US3915112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Meter position indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-11-25
•
Granted: 1975-10-28
•
Expires: 1994-11-25
Abstract
Abstract An indicator to be secured inside of the glass cover of a meter to show when the meter is rotated as a unit, the indicator includes a frame fixed to the meter and a flag member in a normal position hidden behind a portion of the frame and which flag is movable between the normal position to a second position wherein the flag is visible whenever the meter is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the face on which the indicator is mounted and the indicator includes magnetic means to hold the flag in the second position so that one inspecting the meter will know that it has been physically rotated or tampered with.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley Forester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
For use on a meter, an indicator to show when the meter has been physically rotated as a unit about a lateral axis through the meter, comprising: A. a frame having (a) an upper portion and (b) a lower portion, and (c) a first and (d) a second main surface; B. means to secure the frame to the meter in a normally inaccessible visible location in the meter; C. a movable flag member in a first normal position adjacent said lower portion; D. mutually intercooperating magnetic means including a first magnetic means mounted to the upper portion and a second magnetic means on the flag member; E. means movably mounting said flag member for movement between said normal position and a second position; F. said second position being one in which said first and said second magnetic means are magnetically attracted and held in engagement with one another and in which the flag member is visible and magnetically captivated by the magnetic means adjacent the upper portion, so that at least the portion of said flag member is visible, whereby when the meter is rotated as a unit through 180* about a lateral axis, the flag will move by gravity forces between said normal position to said second position and be held in said second position by the magnetic field of said magnetic means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
For use on a meter, an indicator to show when the meter has been physically rotated as a unit about a lateral axis through the meter, comprising: A. a frame having (a) an upper portion and (b) a lower portion, and (c) a first and (d) a second main surface; B. means to secure the frame to the meter in a normally inaccessible visible location in the meter; C. a movable flag member in a first normal position adjacent said lower portion; D. mutually intercooperating magnetic means including a first magnetic means mounted to the upper portion and a second magnetic means on the flag member; E. means movably mounting said flag member for movement between said normal position and a second position; F. said second position being one in which said first and said second magnetic means are magnetically attracted and held in engagement with one another and in which the flag member is visible and magnetically captivated by the magnetic means adjacent the upper portion, so that at least the portion of said flag member is visible, whereby when the meter is rotated as a unit through 180* about a lateral axis, the flag will move by gravity forces between said normal position to said second position and be held in said second position by the magnetic field of said magnetic means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means mounting comprises a pivot pin means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means mounting are intermediate the length of said frame between said upper and lower portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the axis of said pivot means is laterally oriented.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pivot means includes a pin extending perpendicular to said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means mounting comprises track means on said frame and means slidably captivating said flag member in said track means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first magnetic means is arranged on said upper portion at a position which is laterally oriented with respect to the centerline of said track means so that when said magnetic means are in magnetic engagement said flag will bind restraining sliding movement along said track means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
221 words
For use on a meter, an indicator to show when the meter has been physically rotated as a unit about a lateral axis through the meter, comprising: A. a frame having (a) an upper portion and (b) a lower portion, and (c) a first and (d) a second main surface; B. means to secure the frame to the meter in a normally inaccessible visible location in the meter; C. a movable flag member in a first normal position adjacent said lower portion; D. mutually intercooperating holding means including a first member mounted to the upper portion and a second member on the flag portion; E. means movably mounting said flag member for movement between said normal position and a second position; F. said second position being one in which said first and said second members are engaged with one another and held in engagement with one another and in which the flag member is visible and captivated by the holding means comprising said members adjacent the upper portion, so that at least the portion of said flag member is visible, whereby when the meter is rotated as a unit through 180* about a lateral axis, the flag will move by gravity forces between said normal position to said second position and be held in said second position by said holding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
221 words
For use on a meter, an indicator to show when the meter has been physically rotated as a unit about a lateral axis through the meter, comprising: A. a frame having (a) an upper portion and (b) a lower portion, and (c) a first and (d) a second main surface; B. means to secure the frame to the meter in a normally inaccessible visible location in the meter; C. a movable flag member in a first normal position adjacent said lower portion; D. mutually intercooperating holding means including a first member mounted to the upper portion and a second member on the flag portion; E. means movably mounting said flag member for movement between said normal position and a second position; F. said second position being one in which said first and said second members are engaged with one another and held in engagement with one another and in which the flag member is visible and captivated by the holding means comprising said members adjacent the upper portion, so that at least the portion of said flag member is visible, whereby when the meter is rotated as a unit through 180* about a lateral axis, the flag will move by gravity forces between said normal position to said second position and be held in said second position by said holding means.
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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |