Accident prevention system for machines having one or more movable components

In a safety locking system for preventing access to a movable component of a machine during operation thereof, said machine having a cover arranged to assume an open position to permit access to said movable component and a closed position to block access to said movable component;

• the combination comprising
• (a) latching means cooperating with said cover and arranged to assume a latching position preventing said cover from being moved from said closed position to said open position and an unlatching position allowing said cover to be moved from said closed position to said open position;
• (b) an electrically energizable actuating element operatively connected with said latching means for setting said latching means from said latching position to said unlatching position upon energization of said actuating element;
• (c) an electric energizing circuit connected to said actuating element;
• said circuit including in series
• (1) a voltage source;
• (2) a first circuit breaker forming part of a relay and having an open position as long as said relay is energized and a closed position as long as said relay is de-energized;
• (3) an arbitrarily operable, normally open second circuit breaker;
• and
• (d) motion detecting means operatively connected with said movable component;
• said motion detecting means having an output connected to said relay for maintaining said relay energized as long as said movable component is in motion and for maintaining said relay de-energized as long as said movable component is at a standstill, whereby said latching means is set into said unlatching position solely during standstill of said movable component and a simultaneous closing of said arbitrarily operable, normally open second circuit breaker.