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US 5,287,874 AGranted
Anti-use cap for exterior water faucet and method of using
OwnerTheresa J. Dixon, Michael R. Fallsinventors
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OwnerTheresa J. Dixon, Michael R. Fallsinventors
Estimating the term…
The disclosed cap has an elongated body with screw threads formed on one end, and an interior cavity extended axially away from the threads toward the other end. The cavity is defined in part by a generally transverse face disposed radially in from the threads and an elongated smaller closed end bore extended axially from the transverse face. The threads and face would be sized to correspond to the threads and transverse face on a packing nut used on an exterior water faucet, and the bore would be sized with sufficient diameter and length to fit with clearance over the faucet stem. The cap would preclude unauthorized use of the faucet by replacing the faucet packing nut with it, which then would overlie the stem and preclude opening or closing actuation of the faucet.
For use with an exterior water faucet having a hollow housing and valving operated by a rotatable stem for allowing and stopping water flow to an outlet spigot, packing precluding leakage between the stem and housing and a packing nut cooperating with housing threads for holding the packing in place, and a handle releasably keyed to the stem for allowing manual stem actuation, apparatus for precluding unauthorized faucet useage, comprising the combination of
A method of precluding unauthorized use of an exterior water faucet having a rotatable stem for controlling water flow from an outlet spigot, packing precluding leakage between the stem and faucet housing and a packing nut cooperating with faucet housing threads for holding the packing in place, and a handle keyed to the stem for allowing manual stem actuation, comprising the steps of turning the stem to the faucet closed position, removing the handle and packing nut from the faucet, and threading a cap to the housing packing nut threads, the cap having an axially elongated body that then overlies and covers the stem and precludes access thereto, operable to prevent opening or closing actuation of the faucet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.