The present invention relates to a circuit breaker lockout, and more particularly to a circuit breaker lockout with an improved grip.
Circuit breaker lockout devices are known in the art. One example of a circuit breaker lockout device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,740. U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,740 discloses a circuit breaker lockout for multi-pole breaker switches. The circuit breaker lockout includes a front member and a rear member slidingly secured to each other via a screw. To install the circuit breaker lockout, the front member and the rear member are positioned on opposite sides of a tie bar that joins the circuit breaker switches. The screw is tightened to draw the front and rear members toward each other. The rear member includes a bottom lug that is positioned under the tie bar to prevent the circuit breaker lockout from being withdrawn. The circuit breaker lockout is designed to be used only with multi-pole breakers that use a tie bar.
As such, it is desirable to provide a versatile circuit breaker lockout that may be used to lock either single or multi-pole breaker switches. It is also desirable to provide a circuit breaker lockout with an improved grip that reduces the damage caused to the circuit breaker switch during use.
The present invention is related to a circuit breaker lockout. The circuit breaker lockout includes a base and a sliding jaw. The base has a top, a bottom and a screw positioned within the base. The jaw has a top, a bottom and sides defining an open center having a first length. The base is positioned between the sides of the jaw in the open center. The bottom of the base extends in the open center and the top of the base extends above the top of the jaw. To secure the circuit breaker lockout, the jaw slides with respect to the base when the screw is actuated thereby decreasing the first length of the open center to a second length to enable the lockout to surround the switch of a circuit breaker.
The present invention is directed to a circuit breaker lockout 20. The circuit breaker lockout 20 may be installed on a single pole circuit breaker or multi-pole circuit breakers, as desired.
The jaw 40 also includes teeth 46 and an open channel 48 having a first length Ll. The teeth 46 are molded into the end 42 of the jaw 40 to ensure the lockout 20 is properly positioned on the breaker switch. The open center 48 allows the lockout to surround the switch of the circuit breaker. The open center 48 in the jaw 40 enables the lockout to engage a circuit breaker more squarely and securely. The open center 48 also aides in preventing the lockout 20 from being twisted off of the circuit breaker.
The circuit breaker lockout 20 of the present invention is simple to install. The two piece lockout 20 is positioned on a circuit breaker. As discussed above, the circuit breaker lockout 20 is designed to be installed on single or multi-pole circuit breakers. As illustrated in
Once the lockout 20 is positioned on the breaker(s), the lockout 20 is tightened via the toggle screw 22 or a tool engages the set screw 24. As the screw is actuated, the jaw 40 slides with respect to the base 30 decreasing the first length L1 of the open center 48 to a second length L2. As a result, the lockout 20 surrounds a switch of the circuit breaker. As illustrated in
Once the lockout 20 is secured, a padlock 70 can be installed in one of two positions. The padlock ensures that the lockout can not be removed from the breaker switch by maintaining the toggle screw in a locked position. As illustrated in
As discussed above, the circuit breaker lockout of the present invention provides a secure device that prevents unwanted access to the circuit breaker. The lockout is easy to install and versatile since one lockout fits a one, two, or three pole circuit breaker. Finally the lockout design with the metal blades and teeth provides an improved grip and eliminates damage to the circuit breaker switches.
Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/714,416, filed Oct. 16, 2012, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5079390 | Costanzo et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5147991 | Jordan, Sr. | Sep 1992 | A |
5181602 | Kozlowski et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5256838 | Benda | Oct 1993 | A |
5300740 | Benda | Apr 1994 | A |
5322980 | Benda | Jun 1994 | A |
5500495 | Benda et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5543593 | Turek | Aug 1996 | A |
5577599 | Turek et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
7262376 | Brojanac et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7692108 | Larranaga et al. | Apr 2010 | B1 |
20120205224 | Hackett | Aug 2012 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2577167 | Aug 2008 | CA |
0824263 | Feb 1998 | EP |
5851524 | Apr 1983 | JP |
05074312 | Mar 1993 | JP |
03041102 | May 2003 | WO |
2006105288 | Oct 2006 | WO |
Entry |
---|
North Safety Products Lockouts & Tagouts, front cover; p. 4; and back cover, Nov. 2007, 3 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20140102865 A1 | Apr 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61714416 | Oct 2012 | US |