U.S. patent application number 10/086326 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-04 for ball valve lockout.
Invention is credited to Davis, Chris, Fuller, Robert.
Application Number | 20030164011 10/086326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27803773 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030164011 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fuller, Robert ; et
al. |
September 4, 2003 |
BALL VALVE LOCKOUT
Abstract
A valve lock for securing the handle of a pipe. The valve lock
includes a first housing having first and second contact points for
engaging the pipe and a retention chamber that receives the handle.
The first housing is in a final position to prevent rotation of the
handle when the retention chamber receives the handle and the first
and second contact points are seated against the pipe. A second
housing has a third contact point for engaging the pipe and a lock
member for disposition relative to the first housing when the first
housing is in the final position and the third contact point is
seated against the pipe. The lock member receives the shackle of a
padlock to secure the lock member to the first housing.
Inventors: |
Fuller, Robert; (West Bend,
WI) ; Davis, Chris; (West Bend, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.
34th Floor
500 West Madison Street
Chicago
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
27803773 |
Appl. No.: |
10/086326 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/177 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 70/5739 20150401;
F16K 35/10 20130101; Y10T 70/5624 20150401; Y10T 70/5779 20150401;
Y10T 137/7256 20150401; Y10T 70/5628 20150401; Y10T 70/5637
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
70/177 |
International
Class: |
F16K 035/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A valve lock for locking a pipe valve connected to a pipe, said
pipe valve having a longitudinally extending handle rotatable
relative to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, the handle being
rotatable to occupy a position orthogonal to the axis of the pipe,
said valve lock comprising: a first housing having i. first and
second contact points for seating against the pipe; and ii. a
retention chamber, said retention chamber shaped for receiving the
handle, said first housing occupying a final position for
preventing the handle from being rotated to operate the valve, said
final position defined by said first housing being disposed such
that (1) said retention chamber receives the handle when the handle
is disposed orthogonal to the axis of the pipe, and (2) said first
and second contact points are seated against the pipe; a second
housing having i. a third contact point for seating against the
pipe; and ii. a lock member for disposition relative to said first
housing when (1) said first housing is in said final position and
(2) said third contact point is seated against the pipe, and
wherein said lock member having a structure for cooperating with
the shackle of a padlock for securing said lock member to said
first housing.
2. The valve lock of claim 1, wherein said first and second
housings have apertures being aligned when said lock member is
disposed relative to said first housing occupying said final
position, said apertures receiving the shackle of the padlock to
secure said lock member to said first housing.
3. The valve lock of claim 1, wherein said second housing has gaps
and said first housing has apertures, said gaps and said apertures
being aligned when said lock member is disposed relative to said
first housing occupying said final position, said apertures and
gaps receiving the shackle of the padlock to secure said lock
member to said first housing.
4. The valve lock of claim 1, wherein said first and second
housings each include at least one securing leg configured to bear
against the pipe opposite each other and prevent the handle from
being rotated.
5. The valve lock of claim 1, wherein said first housing includes a
locking channel extending from said retention chamber receiving
said lock member and configured to be secured to said lock member
by the shackle of the padlock.
6. The valve lock of claim 1, wherein said second housing includes
a second retention chamber with an open end receiving the handle,
said first retention chamber of said first housing receiving said
second retention chamber and the handle.
7. The valve lock of claim 1, wherein said first housing includes a
locking channel extending from said retention chamber, said second
housing includes a second retention chamber with an open end
receiving the handle, said first retention chamber receiving said
second retention chamber and the handle and said locking channel
receiving said lock member.
8. The valve lock of claim 1, wherein said first and second contact
points are separated by a predetermined distance and seated against
the pipe on opposite sides of the handle, said contact points
bearing against the pipe to prevent the handle from being rotated
when the handle is received in said first housing in said final
position.
9. The valve lock of claim 2, wherein said lock member has a
plurality of apertures for alignment in order to receive the
shackle of a padlock for securing said lock member to said first
housing.
10. A valve lock for locking a pipe valve connected to a pipe, said
pipe valve having a longitudinally extending handle relative to the
longitudinal axis of the pipe, the handle being rotatable to occupy
a position orthogonal or parallel to the axis of the pipe, said
valve lock comprising: a first housing having i. securing legs for
seating against the pipe, and ii. a retention chamber, said
retention chamber shaped for receiving the handle, said first
housing occupying a final position for preventing the handle from
being rotated to operate the valve, said final position defined by
said first housing being disposed such that (1) said retention
chamber receives the handle, and (2) said securing legs are seated
against the pipe; a second housing having i. at least one securing
leg for seating against the pipe; and ii. a lock member for
disposition relative to said first housing when (1) said first
housing is in said final position and (2) said securing leg of said
second housing is seated against the pipe, and wherein said lock
member having a structure for cooperating with the shackle of a
padlock for securing said lock member to said first housing.
11. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein said first housing occupies
said final position when said retention chamber receives the handle
disposed orthogonal to the axis of the pipe with said securing legs
of said first housing bearing against the pipe opposite said
securing leg of said second housing.
12. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein said first housing occupies
said final position when said retention chamber receives the handle
disposed parallel to the axis of the pipe with said securing legs
of said first housing straddling the pipe.
13. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein wherein said first and
second housings have apertures being aligned when said lock member
is disposed relative to said first housing occupying said final
position, said apertures receiving the shackle of the padlock to
secure said lock member to said first housing.
14. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein said second housing has
gaps and said first housing has apertures, said gaps and said
apertures being aligned when said lock member is disposed relative
to said first housing occupying said final position, said apertures
and gaps receiving the shackle of the padlock to secure said lock
member to said first housing.
15. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein said first housing includes
a locking channel extending from said retention chamber receiving
said lock member and configured to be secured to said lock member
by the shackle of the padlock.
16. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein said second housing
includes a second retention chamber with an open end receiving the
handle, said first retention chamber of said first housing
receiving said second retention chamber and the handle.
17. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein said first housing includes
a locking channel extending from said retention chamber, said
second housing includes a second retention chamber with an open end
receiving the handle, said first retention chamber receiving said
second retention chamber and the handle and said locking channel
receiving said lock member.
18. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein said securing legs of said
first housing are separated by a predetermined distance and seated
against the pipe on opposite sides of the handle when the handle is
orthogonal to the axis of the pipe, said securing legs bearing
against the pipe to prevent the handle from being rotated when the
handle is received in said first housing in said final
position.
19. The valve lock of claim 10, wherein said lock member has a
plurality of apertures for alignment in order to receive the
shackle of a padlock for securing said lock member to said first
housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a locking device
for securing a rotatable handle. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a pipe valve lockout assembly for securing a
ball valve handle in a closed or open position relative to the pipe
containing the valve.
[0004] Pipes that convey liquid or gas generally include valve
systems that allow an operator to block or open the passageway
through the pipe. A ball valve is situated in the passageway of the
pipe and may be adjusted to block the passageway by rotating a
valve handle to a position perpendicular to the pipe.
Alternatively, the ball valve may be adjusted to open the
passageway by rotating the valve handle to a position parallel and
alongside the pipe. Often the valve handle needs to be secured in
the open or closed position by a valve lockout assembly to ensure
the safety of those working on the pipe or on equipment connected
to the pipe. For example, the valve lockout assembly prevents
accidental opening of the pipe while maintenance is being performed
on the pipe.
[0005] A valve lockout assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,003,797 issued to Wirth that includes a housing and securing leg.
The housing includes a chamber having an entrance for receiving a
valve handle in the closed position so that the valve handle is
positioned within the chamber and at an angle to a side wall of the
chamber. The housing is then rotated so that the valve handle is
flush with the side wall allowing a securing leg of the housing to
engages the pipe. A padlock shackle is then positioned through a
pair of the aligned apertures in the housing to secure the valve
handle in the closed position.
[0006] However, such a lockout assembly may not be used to secure a
valve handle in the open position where the valve handle is
parallel to the pipe. In addition, the assembly is susceptible to
being loosened because the tension holding the assembly about the
valve handle is generated mainly from the resistance of the bearing
surface against one side of the pipe wall. The bearing surface
engages only a small surface area of the pipe wall, therefore, the
securing leg may become disengaged from the pipe wall and leave the
valve handle unsecured.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved valve lockout device.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide for
a valve lockout assembly that is compatible with a valve handle in
the open position or in the closed position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] These and other objects of the invention are achieved in a
valve lock for locking a pipe valve in either its open or its
closed position. A typical pipe valve has a longitudinally
extending handle which is rotatable relative to the axis of the
pipe containing the valve. The valve occupies a closed position
when the handle is at a position orthogonal to the axis of the
pipe, and occupies an open position when the handle is at a
position parallel to the axis of the pipe. The valve lock includes
a pair of mateable housings having contact points for seating
against the pipe and a retention chamber shaped for receiving the
handle and preventing its movement, The housings have a lock
structure which receives the shackle of a padlock for securing the
two housings in their mated position about the pipe to restrain
movement of the valve handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a valve
lockout assembly of the present invention, showing a pair of
housings of the lockout assembly positioned relative to the valve
handle.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the housings of FIG. 1
positioned relative to the valve handle.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the valve lockout assembly of
FIG. 1 which is secured to a valve handle.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one of the housings of FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the housing of FIG. 4.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the other housing of FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the housing of FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the housing of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a valve lockout assembly 10 is
secured about a valve handle 14 relative to a cylindrical pipe 16.
Valve handle 14 is generally planar in shape, and is connected to a
valve (not shown) which is disposed within pipe 16. The valve is
closed by rotating handle 14 to block a passageway 18 extending
through pipe 16. Handle 14 occupies a "closed" position when the
longitudinal axis 15 of the handle is disposed orthogonal to the
longitudinal axis 17 of the pipe, as shown in FIG. 3.
Alternatively, the valve is adjusted to open passageway 18 by
rotating valve handle 14 counterclockwise in the direction of arrow
B. Handle 14 occupies an "open" position when the longitudinal axis
15 of the handle is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis 17
of the pipe.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, lockout assembly 10 is constructed from
two separate housings 22, 24, which are manually moved together to
mate about handle 14. When handle 14 is in its "closed" position,
as shown in FIG. 1, housing 22 is slid in the direction of arrow C
to enclose the top of handle 14, as shown in FIG. 2. Next, housing
24 is slid in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 2) mating with housing
22 and enclosing handle 14. Thus, housings 22, 24 are secured about
the valve handle, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 4, housing 22 includes a base 31 and a
laterally extending U-shaped member 29. U-shaped member 29 forms a
retention chamber 30 for slidingly receiving handle 14. Housing 22
also includes a pair of V-shaped securing legs 32 which are spaced
apart and connected by base 31. Each leg 32 includes a pair of
bearing surfaces 58 formed along the substantial length of each leg
for making contact against pipe 16. As seen in FIG. 6, the four
bearing surfaces 58 are planarly disposed for contact with pipe 16
or, depending upon the particular valve, for making contact with
the outer surface of the valve unit 63 (FIG. 1) which houses the
valve.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 7, housing 24 includes a base 33 having a
retention chamber 34 for slidingly receiving both U-shaped member
29 of housing 22 and handle 14. Housing 24 also includes a pair of
V-shaped securing legs 35 which are spaced apart and connected by
base 33. Each leg 35 includes a pair of bearing surfaces 59 formed
along the substantial length of the leg for making contact against
pipe 16, or against valve unit 63 (depending on the type and size
of valve 63 and the particular spacing between legs 35). As seen in
FIG. 9, the four bearing surfaces 59 are planarly disposed for
contact with pipe 16 or valve unit 63.
[0023] Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 6, base 31 includes two
L-shaped front contact walls 52 that extends between a top surface
64 and a bottom surface 54 of base 31. Front contact walls 52
engage and resist housing 24 when the two housings are mated in a
final position about the valve handle as shown in FIG. 3.
[0024] Retention chamber 30 is defined by a pair of rectangular
side wall members 36 disposed perpendicular to, and formed integral
with, a top wall member 38. Sidewall members 36 and top wall member
38 extend laterally and perpendicularly from front contact walls 52
of base 31. When housing 22 is positioned on to valve handle 14,
top wall member 38 slides along the top surface of valve handle 14,
and side wall members 36 slidingly engage and enclose valve handle
14.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, a lock member 28 extends upwardly and
perpendicularly from the top surface of top wall member 38. Lock
member 28 is centrally located, and extends the length of top wall
member 38. Lock member 28 includes a plurality of apertures 44
which are circular in shape. Alternatively, apertures 44 may be
non-circular in shape, as for example, having a half circle or less
than a circle of cross-sectional area, referred to herein as gaps.
Six separate apertures 44 are shown in FIG. 4, but more or less may
be used.
[0026] Lock member 28 and U-shaped member 29 are received by and
retained in retention chamber 34 of housing 24 (FIG. 7) as housing
24 is positioned about the valve handle 14 in a final position. As
shown in FIG. 7, a U-shaped channel member 87 is centrally disposed
on base 33. Member 87 includes a chamber 88 of a size to receive
lock member 28 of housing 22. Channel member 87 includes a
plurality of apertures 96 (four shown) disposed on each side of
chamber 88. The four apertures 96 on one side of chamber 88 are
aligned with four apertures 96 on the other side of chamber 88.
Apertures 96 are circular in shape and are the same size as
apertures 44 of lock member 28. More or less than four apertures 96
may be used on each side of chamber 88. A pair of aligned apertures
96 are disposed in alignment with one aperture 44 when the housings
are mated in a lock position. When the housings are so mated in the
lock position, the shackle of a padlock (not shown) is positioned
through the two aligned apertures 96 and one aligned aperture 44 to
secure and maintain the housings in a locked position. The
apertures 44 are spaced closer to one another than the spacing
between apertures 96. This allows for the lockout assembly to be
used with various diameters of pipes and valve units.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, securing legs 32 are formed integral
with, and extend downward from, the base 31 of housing 22. When
housing 22 is positioned about pipe 16 and the valve handle 14
(FIG. 3), with the valve handle 14 in its closed position
orthogonal to pipe 16, the contact surfaces 58 engage, and are
resisted by, pipe 16. When housing 24 (FIG. 7) engages and receives
housing 22 in the final position, the contact surfaces 59 of the
housing 24 engage and are resisted by pipe 16. The valve lockout
assembly 10 is thus retained securely around valve handle 14,
preventing manual movement of the valve handle.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, securing legs 32 also include a
pair of inside walls 62 that are parallel to each other and extend
to the distal end 71 of the legs. A pair of support walls 66 extend
upwardly from the top of inside walls 62 at an angle to the inside
walls, and meet a bottom portion 101. When the lockout assembly is
used to secure the base handle in its open position, support walls
66 are positioned on pipe 16 such that inside walls 62 straddle
pipe 16. The lockout assembly 10 is thus positioned ninety degrees
counterclockwise from its position shown in FIG. 3.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the top wall member 38 extends to a rear
wall 68. Rounded recesses 72 are formed between lock member 28 and
a pair of inner walls 56. Recesses 72 receive and retain locking
chamber 87 (FIG. 7) of housing 24 when the housings are mated into
the final position.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 7, chamber 34 is formed in housing 24 by a
pair of side walls 86 extending between a top wall 84 and a
U-shaped bottom wall 100. Retention chamber 34 is connected to
chamber 88 which is defined by two rectangular side walls 92 that
extend up from top wall 84 to a rectangular top wall 94.
[0031] Retention chamber 34 receives the valve handle and the
U-shaped member 29, and chamber 88 receives the lock member 28
(FIG. 4). The top wall 84 of retention chamber 34 is slid along the
top wall 38 of the U-shaped member 29 as the side walls 86 and 36
likewise slidably engage each other. The side walls 92 of the
locking channel 87 slide on the top wall 38 and into the recesses
72 (FIG. 5) with the lock member 28 sliding between the side walls
92 in the locking channel 88. The valve handle 14, U-shaped member
29 and lock member 28 extend completely through retention chamber
34 as shown in FIG. 3. When housings 22, 24 are in the final
position, as shown in FIG. 3, a single aperture 44 of lock member
28 is aligned with a pair of aligned apertures 96 of channel 87.
The valve lockout assembly 10 is maintained in the final position
by securing the padlock shackle through aligned apertures 44, 96.
The mating of housings 22, 24 occur in the same manner whether the
valve handle is locked in open position or the closed position.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 8, front contact walls 82 engage and resist
the front contact walls 52 (FIG. 4) of housing 22 when the housings
22, 24 are in the final position about the valve handle.
[0033] Returning to FIG. 7, the securing legs 35 of the housing 24
are formed integral with, and extend downward from base 33.
Securing legs 35 are separated by a predetermined distance in order
to engage pipe 16. When the housing 24 is positioned to receive
U-shaped member 29 and valve handle 14, the contact surfaces 59
engage and are resisted by the pipe 16. With each securing leg 32
engaging the pipe at a contact point on either side of the valve
handle 14, the valve handle 14 is prevented from being rotated.
[0034] The securing legs 35 include inside walls 104 that face each
other and extend downward from a bottom portion 100 (FIG. 8).
Bottom portion 100 is buttressed by, and formed integral with, two
support walls 102 that extend upwardly at an angle from the inside
walls 104. Support walls 102 and inside walls 104 straddle pipe 16
(FIG. 3) when the valve lockout assembly 10 is used to secure the
valve handle 14 in the open position.
[0035] Returning to FIG. 3, the padlock prevents the housing from
becoming disengaged and thus maintains the securing legs 32, 35
bearing against pipe 16. The valve lockout assembly confers several
benefits. First, the valve lockout assembly may be used to secure a
valve handle that is either orthogonal or parallel to the pipe.
Thus, the ball valve may be secured in either the closed or open
position depending on the needs of the user. Secondly, the valve
lockout assembly securely holds the valve handle and prevents any
rotation of the valve handle because the securing legs of the
housings bear against the pipe opposite each other to resist
movement of the housings. Finally, the multiple apertures and their
spacing on the valve lockout assembly allow the adjustment of the
lockout assembly with respect to different diameters of pipes and
valve units.
[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various modifications in form and detail may be made
therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. Accordingly, modifications such as those suggested
above, but not limited thereto, are to be considered within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *