US4477861A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Watthour meter with tamper resistant seal
Assignee: ABB Inc USA
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Filing: 1982-10-14
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Granted: 1984-10-16
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Expires: 2002-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A watthour meter enclosure with tamper resistance means characterized by a meter cover and a meter base assembled for preventing unlocking rotation of the cover and including locking means between the base and cover for preventing unlocking and/or for indicating surreptitious tampering if it occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas M. Byrd, Jr.
- 👤 Khalil F. Aboujaoude
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:39
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/015; H02B1/06; H02B1/063; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A watthour meter container comprising: a base assembly supporting a watthour meter movement and including circularly arcuate, circumferentially spaced, attachment lugs extending radially at the outer periphery thereof, which lugs have forward and rear side radial surfaces; a cup-shaped cover including a closed forward end and an open rear end, and including a circular mounting flange extending radially outward at the rear open end, with a rear radial side surface mating with the front radial side surface of the attachment lugs, and including a locking rim carrying tabs rotationally attaching and locking the cover to the attachment lugs to enclose the watthour meter movement within a protective container; the base and the rim comprising substantially aligned aperture means; and sealing means securing the base and cover body in place and including a wire and a deformable body, the wire extending through the aperture means with opposite end portions of the wire being embedded within the body; whereby rotation of either of the base assembly or the cup-shaped cover with respect to the other causes breakage of the sealing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A watthour meter container comprising: a base assembly supporting a watthour meter movement and including circularly arcuate, circumferentially spaced, attachment lugs extending radially at the outer periphery thereof, which lugs have forward and rear side radial surfaces; a cup-shaped cover including a closed forward end and an open rear end, and including a circular mounting flange extending radially outward at the rear open end, with a rear radial side surface mating with the front radial side surface of the attachment lugs, and including a locking rim carrying tabs rotationally attaching and locking the cover to the attachment lugs to enclose the watthour meter movement within a protective container; the base and the rim comprising substantially aligned aperture means; and sealing means securing the base and cover body in place and including a wire and a deformable body, the wire extending through the aperture means with opposite end portions of the wire being embedded within the body; whereby rotation of either of the base assembly or the cup-shaped cover with respect to the other causes breakage of the sealing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The watthour meter container of claim 1 in which aperture means includes a pair of holes in the rim and an opening in the base assembly, the wire including opposite end portions and a bight portion with each leg portion extending through corresponding pairs of holes in the rim and with both leg portions extending through the opening in the base assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The watthour meter container of claim 2 in which the base assembly comprises a recess aligned with the holes and the opening and through which the leg portions extend.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The watthour meter container of claim 3 in which the base comprises a cavity on the side of the opening opposite the recess and the assembly of the wire extremities and the body being disposed in the cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The watthour meter container of claim 4 in which the leg portions cross each other in the opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The watthour meter container of claim 5 in which the deformable body is a lead sleeve in which the leg extremities are booked portions contained within the body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2914354A
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US3628096A
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US3846677A
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US4416478A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-16 | 1988-04-16 | 1988-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-16 | 1992-04-16 | 1992-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-16 | 1996-04-16 | 1996-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |