Handle lock for valve
OwnerKurt George Wetzsteininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve lock is provided. The valve lock includes a lower lock bracket and an upper lock bracket. The lower lock bracket has a first flange plate having at least one lock hole formed therethrough. A lock plate extends from and is substantially perpendicular to the first flange plate. The lock plate is positioned to abut against a valve body when the valve lock is locked to a valve. The upper lock bracket includes a second flange plate having at least one lock hole aligned with the at least one lock hole of the first flange plate. A pair of upper lock tabs extends vertically from the second flange plate and forms a vertical channel. The vertical channel is sized to receive at least a portion of a valve handle within.
Claims8
A valve lock comprising:
- a lower lock bracket comprising a first flange plate comprising at least one lock hole and a lock plate extending from and substantially perpendicular to the first flange plate, wherein the lock plate is positioned to abut against a valve body when the lower lock bracket is secured to a valve;
- and
- an upper lock bracket comprising a second flange plate comprising at least one lock hole aligned with the at least one lock hole of the first flange plate, a horizontal slot formed through the second flange plate starting from an outer edge of the second flange plate and extending towards a center of the second flange plate, and a pair of upper lock tabs extending vertically from the second flange plate and forming a vertical channel that intersects with the horizontal slot, wherein the vertical channel is sized to receive at least a portion of a valve handle within, wherein
- the at least one lock hole of at least one of the first flange plate and the second flange plate are a plurality of circumferentially disposed holes.
A method of locking a valve in a fixed position comprising:
- providing a lower lock bracket comprising a first flange plate comprising at least one lock hole, a pair of lower lock tabs forming a channel in between, and a lock plate extending from and substantially perpendicular to the first flange plate;
- placing a valve stem of a valve within the channel and the lock plate against a valve body of the valve;
- providing an upper lock bracket comprising a second flange plate comprising at least one lock hole, a horizontal slot formed from an edge of the second flange plate towards a center of the plate, and a pair of upper lock tabs extending vertically from the second flange plate and forming a vertical channel;
- placing the valve stem within the horizontal slot and at least a portion of a handle of the valve within the vertical channel;
- aligning the at least one lock hole of the lower lock bracket and the at least one lock hole of the upper lock bracket;
- and
- placing a shackle of a padlock within the aligned lock holes and locking the padlock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.