The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 14, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 01, 2000
Robert A. Blenkush, St. Cloud, MN (US);
Keith V. Warzecka, St. Joseph, MN (US);
SPX Corporation, Muskegon, MI (US);
Abstract
A lockout device (,) operable to lock a valve (,) into a particular operating position and to prevent further actuation of the valve (,) until removed. The preferred lockout device (,) comprises two lock couplings (,), two lock plates (,), and two keys (,). Each lock coupling (,) presents first contact surfaces (,) and is threadably located upon and secured by a set screw (,) to an actuator shaft portion (,) of the valve (,) at shaft locations corresponding, respectively, to open and closed valve positions. Each lock plate (,) presents second contact surfaces (,) and is stationarily secured relative to the shaft (,) and operable to slidably pass the shaft (,) and receive a corresponding lock coupling (,). The keys (,) are substantially wedge-shaped and held parallel to one another by a spacer (,). The keys (,) are inserted to compressively engage the first and second contact surfaces (,) when the lock coupling (,) is received within and aligned with the lock plate (,), thereby preventing movement of the shaft (,) and lock coupling (,) relative to the stationary lock plate (,). The keys (,) may be subsequently withdrawn to allow the shaft (,) to resume movement.