Watthour meter socket adapter with lockable terminal cover and sealing ring

Claim 2

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; the terminals providing electrical connections between external electrical conductors extending into the terminal portion and the electrical conductors connected to the contacts; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a single, unitary terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for continuously covering the electrical connections of the terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter.

Claim 3

The socket adapter of claim 1 wherein the retaining means comprises: an arm connected to the terminal cover and extending outwardly therefrom; and a flange joined to the arm and extending angularly therefrom.

Claim 4

The socket adapter of claim 2 further including a pair of spaced arms extending from the terminal cover, each arm having a flange extending thereon.

Claim 5

The socket adapter of claim 2 wherein the arm and flange are in the form of plate fixedly mounted to the terminal cover.

Claim 6

The socket adapter of claim 2 wherein the arm and flange are integrally formed as a unitary part of the terminal cover.

Claim 7

The socket adapter of claim 2 wherein the flange on the arm has a predetermined length such that the outer end of the flange is disposed in proximity with the sealing ring when the sealing ring and the terminal cover are mounted on the housing of the socket adapter, the flange disposed between the sealing ring and the housing to non-removably retain the terminal cover on the housing.

Claim 8

The socket adapter of claim 6 wherein the flange has a length substantially equal to the height of the side wall of the socket adapter housing.

Claim 9

The socket adapter of claim 7 wherein the annular rim of the socket adapter has a discontinuity located in proximity with the terminal portion of the housing of the socket adapter; and the flange on the arm on the terminal cover being disposed in proximity with the side wall of the socket adapter housing at the discontinuity.

Claim 10

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing rim is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: an arm connected to the terminal cover and extending outwardly therefrom; and a flange joined to the arm and extending angularly therefrom; the sealing ring including an annular peripheral flange with at least one notch formed therein, the notch being engageable with the flange on the arm on the terminal cover when the sealing ring and the terminal cover are mounted on the housing of the socket adapter.

Claim 11

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing rim is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: an arm connected to the terminal cover and extending outwardly therefrom; and a flange joined to the arm and extending angularly therefrom; the sealing ring including an annular peripheral flange with at least one notch formed therein, the notch being engageable with the flange on the arm on the terminal cover when the sealing ring and the terminal cover are mounted on the housing of the socket adapter.

Claim 12

The socket adapter of claim 9 further comprising: a tab separably attached to and extending co-planarly from an outer end of the flange.

Claim 13

The socket adapter of claim 9 wherein the arm and flange are integrally formed as a unitary part of the terminal cover.

Claim 14

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: a pair of spaced arms connected to and extending from the terminal cover, a flange joined to each arm and extending thereon; the sealing ring including an annular peripheral flange having a plurality of notches formed therein, one notch being engageable with one flange when the sealing ring and the terminal cover are mounted on the housing of the socket adapter.

Claim 15

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: a pair of spaced arms connected to and extending from the terminal cover, a flange joined to each arm and extending thereon; the sealing ring including an annular peripheral flange having a plurality of notches formed therein, one notch being engageable with one flange when the sealing ring and the terminal cover are mounted on the housing of the socket adapter.

Claim 16

The socket adapter of claim 12 further comprising: a tab separably attached to and extending co-planarly from an outer end of each flange.

Claim 17

The socket adapter of claim 12 wherein the arms and the flanges are integrally formed as a unitary part of the terminal cover.

Claim 18

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: an arm connected to the terminal cover and extending outwardly therefrom; and a flange joined to the arm and extending angularly therefrom; the arm and flange being in the form of a plate fixedly mounted to the terminal cover; the terminal cover having a front wall and a substantially perpendicular extending top surface; the arm including: a first portion overlaying the front wall of the terminal cover and joined thereto; a second portion extending perpendicularly from the first portion and overlaying the top surface of the terminal cover; and a third portion extending perpendicularly from the second portion parallel to and away from the first portion, the flange extending angularly away from the end of the third portion.

Claim 19

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: an arm connected to the terminal cover and extending outwardly therefrom; and a flange joined to the arm and extending angularly therefrom; the arm and flange being in the form of a plate fixedly mounted to the terminal cover; the terminal cover having a front wall and a substantially perpendicular extending top surface; the arm including: a first portion overlaying the front wall of the terminal cover and joined thereto; a second portion extending perpendicularly from the first portion and overlaying the top surface of the terminal cover; and a third portion extending perpendicularly from the second portion parallel to and away from the first portion, the flange extending angularly away from the end of the third portion.

Claim 20

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing: a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: an arm connected to the terminal cover and extending outwardly therefrom; a flange joined to the arm and extending angularly therefrom; and a tab separably attached to and extending co-planarly from an outer end of the flange.

Claim 21

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing: a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: an arm connected to the terminal cover and extending outwardly therefrom; a flange joined to the arm and extending angularly therefrom; and a tab separably attached to and extending co-planarly from an outer end of the flange.

Claim 22

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: a pair of spaced arms connected to and extending from the terminal cover, a flange joined to each arm and extending therefrom; and a tab separably attached to and extending co-planarly from an outer end of each flange.

Claim 23

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having a peripheral side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to and spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover removably attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; and means, mounted on the terminal cover and extending therefrom into proximity with the peripheral side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion and the sealing ring when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the housing, for non-removably retaining the terminal cover on the housing when the sealing ring is lockingly mounted on the housing and the watthour meter, the retaining means including: a pair of spaced arms connected to and extending from the terminal cover, a flange joined to each arm and extending therefrom; and a tab separably attached to and extending co-planarly from an outer end of each flange.

Claim 24

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having an annular side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim, the annular side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion having a discontinuity formed at a predetermined portion thereof; a pair of side walls extending from the side wall at opposite ends of the discontinuity to one end of the base of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to the base between the pair of side walls; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion, the terminals providing electrical connections between external electrical conductors extending into the terminal portion and the electrical conductors connected to the contacts; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular mounting flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a single, unitary terminal cover attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for continuously covering the electrical connections of the terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors; the terminal cover having an integral, unitary filler portion extending from one end thereof; an arcuate wall projecting from the end of the filler portion and forming a continuous extension of the annular side wall of the housing and substantially filling the discontinuity in the annular side wall when the terminal cover is mounted on the housing; an outwardly extending annular rim formed on the arcuate wall of the terminal cover and forming a continuous extension of the annular rim on the annular side wall of the housing when the terminal cover is mounted on the housing; and a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim of the housing of the socket adapter, the annular mounting flange on the watthour meter and the annular rim of the terminal cover to lock the watthour meter and the terminal cover to the housing of the socket adapter.

Claim 25

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having an annular side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim, the annular side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion having a discontinuity formed at a predetermined portion thereof; a pair of side walls extending from the side wall at opposite ends of the discontinuity to one end of the base of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to the base between the pair of side walls; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion, the terminals providing electrical connections between external electrical conductors extending into the terminal portion and the electrical conductors connected to the contacts; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular mounting flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a single, unitary terminal cover attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for continuously covering the electrical connections of the terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors; the terminal cover having an integral, unitary filler portion extending from one end thereof; an arcuate wall projecting from the end of the filler portion and forming a continuous extension of the annular side wall of the housing and substantially filling the discontinuity in the annular side wall when the terminal cover is mounted on the housing; an outwardly extending annular rim formed on the arcuate wall of the terminal cover and forming a continuous extension of the annular rim on the annular side wall of the housing when the terminal cover is mounted on the housing; and a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim of the housing of the socket adapter, the annular mounting flange on the watthour meter and the annular rim of the terminal cover to lock the watthour meter and the terminal cover to the housing of the socket adapter.

Claim 26

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having an annular side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim, the annular side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion having a discontinuity formed at a predetermined portion thereof; a pair of side walls extending from the side wall at opposite ends of the discontinuity to one end of the base of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to the base between the pair of side walls; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular mounting flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; the terminal cover having an integral, unitary filler portion extending from one end thereof; means for swingably mounting the terminal cover to the terminal portion of the housing; an arcuate wall projecting from the end of the filler portion and forming a continuous extension of the annular side wall of the housing and substantially filling the discontinuity in the annular side wall when the terminal cover is mounted on the housing; an outwardly extending annular rim formed on the arcuate wall of the terminal cover and forming a continuous extension of the annular rim on the annular side wall of the housing when the terminal cover is mounted on the housing; and a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim of the housing of the socket adapter, the annular mounting flange on the watthour meter and the annular rim of the terminal cover to lock the watthour meter and the terminal cover to the housing of the socket adapter.

Claim 27

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a base; a watthour meter receiving portion having an annular side wall extending from the base and terminating in an outwardly extending, annular rim, the annular side wall of the watthour meter receiving portion having a discontinuity formed at a predetermined portion thereof; a pair of side walls extending from the side wall at opposite ends of the discontinuity to one end of the base of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the base within the watthour meter receiving portion, each contact receiving a terminal of the watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a terminal portion connected to the base between the pair of side walls; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted on the terminal portion; electrical conductors connected between the contacts in the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminals in the terminal portion; a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim on the housing and the annular mounting flange on the watthour meter to lock the watthour meter to the housing; a terminal cover attachable to the terminal portion of the housing for covering the terminals in the housing; the terminal cover having an integral, unitary filler portion extending from one end thereof; means for swingably mounting the terminal cover to the terminal portion of the housing; an arcuate wall projecting from the end of the filler portion and forming a continuous extension of the annular side wall of the housing and substantially filling the discontinuity in the annular side wall when the terminal cover is mounted on the housing; an outwardly extending annular rim formed on the arcuate wall of the terminal cover and forming a continuous extension of the annular rim on the annular side wall of the housing when the terminal cover is mounted on the housing; and a sealing ring lockingly mountable over the annular rim of the housing of the socket adapter, the annular mounting flange on the watthour meter and the annular rim of the terminal cover to lock the watthour meter and the terminal cover to the housing of the socket adapter.