Patent ID: 6945813
Filing Date: 2005-09-20
Classification: G01R,H01R

Abstract:
1. A socket assembly for a meter box, said socket assembly comprising: a plurality of power line connectors for connection to electric power lines of an electric power line system, said electric power line system including at least a first power supply line and at least a first power load line; said power line connectors being adapted to mate with mating connectors of an electric meter to establish a first current path from the first power supply line to the first power load line through the electric meter; and a meter bypass system for establishing a second current path from the first power supply line to the first power load line bypassing the electric meter to permit removal of the meter without interruption of electric service, said bypass system comprising at least one slide connector comprising a metal conductor mounted for back and forth sliding movement of the conductor along a generally straight line of action extending between first and second power line connectors of said plurality of power line connectors; each of said first and second power line connectors comprising: said slide connector being slidable between a meter operating position in which said metal conductor is out of electrical contact with at least one of the second sockets of said first and second power line connectors whereby current is adapted to flow along said first current path through said electric meter when the electrical connectors of the electric meter are in said first sockets of the first and second power line connectors, and a meter bypassing position in which said metal conductor of the slide connector is in electrical contact with the second sockets of both of the first and second power line connectors whereby current is adapted to flow along a second current path from the power supply line to the power load line when the electrical connectors of said electric meter are removed from said first sockets of the first and second power line connectors.