US3855851A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-proof time interval recording system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-26
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1991-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-proof time interval (i.e., engine operating hours) recording system. An elapsed-time recorder actuated in response to engine oil pressure is enclosed and securely protected from tampering by a protective enclosure. A mounting arrangement secures the enclosure to the engine or other apparatus as to which operating time is to be recorded. The system includes an oil pressure conduit adapted to be connected between the enclosure and the apparatus for causing operation of the recorder in response to operation of the apparatus (e.g., operation of an internal combustion engine thereof). A connector arrangement connects the conduit between enclosure and apparatus so as substantially to prevent nondestructive disconnection of the conduit following connection thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 W Paul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M15/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A tamper-proof recording device comprising: a parameter recording instrument; a protective enclosure for said instrument, said enclosure when intact securely protecting said instrument from tampering, and adapted for being secured to apparatus with regard to which a parameter is to be recorded by said instrument; means for securing said enclosure to said apparatus; a conduit adapted to be connected for providing communication between said instrument and said apparatus to cause recording by said instrument of said parameter in response to operation of said apparatus; and connector means for connecting said conduit between said enclosure and said apparatus so as substantially to prevent nondestructive disconnection of said conduit following said connecting thereof, said conduit comprising a length of tubular material, said material being relatively flexible but resisting any substantial twisting thereof, said connector means comprising respective threaded fittings at opposite ends of said material for being respectively threaded to connections at said enclosure and said apparatus, said fittings each having the same thread direction orientation whereby when both are threaded neither of said fittings may be turned in a direction to cause unthreading by loosening thereof withOut causing tightening of the other fitting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A tamper-proof recording device comprising: a parameter recording instrument; a protective enclosure for said instrument, said enclosure when intact securely protecting said instrument from tampering, and adapted for being secured to apparatus with regard to which a parameter is to be recorded by said instrument; means for securing said enclosure to said apparatus; a conduit adapted to be connected for providing communication between said instrument and said apparatus to cause recording by said instrument of said parameter in response to operation of said apparatus; and connector means for connecting said conduit between said enclosure and said apparatus so as substantially to prevent nondestructive disconnection of said conduit following said connecting thereof, said conduit comprising a length of tubular material, said material being relatively flexible but resisting any substantial twisting thereof, said connector means comprising respective threaded fittings at opposite ends of said material for being respectively threaded to connections at said enclosure and said apparatus, said fittings each having the same thread direction orientation whereby when both are threaded neither of said fittings may be turned in a direction to cause unthreading by loosening thereof withOut causing tightening of the other fitting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conduit must be destructively disconnected, following connection thereof between said enclosure and said apparatus, to permit disassembly of said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connector means comprises a plug and a receptacle, said plug being receivable by said receptacle to connect said conduit to said enclosure, said plug and receptacle cooperating to prevent removal of said plug from said receptacle, when received thereby, while said enclosure is intact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tamper-proof recording device set forth in claim 3 wherein said plug is carried at one end of said conduit, said receptacle being positioned at a surface of said enclosure, said plug including latch means preventing removal of said plug from said receptacle when received thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said latch means comprises a snap ring, said snap ring expanding in said receptacle to prevent removal of said plug and being releasable only from within said enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for securing said enclosure comprises a bracket element adapted for substantially permanent attachment to said apparatus and having an aperture generally in alignment with said receptacle, said conduit passing through said aperture when said plug is received by said receptacle to prevent removal of said enclosure from said apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the instrument is an elapsed-time meter, said enclosure including means responsive to fluid pressure for causing operation of said meter, said conduit providing fluid pressure communication between said apparatus and the fluid pressure-responsive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conduit provides fluid pressure communication between said apparatus and a fluid pressure-responsive means included in said enclosure and wherein said tubular material is relatively compressible and elastic and wherein said conduit further includes a length of relatively incompressible yet flexible tubular material extending through the bore of the compressible tubular material whereby clamping of said conduit causes substantial deformation of only said compressible tubular material and said clamping is substantially precluded from interrupting said fluid pressure communication.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conduit provides fluid pressure communication between said apparatus and a fluid pressure-responsive means included in said enclosure and wherein said tubular material is relatively compressible and elastic and wherein said conduit further includes a length of relatively incompressible yet flexible material extending through the bore of said tubular material and having a generally circular cross section of outside diameter less than the diameter of said bore, whereby upon the application of compressive forces to said conduit the tubular material may engage both sides of the incompressible material in the plane of said compressive forces but will not completely engage the entire circumference of said incompressible material so that interruption of said fluid pressure communication is substantially precluded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the incompressible material comprises steel tubing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said elapsed-time meter is electrically powered, said enclosure including an electric power source for powering said meter, the fluid pressure-responsive means comprising a fluid pressure switch connected in a circuit with said power source and said meter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
183 words
A tamper-proof time interval recording device comprising: an elapsed-time recording means adapted for being operated in resPonse to fluid pressure; a protective enclosure for said recording means, said enclosure when intact securely protecting said recording means from tampering, and adapted for being secured to apparatus with regard to which an operating time is to be recorded by said recording means; means for securing said enclosure to said apparatus; a relatively flexible conduit adapted to be connected for providing fluid pressure communication between said recording means and said apparatus to cause operation of said recording means in response to operation of said apparatus, said conduit resisting twisting of one end thereof with respect to the other; and connector means including respective threaded fittings at the ends of said conduit for being respectively threaded to provide connections at said enclosure and at said apparatus, said fittings each having the same thread direction orientation whereby when both are threaded to provide said connections neither of said fittings may be turned in a direction to cause unthreading by loosening thereof without causing tightening of the other fitting.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
183 words
A tamper-proof time interval recording device comprising: an elapsed-time recording means adapted for being operated in resPonse to fluid pressure; a protective enclosure for said recording means, said enclosure when intact securely protecting said recording means from tampering, and adapted for being secured to apparatus with regard to which an operating time is to be recorded by said recording means; means for securing said enclosure to said apparatus; a relatively flexible conduit adapted to be connected for providing fluid pressure communication between said recording means and said apparatus to cause operation of said recording means in response to operation of said apparatus, said conduit resisting twisting of one end thereof with respect to the other; and connector means including respective threaded fittings at the ends of said conduit for being respectively threaded to provide connections at said enclosure and at said apparatus, said fittings each having the same thread direction orientation whereby when both are threaded to provide said connections neither of said fittings may be turned in a direction to cause unthreading by loosening thereof without causing tightening of the other fitting.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tamper-proof time interval recording device as set forth in claim 12 further comprising means for substantially preventing clamping of said conduit from interrupting said pressure communication.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
A tamper-proof time interval recording device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said connector means comprises a plug and a receptacle, said plug being receivable by said receptacle following threading of said fittings, said plug and receptacle cooperating to prevent removal of said plug from said receptacle, when received thereby, and to prevent twisting of said plug and receptacle with respect to one another.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
84 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the length of incompressible tubular material is shorter than the length of compressible tubular material with the outside diameter of the former being less than the inside diameter of the latter whereby said conduit has parallel fluid pressure communication paths through the bore of said length of incompressible tubular material and between the outside surface of the length of compressible tubular material and the inside surface of the length of incompressible tubular material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tamper-proof recording device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conduit further comprises a flexible armor sheath surrounding said tubular material.
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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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |