Cap for a well casing and method to retrofit a well casing with a cap

Abstract

This invention is a cap for protecting wells from ground surface liquids getting into a well through the top. The cap encompasses the lid and the top portion of the well casing. The cap has a top, a sidewall and an access port. The top is coupled to a sidewall to define a space to accept a lid and well casing. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the access port has either a tube and boss or a neck and adaptor. The boss surrounds an opening in the top and receives a proximal end of the tube whereas the neck surrounds the opening in the top and the adaptor is received within the neck. The cover is disposed on the tube or neck at an open end distal to the top to cover the opening. In both embodiments, there is at least one hole in the access port. The cap prevents surface liquid from entering into the well though the top

1 . A cap for a well casing forming part of a dug well assembly; having a dug well, a well casing, a lid and a cap for the well casing, said well casing surrounding the well to define a space to contain well water and having an open end projecting away from the well, said lid being disposed on the open end of the well casing to cover the open end of the well casing, and said cap having a top, a sidewall and an access port, said top being coupled to the sidewall to define an air pocket to accept the lid and well casing, said access port surrounding an opening in the top whereby an inside of the well casing is in communication with the access port, said access port having a removable cover disposed at an open end thereof distal to the top to cover the open end.  
     
     
         2 . A cap for a well casing forming part of a drilled well assembly, the drilled well assembly having a drilled well, a well casing and a hose, said well casing surrounding the well to define a working space around the drilled well and having an open end projecting away from the drilled well, said hose being attached at a lower end to the drilled well and being attached at an upper end to the cap, said cap having a top, a sidewall and an access port, said top being coupled to the sidewall to define an air pocket to accept the well casing, said access port comprising a tubular structure having at least one air hole, a removable cover and an adapter, said tubular structure surrounding an opening in the top of the cap such that an inside of the tubular structure is in communication with the air pocket, said cover being disposed on the tubular structure at an open distal end to the top to cover the open end, and said adapter providing communication between said at least one air hole and said hose.  
     
     
         3 . A cap for a well casing as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the adapter is removably attached to the tubular structure.  
     
     
         4 . A cap for a well casing as claimed in  claim 2  or  3 , in which the adapter is funnel shaped to accept the hose from the drilled well at a narrower end and to seat on the open end of the tubular structure on a wider end.  
     
     
         5 . A cap for a well casing as claimed in any one of claims  2 ,  3  or  4  having a gasket and in which the tubular structure has an annular lip on an inner surface to receive the gasket, said gasket being shaped to accept a wider end of the adapter.  
     
     
         6 . A cap for a well casing forming part of a drilled well assembly, the drilled well assembly having a drilled well, a well casing and a hose, said well casing surrounding the well to define a working space around the drilled well and having an open end projecting away from the drilled well, said hose being attached at a lower end to the drilled well and being attached at an upper end to the cap, said cap having a top, a sidewall and an access port, said top being coupled to the sidewall to define an air pocket to accept the well casing, said access port comprising a tubular structure having at least one air hole, a removable cover and an adapter, said tubular structure surrounding an opening in the top of the cap, said cover being disposed on the tubular structure at an open distal end to the top to cover the open end, and said adapter providing communication between said at least one air hole and said hose.  
     
     
         7 . A cap according to  claim 6  in which said tubular structure comprises a boss having a threaded upper end and a threaded lower end and a tube having a threaded lower end for coupling to said threaded upper end of the boss, the adapter comprising a threaded coupling for coupling to said threaded lower end of the boss.  
     
     
         8 . A method of assembling the cap for a well casing as claimed in  claim 7  on a drilled well assembly, said method comprising the steps of attaching the lower end of the hose to the well, attaching the coupling to the bottom side of the boss, attaching the upper end of the hose to the coupling, attaching the tubular structure to the top side of the boss, placing the cap over the well casing and attaching the cover to the tubular structure.  
     
     
         9 . A method of assembling the cap for a well casing as claimed in  claim 3  for a drilled well assembly, said method comprising the steps of attaching the lower end of the hose to the well, passing the hose through the access port, placing the cap over the lid well casing, adjusting the length of the hose, attaching the upper end of the hose to the adapter, seating the adapter on the open end of the tubular structure, and attaching the cover to the tubular structure.