Patent Publication Number: US-11047155-B2

Title: Concealed anti-tamper device

Description:
FIELD 
     The subject matter of the application generally relates to a concealed anti-tamper device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A device that prevents dismantling or disassembly of a product installed on the outside of the product renders disassembly difficult if not impossible. Such device can be dead-bolt lock, special screw, and so on. However having such device being installed affects aesthetics of the product, increases cost in sealing against corrosion, and can be damaged by thieves. 
     Thus, there is room for improvement in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a concealed anti-tamper device according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the concealed anti-tamper device with the lower cover of  FIG. 1  removed. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the concealed anti-tamper device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a base of the concealed anti-tamper device of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a bevel hook of the concealed anti-tamper device of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a driven gear joint lever of the concealed anti-tamper device of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a connecting duct of the concealed anti-tamper device of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 1  when the concealed anti-tamper device is unlocked. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 1  when the concealed anti-tamper device is locked. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the proportions of certain portions may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
     The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.” 
     The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”, it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series, and the like. 
       FIGS. 1-9  show embodiments of a concealed anti-tamper device  100 . The concealed anti-tamper device  100  includes a shell  110 , an anti-dismantling structure  120 , and a key  130 . The anti-dismantling structure  120  is received in the shell  110 . The key  130  is coordinated with the anti-dismantling structure  120  to allow unlocking and locking of the anti-dismantling structure  120  and the shell  110 . 
       FIG. 1  shows, the shell  110  including an upper lid  10  and a bottom lid  20  fixed on the upper lid  10  by the anti-dismantling structure  120 . 
       FIG. 2  shows, the upper lid  10  including a bottom wall  11 , a first side wall  12 , a second side wall  13 , a third side wall  14 , and a fourth side wall  15 . The first side wall  12 , the second side wall  13 , the third side wall  14 , and the fourth side wall  15  are formed on the bottom wall  11 . The first side wall  12  is connected to the second side wall  13 , the second side wall  13  is connected to the third side wall  14 , the third side wall  14  is connected to the fourth side wall  15 , and the fourth side wall  15  is connected to the first side wall  12 . The first side wall  12  is opposite to the third side wall  14 . The second side wall  13  is opposite to the fourth side wall  15 . A first receiving groove  16  is defined by the bottom wall  11 , the first side wall  12 , the second side wall  13 , the third side wall  14 , and the fourth side wall  15 . The first receiving groove  16  receives and fixes the anti-dismantling structure  120 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the first side wall  12 , the second side wall  13 , the third side wall  14 , and the fourth side wall  15  are perpendicularly formed on the bottom wall  11 . The first side wall  12  is perpendicularly connected to the second side wall  13 , the second side wall  13  is perpendicularly connected to the third side wall  14 , the third side wall  14  is perpendicularly connected to the fourth side wall  15 , and the fourth side wall  15  is perpendicularly connected to the first side wall  12 . 
     In other embodiments, the first side wall  12 , the second side wall  13 , the third side wall  14 , and the fourth side wall  15  also can be connected to each other with smoothly curved corners or to form an acute or obtuse angle there between. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom wall  11  is square shaped. 
     In other embodiment, the bottom wall  11  may be circular, oval, or polygonal. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom wall  11 , the first side wall  12 , the second side wall  13 , the third side wall  14 , and the fourth side wall  15  are integrally formed. 
     The upper lid  10  defines at least one through hole  17 . The at least one through hole  17  is defined on at least one of the first side wall  12 , the second side wall  13 , the third side wall  14 , and the fourth side wall  15 . The at least one through hole  17  runs through the least one of the first side wall  12 , the second side wall  13 , the third side wall  14 , and the fourth side wall  15 . That is, the at least one through hole  17  is connected to the first receiving groove  16 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the upper lid  10  includes two through holes  17  defined at the first side wall  12  and the third side wall  14 . The two through holes  17  are opposite to each other. 
     In other embodiments, the upper lid  10  can include only one through hole  17  when one end of the upper lid  10  is connected to the bottom lid  20 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the upper lid  10  further includes at least one registration mast group  18  defined on the bottom wall  11  and received in the first receiving groove  16 . Each registration mast group  18  corresponds to one of the two through holes  17 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the upper lid  10  includes two registration mast groups  18 . 
     Each registration mast group  18  includes a first registration mast  181 , a second registration mast  182 , and a third registration mast  183 . The first registration mast  181  is opposite to the through hole  17 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the first registration mast  181 , the second registration mast  182 , and the third registration mast  183  are arranged in a triangle. The first registration mast  181  is provided nearest to the through hole  17 . 
     The upper lid  10  further includes at least one hole lid  19  matched with the through hole  17  to hide the through hole  17 . An exposed surface of the at least one hole lid  19  is flush with an exposed surface of the first side wall  12 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the upper lid  10  includes two hole lids  19 . The two hole lids  19  correspond to the two through holes  17 . 
     The upper lid  10  further includes at least one label  191  or other cover stuck on the exposed surface of the at least one hole lid  19  to hide the at least one hole lid  19 . 
       FIG. 8  shows, the bottom lid  20  including a second receiving groove  21 . At least one slot  22  is defined in the bottom lid  20  and connected to the second receiving groove  21  for receiving the hook  323  of the anti-dismantling structure  120  in  FIG. 3 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the bottom lid  20  includes two slots  22  corresponding to the two through holes  17 . 
     In  FIGS. 2-7 , the anti-dismantling structure  120  includes at least one anti-dismantling hook module  30 , at least one driving module  40 , and at least one resetting component  50 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the anti-dismantling structure  120  includes two anti-dismantling hook modules  30 , two driving modules  40 , and a resetting component  50 . 
     Each anti-dismantling hook module  30  includes a substrate  31  formed on the bottom wall  11 , a hook subassembly  32  movably connected to the substrate  31 , and a plurality of locating pins  33 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the substrate  31  is fixed on the bottom wall  11  by two locating pins  33 . The hook subassembly  32  is movably connected to the substrate  31  by two locating pins  33 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an arched substrate  31 . The substrate  31  includes a first limit portion  311 , two first connection portions  312 , two first fixing portions  313 , and an extending portion  317 . The two first connection portions  312  are bent downwards on the opposite ends of the first limit portion  311 . The two first fixing portions  313  are bent on two ends of the two first connection portions  312  positioned away from the first limit portion  311 . The two first fixing portions  313  are positioned away from the first limit portion  311 . The extending portion  317  extends outwards from one end of the first limit portion  311 . The expression “bent downwards” means bent from the bottom lid  20  to the upper lid  10 . 
     In at least one embodiment, an obtuse angle is formed between the two first connection portions  312  and the two first fixing portions  313 . An obtuse angle is formed between the two first connection portions  312  and the first limit portion  311 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the first limit portion  311 , the two first connection portions  312 , and the two first fixing portions  313  are integrally formed. 
     A threaded hole  314  is defined on the extending portion  317 . The threaded hole  314  runs through the extending portion  317 . The threaded hole  314  corresponds to the first registration mast  181 . 
     A first locating hole  315  and a second locating hole  316  are defined on each first fixing portion  313 . The first locating hole  315  and the second locating hole  316  run through the first fixing portion  313 . The second locating hole  316  is provided closer to the thread hole  314  than the first locating hole  315 . The second locating holes  316  are opposite to the second registration mast  182  and the third registration mast  183 . Two locating pins  33  run through the two second locating holes  316  and are fixed in the second registration mast  182  and the third registration mast  183  to fix a first fixing portion  313  to the upper lid  10 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 8  show, the hook subassembly  32  including a connecting portion  321 , a gradient portion  322 , and a hook  323 . The gradient portion  322  is connected to the connecting portion  321  and the hook  323 . The connecting portion  321  is movably connected to the substrate  31 . The gradient portion  322  includes a gradient surface  3221 . An obtuse angle is defined by the gradient surface  3221  and the hook  323 . The hook  323  corresponds to the slot  22 . 
     The connecting portion  321  includes a second fixing portion  3211 , two second connection portions  3212 , two second limit portions  3213 , a third connection portion  3214 , and a transitional portion  3215 . The second fixing portion  3211  includes two opposite ends  3216  and two opposite laterals  3217  connecting the two opposite ends  3216 . The two second connection portions  3212  are bent downwards from the two opposite ends  3216  of the second fixing portion  3211 . The two second limit portions  3213  are bent from ends of the two second connection portions  3212  to extend away from the second fixing portion  3211 . The third connection portion  3214  is bent upwards from one of the two opposite laterals  3217 . The transitional portion  3215  is bent from one end of the third connection portion  3214  away from the second fixing portion  3211 . The transitional portion  3215  is positioned away from the second fixing portion  3211 . The gradient portion  322  is bent downwards from one end of the transitional portion  3215  away from the third connection portion  3214 . The hook  323  is bent from one end of the gradient portion  322  away from the transitional portion  3215 . The hook  323  is positioned away from the transitional portion  3215 . The expression “bent upwards” here means bent from the upper lid  10  to the bottom lid  20 . 
     The second fixing portion  3211  is provided parallel to the bottom wall  11 . The two second connection portions  3212  are perpendicular to the second fixing portion  3211 . The two second limit portions  3213  are positioned perpendicular to the two second connection portions  3212 . The third connection portion  3214  is positioned perpendicular to the second fixing portion  3211 . The transitional portion  3215  is positioned perpendicular to the third connection portion  3214 . An obtuse angle is formed between the gradient portion  322  and the transitional portion  3215 . The hook  323  is positioned parallel to the transitional portion  3215 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the second fixing portion  3211 , the two second connection portions  3212 , the two second limit portions  3213 , the third connection portion  3214 , the transitional portion  3215 , the gradient portion  322 , and the hook  323  are integrally formed. 
     A third locating hole  324  is defined at the second fixing portion  3211  for fixing the resetting component  50  by means of locating pins  33 . The third locating hole  324  runs through the second fixing portion  3211 . 
     A long slotted hole  325  is defined in each second limit portion  3213 . The long slotted holes  325  run through the two second limit portions  3213 . Two locating pins  33  run through the long slotted holes  325  and the first locating holes  315  to fix the second limit portions  3213  on the first fixing portions  313 . The long slotted holes  325  and the locating pins  33  limit moving range of the hook subassembly  32  along an X axis direction. 
       FIGS. 3, 6 and 8  show, each of the two driving modules  40  including a driven gear connecting rod  41 , an elastic component  42 , and a connecting conduit  43 . 
       FIG. 6  shows, the driven gear connecting rod  41  including a top portion  411 , a screw thread portion  412 , and a driven gear portion  413 . The top portion  411  and the driven gear portion  413  connect to opposite ends of the screw thread portion  412 . In at least one embodiment, the top portion  411 , the screw thread portion  412 , and the driven gear portion  413  are integrally formed. 
     The top portion  411  has a diameter that is less than that of the screw thread portion  412 . The screw thread portion  412  has a diameter that is less than that of the driven gear portion  413 . 
     Some screw threads  4121  are defined on outside wall of the screw thread portion  412 . The screw threads  4121  of the screw thread portion  412  match with the threaded hole  314 . The screw thread portion  412  is fixed in the threaded hole  314  to allow the driven gear connecting rod  41  to push against the top portion  411  or away from the gradient portion  322  to allow locking or unlocking of the anti-dismantling structure  120 . 
     The driven gear portion  413  includes a first surface  4131 , an umbrella surface  4132 , and a second surface  4133 . The second surface  4133  is opposite to the first surface  4131 . The umbrella surface  4132  connects the first surface  4131  and the second surface  4133 . One end of the screw thread portion  412  positioned away from the top portion  411  is fixed on the second surface  4133 . An obtuse angle is defined by the first surface  4131  and the umbrella surface  4132 . An acute angle is defined by the umbrella surface  4132  and the second surface  4133 . The driven gear portion  413  further includes some driven gears  4134 . Each of the driven gears  4134  has a same extending direction as that of the umbrella surface  4132 . 
     The elastic component  42  is set on the screw thread portion  412  of the driven gear connecting rod  41  and is between the driven gear portion  413  and the threaded hole  314 . In at least one embodiment, the elastic component  42  is a spring. 
     The connecting conduit  43  is received and fixed in the through hole  17 . 
     The connecting conduit  43  includes a first conduit portion  431  and a second conduit portion  432 . The first conduit portion  431  connects to the second conduit portion  432 . The first conduit portion  431  and the second conduit portion  432  are hollow. The first conduit portion  431  is received in the through hole  17 . The second conduit portion  432  is received in the first receiving groove  16 . The first conduit portion  431  is a channel allowing the key  130  to enter or exit the shell  110 . 
     The second conduit portion  432  includes a first opening  4321  and a second opening  4322  opposite to the first opening  4321 . 
     The first opening  4321  has a diameter that is greater than that of the first registration mast  181 . The second opening  4322  has a diameter that is greater than that of the screw thread portion  412  but less than that of the driven gear portion  413 . The first registration mast  181  runs through the first opening  4321  and is received in the second conduit portion  432 . The driven gear portion  413  is received in the second conduit portion  432  and faces the first conduit portion  431  and the first registration mast  181 . The top portion  411 , the screw thread portion  412 , and the driven gear portion  413  can pass through the second opening  4322 . The top portion  411  is opposite to the gradient surface  3221  of the gradient portion  322 . 
     The elastic component  42  lies between the second conduit portion  432  of the connecting conduit  43  and the first limit portion  311  of the substrate  31 . The elastic component  42  supports the connecting conduit  43  horizontally. 
     The connecting conduit  43  may be, but is not limited to, a plastic catheter. 
     The resetting component  50  is for driving the hook subassembly  32  back to its original position. 
     In at least one embodiment, two opposite ends of the resetting component  50  are fixed on two of the second fixing portions  3211  of two hook subassemblies  32  by two locating pins  33 . The two locating pins  33  run through the third locating hole  324  defined at the second fixing portions  3211  and fixed on the second fixing portions  3211 . 
     In other embodiment, if the anti-dismantling structure  120  just includes an anti-dismantling hook module  30 , one end of the resetting component  50  is fixed on the second fixing portion  3211  and the other end of the resetting component  50  is fixed on a side wall that is opposite to the through hole  17 . 
     When the anti-dismantling structure  120  is to be locked, the key  130  drives the driving module  40  to rotate, the driving module  40  drives the hook subassembly  32  to move until the hook  323  is embedded in the slot  22  defined in the second receiving groove  21 , and the hook subassembly  32  drives the resetting component  50  to stretch to both sides of the resetting component  50 . At this time, the resetting component  50  is stretched. 
     When the anti-dismantling structure  120  is to be unlocked, the key  130  drives the driving module  40  to rotate in the opposite direction until the top portion  411  separates from the gradient surface  3221 , and the resetting component  50  drives the hook subassembly  32  to move until the hook  323  separates from the slot  22  by its restoring force. At this time, the resetting component  50  is back to its original position. 
     The resetting component  50  may be, but is not limited to, a pneumatic negative pressure rod and a stretchable spring, which stretches under external force and restores to its original state after the external force is removed. 
     In at least one embodiment, the resetting component  50  is a stretchable spring for reducing cost and increasing working life of the resetting component  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the key  130  includes a gripping portion  61 , an extending portion  62 , and a driving gear portion  63 . The gripping portion  61  and the driving gear portion  63  are fixed on two opposite ends of the extending portion  62 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the gripping portion  61 , the extending portion  62 , and the driving gear portion  63  are integrally formed. 
     Some driving gears  632  are positioned on one end of the driving gear portion  63 . The driving gears  632  match with the driven gears  4134 . 
     The key  130  is longer than the first conduit portion  431 . The gripping portion  61  has an external diameter that is greater than that of the first conduit portion  431 . The extending portion  62  and the driving gear portion  63  all have an external diameter that is less than that of the first conduit portion  431 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the gripping portion  61  has a diameter that is greater than that of the extending portion  62 . The extending portion  62  has a diameter that is greater than that of the driving gear portion  63 . 
     When locking or unlocking, the key  130  is received in the connecting conduit  43 . The gripping portion  61  protrudes outside the first conduit portion  431 , the extending portion  62  is received in the first conduit portion  431 , the driving gear portion  63  is received in the second conduit portion  432 , and the driving gears  632  touch and match with the driven gears  4134  of the driven gear connecting rod  41 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show, a locking operation is performed by the key  130  being inserted into the connecting conduit  43 , so the driving gears  632  match with the driven gears  4134 . Secondly, by rotating the key  130 , the key  130  drives the driven gear connecting rod  41  to rotate until the top portion  411  abuts against the gradient surface  3221  of the gradient portion  322 . The driven gear connecting rod  41  drives the hook subassembly  32  to move to the slot  22  until the hook  323  is embedded into the slot  22 . At this time, the anti-dismantling structure  120  is locked. When unlocking, the key  130  drives the driving module  40  to rotate in the opposite direction until the top portion  411  separates from the gradient surface  3221 , and the resetting component  50  drives the hook subassembly  32  to move until the hook  323  is separated from the slot  22  by its restoring force. At this time, the resetting component  50  is back to its original position, and the anti-dismantling structure  120  is unlocked. 
     With the embodiments described above, the anti-dismantling structure  120  is fixed in the shell  110 , the concealed anti-tamper device  100  utilizes the anti-dismantling structure  120  (that is, the driving modules  40  and the resetting component  50 ) to bear against the inclined surface (that is, the substrate  31  and the hook subassembly  32 ) to achieve concealment. The concealed anti-tamper device  100  conceals the anti-dismantling structure  120  concealed in the shell  110  which not only saves space but does not affect the original appearance. Also, the concealed anti-tamper device  100  is better protected against brute force attacks and a better resistance against corrosion. The concealed anti-tamper device  100  also has a lower cost and a longer service life. The requirement for the key  130  further increases security, as the key  130  matches with the driving modules  40  to realize locking or unlocking, to separate authorized and unauthorized personnel. The anti-dismantling structure  120  is entirely concealed in the shell to deter casual intruders. 
     The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Many details are often found in the art such as the other features of a concealed anti-tamper device. Therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been positioned forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes can be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure, up to and including the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above can be modified within the scope of the claims.