Lockout for pendant control or other terminally-positioned structure on a cord

{
  "publication_number": "US11086352B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Lockout for pendant control or other terminally-positioned structure on a cord",
  "abstract": "A lockout device includes a plurality of rigid panels and a flexible body extending along an insertion axis which has, on one axial end thereof, a selectively closeable opening. The rigid panels are affixed to sidewalls of the flexible body with the rigid panels being positioned about the insertion axis. When the selectively closeable opening is opened, the flexible body and the plurality of rigid panels collectively define an interior volume for reception of a pendant control or other terminally-positioned electrical structure on a cord through the selectively closeable opening. When the selectively closeable opening is closed around the cord from which the pendant control or other terminally-positioned electrical structure extends, the pendant is secured in the interior volume and use of the pendant is inhibited by the plurality of rigid panels of the lockout device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A lockout device for a pendant control or other terminally-positioned structure on a cord, the lockout device comprising: a plurality of rigid panels; and a flexible body extending along an insertion axis with a selectively closeable opening on one end thereof, the flexible body having the plurality of rigid panels affixed to sidewalls of the flexible body with the plurality of rigid panels being positioned about the insertion axis; wherein, when the selectively closeable opening is opened, the flexible body and the plurality of rigid panels collectively define an interior volume for reception of the pendant control or other terminally-positioned electrical structure through the selectively closeable opening and, when the selectively closeable opening is closed around the cord from which the pendant control or other terminally-positioned electrical structure extends, the pendant control or other terminally-positioned electrical structure is secured in the interior volume and use of the pendant control or other terminally-positioned electrical structure is inhibited by the plurality of rigid panels of the lockout device.",
    "2. The lockout device of claim 1, wherein the flexible body comprises two telescoping portions extending along the insertion axis, each of the two telescoping portions having the plurality of rigid panels affixed to sidewalls thereof with the plurality of rigid panels being positioned about the insertion axis.",
    "3. The lockout device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of rigid panels of one of the two telescoping portions are slidable past the plurality of rigid panels of the other of the two telescoping portions along the insertion axis.",
    "4. The lockout device of claim 3, wherein a stop is affixed at least one of the two telescoping portions to inhibit movement of the two telescoping portions along a portion of the insertion axis.",
    "5. The lockout device of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of rigid panels comprises a plurality of snap tab ramps and at least another one of the plurality of rigid panels comprises a plurality of snap tabs, the plurality of snap tabs configured to selectively flex over the plurality of snap tab ramps.",
    "6. The lockout device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of rigid panels of one of the two telescoping portions are configured to engage a groove of the other of the two telescoping portions.",
    "7. The lockout device of claim 6, wherein the groove is a dovetail groove.",
    "8. The lockout device of claim 6, wherein the groove is formed along the insertion axis.",
    "9. The lockout device of claim 1, wherein the lockout device further comprises a hinged rigid panel, the hinged rigid panel positioned on an axial end opposite the selectively closeable opening and affixed to at least one of the plurality of rigid panels to further define a floor of the interior volume.",
    "10. The lockout device of claim 9, wherein the hinged rigid panel is hingedly connected to one of the plurality of rigid panels by a living hinge.",
    "11. The lockout device of claim 9, wherein the hinged rigid panel is perpendicular to the insertion axis.",
    "12. The lockout device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a surface of each of the plurality of rigid panels is a planar surface.",
    "13. The lockout device of claim 12, wherein the lockout device includes both a storage state in which each planar surface is parallel or coplanar to every other planar surface, and a usage state wherein the plurality of rigid panels define the interior volume.",
    "14. The lockout device of claim 1, wherein the flexible body is a fabric.",
    "15. The lockout device of claim 14, wherein the fabric is nylon.",
    "16. The lockout device of claim 1, wherein the selectively closeable opening includes a drawstring threaded through a plurality of grommets affixed to the flexible body."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Not applicable.\n\nThis disclosure relates to pendant lockouts for isolating pendant controls such as, for example, crane controls or other terminally-positioned structures on a cord such as, for example, suspended electrical outlets, extension cords, and portable electrical outlet boxes whether suspended or not.\n\nWhen maintaining or repairing industrial equipment, workers utilize lock out/tag out (LOTO) devices to isolate and secure one or more energy control points. Energy control points of concern (for example, a valve, a circuit breaker, or so forth) are shut off or de-energized and LOTO devices are placed on the energy control points in order to prevent those energy control points from being turned back on or re-energized while the equipment is being worked upon. After all the work is done, the LOTO devices are removed from the energy control points and the energy control points may be turned back on or re-energized.\n\nAs one example, pendant controls may need to be isolated to prevent user operation of equipment during service. Pendant controls are often covered with a bag with a drawstring top. The bag can be made from a flexible material such as nylon. The drawstring is then pulled or cinched to enclose the pendant. The drawstring is then locked so that the bag can only be removed by authorized personnel.\n\nSoft lockable or cinchable bags used as lock out/tag out (LOTO) devices have many drawbacks. Most notably, the flexible material the bags are constructed from does not completely inhibit the actuation of pendant controls or other terminally-positioned structures on a cord.",
  "cpc": [
    "G05G 5/28",
    "B66C 13/40",
    "E05B 73/0005",
    "H01H 9/0228",
    "H01H 9/0242",
    "H01H 9/283",
    "H01H 9/287"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E05B 73/00",
    "G05G 5/28",
    "H01H 9/28"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Brady Worldwide Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Ryan J. Maloney",
    "Andrew N. Enger"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-01-09",
  "publication_date": "2021-08-10",
  "grant_date": "2021-08-10",
  "priority_date": "2019-01-09",
  "application_number": "US-201916243471-A",
  "family_id": "69104318",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "DE952285C",
    "US4802773A",
    "US4869683A",
    "US5566847A",
    "USD410435S",
    "US20030127345A1",
    "US8605892B1",
    "US6963037B1",
    "US20140202219A1"
  ]
}