GB2158560A - Securing valves - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve handle (7) of a gate valve is secured against removal or rotational displacement by means of a cap member (9) which is placed over the handle (7) and covers the top of the valve spindle (4) and nut (8). The cap member has two lugs (10, 11) which pass through apertures in the handle (7) and lie in diametrically opposed relationship to the spindle. The lugs include apertures (12) through which a retaining bar (13) is passed, this bar also passing through an aperture (6) in the spindle support structure. The bar (13) is retained against loss by a chain (14) and includes an aperture (15) at the other end for a padlock. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Securing valves This invention relates to means for securing valves such as gate valves against unauthorised operation. Gate valves are often required to be secured when used in bonded warehouses or for carrying hazardous substances such as steam or toxic chemicals. Valves are often secured simply by means of a chain threaded through the valve handle and appropriately secured with a padlock.

Some expertise is necessary to adequately secure the valve against rotation and in addition it is often possible to remove the handle itself possibly allowing the valve to be dismantled and the product to be tampered with.

It is an object of this invention to provide a securing means enabling a gate or the like valve to be locked in a simple manner without requiring expertise in fitting and also to prevent tampering with the handle lock nut.

According to this invention there is provided a securing means for a gate valve handle comprising a cap member adapted to fit on top of the valve handle and over the securing nut, the cap member having two spaced lugs adapted to pass through the valve handle and to lie in diametric opposition to the valve spindle and a securing bar passing through apertures in the two lugs and engaging a portion of the valve body which supports the spindle, the bar being secured to prevent removal from the lugs and preventing rotation of the handle relative to the valve body.

The securing bar will preferably be attached to one of the lugs by means of a retaining chain and the other end of the bar includes an aperture to receive the hasp of a padlock. The bar is dimensioned such that it may pass through an aperture provided in the part of the valve body which supports the spindle.

With this means the cap prevents unauthorised access to the valve handle retaining nut thus preventing its removal and the bar provides a simple and easily observable means for securing the handle against rotation.

One embodiment according to the invention is shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view from above of a gate valve and securing means, and Figure 2 is a side view partly in section, of the valve of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a gate valve of conventional form has a body 1 with inlet and outlet connection flanges 2 and 3 respectively. The valve operating spindle 4 is supported in an extended portion 5 of the valve body 1 and has an aperture 6. The spindle 4 is secured to the valve handle 7 by means of a securing nut 8.

According to this invention the valve handle 7 may be secured against removal or rotational displacement by means of a cap memebr 9 which may be placed to lie over the handle 7 and to cover the top of the spindle 4 and nut 8. The cap member has two lugs 10 and 11 which pass through apertures in the handle 7 and lie in diametrically opposed relationship to the spindle. The lugs include apertures 12 through which a retaining bar 13 may be passed, this bar also passing through the aperture portion 6 in the spindle support structure. The bar 13 is retained against loss by a chain 14 and includes an aperture 15 at the other end through which the hasp of a padlock or other securing device may be passed.

As will be seen the arrangement provides a simple means of securing the handle which is readily visible for checking or supervision purposes and which furthermore encloses the spindle nut 8 thus preventing any unauthorised removal of the handle. The invention is particularly applicable to gate valves of sizes from 1.5 cm. upwards.

1. A securing means for a gate valve handle comprising a cap member adapted to fit on top of the valve handle and over the securing nut, the cap member having two spaced lugs adapted to pass through the valve handle and to lie in diametric opposition to the valve spindle and a securing bar passing through apertures in the two lugs and engaging a portion of the valve body which supports the spindle, the bar being secured to prevent removal from the lugs and preventing rotation of the handle relative to the valve body.

2. A securing means according to Claim 1, wherein the securing bar is attached to one of the lugs by means of a retaining chain and the other end of the bar includes an aperture to receive the hasp of a padlock.

3. A securing means according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the bar is dimensioned so that it passes through an aperture in the part of the valve body which supports the spindle.

4. A valve incorporating a securing means as claimed in any preceding claim.

5. A securing means for a valve as described herein with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Securing valves This invention relates to means for securing valves such as gate valves against unauthorised operation. Gate valves are often required to be secured when used in bonded warehouses or for carrying hazardous substances such as steam or toxic chemicals. Valves are often secured simply by means of a chain threaded through the valve handle and appropriately secured with a padlock. Some expertise is necessary to adequately secure the valve against rotation and in addition it is often possible to remove the handle itself possibly allowing the valve to be dismantled and the product to be tampered with. It is an object of this invention to provide a securing means enabling a gate or the like valve to be locked in a simple manner without requiring expertise in fitting and also to prevent tampering with the handle lock nut. According to this invention there is provided a securing means for a gate valve handle comprising a cap member adapted to fit on top of the valve handle and over the securing nut, the cap member having two spaced lugs adapted to pass through the valve handle and to lie in diametric opposition to the valve spindle and a securing bar passing through apertures in the two lugs and engaging a portion of the valve body which supports the spindle, the bar being secured to prevent removal from the lugs and preventing rotation of the handle relative to the valve body. The securing bar will preferably be attached to one of the lugs by means of a retaining chain and the other end of the bar includes an aperture to receive the hasp of a padlock. The bar is dimensioned such that it may pass through an aperture provided in the part of the valve body which supports the spindle. With this means the cap prevents unauthorised access to the valve handle retaining nut thus preventing its removal and the bar provides a simple and easily observable means for securing the handle against rotation. One embodiment according to the invention is shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view from above of a gate valve and securing means, and Figure 2 is a side view partly in section, of the valve of Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, a gate valve of conventional form has a body 1 with inlet and outlet connection flanges 2 and 3 respectively. The valve operating spindle 4 is supported in an extended portion 5 of the valve body 1 and has an aperture 6. The spindle 4 is secured to the valve handle 7 by means of a securing nut 8. According to this invention the valve handle 7 may be secured against removal or rotational displacement by means of a cap memebr 9 which may be placed to lie over the handle 7 and to cover the top of the spindle 4 and nut 8. The cap member has two lugs 10 and 11 which pass through apertures in the handle 7 and lie in diametrically opposed relationship to the spindle. The lugs include apertures 12 through which a retaining bar 13 may be passed, this bar also passing through the aperture portion 6 in the spindle support structure. The bar 13 is retained against loss by a chain 14 and includes an aperture 15 at the other end through which the hasp of a padlock or other securing device may be passed. As will be seen the arrangement provides a simple means of securing the handle which is readily visible for checking or supervision purposes and which furthermore encloses the spindle nut 8 thus preventing any unauthorised removal of the handle. The invention is particularly applicable to gate valves of sizes from 1.5 cm. upwards. CLAIMS

1. A securing means for a gate valve handle comprising a cap member adapted to fit on top of the valve handle and over the securing nut, the cap member having two spaced lugs adapted to pass through the valve handle and to lie in diametric opposition to the valve spindle and a securing bar passing through apertures in the two lugs and engaging a portion of the valve body which supports the spindle, the bar being secured to prevent removal from the lugs and preventing rotation of the handle relative to the valve body.

2. A securing means according to Claim 1, wherein the securing bar is attached to one of the lugs by means of a retaining chain and the other end of the bar includes an aperture to receive the hasp of a padlock.

3. A securing means according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the bar is dimensioned so that it passes through an aperture in the part of the valve body which supports the spindle.

4. A valve incorporating a securing means as claimed in any preceding claim.

5. A securing means for a valve as described herein with reference to the drawings.