Abstract:
A locking a handle for a liquid valve, such that a latch must be operated to operate the handle. The latch is pressed against the handle by a spring, preventing operation of the handle, without the user rotating the latch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/593,670, filed Feb. 3, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.  
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to a ball valve. Ball valves are used on many liquid lines to reduce or shut off the flow. The valves are commonly used in plumbing and mechanical systems.  
         [0003]     A variety of products have been developed to padlock a valve in an open or closed position, but there has been no success in providing an easy means of preventing accidental rotation of the valve. In many situations, accidentally shutting off, or turning on, the flow would have negative impacts. If the water line to a house was accidentally shut off, the water heater may be damaged. Accidentally turning on a water line valve may cause problems during construction or repairs. Water valves on a concrete truck may be accidentally turned on by hoses used on the truck. When excess water is added to the concrete, the entire load is ruined, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Frequent accidental operation of the valves would hurt the reputation of the driver, and the concrete supplier. Other situations arise, where the accidental operation of the valve would damage, or danger.  
         [0004]     It is an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive, reliable manner to prevent the accidental operation of a ball valve.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     This invention provides a locking mechanism on the handle of a ball valve that prevents the accidental operation of the valve. This mechanism can be installed to an existing ball valve, or if desired, the mechanism could be incorporated into the design for a new ball valve.  
         [0006]     A latch is pressed by a spring into the ball valve handle to prevent operation of the ball valve handle, unless the user wants the ball valve handle rotated. By affirmatively pressing a latch mechanism, it makes it safer to ensure that the valve is not being operated accidentally.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the invention attached to a ball valve.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the invention as an add-on, without a ball valve.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention without a ball valve.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of the invention attached to a ball valve.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The preferred embodiment of the invention is for attachment to an existing ball valve. Construction of a ball valve with the features of the invention could easily be formed integrally with the valve. One example of the invention is shown in  FIG. 2  and as an exploded view in  FIG. 3 . A main frame  1  is connected to the ball valve  8  by a locking bracket  2  and attachment bolts  4 . A spring  7  is inserted into a slot in the frame  1 , and inserted into a slot in a latch  3 . A securing bolt  5  holds the latch  3  and spring  7  against the frame  1 . A washer  6  may be used to ease motion of the latch  3 . When installed in a ball valve, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the spring  7  pressures the latch  3  to rotate toward the ball valve handle  9 .  
         [0012]     On a typical ball valve  8 , the ball valve handle  9  may be rotated from an open position, such that the ball valve handle  9  is in line with the longitudinal length of the ball valve  8 , and the fluid supply line. In a closed position, the ball valve handle  9  is at an approximate 90 degree angle, transverse to the longitudinal length of the ball valve. The ball valve handle  9  incorporates an arm on the opposite side of the attachment to the ball valve  8 , that limits rotation of the ball valve handle  9  to the open and closed positions.  
         [0013]     In operation of the invention, the arm that limits the rotation of the ball valve handle  9  is used to prevent operation of the ball valve handle  9  and ball valve  8 . As shown in the top view  FIG. 4 , the ball valve handle is in a closed position, with the ball valve handle  9  in a position transverse to the ball valve  8  length. To close the valve, the ball valve handle  9  needs to be rotated counter-clockwise. Operation of the ball valve handle  9  is prevented from moving by the notch on the latch  3 . To rotate the ball valve handle  9 , the user must press the press the end of the latch  3  to rotate it counter-clockwise, until the depending tang, arm on the ball valve handle is clear of the notch on the latch  3  and rotation of the ball valve handle  9  may be accomplished.  
         [0014]     The embodiment shown in the figures allows free operation of the ball valve handle  9  from the open position to the closed position, but requires movement of the latch  3  to open the valve. This makes it less likely to have difficulty in operating the valve to close the valve and have unwanted flow through the valve. Alternatively, the invention may operate to also require movement of the latch  3  to either open or close the valve, or just to close the valve. This could be accomplished by moving the position of the frame  1 , and/or the shape of the latch  3 .  
         [0015]     By attaching the locking bracket  2  with the attachment bolts  4 , the device as shown in the figures, may be attached to a ball valve  8  quickly and with only standard, readily available tools. An embodiment not shown would integrally form the frame  1  into the ball valve  8  or have the frame  1  constructed with the ball valve  8 , such that the invention could operate as a unit. This would not have the ability to add the invention to existing ball valves and may not all for the removal of the unit, as needed.  
         [0016]     Padlocks may optionally be attached, to prevent unauthorized operation of the ball valve. Holes could be provided through the latch  3  and the frame  1  to secure a padlock through both holes to prevent rotation of the latch  3 , relative to the frame  1 , such that the ball valve handle  9  could not be rotated. The padlock passing through both holes would register the latch  3  and frame  1  to prevent movement of the latch  3  and thus, movement of the valve handle  9 .  
         [0017]     It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art, that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application in changing light bulbs. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention, other than those described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.  
         [0018]     While the foregoing description illustrates and describes exemplary embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the construction and design disclosed herein. The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the true invention.