Wet barrel fire hydrant flow preventer

1. A fluid flow prevention apparatus for a wet barrel fire hydrant, the hydrant being in communication with a pipe having a periphery defining a flow passageway therethrough, said fluid flow prevention apparatus comprising:

a non-hinged valve member for closing the flow passageway of the pipe, said valve member aligned axially with the flow passageway of the pipe and operably movable from an open to closed position upon damage to the hydrant; and

an adjustable damping member for controlling the rate of closing of said valve member, said adjustable damping member in communication with said valve member, wherein sudden closure of said valve member is prevented to reduce the effects of water hammer within the pipe;

wherein said adjustable damping member comprises an adjustable tubular body filled with viscous fluid;

wherein said valve member is a pressure sensitive cut off valve that is operably closed by water pressure; and

wherein said adjustable damping member is connected to said valve member by a tube member.

2. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said adjustable damping member comprises an adjustable spring.

3. A fluid flow prevention apparatus for a wet barrel fire hydrant, the hydrant being in communication with a pipe having a periphery defining a flow passageway therethrough, said fluid flow prevention apparatus comprising:

a non-hinged valve member for closing the flow passageway of the pipe, said valve member aligned axially with the flow passageway of the pipe and operably movable from an open to closed position upon damage to the hydrant;

an adjustable damping member for controlling the rate of closing of said valve member, said adjustable damping member in communication with said valve member, wherein sudden closure of said valve member is prevented to reduce the effects of water hammer within the pipe;

a tube member having first and second ends and a periphery defining a conduit therethrough, said tube member extending through said valve member with the first end of said tube member in fluid communication with the flow passageway of the pipe;

a holding member for maintaining said valve member in an open position during normal operation of the hydrant; and

a guide member for guiding said tube member into engagement with said holding member;

wherein said tube member allows reduced fluid flow from the flow passageway of the pipe when said valve member is closed and a signal stream of fluid is provided from said tube member for identifying the damaged hydrant;

wherein said holding member operably configured to release said valve member from the open position upon damage to the hydrant;

wherein said guide member is located downstream of said valve member and said adjustable damping member is positioned between said guide member and said valve member; and

wherein said guide member is an apertured plate through which said tube member extends.

4. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said adjustable damping member comprises an adjustable spring.

5. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said adjustable damping member comprises am adjustable tubular body filled with viscous fluid.

6. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said valve member is a pressure sensitive cut off valve that is operably closed by water pressure.

7. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said adjustable damping member is connected to said valve member by a tube member.

8. A fluid flow prevention apparatus for a wet barrel fire hydrant, the hydrant being in communication with a pipe having a periphery defining a flow passageway therethrough, said fluid flow prevention apparatus comprising:

a non-hinged valve member for closing the flow passageway of the pipe, said valve member aligned axially with the flow passageway of the pipe and operably movable from an open to closed position upon damage to the hydrant;

an adjustable damping member for controlling the rate of closing of said valve member, said adjustable damping member in communication with said valve member, wherein sudden closure of said valve member is prevented to reduce the effects of water hammer within the pipe;

a tube member having first and second ends and a periphery defining a conduit therethrough, said tube member extending through said valve member with the first end of said tube member in fluid communication with the flow passageway of the pipe;

a holding member for maintaining said valve member in an open position during normal operation of the hydrant; and

a guide member for guiding said tube member into engagement with said holding member;

wherein said tube member allows reduced fluid flow from the flow passageway of the pipe when said valve member is closed and a signal stream of fluid is provided from said tube member for identifying the damaged hydrant;

wherein said holding member operably configured to release said valve member from the open position upon damage to the hydrant;

wherein said guide member is located downstream of said valve member and said adjustable damping member is positioned between said guide member and said valve member; and

wherein said guide member is a bar extending across the flow passageway of the pipe.

9. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said adjustable damping member comprises an adjustable spring.

10. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said adjustable damping member comprises an adjustable tubular body filled with viscous fluid.

11. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said valve member is a pressure sensitive cut off valve that is operably closed by water pressure.

12. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said adjustable damping member is connected to said valve member by a tube member.