Electronic lock-out tag-out safety device

• US 7,026,932 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2003
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary J. Loudon
• Original Assignee: Gary J. Loudon
• Inventors: Loudon, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US10/435,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20040227631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/541, 340/539.1, 340/652, 340/571, 340/540, 340/547, 340/566, 340/686.1, 340/545.2
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind

Abstract

An electronic lock-out tag-out system comprising a transmitter lock and a portable receiver. One or more switches of the transmitter lock is connected to a utility box or the like and are actuated when the transmitter lock is moved or removed. When the switch is activated, an alarm is sounded in the transmitter lock and a signal is transmitted to the receiver to sound an alarm in the receiver.

Claims

1. A lock-out system for signaling undesired activity at an electrical device, said system comprising:

a) a transmitter lock comprising a transmitter, a switch coupled to said transmitter and actuatable in response to movement of said switch relative to the electrical device and means for connecting the switch to the electrical device, wherein said connecting means comprises at least one magnet; and

b) a portable receiver comprising a discernible signal generator, wherein a discernible signal is generated by said portable receiver when said switch is actuated.

2. A lock-out system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said magnets comprises an electromagnet.

3. A lock-out system according to claim 1 wherein said switch comprises a vibration sensor.

4. A lock-out system according to claim 1 wherein said switch comprises a spring biased switch.

5. A lock-out system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter lock comprises a key switch coupled to said switch.

6. A lock-out system according to claim 5 wherein after said transmitter is activated, it can only be deactivated by said key switch.

7. A lock-out system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter lock comprises a discernible signal generator which generates a discernible signal when said switch is actuated.

8. A lock-out system according to claim 7 wherein said discernible signal comprises an audible signal.

9. A lock-out system according to claim 7 wherein said discernible signal comprises an visible signal.

10. A lock-out system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter lock comprises tag-out indicia for indicating the location of affected equipment and/or personnel.

11. A lock-out system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter lock comprises a folding flap for obstructing a portion of the electrical device.

12. A lock-out system according to claim 1 wherein said discernible signal comprises an audible signal.

13. A lock-out system according to claim 1 wherein said discernible signal comprises an visible signal.

14. A transmitter lock for use with a portable receiver for creating a discernible signal in response to undesired activity at protected equipment, said transmitter lock comprising:

a) a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the portable receiver;

b) at least one switch coupled to said transmitter, said switch responsive to movement wherein movement of said switch will activate said transmitter causing the signal to be transmitted to the portable receiver; and

c) means for connecting said switch to said protected equipment, wherein said connecting means comprises at least one magnet.

15. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein at least one of said magnets comprises an electromagnet.

16. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein said switch comprises a vibration sensor.

17. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein said switch comprises a spring biased switch.

18. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein said transmitter lock comprises a key switch coupled to said switch.

19. A transmitter lock according to claim 18 wherein after said transmitter is activated, it can only be deactivated by said key switch.

20. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein said transmitter lock comprises a discernible signal generator which generates a discernible signal when said switch is actuated.

21. A lock-out system according to claim 20 wherein said discernible signal comprises an audible signal.

22. A lock-out system according to claim 20 wherein said discernible signal comprises an visible signal.

23. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein said transmitter lock comprises tag-out indicia for indicating the location of affected equipment and/or personnel.

24. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein said transmitter lock comprises a folding flap for obstructing a portion of an electrical device.

25. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein said discernible signal comprises an audible signal.

26. A transmitter lock according to claim 14 wherein said discernible signal comprises an visible signal.