Modular electrical safety assembly

A modular electrical safety assembly for use with a control device of an electrical equipment includes a magnet housing with a magnet, an equipment cover, and a slider. The magnet housing includes a magnet to selectively couple to the electrical equipment. The magnet induces an attraction force on the electrical equipment. The equipment cover is coupled to the magnet housing and configured to prevent operation of the control device. The slider is configured to translate along a surface of the equipment cover between a first position and a second position. In the first position it prevents a change in polarity of the magnet. In the second position it permits a change in polarity of the magnet. The slider and equipment cover lock together to selectively restrict translation of the slider.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to an electrical safety assembly, and more particularly to an assembly that provides electrical equipment service personnel a means to temporarily lock-out/tag-out a piece of electrical equipment without requiring any modifications to the electrical equipment or enclosure.

2. Description of Related Art

Proper lockout/tagout practices and procedures safeguard workers from the release of hazardous energy and typically involve the locking and tagging of energy equipment to isolate that equipment from use, and otherwise prevent its use when unsafe or if the equipment is being serviced. These can include placing a tag on the equipment to signify to others that work is being done. This still permits for operation of the equipment in the case when someone fails to see or heed the tag, however. Personnel may modify the equipment to accept lock-out/tag-out provisions which could result in equipment damage or downtime. Additionally, personnel can replace the lacking equipment with equipment which has lock-out/tag-out provisions installed, however, this costs considerable time and money. Currently, electrical equipment service personnel are limited in their options when performing lock-out/tag-out operations on equipment without previously installed lock-out/tag-out provisions.

For example, circuit breakers may be placed in the off position and the circuit breaker cabinet locked against use until the associated equipment may be safely placed back into service. However, certain control switches for medium and high voltage circuit breakers, such as those having pistol grip handles, cannot be safely locked into the off position and properly tagged as the switches lack any locking mechanism. Many types of lock attachments have been developed but they appear limited to specific models only, or require physical modifications to equipment. Furthermore, the prior art has attempted to provide handle lock attachments that are mounted directly to the equipment thereby necessitating equipment modification.

Although strides have been made to provide improved lock-out/tag-out devices and practices, considerable shortcomings remain. It is desired that an assembly be provided that to gives electrical equipment service personnel a means to temporarily lock-out/tag-out a piece of electrical equipment without requiring any modifications to the electrical equipment or enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present application to provide an assembly that provided that gives electrical equipment service personnel a means to temporarily lock-out/tag-out a piece of electrical equipment without requiring any modifications to the electrical equipment or enclosure. The assembly may take many forms depending on the type, style, size, vintage, or make of equipment being locked-out (i.e. pushbuttons, control switches, circuit breaker operators, etc.) but each assembly will consist of at least a switchable magnet housing, a sliding handle block (i.e. slider), and an equipment cover/slide cover.

It is a further object of the present application that the assembly uses a magnetic force to releasably secure the assembly to the electrical equipment, rather than having a permanently mounted device installed onto the equipment. Additionally, the assembly will surround and/or cover the equipment switch, button, breaker, and so forth to prevent operation during servicing.

It is an object of the present application to provide an assembly that is not permanently mounted to the electrical equipment and may be installed and used on multiple pieces of the same type of electrical equipment quickly and easily. Additionally, it is desired that the assembly does not require any special modifications to the electrical equipment or enclosure to which it is attached.

Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The embodiments and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with elevated platforms discussed previously. In particular, the assembly of the present application provides electrical equipment service personnel a means to temporarily lock-out/tag-out a piece of electrical equipment without requiring any modifications to the electrical equipment or enclosure. The assembly uses magnetic attraction forces to couple to the electrical equipment. A portion of the assembly surrounds parts of the control device to restrict activation of the control device. The assembly is lockable by restricting adjustment of the magnet. These and other unique features are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments and method of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. The modular electrical safety assembly for use with a control device of an electrical equipment includes a magnet housing with a magnet, an equipment cover, and a slider. The magnet housing includes a magnet to selectively couple to the electrical equipment via a magnetic attraction force. The magnet induces the attraction force on the electrical equipment. The equipment cover is coupled to the magnet housing and configured to prevent operation of the control device. The slider is configured to translate along a surface of the equipment cover between a first position and a second position. In the first position it prevents a change in polarity of the magnet. In the second position it permits a change in polarity of the magnet. The slider and equipment cover lock together to selectively restrict translation of the slider. Additional features and functions are illustrated and discussed below.

Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2in the drawings, perspective views of a modular electrical safety assembly is illustrated. InFIG. 1, modular electrical safety assembly101is shown removed from a surface97of an electrical equipment99. InFIG. 2, assembly101is shown coupled to surface97via a magnet within assembly101. Magnetic attraction forces are generated within assembly101to facilitate selective coupling to equipment99. InFIG. 1, assembly101is shown in an unlocked configuration whileFIG. 2illustrates assembly101in a locked configuration. Lock102is passed through aligned holes to prevent translation of the slider. Of note also is that assembly101is configured to surround a portion of control device95so as to prevent its activation during servicing of equipment99.

It is understood that many types of methods and devices may be used to accomplish the desired purpose of assembly101. Assembly101may take many forms depending on the type, style, size, vintage, or make of equipment being locked-out (Eg: pushbuttons, control switches, circuit breaker operators, etc) but all units will include a magnet housing103, an equipment cover105, and a slider107.

Referring now also toFIGS. 3-5in the drawings, enlarged perspective views of assembly101are illustrated.FIGS. 3 and 4are front perspective views whileFIG. 5is a rear perspective view of assembly101.FIGS. 3 and 4are used to show the operation of assembly101with slider107in two different positions. As seen inFIG. 3, slider107is configured to translate along a surface109of equipment cover105between a first position (seeFIG. 3) and a second position (seeFIG. 4). In the first position, slider107is lowered into contact with handle111, wherein slider107is between a portion of handle111and cover105. In this position, handle111is prevented from depressing into magnet housing103and rotating. In the second position, slider107is raised such that there is no interference in the operation of handle111.

As seen in the Figures, slider107includes a slot113. Assembly101includes a set of fasteners115configured to secure slider107in relation to surface109via the head of the fasteners115, but to permit translation of fasteners115within slot113. Equipment cover105and slider107include a plurality of aligned holes116aand116bthat are used to facilitate locking of the slider107to a particular position, namely either the first and the second positions. Lock102passes through holes116aand116b. Of note withFIG. 5is the internal channel117formed within cover105. As seen inFIG. 1, control device95is a pistol grip switch that rotates to turn on and off. Cover105surrounds a portion of control device95to restrict activation, and in this case, the rotation of control device95. A second embodiment of assembly101will be illustrated with respect toFIGS. 19-28below. In this embodiment, the control device is a button wherein the equipment cover of the assembly covers the button to prevent depressing it for activation of the electrical equipment.

It is seen that a number of fasteners are used to secure the various parts of assembly101together. The fasteners are not meant to be limiting but are exemplary as one method of securing them. Other forms such as interference fit, adhesives, and the sort may also be used.

Referring now also toFIGS. 6-12in the drawings, assorted views of a side cover within cover105are illustrated. Cover105includes a side cover119configured to couple to magnet housing103. An aperture121is located within a lower region120to facilitate the operation and passage of handle111. A front panel123extends above lower region120and includes a plurality of holes116a. Holes for fasteners115are also seen. Lower region120includes panels125and127opposite one another. Panel125is below front panel123and extends along magnet housing103and is approximately the same height as such. Panel127extends the full length of assembly101, above panel125to a height above panel123. A series of holes are seen in lower region120for coupling to magnet housing103with fasteners. It is understood that the precise heights and dimensions of panels123,125, and127are not limited as shown. It is required that channel117be formed so as to prevent control device95to be swung side to side and activated. Different heights of the panels may facilitate such function. For clarity purposes,FIG. 8is a front view,FIG. 9is a right side view,FIG. 10is a left side view,FIG. 11is a bottom view, andFIG. 12is a top view.

Referring now also toFIGS. 13 and 14in the drawings, enlarged views of slider107are illustrated. Slider107includes slot113and apertures116bas described previously. Slider107is configured to restrict removal of assembly101from equipment99. As assembly101uses magnetic attractive forces to create the coupling effect between the two, a manner is provided to selectively release or remove the magnetic attraction force. Handle111is used as one method of regulating the attraction force. In this embodiment, handle111depresses into magnet housing103and initiates a movement of the internal magnet. If handle111is prevented from depressing into housing103, the position of the magnet is prevented from changing. Therefore, if the position of the magnet was such as to induce magnetic attraction forces, such forces would stay active until handle111was operated to change it. Likewise, if the position of the magnet was such as to remove magnetic attraction forces, such forces would remain removed until handle111was operated to change it. Slider107includes a saddle arch129configured to translate between handle111and lower region120to prevent the depression of handle111to affect the magnetic attraction forces.

Referring now also toFIGS. 15 and 16in the drawings, a top cover131of cover105is illustrated.FIG. 15is a front perspective view whileFIG. 16is a lower rear perspective view. Cover105also includes a top cover131that works with side cover119to form channel117. Top cover131has a lower tab133with holes for securing to magnet housing103. FromFIGS. 3-5it is shown that top cover131is located above lower region120and extends over aperture121to panel127. Control device is prevented from rotating or pulling forward in channel117.

Referring now also toFIGS. 17 and 18in the drawings, perspective views of magnet housing103are illustrated. Assembly101is configured to include at least one magnet that, in operation, can adjust polarity so as to selectively activate/initiate/induce the magnetic attractive forces and also remove them. Magnet135is seen within housing103. In operation, the switchable magnet135is in a housing103with a protruding handle111that, when operated 180 degrees, turns the magnet135“ON”, such that magnetic attraction forces are initiated. The handle111operation aligns the poles of two internal magnets135aand135b. One magnet135bis fixed and the other (magnet135a) is attached to the handle111. The depressing of handle111permits handle111to rotate. Rotation of handle111aligns or misaligns the poles (alternates the polarity) of the magnets relative to one another. To turn off the magnet135, the handle111must be depressed and operated 180 degrees opposite to thereby misaligning the polarity of the magnets135a,135b, so as to remove the magnetic attraction forces.

Referring now toFIGS. 19 and 20in the drawings, perspective views of an alternate embodiment of modular electrical safety assembly101is illustrated. InFIG. 19, modular electrical safety assembly201is shown. Assembly201is similar in form and function to that of assembly101above. The variation of assembly201compared to that of assembly101is to facilitate use with a different type of control device87. Assembly201is shown removed from a surface87of an electrical equipment89. InFIG. 20, assembly201is shown coupled to surface87via a magnet within assembly201. Magnetic attraction forces are generated within assembly201to facilitate selective coupling to equipment89. InFIG. 19, assembly201is shown in an unlocked configuration whileFIG. 20illustrates assembly201in a locked configuration. Lock202is passed through aligned holes to prevent translation of the slider. Of note also is that assembly201is configured to surround and cover a portion of control device85so as to prevent its activation during servicing of equipment89. In this situation, control device85is a push-button device, therefore, device85needs to be surrounded and covered to prevent activation of equipment89.

Referring now also toFIGS. 21-23in the drawings, perspective views of assembly201are illustrated. Assembly201is configured to include magnet housing103described above. Magnet135,135a,135bare equally applicable in operation with assembly201as they are with assembly101. Assembly201is configured to operate a slider207between a first position and a second position similarly to that of slider107. Assembly201also includes magnet housing103and an equipment cover205. InFIGS. 21-23, slider207is in a raised unlocked position, however, it is understood that the functioning and operation of slider207is similar in to that of slider107.

FIGS. 21 and 22are front perspective views whileFIG. 23is a rear perspective view of assembly201. Slider207is configured to translate along a surface209of equipment cover205between a first position and a second position. In the first position, slider207is lowered into contact with handle211, wherein slider207is between a portion of handle211and cover205. In this position, handle211is prevented from depressing into magnet housing103and rotating. In the second position, slider207is raised such that there is no interference in the operation of handle211.

As seen in the Figures, slider207includes a slot213. Assembly201includes a set of fasteners215configured to secure slider207in relation to surface209via the head of the fasteners215, but also to permit translation of fasteners215within slot213. Equipment cover205and slider207include a plurality of aligned holes216aand216bthat are used to facilitate locking of the slider207to a particular position, namely either the first and the second positions. Lock202passes through holes216aand216b. Of note withFIG. 23is the internal cavity217formed within cover205and housing103. As seen inFIG. 19, control device85is a push button device that needs to be depressed to turn on and off. Cover205surrounds and covers control device85to restrict activation of control device85.

It is seen that a number of fasteners are used to secure the various parts of assembly201together. The fasteners are not meant to be limiting but are exemplary as one method of securing them. Other forms such as interference fit, adhesives, and the sort may also be used.

Referring now also toFIGS. 24 and 25in the drawings, perspective views of equipment cover205is illustrated. Cover205is configured to surround housing103and create cavity217. Device85is configured to pass into cavity217. Along a front face209of cover205is an aperture221configured to permit handle211to pass therethrough and operate the magnet. Above aperture221are a plurality of holes to engage fasteners215. Other holes are used to secure cover to housing103and to secure a tab223.

Referring now also toFIG. 26in the drawings, tab223is illustrated. Tab226is a part of cover105and is fastened to one side thereof. Tab223includes a plurality of holes216afor selective alignment with holes216bof slider207.

Referring now also toFIGS. 27 and 28in the drawings, enlarged perspective views of slider207are illustrated. Slider207includes slot213and apertures216bas described previously. Slider207is configured to restrict removal of assembly201from equipment89. As assembly201uses magnetic attractive forces to create the coupling effect between the two, a method is provided to selectively release or remove the magnetic attraction force. Handle211is used as one method of regulating the attraction force. In this embodiment, handle211depresses into magnet housing103and initiates a movement of the internal magnet. If handle211is prevented from depressing into housing103, the position of the magnet is prevented from changing. Therefore, if the position of the magnet was such as to induce magnetic attraction forces, such forces would stay active until handle211was operated to change it. Likewise, if the position of the magnet was such as to remove magnetic attraction forces, such forces would remain removed until handle211was operated to change it. Slider207includes a saddle arch229configured to translate between handle211and cover105so as to prevent the depression of handle211to affect the magnetic attraction forces.

It is understood that the parts of assemblies101/201may be made from any materials, such as metal, die cast aluminum, composites, and so forth. Additionally, other manners of actuating or initiating movements of the magnets in the assemblies are known. Assemblies101/201are configured to selectively activate or use magnetic attraction to secure a body cover about a control device so as to restrict operation of the control device. In these embodiments, a switchable or rotatable magnet has been described. In this manner assemblies101/201are effective temporary magnetic lock-out/tag-out devices.

A method of preventing operation of the control devices during servicing of an electrical equipment can include locating a magnet housing adjacent to a surface of the electrical equipment. The magnet housing being coupled to an equipment cover. Aligning the equipment cover in relation to the control device so as to restrict access sufficient to activate the control device. Coupling the magnet housing to the electrical equipment via a magnet within the housing, the magnet selectively inducing an attraction force on the electrical equipment. The magnet is configured to change polarity to selectively induce and remove the attraction force. Finally, locking the magnet to prevent removal of the attraction force by translating a slider along the equipment cover between a first position and a second position.

The current application has many advantages over the prior art including at least the fact that the assemblies are not permanently mounted to the electrical equipment and may be installed and used on multiple pieces of the same type of electrical equipment quickly and easily. Furthermore, the assemblies do not require any special modifications to the electrical equipment or enclosure.