US 5,489,034 A · Security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member

Abstract

A one-piece injection molded tamperproof security seal is used for sealing the ends of tubular members, such as are found in some types of electricity meters. The seal is compact, it may be applied where there is limited space, and it has a high degree of inviolability. The seal comprises a plug adapted to be received in the tubular end, blocking means on the plug adapted for cooperation with engagement means on the tubular member, first locking means on the plug, and a closure portion which is hingeably attached to the plug and provided with second locking means. The seal has an open configuration in which the closure portion is remote from the plug portion and a sealed configuration in which the closure portion is folded over the plug with the first and second locking means in mutual locking cooperation. In the sealed configuration, the plug is within the end of the tubular member to be sealed, and displacement means on the closure portion cooperate with the plug to displace the blocking means from an unblocked configuration to a blocked configuration at which the blocking means cooperates with the engagement means on the tubular member.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A one piece security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member the tubular member being provided with engagement means in the inner side wall thereof, said seal having an open configuration and a sealed configuration wherein said seal comprises:

a plug portion adapted to be received in the end of said tubular member;
blocking means on said plug portion adapted for cooperation with said engagement means on said tubular member;
a closure portion hingeably attached to said plug portion and provided with first locking means,
second locking means on said plug portion,
said closure portion being remote from said plug portion in said open configuration and said closure portion being folded over said plug portion with said first and second locking means in mutual locking cooperation to define said sealed configuration, whereby return from said sealed configuration to said open configuration is not possible without destroying said security seal which is thus rendered tamperproof;
said closure portion having displacement means which, in response to movement of said seal from its open configuration to its sealed configuration, displaces said blocking means of the plug portion from an unblocked configuration to a blocked configuration at which the blocking means cooperates with the engagement means on the tubular member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member

Life of this patent

Security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14