Patent ID: 6386790
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: F16B,F16L,G01R,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a one-piece stainless steel rim for mating a meter cover and base comprising the steps of:cutting a strip of stainless steel of predetermined width to a predetermined length corresponding to the circumference of the meter cover, forming a flange on one edge of the strip, punching a plurality of attachment tabs in said strip at spaced locations, said attachment tabs being spaced apart from said flange to receive therebetween an annular flange on the meter cover, punching a plurality of locking lugs in said strip at spaced locations, said locking lugs being spaced apart from said flange to receive therebetween an annular flange on the meter base, punching a pair of locking tabs at one end of said strip, punching an opening in the opposite end of said strip to receive said locking tabs, bending said plurality of attachment tabs, said plurality of locking lugs and said pair of locking tabs to the same side of said strip as said flange, forming said strip into a circular rim, and securing the ends of the rim together by inserting the locking tabs into the opening at the opposite end of the rim and mechanically securing one end of the rim to the other after the rim is fitted around a circumference of the annular flange of the meter cover.