US4254977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security seal of the padlock type with tamper indicating protrusions
Assignee: EJ Brooks Co
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Filing: 1979-06-13
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A seal of the type resembling a padlock which comprises a plastic housing having a pair of apertures in the top surface for receiving the ends of a wire shackle. To provide evidence of tampering, by attempts to work a shackle end out of an aperture with a pair of pliers or the like, upwardly extending protuberance are provided on the upper surface of the body, which are mashed down by the tool being used in an attempt to open the seal, thereby giving evidence of tampering. When certain types of colored plastic are used for the seal body, the deformation of the protuberance causes them to turn white, giving further evidence of tampering.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S. Guiler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:45
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/02; G09F3/03; G09F3/0305; G09F3/0347; G09F3/0358; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/48; Y10T292/497; Y10T292/498
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A seal of the type resembling a padlock and comprising a plastic housing having a cavity opening to a surface thereof for receiving the leg of a wire shackle, and protuberances projecting from said surface adjacent said openings in position to be deformed by a tool used in an attempt to work the shackle leg out of the opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A seal of the type resembling a padlock and comprising a plastic housing having a cavity opening to a surface thereof for receiving the leg of a wire shackle, and protuberances projecting from said surface adjacent said openings in position to be deformed by a tool used in an attempt to work the shackle leg out of the opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A seal as set out in claim 1 in which the housing is made of a form of pigmented plastic that forms a white surface when physically deformed a substantial amount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A seal as set out in claim 1 in which said surface of the housing has a plurality of individual protuberances.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seal as set out in claim 1 in which said surface has a pair of elongated protuberances disposed at opposite sides of the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A seal of the type resembling a padlock and comprising a plastic housing having an upper surface with a pair of spaced openings extending into the body for receiving the ends of shackle legs, and series of individual protuberances extending upwardly from the upper surface, said protuberances being disposed along said surface in two rows disposed on opposite sides of said openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A seal of the type resembling a padlock and comprising a plastic housing having an upper surface with a pair of spaced openings extending into the body for receiving the ends of shackle legs, and series of individual protuberances extending upwardly from the upper surface, said protuberances being disposed along said surface in two rows disposed on opposite sides of said openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
A seal of the type resembling a padlock and comprising a plastic housing having an upper surface with a pair of spaced openings extending into the body for receiving the ends of shackle legs, and an upwardly extending protuberance in the form of an elongated rib disposed on the upper surface of the body on opposite sides of the apertures, said rib having a transverse dimension at the top which is small enough to be readily deformed by a tool used in an attempt to work the shackle leg out of the opening, said housing being formed of a pigmented plastic of the type that changes surface color when the surface is physically deformed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
A seal of the type resembling a padlock and comprising a plastic housing having an upper surface with a pair of spaced openings extending into the body for receiving the ends of shackle legs, and an upwardly extending protuberance in the form of an elongated rib disposed on the upper surface of the body on opposite sides of the apertures, said rib having a transverse dimension at the top which is small enough to be readily deformed by a tool used in an attempt to work the shackle leg out of the opening, said housing being formed of a pigmented plastic of the type that changes surface color when the surface is physically deformed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
A seal body for a seal of the type in which an end of a wire shackle is received in a body cavity in locking engagement, said body being formed of pigmented plastic of the type that changes surface color when said surface is physically deformed, said body having an opening for receiving a shackle end in locking engagement and upwardly extending protuberances so positioned about said opening and having upper surfaces with sufficiently small area to enable said upper surfaces to be readily deformed by a tool used in an attempt to work the shackle leg out of the opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A seal body for a seal of the type in which an end of a wire shackle is received in a body cavity in locking engagement, said body being formed of pigmented plastic of the type that changes surface color when said surface is physically deformed, said body having an opening for receiving a shackle end in locking engagement and upwardly extending protuberances so positioned about said opening and having upper surfaces with sufficiently small area to enable said upper surfaces to be readily deformed by a tool used in an attempt to work the shackle leg out of the opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3485521A
Cited
US3838878A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |