Patent Application
20170338063
The present disclosure relates to a toggle switch lockout, and more particularly, to a toggle switch lockout that can accommodate a variety of locks or hasps.
Devices for locking electrical switches in one of their operating states, and particularly, the locking of electrical switches that are mounted on control panels are disclosed herein.
There are many instances where it is desirable to lock electrically controlled equipment by disabling a switch. For example, in industrial applications safety standards may require that equipment be de-energized and locked in this state while maintenance is performed, or that certain equipment always remain operative while particular procedures are being performed. Traditionally, such switches have handles or hasps to which locks can be applied, or the switches are mounted in enclosures which can be locked.
As industrial equipment becomes more automated, manual controls have become more centralized. Whereas in the past, control switches may have been disconnects located near the equipment in lockable enclosures, industrial automation has produced centralized control panels with numerous manually operable switches and displays. In addition, industrial control systems are usually programmable and the function performed by control panel switches can be changed without rewiring them. There is a need for lockout devices which can be easily applied to control panel toggle switches in the event their operation must be securely controlled.
A lockout device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,242 includes a cover with one leg and a base with another leg. The cover flips up and down as needed. When the cover is flipped down, the two legs are adjacent to each other and can receive a locking device. The cover maintains the toggle switch in a down position. However, the lockout device is sized to receive a limited number of locks due to the sizing of the cutouts in the legs and further requires an operator to flip the cover up and down. Accordingly, there is a need for lockout devices that can be used quickly by an operator and can receive different size locks or lockout hasps.
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a toggle switch lockout for disabling a toggle switch including a baseplate, two parallel legs attached to the baseplate and configured to be positioned on either side of a toggle switch. Each of the parallel legs includes a tapered cutout. The tapered cutouts are configured to receive a lockout device that maintains the toggle switch in one position.
The tapered cutout can be tear-drop shaped, triangle shaped, or egg-shaped. The toggle switch lockout can maintain the toggle switch in a locked position. An outer portion of the parallel legs can include a curved indent positioned above the tapered cutout.
The baseplate can be configured to be affixed to a control panel including a toggle switch. The baseplate can include a hole for affixing the toggle switch lockout to a control panel.
In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a toggle switch lockout system including a toggle switch and a toggle switch lockout. The toggle switch lockout includes a baseplate and two parallel legs coupled to the baseplate. The parallel legs can be positioned on either side of the toggle switch. The two parallel legs can include a tapered cutout. The toggle switch lockout can be configured to receive a lockout device that holds the toggle switch in one position.
The tapered cutout can be tear-drop shaped, triangle shaped, or egg-shaped. The toggle switch lockout can maintain the toggle switch in a locked position. An outer portion of the parallel legs can include a curved indent positioned above the tapered cutout.
The baseplate can be configured to be affixed to a control panel including a toggle switch. The baseplate can include a hole for affixing the toggle switch lockout to a control panel. The toggle switch lockout system can further include a locking device positioned in the tapered cutouts and configured to lock the toggle switch in one position.
The present disclosure relates to toggle switch lockouts as described in further detail below. Referring to
The toggle switch lockout 100 can be positioned with the parallel legs 104 positioned on either side of a toggle switch, such that when a locking device 114 is employed, the tapered cutouts 106 and the shackle 116 of the locking device 114 prevent the toggle switch 112 from being switched to the down position. For example, the baseplate 102 can be positioned above the toggle switch 112 that requires a toggle switch lockout 100. The toggle switch lockout 100 can be positioned when and where the operator requires.
The tapered cutouts 106 are configured to receive locking devices with varying dimensions on the shackle or hasp. Locking devices, such as padlocks, combination locks, or lockout hasps, are used in lockout devices to lock a switch. A lockout hasp can include a lockout for one operator or multiple operators. Different locking devices can have different widths and curvatures on the shackle or hasp. The tapered cutout 106 of the toggle switch lockout 100 of the present disclosure can accommodate locking devices with a variety of widths and curvatures.
Still referring to
The toggle switch lockout 100 can be made from any material with sufficient structural integrity. For example, the toggle switch lockout 100 can be made from metal, plastic, or a combination.
The toggle switch lockout 100 of the present disclosure allows an operator to use a locking device 114 of their choice, such as a padlock or a single or multiple operator lockout hasp. The operator can flip a toggle switch 112 into an up position and then insert a shackle 116 of the locking device 114 in the tapered cutouts 106 of the toggle switch lockout. The shackle 116 of the locking device 114 prevents the toggle switch from moving to the down position. The toggle switch lockout 100 can accommodate a variety of shackle or hasp widths and curvatures because of the shape of the tapered cutouts 106, which also prevents the toggle switch 112 from moving to a down position.
The toggle switch lockout 100 of the present disclosure enables an operator to quickly flip the toggle switch 112 to an up position and insert a locking device 114. Because the toggle switch lockout 100 will accommodate a variety of locking devices 114, the operator can quickly choose a locking device 114 that suits his or her needs. Accordingly, the toggle lockout switch of the present disclosure saves an operator time and prevents frustration.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modification and variations can be made to the disclosed toggle switch lockout. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed composition. It is intended that the specification and example be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
