GB2335968A

GB2335968A - Valve locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2335968A
Application number: GB9907268A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albertus Buschgens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-30
Filing date: 1999-03-30
Publication date: 1999-10-06
Also published as: GB9907268D0; NL1008755C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking mechanism for lacking a valve adjusting element 3 which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, by means of which the valve can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position of the valve. The locking mechanism comprises a locking member 7 which moves along with said adjusting element and a locking member 8 which is rigidly connected to a housing of the valve, as well as means by which the two locking members can be locked in position relative to each other. The two locking members are made up of two disc-shaped elements, which comprise opposing boundary surfaces extending transversely to the axis of rotation. The locking member which is rigidly connected to the housing is suspended from the disc-shaped locking member which is connected to the adjusting element. The locking mechanism may include a key which may be locked against retraction in certain positions of the mechanism.

Description

2335968 1 A locking mechanism for locking a valve adjusting element which

is rotatable about an axis of rotation.

The invention relates to a locking mechanism for locking a valve adjusting element which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, by means of which said valve can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position of the valve, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a locking member which moves along with said adjusting element and a locking member which is rigidly connected to a housing of said valve, as well as means by which the two locking members can be locked in position relative to each other.

Such locking mechanisms are used for preventing a valve being opened or closed by unauthorized persons.

A locking mechanism of this kind is for example known form Dutch patent application No. 1006085. This known locking mechanism comprises a clamping part consisting of two pivotally interconnected segments, which is to be clamped down on the valve housing. The two segments bound an annular channel, in which a number of sliding segments are positioned, one of which supports a projecting pin, which engages a spoke of the adjusting element of the valve. The sliding segments can be locked against movement in the clamping part by means of a lock.

The construction of this locking mechanism is complicated and comprises a large number of parts, the construction must be adapted to the type of valve on which the clamping part is to be clamped down. Furthermore, the projecting pin and the segment supporting said projecting pin are loaded unfavourably upon rotation of the adjusting element.

According to the invention, the two locking members are made up of two disc-shaped elements, which are provided with opposing boundary surfaces extending transversely to the axis of rotation, wherein the locking member which is rigidly connected to the housing is suspended from the disc-shaped locking member which is connected to the adjusting element.

When using the construction according to the invention, the entire locking mechanism is in fact suspen ' ded from the adjusting element of the valve, and the housing or the like of the valve only needs to be provided with some kind of stop element or the like, which prevents 2 r, is rotation of the locking member which is suspended from the locking member that rotates along with the adjusting element. The locking mechanism may be of simple construction which can be used for many different types of valves, whilst parts of the locking mechanism that are connected with the housing of the valve and with the adjusting element do not require precise adjustment.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a locking mechanism of the kind referred to in the introduction, wherein the two locking members are made up of two disc-shaped elements, which are provided with opposing boundary surfaces extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation, wherein two housings disposed in close proximity to each other are attached to a first locking member of the locking members which can rotate through an angle of about 90' relative to each other, which housings each receive a locking pin, which locking pin can be retracted from a recess formed in a second locking member by means of a key to be inserted into the respective housing, the construction being such that in one position of the locking members relative to each other one locking pin is positioned opposite a recess in the second locking member and the other locking pin is retained in its retracted position by the second locking member, thus locking the key that cooperates with said other locking pin 1 1 against being retracted from the housing in question, whilst in the other position, wherein the locking members have rotated through 900 relative to the first position, the other locking pin is positioned opposite a recess in the second locking member and the one locking pin is retained in its retracted position by the second locking member, thus securing the key that cooperates with said one locking pin against being retracted from the housing in question.

When this construction is used, a valve which is adjustable between its open and its closed position through rotation of its adjusting element through an angle of 90' can be locked in said open position and said closed position by means of a simple construction.

The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter by means of a few embodiments of the construction according to the invention which are schematically shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 schematically shows a part of a valve with a locking mechanism mounted thereon.

3 Figure 2 is a perspective plan view of a disc-shaped locking member which forms part of the locking mechanism.

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of part of two disc-shaped locking members of the locking mechantsm.

Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of two disc shaped locking members.

Figure 5 schematically shows the driving mechanism of a locking pin for the key of the lock.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a driving mechanism for the locking pin.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a lock housing and the driving mechanism.

Figures 8 - 10 schematically show possible embodiments of a lock construction.

Figure 11 schematically shows another possibility of suspending the lock housing from a locking member.

Figures 12 - 15 show further valve constructions in combination with a locking mechanism according to the invention.

Figure 16 is a side view of a locking member which is capable of rotation relative to the housing.

Figure 17 is a bottom view of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a sectional view of the locking member which is shown in Figures 16 and 17 and the locking member accommodated therein, which occupies a fixed position during operation.

Figures 19 - 21 show, in a similar manner as in Figures 16 - 18, another embodiment of a rotatable locking member.

Figure 22 schematically shows a part of a valve with locking members attached thereto.

Figure 23 is a side view of Figure 22.

Figures 24 and 25 are views corresponding to Figures 22 and 23, showing the locking members in a different position thereof.

Figure 26 is a schematic plan view of a valve, showing a rotatable locking member according to another embodiment attached thereto.

Figure 27 is a side view of Figure 26.

Figure 28 shows a part of a mechanism by means of which the two locking members can be locked in position relative to each other.

4 Figure 29 is a sectional view of a part of Figure 28.

Figures 30 - 34 show different embodiments of a locking member which are capable of rotation along with the adjusting element of the valve.

Figure 35 shows an embodiment of means by which a locking member can be locked against rotation relative to the housing of the valve.

Figure 36 shows another embodiment of means for securing a locking member against rotation.

Figure 37 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of Figure 36.

Figure 38 schematically shows a transmission mechanism for adjusting a locking cam which mates with a key.

Figure 39 schematically shows a part of a key and a locking cam that mates therewith.

Figure 40 shows an embodiment which corresponds to Figure 39, wherein the locking cam is shown in another position thereof.

Figures 41 - 44 show further possible embodiments of locking cams that mate with a key.

Figure 45 schematically shows another possible embodiment of a driving mechanism for locking cams that mate with a key.

Figure 1 schematically shows the upper part of a housing 1 of a valve. A screwed rod 2 is accommodated in valve housing 1 in a manner which is known per se. Screwed rod 2 can be rotated about its axis by means of a hand wheel 3 which is attached thereto, which hand wheel comprises an annular part 4, which is connected to said screwed rod 2 by means of spokes 5. By rotating hand wheel 3 and thus adjusting screwed rod 2, the valve can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position in a manner which is known per se.

Secured to ring 4 are the upper ends of three arms 6 extending downwards from said ring. The lower ends of arms 6 are positioned between and connected to ears 6' extending upwards from a disc 7, which ears 6' are attached to annular disc 7. Positioned opposite the lower boundary surface of disc 7, which extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the central axis of screwed spindle 2, is an upper boundary surface of an annular disc 8 which is positioned under annular disc 7. U-shaped connecting elements 9 are secured to annular disc 8 by means of screws 9' (Figure 3). Horizontal legs of connecting elements 9 are supported on the upper side of annular disc 7, in such a manner that lower disc 8 is suspended from upper disc 7, whilst discs 7 and 8 can rotate relative to each other about the axis of screwed rod 2.

Secured to lower disc 8 are lock housings 10 of locking mechanisms yet to be described in more detail hereafter, by means of which the discs 7 and 8 can be locked against rotation relative to each other.

Secured to lock hous i ngs 10 are arms 11, wh i ch cooperate with stripshaped parts 12 mounted on housing 1, in such a manner that disc 8 with the locking mechanisms attached thereto cannot rotate about the central axis of screwed spindle 2 with respect to housing 1 whilst movement with respect to housing 1 is possible to a certain extent, so that the disc 8 suspended from ring 7 does not impede rotation of ring 7 together with hand wheel 3.

Also other means for preventing rotation of the disc relative to housing 1 are conceivable, of course.

As is shown in more detail in Figure 8, the locking mechanism accommodated in lock housing 10 comprises a locking pin 13 as well as a spring 14 which acts on locking pin 13.

In the position of locking pin 13 which is shown in Figure 8, the upper end of locking pin 13 is positioned in a hole 15 formed in lower disc 8. The locking pin can be inserted into a hole 16 formed in disc 7 when said hole 16 is positioned opposite hole 15 so as to lock disc 7 against rotation relative to disc 8.

locking pin 13 is retained in the position which is shown in Figure 8, against the action of spring 14, by means of an adjusting member 17 which is movably supported in the housing parallel to the direction of movement of locking pin 13 as indicated by arrow A, which adjusting member is provided with a projecting arm 18. Projecting arm 18 engages into a recess 19 formed in the locking pin, whose length, seen in the direction of movement of the locking pin, is greater than the length of the part 18 which projects into said recess. Secured to adjusting member 17 is a pin 20, which is intended for cooperation with a key 21, which can be inserted into a slotted hole 22 formed in lock housing 10.

Key 21 thereby engages pin 20 with a slotted hole 23 formed in key 21, whose longitudinal axis includes an angle with the direction of insertion of key 21 into lock housing 10. It will be apparent that when key 21 is inserted into lock housing 10, the pin 20 which falls into slotted hole 23 will be moved downwards, against the action of a spring 24 acting on adjusting member 17, to the position which is shown in Figure 8, in which position also locking pin 13 is retracted from disc 7. When the key is pulled out of the housing, the adjusting member 17 can move upwards from the position which is shown in Figure 8, partially under the action of spring 24, also when locking pin 13 cannot move upwards. Once key 21 has been removed, however, locking pin 13 can move upwards as soon as a hole 16 present in annular disc 7 is positioned above locking pin 13.

Key 21 can be locked against being retracted from lock housing 10 by means of a locking cam or locking pin, which is to be passed through a hole 25 formed in key 21.

As is shown in more detail in Figure 5, a locking cam or locking pin 26 for key 21 is screwed onto a shaft 27, which is threaded along part of its length, which shaft is journalled in a housing 10'.

Locking pin 26 is thereby guided in housing 10' in such a manner that the locking pin is capable of movement in its longitudinal direction with respect to shaft 27, but not of rotary movement about the axis of shaft 27.

A gear wheel 2087 is mounted on shaft 27. Gear wheel 28 can be driven by means of a gear wheel 29 which is mounted on a shaft 30, which is likewise journalled in housing 10'. Gear wheel 29 is provided with at least one pin 31 for driving gear wheel 28, which pin can engage in tooth gaps of gear wheel 28. Depending on the desired transmission ratio between gear wheels 28 and 29, gear wheel 29 may be provided with one or more pins 31 for driving gear wheel 28. The required pins 31 can be inserted into holes 31' formed in gear wheel 29 for this purpose.

Housing 10', which together with the gear wheels 28 and 29 accommodated therein, forms a driving mechanism for locking pin 26, can be attached to lock housing 10 by means not shown (Figure 7).

As is shown in more detail in Figure 6, gear wheel 29 projects from housing 10' over part of its circumference. Said gear wheel 29 is intended for being driven by one or more pins 32 secured to disc 7 (Figures 3 and 6), which pin(s) extend(s) perpendicularly to the opposing boundary surfaces of annular discs 7 and 8. The free end of a pin 32 is positioned in a circular groove 33 formed in disc 8 (Figures 2, 3).

7 A recess 34 is formed in ring 34 near the place where a lock housing 10 with a housing 10' is to be mounted on ring 8, into which recess the part of gear wheel 29 that projects from the lock housing can be inserted.

Lock housing 10 and housing 101 can be mounted on ring 8 by means of angle irons 35 secured to said ring (Figure 6), for example.

Slotted holes 35', through which bolts 3P' extend, are provided in the legs of angle irons 35 extending perpendicularly to disc 8, between which housing 10' is positioned. Housing 10' with housing 10 can be secured to angle irons 35 by means of said bolts 35''.

Lock housings 10 and housings 10' may be connected to the angle irons 35 secured to ring 8 at the factory already, whereby the use of slotted holes 35' permits limited movement between a first position, in which the teeth of gear wheel 29 projecting from housing 10' into the recess 34 formed in ring 8 are positioned under the path followed by the pin(s) 32 attached to ring 7, and a second position, in which said teeth of gear wheel 29 are positioned in the path of pin(s) 32. Generally, mounting of dismounting of the locking mechanisms on ring 8 at the place where the valves are to be installed is not necessary, therefore, so that the internal parts of the driving mechanism and the locking mechanism remain screened and dirt is prevented from penetrating into the driving mechanism and the locking mechanism.

When the lock, which must lock the valve in its closed position, for example, is to be adjusted, the valve is closed completely, whilst gear wheel 29 is held outside the path of the pin(s) 32. Housing 10' can then be moved and fixed in the position in which the teeth of gear wheel 29 will be positioned in the path of pin(s) 32. Locking pin 13 will snap into a hole 16 formed in disc 7, or, in the event that such a hole 16 is not positioned above locking pin 13, minor rotation of hand wheel 3 with the disc 7 secured thereto will cause locking pin 13 to snap into such a hole 16 formed in disc 7 anyway.

After key 21 has been inserted into lock housing 10, locking pin 13 will be retracted to the position shown in Figure 8, so that hand wheel 3 can be rotated for opening the valve. Gear wheel 29 will be rotated vi a pi n (s) 32 and gear wheel 28 wi 11 be rotated vi a gear wheel 29, thus effecting movement of locking pin 26, in such a manner that said 8 is locking pin 26 is moved into the hole 25 formed in the inserted key 21, thus preventing the key from being retracted.

By suitably selecting the number of pins 32 on disc 7 and the transmission ratio between gear wheels 28 and 29 for driving shaft 27, by means of which locking pin 26 is moved in its longitudinal direction, the locking pin can be moved the desired distance while the valve is rotated from the closed position to the entirely open position. The transmission ratio can thus be adapted to a particular valve by suitable selection of the number of pins 32 fixed to disc 7 and/or the number of pins 31 inserted into gear wheel 29, and said transmission ratio will depend on the number of revolutions of the hand wheel 3 which are required for adjusting the valve in question between the entirely open and the entirely closed position.

When the valve is being closed, the locking pin 25 will be retracted from hole 25 in key 21 again the moment the valve reaches its closed position. Key 21 can then be retracted from lock housing 10 so as to release locking pin 13, which will penetrate into a hole 16 in disc 7 as soon as such a hole 16 is in line with locking pin 13, as a result of which the valve is secured against being opened by unauthorized persons.

Generally, a lock for locking the valve in its entirely open position is provided in addition to a lock for locking the valve in its entire closed position.

When the valve has been moved to the entirely open position for the first time, the locking mechanism, which is intended for locking the lock in the open position, can be moved in such a manner that the teeth of the gear wheel 29 projecting from housing 10' of the locking mechanism in question are positioned in the path of movement of pin(s) 32, wherein locking pin 13 of the respective locking mechanism can snap into a hole 16 formed in disc 7, so as to lock the valve in its open position. When the valve is to be closed, the locking pin 13 can be held in the retracted position after the respective key 21 has been inserted, after which the valve can be closed whilst simultaneously effecting the locking engagement of the respective key 21 with a locking pin 26.

Unauthorized opening and closing of the valve is prevented by providing two locks.

9 Although the locking of the hand wheel in an entirely closed or an entirely open position of the valve has been discussed above, it will also be conceivable to design the construction so that the valve can be locked in a partially open position, for example if this is desirable in order to adjust the passage of the valve to a value smaller than the maximum passage.

It will be apparent that the above-described locking mechanism, which is provided with the two discs 7 and 8 and the lock housings 10 and housings 10' secured thereto, can readily be mounted on hand wheels 3 having different diameters, so that the locking mechanism can be used with valves having different shapes and/or dimensions, which only need to be provided with suitable stops 12 to prevent ring 8 from rotating with respect to the valve and to ring 7.

The hand wheel 3 can easily be gripped by the operator of the valve, without any risk of the operator's hands being damaged or getting jammed when the valve is operated, that is, when the hand wheel 3 is rotated.

The locking mechanism can also be used with valves wherein the valve mechanism of the valve is for example operated via a geared transmission accommodated in a housing 40 (Figure 12). A retaining element 41 is thereby secured to housing 40, which retaining element prevents rotation of ring 8 with respect to the housing.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of a so-called ball valve 42, which comprises a ball provided with a passage, which ball only needs to be rotated through an angle of 90' for adjusting the valve between an open position and a closed position. The ball is provided with a shaft 43 projecting from the valve housing, to which an operating pin or handgrip 44 extending transversely to said shaft is secured.

Secured to pin 44 is a connecting piece 45, to which ring 7 is connected by means of a few arms 46 and 47 of unequal length.

In order to prevent rotation of ring 8, a plate 48 may be fixed to ring 8, for example, which plate extends along a flange of valve 42 on the side of the flange remote from the side to which a pipe or the like is connected.

As is schematically shown i ' n Figure 14, two lock housings 10 which are mounted on disc 8 in sideby-side relationship may be used with such a ball valve which is adjustable through an angle of 90'. A hole 16 is provided in disc 7 for each of the locking pins 13 of lock housings 10, in such a manner that in the closed position of the valve one locking pin 13 is positioned opposite a hole 16 in disc 7 and that in the open position of the valve the other locking pin 13 is positioned opposite a hole 16 in disc 7.

Since discs 7 and 8 can only rotate through an angle of 90' with respect to each other, the use of a locking element which locks the key in position, which is required if the discs must make one or more revolutions relative to each other before a locking pin may fall into a respective hole, is not necessary in this embodiment, so that it will suffice to provide the two lock housings 10. The key, which cooperates with a locking pin which abuts against the bottom side of disc 7 with its end, is secured against being retracted from the respective lock housing.

As is schematically shown in Figure 11, lock housing 10 and lock housing 10' may also be mounted between a pair of angle irons provided on the side of disc 8 remote from disc 7 in such a manner that housings 10 and 10' are capable of movement therein, in a direction parallel to the opposing boundary surfaces of discs 7 and 8. Also in this embodiment, housings 10 and 10' can be adjusted between a position in which the teeth of gear wheel 29 projecting from the lock housing are positioned in the path followed by the pin(s) 32 and a position in which pin(s) 32 do(es) not come into engagement with gear wheel 29. In this embodiment, a slot for passing the teeth of gear wheel 29 projecting from housing 10', which is open towards the outside of the ring and which is in communication with said recess 34, is provided in ring 8, near the recess 34 formed in ring 8, which slot can be closed by means of a lip 34' attached to housing 10.

Figure 15 shows a part of an embodiment of a valve which is provided with a hand wheel 3' of a comparatively small diameter. In this embodiment, upwardly extending arms 50 are secured to ring 4 of hand wheel 3, from the upper ends of which ring 7 is suspended in a similar manner as described above.

One of said arms may thereby be provided with an upwardly extending handgrip 51, by means of which the ring 7 attached to hand wheel Y, and thus also hand wheel Y, can be rotated for opening and closing the valve.

-2 1 1 11 It will be apparent that thus a great many variations to the embodiments as described above and illustrated in the drawings are conceivable within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Thus, lock housings 10 and housings 10' could be mounted on the disc-shaped locking member 7, wherein the disc-shaped locking member 8 will be provided with the pin(s) 32.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the locking mechanism wherein adjusting member 17 is movably accommodated in a bore 13' provided in locking pin 13, in such a manner that adjusting member 17 is capable of movement over some distance within said bore. The operation of this embodiment will correspond with that according to Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment wherein a locking pin 113 is provided with a hole 114, in which key 21 fits. Said locking pin 113 will be retracted from disc 7 from its inserted position in hole 16 in disc 7 when the rounded end of key 21 is pressed into hole 114 and thus moved to the position which is shown in Figure 10.

Instead of having locking element 26 engage key 21 in the above-described manner, it is also possible to have the locking element cooperate with locking pin 13 or 113 so as to lock it against movement in a desired position.

Figures 16 - 18 show an embodiment wherein annular disc 7 is made up of two parts 7a and 7b, which are pivotally interconnected by means of a pivot 120 at their ends positioned proximate to each other.

At their other ends, parts 7a and 7b are provided with L-shaped arms 121 projecting under annular disc 7, whose ends abutting against each other in the position of annular disc 7 as shown in the figures are provided with projecting noses 122.

A locking element 123 can be moved into the space which is bounded by the abutting hook-shaped elements 121, which locking element is provided with a threaded passage 124. A slot 125 is furthermore provided in said locking element, in such a manner that when locking element 123 is moved into the space bounded by arms 121, projecting noses 122 will be positioned in groove 125 of the locking element. A bolt can then be passed through holes 126 formed in the abutting ends of annular parts 7a and 7b, which bolt can be screwed into threaded hole 124, as a result of which annular disc 7 can be retained in the closed position as illustrated in Figure 17.

12 As is apparent in particular from Figure 18, annular parts 7a and 7b have a more or less J-shaped section. As will be apparent from Figure 18, annular disc 8 has a section to accommodate this section, so that an outer circumferential part of annular disc 8, which is thinner than the other part of said annular disc, is retained between the two legs of J- shaped section of annular disc 7.

It will be apparent that annular disc 8 can easily be fitted into annular disc 7 by folding annular disc 7 open about pivot 120. In this manner it is possible to realise a simple construction of the annular discs 7 and 8 and make it easy to interconnect the annular discs.

As is furthermore indicated in Figure 18, sealing rings 127 may be provided in order to prevent dirt from penetrating between the mating sliding surfaces of annular discs 7 and 8.

Figures 19 - 21 likewise show a possible embodiment of an annular disc consisting of two parts 7a' and M'. In this embodiment, one end of a disc part 7a' or W is provided with a T-shaped projecting nose 128, which fits in a recess 128' formed in the opposite end of a disc part 7b' or 7a'.

L-shaped projecting parts 129 and 130 are furthermore provided near the ends of the two disc parts 7a' and 7b', respectively, all this in such a manner that when the ends of said disc parts abut against each other, the legs of said L-shaped elements extending parallel to the disc parts lie one on top of another.

A nut 131 can then be placed on top of the legs of Lshaped elements 129 and 130 lying one on top of another. A bolt (not shown) can be screwed through said nut, which bolt furthermore extends through holes 132 formed in the abutting ends of disc-shaped parts 7a' and W. Also in this embodiment, annular disc 8 is accommodated in discshaped parts 7a' and 7V in a similar manner as described above with reference to the preceding embodiment.

As is shown in Figures 22 - 25, it is possible to use an annular element 133 for attaching a combination of the annular discs 7 and 8 to the spokes 5 of a hand wheel 4. Said annul ar el ement i s provided on one side, on an outer circumferential part, with a number of evenly spaced recesses 134. Near its inner circumference, on the side opposite recess 134, said annular element is provided with recesses 135, which are 1 13 formed in a part of annular element 133 which projects under the part provided with recesses 134, seen in Figure 23.

As is shown in Figures 22 and 23, annular element 133 can be clamped against the underside of spokes 4 by means of U-shaped clamping brackets 136, whose legs extending parallel to each other are passed through holes formed in annular element 133. Spokes 5 are positioned i n recesses 134 thereby, so that a sol i d connect i on wi 11 have been ef f ected between annular element 133 and hand wheel 4.

Furthermore it is possible, as is shown in Figures 24 and 25, to place theannular element on top of sawed-off spokes 5 and subsequently clamp it down by means of clamping brackets 136 again. A hand wheel 4' may be connected to the annular element in that case.

When short spokes 5 are used, it is possible to use the part of the annular element that is provided with recesses 135, which is part has a smaller diameter than the part of the annular element that is provided with recesses 134.

As is furthermore shown in Figures 22 - 25, coupling pieces 137 are attached to annular element 133 and coupling pieces 138 are attached to annular disc 7 for connecting annular discs 7 and 8 to annul ar el ement 133. Coup] ed to coup] i ng pi eces 137, 138, by means of bol ts 139 extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing, seen in Figure 23, are the ends of a coupling arm 140. The abutting surfaces of the ends of coupling arm 140 and of coupling pieces 137 and 138 are preferably provided with notches, which extend radially with respect to the axes of bolts 139. Coupling arms 140 can be clamped down in any desired position with respect to coupling pieces 137, 138 by pulling said surfaces together by means of bolts 139.

Also in this embodiment, lock housings 10 and means 41 for preventing rotation of ring 8 will be provided in a similar manner as explained above with reference to the first embodiment.

Figures 26 and 27 show an embodiment of a valve which only needs to be rotated between an open position and a closed position through a limited angle, more in particular an angle of 900 in the illustrated embodiment.

In this embodiment, disc-shaRed member 7 consists of two pivotally interconnected parts 7a'' and7b" again, which arepivotally interconnected by means of a pivot 120. In this embodiment, however, the 14 i 1 ' longer legs, seen in Figure 18, of the substantially J-shaped sections shown therein are enlarged to form semicircular, plate-shaped parts, which abut against each other in the position of the annular disc as shown in Figure 26, so that said two parts form a closed, disc-shaped surface.

Projecting ears 60 are provided at the ends of said parts 7a" and 7b'' that face away from said pivot, which ears are secured by means of a bolt or pin 61 to a connecting piece 62, which is secured to a handgrip 63, by means of which a valve member in the form of a ball or the like which is present in the housing of the valve can be rotated.

Annular disc 7 is furthermore supported by arms 141 which extend upwards from the spindle of the valve member.

Also in this embodiment, arms 41 cooperating with the valve housing, which prevent rotation of the housing, are connected to the annular disc by means of connecting arms 140.

Provided on part M'' of the disc-shaped element are two lock housings 10 extending parallel to each other, perpendicularly to the parting line between the two parts 7a'' and M'' in the closed position as shown in Figure 26, into which keys 21 can be inserted. The lock housings lie flat on the upper side of disc-shaped element 7, so that a very flat, compact construction is obtained.

As is shown in more detail in Figures 28 and 29, a key 21 can cooperate with a pin 142, which is fixed to a lock 143. Lock 143 is L-shaped, and one leg 143' of the lock is positioned in a recess formed in disc-shaped element 7, in such a manner that said leg can move into said recess in radial direction. In the position of lock 143 which is illustrated in Figures 28 and 29, the end of the other leg 143'' is positioned in a recess 144 formed in disc-shaped element 8, so that in this position the locking element prevents the two disc-shaped elements from rotating relative to each other.

Recess 144 connects to the end of a groove 145 formed in disc-shaped element 8, which groove extends concentrically about the axis of rotation of the valve member of the valve.

It will be apparent that when the key is inserted into lock housing 10 in the direction indicated by arrow P in Figure 28, pin 142 will be engaged in the slot 23 provided in key 21, as a result of which lock 143 will be moved to the left, seen in Figure 28, so that leg 1W' of lock 143 will be moved out of recess 144 and into groove 145. Annular is element 7 can be rotated relative to annular element 8 in this position of lock 143, so that the valve can also be rotated through an angle which corresponds with the angle through which slot 145 extends.

A similar arrangement of lock and groove maybe provided in an opposite part of the two disc-shaped elements, wherein the lock is capable of cooperation with a key to be inserted into the other lock housing mounted on disc-shaped element 7, so as to lock the valve in the second position. The key, which cooperates with the lock whose leg 14Y1 is positioned in groove 145, will be locked against being retracted thereby.

The construction is not limited to rotation through an angle of 90', of course, also an embodiment wherein the valve must be rotated through 180' is conceivable.

As is illustrated in Figures 30 - 34, various arrangements of the lock housings 10 on the disc-shaped element to accommodate different constructions of the valves are conceivable thereby.

In the embodiment according to Figure 30, a lock housing is thus provided on each part 7a" and 7b", in such a manner that said lock housings extend parallel to the parting line between the two parts 7a'' and 7V'. With the embodiment according to Figure 30, the insert ends for the keys are thereby positioned near the connecting ears 60. It will also be possible, however, to provide the lock housings on the two parts 7a'' and 7b'' in a position turned through 180' with respect to the position shown in Figure 30.

In the embodiment according to Figure 31, the two lock housings are disposed at right angles to each other, each on a separate part 7a'' and 7b" of disc-shaped element 7. The ends of the lock housings arranged proximate to each other are thereby positioned near the pivot.

Figure 32 shows a similar arrangement, wherein the ends of the lock housings arranged proximate to each other are positioned near connecting ears 60, however.

In the embodiment according to Figures 31 and 32, the longitudinal axes of the lock housings extend at an angle of 45' to the parting line between the two parts 7a" and 7V'.

Figure 33 shows an embodiment wherein the longitudinal axis of the lock housing 10 which is mounted on part 7a'' extends parallel to the parting line between the two parts 7a" and 7V', whilst the lock 16 housing mounted on part 7V', which is disposed near connecting ears 60, extends perpendicularly to said parting line.

Figure 34 shows a similar arrangement, wherein the lock housing extending perpendicularly to the parting line is positioned near the pivot, however.

Itwill be apparent that thus a great many possibilities for mounting the lock housings on disc-shaped element 7 are conceivable whilst maintaining a flat construction.

Furthermore, a great many embodiments for locking the annular disc against rotation are conceivable.

Thus, Figure 35 shows an embodiment wherein annular disc 8 is partially visible because part of annular disc 7 has been left out. An ear 146 is secured to annular disc 8. Attached to said ear are the ends of connecting rods 147, which can beclamped down on ear 146 in a desired position. Connected to the ends of the arms 147 remote from ear 146 are the ends of further arms 148, which can in turn be clamped down on arms 147 in a desired position with respect to arms 147. Attached to the ends of arms 148 remote from arms 147 are shoes 149, which bear against a part of the housing 1 of the valve. Said shoes may be interconnected by means of a connecting band 150 to provide additional safety.

Figures 36 and 37 show an embodiment wherein adjustable arms 152 are attached to disc 8. Connecting rods 153 extending perpendicu larly to arms 152 are attached to the ends of arms 152 remote from the disc, which connecting rods carry rods 155 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve. Said rods 155 are supported with their ends on flanges 156 of the valve, and they are furthermore interconnected by connecting bands 157 extending round the housing of the valve.

Besides the above-described possibilities, several other possibilities for locking the disc-shaped element 8 against rotation are conceivable, of course.

Figure 38 schematically shows the rotatable, annular element 7 as well as to two sets of gear wheels 28 and 29, which, as described above, are intended for moving the locking cams for the keys, by means of which the valve can be locked in the desired final position as described above.

In the embodiment which is illustrated in this figure, disc-shaped element 7 is only provided with a pin (not shown) or the like 17 for rotating gear wheels 29. Gear wheels 28 can be directly driven by gear wheels 29, or via gear transmissions (not shown) that may be present between gear wheels 28 and 29.

As is furthermore schematically shown in Figure 39, gear wheel 28 or a disc-shaped element secured to gear wheel 28 is provided with a notch 157. The disc-shaped element thereby cooperates with a locking arm 158, which pivots about a pin 159 extending parallel to the axis of rotation of gear wheel 28. Locking arm 158 is provided at its free end with a projecting nose 160, which fits in notch 157. Opposite nose 160, a projecting cam 161 is provided on the free end of locking arm 158. As will furthermore be apparent from Figures 39 and 40 cam 161 is positioned outside the path of movement of a key 21 (only partially shown) to be inserted into the lock housing in the situation where nose 160 is positioned in recess 28', whilst cam 161 will fall into the recess 25 formed in the key for locking key 21 against being retracted from the lock housing in the situation where nose 160 has been pushed out of notch 157 by rotation of gear wheel 28.

Gear wheel 29 is freely rotatable on a shaft of the locking mechanism, and it can be locked in position thereon by means of a locking screw. When the lock, which must for example lock the valve in its closed position, is to be adjusted, the valve will be entirely closed, whilst gear wheel 29 is freely rotatable on the shaft supporting gear wheel 29. When the valve occupies its closed position, a locking element can lock the two disc-shaped elements 7 and 8 against rotation relative to each other, as described above. Said locking engagement will be released by inserting a key 21 into the lock housing in question.

In this position, gear wheel 29 is locked in position on the shaft by means of a locking screw. When the valve is opened now, the gear wheel will be rotated by means of the driving pin or the like which is secured to disc 7, which will effect rotation of gear wheel 28.

Rotation of gear wheel 28 leads to nose 160 being pushed out of recess 157 and thus to cam-shaped locking element 161 being pushed into recess of key 21, so that key 21 will be locked in position by a minor rotation of disc-shaped element 7 already. When the valve is subsequently closed again, cam-shaped element 161 cannot move out of the hole 25 in key 21 until the closed position is reached, since nose 160 is not positioned opposite recess 28' until that moment.

18 j 1 1 It will be apparent that the other set of gearwheels will be used for driving the locking element, which is to lock the valve in the open position, wherein the gear wheel 29 in question will be locked in position with respect to the shaft supporting the gear wheel when the valve occupies its desired open position.

Also with this embodiment variations and/or additions are conceivable.

Figures 41 and 42 thus show an embodiment wherein notch 157 is provided in a surface which extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of gear wheel 28, either in the gear wheel itself or in a disc shaped el ement whi ch i s connected to the gear wheel. The operati on of thi s mechanism is the same as described above with reference to Figures 39 and 40. This embodiment, however, makes it possible to dispose the key in a position relative to the axis of rotation of gear wheel 28 which is turned through 900 in comparison with the position as shown in Figures 39 and 40.

In the embodiment according to Figures 43 and 44, a disc-shaped element 162 is connected to gear wheel 28, which disc-shaped element comprises a flat side 163. Said disc-shaped element 162 is thereby disposed in such a manner that the flat side 163 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of key 21 and right along the key in the position in which the key has been released, as is shown in Figure 44. Minor rotation of the disc-shaped element 162 connected to gear wheel 28 will cause the part of the disc-shaped element adjoining said flat side and acting as a locking cam to move directly into recess 25 in key 21 so as to lock the key in position.

As is furthermore shown in Figure 45, it is also possible to have both gear wheels 28 for the two locking mechanisms driven by one gear wheel 29. One of the gear wheels 28 will be freely rotatable on a shaft supporting the respective gear wheel thereby, in a similar manner as gear wheel 29, on which shaft it can be locked in position by means of a locking screw. Gear wheel 29 will be locked in position on its shaft in a first desired position of the valve, wherein the locking mechanism for this position is activated by the gear wheel 28 that is not freely rotatable. Then the valve can be adjusted to the other position.

In this other position, the initially rotatable gear wheel 28 will likewise be locked in position on its shaft.

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Claims

2 1. A locking mechanism for locking a valve adjusting element which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, by means of which said valve can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position of the valve, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a locking member which moves along with said adjusting element and a locking member which is rigidly connected to a housing of said valve, as well as means by which the two locking members can be locked in position relative to each other, characterized in that the two locking members are made up of two disc shaped elements, which comprise opposing boundary surfaces extending transversely to the axis of rotation, wherein the locking member which is rigidly connected to the housing is suspended from the disc-shaped locking member which is connected to the adjusting element.

A 1 ocki ng mechan i sm accordi ng to cl ai m 1, characteri zed in that the locking member which is rigidly connected to the housing is provided with suspension elements, wherein arms of said suspension elements which extend parallel to the opposing boundary surfaces of the disc- shaped locking members are movably supported on a boundary surface of the Olocking member that moves along with said adjusting element, which boundary surface is positioned on the side of the locking member moving along with the adjusting element that faces away from the locking member which is rigidly connected to the housing.
3. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking member which is connected to the adjusting element is made in two parts, and that one of the locking members is provided with a circular groove in which a circular part of the other locking member is positioned.
4. A locking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the two parts of said two-part locking member are pivotally interconnected at one end, and that said parts are provided at the other end with means for locking the two locking members against pivoting movement relative to each other.
5. A locking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the two parts of the two-part locking member are provided at their ends with overlapping ears, through which a locking element is passed.
6. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one housing is attached to one of the disc-shaped locking members, which housing is provided with a lock to be operated by a key, by means of which the two disc-shaped locking members can be interconnected, whilst a locking cam is provided, which, in a first adjusting position thereof, locks the key against being retracted from said housing, and which, in a second adjusting position thereof, releases said key, wherein the locking cam can be adjusted between said adjusting positions by means of a driving mechanism, which is put into operation upon adjustment of the valve between said open and said closed position.
7. A locking mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one gear wheel is provided for adjusting the locking cam in the housing, which gear wheel projects from the housing over part of its circumference for cooperation with a driving member, which is connected to the disc-shaped locking member, which is rotatable relative to the disc shaped locking member carrying the lock housing.
8. A locking mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that said driving member is made up of a pin connected to the respective disc-shaped locking member, which pin extends perpendicularly to the abutting boundary surfaces of the two disc-shaped locking members and which engages with its free end in a circular groove formed in the opposite locking member, into which also the gear wheel mounted in the housing extends.
9. A locking mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing provided with the gear wheel is adjustable relative to the disc-shaped locking member supporting the housing, between a position in which the gear wheel is positioned in the path of movement of the pin secured to the other locking member, and a position in which the gear wheel is positioned beside said path of movement.
10. A locking mechanism according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that more than one pin, as desired, may be provided on the disc-shaped locking member.
11. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims 6 10, characterized in that the locking cam for the key can be adjusted by means of two mating gear wheels, wherein one gear 21 wheel may be fitted with one or more pins, as desired, which engage in tooth gaps of the other gear wheel.
12. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims 6 12, characterized in that the key cooperates with an adjusting element which can be moved against spring force, which adjusting element is freely movable, within certain limits, with respect to the lock.
13. A locking mechanism according to any one of the claims 6 - 12, characterized in that a spring is provided, which attempts to urge the lock into a position in which the lock interconnects the two locking members.
14. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims 6 13, characterized in that the locking cam is screwed onto a threaded part of a shaft supporting a gear wheel.
15. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims 6 14, characterized in that the locking cam engages in a hole formed in the key so as to lock the key in position.
16. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims 1 6, characterized in that a gear wheel can be rotated, for the purpose of adjusting the locking cam, by the locking member which is capable of rotation with respect to the valve, wherein the gear wheel is rotatably mounted on a shaft, on which it can be locked in position, and wherein a further element can be driven via said gear wheel, which element causes the locking cam to move upon rotation.
17. A locking mechanism according to claim 16, characterized in that the locking cam is mounted on a rotatably disposed arm, which is provided with a projecting nose which, in the position in which the key can be retracted, is positioned in a notch formed in the element to be driven by means of the gear wheel, in such a manner that the locking cam is positioned outside the key.
18. A locking mechanism according to claim 16, characterized in that the rotatable element to be driven by means of the gear wheel comprises a flat side, which extends parallel to and right along the key in the position in which the key can be retracted, in such a manner that the part of the rotatable element adjoining said flat side, which functions as a locking cam, will be positioned in the recess formed in the key upon rotation of said rotatable element.

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19. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a key-receiving housing lies flat on top of the locking member that moves along with the adjusting element of the valve.
20. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking member which can rotate along with the adjusting element is secured to a disc-shaped element, which is provided, at least on one side thereof, with recesses for receiving spokes of an adjusting element in the form of a hand wheel.
21. A locking mechanism for locking a valve adjusting element which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, by means of which said valve can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position of the valve, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a locking member which moves along with said adjusting element and a locking member which is is rigidly connected to a housing of said valve, as well as means by which the two locking members can be locked in position relative to each other, characterized in that the two locking members are made up of two disc shaped elements, which are provided with opposing boundary surfaces extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation, wherein two housings disposed in close proximity to each other are attached to a first locking member of the locking members which can rotate through an angle of about 90' relative to each other, which housings each receive a locking pin, which locking pin can be retracted from a recess formed in a second locking member by means of a key to be inserted into the respective housing, the construction being such that in one position of the locking members relative to each other one locking pin is positioned opposite a recess in the second locking member and the other locking pin is retained in its retracted position by the second locking member, thus locking the key that cooperates with said other locking pin against being retracted from the housing in question, whilst in the other position, wherein the locking members have rotated through 90' relative to the first position, the other locking pin is positioned opposite a recess in the second locking member and the one locking pin is retained in its retracted position by the second locking member, thus securing the key that cooperates with said one locking pin against being retracted from the housing in question.
22. A locking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims 6 21, characterized in that said lock is provided with 4 i 23 a projecting pin, which cooperates with a slotted hole formed in said key, which slotted hole includes an angle with the direction of insertion of the key.
23. A locking mechanism for locking a valve adjusting element which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, by means of which said valve can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position of the valve, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a locking member which moves along with said adjusting element and a locking member which is rigidly connected to a housing of said valve, as well as means by which the two locking members can be locked in position relative to each other, characterized in that the two locking members are made up of two disc shaped elements, which are provided with opposing boundary surfaces extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation, wherein housings are attached to a first locking member of the locking members which can rotate through an angle relative to each other, in each of which housings a pin connected to a locking member is positioned, which pin can be moved by means of a key to be inserted into the housing in question so as to move the locking element out of a recess which is formed in a second locking member, and wherein the recess in said second locking element connects to a groove which extends concentrically about the axis of rotation of the adjusting element, the construction being such that in one position of the locking members relative to each other one locking element is positioned in a recess in said second locking member and the other locking element is retained in its shifted position, thus locking the key that cooperates with said other locking element against being retracted from the housing in question, whilst in the other position, wherein the locking members have rotated relative to the first position, the other locking element is positioned opposite a recess in the second locking member and the one locking pin is retained in its shifted position, thus securing the key that cooperates with said one locking element against being retracted from the housing in question.
24. A locking mechanism according to claim 23, characterized in that the housings for the keys lie flat on top of a locking element.

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25. A locking mechanism for locking a valve adjusting element substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying s drawings.