Seal assembly for a cargo container

• US 7,063,362 B1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Howard Liroff
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Howard Liroff
• Inventors: Liroff, Jeffrey Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Glessner, Brian E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lugo, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US10/303,676
• Time in Patent Office: 1,303 Days
• Field of Search: 292/315, 292/307.R, 292/307.B, 292318-321, 292/323, 292/324, 292/326, 241/15.H, 241/29.R, 241/29.A, 241/30, 241/15.G, 241/15.K, 241/36.R
• US Class Current: 292/315
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0352 using cable lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3916 One-piece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3987 Loop, adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/491 Distorted shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/495 Resilient and rigid engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/496 Resilient engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/498 Rigid engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/499 Resilient engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/502 Shiftable catch shackle operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/503 Split-ring catch, shackle operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/506 Rigid disk, distorted shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/509 Encasing

Abstract

A cargo seal assembly structured to maintain one or more doors on a cargo container in a closed and latched position comprising an elongated flexible material segment having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The flexible material segment is disposed and structured to extend in surrounding relation to the lock rods an concurrently into sealing engagement with the latch assembly. A lock body is attached to the flexible material segment at a location which prevents removal of the material segment from its operative position. As such unauthorized access to the interior of the cargo container can only be accomplished by destructive separation of the flexible material segment at two separate, spaced apart locations along its length. A single identifying indicia is disposed on the flexible material segment or an operative component associated therewith.

Claims

1. In combination with a cargo container including at least one door, a pair of spaced apart lock rods structured to maintain the door in a closed orientation and a latch structure having a seal aperture and structured to latch the door in a closed orientation, a cargo seal assembly comprising:

a) an elongate, flexible material segment including a proximal end, a distal end and an intermediate portion;

b) a lock body fixedly secured to said intermediate portion in spaced relation to both said proximal and distal ends,

c) said flexible material segment including a first section and a second section respectively disposed in a locking position and a sealing position,

d) said locking position comprising said first section disposed in a wrapped orientation concurrently about both the lock rods and said sealing position comprising said second section extending through the sealing aperture of the latch assembly in sealing relation to said latch structure, and

e) said lock body disposed and structured to secure said first section and said second section in said locking position and said sealing position respectively.

2. A cargo seal assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first section comprises a length of said intermediate portion between said lock body and said distal end having a sufficient longitudinal dimension to surround both of the lock rods.

3. A cargo seal assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said first section comprises a substantially closed loop configuration when in said locking position.

4. A cargo seal assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said second section comprises a length of said intermediate portion having a sufficient longitudinal dimension to extend outwardly from said lock body and through the seal aperture in sealing relation to the latch structure.

5. A cargo seal assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said second section comprises a substantially closed loop configuration when in said sealing position.

6. A cargo seal assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said lock body is structured to receive said distal end and said proximal end therethrough while said first and second sections are being disposed in said locking and sealing position respectively.

7. A cargo seal assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said lock body comprises at least a first passage and a second passage formed therein, each of said first and second passages disposed and structured to receive a different one of said proximal and distal ends therein, when said first and second sections are in said locking and sealing positions respectively.

8. A cargo seal assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said lock body further comprises at least a third passage structured to receive and be secured to said intermediate portion.

9. In combination with a cargo container including at least one door, a pair of spaced apart locked rods structured to maintain the door in a closed orientation and a latch structure having a seal aperture and structured to latch the door in a closed orientation, a cargo seal assembly comprising:

a.) an elongate, flexible material segment including a proximal end, a distal end and an intermediate portion;

b.) a lock body secured to said intermediate portion in spaced relation to both said proximal and distal ends,

c.) said flexible material segment including a first section and a second section each having a closed loop configuration disposed adjacent to and extending outwardly from said lock body,

d.) said first section disposed in a locking position defined by a wrapped orientation about both of the lock rods,

e.) said second section disposed in a sealing position at least partially defined by passage of said second section through the sealing aperture of the latch structure, and

f.) said lock body disposed and structured to secure said first and second sections in said locking position and said sealing position respectively.