Abstract:
A tool for installing and removing an electrical power meter comprising a sleeve member adapted for sliding movement about the meter and having a first end opposite a second end, a plurality of releasable gripping hooks mounted on the first end of the sleeve member for selectively engaging the meter, an attaching hook member extending outwardly from the first end of the sleeve member, and a shield secured to the second end of the sleeve member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/354,034, filed on Jan. 19, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/779,577, filed May 13, 2010; the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to a tool for installing and removing electrical power meters. More particularly, the invention relates to a tool with a shield for removing electrical power meters. Specifically, the invention relates to a tool with a removable shield that can be used to protect a user while installing and removing electrical power meters. 
         [0004]    2. Background Information 
         [0005]    Electrical power meters must be occasionally removed and installed on electrical power distribution boxes or housings. The electrical meters can be removed by hand but there is a great deal of danger due to the high current, risk of electrocution, and electrical arc explosion that creates arc thermal energy and a pressure wave and fragmentation. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,581 is directed to an electrical power meter installing/removing apparatus that fits around the perimeter of the meter base and locks in place with snapping tabs. The operator then pulls back on the tool and removes the meter from the distribution box. While the apparatus includes a handle proximate the back end of the tool, the tool does not protect the user from electrocution or explosion which may occur at the connection between the power meter and the distribution box when the meter is removed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention broadly comprises a tool for installing and removing an electrical power meter comprising a sleeve member adapted for sliding movement about the meter and having a first end opposite a second end, a plurality of releasable gripping hooks mounted on the first end of the sleeve member for selectively engaging the meter, an attaching hook member extending outwardly from the first end of the sleeve member, and a shield secured to the second end of the sleeve member. 
         [0008]    The present invention also broadly comprises a method of removing an electrical power meter comprising the steps of providing a sleeve member having a first end with a plurality of releasable gripping hooks and an actuating hook member extending outwardly from the first end of the sleeve member and a second end with a handle, mounting a shield with a handle on the sleeve member second end, sliding the sleeve member onto the power meter until the attaching hook members surround a power meter gripping collar, grasping the second end handle and the shield handle, and pulling the sleeve member handle and the shield member in a direction away from the power meter. 
         [0009]    The present invention also broadly comprises a method of removing an electrical power meter comprising the steps of securing a shield to a meter puller, wherein a first side of the shield abuts the back end, and operating a clamping system of the meter puller from the safety of a second side of the shield. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which Applicants have contemplated applying the principles of the invention, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sleeve member of a first embodiment of the invention with releasable gripping hooks and attaching hooks; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the sleeve member with a safety shield having a handle secured thereon; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of the sleeve member shown with an intermediate member and connecting fasteners; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of the safety shield and handles; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the safety shield secured to the sleeve member; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the sleeve member and safety shield taken generally about Line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the sleeve member taken generally about Line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an operational view showing an operator gripping the handles and forcing the sleeve member and safety shield in the direction of a power meter; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an operational view showing the installer forcing the sleeve member on to the power meter; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an operational view of the operator removing the power meter with the sleeve member and an electrical explosion being deflected around the safety shield; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a sleeve member of a second embodiment of the invention with a clamping system for actuating a pair of lips to grip and release the meter; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the sleeve member shown with a template; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the sleeve member having a drill extending therein and an actuation device attached thereto; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an enhanced meter puller of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a partial exploded view of the enhanced meter puller of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the enhanced meter puller; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a partial cross-sectional view of the enhanced meter puller taken generally about Line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is an operational view showing an operator gripping the handles of the enhanced meter puller and manually moving the enhanced meter puller towards a meter; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is an operational view showing an operator actuating a clamping system of the meter puller from behind the shield; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is an operational view of the operator removing the meter using the enhanced meter puller and an electrical explosion being deflected around the shield. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
         [0033]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
         [0034]    The tool of the present invention is indicated generally at  10 , and is particularly shown in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . As particularly shown in  FIG. 1 , a sleeve member  12  includes a first end  14  opposing a second end  16 . First end  14  includes an opening  18 , while top end  16  is enclosed by a top surface  20 . Further, top surface  20  is recessed within a lip portion  22  of sleeve member  12  which defines a cavity  23 . 
         [0035]    A handle  24  is connected to second end  16  through fasteners  26  and holes  28  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). Handle  24  generally consists of a pair of posts  30  having holes  32  on tabs  33  for receiving fasteners  26  and a central rod  34  disposed between inner surfaces  36  of post  30  and connected to the post with fasteners  38 . Accordingly, handle  24  is removable by unscrewing fasteners  26 . 
         [0036]    Sleeve member  12  is preferably cylindrical in shape and formed of a rigid material such as plastic. In a preferred embodiment, four attachment hooks  40  are mounted on an outer surface  42  of sleeve member  12  with a pair of rivets  44 . Attachment hooks  40  are preferably thin strips of metal which extend for approximately half of a length of the sleeve member and terminate proximate first end  14 . Further, the width of the attachment hooks is preferably just smaller than guide opening  46  and first end  14 . 
         [0037]    A gripping hook  48  is secured to a terminal end  50  of attachment hook  40  with a pair of rivets  52  which may extend into guide opening  46 . Gripping hooks  48  preferably include a flat portion  54  near the rivets and an angled portion  56  extending upward from the rivets to provide a lever arm for hook portion  58 . Hook portion  58  is connected to flat portion  54  through lower angled portion  60 . Hook portion  58  is preferably generally perpendicular to lower angled portion  60  so as to grip on to the power meter base. Further, angled portion  56  permits the hook portion  58  to be directed radially outward by compressing the angled portion  56  towards sleeve member outer surface  42 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , sleeve member  12  is shown with a shield  62  connected to sleeve member  12 . Further, an intermediate member  64  is located between shield  62  and sleeve member second end  16 . Shield  62  includes an outer surface  66  and a central opening  68 . Central opening  68  is preferably sized and shaped complimentary to handle  24  so that the shield can be installed vertically around handle  24  when the handle is secured to sleeve member second end  16 . Further, shield  62  also includes a handle  70  arranged generally perpendicular to second end handle  24  to provide a comfortable orientation for the operator. Shield  62  rests atop intermediate member  64  and is secured to the intermediate member and the sleeve member with threaded studs  72  and fasteners  74 . Finally, shield  62  is preferably sized to protect an operator and may range anywhere from the diameter of sleeve member second end  16  to well over 24 inches. However, in a preferred embodiment the shield diameter is approximately 18 inches to 24 inches and is particularly 24 inches in the preferred embodiment. Shield  62  is preferably composed of a clear rigid plastic material that is capable of withstanding electrocution and a significant impact. Shield  62  may also be composed of a flame retardant transparent polycarbonate shield or may include a plurality of shields stacked one atop of the other. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment tool  10 . As can be particularly seen in  FIG. 3A , intermediate member  64  is preferably cylindrical in shape and includes a plurality of holes  76  for receiving fasteners  26 . A plurality of holes  78  permit threaded studs  72  to extend there through and secure shield  62  to sleeve member second end  16 . Further,  FIG. 3A  illustrates a plurality of apertures  80  within second end  16  for receiving fasteners  26  of the handle as shown in  FIG. 3B . Further, nuts  82  secure handle  24  and fasteners  26  to the intermediate member  64  and sleeve member  12 . Intermediate member  64  is preferably cylindrical in shape and sized to fit within lip portion  22  of second end  16 . Further, intermediate member  64  preferably has a thickness greater than the height of lip portion  22  to extend the shield contact surface above lip portion  22 . Specifically, a bottom surface  84  of shield  62  contacts a top surface  86  of intermediate member above lip portion  22 , while a bottom surface  87  of the intermediate member contacts top surface  20 . 
         [0040]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 3B , safety shield  62  is shown with a pair of apertures  88  for receiving threaded studs  72  of second end  16 . Shield  62  also includes a pair of apertures  90  for receiving fasteners  92  to connect handle  70  to shield  62 . Further, central opening  68  is again shown complimentary shaped to handle  24  and includes a pair of rectangular openings  94  at each end and a slot  96  for permitting passage of handle central rod  34  during installation, while rectangular openings  94  permit passage of posts  30  during installation. Accordingly, a bottom surface  98  of post  30  rests flush with bottom surface  84  of shield  62  when fully installed, while a bottom surface  100  of handle  70  rests on a top surface  102  of the shield after installation. Therefore, handle  70  is preferably shorter than handle  24  to ensure that the handles are aligned at the same height. In a preferred embodiment, handle  70  is shorter than handle  24  by the same thickness as shield  62 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  illustrate the arrangement of the tool and shield components. As seen in  FIG. 4 , diameter D of shield  62  is preferably larger than diameter E of sleeve member  12 . Further, the orientation of handle  24  with respect to handle  70  is seen in greater detail to allow the operator to more naturally use the meter puller and shield. Still further, this view illustrates the larger range of protection for the operator. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view showing second end  16  with studs  72  integral to the second end and intermediate member  64  surrounding the studs.  FIG. 5  also illustrates opening  18  extending upward from first end  14  all the way to second end  16 . Still further, this view illustrates lip portion  22  extending partially up the thickness of intermediate member  64  and intermediate member  64  extending far above lip portion  22 . While studs  72  are shown integral to the second end, the stud could be removably secured to the second end with nuts. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of first end  14  illustrating gripping hook  48  secured to outer surface  42  of sleeve member  12  with rivets  44 . In addition, an absorbing mount  104  is located proximate an inner surface  106  of sleeve member  12 . Absorbing mount  104  preferably includes a pair of apertures  108  arranged to receive rivets  44  and particularly mount attachment hook  40  to sleeve member  12 . Absorbing mount  104  is preferably constructed of a rigid plastic but may also be constructed of a more flexible material and is useful to reduce the bending moment that is created by operating angle portion  56 . 
         [0044]    Having described the structure of the preferred embodiment, a preferred method of operation will be described in detail and should be read in light of  FIGS. 1 through 9  and particularly  FIGS. 7 through 9 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 7 through 9  illustrate the operation of the meter puller after shield  62  has been secured on intermediate member  64  and second end  16  as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  5 . Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an operator  110  grasps tool  10  at handles  24  and  70  and forces the tool in a direction associated with arrow  111  towards electrical power meter  114  having a base  116 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , the operator forces the tool in a direction associated with arrow  111  until hook portion  58  surrounds and contacts a back surface  118  of meter base  116  and engages the tool with the meter for removal. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  illustrates removal of the electrical meter by pulling tool  10  in direction associated with arrow  122  away from a distribution box  123  and particularly meter mount  125 . Should an electrical explosion or electrocution occur during the removal of meter  114 , a blast  140  will be sent towards the operator and deflected by shield  62  or, due to the size of the shield, pass radially outward of the shield and thereby missing the operator. Advantageously, this shield arrangement provides a greater cone of protection for the operator to reduce the risk and damage that a blast may cause during electrical power meter removal and installation. Still further, the shield provides greater dexterity for the user in that there are two handles to guide the tool on to the power meter as well as during the removal and installation process. 
         [0047]    Alternatively, the operator may use a strap wrench or other suitable tool to compress angled portions  56  on each gripping hook  48 . Advantageously, using a strap wrench allows the operator to compress the gripping hooks and surround the power meter while reducing the operator&#39;s risk of being electrocuted. 
         [0048]    Thus, tool  10  provides an apparatus for protecting a user as well as additional assistance during the installation and removal of electrical power meters. Further, the tool is easily transportable as shield  62  may be easily removed to allow for storage. The shield provides a cone of protection with greater heat attenuation for the user with increasing the user&#39;s control over the meter puller by using two hands. 
         [0049]    It will be evident to one of skilled in the art that a variety of changes can be made that are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, the sleeve member and shield may be composed of the same or different materials and can be manufactured of a variety of colors, including translucent colors. Further, the size of the shield and the length of the sleeve member may be adjusted to accommodate specific users or specific power meters. 
         [0050]    In a second embodiment of the present invention, an enhanced meter puller  101  is shown in  FIGS. 10-21 , and described hereinafter. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 14 , enhanced meter puller  101  includes a meter puller  103 , which may be embodied by any common off-the-shelf meter puller. Shown particularly in  FIG. 10 , meter puller  103  includes a sleeve member  112  which extends from a first end  114  to a second end  116 . First end  114  defines an opening  118 , while a top surface  120  is disposed at second end  116 . A pair of posts  130  extend outwardly away from top surface  120  and receive a central rod  134  therebetween to form a handle  124 . Sleeve member  112  is comprised of a first sleeve portion  113  coupled with a second sleeve portion  115 , wherein first sleeve portion  113  and second sleeve portion  115  are movable with respect to each other. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , meter puller  103  includes a locking mechanism or a clamping system (which also may be referred to herein and in the appended claims as a latching mechanism or latching system), shown generally at  135 . Clamping system  135  is intended to move first sleeve portion  113  and second sleeve portion  115  together and apart to clamp onto a meter for extraction. Clamping system  135  includes a cam arm  137  extending from a first end  143  to a second end  145 . First end  143  is pivotably connected to second sleeve portion  115  by way of a pivot bolt  139 , whereas second end  145  ( FIG. 16 ) is pivotably connected to a distal portion of second sleeve portion  115  by way of a pivot bolt  141  ( FIG. 16 ). Thus, cam arm  137  wraps entirely around first sleeve portion  113 , and is pivotable from a first position ( FIG. 10 ) to a second position ( FIG. 18 ). A user generally actuates cam arm  137  by way of a knob, defining first end  143 , removably secured to cam arm  137  via a threaded member  144  ( FIG. 11 ) extending into an aperture  146  ( FIG. 11 ) defined by cam arm  137 . Threaded member  144  is secured therein by way of a nut  148 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , clamping system  135  further includes a pair of cam tracks  149  defined by first sleeve portion  113 . A corresponding pair of cam bolts  151  extend from cam arm  137  into cam tracks  149  to cammably connect first end  114  of sleeve member  112  to cam arm  137 . It will readily be understood that by moving cam arm  137  from the first position to the second position, cam bolts  151  follow the orientation of cam tracks  149  in a camming manner to move first sleeve portion  113  in relation to second sleeve portion  115 . This reduces the overall size of opening  118  when cam arm  137  is in the first position, and enlarges opening  118  when cam arm  137  is in the second position. Extending from each of first sleeve portion  113  and second sleeve portion  115  are a pair of corresponding lock lips  153 , which generally surround opening  118 . Those in the art will readily understand that cam arm  137  is moved from the second position to the first position to clamp lock lips  153  around a meter for extraction. Those in the art will readily understand that cam arm  137  is moved from the second position to the first position to clamp lock lips  153  around a meter for extraction. Pursuant to this, once lock lips  153  are clamped on a meter, the user then physically pulls meter puller  103  by way of handle  124  to remove the meter from the meter box. 
         [0054]    Enhanced meter puller  101 , the individual components, and the overall method for assembling the same will now be discussed. One of the primary features of enhanced meter puller  101  relates to applying a shield  162  to meter puller  103  for protecting the user. Pursuant to this, enhanced meter puller  101  provides a method for actuating clamping system  135  safely behind shield  162 . Broadly speaking, shield  162  includes a first side  168  and an opposite second side  170 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , first side  168  is sized and positioned to abut top surface  120  of sleeve member  112 . A plurality of bolts  181  are provided and sized to fit through a corresponding plurality of bolt apertures  183  defined by shield  162  such that bolts  181  extend through the corresponding bolt apertures  183  and into sleeve member  112  to secure shield  162  thereto. As such, sleeve member  112  proximate second end  116  must provide a corresponding receiving hole  185  for receiving bolt  181  therein. Inasmuch as meter puller  103  may be provided as an off-the-shelf component, receiving holes  185  may not be provided at the outset. Thus, a template  165  is provided for ensuring receiving holes  185  align with bolt apertures  183 . 
         [0055]    Template  165  is provided with a plurality of drill apertures  187  as well as a handle aperture  189 . As such, the user may extend template  165  onto second end  116  of sleeve member  112  such that template  165  abuts top surface  120 . It will be readily understood that handle aperture  189  is sized and shaped to receive handle  124  therethrough for allowing template  165  to extend down into an abutting relationship with top surface  120 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the user then extends a drill through drill apertures  187  and into sleeve member  112  such that receiving holes  185  are formed thereby, and in correct alignment with bolt apertures  183 . Thereafter, template  165  is removed and shield  162  is lowered onto top surface  120  such that bolt apertures  183  align with receiving holes  185 , which allows the user to extend bolts  181  through both bolt apertures  183  and receiving holes  185 . As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 17 , a free end  192  of each bolt  181  is thereby positioned within sleeve member  112  proximate second end  116 . Thereafter, the user then applies a washer  191  and a wing nut  193  onto free end  192  to secure bolts  181  and lock shield  162  onto meter puller  103 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , shield  162  further includes a handle aperture  195  which is particularly sized and shaped to align handle  124  to pass therethrough, thus allowing shield  162  to tightly abut top surface  120 . One will readily understand that handle aperture  195 , handle aperture  189 , and other related components of enhanced meter puller  101  may be sized and shaped differently to accommodate different meter pullers  103  in general, and in particular, different second ends  116  of sleeve member  112 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 15 , enhanced meter puller  101  further includes a brace handle  179  for providing additional handle for use by the user in manually pulling the enhanced meter puller  101 , and physically manipulating the overall structure. Brace handle  179  is formed in an overall C-shaped structure having a pair of legs  180  which extend to align with a corresponding pair of handle apertures  182  defined by shield  162  and particularly positioned such that a corresponding pair of handle bolts  198  extend therethrough to secure brace handle  179  to shield  162 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 18 . As such, brace handle  179  extends upwardly away from second side  170  of shield  162 . Thus, the user enjoys both handle  124  as provided by meter puller  103 , as well as brace handle  179  as provided by enhanced meter puller  101  for use in manually manipulating the overall structure of enhanced meter puller  101 , particularly when clamping system  135  is clamped onto a meter. 
         [0057]    It is a primary feature of the present invention that a user of enhanced meter puller  101  may actuate clamping system  135  from behind the relative safety of second side  170  of shield  162 . Thus, the physical manipulation of enhanced meter puller  101 , as well as the actuation of clamping system  135  may be done entirely behind shield  162 . Pursuant to this, shield  162  defines aperture  175  which is positioned purposely to align an actuation device  169  with clamp arm  137 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , actuation device  169  includes a first portion  171  and a second portion  173 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , first portion  171  is sized and shaped to be extended through aperture  175  and disposed proximate clamp arm  137 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , a bracket  196  is provided to pivotally secure first portion  171  of actuation device  169  to clamp arm  137 . Bracket  196  includes a receiving sleeve for receiving first portion  171  of actuation device  169  therein. Bracket  196  further includes a pivot element  199  for allowing receiving sleeve  197  to pivot while first portion  171  is secured therein. A shaft  194  extends from pivot element  199  and receiving sleeve  197 , and is sized and shaped to extend through aperture  146  defined by cam arm  137  ( FIG. 11 ). Thereafter, nut  148  or alternatively, an additional nut is secured to shaft  194  to firmly secure shaft  194  and the overall bracket  196  onto cam arm  137  in a pivotable manner. As shown in  FIG. 14 , second portion  173  of actuation device  169  thereafter extends through aperture  175  and outwardly away from second side  170  of shield  162  such that an actuation handle  177  may be applied thereon. In accordance with the pivoting nature of cam arm  137  and overall clamping system  135 , the user may thereafter push and pull actuation handle  177  to move cam arm  137  between the first position ( FIG. 19 ) and the second position ( FIG. 18 ). Aperture  175  is sized to allow a reasonably tight fit around actuation device  169  such that the pushing and pulling on handle  177  generally in a linear nature towards and away from shield  162 . One will readily recognize that manually manipulating handle  177  in a linear manner corresponds to manually manipulating cam arm  137  in a linear manner. However, manipulating actuation handle  177  is done from a safe position behind shield  162 , thereby drastically reducing the chance that a user will be harmed by an explosion or an electrical discharge from the meter while the meter is being removed. This represents an enormous leap in the field in terms of safety as well as efficiency, as it will be readily understood that shield  162  may be retroactively applied to preexisting off-the-shelf meter pullers  103 . Thus, the overall expense of providing the user with improved safety is relatively minor. 
         [0058]    The overall size of shield  162  may differ, however, in the preferred embodiment, the overall diameter or cross-sectional size of shield  162  is preferably at least 50% larger than the overall diameter of second end  116  of sleeve member  112 . This provides the user with an extended shielding while manually manipulating meter puller  103 . Likewise, shield  162  may be manufactured using any common components. However, shield  162  is preferably constructed using a dielectric or insulating material such that electricity may be dissipated efficiently without harming the user. 
         [0059]    A user may receive the elements for forming enhanced meter puller  101  as a kit or aftermarket addition for standard off-the-shelf meter pullers, similar to meter puller  103 . Alternatively, it is within the scope of the invention to provide enhanced meter puller  101  in a fully assembled state, having the shield secured onto a sleeve member for sale as a single unit. 
         [0060]    In operation, the user or assembler is presented with meter puller  103  and the elements for assembling enhanced meter puller  101  and begins forming enhanced meter puller  101  by abutting template  165  to top surface  120  of sleeve member  112 . This allows the user to align drill apertures  187  on template  165  with the areas on top surface  120  for forming receiving holes  185 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the user drills through template  165  and drill apertures  187  into sleeve member  112  to form receiving holes  185  therein. 
         [0061]    One will readily understand that the drilling is generally undertaken in the direction of Arrow  210  to penetrate through template  165  and into sleeve member  112 . Thereafter, the user then removes knob  143  from cam arm  137  to expose aperture  146  for attachment with first portion  171  of actuation device  169 . Shaft  194  on bracket  196  is extended through aperture  146  and secured therein by way of nut  148  or a similar element such that actuation device  169  is pivotable to move cam arm between the first position and the second position as desired by the user. As shown in  FIG. 15 , thereafter, the user then extends shield  162  such that handle  124  extends through aperture  195  allowing first side  168  of shield  162  to abut top surface  120  of sleeve member  112 . Inasmuch as bolt apertures  183  and receiving holes  185  are aligned, free end  192  of bolts  181  extend through each of these openings and into the interior of sleeve member  112 , where each free end  192  is secured by any means in the art. Particularly, as shown in  FIG. 15 , free end  192  is secured therein by washer  191  and wing nut  193  threadably received thereon. Concurrent to this, second portion  193  of actuation device  169  extends through aperture  175  to extend outwardly away from second side  170  of shield  162 . The user then screws or adheres actuation handle  177  onto second portion  173  of actuation device  169 . Thereafter, the user then secures brace handle  179  to shield  162  by way of handle bolts  198  extending through handle apertures  182  and into each of the pair of legs  180 . Thus, enhanced meter puller  101  is shown in the fully assembled state in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , enhanced meter puller  101  is then useable to provide a safe method for removing a meter disposed in an electrical box. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the method for removing a meter  120  from an electrical box  230  is shown in the initial stages. Meter  120  is interconnected with electrical box  230 , and is in need of removal. To initiate removing meter  220 , the user ensures that meter puller  103  is in the second or opened position. This requires cam arm  137  to be fully retracted towards the user with cam bolts  151  closest to the user. In this orientation, lock lips  153  are in a fully opened and extended position with opening  118  having its largest diameter. As one can readily ascertain from viewing  FIG. 18 , the user is positioned behind shield  162  such that shield  162  is intermediate the user and the meter  120 . The user then moves enhanced meter puller  101  in the direction of Arrow  211  to plunge meter  220  into the interior of sleeve member  112 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the user then pushes actuation handle  177  towards meter  220  to articulate actuation device  169  such that cam arm  137  moves forward or away from the user to transition meter puller  103  into the first or closed position. Likewise, this movement of cam arm  137  retracts lock lips  153  in the directions of Arrows  112  to lock puller  103  onto meter  220 . Clamping system  135  is engaged and moved by the user safely behind shield  162 . Therefore, any electrical discharge or explosion will be deflected by shield  162  away from and around the user. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 20 , after the user locks meter puller  103  onto meter  220  by actuating clamping system  133  from safely behind shield  162 , the user then grasps enhanced meter puller  101  by handle  124  and brace handle  179  to allow the user to manually manipulate and pull enhanced meter puller  101  in the direction of Arrows  214  to thereby remove meter  220  from electrical box  230 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , in the event there is an electronic discharge or explosion  240 , the user remains safely behind shield  162  and proximate second side  170  throughout the entire operation of using enhanced meter puller  101  to remove meter  220  from electrical box  230 . 
         [0064]    Accordingly, the power meter puller with safety shield is an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device that achieves all the enumerated objectives of the invention, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior art devices, systems, and methods, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. 
         [0065]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
         [0066]    Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 
         [0067]    Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manner in which the power meter puller with safety shield is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangement, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.