초록 ▼

The present invention generally relates to a locking apparatus adapted to interface with a valve and to selectively secure the valve in an open or closed position. More specifically, a valve handle lock is provided which is tamper resistant and is generally capable of use with valves produced by man

The present invention generally relates to a locking apparatus adapted to interface with a valve and to selectively secure the valve in an open or closed position. More specifically, a valve handle lock is provided which is tamper resistant and is generally capable of use with valves produced by many manufacturers. The present invention further includes a locking mechanism that shrouds a portion of the valve handle attachment hardware and which can be used in conjunction with a typical padlock or other type of securement mechanism.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of selectively securing a valve in a first open position or a second closed position, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a locking assembly front end, a rear end, and a first lateral edge and a second lateral

What is claimed is: 1. A method of selectively securing a valve in a first open position or a second closed position, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a locking assembly front end, a rear end, and a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge extending therebetween which define a shroud; a first lateral support extending downward from said first lateral edge, and a second lateral support extending downward from said second lateral edge; a forward support member extending downwardly from said front end of said locking assembly and comprising a handle aperture adapted to receive a handle of the valve; a first handle stop cut-out positioned in said first lateral support which is adapted to contact a first handle stop on the valve to lock the valve in a closed position, and a second handle stop cut-out positioned in said second lateral support which is adapted to contact a second handle stop on the valve to lock the valve in an open position; and at least one aperture positioned in said first lateral support and said second lateral support which is adapted to receive a securement device; (b) inserting the handle of the valve into the handle aperture of the forward support member; (c) sliding the handle into handle aperture and moving the shroud into position until the first handle stop cut-out contacts the first handle stop to lock the valve in a closed position, or until the second handle stop cut-out contacts the second handle stop to lock the valve in an open position; and (d) securing a securement device through the at least one aperture positioned in said first lateral support and said second lateral support. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securement device comprises a padlock. 3. A tamper resistant valve locking assembly adapted for use with a valve which includes a handle and handle stop, comprising: a locking assembly front end, a rear end and a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge extending therebetween which define a shroud; a first lateral support extending downward from said first lateral edge, and a second lateral support extending downward from said second lateral edge; a forward support member extending downwardly from said front end of said locking assembly and comprising a handle aperture adapted to receive at least a portion of the valve handle; at least one handle stop engagement means positioned on at least one of said first lateral support and said second lateral support, and which is adapted to contact the valve handle stop, wherein said locking assembly is substantially impeded from at least one direction of travel; and at least one aperture positioned in at least one of said first lateral support and said second lateral support which is adapted to receive a securement device which can be selectively interconnected to said locking assembly, wherein when said securement device is interconnected to said locking assembly the valve handle is substantially prevented from rotation. 4. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein said at least one handle stop engagement means comprises a cut-out sized to receive said valve handle stop. 5. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein said securement device comprises a padlock. 6. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein said shroud comprises a substantially planar upper surface which covers any attachment hardware used to interconnect said valve handle to said valve. 7. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein said shroud, said first lateral support and said second lateral support substantially enclose the valve handle. 8. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein said locking assembly is adapted for interconnection to the valve with the valve in either an open or a closed position. 9. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein said rear end of said locking assembly further comprises a rearward support member which extends substantially downwardly to substantially restrict access to any valve attachment hardware. 10. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein said locking assembly is comprised of a one-piece metallic material. 11. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein said securement device comprises a bolt with a keyed lock member. 12. A tamper resistant valve locking assembly adapted to be used with a valve which includes a handle and first and second handle stops, comprising: a locking assembly front end, a rear end and a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge extending therebetween which define a shroud; a first lateral support extending downward from said first lateral edge, and a second lateral support extending downward from said second lateral edge; a forward support member extending downwardly from said front end of said locking assembly, said forward support member comprising a means for receiving a portion of the handle of the valve; a first handle stop cut-out positioned in said first lateral support which is adapted to contact the first handle stop to lock the valve in a closed position, and a second handle stop cut-out positioned in said second lateral support which is adapted to contact the second handle stop to lock the valve in an open position; and at least one lock aperture positioned in said first lateral support and said second lateral support, wherein said at least one lock aperture is adapted to receive a securement device which can be selectively interconnected to said locking assembly to prevent removal from said valve. 13. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein a center of said first handle stop cut-out is spaced apart a first lateral distance from said at least one lock aperture, and wherein said center of said second handle stop cut-out is spaced apart a second lateral distance from said at least one lock aperture, and wherein said first lateral distance is not equal to said second lateral distance. 14. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein said first handle stop cut-out includes a first shoulder and said second handle stop cut-out includes a second shoulder. 15. The locking assembly of claim 14, wherein first shoulder is spaced apart a first lateral distance from said at least one lock aperture, and wherein said second shoulder is spaced apart a second lateral distance from said at least one lock aperture, and wherein said first lateral distance is not equal to said second lateral distance. 16. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein said means for receiving a portion of the handle of the valve comprises an aperture in said forward support member. 17. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein said securement device comprises a padlock. 18. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein said shroud, said first lateral support and said second lateral support substantially enclose the valve handle. 19. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein said rear end of said locking assembly further comprises a rearward support member which extends substantially downwardly to substantially restrict access to any valve attachment hardware. 20. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein said securement device comprises a bolt with a keyed lock member.