Locking valve

Details Locking valve Locking valve

1999-10-19

2001-07-17

Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)

Valves and valve actuation

With means for blocking or disabling actuator

Released by non-valving actuator motion

C251S095000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06260819

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a valves, and, more specifically, to lockable valves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Valve locking devices have been used for some time to prevent unintentional or unauthorized opening and closing of valves. Some known locking devices cooperate with the valve handle to prevent rotation of the handle to the open position when the valve is locked. An advantage of this type of valve locking device is that a visual determination as to whether the valve is in the open position or the closed position can be made even at an appreciable distance from the valve.
The problem with these prior art valves is that they are only capable of locking the valve in the closed position and are unable to lock the valve in the open position. Thus, these prior art valves are unable to prevent the unintentional or unauthorized closing of the valve.
There is therefore a need for a valve locking device which allows the valve to be releasably locked in both the open position and the closed position.
SUMMARY
The invention satisfies this need. The invention is an improved valve that releasably locks the valve in both the open position and the closed position.
The invention is a valve comprising a valve body, a valve element, a handle, and a releasable locking means. The valve body comprises a first open end, a second open end, and a valve chamber disposed therebetween. The valve chamber comprises a valve seat. The valve element is disposed within the valve chamber and is rotatable a radial distance up to about 90 degrees between an open position wherein the valve is open and a closed position wherein the valve element is sealed to the valve seat so that the valve is closed. The handle is rotatably connected to the valve body and is connected to the valve element so as to rotate the valve element between the open position and the closed position. The releasably locked means functions to releasably lock the valve element in both the open position and the closed position.
In a preferred embodiment, the valve body further comprises a rim and the releasable locking means comprises a lock-out member having a collar rotatably mounted to the rim. The collar comprises at least one cog and the rim comprises at least two notches that are sized and dimensioned to accommodate the cog. The at least one cog fits within a notch in the collar to lock the collar at the open position or at the closed position and thus prevent the rotation of the handle and the valve element. The lock-out member further comprises a release member that cooperates with the handle to lift the at least one cog out of a notch and cause the collar to disengage with the rim. The collar disengages with the rim only when the release member is activated. This allows the handle and the valve element to rotate between either the locked open position or the locked closed position.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1089098 (1914-03-01), Winkler
patent: 3054303 (1962-09-01), Maney
patent: 4848724 (1989-07-01), Pettinaroli
patent: 5188335 (1993-02-01), Pettinaroli
patent: 5213308 (1993-05-01), Jeromoson et al.
patent: 5785074 (1998-07-01), Kieper
Drawing illustrating prior art valve. Valve in exitstence prior to invention of that which is claimed in the present application.

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