Patent Publication Number: US-2015061303-A1

Title: Bolt Security Seal

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to security devices for cargo. More specifically, the invention is directed to a bolt security seal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bolt security seals are used to secure, for example, the locking hasp of containers and truck trailers. Because these types of seals are for one-time use, they are removed using a cutting device after installation. 
     Thieves sometimes use a technique to “spin” these types of seals at high speed, which allows the seals to be removed with no obvious damage and reused. This is often done by attaching a portable drill to the head portion of the seal and holding the locking portion with a clamping device such as pliers. This invention provides a bolt security seal that prevents spinning 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A bolt security seal has a bolt including a shaft having a non-cylindrical geometric shape. The seal further has a lock including a shaft opening having a non-cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the shaft. The shaft opening is configured for mating engagement with the shaft. The non-cylindrical shapes prevent rotational movement of the bolt and the lock once they are engaged to one another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bolt security seal according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to view of  FIG. 2  showing an alternative embodiment of a bolt security seal according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to view of  FIG. 2  showing an alternative embodiment of a bolt security seal according to the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to view of  FIG. 2  showing an alternative embodiment of a bolt security seal according to the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to view of  FIG. 2  showing an alternative embodiment of a bolt security seal according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a bolt security seal according to the invention in use; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken through the center of an alternative embodiment a bolt security seal according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the interaction of the spring and the bolt of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, a bolt security seal according to the invention is indicated generally by the reference number “ 10 .” As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the bolt security seal  10  includes a bolt  12  having a shaft  14  extending longitudinally between an enlarged head  16  and a tapered tip  18 . The seal  10  further includes a lock  20  having a shaft opening  22  that is sized and adapted for mating engagement with the shaft  14 . Both the shaft  14  and the opening  22  have non-cylindrical geometric shapes to prevent rotational movement of the bolt  12  and the lock  20  once they are engaged to one another. In an embodiment, the bolt  12  and the lock  20  are made of metal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the geometric shapes of the shaft  14  and the opening  22  are hexagonal. In other embodiments the geometric shapes are triangular ( FIG. 4 ), oval ( FIG. 5 ), square ( FIG. 6 ) and pentagonal ( FIG. 7 ). It should be understood that the shaft  14  and the opening  22  can have a variety of other non-cylindrical shapes depending on the application. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the lock  20  includes a lock groove  24  positioned adjacent to the opening  22  in which a resilient split locking ring  26  is positioned. The shaft  14  includes a shaft groove  28  positioned adjacent to the tip  18  that is sized and adapted for the insertion of the locking ring  26 . In an embodiment, the locking ring  26  is made of metal. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a bolt coating  30  can be positioned on the bolt  12 . A lock coating  32  can be positioned on the lock  20 . In an embodiment, the bolt and lock coatings  30  and  32  are made of plastic. In an embodiment, the bolt and lock coatings  30  and  32  include indicia  34 , such as numbers, to identify the seal  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  and  8 , the seal  10  is positioned on, for example, a locking hasp  36  including a first member  38  having a first opening  40  and a second member  42  having a second opening  44 . In this regard, the bolt  12  is inserted in the first and second openings  40  and  42 . The head  16  prevents the bolt  12  from passing through the first opening  40 . The tip  18  of the shaft  14  is inserted in the shaft opening  22  of the lock  20 . During insertion, the tip  18  separates the locking ring  26  so that the tip  18  can pass through. The locking ring  26  is then inserted in the shaft groove  28 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , to lock the bolt  12  to the lock  20 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lock  20  is sized and adapted to prevent the lock  20  from passing though the second opening  44 . As it will be appreciated, the non-cylindrical geometric shapes of the shaft  14  and the shaft opening  22  prevent the seal  10  from being spun once it has been positioned on the hasp  36 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an alternative embodiment bolt security seal  110  is shown. In this embodiment, the seal  110  includes a bolt  112  having a shaft  114  with a tapered tip  118 . The seal  110  further includes a lock  120  having a shaft opening  122  that is sized and adapted for mating engagement with the shaft  114 . Both the shaft  114  and the shaft opening  122  have non-cylindrical geometric shapes, as described above and shown in the drawings, to prevent rotational movement of the bolt  112  and the lock  120  once they are engaged to one another. In an embodiment, the bolt  112  and the lock  120  are made of metal. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the lock  120  includes a spring chamber  124  positioned adjacent to the shaft opening  122  in which a resilient locking spring  126  is positioned. The shaft  114  includes a shaft groove  128  positioned adjacent to the tip  118  that is sized and adapted for the insertion of the locking spring  126 . In an embodiment, the locking spring  126  is made of metal. A lock coating  132  can be positioned on the lock  120 . In an embodiment, the lock coating  132  is made of plastic. In an embodiment, the lock coating  132  includes indicia, as described above and shown in the drawings. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the locking spring  126  is generally V-shaped and includes a first foot  134 , a second foot  136 , a spring opening  138  and a support portion  140 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the locking spring  126  is positioned in the spring chamber  124  so that the spring opening  138  is positioned adjacent to the shaft opening  122 . In an embodiment, the locking spring  126  engages a chamber wall  142 , which includes a chamfer  144 , and a spring plate  146 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , the seal  110  can be used as described above with respect to the seal  10 . In this regard, the tip  118  of the shaft  114  is inserted in the shaft opening  122  of the lock  120 . During insertion, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the tip  118  separates the locking spring  126  so that the tip  118  can pass through the spring opening  138 . The locking spring  126  is then inserted in the shaft groove  128 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , to lock the bolt  112  to the lock  120 . The non-cylindrical geometric shapes of the shaft  114  and the shaft opening  122  prevent the seal  110  from being spun once the shaft  114  is positioned in the shaft opening  112 . 
     Certain embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein are defined in various examples. It should be understood that these examples, while indicating particular embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this disclosure, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various usages and conditions. Various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the essential scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.