TAMPER RESISTANT SEAL PLUG

Abstract: A tamper resistant seal plug is fitted over a screw head within a recess provided by an upstanding wall surrounding the screw head. The plug is an open ended cup shaped member which is readily insertable open end first into the recess. Removal of the plug for access to the screw head may only be effected through destruction of the plug. The end closure of the plug is breakable to effect its removal and provide an indication of tampering. A distinctive design on the exposed seal plug surface makes duplication im­ practical.

Description: TAMPER RESISTANT SEAL PLUG DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to seals, and, more particularly, to a tamper resistant seal which provides an indication in the event tampering occurs. There are many applications where it is desirable to discourage unauthorized access to the interior of an enclosure. For example, with the high cost of gaseous fuels, there has been an increase in incidents of unauthorized people tampering with the internal mechanisms of gas meters in an attempt to stop or reduce the registration of gas consumption. In the past, there have been proposed and utilized a number of devices which are resistant to such tampering. Some have been quite expensive and require special tools and/or considerable efforts to circumvent, even for the manufacturer. Seal screws and wire have been the standard for years, but have limitations as to their effectiveness. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive tamper resistant arrangement for protecting a gas meter, or the like, from unauthorized access to its internal mechanisms. It is a further object of this inventilon to provide such an arrangement which in addition provides a readily observable indication when tampering has occurred. It is an additional object of this invention to provide such an arrangement which is easily circumvented by those authorized to have access. It is yet another object of this invention to provide such an arrangement having an element which cannot be reused once removed. It is still another object of this invention t9 provide such an arrangement wherein the non-reusable element is not readily duplicated so that counterfeiting thereof is inhibited. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and additional objects are attained in accordance with the principles of this invention by providing an arrangement for protecting an area from unauthorized tampering and providing an indication in the event such tampering occurs, which arrangement includes an upstanding wall surrounding the protected area to form a recess therearound and a unitary open ended cup shaped plug having a side wall portion and an end closure. The plug is adapted to be inserted open end first within the recess. The side wall features of the plug are sized to provide an interference fit with the upstanding wall and the end closure of the plug includes a frangible portion adapted to he broken away to provide access to the area and allow removal of the plug from within the recess. The end closure may he diatinctively textured or imprinted to inhibit counterfeit duplication and further to indicate tampering. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing will he norse readily apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a gas meter index cover constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention; FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a seal plug constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention; FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second illustrative embodiment of a seal plug constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention; FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the seal plug of FIGS. 3 and 4 installed in a gas meter cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, where like elements in different figures thereof have the same reference character applied thereto, FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a portion of a gas meter index cover, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention to accept a seal plug therein. Thus, as is conventional, the index cover 10 includes a flange 12 extending around the periphery thereof through which is provided at least one opening 14 for accepting therethrough an externally threaded screw adapted to be secured in a corresponding internally threaded opening provided in the meter housing (not shown). In accordance with the principles of this invention, an upstanding wall 16 is provided to surround the opening 14 but is spaced sufficiently therefrom to allow the head of the screw to freely pass within the wall 16. Preferably, the wall 16 is circular and concentric with the opening 14. Typically, a gas meter index cover is made of a clear molded plastic and, at its upper end, the wall 16 is formed with an inwardly extending lip 18. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a first embodiment of a seal plug adapted to fit within the confines of the recess formed by the upstanding wall 16. This seal plug, designated generally by the reference numeral 20, is illustratively formed of aluminum or other appropriate metal. The seal plug 20 is a unitary open ended cup shaped member having a side wall portion 22 and an end closure 24. The side wall portion 22 is sized to provide a minimal clearance with the upstanding wall 16 so that the plug may be inserted, open end first, within the upstanding wall 16 but removal thereof can only be effected through a destruction of the plug 20, as will be described hereinafter. To create an interference fit, the side wall 22 is formed with a plurality of lanced out portions 26, illustratively three in number, angularly spaced around the periphery of the side wall 20. These lanced out portions 26, or features, are angled outwardly so that when the plug 2Q is inserted open end first within the confines of the upstanding wall 16, the lanced out portions 26 flex back and do not interfere with such insertion. However, like a reverse barb on a fishing hook, the lanced out portions 26 interfere with the removal of the plug 20. Additionally, such removal is further impeded by the inwardly extending lip 18 on the wall 16. FIG. 7 illustrates the plug 2Q when inserted over so as to encompass the head of a screw 28 used to fasten a metal cover 5Q to the meter housing. Looking at FIG. 7, it will be noted that from the outside of the recess, it is virtually impos- sible to remove the plug 20 from the confines of the wall 52 without destroying the plug 20, as there are n9 projections which can be seized, the juncture of the end closure 24 and the side wall portion 22 being relatively smooth, and the end closure 24 lying within the recess below the outer extremity of the upstanding wall 16. In accordance with the principles of this invention, the end closure is made frangible so that the plug can be removed, but once removed there is provided an indication of such removal. Additionally, once removed the plug cannot be reused. Accordingly, the end closure 24 is formed with a notched annular groove 30 which provides a built in weakness to allow an opening to be made within the seal plug 20. This may be done by a simple tool like a screw driver or an ice pick. The plug 20 may then be gripped or pried out for its removal, there being sufficient clearance provided between the head of the screw 28 and the inner surface of the end closure 24. Alternatively, a screw driver may be inserted through the opening into the slot in the head of the screw 28, and the screw 28 may be removed, taking with it the remnants of the plug 20. When used in conjunction with the construction of FIGS. 1 and 2, removal of the plug 20 is further impeded by the inwardly extending lip 18. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of a plug constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. This plug, designated generally by the reference numeral 32, is illustratively a unitary molded plastic plug having an end closure 34 and side wall portion 36. Spaced about the side wall portion 36 there is provided a plurality of tapered projections 38, illustratively three in number, which provide the same function as the lanced out portions 26 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. To make the plug 32 frangible, the end closure 34 is provided with a region 40 of substantially reduced thickness so that it may easily be broken by a simple tool, like a screw driver or ice pick. Alternatively, the frangible region may be formed by molding a notched groove thereabout. Thus, it is seen that the described seal plug is tamper resistant in that it must be destroyed to be removed. However, it allows an authorized person to have access to the meter by merely destroying the seal plug and replacing it when necessary. The face of the end closure 24, 34 may have thereon a distinctive embossed design or imprint 42 to inhibit duplication, replacement plugs only being made available to authorized users. Additionally, the face of the seal plug may be of a contrasting color with respect to the top of the meter to provide an easily recognizable indication of the absence of the plug. Accordingly, there has been disclosed an improved tamper resistant arrangement. It is understood that the abovedescribed embodiments are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of this invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An arrangement for protecting an area from unauthoz ized tampering and providing an indication in the event such tampering occurs, comprising: an upstanding wall surrounding said area to define a recess; and a unitary open ended cup shaped plug having a side wall portion and an end closure and adapted to be inserted open end first within said recess, said side wall portion having features sized to provide an interference fit with said upstanding wall and said end closure including a frangible portion adapted to be broken away to provide access to said area and allow removal of said plug from inside said recess. 2. The arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein said end closure lies within said recess below the outer extremity of said upstanding wall. 3. The arrangement according to Claim 2 wherein said upstanding wall is formed with an inverted lip near the outer extremity of said wall and extending around the recessdefining interior of said wall. 4. The arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein a feature of said side wall portion of said plug is an outwardly tapered projection adapted to inhibit removal of said plug from within said recess. 5. The arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein said plug is formed of a metal material and said outwardly extending projection is formed by lancing out a portion of said side wall portion. 6. The arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein said plug is molded of a plastic material and said projection is a reversely tapered projection formed as a unitary portion of said side wall portion. 7. The arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein said end closure is formed with a frangible region. 8. The arrangement according to Claim 7 wherein said frangible region has a periphery defined by an inwardly notched groove. 9. The arrangement according to Claim 7 wherein said plug is formed of a molded plastic material and said frangible region is a region of reduced thickness relative to the remainder of said plug. 10. The arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein said end closure is provided with a distinctive design so as to inhibit duplication.

Inventors: RUDDY, DONALD C.
Applicants: THE SINGER COMPANY
Application year: 1984
Main classification: F16B41
IPC codes: G01F15, G01F3, G09F3, F16B41, G01R11