Description of the Related Art Fire hydrants are a vital component of public utilities, designed to provide a high pressure, high volume source of water for fighting fires.

Because of the potential for abuse of this source of water, it is necessary that access to fire hydrants be limited to authorized personnel.

For example, fire hydrants are directly connected to the municipal water system, which provides access to public water sources. This creates an opportunity for terrorists and the to introduce poisons and other contaminants into the public water system. As another example, construction workers will tap into fire hydrants to use the water as part of the construction process. This is costly to municipalities and can interfere with emergency access to the fire hydrant.

Also, in environments of high temperature and high humidity, it is common for unauthorized individuals to open a fire hydrant and release the high-pressure water as a means of keeping cool. Such unauthorized use of a fire hydrant can be dangerous because the high pressure water can easily knock an individual over and cause serious injury. In addition to causing lower available water pressure at other hydrants in a municipal water system, it also requires city personnel and fire fighters to constantly monitor the status of fire hydrants. This can compromise the level of readiness of fire fighters and cause unnecessary expense and waste of taxpayer money.

The unauthorized opening of fire hydrants also presents a danger to the environment in that streets can become flooded, as well as damage being caused to nearby lawns, parks, and private residences. Although most fire hydrants are designed with tamper-proof hardware, those wanting to use a fire hydrant will often cause damage to the fire hydrant in an attempt to gain unauthorized access.

Atypical fire hydrant 10 as shown in Figure 1 includes an elongate upright body 12, typically having three nozzles 14 projecting laterally outward therefrom and a domed cap 16 at the top thereof. A safety flange 18 secures the body 12 to a mounting base 20. Each of the nozzles 14 is covered by a cap 22 threadably attached thereto. A chain 24 having one end 26 attached to the body 20,12 and three lengths thereof 28 having a second end 30 attached to the caps 22 with clips 32 to prevent loss of the caps 22 and to maintain the caps 22 in close proximity to the fire hydrant body 12.

In this particular model of fire hydrant, each cap 22 has a five- sided projection 34 extending therefrom that is gripped by a corresponding tool to facilitate tightening and removal of the cap 22. As can be seen, removal of the cap and access to the nozzle and the water control valve is readily accomplished with easily obtainable tools.

Attempts have been made to provide security devices for fire hydrants, such as a tamper-proof cap assembly for a fire hydrant disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,280, 525. This device has a cap provided with a stem that is attached to the existing valve stem rod inside the fire hydrant. This particular device is complex, not easy to remove, and requires expensive and time consuming retrofitting of the fire hydrant.

Another device disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,141, 575, provides locking threaded nozzles to a fire hydrant. This device requires using an elongated rod wedged in a particular manner between the fire hydrant barrel and the fire hydrant nozzle after the hydrant nozzle has been inserted therein to

a predetermined torque. Use of this device requires disassembly and modification of the fire hydrant before it can be used.

U. S. Design Patent 360,347 shows a fire hydrant lock having an exposed padlock securing a disabling device to the top and sides of the fire hydrant. The disadvantage here is that the exposed padlock is subject to rust, and wear, making it difficult to remove and requiring constant maintenance. In addition, it is easily subject to tampering because the shackle of the padlock is exposed to cutting tools, such as bolt cutters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A security device for a fire hydrant is provided, the fire hydrant having a center nozzle and first and second side nozzles projecting from a body of the fire hydrant. The device is configured for use with at least one lock having a keyhole and shackles.

In one embodiment, the device includes a collar, ideally formed as a circular band, and sized to be slidably received over and encircling the center nozzle ; and first and second yokes depending from arms extending from the collar, the yokes configured for attachment to the first and second side nozzles, respectively, to prevent removal of the first and second side covers; and first and second lock devices on the first and second yokes to prevent removal of the device from the hydrant.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, each yoke includes a lock receptacle. In one embodiment, the lock receptacle includes two cylindrical lock barrels having aligned longitudinal axial bores and configured to receive the shackle of the lock. In another embodiment, the lock receptacle comprises a housing attachable to each yoke and having an opening through which a lock pin is received, the lock pin further having an opening configured to receive the shackle of the lock, the housing sized and shaped to enclose the shackle of the lock.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a fire hydrant system is provided that includes a fire hydrant with a center nozzle and first and second side nozzles projecting from a body of the fire hydrant; a collar, ideally formed of a circular band, sized to be slidably received over the center nozzle and having first and second arms extending therefrom with first and second yokes on each of the arms, respectively, the yokes configured to encircle the first and second side arms; and a lock configured to be attached to the yokes to prevent removal of the yokes and the collar from the fire hydrant.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the system further includes a lock receptacle on each yoke.

Ideally, the lock receptacle includes two cylindrical lock barrels having longitudinal axial bores and configured to receive the shackle of a lock.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the lock receptacle includes a lock housing having a closed top with an opening formed therein, an open bottom, and circumscribing side walls, with a first side wall having first and second openings sized and shaped to allow the yoke to be slidably received therethrough and a lock pin configured to be slidably received through the opening in the closed top and through the lock barrels on the yoke, the lock pin further having an opening sized and shaped to receive the shackle of the padlock, the housing configured to enclose at least the shackle of the padlock.

As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide a security device for fire hydrants that is easily and quickly attached thereto without requiring modification of the fire hydrant. The locking mechanism is housed in a manner that protects the lock from the environment and destructive tools, yet it provides quick access for easy removal. Unauthorized access to the municipal water supply is prevented, thus enhancing the safety of the public water and reducing maintenance costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an isometric projection of a typical fire hydrant to be secured with a locking device of the present invention; Figure 2 is an isometric projection of one embodiment of a fire hydrant lock formed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is an isometric projection of another embodiment of a fire hydrant lock formed in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lock housing of the lock of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an isometric projection of the fire hydrant lock of Figure 2 installed on the fire hydrant of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is an isometric projection of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 2, shown therein is one embodiment of a fire hydrant lock device 36 formed in accordance with the present invention. The lock 36 includes a rigid ring 37, preferably formed of metal, such as steel, sized and shaped to be received over a main side fitting of a typical fire hydrant. The ring 37 comprises a cylindrical band 38 having a longitudinal axial bore 40 opening to a front face 42 and a rear face 44. In one embodiment, the ring 37 is preferably formed to have a width of 3"and a bore diameter of 8". However, the dimensions may vary to accommodate different size fire hydrants. For example, in another embodiment the ring 37 may have a 12"diameter or an 8" width.

Attached to opposing sides of the cylindrical band 38 are first and second arms 46,48 that extend longitudinally rearward, preferably at an angle in the range of 33 degrees to 50 degrees, and ideally at about 45 degrees, beyond the rear face 44. In one embodiment, the arms 46,48 have a length of 4.5 inches and have a width of approximately 11/2", although this may vary. In one embodiment, both arms 46,48 and the ring 37 are formed of 1/41'steel. It is to be understood, however, that the dimensions may vary according to the needs of the particular application. The first and second arms 46,48 have first and second projecting ends 50,52, extending rearward to be parallel to the side of the ring 37. Thus, the first and second projecting ends 50,52 are formed at an angle with respect to the first and second arms 46,48, respectively.

The first and second projecting ends 50,52 are configured as first and second U-shaped yokes 54,56, respectively. Each of the first and second yokes 54,56 are formed to have first and second fingers 58,60 extending from a transverse bar 62. Each of the first and second fingers 58,60, have a projecting tip 64,66, respectively, to which are attached respective first and second lock barrels 68,70. Each of the lock barrels 68,70 are configured with a longitudinal axial bore 72. The first and second lock barrels 68,70, are attached to the projecting tips 64,66 such that the longitudinal axial bores 72 are coaxial. With this arrangement, a shackle 74 of a padlock 76 can be received through the first and second lock barrels 68, 70 as shown in Figure 2.

The lock device 36 so described is designed to have the ring 37 slidably received over the main fitting of a fire hydrant with the first and second yokes 54,56 attached over the left and right side fittings, respectively. A padlock attached to each of the first and second yokes 54,56 prevents removal of the lock 36, thus preventing access to the main fitting and the left and right side fittings of the fire hydrant. The lock 36 is easily removed by unlocking the padlock 76 on each of the first and second arms 46,48 and quickly sliding the ring 37 off the main fitting. Thus, the present invention provides a lock device that can be quickly attached to an existing fire hydrant without requiring any

modification to the fire hydrant, and this lock device 36 requires little to no maintenance.

In an alternative embodiment, the band 38 of the ring 37 may be sized to have an 8"or greater width to accommodate a larger main fitting on the fire hydrant. In addition, the open face may be partially closed with a strap or completely closed with a plate, thus preventing any access to the main fitting, as shown in Figure 3.

An alternative embodiment of the lock 36 device is shown in Figures 3 and 4 wherein a padlock cover 78 is used in conjunction with the first and second yokes 54,56. The lock cover 78 used with each of the yokes 54, 56 comprises a rectangular-shaped housing 80 having a closed top 82, open bottom 84, and a hollow interior 86 circumscribed by side walls 88. A front wall 90 has a pair of openings 92 sized and shaped to receive the first and second fingers 58,60 on the yokes 54,56. An opening 94 formed in the closed top 82 accommodates a lock pin 96 having a flat head 98 at one end of a shaft 100 a transverse bore 102 at the other end of the shaft 100. The lock pin 96 is sized and shaped to be slidably received within the opening 94 in the closed top 82 and to extend through the first and second lock barrels 68,70 and terminate flush with the open bottom 84. The opening 102 in the shaft 100 of the lock pin 96 accommodates a shackle 74 of a padlock 76 such that the padlock 76 is sheltered in the interior 86 of the housing 80. This protects the padlock 76 from the environment and prevents access to the shackle 74 of the padlock 76.

Access to the padlock is provided through the open bottom such that a key can be inserted into the keyhole 114 of the padlock 76 (shown in Figure 2).

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, on the interior of the front wall 90 of the housing 80, a lock barrel 104 may be provided to guide the shaft 100 of the lock pin 96 to the lock barrels 68, 70 on the yokes 56,58.

As shown in Figure 5, the lock device 36 is attached to a fire hydrant 106 in the manner described above with respect to the embodiment of Figure 2. In use, the lock device 36 is slid over the main fitting 108 with the first and second yokes 54,56 slid over the right and left side fittings 110,112, respectively. The lock cover 78 is then placed over the first and second yokes 54,56 on each of the first and second arms 50,52. The corresponding lock pin 96 is then slid through the opening 94 in the top of each lock cover housing 80.

A padlock 76 is then opened and the shackle 74 is inserted through the opening 102 in the shaft 100 and locked back in place on each arm 54,56. With the keyhole 114 of the padlock 76 facing downward through the open bottom 84, access to the lock is quick and easy.

Referring next to Figure 6, yet another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown wherein a lock device 120 utilizing the same ring 37 configuration as the previous embodiments is depicted. The same reference numbers are used to denote the identical elements. At each of the first and second projecting ends 50,52 are first and second housings 122,124. Each housing 122,124 has a top wall 126, bottom wall 128, and attached inside and outside side walls 130,132, respectively. A solid front wall 134 encloses the front of each housing 122,124, while the opposing back is open. A rectangular- shaped cutout 136 is formed on the inside side wall 130 of each housing that is sized and shaped to slide over the left and right side fittings 110,112 (as shown in Figure 5) of the fire hydrant. A flange 138 projects outward from the center of the outside side wall 132 of the right housing 124. An opening 140 is formed through the flange 138 that is sized and shaped to accommodate the shaft of a lock.

The embodiment in Figure 6 further includes a security strap 142 having a first end 144 hingedly attached to the first housing 122 at the edge of the outside side wall 132 and a second end 146 hingedly attached to an inside corner of a third housing 150 via a hinge 148. The third housing includes a top wall 152, bottom wall 154, side walls 156 and 158, and a back wall 160. An

opening 162 having an oblong configuration is formed in the interior side wall 156 sized and shaped to slide over the flange 138 on the second housing 124.

Thus, the security strap 140 swings outward about the hinged attachment to the first housing 122 to accommodate installation on a fire hydrant. After installation, the security strap 142 is swung inward so that the third housing 150 is placed in abutting relationship against the second housing 124 with the opening 162 placed over the flange 138. The third housing 150 is retained in this position against the second housing 124 by a lock (not shown) that is inserted through the open front 164 of the third housing 150 having its shaft placed through the opening 140 in the flange 138. Thus, the third housing 150 protects the lock from the elements and from tampering while providing access to lock and unlock.

On the front of the ring 37 is a bar 166 attached to the front face 42 to prevent access to the main nozzle of the fire hydrant.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow and the equivalents thereof.