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Apparatus and method for securing a watt-hour electrical meter to a socket box

a technology of electrical meters and socket boxes, applied in mechanical devices, instruments, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of service providers being forced to disconnect service to customers, meters cannot be easily removed without,

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-12-29
DEWALCH TECH INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The ring sealed meter socket box is designed such that, once a meter is plugged into the socket and the box cover is installed over the meter head, the meter cannot easily be removed without first removing the sealing ring.
Also, service providers are sometimes forced to disconnect service to customers, for example, due to non-payment of monthly bills.
However, in instances where a small latch assembly on the box fails to provide sufficient security for the meter and socket box, a sturdier, more tamper resistant solution is required.

Method used

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  • Apparatus and method for securing a watt-hour electrical meter to a socket box
  • Apparatus and method for securing a watt-hour electrical meter to a socket box
  • Apparatus and method for securing a watt-hour electrical meter to a socket box

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Embodiment Construction

[0037] According to a specific, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, and referring now to FIG. 3a, an apparatus for securing a watt-hour electrical meter to a socket box cover comprises an annular band 100, a body portion of which is divided to comprise opposed tab members 176, 178. In certain embodiments, an interior diameter 130 of annular band 100 is selected to fit around a watt-hour meter and socket box flange combination in accord with industry standards, for example, in accord with the industrial standard for watt-hour meters set by the American National Standards Institute (“ANSI”). In other embodiments, however, an interior diameter 130 of annular band 100 is selected to secure electrical meters of non-standard or proprietary sizes that do not meet the ANSI industrial standards for watt-hour meters.

[0038] According to one example embodiment, annular band 100 is formed from a metallic material. In another embodiment, the band is extruded from a metal strip. In a furthe...

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PUM

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Abstract

The instant disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for securing a watt-hour electrical meter to a socket meter box. A locking ring comprises a divided annular band fitted with tab members configured to accept a variety of ring fasteners. The tab members support a variety of ring fastener and fastener receiver assemblies, and have complementary mating surfaces that substantially mate around the head of an installed meter so that the locking ring is tamper-resistant. The ring fastener and fastener receiver have a number of complementary apertures disposed to receive either wire seals or other locking mechanisms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Electrical service providers generally deliver electricity to their customers via power lines buried underground or distributed along poles or towers overhead. The provider's power lines are usually distributed from a power generation station to various sets of customer lines, so that customers can then use the power to satisfy their various electrical needs. To measure delivered power so that customers can be billed in proportion to their usage, service providers typically terminate their power lines at a customer's home or business facility through a metered socket box, various designs for which are well known. [0002] For example, one known watt-hour meter socket consists of a meter box having two sets of electrical connections, with a provider's transmission lines being connected to one set of connections, and the customer's service lines to the other set. To establish a circuit and measure the amount of electricity a customer uses, the socket b...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65D45/30G01R11/04H01H71/02
CPCG01R11/04Y10T292/205
Inventor DAVIDSON, ZACHARY L.
Owner DEWALCH TECH INC