US3838878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper proof seals
Assignee: ITW Ltd
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Filing: 1973-05-29
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1993-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A tamperproof seal of the type comprising a wire shackle which in use is passed through a loop on an article, and a plastic housing which lockingly receives the ends of the shackle. At least one of the shackle ends has a barb which engages a side wall of a passage in the housing, the other end being similarly or otherwise anchored in the housing. By this invention the housing has a further wall spaced from the said wall on the side thereof remote from the barb, the spacing being such that should the barb perforate the said wall, the amount of the barb, if any, which can perforate the further wall, if cut off, is insufficient to permit that end of the shackle to be pushed back into the passage then simply withdrawn. The space is to narrow for a cutting or welding tool to pass along it. The two limbs are conveniently substantially identical, and the housing a symmetrical one piece plastics moulding.
Inventors
- 👤 P Fernberg
- 👤 D Harley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:12
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/02; G09F3/03; G09F3/0305; G09F3/0311; B; B65; B65D; B65D33/00; B65D33/16; B65D33/25; B65D33/2508; B65D33/2584; B65D33/2585; G09F3/0347; G09F3/0358; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/15; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/48; Y10T292/4945; Y10T292/496
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A seal comprising a plastics housing and a hard wire shackle, the shackle comprising a first limb, which is anchored in the housing, and a second limb which is free for passing through a loop on an article to be fastened, the second limb carrying a barb which projects back from the free end of the limb; the housing having a passage which, in the fastened condition of the seal receives the free end of the second limb, the surface of the passage which engages the barb being on a first wall which is thin and which is shaped to cooperate with the barb to resist subsequent withdrawal of the limb, there being a second wall which is spaced from the first wall on the side thereof opposite to the barb, the spacing and positioning being such that even if the barb perforates the second wall, the amount which can then be cut off the barb is insufficient to permit the second limb to be simply withdrawn from the passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A seal comprising a plastics housing and a hard wire shackle, the shackle comprising a first limb, which is anchored in the housing, and a second limb which is free for passing through a loop on an article to be fastened, the second limb carrying a barb which projects back from the free end of the limb; the housing having a passage which, in the fastened condition of the seal receives the free end of the second limb, the surface of the passage which engages the barb being on a first wall which is thin and which is shaped to cooperate with the barb to resist subsequent withdrawal of the limb, there being a second wall which is spaced from the first wall on the side thereof opposite to the barb, the spacing and positioning being such that even if the barb perforates the second wall, the amount which can then be cut off the barb is insufficient to permit the second limb to be simply withdrawn from the passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A seal according to claim 1 in which the first limb of the shackle also has a barb projecting back from its free end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seal according to claim 2 in which the two barbs project outwards of the shackle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A seal according to claim 2 in which the first limb is longer than the second limb.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A seal according to claim 2 in which the two limbs are joined by a loop integral with the limbs and which has at least one weakened portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A seal according to claim 1 in which the first wall has a series of projections for engaging the barb.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A seal according to claim 1 in which at least the second limb has an angled portion which closes its respective passage when the barb is fastened therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A seal according to claim 2 in which the housing has two passages for respectively receiving the two limbs of the shackle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A seal according to claim 8 in which the two passages are sealed at their one end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
228 words
The seal comprising a one-piece plastic housing having a pair of axially extending passages opening through one end of the housing and a hard wire shackle, the shackle comprising a first limb which is anchored in the housing in one of said passages, and a second limb which is free for passing through a loop of an article to be fastened, said second limb carrying a barb which projects back from the free end of the limb, the second passage of said housing being adapted to receive the free end of the second limb in the fastened condition of the seal, the surface of the passage which engages the barb, being on a first wall which is thin and which is shaped to cooperate with the barb to resist subsequEnt withdrawal of the limb, said housing including along a substantial portion of each edge thereof an integral shroud open at one end and providing a second wall which is spaced from the first wall on the side thereof opposite to the barb, the spacing and positioning being such that even if the barb perforates the second wall, the amount which can then be cut off the barb is insufficient to permit the second limb to be simply withdrawn from the passage, the spacing between said walls being such as to prevent insertion of a tool into such space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
228 words
The seal comprising a one-piece plastic housing having a pair of axially extending passages opening through one end of the housing and a hard wire shackle, the shackle comprising a first limb which is anchored in the housing in one of said passages, and a second limb which is free for passing through a loop of an article to be fastened, said second limb carrying a barb which projects back from the free end of the limb, the second passage of said housing being adapted to receive the free end of the second limb in the fastened condition of the seal, the surface of the passage which engages the barb, being on a first wall which is thin and which is shaped to cooperate with the barb to resist subsequEnt withdrawal of the limb, said housing including along a substantial portion of each edge thereof an integral shroud open at one end and providing a second wall which is spaced from the first wall on the side thereof opposite to the barb, the spacing and positioning being such that even if the barb perforates the second wall, the amount which can then be cut off the barb is insufficient to permit the second limb to be simply withdrawn from the passage, the spacing between said walls being such as to prevent insertion of a tool into such space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |