Bolt type seal with fiber optic seal

• US 4,982,985 A
• Filed: 03/06/1989
• Issued: 01/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E J Brooks Company
• Original Assignee: E J Brooks Company
• Inventors: Atlas, Richard I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US07/319,336
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 292/327, 292/328, 292/329, 292/330, 292/331, 292/211, 292/251, 292/282, 292/205, 292/148, 292/104, 292/88, 292/243, 292/307 R, 70/229, 70/230, 70/231, 70/232, 70/30, 70/49, 70/416, 70/440, 70/432, 70/439, 70/50, 350/96, 350/96.22, 350/96.24, 411/8-14, 411/395
• US Class Current: 292/327
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0376 using a special technique to detect tampering, e.g. by ultrasonic or optical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/51 Seal bolts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8243 With seal

Abstract

The present invention provides a heavy duty seal for hasps and latches in combination with a light duty tamper-indicating seal, which extends through the heavy duty seal for indicating tampering or breaking of the heavy duty seal. A sheathed bundle of optical fibers extends through aligned bores in parts of a heavy duty bolt type seal. End portions of the bundle are locked in a locking block and terminal ends of the fibers are exposed in surfaces of the block for observation and indications of light transmittal.

Claims

1. A bolt type seal having an elongated metal bolt with a formed head at one end and a separate locking mechanism attached to the other end, an axial hole extending through the bolt and head and an aligned axial hole extending through the locking mechanism and a fiber optic bundle extending through the aligned holes and extending outward from the head and outward from the locking mechanism, end portions of the fiber optic bundle being mounted in a locking block and ends of the fibers in the bundles being exposed in surfaces of the block, whereby the security of the bolt type seal and any tampering therewith may be observed by observing ends of the fibers in the fiber locking block.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bolt type seal and locking mechanism are a standard bolt seal in which axial holes have been formed.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fiber optic bundle and the locking block are of a type having one end portion of the fiber optic bundle permanently mounted in the locking block and having a second end portion insertable in the locking block for permanently locking therein.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bolt type seal is of a type in which the is cut to remove the seal from hasps and latches, whereby when the bolt is cut the fiber optic bundle is cut.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second end portion of the fiber optic bundle is inserted in the first bore in the bolt prior to joining the bolt with the lock.

5. Apparatus for hasps and latches comprising a bolt type seal having a first elongated bolt portion with a formed head at a first end and first locking means at a second end, and having an engagable lock with a recess for receiving the second end of the bolt and having second locking means within the recess for permanently engaging the first locking means on the bolt when the bolt is inserted in the recess of the lock, a first bore extending centrally through the bolt and head and a second bore extending centrally through the lock and into the recess for alignment with the first bore when the second end of the bolt is pushed into the recess in the lock, and a fiber optic seal having a fiber optic loop with optical fibers extending from a first end of the loop to a second end of the loop, a fiber optic seal locking block, a first end portion of the fiber optic loop being permanently mounted in the fiber optic locking block and a second end portion being inserted in one of the bores, being slidable through the first and second bores and being positionable in the locking block for permanent securement therein when the bolt and lock are assembled with the first and second locking means being interengaged in permanent locking arrangement, second ends of the fibers within the loop being exposed in the locking block so that the first and second ends of the optical fibers are accessible for light communication.

7. Tamper detecting locking apparatus comprising a lock, a bolt having first and second ends, a first end of the bolt having a means for preventing passage of the bolt through openings in a hasp or latch, the second end of the bolt being configured for inserting into the lock, the second end of the bolt having first locking means thereon for engaging second locking means in the lock, the bolt having a bore extending therethrough and opening at the first and second ends, the lock having at least one bore extending therethrough and opening adjacent an opening in the bolt when the bolt is inserted in the lock and opening outward from the lock, a locking block, an elongated information communication means having first and second end portions and having first and second communication ends at terminal ends of the first and second end portions, the first end portion of the elongated communication means being permanently insertable in the locking block and the second end portion being threadable through the bores in the bolt and lock and being permanently mountable in the locking block, and the terminal ends of the communication means being mounted in the locking block for receiving and transmitting communications therethrough.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a first bore extends entirely through the bolt.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bolt and lock are initially separated.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the bolt and lock comprise a bolt seal.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the communication means comprises an elongated fiber optic bundle having optical fibers extending from one terminal end to a second terminal end and wherein terminal ends of the optical fibers are exposed in surfaces of the locking block.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the elongated communication means must be cut to remove the apparatus from hasps or latches.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the bolt is cut to remove the bolt from hasp and latches.