Reusable electronic trailer seal

• US 7,782,200 B1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur R. Fleischmann
• Original Assignee: Arthur R. Fleischmann
• Inventors: Fleischmann, Arthur R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/977,452
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 340/542, 340/543, 70431-437, 70330-332
• US Class Current: 340/542
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0064 by solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/04 with counting or registering devices time recording locks G07C1/32
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0394 with violation indication by generating a random number random number generators G06F7/58, G07C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7407 Operating indicators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8081 Electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8162 Padlock

Abstract

A reusable electronic seal for a trailer includes a structural enclosure configured to attach onto a shackle of a padlock with an electronic module integrated within the to enclosure. A rechargeable battery circuit with a photovoltaic cell is in communication with a battery permitting the battery to be charged by the photovoltaic cell when the voltage is low. The electronic module incorporates a microprocessor, a random number generator and a liquid crystal display which communicates with the random number generator. A shackle engagement switch is configured to engage the padlock shackle, applying a signal to the microprocessor when the padlock has been opened. When the padlock is re-latched the shackle engagement switch triggers the microprocessor to signal the random number generator to transmit a new number to the liquid crystal display.

Claims

1. A reusable electronic seal for a trailer which comprises:

a structural enclosure configured to attach onto a shackle of a padlock, wherein said structural enclosure further comprising an outwardly extending arm for interfacing with the padlock, and said structural outwardly extending arm further having a shackle aperture therethrough configured to receive a pivotal leg of the padlock shackle to lock the seal onto the padlock

an electronic module integrated within the enclosure, said module comprising;

a rechargeable battery producing an electrical power source,

a battery charging circuit in communication with said battery,

a photovoltaic cell in communication with said battery charging circuit providing a power source for recharging the battery,

a voltage sensor interfacing with said battery indicating battery voltage,

a microprocessor programmed with software to receive a battery voltage signal from the voltage sensor and if low voltage is sensed by the microprocessor the microprocessor sends a signal to the battery charging circuit to recharge the battery, wherein said microprocessor receiving electrical power from said battery,

a random number generator interfacing with said microprocessor,

a liquid crystal display communicating with said random number generator, and

a shackle engagement switch configured to engage the padlock shackle, applying a signal to said microprocessor such that when the padlock has been opened and re-latched the shackle engagement switch signals the microprocessor to signal the random number generator to send a new number to the liquid crystal display.

2. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said structural enclosure is formed with a cast thermosetting resin selected from a group consisting of acrylic, styrene, polyester, epoxy, silicone and nylon.

3. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said structural enclosure is injection molded with a thermoplastic resin selected from a group consisting of ABS, acetyl, acrylic, cellulose, Nylon, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and vinyl.

4. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said structural enclosure having a serial number permanently displayed thereon.

5. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic module further comprises a printed circuit board.

6. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said battery further comprises a nickel cadmium type.

7. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said microprocessor is programmed with software to permit a number originally shown on the liquid crystal display to remain after the padlock is opened and until the padlock is re-latched when a new random number is displayed.

8. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said structural outwardly extending arm further having a shackle aperture therethrough configured to receive a pivotal leg of the padlock shackle to lock the seal onto the padlock, wherein said arm having a slot on a distal end for engaging a retained leg of the padlock for orienting the seal adjacent to the padlock.

9. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said shackle engagement switch further comprises, an electromechanical switch having an outwardly extending spring loaded plunger interfacing with a padlock pivotal leg such that when the pivotal leg is locked into the padlock the plunger touches the pivotal leg through a side opening in the shackle aperture, and when the pivotal leg is removed the plunger extends within the shackle aperture to an at rest position sending a signal to the microprocessor that the padlock is opened until the padlock pivotal leg is again inserted into the shackle aperture compressing the plunger sending a signal to the microprocessor that the padlock is engaged.

10. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said shackle engagement switch further comprises a magnetic switch which closes a contact when a shackle pivotal leg is locked into the padlock and sends a signal to the microprocessor that the padlock is locked, when the padlock is unlocked and the shackle pivotal leg is removed from the switches magnet field, the signal to the microprocessor is discontinued until the padlock pivotal leg is again inserted into the shackle aperture within the magnetic field sending a signal to the microprocessor that the padlock is engaged.

11. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said shackle engagement switch further comprises a magnetic field switch having a wire looped around the shackle aperture creating an electromagnetic field when a current is introduced into the loop, which changes resistance when the metallic padlock shackle is within the loop, closing a contact when a pivotal leg of the shackle is locked into the padlock and sends a signal to the microprocessor that the padlock is locked, when the padlock is unlocked and the shackle pivotal leg is removed from the switches magnet field, the signal to the microprocessor is discontinued until the padlock pivotal leg is again inserted into the shackle aperture within the magnetic field sending a signal to the microprocessor that the padlock is engaged.

12. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said shackle engagement switch further comprises a photoelectric cell the sends a signal the microprocessor when a pivotal leg of the shackle is removed from the padlock and continues the signal until the pivotal leg is replaced in the padlock.

13. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said random number generator receives a power signal from the microprocessor creating a random number to send to the liquid crystal display.

14. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said microprocessor is programmed to send a message to the liquid crystal display to indicate a warning of low voltage from the battery.

15. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said structural enclosure is configured to attach to the padlock front surface.

16. The reusable electronic seal for a trailer as recited in claim 1 wherein said structural enclosure is configured to attach to a pivotal leg of the padlock shackle only.