Improvements in Hydrants.
Year: 1895

page_text: עגע-VUI
DI MULTRATION.
Improvements in Hydrants.
I, WILLIAM WALLACE COREY, Jr., of No. 304 North Eighth Street, in the
City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, United States of America, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:---
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a sectional view of my improved hydrant showing the valve
unseated;
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the valve scated;
Figure 3 is a top plan view taken through the joint of the standpipes;
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 2;
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5, Fig. 2;
Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the drip-valve;
Figure 7 is a back elevational view of the valve and its operating links; and
Figure 8 is a modification of the link connection to the valve.
This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in fire hydrants, and
consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts
comprising my invention, all as will hereinafter be described and more fully pointed
out in the claims. The objects of the invention are to so combine and arrange
the valve operating mechanism, that the valve when seated, is closed against the
pressure of the water; and when the valve is unseated it is withdrawn from the
path of the active or live water and submerged in a bank of "dead water."
Another object is to so construct and arrange the parts that the main valve and
drip-valve can be withdrawn from the standpipe without disturbing the standpipe,
and without the necessity of removing same from its buried position. Another
object is to so arrange the links which operate the main valve, in such manner
that the links guide the valve in its movement, in the absence of any guide-way.
In the drawings, A indicates the standpipe, which may be composed of two or
more sections, the upper part of which is not shown, but which is of any ordinary
or approved construction, that is, is provided with a cap, and squared shank on
the valve operating rod, whereby the latter may be turned to operate the valve.
B indicates the valve operating rod which is formed with or has attached to
its lower end a threaded section C cut with threads of the right and left hand
order. Cindicates a threaded section at the end of section C, which threaded
section C is preferably cut or formed with threads of less pitch than the
section C.
D indicates threaded blocks which are mounted upon the rod C, which in
rotating adjusts the blocks toward and from each other. Projecting from the sides
of these blocks, in different horizontal planes, are pivot studs d upon which are
mounted the valve operating links. These studs d project from opposite sides of
the blocks, one stud being located near the upper edge of one side, and the other
being located near the lower edge of the other, as shown at the top of Fig. 7.
E indicates the main valve, which is preferably formed with a conical face which
assists in centering it in its seat F located at the entry of the main to the
standpipe. This valve is formed with or provided at its back with suitable means,
preferably in the form of projecting ribs E¹ to which are pivotally connected the
links G whose other ends are pivoted on the studs d of the blocks D. Links Gare

page_text: pivoted to the ribs E' in such manner that their pivot points are on different
horizontal planes, corresponding to the difference of the plane of their connection
to the block D. In this manner the links are the same length, but the different
points of connection between the links, the blocks D, and the valve, causes the
valve to have a straight movement toward' or from its seat, taking away the
tendency of the valve to wabble.
The connection of the links. to the valve is shown in simplest form in Fig. 7,
wherein the diametrically opposite links are connected to a central pivot pin,
while the remaining links are mounted upon side pins diagonally opposite each
other. In Fig. 8 I have illustrated an obvious modification, in which the central
link is disposed of and in its place are two links arranged on different planes;
the result however in the operation of the valve is the same in both constructions.
Arranged in the lower end of the standpipe is a sleeve H open at its top and
bottom, and formed with an opening or openings leading into the interior of the
standpipe. Operating in this sleeve is a valve I, preferably of that form known as
a cup valve, that is, the upper face of the valve is recessed, leaving an edge
flange, which, under pressure of the head of water exerts a tendency to spread and
make a tight joint.
J indicates the stem of valve I, which stem extends upwardly and is formed
with interior screw threads which receives the threaded section C¹. Above the
interior threaded portion of the valve stem, I prefer to form an extension J¹, from
the sides of which project wings J" which are seated in a guide-way formed in the
standpipe, to guide the drip-valve in its movement. This extension J¹, besides
performing the function of guiding the valve, also acts as a spacer to insure the
proper position of the valve before the parts are assembled, thus obviating the
necessity of adjustment after the standpipe has been buried, which could not be
easily done. This is accomplished in the following manner: When the blocks D
are placed in position and the valve with its links G mounted on the block is
ready for insertion in the stand pipe, the parts are in position shown in Fig. 1.
Valve with stem J is screwed on section C, until the extension J¹ abuts against
the lower block D. The parts are now inserted and this predetermined adjustment
obviates a second adjustment when the valves and their operating mechanism are in
operative position.
In order to guide the parts mounted on rod B, or its section C, without subjecting
said rod to a twisting strain, I prefer to form oppositely extending lips A' in the
lower section of the standpipe, which lips form a way in which is located the
section C. The blocks D are formed with squared faces at their backs, which
faces however do not contact with the rear side of the way. The ends of links G
which are connected with blocks D, are formed or provided with projections in the
form of bosses, which extend into the lateral pockets of the way. These bosses
are of such dimensions that the ends of the links contact with the rear face of the
way, while the front faces of the bosses rest upon the lips A¹. The curved
movement of the links in their operation partially rotates the bosses and to
accommodate this they are preferably formed circular.
In operation, when the lower section of the standpipe is connected to the main,
and buried, the main valve and drip-valve adjusted as before stated, are inserted in
position, when the hydrant is ready for operation. By rotating the rod B the
right and left screw-threaded section C adjusts the blocks D longitudinally
thereon causing the links to force the valve E to its seat. If the hydrant had
been running before and the water was left in the stand pipe, valve I would be
raised above the opening , by the threaded section C' and the water would leak
through to prevent freezing and accumulation. When the valve E is drawn back
from its seat by rotating the rod B in a direction opposite that before described,
the valve I is forced below the opening h, thereby closing communication between
the standpipe and the exterior, and cutting off the drips. When the valve E is
fully withdrawn, as shown in Fig. 1, it is removed bodily from the path of the live
water, and occupies a position substantially in a bank of “dead” or inactive fluid.

page_text: By the long sweep from the valve opening to the joint between the two sections of
standpipe the live incoming water is permitted to follow closely this line which
carries it above the valve E. In this manner it will be seen that there are no.
obstructions in the path of the incoming fluid, and the valve E occupies a position
where it is removed from the line of pressure of the incoming water, which thereby
relieves it of any tortional or twisting strain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a hydrant, the combination with a standpipe, of a valve operating rod
located therein, blocks arranged on said rod which are adapted to move toward
and from each other, links which are pivoted on different horizontal planes on
the blocks, and a valve to which the opposite ends of the links are pivoted on.
different horizontal planes; substantially as described.
2. In a hydrant, the combination with a valve operating rod, of blocks arranged
on said rod which blocks are adjustable toward and from each other, links which
are pivoted on the blocks on different horizontal planes, and a valve to which
the opposite ends of the links are pivoted, the pivotal points of connection of
the links to the valve bearing the same relation to each other as the pivotal
points of the links to the blocks, whereby when the rod is operated, the valve
is caused to travel in a given path, maintaining its proper position by reason of
such connections; substantially as described.
3. In a hydrant, the combination with a standpipe which is formed with
oppositely extending guide-lips at one side, of a right and left threaded rod
arranged between the lips, blocks on the threaded portions of the rod, a valve,
links which are pivoted on the valve and blocks, and bosses or projections on the
block end of the links, which bosses extend behind the lips and guide the blocks
in their movement; substantially as described.
4. In a hydrant, the combination with a standpipe formed with a guideway to
one side, of a threaded rod located in said guideway, blocks which are threaded
on said rod, a valve, links pivotally connected to the valve and to the blocks, the
pivotal points of connection of the links to the valve and blocks being on different
planes, and bosses or projections on the links, which bosses or projections are
seated in the guideway; substantially as described.
5. The combination of the valve operating rod, main valve and connections.
between the two, which connections include adjustable blocks on the valve
operating rod, of a drip-valve mounted upon a threaded extension on the lower
end of the valve operating rod, said drip-valve being formed or provided with
an upward extension which spaces the drip-valve to its proper position on the
rod when the parts are ready for insertion in the stand pipe; substantially as
described.
6. The combination with the valve operating rod, main valve, and connections
between the two, which connections include adjustable blocks on the valve
operating rod, of a drip-valve mounted upon a threaded extension on the lower
end of the valve operating rod, said drip-valve being formed or provided with
an upward extension which is adapted to abut against the lower block, deter-
mining the proper position of the parts when they are ready for insertion in the
standpipe, and means for preventing the rotation of the drip-valve when the
valve operating rod is in position in the standpipe and being rotated; substantially
as described.
7. In a hydrant, the combination with a standpipe, formed with a guideway to
one side, and provided with a drip-valve chamber in its bottom, into which
chamber leads an opening from the interior of the standpipe, to the exterior, of
a threaded rod located in said guideway, blocks threaded on said rod, the main
valve, links pivotally connected to the main valve and to the blocks, the pivotal
points of connection of the links to the valve and blocks being ou different

page_text: horizontal planes, whereby the valve, by reason of such connections, is caused to
move in a direct line of travel, and an expansible drip-valve mounted on threaded
extension of said rod and located in the drip-valve chamber to control the drip
opening, said drip-valve being provided with wings or lateral extensions, which
extend into the guideway, to guide the drip-valve in its movement and prevent
rotation of the drip-valve, and an upward extension on said drip-valve which is
adapted to abut against the lower block to limit the drip-valve in its vertical
movement, and also control the rotation of the rod by limiting the downward
movement of said block; substantially as described.
8. In a hydrant, the combination with a standpipe which is formed with a long
sweep from the main valve opening, of a valve operating rod located to one side of
the standpipe opposite to the opening to the main, blocks on the rod, links pivoted
on different horizontal planes on the blocks respectively, and a valve to which the
opposite ends of the links are pivoted on different horizontal planes, whereby the
valve is caused to travel in a direct line across the standpipe to open or close
the communication to the main; substantially as described.
9. In a hydrant, the combination with a standpipe, of a valve operating rod
located to one side thereof, said rod being formed with right and left hand screw
threads, blocks arranged on the threaded portions, links pivoted on different
horizontal planes on the blocks, and a valve, to which the opposite ends of the
links are pivoted on different horizontal planes, said valve being adapted to
close an opening on the side of the standpipe opposite the rod; substantially as
described.
Dated the 3rd day of December 1895,
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Chartered Patent Agent, London,
For the Applicant.