Pneumatic lockout device

A pneumatic lockout device is disclosed. The device includes a first disc having a first slot and a first tab, and a second disc having a second slot and a second tab. The first disc is secured to the second disc. The device further includes a pneumatic fitting having a fitting groove positionable within the first slot and the second slot. The pneumatic lockout device is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position, while the fitting groove is positioned within the first slot and the second slot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a pneumatic lockout device and, more particularly, to a pneumatic lockout device having the ability to lockout a large range of male pneumatic fittings.

Pneumatic lockout devices intended to block a male pneumatic fitting from engaging a female pneumatic fitting are known in the lockout industry. One such device is Prinzing Enterprises, Inc.'s pneumatic plug lockout, identified as part number PLO27E. This box-style lockout includes two box halves connected by a hinge, with a variety of circular openings between the halves to allow the device to be closed on the locking groove of a male pneumatic fitting. The two halves can then be locked together to prevent opening the device to remove the fitting secured therein. However, this lockout device is relatively large and difficult to use in tight spaces. Moreover, this lockout device can be removed with moderate force with the padlock still in place.

Another lockout device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,857, owned by Brady Worldwide, Inc. The air lockout device is applied to a male fitting, isolating equipment from all compressed air sources. The center of the device allows for permanent storage on an air hose and a loop on the side can be used to hang the hose and lockout device. A padlock with ¼ or 9/32 inch shackle diameter is required. The padlock must be fully removed to remove the lockout device from the fitting. However, this device is specific to one size fitting. Although Brady Worldwide also offers a Y-shaped variation of this air lockout device that offers three hole sizes to fit three different fittings, this Y-shaped lockout device still only accommodates three different size fittings. Moreover, if an incorrect lock size is used, the padlock shank may fail to engage the fitting properly and the lockout device could be removed from the fitting without first removing the padlock.

Yet another lockout device is the SHOCK-STOP® electrical lockout device offered by Brady Worldwide. This lockout device consists of two octagonal-shaped plates secured to each other, with each plate having a receiving member for securing a fitting therein. However, this lockout device is specific to one size fitting, and cannot lockout pneumatic fittings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to provide a pneumatic lockout device having the ability to lockout a large range of male pneumatic fittings.

It would also be desirable to provide a pneumatic lockout device having the ability to be utilized in tight spaces.

It would further be desirable to provide a pneumatic lockout device having a compact, tamper-resistant design.

A pneumatic lockout device is disclosed. The device includes a first disc having a first slot and a first tab, and a second disc having a second slot and a second tab. The first disc is secured to the second disc. The device further includes a pneumatic fitting having a fitting groove positionable within the first slot and the second slot. The pneumatic lockout device is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position, while the fitting groove is positioned within the first slot and the second slot.

Preferably, the first disc has five L-shaped slots, each slot accommodating at least one different size pneumatic fitting. Similarly, the second disc has five U-shaped slots, each slot accommodating at least one different size pneumatic fitting. In the unlocked position, the U-shaped and L-shaped slots are aligned.

Preferably, the first disc has two tabs and the second disc has two tabs.

Preferably, the first disc is fastened to the second disc by a rivet, and the first disc and the second disc can fully rotate about the rivet. In the locked position, the first disc and the second disc have been rotated to capture the pneumatic fitting.

Preferably, the first disc has a first lock aperture and a first female fitting standoff. Likewise, the second disc has a second lock aperture and a second female fitting standoff. In the locked position, the lock apertures are aligned to accept a locking device therethrough. Moreover, in the locked position, the female fitting standoffs are aligned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The illustrated embodiments of the invention are directed to a pneumatic lockout device having the ability to lockout a large range of male pneumatic fittings. The pneumatic lockout device has a compact design that allows it to be utilized in tight spaces.

FIGS. 1 and 2show a pneumatic lockout device20in the fully locked position. The device20comprises first disc22and second disc24fastened together through their centers by rivet26, and first disc22and second disc24are free to rotate about rivet26. When fastened together, first disc22and second disc24have a combined thickness such that the discs can engage the fitting groove of most standard pneumatic fittings. Although first disc22and second disc24are shown secured together by rivet26, it is likewise contemplated that first disc22and second disc24may be secured together by any known fastening means. Preferably, first disc22and second disc24are metal or plastic. However, it is likewise contemplated that first disc22and second disc24may be made of other various materials.

As best seen inFIG. 4, first disc22has five slots28,30,32,34,36corresponding to different sizes of mate pneumatic fittings, such as pneumatic fitting38, and each slot accommodates one or more different sizes of male pneumatic fittings. Preferably, as shown inFIG. 4, slots28,30,32,34,36are L-shaped. However, it is likewise contemplated that the slots may be other shapes and sizes. Second disc24also has five slots40,42,44,46,48corresponding to different sizes of male pneumatic fittings, and each slot accommodates one or more different sizes of male pneumatic fittings. Preferably, as shown inFIG. 4, slots40,42,44,46,48are U-shaped. However, it is likewise contemplated that the slots may be various shapes or sizes. In total, device20can be utilized with ten or more different sizes of male pneumatic fittings.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, first disc22has two tabs50,52, and second disc24has two tabs54,56. The tabs prevent 360° rotation of first disc22and second disc24, and provide a positive stop when first disc22and second disc24reach the fully unlocked (seeFIG. 5) and fully locked (seeFIG. 7) positions. As shown inFIG. 5in the unlocked position, L-shaped slots28,30,32,34,36align with U-shaped slots40,42,44,46,48, respectively, thus allowing a fitting groove58of pneumatic fitting38to be positioned therein. A TWIST-LOCK® style pneumatic fitting design is shown in FIG.3. However, it is likewise contemplated that any of the following standard pneumatic fitting designs may be utilized: 10 Series, HF Series, DM Series, 20 Series, 30 Series, E-z-mate Series, 50 Series, 70 Series, RF Series, or CJ Series.

As best seen inFIG. 4, first disc22has lock apertures60,62, and second disc24has lock apertures64,66. The lock apertures may be positioned at any location on first disc22and second disc24. Unlike the Brady Worldwide air lockout device which requires a ¼ or 9/32 inch shackle diameter, the lock apertures of the present invention accommodate ¼, 9/32 or 5/16 inch shackle diameters. Although first disc22and second disc24are shown having two lock apertures, it is likewise contemplated that each disc may have any number of lock apertures.

After pneumatic fitting is38positioned within L-shaped slot28and U-shaped slot40, as shown inFIG. 5, first disc22is rotated to capture pneumatic fitting38, and lock apertures60,64align to accept a locking device, such as padlock68. First disc22and second disc24cannot rotate once padlock68is installed in lock apertures60,64. Another padlock may be inserted through lock apertures62,66to further secure device20.

FIGS. 9-12show a female pneumatic fitting70being placed onto male pneumatic fitting38. As shown inFIG. 10, first disc22has female fitting standoff72, and second disc24has female fitting standoff74. Although first disc22and second disc24are shown having only one female fitting standoff, it is likewise contemplated that first disc22and second disc24may have any number of female fitting standoffs placed thereon. As best seen inFIG. 12, female fitting standoffs72,74prevent female pneumatic fitting70from engaging male pneumatic fitting38to the point that a pneumatic line is energized. Moreover, female fitting standoffs72,74prevent pneumatic line activation in either orientation. As best seen inFIG. 6, in the unlocked position, female fitting standoffs72,74are offset. Conversely, as best seen inFIG. 8, in the locked position, female fitting standoffs72,74are aligned. As shown inFIG. 13, a tool76may be secured to male pneumatic fitting38, instead of having female pneumatic fitting70placed thereon.

In operation, tabs50,54are squeezed together to position first disc22and second disc24in the unlocked position, as shown in FIG.3. Pneumatic fitting38is positioned within slots28,40, as shown in FIG.5. Tabs52,56are then squeezed together to capture pneumatic fitting38, and align lock apertures60,64and62,66, respectively. Padlock68is installed in either one of the aligned locking apertures.

The disclosed invention provides a pneumatic lockout device having the ability to lockout a large range of male pneumatic fittings. It should be noted that the above-described and illustrated embodiments and preferred embodiments of the invention are not an exhaustive list of the forms such a pneumatic lockout device in accordance with the invention might take; rather, they serve as exemplary and illustrative of embodiments of the invention as presently understood. By way of example, and without limitation, a pneumatic lockout device having more than five slots on each disc is contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. Many other forms of the invention are believed to exist.