BACKGROUND It is customary to provide a water spigot mounted to the exterior of a building and coupled to a fluid line within the building. The water spigot is typically at the outlet end of a hydrant. The hydrant extends through the exterior wall of the building and has an inlet located within the building in communication with the fluid line. The hydrant includes a valve controllable from outside the building. In geographic regions where freezing temperatures occur, the valve may preferably be positioned near the inlet of the hydrant inside the building where temperatures generally remain above freezing.

SUMMARY According to the invention, a hydrant includes a housing assembly, a cartridge assembly, and an actuating handle. The housing assembly defines a through bore. The housing assembly has an inlet region that in use extends within a dwelling and an outlet region that in use resides outside the dwelling where freezing temperatures may be encountered. The cartridge assembly is removably coupled to the housing assembly at the housing assembly outlet region. The cartridge assembly includes an elongate tubular member and a variable flow control device. The tubular member is received within the housing assembly through bore and defines a flow conduit having an inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid flow line and an outlet for delivering fluid. The variable flow control device is coupled to the tubular member for removal from the housing assembly with the tubular member and is positioned in a vicinity of the inlet of the tubular member such that in use the variable flow control device is located within the dwelling. The variable flow control device is configured for movement between an open position and a closed position. The actuating handle is coupled to the variable flow control device and positionable in the vicinity of the outlet region of the housing assembly for moving the variable flow control device between the open and closed positions while the tubular member remains relatively stationary.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features.

The outlet of the flow conduit is adjacent to the outlet region of the housing assembly.

An actuator rod extends between the actuating handle and the variable flow control device.

The actuator rod extends through the flow conduit. The variable flow control device includes a stationary seat and a rotatable disk. The stationary seat defines a first flow passage and the rotatable disk defines a second flow passage. The actuating handle is coupled to the rotatable disk such that a'/4 turn (90° rotation) of the actuating handle moves the rotatable disk between an open position in which the first and second flow passages are aligned and a closed position in which the first and second passages are offset. The actuator rod includes a coupler engaging the rotatable disk such that rotation of the actuator rod causes rotation of the rotatable disk. The variable flow control device is positioned within the tubular member flow conduit. A seal ring is positioned within the tubular member flow conduit on an inlet side of the variable flow control device.

A check valve is coupled to the housing assembly at the inlet region of the housing assembly and is configured to permit fluid flow from the inlet toward the outlet and limit fluid flow from the outlet toward the inlet. A tail piece is coupled to the housing assembly at the inlet region for connecting to the fluid flow line. A union nut couples the tail piece to the housing assembly. A threaded coupler is located at the outlet region of the housing assembly and removably couples the cartridge to the housing.

In the illustrated embodiment, an atmospheric vent is coupled to the housing assembly at the outlet region. The atmospheric vent includes through holes defined in the housing assembly and a diaphragm for closing the through holes during fluid flow from the inlet region toward the outlet region. The hydrant includes a hose coupler located at the outlet region. The housing assembly includes a face plate for mounting to the dwelling wall.

The face plate defines a first opening for receiving a threaded coupler removably coupling the cartridge to the housing assembly, and a second opening for flow of fluid therethrough.

The tubular member defines an opening permitting fluid communication between the flow conduit and a circumferential region of the housing assembly through bore located between the housing assembly and the tubular member. A seal ring limits fluid flow from the circumferential region to the fluid flow line.

The tubular member has a solid wall. Alternatively, the tubular member has a slotted wall.

A method includes positioning a housing assembly of a hydrant such that an inlet region of the housing assembly extends within a dwelling and an outlet region of the housing assembly resides outside the dwelling where freezing temperatures may be encountered, removably coupling a cartridge assembly to the housing assembly at the housing assembly outlet region with an outlet of the cartridge assembly adjacent to the housing assembly outlet region, the cartridge assembly including a variable flow control device that in use is located within the dwelling, and removing the cartridge assembly from the housing assembly to permit servicing of the variable flow control device.

Advantages of the invention include a variable flow control device for a hydrant which is positionable within a building to limit exposure of the flow control device to freezing temperatures, which is actuatable between fully open and closed positions by only 1/4 turn of a handle, and is easily removable from the hydrant for service. The hydrant also advantageously incorporates a backflow prevention valve and an atmospheric vent.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompa- nying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the frost resistant hydrant, according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the hydrant with a variable flow control device rotated 90° (1/4 turn) relative to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a cartridge of the hydrant; Fig. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of an inlet region of the cartridge of Fig. 3; Figs. 4A and 4B are exploded, side views of the inlet region of Fig. 4, taken along lines 4A-4A and 4B-4B, respectively, of Fig. 4 ; Fig. 5 is an end view of the variable flow control device of the hydrant shown with the variable flow control device in a closed position; Figs. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional side views of the variable flow control device, taken along lines 5A-5A and 5B-5B, respectively, of Fig. 5, and showing an actuator coupler of the hydrant;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the variable flow control device of the hydrant shown with the variable flow control device in an open position; Figs. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional side views of the variable flow control device, taken along lines 6A-6A and 6B-6B, respectively, of Fig. 6, and showing the actuator coupler ; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a valve mount of the hydrant ; Fig. 8 is an end view of a check valve of the hydrant, taken along lines 8-8 of Fig. 2 ; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of a frost resistant hydrant; Fig. 9A is a cross-sectional side view of an inlet region of the hydrant of Fig. 9, taken along lines 9A-9A of Fig. 9; Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the hydrant with a variable flow control device rotated 90° (1/4 turn) relative to Fig. 9 ; Fig. lOA is a cross-sectional side view of the inlet region of the hydrant of Fig. 9, taken along lines lOA-lOA of Fig. 10; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of another alternative embodiment of a frost resistant hydrant; Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the hydrant with a variable flow control device rotated 90° (1/4 turn) relative to Fig. 11 ; Fig. 13 is an exploded, perspective view of an inlet region of a cartridge assembly of the hydrant of Fig. 11 ; and Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the cartridge assembly of Fig. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to Fig. 1, a frost resistant hydrant 10 of the invention includes a housing 12 defining a central through bore 14, an inlet region 16 that extends through a wall, W, to the inside of a dwelling, and an outlet region 18 for mounting to the wall at the outside of the dwelling. Hydrant 10 includes a check valve 20 permitting flow from the inlet region toward the outlet region while limiting back flow, an atmospheric vent 22 for dissipating negative fluid flow, and a variable flow control device 24 located in inlet region 16 at the inside of the dwelling to limit the possibility of freezing of device 24. The variable flow control device 24

is actuated by a 1/4-turn handle 26 to control the volume of fluid flow through the hydrant.

Device 24 is shown in an open, flow through position in Fig. 1, and a closed, flow limiting position in Fig. 2, as described further below.

The 1/4-turn handle 26 is coupled to device 24 by an actuating rod 28 and rod coupler 30. Referring also to Fige 3 device 24, handle 26, actuating rod 28 and rod coupler 30 are all mounted to a tubular member 32 to form a cartridge assembly 34. Cartridge assembly 34 is removably received within through bore 14 of housing 12, as described below, for ease of maintenance of device 24. Tubular member 32 has a solid wall 32a and defines a flow conduit 36 having an inlet 38 in fluid communication with inlet region 16 of housing 12, and an outlet 40 in fluid communication with outlet region 18 of housing 12.

Referring to Figs. 4-4B, tubular member 32 is mounted, e. g. , by soldering, to an end piece 50 defining a through hole 52 at inlet 38. Variable flow control device 24 is located in hole 52 of end piece 50. End piece 50 has a wall 54 with an inlet or upstream section 56 of decreased wall thickness relative to a downstream section 58 of end piece 50. Upstream section 56 extends into downstream section 58 to form two opposed notches 60 in downstream section 58.

Flow control device 24 includes a rotation disk 70 and a stationary seat 72. Disk 70 and seat 72 are sized to fit within downstream section 58 of end piece 50. Seat 72 includes two opposed extensions 74 which fit within notches 60 to limit rotation of seat 72 relative to end piece 50. Located within upstream section 56 of end piece 50 is a seal ring 76, formed, e. g. , of rubber, or other suitable material. Seal 76 defines a flow channel 78. Seal 76 acts to secure disk 70 and seat 72 within end piece 50, and provides a fluid tight seal to limit flow of fluid around an outside edge 80 of seat 72.

Seat 72 defines two triangular (or pie) shaped, fluid flow through holes 82. Disk 70 is butterfly (or hourglass) shaped such that two flow regions 84 are defined by disk 70. Rod coupler 30 has two coupler protrusions 86 which are each received in a slot 88 formed on a downstream facing side 90 of disk 70, such that rotation of actuator rod 28 and rod coupler 30 by movement of handle 26 causes rotation of disk 70. A 1/4 (90°) turn of handle 26 moves flow control device 24 between a fully open position (Fig. 1), in which holes 82 and flow regions 84 are aligned, to a fully closed position (Figs. 2 and 4), in which flow regions 84 are blocked by seat 72 to limit flow through variable flow control device 24. In Figs. 5-5B, flow

control device 24 is shown in a closed position with flow regions 84 blocked by seat 72, and in Figs. 6-6B, flow control device 24 is shown in an open position with flow regions 84 aligned with holes 82 in seat 72. The amount between 0 and 90 degrees that disk 70 is rotated relative to seat 72 determines the amount of flow through hydrant 10.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 7, mounted to the inlet end of housing 12 is a valve mount 110. Valve mount 110 has a wall 112 with four regions 114, 116, 118, 120 defining varying <BR> <BR> diameter through bores. Region 114 has an inner diameter, D1, of, e. g. , about 0. 88", sized<BR> relative to an outer diameter, dl, of housing 12 of, e. g. , about 0. 87", and a length, LI, of, e. g., about 0.75", such that valve mount 110 can be joined to housing 12 by, e. g., soldering.

Region 116 has an inner diameter, D2, of, e. g. , about 0.5", such that a lip 122 is defined between regions 114 and 116. Seal 38 rests against lip 122 limiting fluid flow around the outside of end piece 50. Region 118 has an inner diameter, D3, of, e. g. , about 0.59", such that a second lip 124 is defined between regions 116 and 118, and region 120 has an inner diameter, D4, of, e. g. , about 0.7", such that a third lip 126 is defined between region 118 and 120.

Check valve 20 includes a sleeve 130 defining a through bore 132. Sleeve 130 has a downstream end 134 which sits against lip 124 and an upstream ledge 136 that sits against lip 126. Referring to Fig. 2, located within bore 132 is a valve member 138 biased by a spring 140 toward the closed position of Fig. 2. Spring 140 rests against downstream end 134 of sleeve 130. Downstream end 134 defines flow passages 134a (Fig. 8). Sleeve 130 has a ledge 142 extending into bore 132 and valve 20 includes a seat 144 that sits against ledge 142. When closed, valve member 138 is pushed against seat 144 to limit back flow of fluid through the bore 132.

Region 120 of valve mount 110 is internally threaded at 150 (Fig. 7) to receive an externally threaded union nut 152 and tail piece 154. Tail piece 154 has an end flange 156 that is located between ledge 136 and union nut 152, with an o-ring seal 153 positioned between end flange 156 and ledge 136. Union nut 152 thus acts to secure tail piece 154 and sleeve 130 to valve mount 110. An inlet fluid line (not shown) can be sweated to tail piece 154.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, located at outlet region 18 of hydrant 10 is a face plate 170 including a neck portion 172 that is mounted to housing 12 by, e. g. , soldering, to form a

housing assembly. Face plate 170 includes a second portion 174 with a flange 176 for mounting of face plate 170 to a building wall, W (Fig. 2). Second portion 174 defines a flow chamber 178 for flow of fluid from flow conduit 36 to a hydrant outlet 180. Tubular member 32 defines openings 182 that permit fluid flow from conduit 36 to chamber 178.

Hydrant outlet 180 is formed by atmospheric vent 22. Vent 22 includes a hose coupler 183 having a first portion 184 that is threadedly mounted to face plate 170, and a second portionl 85 that includes external threads 186 for mounting of a hose (not shown) thereto. Secured between first portion 184 and face plate 170 is a diaphragm 188 formed from, e. g., rubber, or other suitable material. Vent 22 defines a through bore 190 for passage of fluid from hydrant 10 to a hose, and air holes 192 which communicate with atmosphere to limit the possible creation of a vacuum in hydrant 10. Diaphragm 188 defines a through hole 194 for passage of fluid therethrough. When fluid flows from inlet region 16 toward outlet region 18, diaphragm 188 is pushed against hose coupler 183, blocking air holes 192.

Diaphragm 188 is biased toward the air hole 192 open position of Fig. 2, such then when hydrant 10 is not in use, the interior of the hydrant is in communication with atmosphere through air holes 192.

Face plate 170 defines a threaded opening 200 which receives a cartridge coupler 202. Cartridge coupler 202 includes external threads 204 for threaded engagement with face plate threaded opening 200. Coupler 202 defines a passage 206. Rod extension 208, located within passage 206, is secured between rod 28 and handle 26 such that rotation of handle 26 causes rotation of rod 28. Rod extension 208 includes a lip 212. Coupler 202 has a first end 214 that fits within an end 210 of tubular member 32, and a second end 216 that abuts lip 212 and face plate 170. Coupler 202 is secured to rod extension 208 with a lock washer 218, with coupler 202 being free to rotate relative to rod extension 208 and tubular member 32.

Counter-clockwise rotation of coupler 202 acts to decouple coupler 202 from face plate 170 such that cartridge 34 can be removed from housing 12. Coupler 202 defines a circumferential groove 220 (Fig. 2), and connecting rod 208 defines two circumferential grooves 222,224. 0-ring seals 226,228, 230 are located within grooves 220,222, 224, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 1, face plate 170 defines a groove 232 that runs circumferentially over a 90 degree arc along an outer surface 234 of face plate 170. Extending from handle 26

into groove 232 is a guide member 240. Rotation of handle 26, and thus of disk 70, is limited to'4 turn by guide member 240 contacting end walls of groove 232.

In a preferred embodiment, housing 12 is formed from copper tubing, tubular member 32 is formed from plastic, actuating rod 28 is formed from brass, and cartridge coupler 202 is formed from stainless steel.

In use, when fluid flow through hydrant 10 is desired, the user turns handle 26 an amount corresponding to the desired flow volume. Turning handle 26 turns disk 70 relative to tubular member 32, which remains stationary, opening variable flow control device 24.

With device 24 open, the fluid pressure on the outlet side of valve 20 is less than the fluid pressure on the inlet side of valve 20. The differential pressure causes valve 22 to move to the valve open position of Fig. 1. Fluid is now free to flow through sleeve 130, seal 76, holes 82 in seat 72, flow regions 84 in disk 70, and through flow conduit 36. From conduit 36, fluid flows out of tubular member 32 through openings 182, through chamber 178 and through bore 190, and out hydrant outlet 180. Seal 76 limits flow of fluid from housing through bore 14 around end piece 50 at the interface between end piece 50 and valve mount 110 at lip 122. When variable flow control device 24 is closed, the pressure on the outlet and inlet sides of valve 20 is the same, and valve 20 closes, thus limiting back flow from the outlet region toward the inlet region.

The combination of atmospheric vent 22 at the hydrant outlet, and check valve 20 at the hydrant inlet, allows water to drain from conduit 36 via the outlet, such that retention of residual water in the hydrant, which can freeze and break the hydrant, is limited.

To service or replace variable flow control device 24, cartridge 34 is removed from hydrant 10 by turning coupler 202. Coupler 202, along with handle 26, rod extension 208, rod 28, tubular member 32, rod coupler 30, variable flow control device 24, seal 76, and end piece 50, can now be slid out of housing 12.

Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

For example, referring to Figs. 9 and 10, a frost resistant hydrant 310 includes a housing 312 defining a central through bore 314, an inlet region 316, and an outlet region 318. Hydrant 310 includes a variable flow control device 324 located in inlet region 316 at the inside of the dwelling to limit the possibility of freezing of device 324. The variable flow control device 324 is actuated by a turn handle 326. Device 324 is shown in an open, flow

through position in Figs. 10 and 10A, and a closed, flow limiting position in Figs. 11 and 1 lA.

The %-turn handle 326 is coupled to device 324 by an actuating rod 328. Device 324, handle 326 and actuating rod 328 are mounted to a tubular member 332 to form a cartridge assembly 334. Cartridge assembly 334 is removably received within through bore 314 of housing 312 for ease of maintenance of device 324. Tubular member 332 defines a flow conduit 336 having an inlet 338 in fluid communication with inlet region 316 of housing 312, and an outlet 340 in fluid communication with outlet region 318 of housing 312. Device 324 is located within an enlarged region 325 of tubular member 332.

Flow control device 324 includes a rotation disk 370 and a stationary seat 372.

Located next to seat 372 is a seal ring 376. Rod 328 has a protrusion 386 which is received in a slot 388 formed on a downstream facing side of disk 370, such that rotation of actuator rod 328 by movement of handle 326 causes rotation of disk 370. A 1/4 (90°) turn of handle 326 moves flow control device 324 between a fully open position (Fig. 9) and a fully closed position (Fig. 10). The handle can be limited to a 1/4 turn in a manner similar to that described above and below.

Mounted to the inlet end of housing 312 is a valve mount 410. Valve mount 410 is externally and internally threaded at inlet region 411 to provide options for coupling to a fluid flow line.

Referring particularly to Fig. 10, located at outlet region 318 of hydrant 310 is a face plate 470 including a neck portion 472 that is mounted to housing 312 by, for example, soldering, to form a housing assembly. Face plate 470 includes a flange 476 for mounting of face plate 470 to the building wall. Face plate 470 defines a flow chamber 478 for flow of fluid from flow conduit 336 to a downward oriented, hydrant outlet 480.

Face plate 470 defines a threaded opening 500, which receives a cartridge coupler 502. Cartridge coupler 502 includes external threads 504 for threaded engagement with face plate threaded opening 500. Coupler 502 defines a passage 506. Rod 328 extends through passage 506 to handle 326. Coupler 502 is secured to tubular member 332 by, for example, soldering. Coupler 502 defines openings 482 that permit fluid flow from conduit 336 to chamber 478. Counter-clockwise rotation of coupler 502 acts to decouple coupler 502 from

face plate 470 such that cartridge 334 can be removed from housing 312. An o-ring seal 526 is located between face plate 470 and coupler 502.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, a frost resistant hydrant 610 includes a housing 612 defining a central through bore 614, an inlet region 616, and an outlet region 618. Hydrant 610 includes a variable flow control device 624 located in inlet region 616 at the inside of the dwelling to limit the possibility of freezing of device 624. The variable flow control device 624 is actuated by a %-turn handle 626. Device 624 is shown in an open, flow through position in Fig. 11, and a closed, flow limiting position in Fig. 12.

The /4-turn handle 626 is coupled to device 624 by an actuating rod 628. Device 624, handle 626 and actuating rod 628 are mounted to a tubular member 632 to form a cartridge assembly 634. Cartridge assembly 634 is removably received within through bore 614 of housing 612 for ease of maintenance of device 624. Tubular member 632 defines a flow conduit 636 having an inlet 638 in fluid communication with inlet region 616 of housing 612, and an outlet 640 in fluid communication with outlet region 618 of housing 612. As shown in Fig. 13, tubular member 632 defines slots 632a, one slot on either side of tubular member 632, that extend along the length of tubular member 632 to within about 0. 75" of the ends of tubular member 632. Slots 632a permit fluid flow from conduit 636 to a flow chamber 778 (Fig. 11). Located around rod 628 within tubular member 632 is a spacer 634 that maintains rod 628 centered within tubular member 632. Device 624 is located within an enlarged <BR> <BR> region 625 of tubular member 632. Tubular member 632 can be formed, e. g. , by molding.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, flow control device 624 includes a rotation disk 670 and a stationary seat 672. Seat 672 includes two opposed extensions 674, which fit within notches 660 in tubular member 632 to limit rotation of seat 672 relative to tubular member 632. Located next to seat 672 is a seal ring 676 defining a flow channel 678. Seat 672 defines two triangular (or pie) shaped, fluid flow through holes 682. Disk 670 defines two flow regions 684. Rod 628 has a protrusion 686 which is received in a slot 688 formed on a downstream facing side 690 of disk 670, such that rotation of actuator rod 628 by movement of handle 626 causes rotation of disk 670. A'h (90°) turn of handle 626 moves flow control device 624 between a fully open position (Fig. 13), in which flow regions 684 are aligned with holes 682, and a fully closed position (Fig. 14), in which flow regions 684 are blocked by seat 672.

Referring particularly to Fig. 13, mounted to the inlet end of housing 612 is a valve mount 710. Valve mount 710 is internally and externally threaded at inlet region 711 to provide options for coupling to a fluid flow line. Located at outlet region 618 of hydrant 610 is a face plate 770 including a neck portion 772 that is mounted to housing 612 by, for example, soldering, to form a housing assembly 612a. Face plate 770 includes a flange 776 for mounting of face plate 770 to the building wall. Face plate 770 defines flow chamber 778 for flow of fluid from flow conduit 636 to a downward oriented, hydrant outlet 780.

Face plate 770 defines an opening 800 through which cartridge assembly 634 is received. Cartridge assembly 634 is coupled to face plate 770 by handle 626 and retainer 770a. Handle 626 defines an opening 802 that receives end 804 of rod 628. End 804 of rod 628 defines a threaded opening 806 that receives a fastener 808, e. g. , a threaded bolt, that removably couples cartridge assembly 634 to face plate 770. To remove cartridge assembly 634 from housing assembly 612a, fastener 808 and handle 626 are removed, permitting access to cartridge assembly 634. Fastener 808 couples rod 628 to handle 626 such that rotation of handle 626 causes rotation of rod 628. Located between 632 and face plate 770 is an o-ring seal 810 that limits fluid flow into the region of handle 626.

Handle 626 defines a groove 626a that runs circumferentially over a 90 degree arc.

Retainer 770a extends into groove 626a. Rotation of handle 626 is limited to 1/4 turn by reatiner 770a contacting end walls of groove 626a.