Switch lockout device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11037740-B2
Application number	US-201916539522-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 13, 2019
Priority date	Aug 13, 2019
Publication date	Jun 15, 2021
Grant date	Jun 15, 2021

Abstract

A lockout device for a switch assembly includes a body defining a bottom surface and a recess extending inward from the bottom surface to receive a toggle switch, first and second clamping portions disposed on first and second longitudinal sides of the recess, and an adjustable cleat member secured with the body and movable between a retracted position in which the cleat member is retained inward of the bottom surface of the body and an extended position in which the cleat member extends beyond the bottom surface of the body.

First claim

We claim:

1. A lockout device for a switch assembly, the lockout device comprising:
a body defining a bottom surface and a recess extending inward from the bottom surface to receive a toggle switch;
a first clamping portion disposed on a first longitudinal side of the recess;
a second clamping portion disposed on a second longitudinal side of the recess opposite the first longitudinal side, the second clamping portion being longitudinally adjustable for securely clamping the toggle switch between the first and second clamping portions; and
an adjustable cleat member secured with the body separate from the first and second clamping portions and movable between a retracted position in which the cleat member is retained inward of the bottom surface of the body and an extended position in which the cleat member extends beyond the bottom surface of the body.

2. The lockout device of claim 1 , wherein the recess comprises a central opening surrounded by an outer peripheral wall of the body.

3. The lockout device of claim 1 , further comprising a bolt assembled with the body and threadably adjustable to longitudinally adjust the second clamping portion.

4. The lockout device of claim 3 , wherein the second clamping portion is defined by an end surface of the bolt.

5. The lockout device of claim 1 , further comprising a plate assembled with the body, wherein the first clamping portion is defined by an inward edge of the plate.

6. The lockout device of claim 5 , wherein the inward edge of the plate is V-shaped.

7. The lockout device of claim 5 , wherein the plate is adjustable to longitudinally adjust the inward edge of the plate.

8. The lockout device of claim 7 , wherein the plate is adjustably secured to the body by a fastener.

9. The lockout device of claim 1 , further comprising a lockout member assembled with the body and movable between a first position blocking adjustment of the second clamping portion, and a second position permitting adjustment of the second clamping portion.

10. The lockout device of claim 9 , further comprising a bolt assembled with the body and threadably adjustable to longitudinally adjust the second clamping portion, wherein the lockout member comprises a cover that blocks access to the bolt when the lockout member is in the first position.

11. The lockout device of claim 9 , further comprising a lockout aperture positioned to receive a padlock shackle to block movement of the lockout member from the first position to the second position.

12. The lockout device of claim 10 , wherein the lockout aperture is defined by a tab extending from an upper portion of the body, and the cover includes a slot receiving the tab therethrough when the cover is in the first position.

13. The lockout device of claim 9 , wherein when the cover is in the first position, a portion of the cover engages the adjustable cleat to secure the adjustable cleat in the extended position.

14. The lockout device of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable cleat member is pivotably attached to the body for pivoting movement between the extended position and the retracted position.

15. The lockout device of claim 14 , further comprising a bolt assembled with the body and threadably adjustable to longitudinally adjust the second clamping portion, wherein the adjustable cleat comprises a cutout portion positioned to accommodate the bolt when the adjustable cleat is in the retracted position.

16. The lockout device of claim 1 , further comprising a second cleat extending beyond the bottom surface of the body.

17. The lockout device of claim 16 , wherein the second cleat is fixed in an orientation extending beyond the bottom surface of the body.

18. In combination, a lockout device and a switch assembly, the switch assembly including a fixed base and a toggle switch moveable between first and second switching positions and disposed between first and second end walls extending to an outer surface of the fixed base, the lockout device comprising:
a body defining a bottom surface engaging the outer surface of the fixed base of the switch assembly and a recess receiving the toggle switch;
a first clamping portion disposed in the recess and in engagement with a first side of the toggle switch;
a second clamping portion disposed in the recess and in engagement with a second side of the toggle switch opposite the first side, the second clamping portion being adjustable between a clamping position for securely clamping the toggle switch between the first and second clamping portions and a releasing position permitting withdrawal of the toggle switch from the recess; and
a cleat member secured with the body and movable between a retracted position in which the cleat member is retained inward of the bottom surface of the body and an extended position in which the cleat member extends beyond the bottom surface of the body such that the cleat member is engageable with the second end wall of the switch assembly to prevent movement of the toggle switch to the second switching position.

19. The combination of claim 18 , wherein the lockout device further comprises a lockout member assembled with the body and movable between a first position blocking adjustment of the second clamping portion, and a second position permitting adjustment of the second clamping portion.

20. A method of securing a switch assembly including a fixed base and a toggle switch moveable between first and second switching positions and disposed between first and second end walls extending to an outer surface of the fixed base, the method comprising:
placing the toggle switch in the first switching position;
providing a lockout device including a body defining a bottom surface and a recess extending inward from the bottom surface, first and second clamping portions disposed on first and second longitudinal sides of the recess, and an adjustable cleat member secured with the body;
assembling the lockout device with the switch assembly such that the toggle switch is received in the recess between the first and second clamping portions, the adjustable cleat member is in an extended position and disposed between the toggle switch and the second end wall, and the bottom surface of the body engages the outer surface of the fixed base; and
adjusting at least one of the first and second clamping portions to clamp the toggle switch between the first and second clamping portions;
wherein the adjustable cleat member is engageable with the second end wall of the switch assembly to prevent movement of the toggle switch to the second switching position.

Assignees

• Master Lock Co

Inventors

• Neau Michael
• Bartel Andrew

Classifications

• H01H9/286 Primary

  making use of a removable locking part acting directly on the operating part (H01H9/281 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01H9/22 Primary

  for interlocking between casing, cover, or protective shutter and mechanism for operating contacts {(explosion-proof cases H01H9/045; built-in fuses and interlocking mechanisms H01H9/104; by automatic release of circuit breakers H01H71/126)} · CPC title

• H01H9/283

  the part being removable · CPC title

• H01H9/0207

  Adjustable mounting of casings · CPC title