Patent Publication Number: US-6981725-B2

Title: Pull seal with bi-directional locking arrangement

Description:
This invention relates to locking security seals, and more particularly, to molded plastic locking seals having a locking socket for bi-directionally receiving and lockingly engaging a mating shackle. 
   CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Of interest is commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,808. 
   Lockable seals are used where it is necessary to ensure that there has been no unauthorized entry or access into a secured container such as a mailbag. For example, such containers may include the contents of shipping containers, mail pouches, shipping bags, or also may include, valves, meters, or storage areas. One piece plastic seals are used in a variety of industries. The seals used include locking characteristics which insure that once closed, the seal can no longer be opened without being damaged or altered, thereby permitting any undesirable manipulation, i.e., tampering, to be recognized. 
   Thermoplastic molded security seals are in wide use. One type of such seal includes an elongated shackle, with or without teeth, extending from a flag, which is a flat sheet material element for receiving indicia such as a bar code, manufacturer identity, or serial numbers. These flags are referred to as tags. A locking socket extends from the flag at a region adjacent to the shackle junction. The socket has a cavity in which locking tangs are located for engaging the shackle to lock the shackle thereto when inserted in one direction, the tangs precluding withdrawal of the shackle in the opposite direction. Some locking sockets have metal inserts with the locking tangs formed therein. Other sockets are molded thermoplastic with the tangs molded one piece with the socket body, flag and shackle. 
   For example, a seal may be used to seal mailbags as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,415, where the seal flag is shown extending in one direction and the free end of the shackle is extending generally in the opposite direction. To tighten the seal about the mouth of the bag, the shackle is manually grasped with one hand and the flag is grasped with the other hand. When it is desired to open the seal, the flag is grasped and pulled. The shackle has one or more weakening regions formed by grooves so that when the flag is pulled, the seal breaks at a weakened region. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,808 illustrates a security seal with a flag grip and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The seal comprises a flag, a locking socket, a toothed shackle and a loop finger grip, all molded one piece integral from thermoplastic material. The shackle is attached to the socket adjacent to the end of the flag by a shank, and the socket body and flag merge at the end of the flag at the shank. The shackle has a linear array of annular teeth of conventional design. The shank has a weakening groove at the junction of the shank to the flag. The shackle is inserted into the socket uni-directionally, as shown in  FIG. 6 , and passed through the locking cavity. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,503 to Goby, discloses a seal member having a channel therethrough. The seal contains a holder with locking members for the irreversible holding of an end of a flexible band of metal when introduced into the channel. The seal includes spring tongues which give away resiliently when the band is placed through the channel from the right to the left as shown in  FIG. 5  permitting the band to pass through. When an attempt is made to pull the band back out, catch members or serrations on the band engage the spring tongues in a clawlike or ratchetlike manner. One drawback of this type of sealing device is that the strap is inserted into the seal in only one direction (unidirectional) to operate correctly, thus the sealing device is less versatile and more clumsy to use in the process of securing a container. 
   Another unidirectional seal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,952 to Ruegg which includes a housing which receives through an open end a bail or shackle strap having a plurality of spaced locking elements. The housing includes a plurality of locking fingers having inwardly extending portions configured to abut the locking elements of the strap member. A preferred embodiment of this seal includes locking cage assemblies being separately molded to allow the cages to be formed of a material which exhibits a higher melting point than the remaining portion of the seal, including the housing, strap and the body portion. The housing includes an inlet opening and an outlet openings orientated on a common axis, and thereby discloses a unidirectional seal. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,374, to Suzuki discloses a connector formed of flexible plastic such that a flexible flange on a male inserting head engages the pivotal lock lugs of a female socket during insertion and cannot be withdrawn following insertion. The female locking head permits the male locking member to be inserted from either direction into the socket opening. The connector comprises a socket aperture in which two opposed pivotal locking lugs are mounted on opposed sides by means of flexible pillars. A disadvantage of the Suzuki, connector is that the narrow flexible pillars can wear and fatigue-with deflection of the lugs to the point of breaking and thus defeat the seal. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,802 to Lozio, discloses a self-locking band to be used as a seal or tag holder. An integral elastomeric body forms a flexible stem terminating at one end in a double hook in an arrowhead configuration for interlocking of the arrowhead with the flanks of dovetails in the sleeve of a socket in either direction of insertion. The arrowhead hook of the stem is able to be inserted into the sleeve from either end thereof for interengagement with the corresponding pair of barbs of the dovetail shaped internal projections. A longitudinal slot extends from near the tip of the arrowhead to the vicinity of shoulders which reduces weight and increases the flexibility of the tongue for easier interfitting. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,792 to Nelson et, al., discloses a one-piece bidirectional cable tie for bundling articles having a tail at one end, a locking head at the other end and an elongated strap body therebetween. The cable may feature one or more fixed locking teeth opposite a deflectable locking pawl so as to provide ratcheting locking engagement with the two major surfaces of its strap body. The pawl is a symmetrical structure extending from a central hinge integrally formed with the strap body. As with other known devices, the central hinge can be prone to fatigue due to excess pivoting. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,816,879 to Merser et. al., discloses a fastener formed by an elongated member attached to a bidirectional locking head with longitudinally opposed openings. The elongated member is inserted into either of the opposed openings of the head where it is engaged and locked in place by one or more longitudinally extending internal locking vanes. The vanes can change direction and flex about a pivot area and are susceptible to fatigue as with other known sealing devices. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,014 to Ueno discloses a fastener comprising a filament, a head provided on one end of the filament, and a socket provided at the other end of the filament. The head has a groove extending in the direction of its axis and a rib formed in the groove. The head also has a skirt around the groove and flaring away from the front end of the head. The socket has an insertion hole in which an annular flange is provided for engagement with the skirt. When the head is inserted into the insertion hole of the socket, a slit is compressed and thereby helps the head to deform to engage with engagement surfaces formed in the socket. 
   PCT International Publication Number WO 85/00152 discloses a fastener including an apertured housing and an elongated member centrally attached to the housing. The elongated member has a free end or apertured tongue that is inserted into one of the circular openings to become irremovably locked in the housing. The walls of the tip are of reduced thickness in order to promote flexure of the end to fit within the housing and mate with the locking ring. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,311 to Martin et. al., discloses a tie strap comprising a tail-end portion, a head-end portion, and a body portion. The surface defining the opening in the head-end portion of the strap is also provided with a substantially tapered, flexible pawl-like tooth, integral with the surface and extending into the openings. A clearance space between the top face and the free end of the flexible tooth being such as to permit passage of the uniformly reduced tail-end portion of the strap therethrough. The saw teeth on both sides of the body portion of the strap, and the rigid teeth and flexible pawl-like member within the head-end opening constitute the means integral with the strap for locking the respective end portions thereof in looped relation. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,813 to Cooper discloses a one piece cable tie for forming a plurality of objects such as cables into a bundle. The cable tie includes an elongated flexible strap and a locking head integrally formed to the first end of the strap. The locking head defines a strap accepting channel and a locking pawl is pivotally connected to an inner channel wall of the locking head. The pawl has a generally T-shaped configuration and comprises a pawl head which is pivotally connected to inner channel wall by a thin, flexible hinge. The locking pawl lockably engages at least one tooth on the strap and abuts against the projections to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the locking head when the second end of the strap is inserted into the strap accepting channel in through the first open end or when the second end of the strap is inserted into the strap accepting channel in through the second open end. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,368 to Davignon, discloses a one piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a first set of ratchet-shaped teeth formed within the first recessed portion and a second set of ratchet-shaped teeth formed within the second recessed portion. The cable tie further includes a locking head integrally formed to the first end of the strap. The locking head includes a strap accepting channel having a first open end formed in a top surface of the locking head and a second open end formed in the bottom surface of the locking head. A locking pawl is pivotally connected to the inner channel wall of the locking head. The locking pawl and the projection lockable engage the teeth on opposite sides of the strap to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the locking head when the second end of the strap is inserted into the strap accepting channel through the first open end or when the second end of the strap is inserted into the strap accepting channel through the second end. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,367 to Teagno et. al., discloses a cable tie strap having an elongated strap body and a locking head providing receipt of the cable tie strap in the head in either direction. The cable tie strap includes a hollow locking head and an elongated strap having toothing on each side of the strap. A locking bar is positioned within the hollow head. The strap body may be inserted into the hollow head in either direction. The locking bar is lockingly engagable with the toothing on either side of the strap upon insertion of the strap into the head in either direction. The locking tooth comprises a root part connected to an elastic hinge which flexibly allows the locking tooth to move back and forth. 
   A drawback of present locking seals and cable ties as described in the above examples is the bi-directional pawl is susceptible to weakness, fatigue and fractures along the structure which allows the pawl to change direction. 
   A need is seen for a solution to this problem. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, a bidirectional locking device and locking seal is provided including a socket having a body with a chamber. A locking arrangement is in the chamber which arrangement may include an insert which is inserted into the socket chamber for receiving and locking a flexible shackle thereto. The shackle has at least one locking element having a tapered portion and a transverse locking shoulder such that the shackle is insertable into the chamber for engaging the locking arrangement. The locking arrangement comprises a body defining a chamber therein having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal direction. The body has opposing top and bottom ends where the top end defines a top opening communicating with the chamber in the longitudinal direction, and the bottom end defines a bottom opening communicating with the chamber in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of resilient fingers are positioned in the chamber and extend from the body ends toward each other in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of fingers are positioned to allow passage of the at least one locking element of the shackle in first and second opposite insertion directions through either the top or the bottom opening. At least one of the fingers is for lockingly engaging the at least one locking element shoulder in response to the shackle movement in an opposite direction to the insertion direction to lock the shackle to the insert in the opposite direction. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes fingers which terminate at a respective corresponding tip portion which abut with and lock with the at least one locking element in response to the shackle movement in the opposite direction. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes at least one first finger which extends from the top end and locks with the shackle with at least one locking element shoulder when the shackle insertion direction is through the top opening and the shackle is being moved in the opposite direction to the shackle insertion direction. The at least one second finger extends from the bottom end and locks with the shackle at least one locking element shoulder when the shackle insertion direction is through the bottom opening and the shackle is being moved in the opposite direction to the shackle insertion direction. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes the fingers each being resiliently radially deflected in response to passage of the at least one locking element of the shackle in the chamber. Either the at least one top finger or the at least one bottom finger locks with the at least one locking element of the shackle when the shackle is pulled in a direction opposite the insertion direction. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes the plurality of fingers having a pair of transversely opposing spaced top fingers relative to the longitudinal axis and an opposing pair of transversely spaced bottom fingers. The top and bottom pairs of fingers respectively extend toward one another. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes the plurality of fingers having at least one top and at least one bottom finger. The at least one top and bottom fingers are in a mirror image relationship. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes at least one top and bottom fingers each have a channel that extends at an angle inclined toward the longitudinal axis. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes the top and bottom fingers having a first portion having a first channel extending in the longitudinal direction connected to the bottom and top ends and a second distal portion having a second channel extending from the first portion first channel at an angle. 
   In a further aspect the locking device angle is acute. 
   In a further aspect the locking device second portion extends toward the longitudinal axis. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes the top and bottom fingers extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes the second distal portion of the fingers extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes the finger tip portions terminating at a chamfered edge. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes fingers which are integrally molded one piece with the top and bottom ends. 
   In a further aspect the locking arrangement includes an insert molded one piece thermoplastic. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes the passageway being adapted to receive a locking element which is arcuate. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes a passageway for receiving a frusto-conical locking element. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes first and second pairs of spaced mirror image fingers, each pair in mirror image orientation to the other pair, the pairs each defining a portion of a common passageway in the longitudinal direction. The passageway receives a frusto-conical shackle locking element which includes a rim with a shoulder which abuts with the fingers of one of the first and second pairs of spaced mirror image fingers when the shackle is moved in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. 
   In a further aspect the locking device further includes a socket having a chamber, wherein the locking arrangement includes a locking insert fixedly attached inside the socket chamber. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes a socket integral and one piece with the shackle and with a flag and extends substantially perpendicular to the shackle longitudinal axis. 
   In a further aspect locking arrangement includes an insert body that is substantially cylindrical. 
   In a further aspect the locking device insert body has a plurality of spaced side walls defining the chamber. 
   In a further aspect the locking device includes a passageway being defined by the at least one first and second fingers and an inner side wall in transverse spaced relation relative to the longitudinal axis. The locking element lockingly abuts the inner side wall when the fingers lock with the locking element shoulder. 
   In a further aspect the locking device inner side wall includes a recess adapted and positioned for lockingly engaging the locking element when the fingers lock with the locking element shoulder. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a bidirectional lockable sealing device comprises a socket defining a first chamber therein, a shackle having at least one locking element, the shackle being fixed at one end to the socket and having a free end opposite the one end. A locking insert is secured to the socket in the first chamber, the locking insert including a body defining a second chamber therein having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough defining a longitudinal direction. The locking insert including opposing top and bottom ends where the top end defines a top opening communicating with the second chamber, and the bottom end defines a bottom opening communicating with the second chamber. A plurality of resilient fingers are positioned in the second chamber at least one first finger of the plurality extending from the top end and at least one, second finger of the plurality extending from the bottom end toward the first finger. The fingers defining a passageway in the second chamber being arranged to allow passage of the at least one locking element as the free end of the shackle is pulled through the passageway in an insertion direction via either the top or the bottom opening. The fingers are in sliding resilient engagement with the at least one locking element, and one of at least one first and second fingers is arranged to abut and lock to at least one of the locking elements of the shackle when the shackle movement is in an opposite direction to the insertion direction providing locking resistance to the shackle. 
   In a further aspect the sealing device includes at least one finger extending from the top end which locks with the at least one shackle locking element when the shackle insertion direction is through the top opening and the shackle is being moved in the opposite direction to the shackle insertion direction. The at least one finger extending from the bottom end locks with the shackle at least one locking element when the shackle insertion direction is through the bottom opening and the shackle is being moved in the opposite direction to the shackle insertion direction. 
   In a further aspect the sealing device includes a flag structure attached to the socket. 
   In a further aspect the sealing device includes a shank positioned between the socket and the shackle. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a bidirectional lockable sealing device comprises a socket including a body defining a chamber therein having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough defining a longitudinal direction. The socket includes opposing top and bottom ends where the top end defines a top opening communicating with the chamber, and the bottom end defines a bottom opening communicating with the chamber. A shackle is included having at least one locking element fixed at one end to the socket and having a free end opposite the one end. A plurality of fingers are positioned in the chamber of the socket, where at least one first finger of the plurality extends from the top end, and at least one second finger from the plurality extends from the bottom end toward the first finger. The fingers define a passageway in the chamber arranged to allow passage of the at least one locking element as the free end of the shackle is pulled through the passageway in an insertion direction via either the top or the bottom opening such that the fingers are in sliding engagement with the at least one locking element. One of the first and second fingers is arranged to abut and lock to at least one of the locking elements of the shackle when the shackle movement is in an opposite direction to the insertion direction providing locking resistance to the shackle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a locking insert for use in a socket of a locking seal device; 
       FIG. 2  is a further isometric view of the locking insert shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational sectional view of the locking insert shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a socket similar to the view of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the locking insert shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4   a  is a side elevational sectional view taken along line a—a in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 4   b  is a detail isometric view taken at region  4   b  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4   c  is a sectional plan view of the insert of  FIG. 5  taken at lines c—c; 
       FIG. 4   d  is a sectional plan view of the insert of  FIG. 5  taken at lines d—d; 
       FIG. 4   e  is an elevational side view of the insert of  FIG. 4  taken at lines e—e; 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the locking insert of  FIG. 4  taken along line f—f; 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view in cross section of a locking seal device including the locking insert of FIG.:  1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a preferred locking seal device comprising a shackle having a free end with an adjacent ridged area on the shackle, and the shackle including annular locking elements-extending in an array toward the free end and a socket for housing the locking insert adjacent an opposite end; 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom isometric view of the locking seal device shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 8   a  is a detail view of a portion of the shackle shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view in cross section of the locking insert having the free end of the shackle with locking elements inserted through the top opening; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view in cross section of the locking insert shown in  FIG. 9  where the locking elements are further along in the passageway in the insertion direction than shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view in cross section of the locking insert shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  with the locking element in a locked position; 
       FIG. 12  is a side elevational view in cross section of the locking insert shown in  FIG. 11  with the shackle inserted through the bottom opening and the locking element in a locked position; 
       FIG. 13  is a isometric view of another embodiment of the locking insert; 
       FIG. 14  is a plan view of the locking insert shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of the locking insert shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the locking insert; 
       FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of the insert shown in  FIG. 16  having a locking element in a locked position; 
       FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the locking insert; and 
       FIG. 19  is a cross sectional view of the insert shown in  FIG. 18  having a locking element in a locked position; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
   In  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a locking insert  10  is shown. The insert  10  forms a locking arrangement which is used in a locking seal device  100 ,  FIGS. 7–8 . The locking insert  10  comprises a cylindrical shaped body  12  having a top end  14  and a bottom end  16 . The body  12  defines an internal chamber  18  and two longitudinally extending mirror image side walls  38 ,  38 ′. The body further includes upper and lower circumferential rims  40 ,  42 , respectively, at the respective top end  14  and the bottom end  16 , and integral with relatively thin, narrow side walls  38 ,  38 ′ in the shape of strips. The integral one-piece relationship between the rims  40 ,  42  and the side walls  38 ,  38 ′ (one being shown) is shown in  FIG. 5 . All the elements of the locking insert  10  (and the locking seal device  100 ) are made from, and molded, preferably, thermoplastic material. The insert is preferably one piece. The locking seal device  100  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) without the insert  10  is preferably molded one piece. 
   The rims  40 ,  42  terminate in a chamfered edge  44  at the top and bottom surfaces at ends  14 ,  16 . The top end  14  defines a substantially central top opening  20  which communicates with the chamber  18 . The bottom end  16  also defines a substantially central bottom opening  22  which communicates with the chamber  18 . 
   Preferably, two top flexible fingers  24 ,  26 , respectively, and two bottom flexible mirror image fingers  28 ,  30  are positioned in the chamber  18 . The two top fingers  24 ,  26  depend from the inner surface of the top rim  40  and extend toward the center of the chamber terminating in a tip portion  32 . The top fingers  24 ,  26  are in mirror image spaced relation to each other on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis  2 , shown in  FIG. 3 , as are the bottom fingers. 
   The fingers are preferably attached to the rims by being permanently affixed, such as by molding as one piece or bonded and so on. The two bottom fingers  28 ,  30  are similarly located in spaced relation from each other on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis  2  ( FIG. 3 ), and are in respective mirror image spaced relation from the two top fingers  24 ,  26  and to each other. Except for their orientation and positions, the fingers  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30  are identical. 
   The tip portions  32  of the fingers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  preferably include a chamfered edge  33 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 4   b . The chamfered edges  33  facilitate the smooth interaction of the frusto-conical portion  108  ( FIG. 8   a ) of the locking elements  106  on the shackle  104  with the tip portions of the fingers. The collection of fingers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4   a , define a substantially central passageway  46  aligned with the top and bottom openings  20 ,  22 . The passageway  46  receives the shackle  104  of a locking seal device  100  shown in  FIGS. 7–8 . 
   The bottom fingers  28 ,  30  are attached to the inner surface of the bottom rim  42  and terminate at opposite ends at a tip portion  32 . The bottom fingers  28 , 30  extend toward the center of the chamber. The tip portions  32  of the top fingers and the bottom finger tip portions are in facing spaced relation to each other. 
   Each of the top and bottom fingers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  preferably have a base portion  34 ,  34 ′ that is a segment of a circular cylinder with a semi-circular, cylindrical, concave channel  43 , shown in  FIG. 4   c . The base portions extend from the inner surface of the respective top and bottom rims  40 ,  42 , respectively. The fingers also include an angled portion  36 ,  36 ′,  37 ,  37 ′ extending from the respective base portions. The angled portions incline relative to and toward the axis  2 ,  FIG. 3 . The base portions  34 ,  34 ′ have a semi-circular, cylindrical, concavity in facing mirror relation image. The angled portions  36 ,  36 ′,  37 ,  37 ′ have mirror image, tapering concave channels  41  which become narrower toward the tips  32 . The concave channels  41  and  43 ,  FIGS. 4   c  and  4   d , are continuous. 
   The locking insert is shown in cross section in  FIG. 4   a  which depicts the base portions  34 ,  34 ′ of the fingers and the angled portions  36 ,  36 ′, as also shown in cross section in  FIG. 3 . The arrangement of the fingers forms a space  52  between the fingers and the housing walls  38 ,  38 ′. The fingers thereby have space available to flex radially outwardly when riding up the frusto-conical surface  108  of the shackle  104  locking elements  106 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The angled portions  36 ,  36 ′,  37 ,  37 ′ of the fingers extend transverse to the longitudinal axis toward each other defining a smaller passageway between the finger tip portions  32 . The tip portions  32  thereby resiliently flex radically outwardly and lockingly engage the shoulders  112  of the locking elements  106  on the shackle when the shackle is pulled in an opposite direction to insertion. 
   An advantage to the fingers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  is their flexible nature which permits them to ride over the frusto-conical portions of the locking elements  106  ( FIG. 10 ) while flexing radially outwardly. They resiliently return to their initial position when the greatest diameter of the locking element, at the rim  110  shown in  FIG. 11 , has moved past the finger tip portions  32 . At this point, the opposite finger tip portions  32  are ready to make locking contact with the shoulder  112  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the frusto-conical locking element  106  when the strap is pulled in a direction opposite its insertion. 
   In  FIGS. 3 and 6 , locking insert  10  is installed in a socket  102  having a body  56 . Body  56  has a chamber  58 . The top  60  of the socket body  56  is swaged or molded with a flange  62  which is preferably formed into the position shown to capture and fix the locking insert  10  in the chamber  58  of the body  56 . The other opposite end of the body  56  is swaged over to form a locking flange  64 . Flanges  62  and  64  lock the insert  10  to the socket  102 . In  FIG. 6 , integral shank portion  50  of the shackle  104  extends from one side of the socket  102 . A flag  118  (partially shown) extends from the other side of the socket  102 . The socket  102 , flag  118  and shackle  104  are molded one-piece integral thermoplastic. 
     FIG. 4   c  is a sectional view taken at the base portion of the fingers. The semicircular shape of the channels  41 ,  43  in the inside of the fingers is depicted. The semicircular channel  43  of the base portion of the fingers has a diameter greater than the channel  41  in the angled or tip portion of the fingers as shown in  FIG. 4   d . In  FIG. 4   d , the tip or angled portion of the fingers  24 ,  26  are shown in a sectional view which depicts the semicircular channels  41 ,  41 ′ in the fingers  26 ,  24  having a smaller diameter than the channels  43 ,  43 ′ in the base portion. 
   A preferred embodiment of a locking seal device  100  is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , and comprises a socket  102  with a locking insert  10  attached. The shackle  104  extends from the socket  102 . The shackle  104  has locking elements  106  which are frusto-conical. The locking elements  106  are shown in more detail in  FIG. 8   a . The frusto-conical locking elements  106  have a tapered portion  108  and a rim  110  forming a locking shoulder  112 . The free end  124  of the shackle  104  has a gripping ridged portion  114 . The locking elements are in a linear array and extend circumferentially about the shackle  104 . The shackle is connected to the flag structure  118  and to the socket  102  via a rectangular in section planar shank  116 . Shank  116  is positioned between the socket  102  and the locking elements  106 . The socket  102  is preferably attached between the planar shank  116  and the flag structure  118  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The planar shank  116  may be sufficient in area to include lettering for identification as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   The flag structure  118  is positioned on the opposite side of the socket  102  from the locking elements  106 . The flag structure  118  preferably includes a flag  128  of a relatively thin thermoplastic and is flexible and easily bent manually. A finger grip  126  is of circular cross section to provide enhanced strength and is provided a smooth surface with no protrusions. The finger group  126  is also flexible and can easily be bent manually. The diameter of the finger grip  126  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is larger than the thickness of the flag element  128  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . See the patent &#39;808 mentioned in the introductory portion for more detail on the flag structure  118 . 
   Preferably a pull arm  120  extends at an angle from a planar shank  116  toward the flag structure  118  and terminates with an end piece  122  extending parallel to the planar shank  116 . The pull arm  120  provides a way to break the seal when desired. Preferably the pull arm  120  is connected to or adjacent a weakened region  121  of the planar shank  116  to facilitate the breaking and removal of the seal from its locked condition. The pull arm  120  can be twisted or pulled to provide the tensile load and fracture the planar shank of the seal. 
   The operation of the locking arrangement without the socket  54  in place is shown in  FIGS. 9–12 . A detail view of the locking elements of the shackle are shown in  FIG. 8   a . The locking elements  106  are positioned in series about the shackle  104 . The locking elements  106  are frusto-conical including a frusto-conical portion  108  and a rim  110  having the greatest diameter of the locking element  106 . The rim  110  has a shoulder  112 . The shoulder  112  provides a locking surface which engages the tip portions  32  of the fingers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 . The locking elements  106  are preferable rigid and non-flexible. 
   The ridged portion  114  between the free end  124  of the shackle  104  and the locking elements  106  of the shackle.  104  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 14 . The ridges provide a surface which is easily gripped when inserting the shackle into the socket. 
   In operation, in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , the shackle can be inserted either through the opening in the top end  14  or the opening in the bottom end  16  and wrapped around the neck of a sack or bag. In  FIG. 9 , the free end  124  of the shackle has been inserted into the opening in the top end  14  in insertion direction  130 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the top fingers  24 ,  26  are resiliently deflected to allow the locking elements  106  to pass through the passageway  46 . The fingers  24 ,  26  ride up the frusto-conical surfaces of the locking elements  106  and are deflected radially outwardly as the shackle is pulled through the passageway  46 . 
   Further, if the shackle is continued to be pulled through the passageway  46 , the bottom set of fingers  24 ,  26  also ride up the conical shaped locking element and are resiliently deflected radially outwardly. The locking action of the opposing fingers permits insertion of the shackle in direction  130 , but hot withdrawal in the opposite direction  132 . 
   If the shackle is pulled in the direction  132  opposite insertion ( FIG. 11 ), the shoulders  112  of a locking element contacts the tip portions  32  of the top fingers  24 ,  26 , and locks the shackle preventing it from being removed from the socket  102 . The shackle can still proceed in the insertion direction  130  tightening the loop defined by the shackle  104  and the socket  102 . At any point of insertion of the shackle after a locking element has proceeded into the passageway past a first set of fingers, if the shackle is pulled in a direction opposite insertion  132 , the tip portions  32  of the fingers will engage a shoulder  112  and lock the shackle to prevent it from being disengaged from the passageway  46  of the locking insert  10 ,  FIG. 11 . 
   When the shackle is inserted through the opening in the bottom end  16 , as shown in  FIG. 12  the insertion direction is  132 , and the frusto-conical locking elements  106  and the fingers interact in the same way as described above. However, as shown in  FIG. 12 , when the shackle is pulled in the direction  130  opposite the insertion is direction the bottom fingers  28 ,  30  engage the shoulder  112  of the locking element  106  and lock the shackle  104  in place preventing it from being removed. 
   Another embodiment of a locking arrangement in the form of a locking insert is shown in  FIGS. 13–15 . The locking insert  150  is substantially the same as the insert shown in  FIG. 1 , having a cylindrical shaped body having a top end  14  and a bottom end  16 . Upper finger  152 ,  154  and lower fingers  156 ,  158  are in opposite, spaced mirror relation. The fingers  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  in the embodiment of the locking insert shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15  are linear and do not have the second inwardly extending portion as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . The outside surface  160  of representative finger  154  may be inclined as shown in  FIG. 13  as in the finger shown in  FIG. 1 , however, the inside surface of the fingers  152 , 154 ,  156 ,  158  are linear. The fingers  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  are also depicted in the cross sectional view shown in  FIG. 15 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 13 , a concave channel  162  in the inner surface of representative finger  152  has a first diameter and tapers to a smaller diameter channel  164  as the channel nears the tip portion of the finger  152 . Similarly, representative bottom finger  156  includes a concave channel  162 ′ in it&#39;s inner surface having a first diameter and taper to a smaller diameter channel  164  as the channel nears the tip portion  166  of the finger  156 . The fingers operate in essentially the same manner as the fingers in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . When the frusto-conically shaped locking elements of the shackle pass through the passageway defined by the fingers in an insertion direction, the fingers resiliently expand outwardly, as described in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9–12 , to allow the locking elements  106  to pass through the passageway  151 . 
   The fingers, free end of the shackle can be inserted through the top end  14   20  opening  20  or the bottom end  16  opening  22 . Either direction of shackle insertion results in the fingers riding up the frusto-conical surfaces of the locking elements  106  and being deflected radially outwardly as the shackle is pulled through the passageway  151 . If the shackle is pulled in a direction opposite insertion, the shoulders  112  of a locking element contact the tip portions  166  of either the top fingers  152 ,  154 , or the bottom fingers  156 ,  158  depending on the insertion direction, and lock the shackle preventing it from being removed from the insert  150 . 
   A sectional view of the insert shown in  FIG. 13  is shown in  FIG. 14 . The ends of the bottom fingers  156 ,  158  are shown with the longitudinally extending concave channels  164 ′. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . A locking arrangement includes a locking insert  200  shown in cross section in  FIGS. 16 and 17  which depicts one set of upper and lower fingers  202 ,  204  in opposing spaced mirror relation. The upper finger  202  has an angled portion  206 , and the lower finger  204  also includes an angled portion  206 ′. A wall  208  extends parallel to the fingers such that the upper and lower fingers  202 ,  204  and the wall  208  define a passageway  210 . The wall  208  defines a transverse semicircular recess  209  juxtaposed across the passageway from the finger tips  214 . The recess  209  receives and locks part of the locking element  106  and cooperates with the locking abutment of the locking element  106  against the tip portion  214  of the finger  202 , as shown for example in  FIG. 17 . A space  212  is defined by the fingers and a wall  250  opposite the wall  208 . The fingers  202 ,  204  have the space  212  to flex radially outwardly when riding up the frusto-conical surface  108  of the shackle  104  locking elements  106 ,  FIG. 17 . The angled portions  206 , and  206 ′ of the fingers  202 ,  204  extend transverse to the longitudinal axis toward each other defining a smaller passageway between the finger tip portions  214 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the tip portions  214  lockingly engage the shoulder  112  of the locking element  106  on the shackle  104  when the shackle is pulled in an opposite direction to insertion. The shoulder engages the locking recess  209  which is also in locking abutment with the shoulder  112 . 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . A locking insert  250  is shown in cross section which depicts one set of upper and lower fingers  202 ,  204  in opposing spaced mirror relation, as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 . However, the wall  208  does not define a transverse semicircular recess but may define a longitudinal recess or channel in which the elements  108  slide. Similarly to the insert shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the fingers  202 ,  204  shown in  FIG. 19  have the space  212  available to flex radially outwardly when riding up the frusto-conical surface  108  of the shackle  104  locking elements  106 . The angled portions  206 , and  206 ′ of the fingers  202 ,  204  extend transverse to the longitudinal axis toward each other defining a smaller passageway between the fingertip portions  214 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the tip portions  214  lockingly engage the shoulder  112  of the locking element  106  on the shackle  104  when the shackle is pulled in an opposite direction  132  to the insertion direction  130 . The side of the locking element  106  abuting the wall  208  is wedged against the wall and works in concert with the locking abutment of the finger tip  214  with the shoulder  112  to lock the shackle in place preventing the shackle from being removed in a direction opposite the insertion direction. 
   In the various embodiments described herein, the locking arrangement is in the form of a separate insert which is inserted into a chamber in a socket molded one piece, for example, with a shackle. 
   In the alternative, the locking arrangement body can be formed by a socket member attached to the shackle so that the fingers and socket member are molded one piece thermoplastic with the shackle. Thus, no separate insert is utilized in this embodiment, the fingers of the locking arrangement being formed one piece with the socket body inside the body chamber. 
   In a further embodiment, the shackle may be a separate unit that is attached to a first socket and locking arrangement. The shackle has an enlarged end at one end to permanently secure it to the first socket wherein the end is too large to pass through the socket. A second socket is molded one piece with the first socket and also has a locking arrangement as described herein. The second socket receives the free end of the secured shackle to form the shackle into a closed loop. 
   It will occur to one of ordinary skill that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosed preferred embodiment is given by way of illustration and not limitation.