Abstract: A pair of aligned tandemly attached locking elements are cantilevered from a stud and a socket are hinged together to be placed in an engaged first locking mode with the outermost one of the locking elements. The elements are secured to the stud such that an axial separating force on the stud and socket for disengaging the locked engagement causes the engaged locked element to sever from the seal, and the other second intermediate element remains attached to the stud so the seal can be used with the second element in a second locking mode. A stop is provided for preventing insertion of the second intermediate locking element into engagement with the socket in a lock condition when the first locking element is attached to the stud and locked to the socket.

Abstract: An improved bag seal of the type typically used to close and seal the necks of cloth or other similar bags with a flexible strap. One end of the strap is attached to a non-resilient ferrule having an elongated housing with a passage therethrough for receiving the second end of the strap. The housing is received within a bore of a sealing block and thereafter is crimped to lock the housing to and within the sealing block and the strap to and within the housing. One or more cutting edges formed on the exterior of the housing permit insertion of the housing within the bore without cutting the sealing block, but upon attempted removal of the housing, the cutting edge cuts into the sealing block to provide a visual indication of tampering. Moreover, before passing the second end of the strap through the passage in the housing, the strap is passed through a slot in a flap rotatably mounted to the sealing block near an end of the bore.

Abstract: A security seal has a band mounting a protrusion at one end and a housing at the other end. The end of the protrusion may be first passed through apertures in a latch or closure and then may be inserted into, and held by gripping facilities within the housing. The portion of the protrusion extending away from the housing resides in the apertures and prevents operation of the latch or closure absent damage to or disintegration of the seal. Vibratory and oscillatory motion which occurs during shipping or handling of an item bearing the seal can cause the aperture walls to cut or saw through the protrusion, giving a false indication of tampering. A protective shroud is provided which surrounds the protrusion and is interposed between it and the apertures to prevent cutting or sawing of the protrusion.

Abstract: A ball seal having an elongated, flexible metal strap for providing locking engagement with a ball-shaped housing. A locking platform, having two frangibly joined leaves, is mounted in the housing for receiving the ends of the metal strap. A pair of locking tabs are located on one leaf and a pair of locking rings are mounted on the locking platform. The seal is placed in use by passing the strap through a structure to be sealed and then sliding the ends into the locking platform to effect locking engagement between the strap ends, and the locking tabs and rings. If the strap is forced from the housing, the leaf having the locking tabs thereon will be torn from the other leaf at the frangible joint, thereby destroying the locking platform beyond reasonable repair.

Abstract: A padlock-type security seal including a U-shaped shackle, a pair of reversely bent end portions, and a transparent body portion having a pair of chambers for receiving the bent end portions. The chambers each have a locking groove therein for receiving the bent end portions. A frangible tab is mounted adjacent one of the locking grooves. Attempts to pick the seal by deforming the shackle will result in breaking the tab. The tab, after breaking, will protrude into the chamber where it can be viewed through the transparent body to indicated tampering.

Abstract: A security seal having a tag attached to a flat strap at the central portion by a pair of flexible members. The seal is adapted for sealing a box structure or container having a strap in one surface thereof and a hasp attached to the container. The tag extends upwardly so as to be visible against the surface of the hasp and container. Formed in the label and the tag surface, such as by stamping or the like, are a plurality of circular scores randomly positioned. The random positioning may be recorded to provide a means for verification. Any attempt to remove the label from the tag will result in destruction of the label.

Abstract: A security seal having a plastic body including three elongated parallel chambers. Mating with the body is a U-shaped resilient shackle having a pair of legs each having a reversely bent end portion terminating in a sharp edge for insertion in two of the chambers. The third chamber in the body contains a frangible ampule containing a liquid dye. When used to seal a structure, the shackle is threaded through the structure, and the legs are inserted into the chambers. The sharp edges of the reversely bent end portions are flexed into tight engagement with the interior walls of the chambers.

Abstract: An identification seal for an electricial cable having resilient insulation on the surface thereof, said seal comprising a flat plastic body retaining a wire shackle. The shackle is provided with a pair of legs for engagement in seal body apertures and has a medial portion connecting the legs which comprises a semi-circular loop portion for gripping the cable, the plane of said semicircular portion being perpendicular to the plane of the shackle legs and the plane of a seal face so that when the seal is assembled onto the cable said face of the seal body is readily visible. Numbers or letters identifying the particular cable may be impressed into the surface of the seal face. The components are so dimensioned that when the seal is assembled onto a cable, the cable is gripped firmly by the loop portion of the shackle to prevent longitudinal or rotational movement of the seal on the cable.

Abstract: A security seal having a plastic body including three elongated parallel chambers. Mating with the body is a U-shaped resilient shackle having a pair of legs each having a reversely bent end portion terminating in a sharp edge for insertion in two of the chambers. The third chamber in the body contains a frangible ampule containing a colorless liquid. A solid substance that combines with the liquid to create a third substance with a bright hue is stored in the third chamber and/or is coated on selected portions of the seal. When used to seal a structure, the shackle is threaded through the structure, and the legs are inserted into the chambers. The sharp edges of the reversely bent end portions are flexed into tight engagement with the interior walls of the chambers.

Abstract: A security seal of the type comprising a shackle and a locking mechanism formed of a single piece of resilient plastic and comprising a shouldered stud and a socket having resilient stud engaging means positioned on the shackle in spaced relation to each other, in which the socket comprises a relatively thin flexible wall having an aperture with means for receiving the stud in locking engagement, and a second protective wall surrounding the first wall in spaced relation thereto. The flexibility of the first wall allows a greater interference between the shoulder of the stud and the locking means of the socket, providing a greater overlap of the locking surfaces, while providing less insertion force, and the surrounding wall deters attempts to release the stud from the socket without leaving evidence of tampering.

Abstract: A seal of the type resembling a padlock and comprising a plastic housing having a pair of apertures for receiving a shackle of the type formed of a U-shaped piece of wire which reversely bent end portions, the extreme ends of which are intended to dig into the walls of the body apertures to prevent removal of the shackle. The body is provided with at least one longitudinal groove which is centrally located between the position of the shackle apertures, and the ends of the shackle are sharpened or beveled in a manner such that if an excessive tension is applied to a shackle leg, the sharpened end will penetrate the side wall of the groove, pass across the groove or just behind the bottom of the groove, and enter the opposite groove wall. The shackle, or a portion of raised plastic from the bottom of the groove is thereafter visible in the groove and gives visual evidence of tampering.

Abstract: Single piece injection molded security seal includes a flexible strap having fastener support bodies at each end defining a telescoping locking means and having a camming surface for cooperating with the hasp to hold the security seal in descrete positions.

Abstract: A combination seal and locking pin for a fire extinguisher handle or other device in which two members must be retained in fixed relation to each other, in which the seal portion comprises a housing, a shackle to be received in the housing in locking relation and a pull ring for breaking the seal. The locking pin is detachably mounted onto the seal in a relationship such that pulling on the pull ring pulls the pin out of engagement with the handle and breaks the seal. The pull pin may be removed from the broken seal and assembled onto a new seal.

Abstract: A seal for a pipe coupling such as is used to connect a gas meter to a gas supply line. The seal is made in two portions having integral fastening means for locking the two portions around the nut of a coupling. The fastening means include a pair of flexible legs on one portion of the seal to be engaged with a tongue on the other portion of the seal. The tongue is provided with an aperture which provides a vertical latch surface and two horizontal latch surfaces extending outwardly from the ends of the vertical latch surface.

Abstract: A combination security seal and identification tag holder for assembly onto the neck of a mail bag or the like, in which a shackle locking mechanism is provided with a housing having a locking plug which is inaccessible when the seal is assembled onto the bag, and is prevented by the gathered neck of the bag from moving out of the locking position. The assembly includes an integral tag receiving member positioned to protrude from the bag into a visible position when the seal is assembled.

Abstract: A security seal of the type in which a stud and socket are hinged together for movement into locking engagement, in which means is provided for imparting a disengaging force to the stud and socket when they are moved toward engagement, so that if the stud and socket do not become securely locked together, they will spring apart.

Abstract: A seal of the padlock type comprising a plastic body having a pair of spaced apertures for receiving straight ends of a wire shackle. A metal fastener is assembled in the housing, said fastener having flexible tongues for so engaging the shackle ends that they can be easily pushed into the housing but cannot thereafter be retracted. In one embodiment of the invention the body is formed of upper and lower body portions which retain the fastener therebetween. The fastener and the upper body portion have weakened portions which fracture when excessive tension is applied to the shackle.In another embodiment of the invention the fastener has transverse score lines and the upper portion of the body has corresponding weakened portions, so that excessive tension applied to either shackle leg will cause fracture of the fastener and the body.

Abstract: A seal of the padlock type comprising a plastic body having a pair of spaced apertures for receiving straight ends of a wire shackle. A metal fastener is assembled in the housing, said fastener having flexible tongues for so engaging the shackle ends that they can be easily pushed into the housing but cannot thereafter be retracted. In one embodiment of the invention the tongues have substantially different lengths, so that they engage the wire at longitudinally spaced positions which increases the holding power of the fastener. Means is provided for retaining the shackle in a closed position prior to use to prevent tangling of the seals with each other during shipment and handling.

Abstract: A security seal formed of a single piece of molded plastic and comprising an elongated strap having a socket at one end a stud at a medial portion, and a free end having an aperture to be received on the stud before the stud and socket are engaged. The seal configuration provides a secure non-removable assembly and allows assembly with closure members having an aperture too small to allow the stud or socket to pass therethrough. In one embodiment of the invention, the stud has a weakened portion at the base in a position such that if the weakened portion is cut or broken, it cannot be re-attached by fusing.