Meter box lock assembly

• US 6,763,691 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inner-Tite Corporation
• Original Assignee: Inner-Tite Corporation
• Inventors: Rafferty, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Ruth C.
• Application Number:
  US09/795,701
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 109/1.R, 109/1.S, 109/23, 109/26, 109/31, 109/38, 109/48, 109/49.5, 109/50, 109/52, 109/54, 109/58.5, 109/59.R, 109/65, 269/53, 269/54.1, 269/76, 269/89, 269/41, 269/143, 269/249, 70/32--34, 70/63, 701/59--73, 70/77, 702/32, 70D/IG.34, 292/281, 292/288, 292/256, 292/DIG.11, 292/340, 292/341.18, 361/664-669
• US Class Current: 70/164
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0089 for utility meters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/188 Removably mounted securing devices, e.g. devices clamped to the wing or the frame E05C19/182 - E05C19/186 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5093 For closures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5566 External locking devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5867 Encased

Abstract

A lock assembly for use in combination with an electric meter box or other like enclosure having a bottom, a side wall, and a cover which may be opened to gain access to the interior of the box, and which when closed, overlaps an upper edge of the side wall. The lock assembly includes a bracket having first and second mutually spaced flanges integrally joined by an intermediate web. A jaw is mechanically interengaged with and carried by the bracket for movement between its flanges. The bracket is configured for removable mounting on the side wall, with its intermediate web interposed between the cover and the upper edge of the side wall, and with the first flange and the jaw respectively located adjacent exterior and interior surfaces of the side wall. The jaw is urged towards the first flange to clamp the side wall therebetween, and a cap is secured to the bracket. The cap has a lip configured and dimensioned to overlap and maintain the cover in a closed position.

Claims

1. For use in combination with a utility box having a bottom, a side wall, and a cover which may be opened to gain access to the interior of the box, and which when closed, overlaps an upper edge of the side wall, a lock assembly for maintaining the cover in its closed position, said lock assembly comprising:

a bracket having first and second mutually spaced flanges integrally joined by an intermediate web;

a jaw mechanically interengaged with and carried by said bracket for movement between said first and second flanges, said bracket being configured for removable mounting on said side wall, with said intermediate web interposed between said cover and the upper edge of said side wall, and with said first flange and said jaw respectively located adjacent exterior and interior surfaces of said side wall;

force exerting means for urging said jaw towards said first flange to thereby clamp said side wall therebetween;

a cap having a lip configured and dimensioned to overlap said cover; and

interlocking means for securing said cap to said bracket.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the side wall of said box is provided with an interior ledge spaced below said upper edge, and wherein said jaw engages said side wall beneath said ledge.

3. The lock assembly of claims 1 or 2 wherein said jaw includes at least one tooth engageable with said side wall.

4. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein said force exerting means comprises a screw threaded through said second flange.

5. The lock assembly of claim 4 wherein said jaw includes a plurality of teeth engageable with said side wall.

6. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein said jaw is pivotally connected to said second flange.

7. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second flange is inclined at an acute angle with respect to said first flange.

8. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is provided with a third flange projecting from said first flange, and wherein said interlocking means engages said third flange.