US3943441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-resistant electrical meter housing
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-01-22
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Granted: 1976-03-09
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Expires: 1995-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-resistant electrical meter housing includes an unbreakable cover assembly that cooperates with a matable base to enclose a meter device supportable on the base. The cover assembly includes an annular ring secured to the cover. A locking leaf spring is coupled to the cover assembly. The leaf spring is aligned to slide along the top of a rim portion of the base and snap into a recess to lock the cover assembly against rotation and removal. Once the cover assembly is locked to the base, the leaf spring is substantially concealed from view, so that an unauthorized person cannot effect removal of the cover to obtain access to the meter. The base also includes a specific area in alignment with the recess, which area is identifiable only by an authorized person. A hole may be drilled in this area by an authorized person and a tool may then be inserted through this hole to effect disengagement of the leaf spring and removal of the cover assembly from the base.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest B. Shackford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A tamper-resistant electrical meter housing including a rotatable cover assembly cooperable with a matable base to enclose a meter supportable on the base wherein: a. said base includes a rim having a recess positioned on a top surface of said rim; b. said cover assembly includes a cover and a ring secured to said cover; c. means for mating said base with said cover assembly upon relative turning movement of said base and said cover assembly; d. a concealed locking means coupled to said cover assembly and receivable in said recess to prevent turning movement of said cover assembly relative to said base, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of said cover assembly from said base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A tamper-resistant electrical meter housing including a rotatable cover assembly cooperable with a matable base to enclose a meter supportable on the base wherein: a. said base includes a rim having a recess positioned on a top surface of said rim; b. said cover assembly includes a cover and a ring secured to said cover; c. means for mating said base with said cover assembly upon relative turning movement of said base and said cover assembly; d. a concealed locking means coupled to said cover assembly and receivable in said recess to prevent turning movement of said cover assembly relative to said base, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of said cover assembly from said base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The tamper-resistant meter housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said base includes a. an area identifiable to an authorized person, said area being in alignment with said recess, said area being drillable by an authorized person to permit insertion therethrough of a suitable tool for releasing said concealed locking means to effect removal of said cover assembly from said base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The tamper-resistant meter housing as recited in claim 1, wherein: a. said concealed locking means comprises a leaf spring, said spring including a segment inclined in a direction toward said base, said inclined segment riding on the top surface of said rim during relative turning movement of said cover assembly and said base, said leaf spring being movable into alignment with said recess to permit said segment to spring into said recess and engage a wall of said recess to prevent turning movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
175 words
A tamper-resistant electrical meter housing including a rotatable cover assembly cooperable with a matable base to enclose a meter supportable on the base, wherein: a. said base includes a rim having a plurality of circumferentially spaced first recesses extending through said rim; b. said rim further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced guiding means on a bottom surface thereof adjacent said first recesses and a second recess positioned on a top surface of said rim and spaced from said first recesses; c. said cover assembly includes a cover and a ring secured to said cover; d. said ring includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced clip means aligned to enter said first recesses and to engage said guiding means, upon relative turning movement of said base and said cover assembly, said guiding means limiting such relative turning movement; e. a concealed locking means coupled to said cover assembly and, receivable in said second recess to prevent movement of said cover assembly relative to said base, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of said cover assembly from said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
175 words
A tamper-resistant electrical meter housing including a rotatable cover assembly cooperable with a matable base to enclose a meter supportable on the base, wherein: a. said base includes a rim having a plurality of circumferentially spaced first recesses extending through said rim; b. said rim further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced guiding means on a bottom surface thereof adjacent said first recesses and a second recess positioned on a top surface of said rim and spaced from said first recesses; c. said cover assembly includes a cover and a ring secured to said cover; d. said ring includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced clip means aligned to enter said first recesses and to engage said guiding means, upon relative turning movement of said base and said cover assembly, said guiding means limiting such relative turning movement; e. a concealed locking means coupled to said cover assembly and, receivable in said second recess to prevent movement of said cover assembly relative to said base, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of said cover assembly from said base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2895637A
Cited
US3846677A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-09 | 1979-09-08 | 1980-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-09 | 1983-09-08 | 1984-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-09 | 1987-09-08 | 1988-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |