GB2209156A

GB2209156A - Improvements in closures

Info

Publication number: GB2209156A
Application number: GB8820507A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Mccoll Craig Hart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-08-29
Filing date: 1988-08-30
Publication date: 1989-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2008-08-30
Also published as: GB2209156B; GB8820507D0

Abstract

A closure for a fire hydrant comprises a threaded cap 2 (Figure 1), and an outer casing 3 which is axially biassed out of engagement with the cap by springs 10. The closure is unscrewed by pressing and turning the casing so that protrusions 16 engage in recesses 15. In an alternative embodiment (Figure 3), the cap has a profiled top, and a matching key is inserted through a hole in the casing to unscrew the cap. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements in Closures" This invention relates to a closure assembly.

The invention has particular application use in the secure closure of fire hydrants.

In the interest of safety fire hydrants are provided in easily accessible locations. However, in warm weather children sometimes open the fire hydrants to provide "fountains" to play in. As well as wasting a considerable volume of water and causing inconvenience for firemen who must travel to, and shut-off, the open hydrant, the high pressure of the water escaping from the hydrant can result in injuries to children playing in the water.

It is an object of the this invention to help prevent the unauthorised opening of fire hydrants or the like.

According to the present invention there is provided A closure comprising a cylindrical end cap provided with inwardly directed means for engaging an opening to be closed, recesses being provided on an outer face of the closure for engaging a tool for removing the closure from the opening.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a closure assembly comprising an inner closure member provided with inwardly directed means for engaging an opening to be closed, and an outer casing for restricting access to and being movably mounted on the inner closure member, keying means between the inner closure member being biased out of engagement such that to remove the inner closure member from the opening a force must be applied to the outer casing to engage the keying means simultaneously as a force is applied to the outer casing to disengage the inner closure member from the opening, the keying means being in the form of recesses in a face of the inner closure member for receiving corresponding protrusions provided on an opposing face of the outer casing.

The inwardly directed engaging means on the inner closure member may be the form of a screw which may engage with a complementary screw thread on, for example, a fire hydrant.

The outer casing may be in the form of a cap which surrounds the inner closure member and may be rotatable on the inner closure member.

An outer face of the outer casing may be provided with means for engaging a tool such as, for example, a hexagonal nut for engaging a spanner or socket.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a sectional side view, on line B-B of Fig.2, of a closure assembly in accordance with the present invention located on a fire hydrant; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view, on line A-A of Fig. 1 of a closure assembly in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a closure assembly made in accordance with the present invention and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the device of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, a closure assembly, shown generally at 1, comprises a nylon inner casing 2 and an aluminium alloy outer casing 3.

The inner casing 2 is in the form of a cylindrical end cap and is provided with an inwardly directed screw thread 4 for engaging a complementary screw thread 5 on a fire hydrant outlet 6.

An E.P.D.M. rubber washer 7 is provided on the inner face of the end portion 8 of the casing 2 to sealingly engage the end face of the outlet 6.

The inner casing 2 is located within the outer casing 3 which is also in the form of a cylindrical cap. The outer casing 3 is maintained on a central position relative to the inner casing 2 by means of an annular spacer 8 which extends from a side wall 9 of the inner casing 2.

A spring 10, located in opposing grooves 11 and 12 in the inner casing 2 and outer casing 3 biases the casings 2 and 3 apart, the outer casing 3 being retained on the inner casing 2 by inwardly directed flanges 13 which project from the end of a side wall 14 of the outer casing 3 to abut the end of the side wall 9 of the inner casing 2.

The outer face of the end portion 8 of the inner casing 2 is provided with three cylindrical recesses 15 for receiving three complementary pins 16 on the opposing face of the outer casing 3.

Normally the pins 16 are biased out of engagement with the recesses 15 by the spring 10 so that the outer casing 3 is rotatable on the inner casing 2. However, if a sufficient downward force is applied to the outer casing 3 to overcome the spring 10 the pins 16 may be pushed into engagement with the recesses 15 such that rotation of the outer casing 3 causes the inner casing to be unscrewed from the outlet 6.

To facilitate rotation of the outer casing 3 a hexagonal nut 17 if formed on the upper surface of the casing 3 so that a spanner or the like may be used.

Thus, unless the person attempting to open the hydrant outlet 6 is aware of the internal configuration of the assembly 1, unauthorised opening of the outlet 6 will be very difficult.

If desired, the outer casing 3 may not be fitted such that the opening of the outlet 6 requires a special tool provided with means for engaging the recesses 15 on the inner casing 2.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. Referring now to the embodiment of Figs 3 and 4 a closure cap comprises an inner cap having internal screw threading to engage the threads on the spigot. The top facing of the inner cap is cut away so that when the inner cap is covered by the outer cap a semi-circular slot is provided for engaging an operated key.

Claims

1. A closure comprising a cylindrical end cap provided with inwardly directed means for engaging an opening to be closed, recesses being provided on an outer face of the closure for engaging'a tool for removing the closure from the opening.

2. A closure assembly comprising an inner closure member provided with inwardly directed means for engaging an opening to be closed, and an outer casing for restricting access to and being movably mounted on the inner closure member, keying means between the inner closure member being biased out of engagement such that to remove the inner closure member from the opening a force must be applied to the outer casing to engage the keying means simultaneously as a force is applied to the outer casing to disengage the inner closure member from the opening, the keying means being in the form of recesses in a face of the inner closure member for receiving corresponding protrusions provided on an opposing face of the outer casing.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the inwardly directed engaging means on the inner closure member are in the form of a screw which engages with a complementary screw thread on a fire hydrant.

4. An assembly as claimed in either Claim 2 or 3, wherein the outer casing is in the form of a cap which surrounds the inner closure member and is rotatable on the inner closure member.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein an outer face of the outer casing is provided with a hexagonal nut for engaging a spanner or socket.

6. A closure assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.