Locking apparatus and method

• US 20080143123A1
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2005
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Dewalch Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dewalch Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Stachowiak, John Edward, DeWalch, Norman Binz, Davidson, Zachary Leroy
• Application Number:
  US11/824,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20080143123A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/327
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 11/24 Arrangements for avoiding or indicating fraudulent use
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0317 having bolt like sealing means means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it F16B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0329 having electronic sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/51 Seal bolts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5566 External locking devices

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting a plurality of structures, such as ends of a sealing ring, with each end defining an aperture therein and with the ring being adapted to mount a meter to a meter box structure. The apparatus comprises a locking pin with a distal end adapted to be insertable through each of the apertures of the first and second ends of the ring. The locking pin comprises a head member having at least an engageable end and a fracturable member. The locking pin further comprises a shaft portion having the distal end. The apparatus further comprises a lock housing adapted to retain at least a part of the shaft portion such that the first and second ends of the ring are connected between the head member of the locking pin and the lock housing. The head member has an outer surface adapted to receive at least two opposing forces, the at least two opposing forces being of sufficient magnitude to break the fracturable member. A lock removal tool is adapted to receive and fracture a portion of the locking pin, enabling removal of the lock assembly from the meter box sealing ring. In an example embodiment an apparatus and method is provided for securing at least one structure or a plurality of structures, used with a utility service enclosure, or for example, a meter box locking ring having, for example, flanged ends or used to seal for example, utility enclosures, meter boxes or trucking, shipping, airline or other transportation containers or enclosures. An example embodiment also provides a tamper-evident locking apparatus or seal that is adapted to indicate tampering.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting and disconnecting first and second ends of a ring, the ring being adapted to mount a meter to a meter box structure, each of the first and second ends of the ring defining an aperture therein, the apparatus comprising:

a locking pin having a distal end adapted to be insertable through each of the apertures of the first and second ends of the ring, wherein the locking pin comprises a head member having at least an engageable end and a fracturable member, the locking pin further comprising a shaft portion having the distal end, the fracturable member being disposed intermediate the engageable end and the distal end of the locking pin; and

a lock housing adapted to retain at least a part of the shaft portion, the first and second ends of the ring being connected between the head member of the locking pin and the lock housing, wherein the head member has an outer surface adapted to receive at least two opposing forces, the at least two opposing forces being of sufficient magnitude to break the fracturable member.

2. An apparatus for creating a seal, the apparatus comprising:

a locking pin adapted to unite a plurality of structures; and

a lock housing adapted to retain at least a part of the fracturable locking pin,

wherein the plurality of structures is securable between a portion of the fracturable locking pin and at least a portion of the lock housing, and

wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin is adapted to receive direct application of opposing forces by a separate object, whereby the fracturable locking pin may be fractured.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a stress-concentration member to concentrate stress at a desired location on the fracturable locking pin.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a further stress-concentration member to concentrate stress at a desired location on the fracturable locking pin.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fracturable locking pin further comprises a shaft portion, and wherein the further stress-concentration member comprises a groove formed in at least a portion of the shaft portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fracturable locking pin further comprises a shaft portion, and wherein the further stress-concentration member comprises an annular groove formed in the shaft portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fracturable locking pin comprises first and second shaft sections, a fracturable member disposed between the first and second shaft sections, and a head section.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a further stress-concentration member to concentrate stress on the fracturable member in a region within a projected area of the second shaft section.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a further stress-concentration member to concentrate stress on the fracturable member, in a region within a projected area of the diameter of the second shaft section.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a further stress-concentration member to concentrate stress on the fracturable member, and wherein further stress-concentration member to concentrate stress on the fracturable member is in functional cooperation with the relative diameters of the first and second shaft sections.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a fracture-configuration-control member to control configuration of fracture of the fracturable locking pin.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin comprises a head member disposed substantially near an outer side of one of the plurality of structures.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin comprises a head section and an engageable end.

14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin comprises a head section and an engageable end.

15. A seal comprising:

a fracturable locking pin adapted to unite a plurality of structures;

a housing adapted to retain at least a part of the fracturable locking pin,

wherein the plurality of structures may be securable between a portion of the fracturable locking pin and the housing,

and wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin is adapted to receive direct application of opposing forces by a separate object, whereby the fracturable locking pin may be fractured; and

an indication member adapted to reveal evidence of any application of force to the indication member.

16. The seal of claim 15, wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin is adapted to receive at least two opposing forces, the at least two opposing forces being of sufficient magnitude to break the fracturable member.

17. The seal of claim 16, and further comprising a complementary tool adapted to manipulate the outer surface of the head member, wherein the at least two opposing forces of sufficient magnitude may be applied to break the fracturable locking pin

18. An apparatus for securing a ring having first and second ends, the ring being adapted to mount a meter to a meter box structure, each of the first and second ends of the ring defining an aperture therein, the apparatus comprising:

a locking pin having a distal end adapted to be insertable through each of the apertures of first and second ends of a ring, wherein the locking pin comprises a head member having at least an engageable end and a fracturable member, the locking pin further comprising a shaft portion with the distal end, the fracturable member being disposed intermediate the engageable end and the distal end of the locking pin; and

a lock housing adapted to retain at least a part of the shaft portion.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the head member has is adapted to receive at least two opposing forces, the at least two opposing forces being of sufficient magnitude to break the fracturable member.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus further comprises a complementary tool adapted to manipulate the head member, wherein the at least two opposing forces of sufficient magnitude may be applied to break the fracturable member.