Patent ID: 7021327

Claim:
A fire hydrant access system, comprising: an actuator extension configured to be operatively engaged with a valve actuator of a fire hydrant, the valve actuator being disposed on an exterior location on the fire hydrant and operable to actuate a valve mechanism within the fire hydrant so as to selectively open and close a valve of the fire hydrant, the actuator extension including: a proximal end configured to be engaged with the valve actuator; and a distal end spaced from and disposed remotely from the proximal end, the distal end including a torque-receiving member configured to receive an externally-applied torque, where the actuator extension is configured so that application of torque to the distal end of the actuator extension causes torque to be imparted to the proximal end, thereby imparting torque to the valve actuator, enabling a user to operate the valve actuator without having to directly access the valve actuator at the exterior location on the fire hydrant; and where the actuator extension includes a conduit and a torque linkage disposed within the conduit, the torque-receiving member being disposed at one end of the torque linkage and the linkage having a second end configured to be operatively engaged with the valve actuator of the fire hydrant.