GB2585461A

GB2585461A - Apparatus for use with a hydrant

Info

Publication number: GB2585461A
Application number: GB2006499.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Garrod William
Original assignee: R2m Ltd
Current assignee: R2m Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-03
Filing date: 2020-05-01
Publication date: 2021-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-01
Also published as: GB201906293D0; GB2585461B; GB202006499D0

Abstract

A locking assembly for attaching to a hydrant comprising a body 54, at least one locking component (64,66) and engaging means, preferably bolts or screws (72), the body including at least one aperture 60/62 for receiving a portion 1/5 of a hydrant, the engaging means suitable for securing and retaining the locking component with the body to secure the locking assembly to the hydrant. The hydrant water outlet 1 may have a adaptor 19 with a thread for receiving a standpipe in use. The locking assembly engages with the outlet portion and a valve portion 5 via the apertures to prevent unintentional accidental unscrewing of the adaptor when a standpipe is removed. The locking components may be slidable plates 64,66 which grip the hydrant under a flanged rim of the adaptor/valve, the bolts 72 clamping the plates to the body to retain it in position. Fig 2 shows an embodiment having a single aperture instead of a double. Also claimed is a method of use. The device may be retrofitted to existing hydrants and allow unimpeded access e.g. during fire.

Description

Apparatus for use with a I Iydrant the invention to which this application relates, is apparatus for use to control the operation of a device such as a water source, such as a fire hydrant, and in particular, although not necessarily exclusively to allow the hydrant to be locked in an effective manner so as to avoid the separation of one or more components from the hydrant whilst, at the same time, allowing the same to be accessible by authorised personnel in order to allow the same to be operated and/or checked and/or maintained as and when required.

The use of hydrants as a source of water in various locations is well known and the water is typically provided to be accessed and to be provided under pressure so that it is available for use in publicly accessible areas but by authorised personnel only. The hydrants are a particularly useful resource for fire services dealing with a fire emergency as the hydrant is an accessible source for the pressurised water required in the fire fighting operation. 'typically the pressurised water is made available via a standpipe which is screwed into fluid connection with a socket connection on the hydrant on order to allow the water to pass from the hydrant to the stand pipe and in tun to the connected fire brigade hose and be used to attempt to put out fires in buildings, public areas and the like in the vicinity of the particular hydrant.

There is often a conflict between the need for the pressurised water from the hydrant to be accessible quickly, but also to prevent unauthorised access to the hydrant and hence avoid the pressurised water from being emitted from the hydrant at other times, It is found that conventionally this may occur, if for example, an adaptor which can be required to be fitted and retained in position on the hydrant fails, or is removed from the hydrant. As such, it is known to provide a locking system on the hydrant in order to make unauthorised access more difficult.

While this locking access system is effective when it is new, and the locking access system has been used for many years, it has been found that over time, as the hydrants age, the locking system condition deteriorates and becomes unreliable and, as a result of this, there is a risk that this can cause failure which can cause an uncontrolled release of water from the hydrant which can cause a risk and hazard to the public, or can allow unauthorised access for use of the pressurised water source.

An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus which allows for the ability to access and use the hydrant apparatus by authorised personnel whenever necessary in an efficient manner whilst, at the same time, allowing the retention of the hydrant in a locked manner so as to prevent unauthorised use and/or failure of the hydrant and uncontrolled release of pressurised water therefrom.

In particular, conventionally, the hydrant includes a brass outlet adapter to which the fireman's standpipe is screw connected and the adapter is screwed into place on the hydrant and locked with a metal tab to prevent it unscrewing when the standpipe is removed. In practice, as these hydrants have aged, the locking tab is unreliable and not fit for purpose. In certain cases the brass outlet adapter is known to have unscrewed when the locking tab fails, and with the standpipe fitted thereto which can render both the hydrant and standpipe inoperable. Furthermore a.s this failure process can occur under Mg. h water pressure there is a risk of injury to persons in the vicinity at the time of failure and thereafter and the loss of water can be significant. the failure can also occur at the location of the main chamber of the hydrant which is acted upon by a portion which the user unscrews to release the flow of water and which once more, if it fails, can be hazardous to the user.

It is found that the problem can be further exacerbated by the fact that the main body of the hydrant is a cast ductile iron shape and is relatively complex in terms of the various profiles of the body shape, and, as a. result, there are relatively few flat areas or surfaces to clamp a locking means against. I t is also known that this chamber can unscrew A further aim of the present invention is to provide a locking device which is for use in securing and retaining a hydrant in a required condition and to provide the device in a. manner which allows the same to have a relatively long life and be able to with stand environmental conditions. A further aim is to provide the device in a manner which allows the same to be retrofitted to the existing apparatus and preferably, to be fitted in situ without the need for removal or adaptation of the body of the hydrant.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a locking assembly for use and fitment with a hydrant provided to supply water at pressure when in an open position, and the locking means includes a. body, at least one locking component, and engaging means, said body including at least a first aperture located therein for reception therethrough, when said locking assembly is located with the hydrant, of a portion of said hydrant and said aperture and/or body shaped to prevent, in conjunction with said at least one locking component and engaging means which retain and secure the at least one locking component with the body, uncontrolled release of water from the hydrant In one embodiment the said portion of the hydrant is a screw threaded connection for apparatus to which the pressurised water is supplied when the hydrant is in an open position. In one embodiment the apparatus is a. standpipe.

In one embodiment the said body includes first and second apertures which are spaced apart, each of said apertures provided to be located with respective portions of the hydrant. In one embodiment the said second aperture engages with apportion of the hydrant which is provided to be selectively moved in order to control the passage of the pressurised water from the hydrant between open and closed positions. In one embodiment said second portion controls the flow of fluid to the first portion of the hydrant.

In one embodiment the first aperture of the body is engaged with an adaptor which is engaged so as to form part of said first portion of the hydrant.

In one embodiment the locking means acts on the adaptor to retain the same in an an engaged position until the locking assembly is released.

In one embodiment the said locking assembly body and/or locking component include at least one part provided to substantially match the profile of a. part of the hydrant so as to resist relative rotation between the said locking assembly and the hydrant.

In one embodiment, the said locking assembly is located so that the same fits on and/or around an existing screw thread and locking tab of the hydrant so as to secure and stabilise these parts with the hydrant.

In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes first and second locking components provided to be attached to the said body so as to secure the same in position once located with the hydrant.

In one embodiment the said first and second spaced apart locking components are provided as part of the locking assembly.

In one embodiment at least one of the locking components is movable between first and second positions. In on embodiment both of said components are movable between first and second positions.

In one embodiment when said locking components are in the second position engaging means of the locking assembly are introduced to secure and retain the said components to the body M. that position.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a hydrant including a locking assembly as herein defined.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for securing a hydrant in a locked condition wherein said method includes the steps of; engaging an adaptor with portion of the hydrant to which apparatus to be supplied with pressurised water therefrom is connected, positioning a locking assembly body with first and second apertures with the first aperture located with said portion of the hydrant and the second aperture located with another portion of the hydrant, moving at least one locking component from a. first position to a second locking position with respect to the said body and introducing engaging means to secure and retain the said at least one locking component with the said body and hence secure the locking assembly to the hydrant.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described; wherein figures la-e, illustrate a. hydrant of the type with which the current invention can be used.

Figures 2a and b, illustrate a first embodiment of a locking assembly in accordance with the invention; Figures 3a-d, illustrate a further embodiment of a locking assembly ii accordance with the invention; Figures 4a-c illustrate a tint. d embodiment of a locking assembly in accordance with the invention; and Figures 5a-f illustrate a method of fitting the locking assembly of Figures 4a-c to the hydrant shown in. Figures la-e Referring firstly to Figures 1a-e, there is illustrated a. common model of hydrant which is known as a type "two" fire hydrant which includes a main chamber section 12 which has a flange 10 to allow the same to be connected to a pressurised water supply pipe 11 and includes a passage 6 leadnig to a supply control portion 5 leading to an interface 9 which allows the flow of water from the hydrant to be altered such as by a hand operated member 7 connected to the interface 9 and which is rotated as indicated by arrow 13 between open and closed positions. A passage 4 leads to an outlet portion 1 which can include an adaptor fitted thereto and which has an external thread 8 to which a stand pipe 15 can be attached and which, when the fitting 9 is moved to an open position, allows pressurised water 17 to flow therefrom for use. In this model of hydrant, the adaptor, is screwed into position into the passage 4 outlet and is then locked into position with the aim being to prevent the adaptor 1 from then being released from the body. The locking is conventionally achieved via the provision of a small metal tab 2 in order to prevent rotation of the adaptor with respect to the portion 1 of the hydrant and particularly when the standpipe 15 is removed by unscrewing the same from the adaptor thread 8.

It is found that in practice, as the hydrants grow older, the locking tab 2 is insufficiently secure as it can corrode and fail and thereby allow the adapter 19 to be inadvertently unscrewed front the portion 1 which can render the hydrant and the standpipe inoperable or uncontrolled and hazardous and the same problem can occur with the fitting 9 being unscrewed from the portion 5.

Turning now to Figure 2a. there is illustrated the components of a first form of a locking assembly 20 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and in Figure 2b, the locking assembly 20 is shown in position on the hydrant fitting 1 and adaptor 19 in order to prevent the adapter 19 from rotating with respect to the hydrant 2.

The locking assembly in this embodiment includes a body 22 and two locking components 24,26. An aperture 28 in the body has side walls 30 which form a hexagon shape, and which fits the hexagonal shaped surfaces 3 of the adaptor 1 and the external face of the body engage with the external face 32 of the hydrant 2. This therefore prevents the adaptor 19 from rotating with respect to the hydrant 12 and so maintains the adapter in position on the portion 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the body also fits around the existing locking tab 3 of the hydrant 2 so as to secure and stabilise this part also.

Referring now to Figures 3a-d, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the locking assembly 40 irn accordance with the invention. In this embodiment the locking assembly again includes a body 42 which now includes first and second apertures 44, 46 and the assembly prevents the portion 1 and the portion 48 which is the same as portion 5 of the Figures 2a,b and Figures la-d respectively from unscrewing during operation and fitment of apparatus thereto. The said apertures 44, 46 are spaced apart and located so that the aperture 44, engages with the portion 1 including adaptor 19 if fitted, and the second aperture 46, engages with the hex-shape wall 50 of the fitting 48 of the main passage 6 of the hydrant body 12. In both locations of the apertures 44,46 and the location of the body with the hydrant 2 and the securing of the same in position with locking components via engagement means 52 prevents the unscrewing of the fitting 1 and adapter 19 and fitting 48 with respect to the section 12 and the hydrant 2 as a whole.

In addition, the locking assembly can he provided to prevent the original manufacturers locking device from unscrewing as previously described as well as retaining both chambers 11.n the vertical orientation so that they should not rise upwardly if they were to unscrew.

Referring now to Figures 4a-c there is illustrated a further embodiment of the locking assembly of the invention. In this embodiment the locking assembly includes a body 54 which has a top face 56 and a cavity 58. Extending between the top face 58 and cavity are first and second apertures 60.62 which are for a similar function to the apertures 44,46 in the embodiment shown in I*'igures 3a-d and are provided with hexagonal shapes side walls so as to engage with portions 1 and 5,48 of the hydrant respectively. Also shown are the locking components 64, 66 which are located at the underside of the body 54 and which arc slidingly movable as indicated by arrows 68, 70 respectively between unlocked and locked positions and for illustration the locking component 64 is shown in the unlocked position and the locking component 66 is shown in the locked position in Figures 3a-c. Also shown are engagement means 72 which are spaced around the body and which are provided to allow the sliding movement of the locking components 64, 66 with respect to the body 34 and when the closing components are in the locked position, tightened so as to retain the locking components in position with respect to the body.

An embodiment of the use of the locking assembly in accordance with the invention is now described with reference to Figures 5a-f. With respect to figure 5a, if the locking assembly is to be fitted to an existing hydrant the first step is to prepare the hydrant 2 so as to ensure that the locking assembly can be fitted accurately. The preparation can include removing a dust cap from the adapter 19 and cleaning dirt and debris perhaps by using a brush 76 and removing rust using a scraper 78.

With the locking components 64, 66 in the unlocked position as shown in Figure 5b the locking assembly can be moved down onto the hydrant 2 as indicated by arrows 80 M Figure Sc onto the portions of the hydrant as shown and so that both apertures hexagon shaped walls are engaged with the respective portions of the hydrant 2..

When location has been achieved the locking components 64, 66 are pushed inwardly to a locking position as shown by arrows 68, 70 in Figure 5d and until they reach the limit of their inward travel and so that the external face 82 of each of the locking component is substantially in line with the external face 86 of the fixed part 84 of the body 54 as indicated in Figure 5e.

When this is achieved the engagement means 72 as shown in Figure 5f with an even pressure to ensure the locking assembly is secured in position and the external shape of the body may also engage with at least portion of the hydrant to further retain the locking assembly in position.

Thus, in whichever embodiment, once the locking assembly is in position, the hydrant can still be used without the need to subsequently release or remove the locking means and therefore the normal operation of the hydrant is unhindered.

Thus, in accordance with the invention there is provided a locking assembly including, in one embodiment, 2 female hexagonal shape apertures which interlock with portions of the hydrant such that the chamber 4,6 and the portions 5;48; 1, 19 thereof resist un-screwing. The locking assembly acts as a means to hold said portions mutually captive, and preferably is also provided so as to prevent any original locking means to be removed or released and also holds both chambers of the hydrant vertically, in order that they should not rise upwards if they were to unscrew. Furthermore with the locking assembly in position the hydrant can be utilised in the normal way.

Claims

Claims 1.A locking assembly for use and fitment with a hydrant provided to supply water at pressure when in an open position, and the locking means includes a body, at least one locking component, and engaging means, said body including at least a first aperture located therein for reception therethrough, when said locking assembly is located with the hydrant, of a portion of said hydrant and said aperture and/or body shaped to prevent, in conjunction with said at least one locking component and engaging means which retain and secure the at least one locking component with the body, uncontrolled release of water from the hydrant.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the said portion of the hydrant is a screw threaded connection for apparatus to which the pressurised water is supplied when the hydrant is in an open position.
3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the said body includes first and second apertures which are spaced apart, each of said apertures provided to be located with respective portions of the hydrant.
4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first aperture of the body is engaged with an adaptor which is engaged so as to form part of said portion of the hydrant.
5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the said locking assembly includes at least one locking component which has a shape which substantially matches the profile of a part of the hydrant structure so as to resist relative movement between the said locking assembly and the hydrant.
6. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said locking assembly fits on and/or around an existing locking tab of the hydrant.
7 An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein first and second spaced apart locking components are provided as part of the locking assembly.
8. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein at least one of the locking components is movable between first and second positions.
9 An assembly according to claim 8 wherein both of said components are movable between first and second positions.
10. An assembly according to any of claims 6-8 wherein when said locking components are in the second position engaging means of the locking assembly are introduced to secure and retain the said components to the body in that position.
11. A hydrant including a locking assembly as defined in any of claims 1-10 12 A method for securing a hydrant in a locked condition wherein said method includes the steps of; engaging a.n adaptor with portion Of the hydrant to which apparatus to be supplied with pressurised water therefrom is connected, positioning a locking assembly body with first and second apertures with the first aperture located with said portion of the hydrant and the second aperture located with another portion of the hydrant, moving at least one locking component from a. first position to a second locking position with respect to the said body and introducing engaging means to secure and retain the said at least one locking component with the said body and hence secure the locking assembly to the hydrant.