ASSEMBLY OF EVIDENT FORCE CLOSURE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to closure devices and is directed more particularly to a destructible closure assembly for use in conjunction with a utility meter ring, gas service valves, and similar devices. To prevent the forcing of utility meters, or the like, it is customary to place a cover member, often a transparent glass, on the face of the meter and secured to a meter box by means of a metal ring of the meter. The meter ring includes two flanges extending outwardly from the ring substantially parallel to one another. Typically, the rims are provided with holes that allow an operator to place a padlock through the holes to secure the rims together to secure the ring to the meter, thereby securing the glass cover in place. Unfortunately, those who are very biased are often able to either secure an appropriate key to open the padlock, or gain access to the meter by "locking" the lock. In any case, the padlock is usually returned to the closed condition, without any REF: 153987 indication that there has been a forcing. In this way, the reader of the utility meter has no way of saying that the meter reader has been altered. Consequently, a closure device that could not be opened by a key and which would provide an easily visible signal of having been forced would be beneficial to the utility industry. An example insurance assembly that solves these problems is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,161,838, and is granted to the attorney of the present invention. This closure assembly includes a shell member and a pin member for securing the first and second members one in relation to the other. The envelope member is adapted to receive the pin member extending through aligned openings formed in the first and second members. The enclosure member permanently retains the pin member in the enclosure to secure the first and second members together. The pin member includes a breakable portion that can be broken off from the pin member to unlock the first and second members one relative to the other, and provide evidence that the closure assembly has been forced. Although the products embodying the invention described in U.S. Patent No. 5,161,838 have been very successful in the market, the envelope and the pin members are by design a one-time assembly for the purpose of providing evidence of forcing. In addition, the product has typically been adapted for use with a conventional gauge ring having radially extending ridges with holes defining shafts extending tangentially to the ring. As a result, the closure assembly extends tangentially to the ring through the holes. The fragile portion of the pin can be difficult to break when it is oriented tangentially to the ring. In addition, unscrupulous individuals can hide the evidence of forcing the anterior closure assembly by reattaching the first and second members together, such as by means of adhesives or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a closure assembly adapted to secure the first and second members to each other which resolves the above problems. The assembly includes a shell member having an opening that includes an insertion end formed therein. A fastening member is provided in the opening. A pin member includes a head portion and a body portion joined by a detachable portion. The body portion is received in the opening through the insertion end and engages the holding member to prevent removal of the body portion of the opening through the insertion end. With the first and second members disposed between the body portion of the envelope member and the head portion of the pin member, by breaking the separable portion, the portion of the head is separated from the body portion to allow separation of the first and second ends. In one embodiment the opening is a through hole having an insertion end and an outlet end, and upon breaking the releasable portion the body portion leaves the through hole through the outlet end which allows the member to be used again. of envelope. In another embodiment, a seal covers the head portion to provide a surface to identify evidence and evidence of forcing. In yet another embodiment, the closure member includes a ring member that orients the envelope member and pin member substantially parallel to a ring axis to present the portion of the head for a user to engage to break the separable portion and separate the portion of the head from the body portion. A general objective of the present invention is to provide a closure assembly that provides evidence of forcing. This objective is achieved by providing a pin member formed of a portion of the body and a portion of the unitary head by means of a separable portion, wherein upon breaking the detachable portion the portion of the head is separated from the body portion to provide evidence of forcing. Another objective of the present invention is to provide additional evidence of forcing. This objective is achieved by providing a seal on the portion of the head that is deformable during an attempt to rupture the separable portion. The deformable seal provides evidence of forcing. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a closure assembly with a reusable envelope. This objective is achieved by providing a through hole having an insertion end and an outlet end in the shell member receiving the body portion of the pin member through the insertion end, wherein when separating the portion of the head of the portion of the body, the portion of the body passes through the outlet end of the through hole which allows re-use of the envelope member. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a front inlet closure assembly for a meter. This object is achieved by providing a closure assembly with a ring member having legs with overlapping surfaces. The holes formed in the surfaces receive an envelope member extending substantially parallel to an axis defined by the ring member. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the. annexed figures which are part of it, and in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective view of a utility meter with a cover secured by means of a closure assembly embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of separate pieces of the cross section of the shell and pin members of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of the meter ring of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the meter ring of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of the seal of Figure 2; Figure 7 is an alternative embodiment of the pin member for use in a closure assembly embodying the present invention; Figure 8 is another alternative embodiment of the pin member for use in a closure assembly embodying the present invention; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a closure assembly embodying the present invention; and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a pin member for use in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a closure assembly 10 secures a meter ring 12 that surrounds a meter cover 14. The meter ring 12 holds the cover 14 to a housing. meter 16 on a meter 18. The angles 20, 22 fixed to the meter ring 12 include aligning holes 24, 26 to receive the closure assembly 10. The closure assembly 10 is oriented in the holes 24, 26 to allow engagement from the front of the meter case 16. Although the closure assembly 10 is shown securing to a meter ring 12, the closure assembly 10 can be used independently of the meter ring 12 to secure other devices, such as valves, doors, and the like without departing from the scope of the invention. Referring now to Figures 1-3, the closure assembly 10 includes a shell member 28 that can be engaged with a pin member 30 to secure the angles 20, 22 to each other, and prevent undetectable removal of the meter ring 12. around the meter cover 14. The envelope member 28 has a body portion 32 that includes a flange portion 34. The body portion 32 is cylindrical with an axial through hole 36 therethrough defined by an inner wall. 38 for receiving the pin member 30. The through hole 36 includes an insertion end 40 which receives the pin member 30 and an outlet end 42 through which a body portion 60 of the pin member 30 passes when unlocked. the meter ring 12. The pin member 30 is retained by a snap ring 44 received in a radially inward opening groove 46 formed in the inner wall 38. The radial groove 46 has an inclined wall with a radially inward face 48 defining a first diameter and a second diameter. The first diameter is on a side 50 of the radial groove 46 near the outlet end 42 of the through hole 36. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter, and is on a side 52 of the radial groove 46 beyond the outlet end 42 of the through hole 36. Consequently, when the snap ring 44 is pushed in a direction away from the outlet end 42 of the through hole 36 towards the insertion end 40, the snap ring 44 is pushed radially inwardly. in the direction of the center of the through hole 36 by the inclined wall of the radial groove 48 to prevent the removal of the pin member 30 through the insertion end '40. The enclosure member 28 is fixed to one of the angles 22 by means of the rim portion 34 and a mounting ring 54. The rim portion 34 extends radially outwardly from the body portion 32 proximate the outlet end. 42 of the through hole 36. A top surface 55 of the rim portion 34 engages a bottom surface 56 of one of the angles 22 to prevent the envelope member 28 from sliding completely through the hole 26 formed in the angle 22. The mounting ring 54 is retained in a radially outward opening groove 58 formed in the portion of the body 32 between the portion of flange 34 and the insertion end of the through hole 40. The angle 22 is sandwiched between the mounting ring 54 and the flange portion 34 to secure the enclosure member 28 to the angle 22 and simplify the closing of the angles., 22 among themselves. Of course, the envelope member 28 can be secured to one of the angles 20, 22 using other methods, such as welding, ropes, adhesives, and the like, without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the enclosure member 28 is secured to the angles 20, 22 by inserting the pin member 30 into the through hole 36, therefore it is not required to secure the enclosure member 28 to one of the angles 20, 22 before the closure of the meter ring 12. The pin member 30 is inserted into the insertion end 40 of the through hole 36 formed through the envelope member 28, and includes the body portion 60 and a head portion 62 joined by the portion separable 64. The body portion 60 is provided with at least one circumferential groove 66 adapted to receive the snap ring 44 disposed in the through hole of the body portion of the shell member 36. The detachable portion 64 is defined by a groove 68 formed at the junction of the body portion 60 and the head portion 62, such that the head portion 62 can be detached from the body portion 60 to unsecure the medi ring. 12. The head portion 62 may additionally be provided with a recess 70 adapted to receive a pressure application tool for breaking the detachable portion 64 of the pin member 30. Although the removable portion 64 is shown breakable with a force axially applied to the head portion 62, a separable portion capable of breaking can be substituted with the application of other forces, such as torque, bending, cutting, and the like, without departing from the scope of the invention. A seal 72 shown in Figures 2, 3, and 6 is fixed on the head portion 62 which can be penetrated in order to break the separable portion 64 and separate the head portion 62 from the body portion 60. The seal 72 is preferably formed of a non-resilient material, such as plastic, metal, and the like. More preferably, seal 72 is a transparent acrylic. However, a colored, opaque or non-transparent seal may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. However, other materials that provide evidence of forcing, such as sheet, paper, adhesive, wax, and the like can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. invention. A tab 74 extending from the seal 72 which has marks formed thereon, such as a serial number, date, bar code, and other identifying information, can be provided to identify the meter for service persons and another. personal. Although tab 74 with marks formed thereon is shown, a label may be provided with markings thereon and interspersed between seal 72 and head portion 62 without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the identification mark can also be formed on the seal 72, as shown in Figure 6, without departing from the scope of the invention. The seal 72 is secured on the head portion 62 by means of a tongue fastener of the seal 76 received in a clamping ring 78. The seal 72 is sandwiched between the head portion 62 and the tongue fastener of the seal 76 which it is secured in relation to the head portion 62 by means of the clamping ring 78. Although the sealing of the seal 72 on the head portion 62 is described using a clamping ring 78 and a tongue fastener of the seal 76, others may be used. methods known in the art for securing seals to an object, such as by adhesive, thermal bonding, mechanical bonding, and the like, and additional novel methods described below, without departing from the scope of the invention. The clamping ring 78 is a cylindrical member that surrounds the head portion 62, and includes a cylindrical wall 80 having an internal surface 82 that extends between the upper and lower edges 84., 86. A projection 88 extending radially inward from the lower edge 86 engages a lower surface 90 of the head portion 62 to prevent the clamping ring 78 from being pulled axially upwardly beyond the head portion 62. The inner surface 82 extends upwardly beyond the head portion 62, and engages the tongue tab fastener 76 to secure the tongue tab fastener 76 over the seal 72 and the head portion 62. Preferably, a slot 92 is formed in the cylindrical wall 80, and the tongue 74 extends through the slot 92 when the seal 72 is sandwiched between the tongue tab fastener 76 and the head portion 62. The tongue tab fastener 76 is a cylindrical member that defines a through hole 94, and has an external surface 96 that engages the inner surface 82 of the clamping ring 78. Preferably, the clamp of the tongue of the seal 76 is snap-mounted to engage with the internal surface of clamping ring 82 to sandwich seal 72 between seal tab holder 76 and head portion 62, and prevent removal of the tongue tab fastener 76 without leaving evidence of forcing. However, other methods can be used to secure the tongue tab fastener to the clamping ring, such as adhesives, thermal bonding, mechanical bonding, and the like, without departing from the scope of the invention. Advantageously, the through hole of the seal tab holder 94 provides access for the pressure application tool to break the seal 72 and the separable portion 64 when the meter ring 12 is released.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, the closure assembly 10 secures the meter ring 12 positioned around the meter cover 14 to secure the cover 14 to the meter housing 16 on the meter 18. The meter ring 12 defines an axis 98, and is provided with a first and a second end 100, 102, with a first rim 104 extending from the first end of the ring member 100 and a second rim 106 extending radially from the second end of the rim. ring member 102. The first and second flanges 104, 106 extend outwardly from the meter ring 12 and generally parallel with one another. The first angle 20 is fixed to the first flange 104, and includes a first leg 108 and a second leg 110. The first leg 108 extends substantially parallel to the axis of the meter ring 98, and is fixed to the first flange 104 using known methods in FIG. the technique, such as welding, and the like. The second leg 110 extends substantially perpendicular to the first leg 108, and passes over the second ridge 106. The second angle 22 is fixed to the second ridge 106, and includes a first leg 112 and a second leg 114. The first leg 112 extends substantially parallel to the axis of the meter ring 98, and is attached to the second flange 106 using methods known in the art, such as welding, and the like. The second leg 114 of the second angle 22 extends substantially perpendicular to the first leg of the second angle 112 below the second leg 110 of the first angle 20 in an overlapped relationship. The second legs 110, 114 of the first and second angles 20, 22 are, respectively, provided with the holes 24, 26 extending therethrough, the holes 24, 26 being capable of being easily aligned to receive the closure assembly. Preferably, the hole 24 formed in the second leg 110 of the first angle 20 is sized to receive a portion of the envelope member 28 fixed in the hole 26 formed in the second leg 114 of the second angle 22. Advantageously, receiving a portion of the Envelope member 28 in the hole 24 formed in the second leg 110 of the first angle 20 allows a user to maintain the holes 24, 26 in an aligned relationship as the pin member 30 is inserted into the through hole of the envelope member 36. Advantageously, the axes of the aligned holes 24, 26 are substantially parallel to the axis of the meter ring 98 to orient the envelope member of the closure assembly 28 and the pin member 30 substantially parallel to the axis of the meter ring 98. The orientation of the pin member 30 substantially parallel to the axis of the meter ring 98 allows engagement of the separable portion 64 of the closure assembly 10 from a front direction (ie, parallel to the axis of the ring member 98) which provides easy access to break the separable portion 64 and remove the pin member 30 from the shell member 28 disposed in the aligned holes 24, 26. In the embodiment described in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opposite corners 146, 148 of the distal end of the second leg 110, 114 of each angle 20, 22 are rounded. The rounding of the corners 146, 148 exposes latching surfaces 150, 152 for the user to engage to separate the legs 110, 114, and disengage the envelope member 28 from the hole 24 formed in the second leg 110 of the first angle 20 once that the pin member 30 has been removed when unlocking the closure assembly 10. In operation, the body portion of the envelope member 32 is inserted into the first aligned holes 24, 26 beginning with the hole 26 in the second angle 22, and the body portion of the pin member 60 is inserted into the insertion end 40 of the through hole of the envelope member 36 to sandwich the angles 20., 22 between the head portion 62 of the pin member 30 and the shoulder portion 34 of the shell member 28. The snap ring 44 partially enters the circumferential groove 66 to secure the pin member 30 to the shell member 28. To separate the shell and pin members 28, 30 the destruction of the pin member 30 is required. For this purpose, a pressure application tool, such as described in US Patent No. 5,161,835, can be used to break the portion. separable 64 from pin member 30. Of course, other tools, such as screwdriver, pliers, chisel, and the like, may be used to separate head portion 62 from body portion 60 depending on the force required to break the separable portion. 64. By breaking the separable portion 64 the head portion 62 of the body portion 60 is separated, and allows the separation of the angles 20, 22, and therefore of the flanges of the ring member 104, 106. The separation of the flanges of the ring member 104,
106 allows the removal of the meter ring 12 and the meter cover 14 which allows access to the meter 18. Consequently, to gain access to the meter 18, the pin member 30 and the seal 72 are deformed and, once deformed , such deformation is permanent and quite observable. Advantageously, by providing the envelope member 28 with a through hole 36, upon breaking the separable portion 64, the body portion 60 can slide through the outlet end 42 of the through hole 36, and allows the re-member to be reused. 28, and if the envelope member 28 is attached to the meter ring 12, either directly or via an angle 20, 22, the meter ring 12 can be reused. In addition, the deformed seal 72 provides additional evidence of forcing that is difficult to disguise. In yet another embodiment shown in Figure 7, the seal 72 is retained by a seal tab holder in the form of a tubular band 130. An upper edge 132 of the tubular band 130 is folded over the edges of the seal 72, and a lower edge 134 of tubular band 130 is folded under a collar 136 engaging lower surface 90 of head portion 62 of pin member 30. Collar 136 is placed around the edges with outward view of the head portion 62 to support the edges extending outwardly of the seal 72. A printed label 138 sandwiched between the seal 72 and the head portion 62 is shown. However, a mark can be printed directly on the seal 72 without departing from the scope of the invention. Although the collar 136 is shown to provide an additional surface area with an upward view to support the tag 138, the collar 136 can be omitted and the seal 72 can be secured directly on the head portion 62 without departing from the scope of the invention. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a collar 140 that engages the bottom surface 90 of the head portion 62 of the pin member 30 includes a thin-walled upper portion 142. The upper edge 144 of the upper portion 142 is folded over the seal 72 to secure the seal 72 on the head portion 62. In another embodiment shown in Figure 9, the angles 20 ', 22' are provided for use with a conventional meter ring 12 'having ridges that are radially extending 104 ', 106' with holes 116, 118 defining axes extending tangentially to the meter ring 12 '. The angles 20 ', 22' sandwich the edges 104 ', 106' between them, and orient the envelope member 28 and the pin member 30 to allow front engagement of the pin member 30. The second angle 22 'includes a first leg 112 'and a second leg 114'. The first leg 112 'engages a surface facing outwardly from one of the shoulders 106', and includes a post 120 extending substantially perpendicularly from the first leg 112 'through the holes of the flange 116, 118. first angle 20 'includes a first leg 108' and a second leg 110 '. The first leg 108 'engages a surface facing away from the other flange 104', and includes a hole 122 aligned with the holes of the flange 116, 118. The hole of the angle 122 receives the post 120 extending from the second angle 22 'to prevent unauthorized removal of the flanges 104', 106 'from between the first legs 108', 112 'of the angles 20', 22 '. In another embodiment, shown in Figure 10, a pin member 30 'includes a head portion 162 having a rod 166 that extends within the shell member 28'. The body portion 60 'is attached to the rod of the head portion 166 by means of a detachable portion 164 received in the through hole of the shell member 36'. In this embodiment, the separable portion can be broken using a torque or bending force. While it has been shown and described what are currently considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.