cover assembly of the invention in the form of a kit of parts;

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of a sub-assembly of the kit depicted in Fig. 2;

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Figure 4A is a top plan view of a circular-to-rectangular transitional sleeve section from the kit depicted in Fig. 2;

Figure 4B is an elevational view of a circular-to-rectangular transitional sleeve section from the kit depicted in Fig. 2:

Figure 4C is a bottom plan view of a circular-to-rectangular transitional sleeve section from the kit depicted in Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional side eievational view of a cap or cover section from the kit depicted in Figs 2-3;

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the cap or cover section from the kit depicted in Figs 2-3;

Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a partially assembled hydrant cover of the first embodiment;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of a hydrant installation employing the hydrant cover assembly of the first embodiment;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a cap of a cover assembly of a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10A is a plan view of the cap of Fig. 9;

Figure 10B is a sectional elevational view of the cap of Fig. 9, in situ;

Figure 11 is a further kit of parts for a cover assembly of the second embodiment;

Figure 12A is a front perspective view of a hydrant cover assembly of the first embodiment;

Figure 12B is a top plan view of the hydrant cover assembly of Figure 12A;

Figure 12C is a cross-sectional view along A-A of the cover assembly of Figure 12B, including a hydrant;

Figure 13 is an exploded view of the hydrant cover of Figure 12C;

Figure 14A is a front perspective view of a hydrant cover assembly of the second embodiment;

Figure 14B is a top plan view of the hydrant cover assembly of Figure 14A;

Figure 14C is a cross-sectional view along D-D of the cover assembly of Figure 14B, including a hydrant;

Figure 15 is an exploded view of the hydrant cover of Figure 14C;

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to Figure 2, there is depicted a kit of parts for a first embodiment of a cover assembly 200 of a first embodiment of the invention, including a base member 300, a sleeve 400 including a cylindrical section 410 of selected height, and a circular-to-rectangular transitional section 420, a barrier which is a sheath 402, and a cover or cap 500 including a lid 510 and a body 520.

In this embodiment, the base member 300 includes a planar surface 304 on which is arranged, in a central portion of the surface 304 around aperture 310, an inner ring 308 adapted to surround a hydrant riser and support a lower portion of the sheath 402, and an outer ring 306 adapted for retention of a lower portion of the sleeve 410. Preferably, the inner ring portion 308 is sufficiently flexible or appropriately dimensioned to allow the base member to pass over the hydrant during installation of the assembly. The inner ring portion is suitably composed of an elastic rubber. The base member may also be a planar surface with aperture 310, the lower portion of the sleeve 410 resting on the planar surface. The base member 300 and the sleeve 410 may be manufactured as a unitary component. In addition, the sleeve 410 and the sheath 402 may be manufactured as a unitary component. In addition, the base member 300, the sleeve 410 and the sheath 402 may be manufactured as a unitary component. It should be appreciated that alternative bases may be employed in kits for other hydrant installations, including a base of two-piece, diametrically split construction with releasable fastenings, to allow re-fitting and/or with supporting circumferential platform.

The cover assembly sleeve 400 is assembled from the cylindrical, e.g. PVC conduit, section 410 and a transitional section 420, as shown for example in Figure 3. Turning also to Figures 4A - 4G, the transitional section 420 includes a marginal, circular skirt portion 422 for receiving an end of cooperating cylindrical sleeve section 410. The other end 424 of the transitional section 420 is generally rectangular in shape (albeit with rounded corners in the embodiment for ease of manufacture), and includes a marginal lip portion 426 for positive engagement with cap or cover 500. The transitional section is suitably composed of a resilient material, such as nitrile rubber, high impact plastic, butyl rubber, PVC, foam rubber, sponge rubber, EPDM. Reverting to Figs 2-3, the cap 500 of the cover assembly is adapted to inter-fit with pre-existing rectangular pit access ways (see Figure 8), to expose a lid 510 of the cap. A cap body 520 includes an upright outer wall portion 522, an oblique wall portion 524 and an outwardly protruding lip 526 which defines an opening that is closable by the cooperating rectangular lid 510. The cap body 520 of this embodiment is substantially in the form of a rectangular prism, in order to accommodate rectangular supporting frames 106 of trafficable hydrant installations

2018204497 21 Jun 2018 (such as depicted in Fig. 1 A). As seen in Fig. 2, the lid 510 suitably includes a filamentary tether 512 fixed to body 520 to avoid misplacement and a similar handle

514 for ease of removal. The lid 510 and cap body 520 are suitably composed of a resilient material, such as nitrile rubber, high impact plastic, butyl rubber, PVC, foam rubber, sponge rubber, EPDM,.

With reference to Figs 5 and 6, there is also provided adjacent the upright outer wall portion 522 a tapering inner wall or web portion 528, whereby the outer and inner wall portions together define a bordering recess 532. In use, a mouth portion of the recess is disposed downwardly. The bordering recess 532 is adapted to receive the marginal lip portion 426 of the transitional section 420, in order to positively engage the cap 500 therewith. In use, the lip portion 426 projects from the end 424 of the transitional section 420, and may include a bevel. The cap body 520 is shown assembled on an upwardly disposed mouth portion of the transitional section 420 of sleeve 400 in Fig. 7 for example, wherein respective central axes of the sleeve 400, including cylindrical section 410 and transitional section 420, and cap 500 are typically co-linear. In alternative embodiments for other hydrant configurations (not shown), it may be necessary for a modified transitional section to offset the rectangular lid 510 from the central axis of the sleeve 400.

In another embodiment of the cover assembly of the invention, particularly for hydrant installations utilizing only a cylindrical sleeve 410 (such as the non-trafficable installation depicted in Figure 1B), is illustrated in Figures 9, 10A and 10B. This second embodiment includes a further cap 600 having a substantially cylindrical body 620 with a skirt-like wall 622 arranged for engagement, in use, with an upper mouth portion of the sleeve 410. The body 620 is suitably composed of nitrile rubber, high impact plastic, butyl rubber, PVC, foam rubber, sponge rubber, EPDM, or an appropriate plastic material such as high impact plastic so that the wall can be sufficiently deformed in order to fit over an open end of the more rigid (e.g. PVC) sleeve 410, preferably for a firm fit. The cap body 620 further includes an end wall 624 that is provided with a rectangular opening bordered by an outwardly protruding lip 626. The opening is closable by a tethered removable lid 610, shown as part of a further kit of parts depicted in Figure 11.

The outer surface of the end wall 624 is provided with a formation having an arrangement of grooves 627 which allow drainage of liquids and cylindrical spigots 629 for the purpose of engagement with sockets (not shown) in the underside of plastic surround 139. The spigots 629 aim to inhibit rotation of the cap 600 relative to the surround, such that respective openings remain in registration with one another. The further kit in Figure 11 includes the cap 600 including lid 610 and body 620, unitary sleeve 410 (i.e. transitional section is omitted), sheath 402 and base 300 as

2018204497 21 Jun 2018 described above in relation to Figure 2. It should be appreciated that alternative bases may be employed in kits for other hydrant installations, including a base of two-piece, diametrically split construction with releasable fastenings, to allow re-fitting and/or with supporting circumferential platform (as described in the co-pending application). In addition, the base can be a planar surface with a central aperture. This base can be part of a unitary component, including the base and sleeve constructed as a single piece, or the base, sleeve and sheath constructed as a unitary piece.

In Figures 12A, B and C there is shown a hydrant cover assembly of the first embodiment. Referring particularly to Figure 12C, a cross sectional view of this embodiment, base member 300 is fitted over hydrant 110 and riser 122, to rest on pit fill 124. A sheath 402 is fitted over the hydrant 110 and an outer ring portion 702 of the sheath 402 is fitted onto the outer surface of inner ring 308 of the base 300. This causes the inner ring portion 704 of the sheath 402 to encircle and grip the riser 122. A sleeve 400, including cylindrical section 410 and transitional section 420 is then fitted over the hydrant, wherein the interior of cylindrical section 410 fits between the inner ring 308 and the outer ring 306 of the base member 300. Note that the length of cylindrical section 410 is selected in accordance with depth of pit 102, whereby an in-use lower edge of the cylindrical section rests on pit fill 124.

Cap 500, including substantially rectangular body 520 and removable lid 510 are then placed together over the co-operating transitional section 420.

Figure 13 shows an exploded view of the assembly of Figures 12A, B and C, including the base 300, with inner ring 308 and outer ring 306, the riser 122 over which the sheath 402 is fitted, the sleeve 400, including cylindrical section 410 and transitional section 420, sheath 402 with outer ring portion 702 and inner ring portion 704, cap 500 and lid 510.

This embodiment of the invention can also be provided with any combination of the base 300, sheath 402, and sleeve 400 manufactured as a unitary part. When the base 300 is manufactured as a unitary part in combination with the sleeve 400 (which can include cylindrical section 410 and transitional portion 420), it is envisaged that the base will not include an outer ring 306 and will optionally include an inner ring 308. In this configuration where an inner ring 308 is included, the outer ring portion 702 of sheath 402 will fit around inner ring 308 of the base 300 in use. In this configuration where an inner ring 308 is not included, the outer ring portion of sheath 402 will fit resiliently against an inner surface of a lower portion of the cylindrical sleeve section 410 in use. The sheath 402 can also be included in a unitary configuration by fixing the outer ring portion 702 to an inner surface of a lower portion of the cylindrical sleeve section 410.

2018204497 21 Jun 2018

The sheath 402 shown in at least Figures 2 and 11 can also be manufactured as a stand-alone component, and can be retro-fitted to already installed hydrants. In this particular embodiment, the porous textile material is passed about the outer ring 702 and fastened, such as by stitching, to itself. A free end of the textile material is gathered (to allow expansion) and then fastened to a circumferential edge of the band 704. Alternative fastening arrangements by way of direct attachment of the textile material to the rings or bands 702, 704 are also possible where a flexible porous material is employed for the diaphragm.

In Figures 14A, B and C there is shown a hydrant cover assembly of the second embodiment. Referring particularly to Figure 14C, a cross sectional view of this embodiment, base member 300 is fitted over hydrant 110 and riser 122, to rest on pit fill 124. A sheath 402 is fitted over the hydrant 110 and an outer ring portion 702 of the sheath is fitted onto the outer surface of inner ring 308 of the base 300. This causes the inner ring portion 704 of the sheath 402 to encircle and grip the riser 122. A cylindrical sleeve 410 is then fitted over the hydrant, wherein the interior of a lower portion of the cylindrical sleeve 410 fits between the inner ring 308 and the outer ring 306 of the base member 300. Note that the length of cylindrical sleeve 410 is selected in accordance with depth of pit 102, whereby an in-use lower edge of the cylindrical section rests on pit fill 124.

Cap 600, including substantially round body 620 and removable lid 610 are then placed together over a co-operating upper portion of cylindrical sleeve 410.

Figure 15 shows an exploded view of the assembly of Figures 14A, B and C, including the base 300, with inner ring 308 and outer ring 306, the riser 122 over which the sheath 402 is fitted, the cylindrical sleeve 410, sheath 402 with outer ring portion 702 and inner ring portion 704, cap 600 and lid 610.

Similarly to the first embodiment, this embodiment of the invention can also be provided with any combination of the base 300, sheath 402, and sleeve 410 manufactured as a unitary part. When the base 300 is manufactured as a unitary part in combination with the sleeve 410, it is envisaged that the base will not include an outer ring 306 and will optionally include an inner ring 308. In this configuration where an inner ring 308 is included, the outer ring portion 702 of sheath 402 will fit around inner ring 308 of the base 300 in use. In this configuration where an inner ring 308 is not included, the outer ring portion of sheath 402 will fit resiliently against an inner surface of a lower portion of the cylindrical sleeve 410 in use. The sheath 402 can also be included in a unitary configuration by fixing the outer ring portion 702 to an inner surface of a lower portion of the cylindrical sleeve 410.

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The appended claims are to be considered as incorporated into the above description.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practiced with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

When any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

Words indicating direction or orientation, such as “front”, “rear”, “back”, etc, are used for convenience. The inventor(s) envisages that various embodiments can be used in a non-operative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Thus, such words are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Claims (19)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A cover assembly for an in-ground hydrant, the hydrant being mounted on a hydrant riser in a pit for support and water provision, the riser extending operatively upwardly from a substrate at a bottom of the pit, the cover assembly including:

   a sleeve that is configured for positioning in the pit to surround at least a portion of the riser; and a barrier arranged in the sleeve and configured to enclose a portion of the riser to obstruct access to the hydrant from the substrate within the sleeve.
2. 2. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the barrier is a sheath with an upper portion and a lower portion, in which the upper portion encloses the portion of the riser.
3. 3. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further including a base member adapted for positioning around the riser and on the substrate, in which the sleeve extends upward of the base member.
4. 4. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the base member and the sleeve are of unitary construction.
5. 5. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the base member, the sleeve and the sheath are of a unitary construction.
6. 6. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the base member includes an inner ring adapted to surround the riser and support the lower portion of the sheath, and an outer ring adapted for retention of a lower portion of the sleeve.
7. 7. The cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve includes a transitional section interposed between a first cross-section at one end and a second, different cross-section at an opposite end.
8. 8. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 7, in which the first cross-section is substantially circular and the second cross-section is substantially square or rectangular.
9. 9. The cover assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the sheath is a tubular configuration of resiliently flexible material and is fixed at the lower portion to a lower portion of an inside surface of the sleeve.
10. 10. The cover assembiy as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the sheath is a tubular configuration of resiliently flexible material, and is fixed at the lower portion to the base member.

    2018204497 21 Jun 2018
11. 11. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the barrier bridges an annular space defined by coaxially arranged inner and outer rings, the inner ring configured to encircle the riser, and the outer ring configured to engage with an internal surface of the sleeve.
12. 12. The cover assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the barrier bridges an annular space defined by a coaxially arranged inner ring and outer ring, the inner ring configured to encircle the riser, and the outer ring configured to engage with the base.
13. 13. The cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the barrier is manufactured of a porous, woven material.
14. 14. The cover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including a cap which includes a removable lid, the cap configured to fit on an upper mouth portion of the sleeve.
15. 15. A kit of parts for installation of a cover assembly for an in-ground hydrant, the hydrant being mounted on a hydrant riser in a pit for support and water provision, the riser extending operatively upwardly from a substrate at a bottom of the pit, the cover assembly kit including:

    a sleeve that is configured for positioning in the pit to surround at least a portion of the riser; and a barrier adapted for arrangement in the sleeve, and configured such that the barrier encloses a portion of the riser to obstruct access to the hydrant from the substrate within the sleeve.
16. 16. The cover assembly kit of claim 15, further including a base member adapted for positioning around the riser and on the substrate.
17. 17. The cover assembly kit of claim 16, in which the base member includes an inner ring adapted to surround the riser and an outer ring adapted for retention of a lower portion of the sleeve.
18. 18. The cover assembly kit as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, further including a cap which includes a removable lid, the cap configured to fit on an upper mouth portion of the sleeve.
19. 19. A method of installing the cover assembly of any one of the preceding claims, the method including the step of:

    positioning the sleeve in the pit to surround at least a portion of the riser such that the barrier encloses a portion of the riser to obstruct access to the hydrant from the substrate within the sleeve.