Patents by Inventor Joseph H. C. Wenk

Joseph H. C. Wenk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6082789
    Abstract: A seal for use with a flexible wire for providing visible evidence of tampering therewith includes a housing and a wire retaining key. The housing has two passageways for passage of the ends of the flexible wire therethrough so that the ends of the flexible wire extend beyond the boundaries of the housing. The housing also includes a keyway for receipt of the wire retaining key. The wire retaining key is inserted into the keyway and intersects the passageways so that the flexible wire passing through the housing is intercepted and bears against the wire retaining key. In this manner, the wire retaining key intercepts and deforms the flexible wire, whereby removal of the flexible wire from the housing is prevented. The key also preferably includes a detent which snaps into an engaging position within the housing when fully inserted therein. An audible snapping sound may preferably be heard to indicate that the detent is in the engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: American Casting & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph H. C. Wenk
  • Patent number: 5871243
    Abstract: A seal for use with a flexible wire for providing visible evidence of tampering therewith includes a housing and a wire retaining key. The housing has two passageways for passage of the ends of the flexible wire therethrough so that the ends of the flexible wire extend beyond the boundaries of the housing. The housing also includes a keyway for receipt of the wire retaining key. The wire retaining key is inserted into the keyway and intersects the passageways so that the flexible wire passing through the housing is intercepted and bears against the wire retaining key. In this manner, the wire retaining key intercepts and deforms the flexible wire, whereby removal of the flexible wire from the housing is prevented. The key also preferably includes a detent which snaps into an engaging position within the housing when fully inserted therein. An audible snapping sound may preferably be heard to indicate that the detent is in the engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: American Casting & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph H. C. Wenk
  • Patent number: 5123686
    Abstract: A tamper-proof seal for sealing a bag or the like is provided. The seal includes a housing having a strap engagement device, and a strap coupled to the housing. The strap engagement device includes a locking member that lockingly engages a surface of the strap when the strap is inserted into the housing. The locking device is movable towards the strap upon an attempt to disengage the strap from the locking means. The strap includes a pair of adjacent protuberances located near the housing. When the strap is tightened about a bag, the protuberances clench the bag material while providing a convenient slot in which a knife can be inserted. A loop member may be coupled to the housing. The loop member includes an opening through which the strap is inserted prior to inserting it within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: American Casting & Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph H. C. Wenk
  • Patent number: 4898412
    Abstract: The present invention is a tamper-proof security seal which includes a shackling tape and a tape-gripping element with two deformable tape-gripping sections. The first gripping section includes a structural flap folded toward an inside bag-receiving side of the seal so that the fold is essentially concealed when the seal is used. The first section also includes an enlarged tooth integral with the first section to grip a bag around which the seal is applied. The second tape-gripping section has a plurality of inwardly pointing teeth inside the second section.A method of manufacture of the security seal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: American Casting & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph H. C. Wenk