US3980332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seals for meters and the like
Assignee: INNER TITE DIV OF YARA ENGR CORP
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Filing: 1975-09-09
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A seal for meters and the like is provided having a generally rectangular housing with a central slot passing therethrough, a generally U-shaped shackle member having at each end a reversely bent inwardly extending hook insertable in said slot and keeper means inserted into said slot from the end opposite the shackle member, said keeper means having opposed notches intermediate its ends engaging the hook means of the shackle within the housing and breakable stop means on the keeper means limiting movement of the keeper into the slot to hold the notches and hook means in the housing and when the stop means are broken to permit the keeper to pass fully through the slot.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl G. King, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:14
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/02; G09F3/03; G09F3/0305; G09F3/0347; G09F3/0358; G09F3/0382; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/48; Y10T292/497; Y10T292/498
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A seal for meters and the like comprising a generally rectangular housing having a central slot passing therethrough, a generally U-shaped fastening shackle member having at each end a reversely bent inwardly extending hook insertable into one end of said slot and keeper means inserted into said slot from the end opposite the shackle member, said keeper means having opposed notches intermediate its ends engaging the hook means of the shackle within the housing, stop means on the keeper means engaging the housing and limiting movement of the keeper into the slot to hold the notches and hook means in the housing and a frangible connection defining the stop means from the keeper means, said slot being dimensioned to permit passage of the shackle member and keeper free of the stop means through said one end whereby when the stop means are broken it permits the keeper and shackle to pass fully through the slot and said one end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A seal for meters and the like comprising a generally rectangular housing having a central slot passing therethrough, a generally U-shaped fastening shackle member having at each end a reversely bent inwardly extending hook insertable into one end of said slot and keeper means inserted into said slot from the end opposite the shackle member, said keeper means having opposed notches intermediate its ends engaging the hook means of the shackle within the housing, stop means on the keeper means engaging the housing and limiting movement of the keeper into the slot to hold the notches and hook means in the housing and a frangible connection defining the stop means from the keeper means, said slot being dimensioned to permit passage of the shackle member and keeper free of the stop means through said one end whereby when the stop means are broken it permits the keeper and shackle to pass fully through the slot and said one end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A seal for meters and the like as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing is of substantially nondeformable transparent plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A seal for meters and the like as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shackle is of spring steel wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A seal for meters and the like as claimed in claim 1 wherein stop means are provided in the slot limiting movement of the shackle into the slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A seal for meters and the like as claimed in claim 4 wherein the stop means includes auxiliary slot portions along the edge of the slot terminating in a shoulder intermediate the length of the slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A seal for meters and the like as claimed in claim 1 wherein the keeper means is provided with a tapered end portion adjacent the notches to guide and urge the shackle ends into the notches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A seal for meters and the like as claimed in claim 1 wherein the keeper bottom is enlarged to provide shoulders bearing on the housing and said enlarged bottom is defined by at least one perforation separating it from the body of the keeper whereby the bottom may be broken away from the keeper body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A seal for meters and the like as claimed in claim 1 wherein perforations form a plurality of legs between the bottom and body of the keeper, at least one of which is spirally twisted in removing the bottom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A seal for meters and the like as claimed in claim 1 wherein the breakable stop means on the keeper are a pair of tabs extending from opposite edges of the keeper bottom portion.
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) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |