Electrical lockout lanyard and method for assembly and installation
OwnerCathy D. Santa Cruz, James A. Hertzinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lanyard that is of simple construction and is made from insulated components so as to eliminate any possibility of accidental electrical shock. The lanyard when in the off mode insures that the on/off switch of an overhead disconnect outlet box cannot be accidentally moved into the on position, and when in the on mode insures that the on/off switch remains in operating position, thus allowing for electrical current for energizing machinery, unless there is a power failure.
Claims5
A universal electrical lockout lanyard for use in combination with a prior art overhead electrical disconnect switch, said prior art overhead electrical disconnect switch having a lever, said lever having an on position and an off position, said lever having a locking latch mechanism which is used for locking said lever into either said on position or said off position, said universal electrical lockout lanyard comprising:
- an elongated insulated member;
- a first clamp lock member;
- a second clamp lock member;
- a first pad lock receiving latch;
- a second pad lock receiving latch;
- and a pad lock;
- said elongated insulated member having a first end and a second end, said first end having said first clamp lock member fixedly attached thereon, said second end having said second clamp lock member fixedly attached thereon, said first clamp lock member being fixedly attached onto said locking latch mechanism of said lever, and said second clamp lock member being removably attachable onto either said first pad lock receiving latch or said second pad lock receiving latch,
- whereby:
- when said lever assumes said off position and said second clamp lock member is attached onto said first pad lock receiving latch and affixed in place by said pad lock, said lever is positively locked and cannot be moved into said on position.
A method of use and installation for a universal electrical lockout lanyard comprising the steps of:
- a. locating an overhead disconnect box (12) having an on/off lever (14) with a locking latch mechanism (16) thereon;
- b. positioning said on/off lever (14) into an “off” position;
- c. attaching a first locking apparatus (20) onto said locking latch mechanism (16);
- d. determining a location of choice for positioning a second locking apparatus (26) when it is to be in said “off” position;
- e. installing a first pad lock receiving latch (28) at said location of choice;
- f. determining a location of choice for positioning said second locking apparatus (26) when it is to be in an “on” position;
- g. installing a second pad lock receiving latch (30) at last said location of choice;
- h. attaching said second locking apparatus (26) onto said first pad lock receiving latch (28);
- i. attaching a pad lock (32) onto said second locking apparatus (26) and said first pad lock receiving latch (28), whereby said on/off lever (14) is now locked into said off position and power cannot be restored until unlocked;
- j. performing a task upon machinery that is disconnected, thereafter restoring power to said machinery in the following manner,
- k. unlocking and removing said pad lock (32);
- l. removing said second locking apparatus (26);
- m. attaching said second locking apparatus (26) onto said second pad lock receiving latch (30);
- n. attaching said pad lock (32) onto said second locking apparatus (26) and said second pad lock receiving latch (30);
- and
- o. positioning said lever (14) into said “on” position, whereby said on/off lever (14) is now locked into said “on” position and power is now restored.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.