Abstract:
A nozzle attachment device for retrofitting fire hydrants with additional structure for reducing the potential that those with ill intent can foul municipal water supplies by introducing toxins or other materials into fire hydrants. Various embodiments include a housing with a channel and connection means for the fire hydrant&#39;s nozzle for efficient and cost effective installation, a seat and a valve within the channel which interact to close off portions of the hydrant otherwise available for receipt of toxic or other materials when the fire hydrant nozzle cap is unscrewed and open.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/922336, entitled “Hydrant Ecco-Terrorism Resister Orb (HERO)”, filed Apr. 9, 2007, and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/980,635, entitled “Nozzle Attachment for Fire Hydrant,” filed Oct. 17, 2007, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to providing fire hydrants with additional housing and valving in order to render more difficult the task of introducing toxins into a water supply. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventional fire hydrants offer access to a municipal water supply in a manner in which operatives with ill intent may appreciate. Briefly, conventional fire hydrants include at least one nozzle for coupling to a fire hose. A threaded cap closes off the nozzle when the hydrant is not in use. The hydrant also includes a hydrant valve which controls flow of water from the water supply to and through the hydrant, through the nozzle(s), and into the fire hose. 
         [0004]    Conventionally, the barrel of the hydrant between the nozzle and the hydrant valve, which is in the lower portion of the hydrant, accommodates several gallons of fluid. Accordingly, it is possible to unscrew a nozzle cap, introduce gallons of toxin, reattach the nozzle cap and open the hydrant valve to allow the toxins to communicate with and flow by gravity and perhaps at least to some extent by Bernoulli&#39;s principle, into the municipal water supply, since when the nozzle cap is attached, water pressure from the water supply would not force the toxins back out of the hydrant. 
         [0005]    Numerous attempts to solve this problem have been attempted. U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,495, entitled “Backflow Prevention System,” has a system within a nozzle of a hydrant that prevents outside liquids and substances from entering into the fire hydrant. However, the system cannot be added to pre-existing fire hydrants. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,688 entitled “Retrofitting a Fire Hydrant with Secondary Valve,” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,544 entitled “Fire Hydrant with Second Valve,” a system is added to an existing fire hydrant. A seat is affixed to the interior cavity of the fire hydrant using an adhesive or mechanical means while a valve structure is introduced between the nozzle and the hydrant valve, which cooperates with the seat to substantially prevent the flow of water through the valve and thus closes off portions of the hydrant barrel when a nozzle is open but the hydrant valve is closed. 
         [0006]    While this is an effective method for installing the secondary valve, another apparatus and method is needed to prevent the infiltration of contaminants into public water systems through fire hydrants. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    One or more of various structures and embodiments according to the present invention includes a fire hydrant with an outer or add-on nozzle attachment including a valve in order to prevent the introduction of toxins or other substances into a water supply. Structures such as a nozzle attachment according to various embodiments of the present invention may allow for quick installation of an additional protective valve before the nozzle of the hydrant to close off the nozzle and hydrant barrel when a nozzle is open but the hydrant valve is closed. A nozzle attachment or other structure according to various embodiments of the present invention is preferably introduced at the nozzle of the fire hydrant. Such attachments may be used with dry barrel hydrants as well as wet barrel hydrants. 
         [0008]    According to various aspects and embodiments of the present invention, the nozzle attachment may include a channel, a valve, and a valve seat. During installation, the nozzle attachment is attached to the nozzle of the fire hydrant through various methods and structures. 
         [0009]    According to various aspects and embodiments of the present invention, a method of retrofitting a fire hydrant may include selecting a fire hydrant that has a hydrant body, disconnecting the hydrant body from the fire hydrant, providing a replacement hydrant body that has a protective valve to prevent outside liquid from entering the nozzle, and attaching the replacement hydrant body. The hydrant body may include nozzles with channels, which are associated with the protective valves to control the flow of water in and out of the nozzles. 
         [0010]    An object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide structures for retrofitting fire hydrants in order to reduce the possibility of toxins being introduced into a water supply. 
         [0011]    An additional object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide additional structures adapted to be installed quickly with fire hydrants in order to reduce the possibility of toxins being introduced into a water supply. 
         [0012]    An additional object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide a manner that prevents fire hydrants and additional structures from damage due to water freezing within their respective channels. 
         [0013]    An additional object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method of retrofitting fire hydrants with tampering prevention structures. 
         [0014]    Other objects, features, and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent with respect to the remainder of this document. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a cross sectional view of a conventional fire hydrant with a nozzle cap removed and hydrant valve closed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows toxins being introduced into the nozzle of the hydrant of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows the cap replaced on the nozzle of the hydrant of  FIG. 1  after toxins have been introduced. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows the opening of the hydrant valve to introduce toxins into a water supply as a result of the sequence shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of a nozzle attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a nozzle attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a front view of the nozzle attachment of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of a fire hose connected to the nozzle attachment of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional view of a fire hydrant with the nozzle attachment of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of a fire hydrant with an offset actuator rod and a nozzle attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-sectional view of a nozzle attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a nozzle attachment with its housing transparent according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the nozzle attachment of  FIG. 12  with its housing transparent. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle attachment of  FIG. 11  attached to a fire hydrant. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  shows a cross-sectional view of a nozzle attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the nozzle attachment of  FIG. 15  with its housing transparent. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of the nozzle attachment of  FIG. 15  with its housing transparent. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a flow chart illustrating one method for retrofitting a fire hydrant with a tampering prevention device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional dry barrel fire hydrant  10 . The hydrant  10  typically includes a substantially vertical barrel  12  through which water may flow from a water main to a fire hose given certain circumstances as discussed generally below. At one end of the barrel  12  is a hydrant valve  14 , which controllably interrupts fluid flow between a water supply  16  and the barrel  12 . At the upper end of the barrel  12  may be found a cap structure  18  which can include, for instance, a housing cover  20  and an operating nut  22  which rotates within the housing cover  20 . The operating nut  22  includes threads, which receive threads on an actuator rod  24 , which in turn connects to the hydrant valve  14 . Not only does the cap structure  18  seal the top portion of the barrel  12  to prevent the flow of water, but operating nut  22  may be used by fire fighters or others to open the hydrant valve  14  via actuator rod  24 . Hydrant  10  includes at least one nozzle  26  and can include more nozzles  26 . The nozzles  26  may have threads on their ends in order to secure a fire hose or other connecting device. Each nozzle  26  may be closed with a cap  28  which may be threaded as well when no hose is attached. The hydrant may also include breakaway structure such as a traffic feature  30 . 
         [0034]    In normal operation, the hydrant  10  may be employed as follows to help fight fires, provide refreshing summer breaks for overheated urban citizens and/or their offspring, participants in road races, or for other purposes or beneficiaries. First, a hose (not shown) may be connected to nozzle  26 , usually in a threaded fashion after the cap  28  has been removed (See, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ). Then, after the hose is connected, the operating nut  22  may be rotated with a wrench to cause the actuator rod  24  to push down on relevant portions of the hydrant valve  14  in order to open the hydrant valve  14  (See, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). When the valve  14  opens, water flows from the water supply  16  through the hydrant valve  14  through the barrel  12 , out the nozzle  26  into the hose and accordingly toward its desired application or destination. 
         [0035]    A wet barrel fire hydrant (not shown), as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/544,429, entitled Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant System with Second Valve, has many of the same elements of the dry-barrel fire hydrant disclosed above. However, the valve preventing water from exiting the hydrant is located between the nozzle exit and the barrel. As such, the barrel of the fire hydrant retains water when the hydrant is not in use. When the nozzle valve opens, water flows from the barrel, provided by the water supply, out the nozzle. 
         [0036]    Both wet barrel fire hydrants and dry barrel fire hydrants  10  may be the subject of attention from miscreants who have the temerity to attempt to introduce toxins into a public water supply. Such concerns have heightened since the date known as “9-11” (Sep. 11, 2001) when terrorist activities became the focus of heightened concern. Accordingly, the need for structures according to various embodiments of the present invention became more apparent after that bellwether event, even if they were foreseen by the inventor named in this document beforehand. More particularly, a person with ill design can attempt to introduce toxins into a water supply  16  taking advantage of the fact that the barrel  12  of a hydrant  10  between the nozzle  26  and the hydrant valve  14  can accommodate several gallons of liquid or solid material (a wet barrel hydrant does not provide the same volume accommodation as a dry barrel hydrant, but nevertheless provides space for toxins). Accordingly, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a malefactor can unscrew cap  28  as shown in  FIG. 1 , introduce toxins as shown in  FIG. 2 , screw the cap back on as shown in  FIG. 3 , and open the hydrant valve  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 . When the nozzle  26  or all nozzles  26  are closed off and the valve  14  opened, the liquid or solid toxins in the barrel  12  can communicate with liquid in the water supply  16  in order to foul the water supply  16  to the potential detriment of all those whose facilities are in communication with such water supply  16 . 
         [0037]    Various structures according to certain embodiments of the present invention prevent or reduce the possibility of such unworthy and direct reprobatory activity. Generally, various structures may introduce physical structures before the nozzle  26  through which water flows only when a nozzle  26  and water-interrupting valve are open. Alternatively, or in combination, such structures may close off portions of the nozzle  26  in order to deprive miscreants of at least a portion, if not all, of the space available into which to load toxins before closing the nozzle  26  and opening the valve  14 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  shows a nozzle attachment  30  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle attachment  30  can include a housing  32  made of similar material as a fire hydrant&#39;s barrel, such as cast iron, or alternatively made from any metal or rigid material that provides the necessary strength to withstand the relatively high internal water pressure when necessary and to withstand varying external climate changes for a long period of time. The nozzle attachment  30  has a nozzle connecting end  34  that can be coupled to a nozzle of a fire hydrant, including a steamer port of a hydrant. The nozzle connecting end  34  may also house a locking mechanism  36 , which is discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments, the nozzle connecting end  34  may have a swivel coupling extension, allowing the nozzle attachment  30  to be rotated while attached to the nozzle of a fire hydrant. The nozzle attachment  30  has a hose receiving end  38  opposite the nozzle connecting end  34 . The hose receiving end  38  may receive a fire hose or a cap. 
         [0039]    The housing  32  of the nozzle attachment  30  forms a channel  40  that runs from the nozzle connecting end  34  to the hose receiving end  38 . The channel  40  is similar to the channel that runs through the hydrant&#39;s barrel  12 , extending the passageway for water to exit from a hydrant when the nozzle attachment  30  is attached. An inner surface  42  forms the boundary for the channel  40 . Extending from the inner surface  42  is a seat  44 . The seat  44  may be an extension of the housing  32 , and can be made from similar material. The seat  44  is essentially circular or otherwise configured in a similar shape as the housing  42 , and forms a ledge  46  within the channel  40 . In one embodiment, a recessed o-ring or quad ring  48  may reside within a recessed groove of the ledge  46 . 
         [0040]    The structure of the nozzle attachment  30  prevents toxins and/or other liquids or solutions from entering the hydrant  10  while allowing water to exit the hydrant when needed without manual control. In order to prevent outside substances, such as toxins, from entering a fire hydrant, the seat  44  engages a valve  50  that closes the channel  40  of the nozzle attachment  30 , but allows water to flow out the hose receiving end  38  when a hydrant&#39;s main valve  14  is opened. The valve  50  includes an anchor  52 , a biasing member  60 , and a stopper  70 . The biasing member  60  forces the stopper  70  against the seat  46 , creating a seal. When the valve  14  of the hydrant  10  is opened, the water pressure exerts a force against a front surface of the stopper  70  that is greater than that of the force applied by the biasing member  60 , and pushes the stopper  70  in a direction parallel to that of the inner channel  40  away from the seat  44 . As such, the seal between the stopper  70  and the seat  44  is broken, and water flows from the barrel  12  through the nozzle  26  out the nozzle attachment  30 . While the valve  50  is no longer creating a barrier at the nozzle  26  to prevent toxins or other foreign substances from being introduced into the hydrant  10 , the water flowing outward may prevent any outside substance from entering into the hydrant  10  to the water supply  16 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the anchor  52  secures the valve  50  to the inner surface  42  of the channel  40 . In one embodiment, the anchor  52  has a circular portion  54  that travels around the channel  40 . Spokes  56  may extend from the circular portion  54  to meet at a central point  58 . This arrangement of the circular portion  54  with the spokes  56  and the central point  58  allows water to pass through the anchor  52  when the valve  50  is not engaged with the seat  46 . However, other means of securing the valve  50  within the channel are available. 
         [0042]    The central point  58  couples the biasing member  60  to the anchor  52 . The biasing member  60  provides the force needed to close the channel  40  to outside toxins and substances. Examples of biasing members  60  include a spring, a compressed spring, and any resilient material shaped or formed as desired. Other mechanical energy storing devices may be used as a biasing member  60 . The biasing member  60  is coupled to the stopper  70 . The stopper  70  may be disc-shaped, having a circumference that is smaller than that of the channel  40  to correspond generally to the inner surface  42  of the nozzle attachment  30 . In some embodiments, the stopper  70  may have a larger circumference than the inner circumference of the seat  44  in order to cooperate with the seat  44  and obstruct the flow of water and other liquids in the barrel upon certain conditions being met. In other embodiments, the stopper  70  may be rectangular, square, or any size or shape in order to cooperate with the seat  44  to obstruct the flow of water. The biasing member  60  is connected to the back of the stopper  70 . A front surface of the stopper  70  may be shaped to engage the ledge  46  and the recessed ring  48 , if present, of the seat  44 , creating a seal to prevent backflow, specifically toxins, from entering into the nozzle  26  of the hydrant. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a nozzle attachment  30  may be attached to a nozzle  26  of a fire hydrant  10 . The nozzle attachment  30  prevents miscreants and others the opportunity to introduce toxins into the hydrant  10  and the water source  16 . The nozzle attachment  30  can be attached and secured with relatively little time and effort. The nozzle attachment  30  may be retrofitted to an existing fire hydrant  10  or may be included with new fire hydrants. The nozzle attachment  30  can be coupled to the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10  using the nozzle connecting end  32 . A fire hose may be coupled to the fire hose receiving end  38  of the nozzle attachment  30  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , some dry-barrel fire hydrants  110  have offset actuator rods  122 . The offset actuator rod  122  may present difficulties to install a secondary valve such as those disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,240,688 and 7,055,544 between the primary valve  114  and the nozzle  26 . Since the nozzle attachment  30  is coupled to the outside of a fire hydrant through one of its nozzles, the nozzle attachment  30  may be attached to fire hydrants having an offset actuator rod. 
         [0045]    The nozzle attachment  30  may be coupled to the nozzle  26  of the hydrant  10  in many ways. The nozzle connecting end  34  may be threaded to match the threads on the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10 . However, other means of connection, such as mechanical or electromagnetic friction, may be used to connect the nozzle attachment  30  to the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10 . The nozzle connecting end  34  may be swivelably connected to the nozzle attachment, allowing the nozzle attachment  30  to be rotated in relation to the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10 . Additionally, the locking mechanism  36  of the nozzle connecting end  34  may be engaged to prevent the removal of the nozzle attachment  30  from the fire hydrant  10 . In some embodiments, the nozzle connecting end  34  may be welded to secure the nozzle attachment  30  and prevent removal by the aforementioned miscreants in their attempts to introduce toxins into the water supply  16 . Locking fasteners may be used as well. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 11-14  illustrate another embodiment of a nozzle attachment  230  according to various embodiments of this invention. The nozzle attachment  230  may be coupled to either dry or wet barrel fire hydrants. The nozzle attachment  230  may include a hinged valve  250  which prevents the introduction of toxins into the water supply  16 . The nozzle attachment  230  may include some of the same elements found in the nozzle attachment  30  discussed above. The nozzle attachment  230  has a housing  232  made of similar material as a fire hydrant&#39;s barrel and a nozzle connecting end  234  that can be coupled to the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10 . The nozzle connecting end  234  may be threaded to match the threads on the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10 , and maybe swivelably associated with the nozzle attachment  230 . A lock  236  may be employed to secure the nozzle attachment  230  to the hydrant. However, other means of connection, such as electromagnetic or mechanical friction connection and welding, may be used to couple the nozzle attachment  230  to the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10 . At the other end of the nozzle attachment  230  is a hose receiving end  238 . The hose receiving may receive a cap  28  and/or the attachment end of a fire hose. 
         [0047]    A channel  240  runs through the nozzle attachment  230 . An inner surface  242  forms the boundary of the channel  240 . Extending from the inner surface  242  is a seat  244 . The seat  244  may be an extension of the housing  232 , and can be formed of similar material. The seat  244  is essentially circular or otherwise configured in a similar shape as the housing  242 , and forms a ledge  246  within the channel  240 . In one embodiment, a recessed o-ring or quad ring  248  may reside within a recessed groove of the ledge  246 . 
         [0048]    The structure of the nozzle attachment  230  prevents toxins and/or other liquids or solutions from entering the hydrant  10  while allowing water to exit the hydrant when needed without any manual control. In order to prevent outside liquids, especially toxins, from entering a fire hydrant, the seat  244  engages a hinged valve  250  that closes the channel  240  of the nozzle attachment  230 , but allows water to flow out the hose receiving end  238  when a hydrant&#39;s water-interrupting valve is opened. The hinged valve  250  provides the same function as the valve  50  of the nozzle attachment  30  discussed above. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the hinged valve  250  includes an anchor  252 , a connector  260 , and a stopper  270 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the anchor may include a hinge  252 , which is located at the top of the inner channel  240 . Gravity can apply a force against the stopper  270 , pressing a front surface of the stopper  270  against the seat  244  to create a seal. However, a biasing member  262 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , may be used in conjunction with the connector  260  to apply a force against the stopper  270 . When the hydrant&#39;s water-interrupting valve  250  is opened, the water pressure created is greater than the force applied by gravity alone or in combination with a biasing member  262 . As such, the stopper  270  is pivotably moved within the channel  242  away from the seat  244 , breaking the seal. The channel  240  may have a recess  290 , as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , that can receive the stopper  270  of the hinged valve  250  when the water pressure is applied against the stopper  270  to break the seal. The recess  290  allows the hinged valve  250  to rotate clear of the channel  240  and create a clear path for which the water to travel out of the nozzle attachment  230  when the hydrant is activated. 
         [0049]    The hinged valve  250  is anchored by a hinge  252  that is attached to the inner surface  242  of the nozzle attachment  230 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the connector  260  may extend from the hinge  252  and be coupled to the stopper  270 . However, as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , the connector  260  may be a pin that secures the hinge valve  250 . Also, the connector  260  may support a biasing member  262 . Examples of biasing members  262  include, but are not limited to, a spring, a torsion spring, and any form of resilient material shaped or formed as desired. When employed by the nozzle attachment, the biasing member  262  engages a back surface of the stopper  270 . The front surface of the stopper  270  engages the ledge  246  of the seat  244  to form a seal. An o-ring or a quad ring  248  may be used in conjunction with the seat  244  and the stopper  270  to further ensure a seal. The seal prevents outside liquids and substances from entering the nozzle  26  of the hydrant, and therefore the attached water supply  16 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 15-17  illustrate another embodiment of the nozzle attachment  330  according to various embodiments of the present invention. The nozzle attachment  330  shown in  FIGS. 15-17  has many of the same features as those of the nozzle attachment shown  230  in  FIGS. 11-14 , including a hinged valve  350 . The nozzle attachment  330  has a housing  332  made of similar material as a fire hydrant&#39;s barrel and a nozzle connecting end  334  that can be coupled to the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10 . The connecting end  334  may be threaded to match the threads on the nozzle  26  of the fire hydrant  10 . The nozzle attachment  330  may be locked into place on the fire hydrant through the use of securing devices. An example, as shown in  FIG. 16 , are apertures  336  for locking screws, which engage the nozzle of a hydrant while securing the nozzle attachment  330 . However, other means of connection, such as electromagnetic or mechanical friction connection and welding, may be used to couple the nozzle attachment  330  to a nozzle of a fire hydrant. Also, the connecting end  334  may have a swivel coupling device  337  that allows the nozzle attachment  330  to be secured to a fire hydrant nozzle while being able to rotate the attachment  330 , which will be discussed further below. At the other end of the nozzle attachment  330  is a hose receiving end  338 . The hose receiving may receive a cap and/or an attachment end of a fire hose. 
         [0051]    A channel  340  runs through the nozzle attachment  330 , with an inner surface  342  forming its boundary. Extending from the inner surface  342  is a seat  344 , which may be an extension of the housing  332 , and can be made of similar material. The seat  344  is essentially circular or otherwise configured in a similar shape as the housing  342 , and forms a ledge  346  within the channel  340 . The seat  344  engages a hinged valve  350  that closes the channel  340  of the nozzle attachment  330 , preventing outside liquids from entering the hydrant while allowing water to flow out the hose receiving end  338  when a hydrant&#39;s water-interrupting valve is opened. A recessed o-ring or quad ring  348  may reside within a recessed groove of the ledge  346  to further assist in forming a seal. 
         [0052]    The hinged valve  350  may operate in the same manners as that of the hinged valve  250  discussed above. As shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , the hinged valve  350  includes an anchor  352 , a connector  360 , and a stopper  370 . The anchor may include a hinge  352 , which is located at the top of the inner channel  340 . Gravity can apply a force against the stopper  370 , pressing a front surface of the stopper  370  against the seat  344  to create a seal. However, a biasing member  362  may be used in conjunction with the connector  360  to apply a force against the stopper  370 . When the hydrant&#39;s water-interrupting valve is opened, the water pressure created is greater than the force applied by gravity or the biasing member  362 . As such, the stopper  370  is pivotably moved within the channel  342  away from the seat  344 , breaking the seal. The channel  340  may have a recess  390  that can receive the stopper  370  of the hinged valve  350  when the water pressure is applied against the stopper  370  to break the seal. The recess  390  allows the hinged valve  350  to rotate clear of the channel  340  and create a clear path for which the water to travel out of the nozzle attachment  330  when the hydrant is activated. 
         [0053]    The hinged valve  350  may be anchored by a hinge  352  that is attached to the inner surface  342  of the nozzle attachment  330 . As shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , the connector  360  may be a pin that secures the hinge valve  350 . However, the connector  360  may extend from the hinge  352  and be coupled to the stopper  370 . Also, the connector  360  may support a biasing member  362 , which may engage the back surface of the stopper  370  applying a force so that the stopper  370  engages the ledge  346  of the seat  344 , forming a seal. 
         [0054]    The nozzle attachment  330  may also have means to prevent water from freezing within itself and the fire hydrant as well. After use of a fire hydrant, it is common for caps to be replaced on the hydrant nozzle while water is still present, creating a freezing issue, which can damage the hydrant. As shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , the housing  342  of the nozzle attachment  330  may include a second channel  380  equipped with a check valve  382 . A weeping hole  384  may be found in the stopper  370  of the hinged valve  350 . The channel  380 , the check valve  382 , and weeping hole  384  operate together in a fashion to ensure that water can be drained from the nozzle attachment  330  after operation of the hydrant. Water trapped within the nozzle attachment  330  may still exit through the second channel  380  and check valve  382  even with nozzle caps attached. Additionally, water trapped within the hydrant&#39;s body may escape through the weeping hole  384 , and then exit through the second channel  380  and check valve  382 . Additionally, the swivel coupling device  337  ensures that the second channel  380  and check valve  382  are aligned in a manner to allow any trapped water to drain. 
         [0055]    Various methods according to various embodiments of the present invention can be used to retrofit a fire hydrant.  FIG. 18  illustrates one embodiment of a method to retrofit a fire hydrant. 
         [0056]    In block  402 , a fire hydrant is selected. The fire hydrant has a hydrant body and a nozzle, where the hydrant body may be connected to the hydrant at a breakaway structure. The breakaway structure may be connected to a water conduit. The water conduit is connected to a water source. The fire hydrant may also have a detachable bonnet which may be removably connected to the hydrant body. 
         [0057]    In block  404 , the hydrant body is detached from the hydrant at a breakaway structure. If the fire hydrant includes a bonnet, the hydrant body is disconnected from the bonnet as well. 
         [0058]    In block  406 , a replacement hydrant body is provided. In one embodiment, the replacement hydrant body includes at least one nozzle and a nozzle prevention valve that prevents outside liquids from entering the nozzle while allowing liquids to flow through and exit the nozzle. The nozzle prevention valve may be located within a first channel with the nozzle of the replacement hydrant body. However, in some embodiments, the nozzle prevention valve may be located within a nozzle attachment, similar to those shown in  FIGS. 5-17 . The nozzle prevention valve may have a stopper, an anchor, a biasing member, and a seat, the combination of which prevents liquid from entering into the replacement hydrant body from outside sources. In some embodiments, the nozzle or nozzle attachment may have a second channel that is occupied by a check valve, as shown in  FIGS. 15-17 . 
         [0059]    In block  408 , the replacement hydrant body is connected to the hydrant at the breakaway structure. In some embodiments, a bonnet may be connected to the replacement hydrant body. In some embodiments, the replacement hydrant body may be connected directly to the output of the water conduit. 
         [0060]    Any desired physical structure may be employed in order to produce or preclude introduction of undesired materials into fire hydrants. Components of embodiments according to the present invention are preferably durable materials but may be of any desired material. It is conventional for many components of fire hydrants to be bronze, and at least some or all of metallic components of structures according to the various embodiments of the present invention may be formed of bronze or other conventional or even unconventional materials. For example, in some embodiments, at least some of the components, such as the valve and/or the housing may be formed from iron and dipped in or coated with a liquid material, such as rubber or plastic. Alternatively, in some embodiments, iron components may be encapsulated in SBR rubber or powder coated. Such processes may protect the iron components from corrosion or other types of decay. Such processes may also facilitate the seal between the valve and the seat, potentially obviating the need for a separate gasket. 
         [0061]    O-rings or quad rings may be formed of conventional materials used in fire hydrants, or unconventional materials. Suitable resilient structures such as springs which may form biasing members may be formed of any desired material having requires modulus of elasticity, durability, costs, and other properties. 
         [0062]    Modifications, adaptations, changes, deletions, and additions may be made to various embodiments of the present invention as disclosed in this document without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.