Frost-proof fire hydrant

In a fire hydrant including a vertical barrel defining a passage adapted for connection to a shoe;

• a bonnet having a thru aperture secured to the upper end of the barrel;
• a valve stem disposed in said barrel for reciprocating movement in said passage with one end of said stem extending through said aperture;
• and valve means connected to the other end of said stem for reciprocating movement therewith between an open position wherein said shoe communicates with said passage and a closed position wherein communication between said shoe and said passage is blocked, said valve means being arranged for movement to said open position by the fluid pressure in said shoe when upward movement of said stem is unblocked and to said closed position against the fluid pressure in said shoe upon downward movement of said stem;
• the improvement which comprises:
• a pin moveably secured to said bonnet;
• said stem having a hole for receiving said pin;
• a lever connected to said pin for moving said pin between a first position wherein said pin is in said hole when said valve is in said closed position and a second position wherein said pin is out of said hole, said bonnet having an additional aperture therein, one end of said lever extending through said additional aperture;
• means for biasing said pin to said first position and
• means disposed between said bonnet and said barrel for supporting the other end of said lever, said other end of said lever being pivotally secured to said supporting means.