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Seal-locking mechanism

  • US 6,039,365 A
  • Filed: 09/17/1997
  • Issued: 03/21/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A seal-lock comprising:

  • a body having a head portion and a substantially cylindrical portion, said head portion and said cylindrical portion being situated substantially along a longitudinal axis of the seal-lock, said cylindrical portion defining an outer cylindrical surface of said body;

    a longitudinal opening in said body, said opening having a substantially cylindrical portion and a substantially conical portion, said conical portion being an inner conical portion and thereby defining an inner conical surface of said body;

    a fixing element in the form of at least two separate elements, each capable of being moved along said longitudinal axis of the seal-lock and moved apart from each other in a radial direction of the seal-lock, said separate elements all together forming a substantially frustro-conical body, having an outer surface thereof defining an outer surface of said fixing element, said fixing element being situated inside said inner conical portion of said body, said separate elements of said fixing element being spring-loaded against said inner conical portion of said body such that said outer surface of said fixing element is of a shape that will mate to said inner conical surface of said body;

    a shaped longitudinal through opening in said fixing element, said shaped longitudinal through opening being situated substantially along said longitudinal axis of the seal-lock and defining an inner surface of said fixing element, said inner surface having unilaterally beveled serrations;

    a locking element having a head portion with a face, a substantially cylindrical middle portion, and a sharpened end, said head portion, middle portion, and sharpened end being situated substantially along said longitudinal axis of the seal-lock, a part of said cylindrical middle portion of said locking element having unilaterally beveled serrations which, when said locking element is inserted into said longitudinal opening in said body, matingly engage with said corresponding unilaterally beveled serrations of said fixing element to lock said locking element and hold said cylindrical middle portion of said locking element inside said shaped longitudinal through opening in said fixing element;

    a reduced diameter annular undercut located adjacent to said head portion of said locking element;

    a cylindrical bushing rotatably mounted on said locking element covering said undercut;

    an information located on said face of said head portion of said locking element;

    a cap having a head portion and a substantially cylindrical portion embracing said locking element, said cylindrical portion of said cap defining an outer cylindrical surface thereof and being substantially aligned with said outer cylindrical surface of said body, said head portion of said cap having an inner cavity for receiving said head portion of said locking element; and

    wherein the seal-lock can be removed by breaking the locking element at its annular undercut such that the body and cap can be reused.

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