Extendable stand pipe

Abstract

The disclosure teaches an adjustable/extendable piping system/module for associating fluid access products (such as fire hydrants) to a buried fluid source. The piping system defines an adjustable configuration that allows for the overall length of the piping system to be modified to compensate for different bury depths. The disclosure further teaches a flex module configured for associating a fluid product with a piping system connected to a fluid source. The flex module is configured to flex a predefined amount to prevent damage to the system from low energy impacts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coupling system configured for connecting a water-product to a fluid source, said coupling system comprising:
 a first stand pipe element comprising a first hollow conduit defining a first diameter and further defining a stand pipe output at one end of said first hollow conduit and an opposing first stand pipe end at a distal end of said first hollow conduit and wherein said stand pipe output is configured for engagement with a fluid-product;   a second stand pipe element comprising a second hollow conduit defining a second diameter and further defining a stand pipe input at one end of said second hollow conduit and an opposing second stand pipe end at a distal end of said second hollow conduit and wherein said stand pipe input is configured for engagement with a fluid source;   wherein said first standpipe element is movably mechanically associated with and in alignment with said second stand pipe element to define an adjustable stand pipe defining a fluid flow path between said stand pipe input and said stand pipe output and allowing the distance from said stand pipe input to said stand pipe output to be varied;   a sealing device configured to define a fluid tight seal between said first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element; and   at least one joint restraint defining at least one of (a) a fixed joint restraint and (b) an adjustable joint restraint configured for resisting movement between said first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element.   
     
     
         2 . A coupling system as in  claim 1 , wherein said water-product is a fire hydrant and wherein said fluid source is a water mains. 
     
     
         3 . A coupling system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first diameter larger than the second diameter allowing the second stand pipe element to slide in and out of the first stand pipe element there by defining a telescopic movable relationship. 
     
     
         4 . A coupling system as in  claim 3 , wherein said sealing device is a mechanical joint comprising a seal. 
     
     
         5 . A coupling system as in  claim 4 , wherein said joint restraint is a fixed joint restraint defining a mechanical joint restraint. 
     
     
         6 . A coupling system as in  claim 5 , wherein said mechanical joint restraint contains a first restraint element associated with said first stand pipe element and a second restraint element associated with said second stand pipe element and wherein said first restraint element is mechanically associated with said second restraint element to provide a resistance to movement between said first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element. 
     
     
         7 . A coupling system as in  claim 4 , wherein said joint restraint is an adjustable joint restraint. 
     
     
         8 . A coupling system as in  claim 7 , wherein said adjustable joint restraint defines at least one threaded rod. 
     
     
         9 . A coupling system as in  claim 8 , wherein the overall length of said first stand pipe element coupled to said second stand pipe element can be varies by at least 30%. 
     
     
         10 . A coupling system as in  claim 7 , mechanical joint restraint contains a first restraint element mechanically associated with said first stand pipe element and a second restraint element mechanically associated with said second stand pipe element to define a telescoping association that can be secured at one of a plurality of anchor points thereby providing a resistance to movement between the first stand pipe module and said second stand pipe module. 
     
     
         11 . A coupling system as in  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of anchor points are spaced at least two inches apart and allow for varying the distance from said stand pipe input to said stand pipe output from about 3.5 feet to at least 5.5 feet 
     
     
         12 . An adjustable stand pipe module configured for adjustably connecting a fire hydrant to a fluid source, said adjustable stand pipe module comprising:
 a first stand pipe element comprising a first hollow conduit defining a first diameter and further defining a stand pipe output at one end of said first hollow conduit and an opposing first stand pipe end at a distal end of said first hollow conduit and wherein said stand pipe output is configured for engagement with a fire hydrant comprising an operating nut;   a second stand pipe element comprising a second hollow conduit defining a second diameter and further defining a stand pipe input at one end of said second hollow conduit and an opposing second stand pipe end at a distal end of said second hollow conduit and wherein said stand pipe input is configured for engagement with a coupling associated with a water mains wherein said coupling comprises a valve;   wherein side first standpipe element is movably mechanically associated with and in alignment with said second stand pipe element to define an adjustable stand pipe defining a fluid flow path between said stand pipe input and said stand pipe output and allowing the distance from said stand pipe input to said stand pipe output to be varied;   a telescoping rod mechanically associated with said operating nut at one end and said valve at the opposing end wherein said rod runs through said fluid flow path and wherein the length of the rod changes as the length of the distance from said stand pipe input to said stand pipe output is varied;   a sealing device configured to define a fluid tight seal between said first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element; and   at least one joint restraint defining at least one of (a) a fixed joint restraint and (b) an adjustable joint restraint configured for resisting movement between said first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element.   
     
     
         13 . A coupling system as in  claim 12 , wherein said first diameter is larger than said second diameter allowing the second stand pipe element to slide in and out of the first stand pipe element. 
     
     
         14 . A coupling system as in  claim 13 , wherein said sealing device is a mechanical joint comprising a seal and wherein said mechanical joint is associated with said first stand pipe end and a portion of outer surface of said second stand pipe element. 
     
     
         15 . A coupling system as in  claim 14 , wherein said joint restraint is a fixed joint restraint defining a first restraint element associated with an outer surface of said first stand pipe element and a second restraint element associated with the outer surface of said second stand pipe element so that said mechanical joint is disposed there between and wherein said first restraint element is mechanically associated with said second restraint element to provide a resistance to movement between said first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element. 
     
     
         16 . A coupling system as in  claim 14 , wherein said joint restraint is an adjustable joint restraint comprising a first restraint element associated with an outer surface of said first stand pipe element and a second restraint element associated with the outer surface of said second stand pipe element so that said mechanical joint is disposed there between and wherein said first restraint element defines a telescopic mechanical association with said second restraint element that can be secured at one of a plurality of anchor points thereby providing a resistance to movement between the first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element. 
     
     
         17 . A coupling system as in  claim 12 , wherein said first diameter is smaller than said second diameter allowing the first stand pipe element to slide in and out of the second stand pipe element. 
     
     
         18 . A coupling system as in  claim 17 , wherein said sealing device is a mechanical joint comprising a seal and wherein said mechanical joint is associated with said second stand pipe end and a portion of outer surface of said first stand pipe element. 
     
     
         19 . A coupling system as in  claim 18 , wherein said joint restraint is a fixed joint restraint defining a first restraint element associated with an outer surface of said first stand pipe element and a second restraint element associated with the outer surface of said second stand pipe element so that said mechanical joint is disposed there between and wherein said first restraint element is mechanically associated with said second restraint element to provide a resistance to movement between said first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element. 
     
     
         20 . A coupling system as in  claim 18 , wherein said joint restraint is an adjustable joint restraint comprising a first restraint element associated with an outer surface of said first stand pipe element and a second restraint element associated with the outer surface of said second stand pipe element so that said mechanical joint is disposed there between and wherein said first restraint element defines a telescopic mechanical association with said second restraint element that can be secured at one of a plurality of anchor points thereby providing a resistance to movement between the first stand pipe element and said second stand pipe element.