Lockout tagout assembly and system, and method of using same

Abstract

To provide a device and a method for safely locking out and tagging out equipment.SOLUTION: There are provided a lockout tag-out assembly, and system, and method. An exemplary lockout tag-out assembly includes a base, an arm that is movable relative to the base, and a member that extends from the arm at an angle. The member may engage a breaker at an off position to hold the breaker at the off position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for safely locking out and tagging out equipment. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices and methods suitable for locking out and tagging out electrical equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Lockout / tagout (LOTO) assemblies and systems can be used in a variety of applications. For example, a LOTO system can be used as part of a safety procedure to shut off and / or operate equipment such as electrical or gas flow equipment.

[0003] In the device manufacturing industry, LOTO procedures can often be used for machine modification, maintenance, installation, and / or removal. In accordance with SEMI Standard SEMI S2-0818 Section 17, LOTO procedures and specific practices are used to protect workers from the risk of electric shock caused by accidental energization during machine startup, maintenance, etc.

[0004] A typical electrical lockout / tagout assembly uses screws to lock and unlock individual breakers in an electrical panel. While such techniques may work well in some applications, the use of such lockout / tagout assemblies can be relatively time-consuming and thus lead to undesirable maintenance delays and increased maintenance costs. Therefore, an improved lockout / tagout system, particularly for electrical systems, is desirable.

[0005] All descriptions, including the description of the problems and solutions described in this section, are included in this disclosure only for the purpose of providing a background for the present disclosure, and it should not be construed as an admission that any or all of the descriptions were necessarily known at the time the invention was made or that they constitute prior art.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a lockout / tagout assembly, a system including the lockout / tagout assembly, and a method of using the assembly and the system. While various embodiments of the present disclosure will discuss in more detail below how to address the drawbacks of previous assemblies, systems, and methods, generally, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved assemblies and methods that enable relatively rapid lockout and tagout, and / or reverse procedures, as well as ways to perform lockout / tagout and / or reverse. The methods described herein can be used, for example, in connection with an electrical box of an apparatus manufacturing system.

[0007] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a lockout / tagout assembly is provided. An exemplary lockout / tagout assembly includes a base, an arm movable relative to the base, and a member extending at an angle from the arm. The assembly can be configured such that when the arm is in a first position, the member is received by a portion of an electrical panel and engages a breaker in an off position, and when the arm is in a second position, the member is configured not to engage the breaker. The assembly (e.g., the arm and / or the base) can include a magnet for holding the arm in the second position. The assembly can include a holding device such as a wire, a pin, etc. for holding the arm in the first position. According to further examples of the present disclosure, the assembly includes a plurality of arms received by the base. Each arm of the plurality of arms can move independently relative to the base and relative to other arms. A single holding device can hold two or more of the plurality of arms in the first position. The base can be connected to a housing of a piece of equipment such as an apparatus manufacturing system.

[0008] According to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a system comprising a lockout / tagout assembly is provided. The system may include one or more lockout / tagout assemblies as described herein. The system may further include an electrical box or panel, a housing, and one or more circuit breakers. Each of the one or more circuit breakers may include a lever for switching the circuit breaker from an off position to an on position, or vice versa.

[0009] According to a further example of the present disclosure, a lockout / tagout method is provided. The method may include providing a lockout / tagout assembly including a base, an arm movable relative to the base, and a member extending at an angle from the arm, moving the arm to a first position to engage the member with a circuit breaker in an off position, and moving the arm to a second position to disengage the member from the circuit breaker. The method may further include using a retaining device to maintain the arm in the first position. The step of using the retaining device may include inserting the retaining device into a portion of the base. An exemplary method may further include removing the retaining device.

[0010] These and other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the invention is not limited to any specific embodiment disclosed.

[0011] A more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be obtained by reference to the detailed description and the claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0013] Of course, the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to assist in understanding the disclosed exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that they extend beyond the embodiments and / or uses specifically disclosed by the present invention, as well as obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the disclosed invention not be limited by the specific disclosed embodiments described below.

[0015] The present disclosure generally relates to a lockout tagout assembly, a system including the lockout tagout assembly, and methods of using the lockout tagout assembly and system. As will be described in more detail below, the lockout tagout assemblies according to various embodiments of the present disclosure enable relatively quick and simple lockout procedures and the reversal of such procedures.

[0016] In the present disclosure, any two variables can constitute the executable range of that variable, and any range shown may include or exclude the endpoints. In some embodiments, further, any value of the variables shown (regardless of whether they are indicated as "about") refers to an exact value or an approximate value, and may include equivalents, and may refer to an average value, a median value, a representative value, a majority, etc. Further, in the present disclosure, the terms "comprising", "consisting of", and "having" may, in some embodiments, independently refer to "typically or broadly comprising", "comprising", "essentially consisting of", or "consisting of". In the present disclosure, any defined meaning does not necessarily exclude the ordinary and customary meanings in some embodiments.

[0017] Lockout / tagout assemblies and systems can be used for various applications, such as during maintenance work, equipment installation, equipment removal, etc. For example, a lockout / tagout assembly and system can be used to maintain a breaker in the off position during a particular procedure.

[0018] Figures 1 and 2 show a typical lockout / tagout assembly 100. The lockout / tagout assembly 100 includes one or more screws 102-118 and a wire 120.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the screws 102-118 are in a position where they are not wound or tightened, they are respectively engaged with the circuit breakers 122-138 to maintain the circuit breakers 122-138 in the off position. To allow access to the circuit breakers to switch them to the on position, the wire 120 is removed, for example, by cutting the wire 120. Thereafter, the screws 102-118 are individually wound or tightened to allow removal of the respective screws 102-118, thereby enabling switching of the respective circuit breakers 122-138 to the on position. Since the screws are individually tightened and removed by the operator, it may take time to perform LOTO using a general lockout / tagout assembly 100. Additionally, due to space constraints between the screws and the circuit breakers, there is also a risk of accidentally stopping the machine. Further, the wire 120 can span one or more of the circuit breakers 122-138, potentially causing accidental or unwanted switching of one or more of the circuit breakers 122-138.

[0020] FIGS. 3-5 show an improved lockout / tagout assembly 300 and a system 302 including the lockout / tagout assembly 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to the lockout / tagout assembly 300, the system 302 includes an electrical panel 420 including a housing 358 and one or more circuit breakers 402-418. The electrical panel 420 may be at least partially surrounded by the housing 358. The system 302 can be or include any machine or device including one or more circuit breakers. For example, the system 302 can be or include a reactor system.

[0021] The lockout / tagout assembly 300 and the system 302 can be used to lock out one or more circuit breakers 402-418 for lockout / tagout procedures during maintenance of the system 302, during installation of the system 302, during removal of the system 302, etc.

[0022] In the example shown, the lockout tagout assembly 300 includes one or more bases 304-320, one or more arms 322-338, and one or more members 340-356. As will be described in more detail below, each of the one or more arms 322-338 can move relative to the bases of the one or more bases 304-320, such that the members of the one or more members 340-356 engage with breakers (e.g., of breakers 402-418) and can hold the breakers in the off position while the members are engaged with the breakers.

[0023] As best shown in FIG. 5, one or more of the one or more bases 304-320 include openings 502 for receiving respective arms such as arm 322. Opposing ends 504 of one or more of the bases such as base 304 can be open, partially open, or closed. The one or more bases 304-320 can also include one or more openings, such as opening 506 through side 508 and an opposing opening (not shown) through side 510. The opening 506 and the opposing opening through side 510 can be configured to receive a retaining device 360 such as a wire or pin. The bases 304-320 can be formed of any suitable material, such as metal or a plastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM). Further, the bases 304-320 can be integrally formed with or attached to a plate 422. The plate 422 can be formed of any suitable material, such as metal or a plastic such as POM. The plate 422 can be attached to the housing 358 using attachment devices 422, 424 such as adhesives, welding, and / or bolts and nuts or screws. In the example shown, the plate 422 is attached to the housing 358 using attachment devices (e.g., screws) 424 and 426.

[0024] The length of one or more bases 304-320 can be from about 37.4 mm to about 37.6 mm, the width of one or more bases 304-320 can be from about 14.9 mm to about 15.1 mm, and the depth of one or more bases 304-320 can be from about 16.9 mm to about 17.1 mm.

[0025] At least a portion of the arms (e.g., first ends 512, 514) of one or more arms 322-338 are received within their respective bases 304-320. Each of the one or more arms 322-338 is at least partially retained by its respective base 304-320 and is movable relative to its respective base 304-320. Further, the arm lengths and / or base lengths can be selected such that one or more members 340-356 engage the breaker to maintain the breaker in the off position, retract to disengage from the breaker, and switch the breaker to the on position.

[0026] One or more arms 322-338 can be formed of any suitable material, such as a metal or a plastic such as POM. The length of one or more arms 322-338 can be from about 57.9 mm to about 58.1 mm, the width of one or more arms 322-338 can be from about 12.3 mm to about 12.5 mm, and the depth of one or more arms 322-338 can be from about 15.6 mm to about 15.7 mm.

[0027] The second ends (e.g., second end 513) of one or more arms 322-338 can be attached to or integrally formed with one or more members 340-356 such that the arms and members form a single structure. Each of the one or more members 340-356 can include a first end 515 that is attached to or integrally formed with the arms of one or more arms 322-338 and a second end 516 that engages a breaker (e.g., a lever or switch of one or more breakers 402-418).

[0028] One or more members 340 - 356 can be formed of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic such as POM. The length of one or more members 340 - 356 can be from about 46.9 mm to about 47.1 mm, the width of one or more members 340 - 356 can be from about 12.3 mm to about 12.5 mm, and the depth of one or more members 340 - 356 can be from about 4.9 mm to about 5.1 mm.

[0029] The lockout tagout assembly 300 can be configured such that each of the one or more members 340 - 356 cannot extend beyond the bottom surface (e.g., lever or switch) of one or more breakers 402 - 418 when each of the one or more members 340 - 356 is in the off position (tipped away from bases 304 - 320) and at least a portion of the arms of one or more arms 322 - 338 is held within the bases of one or more bases 304 - 320. Thus, the arms 322 - 338 cannot come out of or be pulled out from their respective bases of one or more bases 304 - 320 under normal operating procedures, such as after the assembly 300 is mounted on the system 302. Further, each member 340 - 356 and / or the base bottom can prevent the arms 322 - 338 from falling through their respective bases 304 - 320.

[0030] Each of the one or more members 340 - 356 can be at an angle to the arms of one or more arms 322 - 338. The angle can be from about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees, from about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees, or about 90 degrees, as shown in the figure.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the lockout / tagout assembly 300 includes one or more magnets 518, 520 that facilitate holding the arms of one or more of the arms 322 - 338 in a disengaged position. The magnets 518, 520 can be attached to or disposed within the bases of one or more of the bases 304 - 320. Additionally or alternatively, one or more magnets 522 can be disposed on or within one or more of the arms 322 - 338.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows members 340 - 346 not engaged with respective breakers 402 - 408 and members 348 - 356 engaged with respective breakers 410 - 418. The various members of one or more of the members 340 - 356 can be easily moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position by moving respective arms of one or more of the arms 322 - 338 within the bases of one or more of the bases 304 - 320.

[0033] The retaining device 360 can be inserted into the openings (e.g., opening 506) of one or more (e.g., all) of the bases 304 - 320 to hold one or more (e.g., two or more) of the members 340 - 356 in an engaged position. In such a case, the retaining device 360 can be beneath the bottom of the arms of one or more of the arms 322 - 338 or inserted through the openings of one or more of the arms 322 - 338. To disengage one or more of the members 340 - 356, the retaining device 360 is removed from the opening within the bases 304 - 320, thereby enabling each of the arms 322 - 338 to move to a lowered position.

[0034] As further shown in FIG. 4, system 302 may include a recessed region 428. Breakers 402-418 may be disposed within recessed region 428. Recessed region 428 may facilitate movement of one or more members 340-356 away from and / or relative to their respective breakers 402-418 and / or recessed region 428 may be used to limit movement of one or more members 340-356.

[0035] The improved design of the lockout / tagout assembly 300 enables relatively quick and safe engagement and disengagement of breakers in the off position. Further, lockout / tagout assembly 300 allows the holding means to be further away from the breaker, thereby reducing unintended movement of the breaker resulting from movement of the holding means. As a result, the new design is safer and more efficient than typical lockout / tagout assemblies.

[0036] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described above do not limit the scope of the present invention as these embodiments are merely examples of embodiments of the present invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Indeed, various modifications of the present disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, in addition to the alternative useful combinations of elements described and shown herein. Such modifications and embodiments are also intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0037] 100 Lockout / tagout assembly 102-118 Screws 120 Wire 122-138 Breakers 300 Lockout / tagout assembly 302 System 304-320 Base 322-338 Arm 340-356 Members 358 Housing 360 Holding device 402 - 418 Circuit breaker 420 Electrical panel 422 Plate 424, 426 Mounting device 428 Concave region 502 Opening 504 Opposite end 506 Opening 510 Side part 518, 520 Magnet

Claims

**Claim 1** A system including a lockout / tagout assembly, wherein the system comprises a housing, an electrical panel at least partially surrounded by the housing and comprising one or more breakers, each of the one or more breakers including a lever for switching the breaker from an off position to an on position, a lockout / tagout assembly comprising a base having a first end that is an opening and a second end that is the other end of the first end, an arm having a first end and a second end, the arm being slidably receivable into the interior of the base through the first end of the base, a member extending at an angle from the second end of the arm, and a retaining device passing through an opening provided in the base and penetrating the base, when the arm is in a first position, the first end of the arm abuts against the retaining device to inhibit sliding of the arm so that the arm is held in the first position, and the member is received by a portion of the electrical panel and engages the breaker in the off position, when the retaining device is removed and the arm slides in the interior of the base in the direction of the second end of the base and the arm is in a second position, the member does not engage the breaker, the system including the lockout / tagout assembly. **Claim 2** The system according to claim 1, further comprising a magnet for holding the arm in the second position when the member is not engaged with the breaker. **Claim 3** The system according to claim 1, wherein the retaining device includes one or more of a wire and a pin. **Claim 4** The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the member is fixedly attached to the arm. **Claim 5** The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including a plurality of arms received by the base. **Claim 6** The system according to claim 5, wherein each arm of the plurality of arms moves independently of the base. **Claim 7** The system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a single retaining device holds two or more of the plurality of arms in the first position. **Claim 8** The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the angle is about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees, about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees, or about 90 degrees. **Claim 9** The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the arm contains polyoxymethylene.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the member contains polyoxymethylene.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the member and the arm contain a single structure.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the base is connected to the housing.

13. The following steps: The step of providing a lockout / tagout assembly, A base having a first end that is an opening and a second end that is the other end of the first end, An arm having a first end and a second end, and being slidably received into the interior of the base through the first end of the base, A member extending at an angle from the second end of the arm, and The step of providing a lockout / tagout assembly including a retaining device passing through the base through an opening provided in the base, The step of moving the arm to a first position to engage the member with a breaker in an off position, wherein the sliding of the arm is inhibited by the first end of the arm abutting against the retaining device and the arm is held in the first position, and A method of lockout / tagout including the step of removing the retaining device and sliding the arm in the interior of the base in the direction of the second end of the base to move the arm to a second position and disengaging the member from the breaker.

14. A lockout / tagout assembly, A base having a first end that is an opening and a second end that is the other end of the first end, An arm having a first end and a second end, and being slidably received into the interior of the base through the first end of the base, A member extending at an angle from the second end of the arm, and Including a retaining device passing through the base through an opening provided in the base, When the arm is in the first position, the sliding of the arm is inhibited by the first end of the arm abutting against the retaining device and the arm is held in the first position, and the member is received by a part of an electrical panel and engages with a breaker in an off position. ​ A lockout tagout assembly in which when the holding device is removed and the arm slides inside the base in the direction of the second end of the base and the arm is in a second position, the member does not engage with the breaker.

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