# US 6,718,804 B1 · Valve lockout device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,718,804 B1 - Document ID: US6718804B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/853,275 - Filed: 2001-05-11 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 2000-05-12 - Assignees: Innovative Fluid Technology, LLC - Inventors: Jay L. Graves; Jay P. Tilley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6718804B1 ## CPC - F16K 27/12: Covers for housings - F16K 35/10: with locking caps or locking bars - Y10T 70/5624: Externally mounted locking device - Y10T 70/5628: Valve encasing - Y10T 137/8225: Position or extent of motion indicator - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A lockout device (20, 120, 220) for locking a valve (22, 122, 222) into its closed position. In a first embodiment, a lockout device (20) is adapted for use with a valve (22) having a lever-type handle (24) and a valve body (28). Accordingly, the first embodiment includes a generally cup-shaped member (36) having an elongate close-ended slot (46) for receiving the lever-type handle. In a second embodiment, a lockout device (120) is adapted for use with a valve (122) that includes a handle (124) having raised indicia (174) on its upper surface (176). Accordingly, the second embodiment includes a generally cup-shaped member (136) that includes an end wall (140) having a recess (182) for receiving the raised indicia only when the valve is in its fully-closed position. A third embodiment of a lockout device (220) comprises a base (272) and a locking member (274) telescopically engaging the base. The locking member may alternately be positioned in a retracted, unlocked position and an extended, locked position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lockout device for a valve that includes a body and a handle having a surface and raised indicia located on, and extending away from, the surface, comprising: a. a member having a sidewall and an end wall, said sidewall and said end wall defining a space for receiving at least a portion of the handle and at least a portion of the body; and b. means for receiving the raised indicia, and not the handle, only when the handle is oriented properly with respect to the lockout device when the device is engaged with the valve, said means being located on said member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A lockout device according to claim 1, wherein said end wall has an inner surface and said means for receiving only the raised indicia comprises a channel located at said inner surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A lockout device according to claim 1, wherein the handle has a thickness at a location other than at the raised indicia, said sidewall further including at least one aperture spaced from said inner surface of said end wall by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the handle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A lockout device according to claim 1, wherein the lockout device may be locked to the valve using a stop, said sidewall further comprises at least one aperture for receiving the stop and located such that when the lockout device is fully engaged with the valve except for the indicia being received in the means for receiving only the raised indicia, a portion of the valve prevents the stop from being properly engaged with said aperture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A lockout device according to claim 4, wherein said sidewall includes two apertures for receiving the stop simultaneously therethrough only when the lockout device is fully seated on the valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A lockout device according to claim 1, wherein the valve body has at least one edge parallel to said longitudinal axis when the lockout device is properly seated on the valve and said sidewall has an inner surface, the lockout device further comprising at least one groove parallel to said longitudinal axis for receiving the edge of the valve body when the lockout device is properly seated on the valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A lockout device according to claim 1, wherein a pipe is attached to the valve body and said sidewall further includes at least one notch for receiving the pipe when the lockout device is properly seated on the valve. ### Claim 8 A lockout device for a valve having a handle and a valve body and capable of being secured to the valve with a stop, comprising: a. a member defining a space for receiving at least a portion of the valve and a first means for receiving the stop; and b. second means for causing a portion of the valve to block the complete engagement of the stop with said first means by interference between the stop and the valve handle only when the handle of the valve is not properly oriented with respect to the lockout device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A lockout device according to claim 8, wherein the handle has a first surface located opposite the valve body and includes raised indicia, said member including an end wall having a second surface located immediately adjacent the first surface of the handle when the lockout device is oriented properly on the valve, said second means including a recess in said second surface configured for receiving the raised indicia, and not the handle, when the lockout device is properly oriented with respect to the lockout device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A lockout device according to claim 9, wherein said recess is a channel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A lockout device according to claim 9, wherein the handle has a thickness at a location other than at the indicia that extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface, said first means for receiving the stop including at least one aperture in said sidewall spaced from said second surface by a distance of about the thickness of the handle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A lockout device according to claim 8, wherein the valve body has at least one edge parallel to said longitudinal axis when the lockout device is properly seated on the valve and said sidewall has an inner surface, the lockout device further comprising at least one groove parallel to said longitudinal axis for receiving the edge of the valve body when the lockout device is properly seated on the valve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A lockout device according to claim 8, wherein a pipe is attached to the valve body and said sidewall further includes at least one notch for receiving the pipe when the lockout device is properly seated on the valve. ### Claim 14 A lockout device for a valve having a handle and a valve body and capable of being secured to the valve with a stop, the handle having a first surface opposite the valve body, raised indicia on, and extending away from, the first surface and a thickness extending in a direction perpendicular to the first surface at a location other than at the raised indicia, said handle having a fully-closed position, comprising: a. a sidewall having a longitudinal axis and an end; b. an end wall attached to said sidewall at said end and having a second surface located immediately adjacent the first surface of the handle when the lockout device is properly seated on the valve; c. a recess in said second surface of said end wall for receiving the raised indicia, but not the entire handle, when the handle is in a fully closed position; and d. a first aperture and a second aperture each located in said sidewall and located a distance from said second surface of said end wall equal to about the thickness of the handle, said first and second apertures for simultaneously receiving the stop when the lockout device is in a fully seated position. ### Claim 15 A valve assembly, comprising: a. a valve including a body and a handle attached to said body, said handle having a surface and raised indicia located on, and extending away from, said surface; b. a member having a sidewall and an end wall, said sidewall and said end wall defining a space containing at least a portion of said handle and at least a portion of said body; and c. means for receiving said raised indicia, and not said handle, only when said handle is oriented properly with respect to said member, said means being located on said member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A valve assembly according to claim 15, further comprising a stop, said member having at least one opening for receiving said stop therethrough such that said handle interferes with said stop during an attempt to remove said member from said valve.