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:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    2. Background Information 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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 
       [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    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. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment sleeve member with releasable gripping hooks and attaching hooks; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment sleeve member with safety shield having a handle; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment sleeve member with intermediate member and connecting fasteners; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment safety shield and handles; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view with the safety shield secured to the sleeve member; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the sleeve member and safety shield taken generally about Line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the sleeve member taken generally about Line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      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; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an operational view showing the installer forcing the sleeve member on to the power meter; and, 
           [0018]      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. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    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. 
         [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    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 . 
         [0022]    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 . 
         [0023]    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 . 
         [0024]    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 . 
         [0025]    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. 
         [0026]      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 . 
         [0027]    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 . 
         [0028]      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. 
         [0029]      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. 
         [0030]      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 . 
         [0031]    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 . 
         [0032]      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  112  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  120  until hook portion  58  surrounds and contacts a back surface  118  of meter base  116  and engages the tool with the meter for removal. 
         [0033]      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  124  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. 
         [0034]    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. 
         [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    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. 
         [0037]    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. 
         [0038]    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. 
         [0039]    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. 
         [0040]    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.