Patent ID: 12209683

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first illustrative embodiment of a locking device for a regulator and/or valve is depicted inFIGS.1-5. Initially, with reference toFIGS.1and4, the illustrative locking device10generally comprises an adjustment head barrier assembly12,34, the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34configured to restrict access to an adjustment head40of a regulator and/or valve38so as to prevent a tool from engaging the adjustment head40; a housing assembly42,46,48configured to be disposed over the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34, the housing assembly42,46,48configured to restrict access to the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34and protect the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34from exposure to outdoor precipitation; and a locking assembly24configured to removably couple the housing assembly42,46,48to the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34, the locking assembly24configured to prevent unauthorized access to the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34and the adjustment head40of the regulator and/or valve38. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIGS.1-5, the adjustment head of the regulator and/or valve to which access is prevented is in a form of an adjustment bolt head40of a valve stem38. The valve stem38is configured to be adjusted by a user engaging the adjustment bolt head40with a tool (e.g., wrench), and rotating the adjustment bolt head40in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to adjust the pressure of the valve.

In the illustrative embodiment, with reference toFIG.1, it can be seen that the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34of the locking device10comprises a U-bolt34and an L-shaped component12(e.g., in a form of a steel angle or angle iron). The U-bolt34is configured to be removably attached to a shaft of the valve38above the adjustment head40of the valve (seeFIG.1). The L-shaped component12is configured to be removably attached to the U-bolt34by means of nuts36that threadingly engage with the threaded opposed ends of the U-bolt34(refer toFIGS.1and2). As shown in the side view ofFIG.3, the vertically extending wall of the L-shaped component12is provided with a pair of spaced-apart apertures20,22for accommodating respective opposed ends of the U-bolt34. Also, as shown inFIGS.1and2, a top portion of the L-shaped component12is configured to extend over the adjustment head40of the valve38so as to prevent a tool (e.g., a wrench) from engaging the adjustment head40.

Referring again to the illustrative embodiment ofFIG.3, it can be seen that the curved portion of the U-bolt34engages with the other side of the circular recess beneath the adjustment head40of valve38.

In the illustrative embodiment, with combined reference toFIGS.4and5, it can be seen that the housing assembly42,46,48comprises an outer peripheral wall48and a top plate46attached (e.g., welded) to the outer peripheral wall48. As shown inFIG.4, the outer peripheral wall48is configured to circumscribe the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34, and the top plate46is configured to be disposed over the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34so as to protect the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34from exposure to the outdoor precipitation.

As shown in the top view ofFIG.5, in the illustrative embodiment, the outer peripheral wall48of the housing assembly42,46,48is circular in shape such that the housing assembly42,46,48has an overall cylindrical shape. Advantageously, the housing assembly42,46,48operates as a cover to protect the lock and equipment from the elements of the weather and to provide camouflage for the locking assembly and adjustment barrier assembly. Furthermore, the housing assembly is not fixed to the adjustment head of a valve or regulator. Therefore, the housing assembly can freely rotate if engaged with a tool and thus cannot be circumvented by a vandal attempting to apply a tool to torque the housing assembly against the adjustment head.

Referring again to the illustrative embodiment ofFIGS.4and5, it can be seen that the housing assembly42,46,48further comprises a tubular sleeve member42(e.g., an attachment nipple42) extending from the top plate46of the housing assembly42,46,48. While not explicitly shown inFIGS.4and5, the housing assembly42,46,48may further comprise a cap member that is removably engaged with the tubular sleeve member42. In the illustrative embodiment, the cap member is configured to be removed from the tubular sleeve member42so as to allow a user to gain access to a portion of the locking assembly24so that the locking assembly24is able to be disengaged, thereby enabling the housing assembly42,46,48to be removed from the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34.

Referring again toFIG.4, in the illustrative embodiment, the tubular sleeve member42of the housing assembly42,46,48comprises a plurality of external threads44. The cap member may comprise a plurality of corresponding internal threads such that the plurality of corresponding internal threads on the cap member are configured to matingly engage with the plurality of external threads44on the tubular sleeve member42in order to removably attach the cap member to the tubular sleeve member42.

Now, with reference again toFIGS.1-3, the locking assembly24of the locking device10will be described in further detail. In the illustrative embodiment, the locking assembly24comprises an upper female lock portion26and a lower male lock portion28(e.g., the locking assembly24is in a form of a cylindrical lock assembly or barrel lock assembly). The upper female lock portion26is configured to removably engage with the lower male lock portion28so as to secure the housing assembly42,46,48to the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34. As shown inFIG.1, in the illustrative embodiment, the locking assembly24further comprises a lock key32, and the upper female lock portion26is removably engaged with, and disengaged from, the lower male lock portion28by means of the lock key32.

In the illustrative embodiment, referring again toFIGS.1and3, it can be seen that the lower male lock portion28of the locking assembly24is mounted on the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34by means of the base portion30of the locking assembly24being secured within an aperture disposed through the horizontally extending wall of the L-shaped component12(e.g., by welding the base portion30within the aperture). In the illustrative embodiment, the upper female lock portion26of the locking assembly24is configured to be disposed over a portion of the top plate46of the housing assembly42,46,48when the upper female lock portion26is engaged with the lower male lock portion28, thereby securing the housing assembly42,46,48to the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34. As such, when the female lock portion26is engaged with the male lock portion28, the portion of the top plate46of the housing assembly42,46,48is sandwiched between the bottom edge of the female lock portion26and the top surface of the horizontally extending wall of the L-shaped component12or the top surface of the lock base portion30.

Turning toFIG.5, in the illustrative embodiment, the housing assembly42,46,48comprises a lock aperture50disposed through the top plate46of the housing assembly42,46,48. The circular lock aperture50is configured to accommodate the lower male lock portion28of the locking assembly24passing through the top plate46. As such, in the illustrative embodiment, adjustment head barrier assembly12,34is in a form of a lock receiver plate assembly, and the adjustment head barrier assembly12,34forms the base of the locking device10.

A second illustrative embodiment of the locking device for a regulator and/or valve is depicted inFIGS.7-11. Referring to these figures, it can be seen that, in many respects, the second illustrative embodiment is similar to that of the first illustrative embodiment. Moreover, many elements are common to both such embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the elements that the second embodiment of the locking device has in common with the first embodiment will not be discussed in detail because these components have already been described above.

Initially, with reference toFIGS.7,9, and11, similar to the first illustrative embodiment described above, the locking device100of the second illustrative embodiment generally comprises an adjustment head barrier assembly (not shown), the adjustment head barrier assembly configured to restrict access to an adjustment head (not shown) of a pressure regulator152(e.g., a large 8″ pressure regulator) so as to prevent a tool from engaging the adjustment head; a housing assembly142,146,148,150configured to be disposed over the adjustment head barrier assembly, the housing assembly142,146,148,150configured to restrict access to the adjustment head barrier assembly and protect the adjustment head barrier assembly from exposure to outdoor precipitation; and a locking assembly124configured to removably couple the housing assembly142,146,148,150to the adjustment head barrier assembly, the locking assembly124configured to prevent unauthorized access to the adjustment head barrier assembly and the adjustment head of the pressure regulator152.

In the illustrative embodiment ofFIGS.7-11, the adjustment head of the pressure regulator152to which access is prevented is in a form of an adjustment bolt head (not shown) of a pressure regulator152. The adjustment bolt head of the pressure regulator152is configured to be adjusted by a user engaging the adjustment bolt head with a tool (e.g., wrench), and rotating the adjustment bolt head in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to adjust the pressure of the pressure regulator152.

In the illustrative embodiment, with reference toFIGS.7-11, the adjustment head barrier assembly of the locking device100comprises a U-bolt (not shown) and an L-shaped component (not shown) (e.g., in a form of a steel angle or angle iron). The U-bolt is configured to be removably attached to a shaft of the pressure regulator adjustment bolt (not shown)—beneath the adjustment head of the adjustment bolt. The L-shaped component is configured to be removably attached to the U-bolt by means of nuts (not shown) that threadingly engage with the threaded opposed ends of the U-bolt (refer toFIG.1).

In the illustrative embodiment, the vertically extending wall of the L-shaped component102(not shown) is provided with a pair of spaced-apart apertures for accommodating respective opposed ends of the U-bolt. Also, as shown inFIG.1, a top portion of the L-shaped component is configured to extend over the adjustment head of the pressure regulator adjustment bolt so as to prevent a tool (e.g., a wrench) from engaging the adjustment head.

While not explicitly depicted in the figures of the second embodiment, like the first embodiment described above, the curved portion of the U-bolt engages with the other side of the circular recess beneath the adjustment head of the pressure regulator adjustment bolt,

In the illustrative embodiment, with combined reference toFIGS.7,9, and11, it can be seen that the housing assembly142,146,148,150comprises an outer peripheral wall148and a top plate146attached (e.g., welded) to the outer peripheral wall148. As shown inFIGS.7,9, and11, the outer peripheral wall148is configured to circumscribe the adjustment head barrier assembly, and the top plate146is configured to be disposed over the adjustment head barrier assembly so as to protect the adjustment head barrier assembly from exposure to the outdoor precipitation. As shown in the perspective views ofFIGS.7,9, and11, in the illustrative embodiment, the outer peripheral wall148of the housing assembly142,146,148,150is circular in shape such that the housing assembly142,146,148,150has an overall cylindrical shape.

Referring again to the illustrative embodiment ofFIGS.7,9, and11, it can be seen that the housing assembly142,146,148,150further comprises a tubular sleeve member142(e.g., an attachment nipple142) extending from the top plate146of the housing assembly142,146,148,150. Also, as shown inFIGS.10and11, the housing assembly142,146,148,150may further comprise a cap member150(e.g., a 1½ NPT cap) that is removably engaged with the tubular sleeve member142. In the illustrative embodiment, the cap member150is configured to be removed from the tubular sleeve member142so as to allow a user to gain access to a portion of the locking assembly124(seeFIG.9) so that the locking assembly124is able to be disengaged, thereby enabling the housing assembly142,146,148,150to be removed from the adjustment head barrier assembly.

Referring again toFIGS.7,9, and11, in the illustrative embodiment, the tubular sleeve member142of the housing assembly142,146,148,150comprises a plurality of external threads144. The cap member150may comprise a plurality of corresponding internal threads such that the plurality of corresponding internal threads on the cap member150are configured to matingly engage with the plurality of external threads144on the tubular sleeve member142in order to removably attach the cap member150to the tubular sleeve member142.

Now, with reference again toFIGS.8, and9, the locking assembly124of the locking device100will be described in further detail. In the illustrative embodiment, the locking assembly124comprises an upper female lock portion126and a lower male lock portion128(e.g., the locking assembly124is in a form of a cylindrical lock assembly or barrel lock assembly). The upper female lock portion126is configured to removably engage with the lower male lock portion128so as to secure the housing assembly142,146,148,150to the adjustment head barrier assembly.

As shown inFIGS.8and9, in the illustrative embodiment, the locking assembly124further comprises a lock key132, and the upper female lock portion126is removably engaged with, and disengaged from, the lower male lock portion128(seeFIG.6) by means of the lock key132.

In the illustrative embodiment, referring again toFIG.9, it can be seen that the lower male lock portion128of the locking assembly124is mounted on the adjustment head barrier assembly by means of the base portion (not shown) of the locking assembly124being secured within an aperture disposed through the horizontally extending wall of the L-shaped component (e.g., by welding the base portion within the aperture). In the illustrative embodiment, the upper female lock portion126of the locking assembly124is configured to be disposed over a portion of the top plate146of the housing assembly142,146,148,150when the upper female lock portion126is engaged with the lower male lock portion128, thereby securing the housing assembly142,146,148,150to the adjustment head barrier assembly. As such, when the female lock portion126is engaged with the male lock portion128, the portion of the top plate146of the housing assembly142,146,148,150is sandwiched between the bottom edge of the female lock portion126and the top surface of the horizontally extending wall of the L-shaped component or the top surface of the lock base portion.

In the illustrative embodiment, the housing assembly142,146,148,150comprises a circular lock aperture disposed through the top plate146of the housing assembly142,146,148,150. The circular lock aperture is configured to accommodate the lower male lock portion128of the locking assembly124passing through the top plate146.

It is readily apparent that the afore described locking device10,100for a regulator and/or valve offers numerous advantages. First of all, the locking device10,100conceals valves and adjustment bolts from view, adding a component of camouflage to adjustment elements. Secondly, the locking device10,100protects the lock and equipment from the elements of the weather. Thirdly, the locking device10,100creates a durable barrier which cannot quickly be removed with common hand tools. Finally, the locking device10,100provides workers an easily recognizable “lock out, tag out” method to prevent accidental turning of the valve or adjustment bolt.

Advantageously, the aforedescribed locking device10,100can be installed on an existing or new pressure regulator or valve. Also, the locking device10,100protects the lock and equipment from the elements of the weather by means of the generally weathertight housing assembly (e.g., the spring housing on the top of a pressure regulator is covered by the housing assembly of the locking device10,100). Because the locking assembly24,124is recessed-mounted within the locking device10,100, it makes it difficult for vandals to break into the device10,100.

Any of the features or attributes of the above described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that this invention can be embodied in many different forms and that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Moreover, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and should not be construed as to limit the claims in any manner. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents, and not, by the preceding description.