Freeze-proof water hydrant system

Abstract

An apparatus and method for preventing freeze-up in water hydrant couplings provided in a water supply conduit conveying a continuous flow of water to the respective hydrant couplings, wherein a portion of the water flowing in the supply conduit is diverted into each coupling and around the diverter disposed within the coupling and then back into the conduit thereby preventing freeze-up within the coupling when the water hydrant mounted on the coupling is turned off.

I claim: 
     
         1 . In a water circulation system for supplying a plurality of spaced water hydrants, including a main water supply conduit for conveying a continuous flow of water therein and hydrant outlet couplings extending laterally and upwardly from said conduit at specified locations therealong with a water hydrant connected to each coupling, said hydrants having a valve at their base for valving water on and off from respective of said couplings to said hydrants and a drain at their base for draining the hydrant when valved off;
 a device for preventing water freeze-up in said outlet couplings when respective of said hydrant valves are turned off, said device including a diverter secured in each outlet and extending into said conduit, said diverter dimensioned and contoured to continuously divert a portion of the water flowing in said conduit into said outlet couplings, around said diverters and back into said conduit whereby freeze-up in said couplings is prevented in sub-freezing ambient conditions when said hydrants are valved off   
     
     
         2 . A water hydrant system comprising:
 a main water supply conduit for conveying a continuous flow of water therein;   a hydrant outlet coupling extending laterally and upwardly from said conduit and having an upright water hydrant connected to said coupling, said hydrant having a valve at its base for valving water to said hydrant on and off and a drain at the base of said hydrant for draining the hydrant when valved off;   a diverter secured in said outlet and extending into said conduit, said diverter dimensioned and contoured to continuously divert a portion of the water flowing in said conduit into said coupling, around said diverter and back into said conduit whereby freeze-up in said coupling is prevented.   
     
     
         3 . A method of preventing freeze-up in a hydrant coupling provided in a water supply conduit conveying a continuous flow of water, comprising:
 diverting a portion of the water flowing in the conduit into a cavity provided in the coupling with a diverter disposed in said cavity and then around the diverter and back into said conduit.