# US 10,480,680 B2 · Tamper resistant locking device for fire hydrant > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,680 B2 - Document ID: US10480680B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/235,520 - Filed: 2018-12-28 - Published: 2019-08-15 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-15 - Applicants: Jock Alston McCartney; John Alston McCartney; Curtis Onsager; Andrew Henninger - Inventors: Jock Alston McCartney; John Alston McCartney; Curtis Onsager; Andrew Henninger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480680B2 ## CPC - F16K 35/10: with locking caps or locking bars - E03B 9/06: Covers - E05B 65/006: {for covers or panels (for manholes E02D29/1427; for holes enabling access to installations in buildings E04F19/08; for pressure vessels F16J13/00)} - E05B 67/383: {Staples or the like for padlocks; Lock slings; Arrangements on locks to cooperate with padlocks} - E05B 73/00: Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices {(motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00)} - E05C 19/18: Portable devices specially adapted for securing wings ({E05C17/54, E05C19/003, E05B65/0894, E05B67/00 take precedence}; preventing operation of handles E05B13/00) - F16K 35/06: using a removable actuating or locking member, e.g. a key (F16K35/10, F16K35/12 take precedence) - F16K 27/12: Covers for housings - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - E03B: INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER (drilling wells, obtaining fluids in general from wells E21B; pipe-line systems in general F17D) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F) ## Abstract A tamper resistant locking device for securing fire hydrants. The device is simple to install, easy to remove by the fire department using securing fasteners commonly available. The locking device prevents unauthorized use of a fire hydrant. A collar assembly is dimensioned to encircle a barrel of a fire hydrant. A tab protrudes from ends of the collar assembly each having at least one slot. A retainer leg has an aperture dimensioned to receive an operating nut of the fire hydrant. A bottom end of the retainer leg is oriented to be received in the coaxially aligned slot of the collar assembly, such that the aperture prevents rotation of the operating nut. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fire hydrant locking device, comprising: a collar assembly, having a pair of arcuate arms pivotally disposed and dimensioned to encircle a barrel of a fire hydrant, a tab protruding from ends of the arcuate arms, the tab each having at least one slot that is coaxially aligned with the collar assembly in a closed position; and a retainer leg having an aperture defined in a top end thereof, the aperture having a geometry that is dimensioned to receive a corresponding geometry of an operating nut of the fire hydrant, a bottom end substantially orthogonal to the top end, such that with the aperture secured to the operating nut of the fire hydrant, the bottom end is oriented to be received in the at least one coaxially aligned slot of the collar assembly, wherein the aperture geometry engages with the corresponding geometry of the operating nut to prevent rotation of the operating nut. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fire hydrant locking device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one locking aperture defined in the bottom end of the retainer leg, the at least one locking aperture positioned to receive a securing fastener subjacent to the collar assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fire hydrant locking device of claim 2, wherein the at least one locking aperture comprises a plurality of locking apertures defined in a spaced apart relation along the bottom end of the retainer leg. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fire hydrant locking device of claim 3, the retainer leg further comprising: an intermediate section having one or more bends to provide a lateral clearance from the operating nut and a side of the fire hydrant barrel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fire hydrant locking device of claim 4, further comprising: a hole defined in each of the arcuate arms, such that in the closed position the hole is coaxially aligned to receive a fastener to secure the collar assembly about the barrel of the fire hydrant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The fire hydrant locking device of claim 4, further comprising: a protective cap attached to a top end of the retainer leg, the protective cap dimensioned to receive the operating nut therein. ### Claim 7 A method of securing an operating nut of a fire hydrant, comprising: applying a collar assembly about a barrel of the fire hydrant, the collar assembly comprising pivotally disposed arcuate arms dimensioned to encircle the barrel of the fire hydrant; and applying a retainer leg between the operating nut and the collar assembly, wherein a top end of the retainer leg has a locking aperture dimensioned to receive the operating nut and a bottom end of the retainer leg is received in a slot defined in an end tab of the arcuate arms. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: applying a securing fastener in a locking aperture defined in the bottom end of the retainer leg, wherein the locking aperture is subjacent to the collar with the retainer leg applied to the operating nut. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising: applying a fastener to secure the arcuate arms in a closed position about the barrel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the collar is applied beneath a cap of the fire hydrant. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the collar is applied below one or more distribution nozzles of the fire hydrant.