Abstract: An evacuation system may comprise an evacuation slide configured to be deployed from an aircraft, first strap coupled to the evacuation slide, a second strap coupled to the evacuation slide, and a releasable restraint extending through the first strap and the second strap, the releasable restraint comprising a first stem connected to a first bead and a second stem connected to a second bead, where a diameter of the second stem is different from a diameter of the first stem.

Abstract: A container seal includes a locking bolt, which has on one end portion or central portion thereof a push-in/latch compartment which is open in the transverse direction relative to the lock axis and is formed or provided with an undercut acting in the direction of the latch compartment opening; a clip or tab, wherein the clip or tab is arranged on the other end portion of the locking bolt; and a bolt or bar which is arranged on the free end/end portion of the clip or tab and has on the free end/end portion thereof a latch device which is coupled to the bolt via a predetermined breaking point.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a wire having a proximal end and a distal end; and a body being fixedly coupled to the proximal of the wire and having at least two apertures, each aperture for receiving and locking the distal end of the wire at different times such that when the wire is locked in one of the apertures it cannot be removed without destroying the apparatus, wherein the distal end of the wire is operable to pass through one or more apertures of an object and lock in each of the apertures at different times such that the body retains the wire in engagement with the one or more apertures of the object and maintains the apparatus locked to the object.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a head; a metal wire having a first end coupled to the head and a second end coupled to a stop member; and a body having a cavity for receiving and locking the head such that when the head is locked in the cavity it cannot be removed without destroying the apparatus, wherein the head and the metal wire are operable to pass through one or more apertures of an object and the head is operable to lock in the cavity such that the body and the stop member retain the wire in engagement with the aperture and maintain the apparatus locked to the object.

Abstract: A bi-directional locking socket for use with a seal device which includes a shackle having a plurality of locking elements on a surface thereof. The socket comprises a locking insert forming a locking arrangement including a body defining a chamber therein. The locking insert further includes opposing top and bottom ends where the top end defines a top opening communicating with the chamber, and the bottom end defines a bottom opening communicating with the chamber. A plurality of mirror image spaced fingers define a passageway extending through the chamber. The plurality of fingers allow passage of the locking elements as a free end of the shackle is pulled through the passageway via either the top or the bottom openings in opposite insertion directions, and lock with a locking element of the shackle when the shackle movement is in an opposite direction to the insertion direction. In the alternative, the socket has a chamber with the locking arrangement formed one piece therewith.

Abstract: A molded thermoplastic body is formed with a rectangular cavity. A molded thermoplastic insert is welded to the body in the cavity and has a top cross member, a stem member and a bottom member. The stem member has a plurality of molded fingers cantilevered on opposing sides inclined relative to the stem member longitudinal axis in one embodiment. The stem member forms the cavity into two channels. A wire shackle which may be round or square in section, a wire or molded plastic, is U-shaped with two legs. One leg is formed with notches to receive the tips of the fingers in one channel and the other leg is formed with a reversibly bent barb which engages the fingers in the other channel on the opposite side of the cavity. The bottom member limits the insertion depth of the legs. The notches and barb engage the fingers and lock the shackle to the body.

Abstract: A tamper-proof tie includes a head and an attached strap. The head includes a strap accepting channel and a blind cavity. The strap accepting channel includes a strap entry end and a strap exit end. The blind cavity includes an open end. The head includes a flexible locking member comprising first and second ends which are fixed in place within the head. The strap includes an anti-tampering device which comprises a finger and a projection. In use, the strap is inserted into the strap accepting channel so the tie forms a closed loop. As the strap is inserted into the head, the locking member engages the anti-tampering device to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the head. With the tie formed into a closed loop, the anti-tampering device substantially encloses the entry end and the exit end of the strap accepting channel and the open end of the blind cavity.

Abstract: A robust rigid block forming a fastener and tamper evident seal attaches a cover to a tote bin. The seal is formed partially into a C-shaped locking device for insertion into aligned bores in the tote bin cover and bin. The C-shaped device is inserted to an insertion position and then displaced to a locking position with the legs of the device overlying the cover and bin members at the bores fastening the cover to the bin and capable of withstanding high shock loads. A locking element connected to the device by a frangible web has a camming surface that engages an edge of the cover for camming the device during insertion of the element in the bores to the insertion position at which time the web is fractured. The element has a flange plate attached to the element body by a weak web for selective removal of the plate. A resilient tang is attached to the element for engaging a mating locking recess in the body for locking the element to the device and to the bin and cover in the insertion position.

Abstract: The invention provides a security seal having a first portion and a second portion separated from the first portion by at least one line of weakness. The first portion has at least one detent. The first and second portions lie in a single plane and each detent protrudes out of that plane. The invention also provides a container and lid combination, comprising a container having a first compartment for containing foods and a second compartment isolated from the first compartment. The combination has a lid capable of sliding onto the container to cover both the first and second compartments. The second compartment has an aperture for receiving a security seal. The lid includes a third compartment adapted to mate with the second compartment.

Abstract: A pull-through lead security seal has a base body and a tongue protruding out of the base body. The tongue can be inserted through a pull-through opening located in a housing part which is connected to the base body. A retaining insert is also located in the housing part. A predetermined breaking point, in the form of a preferably continuous groove, is situated between the retaining insert and the base body or the housing part. In the event of an attempt to tamper with the lead seal, that is, if somebody attempts to open the closed lead seal by pulling on the tongue, this predetermined breaking point breaks, detaching the retaining insert in the housing part so that it moves freely within the walls. A tampering attempt of this type can therefore be detected by a simple, superficial check.

Abstract: A one-piece security seal is provided which has a superior ergonomic design making the seal easier to put into place and lock. The seal comprises a capsule having a wall which defines an open end and a closed end. The capsule includes a first connection fitting formed therein. A first aperture is formed in the wall of the capsule. A second aperture is formed in the wall of the capsule aligned with and opposite the first aperture. A locking member having an insertion end is connected to the capsule by a flexible connecting arm which is integrally formed therewith. The insertion end is insertable into the open end of the capsule such that a bent path is created between the locking member and the capsule when the insertion end is inserted therein. Also, the insertion end includes a second connection fitting which is designed to cooperate with the first connection fitting of the capsule to provide an irreversible connection between the locking member and the capsule when the insertion end is inserted therein.

Abstract: A self-lockable loop fastener adapted for attaching tags and the like to articles of commerce. According to one embodiment, the fastener includes an elongated flexible filament, a receiving part disposed at one end of the flexible filament and an inserting part disposed at the opposite end of the flexible filament. The receiving part has a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicular to that of the filament and includes a socket. The socket is provided with an aperture, the aperture having a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to that of the filament. A circumferential flange is disposed within the aperture to reduce the diameter of a portion of aperture. The inserting part, which has a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicular to that of the filament but generally parallel to that of the receiving part, includes a plug, the plug being insertable into the aperture and past the flange.

Abstract: A tamper resistant seal comprises a series of ratchet teeth (12) arranged along a strap (14), with one end of the strap (14) being secured to a body (16) and the other end of the strap (14) being insertable into the body (16) so as to move the ratchet teeth (12) sequentially past a resiliently deformable catch (18), wherein the resiliently deformable catch (18) includes a pair of opposed jaws (44) which are movable laterally primarily with a vise-like or spelling action rather than a collet-like or flexing action.

Abstract: A self-lockable loop fastener adapted for attaching tags and the like to articles of commerce. According to one embodiment, the fastener includes an elongated flexible filament, a receiving part disposed at one end of the flexible filament and an inserting part disposed at the opposite end of the flexible filament. The receiving part has a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicular to that of the filament and includes a socket. The socket is provided with an aperture, the aperture having a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to that of the filament. A circumferential flange is disposed within the aperture to reduce the diameter of a portion of aperture. The inserting part, which has a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicular to that of the filament but generally parallel to that of the receiving part, includes a plug, the plug being insertable into the aperture and past the flange.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially permanent, fixed-circumference, non-abrasive binding device for gathering and binding plural articles, including a locking head, a tail, and an elongate strap therebetween. The head and tail ends include cooperative locking means for securing the tail end in the locking head. The tail end includes outwardly projecting tail barbs to facilitate pulling the tail end through the locking head, and subsequently to facilitate engagement of locking barbs located on the end of the strap with barb stops located in the head. A score line is preformed across the tail end at a point between the locking barbs and the tail end, to provide for a break-any tail which can be removed after engagement of the locking barbs with the barb stops in the head. Upon engagement of the locking barbs with the barb stops, the score line is at a position slightly inside of the locking head so that no sharp or abrasive edge will be exposed after the tail end is broken off.

Abstract: A one piece molded thermoplastic, preferably polypropylene, high security seal for coin bags has a locking socket body from which a flag extends on one side and a rectangular flat elongated shackle extends on the opposite side via an intermediate flat member which has a tear band there across for selectively separating the member into two pieces to facilitate removal of the locked seal. The shackle has several locking circular segment teeth in two parallel linear arrays on opposite edges of the shackle adjacent to a tamper resistant flange at the member end. A locking sheet metal stamped insert has two sets of tangs defining two spaced tooth receiving openings in a socket locking cavity aligned with shackle receiving openings in the body. The body receives the insert transverse to the shackle insertion direction through a cavity side wall later sealed with a flap formed in the seal body. The locked shackle precludes removal of the insert should the side wall seal be tampered with.

Abstract: A novel security seal which cannot be removed without destroying or defacing the seal, thereby rendering tampering detectable. The novel seal comprises a strap having a tongue end, a locking head at the other end, with a key and stop plate disposed therebetween. To engage the seal, the tongue is looped around and inserted through the locking head. As it is pulled tight, the key engages a lock plate inside the head. When the key is fully engaged, the stop plate abuts the head, preventing undetected tampering or withdrawal of the tongue. In locked position, the tongue remains exposed and is therefore a convenient location for coded information.

Abstract: A security seal includes a first seal member having a first locking portion and a first detection circuit portion. A second seal member has a second locking portion and a second detection circuit portion. The first locking portion is engagable to the second locking portion to engage and irretrievably lock together the first seal member to the second seal member. Engagement of the first seal member to the second seal member operatively connects the first detection circuit portion to the second detection circuit portion to provide a combined detection circuit throughout the security seal. In a preferred embodiment, the first seal member includes a spear having the first locking portion, and the second seal member includes a sleeve having the second locking portion.

Abstract: A one-piece seal ring for locking an electrical watt-hour meter into the socket of a meter base. The seal ring includes a locking mechanism which once locked cannot be unlocked without cutting or breaking a portion of the lock. The seal ring and locking mechanism are entirely manufactured of one-piece construction using a brightly colored, flexible and resilient thermoplastic, enabling the locking seal ring to be inexpensively manufactured with little or no manual labor using modern thermoplastic injection molding in automated machinery. The coloring of the lockable seal ring, being contrasting to that of the flange of the meter, provides structuring to provide a visual signal of an unlocked or missing seal ring on an installed electrical meter.

Abstract: A tamper indicator for placement over valves and other regulating type devices used on storage containers to detect any unlawful operation of the valve or other device. This indicator has a sleeve-like body, closed at one end, for encasing the valve or other device. A locking bar is passed through openings in the body near the open end, this bar positioned so as to engage the base of the valve or other regulating device. One end of the bar has a restriction to prevent passage of that end through the openings, and the other end of the bar is provided with an aperture to receive a seal member. This seal member must be destroyed for removal. A broken seal member thus indicates tampering. By providing a unique indicia on the seal member, any attempt to install another seal member after tampering has occurred can be detected. The device of the present invention is of particular value when used as a tamper indicator on valved containers of uranium hexafluoride or other controlled substances.

Abstract: Briefly, the seal of the present invention comprises a stud with resilient fingers that fit into a socket that contains shoulders so that when the stud is moved past the shoulders, the resilient fingers collapse and then spring out to engage the shoulders and prevent return movement. A pilot projection guides the resilient fingers into the socket and ensures their correct position relative to the shoulders both during insertion and attempted removal. The exteriors of the socket and the stud are to substantially fill apertures in the articles to be sealed. Once the socket and stud are positioned in the apertures, they cannot be removed without breaking the seal. The socket is made with a second opening normal to the opening of insertion of the stud so that the seal can be manufactured inexpensively and easily in a one step molding operation.

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 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: There is disclosed a one-piece molded fastener composed of plastics material, wherein there is a socket hav ing a through-passage and a head connected by a filament. The head is insertable into the socket in one direction to be non-releaseably gripped by prongs or spring fingers on the inside of the socket. There is a provision on the head for preventing the head from being inserted into the passage through the other end of the socket to a position where it would be releasably gripped by the prongs.

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 sterilizer container includes a seal member so positioned on the container that movement of the outer cover of the container to a contaminating position requires fracturing the seal, thereby destroying the utility of the seal member and thus providing a visual indication that the articles within the container are contaminated. Further, the seal member includes a sterilization indicator which provides a further indication that the articles contained within the container are sterile.

Abstract: A one-piece plastics security seal, of the kind having a flexible strap securable within a passageway in a housing, may include a new locking arrangement and/or a new release arrangement.In the locking arrangement, the strap carries a series of teeth of non-rectangular outline, when viewed along the length of the strap, with at least a part of the passageway having an outline complementary to that of the strap and the teeth carried thereby, and the passageway being offset along its length in the region of a resiliently deformable stop for permitting movement of the teeth through the passageway in one direction, but not the other.In the release arrangement, the flexible strap and also a tab both extend generally transversely to the housing, with the strap being connected to the tab and the tab being frangibly connected to the housing.

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 security latch is provided in the form of a two-piece molded plastic padlock. The padlock comprises a one-piece molded plastic body having an opening at one end thereof. The body is hollow and is closed at the open end by a plate. A flexible shackle is molded integrally with the lock body or a separate plate and has a free end with a resilient reentrant finger thereon. The free end is insertable into an opening with the finger snapping behind a structural portion of the lock to latch the free end within said opening. An additional access opening is provided into the body and a key element is insertable therein to cam said latching finger out of latching engagement to allow retraction of the shackle.

Abstract: A harnessing device formed by a locking head and an attached ladder strap. The head contains a locking tang and a guide channel that receives the strap after encirclement of items to be harnessed. The tang engages the rungs of the ladder strap for the adjustable retention of the harnessed items. The free end of the strap has a light-weight webbed tail that facilitates the insertion of the strap into the head. The strap is advantageously molded of a stretch reorientable material and is subsequently stretched to produce a suitable strengthening and elongation of the webbed tail.

Abstract: A security seal formed of a single piece of molded plastic in which a socket member and a stud member intended for locking engagement are disposed on the ends of legs so mounted on a base that the seal may be closed by squeezing the legs together with the fingers of one hand so that the socket and stud lock together.An additional bowed member extends between the legs, which flexes when the legs are squeezed together, providing additional spring back force to cause the stud and socket to separate if not completely locked together. The additional bowed member also provides additional aligning force to insure that the stud and socket are properly aligned for engagement when squeezed together.

Abstract: A binding and sealing strip comprises a cord with locking members at the ends thereof such that when one is inserted in the other they cannot be separated. The strip is preferably of flexible plastic and can be molded to be small enough in size so that it can be threaded into the mesh of a burlap bag, for instance, for binding and sealing the open end of same.

Abstract: A seal of the type having a hollow housing with internal resilient fingers for receiving a shouldered stud of a shackle into one end of the housing into locking engagement with the fingers, in which the opposite end is closed by a plug having resilient legs snapped into engagement with an internal recess in said opposite end. In one embodiment of the invention, the seal is formed of a single piece of molded plastic, with the plug being molded alongside the housing and being attached thereto by a flexible hinge or web.In another embodiment of the invention, the end of the shackle beyond the shoulder projects into a cavity between the resilient legs to lock said legs into the internal recess.

Abstract: A tamperproof shackle seal, of the kind including a plug, at one end of a strap, which is self-locking within a socket at the other end of the strap, is capable of use immediately after being integrally moulded in a plastics material, without the need for subsequent manufacturing operations, by virtue of forming a recess set in the wall of the socket into which a barb projecting laterally outwards from the plug is snapped, during use, the plug being formed throughout its length to be of substantially similar transverse cross-section to the socket, and there preferably being a tortuous path presented by ribs/grooves on the plug interengaging with grooves/ribs of complementary shape on the socket, thereby hampering any attempts to release the seal without causing visible damage.

Abstract: A sealing ring for clamping a watthour meter to a meter socket box includes a permanent locking mechanism mounted on the ends of a clamping band. A catch assembly includes a detent carried within a shielding enclosure on one band end. A latching assembly carried on the second band end has an extending latching member insertable into the enclosure for fixed and irremovable engagement by the detent within the enclosure.

Abstract: A seal of the type having a housing with internal resilient fingers for receiving a shouldered stud in locking engagement, in which a separate cylinder is provided in the housing for closely surrounding the entire periphery of an end portion of the stud protruding beyond the resilient fingers to maintain the stud centered in the opening and prevent any lateral movement thereof, and thereby prevent attempts to open the stud by the insertion of tools to dislodge the resilient fingers from engagement with the stud. The cylinder surrounding the stud is inserted into the end of the housing remote from the stud-receiving end, and said remote end is then deformed with heat to retain the cylinder in the housing.

Abstract: There are disclosed three embodiments of a fastener, a method of using a fastener, and a fragmentary portion of a mold. The fastener has a socket and a head joined by a flexible filament. The socket has a disc-shaped body, a transverse opening through the body, projections extending into the opening, and a post joined to each projection. The posts extend into the space within a side wall of the opening. The projections flex when the head is inserted through the opening, but the posts prevent attempted withdrawal of the head through the opening thereby preventing uncoupling of the head from the socket. The projections are so close that when the head is inserted into the socket, some of the plastics polymeric material of the projections deforms permanently, thereby work hardening the projections at the deformation. One of the fasteners has a head, a pair of relatively rigid sockets, a flexible hinge connecting the sockets to each other, and a flexible filament connecting the head and the pair of sockets.

Abstract: An attachment device comprises a filament having a normally laterally oriented bar at one end and a unitary hollow body member at its other end. The body member has a sidewall, an apertured end wall, a heat sealed end wall opposed thereto and a flange which projects outwardly from the sidewall and functions as a heat sink to permit heat sealing of the end wall without heat deformation of the apertured end wall and the portion of the sidewall adjacent thereto. The aperture in the end wall is large enough to receive the filament and the bar when they are in parallel orientation, but of a width smaller than the length of the bar so as to prevent the withdrawal of the bar from the hollow interior subsequent to insertion. An assembly of attachment devices suitable for use with an attaching mechanism comprises a plurality of such attachment devices and securing means interposed between and connected to the flanges to secure adjacent body members together.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a fastener, a method of using a fastener, and a fragmentary portion of a mold. The fastener has a socket and a head joined by a flexible filament. The socket has a disc-shaped body, a transverse opening through the body, projections extending into the opening, and a post joined to each projection. The posts extend into the space within a side wall of the opening. The projections flex when the head is inserted through the opening, but the posts prevent attempted withdrawal of the head through the opening thereby preventing uncoupling of the head from the socket. The projections are so close that when the head is inserted into the socket, some of the plastics polymeric material of the projections deforms permanently, thereby work hardening the projections at the deformation.

Abstract: A seal especially adapted for use on a fire extinguisher or other device, said seal providing visual evidence of operability and has means to prevent operation of the device until the seal is removed. The seal is formed of a single piece of molded plastic and is provided with an integral finger loop to facilitate removal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means preventing operation of the extinguisher is a rigid bar which extends through suitable locking apertures in the operating handle and handle support, and the seal means is a socket on one end of the bar and a shackle extending from the other end.

Abstract: An attachment device comprising a filament having a laterally oriented bar at one end and a hollow body member at its other end, a wall of said body member having an opening therethrough large enough to receive the filament and the bar when they are in parallel orientation but of a width smaller than the length of the bar so as to prevent the withdrawal of the bar from the hollow interior subsequent to insertion, a self-contained, interlocked attachment thereby being obtained.