Hydrant enclosure with integral faucet

Abstract

Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.

Claims

1. An enclosure with integral hydrant, comprising: a plate having a first surface and a second surface; a recess integrated into said plate, said recess defining a protrusion extending from a rear surface of said plate, said protrusion having a third surface spaced from and generally parallel with said second surface; a first aperture through said plate and spaced from said recess; a second aperture in said third surface; a control tube having a proximal end associated with said first aperture; a fluid supply tube having a proximal end associated with said second aperture; a valve with a fluid supply inlet, a first outlet interconnected to a distal end of said fluid supply tube, and a second outlet interconnected to a distal end of said control tube; a hinge interconnected to an edge of said plate; and a door interconnected to said hinge; and wherein said plate and said protrusion comprise a monolithic structure.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said hinge is interconnected to said plate by way of a hinge plate.

3. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein said hinge plate is removable, and includes at least one protrusion that receives a fastener that interconnects said hinge plate to said plate.

4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said door includes a lock.

5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said door has a texture that generally corresponds with brick or stone.

6. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said hinge is associated with a lower edge of said plate.

7. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said plate includes an outwardly-extending lip, said lip being integrally interconnected to and extending from said plate.

8. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said door includes an outwardly-extending lip.

9. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a rod positioned within the control tube, the rod operatively associated with a stem screw positioned within said first aperture and protruding through said plate, the rod having a distal end with a plunger that is adapted to selectively open and close said valve when said rod is moved from a first position to a second position when said stem screw is rotated.

10. A hydrant enclosure, comprising: a substantially flat plate having a first edge, a second edge spaced from and substantially parallel to said first edge, a first lateral edge interconnected to said first edge and said second edge, a second lateral edge spaced from and substantially parallel to said first lateral edge, said second lateral edge also being interconnected to said first edge and said second edge, said first edge, said second edge, said first lateral edge, and said second lateral edge defining a first surface and a second surface; at least one of a fluid supply tube and a control tube interconnected to said second surface; a hinge having a first portion having a first hinge portion interconnected to said first edge, said second edge, said first lateral edge, or said second lateral edge of said plate such that said first portion of said hinge and said plate comprise a monolithic structure; and a door operatively interconnected to said first hinge portion, said door having outer edges that correspond with said first edge, said second edge, said first lateral edge, and said second lateral edge of said plate, said door also having a lip extending from a portion of said outer edges, wherein said lip spaces said door from said plate to accommodate a fluid outlet extending from said first surface when said door is in a closed position, and wherein said lip conceals at least one of said first edge, said second edge, said first lateral edge, and said second lateral edge of said plate when said door is in the closed position.

11. The hydrant enclosure of claim 10, further comprising a recess integrated into said plate and extending from said first surface toward said second surface, said recess defining a third surface that is spaced from said second surface; a first aperture through said plate and spaced from said recess; a second aperture through said third surface; and wherein said hydrant enclosure is interconnected to said fluid supply tube and said control tube, said fluid supply tube is associated with said second aperture, and said control tube is interconnected to said first aperture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art hydrant;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of FIG. 1, wherein fluid is shown exiting the hydrant;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of FIG. 1, wherein fluid is not flowing from the hydrant;

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a hydrant and a prior art enclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a hydrant positioned within a prior art enclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 is a top elevation view of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an enclosure of one embodiment of the present invention wherein a door is open;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 7 wherein the door is closed;

(10) FIG. 9 is a bottom elevation view of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 7;

(12) FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of FIG. 7;

(13) FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an enclosure with an integrated hydrant of another embodiment of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 12 with a door open;

(16) FIG. 15 is another front perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 12 with the door open;

(17) FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 12;

(18) FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 16;

(19) FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 12;

(20) FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 12;

(21) FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an enclosure with an integrated hydrant of another embodiment of the present invention;

(22) FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 20;

(23) FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 20 with a door open;

(24) FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 20 with the door open;

(25) FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of an enclosure with an integrated hydrant of another embodiment of the present invention;

(26) FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 24;

(27) FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 24 with the door open;

(28) FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 24 with the door open;

(29) FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of an enclosure with an integrated hydrant of another embodiment of the present invention;

(30) FIG. 29 is a top elevation view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 28;

(31) FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 28;

(32) FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 28 with the door open;

(33) FIG. 32 is a top plan view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 28 with the door open;

(34) FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 28 with the door open;

(35) FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of a prior art hydrant;

(36) FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of an enclosure of another embodiment integrated to the hydrant of FIG. 34;

(37) FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 35;

(38) FIG. 37 is a front perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 35 with the door open;

(39) FIG. 38 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 35 with the door open;

(40) FIG. 39 is a front elevation view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 35 with the door open; and

(41) FIG. 40 is a top plan view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 35 with the door open.

(42) To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

(43) TABLE-US-00001 # Component 2 Hydrant 6 Enclosure 10 Plate 14 Fluid outlet 18 Controlled tube boss 22 Control tube 26 Fluid tube boss 30 Fluid supply tube 34 Valve 28 Outside surface 42 Aperture 46 Key 50 Stem screw 54 Control Rod 58 Backflow preventer 62 Plunger 66 Enclosure 70 Box 74 Door 76 Lock 78 Front edge 100 Enclosure 104 Plate 106 Recess 108 Lip 112 Inner surface 114 Hose bib 116 Outer surface 120 Backflow preventer 124 Opening 128 Stem screw 132 Protrusion 136 Conduit 140 Fluid supply tube 144 Valve 148 Boss 152 Control tube 162 Door 166 Hinge plate 170 Protrusions 174 Fasteners 178 Lock 182 Protrusion 188 Inner surface 192 Lip 200 Enclosure 206 Recess 212 Inner surface 216 Outer surface 220 Backflow preventer 224 Opening 228 Stem screw 232 Protrusion 236 Conduit 240 Fluid supply tube 244 Valve 248 Boss 252 Control tube 262 Door 278 Lock 292 Lip 294 Pin 298 Fluid flow path 300 Enclosure 306 Recess 312 Plate 314 Hinge 320 Backflow preventer 324 Opening 328 Stem screw 332 Protrusion 340 Fluid supply tube 344 Valve 352 Control tube 362 Door 378 Lock 392 Lip 400 Enclosure 406 Recess 412 Plate 414 Hinge 420 Backflow preventer 424 Opening 428 Stem screw 432 Protrusion 440 Fluid supply tube 444 Valve 452 Control tube 462 Door 478 Lock 492 Lip 496 Hinge plate 498 Fasteners 500 Enclosure 506 Recess 508 Lip 512 Plate 520 Backflow preventer 528 Stem screw 532 Protrusion 540 Fluid supply tube 544 Valve 552 Control tube 562 Door 564 Pocket 578 Lock 592 Lip 600 Hydrant 602 Housing 606 Fasteners 612 Plate 614 Hinge 620 Backflow preventer 628 Stem screw 640 Fluid supply and control tube 644 Valve 662 Door 664 Hinge plate 678 Lock 692 Lip

(44) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(45) FIGS. 7-11 show an enclosure 100 with an integrated hydrant of one embodiment of the present invention. The enclosure 100 is defined by a plate 104 with an outwardly-extending lip 108. The plate 104 has an inner surface 112 and an outer surface 116. The plate 104 also has a recess 106 that extends from the inner surface 112 toward the outer surface 116. The plate 104 also includes an opening 124 that receives a control rod and stem screw has shown in FIG. 4. The inner surface 112 is adapted to receive a backflow preventer 120. The backflow preventer 120 is positioned within the recess 106 such that an outer edge of the backflow preventer 120 does not extend from the inner surface 112 to an extent that adversely affects door closure.

(46) FIGS. 9 and 10 show a rear portion of the enclosure 100. The recess in the plate forms an outwardly-extending protrusion 132, which in one embodiment is frusto-conical. The protrusion 132 has an outer surface that includes an opening (not shown) that communicates with a conduit 136 that connects fluid supply tube 140 to the backflow preventer. Those of skill the art will appreciate that the fluid supply tube 140 may be directly interconnected to the protrusion 132, but such configuration may not be ideal as the size of the valve 144, or length of the fluid supply tube 140 would have to be increased or lengthened, which will increase material costs. The outer surface 116 of the plate also includes a boss 148 that supports the control tube 152.

(47) In operation, the user turns a key interconnected to the stem screw 128, which removes the plunger from the valve 144 and allows fluid to escape through the fluid supply tube 140. One of skill in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms to control fluid flow besides a plunger maybe use without departing from the scope of the invention. Fluid exits the hydrant by a backflow preventer 120. Turning the key in the opposite direction places the plunger into engagement with the valve 144 to cease fluid flow through the fluid supply tube 140. After the hydrant is shut off, fluid may remain in the fluid supply tube 140 and the control tube 152. Thus, in one embodiment, the fluid supply tube 140 and the control tube 152 are angled relative to the outer surface 116 of the hydrant so fluid will leak from the hydrant after the valve closes.

(48) One embodiment of the present invention includes a door 162 as shown in FIGS. 7-11. The door 162 is hingedly interconnected to a hinge plate 166 interconnected to the lip 108. In some embodiments the hinge plate is interconnected to the plate inner surface 112. Here, the hinge plate 166 includes a plurality of protrusions 170 that receive fasteners 174 that engage the inner surface 112. The fasteners are alternatively interconnected to the lips. The door 162 may also include a lock 178 that selectively engages a protrusion 182 extending from the inner surface 112. If the door becomes damaged or the user changes the look of the door 162, the door 162 can be opened to expose the fasteners 174. The fasteners are then removed and a new door is interconnected to the plate 104.

(49) The internal volume of the enclosure 100 may be increased to accommodate one or two fluid flow supply tubes and associated backflow preventers. More specifically, some hydrants include hot and cold water delivery means and it is within the skill of those of skill in the art to expand the size of the enclosure to accommodate the same.

(50) FIGS. 12-19 show an enclosure 200 having integrated hydrant of another embodiment of the present invention. The enclosure 200 is defined by a plate 204 with an inner surface 212 and an outer surface 216. The plate 204 has a recess 206 that extends from the inner surface 212 toward the outer surface 216. The plate 204 also includes an opening 224 that receives a control rod and stem screw 228 as shown in FIG. 4.

(51) The inner surface 212 is adapted to receive a backflow preventer 220. The backflow preventer 220 is positioned within the recess 206 such that an outer edge of the backflow preventer 220 does not extend from the inner surface 212 to an extent that adversely affects door closure.

(52) FIGS. 13, 15, and 19 show a rear portion of the enclosure 200. The recess in the plate forms outwardly-extending protrusion 232, which in one embodiment is frusto-conical. The protrusion 232 has an outer surface that includes an opening (not shown) that communicates with a conduit 236 (see FIG. 17) that connects fluid supply tube 240 to the backflow preventer. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the fluid supply tube 240 may be directly interconnected to the protrusion 232, but such configuration may not be ideal as the size of the valve 244, or length of the fluid supply tube 240 would have to be increased or lengthened, which will increase material costs. The outer surface 216 of the plate also includes a boss 248 that supports the control tube 252.

(53) In operation, the user interconnects the key to the stem screw 228 and turns the same, which removes the plunger from the valve 244 and allows fluid to escape through the fluid supply tube 240. Fluid travels through the conduit 236 along fluid flow path 298 and exits the backflow preventer 220. Turning the key in the opposite direction places the plunger back into engagement with the valve 244 to cease fluid flow through the fluid supply tube 240. After the hydrant is shut off, fluid is left in the fluid supply tube 240 and the control tube 252.

(54) The door 262 of this embodiment includes a lip 292 and is hingedly interconnected to the plate 204. As shown in FIG. 15, the door 262 may be interconnected to the plate 204 by removable pins 294. The door 262 may also include a lock 278 that selectively engages a protrusion 282 extending from the inner surface 212.

(55) FIG. 20-23 show another embodiment of the present invention. Here, the enclosure 300 includes a door 362 having a peripheral lip 392. The door also includes a lock 378. The remaining structure of the hydrant and enclosure are, or may be, similar to that described above regarding FIGS. 7-19. A door 362 is interconnected to a plate (also sometimes known as a face plate) 312 by a hinge 314. The protrusion 332 extends from the plate 312 associated with a fluid supply tube 340 also interconnected to a valve 344. The valve 344 is also interconnected to a control tube 352 associated with the plate 312. The protrusion 332 defines a recess 306 for receipt of a backflow preventer 320. The plate also includes an opening 324 associated with a stem screw 328 operatively interconnected to a plunger that opens and closes the valve 344. The door 362 may include a lock 378 that selectively interfaces with the plate 312, or a protrusion extending therefrom. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the plate 312 may be associated with a building wherein a rear surface of the plate coincides with the building's outer surface. Alternatively, the hydrant may be affixed to a building wherein the door, when closed, generally coincides with the external building surface; e.g., siding, brick, stone, etc. That is, the plate may be inset relative to the outer surface such that the outer surface of the door 362 would be generally flush with the external surface of the dwelling when the door 362 is closed. In some embodiments of the present invention, the door 362 is textured or otherwise customized to match, or substantially match, the texture and color of the external building service.

(56) FIGS. 24-27 show yet another embodiment of the present invention, which is very similar to that shown in FIGS. 20-23. Here, however, the hinge 414 is of a different configuration. The enclosure 400 includes a door 462 having a lock 478. The door selectively interfaces with a plate 412. The plate 412 includes a recess 406 that accommodates a backflow preventer 420, and an opening 444 associated with a stem screw 428. The plate 412 also includes a protrusion 432 interconnected to a fluid supply tube 440 also interconnected to a valve 444. The valve also receives a control tube 452 as in the embodiments described above. The door 462 may include a lip 492. In this embodiment of the present invention, a hinge plate 496 is provided that is interconnected to the plate 412 by a plurality of fasteners 498.

(57) FIGS. 28-33 show yet another embodiment of the present invention that employs a enclosure 500 with a door 562, which may also include a lock 578. Here, the plate 612 is associated with a pocket 564. In a first configuration the door 562 is closed and an inner surface thereof is abutted against the plate 512, which conceals a backflow preventer 520 and a stem screw 528. The backflow preventer 520 is recessed relative to the front surface of the plate 512 and is situated within a recess 506. The pocket 564 extends rearwardly from the plate 512 towards a valve 544 which, as in the embodiments described above, is interconnected to a fluid supply tube 540 and a control tube 552. In the second configuration, the door 562 is rotated away from the plate 512, which generally aligns the door with an internal volume of the pocket 564. The door 562 is slid into the pocket 564 and at least partially concealed. In this embodiment of the present invention, the enclosure 500 may be attached to a building wherein the front surface of the plate 512 is generally flush with the building's external surface. This contemplated hydrant placement creates an aesthetically pleasing look and prevents the hydrant and interconnected components from being damaged by items moving external to the building, e.g., a vehicle, a cart, etc.

(58) FIGS. 34-40 illustrate how embodiments the present invention may be incorporated into existing hydrants. More specifically, FIG. 34 shows an existing hydrant assembly (Zurn model Z1310) made by design Zurn Industries, LLC. Zurn's hydrant includes a plate 512 that accommodates a backflow preventer 620 and a stem screw assembly 628. The plate 612 is interconnected to a housing 602 by a plurality of fasteners 606. In one embodiment of the present invention, a hinge plate 664 is provided that includes a hinge is also interconnected to a door 662. The door 662 may include a lock 678. The hinge plate 664 is interconnected to the plate 612 by removing one or more fasteners 606 and abutting a portion of the hinge plate 664 onto the front surface or rear surface of the plate 612. Thus the existing hardware is repurposed such that a door 662 can be utilized.

(59) In other embodiments, however, the plate 612 is discarded and a new plate having an integral hinge plate and door is provided. The new plate with a hinge plate may also include a means for interfacing with the lock 678. Stated differently, some embodiments contemplate removing an existing plate of a to-be-installed, or installed, hydrant and replacing it with a new plate having an integral hinge plate and door.

(60) While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.