Locking device for a meter socket

• US 20050044907A1
• Filed: 08/27/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inner-Tite Corporation
• Original Assignee: Inner-Tite Corporation
• Inventors: Agbay, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,931,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/164
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0089 for utility meters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/31 Hasps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/68 Keepers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/30 Hasp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/443 Single stem or shank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/498 Shields or canopies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5544 Pivoted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5566 External locking devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8541 Mounting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8973 Mounting aids, guides and assistors

Abstract

A lock assembly has a clip, a base, a body, and an interlocking mechanism. The lock assembly is for an enclosure, such as an electrical meter socket with a box, having a side wall and a cover. The clip has a “U” shaped portion for encircling the side wall of the enclosure. The “U” shaped portion has an inner leg, a spanning portion, and an outer leg. The clip has a support portion projecting from an inner leg for supporting the cover of the enclosure. An interface portion of the clip projects from the outer leg. The base is interposed between the side wall of the box and the outer leg of the clip. The base has a flange portion projecting outward and underlying the interface portion of the clip. The flange portion has a hole. The body has an “L” shape including a cover retaining portion and an extending portion. The extending portion has a bore extending from the cover retaining portion. The body has a cavity opening onto an inner surface. The cavity receives the flange portion of the base and the interface portion of the clip. The interlocking mechanism is receivable by the bore of the body and interrelates with the flange portion of the clip and the flange portion of the base for securing the body to the base and the clip, and securing the cover to the box.

Claims

1. A lock assembly for an enclosure having a box with a side wall and a cover, the lock assembly comprising:

a clip having a “

U”

shaped portion for encircling the side wall of the enclosure, the “

U”

shaped portion having an inner leg, a spanning portion, and an outer leg, the clip having a support portion projecting from an inner leg for supporting the cover, and an interface portion projecting from the outer leg;

a base portion interposed between the side wall of the enclosure and the outer leg of the clip, the base having a flange portion projecting outward and underlying the interface portion of the clip, the flange portion having a hole;

a body having an “

L”

shape including a cover retaining portion and an extending portion, the extending portion having a bore extending from the cover retaining portion, the body having a cavity opening onto an inner surface, the cavity receiving the flange portion of the base and the interface portion of the clip; and

an interlocking mechanism receivable by the bore of the body and interrelating with the flange portion of the clip and the flange portion of the base for securing the body to the base and the clip, and securing the cover to the box.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the support portion of the clip has a shelf supported by a pair of support brackets extending from the inner leg portion, the shelf position is in close proximity to the cover of the enclosure.

3. The lock assembly of claim 2 wherein the clip is formed of a single piece of material.

4. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the interface portion of the clip is a flange portion having a hole.

5. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the base has a tapered upper edge for facilitating installation.

6. The lock assembly of claim 5 wherein the base has a thinned upper portion for receipt of the outer leg of the clip.

7. The lock assembly of claim 5 wherein the hole in the base has an enlarged area for receipt of a locking device of the interlocking mechanism.

8. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the body has a plurality of surfaces angled to each other and curved surfaces to limit the surfaces from being securely retained by a tool.

9. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the body has at least one hole extending in the cover retaining portion and further comprising at least one hardened steel pin received by the hole in the base of the body.

10. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the body has a “

U”

shaped lip for encircling the base.

11. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the interlocking mechanism is a barrel lock with a pair of locking balls.

12. A lock assembly for an enclosure comprising:

an “

L”

shape body portion including a cover retaining portion and an extending portion;

the extending portion having a bore;

the extending portion having a cavity opening onto an inner surface; and

a “

U”

shaped lip defining a groove, the groove having the cavity.

13. The lock assembly of claim 12 wherein the body has at least one hole extending in the cover retaining portion and further comprising at least one hardened steel pin received by the hole in the cover retaining portion of the body.

14. The lock assembly of claim 13 wherein the body has a plurality of surfaces angled to each other and curved surfaces to limit the surfaces from being securely retained by a tool.

15. A lock assembly for an enclosure having a box with a side wall, and a cover, the lock assembly comprising:

a clip having a “

U”

shaped portion for encircling the side wall of the enclosure, the “

U”

shaped portion having an inner leg, a spanning portion, and an outer leg, and the clip having a support portion projecting from an inner leg for supporting the cover;

a base portion interposed between the side wall of the enclosure and the outer leg of the clip, the base having a flange portion projecting outward and underlying the interface portion of the clip, the flange portion having a hole;

a body having an “

L”

shape including a cover retaining portion and an extending portion, the extending portion having a bore extending from the cover retaining portion, the body having a cavity opening onto an inner surface, the cavity receiving the flange portion of the base and the interface portion of the clip; and

an interlocking mechanism receivable by the bore of the body and interrelating with the flange portion of the clip and the flange portion of the base for securing the body to the base and the clip, and securing the cover to the box.

16. The lock assembly of claim 15 wherein the support portion of the clip has a retaining flange portion projecting from the outer leg, the retaining flange portion having a hole to accept the interlocking mechanism.

17. The lock assembly of claim 15 wherein the support portion of the clip has a shelf supported by a pair of support brackets extending from the inner leg portion, the shelf position is in close proximity to the cover of the enclosure.

18. A method of locking a meter socket comprising the steps of:

providing a meter box of the meter socket, the box having a side wall with a flange on an upper edge;

placing a clip over the flange;

sliding a base between the side wall of the box and an outer leg of the clip;

placing the cover of the meter socket on the box;

installing a body of a lock with a flange portion of the base received by a cavity of the body and a cover retaining portion of the body overlying the cover; and

inserting a locking device in a bore of the body and through an opening in the flange portion of the base.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the clip has a flange portion with a hole.