FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10)
TAMPERPROOF LOCKOUT FOR A SWITCHING DEVICE
Numbered as dated
INVENTORS:
a) DEVANAND RAMCHANDRA GOLE
APPLICANT:
M/s. LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
L&T House, Ballard Estate, P.O. Box No 278,
Mumbai, 400 001, Maharashtra,
INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
NATURE OF THE INVENTION

TAMPERPROOF LOCKOUT FOR A SWITCHING DEVICE
A) Technical field
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to electrical power supply and controllers, and more specifically to lockout assembly for switching device used for domestic as well as for industrial purpose.
B) Background
[0002] Switching devices such as miniature circuit breaker, residual current circuit breaker, and isolator & like are generally used to provide protection against over current, under current supply and or line leakages to the end product. Generally operating knob of these switching devices is hinged about an axis rotating between certain angles. The operating knob has two stable states, "OFF" and "ON" between which it gets toggled. However in certain switching devices, there could be a third state that corresponds to a "TRIP" state of the switching device.
[0003] During maintenance and installation there are chances of a substantial penalty for an accidental actuation of switching device. It may result in serious
I

shock & can be fatal. Therefore it is merely essential either to be having bold instruction for avoiding unnecessary actuation or a safety device which itself will prevent accidental actuation. In domestic there are chances of undue handling of the device by the children & which could be very dangerous.
[0004] Most of the switching device lockout designs are complicated assemblies with screw, rivet, etc. which are time and cost consuming. Many lockout design assemblies use extra hardware (Screws, bolts etc.) and processes (welding, riveting, pasting, etc.). Many lockout assemblies are not portable and intended to be used only for onetime.
[0005] While the conventional solutions are advantageous for their intended purposes, the existing state of the art generally does not provide adequate solutions for portable and simple lockout assembly for switching device
[0006] Hence, there is a need to develop a lockout for switching device which is simple and does not require any extra fixing element and process.
C) Object of the invention
[0007] An object of the invention is to provide tamperproof lockout for switching device.
[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a ready to use lockout for
2

switching wherein it does not need extra fixing element to hold to lockout.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a lockout for switching device that can be fitted in both "OFF" as well as "ON" condition.
D) Summary
[0010] The embodiments herein provide a lockout assembly for switching device. The lockout is ready to use, portable and user can takeout the lockout and can put it into switching device lock it and vice versa. There is no need of extra fixing element which will hold the lockout. The device can be fitted in both "OFF" as well as "ON" condition. Even if the lockout is put in "ON" position and there is any undue deviation in the current supply, still the current circuit breaker mechanism is able to break the contacts. So this device safeguards against non intended use but doesn't prevent basic safety mechanism of the switching device from tripping due to faults in the circuitry. Lockout can be fitted with switching device in any of the distribution box, locked in any state of the switch ("ON" and "OFF"). While in locked condition the topmost surface of the lockout lies within the innermost surface of the switch and none of the portion extruded outwards which will interfere with the distribution box. The overall assembly is screw less and no extra process is added to assemble the components. The lockout is tamperproof as there is no means to dismantle any of the components. The base cover is having four click fits which gets engaged with the four consecutive slots of the
3

base and the sticker is placed from the back to restrict the access to the locking arrangement. A knurled pin is to be forced in the hinging hole of the flapper and the base. The other end of the base is closed. That means once the pin gets inserted there is no access to the pin & its next to impossible to dismantle it. Overall assembly is purely safe for handling. In any ways of handling it is not harmful to the user.
[0011] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
E) Brief description of the drawings
[0012] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the overall lockout assembly and components coupled with the assembly;
4

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the method of applying the lockout assembly to the switching device;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates the lockout assembly in locked state with switching device;
F) Detailed description of the Invention
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] A preferred embodiment provides a lockout for switching device which is simple and does not require any extra fixing element and process. Lockout assembly consists of three major portions: a base that consists of two flexible limbs; a mid cover that consists of a mount with a hole; and a top flapper fixed with the base assembly by means of a hinging pin.
5

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates the overall lockout assembly and components coupled with the assembly. Base 1 is comprises of two flexible limbs la intended to press wire u-clip 4 which is placed within a intended cavity in base 1. This component has a hole lc to adapt ably hinge the top cover 3. Mid cover 2 comprises a mount 2b with a hole 2c designed to adapt a pad lock of specific range of diameter and gets permanently fixed to base component 1. In the assembly of mid cover 2 and base 1, a steel pre formed wire 4 is sandwiched with assembly. Wire 4 is characterized by a "U" shape with two peeps 4a extending out of the head of the "U" shape. These extending peeps 4a are intended to go inside holes on the parent switching device. The entire assembly is connected to top flapper 3 fixed with the base assembly 1 by means of a hinging pin 5. The top flapper 3 comprises a hole 3a intended. for hinging it to base assembly 1. It also has a slot 3b through which mount 2b can pass through for the closure of top cover. This component also has a hood 3c that presses central neck of the U-spring 4 so as to make the limbs of the spring expand sideways thus getting on to the intended hole on a switching device.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the method of applying the lockout assembly to the switching device by aligning spring pin arms 4a of component 4 with the eyehole of the switching device when flapper-component 3 is open about hinging pin-component 5.
[0020] Flapper cover 3 of the lockout is opened and both flimsy limbs la of base 1 are pressed so that spring pin-component 4 deflects inward. Two arms
6

4a of spring pin 4 are aligned with eyeholes of the switching device and then pressure applied on limbs la is released in such a way that arms of spring pin-component 4 will get inserted into the eyeholes of the switching device. Now flapper-component 3 is closed. The assembly is flappable about a hinge which determines its open / closed state. Closing of flapper-component 3 does not allow spring pin-component 4 to deflect inward & partially locks the switching device.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly in locked state. Flapper component 3 is closed about hinging pin 5 and lockout is put in hole 2c of mid cover 2.
[0022] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
7

The detailed scope and monopoly of the invention shall be more clearly ascertained at the time of filing Complete Specification
Dated this the 28th day of March, 2007

Rakesh Prabhu,
Patent Agent, ALMT Legal,
No.2, Lavelle Road, Bangalore-560 001, INDIA
To,
The Controller of Patents, The Patent office, At Mumbai
8

Abstract
A lockout assembly for switching device. The lockout is ready to use, portable and user can takeout the lockout and can put it into switching device lock it and vice versa. The assembly consists of three major portions: a base consists of two flexible limbs; a mid cover is consists of a mount with a hole; and a top flapper fixed with the base assembly by means of a hinging pin. The device can be fitted in both "OFF" as well as "ON" condition of switching device. Even if the lockout is put in "ON" position and there is any undue deviation in the current supply still the current circuit breaker mechanism is able, to break the contacts.
9