Abstract:
A handle ( 1 ) for valves ( 4 ) comprising a connecting region ( 2 ) for connecting the handle ( 1 ) to a spindle ( 5 ) of the valve ( 4 ), an actuating arm ( 3 ) for actuating the valve ( 4 ), a locking lever ( 8 ) arranged resiliently in the actuating arm ( 3 ) for engaging the actuating arm ( 3 ) and a locking and guide disc ( 16 ) for locking and guiding the handle ( 1 ), the locking and guide disc ( 16 ) having a greater external diameter than the connecting region ( 2 ) and being arranged to be able to be connected to a flange region ( 12 ) of the valve ( 4 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a handle for valves comprising a connecting region for connecting the handle to a spindle of the valve, an actuating arm for actuating the valve, a locking lever arranged resiliently in the actuating arm for engaging the actuating arm and a locking and guide disc for locking and guiding the handle.  
         [0002]     Depending on the nature of the task, valves of different design, for example ball valves or flap valves, are used in pipeline systems. Depending on the nature of the task and the design of the control system, valves are used which are held in different valve positions, or, in the absence of a control system are manually turned on or off. The ability to reproduce precisely the adjustment of the valve may be crucial for the process control system.  
         [0003]     A generic handle for valves is known from DE 10317808 A1. The handle is placed with a cylindrical neck region over the valve spindle and guided by a guide ring during rotary motion. The guide ring is arranged inside the cylindrical neck region. An actuation lock is resiliently arranged in the arm of the handle. The actuation lock cooperates with a latch part which may be lifted in the axial direction from a locking position into an actuating position. The handle is secured by a sealing plate against unauthorized actuation.  
         [0004]     Proceeding from this prior art, it is the object of the invention to provide a handle for valves which is constructed from as few parts as possible and which may be adapted to different designs of valve.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     This object is achieved by a handle for valves comprising a connecting region for connecting the handle to a spindle of the valve, an actuating arm for actuating the valve, a locking lever arranged resiliently in the actuating arm for engaging the actuating arm and a locking and guide disc for locking and guiding the handle, the locking and guide disc having a greater external diameter than the connecting region and being arranged below the connecting region and to be able to be connected to a flange region of the valve.  
         [0006]     It is advantageous for the handle to be able to be actuated both continuously and freely selectively, as well as intermittently and in discrete steps. This is achieved by the locking and guide disc being configured with different guide and locking means on two opposing sides. The locking and guide disc may be fitted between the handle and the flange region of the valve with four different orientations.  
         [0007]     It is also advantageous for the total overall height of the valve to be kept as low as possible, by means of the handle. This is achieved by the switching ring and the locking and guide disc being configured as flat as possible and being arranged to engage partially in one another. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the figures, in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a handle for valves according to the invention,  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective partial view of a valve for actuation by the handle of  FIG. 1 ,  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a locking and guide disc for the handle of  FIG. 1  and  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a further perspective view of the locking and guide disc of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     A handle  1  for actuating valves is shown in perspective in  FIG. 1 . The handle  1  substantially consists of a connecting region  2  and an actuating arm  3 . The connecting region  2  is configured in a substantially circular manner around the axis of rotation of the valve and forms the lower region of the actuating arm  3 . The handle  1  corresponds to the valve  4  which is shown in partial perspective in  FIG. 2 . The connecting region  2  comprises a receiver on the lower face which is configured to correspond to the spindle  5  of the valve  4 . By means of the receiver, the handle  1  is positioned or screwed onto the spindle  5  of the valve  4  and thus forms a positive connection. As an alternative, the receiver may also be configured on the spindle  5 . In this case, a projection which corresponds to said receiver is configured on the lower face of the connecting region  2 . The connecting region  2  also comprises two axially and downwardly oriented fingers  6  which engage in part-circular grooves on the housing of the valve  4 . On the upper face, the connecting region  2  is closed by a sealing plate  7 . The sealing plate  7  is produced from a material which is mechanically more rigid than the remainder of the handle  1  and may therefore also be used as a tool when fitting and removing a ball valve.  
         [0014]     A locking lever  8  is visible in the actuating arm  3 . The locking lever  8  is arranged to be movable inside the actuating arm. The locking lever  8  serves to release the actuation mechanism of the handle  1  and may be lifted against a spring force in the axial direction. The locking lever  8  comprises a through-passage  9 , through which a lock shackle may be introduced. When the lock shackle is hooked-in and locked, the handle  1 , and thus the valve  4 , may be secured against unauthorized actuation. The connecting region  2  of the handle  1  also comprises, at least to the left or to the right of the actuating arm  3 , an indicating arrow  10  which indicates on a scale  11  on a locking and guide disc  16  the position of the handle  1  and, therefore, also that of the spindle  5  of the valve  4 .  
         [0015]     A flange region  12  of the housing of a valve  4  is shown in perspective in  FIG. 2 . The valve  4  in  FIG. 2  is configured as a butterfly valve but may, for example, also be configured as a ball valve. The spindle  5  projects upwardly in the flange region  12  to receive the connecting region  2 . In the flange region  12  a switching ring  13  is arranged in one plane all around the spindle  5 . The switching ring  13  has an internal diameter which exactly corresponds to the external diameter of the spindle  5  and follows the rotary motions of the spindle  5 .  
         [0016]     The switching ring  13  comprises resilient S-shaped regions  14  in the radial direction and cam lobes  15  oriented radially outwardly. The switching ring  13  is mounted in the flange region  12  of the valve  4  by means of the resilient S-shaped regions  14  and is guided securely and with consistent accuracy even in the event of vibration, deformation or expansion as a result of temperature or pressure differences of the valve  4 . The cam lobes  15  serve to actuate electrical or mechanical switches  26 . In this manner, it is achieved that a confirmation of the valve position may be conveyed to a display panel or to a measuring, control and regulating unit. The radial alignment of the cam lobes  15  allows the flange region  12  to be of very flat construction. By means of the arrangement in one plane, even pressure springs or retaining clips are no longer required for securing the contact between the cam lobes  15  and the switches  26 . The height of the switching ring  13  is substantially lower than the height of the locking and guide disc  16 . In this manner, it is achieved that the switching ring  13  may be arranged inside the locking and guide disc  16  and the overall height may be reduced as a whole.  
         [0017]     A locking and guide disc  16  is shown in perspective in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . The locking and guide disc  16  is arranged below the connecting region  2  of the handle  1  and above the flange region  12  of the valve  4 . The locking and guide disc  16  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , viewed from two opposing sides. The locking and guide disc  16  has different locking and guide means on both sides and may therefore be used for different purposes. In  FIG. 3  the locking and guide disc is shown with the scale  11  for indicating the position of the handle  1  facing upwards. On the outer edge  17  of the locking and guide disc  16  a region with notches  18  is configured, into which the locking lever  8  of the handle  1  may engage. In  FIG. 3  the notches  18  are distributed over a circumferential angle of 90°. No notches  18  are configured on the outer edge  17  of the locking and guide disc  16  on the diametrically opposing side. For valves which require an opening angle of greater than 90°, the circumferential angle of the region with the notches  18  may be selected to be greater, up to approximately 180°.  
         [0018]     The locking and guide disc  16  may be fitted in four different orientations, either by rotating about the disc axis by 180° or by reversing the disc  16  so that the upper face and lower face are exchanged. If the locking and guide disc  16  is fitted in the reverse direction, as is shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 , the locking lever  8  does not engage in the notches  18  and the valve  4  may be adjusted continuously, i.e. freely selectively in any position. This facility for adjustment is advantageous especially with flap valves.  
         [0019]     Different guide means  19 ,  20  project on both sides of the disc  16  from the plane of the locking and guide disc  16 . In this manner, it is achieved that the same handle  1  may be adapted to different designs of valves.  
         [0020]     The guide means  19  are configured in  FIG. 3  as two opposingly arranged lugs  19 . In  FIG. 4 , the guide means  20  are configured as a continuous slide  20  which extends over a circumferential angle of more than 180°. By means of the lugs  19 , the locking and guide disc  16  may be used in receivers corresponding thereto in the flange region  12  of the valve  4 . With appropriate configuration, further functions may be controlled by means of the slide  20 . For example, the rotary motion of the disc may be halted by means of the slide  20 . Conically formed locating lugs  21  for the alignment of the disc  16  are visible in  FIG. 4 . According to the design of the valve  4 , the locking and guide disc  16  may be screwed onto the flange region  12  of the valve. The screws are inserted into through-passages  22  and held by locking hooks  23  until the final fitting of the valve  4 . The locking hooks  23  are configured on the edge of the through-passages  22  on the opposing side of the disc  16 . By means of the locking and guide disc  16 , the same handle  1  may be used both in connection with, for example, a flap valve and with a ball valve.