Abstract:
A lock ring for use in mounting a watthour meter, meter socket enclosure cover or a watthour meter socket adapter to each other. The lock ring includes a ring member and a housing carried on the first and second ends of the ring member. The housing may be separate housings carried on the first and second ends of the ring member. A lock is insertable into mated first and second housing members in one of a plurality of variably selectable positions that vary the circumference of the ring member to accommodate varied circumferences of watthour meters, meter socket adapters and meter socket enclosure cover mounting rings. Finger grips are formed on the housing members to facilitate closure of the housing. A plurality of axially spaced grooves are formed in one of the members for receiving lock members carried by the lock.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to lock or sealing rings for mounting watthour meters on meter enclosures and, more particularly, to lock or sealing rings using barrel locks. 
         [0002]    In the electric utility industry, watthour meters are employed to measure electrical power consumption at a residential or commercial building establishment. A cabinet is typically mounted on an outside wall of the residence or building and contains a meter socket having pairs of line and load contacts which are connected to electric power line conductors extending from the utility power network and electric load conductors connected to the residential or building establishment power distribution network. The contacts receive blade terminals on a plug-in watthour meter to complete an electric circuit through the meter between the line and load terminals mounted in the cabinet for the measurement of electrical power consumption. 
         [0003]    Lock rings are commonly employed with ring-style sockets which have a circular flange projecting from the major plane of the socket cover for coupling a mating flange on a watthour meter to the socket cover to attach the watthour meter to the socket in a position where the blade terminals of the watthour meter are securely engaged with the electrical jaw contacts in the socket. 
         [0004]    Watthour meter socket adapters which provide an extension between the blade terminals carried by the socket adapter and the socket jaw contacts to jaw contacts carried by the socket adapter which engage the meter blade terminals are also affixed to ring style meter socket covers by the same or lock rings. When a socket adapter is used, a second lock ring is employed to mount the watthour meter to the outer end of the socket adapter. 
         [0005]    The lock rings typically include an annular wall with radially inward extending side walls. The annular wall terminates in two spaced ends which may have perpendicularly extending flanges extending from each end, each with an aperture formed therein, extending from each end. The apertures for alignment to receive a seal or lock member to securely affix the lock ring to the meter/socket adapter/meter socket cover flanges and at the same time prevent easy removal or at a minimum provide evidence of tampering with the lock ring in an attempt to obtain non-metered power from the meter socket. 
         [0006]    Plastic or wire seals have been employed to secure the ends of the lock ring together. However, such seals are easily cut. Barrel locks having a key operation provide greater security. In addition, when a barrel lock is employed on a lock ring, the lock ring is typically formed of a heaver gage material to make it more difficult to cut the lock ring in an attempt to remove it from the meter socket/watthour meter flanges. 
         [0007]    However, the heavier metal used in lock rings with barrel locks is more difficult to bend into a circular form. In addition, bending the perpendicular end flanges requires a second machine operation. Both factors contribute to a higher lock ring manufacturing cost. 
         [0008]    To make it easier to bend the heavier gage material, scallops or cutouts are formed in at least one of the radially inward extending sidewalls of the lock ring LR, shown in  FIG. 11 . However, the scallops provide a surface which can be forced into engagement with the socket or meter mounting flange and act as a thread which can enable the lock ring to be twisted off of the mating flanges to enable removal of the meter and access to the interior of the meter socket. 
         [0009]    In addition, lock rings are used with meter socket cover rings and watthour meter/socket adapter mounting flanges which can, according to industry standards, vary up to 0.280 inches in circumference. As a result, lock rings are typically manufactured to the largest standard circumference of the meter socket mounting ring. However, when such lock rings are used with meter sockets, watthour meters or watthour meter socket adapters in which the mounting rings have a smaller circumference, the lock rings, even when locked, sloppily fit around the mounting flanges thereby increasing the opportunity for tampering. 
         [0010]    In many prior art lock ring configurations, particularly those using “barrel lock”, a portion or all of the barrel lock itself is exposed to view when in the locked position. This provides an opportunity to tamper with the barrel lock in an effort to loosen or remove the sealing ring from the meter socket and obtain access to the interior of the socket. 
         [0011]    One Prior Art attempt to address these security issues is shown in  FIG. 11 . In this lock ring LR, a lock pin LP with retractable and extendable locking balls LB are inserted through lined apertures on end flanges extending perpendicularly from opposed ends of the lock ring LR. The shank of the lock pin LP carrying the locking balls LB is inserted into a lock cap LC. The locking balls LB selectively engage one of a plurality of spaced grooves G formed interiorly within the lock cap LC to secure the lock ring LR tightly about the mounting flanges of a watthour meter, meter socket adapter or meter socket cover. However, this prior art lock ring still has several deficiencies. For one, the entire lock ring is exposed to view thereby enabling easy attempts to tamper with the lock ring or lock pin. Secondly, use of this lock pin LP and lock cap LC is difficult since the installer must hold the ends of the lock ring LR tightly about the mating mounting flanges, insert the lock pin LP through the aligned apertures in the ends of the lock ring LR while holding the lock cap LC in a position to receive the shank and lock balls LB of the lock pin LP. This assembly process is awkward at best. 
         [0012]    Thus, it would be desirable to provide a lock ring for a watthour meter enclosure which can be made at a lower manufacturing cost, with fewer machine operations, and which provides a high level of security to thwart tampering attempts. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0013]    A lock ring is disclosed for engagement with mounting flanges on a watthour meter, meter socket adapter and meter socket cover to join the watthour meter, meter socket adapter and/or the socket cover together. 
         [0014]    In one aspect a watthour meter mounting apparatus is disclosed which includes a lock ring adapted for accepting a lock pin in which the lock ring has a plurality of lock positions for varying the circumference of the lock ring to accommodate varying circumference watthour meter mounting flanges. 
         [0015]    The lock may include a head and a shank, with moveable lock members carried in the shanks. First and second housing members are engageably mounted on first and second ends of the lock ring. A plurality of lock engagement surfaces are formed in one of the first and second housings with lock engagement, one surface lockingly engageful with the lock members on the lock. 
         [0016]    In one aspect the plurality of lock engagement surfaces are longitudinally spaced within one of first and second housings. The lock engagement surfaces may be recessed grooves. One of the grooves may include a surface extending substantially 360 degrees about an interior of the one of the first and second housings. 
         [0017]    Finger grips formed on each of the first and second housings. The finger grips may be axially offset from each other. One of the finger grips includes a wall having a finger grip surface profile. A rib extends between the wall and the first housing. A finger grip profile is formed on one end of the other of the first and second housings. 
         [0018]    An exterior gripping surface is formed on the other of the first and second housings to facilitate separation of the first and second housings. 
         [0019]    The first and second housing substantially encompass the lock pin when the lock pin is in the locked position. The lock may be a key operated lock. 
         [0020]    In another aspect, a lock ring for mounting a watthour meter, or a watthour meter socket adapter or a meter socket enclosure to each other includes a ring shaped member having spaced first and second ends. A lock housing has first and second portions carried on the first and second ends of the ring, respectively, the lock housing receives a lock member in one of a plurality of variably selectable positions that vary the circumference of the ring member to accommodate varying circumference meter mounting flanges. 
         [0021]    The lock ring disclosed herein provides a high level of security to resist tampering with the lock ring in an attempt to obtain unauthorized access to non-metered and power in the meter socket. The lock ring can be manufactured of thinner gage material than previous high security lock rings which receive a barrel lock thereby reducing manufacturing costs since the ring can be manufactured in a single machine rather than in multiple machines. The lock ring also eliminates the need for cutouts or scallops in one of the side walls of the ring which are required to facilitate bending of the heavier gage rings used in the past. This eliminates another tampering point since the present lock ring cannot be disengaged from the meter mounting surfaces through a threading movement. 
         [0022]    Uniquely, the lock mechanism employed on the lock ring accommodates the lock pin in one of a plurality of variably selectable positions thereby enabling the circumference of the lock ring to be varied to accommodate varying circumference meter mounting flanges while enabling the lock ring to be securely and non-movably mounted about the mounting flanges again eliminating one potential tampering point on the meter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0023]    The various features, advantages and other uses of the disclosed lock ring for a watthour meter application will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a watthour meter enclosure or socket, a watthour meter socket adapter and a watthour meter employing lock rings as disclosed herein; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lock ring shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of the lock ring shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the lock mechanism used in the lock ring shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a right end perspective view of one of the lock mechanism members shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a opposite end perspective view of the lock mechanism member shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a right end perspective view of the other lock mechanism member shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the lock mechanism member shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the lock pin used in the lock mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view showing the lock mechanism and the lock pin the fully locked position; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view or prior art lock ring and lock mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    The present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1-10  is a lock ring  20  which is used to releasably mount a conventional electric watthour meter  21 , blank cover, or a simulated meter on a meter socket  22  or watthour meter socket adapter  23 . The lock ring  20  may also be employed to releasably mount a watthour meter socket adapter  23  on a watthour meter socket  22 . 
         [0036]    As is conventional, the electric watthour meter  21 , the watthour meter adapter  23 , and the watthour meter socket  22  are provided with a mating mounting flanges which abut each other to form an annular surface when, for example, a watthour meter  21  is mounted in a watthour meter socket  22 . The watthour meter  21  has a base, ring-shaped mounting flange  24  which is engagable with a similar mounting flange  25  on the cover of the meter socket  22  and/or with a mounting flange  27  on the meter socket adapter  23 . A base mounting flange  26  on the meter socket adapter  23  is engagable with the flange  25  on the cover of the meter socket  22 . The lock ring  20  is releasably mounted about the mating flanges  24 ,  27  and/or  26 ,  25  or  24 ,  25  and locked in place to securely retain the watthour meter  21  on the watthour meter socket  22 , or to retain the watthour meter socket adapter  23  on the watthour meter socket  22  or to retain the watthour meter  21  on the watthour meter socket adapter  23 . 
         [0037]    The lock ring  20 , as shown in greater detain in  FIG. 2 , is in the form of an annular band  31  having a generally U-shaped cross section formed by a planar central wall  32  and two side flanges  34  and  36 . The width of the central wall  32  and the length of the side flanges  34  and  36  are selected to snugly fit around the engaged mounting flange of the watthour meter  21 , the watthour meter socket adapter  23  and/or the watthour meter socket  22 . The annular band  31  is formed of any suitable material, such as a metallic material, i.e., steel or aluminum. Stainless steel may be employed to form the band  31 . 
         [0038]    The annular band  31  is formed with first and second spaced ends  38  and  40 , respectively. The first and second ends  38  and  40  will normally be brought into close proximity when the sealing ring  20  is lockingly mounted about the mating mounting flanges. Conversely, the first and second ends  38  and  40  may be separated when the lock mechanism employed on the lock ring  20 , as described hereafter, is released enabling the diameter of the lock ring  20  to be enlarged so as to permit the lock ring  20  to be removed from the mounting flanges. 
         [0039]    It will understood that the ceiling or lock ring  20 , as disclosed herein and shown in  FIG. 1 , may be used solely to mount a watthour meter  21  to the mounting flange on a ring style meter socket cover or to attach a watthour meter socket adapter  23  to the mounting flange of the ring style meter socket cover and as depicted in  FIG. 2 , to secure the mating mounting flanges of a watthour meter to a socket adapter  23 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , apertures are formed in the wall  22  of the watthour meter  21  adjacent the first and second ends  38  and  40  for use in securing a lock mechanism to the band  21 . By way of example only, a first aperture  42  which has a generally rectangular shape, by way of example only, and a second aperture  44 , typically having a circular cross section, again by way of example only, are spaced from the first end  38  from the band  21 , with the aperture  42  being located closer to the first end  38  in the aperture  44 . 
         [0041]    Similarly, generally rectangular aperture  46  and a circular aperture  48  are consecutively spaced from the second end  40  of the band  21 . Both of the apertures  42  and  46  may have inward tapering side edges. 
         [0042]    A releasable lock mechanism  50  is carried on the lock ring  20 . As generally shown in  FIG. 4 , and in greater detail in  FIGS. 5-10 , the lock mechanism  50  includes a housing  51  including first member  52  and a second member  54 . The first and second members  52  and  54  are telescopically engagable, with one portion of the first member  52  being slidable over a portion of the exterior of the second member  54  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0043]    Each of the first and second members  52  and  54  is formed of a suitable high strength material. Although the lock members  52  and  54  may be machined from a suitable metal or plastic to the desired shape, the first and second lock members  52  and  54  may also be manufactured from a moldable metal, such as steel, stainless steel or die cast zinc, as well as a high strength plastic. 
         [0044]    As shown in detail in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first member  52  includes a body having a first end  56  and an opposed second end  58 . A bore  60  extends through the body  53  of the first member  52  between the first and second ends  56  and  58 . 
         [0045]    An annular collar  62  is disposed intermediately in the bore  60  between the first and second ends  56  and  58  to form first and second annular shoulders  64  and  66 . The shoulders  64  and  66  act as stops or insertion limit surfaces for the second member  54  as well as for the lock pin as described hereafter. 
         [0046]    The body  53  of the first member  52  has a generally circular, cylindrical or gradually radially decreasing diameter shape extending from the first end  56  to an intermediate portion, generally in the vicinity of the collar  62 . From this intermediate point, the body  53  has an exterior discontinuity of a predetermined angular extent forming opposed side walls  68  and  70  extending from the vicinity of the shoulder  66  of the collar  62  to the second end  58 . The discontinuity which forms edges of the sidewalls  68  and  70  is by way of example only, but functions to the allow the first lock member  52  to slide over a portion of the exterior of the second lock member  54 . 
         [0047]    A generally arcuate base  74  is carried by the body  53  and generally underlays the first cylindrical portion of the body  53 . The base  74  has opposed first and second ends  76  and  78 , respectively. An aperture  80  is formed adjacent the first end  76 . A downward extending projection  82  having a lip or edge  84  is formed on the underside of the base  74  and spaced from the second end  78  of the base  74 . 
         [0048]    Although the projection  74  can take a variety of configurations, by way of example only, the projection  84  has substantially the same exterior shape and dimensions as the first aperture  42  adjacent the first end  38  of the band  21 . The opposed sides  86  of the projection  82  may taper to a narrower dimension between opposed ends of the projection  82  to snugly fit within the aperture  42 , with the lip  84  on the projection  82  extending through the aperture  42  within the interior of the band  21  between the side walls  34  and  36 . 
         [0049]    The projection  82  snugly fits within the aperture  42  and acts as a part of a mount to secure the first lock member  52  to the wall  22  of the band  21  in conjunction with a fastener, such as a rivet, bolt  83 , seen in  FIG. 4 , etc., which is inserted through the aligned apertures  42  and  80  in the band  21  and the base  74 . 
         [0050]    A first finger grip  90  is carried on the first member  52  by means of separate attachment to the first member  52 , integrally molded as a unitary part of the first member  52 , etc. The first finger grip  90  is formed with a gripping surface  92  formed by a plurality of spaced ribs  94  which are carried on a wall  96  extending radially outward from the exterior surface of the body  53  of the first member  52 . A rib  98  may be optionally provided between the wall  94  and the exterior surface of the body  53  to resist movement of the wall  96  during use of the first finger grip  90 . 
         [0051]    As shown in detail  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second member  54  includes a body  110  having a bore  112  extending therethrough between first and second ends  114  and  116 , respectively. The body  110  includes a generally cylindrical first body portion  118  extending from the first end  114 . 
         [0052]    A second body portion  120  extends from the first portion  118  to the second end  116  of the body  110 . The second end portion  120  is formed of opposed, generally linear side walls  122  and  124  which are joined by an arcuate end wall  126  which forms an upper, outer portion of the second portion  120  of the body  110 . An end wall  126  is formed at the transition between the first and second body portions  118  and  120  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0053]    A base  130  is carried on the body  110  and is affixed to or integrally formed as a unitary part of the edges of the side walls  122  and  124  of the second portion  120  and is connected to the first portion  118  by a rib  132  by way of example. The bottom or inner portion of the second portion  120  of the body  110 , taken in a mounting position as shown in  FIG. 7 , defines an opening between a first edge  134  adjacent a first end  136  of the base  130 . A projection  138  is formed on the edge  134  and has a lateral shape substantially the same as the lateral width and shape of the aperture  46  in the band  21  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The lateral sides of the projection  138  may be tapered from end to end to match the tapered sides of the apertures  46  to prevent movement of the projection  138  in the aperture  46 . This enables the projection  138  to fit snuggly within the aperture  46  to aid in locating and mounting the second member  54  on the band  21  adjacent the second end  40  of the band  21 . An aperture  140  is formed in a solid portion of the base  130  spaced from a second end  142  of the base  130  and, when aligned with the aperture  48  in the band  21  receives a fastener, such as a rivet, bolt, screw, etc., to securely, yet removably affix the second member  54  to the band  21 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a plurality, which may be two or more, with three recesses or grooves  144 ,  146  and  148  being shown by way of example only, are formed within the interior of the body  110  of the second lock member  54  generally consecutively from the wall  126  between the first and second body portions  118  and  120 . The recesses or grooves  144 ,  146  and  148  which extend approximately 180 degrees or slightly more around the interior of the body  110  define variably selectable positions for the lock pin to enable the circumference of the band  21  to be varied to accommodate different circumference mounting flanges on a watthour meter, meter socket cover or meter socket adapter in a tight, snug, non-movable fit. 
         [0055]    A second finger grip  150  is formed on a closed end of the second portion  120  of the body  110  of the second member  54 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The second finger grip  150  is defined by a plurality of outward projecting grip surfaces  152  which are spaced apart along the end wall of the second portion  120 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first and second finger grips  90  and  150  are axially offset to allow insertion and removal of the lock pin through the first end  56  of the first lock member  52 . 
         [0056]    A lock pin  160 , shown generally in  FIGS. 9 and 10  is formed similar to lock pins typically employed in watthour meter barrel locks. The lock pin  160  is typically of one piece construction and includes a head  162  and a shank  164 . A bore extends through the head  162  and a major portion of the length of the shank  164  from an open first end  166  in the head  162 . 
         [0057]    A pair of radially moveable lock balls  168  are carried in recesses in the shank  164  is typical, a longitudinally moveable plunger. not shown, with a pair of opposed recesses is mounted within the bore of the shank  164 . The plunger is engageable by a lock key  180  which has a pair of expandable arms  182  surrounding a shaft  184 . A handle  186  is pivotally connected to a head portion  188  of the shaft  184  and is connected to an internally mounted rod  190  which forces the ends of the arms  182  toward and away from each other as the rod  190  is extended or withdrawn relative to the shaft  184  during pivotal movement of the handle  186 . 
         [0058]    In operation, the arms  182 , when in the retracted, close together position shown in  FIG. 9 , can be inserted through the first open end  166  into the bore in the lock pin  160 . Pivotal movement of the handle  186  from the first position shown in  FIG. 10  to a second position withdraws the rod  190  into the shaft  184  causing the ends of the arms  182  to be forced apart and expand gripping the plunger within the shank  164  of the lock pin  160  and causing the plunger to slide within the bore in the shank  164  toward the head  162 . This brings the recesses in the plunger into alignment with the lock balls  168  allowing the lock balls  168  to retract inwardly toward the plunger  164  for sliding insertion of the lock pin  160  into the aligned members  52  and  54  of the lock mechanism  50 . 
         [0059]    Opposite pivotal movement of the handle  186  extends the rod  190  and draws the expanded ends of the arms  182  toward each other into close engagement. This disengages the lock key  180  from the lock pin  160  and forces the plunger in the shank  164  of the lock pin  160  toward the end  165  moving the lock balls  168  out of the recesses in the plunger and locking the lock balls  168  in the outward position shown in  FIG. 10  which defines the lock position of the lock pin  160  in the lock mechanism  50 . 
         [0060]    Prior to insertion of the lock pin  160 , the band  21  is fitted about the mating mounting flanges of a watthour meter socket cover and a watthour meter or socket adapter or between the mated mounting flanges of a watthour meter socket adapter and a watthour meter as shown in  FIG. 1 . The first and second members  52  and  54  are engaged by the user&#39;s fingers on the finger grips  90  and  150  to urge the first and second members  52  and  54  together, with the second end portion of the first member  52  sliding over the exterior of the second member  54  until the surface  64  of the collar  62  in the first member  52  contacts the first end  114  of the second member  54 . At this time, the lock pin  160  can be inserted through the first end of the first member  52  until the lock balls  168  are in the desired position in one of the recesses  144 ,  146  and  148  in the second member  54 . The handle  186  on the lock key  180  is pivoted to drive the lock balls outward into fixed engagement with the selected recess  144 ,  146  or  148  in the second member. At this time, the lock key  180  is removed from the lock pin  160  after the lock pin  160  has been secured in the mated members  52  and  54  with the shoulder formed between the head  162  and the shank  164  of the lock pin  160  engaging the shoulder  66  of the collar  62  in the first lock member  52 . 
         [0061]    A pair of diametrically opposed apertures, shown as slots  57  and  59 , are formed in the first portion of the body  53  of the first member  52  adjacent the first end  56 . The slots  57  and  59  receive a plastic or wire seal  66 ,  FIG. 1 , such as a plastic or wire seal sold by E.J. Brooks Co. of New Jersey, to be inserted therethrough and locked together as a seal or tampering indicator across the open first end  56  of the first member  52  after the first and second lock members  52  and  54  have been joined together by the lock pin  160  as described above. 
         [0062]    Removal of the lock ring  20  involves a reverse operation in which the lock key  180  is inserted into the bore in the lock pin  160  and the handle  186  pivoted to retract the lock balls  168  from engagement of one of the recesses  144 ,  146  and  148  in the second member  54 . At this time, the entire lock pin  160  can be removed through the open first end  58  of the first member  52 . 
         [0063]    As clearly shown in  FIG. 4 , it will be understood that when the lock ring  20  is secured about the mating flanges of the watthour meter socket cover, watthour meter, and/or watthour meter socket adapter, the lock pin  160  is completely disposes within and covered by the overlapping members  52  and  54 . This minimizes attempts to tamper with the lock pin  160  to effect its removal from the lock ring  20  and thereby removal of the lock ring  20  itself and the watthour meter from the socket cover for an authorized access to the interior of the watthour meter socket. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , exteriorly opening grooves  200  may be formed in one or both of the lock members  52  and  54 , with the grooves  200  shown by way of example only on the sidewalls  122  and  124  of the second member  54 . The exterior grooves  200 , which may take any shape, act as an optional finger grip surface to facilitate separation of the members  52  and  54  from each other and separation of the ends  38  and  40  of the band  21  to enable removal of the ring  20  from the mating flanges.