Patent ID: 6622536
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve lock adapted to receive a padlock for locking a pipe valve in either one of two valve positions, said pipe valve connected to a pipe, said pipe valve having a longitudinally extending handle rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, the handle being rotatable to occupy a first handle position having its handle axis orthogonal to the axis of the pipe to place the pipe valve in a first valve position and rotatable to occupy a second handle position having its handle axis parallel to the axis of the pipe to place the valve in a second valve position, said valve lock comprising:a first housing having i. a first pair of contact points for seating against said pipe; ii. a second pair of contact points for seating against said pipe; and iii. a retention structure, said retention structure shaped for contacting said handle to restrain its rotational movement; said first housing positionable to a first final position when said handle is in said first handle position, for preventing said handle from being rotated to operate the valve, said first housing being disposed such that (1) said retention structure contacts said handle when movement of said handle is attempted and (2) said first pair of contact points are seated against said pipe when movement of said handle is attempted; and said first housing positionable to a second final position when said handle is in said second handle position, for preventing said handle from being rotated to operate the valve, said first housing being disposed such that (1) said retention structure contacts said handle when movement of said handle is attempted and (2) said second pair of contact points are seated against said pipe when movement of said handle is attempted; a second housing securable to said first housing (1) preventing removal of said first housing from said first final position and (2) preventing removal of said first housing from said second final position, said second housing having a contact point for seating against said pipe and a lock member, said lock member having a structure for cooperating with the shackle of a padlock for securing said second housing to said first housing.