US4010788A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bolt seal
Assignee: American Capital Financial Services Inc
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Filing: 1975-09-29
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1995-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A bolt seal for securing hasps on trailer truck doors and/or rail car doors which utilizes a round or oval head bolt which extends through the hasps and upon which a nut is threaded. The nut is threaded onto the bolt until it is tight and then a hollow tube is used to bend the bolt sharply to about 90° just under the nut. Identification number areas are formed at the tail of the bolt and on a flat portion of the bolt adjacent the head. If a thief tries to break the seal by bending the bolt back to its original straight condition, the metallurgy of the bolt is selected so that the bolt breaks off. This indicates that the seal has been tampered with and furthermore, the thief finds that if he tries to turn the nut the round head of the bolt will rotate and since the threads are upset by the bending he will be unable to remove the nut. A modification of the invention utilizes a spin nut which is cylindrical in shape.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Van Gompel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/02; G09F3/03; G09F3/0305; G09F3/0317; F; F16; F16B; F16B41/00; F16B41/005; G09F3/0364; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/924; Y10S411/953; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/51
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A bolt seal comprising: a bolt with a threaded portion having a head at one end and a flattened area at the other end on which an identification can be printed, a nut threadedly receivable on said threaded portion, wherein said nut is a spin nut which has a first cup-shaped cylindrical member with sides and a bottom at right angles to the sides and with a central opening through which said bolt is receivable, and a threaded member with a central threaded opening receivable into said cup-shaped member and rotatably attached to said cup-shaped cylindrical member, wherein said spin nut further includes a cover second cup-shaped cylindrical member with sides and a flat bottom at right angles to the sides and with a central opening through which said bolt is receivable and said cover member non-rotatably attached to said first cup-shaped cylindrical member and said threaded member rotatably confined between said first and second cup-shaped cylindrical members whereby said threaded member rotates when said spin nut is turned in a first direction but does not turn when said spin nut is turned in the other direction and also includes a second flattened area formed on said bolt near its head upon which an identification can be printed and said identification corresponding to the identification on the flattened area at said other end, and wherein said bolt is made of material that has a characteristic such that said threaded portion of said bolt does not break when bent 90° but which breaks when straightened to its initial position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A bolt seal comprising: a bolt with a threaded portion having a head at one end and a flattened area at the other end on which an identification can be printed, a nut threadedly receivable on said threaded portion, wherein said nut is a spin nut which has a first cup-shaped cylindrical member with sides and a bottom at right angles to the sides and with a central opening through which said bolt is receivable, and a threaded member with a central threaded opening receivable into said cup-shaped member and rotatably attached to said cup-shaped cylindrical member, wherein said spin nut further includes a cover second cup-shaped cylindrical member with sides and a flat bottom at right angles to the sides and with a central opening through which said bolt is receivable and said cover member non-rotatably attached to said first cup-shaped cylindrical member and said threaded member rotatably confined between said first and second cup-shaped cylindrical members whereby said threaded member rotates when said spin nut is turned in a first direction but does not turn when said spin nut is turned in the other direction and also includes a second flattened area formed on said bolt near its head upon which an identification can be printed and said identification corresponding to the identification on the flattened area at said other end, and wherein said bolt is made of material that has a characteristic such that said threaded portion of said bolt does not break when bent 90° but which breaks when straightened to its initial position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bolt seal according to claim 1 wherein said bolt is made of steel which becomes work hardened when it is bent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bolt seal according to claim 1 including a spring washer mounted between said threaded member and said first cup-shaped cylindrical member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bolt seal according to claim 1 wherein said threaded portion and said nut have left hand threads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1387258A
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FR710653A
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Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |