Itw Limited

Alfred E Piper

Alan M Meeks

John P Palmer

Neil P Blackburn

Richard J Harris

A one-piece plastics moulding includes a pair of flaps 12a, 12b connected by a hinge 14. Both of the flaps 12a, 12b are slotted so that, when they are folded about the hinge 14 to their closed position, a pair of parallel bars 22, 24 is presented for use in adjustably securing a strap 20. Both of the flaps 12a, 12b have spikes 54, 56 for use in trapping a web-like workpiece 48. Any parts of the buckle 10 which touch, such as free ends of the spikes 56 located in complementary apertures 52, can be fixed together by ultrasonic welding, heat sealing or adhesive.

Buckles

There is described a tamper-proof fastener for use in security applications, the fastener comprising inner and outer members interconnected by flexible straps. The inner and outer members each comprise a leading end, a shank, and a trailing end, the shank of the outer member consisting of two substantially parallel legs defining between them an open-sided passage which contracts towards the leading end, and the leading end of the outer member consisting of two limbs which define between them an open-sided space and converge to a tip where they are interconnected, each limb being connected to a respective leg and presenting an external shoulder facing away from the tip and an internal shoulder facing towards the tip, the trailing end of the outer member including outwardly extending portions presenting an external shoulder facing the leading of the outer member. The inner member is initially positioned so that its leading end lies in the open-sided passage, the leading of the inner member is capable of moving longitudinally to a position within the leading end of the outer member, shoulders formed on the leading end of the inner member then engaging the internal shoulders of the outer member to resist removal of the leading end of the inner member from the leading of the outer member.

Security fastener

The invention relates to straps which include an elongate strap portion, a housing at one end of the strap and a screw member which is adapted to be positioned in the housing to draw the strap portion through the housing. In particular, the invention relates to straps which are easily drawn to a predetermined tension about an article by means of a screw member having a weakened section between the head and the threaded shank. The weakened section fractures when a predetermined torque on the screw member is reached, preventing overtightening and also indicating that the required tension in the strap portion has been reached. The screw may have two heads, the second head being revealed when the first breaks off, to permit the strap portion to be released. Straps according to the invention may also be used as security seals, if no second head is provided, as then the strap must be broken to be removed.

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Basingstoke, United Kingdom

Alfred E Piper