WO2012058697A1 - Gas cylinder safety device - Google Patents

Gas cylinder safety device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012058697A1
WO2012058697A1 PCT/ZA2011/000028 ZA2011000028W WO2012058697A1 WO 2012058697 A1 WO2012058697 A1 WO 2012058697A1 ZA 2011000028 W ZA2011000028 W ZA 2011000028W WO 2012058697 A1 WO2012058697 A1 WO 2012058697A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
valve
gas cylinder
housing
members
housing according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2011/000028
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Patrick Ellan Steenkamp
Original Assignee
Patrick Ellan Steenkamp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Patrick Ellan Steenkamp filed Critical Patrick Ellan Steenkamp
Publication of WO2012058697A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012058697A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/04—Arrangement or mounting of valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K35/00—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
    • F16K35/06—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation using a removable actuating or locking member, e.g. a key
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K35/00—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
    • F16K35/10—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation with locking caps or locking bars
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0173—Details of mounting arrangements lockable
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0308—Protective caps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use
    • F17C2270/0745—Gas bottles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a protective housing for use in preventing unauthorised access to a valve, such as a gas cylinder valve, or a water line valve or tap and the like.
  • Gas cylinders are regularly found in the industrial and domestic environment, where they are used in various applications.
  • valve of the gas cylinder If the valve of the gas cylinder is accidentally opened by any person uninitiated in the dangers posed by gas, the area surrounding the cylinder could become saturated with gas, creating the potential for a catastrophic explosion, and/or exposing unwitting victims to noxious fumes.
  • a protective housing for use in preventing unauthorised access to a valve, comprising 2 curved members engagable around the head of the valve body or the like and a locking mechanism for retaining the housing in place.
  • the housing may include a flange extending inwards from the base of the memt3 ⁇ 4cs, such that the flange engages with a corresponding formation on the valve body, preventing removal of the housing once the members are engaged in a closed position.
  • the curved members are preferably substantially semicircular in configuration and are hingeably connected together.
  • a lug having at least one hole located therein, projects outwardly from the body of each curved member, such that the holes on the opposing lugs are aligned when the members are closed together, to receive a padlock or other locking mechanism.
  • the opposing lugs may be configured such that it is possible for the shackle of the padlock to additionally fit around the connection between the gas cylinder and the gas cylinder gauges before being locked in place, thus additionally preventing unauthorised removal of the gas cylinder gauges from the gas cylinder.
  • the curved members may be made of metal or of a plastic of other material that may, if required, be resilient.
  • the valve is the valve of a pressurised gas cylinder
  • the protective housing comprises 2 semi circular members engagable and lockable around the opening mechanism of the gas cylinder valve, preventing the mechanism from being rotated and the gas cylinder valve from being opened.
  • the valve could include a line valve or water tap, whereby the 2 semi circular members are engagable and lockable around the rotatable handle of the tap, preventing the handle from being rotated and the tap from being opened.
  • Figure 1 is an isometric view of the housing in its closed position
  • Figure 2 is a side view
  • Figure 3 is a plan view
  • Figure 4 is a sectional side view along the C-C of Figure 3,
  • Figure 5 is a representation of the housing in use on the gas cylinder
  • Figure 6 is a representation of an alternative embodiment of the housing in use on a gas cylinder.
  • the protective housing is indicated generally by reference numeral (10).
  • the protective housing (10) includes two semicircular members (12). Each semicircular member (12) has a top (14), sidewalls (16) and a base (18). The base (18) is substantially open, and includes an inwardly projecting flange (20) - see Figure 3.
  • the members (12) are connected to each other by a hinge (22). Lugs (24) extend outwards from a corresponding position on the sidewall (16) of each member (12).
  • Each lug (24) has a hole (26) located therein such that when the members (12) are in the closed position, the lugs (24) and holes (26) are aligned.
  • the semicircular members (12) are fitted around the valve opening mechanism (shown roughly as reference 29 in Figure 4) of a gas cylinder (30).
  • the flange (20) engages with a rim (31) on the opening mechanism 29, preventing the housing (10) from being pulled off when it is secured in place.
  • a padlock (32) is secured through the holes (26) in the lugs (24), thus locking the protective housing (10) in place and preventing access to the valve opening mechanism. In this way, it is impossible for an unauthorised user to open the valve on the gas cylinder (30).
  • the lugs (24) are configured such that the shackle (34) of the padlock (32) passes though the holes (26) in the lugs (24) and then around the connection (36) between the gas cylinder (30) and the gas cylinder gauges (38) before being locked in place, thus additionally preventing unauthorised removal of the gas cylinder gauges (38).
  • the housing can be used for securing a water tap against unauthorised use. A different locking mechanism could be employed, and the shape of the housing could be altered.
  • the invention therefore provides a novel protective housing which will assist in preventing the unauthorised opening of valves such as those employed on gas cylinders, water taps and the like.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

A protective housing (10) is provided for a valve for a gas cylinder or a water tap. The protective housing (10) includes a pair of curved members (12) that are engagable around the head of the valve body, the curved members (12) having lugs (24) with corresponding holes (26) for receiving a lock (32) for retaining the housing (10) in place. The housing (10 has a flange (20) extending inwards from the base (10) of the members (12) to engage with a formation on the valve body.

Description

GAS CYLINDER SAFETY DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a protective housing for use in preventing unauthorised access to a valve, such as a gas cylinder valve, or a water line valve or tap and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
Gas cylinders are regularly found in the industrial and domestic environment, where they are used in various applications.
If the valve of the gas cylinder is accidentally opened by any person uninitiated in the dangers posed by gas, the area surrounding the cylinder could become saturated with gas, creating the potential for a catastrophic explosion, and/or exposing unwitting victims to noxious fumes.
As a result of the above concerns there is a demand for a device which can effectively prevent unauthorised persons from opening the gas cylinder valve.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a protective housing for use in preventing unauthorised access to a valve, comprising 2 curved members engagable around the head of the valve body or the like and a locking mechanism for retaining the housing in place.
The housing may include a flange extending inwards from the base of the memt¾cs,, such that the flange engages with a corresponding formation on the valve body, preventing removal of the housing once the members are engaged in a closed position.
The curved members are preferably substantially semicircular in configuration and are hingeably connected together. A lug, having at least one hole located therein, projects outwardly from the body of each curved member, such that the holes on the opposing lugs are aligned when the members are closed together, to receive a padlock or other locking mechanism.
The opposing lugs may be configured such that it is possible for the shackle of the padlock to additionally fit around the connection between the gas cylinder and the gas cylinder gauges before being locked in place, thus additionally preventing unauthorised removal of the gas cylinder gauges from the gas cylinder.
The curved members may be made of metal or of a plastic of other material that may, if required, be resilient.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve is the valve of a pressurised gas cylinder, and the protective housing comprises 2 semi circular members engagable and lockable around the opening mechanism of the gas cylinder valve, preventing the mechanism from being rotated and the gas cylinder valve from being opened.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the valve could include a line valve or water tap, whereby the 2 semi circular members are engagable and lockable around the rotatable handle of the tap, preventing the handle from being rotated and the tap from being opened.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the housing in its closed position,
Figure 2 is a side view,
Figure 3 is a plan view,
Figure 4 is a sectional side view along the C-C of Figure 3,
Figure 5 is a representation of the housing in use on the gas cylinder, and
Figure 6 is a representation of an alternative embodiment of the housing in use on a gas cylinder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to figures 1 to 6 in which like features of the invention are indicated by like numerals, the protective housing is indicated generally by reference numeral (10).
The protective housing (10) includes two semicircular members (12). Each semicircular member (12) has a top (14), sidewalls (16) and a base (18). The base (18) is substantially open, and includes an inwardly projecting flange (20) - see Figure 3. The members (12) are connected to each other by a hinge (22). Lugs (24) extend outwards from a corresponding position on the sidewall (16) of each member (12). Each lug (24) has a hole (26) located therein such that when the members (12) are in the closed position, the lugs (24) and holes (26) are aligned.
In use and referring to figures 5 and 6, the semicircular members (12) are fitted around the valve opening mechanism (shown roughly as reference 29 in Figure 4) of a gas cylinder (30). The flange (20) engages with a rim (31) on the opening mechanism 29, preventing the housing (10) from being pulled off when it is secured in place.
A padlock (32) is secured through the holes (26) in the lugs (24), thus locking the protective housing (10) in place and preventing access to the valve opening mechanism. In this way, it is impossible for an unauthorised user to open the valve on the gas cylinder (30).
Referring to Figure 6, the lugs (24) are configured such that the shackle (34) of the padlock (32) passes though the holes (26) in the lugs (24) and then around the connection (36) between the gas cylinder (30) and the gas cylinder gauges (38) before being locked in place, thus additionally preventing unauthorised removal of the gas cylinder gauges (38). Numerous modifications to this embodiment are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, and as mentioned above, the housing can be used for securing a water tap against unauthorised use. A different locking mechanism could be employed, and the shape of the housing could be altered.
The invention therefore provides a novel protective housing which will assist in preventing the unauthorised opening of valves such as those employed on gas cylinders, water taps and the like.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A protective housing for use in preventing unauthorised access to a valve characterised in that it comprises a pair of curved members engagable around the head of the valve body or the like and a locking mechanism for retaining the housing in place.
2. The housing according to claim 1 characterised in that the locking mechanism comprises a lug on each curved member each lug having a hole located therein, such that the holes on the opposing lugs are aligned when the members are closed together, to receive a padlock or other locking mechanism.
3. The housing according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that it includes a flange extending inwards from the base of the curved members, such that the flange engages with a corresponding formation on the valve body, preventing removal of the housing once the members are engaged in a closed position.
4. The housing according to any of the above claims characterised in that the curved members are substantially semicircular in configuration and are hingeably connected together.
5. The housing according to any of the above claims characterised in that the opposing lugs are configured for the shackle of the padlock to additionally fit around the connection between the gas cylinder and the gas cylinder gauges before being locked in place.
6. The housing according to any of the above claims, as applied to a valve of a pressurised gas cylinder, characterised in that the protective housing comprises semi circular members engagable and lockable around the opening mechanism of the gas cylinder valve, preventing the mechanism from being rotated and the gas cylinder valve from being opened.
7. The housing according to any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the valve is a line valve or water tap, whereby the semi circular members are engageable and lockable around the rotatable handle of the tap, preventing the handle from being rotated and the tap from being opened.
PCT/ZA2011/000028 2010-10-29 2011-04-26 Gas cylinder safety device WO2012058697A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA201007748 2010-10-29
ZA2010/07748 2010-10-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012058697A1 true WO2012058697A1 (en) 2012-05-03

Family

ID=45994469

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2011/000028 WO2012058697A1 (en) 2010-10-29 2011-04-26 Gas cylinder safety device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2012058697A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1948966A (en) * 1931-11-04 1934-02-27 Jaeger Gebhard Valve protector for gas containers
US5092359A (en) * 1991-04-02 1992-03-03 W. H. Brady Co. Handle enclosure for valves

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1948966A (en) * 1931-11-04 1934-02-27 Jaeger Gebhard Valve protector for gas containers
US5092359A (en) * 1991-04-02 1992-03-03 W. H. Brady Co. Handle enclosure for valves

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