US5261441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Yard hydrant
Assignee: MERRILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-10
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Granted: 1993-11-16
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Expires: 2013-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A yard hydrant includes a discharge nozzle above ground level connected to other vertically reciprocal working parts in the ground below the frost line. A cylindrical water reservoir unit, disposed below the frost line around said working parts, includes a diaphragm assembly removably attached to such working parts for reciprocation therewith, and a deformable diaphragm on said assembly provides a water storage area. Residual water in the hydrant when it is turned off is collected in the storage area and returned to the hydrant for discharge through the nozzle when the hydrant is turned on. The working parts are removable from the diaphragm assembly for servicing and repairs.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:37
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03B; E03B9/00; E03B9/02; E03B9/14; E03B9/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/5327; Y10T137/538; Y10T137/5409; Y10T137/5415; Y10T137/5497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A yard hydrant, comprising: a head section including an integral nozzle with a water passageway therein, a water pipe, a valve means adapted for connection to a source of water supply under pressure, said water pipe operably connected at one end to said head section in communication with said water passageway and operably engageable at the other end with said valve means, means for reciprocating said water pipe, a cylindrical water reservoir unit disposed around said water pipe intermediate said head section and said valve means, a diaphragm assembly within said water reservoir unit providing a watertight expandable water storage area, and secured to said water pipe for reciprocation therewith, the downwardly movement of said water pipe into engagement with said valve means defining the "on" position for water flow through said yard hydrant, and the upwardly movement of said water pipe out of engagement with said valve means defining the "off" position of said water flow, with said water storage area in said "off" position to permit residual water in said water pipe to flow into said storage area, and a flow controlling valve means disposed in said disphragm assembly communicating with said water pipe and said water storage area to permit stored water to return to said water pipe in the "on" position for discharge out of said nozzle valve means in said diaphragm assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
A yard hydrant, comprising: a head section including an integral nozzle with a water passageway therein, a water pipe, a valve means adapted for connection to a source of water supply under pressure, said water pipe operably connected at one end to said head section in communication with said water passageway and operably engageable at the other end with said valve means, means for reciprocating said water pipe, a cylindrical water reservoir unit disposed around said water pipe intermediate said head section and said valve means, a diaphragm assembly within said water reservoir unit providing a watertight expandable water storage area, and secured to said water pipe for reciprocation therewith, the downwardly movement of said water pipe into engagement with said valve means defining the "on" position for water flow through said yard hydrant, and the upwardly movement of said water pipe out of engagement with said valve means defining the "off" position of said water flow, with said water storage area in said "off" position to permit residual water in said water pipe to flow into said storage area, and a flow controlling valve means disposed in said disphragm assembly communicating with said water pipe and said water storage area to permit stored water to return to said water pipe in the "on" position for discharge out of said nozzle valve means in said diaphragm assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1, including said water pipe being removably secured to said diaphragm assembly whereby said water pipe can be separated therefrom and removed from said yard hydrant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 2, including: said water pipe being attached to said diaphragm assembly by a threadable attachment, and means in said water reservoir unit for preventing rotation of said diaphragm assembly while said water pipe is being separated therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1 wherein said flow controlling valve means is a check valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1, including: said water reservoir unit comprising: an upper inverted cup-shaped section and a lower cup-shaped section, each having a peripheral flange, and fastening means to secure said flanges in juxtaposition, said diaphragm assembly comprising: a diaphragm plate within said water reservoir unit secured to said water pipe for reciprocation therewith, and a deformable diaphragm secured to said diaphragm plate and extending peripherally between and secured to said flanges in watertight relationship to define said water storage area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 5, including said water pipe being removably secured to said diaphragm plate whereby said water pipe can be separated therefrom and removed from said yard hydrant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 6, including: said water pipe being threadably attached to said diaphragm plate, and means in said water reservoir unit for preventing rotation of said diaphragm plate while said water pipe is being separated therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1, including an air line open to the atmosphere at one end and extending through said diaphragm assembly into communication with said water storage area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 1, including means to seal off said water storage area from the water supply pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
382 words
A yard hydrant comprising: a vertical casing having an upper end and a lower end, a head section, including an integral nozzle with a water passageway therein, mounted to said upper end, a cylindrical water reservoir unit, having a top end and a bottom, axially mounted at said top end to said lower end of said casing, a valve body housing, with valve means, adapted at one end for connection to a source of water supply under pressure, said bottom of said cylindrical water reservoir unit being axially mounted to the other end of said valve body housing, a water pipe operably attached to said head section in communication with said water passageway therein and extending through said casing and said water reservoir unit into said valve body housing for operable engagement with said valve means, means for reciprocating said water pipe, a diaphragm assembly within said water reservoir unit providing a watertight expandable water storage area, and secured to said water pipe for reciprocation therewith, a valve flow port in said water pipe adapted to move into and out of flow communication with said water storage area during the reciprocal movement of said pipe, a flow port in said water pipe in spaced above relationship to said valve flow port, when said valve flow port is movable into said valve housing to shut off flow to said storage area for water flow communication from said water storage area to said flow port, the downwardly movement of said water pipe into engagement with said valve means defining the "on" position of water flow through said yard hydrant, and the upwardly movement of said water pipe out of engagement with said valve means defining the "off" position of said water flow, with said yard hydrant in the "off" position, said valve flow port communicates with said water storage area and residual water in said water pipe flows therethrough into said water storage area, and with said yard hydrant in the "on" position, said valve flow port is out of flow communication with said water storage area and water therein flows through said second flow port into said water pipe for discharge through said nozzle when said valve flow port is movable into said valve housing to shut off flow to said storage area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
382 words
A yard hydrant comprising: a vertical casing having an upper end and a lower end, a head section, including an integral nozzle with a water passageway therein, mounted to said upper end, a cylindrical water reservoir unit, having a top end and a bottom, axially mounted at said top end to said lower end of said casing, a valve body housing, with valve means, adapted at one end for connection to a source of water supply under pressure, said bottom of said cylindrical water reservoir unit being axially mounted to the other end of said valve body housing, a water pipe operably attached to said head section in communication with said water passageway therein and extending through said casing and said water reservoir unit into said valve body housing for operable engagement with said valve means, means for reciprocating said water pipe, a diaphragm assembly within said water reservoir unit providing a watertight expandable water storage area, and secured to said water pipe for reciprocation therewith, a valve flow port in said water pipe adapted to move into and out of flow communication with said water storage area during the reciprocal movement of said pipe, a flow port in said water pipe in spaced above relationship to said valve flow port, when said valve flow port is movable into said valve housing to shut off flow to said storage area for water flow communication from said water storage area to said flow port, the downwardly movement of said water pipe into engagement with said valve means defining the "on" position of water flow through said yard hydrant, and the upwardly movement of said water pipe out of engagement with said valve means defining the "off" position of said water flow, with said yard hydrant in the "off" position, said valve flow port communicates with said water storage area and residual water in said water pipe flows therethrough into said water storage area, and with said yard hydrant in the "on" position, said valve flow port is out of flow communication with said water storage area and water therein flows through said second flow port into said water pipe for discharge through said nozzle when said valve flow port is movable into said valve housing to shut off flow to said storage area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 10, including said water pipe being removably secured to said diaphragm assembly whereby said water pipe can be separated therefrom and removed from said yard hydrant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 10, including means to seal off said water storage area from the water supply pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 10, including an air line open to the atmosphere at one end and extending through said diaphragm assembly into communication with said water storage area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 10 wherein the valve means in said diaphragm assembly for water flow communication from said water storage area to said flow port is a check valve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
85 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 10, including: said water reservoir unit comprising: an upper inverted cup-shaped section and a lower cup-shaped section, each having a peripheral flange, and fastening means to secure said flanges in juxtaposition, said diaphragm assembly comprising: a diaphragm plate within said water reservoir unit secured to said water pipe for reciprocation therewith, and a deformable diaphragm secured to said diaphragm plate and extending peripherally between and secured to said flanges in watertight relationship to define said water storage area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 15, including said water pipe being removably secured to said diaphragm plate whereby said water pipe can be separated therefrom and removed from said yard hydrant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A yard hydrant as defined in claim 16, including: said water pipe being threadably attached to said diaphragm plate, and means in said water reservoir unit for preventing rotation of said diaphragm plate while said water pipe is being separated therefrom.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-15 | 1997-05-17 | 1997-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-05-17 | 2001-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-15 | 2005-05-17 | 2005-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |