Abstract:
The present invention is a post yard hydrant with controlled adjustable flow. The post yard hydrant includes a valve housing located below ground level for connection to a water supply under pressure, a head portion with an integral discharge nozzle positioned above ground level, and a casing portion with a first end connected to the head portion and a second end connected to the valve housing. The post yard hydrant further includes an operating rod disposed in the casing portion for reciprocation therein and an operating means configured to interact through a flow control linkage to reciprocate the operating rod. The flow control linkage is adapted to adjust water flow from a trickle level to a full pressure level.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates, in general, to hydrants and, more particularly, to in-ground yard or post hydrants. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Yard hydrants are installed in water systems to provide water sources remote from buildings. Typical yard hydrants have a main water supply valve, a dry pipe, a wet pipe and an activation handle. The dry pipe is secured to the main valve housing where the water line is connected below the frost line. The dry pipe then extends up through the ground to a comfortable operating position above ground level. The wet pipe is positioned within the dry pipe and its lower end activates the main valve to turn off and on the water supply. The handle is mounted to the top end of the dry pipe and is linked to the upper end of the wet pipe to raise and lower the wet pipe and thereby control the valve from above ground. The upper end of the wet pipe has a spigot which can connect to a hose or spray out the water directly. To turn off the hydrant, an operator moves the handle to move the wet pipe and close the valve. Any water in the wet pipe will drain out of the hydrant below the frost line and thereby prevent water from freezing within the hydrant. The Zurn Z1395 yard hydrant is such a hydrant design. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the Zurn Z1395 prior art yard hydrant  1 . Yard hydrant  1  includes a head section  3  with a discharge nozzle  5  and a water channel  7 , a casing  9  and a valve housing  11  adapted for connection to a source of water supply under pressure from a pipe in a traditional relationship. A drain hole  13  is provided in valve housing  11 , as is well known. Head section  3 , casing  9  and valve housing  11  are typically assembled by threadable attachments to each other, with head section  3  positioned above ground level at a first end of casing  9 , and valve housing  11  positioned below ground level at a second end of casing  9 . 
   Head section  3  further includes an integral upper body portion  15  provided with an opening  17 . An operating rod  19 , with a plunger assembly  21  on its lower end, is disposed in casing  9 , with its upper end extending upwardly through opening  17 . A packing nut  23 , in an embracing relationship with operating rod  19 , is threadably secured in opening  17  to provide a watertight closure for opening  17 . Operating rod  19  is adapted to be reciprocated in casing  9  to provide water flow control. A handle  25  is provided for effecting such reciprocation for operating rod  19 . Head section  3  further includes an integral head section post  27 , with a pair of horizontally spaced ears  29  and  29 ′ disposed in a spaced relationship above integral body portion  15 . A linkage  31  includes a first end operably connected to the top of operating rod  19  and a second end extending between ears  29  and  29 ′. The top of handle  25  is secured to the second end of linkage  31  by a bolt  33  through holes  35  in ears  29  and  29 ′. By this arrangement, handle  25  can reciprocate operating rod  19  in a well-known manner. Yard hydrant  1  may optionally include a casing guard  37 . 
   Currently, the yard hydrants of the type illustrated in  FIG. 1  do not include an arrangement for controlling the flow of water from the hydrant. The above-described hydrants are only operable at full flow. Furthermore, while yard hydrants have been designed to allow for controlled adjustable flow, such yard hydrants are complex and difficult to manufacture. 
   Accordingly, a need exists for a yard hydrant that allows flow to be controlled from trickle flow to full pressure flow without substantially altering current yard hydrant designs. A further need exists for a kit that can be retrofitted to existing yard hydrants to provide controlled adjustable flow. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The hydrant includes a valve housing defining a longitudinally extending conduit having an upstream end and a downstream end, a nozzle in fluid communication with the upstream end, an operating rod disposed in the conduit for longitudinal reciprocation therein, a handle pivotally coupled to the valve housing and coupled to the driving end of the operating rod, and an adjustable stop coacting with the handle. The operating rod includes a plunger end and a driving end. The plunger end is disposed within the conduit and adapted to prevent flow of fluid through the conduit from the upstream end to the downstream end in a first position and permit flow through the conduit in a second position. A flow rate of fluid through the conduit is dependent based upon a longitudinal position of the plunger relative to the conduit. The pivotal movement of the handle relative to the valve body causes the operating rod to move in a longitudinal direction relative to the conduit. The adjustable stop limits the pivotal rotation of the handle and, in turn, limits the longitudinal movement of the operating rod, thereby limiting the second position of the operating rod. 
   The adjustable stop may be a linkage operatively coupling the handle to the operating rod. The valve housing may include a head portion with a pair of horizontally spaced ears. The horizontally spaced ears include holes adapted to receive the adjustable stop and the handle therebetween. The adjustable stop may include a first slot link and a second slot link, each slot link comprising a first end, a second end and a middle portion, the first end adapted to interact with the operating rod, the middle portion including a hole adapted to register with the holes of the ears of the head section, and the second end including an elongated slot for receiving an adjustment arrangement therethrough. The adjustment arrangement may include a spacer positioned between the elongated slot of the first slot link and the elongated slot of the second slot link, and a carriage bolt and wing nut adapted to secure the spacer therein. 
   Alternatively, the adjustable stop includes a first slot link and a second slot link, each slot link comprising a first end, a second end and a middle portion, the first end adapted to interact with the operating rod, the middle portion including a hole adapted to register with the holes of the ears of the head section, and the second end including a plurality of holes for receiving an adjustment arrangement therethrough. The adjustment arrangement may comprise a detent ring pin, and each of the plurality of holes indicates a specific flow rate. 
   The present invention is also a method of operating the post yard hydrant with controlled adjustable flow described above. The method includes the steps of adjusting the adjustable stop to a desired position, pivotally rotating the handle relative to the valve body until the handle comes into contact with the adjustable stop, thereby causing the operating rod to move in a longitudinal direction relative to the conduit. The adjustable stop limits the pivotal rotation of the handle and, in turn, limits the longitudinal movement of the operating rod, thereby limiting the second position of the operating rod. 
   The present invention is further directed to a modification kit for the post yard hydrant with controlled adjustable flow described above. The modification kit includes a first slot link and a second slot link. Each slot link includes a first end, a middle portion and a second end. The first end is adapted to be operatively coupled to the operating rod. The middle portion includes a hole adapted to register with holes of ears of a head section of the valve housing. The second end includes at least one opening. The modification kit further includes an adjustment arrangement adapted to be positioned through the at least one opening in the second end of the first slot link and the second slot link. The at least one opening may be an elongated slot, and the adjustment arrangement may include a spacer positioned between the elongated slot of the first slot link and the elongated slot of the second slot link, and a carriage bolt and wing nut adapted to secure the spacer therein. Alternatively, the at least one opening may be a plurality of holes, and the adjustment arrangement may be a detent ring pin. 
   These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims, with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a vertical sectional view of a prior art yard hydrant; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the elements of a slotted flow control linkage in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIGS. 3A–3D  are a left side view, a right side view, a front view and a rear view, respectively, of a post yard hydrant including a slotted flow control linkage in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIGS. 3E and 3F  are a left side view and a right side view, respectively, of the post yard hydrant of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , with a handle in an open position in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the elements of an alternate embodiment of a flow control linkage in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B , are a right side view and a rear view, respectively, of a post yard hydrant including the alternate embodiment of the flow control linkage in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIGS. 5C and 5D  are a right side view and a rear view, respectively, of the post yard hydrant of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  with a handle in an open position in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , the present invention is directed to a conventional post yard hydrant  1  as described above with reference to  FIG. 1  with a novel slotted flow control linkage  39  designed to replace linkage  31 . Slotted flow control linkage  39  can be added to post yard hydrant  1  during manufacture of the hydrant or it may be easily retrofitted to preexisting post yard hydrants and is designed to provide the hydrant with the ability of an adjustable range of flow. Slotted flow control linkage  39  may be constructed from zinc-plated copper steel or any other suitable material. Slotted flow control linkage  39  includes a first slot link  41  and a second slot link  43 . First slot link  41  is designed to be a mirror image of second slot link  43 . Each slot link includes a first end  45  and  47 , a second end  49  and  51 , and a middle portion  53  and  55 . Each first end  49  and  51  is operably connected to the top of operating rod  19 . Each middle portion  53  and  55  includes a hole  57  and  59  adapted to register with holes  35  of ears  29  and  29 ′ of head section post  27  shown in  FIG. 1 . Each second end  49  and  51  includes an elongated slot  61  and  63  for receiving an adjustment arrangement  65  therethrough. The adjustment arrangement  65  includes a wing nut  67 , a spacer  69 , a carriage bolt  71  and washer  73 . While the adjustment arrangement  65  has been described as including wing nut  67 , spacer  69 , carriage bolt  71  and washer  73 , this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention since it has been envisioned that any suitable adjustment arrangement can be utilized. The yard hydrant of the present invention may be assembled to include flow control linkage  39  or flow control linkage  39  may be separately available as a modification kit for prior art hydrants. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 3A–3D , and with continuing reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , slotted flow control linkage  39  is installed in a conventional post yard hydrant  1  through the following steps. First, first ends  45  and  47  of slot links  41  and  43  are secured to the top of operating rod  19  through the use of a bolt  75  and nut  77 , or any other suitable arrangement for securing. Next, handle  25  is placed between middle portions  53  and  55  of slot links  41  and  43 . The holes  57  and  59  shown in  FIG. 2  of middle portions  53  and  55  are then registered with holes  35  of ears  29  and  29 ′ of head section post  27 . A bolt  33  along with a locknut  79  or other suitable securing means is then used to secure slot links  41  and  43  and handle  25  to head section post  27 . Next, the adjustment arrangement  65  is assembled by inserting spacer  69  between slot link  41  and slot link  43  so as to align with elongated slots  61  and  63 . Carriage bolt  71  is then inserted through elongated slot  61 , spacer  69  and elongated slot  63 . Carriage bolt  71  is finally secured with washer  73  and wing nut  67 . 
   The purpose of slotted flow control linkage  39  is to allow a user to adjust the flow of a yard hydrant from trickle flow to full pressure flow. In order to adjust flow, the user simply loosens wing nut  67  enough to slide spacer  69  to the desired stopping position and then retightens wing nut  67 . If the user desires trickle flow (i.e., from about 0.75–1.00 gal/min), spacer  69  is positioned as designated by reference letter B as closely along elongated slots  61  and  63  to handle  25  as possible as shown in phantom in  FIG. 3A . On the other hand, if the user desires full pressure flow (i.e., 17.0–18.0 gal/min), spacer  69  is positioned as closely along elongated slots  61  and  63  to discharge nozzle  5  as possible as shown in phantom designated by reference letter A in  FIG. 3A . An infinite number of other flow rates are possible by sliding spacer  69  along elongated slots  61  and  63  between the two above-described positions to achieve the desired flow rate. 
   An advantage of such a flow control system is that wing nut  67  can be loosened, spacer  69  can be adjusted and wing nut  67  can be retightened all by hand. Therefore, no tools are required to adjust the flow rate of post yard hydrant  1 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 3E and 3F  and with continuing reference to  FIGS. 3A–3D , after the user has set the position of spacer  69  as described above, handle  25  is pivotally rotated, thereby displacing operating rod  19  and allowing fluid to flow through casing  9  and out discharge nozzle  5 . Handle  25  moves relative to operating rod  19 , links  41  and  43  and spacer  69 . However, in operation, links  41  and  43  and spacer  69  do not move relative to each other. The rotation of handle  25  is limited by the position of spacer  69 . If spacer  69  is in position B, handle  25  will only be able to rotate a short distance before being stopped, thereby limiting the displacement of operating rod  19 . Therefore, hydrant  1  will only provide a trickle flow. Alternatively, if spacer  69  is in position A, handle  25  will be able to be rotated a maximum distance before being stopped, thereby allowing a large displacement of operating rod  19 . In this instance, hydrant  1  will provide water at a maximum flow rate. 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of the flow control linkage  39 ′ includes a first slot link  41 ′ and a second slot link  43 ′. First slot link  41 ′ is designed to be a mirror image of second slot link  43 ′. Each slot link includes a first end  45 ′ and  47 ′, a second end  49 ′ and  51 ′, and a middle portion  53 ′ and  55 ′. Each first end  49 ′ and  51 ′ is operably connected to the top of operating rod  19 . Each middle portion  53 ′ and  55 ′ includes a hole  57 ′ and  59 ′ adapted to register with holes  35  of ears  29  and  29 ′ of head section post  27 . Each second end  49 ′ and  51 ′ includes flange  81 , with a plurality of positioning holes  83 ,  84  and  85  formed therein. Positioning holes  83 ,  84  and  85  are adapted for receiving an adjustment arrangement therethrough and are strategically located for a predetermined flow rate. For instance,  FIG. 4  illustrates that each slot link  41 ′ and  43 ′ includes three positioning holes  83 ,  84  and  85  indicating low, medium and full flow, respectively. A detent ring pin  87  is positioned through holes  83 ,  84  and  85  to act as an adjustment arrangement. Like the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A–3F , handle  25  moves relative to operating rod  19 , links  41 ′ and  43 ′ and detent ring pin  87 . However, in operation, links  41 ′ and  43 ′ and detent ring pin  87  do not move relative to each other. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , and with continuing reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , flow control linkage  39 ′ is installed in hydrant  1  in the same manner as described above with reference to flow control linkage  39 . Once flow control linkage  39 ′ is installed, a user can control flow by adjusting the position of detent ring pin  87 . If the user desires low flow, detent ring pin  85  is positioned in positioning holes  83 , which are located nearest to handle  25 . On the other hand, if the user desires full flow, detent ring pin  87  is positioned in positioning holes  85 , which are located nearest to discharge nozzle  5  as possible. Finally, medium flow is achieved by positioning detent ring pin  87  in the center positioning holes  84 . Flow control linkage  39 ′ provides for a set number of flow rates, whereas flow control linkage  39  offers an infinite variety of flow rates. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 5C and 5D  and with continuing reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , after the user has set the position of detent ring pin  87  as described above, handle  25  is pivotally rotated, thereby displacing operating rod  19  and allowing fluid to flow through casing  9  and out discharge nozzle  5 . The rotation of handle  25  is limited by the position of detent ring pin  87 . If detent ring pin  87  is positioned in positioning holes  83 , handle  25  will only be able to rotate a short distance before being stopped, thereby limiting the displacement of operating rod  19 . Therefore, hydrant  1  will only provide a low level of flow. Alternatively, if detent ring pin  87  is positioned in positioning holes  85 , handle  25  will be able to be rotated a maximum distance before being stopped, thereby allowing a large displacement of operating rod  19 . In this instance, hydrant  1  will provide water at a maximum flow rate. 
   Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.