Abstract:
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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     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.  
         [0002]     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.&#39;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.  
         [0003]     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 {fraction (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.  
         [0004]     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  
       [0005]     It would be desirable to provide a pneumatic lockout device having the ability to lockout a large range of male pneumatic fittings.  
         [0006]     It would also be desirable to provide a pneumatic lockout device having the ability to be utilized in tight spaces.  
         [0007]     It would further be desirable to provide a pneumatic lockout device having a compact, tamper-resistant design.  
         [0008]     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.  
         [0009]     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.  
         [0010]     Preferably, the first disc has two tabs and the second disc has two tabs.  
         [0011]     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.  
         [0012]     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. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a pneumatic lockout device according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 1 , prior to insertion of a male pneumatic fitting;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the two discs utilized in the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 3 , after insertion of the male pneumatic fitting;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 1 , as a female pneumatic fitting is placed onto the male pneumatic fitting;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 9 , showing the female pneumatic fitting contacting a female fitting standoff;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 9 , showing the padlock in a different hole;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 ; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of the pneumatic lockout device of  FIG. 11 , showing a schematic representation of a tool secured to the male pneumatic fitting. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]     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.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a pneumatic lockout device  20  in the fully locked position. The device  20  comprises first disc  22  and second disc  24  fastened together through their centers by rivet  26 , and first disc  22  and second disc  24  are free to rotate about rivet  26 . When fastened together, first disc  22  and second disc  24  have a combined thickness such that the discs can engage the fitting groove of most standard pneumatic fittings. Although first disc  22  and second disc  24  are shown secured together by rivet  26 , it is likewise contemplated that first disc  22  and second disc  24  may be secured together by any known fastening means. Preferably, first disc  22  and second disc  24  are metal or plastic. However, it is likewise contemplated that first disc  22  and second disc  24  may be made of other various materials.  
         [0028]     As best seen in  FIG. 4 , first disc  22  has five slots  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  corresponding to different sizes of male pneumatic fittings, such as pneumatic fitting  38 , and each slot accommodates one or more different sizes of male pneumatic fittings. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 4 , slots  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  are U-shaped. However, it is likewise contemplated that the slots may be other shapes and sizes. Second disc  24  also has five slots  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  corresponding to different sizes of male pneumatic fittings, and each slot accommodates one or more different sizes of male pneumatic fittings. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 4 , slots  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  are U-shaped. However, it is likewise contemplated that the slots may be various shapes or sizes. In total, device  20  can be utilized with ten or more different sizes of male pneumatic fittings.  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , first disc  22  has two tabs  50 ,  52 , and second disc  24  has two tabs  54 ,  56 . The tabs prevent 360° rotation of first disc  22  and second disc  24 , and provide a positive stop when first disc  22  and second disc  24  reach the fully unlocked (see  FIG. 5 ) and fully locked (see  FIG. 7 ) positions. As shown in  FIG. 5  in the unlocked position, L-shaped slots  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  align with U-shaped slots  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 , respectively, thus allowing a fitting groove  58  of pneumatic fitting  38  to 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.  
         [0030]     As best seen in  FIG. 4 , first disc  22  has lock apertures  60 ,  62 , and second disc  24  has lock apertures  64 ,  66 . The lock apertures may be positioned at any location on first disc  22  and second disc  24 . Unlike the Brady Worldwide air lockout device which requires a ¼ or {fraction (9/32)} inch shackle diameter, the lock apertures of the present invention accommodate ¼, {fraction (9/32)} or {fraction (5/16)} inch shackle diameters. Although first disc  22  and second disc  24  are shown having two lock apertures, it is likewise contemplated that each disc may have any number of lock apertures.  
         [0031]     After pneumatic fitting is  38  positioned within L-shaped slot  28  and U-shaped slot  40 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , first disc  22  is rotated to capture pneumatic fitting  38 , and lock apertures  60 ,  64  align to accept a locking device, such as padlock  68 . First disc  22  and second disc  24  cannot rotate once padlock  68  is installed in lock apertures  60 ,  64 . Another padlock may be inserted through lock apertures  62 ,  66  to further secure device  20 .  
         [0032]      FIGS. 9-12  show a female pneumatic fitting  70  being placed onto male pneumatic fitting  38 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , first disc  22  has female fitting standoff  72 , and second disc  24  has female fitting standoff  74 . Although first disc  22  and second disc  24  are shown having only one female fitting standoff, it is likewise contemplated that first disc  22  and second disc  24  may have any number of female fitting standoffs placed thereon. As best seen in  FIG. 12 , female fitting standoffs  72 ,  74  prevent female pneumatic fitting  70  from engaging male pneumatic fitting  38  to the point that a pneumatic line is energized. Moreover, female fitting standoffs  72 ,  74  prevent pneumatic line activation in either orientation. As best seen in  FIG. 6 , in the unlocked position, female fitting standoffs  72 ,  74  are offset. Conversely, as best seen in  FIG. 8 , in the locked position, female fitting standoffs  72 ,  74  are aligned. As shown in  FIG. 13 , a tool  76  may be secured to male pneumatic fitting  38 , instead of having female pneumatic fitting  70  placed thereon.  
         [0033]     In operation, tabs  50 ,  54  are squeezed together to position first disc  22  and second disc  24  in the unlocked position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Pneumatic fitting  38  is positioned within slots  28 ,  40 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Tabs  52 ,  56  are then squeezed together to capture pneumatic fitting  38 , and align lock apertures  60 ,  64  and  62 ,  66 , respectively. Padlock  68  is installed in either one of the aligned locking apertures.  
         [0034]     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.