Weeping System for Fire Hydrant Having a Protective Valve or Device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved weeping systems adapted for use with fire hydrants having protection systems. The weeping systems provide one or more check valves adapted to assist air to exit through a weeping hole of the hydrant.

1 . A fire hydrant, comprising:
 (a) a barrel comprising a weeping hole, the barrel adapted to communicate with a water supply through a main valve;   (b) a nozzle associated with the barrel, the nozzle comprising a first end adapted to receive at least one of a nozzle cap or a hose;   (c) a protection system located between the first end of the nozzle and the main valve, the protection system adapted to prevent introduction of external materials into the barrel but to allow water to exit through the nozzle under pressure; and   (d) at least one check valve adapted to allow air to enter the barrel between the protection system and the main valve.   
   
   
       2 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , wherein the protection system is located in the barrel and the check valve is located in a vertical wall of the barrel. 
   
   
       3 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , wherein the protection system is located in the nozzle and the check valve is located in the nozzle between the protection system and the barrel. 
   
   
       4 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , wherein the protection system is located inside the barrel between the nozzle and the main valve, and wherein the at least one check valve is located between the protection system and the main valve. 
   
   
       5 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one check valve comprises a lower check valve located in the barrel of the hydrant. 
   
   
       6 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , wherein the protection system is located inside the barrel between the nozzle and the main valve, further comprising a second check valve located between the first end of the nozzle and the protection system. 
   
   
       7 . The fire hydrant of  claim 6 , wherein the second check valve comprises an upper check valve. 
   
   
       8 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , wherein the protection system comprises a protective valve adapted to interact with a seat to provide a seal between the first end of the nozzle and the main valve. 
   
   
       9 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , wherein the protection system comprises a rotatable protection device housed within the nozzle, the protection device having a first position adapted to prevent the flow of water from the main valve to the first end of the nozzle and a second position adapted to allow water to flow from the main valve to the first end of the nozzle. 
   
   
       10 . The fire hydrant of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one check valve comprises an inner check valve located on the nozzle between the protection system and the main valve. 
   
   
       11 . The fire hydrant of  claim 9 , further comprising a second check valve located between the first end of the nozzle and the protection system, wherein the second check valve comprises an outer check valve located on the nozzle. 
   
   
       12 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , further comprising a shield adapted to cover the check valve. 
   
   
       13 . Afire hydrant, comprising:
 (a) a barrel comprising a weeping hole, the barrel adapted to communicate with a water supply through a main valve;   (b) a nozzle associated with the barrel, the nozzle comprising a first end;   (c) a nozzle attachment adapted to be secured to the first end of the nozzle at one end and further comprising a hose/cap receiving end;   (d) a protection system located on the nozzle attachment, the protection system adapted to prevent introduction of external materials into the barrel but to allow water to exit through the nozzle attachment under pressure; and   (e) at least one check valve on the nozzle attachment adapted to allow air to enter the barrel between the protection system and the main valve.   
   
   
       14 . The fire hydrant of  claim 14 , further comprising a second check valve located between the first end of the nozzle and the protection system. 
   
   
       15 . The fire hydrant of  claim 1 , wherein the protection system comprises a seat, an anchor member, a biasing member, and a stopper, wherein the biasing member forces the stopper against the seat, creating a seal. 
   
   
       16 . A fire hydrant comprising a nozzle, a barrel, and a main valve, further comprising:
 (a) a protection system located between the nozzle and the main valve, the protection system adapted to prevent introduction of external materials into the barrel but to allow water to exit through the nozzle under pressure; and   (b) a check valve adapted to allow air to enter the barrel between the protection system and the main valve.