Method and Apparatus for Securing a Watthour Meter Box

Abstract

A locking bracket and a lock housing wherein the locking bracket generally comprises a clamping member and a fastening lever that attaches to a wall of a meter box base. The lock housing generally comprises a unitary member with a perpendicular flange. The meter box lid is secured to the meter box base when the locking bracket is secured to the side wall and used in combination with the lock housing and a locking shaft.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a box cover to a meter box, said meter box being defined by a plurality of side walls, said apparatus comprising: a clamping member attachable to one of said plurality of side walls; a fastening lever; a pivotal connection between said clamping member and said fastening lever, said pivotal connection comprising an axis of rotation extending through said pivotal connection, said axis of rotation extending into at least one of said box cover or said one of said plurality of side walls when said box cover is secured to said meter box.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a portion of said fastening lever member adapted to bear against said one of said plurality of side walls of said meter box.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said portion of said fastening lever member adapted to bear against said one of said plurality of side walls of said meter box comprises a planar surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said planar surface is rotatable with respect to said one of said plurality of side walls.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said portion of said fastening lever member adapted to bear against said one of said plurality of side walls of said meter box is arcuate.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a resilient compression member secured to said portion of said fastening lever member adapted to bear against said one of said plurality of side walls.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member secured to at least one of said clamping member or said fastening lever.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clamping member comprises a first planar surface and said fastening lever comprises a second planar surface, said pivotal connection pivotally interconnecting said first planar surface to said second planar surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lever end, said lever end surface being pivotally moveable between a mounting and a locked position without entering into an interior of said meter box.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lever end is in functional cooperation with a portion of a lock housing mounted to a portion of the clamping member such that said lock prevents rotation of said lever to an open position.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lever end is in functional cooperation with a portion of a meter box lid such that said lid prevents rotation of said lever to an open position.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lever end being at least partially outside the interior of the meter box in a mounting position and at least partially inside the interior of the meter box in a locked position.

13. (canceled)

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising said a locking structure adapted for functional cooperation with said clamping member for securing a meter box lid to a meter box base.

15. An apparatus for securing a box cover to a meter box, said meter box being defined by a plurality of side walls, said apparatus comprising: a clamping member attachable to one of said plurality of side walls; a fastening lever with a planar engagement surface adapted to bear against said one of said plurality of side walls of said meter box; and a pivotal connection between said clamping member and said fastening lever whereby said planar engagement surface rotates with respect to said one of said plurality of side walls.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a compression member secured to said planar engagement surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a biasing member secured to at least one of said clamping member or said fastening lever.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an axis of rotation extending through said pivotal connection, said axis of rotation extending into said one of said plurality of side walls.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said axis of rotation being at least approximately orthogonal to said one of said plurality of side walls.

20-27. (canceled)

28. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for securing a box cover to a meter box, said meter box being defined by a plurality of side walls, said apparatus comprising: providing a clamping member attachable to one of said plurality of side walls; selectively securing a fastening lever to said clamping member in at least one of two different design configurations, said first design configuration requiring that said fastening lever is mounted for rotation in a first rotational direction to fasten said clamping member to said one of said plurality of side walls, and said second design configuration requiring that said fastening lever is mounted for rotation in a second rotational direction to fasten said clamping member to said one of said plurality of side walls.

29. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention installed onto the watthour meter box in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a side-section view of the present invention installed on a meter box viewed from inside the box in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 2A is a side-section view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2 which may or may not utilize biasing means and wherein if used, the biasing means may or may not replace, or be used in conjunction with, a flexural member in accord with another possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention installed on a meter box viewed from inside the box showing the various components of the locking apparatus.

[0051] FIG. 3A is a side-section view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3 which may or may not utilize biasing means and wherein, if used, the biasing means may or may not replace, or be used in conjunction with, a flexural member in accord with another possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention viewed generally from below, showing the various components of the locking bracket.

[0053] FIG. 4A is a side-section view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4 which may or may not utilize biasing means and wherein, if used, the biasing means may or may not replace, or be used in conjunction with, a flexural member in accord with another possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a perspective-exploded view of the present invention showing the various components of the locking bracket FIG. 5A is a side-section view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5 which may or may not utilize biasing means such as a compression member and wherein, if used, the biasing means may or may not replace, or be used in conjunction with, a flexural member in accord with another possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the installation of the entire apparatus onto the meter box base.

[0056] FIG. 6A is a side-section view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6 which may or may not utilize biasing means such as a compression member and wherein, if used, the biasing means may or may not replace, or be used in conjunction with, a flexural member in accord with another possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention, viewed from below the meter box base front flange, illustrating the installation of the locking bracket onto the meter box base. Portions of the meter box base have been cut away.

[0058] FIG. 7A is a side-section view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 7 which may or may not utilize biasing means such as a compression member and wherein, if used, the biasing means may or may not replace, or be used in conjunction with, a flexural member in accord with another possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the locking apparatus position after installation, viewed from below. Portions of the meter box base and lid have been cut away.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the lock housing position after apparatus installation. Portions of the meter box base and lid have been cut away.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the various components of the locking bracket in the closed position.

[0062] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the various components of the locking bracket in the closed position.

[0063] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the various components of the locking bracket in the open position.

[0064] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the various components of the locking bracket in the closed position.

[0065] While the present invention will be described in connection with presently preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit of the invention and as defined in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate an apparatus for securing a watthour meter box.

[0067] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a ringless type meter box 27 that includes a box cover 20, and a box base 19. Formed around an opening in a central portion of meter box cover 20 is a flange 29. A complementary flange is disposed on meter 28 such that, when meter box cover 20 is installed over and around the head of meter 28, the meter complementary flange is encased by meter box cover flange 29, so that the meter cannot be easily removed from the electrical socket unless the cover 20 is first removed from the meter box base 19.

[0068] The meter box cover 20 is typically secured in place by means of a small latch assembly, which functions in structural cooperation with a complementary latch-receiving member disposed on the meter box base 19. The meter box cover 20 is used to secure the meter 28 to the electrical socket (not shown), so that completion of an electrical circuit is ensured, and the meter is reliably prevented from falling out of the meter box socket. The meter box cover 20 also prevents unauthorized persons from tampering with the meter 28. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, meter box base 19 comprises wall 23. Wall 23 comprises front flange 21 which extends inwardly from wall 23.

[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 2A, 3, and 3A, there is shown watthour meter box 27 wherein lock housing 14 may be utilized for securing meter box cover 20 to meter box base 19. The lock housing 14 is generally comprised of a unitary member incorporating a generally perpendicular flange 15 and multiple apertures or openings which may be interconnected such as 17, 22. Opening 17 may extend into lock housing perpendicular to perpendicular flange 15 and extend through opening or aperture 22, which may, if desired, be generally transverse to opening 17. Aperture 22 preferably opens onto an interior side of lock housing 14 and receives fastening shelf 4 of clamping member 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, lock housing 14 may be used in conjunction with clamping member 2 such that cover 20 is held in place between flange 10 of clamping member 2 and perpendicular flange 15 of lock housing 14.

[0070] The clamping member 2 is generally comprised of multiple flanges 6, 10, 5 with one of the flanges 6 containing a preferably circular aperture 24 and a fastening shelf 4 that also contains a preferably circular aperture 7. Additional flanges may be added or fewer flanges may be used to accomplish the function as described henceforth.

[0071] A locking bracket 1 as shown enlarged in FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, 5A6, and 6A may generally comprise clamping member 2 and a fastening lever 3. The fastening lever 3 is generally comprised of multiple flanges 8, 9, 11 with one of the flanges 11 containing a generally circular aperture 25. Additional flanges may be added or fewer flanges may be used to accomplish the function as described henceforth.

[0072] As shown in the exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, the fastening lever 3, flexural member 13, and clamping member 2 may be joined through the corresponding apertures 25, 24 with a permanent type fastener 12, which may be a rivet or other type of fastener which allows rotational motion between fastening lever 3, and clamping member 2. Fastener 12 is preferably permanent (but may also be non-permanent and easily removable). Flexural member 13 is partially compressed between the flanges 6 and 11 of clamping member 2 and fastening lever 3. The flexural member is a compressible member which applies a biasing force that biases clamping member 2 and fastening lever 3 away from each other or to separate.

[0073] In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, a compression member 30 is adapted to be received by a flange 8 disposed on fastening lever 3. Compression member 30 may be attached to flange 8 by various means, one of which is shown and may comprise a cap. Flange 8 comprises edge 40 and stop surface 41 such that once compression member 30 is installed, comprise terminate edge 40A and stop surface 41A. It will be appreciated that edge 40 or terminate edge 40A is a surface although preferably narrow in width and rotates and engages the wall 23 at the same time. Compression member 30 may be wholly or partially comprised of elastomeric material, plastic, or other compressible material. The compressible material may preferably also be resilient so as to permit repeated reuse. The compressible material is also preferably an electrical insulator which reduces any likelihood of contacting electricity which might possibly be present within meter box base 19. Compression member 30 may be used in place of flexural member 13, or in conjunction with it, or with other compression members.

[0074] The directly subsequent discussion of assembly and operation of locking bracket 1 onto base 19 of watthour meter box 27 is made using the example of compression member 30, but resilient compression members such as flexural member 13, or other resilient compression members discussed hereinafter, or compression members such as lobe 34 which may or may not be resilient, may be utilized to provide a secure fit of locking bracket 1 onto base 19. Compression members may be used with or without each other.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 6A, the locking bracket 1 is installed onto the base 19 of the watthour meter box 27 in the following manner: The fastening lever 3 is first rotated to an open position as shown with the flange 9 of the fastening lever 3 in a generally perpendicular position to the flange 10 of the clamping member 2. The locking bracket is moved toward the wall 23 of the meter box base 19, shown by movement arrow A, allowing the front flange 21 of the meter box base 19 to pass between the compression member 30 disposed on flange 8 of the fastening lever 3 and the fastening shelf 4 of the clamping member 2. The locking bracket 1 is then lowered onto the front flange 21 of the watthour meter box base 19 shown by movement arrow B until the front flange 21 of the meter box base 19 is in contact with the flange 10 of the clamping member 2.

[0076] Now referring to FIG. 7A, which shows a view on the other side of that shown in FIG. 6A, the installer bears on flange 9 of the fastening lever 3 causing the fastening lever 3 to rotate to a closed position, shown by movement arrow C. As shown in FIG. 3A, it will be seen that rotation of fastening lever 3 is around axis of rotation 44, which may be generally transverse, perpendicular, or orthogonal to wall 23. In this embodiment, axis of rotation 44 is orthogonal to wall 23, parallel to box cover 20, perpendicular to flange 5, and parallel to a plane of fastening shelf 4. In this embodiment, rotation of fastening lever 3 is in a plane parallel to a plane defined by what might be called the y-axis and the z-axis. In this case, the x-axis would be coincident with axis of rotation 44. Fastening lever 3 would extend into and out of the page in the z-axis. It will be understood that perpendicular or orthogonal is meant to include roughly or approximately perpendicular or orthogonal such that some variation within between about one to ten degrees may occur.

[0077] However, axis of rotation 44 could be angled away from wall 23 e.g., by providing that axis of rotation 44 is at an angle with respect to the z-axis and the x-axis while still perpendicular to the y-axis such as by bending flange 6 inwardly toward the interior of meter box base 19. In this case, axis of rotation 44 may still be perpendicular with respect to an axial direction x. In this case, when fastening lever 3 is rotated, then terminate end engagement surface 40A does not come into contact with wall 23 until near the end of rotation, which occurs when stop surface 41A engages the underside of front flange 21. Thus, in this embodiment, at least one axial direction of axis of rotation 44 is perpendicular to the y-axis and/or wall 23.

[0078] As the lever 3 is rotated, the compressible member 30, due to the limited space defined by a lower surface of front flange 21 and wall 23 of the watthour meter box base 19 and the terminate end 40A of the flange 8, will compress. The compression of compressible member 30 ensures a secure feel and a tighter fit of the locking bracket to the watthour meter box base. The installer continues to rotate the fastening lever 3 until stop surface 41A engages the inside surface of front flange 21. In a preferred embodiment, the flange 9 of the fastening lever 3 is in a generally parallel position to the flange 10 of the clamping member 2 when stop surface 41A engages the inside surface of front flange 21. The front flange 21 of the meter box base 19 is now trapped between the compression member 30 disposed on flange 8 of the fastening lever 3, and the flange 10 of the clamping member 2. As shown in FIG. 8, when meter box lid 20 is installed onto the meter box base 19, then the upper surface 42 of flange 9 may be prevented from movement and/or may be biasingly engaged with the inner surface of box lid 20. The compression member 30 provides a bias force between locking bracket 1 and wall 23 and front flange 21 and also frictional engagement which acts to hold the locking bracket 1 securely in place for subsequent attachment of lock housing 14.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 9, the meter box lid 20 is then installed onto the meter box base 19. The meter box lid 20 covers the flange 9 of the fastening lever 3 and the flange 10 of the clamping member 2.

[0080] Once the lid 20 is in place, the aperture 22 in the lock housing 14 is aligned with the fastening shelf 4 of the clamping member 2. The lock housing 14 is then slid onto the fastening shelf 4 of the clamping member 2, shown by movement arrow D in FIG. 6A. The locking shaft 16 is then inserted through the aperture 17 in the lock housing 14, shown by movement arrow E which is perpendicular to the fastening shelf 4. Shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 4, and 4A, the locking balls 18 of the locking shaft 16 become trapped as they pass though the aperture 7 of the fastening shelf 4; this prevents the removal of the locking shaft 16 from the lock housing 14. Fastening shelf 4 may have tapering sides to permit easier insertion or guiding of fastening shelf 4 into aperture 22 of locking shaft 16. Aperture 22 is preferably sized to mate with the sides of fastening shelf 4 at least near flange 5 so as to prevent sideways movement of clamping member 2.

[0081] The perpendicular flange 15 of the lock housing 14 prevents meter box lid 20 removal; consequently the meter box lid 20 prevents the fastening lever 3 from rotating to the open position. The fastening lever 3, the clamping member 2, the connector 12, lock housing 14, the lid 20, and the meter box base 19, interact together to prevent the removal of both the meter box lid 20 and the entire locking apparatus.

[0082] Referring back to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 when flexural member 13 is utilized, the compressive biasing force so produced between clamping member 2 and fastening lever 3 results in a biasing being applied against both sides of wall 23 of the meter box base 19. On the inner side of wall 23, the periphery 40 of flange 8 of fastening lever 3 is urged into engagement with wall 23. On the outer surface of wall 23, inner surface of flange 5 of clamping bracket 2 is biased toward engagement with the outer side of wall 23. Fastening lever 3 is rotated until stop surface 41 engages the inner surface of front flange 21. In a preferred embodiment, the flange 9 of the fastening lever 3 is in a generally parallel position to the flange 10 of the clamping member 2 when stop surface 41 engages the inside surface of front flange 21. The front flange 21 of the meter box base 19 is now trapped between the compression member 30 disposed on flange 8 of the fastening lever 3, and the flange 10 of the clamping member 2. As shown in FIG. 8, when meter box lid 20 is installed onto the meter box base 19, then the upper surface 42 of flange 9 may be prevented from movement and/or may be engaged with the inner surface of box lid 20. If it is desired to provide biased engagement of flange 9 with inner surface of box lid 20, then compression member 30 may be utilized and/or flange 9 may be provided with resilient compression material that may be in the form of a cap such as the cap shape of compressible member 30, or resilient compression material can otherwise be applied to flange 9.

[0083] In an alternate embodiment, compressible member 30 may or may not be used. In this alternate embodiment, a different compressible member, comprising a different shape, material, or attachment means as shown in the illustrations, may be disposed on the inside of flange 5 of the clamping member 2. In this embodiment, as the fastening lever 3 is rotated to a closed position as previously described, the flange 23 of the watthour meter box base 19 becomes trapped between the terminate end of flange 8 disposed on the fastening lever 3, and the compressible member, performing a similar function as previously described.

[0084] In another alternate embodiment, one or more compressible members may or may not be used. Assuming a compressible material is not used, in this embodiment, as the fastening lever 3 is rotated to a closed position as previously described, the wall 23 of the meter box base 19 becomes trapped between the terminate end 40 of flange 8 disposed on the fastening lever 3, and the flange 5 of the clamping member 2.

[0085] In another alternate embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10-12, a compressible member may not be used. In this embodiment, the lever 32 comprises an engaging lobe 34. The lever 32 rotates in a generally parallel relationship to flange 38 of clamping member 37. Thus, axis of rotation 45 may be generally orthogonal to metal box cover 20, parallel to wall 23, perpendicular to flange 35 which engages an outer surface of wall 23, and parallel to plane of fastening shelf 4. Flange 31 is in a generally perpendicular relationship to flange 35 of the clamping bracket 37. As the fastening lever 32 is rotated to a closed position as shown in FIGS. 10,11, the flange 23 of the meter box base 19 becomes trapped between the engaging lobe 34 disposed on the fastening lever 32, and the flange 35 of the clamping member 37.

[0086] In another example embodiment of the lever end 9 shown in FIG. 3 is in functional cooperation with a portion 15 of a lock housing mounted to a portion of the clamping member such that the lock prevents rotation of the lever to an open position if the lid is pried upwardly.

[0087] In another example embodiment of the apparatus the lever end 9 is in functional cooperation with a portion of a meter box lid 20 such that the lid prevents rotation of the lever to an open position.

[0088] In another example embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 the lever end 9 is at least partially outside the interior of the meter box in a mounting position and at least partially inside the interior of the meter box in a locked position.

[0089] In another example embodiment of the apparatus further comprises the meter box.

[0090] In another example embodiment of the apparatus further comprises a locking structure (e.g., 14 or other types of locking structures adaptable for use with the invention) for functional cooperation with said clamping member 2 for securing a meter box lid to a meter box base.

[0091] Various other example embodiments provide an apparatus that may be adapted for use on a utility service enclosure. Such a utility service enclosure is used not only in the electric utility industry (e.g., a meter box) but also in the gas, water, cable, TV utility industries or in other utility industries.

[0092] The design described does not limit the scope of the invention; the number of flanges may change, or various components may be added or removed to the above-described concept to aid in improved security and operation.

[0093] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and variations thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that various changes in the design, organization, order of operation, means of operation, equipment structures and location, methodology, the use of mechanical equivalents, such as different types of fasteners and locking devices than as illustrated whereby different steps may be utilized, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction or combinations of features of the various elements may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. As well, the drawings are intended to describe the concepts of the invention so that the presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be plainly disclosed to one of skill in the art but are not intended to be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products and may include simplified conceptual views as desired for easier and quicker understanding or explanation of the invention. As well, the relative size and arrangement of the components may be varied from that shown and the invention still operate well within the spirit of the invention as described hereinbefore and in the appended claims. Thus, various changes and alternatives may be used that are contained within the spirit of the invention.

[0094] Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that various changes in the ordering of steps, ranges, interferences, spacings, hardware, and/or attributes and parameters, as well as in the details of the illustrations or combinations of features of the methods and system discussed herein, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.