FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to transferring fluid, and particularly relates to a safety device for fluid handling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of fluid transfer of oil and other materials potentially harmful to operators, systems or the environment, it is desirable to minimize the risk of fluid spillage. One area which can increase the risk of spillage is the connection between a slinky hose carrying oil or other material, and the tank which will receive the material. In the prior art, it is known to provide camlock ears to hold the slinky hose in position at the tank valve during filling. However, camlock ears may come undone, allowing the hose to be released from the tank resulting in spillage and potential injury to the operator.

It would be desirable to have a device which would prevent spillage of oil or other materials at the point of attachment of the filling hose to the receiving tank. BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the locking device of the present invention in a locked position;

FIG. 2 shows the first band connected to the lock arm;

FIG. 3 shows the second band and lock arm elements of the device;

FIG. 4 shows the first band connected to the lock arm in position on a slinky hose;

FIG. 5 shows the locking device attached to a slinky hose;

FIG. 6 shows the locking device attached to a slinky hose with the lock arm in a fully open position; FIG. 7 shows the lock arm in a partially closed position prior to opening of the truck valve; and

FIG. 8 shows a left side perspective of the locking device in use during loading of a tank, with the lock arm in a locked position in engagement with the posts of the second band.

In the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a device for locking a coupling hose having camlock ears to a tank valve, the device comprising a first band fixable to the hose in proximity to the hose opening; a rigid lock arm rotationally attached at a first end to the first band in longitudinal alignment with the hose extending beyond the opening of the hose adjacent at least one of the camlock ears and having at least one notch in proximity to a second end of the rigid lock arm, the notch having an open end leading to an enclosed end; a second band fixable to a tank valve, the second band having at least one post extending outwardly from the second band for cooperation with the at least one notch of the rigid lock arm; wherein pressurization of the hose under fluid load displaces the rigid lock arm away from the second band to engage the enclosed end of each notch with a corresponding post to prevent rotation of the rigid lock arm and opening of the camlock ears.

The rigid lock arm preferably may be semi-cylindrical and have a pair of opposing notches. The second band may comprise a pair of opposing posts in alignment with the two opposing notches.

In one of its aspects, the invention is a self-locking device for a resilient coupling hose connectable with camlock ears to a tank valve, comprising a rigid lock arm rotationally attached at a first end a selected distance from the hose opening, having a second end extending beyond the camlock ears, the rigid lock arm rotatable about its first end between a locking position and an unlocked position, wherein one or more hooks incorporated in the second end of the rigid lock arm are alignable with corresponding posts extending from the tank valve when the rigid lock arm is in the locking position; wherein elongation of the coupling hose under pressurization of fluid loading moves each hook around a corresponding post to prevent further rotation of the rigid lock arm and opening of the camlock ears. In another of its aspects, the invention is a method of safely loading a tank using the described device, comprising the steps of inserting the hose into the tank valve and closing the camlock ears; rotating the rigid lock arm from an open position to a closed position in alignment with the coupling hose with the open end of each notch aligned with a corresponding post on the second band and the rigid lock arm adjacent the camlock ears; opening a supply valve to pressurize the hose and displace the rigid lock arm away from the tank valve to lock each post in the closed end of each notch; opening the tank valve to load the tank; closing the supply valve; allowing fluid in the hose to enter the tank to depressurize the hose and move each post into the open end of a corresponding notch; closing the tank valve; rotating the rigid lock arm away from the hose opening; and opening the camlock ears and removing the hose from the tank valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As presented in the various Figures, the present invention is a coupling hose locking device designed to lock shut "camlock" ears. It prevents the ears from being opened by an operator before the operator has shut the supply tank valve. Accordingly, the present device prevents spilling of fluid and eliminates the risk of the operator being injured by hot fluid spraying from the hose before the valve is shut.

The device is attached to the operator's loading hose, between the truck and the supply tank. The type of hose commonly used for this form of material transfer is an expandable and retractable hose commonly known as a "slinky hose". In a preferred embodiment, the device is of a size to attach to a 4 inch diameter slinky hose. The device also may be adapted for use with smaller or larger hoses.

The locking device 2 has a locking band 4 which is attachable to the male end 6 of the hose 8. The locking band remains in a stationary position at the male end during use of the hose. The locking band may be provided with means for reversible attachment to the male end of the hose. The locking band further comprises a pair of metal posts 10, 12 projecting from opposing sides of the locking band. In a preferred embodiment, the posts project outwardly from the band a distance of approximately 0.5 inches, but posts of other lengths may also be used. An anchor band 14 is attachable a short distance away from the male end of the hose.

A hollow, generally semi-cylindrical lock arm 16 is hingedly mounted at a first end to the anchor band and extends beyond the male end of the hose. A notch extends into one side of the lock - A -

arm to form a pair of opposed notches 18, 20 which correspond to the pair of opposed posts 10, 12 on the locking band.

In operation, prior to opening the valve on the truck or other supply source, while the slinky hose is in an unloaded position, the hose is secured to the tank valve 22 to load, and the lock arm is rotated into a position aligned with the hose, with the notches positioned adjacent the posts. The tank valve is then opened to fill the hose with the product to be loaded. The loaded hose is extended under the weight and gravity forces of the fluid load. The extended hose pulls the notches into engagement with the posts. In this locked position 24, the lock arm may not be lifted up. The lock arm thereby blocks the travel area of the camlock ears 26, preventing them from opening up to cause a spill, burn or other injury. Once the operator has finished loading, the tank valve may be closed. Once the tank valve is closed, the hose will contract as the truck product pump sucks up the contents of the hose. This will cause the lock arm to be released from the posts, allowing the lock arm to be rotated into an unlocked position 28 away from the posts to allow safe opening of the camlock ears. The locking and anchor bands may be comprised of stainless steel. Other materials such as aluminum may also be used. The locking band may have the posts welded on. The anchor band may have two internally threaded blots for attachment of the lock arm.

The lock arm is preferably made of flat metal, cut or pressed into a desired shape. A preferred shape is X-shaped as this reduces the amount of metal used, thereby reducing cost and device weight. It is then rolled into shape to fit over the round length of hose. Preferably, at the second end of the lock arm there is attached a flat iron element extending between opposing sides of the lock arm to cover more of the camlock area in case the camlock is not completely horizontally mounted on the product tank valve. Also, the third band is effective for covering at least one of the camlock ears if the hose has a slight twist. This invention is operational even if only one camlock ear is covered because it will still prevent the camlock from being completely opened, thereby preventing removal of the hose before the valve is shut.

The device of the present invention may be used with oil hauling trucks employing slinky hoses. Fluid from the production tank may be hauled to the oil plant to start the refining of the oil. This device works effectively with ball valves or gate valves. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of the preferred embodiment may also be practised without departing from the scope of the invention.