TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lockout for a valve. In particular, though not solely, the present invention is directed to a lockout for a valve to prevent actuation of the valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many situations where it is desirable to lock out a valve to prevent tampering. One of these is for safety reasons, such as to prevent actuation of the valve and thus flow of the material the valve controls. Such flow may be dangerous where the normal processing of that flow, down stream of the valve is not occurring. For example if the material the valve operated on was gas for a heater then the lockout would prevent the unwanted flow of gas. Such unwanted flow may otherwise occur, for example where children may otherwise play with the valve and gas may flow. This is particularly dangerous when there is no adult supervision, or there is no combustion occurring. Similar situations may occur on worksites where it is desirable to lock out a valve for maintenance or construction purposes.

A further reason a valve lockout may be required is to prevent tampering with a valve when it has been locked out to prevent unauthorised use. This may occur for example in water or gas utilities where the user of the utility has not paid their bill.

The typical valve lockouts of the prior art are used on are a valve where the valve is operated by a stem, for example by rotating a handle, and the stem is normally at right angles to the inlet and outlet of the valve.

The prior art solutions for lockouts broadly fall into three categories, axial style lockouts, bracelet style lockouts, and lateral style lockouts.

An axial style lockout is where the cover is installed over the valve parallel to the valve stem. This is typified by US6718804 for a "Valve lockout device". This shows a one or two piece lockout that slides axially over the valve and locks the lever actuator of the valve in a slot of the lockout to prevent rotation of the lever. This solution has problems in that it still exposes the valve actuation lever and requires access from under the valve at least for installation of the two part lock out. Bracelet style is where the cover encircles the valve like a bracelet encircles a wrist. This is typified by US7178546 for a "Valve cover". This shows two pieces that form a clamshell on either side of the valve and partially cover the valve handle, with the valve inlet and outlet protruding from the clam shell formed. A third piece forms a cover for the two pieces, joins them and prevents further access to the valve handle. This solution has problems because there are several pieces that need to be kept together and that also requires at least one additional piece to lock the parts together.

Lateral style is where the cover extends laterally over the valve, in line with the inlet and outlet. This is typified by US4208893, "Anti-tampering device for valve stems". This shows a multi piece unit that fits over the valve stem and inlet and outlet of the valve. This solution has problems in that it is multi part, complex in construction and requires removal of the valve handle for operation.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved valve lockout, or to overcome the above shortcomings or address the above desiderata, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a lock out for a valve, adapted to prevent access to, or actuation of, an operational part of said valve, wherein said lock out comprises or includes,

a valve shell to slide over and at least encircle part of said valve, said valve shell having at least one first leg that can selectively under-engage by rotation either an inlet, outlet or other protuberance of said valve, to prevent withdrawal of said valve shell when under-engaged,

a valve saddle to slide over and at least encircle part of said valve, said valve saddle having at least one second leg to straddle at least part of either said inlet, outlet or other protuberance of said valve such that said valve saddle is prevented from rotation relative to said valve when straddling, and

a locking means to lock said valve shell to said valve saddle,

wherein when said valve shell is under-engaged, and said valve saddle is straddling and locked to said valve shell then said operational part of said valve is covered or prevented from being operated by said valve lockout and said valve lockout is unable to be removed from said valve.

Preferably said inlet, outlet or protuberance of said valve is lateral to said valve.

Preferably said operational part of said valve includes at least a valve stem substantially at right angles to said inlet, outlet or protuberance.

Preferably said operational part includes a handle that enables opening and closing of said valve.

Preferably said rotation of said valve shell and valve saddle is parallel to a main axis of said valve stem.

Preferably said lock out is slid over parallel to said main axis.

Preferably said locking means is chosen from any one or more of the following:

• a keyed lock, whether using a key, code, swipe card, proximity sensor, special tool, or similar,

· an aperture or apertures for a lock, for example a padlock,

• an anti tamper seal, or

• a child proof or similar lock, for example a one way ratchet that requires force I na particular direction to rotate the other way. Preferably said valve saddle and said valve shell are separate to each other.

Alternatively said valve saddle and said valve shell are engaged to each even, even when not installed on a valve. Preferably said valve shell encircles and completely covers at least said operational part. Preferably said valve saddle also encircles and completely covers at least said operational part.

Preferably said at least one leg defines a bayonet style socket path into an interior of said valve shell to receive at least part of said inlet, outlet or other protuberance.

Preferably said socket path is any one or more of the following:

• a "7" shape,

• an inverted "J" shape,

• a spiral or part spiral shape, and

• other such shape to engage and retaining said inlet, outlet or other protuberance by sliding and rotating there on.

Preferably said valve shell has two said first legs, each to under-engage by rotation part of any one of two of said inlet, outlet or other protuberance.

Preferably said two first legs each define a bayonet style socket path in said interior.

Preferably said valve saddle encircles and completely covers at least said operational part.

Preferably said at least one second leg defines a recess for at least one of said inlet, outlet or other protuberance.

Preferably said valve saddle has two said second legs, each leg to straddle part of any one of two of said inlet, outlet or other protuberance.

Preferably there is a keying means between said valve shell and said valve saddle to prevent rotation of said valve saddle relative said valve shell.

Preferably said keying means is a sliding engagement of said valve saddle with said valve shell that forms a rotational engagement of the two.

Preferably said keying means is a pin that engages between said valve saddle and said valve shell. Preferably said locking means achieves said keying means.

Alternatively said locking means, and said keying means are separate. Preferably said valve shell lies substantially within said valve saddle at least when engaged to said valve.

Alternatively said valve saddle lies substantially within said valve saddle at least when engaged to said valve.

Preferably said lock out has advertising or other indicia on an externally visible surface thereof.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a lock out for a valve, adapted to prevent access to, or actuation of, an operational part of said valve, wherein said lock out comprises or includes,

a first locking member to encircle at least in part about said operational part and be retained at least in part to said valve by rotating said first locking member to thereby under-engage at least one of an inlet, outlet or other protuberance of said valve via at least one first recess in said first locking member, and

a second locking member having an engaged position and disengaged position with at least one of said inlet, outlet or other protuberance, such that in said engaged position said second locking member is at least in part prevented from rotation relative said valve, and together with said first locking member removal of said lockout from said valve and access to or operation of said operational part is denied. Preferably said lockout is slid over said valve.

Preferably said first locking member and said second locking member are locked relative to each other when under-engaged and in said engaged position respectively. Preferably said first locking member is rotated to under-engage and thereafter said second locking member is deployed to said engaged position.

Alternatively said second locking member is deployed to said engaged position and thereafter said first locking member is rotated to under-engage.

Preferably said lockout is slid over said operational part at least in part prior to said rotating and under-engaging. Preferably said second locking member has at least one second recess to at least in part straddle at least one of said inlet, outlet or other protuberance, at least when in said engaged position.

Alternatively said second locking member is at least one finger to locate against any one of said inlet, outlet or other protuberance, at least when in said engaged position.

In yet another aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a method of locking out a valve to prevent access to, or actuation of, an operational part of said valve, wherein said method comprises or includes the steps of,

locating a first locking member to encircle at least in part about said operational part,

rotating said first locking member to thereby under-engage at least one of an inlet, outlet or other protuberance of said valve via at least one first recess in said first locking member, to thereby retain at least in part said first locking member to said valve,

locating a second locking member in an engaged position with at least one of said inlet, outlet or other protuberance, such that in said engaged position said second locking member is at least in part prevented from rotation relative said valve, thereafter together with said first locking member, removal of said lockout from said valve and access to or operation of said operational part is denied.

Preferably said lockout is slid over said valve.

Preferably said first locking member and said second locking member are locked relative to each other when under-engaged and in said engaged position respectively.

Preferably said lock relative to each other substantially prevents any one or more of the following of said first locking member relative said second locking member,

• rotation, and

• separation.

Alternatively there is a keying means which prevents relative rotation and or separation or other movement of said first locking member relative said second locking member.

Preferably said method includes the step of locking said first locking member in position relative to said second locking member to prevent relative rotation, separation or other movement there between.

Preferably said first locking member is rotated to under-engage and thereafter said second locking member is deployed to said engaged position.

Alternatively said second locking member is deployed to said engaged position and thereafter said first locking member is rotated to under-engage.

Preferably said lockout is slid over said operational part at least in part prior to said rotating and under-engaging.

In yet another aspect still the present invention may be said to consist in a lock out for a valve as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In yet still another aspect the present invention may be said to consist a method of locking out a valve as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present, but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner. It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1 , 1.1 , 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7). The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements and features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 shows a valve of a common variety such as for example found on a gas bottle or similar being an inline or "T" type valve;

Figure 2 shows a valve shell or first locking member of a first embodiment of the

present invention in the side perspective elevation;

Figure 3 shows the valve shell or first locking member of Figure 1 in side elevation rotated by 90 degrees; Figure 4 shows the valve saddle or second locking member in side perspective

elevation;

Figure 5 shows the assembly of the valve shell and valve saddle (or first locking

member and second locking member respectively) with no valve in place together with a locking means being in this instance a cap;

Figure 6 shows an exploded order of assembly of the valve shell, valve saddle and locking means onto a valve; Figure 7 shows the valve shell assembled to a valve and thereafter the valve saddle and locking means are being assembled thereon; Figure 8 shows the assembly of the valve shell and valve saddle engaged about a valve and locked insert together with a locking means;

Figure 9 shows a further typical valve being an in-line type valve having an inlet to the left and an outlet to the right controlled by a handle is an operational part to open a valve or valve means between the inlet and outlet;

Figure 10 shows a first locking member (valve shell) slid over the valve but not under engaged;

Figure 11 shows a similar view to that of Figure 10 with the exception the first locking member (valve shell) has been rotated to underengage the valve;

Figure 12 shows a further variation on the second locking member (valve saddle) in side view;

Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view through a vertical plane of Figure 12 of the

second locking member (valve saddle);

Figure 14 shows the resulting assembly once the second locking member (valve saddle) is located together with the first locking member (valve shell) about the valve and locked into place, and

Figure 15 shows an alternative embodiment in partial cross-section, where the outer and inner parts are not separated, but rather rotate relative to each other to capture and release the valve and utilise a ratchet engagement between the inner and outer parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to Figures 1 through 14.

Shown in Figure 1 is a valve 2 typical of the type used for example on gas cylinders. The valve 2 has an operational part 3 to operate the valve between the open and closed positions. In this example the operational part 3 is a circular handle typical of such valves 2. Normally the operational part 3 will operate a thread to lift and close a gate (not shown), however in other embodiments known in the art it may be a ball valve or other types of closing systems. The operational part 3 is attached to the body of the valve 2 by a valve stem 12 and this valve stem 12 has a main axis 14. The valve 2 also has typically an inlet 6 in this case from the gas bottle 27 and has an outlet 7. Typically the outlet 7 has a hose or similar attached to it for conveyance of the gas. Such valves 2 also typically have another protuberance 8. This is normally used for checking of the valve and or re-gassing, maintenance or attachment of further items such as for example a gauge. Therefore in this instance the valve is a right angled valve in that material flows into the valve 2 and then exits at a right angle thereto.

The first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 2 through 5 and such can be used on the valve 2 as shown in Figure 1. A valve shell 4 (also known as a first locking member) is shown in Figures 2 and 3. This is a substantially hollow shell member to receive at least part of the valve 2 as will be further described. The valve shell 4 has at least one leg 5 and in the preferred embodiment has two such legs 5a and 5b. These legs respectively define at least one first recess and in the embodiment shown have two such first recesses 21a and 21b. The shape of the first recesses 21a and 2 b is such as to define a socket path 16a and 16b. This can be seen as an opening aligned at least perpendicular to the main axis 14 which thereafter spirals round the external surface of the valve shell 4. This can be seen to continue around the side of the valve shell 4 in Figure 3. The termination of the socket path 16a and 16b on at least one of these paths preferably has a slight return 26. The function of this will be understood when the socket path 16a and 16b are likened to a socket of a bayonet type fitting. The socket paths therefore can take any of the shapes desired for such a fitting such as a spiral, inverted "J" shape, or similar. The first recess 21 and or recesses 21a and 21b and the resulting socket paths 16a and 16b can be provided so as to fit with the dimensions and arrangement of the valve 2 to which the valve shell 4 engages.

As will be described further below when the valve shell 4 is installed on a valve 2 the first recess 21a and its respective socket path 16a is installed or located on any one of either the outlet 7 or the other protuberance 8 and vice versa the second recess 2 b and its associated socket path 16b is located onto the other of the protuberance or outlet 7 and thereafter the valve shell 4 can be slid down parallel to the main axis 14 of the valve over the valve 2. As the valve shell 4 slides down over the valve 2 it then rotates as the outlet 7 and other protuberance 8 move along their respective socket paths 16a and 16b until they reach the end of the socket paths. The result is an under-engagement of the outlet 7 and other protuberance 8 by at least one leg (and in the preferred embodiment two legs 5a and 5b of the valve). It will be understood the return 26 would at least partially prevent rotation and subsequent removal of the valve shell 4 from the valve 2. The valve shell 4 also has a locking means 11 and this will be described in conjunction with the valve saddle 9 shortly.

The valve saddle 9 is shown in Figures 4 and 5. As shown it is a substantially hollow shell like member and in a preferred embodiment is dimensioned so as to fit over the external dimension of the valve shell 4. However in other embodiments, it may be located internally of the valve shell 4. The valve saddle 9 (also known as second locking member) has an allowance to receive the locking means 1 , and in this instance the allowance is an aperture 28 in the upper part of the valve saddle 9. This aperture 28 allows the locking means 1 to pass therethrough. Its functionality will be described further below.

The valve saddle 9 also has at least one second recess 24, in the preferred embodiment shown there are two such recesses 24a and 24b. In the embodiments shown these are diametrically opposed, however they can be provided as needed based upon the geometry of the valve 2 to which the valve saddle 9 engages.

Shown in Figure 5 is an assembly of the valve saddle 9 over the valve shell 4, with no valve present. Through the second recess 24a can be seen at least part of the socket path 16a and 16b together with the second recess 24b through the other side. The locking means 11 as shown is a tamper evident or similar one way style threaded cap 29, which engages on a mating extension 30 (seen in Figure 7) from the valve shell 4. Such extension 30 extends through the aperture 28. Thereafter the cap 29 can be threaded onto the extension 30. This then locks the valve shell 4 to the valve saddle 9 at least in the direction of the main axis 14. The dimensioning of the socket paths 16a and 16b and the return 26 is such that when engaged on a valve 2 in the preferred embodiment there is no room for the outlet 7 or other protuberance 8 that passes through the valve shell 4 to pass up and over the return 26 and therefore allow the lockout 1 to be removed. An exploded sequential assembly is shown of the first preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 6 through 8 onto a valve 2. The valve shell 4 is aligned with the main axis 14 and the respective socket paths 16a and 16b are aligned so as to sit over the respective outlet 7 and other protuberance 8. Thereafter in the manner described previously, the valve shell 4 is lowered over the valve 2 and rotated to lie in the engaged position shown in Figure 7, that is under-engaging the outlet 7 and other protuberance 8. The valve saddle 9 in a similar way is then passed over the valve 2 and valve shell 4 to encompass the valve 2 and allow the extension 30 to extend through the aperture 28 where thereafter the cap 29 can be secured thereto.

The resulting lockout 1 on a valve 2 is shown in Figure 8. It can be seen the extension of at least one of the outlet 7 and other protuberance 8 through the socket path 16a and 16b and the dimensioning of the return 26 is such that only with difficulty or deformation of the lockout

1 can rotation about the main axis 14 be achieved and therefore the lockout 1 is effectively locked over the valve 2. The operational part (in this case being the valve handle) is covered such as to deny access to it and prevent operation by turning thereof. Such a locking means 11 being provided by a childproof or similar closure cap 29 provides a sufficient lockout at least for domestic use which prevents inadvertent actuation (for example by small children) of the valve. Therefore if the valve is turned off, the lockout 1 is located in place and thereafter small children or otherwise cannot inadvertently undo the valve 2 and release gas or other dangerous materials.

Further embodiments of the present invention will now be described in reference to Figures 9 through 14 and is for a more secure form of lockout, such as that which may be used to lock out a utility or for commercial safety.

A variation on the valve 2 shown in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 9. Such a valve 2 is sometimes referred to as an inline or T-valve and has an inline inlet 6 and outlet 7. The valve 2 also has an operational part 3 which in this instance is shown as a circular handle. The operational part 3 may be circular shaped or may be a lever and other forms of operational parts are known in the art. The operational part 2 engages to the valve 2 via a valve stem 12 and the valve stem 12 similarly has a main axis 14.

A first locking member 4 (also referred to as a valve shell 4) is shown in Figure 10. The first locking member 4 in a way similar to that described for the embodiment is slid over the valve

2 to at least in part encircle the valve, by sliding over the valve 2 downwards in the main axis 14 direction. The valve shell 4 similar to the valve shell shown in Figure 2 has at least one first recess 21 and preferably has two such recesses 21a and 21 b which allow it to slide down past the inlet 6 and outlet 7. Similar to the valve shell 4 shown in Figure 2, the first recesses 21a and 21b open onto socket paths 16a and 16b (shown in Figures 10 and 11) which allow a similar bayonet style engagement of the valve shell 4 over the inlet 7 and outlet 8 by rotation of the valve shell 4 about the main axis 14 as the valve shell 4 slides downwards (in Figure 10 and 1 ) over the valve 2. The result is a similar engagement with the inlet 6 and outlet 7 of the valve 2 whereby the first locking member 4 under-engages the inlet 6 and outlet 7 of the valve 2 as best shown in Figure 11. A return 26 is also present on at least one of the socket paths 16a and 16b and preferably is present on both of the socket paths 16a and 16b such that the first locking member 4 once engaged with the inlet 6 and outlet 7 cannot simply unwind down the socket paths 16a and 16b, but rather first the inlet 6 and outlet 7 must first pass over the return 26. While specifically inlets and outlets are referred to, there may of course be separate protuberances to engage with the lockout.

A second locking member 9 (also referred to as a valve saddle) will now be described with reference to Figures 12 through 13. The second locking member 9 is similarly shaped to the valve saddle 9 shown in Figure 4. The second locking member 9 has at least one second recess 24 and the preferred embodiment has two such recesses 24a and 24b. Present also is an extension on the upper part of the second locking member 9 which houses a locking means 11 , this will be described further below.

The disengaged position 23 of the first locking member 4 is shown in Figure 10. In this Figure the first locking member 4, whilst partially slid over the valve 2 is as yet not in the engaged position 23 such that the first locking member 4 under-engages the inlet 6 and outlet 7. The engaged position 22 of the first locking member 4 is shown in Figure 11. In this it can be clearly seen the inlet 6 and outlet 7 have passed up through and into the body of the first locking member 4 and are thereby under-engaged by the first locking member 4.

One embodiment of locking means for the second embodiment is shown in Figure 13. This utilises a keyed means 18 which can deploy or retract a first pin 19. The lower extension of the locking means 11 can pass through an aperture in the upper portion of the first locking member 4 and such aperture is dimensioned such that when the first pin 9 is deployed the second locking member 9 cannot be slid along the main axis 14 relative to the first locking member 4. Thus the first locking member can be engaged and locked to the second locking member. A second pin 31 can also be seen extending downwardly from the upper part of the second locking member 9. This engages in a mating aperture (now shown) in the first locking member 4 and when engaged thereto prevents relative rotation of the first locking member to the second locking member.

It would therefore be understood that when the first locking member 4 is engaged to the valve 2 the only way it can disengage is via depression to pass the return 26 and thereafter rotation. The second locking member 9 cannot rotate relative to the valve 2 when located thereon due to the straddling of the inlet and outlet 6 and 7 respectively by the second recesses 24a and 24b. Therefore in one embodiment when the second locking member 9 is slid over to encircle the valve and over the first locking member 4 and the second pin 31 engages with the first locking member 4 (to provide added security against rotation) and the second locking member 9 is slidingly locked to the first locking member 4 via the first pin 19 then the first locking member 4 is prevented from rotation and therefore from disengaging from its under-engagement of the inlet 6 and outlet 7. This is because the first locking member 4 is prevented from rotation and therefore cannot move along the main axis 14 the second locking member 9 is also held to the first locking member 4 and valve 2. The result is lockout 1 is secure and when made of sufficient resilient material such as for example aluminium steel, fibre reinforced plastics or other suitable materials prevents a tamper proof lockout for a valve. Such may be useful for utilities and other service providers when locking out for example a water or gas utility such as for example when a user has not paid the utilities bill. Because the lockout 1 can be assembled from the direction in which the valve is normally accessible i.e. from above to the operational part 2, then no disassembly or additional work is required to provide the lockout 1 onto the valve. The lockout 1 is simply slid over the valve from the above direction downwards along the main axis 14 rotated to under-engage the valve 2 and then the locking means 11 engaged.

An example of a locked out valve is shown in Figure 14. Other locking means may also be used such as for example but not limited to provision of apertures to provide a padlock therethrough, proximity locking systems such as swipe cards or near field sensing systems, keypads and combination locks and similar known in the art. The second pin 31 whilst shown may not necessarily be present provided there is sufficient dimensional accuracy to prevent relative rotation of the first locking member 4 to the valve 2 when the first locking member 9 is engaged. That is the return 26 cannot be passed over. Other ways of locking one shell member or similar to another (i.e. the first locking member 4 to the second locking member 9) will be known to those skilled in the art. In other embodiments (not shown), the first locking member and second locking member may be substantially engaged to each other and allowed to translate and rotate as necessary to engage a valve. It can be envisaged whereby applying the lockout 1 to a valve is simply a matter of locating the relevant recesses either side of the inlet and outlet 6 and 7 respectively of the valve 2 and pushing down. Thereafter the first locking member will rotate into position to under-engage the inlet and outlet and the second recess or recesses will lie to at least in part straddle the inlet 6 and outlet 7. Likewise the locking means may be a one-way detent style whereby the lock is always deployed and only requires a key action to disengage the lock and free the mechanism of the lockout to allow the first locking member to move to a disengaged position 23 relative the valve. It can also be envisaged that the lockout 1 simply engages to only one of the inlet 6 and outlet 7 or other protuberance 8 or alternatively the first locking member 4 engages to one or other of the inlet 6 and outlet 7 or other protuberance and the second locking member 9 engages to the other of the inlet 6 outlet 7 or other protuberance 8. In the embodiments shown the first locking member 4 and second locking member 9 are shown to fully encompass the valve or at least the operational part 3 of the valve 2. In other embodiments it may only be one of the first locking member or second locking member that encircles and or denies access to the operational part 3. In other still embodiments it may be a cooperation of the first locking member 4 and second locking member 9 that combine to deny access and or operation of the operational part 3. For example the first locking member and second locking member 9 may be skeletal separately but when combined deny access and operation of the operational part. In other embodiments the first locking member may be a component dependent from the second locking member 9, for example it may be a finger or otherwise that deploys to under-engage the inlet 6 outlet 7 or protuberance 8. In other embodiments it may be the other way round in that the second locking member 9 is a finger that deploys from the first locking member to thereby straddle at least part of the outlet 6, inlet 7 or other protuberance 8. In other embodiments, the present invention may include advertising for example for the owner of the bottle, a company or entity that has paid for advertising, or for the owner of the lockout 1 or simply to indicate the content the valve 2 controls.

A further embodiment is shown in Figure 15. This has the first locking member 4 located within and rotating relative to the valve saddle 9. The lockout 1 functions in a similar way as already described with the relative rotation of the first locking member 4 and valve saddle controlled by a ratchet mechanism 32 in the cap 29. For example a right hand rotation will lock the lockout 1 onto the valve, and a left hand rotation will unlock the lockout 1. The cap 29 could for example require pushing down to engage the ratchet as a further safety feature.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.