Device locking systems, lock trees, and lockout methods

• US 20080018463A1
• Filed: 07/18/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lok-Alert, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lok-Alert, LLC
• Inventors: Morrow, Carl R., Maestretti, G. Jeff
• Application Number:
  US11/489,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20080018463A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/542
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/383 Staples or the like for padlocks; Lock slings; Arrangements on locks to cooperate with padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/18 Portable devices specially adapted for securing wings E05C17/54, E05C19/003, E05B65/0894, E05B67/00 take precedence; preventing operation of handles E05B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/04 with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/40 Portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/411 Clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5739 With padlock

Abstract

Device locking systems, lock trees, and lockout methods are described according to some aspects. In one aspect, a device locking system includes a lock system configurable into a first configuration to lock a device to be secured and a second configuration Wherein the lock system is configured to be attached to or removed from the device, wherein the lock system is configured to be locked into the first configuration at a desired moment in time by at least one lock, and circuitry configured to generate an alarm responsive to a change of the configuration of the lock system from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Claims

1. A device locking system comprising:

a lock system configurable into a first configuration to lock a device to be secured and a second configuration wherein the lock system is configured to be attached to or removed from the device;

wherein the lock system is configured to be locked into the first configuration at a desired moment in time by at least one lock; and

circuitry configured to generate an alarm responsive to a change of the configuration of the lock system from the first configuration to the second configuration.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the lock system attached to the device and configured in the first configuration is configured to restrict unauthorized individuals from changing a mode of operation of the device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the lock system attached to the device and configured in the first configuration is configured to lock the device in one of a plurality of operational modes.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the lock system attached to the device and configured in the first configuration restricts unauthorized personnel from changing a control of the device.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the lock system attached to the device and configured in the first configuration restricts unauthorized personnel from accessing a secured area.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the circuitry is physically resident with the lock system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein a first portion of the circuitry comprises communication circuitry resident with the lock system and configured to output a communication signal to a second portion of the circuitry resident with a remote device, and the second portion of the circuitry is configured to generate the alarm signal responsive to reception of the communication signal by the remote device.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the lock system is configured to be redundantly locked into the first configuration by a plurality of individual locks.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of locks configured to lock the lock system into the first configuration.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the locks are configured to be removed by a plurality of different respective keys individually configured to be used only with a respective one of the locks.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the lock system is configured to lock to the device after attachment of the lock system to the device and while the lock system is configured in the first configuration.

12. A lock tree comprising:

a lock system configurable into a first configuration to lock a device to be secured, wherein the lock system is further configurable into a second configuration to be removable from the device;

wherein the lock system is configured to receive at least one lock to restrict an individual from changing the lock system from the first configuration to the second configuration; and

circuitry configured to generate an alarm responsive to a change of the configuration of the lock system from the first configuration to the second configuration.

13. The tree of claim 12 wherein the lock system comprises a plurality of jaws in a closed arrangement in the first configuration.

14. The tree of claim 12 wherein the lock system is configured to receive a plurality of locks individually configured to redundantly lock the lock system in the first configuration.

15. The tree of claim 12 wherein the circuitry is physically coupled with the lock system.

16. The tree of claim 12 wherein the circuitry is remotely located from the lock system.

17. A lockout method comprising:

providing a lock system in an open configuration;

attaching the lock system in the open configuration to a device to be secured;

providing the lock system in a closed configuration while the lock system is attached to the device;

locking the device and the lock system provided in the closed configuration using a lock;

first removing the lock from the lock system after the locking;

providing the lock system in the open configuration after the first removing;

second removing the lock system in the open configuration from the device after the first removing; and

generating an alarm signal responsive to the second removing.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the providing the lock system in the closed configuration locks a mode of operation of the device.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the providing the lock system in the closed configuration restricts access of individuals to change a mode of operation of the device.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the generating comprises generating the alarm signal at the location of the lock system.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the generating comprises:

using the lock system, outputting a communication signal responsive to the second removing;

receiving the communication signal using a remote device; and

generating the alarm signal using the remote device responsive to the receiving.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising attaching the lock to the lock system after the providing the lock system in the closed configuration.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein the locking comprises redundantly locking the lock system and the device using a plurality of locks.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein the locking the lock system provided in the closed configuration locks the lock system to the device.