Tamper-proof sealing ring for watthour meters

Claim 1

An electric meter sealing ring for permanently clamping the circular mounting base of an electric watthour meter assembly to a circular mounting flange of a meter socket box, said sealing ring comprising: a circular clamping band having a U-shaped cross section and first and second ends being separable for initial positioning of the inner side of said band in a circumferentially clamping relationship over both said meter base flange and said mounting flange; a shielding enclosure integrally mounted on said clamping band adjacent said first end, the enclosure defining a wholly enclosed protective chamber excepting a restricted entrance opening facing said second end and offset a predetermined distance from said band; yieldable detent means carried within said protective chamber so as to be aligned with said entrance opening; and an integral latching member having a series of notch portions projecting from said second end of said band and toward said first end in offset relationship thereto so as to be receivable by said entrance opening in close fitting relationship to the periphery thereof, said notch portions of said latching member being further receivable in a one-way and irremovable locking relationship with said detent means as the notch portions are progressively engaged thereby when said first and second ends of said band are pressed together in mutually aligned relationship to contract said band into a permanent and nonreusable close clamping fit over the mutually aligned base of said watthour meter assembly and said flange of said meter socket box.