US3861180A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric meter lock ring
Assignee: CACTUS Tech CORP
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Filing: 1973-07-25
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-07-25
Abstract
Abstract An electric meter lock ring having an arcuate band provided with a pair of opposed ends arranged forming a split ring. A locking arrangement associated with the opposed band ends has a locking member, actuated by a cammed-ball key member, mounted on one end of the band and arranged for selectively engaging a locking member disposed on the other band end and locking the pair of opposed band ends together.
Inventors
- 👤 Sr John R Heckrotte
- 👤 James P Marcacci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R11/00; G01R11/02; G01R11/04; F; F16; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/50; F16B2200/509; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14; Y10T24/1412; Y10T24/1441; Y10T24/1443; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/20; Y10T292/205; Y10T292/212; Y10T292/214; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5093; Y10T70/554; Y10T70/5562; Y10T70/5566; Y10T70/5611; Y10T70/5854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
353 words
An electric meter lock ring, comprising, in combination: a. an arcuate band having a pair of opposed ends arranged forming a split ring, the arcuate band being provided with parallel, codirectionally extending flanges arranged extending along the band between the opposed ends; and b. means arranged at the opposed ends for locking same together, the means for locking including a locking member arranged on one of the opposed ends and means arranged on the other of the opposed ends for selectively engaging the locking member and locking together the opposed ends, the means for engaging including a locking element and an associated key element, a threaded shank portion on said locking element, the locking element having an enlarged head provided with a cavity and an aperture in the enlarged head communicating with the cavity; the key element including a sleeve dimensioned to fit closely in the cavity, and being provided with a ball captively held in the sleeve and arranged to enter the aperture by movement of a longitudinal plunger slidably arranged within the sleeve in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plunger, the plunger defining a camming surface arranged for camming the ball into the aperture and rotatably connecting the key element to the locking element when the sleeve is arranged in the cavity, and a bore provided in the locking member and arranged to mate with the shank portion when the arcuate band opposed ends are locked together, whereby the shank portion may enter the bore and lock together the arcuate band opposed ends, the means for locking further including a first housing mounted on a one end of the opposed ends, and a second housing mounted on the other end of the opposed ends, the locking member being arranged within the first housing and the means for engaging being arranged within the second housing, a bushing arranged in an opening provided in a wall of the second housing spaced farthest from the one end, the bushing provided with a bore arranged for receiving the key element sleeve, and seal means for protecting the bushing against unauthorized removal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
353 words
An electric meter lock ring, comprising, in combination: a. an arcuate band having a pair of opposed ends arranged forming a split ring, the arcuate band being provided with parallel, codirectionally extending flanges arranged extending along the band between the opposed ends; and b. means arranged at the opposed ends for locking same together, the means for locking including a locking member arranged on one of the opposed ends and means arranged on the other of the opposed ends for selectively engaging the locking member and locking together the opposed ends, the means for engaging including a locking element and an associated key element, a threaded shank portion on said locking element, the locking element having an enlarged head provided with a cavity and an aperture in the enlarged head communicating with the cavity; the key element including a sleeve dimensioned to fit closely in the cavity, and being provided with a ball captively held in the sleeve and arranged to enter the aperture by movement of a longitudinal plunger slidably arranged within the sleeve in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plunger, the plunger defining a camming surface arranged for camming the ball into the aperture and rotatably connecting the key element to the locking element when the sleeve is arranged in the cavity, and a bore provided in the locking member and arranged to mate with the shank portion when the arcuate band opposed ends are locked together, whereby the shank portion may enter the bore and lock together the arcuate band opposed ends, the means for locking further including a first housing mounted on a one end of the opposed ends, and a second housing mounted on the other end of the opposed ends, the locking member being arranged within the first housing and the means for engaging being arranged within the second housing, a bushing arranged in an opening provided in a wall of the second housing spaced farthest from the one end, the bushing provided with a bore arranged for receiving the key element sleeve, and seal means for protecting the bushing against unauthorized removal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking member is a nut affixed on the one of the opposed ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking member is a nut movably mounted on one of the first and second housings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |