Portable hydrant wrench

A portable hydrant wrench for use by one man comprising one or more drive bars having a rectangular cross-section and employing a detachable socket wrench at one of the free ends. A flange is secured to the hydrant to be serviced provided in conjunction with the hydrant for one embodiment of the invention having an external rotatable support for a platform for positioning the drive bars in the center of the hydrant so that a turning device can be used to turn the tool with out providing any twisting force to the hydrant. Another embodiment of the invention provides for an internal platform within the hydrant for supporting internal power transmitting means to turn the drive bars and so operate, remove or replace the valves located underground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of applicant's improved hydrant wrench 10 in 
operating position in a hydrant shown in outline, comprising a plurality 
of rectangular cross-section drive bars 12a and 12b, a detachable socket 
head 14 connected with the drive bar and interchangeable with other heads 
mating with a particular valve seated in the underground portion of the 
hydrant to be serviced, an elliptical base plate 18 positioned upon the 
upper flange of the hydrant to provide a platform for positioning, inter 
alia, the rectangular drive bars 12a & 12b at free ends opposite those 
free ends having detachable socket head connected thereto as well as the 
gear assemblies 20 & 22; shown more clearly in FIGS. 2a & 2b and FIG. 5, 
respectively, for driving drive bars 12a & 12b. A hydrant flange 16 
encircling the hydrant at the maximum torque stress location of the 
hydrant which is usually in the vicinity of the hydrant and the ground to 
prevent the hydrant from turning when large torque are applied. FIG. 3 
shows an embodiment of hydrant flange 16. FIG. 4 shows drive bars 12a & 
12b. 
Operation of this wrench which is transported to the hydrant work site in a 
disassembled condition commences with the assembling of the wrench by a 
single workman. An many drive bars as are required by the job are 
positioned within the hydrant to be serviced; having first attached the 
proper socket head before connecting up the drive bars. The flange is 
fastened at the base of the hydrant. The elliptical base plate, supported 
upon the hydrant opening is positioned so as to center the drive bar. 
Finally, gear 22 is positioned between the gear assemblies 20 on the 
elliptical base plate 18 and the entire wrench assembly 10 is operated by 
the rotating socket wrenches. 
Should the job not require a large torque force, a turning device 24 shown 
only for illustration as a manual wrench and having an extension 26 as 
shown in FIGS. 6, 7a) and 7(b) can be employed along with guides 28 shown 
in FIG. 9 positioned in slots 30 of the elliptical base plate 18 and 
stabilizing pins 32 shown in FIG. 8 placed into aperatures 34 of the 
elliptical base plate 18 to enable the turning of socket head 14. When 
turning device 24 is rotated clockwise to manually or otherwise turn the 
tool, gear 22 and elliptical base plate 18 are rotated clockwise while 
maintaining the drive bars in the center of the hydrant without allowing 
any large twisting force to impact upon the hydrant. 
Should the job require a torque larger than that which can be obtained by 
the gear assembly, the apparatus shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 relates to 
externally activated power means within said hydrant for rotating said 
drive bars with sufficient torque comprises supporting means for the fixed 
placement of said power means such as a platform or other structure 36 
having spring loaded telescopic devices 42 employed for positioning 
internally within the hydrant by pushing against the inside walls of the 
hydrant system and clamped by clamps 38 to drive bars 12a or 12b. 
Hydraulic or pneumatic jacks 40 activated by pumps outside of the hydrant 
are positioned upon said platform or other structure 36 to move said 
clamping means 38 when activated and thereby turn socket 14 resulting in 
the operation, removal or installation of the main valve or other 
equipment of the hydrant. Extendable spokes, rims or other support 
structure that can be utilize to position the hydraulic or pneumatic 
devices internally within the hydrant for impacting upon and moving the 
clamping devices for the hydrant tool servicing the hydrant can be 
employed. 
After the valve is operated, removed or replaced, the wrench 10 can be 
disassembled for transportation to the next job site. 
Although only a limited number of embodiments of applicant's invention has 
been shown, the scope and breadth of applicant's improved hydrant wrench 
is to be limited only by the scope and breadth of the annexed claims: