Locking device for valves

A locking device for use on a valve including a body and a handle on the body rotatable to first and second positions, the locking device comprising:

• a) a first body half;
• b) a second body half;
• c) a hinge pivotally connecting the first body half to the second body half such that the locking device is positionable in open and closed positions, the first and second body halves defining an interior chamber in the closed position;
• d) locking means on the first and second body halves for retaining the locking device in the closed position, the locking means being automatically actuated by positioning the locking device in the closed position;
• e) a body opening formed through each of the first and second body halves, the body openings being sized to receive the valve body in the closed position;
• f) a first handle opening formed in at least one of the first and second body halves, the first handle opening being sized to (i) receive the valve handle, and (ii) substantially prevent the handle from being rotated, in the first position of the handle, when the locking device is in the closed position;
• and
• g) a second handle opening formed in each of the first and second body halves substantially transverse to the first handle opening, the second handle opening being sized to (i) receive the valve handle, and (ii) substantially prevent the handle from being rotated, in the second position of the handle, when the locking device is in the closed position;
• h) wherein the chamber is sized such that the handle extends through the first and second handle openings exteriorly of the first and second body halves in the closed position.

A locking device for use on a valve including a body and a handle on the body rotatable to first and second positions, the locking device comprising:

• a) a first body half including a front face, a rear face opposite the rear face, a side face connecting the front face and the rear face, a top face and a bottom face;
• b) a second body half including a front face, a rear face opposite the front face, a side face connecting the front face and the rear face, and a top face;
• c) a hinge pivotally connecting the first body half to the second body half such that the locking device is positionable in open and closed positions, the first and second body halves defining an interior chamber in the closed position;
• d) a body opening formed through the front and rear faces of each of the first and second body halves, the body opening being sized to receive the valve body in the closed position;
• e) a first handle opening formed through the front and rear faces of at least one of the first and second body halves, the first handle opening being sized to (i) receive the valve handle, and (ii) substantially prevent the handle from being rotated, in the first position of the handle, when the locking device is in the closed position;
• and
• f) a second handle opening formed through the side faces of each of the first and second body halves, the second handle opening being sized to (i) receive the valve handle, and (ii) substantially prevent the handle from being rotated, in the second position of the handle, when the locking device is in the closed position;
• g) wherein the chamber is sized such that the handle extends exteriorly through the first and second handle openings in the closed position.

In combination:

• a) a valve, comprising:
• i) a body;
• and
• ii) a handle on the body, the handle being rotatable to first and second positions;
• and
• b) a locking device, comprising:
• i) a first body half;
• ii) a second body half;
• iii) a hinge pivotally connecting the first body half to the second body half such that the locking device is positionable in open and closed positions, the first and the second body halves defining an interior chamber in the closed position;
• iv) a body opening formed in each of the first and second body halves, the body opening being sized to receive the valve body in the closed position;
• v) a first handle opening formed in at least one of the first and second body halves, the first handle opening being sized to (i) receive the valve handle, and (ii) substantially prevent the handle from being rotated, in the first position of the handle, when the locking device is in the closed position;
• and
• vi) a second handle opening formed in each of the first and second body halves substantially transverse to the first handle opening, the second handle opening being sized to (i) receive the valve handle, and (ii) substantially prevent the handle from being rotated, in the second position of the handle, when the locking device is in the closed position;
• vii) wherein the chamber is sized such that the handle extends through the first and second handle openings exteriorly of the walls of the first and second body halves in the closed position.