Patent ID: 7828342

Claim:
A seal lock, comprising: (a) a bolt comprising a U-shaped shaft including an intermediate, curved portion and generally linear first and second end portions; and (b) a locking body having, (i) a passageway therethrough, with first and second open ends on opposite sides of the locking body, for receiving the first end portion of the shaft of the bolt, and (ii) an opening for receiving the second end portion of the shaft of the bolt; (c) wherein the locking body is configured to receive and retain the first end portion of the shaft in locking engagement after the first end portion of the shaft has been inserted a predetermined extent into the first open end of the passageway, with the second end portion of the shaft received within the opening, at which point the first end portion of the shaft cannot be withdrawn from the first open end of the passageway, and the second end portion of the shaft cannot be withdrawn from the opening; (d) wherein the locking body is configured to permit, after separation of the first end portion of the shaft from the intermediate, curved portion of the shaft, (i) passage of the first end portion of the shaft through and out of the second open end of the passageway, and (ii) withdrawal of the second end portion of the shaft from the opening; and (e) wherein the locking body further comprises a housing and a cover member that is connected to the housing for swiveling movement relative to the housing between, (i) a first position, wherein an opening in the cover member registers with the second open end of the passageway such that the first end portion of the shaft passes through the opening in the cover member when the first end portion of the shaft passes through and out of the second open end of the passageway after separation of the first end portion of the shaft from the intermediate, curved portion of the shaft; and (ii) a second position, wherein the cover member protracts away from the housing, and the opening in the cover member does not register with the second open end of the passageway.