Patent Publication Number: US-6663422-B1

Title: Jaw blades and jaw blade couplers for watthour meter socket adapter

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, in general, to electrical watthour meters and, specifically, to watthour meter mounting enclosures or socket adapters. 
     2. Description of the Art 
     Electrical power is supplied to an individual site or service by external electrical power line conductors located above or below ground. In a conventional arrangement, electrical power line conductors are connected to terminals in a watthour meter socket mounted on a building wall. Electrical load conductors are connected to another set of terminals in the meter socket and extend to the electrical distribution network in the building. A watthour meter is connected to both pairs of terminals in the meter socket to measure the electric power drawn through the load conductors. 
     Due to the current trend toward the use of plug-in watthour meters, A to S type socket adapters have been devised which convert A-base type bottom connected watthour meter sockets to receive plug-in watthour meters. Another type of socket adapter has been devised which allows the installation of other devices between the watthour meter socket and a plug-in watthour meter. 
     Such socket adapters employ a generally annular base having a shell joined thereto and extending outward from one side of the base. Jaw contacts are mounted in the shell and base. Each jaw contact has a female jaw portion disposed interiorly within the shell and a male blade terminal connected to the female jaw portion and extending outward through the base for plug-in connection to the terminals in the meter socket housing. 
     In previous watthour meter socket adapters, the jaw contacts were of two different constructions. In one construction, the jaw contacts have a folded over design formed of a base wall fixedly mounted by a fastener to the shell of the socket adapter and two spaced sidewalls extending therefrom. The outer ends of the sidewalls are folded over inwardly between the sidewalls and terminate in parallel end flanges which slidably receive a blade terminal of a watthour meter. A blade terminal is usually fixedly connected to the base wall of the jaw contact for connection to jaw contact in a meter socket. 
     In the second construction, the jaw contacts are formed of a generally planar terminal having opposed first and second ends. An angularly bent spring clip is riveted at one end to an intermediate portion of the terminal and extends to a contact edge disposed in separable engagement with the first end of the terminal to form a jaw for receiving the blade terminal of a watthour meter. The spring clip forcibly biases the watthour meter terminal into secure electrical engagement with the terminal. The second end of the blade terminal extends exteriorly from the base of the watthour meter socket adapter for releasable engagement in a socket jaw contact. A cotter pin is inserted through an intermediate aperture in the terminal to fixedly mount the terminal and jaw contact in position in the watthour meter socket adapter. 
     Other contact configurations, such as a three finger contact shown in the current assignee&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,300, have also been devised. 
     However, it is believed that further improvements can be made to watthour meter socket adapter jaw contact and blade terminal structure for use in different applications. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the separate three finger potential jaw contact and the separate blade terminal are interconnected in a unitary structure, while remaining electrically isolated from each other by means of a coupler which engages opposed side edges of one jaw contact and one blade terminal. 
     In one aspect, the coupler is formed of an electrically insulating material and is constructed of a one piece member. A first end portion of the coupler receives the jaw contact and an opposed second end portion receives the blade terminal. 
     In one aspect, an engagement member is carried on the first portion of the coupler for releasably engaging the jaw contact when the jaw contact is mounted in the first end of the coupler. 
     In another aspect of the coupler, the coupler is in the form of a one piece body having opposed end portions, a first end portion receiving the jaw contact and a second end portion for receiving the blade terminal. 
     This aspect of the present coupler is ideally suited for use with a jaw contact having a U-shaped channel portion. The first end portion of the coupler is fixedly mounted within the channel portion in a non-rotatable position. The blade terminal also has a channel-shaped end for receiving the second end portion of the coupler. 
     In one aspect, the coupler may be formed as an electrical fuse with outwardly extending end tabs which are joinable to the jaw contact and blade terminal. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, an electrical contact is mountable in a watthour meter socket adapter and has a base, an electrical conductor connector projecting from one end of the base, and three laterally spaced legs projecting from the base to define a jaw contact. Support and wall members extend from the base for forming recesses which receive one edge of the base of the contact to fix the contact in the socket adapter. 
     The socket adapter and coupler of the present invention uniquely enables separate jaw contacts and blade terminals to be uniquely carried in a one piece unit for ease of assemble and mounting in a socket adapter. The coupler may take many different forms, one allowing the connection of separate, typically large diameter electrical conductors to the jaw contact and the blade terminal. In another aspect, the coupler may take the form of an electrical fuse having end portions electrically connected to the jaw contact and the blade terminal. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view showing one embodiment of a watthour meter socket adapter according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the watthour meter socket adapter shown in FIG. 1, with the dead front shield portion of the shell removed; 
     FIG. 3 is a partially broken-away, rear, perspective view of the shell of the socket adapter shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectioned, side view of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a jaw blade according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a partially cross sectioned, perspective view showing the mounting of the jaw blade depicted in FIG. 5 in a watthour meter socket adapter extender housing constructed according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safety shield according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of FIG. 7 showing the jaw contact safety shield mounting aperture and latch projection; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of FIG. 7 showing the interlocking of the safety shield with the latch projection depicted in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a safety shield according to present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a partial, enlarged, perspective view showing the interlocking of the safety shield of FIG. 10 with the socket adapter housing depicted in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safety shield according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a partial, enlarged, perspective view showing the interlocking of the safety shield of FIG. 12 in the socket adapter depicted in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view showing a feature of the safety shields shown in FIGS. 7,  10  and  12 ; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safety shield according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of a safety shield and a surge conductor shown in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a partial, lateral, cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the safety shield and one surge ground conductor of FIG. 16 in the socket adapter shown in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view showing the interconnection of the spring fingers on the surge ground conductor with the safety shield shown in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 19 is a plan view showing one embodiment of circuit board mounts in a socket adapter; 
     FIG. 20A is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a watthour meter socket adapter housing according to the present invention with circuit board mounting means; 
     FIG. 20B is a cross sectional view showing a power connection between a blade terminal and a circuit board mounted in the socket adapter of FIG. 20A; 
     FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a printed circuit board mountable in the socket adapter according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 21B is a perspective view of a modified printed circuit board according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 21C is a perspective view of another embodiment of a printed circuit board according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a front perspective view showing the mounting of the circuit board of FIG. 21 in a watthour meter socket adapter; 
     FIG. 23 is rear perspective view showing the printed circuit board and timer mounted in the socket adapter; 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safety shield according to the present invention usable with a current transformer rated watthour meter socket adapter; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safety shield usable in a current transformer rated socket adapter; 
     FIG. 26 is a lateral cross-sectional view generally taken along lines  26 — 26  in FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the safety shield shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, 
     FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of the socket adapter shown in FIG. 25, with the safety shield removed; 
     FIG. 29 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the socket adapter shown in FIG. 28 depicting the mounting of potential jaw contacts; 
     FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the various jaw contacts, blade terminals and jaw blade terminals mounted in the socket adapter depicted in FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a jaw contact and blade terminal coupler according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the assembled jaw contact and blade terminal coupler of FIG. 31 of the present invention taken from a first side of the coupler; 
     FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the assembled jaw contact and blade terminal coupler of FIG. 31 taken from a second opposite side; 
     FIG. 34 is an exploded, perspective view of another aspect of a jaw blade coupler according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the coupler shown in FIG. 23, depicted in an assembled state; 
     FIG. 36 an end view of the coupler shown in FIG. 24; and 
     FIG. 37 is a partially exploded, perspective view of an alternated fuse carrying coupler. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In order to better describe and appreciate the advantages of the present invention, a description of the conventional construction of an electric watthour meter socket adapter or socket extender/adapter, both hereafter referred to as a socket adapter, will be provided with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A conventional socket adapter  10  includes contacts designed to receive blade terminals of a conventional electric watthour meter, not shown, in a releasable connection. The socket adapter  10  includes terminals, described hereafter, which plug into mating contacts in a watthour meter socket. The number of contacts and terminals in the socket adapter  10  will vary depending upon the type of electric service at a particular user site, FIG. 1 depicts, by way of example only, a single phase electric service. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 , and  4 , the socket adapter  10  includes a base portion  12  and a shell portion  14  which are fixedly joined together by suitable means, such as fasteners. The base  12  has a central wall  16  of generally circular shape. A plurality of generally rectangular bosses  18  are formed on the central wall  16 . Each of the bosses  18  has a slot  20  formed therein which extends completely through each boss  18  and the central wall  16  to receive a blade terminal therethrough, as described hereafter. A plurality of cylindrical bosses  22  are also formed on and extend outward from one surface of the central wall  16 . Through bores are formed in each boss  22  for receiving a fastener to join the shell  14  to the base  12 . A plurality of outwardly extending legs  24  are formed on a back surface of the central wall  16  and are provided in an appropriate number and spaced from one of the contacts or blade terminals which extends through the base  12 . 
     An annular, raised, inner peripheral edge flange  30  is formed on the base  12  and extends outward from one surface of the central wall  16 . An outer peripheral edge flange  32  is spaced radially outward from the inner flange  30 . A plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs  34  extend radially between the inner and outer peripheral edge flanges  30  and  32 . 
     The inner peripheral edge flange  30  includes an annular seat for receiving a peripheral edge portion of the shell  14  when the shell  14  is engaged with the base  12 . The outer peripheral edge flange  32  extends radially outward from the inner peripheral edge flange  30  and forms a mounting flange which mates with the mounting flange on the cover of the watthour meter socket, not shown. A conventional sealing ring, also not shown, is employed to surround and lockingly join the outer peripheral edge flange  32  to the mounting flange on the meter socket. 
     The shell  14  of the socket adapter  10  is formed with a generally annular sidewall  42 . The sidewall  42  terminates in an enlarged diameter exterior end mounting flange  44 . The mounting flange  44  is designed to mate with a corresponding mounting flange on a conventional watthour meter, not shown. A sealing ring, not shown, may be employed to encompass and lockingly connect the mounting flange  44  on the shell  14  and the mounting flange on a watthour meter. 
     The annular sidewall  42  of the shell  14  has an opposed annular edge  45  spaced from the exterior end mounting flange  44 . A generally solid wall  46  is integrally connected to the sidewall  42  by a plurality of flanges  43  and is spaced between the exterior mounting flange  44  and the opposed edge  45 . The wall  46  projects above the flanges  43  and acts as a dead front or safety shield covering all of the exposed portions of the jaw blades and an optional disconnect switch in a cavity between the base  12  and the shell  14 . 
     The wall  46  has a plurality of raised bosses  47 , each of which includes a slot  48  defining an opening for receiving a blade terminal  120  of an electrical device, such as a watthour meter, therethrough as shown in FIG.  11 . Each raised boss  47  extends a short distance above the generally planar wall  46  and forms a recess or cavity  49  on the back surface of the wall  46  which receives and locates a jaw blade mounted on the base  12 . Each slot  48  extends across the planar wall  46  and down a sidewall connecting the planar wall  46  to one flange  43  to permit easy angular insertion and removal of blade terminals through the slots  48 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, at least one and preferably two identical surge ground conductors  220  are diametrically mounted opposite each other on the mounting flange  44  of the shell  14 . Each surge ground conductor  220  is removably mounted in one pair of slots in the mounting flange  44  and includes an arcuate wall portion  222  which conforms to the inner diameter of the annular sidewall  42  of the shell  14 . The arcuate wall portion  222  has an upper edge  224  and a lower edge  226 . 
     A pair of radially extending tabs  228  are formed on opposite side ends of the arcuate wall portion  222  generally adjacent the upper edge  224 . Each tab  228  seats in the slots on the mounting flange  44  of the shell  14 . Each tab  228  has an upper edge disposed slightly above the upper edge of the mounting flange  44 . This places the upper edge of each surge ground conductor  220  at a position to electrically engage a ground terminal mounted on the rear surface of a conventional watthour meter. 
     Each surge ground conductor  220 , as shown in FIG. 1, has a mounting foot or tab  230  connected to the lower edge  226  of the arcuate wall portion  222 . The mounting foot  230  has a generally planar shape with apertures  232  positioned to receive fasteners to secure each surge ground conductor  220  to one of the bosses  22  in the base  12 . Each aperture  232  is formed as a stamped threaded aperture so as to receive a threaded screw without need for a nut. 
     FIGS. 1-4 depict a jaw blade  64 ,  66  and a spring clip  100  which are depicted as but one example of a jaw contact or jaw blade assembly which can be employed in the socket adapter  10 . Further details concerning the construction and use of the jaw blade  64 ,  66  and spring clip  100  can be had by referring to US Pat. No. 6,152,764, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of load blade terminals  68  and  70  each comprise a generally planar member as is conventional in watthour meters and watthour meter socket adapters. One end of each load blade terminal  68  and  70  is connected to two internal bus bars within a disconnect switch  60  shown only by example in FIGS. 1,  2  and  4 . Outer ends  69  and  71  of the load blade terminals  68  and  70  have a length sufficient to enable the outer ends  69  and  71  to project through the bottom or central wall  16  of the base  12  exteriorly of the housing of the socket adapter  10  for insertion into mating jaw contacts in a watthour meter, not shown. 
     It will be understood that the following described load jaw blade structure may also alternately be employed for the line jaw blade structure or for both the line and load jaw blade structures in the socket adapter  10 . 
     By way of example, each of a pair of load jaw blades  64  and  66 , with only load jaw blade  64  being described in detail hereafter, includes a generally planar bus bar  74  which projects angularly and generally perpendicularly from the top surface of the housing of a switch  60 . The planar bus bar  74  has an opposed first and second ends  76  and  78 . Further, flange  80  projects angularly above and outward from the generally planar extent of the bus bar  74  to form a blade terminal guide as is conventional in watthour meter socket adapters. 
     The opposed load jaw blade  66  is identical to the load jaw blade  64 , but is formed of a mirror image to form a pair of left and right hand jaw blades  64  and  66 . However, the spring clip  100  mounted on the load jaw blade  66  is identical to the spring clip  100  used with jaw blade  64 . 
     A remotely controlled disconnect switch  60 , shown in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  4  as an option only, is located at the central wall  16  of the base  12 . The disconnect switch  60  may be any commercially disconnect switch which may include an internally movable member and at least one pair of contacts which are electrically connected between one of the pair of line and load jaw blades within the socket adapter  10  and the corresponding one of the pair of line and load blade terminals projecting outwardly from the socket adapter  10  and to certain jaw contacts in a watthour meter socket, not shown. The switch  60  may be remotely actuated by means of signals provided on wires  62  which extend exteriorly of the housing of the socket adapter  10 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is depicted yet another embodiment of an electrical contact or jaw blade  526 . The jaw blade  526  has an elongated shape and is particularly suited for use in a socket adapter extender  528  shown in FIG.  6 . The socket adapter extender  528  is similar to the socket adapter  402  described hereafter with several modifications. The housing of the socket adapter extender  528  includes a generally planar base or bottom wall  530  and lower sidewall  532 . The sidewall  532  terminates at a radially outward extending mounting flange  534 . The mounting flange  534  has an inward extending, annular shelf  536  disposed interiorly within the socket adapter extender  528  and an outwardly extending flange terminating in a depending lip  538  spaced from the lower sidewall  532 . The lip  538  is positioned for receiving a sealing ring to mount the socket adapter extender  528  on a ring-style socket adapter cover, not shown. An upper sidewall  539  extends from the mounting flange  534  and terminates in a mounting flange. 
     The jaw blade  526  has a unitary, one piece construction formed of a blade terminal end  542  which is offset by an intermediate offset  544  from an elongated jaw contact end  546 . A blade terminal edge guide  548  is formed at one end of the jaw contact end  546 . 
     A pair of side flanges  550  and  552  project perpendicularly from opposite side edges of the jaw contact end  546  and extend from an upper end adjacent the blade terminal guide  548  and to an opposite end  554  approximate the intermediate offset  544 . The second end  554  of each side flange  550  and  552  seats on the base  530  of the socket adapter extender  528  to prevent sideways movement of the jaw blade  526  relative to the base  530 . 
     A spring clip  558  is fixedly connected to the jaw contact end  546  by two fasteners, such as rivets, not shown, extendible through apertures  559 . The upper end of the spring clip  558  angles outwardly to form a mating blade terminal guide  548  on the jaw contact end  546 . The end  560  of the spring clip  558  is spaced from the adjacent jaw contact end  546  to define a slot for receiving a watthour meter blade terminal in a conventional manner. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, there is depicted a jaw contact safety shield  580  which is mountable in the socket adapter extender  528 . The safety shield  580  is formed of a one piece electrically insulating material, such as a suitable plastic, and is formed of an enclosure which, when the safety shield  580  is mounted in the socket adapter extender  528 , completely surrounds all of the line and load jaw blades within the socket adapter extender  528  except for small slots allowing the insertion of a watthour blade terminal into engagement with each line and load jaw blade. 
     The safety shield  580  includes a top or outer wall  582  and a plurality of sidewalls all denoted by reference number  584 . A plurality of raised bosses  586  are formed in the top wall  582 . The bosses  586  are positioned at the normal jaw contact positions of a watthour meter socket adapter. 
     Each boss  586  has an aperture or slot  588  formed therein. Each slot  588  has a top wall portion  590  extending parallel to the plane of the top wall  582  and a contiguous sidewall portion  592  forming a continuous L-shaped slot along the top wall  582  and the sidewall  584  of the safety shield  580 . The unique provision of the sidewall slot portion  592  simplifies the insertion and removal of a watthour meter into and out of the jaw contacts of the socket adapter extender  528  through the safety shield  580 . 
     A peripheral flange  594  extends outward from a lower edge of the sidewall  584  of the safety shield  580 . The peripheral flange  594  has a polygonal or square shape, by example only. Other shapes, such as octagonal, round, etc., may also be employed. 
     A plurality of legs  596  project from the peripheral flange  594 , generally at each corner of the peripheral flange  594 . Each leg  596  has a generally planar configuration with a notched inner surface  598 . A slot  600  is formed on the outer side of each leg  596  extending from the peripheral flange  594  to an aperture  602  in each leg  596 . 
     Latch means is provided for releasably latching each leg  596  and the entire safety shield  580  in the socket adapter extender  528 . The latch means includes a plurality of apertures  604  formed in the lower sidewall  632  of the extender  528  adjacent to the mounting flange  534  as shown in FIG. 8. A latch projection  606  is unitarily formed with the sidewall  532  and projects outwardly therefrom. The latch projection  606  has a flat edge surface  608  for releasable engagement with the aperture  602  in each leg  596  as shown in FIG.  9 . As the legs  596  of the safety shield  580  are urged toward each latch projection  606 , the outer end of each leg  596 , which has an angled end surface  610 , rides along the latch projection  606  until the aperture  602  slides over the edge  608  of the latch projection  606  releasably latching the leg  596  to the housing of the extender socket adapter  528 . Since the aperture  604  in the sidewall  532  opens outwardly underneath the mounting flange  534 , the legs  596  of the safety shield  580  may be released from the latch projection  606  by forcing a tool, such as a screwdriver, underneath the lower end of each leg  596  disengaging the leg  596  from the latch projection  606 . 
     A modified safety shield  620 , which is substantially similar to the safety shield  580  shown in FIG. 7 is depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. Accordingly, like reference numbers are used to identify like components in both of the safety shields  580  and  620 . 
     In this embodiment, the plurality of legs  622  are also located at the outer corners of the safety shield  620 . Each leg  622  terminates in an outwardly extending latch projection  624  which is positioned to engage an inner lip  626  formed in the sidewall  539  adjacent the mounting flange  532  as shown in FIG. 11 to releasably latch the safety shield  620  to the housing of the socket adapter extender  528 . The latch projection  624  is accessible from the bottom of the mounting  532  and can be urged radially inward from the mounting flange  532  to disengage the latch projection  624  from the lip  626  and enable the safety shield  620  to be removed from the extender  528 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is depicted another embodiment of a jaw contact safety shield  630  which is particularly suited for use with a low profile socket adapter, not shown, having a short height sidewall. Again, since the safety shield  630  is similar to the safety shields  580  and  620  described above, like components are depicted by the same reference number. In this embodiment, a pair of spaced end flanges  632  are formed on opposite portions of the sidewalls  584  and project outwardly from the adjacent sidewall  584 . Each end flange  632  has a pair of downwardly depending legs  634  extending therefrom, each leg  634  terminating in an outwardly extending latch projection  636 . The latch projection  636  on each leg  634  in releasably insertable through an aperture in the base and the adjacent ring of a socket adapter in the same manner as the latch projection  624  engages an aperture in the sidewall  539 , as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     As shown in detail in FIG. 13, each latch projection  636  snaps into engagement with an underlying surface  640  on the sidewall of the socket adapter housing to releasably mount the safety shield  630  to the housing. Each latch projection  636  may be released from engagement with the back surface of the base  637  of the socket adapter by means of a sharp tool inserted from behind the base  637 . 
     FIGS. 12 and 14 depict a unique feature of the safety shields  630 ,  580  and  620 . As shown therein, one leg  640  of the boss  586  adjacent to the slot  588  positioned at the eighth jaw contact position is cantilevered from an outer edge adjacent the sidewall  584 . This provides the cantilevered flange  640  with a freely movable end  642  which enables the flange  640  to bend inward about the outer edge in a watthour application where a single phase watthour meter has a potential clip at this position. The potential clip engages the flange  640  and bends it inward about the outer end enabling the watthour meter to properly seat in the socket adapter. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 15-18, there is depicted a modification to the above-described safety shield in which a safety shield  110  is mounted in the socket adapter extender  528  in a unique manner. Further, it will be understood that the safety shield  110  may also be employed in other types of socket adapter housing constructions. 
     The safety shield  110  is formed of a one piece, electrically insulating material and has a construction which, when mounted in the socket adapter extender  528 , completely surrounds and substantially encloses all of the line and load jaw blades within the socket adapter extender  528  except for small slots allowing the insertion of watthour blade terminals into engagement with each line and load jaw blades or contacts. 
     The safety shield  110  includes a top or outer wall  112  and a peripheral sidewall  114  depending therefrom. The top wall  112  and the sidewall  114  are depicted by example only as having a generally square configuration. A pair of opposed outwardly extending side edge flanges  116  and  118  project from the lower edges of two opposed sidewalls  114 . A pair of laterally extending flanges  120  and  122  project perpendicularly outward from opposed sidewalls  114 . An outer end of each lateral flange  120  and  122  communicates with perpendicular, downward depending sides  124  and  126 , respectively. The sides  124  and  126  are oriented, when the safety shield  110  is mounted with the socket adapter extender  528 , immediately adjacent to the inner wall of the surge ground conductors  128  and  130 , respectively. 
     A plurality of raised bosses  132  are formed in the top wall  112  and are located at the normal jaw contact positions of a watthour meter socket adapter. Each boss  132  has an aperture or slot  134  extending therethrough. As described above, the slots  134  extend over the top wall  112  and along the sidewall  114  to permit easy, angled insertion and/or removal of a watthour meter blade terminal into and out of contact with a jaw contact position behind each slot  132 . 
     A polygonal or rectangular shaped aperture  136  is formed in each lateral flange  120  and  122  for enabling mounting or access to a current transformer shorting switch  121 . The aperture  136  can also serve as a mounting window for any connector, such as a multi-pin connector, also not shown. 
     As shown in FIGS. 15,  17  and  18 , at least one and preferably two circumferentially spaced receivers or bosses  138  and  140  are formed on the outer edge of each lateral flange  120  and  122  and surround a flat  142  shown in FIG.  18 . The flat  142  is positioned approximately in line with one lateral flange  120  and  122 . Each boss  138  and  140  and the associated flat  142  form a radially outward opening cavity  144 . 
     The surge ground conductors  128  and  130  are identically constructed. The two ground surge conductors  128  and  130  are diametrically mounted opposite each other on the mounting flange  44  of the socket adapter extender  528  in a pair of slots  146  formed in the mounting flange  44 . 
     As clearly shown in FIG. 16, each surge ground conductor  128  and  130  includes an arcuate wall  148  which conforms to the inner diameter of the annular sidewall  539  of the socket adapter extender  528 . A pair of radially extending tabs  150  are formed on an upper edge  152  of each surge ground conductor  128  and  130  and seat within one of the slots  146  in the mounting flange  44  to support each surge ground conductor  128  and  130  from the mounting flange  44  of the socket adaptor extender  528 . The upper edge  152  of each surge ground conductor  128  and  130  overlays a portion of the mounting flange  44  and is in position to electrically engage a ground terminal mounted on the rear surface of a conventional watthour meter. 
     As shown in FIG. 16, each surge ground conductor  128  and  130 , has a lower mounting foot  154  which is formed as an extension of the arcuate sidewall  148 . The mounting foot  154  has a distal end  156 . An aperture  158  is formed within the mounting foot  154  and surrounds a tab  160  which integrally extends from the end  156 . In use, the mounting foot  154  is bent generally perpendicularly outward from the arcuate sidewall  148 , in a direction opposed to the radially inward extending direction of the tab  160 . This bending movement of the mounting foot  156  enables the mounting foot  154  to slide through an aperture formed in the sidewall  539  of the socket adapter extender  538  to secure the surge ground conductor  128  or  130  in position on the sidewall  139  of the socket adapter extender  528 . 
     According to a unique feature of the present invention, each surge ground conductor  128  and  130  is formed with at least one and preferably two arcuately spaced fingers  162  and  164 . Each pair of the spring fingers  162  and  164  has an angularly bent portion projecting away from the surface of the arcuate sidewall  148 . Each of the spring fingers  162  and  164  is spaced from opposite sides of the arcuate sidewall  148  as shown in FIG.  16 . The distal end of each of the spring fingers  162  and  164  is positioned to engage the cavity  144  formed by the boss  140  and the flat  142  in the lateral flanges  120  and  122  of the safety shield  110  to securely retain the safety shield  110  in position within the interior of the socket adapter  110 . In this mounting position shown in FIG. 17, the bottom edge of the arcuate sidewalls  148  directly seats on the interior ring of the socket adapter extender  528 . This mounting arrangement eliminates the use of any separate mechanical fasteners to fixedly mount the safety shield  110  within the interior of the socket adapter extender  528 . At the same time, the safety shield  110  can be easily removed by merely urging the distal ends of each of the spring fingers  162  and  164  radially outward until the distal ends of each spring finger  152  and  164  disengage from the flats  132  on the lateral flanges  120  and  122  in the safety shield  110 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 19, there is depicted a socket adapter  400  which has means for mounting or supporting auxiliary components, such as generally planar circuit boards  653 , adjacent to or preferably on the base  402 . The mounting means comprises at least one pair and, preferably, a plurality of pairs of posts  650  which are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs. Each post  650  is formed at the juncture of the base  402  and the ring  406  of the socket adapter  400  and extends upward therefrom. A U-shaped channel  652  is formed in each post  650 . The U-shaped channel  652  in one post is linearly aligned with a U-shaped channel of a post  650  in one adjacent pair of posts  650  as shown in FIG.  19 . This arrangement forms a pair of channels  652  adjacent to the inner surface of the sidewall  412  of the socket adapter  400 . 
     Although the peripheral flange  594  of the shield  620  may be cut out or shortened to allow the circuit boards  653  mounted within the pairs of posts  650  to extend upward along side of the sidewall  592  of the shield  620 , in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, a U-shaped slot  654 , one wall of which is shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, is integrally formed adjacent to opposite side edges of each leg  622  of the shield  620  and engage the upper end of a circuit board  653  disposed adjacent to each slot  654 . In this manner, the circuit board  653  is mounted in the channels  650  and slots  654  and is seated against the peripheral flange  594  of the shield  620 . 
     Also shown in FIG. 19 is further modification to the socket adapter  400 , or more preferably, the socket adapter  528 , in which at least four and preferably more standoffs  656  are mounted on the base  402  of the socket adapter  400  for securing a circuit board, not shown, in a horizontal orientation between the line and load jaw blades  416  and  418 . Screws are insertable through apertures into the circuit board into the stand offs  656 . 
     FIG. 20A shows a further modification to the socket adapter  400  in which the socket adapter  400  is devised for carrying one or more circuit boards  653  at various positions inside of the sidewall  412 . Although FIG. 20A depicts the pairs of posts  650  generally arranged in two diametrically opposed pairs, it will be understood that the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A need not necessarily include such posts  650 . 
     Auxiliary support members  658 ,  660  and  662  are provided at various locations about the periphery of the sidewall  412  at the juncture of the sidewall  412  and the base  402 . In addition to a mounting function, the posts and support members also add strength to the sidewall-base joint of the one piece socket adapter housing. 
     The auxiliary support members may take a variety of forms as shown by the different support members  658 ,  660  and  662 . The support members  658 ,  660  and  662  all include at least one or more U-shaped slots  664 . The support members  658 ,  660  and  662  are arranged in opposed pairs, as shown in FIG. 20A, by example only, such that one slot in one support member linearly aligns with one slot in an opposed support member. The pairs of aligned slots are thus capable of supporting opposite edges of a circuit board  653  oriented perpendicularly with respect to the base  402  of the socket adapter  400 . This enables many circuit boards  653  to be housed within the socket adapter  400  between the jaw contact ends of the line and load jaw blades  416  and  418 . The support members  658 ,  660  and  662  may also be provided outside of the shield  620  to support a circuit board between the sidewall  412  and the sidewall  594  or the shield  620 . 
     Another aspect of the present is shown in FIG. 20B which depicts a printed circuit board  653  mounted between two aligned support members  650  and extending laterally across all of the line blade terminal receiving slots  404  in the base of the socket adapter  400 . An electrically conductive spring tab  655  is soldered or otherwise fixedly mounted on the printed circuit board  653  in electrical communication with conductive members of the circuit board  653 . The tab  655  extends outward from the printed circuit board  653  to a position which intersects with a line blade terminal  657  inserted through the slot  404  in the base of the socket adapter  400 . The tab  655  enables line power from the line blade terminal  657  to be applied to the printed circuit board  653  to power electrical components mounted on the printed circuit board  653 . 
     In addition to mounting circuit boards in a vertical, orientation between aligned pairs of slots along the periphery of the interior sidewall and base of the socket adapter extender  528 , one or more circuit boards may also be mounted between any two blade terminal apertures. A circuit board  168 , shown in FIGS. 21A,  22  and  23 , is mounted through the slots  170  and  172  in the base  530  which normally receive the fifth and sixth terminals of a watthour meter socket adapter, if present in a particular meter. 
     It will be understood, however, that the circuit board  168  could also be mounted between any pair of line and load contact receiving slots as described hereafter. 
     As clearly shown in FIG. 21A, the circuit board  168  has a conventional planar circuit board shape with a at least one and, preferably, a pair of depending terminal portions  174  and  176  which are sized to be slidably inserted through the slots  170  and  172  in the base  530 . Apertures  178  may be formed in each terminal end for receiving a cotter pin or other fastener to securely retain the printed circuit board  168  in position. Electrically conductive pads or terminals  179  such as a copper foil pad bonded to the circuit board, are carried on the legs  174  for connection to an electrical circuit or component external to the socket adapter  528  by a jaw connection, connector, solder or clamp connection. 
     The printed circuit board  168  may be used as a mounting surface for any electrical, electromechanical or electronic component or circuit which is used in a watthour meter socket adapter. 
     In addition to the use of fasteners or cotter pins extending through the aperture  178  in the terminal ends  174  and  176 , the circuit board  168  may also be secured in position by means of an engagement with the bent tab  160  on each surge ground conductor  128  and  130  shown in FIG.  16 . The tabs  160  are designed to slid into arcuate shaped notches  121  formed in opposed side edges of the printed circuit board  168  as shown in FIG.  21 A. 
     In one example of an application or use of the printed circuit board  168 , as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a timer  182  is mounted on the circuit board  168 . The timer  182  includes a face plate or dial  184 , shown in FIG. 23 which is visible thorough an aperture  186  formed in the base  530  of the socket adapter extender  528 . A time display  188  as well as individual pushbuttons or switches  190  and  192  are also mounted on the dial  184  for controlling operation of the timer  182 , such as setting the current time, resetting the time. Event times may also be programmed via the switches  190 . An output signal from the timer  182  at one event time may energize one or more relays mounted on the circuit board  168  to control components within the socket adapter extender, such as a power disconnect switch, service limiter, etc., to break the circuit between the line and load contacts to shed loads, such as a hot water heater, at a preprogrammed time. 
     Referring now to FIG. 21B, there is depicted a modified circuit board  710 . The circuit board  710  can be mounted between any aligned pair of apertures in the base of a socket adapter, such as between the fifth and sixth terminal positions, or between any pair of line and load terminal positions. In this embodiment, the circuit board  710  is provided with a two pairs of apertures, not shown, located near the upper edge of the circuit board  710 . A conventional socket adapter jaw contact  712  is mounted to the circuit board  710  by means of fasteners extendable through apertures in the jaw contact  712  and the apertures in the circuit board  710 . Thus, the jaw contacts  712  can comprise a three finger jaw contact as shown in FIG. 30, and described hereafter. By way of example only, the jaw contact  712  comprises a pair of contact clips  714  which are mounted on opposite sides of the circuit board  710  in an aligned pair. Each of the clips  714  includes apertures alignable with the apertures in the circuit board  710  for receiving mechanical fasteners, such as rivets, therethrough to affix the contact clips  714  to the circuit board  710 . The contact clips  714 , on at least one side of the circuit board  710 , are electrically connected to conductive traces  716  conventionally formed in the circuit board  710 . A spring clip  718  is mounted on each contact clip  714  and has an end portion which biases the contacting portions of each contact clip  714  toward the opposed contact clip  714  to provide a secure electrically connection between the contact clip  714  and an inserted electrical terminal. 
     The contact clip  714  as well as the spring clip  716  may be formed as a one piece member having a single end portion. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 21B, each contact clip  714  and each spring clip  716  may be soldered to form two end portions. Further, the end portions of each contact clip  714  may be provided at different lengths to provide a staggered electrical terminal insertion force. 
     As also shown in FIG. 21B, the conductive pads  179  mounted on the terminal end portions  174  and  176  of the circuit board  710  are also electrically connected to conductive traces  720  carried on the circuit board  710 . Any electrical circuit or electrical component may also be mounted on the circuit board  710  and electrically connected to the conductive traces  716  and  720  in a conventional manner. 
     FIG. 21C depicts a further modification to the circuit board  710 . In this aspect of the invention, each jaw contact clip  724  is mounted directly on the circuit board  710  such that the contact fingers of each contact clip  724  are spaced from a conductive pad  726 , such a copper foil pad, bonded or otherwise mounted on the circuit board  710 . In this aspect of the invention, each jaw contact clip  724  and opposed conductive pad  726  form a single jaw contact for receiving a blade terminal therebetween in electrical connection. 
     Further, the terminal end portions of the circuit board  710 , in this embodiment, may be formed solely by flat, electrically conductive plates  728 , such as copper-tin plates which are fixedly mounted to the circuit board  710  by means of fasteners, such as rivets mounted through aligned apertures in each plate  728  and the lower portion of the circuit board  710 . It is also feasible, in the present invention, to directly overlay the conductive plates  728  on the terminal portions  174  and  176  extending from the main portion of the printed circuit board  710 . 
     One or more relays may be mounted on the printed circuit board  710 , each relay including at least one switchable contact which is movable between a normally open and a normally closed position. The contact terminals can be electrically connected by separate wires or conductors or by means of conductive traces on the circuit board  710  between one jaw contact  712  and one plate terminal portion  179  in the embodiment shown in FIG. 21B or between one jaw contact  724 ,  726  and one conductive terminal plate  728  in the embodiment shown in FIG.  21 C. The relay(s) can serve as a power disconnect or service limiter such that in normal operation, the relay contacts are closed allowing electrical current to flow between one jaw contact and one associated conductive plate or blade portion. However, when the relay(s) are activated, the contacts switch positions to an open position thereby opening or breaking the circuit between each jaw contact and blade terminal pair to disconnect electrical power to the use site. 
     Referring now to FIG. 24, there is depicted a safety shield  400  which is specifically designed for use in a current transformer rated watthour meter socket adapter  402 . In general, the safety shield  400  is similar to the safety shield  580  described above and shown in FIG. 7 in that it includes a top wall  403 , a plurality of depending sidewalls  404 , and a peripheral flange  406  projecting generally perpendicularly outward from each sidewall  404 . A plurality of raised bosses  408  extend upward a slight distance above the surface of the top wall  403  and carry individual slots  410  opening to the interior of the shield  400  and providing access to jaw contacts mounted on the base of the socket adapter  402 . The top wall  403  is also formed with a plurality of laterally spaced dividers or walls  412  which form laterally spaced apertures  414  between adjacent dividers  412 . Further, in a centrally located, raised portion  416 , a plurality of laterally spaced slots  418  are formed to provide access to current transformed rated jaw contacts mounted within the socket adapter  402 , as described hereafter. 
     The safety shield  400  may be securely or fixedly mounted to the socket adapter  402  by any of the mounting or latch means described above for the safety shields  580  and  620 . 
     FIGS. 25 and 26 depict a modified safety shield  420  which is similar to the safety shield  400  in that it includes raised bosses  408  extending from a top wall  403 , slots  410  formed in each boss  408 , spaced dividers  412  forming laterally spaced apertures  414 , and a raised portion  416  carrying laterally spaced slots  418 . However, in this embodiment, the top wall  403  has a greater lateral extent so as to closely conform to the inner sidewall of the socket adapter  402 . A polygonal shaped aperture  422  is formed along one lateral side edge of the top wall  403  for receiving a current transformer shorting switch, or electrical pin connector, not shown. 
     Opposed pairs of raised bosses  424  formed along lateral opposed side edges of the top wall  403  and form recesses designed to receive spring fingers  162  and  164  on the surge ground conductors  128  and  130  in the same manner as described above and shown in FIGS. 15-18. In this manner, the spring fingers  162  and  164  on the surge ground conductors  128  and  130  fixedly, yet releasably mount the safety shield  420  within the interior of the socket adapter  402 . 
     The safety shield  420  is formed with a pair of spaced arcuate sidewalls  428  and  430  which are diametrically opposed on opposite sides of the safety shield  420 . The arcuate sidewalls  428  and  430  are disposed adjacent to the arcuate wall portions  148  of the surge ground conductors  128  and  130 . 
     As shown in FIG. 27 which depicts a rear or bottom view of the safety shield  420 , a rectangular frame  432  formed of four interconnected sidewalls projects from the rear surface of the top wall  403  of the safety shield  420 . The dividers  412  extend from the top to the bottom of the frame  432  and between opposed elongated sidewalls of the frame  432 . The frame  432  and spaced dividers  412  form a plurality of pairs of cavities, including the cavities  414  opening through the top wall  403  of the safety shield  420  and a plurality of interior cavities  434  opening to the slots  428  in the top wall  403  and defining a jaw contact mounting area. 
     The frame  432  also includes a first laterally extending wall  436 , a spaced second laterally extending wall  438  and a plurality of intermediate short walls  440  which extend between each of the dividers  412 . An enlargement  442  having a tapered or angled edge  444  on one side thereof facing the cavity in the frame  432  opening to the slots  418 . The angled or tapered surface  444  acts as a guide for urging the potential jaw contacts into the proper location within the cavity in the frame  432  into alignment with the slot  418  so as to be positioned to receive a blade terminal of a watthour meter inserted through the slot  418 . 
     FIGS. 28 and 29 depict interior views of the socket adapter  402 , with the shield  400  removed. As shown in FIG. 28, the socket adapter  402  includes the generally planar base  450  and an annular sidewall  452  projecting therefrom. A plurality of line and load watthour meter blade terminal receiving slots  454  are formed in the base  450  at the normal watthour meter blade terminal positions. In order to support auxiliary electrical contacts on the base  450 , a plurality of posts  456  are integrally formed with the base  450  and project generally perpendicularly therefrom. The posts  456  are disposed between the line and load jaw blade receiving slots  454 . The posts  456  have a generally square cross section extending from a common lower portion  458  and are laterally spaced across the base  450 . 
     An aperture  460  is formed in the top end of each post  456  for receiving a fastener or screw as described hereafter. Also, a notch  462  is formed in the outer end of each post  456  and has a configuration for receiving a planar flange on an electrical contact as described hereafter. 
     A barrier  464  is also formed on the base  450  and is spaced from the posts  456 . The barrier  464  also extends laterally across the base  450  and has a plurality of laterally spaced recesses  466  which divide the barrier into a plurality of walls  468 . Each wall  468  has a top edge  470  and a stepped recess formed on one side facing the posts  456 . The recess is formed with a first shallow notch  472  and a second, adjacent, deeper notch  474 . 
     A pad  476  is formed on the base  450  of the socket adapter  402  and extends between one post  456  and one wall  468 . A generally rectangular slot  478  is formed between two adjacent pads  476 . The slots  478  open through the base  450  of the socket adapter  402  and are sized to receive one end of a conventional blade terminal, as described hereafter. 
     Although each of the safety shields  110 ,  400   420 ,  580 ,  620  and  630  have been described above as being releasably mountable in a watthour meter socket adapter housing by a snap-in connection, it will be understood that each safety shield, instead of the snap-in connection, or in combination with the snap-in connection, may be more fixedly mounted in the housing of a socket adapter by applying adhesive between adjoining portions of each safety shield and adjacent wall surfaces of the socket adapter housing, or the wall portion  148  of the surge ground conductor  128  shown in FIG.  17 . While referring briefly to FIG. 17, adhesive can also be applied to the bottom edge of the safety shield  110  and the upper surface of the ring or collar formed on the inner surface of the sidewall  539  of the socket adapter  528 . 
     Before describing mounting of the electrical contacts on the posts  456  and walls  468 , a brief description of the construction of several configurations of electrical contacts will be provided. 
     One embodiment of an electrical contact  480  is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. The electrical contacts  480  are identical to the three finger jaw contacts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,300, assigned to the Assignee of the present invention, the entire contents of which pertaining to the three finger contact construction are incorporated herein by reference. 
     In general, each contact  480  has a three finger jaw-type contact design formed of first and second outer legs  482  and  484  which extend linearly from a generally planar base  486 . Each of the legs  482  and  484  terminates in a angularly bent outer end portion, both of which extend in the same direction to one side of the base  486 . An intermediate leg  488  is disposed between the outer legs  482  and  484  and has a generally curved shape extending from the base  486  to an opposite side of the base  486  from the outer ends of the outer legs  482  and  484 . The outer ends of the intermediate leg  488  also curves or bends outward from one side of the base  486  to form, in conjunction with the legs  482  and  484 , a jaw contact which receives a blade terminal extending outward from the base of a watthour meter, not shown. 
     A wire crimp collar  490  formed of two angularly disposed, bendable flanges, extends from one end of the base  486 . The two flanges of wire crimp collar  490  are bendable into registry with one end of an external conductor, not shown, to electrically connect one end of the external conductor to the contact  480 . Alternately, solder may be used to connect the external conductor to the flanges of the wire crimp collar  490 . 
     A support flange  492  is formed contiguous with the base  486  and extends generally perpendicularly from an opposite end of the base  486 . A threaded aperture  494  is formed in the support flange  492  and is alignable with the aperture  460  on the top edge of one post  456 . A screw fastener, not shown, threadingly engages the aperture  494  on the support flange  492  and the aperture  460  in the post  456  to fixedly mount the jaw contact  480  on the base  450  of the socket adapter  402 . An external conductor, not shown, may also be connected to the support flange  492  by connecting the external conductor to the screw fastener extending through the aperture  494  in the support flange  492 . A washer may be interposed between the head of the screw fastener in the support flange  492  for secure electrical engagement of the external conductor with the support flange  492 . 
     Finally, a mounting tab  496  extends perpendicularly from an outer end of the support flange  492 . The mounting tab  496  provides a separate connection to another external electrical conductor, not shown, such as a conventional fast-on or quick connector which is fixedly attached to one end of an electrical conductor and slidable engaged over a complimentary formed mounting tab  496  to connect the external conductor to the contact  480 . 
     Referring again to FIGS. 29 and 30, one jaw contact  480  is mounted on one aligned pair of a post  456  and a wall  468 . One end of the base  486  projecting downward from the wire crimp collar  490  is seated in the deeper notch  474  in the wall  468 . Since the notch  474  extends only a short distance along the wall  468  from the top edge  470 , one end of the contact  480  is located such that the wire crimp collar  490  seats on the top edge  470  of the wall  468  and the support flange  492  rests on the top edge of the post  456 , with the end portion of the base  486  seated within the notch  462  in the post  456 . 
     A planar blade terminal  500  is associated with the contact  480 . The blade terminal  500  has a generally planar extent with intermediate shoulders  502  designed to seat on the base  450  of the socket adapter  402 , with the lower portion of the blade terminal  500  extending through one slot  478  in the base  450 . The blade terminal  500  is secured in position within the socket adapter  402  by means of a cotter pin, not shown. 
     Referring briefly to FIGS. 24-27, when the contact  480  is in the mounting position shown in FIG. 29, the legs  482 ,  484  and  486  defining the contact itself are aligned with one slot  418  in the shield  400  thereby allowing a blade terminal from the watthour meter to be inserted through the slot  418  in the safety shield  400  into contact with the jaw contact legs  482 ,  484 , and  486 . At the same time, the support flange  492  as well as the fast-on tab  496  are accessible through the aperture  418  in the shield  400  to allow electrical connections with external electrical conductors. 
     Referring again to FIGS. 29 and 30, there is depicted another embodiment of an electrical contact or blade terminal  504  which can be mounted in the socket adapter  402 . The jaw blade terminal  504  has a one-piece construction which combines the three finger jaw contact structure of the jaw contact  480  with an integral blade terminal similar to the separate blade terminal  500 . The three legs  482 ,  484 , and  486  are shown in FIG. 30 at one end of the elongated, planar bar  506  which is part of the jaw blade terminal  504 . Shoulders  502  are formed adjacent the blade terminal end of the jaw blade terminal  502  and seat on raised portions  508  extending between adjacent tabs  476  on the base  450  of the socket adapter  402 . One side edge of the upper portion of the planar bar  506  seat in the shallow notch  472  on the wall  468 . The opposite side edge of the upper portion of the planar bar  506  rests against the sidewall of a post  456  to position the jaw contact  504  between one post  456  and one wall  468  and to enable the jaw contact end of the jaw blade terminal  504  to be positioned below and accessible through one slot  418  in the shield  400  as shown in FIG.  26 . 
     Finally, a coupler  750  is depicted in FIGS. 31-33 for joining an electrical contact  752  with a planar blade terminal  752  into a unitary construction which may be mounted as a unitary jaw blade terminal in the socket adapter  402  in the same manner as the jaw blade terminal  504 . The coupler  750  is formed of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastic, to electrically isolate the jaw contact  752  from the blade terminal  754 . 
     The jaw contact  752  is a modified version of jaw contact  480  and is essentially the same as the jaw contact  480  except that jaw contact  752  does not include the support flange  492  and fast-on tab  496 . For convenience, the three legs  482 ,  484  and  488  forming the jaw portion of the jaw contact  752  are given the same reference numbers as the corresponding legs in the jaw contact  480 . Likewise, a wire crimp collar  490  projects from one end of a base  496 . 
     The coupler  750  is exemplary formed as a one piece, unitary body having a first elongated sidewall  756 , and an opposed shorter sidewall  758  which are interconnected by upper and lower center walls  760  and  762 , respectively, which are spaced apart along the length of the sidewalls  758  and  760 . 
     The upper center wall  760  has a generally U-shape formed of a center portion  764  which is offset or spaced from a pair of base flanges  766  and  768  projecting from the sidewalls  756  and  758 , respectively, as well as a pair of side flanges  770  and  772  which also project from the sidewalls  756  and  758 , respectively, to form a slot which receives the base  486  of the jaw contact  752 . The base flanges  766  and  768 , the side flanges  770  and  772  as well as the center portion  764  of the upper center wall  760  interact along with a slot  778  formed between a pair of spaced projections in the upper end of the sidewall  756  to securely support the jaw contact  752  in the coupler  750 . The slot  778  engages an outwardly projecting side edge  780  on the leg  482  of the jaw contact  752 . 
     The jaw contact  752  is also retained in place in the coupler  750  by means of a projection  782  which is formed on one end of a cantilevered, resilient arm  784  which projects from one end of the center wall  764  into an opening formed in the center portion  764  as shown in FIG.  31 . The projection  782  engages an aperture  785  in the base  486  of the jaw contact  752 . 
     The lower center wall  762  is spaced from inwardly projecting side flanges  788  and  790  formed on one end of the sidewalls  756  and  758 , respectively, to form openings which slidably receive the planar blade terminal  754  therein. A pair of raised dimples  792  spaced from one end of the blade terminal  754  snap over the center wall  762  of the coupler  750  to slidably trap the blade terminal  754  between an upper edge of the lower center wall  762  and inwardly facing projections on the sidewalls  756  and  758 . A cotter pin or other fastener may be inserted through an aperture  794  in the blade terminal  754  to more securely retain the blade terminal  754  in the coupler  750 . 
     Referring briefly to FIGS.  27  and  31 - 33 , a plurality of U-shaped channels  796  project from the back surface of the top wall  403  of the safety shield  420 . The U-shaped channels  796  are formed adjacent to one lateral leg of the frame  432  at one end of certain slots  410  in the safety shield  420 . The U-shaped channels slidably receive the upper end  798  of the sidewall  756  of the coupler  750  to accurately mount the coupler  750  with respect to one slot  410  in the safety shield  420 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 23-25,  34 - 36 , there is depicted another aspect of a coupler  810  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The coupler  810  is usable with a jaw contact  812  formed of a spring clip  814  which is fixedly joined, such as by rivets  816 , to a contact member  818 . The end  820  of the spring clip  814  is angled outward to form an open jaw with a corresponding oppositely angled end  822  of the contact member  818 . 
     The contact member  818  has a planar wall  840  which faces and is electrically coupled to the end portion of the spring clip  814  by the fasteners  816 . 
     Apertures, not shown, may be formed in the wall  840  for receiving the rivets or other fasteners  816 . An aperture  824  is formed in one end of the wall  840  for receiving a fastener, the purpose of which is described hereafter. 
     By way of example only, the contact member  818  has a one piece, U-shaped, channel configuration wherein opposed sidewalls  826  and  828  project angularly, such as perpendicularly, from opposite side edges of the wall  840 . As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the spring clip  814  is disposed between the sidewalls  826  and  828 . 
     A blade terminal  830  includes an elongated, planar blade  832  having an aperture  834  for receiving a fastener, such as a cotter pin, not shown, for fixing the blade terminal  830  in a watthour meter socket adapter, with the end portion of the blade  832  projecting externally of a base wall of a socket adapter. 
     The opposite end of the blade  832  is formed as a U-shaped channel  836 . The channel  836  includes a pair of opposed sidewalls  838  and  840  which extend generally perpendicularly from opposite side edges of a central portion  842  of the blade  832 . 
     The coupler  810  is devised for mechanically connecting, but electrically isolating the jaw contact  812  from the blade terminal  830 ; while fixing the jaw contact  812  and the blade terminal  830  in a unitary assembly. The coupler  810  has a generally planar body  843  with apertures  844  and  846  formed therethrough generally adjacent opposite longitudinal ends of the coupler  810 . The coupler  810  is formed of an electrically insulated material, such as a suitable plastic, which has sufficient strength to mechanically fix the jaw contact  812  to the blade terminal  830 . 
     In use, as shown in FIGS. 23-25, a washer  850 , which may be a lock or Belleville washer, and a nut  852  are interposed between each of the apertures  844  and  846  in the coupler  810  and the aperture  824  in the jaw contact  812  and the aperture  835  in the jaw blade  830 , respectively. A bolt  854  can be inserted through the aligned apertures in the jaw contact  812 , the blade terminal  830 , the washers  850 , the nuts  852  and the apertures  844  and  846  in the coupler  810  and tightly secured in place by means of another nut  856  on the outside of the body  843 . This fixedly and mechanically couples the jaw contact  812  to the blade terminal  830 . However, due to the electrically insulating nature of the coupler  810 , the jaw contact  812  is electrically isolated from the blade terminal  830 . This enables external conductors  860  and  862  to be electrically connected to the jaw contact  812  and the blade terminal  830 , respectively. The conductors  860  and  862  are fixed to the coupler  810  via the nuts  852  at one end and extend to external connections outside of a meter socket such as a transformer or transfer station, for example only. 
     By example only, the bare ends  864  of the conductors  860  and  862  are fixedly mounted, such as by crimping, in a wire crimp end  866  of terminals  868  and  869 . An aperture  870  in the opposite end of each terminal  868  and  869  receives the fastener  854  therethrough prior to the engagement of the fastener  852  to the jaw contact  812 , the blade terminal  830  and the coupler  810  as described above. 
     FIG. 37 depicts another aspect of an electrical jaw blade assembly  900  which uses the identical jaw contact  812  and blade terminal  830  described above and shown in FIGS. 34-36. In this aspect, the jaw contact  812  and the blade terminal  830  are electrically connected by a fuse  902  to provide added protection to the socket adapter and utility service. Alternately, a shunt, solid state device, etc., could be used in place of the fuse  902 . 
     The fuse  902  is of standard construction and has a general cylindrical body  904  with two outwardly extending, generally planar, end tabs  906  and  908 . An aperture, not shown, is formed in each of the end tabs  906  and  908  and is alignable with the aperture  824  in the jaw contact  812  and the aperture  835  in the blade terminal  830 . A fastener, such as a nut  910  with a threaded shank, is passed through the aligned apertures and locked in place by means of a washer  912 , such as a lock washer or Belleville washer and a nut  914 . The fasteners  910  securely hold the fuse  902  between the jaw contact  812  and the blade terminal  830  and enable the entire jaw blade and fuse assembly to be installed as a one piece, unitary structure. 
     In summary, there has been disclosed a unique one-piece coupler which couples a jaw contact and a blade terminal into a unitary one-piece construction for ease of installation, and reduced assembly steps and labor in mounting the jaw contact and blade terminal in a socket adapter. The coupler provides easy separate connections to the jaw contact and blade terminal for interconnection to a fuse, shunt, etc. In addition, the coupler is easily mountable in the housing of the socket adapter.