IP Library Granted Patent US 7,797,972
Granted Patent B2
US 7,797,972 · App. 11/746,014 · Granted Sep 21, 2010

Secure fire hydrant cap

Assignee: Flow Security Systems, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,797,972
App. No.
11/746,014
Granted
Sep 21, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A security device for engaging a threaded element includes an inner body configured to engage the threaded element and an outer body operatively coupled to the inner body. A pin is operatively coupled to the inner body and movable between an extended position and a retracted position such that the outer body moves relative to the inner body when the pin is disposed in the retracted position and the outer body and the inner body are operatively coupled for simultaneous movement when the pin is disposed in the extended position.

Claims (40)

1. A security device for a threaded element, the security device comprising:

an inner body configured to engage the threaded element;

a pin operatively engaging the inner body and movable between an extended position and a retracted position; wherein the pin is normally biased to the extended position,

a lock plug disposed in the securing device displacing the pin from its normal biased extended position to maintain the security device in a secured configuration, and

an outer body operatively coupled to the inner body,

wherein the outer body moves relative to the inner body when the pin is disposed in the retracted position and the outer body and the inner body are operatively coupled for simultaneous movement when the pin is disposed in the extended position.

2. The security device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the inner body includes a threaded portion complimentary to the threaded element.

3. The security device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the inner body includes an extension that operatively engages a bore defined as a portion of an inner surface of the outer body.

4. The security device as recited in claim 3 , wherein the inner body includes a slot defined in the extension that is configured to guide the pin as the pin is moved between the extended and retracted positions.

5. The security device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the pin engages an inner surface of the outer body until aligned in registration with a recess formed in the inner surface of the outer body such that the pin may be disposed in the extended position.

6. The security device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the pin includes a main body portion, a projection portion and an actuation portion.

7. The security device as recited in claim 6 , wherein the actuation portion is defined by an actuation surface, such that when fully engaged by the lock plug the pin is disposed in the retracted position.

8. The security device as recited in claim 6 , wherein the projection portion engages, when aligned in registration, a recess defined on an inner surface of the outer body when the pin is disposed in the extended position.

9. The security device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a fastener disposed between the inner and outer bodies to facilitate the operative coupling of the inner and outer bodies.

10. The security device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the outer body includes a recess defined on an inner surface.

11. A security device for a threaded element wherein the threaded element is a control device or a port for a fluid passageway, the security device comprising:

an inner body configured to engage the threaded element;

a pin operatively engaging the inner body and movable between an extended position and a retracted position wherein the pin is normally biased to the extended position,

a lock plug disposed in the securing device displacing the pin from its normal biased extended position to maintain the security device in a secured configuration, and

an outer body operatively coupled to the inner body,

wherein the outer body moves relative to the inner body when the pin is disposed in the retracted position and the outer body and the inner body are operatively coupled for simultaneous movement when the pin is disposed in the extended position.

12. A security device for a threaded element, the security device comprising:

an inner body configured to engage the threaded element;

a pin operatively engaging the inner body and movable between an extended position and a retracted position wherein the pin is normally biased to the extended position,

an outer body operatively coupled to the inner body; and

a locking structure adapted to operatively engage the outer body and the pin, the locking structure displacing the pin from its normal biased extended position to maintain the security device in a secured configuration

wherein the outer body moves relative to the inner body when the locking structure engages the pin so that the pin is disposed in the retracted position and the outer body and the inner body are operatively coupled for simultaneous movement when the locking structure does not engage the pin such that the pin is disposed in the extended position.

13. The security device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the locking structure is disposed in a bore formed in the outer body.

14. The security device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the locking structure is removable from the outer body.

15. The security device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the inner body includes a threaded portion complimentary to the threaded element.

16. The security device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the inner body includes an extension that operatively engages a bore defined as a portion of an inner surface of the outer body.

17. The security device as recited in claim 16 , wherein the inner body includes a slot defined in the extension that is configured to guide the pin as the pin is moved between the extended and retracted positions.

18. The security device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the pin engages an inner surface of the outer body until aligned in registration with a recess formed in the inner surface of the outer body such that the pin may be disposed in the extended position.

19. The security device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the pin includes a main body portion, a projection portion and an actuation portion.

20. The security device as recited in claim 19 , wherein the actuation portion is defined by an actuation surface, that when fully engaged by the locking structure disposes the pin in the retracted position.

21. The security device as recited in claim 19 , wherein the projection portion engages, when aligned in registration, a recess defined on an inner surface of the outer body when the pin is disposed in the extended position.

22. The security device as recited in claim 12 , further comprising a fastener disposed between the inner and outer bodies to facilitate the operative coupling of the inner and outer bodies.

23. The security device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the outer body includes a recess defined on an inner surface.

24. The security device of claim 7 wherein the lock plug is disposed in an extended position placing the security device in a secure position.

25. The security device of claim 20 wherein the locking structure is in an extended position placing the security device in a secure position.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2015
From: AMERICAN CAST IRON PIPE COMPANY; WATEROUS COMPANY
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 034817/0097 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2014
From: SPIN SECURE, LLC F/K/A FLOW SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
To: AMERICAN FLOW CONTROL, A DIVISION OF AMERICAN CAST IRON PIPE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 034507/0605 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2007
From: NICKEAS, MARK; NICKEAS, MARTIN
To: FLOW SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 019635/0775 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 1116487600 · Dec 8, 2005
Provisional Application 6063434000 · Dec 8, 2004
Related Publication 20080127688A1 · Jun 5, 2008