US3926206A

US3926206A - Yard hydrant

Info

Publication number: US3926206A
Application number: US506956A
Authority: US
Inventors: Noel M Anderson; Arlin W Otto
Original assignee: Merrill Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Merrill Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1974-09-18
Filing date: 1974-09-18
Publication date: 1975-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-16

Abstract

A yard hydrant is designed to eliminate the standard drain hole in devices of this type. Water in the standpipe that previously drained to the outside when the hydrant is closed is collected in a self-contained reservoir and is available for use. The reservoir is of an expandable bellows structure arranged to expand with the closing of the hydrant valve to accommodate the drain water and to compress with the opening of the hydrant valve so that the stored water passes through the standpipe and out of the hydrant nozzle with the incoming water. The standpipe, bellows chamber and hydrant valve are so attached to the hydrant head that they can be conveniently withdrawn as a unit from the hydrant casing for repairs or maintenance.

Description

[ Dec. 16, 1975 Ilnited States Patent [1 1 Anderson et al.

Primary ExaminerMartin P. Schwadron Assistant Examiner-Richard Gerard [54] YARD HYDRANT Inventors: Noel M. Anderson, Storm Lake;

a l: Otto Lakeslde both of Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Morton S. Adler [73] Assignee: Merrill Manufacturing Company,

Inc., Storm Lake, Iowa Sept. 18, 1974 ABSTRACT [22] Filed:

A ard h drant is desi ned to eliminate the standard 21 A LN .:50695 y y g I 1 PP O 6 drain hole in devices of this type. Water in the standpipe that previously drained to the outside when the [52] US. Cl-

13 /281; 137/233; /287; hydrant is closed is collected in a self-contained reser- 137/2 /327 voir and is available for. use. The reservoir is of an expandable bellows structure arranged to expand with date the drain water and to compress with the opening of the hydrant valve so that the stored water passes through [51] E03B 9/04 [58] Field of Search 137/272, 281, 286, 287, 137/288, 299, 301308, 326-328, 217, 218;

the closing of the hydrant valve to accommo the standpipe and out of the hydrant nozzle with the References Cited incoming water. The standpipe, bellows chamber and UNITED STATES PATENTS hydrant valve are so attached to the hydrant head that they can be conveniently withdrawn as a unit from the hydrant casing for repairs or maintenance.

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Murdock et a1. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 704,949 3/1931 France................................137/28] US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 III Sheet 1 of 2 US. Patent DC.16,1975 Sheet20f2 YARD HYDRANT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to yard hydrants and more particularly to an improvement in hydrant structure wherein the traditional drain hole in such devices is completely eliminated and the water that heretofore drained away to the outside is collected in a self-contained reservoir and can be subsequently used.

The value and utility of yard hydrants have long been recognized with much of the hydrant art dating back to the late l800s and early 1900 s and illustrations particularly of the yard hydrant art can be found in the patents of one of the applicants here, Noel M. Anderson, US. Pat. Nos. 2,649,768, 2,649,111, 3,523,549 and 3,672,392. Characteristically of yard hydrants has been the presence of a drain hole at the bottom of the standpipe to carry away water left in such pipe after the valve is closed so that the water is dissipated into the surrounding ground. Notwithstanding the efficiency of such hydrant structures including the draining away of water as indicated, it appears that continuing attention to matters of sanitation, water purity and the like by those concerned with such art and also certain governmental regulatory bodies, indicate that the presence of a drain hole while affording a means to dispel water in the standpipe after the valve is closed, can also be a means for the reentry of water into the hydrant to be intermixed with other water passing therethrough. Under such conditions, the possibility of contamination from impure seepage can result in deleterious effects upon the consumer and, accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a yard hydrant which has no drain hole to the outside so as to eliminate the possibility of any water seepage from the outside ground into the hydrant.

Another object herein is to provide a yard hydrant of the above class which includes a self-contained reservoir into which water in the standpipe that heretofore drained to the outside when the hydrant valve was closed, can be accommodated and stored for future use. More particularly in this regard the reservoir provided is of an expandable bellows structure which expands when the hydrant is closed and contracts when the hydrant is open.

A further object is to provide a yard hydrant as characterized wherein the standpipe, bellows chamber and valve assembly is so constructed, connected and armay appear herein, or be hereinafter pointed out, to-

gether with the advantages of this invention will be more fully discussed and developed in the more detailed description of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of this new yard hydrant with the handle shown in the on position,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the hydrant shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the handle in its off" position,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the hydrant shown in FIG. 3,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, this new yard hydrant is designated generally by the numeral 10 and, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, includes an elongated upstanding outer casing 12 which houses certain of the working components as will later be described in detail, and a nozzle head assembly 14 journalled on the upper end of casing 12 and vertically reciprocal thereon as will appear, by the handle unit 16. The lower end of casing 12 is securely affixed in any suitable manner as by the threaded engagement 18 (FIGS. 2 and 4) to an appropriate cap-like fitting 20 having the down pipe portion 22 for connection to an underground source of water under pressure (not shown) in a well known manner. As a part of fitting 20 there is provided an axial orifice plug 24 having the externally threaded neck 26 extending into chamber 28 at the bottom of casing 12 and which neck has the further reduced portion 30. An axial bore or passageway 32 through plug 24 communicates with pipe 22 and with chamber 28.

It is to be noted that hydrant 10 is provided with no drain hole to the outside at the lower end of casing 12 which has heretofore been a standard provision in bydrants of this type and reference is now made particularly to FIGS. 2 and 4 relative to our improved bellows reservoir chamber assembly 34 to accommodate water previously allowed to drain out and which we shall now describe.

A cylinder 36, open at opposite ends, of any suitable material which may include metal or plastic, is journalled in the lower portion of casing 12 so that the bottom end is disposed within chamber 28. The upper end of cylinder 36 is notched 38 at oppositely disposed points for reasons to be later explained. Journalled within cylinder 36 is the cylindrically shaped bellows chamber or reservoir 40 designed as will appear, for compression as seen in FIG. 2 and for expansion as seen in FIG. 4. Bellows 40 are in contact with the inner wall of cylinder 36 which serves to keep it confined and contained against radial expansion under water pressure as will become apparent.

The lower end of bellows 40 includes the integral projecting neck 42 into which is mounted the valve housing 44 that in turn is threadably attached to the external threads 26 of plug 24 in a sealed arrangement provided by the O-ring 46. A metal washer 48 encircles neck 42 and valve housing 44 in abutment with the lowermost bellow fold of bellows 40 and a hose clamp 50 around neck 42 and housing 44 directly below washer 48 secures the lower end of bellows assembly 34 to the valve housing 44. The periphery of washer 48 nests within the bottom inner edge of cylinder 36 and if the parts are of metal, they may be welded or attached by screws and if of plastic, a solvent weld can be used in a well known manner. Thus, by this arrangement, washer 48 provides an adequate stop at the bottom of bellows 40 relative to its expansion and contraction.

The valve housing 44 includes a lower chamber 52 in flow communication with passageway 32 and an upper chamber 54in flow communication with chamber 52 through the valve seat 56 and with the interior of the bellows reservoir 40. A spring loaded check valve 58 is arranged in a well known manner relative to

chambers

52 and 54 so that normally, valve end 60 is seated against the underside of seat 56 in closed position and is unseated or moved to open position by pressure from above as will appear.

The upper end of the bellows assembly 34 operates in cooperation with the nozzle head assembly 14 to which reference is now made. Assembly 14 includes a nozzle 62, and an integral nozzle head section 64 from which there depends the integral cylindrical sleeve 66 open at its bottom end 68. The water passageway 70 in nozzle 62 terminates in an upper chamber 72 in head 64 which in turn communicates with a lower chamber 74 through valve seat 76. A spring loaded check valve 78 is mounted in chamber 72 relative to seat 76 and is closed (FIG. 4) when hydrant is closed and open under water pressure (FIG. 2) when hydrant 10 is open all of which will be referred to later in more detail including.

the purpose of the air flow check 'valve 80 provided in the outside wall to the upper chamber 72.

Sleeve 66 is slip-fitted over the top of casing 12 for vertical reciprocal movement thereon as will appear and an elongated standpipe 82 is secured at its upper end by fitting 84 to head section 64 so as to be in flow communication with the lower chamber 74 and extends downwardly to terminate at its lower end 86 well within the interior of bellows 40 and in axial alignment with valve 58. One or more through lateral openings 88 are provided in the wall of standpipe 82 at end 86 about the periphery thereof and an air check valve 89 is provided in the outside wall to the lower chamber 74 in head section 64 in communication with standpipe 82.

At the upper end of the bellows assembly 34 where standpipe 82 enters the same, bellows 40 are provided with a reduced neck portion 90, similar to neck 42 at the lower end, which embraces a fitting 92 securely affixed to standpipe 82, and a metal washer 94, similar to washer 48 and functioning as a stop, encircles neck 90 and fitting 92 in abutment with the uppermost bellow fold of bellows 40 where it is locked in place by a hose clamp 96. Also secured to standpipe 82 at a point spaced above fitting 92 and above the plane of the upper end of cylinder 36, is a disc-shaped key 98 having opposed turned down lug portions 100 for engaging notches 38 in cylinder 36 which will be further described in the operation of this hydrant.

Handle unit 16 is designed to reciprocate the nozzle assembly 14 together with standpipe 82 as will appear and for this purpose includes a bail 102 having the respective right angle parallel crank arms 104 positioned astraddle of sleeve 66 and pivotally secured thereto as at 106 whereby bail 102 can be moved upwardly and across the top of heat section 64 (FIG. 1) and downwardly along the side of sleeve 66 (FIG. 3). A pair of opposed elongated like rigid links 108 (of which only one is shown) are each pivotally secured at corresponding ends to the respective crank arms 104 as at 110 being approximately the juncture of bail 102 ends and crank arms 104 and at their opposite ends, links 108 are pivotally attached as at 112 to a 'ring or band 114 securely affixed to casing 12 below the plane of end 68 of sleeve 66. A knob 116 is secured to bail 102 to facilitate the operation of unit 16 and thus with hydrant 10 constructed and arranged as described, it is operated in the following manner.

Operation Hydrant 10 in the usual arrangement for devices of this type is mounted upright in the ground as shown where a substantial portion of the casing 12 is buried for connection to the underground Water supply and where the portion of the casing 12 which houses the bellows assembly 34 is below the frost line. Since the depth of the frost line may vary in different geographical locations, it will be understood that the length of casing 12 will be fabricated accordingly. The nozzle 62 is preferably approximately 2 feet above the ground level although this may, of course, be varied.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, hydrant 10 is shown in the on position for delivery of water through standpipe 82 and out of nozzle 62. Here, bail 102 of handle unit 16 is moved upwardly across the head section 64 whereby crank arms 104 move to their lowermost position relative to links 108 causing sleeve 66 to slide downwardly on casing 12 and at the same time, moving the standpipe 82 downwardly into engagement with valve 58 to unseat it from seat 56 and open flow communication from passageway 32 through standpipe 82 into chamber 74 of the head section 64. Such water flow under pressure opens valve 78 into chamber 72 so that flow enters passageway out of nozzle 62. In the downward movement of standpipe 82, the arrangement of fitting 92 and washer 94 acts against the upper end of the bellows reservoir 40 to compress it as shown in FIG. 2 and further eflects of this will be explained after the following reference to the off position of hydrant 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

By the movement of bail 102 from the position of FIGS. 1 and 2 to the position in FIGS. 3 and 4, the direction of movement of sleeve 66 and standpipe 82 is reversed or upwardly which simultaneously retracts standpipe 82 from engagement with valve 58 so that such valve closes under its spring pressure and extends or expands the bellows reservoir 40 to enlarge its interior area as seen in FIG. 4. As this occurs, valve 78 in head section chamber 72, being free of water pressure, automatically closes and water in standpipe 82 will drain down such pipe for collection and storage in the expanded bellows reservoir 40. Such drainage is expedited by air intake under atmospheric pressure through the air check valve 89 which is otherwise held closed by water pressure through chamber 74 when valve 58 is open. 7

The air check valve into head chamber 72 functions similarly to check valve 89 when hydrant 10 is closed and is designed particularly to assure drainage of nozzle 62 if a length of hose (not shown) should at times be left attached to nozzle 62 as frequently occurs. Without any such attached hose, nozzle 62 will easily drain when the hydrant is closed but experience has shown this does not always properly occur with a hose attached and thus valve 80 is provided to assure proper drainage when required.

With the bellows reservoir 40 storing water from standpipe 82 as described in the off position shown in FIG. 4, the compression or retraction of reservoir 40 (FIG. 2) as the on position of the hydrant is effected, results in the stored water reentering the standpipe 82 through holes 88 where it is co-mingled with the new supply and can thereby be fully used without any waste or exposure to any contaminating source from outside of the casing 12. By this arrangement, it will be appreciated that hydrant 10 functions adequately without the traditional drain hole, is completely sealed from the surrounding terrain and that the stored standpipe water is held below the frost line where it is safe from freezing and available for future use. i

With reference now more particularlyto FIGS. 2 and 5, it will be noted that in the illustrated position of the hydrant 10, the lugs 100 on the disc key 98 are; nested in the notches 38 at the upper end of cylinder 36. Thus, by disconnecting the links 108 from bail 102, assembly 14 can be rotated counterclockwise for the following purpose. Such rotation rotates standpipe 82 about its longitudinal axis whereby lugs 100 rotate cylinder 36 that is secured to valve housing 44 and disengages such housing from the external threads 26 on plug 24. Accordingly, with housing 44 turned free of plug 24, the standpipe 82, bellows assembly 34 and housing 44 together with valve 58 can be quickly and easily with drawn as a unit for repairs or maintenance. Such parts are reinserted in the reverse order of their removal. Thus, in view of all of the foregoing, it is thought a full understanding of the construction and operation of this invention will be had and the advantages of the same will be appreciated.

We claim:

1. A yard hydrant, comprising:

a casing having an upper and lower end,

a valve housing with a spring loaded valve means therein in the lower end of said casing and opera tively connected to a source of fluid under pressure,

a head section including an integral nozzle,

means for arranging said head section relative to the upper end of said casing for vertical reciprocation relative thereto,

a longitudinal expandable and retractible bellows fluid reservoir having an upper and lower end arranged within said casing,

a standpipe within said casing having one end secured to said head section in flow communication therewith and its other end extended through the upper end of said reservoir and terminating within said reservoir,

said standpipe being vertically reciprocal with corre sponding movement of said head section,

a respective integral axial projecting lower neck portion and upper neck portion at the respective lower and upper ends of said bellows reservoir,

said upper neck portion embracing said standpipe and said lower neck portion embracing said valve housing,

a first stop member embracing said lower neck portion and said valve housing and in abutment with the lower end of said bellows reservoir including means for locking said stop member in said position,

a second stop member embracing said upper neck portion and said standpipe and in abutment with the upper end of said bellows reservoir including means for locking said stop member in said position,

the downwardly movement of said standpipe effecting the retraction and compression of said reservoir and with said other end of said standpipe acting against said valve means to open fluid flow through said hydrant, and

the upwardly movement of said standpipe elevating the same from contact with said valve means permitting it to close and simultaneously expanding said reservoir whereby fluid in said standpipe upon closing of said valve means drains therefrom into said reservoir for storage.

2. A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1 including said standpipe being provided at its lower end with a lateral opening whereby with fluid stored in said expanded bellows reservoir while said valve means is closed, the movement of said standpipe for opening said valve means and simultaneously compressing said bellows reservoir causes the stored fluid to enter said standpipe through said lateral opening for reuse and commingling with fluid from the supply source for passage. out of said nozzle.

3. A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1 including:

a cylinder having an upperand lower end and arranged in the lower end of said casing in embracing relationship to said bellows reservoir to hold it against radial expansion, and

means for operatively securing the lower end of said cylinder to said valve housing.

4. A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1 including:

a cylinder having an upper and lower end and arranged in the lower end of said casing in embracing relationship to said bellows reservoir to hold it against radial expansion,

means for securing the lower end of said cylinder to said first stop member, and

said secondstop member being vertically reciprocal within said cylinder with corresponding movements of said standpipe.

5. A yard hydrant, comprising:

a casing having an upper and lower end,

a valve housing with a spring loaded valve means therein in the lower end of said casing and operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure,

a head section including an integral nozzle,

means for arranging said head section relative to the upper end of said casing for vertical reciprocation and rotation relative thereto,

a longitudinal expandable and retractible bellows fluid reservoir having an upper and lower end arranged within said casing including means attaching the lower end of said reservoir to said valve housing,

a standpipe within said. casing having one end secured to said head section in flow communication therewith and its other end extended through the upper end of said reservoir and terminating within said reservoir,

said standpipe being vertically reciprocal with corresponding movement of said head section,

means connecting the upper end of said reservoir to said standpipe for expansion and retraction with respective upwardly and downwardly movements of said standpipe,

the downwardly movement of said standpipe effecting the retraction and compression of said reservoir and with said other end of said standpipe acting against said valve means to open fluid flow through said hydrant,

the upwardly movement of said standpipe elevating the same from contact with said valve means permitting it to close and simultaneously expanding said reservoir whereby fluid in said standpipe upon closing of said valve means drains therefrom into said reservoir for storage,

a fitting means secured to the lower end of said casing and adapted for flow communication with the source of fluid under pressure,

said fitting means having an orifice plug with an externally threaded neck extended into the lower end of said casing, and

said valve housing being removably threadably attached to said threaded neck whereby an assembly comprising said head section, standpipe, bellows reservoir and valve housing with valve means can be manually rotated to remove said valve housing from said fitting means to permit withdrawal from said casing as a unit said assembly for purposes of repair or maintenance,

6. A yard hydrant as defined in claim including:

a cylinder having an upper and lower end arranged in the lower end of said casing in embracing relationship to said bellows reservoir to hold it against radial expansion,

means for operatively securing the lower end of said cylinder to said valve housing,

the upper end of said cylinder being provided with a notch,

a lug key secured to said standpipe at a point thereon whereby in downwardly movement of said standpipe said lug key is engaged in said notch to effect a turning force at the upper end of the cylinder and facilitate the removal of said assembly including said cylinder.

Claims

1. A yard hydrant, comprising: a casing having an upper and lower end, a valve housing with a spring loaded valve means therein in the lower end of said casing and operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure, a head section including an integral nozzle, means for arranging said head section relative to the upper end of said casing for vertical reciprocation relative thereto, a longitudinal expandable and retractible bellows fluid reservoir having an upper and lower end arranged within said casing, a standpipe within said casing having one end secured to said head section in flow communication therewith and its other end extended through the upper end of said reservoir and terminating within said reservoir, said standpipe being vertically reciprocal with corresponding movement of said head section, a respective integral axial projecting lower neck portion and upper neck portion at the respective lower and upper ends of said bellows reservoir, said upper neck portion embracing said standpipe and said lower neck portion embracing said valve housing, a first stop member embracing said lower neck portion and said valve housing and in abutment with the lower end of said bellows reservoir including means for locking said stop member in said position, a second stop member embracing said upper neck portion and said standpipe and in abutment with the upper end of said bellows reservoir including means for locking said stop member in said position, the downwardly movement of said standpipe effecting the retraction and compression of said reservoir and with said other end of said standpipe acting against said valve means to open fluid flow through said hydrant, and the upwardly movement of said standpipe elevating the same from contact with said valve means permitting it to close and simultaneously expanding said reservoir whereby fluid in said standpipe upon closing of said valve means drains therefrom into said reservoir for storage.

2. A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1 including said standpipe being provided at its lower end with a lateral opening whereby with fluid stored in said expanded bellows reservoir while said valve means is closed, the movement of said standpipe for opening said valve means and simultaneously compressing said bellows reservoir causes the stored fluid to enter said standpipe through said lateral opening for reuse and commingling with fluid from the supply source for passage out of said nozzle.

3. A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1 including: a cylinder having an upper and lower end and arranged in the lower end of said casing in embracing relationship to said bellows reservoir to hold it against radial expansion, and means for operatively securing the lower end of said cylinder to said valve housing.

4. A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1 including: a cylinder having an upper and lower end and arranged in the lower end of said casing in embracing relationship to said bellows reservoir to hold it against radial expansion, means for securing the lower end of said cylinder to said first stop member, and said second stop member being vertically reciprocal within said cylinder with corresponding movements of said standpipe.

5. A yard hydrant, comprising: a casing having an upper and lower end, a valve housing with a spring loaded valve means therein in the lower end of said casing and operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure, a head section including an integral nozzle, means for arranging said head section relative to the upper end of said casing for vertical reciprocation and rotation relative thereto, a longitudinal expandable and retractible bellows fluid reservoir having an upper and lower end arranged within said casing including means attaching the Lower end of said reservoir to said valve housing, a standpipe within said casing having one end secured to said head section in flow communication therewith and its other end extended through the upper end of said reservoir and terminating within said reservoir, said standpipe being vertically reciprocal with corresponding movement of said head section, means connecting the upper end of said reservoir to said standpipe for expansion and retraction with respective upwardly and downwardly movements of said standpipe, the downwardly movement of said standpipe effecting the retraction and compression of said reservoir and with said other end of said standpipe acting against said valve means to open fluid flow through said hydrant, the upwardly movement of said standpipe elevating the same from contact with said valve means permitting it to close and simultaneously expanding said reservoir whereby fluid in said standpipe upon closing of said valve means drains therefrom into said reservoir for storage, a fitting means secured to the lower end of said casing and adapted for flow communication with the source of fluid under pressure, said fitting means having an orifice plug with an externally threaded neck extended into the lower end of said casing, and said valve housing being removably threadably attached to said threaded neck whereby an assembly comprising said head section, standpipe, bellows reservoir and valve housing with valve means can be manually rotated to remove said valve housing from said fitting means to permit withdrawal from said casing as a unit said assembly for purposes of repair or maintenance.

6. A yard hydrant as defined in claim 5 including: a cylinder having an upper and lower end arranged in the lower end of said casing in embracing relationship to said bellows reservoir to hold it against radial expansion, means for operatively securing the lower end of said cylinder to said valve housing, the upper end of said cylinder being provided with a notch, a lug key secured to said standpipe at a point thereon whereby in downwardly movement of said standpipe said lug key is engaged in said notch to effect a turning force at the upper end of the cylinder and facilitate the removal of said assembly including said cylinder.