Bolt-type seal lock

• US 7,438,334 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TeraHop Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Kenney, Daniel, Terry, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, GARY WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US11/193,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20070024066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 292/327, 292/307.A, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.9
• US Class Current: 292/327
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/02 with destructible seal closures or paper closures
• 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 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/51 Seal bolts

Abstract

The invention is a bolt-type seal lock for use with shipping containers or similar kinds of applications where seal locks are needed. The seal includes a bolt and a separate locking body. The locking body holds a locking mechanism that engages with an end of the bolt when it is inserted into the locking body. The locking body houses a flash memory or equivalent electronic storage device that stores shipping or transportation data relating to the contents of the shipping container. The seal also has a locking mechanism that can be released by a special tool through a lateral access opening. The lateral opening is covered by an identification tab that serves as an identification mechanism for indicating seal tampering and as a barrier to access to the locking mechanism. The identification tab is replaceable which makes the seal recyclable and reusable by shipping companies having a need for large numbers of bolt-type seal locks.

Claims

1. An improved bolt-type seal, comprising:

a bolt;

a locking body, the locking body having a locking mechanism within the locking body for engaging with the bolt, the locking body further having a first opening for axially receiving an end of the bolt and guiding the bolt into the locking mechanism, and a second lateral opening for providing access to the locking mechanism; and

an identification tag having a portion shaped to cover the lateral opening in the locking body in a manner that impedes access to the locking mechanism; and

wherein the identification tag also has a ring portion that is connected to the portion of the identification tag that is shaped to cover the lateral opening of the locking body, the ring portion surrounding the first opening of the locking body that axially receives the bolt, in a manner so that the bolt secures the identification tag in place when the bolt is engaged with the locking mechanism.

2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the bolt carries an identification code and the identification tag separately carries an identification code that matches the code on the bolt.

3. The seal of claim 1, wherein the bolt carries an identification code, and wherein the portion of the identification tab that covers the lateral opening in the locking body separately carries an identification code that matches the code on the bolt.

4. An improved bolt-type seal, comprising:

a bolt;

a locking body, the locking body having a locking mechanism within the locking body for engaging with the bolt, the locking body further having a first opening for axially receiving an end of the bolt and guiding the bolt into the locking mechanism, and a second opening for providing lateral access to the locking mechanism;

an identification tag having a portion shaped to cover the lateral access opening in the locking body in a manner that impedes access to the locking mechanism, and wherein the identification tag also has a ring portion that is connected to the portion of the identification tag that is shaped to cover the lateral opening of the locking body, the ring portion surrounding the first opening of the locking body that axially receives the bolt, in a manner so that the bolt secures the identification tag in place when the bolt is engaged with the locking mechanism; and

a rewritable data storage device, also received within the locking body, for storing data electronically with the bolt-type seal.

5. The seal of claim 4, including a connecting port for connecting the data storage device to a computing device.

6. The seal of claim 4, wherein the data storage device is mounted on an electronics board having a USB connection, the USB connection being accessible to a separate computing device.