Front entry electric meter locking assembly

• US 4,674,304 A
• Filed: 05/14/1980
• Issued: 06/23/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: E J Brooks Company
• Original Assignee: E J Brooks Company
• Inventors: Guiler, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Application Number:
  US06/149,662
• Time in Patent Office: 2,596 Days
• Field of Search: 324/110, 361/364, 361/369, 361/370, 361/371, 70/34, 70/164, 70/166, 70/232, 70/DIG. 57, 292/256.67
• US Class Current: 70/164
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0089 for utility meters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/365 with locking means in the form of balls or rollers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/57 Screw guard
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/214 Screw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5566 External locking devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5867 Encased

Abstract

A locking cover assembly for the ends of an electric meter retaining ring, to receive a lock bolt from the front side thereof to retain the cover in place and thereby prevent access to the clamping bolt that retains the ring in place. The cover comprises a housing having an internal locking plate apertured to receive the end of a lock bolt in a position such that it extends between the legs of the retaining ring and over the clamping bolt.

Claims

1. A housing for use with an electric meter clamping ring of the type having a generally circular portion and downwardly extending parallel ends having means thereon receiving a clamping screw or the like for drawing the ends together, said housing being shaped and dimensioned to receive a lock bolt of the type comprising an elongated solid shank with locking elements near one end which are radially movable between a locking and an unlocking position by means of a tool inserted into an aperture in the front end thereof, said housing comprising a hollow body having an opening in the upper surface to receive said downwardly extending parallel ends and said clamping screw, a lock aperture in the front of the housing, and means in the housing associated with the lock aperture to receive said bolt, said means being so positioned and dimensioned that the forward end of the assembled lock bolt extends over the clamping screw to prevent removal of the housing, and means in the housing positioned for engagement with the locking elements of the bolt.

2. A locking housing as set out in claim 1 in which the opening in the top of the housing has a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the clamping ring which is only slightly greater than the width of the end portions of the clamping ring, the top side edges of the housing at said aperture having recessed portions positioned to receive the portion of the clamping ring adjacent the end portions.

3. A housing as set out in claim 1 in which a lock receiving bushing is provided in the lock aperture and a locking plate having a lock receiving opening is provided in the housing, the inner end of said bushing extending to the locking plate.