Anti-tampering device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11060553-B2
Application number	US-201916435905-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2019
Priority date	Jun 14, 2018
Publication date	Jul 13, 2021
Grant date	Jul 13, 2021

Abstract

Disclosed is an anti-tampering device including a threaded element having a thread defining a screwing axis and an engaging surface for engagement with a driving tool, and a protection body for preventing the driving tool from engaging the engaging surface. The protection body is coupled to the threaded element so that they are mutually blocked in a direction parallel to the screwing axis and free to spin around the screwing axis.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An anti-tampering device comprising:
a threaded element having a thread defining a screwing axis and an engaging surface for engagement with a driving tool;
a protection body for preventing the driving tool from engaging the engaging surface;
a cylindrical housing having a threaded portion along the screwing axis;
a pin accommodated within the cylindrical housing and configured to slide between an extracted position and a retracted position; and
a spring within the cylindrical housing configured to push the pin towards the extracted position;
wherein the protection body is coupled to the threaded element so that the protection body and threaded element are mutually blocked in a direction parallel to the screwing axis and free to spin around the screwing axis.

2. The anti-tampering device according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging surface of the threaded element is a prismatic surface whose generators are parallel to the screwing axis.

3. The anti-tampering device according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging surface is an external surface of the threaded element and the protection body comprises an annular wall surrounding the engaging surface.

4. The anti-tampering device according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging surface is an internal surface delimiting cavity of the threaded element and the protection body comprises a back wall that covers at least partially a mouth of the cavity.

5. The anti-tampering device according to claim 1 , wherein the protection body is coupled to the threaded element by a retaining ring partly accommodated in an annular groove of the threaded element and partly accommodated in an annular groove of the protection body.

6. The anti-tampering device according to claim 5 , wherein the protection body's annular groove is realized on an internal surface of an annular wall of the protection body which surrounds at least partially the threaded element and which has at least an open end for coupling with the threaded element.

7. The anti-tampering device according to claim 6 , wherein an opposite end of the annular wall is closed by a back wall of the protection body.

8. The anti-tampering device according to claim 6 , wherein an opposite end of the annular wall is open.

9. The anti-tampering device according to claim 6 , wherein the internal surface of the annular wall comprises, between the open end and the annular groove, an annular portion tapered towards the annular groove.

10. The anti-tampering device according to claim 6 , further comprising:
an elastomeric ring coaxially interposed between the cylindrical housing and an annular wall of the protection body.

11. The anti-tampering device according to claim 5 , wherein the retaining ring has a rectangular cross-section.

12. The anti-tampering device according to claim 1 , wherein the thread of the threaded element is a female thread.

13. The anti-tampering device according to claim 12 , wherein the threaded element of the cylindrical housing is a male thread that is screwed into the female thread of the threaded element.

14. The anti-tampering device according to claim 13 , further comprising:
an elastomeric ring coaxially interposed between the cylindrical housing and the annular wall of the protection body.

15. A method for assembly of an anti-tampering device, the method comprising:
providing a threaded element having a thread defining a screwing axis and an engaging surface for engagement with a driving tool;
providing a protection body for preventing the driving tool from engaging the engaging surface;
providing a cylindrical housing having a threaded portion along a screwing axis;
providing a pin accommodated within the cylindrical housing and configured to slide between an extracted position and a retracted position;
providing a spring within the cylindrical housing configured to push the pin towards the extracted position; and
coupling the protection body to the threaded element so that the protection body and the threaded element are mutually blocked in a direction parallel to the screwing axis and free to spin around the screwing axis.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the engaging surface of the threaded element is a prismatic surface whose generators are parallel to the screwing axis.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the engaging surface is an external surface of the threaded element and the protection body comprises an annular wall surrounding the engaging surface.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the engaging surface is an internal surface delimiting a cavity of the threaded element and the protection body comprises a back wall that covers at least partially a mouth of the cavity.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the protection body is coupled to the threaded element by a retaining ring partly accommodated in an annular groove of the threaded element and partly accommodated in an annular groove of the protection body.

20. An internal combustion engine comprising:
at least one cylinder; and
an anti-tampering device, the anti-tampering device comprising:
a threaded element having a thread defining a screwing axis and an engaging surface for engagement with a driving tool; and
a protection body for preventing the driving tool from engaging the engaging surface;
a cylindrical housing having a threaded portion along the screwing axis;
a pin accommodated within the cylindrical housing and configured to slide between an extracted position and a retracted position; and
a spring within the cylindrical housing configured to push the pin towards the extracted position;
wherein the protection body is coupled to the threaded element so that the protection body and threaded element are mutually blocked in a direction parallel to the screwing axis and free to spin around the screwing axis.

Assignees

• Lombardini Srl
• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Manelli Stefano
• Magnani Marco
• Rosastri Luciano
• Scarpellini Valentino

Classifications

• F16B43/001

  for sealing or insulation · CPC title

• F16B21/183

  internal, i.e. with spreading action · CPC title

• F16B41/005 Primary

  Measures against unauthorised operation of bolts, nuts or pins (F16B23/0007, F16B23/0061, F16B23/0069, F16B23/0076 and F16B31/02 take precedence; locks, keys E05B; for valves, taps or cocks F16K35/00; for pipe-joints with swivel-nuts F16L19/005) · CPC title

• F02D2250/18

  Control of the engine output torque · CPC title

• F02B37/186

  Arrangements of actuators or linkage for bypass valves · CPC title