Locks – Special application – For control and machine elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-13
2001-01-09
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For control and machine elements
C070S212000, C137S382000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170306
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a security guard for a valve on a storage tank and more specifically concerns high strength valve guards that serve as a deterrent to the theft of toxic or hazardous materials.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of valve security guards are known in the art for placement over valves and other regulating type devices used on storage containers to prevent any unlawful operation thereof. Examples of these prior art devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,380,247; 4,513,773; 4,254,888 and 4,899,781. Although the guards disclosed in such patents are useful for their designed purpose, none of them are structured to prevent unauthorized use of a dispensing valve for an anhydrous ammonia storage tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a valve security guard for a storage tank having a valve for dispensing material from the tank, which valve includes a valve casing, a valve stem that extends outwardly from the casing and an operating handle at the outer end of the stem. The security guard is primarily formed from a cover with a closed end and an interior with an open end for enclosing the valve handle and means for securing the cover on said handle. The securing means is formed of apertures in said cover and an elongated shaft member that extends through said apertures and is lockable in a fixed position located behind the handle to secure the cover thereon.
The cover interior has inner and outer chambers formed in a tiered configuration so that the outer chamber has a diameter greater than the inner chamber to define a circular interior ledge and the handle is received in the inner chamber. Preferably, a slip ring that is sized to be received within the inner chamber of said cover is located intermediate the valve handle and the periphery of the inner chamber. Further, the guard includes a shield means with a central opening through which the valve stem can be positioned. The shield means is of a size for being positioned within said outer chamber of the cover interior to seat against the interior ledge for substantially closing off the inner chamber to increase the security of the guard.
The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by illustration, and not of limitation, a specific form in which the invention may be embodied. Such embodiment does not represent the full scope of the invention, but rather the invention may be employed in a variety of embodiments, and reference is made to the claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention.
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Christianson David M.
Kitley Dean E.
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