WO2008122078A1

WO2008122078A1 - Tamper evident device

Info

Publication number: WO2008122078A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Willrath
Original assignee: Karl Willrath
Priority date: 2007-04-05
Filing date: 2008-04-04
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Also published as: AU2008200737B2; AU2008200737A1

Abstract

A tamper evident device for securing elements, including a body portion (100), a pressing member (116,120) to secure said elements together within said body portion (100), and an interfering member (126) within the body portion (100), which interferes with the subsequent use of the pressing member (116,120) to provide evidence of tampering.

Description

TAMPER EVIDENT DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tamper evident device for securing elements. More particularly, it concerns a device and method for immediate visual recognition as to whether a device has been tampered with subsequent to the securing of elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Tamper evident devices for industrial applications such as electrical switch gear, circuit breakers or electrical connectors are known. For example, US 5,008,645 to Mrenna, describes a circuit breaker device with a tamper indicating seal in the form of a destructible adhesive film. A disadvantage of such prior art devices is that the film may simply be replaced by a person tampering with the device. Consequently, there are no means of indicating to subsequent users whether the device is in fact electrically safe. This may lead to serious injury or even death to subsequent users, unaware of the unsafe state of the device.

Additionally, an adhesive film may not adhere well to the device due to the operational environment. For example, an industrial environment may expose the device to water or fluids, or high levels of dust and dirt such that an adhesive film may simply fall off the device due to unclean surfaces. This again creates a safety hazard as there is no way for subsequent users to ascertain whether the device is safe, without physically handling the device.

Other devices in the electrical industry, such as US 7,136,278 to Allen, have been known to use one-way fasteners as tamper evident means. Such devices are disadvantaged because they are effectively single use devices, in that once the fastener is damaged as a result of tampering, it cannot be reused. Similarly, devices such as that of US 6,537,099 to Herlinger, which include a plastic cover or hood over a connector have the disadvantage of being single use, in that once the hood is damaged due to tampering, the connector is no longer useable. The present invention advantageously provides an alternative to existing tamper evident devices. The device and method according to certain embodiments of the present invention may advantageously be used for securing elements together, wherein the device includes a visible means for readily identifying whether the device 5 has been tampered with, subsequent to the securing of elements, to thereby overcome or ameliorate the problems of prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 0 According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a tamper evident device for securing elements. The device includes a securing member to secure or connect the elements together. The tamper evident device further includes an interfering member which interferes with the securing member only upon tampering of the device. The invention also includes an inspection means to allow the user to

15 immediately identify whether the securing member has been tampered with subsequent to the securing of the elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

>0 The invention will now be described in a non-limiting manner with respect to preferred embodiments in which:-

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a tamper !5 evident fastener.

Figure 3 is another embodiment of a tamper evident fastener of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a further embodiment of a tamper evident fastener of the present invention. 0 Figure 5 is alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a disk having a tamper evident indicator.

Figure 6 is a further embodiment of the tamper evident device of Figure 1 , used as a connector.

Figure 7 is a further embodiment of the tamper evident fastener shown in Figure 2. Figure 8 is a further embodiment of the tamper evident fastener shown in Figure 2.

Figure 8a is an exploded view showing the hidden detail of the embedment illustrated in Figure 8.

Figures 9a and 9b illustrate an embodiment of a fastener including a tamper evident disk according to Figure 5.

Figures 10a and 10b illustrate two further embodiments including a disk having a tamper evident indicator according to Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following discussion and in the claims that follow, the term "including" and "includes" are used, and are to be read, in an open-ended fashion, and should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to . . . ".

A tamper evident device in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention may be used to connect two or more electrical wires together. It should be understood that the term 'electrical wires' is to be given a broad meaning and includes all types of electrical cables such as telecommunication data cables, RF cables and flex wire as is known in the art. Furthermore the term 'connect' is to be given a broad meaning to electrically (or otherwise) connect electrical wires such that they are live or electrically energised, and not restricted to a direct physical connection of the respective wires. That is, the wires may be electrically connected via a conducting body in contact with each wire respectively.

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1 , where a connector device includes means to immediately recognise whether the device has been tampered with subsequent to the securing of electrical wires.

The electrical connector preferably includes a body portion or housing 100 of any suitable electrically insulating material such as plastic or the like. The housing 100 includes a first borehole 102 extending from one side of the housing 100 to the other. The first borehole 102 being of appropriate size to fit an electrical terminal 104 for receiving a wire or wires (not shown) at each end thereof.

The terminal 104 is preferably of tubular construction, forming a primary borehole

5 106, made from any suitable electrical conducting material commonly used for electrical connectors such as metal, or brass, or the like. The terminal 104 further includes a secondary borehole 108 through a side wall of the terminal 104. The secondary borehole 108 preferably includes a circular flange 110 extending outwardly from, and perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the terminal 104, 0 resulting in a T-shaped appearance overall. The internal surface of the flange 110 preferably has a tongue 112 portion extending along the length of the flange 110.

It will be understood by those in the art that the terminal 104 may be modified to any other well known terminal shape such as an elbow terminal, with the housing 100 5 moulded accordingly to fit such a terminal.

The housing 100 similarly preferably includes a second borehole 114, substantially perpendicular to the first borehole 102 such that the internal bores 102, 114 of the housing 100 are positioned to allow the terminal 104 to be encased and held in place 20 by the electrically inert housing 100.

A pressing member in the form of a tubular tumbler 116 is preferably placed in the second borehole 114 of the housing 100. The tumbler 116 further includes a proximal head portion 118 and a hollow distal portion. The tumbler 116 is preferably of a

>5 sufficient length to allow the hollow distal portion to abut and concentrically align with the flange 110 of the terminal 104 once the tumbler 116 is inserted in to the housing 100. The head portion 118 of the tumbler 116 is preferably shaped in a manner that allows easy rotation of the tumbler 116 by the use of hand tools. Suitable shapes including screw heads, a hexagonal or other shaped fastening arrangement.

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A threaded clamp screw 120 is preferably provided to concentrically align with and fit into the tumbler 116. The clamp screw 120 has a groove 122 matching the tongue portion 112 of the internal surface of the flange 110. In use, clamp screw 120 is placed inside the tumbler 116 and aligned with the tongue 112 of the flange 110 so that rotation of the proximal head 118 of the tumbler 116 affords the clamp screw 120 to extend through the secondary borehole 108 of the terminal 104 and into the primary borehole 106 of the terminal 104, thereby pressing against any wires inserted into the primary borehole 106, clamping them against an internal surface of the terminal 104 opposite said secondary borehole 108, thus providing an electrical connection between two or more wires.

The housing 100 further preferably includes an inspection port 124, allowing a user to view the tumbler 116 rotating when the head portion 118 is turned. Fixed within the housing 100 is a scrapper blade 126 such that at least an edge of the blade 126 partially extends into view through the inspection port 124. It will be appreciated that the housing 100 may be made of a transparent material (such as Perspex) allowing the user an uninterrupted view of the scrapper blade 126, and any other internal components.

The scrapper blade 126 is preferably serrated, and may be made of any suitably rigid material such as metal or a relevant plastic. The scrapper blade 126 is preferably angled in the housing 100 such that it allows the tumbler 116 to rotate without interference when turned in one direction, and conversely, interferes with the tumbler 116 when rotated in the opposite direction. Alternatively, the scrapper blade 126 may be bevelled to allow any material on the tumbler 116 to pass by without interference in one direction of rotation and interfere with the material on rotation in the opposite direction. The term 'interfere' is to be given a broad meaning and refers to any situation that may impede the rotation of the tumbler in a manner sufficient to mark the tumbler or material thereon, yet still allow rotation. Examples of interference are described below.

In use, a thin film material is placed around the external surface of the tumbler 116 to be inserted into the housing 100. The film material may include electrical or adhesive tape, or may simply be a strip of paper. Other suitable materials may include a thin film of wax, chalk, paint or Crayon® to coat the external surface of the tumbler 116. Further, the material may include a form of data trace material, wherein a coating is placed on the tumbler that may exhibit unique properties. That is, despite the material being interfered with and damaged, it will still provide relevant information to a user. Such material will be referred to as 'marker material' throughout the remainder of the description.

Once the tumbler 116 and clamp screw 120 are inserted into the housing 100 in the manner discussed above, the tumbler 116 is rotated by turning the proximal head 118 to effect the securing of wires inserted through the first borehole 102 (wires not shown) via the clamp screw 120 pressing the wires against an internal surface of the terminal 104.

If the tumbler 116 is subsequently rotated the scrapper blade 126 will scrape across the marker material on the tumbler 116. As the scrapper blade 126 is viewable by the user, for example looking through the inspection port 124, it becomes readily apparent that the connector has been tampered with due to the build up of marker material on the blade 126. Hence the user is immediately made aware of a potentially hazardous situation.

As discussed above, the housing may be made of any suitable material and be of any required colour. The housing and associated components of the present invention may be made in various sizes to accommodate various wire, cable or flex of different gauges to be secured.

The housing may be moulded and manufactured in two half pieces being held together by suitable means such as a grub screw, recessed in one half and extending into the second half to pull the pieces together. Such a configuration has the advantage of allowing easy insertion of the terminal into one half of the housing, and screwing the component pieces together.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the use a microscopic identifying means, such as DataDotDNA®, (herein after referred to as 'data dots'). Data dots are a collection of tiny discs of a polyester substrate invisible to the naked eye, onto which information may be laser etched. This may include information about the tradesperson performing the securing task, such as name, license/registration number, company, and the date the task was undertaken. Any relevant information relating to the task may be employed on the data dot. Typically, data dots are pre-mixed in a UV based adhesive. This allows the identifying means to be readily applied onto a surface of the tumbler, and allowed to set. The presence of the data dots is detected with a UV light, whilst the actual 5 information on the data dots is read by simple magnifying means.

A tamper evident device incorporating one or more data dots is used in a similar manner to that previously described. An adhesive containing the data dot is applied to the external surface of the tumbler 116 and allowed to cure. Once cured, the 0 device is used in the usual manner with the additional requirement that a UV light is needed to illuminate the inspection port 124 in order to render the data dots visible. Consequently, the information supplied on the identifying means is kept confidential and substantially protected from the surrounding environment until required. Furthermore the information may only be revealed to those who are aware of the

15 presence of the identifying means on the device, such as safety inspectors. Again, any tampering with the device may be detected by illuminating the inspection port and inspecting the state of the one or more data dots.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig 2. This >0 embodiment exemplifies a tamper evident fastener for securing or joining end portions of two hoses or pipes together. The fastener is shown in the form of a nut 210 and preferably includes an inspection means 212, demonstrated in the form of a window, to allow the user to view at least a part of an interference member 214, and a threaded portion 222 of a pipe or hose when joined. !5

As shown in Figure 2, the tamper evident fastener 210 is fitted onto a first pipe or hose 216, having an end flange 218. The end flange 218 is received and held in the fastener 210 as it is screwed onto the thread 222 of a second hose or pipe 220. Once fastened together, a portion of marker material is placed onto the thread 222 O through the inspection means 212. Alternatively, a drop of adhesive containing an identifying means such as data dots, may be applied through the inspection means 212 and allowed to cure. The interference member 214 is preferably positioned inside the fastener to facilitate tightening about the thread 222 of the second hose or pipe 220, without hindrance. However, interference member 214 is preferably located such that it will interfere with threaded portion 222, and more particularly interfere with any material on the threaded portion 222, if the fastener 210 is loosened to indicate that the connection between the respective hose or pipes has been tampered with.

It is to be understood that the tamper evident fastener may be manufactured with a left hand thread as well as the conventional right hand thread. This allows the device to be used in applications such as the connection of gas lines or the like, where left handed threads are commonly used.

It is to be further understood that the fastener need not be limited to a nut and corresponding thread. An interference member and collective parts in accordance with the present invention may be incorporated on a number of fastening means, depending on the required environment and industrial applicability.

The tamper proof fastener described with reference to Figure 2 may be used to fasten or secure hydraulic or fuel lines or hoses, plumbing pipes, gas lines or another other hoses or pipes which are mated together using threaded ends and a fastening nut arrangement. Similarly it will be realised by the person skilled in the art that the tamper evident fastener may be used to fix a single hose or pipe end to a liquid or gas container having a thread connection between the container and any hose or pipe; examples of which include LPG bottles or cylinders, petrol tanks, or brake fluid containers, water cisterns etc.

A further embodiment of a tamper evident fastener is shown in Figure 3, where a fastening nut 310 is placed over a threaded element 316. In this configuration, an inspection window 312 and interference means 314 is cut into a side face of the fastening nut 310 allowing greater visibility into the inspection window 312 for smaller fastening nuts, typically 20 mm in diameter or less.

Figure 4 shows an additional embodiment of a tamper evident fastener 410, which may be used when a particular torque setting is required. The figure shows an inspection means 412 located on an end face of the fastening means along with an interference member 414. The fastening means is tightened on the thread 416 to a particular torque setting in a known manner. A marker material and/or identifying means is placed on at least a portion of the thread 416 in similar regard to that described above. If the fastener 410 is subsequently tampered with, or loosened, the interference member 414 will interfere with the marker material placed on the thread.

This advantageous configuration of the inspection member 412 and the interference member 414 being situated on an end face of the fastener 410 allows the side faces of the nut to accommodate a torque wrench without damaging the tamper evident components. The marker material and/or data dot may be applied to the element to be fastened once the required torque setting is achieved. It will be appreciated that the torque setting may be completed at the point of manufacture or assembly, allowing any subsequent tampering that may change the torque setting to be easily and immediately identified.

A further embodiment of the invention is exemplified in Figure 5 where a disk 510 is fitted into a recessed keyway 528 in a connecting block 520. The disk 510 includes at least one tamper evident element having an inspection means 512, consisting preferably of a viewing window, and an interference member 514, preferably in the form of a scrapper blade. The disc 510 is able to freely rotate within the keyway 528. The disk 510 preferably further includes a profile 516 to aid its rotation. The profile may include screw driver profiles such as a Phillips head slot or Torx® Hex keys profiles.

Also shown with the connecting block 520 is a tumbler 522 and a clamp screw 524. A keyway is positioned within the tumbler 522 in a manner to that previously described. The connecting block 520 includes a borehole 526 for receiving two or more elements to be connected or secured.

In operation, the head of the tumbler 522 has a profile identical to that of the disk 510. The disk 510 is held in the keyway 528 of the block 520 adjacent the head of the tumbler 522 and rotated until the two profiles are in alignment. Upon aligning the profile of the disk 510 with that of the tumbler head, the tumbler 522 may then be further rotated to allow the clamp screw 524 to travel into or out of the borehole 526 as required. Once the desired position is reached, the disk 510 is rotated out of alignment with the tumbler 522, and appropriate marker material an/or identifying means, such as at least one data dot, applied through the inspection window such

5 that it adheres to the surface of the tumbler 522. Any subsequent tampering with the tumbler 522 in an attempt to interfere with the secure connection would first require the disk 510 to be rotated back into alignment with the head of the tumbler 522. This would result in the interference member 514 interfering with the marker material and/or the data dot on the tumbler 522 thereby enabling immediate visual 0 identification of tampering.

It will apparent to those skilled in the art that further embodiments and applications of a disk containing an interference member and inspection means are possible. For example, rather than a keyway described above, the disk maybe threaded onto the 5 end of a connecting block.

Further variations for a tamper evident disk may include the profile on the disk being replaced with a small off-centre aperture that is large enough to allow a user's finger to be inserted therethrough. The user may rotate the disk with their finger until the

10 disk is aligned with a push button switch. The switch may then be activated, whilst the rotation of the disk has caused the interference member to interfere with marking material and evidence of use of the switch is immediately indicated. Typically, such a disk could be applied to switches used only for emergency situations such as in an elevator, or stop/go switches on machinery, for example.

>5

Alternatively, a tamper evident disk in accordance with the present invention may be employed on housing means, such as a safe. It will be appreciated that the tumbler and disk may have a unique profile that may only be rotated with a corresponding key. In similar regard to the above, once the key facilitates rotation of the tumbler, the

K) respective interference member will interfere with marking material and/or identifying means, and evidence of access is immediately indicated. A number of inspection means may be employed, as well as a number of interference members, each corresponding to individual keys. Accordingly, rotation of the tumbler by a particular key may only interfere with marking material and/or identifying means that is viewable through a particular inspection means, allowing identification of the user.

Turning to the embodiments shown in Figures 6-10. Figure 6 illustrates the tamper 5 evident fastener having been designed to connect electrical wires as previously described. Figure 6 shows a terminal 1 , to receive electrical wires within the housing 2. Also illustrated is a tumbler 3, containing a clamp screw 5, used to press and retain wires against the interior wall of the terminal 1. The tamper evident indicator in this embodiment is a disk shaped scraper 4. 10

Figures 7 and 8 show further embodiments of a tamper evident fastener as illustrated in Figure 2. The embodiments preferably are used for securing end portions of hoses or pipes together. The tamper evident fastener is shown in the form of a nut including circular inspection windows to allow a user to view at least a part of the 15 threaded portion of one of the hose or pipe ends. Typically, such a tamper fastener is used to join hoses or pipes carrying materials such as gases, automotive or hydraulic fluids or similar industrial liquids.

Figure 8a illustrates an exploded view, including the hidden detail of the embodiment 20 of the invention shown in Figure 8.

Figures 9a and 9b show a further embodiment of a tamper evident device used as an electrical connector. This embodiment of the invention preferably includes a disk having a tamper evident indicator to indicate whether the connector block has been >5 interfered or tampered with. The disk is fitted into a recess in the connector block to allow for a flush finish to the block, and yet the disk is able to rotate freely within the recess, as previously shown and described with reference to Figure 5.

Figures 10a and 10b shows two further embodiments of the invention utilising a 50 freely rotating tamper evident disc as a means to indicate whether or not a lock has been tampered with. Such a device may be used to provide security to any access point requiring keyed security. It is to be understood that the above embodiments have been provided only by way of exemplification of this invention, and that further modifications and improvements thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the current invention described and claimed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tamper evident device for securing elements, including: a body portion;

5 a pressing member to secure said elements together within said body portion; an interfering member within the body portion, which interferes with the subsequent use of the pressing member.

2. A tamper evident electrical connector for securing wires, the connector0 including: a housing portion of electrically inert material having a first borehole for receiving said wires; a terminal member, said terminal member located within said housing portion; a pressing member insertable through a second borehole in said housing5 portion and insertable through a borehole in said terminal member, to effect the securing of wires in the terminal member; said housing portion further including means to enable a user to view said pressing member within said housing portion; and an interference means having at least a part thereof visible through said ϊO housing portion, wherein said interference means is capable of interfering with at least a portion of said pressing member upon subsequent use of the pressing member.

3. A tamper evident electrical connector as defined in claim 2, wherein said ,5 housing portion includes an inspection port to enable a user to view at least part of the interference means.

4. A tamper evident electrical connector as defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein a portion of said pressing member is coated with at least one data dot, such that said

0 interference means will interfere with said data dot upon subsequent use of the pressing member.

5. A tamper evident fastener for securing elements, the fastener including: an internal threaded portion; an interference member for interfering with an externally threaded end portion of one element to be secured, a means for viewing at least a portion of the interference member.

6. A tamper evident fastener as defined in claim 6, wherein said fastening nut is adapted to receive an end flange of a first hose or pipe, and subsequently is able to be screwed onto a threaded portion of a second end of hose or pipe in order to effect connection between the respective pipe or hose ends.