Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for mounting an enclosure to a watthour meter socket adapter includes a mounting strap lockingly encircleable about a side wall of the socket adapter and the enclosure connected to the strap for positioning exteriorly adjacent the side wall of the socket adapter. The interior of the enclosure is disposed in communication with the interior of the socket adapter through aligned apertures in the enclosure, socket adapter and strap for the passage of an electrical conductor therethrough. A releasable lock is carried on the strap for releasably locking the ends of the strap about the side wall of the socket adapter. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes a receiver having a first portion attached to the strap and a second wall portion. The enclosure is mounted in the receiver. Fasteners extend through the enclosure into the second wall portion for securing the enclosure on the wall portion. A removable cover is optionally provided on the enclosure to enable separate access to the enclosure. Alternately, the strap includes first and second strap portions, with one end of each strap portion connectable to the enclosure. Engagable lock members are mounted on the opposed ends of the strap portions.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the priority date of co-pending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/076,883, filed Mar. 5, 1998 in the name of Darrell Robinson, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, in general, to electrical apparatus and, specifically, to electrical watthour meter socket adapters and related watthour meter apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Art 
     In the electric utility industry, plug-in, socket-type watthour meters are commonly employed to measure electric power consumption at a residential or commercial building establishment. A socket is mounted on a wall of the residence or building and contains terminals which are connected to electric line and electric load conductors. The terminals are also connected to internal conductors within the socket which extend to jaw contacts positioned to receive the blade terminals of a plug-on watthour meter to complete an electric circuit through the watthour meter between the line and load terminals and the conductors. 
     One type of meter socket has a ring-type cover which includes an outwardly projecting, annular mounting flange surrounding an opening in the cover through which the blade terminals of a watt hour meter extend. The mounting flange is sized to mate with a complementary formed mounting flange on the bottom of the watthour meter. 
     Another type of meter socket known as a ringless or clamp jaw socket has an aperture in the socket cover sized to secure the meter flange within the socket cover. The shell of the socket adapter, after the socket adapter is mounted in the jaw contacts of the watthour meter socket, extends through the aperture in the socket cover and receives a watthour meter in a snap-in connection. 
     It is common to add various additional features and components to a meter service application, such as surge suppression, circuit breakers, automatic meter reading, communication systems, etc., which the service was not originally designed to accept or utilize. Such components have often been mounted in a separate enclosure or receptacle which is attached to an existing watthour socket adapter, or built in to the interior of the socket adapter with special modifications to the shell and/or terminal portions of the adapter to provide sufficient space to house the additional components. 
     In certain meter sockets, such as ringless or clamp jaw sockets, there is insufficient aperture size in the meter socket cover to enable an enlarged socket adapter or a socket adapter having a separate receptacle or enclosure mounted thereon to fit through the socket cover meter aperture. 
     One solution to this problem utilizes a conventional watthour meter socket adapter/extender which is connected to the jaw contacts in a watthour meter socket. The shell portion of the socket adapter/extender extends outward through the aperture in the ringless-style watthour meter socket cover. A separate housing containing additional features or components is attached to a bottom portion of the shell by means of screws extending through adjacent surfaces on the socket adapter/extender shell and the separate housing. Aligned apertures in the shell and the enclosure allow for the passage of electrical conductors between the conductive elements in the watthour meter socket adapter and components or terminals in the separate housing. 
     This solution, however, is not without problems. Although the housing containing additional features is accessible separately from the watthour meter mounted in the socket adapter/extender to enable replacement or updating of the additional features without removing the watthour meter, any removal or mounting of the housing to or from the shell of the socket adapter/extender typically requires the removal of the watthour meter from the socket adapter/extender. Industry standards require that the watthour meter can only be removed by an authorized utility company serviceman. The authorized utility company serviceman is the only individual who is authorized to remove the seals indicating non-tampering of the watthour meter and/or the socket adapter/extender. Thus, two servicemen, one to remove the watthour meter and the other to service the additional features, may be required for a single service entrance. Also the power to the service will be disconnected requiring the customer to reset electrical or electronic devices due to the power outage. 
     Solutions to these problems are described hereafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for mounting an enclosure on a watthour meter socket adapter. 
     The apparatus includes a mounting strap lockingly encircleable about the side wall of a watthour meter socket adapter and an enclosure connected to the strap for positioning the enclosure externally adjacent to the side wall of the socket adapter. 
     Preferably, the interior of the enclosure is disposed in communication with the interior of the socket adapter through aligned apertures in the enclosure, the socket adapter and the strap to allow for the passage of electrical conductors therebetween. 
     A releasable lock means is carried on the strap for releasably locking the strap tightly about the side wall of the socket adapter. According to one aspect of the invention, the lock means comprises first and second members mounted on opposite ends of the strap and a fastener extendable through the first and second members for drawing the first and second members and the first and second ends of the strap into tightening engagement about the side wall of the socket adapter. 
     In one aspect, the enclosure includes a receiver having a first portion attached to the strap and a planar second wall portion. The first and second portions define a receptacle for the enclosure. The first portion is provided with spaced arcuate shoulders conformable with the annular side wall of the socket adapter. The second portion includes apertures alignable with apertures in the enclosure for receiving fasteners to mount the enclosure to the second wall portion of the receiver. 
     In another aspect, the strap is formed of first and second separate strap portions, each having first and second opposed ends. An aperture is formed in each first end of the first and second strap portions. The enclosure includes a through bore communicable with the interior of the socket adapter. The enclosure also includes first and second flanges. The first ends of the first and second strap portions are connected to the first and second flanges, respectively. An arm projects from each of the first and second flanges. The apertures in the first ends of the first and second strap portions are releasably engageable with the arm to attach one end of the first and second strap portions to enclosure. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a projection extends from one of the enclosure and the side wall of the socket adapter and engages a mating channel formed in the other of the enclosure and the socket adapter for mechanically engaging the enclosure and the side wall of the socket adapter. 
     The apparatus of the present invention uniquely enables an external enclosure to be mounted externally adjacent the side wall of a watthour meter socket adapter without requiring modifications to the existing socket adapter design. Preferably, the apparatus enables the enclosure to be removably mounted on the socket adapter. More preferably, the apparatus enables the enclosure to be mounted on or removed from the socket adapter as well as enabling separate access to the interior of the enclosure without requiring the watthour meter mounted in the socket adapter to be removed from the socket adapter. This eliminates the need for a utility meter service person to make a service call to an existing watthour meter socket site to remove the watthour meter from the meter socket to enable access to an external receptacle mounted on the socket adapter in accordance with prior art constructions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     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 of one embodiment of an apparatus for mounting an external enclosure or receptacle to a watthour meter socket adapter/extender; 
     FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 attached to an external enclosure; 
     FIG. 2B is a partial perspective view of an alternate means for mounting the strap to the enclosure; 
     FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line  2 C— 2 C in FIG. 2B; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mounting apparatus of the present invention used to mount a telephone jack receptacle on a watthour meter socket adapter/extender; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the mounting apparatus and telephone jack receptacle shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled mounting apparatus and telephone jack receptacle of FIGS. 3 and 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view of another embodiment of the mounting apparatus of the present invention shown with a different enclosure mount; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 6 mounted on a watthour meter socket adapter/extender; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along lines  8 — 8  in FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded, prospective view showing a watthour meter, a watthour meter socket adapter and a watthour meter socket with which the present invention is used. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1,  2 A, and  9  there is depicted one embodiment of an apparatus used for fixedly, yet removably, mounting the auxiliary enclosure receptacle to a watthour meter socket adapter or watthour meter socket extender, both referred hereafter to as a socket adapter  10 , mountable in a watthour meter socket  12 . 
     The socket adapter  10  is of conventional construction and includes a generally cylindrical shell  14  with a sidewall  15  which is attached to a base,  21 . A radially, outwardly extending, enlarged annular mounting flange  16  is formed at an outer end of the a sidewall  15  of the shell  14  for mating with a similar mounting flange  11  on a watthour meter,  13 . Both flanges  11  and  16  receive a sealing ring  17 . A plurality of jaw contacts  18  extend from a bottom wall  20  of the shell  14  and are connected to or integrally formed with blade terminals  19  which snap into jaw contacts  23  in the meter socket  12  in a conventional manner. 
     By way of example, the meter socket  12  is depicted as a ringless meter socket in which a cover  22  of the meter socket  12  has a raised annulus  24  surrounding an aperture  26  through which the shell  14  of the socket adapter  10  extends when the socket adapter  10  is engaged with the jaw contacts in the meter socket  12 . 
     The mounting apparatus denoted generally by reference number  30  is provided for fixedly, yet removably, mounting an auxiliary enclosure or receptacle  32  to the shell  14  of the socket adapter  10  when the socket adapter  10  is mounted in the meter socket  12 . Any type and shape auxiliary enclosure or receptacle  32  may be attached to the shell  14  by the mounting apparatus  30 . 
     By way of example only, the enclosure  32  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A is a pulse initiator automatic meter reading device. The enclosure  32  includes a holder  34  having a generally planar back wall  36  and an enlarged receiver  38  containing an interior cavity sized to receive the upper end  40  of an insert or housing  42  which carries the automatic meter reading circuitry, components and connections. The upper end portion of the receiver  38  is formed with two arcuate shoulders  44  which are complimentary in shape to the generally cylindrical shape of the shell  14 . 
     A terminal cover  43  is mountable on the bottom end of the insert  42  for covering the terminal connections within the insert  42 . A slot  45  in the terminal cover  43  receives a screw, not shown, for fixedly mounting the terminal cover  43  to the insert  42  as well as to enable a seal, also not shown, to be inserted through the screw to provide an indication of tampering with the terminal cover  43 . 
     FIGS. 1 and 2A depict one embodiment of the mounting apparatus  30 . The mounting apparatus  30  includes a strap or band  52  which is connected to the shoulders  44  of the holder  34  and is adapted for encircling the sidewall  15  of the exterior surface of the shell  14  of the socket adapter  10 . A lock means  50  is carried on the strap  52  for releasably locking the opposed ends of the strap  52  about the sidewall  15  of the shell  14  of the socket adapter  10 . 
     The strap  52  preferably comprises a single elongated strip or band which is formed of a high strength, flexible material, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. It will be understood that the strap  52  may also be provided in at least two separate strap components or portions, as described hereafter, in other embodiments of the present invention. 
     The strap  52  has opposed ends  54  and  56 . The strap or band  52  extends continuously, in this embodiment, between the opposed ends  54  and  56 . 
     The strap  52  is fixedly connected to the enclosure, such as to the shoulders  44  of the holder  34  by means of fasteners  58 . The fasteners  58  may extend directly through the strap  52  into threaded bores formed in the shoulders  44  of the holder  34 . Alternately, the fasteners  58  engage notches  60  formed along the side edges of the strap  52  at appropriate locations to fixedly mount the strap  52  to the holder  34 . 
     An aperture  61  is formed in the strap  52  at a position alignable with an aperture  59  in the shoulder  44  of the holder  34  when the strap  52  is affixed to the holder  34 . The aligned apertures  59  and  61  form an opening for the passage of conductors between the shell  14  and the insert  42  through an aperture  41  in the upper end  40  of the insert  42 . An optional gasket, not shown, may be interposed on the inner or outer surface of the strap  52  and provided with an aperture alignable with the apertures  59  and  61  to seal the apertures  59  and  61  from external water, dirt, etc. 
     Although the lock mechanism  50  described hereafter and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A is preferred for locking the opposed ends  54  and  56  of the strap  52  about the sidewall  15  of the shell  14  of the socket adapter  10 , it will be understood that other lock mechanisms, including conventional hose clamps or threaded lock mechanisms employed with watthour meter socket adapter sealing rings, etc., may also be employed. 
     The lock mechanism  50  includes first and second housings  242  and  244 . Preferably, the housings  242  and  244  are formed of a molded or cast material. In a preferred embodiment, the housings  242  and  244  are formed as zinc die castings. 
     Further, the first and second housings  242  and  244  are formed as mirror images of each other except for a reverse threading of a threaded aperture in each housing  242  and  244  as described hereafter. Thus, the first housing  242  is formed with a first side wall  246  which extends outward from a base or bottom wall  250  and an end wall  252 . A second side wall  254  extends angularly from one end of the first side wall  246 , preferably perpendicularly therefrom. 
     Similarly, the second housing  244  is formed with a first side wall  256  which extends outward from a bottom wall  258  and an end wall  260 . A second or top side wall  262  extends angularly from one end of the first side wall  256 , preferably generally perpendicularly therefrom. 
     One end portion of the end walls  252  and  260  extends beyond the respective second side walls  254  and  262  to form grip tabs  264  and  266 , respectively. A threaded aperture is respectively formed or molded in each end wall  252  and  260 , such as threaded aperture  253  in the end wall  252 . 
     A plurality of slots are formed in each housing  242  and  244  for receiving a security device, such as a wire seal therethrough. Apertures, in the form of slots  272  and  274 , are respectively formed in the second side walls  254  and  262  of the housings  242  and  244 . 
     Further, an additional aperture  276  and  278  is formed in the end walls  252  and  260  of the first and second housings  242  and  244 , respectively. The apertures  276  and  278  enable a security device, such as a wire seal, to be extended through and joined between the two housings  242  and  244 . 
     A unique mounting means is employed to securely fix each of the housings  242  and  244  to respective ends  54  and  56  of the annular strap or band  52 . The bottom walls  250  and  258  of the housings  242  and  244 , respectively, include at least one projection, not shown. The end of each projection is spaced from the respective bottom wall  250  and  258  to form a notch, also not formed. The projections extend progressively further away from the bottom wall  250  and  258  in the direction of the notch. This enables the interior edge of the notch to engage one edge of a slot formed in the central portion of the annular strap  52  to fix the position of one end of each of the housings  242  and  244  relative to the annular strap  52 . 
     A mechanical fastener, such as a rivet  286 , extends through aligned apertures, not shown, formed in the central portion of the strap  52  and the bottom wall  250  and  258  of each housing  242  and  244  at a position spaced from the notch. The fastener or rivet  286  in conjunction with the notched end serve to fixedly mount and position each of the housing  242  and  244  on opposite ends  54  and  56 , respectively, of the annular strap  52 . 
     A fastener  300 , as clearly shown in FIG. 2, includes a head end  302  having a larger diameter than the diameter of an adjacent tubular shank  304 . The head end  302  may be formed with flats. By example only, the head end  302  may also be formed of a plurality of circumferentially spaced depressions  306  which form a tool or finger grip surface. In addition, a recess  308  is formed in the head end  302  for receiving an Allen wrench or similar tool to effect bidirectional rotation of the fastener  300 . 
     The tubular shank  304  extends axially from the head end  302  and includes a plurality of intersecting slots  310 , etc., which are formed by axially extending, circumferentially spaced ribs  314 ,  316 , etc. Three intersecting slots, only two of which are shown in FIG. 2, are preferably formed in the shank  304 . 
     The tubular shank  304  terminates in a generally planar end extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fastener  300 . An axially extending, reduced diameter shank extends axially from the end. The reduced diameter shank forms an annular recess between the end of the shank  304  and a threaded section  324 . The reduced diameter shank is adapted to extend through an aperture formed in the end wall  252  of the housing  242  to enable the entire fastener  300  to freely move prior to threaded connection to the opposite housing  244  as described hereafter. 
     The threaded portion  324  extends axially from the reduced diameter section to a generally tubular second end  326 . The threads  324  may be complete circular threads or partial threads formed on opposed sides or a portion of the fastener  300 . 
     An axially extending, slot-shaped bore  328  extends transversely through the second end  326  of the fastener  300 . A notch may be formed in the end of the second end  326  for receiving a suitable tool, such as a screwdriver, to effect rotation of the fastener  300  from the second end  326 . 
     Suitable security devices, such as wire seals or plastic padlocks, not shown, may be secured through aligned apertures and slots in the housings  242  and  244  and the fastener  300  in a variety of positions depending upon the position of the fastener  300  relative to the slots in the housings  242  and  244  when the fastener  300  is rotated to completely tighten the strap  52  about the shell  14 . 
     For example, a security device may be inserted through one of the slots  310 , etc., in the first end of the fastener  300  and the slot  272  in the side wall  254  of the first housing  242 . A security device may also be extended through and secured between the apertures  276  and  278  in the end walls  264  and  266  of the housing  242  and  244 . In addition, a security device may be extended through the aperture  276  in the end wall  264  of the first housing  242 , the slot  272  in the second side wall  254  in one of the slots  310 , etc., in the first end of the fastener  300 . 
     A security device, used by itself or in addition to another security device employed with the first housing  242 , may also be passed through the second end  326  of the fastener  300  and the second housing  344 . Another possible connection path includes the bore  328  in the fastener  300  and the slot  274  in the side wall  256  of the second housing  244 . A security device may also be passed through the aperture  278  in the end wall  260 , the slot  274  in the second side wall  262  and/or through the bore  328  in the second end  326  of the fastener  300 . 
     In use, the strap  52  is attached to the holder  34  by means of the screws  58 . The opposed ends  54  and  56  of the strap  52  are then separated to enable the strap  52  to be wrapped about the circumference of the shell  14  as shown in FIG.  1 . The end  326  of the fastener  300  is then inserted into the aperture  253  in the housing  242  and rotated to threadingly pull the first and second housings  242  and  244  together. Finger pressure on the end walls  252  and  260  of the housings  242  and  244  respectively, aids in urging the housings  242  and  244  together thereby bringing the opposed ends  54  and  56  of the strap  52  tightly into engagement about the circumference of the shell  14 . 
     Prior to mounting the insert  42  in the holder  34 , conductors, not shown, extending through the aperture  59  in one shoulder  44  of the holder  34  and the aligned aperture  61  in the strap  52  are connected to conductors extending through an aperture  41  in the insert  42 . Mating quick connectors may be provided on the conductors extending from the insert  42  and from the shell  14 . 
     The insert  42  is then slidingly urged into the receiver  38  of the holder  34 . Mounting screws may be inserted through the openings of the bottom of the insert  42  into threaded bores in the bottom of the back plate  36  of the holder  34 . 
     The terminal cover  43  is then mounted in the insert  42  and a screw inserted through the slot  45  to fixedly mount the terminal cover  43  on the insert  42 . 
     FIGS. 2B and 2C depict another means to affix the strap  52  to the holder  34 . In this embodiment, four apertures  63  are formed in the strap  52  to align with four apertures in the flat  65  in the upper end  38  of the holder  34 . The aperture  61  in the strap  52  is centered between the four apertures  63  and aligns with the aperture  59  in the flat  65 . A hollow tubular member or nipple  66  is mounted at one end to the holder  34  in the flat  65  by means of an integral clip and extends through the apertures  59  and  61  and an aligned aperture in the shell  14 . Alternately, the nipple  66  can be integrally molded as part of the holder  34 . An O-ring seal  67  is disposed about the nipple  66  in the aperture  61  in the strap  52  to seal the shell  14  to the holder  34 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, there is depicted another embodiment of a mounting apparatus  70  adapted for mounting an enclosure  72  to the annular side wall of a shell  74  of a watthour meter socket adapter/extender  76 . In this embodiment, the mounting apparatus  70  is in the form of first and second straps  78  and  80 . The straps  78  and  80  have first ends  82  and  84 , respectively, and opposed second ends, not shown, which receive the lock housings  242  and  244  as described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. An aperture, typically in the form of a slot  86  and  88 , is formed in each strap  78  and  80 , respectively, adjacent to the ends  82  and  84  thereof. 
     The enclosure  72  is designed, by way of example only, for mounting a conventional telephone jack accessible through an aperture  90  formed in a bottom wall of the enclosure  72 . As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the enclosure  72  has a generally T-shape formed of a stem  92  and a pair of upper, outwardly extending cross legs  94  and  96 . A hollow cavity  98  is formed through the stem  92  and opens to the aperture  90  to allow for the passage of conductors, such as telephone conductors, through the stem  92  as well as to provide a space for mounting a conventional telephone jack within the stem  92 . 
     A recess is formed in each cross leg  94  and  96  and includes an aperture  100  and  102 , respectively. The apertures  100  and  102  are located below respective projections  104  and  106  integrally formed as part of each cross leg  94  and  96 . A notch is formed on the bottom edge of each projection  104  and  106  adjacent to the apertures  100  and  102 , respectively. Slots  108  and  110  are also formed through the end walls of cross legs  94  and  96  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slots  108  and  110  receive the first ends  82  and  84  of straps  78  and  80 . The straps  78  and  80  are inserted through the slots  108  and  110  until the apertures  86  and  88  slide over the respective projections  104  and  106 . The straps  78  and  80  are then pulled outward from the stem  92  to bring the first ends  82  and  84  of the straps  78  and  80  into engagement with the notches formed below each projection  104  and  106 . This firmly locks each strap  78  and  80  in the enclosure  72  as shown in FIG.  5 . The straps  78  and  80  are then wrapped around the circumference of the shell  14  and the opposite ends locked together tightly about the shell  14  by the lock mechanism  50  described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     It should be noted that the enclosure  72  shown in FIGS. 3-5 is provided with an end surface contacting the shell  14  of the socket adapter  10  with a generally arcuate shape of substantially the same radius as the shell  14  to ensure a close mating engagement between the enclosure  72  and the shell  14 . 
     Another embodiment of a strap apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6-8. In this embodiment, the two strap feature formed of first and second straps  78  and  80 , described above and shown in FIGS. 3-5, is also employed. In addition, this embodiment also employs the notched projections  104  and  106  which engage the slots  86  and  88  in the ends of the straps  78  and  80  to affix the first ends  82  and  84  of the straps  78  and  80  to an enclosure  120 . 
     As with the preceding embodiment, the enclosure  120  includes a stem  122  with two outwardly extending cross legs  124  and  126  which are integrally formed therewith and extend outward from one end of the stem  122 . The cross legs  124  and  126  have a recess opening from an upper surface in which the projections  104  and  106 , respectively, are formed along with a through aperture to enable the apertures  86  and  88  in the ends of the straps  78  and  80  to be slid over the projections  104  and  106  and then urged outward through slots formed in the outer ends of the cross legs  126  and  128  to secure the first ends  82  and  84  of the straps  78  and  80  to the cross legs  124  and  126  of the enclosure  120 . 
     The stem  72  is a four sided body with an aperture  128  formed in a bottom wall leaving a flange  130 . A plurality of fastener receiving apertures  132  are formed in the flange  130  for connecting an external enclosure, not shown, to the enclosure  120 . An outer peripheral lip  134  is disposed laterally outward from the upper edge  136  of the side wall of the stem  122 . A recessed notch  138  extending at least partially and preferably all the way about the periphery of the upper edge of the enclosure  120  is formed between the lip  134  and  136  in the upper edge. The recessed notch  138  is configured to receive a mating projection  140  integrally formed on and extending radially outward from the shell  14  of the socket adapter  10 . Since the enclosure  120  has a generally rectangular shape in an exemplary embodiment, the projection  140  on the shelf  14  also has a mating rectangular shape to provide centering and mounting of the enclosure  120  to the shell  14 . 
     The opposed bottom edge  142  of the enclosure  120 , which includes the mounting flange  130 , is generally planar or flat thereby enabling a flat edged external enclosure to be attached to the enclosure  120 . The opposed top edge of the enclosure  120  defined by the peripheral lip  134 , the upper edge  136 , and the upper surface of the cross legs  124  and  126  have a continuously smooth arcuate shape generally at the same radius as the shell  14  to enable the enclosure  120  to be matingly engaged to the exterior surface of the shell  14 . 
     In summary, there has been disclosed a unique apparatus for securely mounting an external enclosure or receptacle on an electrical apparatus, such as a watthour meter socket adapter. The apparatus is self-contained and, except for an aperture formed in one portion of the socket adapter to allow for the passage of conductors between the external enclosure and the interior of the socket adapter, no other modifications are necessary to the socket adapter. A variety of different receptacles or enclosures are mountable on a watthour meter socket adapter by the apparatus of the present invention. Such receptacles can be provided with separate access means to allow access to the interior of the enclosure separate from access to the interior of the socket adapter. More importantly, the mounting apparatus of the present invention enables the external enclosure to be mounted on and/or removed from the socket adapter as well as enabling access to the interior of the external receptacle without requiring the electrical watthour meter to be removed from the socket adapter.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7