Lockable switch for power meters

Claim 2

A power meter switch connected between a power meter and a base, said power meter switch comprising, two pairs of relatively movable contacts actuated by first key means for sliding into engagement with each other, said contacts completing an electrical circuit into said power meter when said contacts are in sliding engagement with each other, a band enclosing said contacts for securing said switch between said power meter and said base, means for locking said band including second key means.

Claim 3

The switch recited in claim 1 wherein said pairs of contacts comprise slanted plates for meshing together.

Claim 4

A power meter switch connected between a power meter and a base for controlling the power supplied to a facility, said power meter switch comprising, first and second key means, a first pair of contacts having a first set of terminals for receiving power, and a second set of terminals insulated from the first set for conducting power to a power meter, a second pair of contacts, said pairs of contacts including mating plates, one pair of said contacts being actuated by a first one of said key means for moving said plates in and out of engagement with each other for completing and interrupting an electrical circuit between said sets of terminals, a locking ring enclosing said switch and securing said switch between said power meter and said base, said locking ring having an opening for accommodating said first key means, lock means for securing said locking ring and for covering said opening, said locking means being removable by said second key means for permitting actuation of said contacts.

Claim 5

A power meter switch connected between a power meter and a base for controlling the power supplied to a facility, said power meter switch comprising, first and second key means, a first pair of contacts having a first set of terminals for receiving power, and a second set of terminals insulated from the first set for conducting power to a power meter, a second pair of contacts, said pairs of contacts including mating plates, one pair of said contacts being actuated by a first one of said key means for moving said plates in and out of engagement with each other for completing and interrupting an electrical circuit between said sets of terminals, a locking ring enclosing said switch and securing said switch between said power meter and said base, said locking ring having an opening for accommodating said first key means, lock means for securing said locking ring and for covering said opening, said locking means being removable by said second key means for permitting actuation of said contacts.

Claim 6

The switch recited in claim 3 wherein said second pair of contacts comprise inwardly slanting plates and said first pair of contacts comprise outwardly slanting plates whereby the plates of both pairs of contacts mate together.

Claim 7

The switch recited in claim 3 wherein said second pair of contacts are rotatable in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said first pair of contacts for correcting slight misalignments between said contacts.

Claim 8

The switch recited in claim 4 wherein said locking ring is hinged for permitting relatively easy attachment and removal of the ring to said switch.

Claim 9

The locking ring recited in claim 6 wherein said locking ring comprises a flap having an inwardly pointed tab at one end of said flap, the adjacent edge of said locking ring having a slot for accommodating said tab whereby said ring can be temporarily locked into position about said switch, said flap having an opening therethrough for permitting access by said first key, said opening being filled by said lock means when said contacts are in a required position relative to each other, said locking means including a cover mating with the external configuration of said locking ring for covering said opening and said slot.

Claim 10

The switch recited in claim 1 and further comprising spring-loaded plate means adjacent to the opening for said locking means, said plate being engageable by said locking means when said locking means secures the locking ring, said plate being spring loaded for being depressed in the direction of said second key means for correcting dimensional variations in the switch.

Claim 11

The switch recited in claim 3 wherein said first set of contacts are relatively higher than the second set of contacts for permitting the second set of contacts to slide freely in and out of engagement with the first set when the poWer meter is in place over the switch.

Claim 12

The switch recited in claim 9 further including a third set of terminals for conducting power from said meter into said facility through said base.