Steven A Hacker

US Patent:

51160188, May 26, 1992

Filed:

Apr 12, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/684656

Inventors:

Dale J. Friemoth - Loveland OH
Steven A. Hacker - Erlanger KY
Jeff M. Loeb - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

Automax, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F16K 3144

US Classification:

251 90

Abstract:

A lockout module is adapted to be mounted between an actuator-to-valve mounting kit and a valve actuator, and is operable to lock the valve in either an opened position or a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the lockout module comprises a housing, a spindle, a lockout pin, and a lockout tab. The lockout pin is inserted in the housing for selective engagement and blocking of the spindle or for releasing the spindle. A padlock is locked through a lockout wheel on the lockout pin and the lockout tab, the lockout tab engaging a groove within an appendage of the housing to prevent pin and valve movement. In an alternative embodiment, the lockout module comprises a housing, a spindle, a pair of lockout pins, and a pair of pull pins. The lockout pins are inserted in the housing for selective engagement and blocking of the spindle or for releasing the spindle. The pull pins are inserted through the housing and the lockout pins, and padlocks are locked through bores in the ends of the pull pins to secure them, the lockout pins, the spindle and hence the valve.

US Patent:

52361721, Aug 17, 1993

Filed:

May 18, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/885179

Inventors:

Dale J. Friemoth - Loveland OH
Steven A. Hacker - Loveland OH
Jeffrey M. Loeb - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

Automax, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F16K 3502

US Classification:

251 90

Abstract:

A lockout module comprises a housing having at least one lockout bore therethrough, a spindle disposed in the housing and having a pair of lockout cross bores therethrough, and a lockout pin selectively insertable through the housing lockout bore and one of the spindle lockout cross bores for blocking rotation of the spindle relative to the housing in first or second position. Slotted bolt holes spaced through and around the periphery of the housing are utilized to secure the housing to a mounting bracket and valve actuator. The slotted holes allow the housing sufficient rotational travel such that the housing lockout bore can be rotatably aligned with a selected spindle lockout cross bore before securing the bolts, thereby compensating for under or over travel of a valve in the open or closed position.