BREAK-AWAY BOLT
A double-sided break-away bolt including a precision weakened area enabling the bolt to break into two or more sections upon predefined conditions is provided. The break-away bolt is adapted to connect a fire hydrant to a check valve with the weakened portion generally positioned at the junction between the hydrant and the valve. A force applied to the fire hydrant in a direction generally perpendicular to the break-away bolt (e.g., by a car colliding with the hydrant) may cause the break-away bolt to break at the weakened area. This in return facilitates the separation of the hydrant from the check valve allowing the check valve to close. The break-away bolt also includes a gripping element that becomes exposed upon the breaking of the bolt to facilitate the removal of the bolt from the check valve for replacement.
1 . A break-away bolt comprising:
an elongate member with a circumference and a first end and a second end, the elongate member including a first attachment portion towards the first end and adapted to attach the elongate member to a first item, a second attachment portion towards the second end and adapted to attach the elongate member to a second item, and a shearing location between the first and second attachment portions adapted to break upon predefined conditions;
a gripping element coupled about at least a portion of the circumference between the first and second attachment portions.
2 . The break-away bolt of claim 1 wherein the predefined conditions include an external force being applied to the first item.
3 . The break-away bolt of claim 1 wherein the shearing location includes a weakened section.
4 . The break-away bolt of claim 1 wherein the shearing location is between the gripping element and the second attachment portion.
5 . The break-away bolt of claim 1 wherein the gripping element includes a hex section.
6 . The break-away bolt of claim 1 wherein the elongate member includes a stop coupled to at least a portion of the outer circumference.
7 . The break-away bolt of claim 6 wherein the stop includes a ring.
8 . The break-away bolt of claim 6 wherein the stop is between the first attachment portion and the gripping element.
9 . The break-away bolt of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first attachment portion includes a hollow portion.
10 . The break-away bolt of claim 8 wherein the hollow portion extends from the first end towards the shearing location.
11 . The break-away bolt of claim 1 wherein the first attachment portion and/or the second attachment portion includes outer threads.