Abstract: A water meter is locked into its housing to prevent tampering by placing a cover over a hexagon nut and a hand nut. Relative rotation between the hexagon nut and the hand nut is necessary to remove the meter from the housing. The cover has a wrench which fits the hexagon nut and prevents relative rotation between the hexagon nut and the cover. The cover has a boss which engages the hand nut and prevents relative rotation between the case and the hand nut. The cover has legs which engage the housing to prevent relative rotation between the cover and the housing.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a hose connection. The clamp is a cylindrical shell which encases a hose connection and secures the connection from being disconnected by ordinary means.

Abstract: Sealant compositions and methods which are particularly adaptable for use in detecting movement between two or more adjacent surfaces. The preferred sealant composition of the present invention is comprised of a paint base, such as a latex floor enamel, to which is added a thickening agent. One suitable thickening agent is a texture paint containing silica and silicates. When applied to a surface or series of surfaces, the sealant composition dries to a putty-like consistency. When spread over a portion of two adjacent surfaces and the joint therebetween, the paint forms a smooth continuous surface. If the two surfaces are moved with respect to one another, however, an irreparable tear occurs in the paint surface; as a result, movement between the two surfaces is readily detected. This sealant composition is particularly useful in detecting tampering with utility meters.

Abstract: The fuel filling system includes double pipe fuel delivery and tank venting plumbing. Both fuel delivery pipe and tank venting pipe are flexible and communicate with the gas tank through normally closed check valves. An inlet housing defines a vent cut-off chamber which communicates with the tank venting pipe, and also includes an annular nozzle embracing seal for isolating the end of the gas pump nozzle from the vent cut-off chamber. The gas tank is thus fully sealed by the check valves during driving, so that fuel will not spill from the tank should the filling system plumbing become ruptured or should the vehicle become overturned as a result of a collision. Fuel is introduced into the tank under positive pressure provided by the filling station fuel pump. Under pumping pressure, the check valves opens to permit the inflow of fuel and the outflow of air displaced from within the tank.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a protective anti-theft device for installation on a fireplug is shown. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a nut suitable for installation on a fireplug is provided, the nut having an external groove to receive a snap ring therein. A sleeve is joined to the nut by means of a cooperative groove receiving the snap ring therein. This enables the sleeve to free wheel around the nut. The free wheeling sleeve prevents theft and pilferage of the nut once it is installed on a fireplug at the top end to support the stem in the fireplug.

Abstract: A casket lock for a gas utility valve having inlet and outlet conduits includes a pair of mating casket sections releasably connected together along a hinge about which the sections are movable between open and closed positions. In the closed position the casket sections cooperate to define a casket containing the valve and the conduit connections thereto. The casket sections are releasably retained in closed position by a fastener contained within the casket. A tubular lock secured in locked position to the casket prevents access to the fastener.

Abstract: The fuel filling system includes double pipe fuel delivery and tank venting plumbing. Both fuel delivery pipe and tank venting pipe are flexible and communicate with the gas tank through normally closed check valves. An inlet housing defines a vent cut-off chamber which communicates with the tank venting pipe, and also includes an annular nozzle embracing seal for isolating the end of the gas pump nozzle from the vent cut-off chamber. The gas tank is thus fully sealed by the check valves during driving, so that fuel will not spill from the tank should the filling system plumbing become ruptured or should the vehicle become overturned as a result of a collision. Fuel is introduced into the tank under positive pressure provided by the filling station fuel pump. Under pumping pressure, the check valves open to permit the inflow of fuel and the outflow of air displaced from within the tank.

Abstract: A seal for a gas meter coupling nut comprising a ring-shaped housing formed of two separate but identical halves made of relatively brittle molded plastic and having integrally molded fastening means for snapping together the two halves into locking non-removable engagement. The two halves are shaped and dimensioned to be freely, laterally movable a small but appreciable amount relative to each other when locked so that tapping said housing will produce a rattle-like sound thereby indicating that the seal has not been broken open and the halves glued back together.

Abstract: A flange lock for preventing unauthorized access to flanged connections, comprises a pair of semi-cylindrical shells having face plates at at least one end thereof. The shells are hingedly interconnected by a tongue on one that passes through a slot in the other. At their free ends, the shells carrying three sleeves that align with each other in the closed position of the device, two sleeves on one shell and a third sleeve that fits between the first two, on the other shell. A screw-threaded nipple passes through two of the aligned sleeves in the closed position and is screwed into the end sleeve; and a screw type cam lock has a rod that passes through the nipple and screws into a plug carried by the end sleeve. The cam lock is non-rotatable relative to the nipple but its rod can be rotated to screw into and unscrew from the plug, thereby respectively to lock and release the assembly, when a key is inserted in the cam lock.

Abstract: A locking device is provided that is useful for preventing removal of a hose coupling from engagement on a valve. The locking device comprises two clamping members hingedly joined together at one end by an interlocking joint. When in a closed position, the clamping members have a first passage for receipt of the body of the valve and a second passage for receipt of the hose coupling on the valve. When the locking device is in place with the valve body in the first passage and the hose coupling in the second passage, the clamping members are locked together at the end remote from the interlocking joint to prevent the removal of the coupling from the valve.

Abstract: A lock assembly for preventing the unauthorized disconnection of a gas line where it is connected to the gas meter. The lock assembly has telescoping male and female shrouds, a bolt type lock and an end cap inserted transversely through the side walls of the telescoped shrouds to lock the two shrouds together to securely enclose the gas line threaded connection, and two turned back ears on the male shroud closed end which cover the female shroud open end side edges to prevent the female shroud and the male shroud from being pried apart by a pair of screwdrivers or the like.

Abstract: Wellhead distribution valving (known in the trade as a Xmas tree) are protected from potential thieves by security apparatus that prevents access to the mounting flange bolts of the wellhead valving. This security apparatus comprises a housing having two similar half sections. Each half section includes an outer wall, a semi-annular top and a semi-annular bottom. A plurality of locking members are integrally attached to the outer wall at each half to mate with a locking receptacle attached to the inner surface of the outer wall of the mating half section. An inner core of a metallic material is incorporated into the outer wall, the top and the bottom to increase the difficulty of penetration through the surface housing.

Abstract: A flange juncture of a wellhead is protected by first and second stainless steel clam shell closure members of substantially identical construction which are positioned over the flange juncture and welded by stainless steel welding procedures to preclude external access to the holding bolts of the flange juncture so as to prevent the unauthorized disconnection of the flange juncture and the theft of wellhead components attached thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is a security device and method. The device includes a bolt having a first hole drilled radially therein, a second threaded hole drilled axially therein to intersect the first hole, and a third hole formed axially therein connecting the second hole with the end of the bolt. A bar is insertable into the first hole to extend radially outside the bolt thereby to prevent a nut from being removed from the bolt. The bar is secured in the bolt by means of a pick-proof lock that has a screw portion threadably engagable with the second hole to engage the bar, and a lock body configured to fit the third hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locking pipe and hose couplings of the type comprising two complementary, radially fixed members provided with external, radial abutment surfaces facing on both sides in the axial direction for arcuate locking elements meshing with said abutment surfaces and having inwardly extending end edges, said locking elements being adapted to be fitted over the coupling members and being fixed against radial displacement by a means in the form of a cut ring enclosing said members.The novel feature is that the enclosing means as well as the locking elements are provided with portions for positive interlocking in fixed condition.

Abstract: Lockable meter retention rings for securing electric meters in meter boxes comprise an inner ring of multiple arcuate parts wherein the inner ring has spaced-apart inwardly extending flanges for holding the electric meter in the meter box and a steel outer ring which fits over and engages with the inner ring wherein the outer ring keeps the inner ring assembled. The outer ring has a lock enclosure which, together with a portion of the inner ring, defines an opening for receiving and retaining a barrel lock, the barrel lock securing the rings together. Bayonet and screw type engagements between the inner and outer rings are disclosed, with the barrel lock preventing relative rotation of the rings necessary to disengage them. Another form of engagement has a flange of the outer ring received by the inner ring, with the barrel lock securing the outer ring to the inner ring diametrically opposite the flanged engagement.

Abstract: An oil or gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus provides an annular guard body which is protectively secured about a bolted flanged connection of the well Christmas tree, the guard so placed forming an envelope about the flanged connection and preventing access by a thief to the bolts and thus discouraging removal of the bolts from the bolted connection. The protective guard body thus prevents removal of the Christmas tree from its location at the well head by theft denying access to the bolted connection which flanges the Christmas tree to the remainder of the well. In the preferred embodiment the guard body provides a pair of annular shroud halves which are hingedly connected allowing them to be pivotally moved from an outer position allowing removal from the flanged connection to an inner closed operative position providing an overall annular guard body which is latched into position about the desired bolted connection.

Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling that may be used in fluid systems for fast coction or disconnection of hoses or hoses to pipes. The coupling is especially useful where it is necessary to avoid any leakage or spillage. The coupling employs a female section and a male section wherein both sections employ O-ring joints that permit easy hand tight assembly and disassembly without any leakage. The O-ring joints permit considerable variation in clearance between mating flanges and thus permit the use of removable locking rings to lock the flanges and prevent their relative rotation. The female section employs a ball bearing mounted rotatable nut that permits rapid connection and disconnection without spillage. The rotatable nut has minimum axial movement that permits a close diameter tolerance so that longitudinal or lateral relative motion between the female and male members will not result in leakage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure fluid coupling and in particular a high pressure hydraulic coupling. The coupling comprises two hollow flanged members, one of which carries a spigot having an O-ring near its end. The spigot is inserted into the bore of the other member and when it homes, the front faces of the flanges will abut. A resilient clip clips over the flanges to hold the coupling members together. Both coupling members may however be female members and a coupling device having "O"-rings near its ends may be inserted into the bores of coupling members.