Patent Application
20210198923
The present application relates to safety requirements for the control of hazardous energy and more particularly to a lock out tag out safety system for the control of hazardous energy.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,757 for a safety lock provides the state of technology information below.
“It is recognized that accidents occurring in industrial environments are often a consequence of carelessness. Simple, low cost precautionary measures can sometimes make a big difference in industrial accident occurrence rate. One such known safety measure consists in providing a locking member having at least a few padlock shackles engaging bore means, wherein the keys for the various padlocks are to be held by a number of different persons. Therefore, if for example an electrician is working on an electrical line, it is critical that voltage not be applied to the line during such maintenance, otherwise severe injuries and/or death can occur by contacting a live electrical line. The electrician will have himself closed the power lever in the control box, but, if the electrician works at a distance from this electrical control box, he may not be able to detect the presence of another fellow worker who could think that “someone has again forgotten to put the power line on”, and thus decided to reopen the electrical power lever. Having more than one padlock to lock such an electrical control box is desirable, since more than one person would need to authorize such unlocking, and any of these persons could put his veto on the unlocking of the locking device, a desirable safety feature.”
U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0283753 for a safety lockout hasp provides the state of technology information below.
“The supply of electrical energy to a machine often needs to be interrupted to allow for maintenance on the components of the machine. The person conducting the maintenance may need to access parts of the machine that could be harmful if energy is being supplied to the machine. The machine may have exposed electrical terminals, or the electrical energy may cause movement to the components that could cause physical harm to the person. The machine may be of such a size that the person is maintaining a part of the machine that is remote from the electrical switch, and the switch may be inadvertently turned on causing harm to the person maintaining the machine. Alternatively, multiple people may be conducting separate maintenance tasks on the machine, and it may not be clear that all those tasks are complete. One person may have left to collect replacement parts only to have the switch turned on in their absence. This may cause damage to the person when they return, or even damage the machine. It is therefore desirable to lockout the machine from the electricity source.”
“The switch controlling the supply of electrical energy to the machine is often located within a box, whereby the lid to the box can be locked in a closed position with a padlock. The box may include a metal hoop, often referred to as a staple, which fits through an opening in the lid and receives the shackle of the padlock. Alternatively, the switch may include an aperture, which is exposed when the switch is in an “off” position, that accommodates the shackle to prevent it being moved to the “on” position. It is generally desirable for each person maintaining the machine to have their own padlock; however, the size of the aperture or staple will generally only accommodate a single shackle. Where more than one person is maintaining the machine, it is preferred to provide a safety lockout hasp as it can accommodate more than one padlock.”
Features and advantages of the disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods will become apparent from the following description. Applicant is providing this description, which includes drawings and examples of specific embodiments, to give a broad representation of the apparatus, systems, and methods. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this description and by practice of the apparatus, systems, and methods. The scope of the apparatus, systems, and methods is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed and the application covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the apparatus, systems, and methods as defined by the claims.
When work is done on equipment that is normally connected to an energy source, such as electricity, pressure, or steam, personnel may be exposed to source-related hazards. The inventors' lock out/tag out apparatus, systems, and methods provide for the control of hazardous energy and address the practices and procedures necessary to disable machinery or equipment to prevent unexpected energization, start-up or release of stored energy, which may result in injury to employees during maintenance, servicing, or construction.
The inventor's lock out/tag out apparatus, systems, and methods have many uses. For example, the inventor's lock out/tag out apparatus, systems, and methods can be used all over the industries and around the world. When work is done on equipment that is normally connected to an energy source, such as electricity, pressure, and steam, personnel may be exposed to source-related hazards. The Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) provide safety requirements for the control of hazardous energy, and addresses the practices and procedures necessary to disable machinery or equipment to prevent unexpected energization, start-up or release of stored energy, which may result in injury to employees during maintenance, servicing, or construction. The inventor's lock out/tag out padlock apparatus, systems, and methods have advantages that include providing a simple fail-safe system. The inventor's lock out/tag out apparatus, systems, and methods also have advantages that include the use of standard padlocks.
In various embodiments the inventor's lock out/tag out padlock apparatus, systems, and methods provide a lockout padlock that controls access to a hazardous energy source control box. The control box has a box body and a door that closes the box body. The door has an aperture. A staple is connected to the box body and the staple extends through the aperture in the door of the control box. A first lockout hinge part has a first lockout hinge part padlock hole. A second lockout hinge part has a second lockout hinge part padlock hole. The first lockout hinge part and the second lockout hinge part are position together to form a padlock pocket. A first padlock is positioned and locked in the staple. The first padlock is positioned in said padlock pocket and covered by said first lockout hinge part and said second lockout hinge part. A second padlock is positioned in the first lockout hinge part padlock hole and in said second lockout hinge part padlock hole.
The apparatus, systems, and methods are susceptible to modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments are shown by way of example. It is to be understood that the apparatus, systems, and methods are not limited to the particular forms disclosed. The apparatus, systems, and methods cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate specific embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods and, together with the general description given above, and the detailed description of the specific embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the apparatus, systems, and methods.
Referring to the drawings, to the following detailed description, and to incorporated materials, detailed information about the apparatus, systems, and methods is provided including the description of specific embodiments. The detailed description serves to explain the principles of the apparatus, systems, and methods. The apparatus, systems, and methods are susceptible to modifications and alternative forms. The application is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. The application covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the apparatus, systems, and methods as defined by the claims.
Energy sources including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other sources in machines and equipment can be hazardous to workers. During the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment, the unexpected startup or release of stored energy can result in serious injury or death to workers. The inventors' lock out/tag out apparatus, systems, and methods are safety procedures for ensuring that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work. Hazardous energy sources are isolated and rendered inoperative before work is started on the equipment. The isolated power sources are “locked” and a warning tag is be placed on the locks. In various embodiments the warning tags identify the person with the key that unlocks the specific lock.
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to
In step #1 the padlock number one is fasten to the object to be secured. The object to be secured is a control box for the control of hazardous energy. For example, the object to be secured can be a control box for the control of electricity, pressure, steam, or other hazardous energy.
In step #2 the hinge parts are assembled around padlock number one. The assembled hinge parts form a pocket for padlock number one.
In step #3 additional padlocks are connected to the hinge parts. This secures the assembled hinge parts around padlock number one.
The inventor's lock out/tag out padlock apparatus, systems, and methods are further described and illustrated by a number of examples. Various changes and modifications of these examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the examples and by practice of the invention. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular examples disclosed and the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
Referring to
The description of the structural components of the example embodiment of the inventor's lock out/tag out padlock apparatus, systems, and methods 200 having been completed, the operation and additional description of the inventor's lock out/tag out padlock apparatus, systems, and methods will now be considered in greater detail.
The inventor's lock out/tag out padlock apparatus, systems, and methods 200 provide a lockout apparatus for controlling access to a hazardous energy source control box wherein the control box includes a control box body 202 and a door 204 that closes the box body 202. The door 204 has an aperture 204a. A staple 206 is connected to the control box body 202. The staple 206 extends through the aperture 204a in the door 204 of the control box.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,757 for a safety lock in
Referring to
The inventor's lock out/tag out padlock apparatus, systems, and methods provide padlock number one that is fastened to the object to the staple 206. The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned around padlock number one 208. The assembled hinge parts form a pocket 306 for padlock number one.
Referring to
The inventor's lock out/tag out padlock apparatus, systems, and methods provide padlock number one that is fastened to the object to be secured. The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned around padlock number one 208. The first hinge part has a first hinge part padlock hole and the second hinge part has a second hinge padlock hole. A second padlock is positioned in the first hinge part padlock hole and in said second hinge part padlock hole. Addition padlock 402 and addition padlock 404 are positioned through hinge part A 402 and hinge part B 404 and locked. The additional padlocks will secure the hinge parts to padlock number one. Access to padlock number one is blocked until all padlocks are removed.
Referring to
The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned together to form a functioning hinge. The lip 502 fits within slot 504. The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned around padlock number one 208. Addition padlocks are positioned through hinge part A 302 and hinge part B 204 and locked. The additional padlocks will secure the hinge parts to padlock number one. Access to padlock number one is blocked until all padlocks are removed.
Referring to
Lip (Reference Numeral-502); and
The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 form a functioning hinge. The lip 502 is positioned within slot 504. The lip 502 positioned in slot 504 forms a functioning hinge. It is to be understood that other form of hinges may be use. In an alternative embodiment, the lip 502 positioned in slot 504 hinge is replaced with an alternative version of a hinge. U.S. Pat. No. 8,498,609 for a safety lockout hasp in
The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned around padlock number one. Addition padlocks are positioned through holes 602 in hinge part A 302 and hinge part B 404. The additional padlocks will secure the hinge parts to padlock number one. Access to padlock number one is blocked until all padlocks are removed.
Referring to
Padlock number one fastened to the staple (Reference Numeral-208);
All of the lockout tags include a warning label. The first lockout tag 702 includes contact information for the key holder of the number one padlock 208. The second lockout tag 704 includes contact information for the key holder of padlock number two 402. The third lockout tag 706 includes contact information for the key holder of padlock number three 404.
Referring to
The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned together to form a functioning hinge. The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are position together to form a padlock pocket. The lip 502 fits within slot 504. Side wall 802a extends from one side of hinge part B and side wall 802b extends from the other side of hinge part B. The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned around padlock number one in the padlock pocket. The side walls 802a and 802b function to prevent the enclosed padlock number one from being removed from the sides of the padlock pocket. Addition padlocks are positioned through hinge part A 302 and hinge part B 204 and locked. The additional padlocks will secure the hinge parts to padlock number one. Access to padlock number one is blocked until all padlocks are removed.
In an alternative embodiment side wall 802a extends from one side of hinge part A and side wall 802b extends from the other side of hinge part A. The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned around padlock number one in the padlock pocket. The side walls 802a and 802b function to prevent the enclosed padlock number one from being removed from the sides of the padlock pocket.
Referring to
The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 form a functioning hinge. The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are position together to form a padlock pocket. The lip 502 fits within slot 504. Side wall 802a extends from one side of hinge part B and side wall 802b extends from the other side of hinge part B. The Hinge part A 302 and Hinge part B 304 are positioned around padlock number one in the padlock pocket. The side walls 802a and 802b function to prevent the enclosed padlock number one from being removed from the sides of the padlock pocket. Addition padlocks are positioned through hinge part A 302 and hinge part B 204 and locked. Addition padlocks are positioned through holes 602 in hinge part A 302 and hinge part B 404. The additional padlocks will secure the hinge parts to padlock number one. Access to padlock number one is blocked until all padlocks are removed.
Although the description above contains many details and specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the application but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods. Other implementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this patent document. The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, and computer program products. Certain features that are described in this patent document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present application fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art. In the claims, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present apparatus, systems, and methods, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element or component in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element or component is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”
While the apparatus, systems, and methods may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the application is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the application is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the following appended claims.
The United States Government has rights in this application pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344 between the United States Department of Energy and Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
