Watthour meter mounting apparatus with safety shield

Claim 2

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a watthour meter receiving portion; and a terminal portion spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the housings each contact receiving one blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the terminal portion of the housing and receiving one of an external electrical power line conductor and an electrical load conductor connected to an external load; electrical conductors connected to and extending between one contact and one terminal in the housing; and means, formed in the housing, for covering substantially all of the electrical conductors and the electrical contacts in the housing, the covering means including the watthour meter receiving portion formed of first and second plates and an annular sidewall extending between the first and second plates, the first and second plates being spaced apart to define a cavity therebetween, the electrical conductors and the electrical contacts being disposed in the cavity and substantially enclosed by the first and second plates and the annular sidewall.

Claim 3

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein: the housing is formed of an electrically insulating material.

Claim 4

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein the covering means further comprises: a plurality of hollow receptacles formed in the first plate and extending outward from the first plate, the interior of the receptacles opening to the cavity between the first and second plates; at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts being disposed in each receptacle; and an aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving a terminal of a watthour meter therethrough into electrical contact with the electrical contact disposed within the receptacle.

Claim 5

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 3 wherein: each electrical contact is loosely disposed in a receptacle.

Claim 6

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 3 wherein each receptacle comprises: a plurality of joined side walls extending from the first plate and terminating in an outer end wall; the joined side walls and the end wall forming a hollow receptacle therebetween for receiving an electrical contact therein; and the aperture being formed in the end wall.

Claim 7

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 5 wherein: at least certain edges of the end wall surrounding the aperture tapering inward from the exterior surface of the end wall toward the aperture.

Claim 8

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 3 wherein: each receptacle has walls extending from the first plate; and at least one of the walls having an angled edge tapering from the exterior surface of the receptacle toward the aperture.

Claim 9

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 further comprising: means for releasably joining the first and second plates together.

Claim 10

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 8 wherein: the terminal portion of the housing includes first and second terminal portions extending integrally from the first and second plates respectively; the joining means comprising: a pair of flanges formed on the second terminal portion, each having an aperture formed therein; and a pair of clips mounted in the first terminal portion, each clip having an end flange releasably engagable with the aperture in the flange on the second terminal portion.

Claim 11

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 further comprising: the annular wall formed on and extending outward from the second plate; a discontinuity formed in the annular wall and extending over a predetermined angular extent of the wall; the discontinuity and the side wall being disposed adjacent a terminal receiving portion of the first plate; and annular flange means formed on the terminal portion of the first plate for forming a continuous extension of the side wall and filling the discontinuity in the side wall when the first and second plates are joined together.

Claim 12

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 10 wherein the annular flange means comprises: a first annular flange integrally formed with the first plate adjacent the terminal portion of the first plate; a second annular flange releasably engagable with the first annular flange, the first and second annular flanges completely filling the discontinuity in the side wall; and means for releasably joining the first and second annular flanges together.

Claim 13

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein each electrical contact comprises: a jaw contact formed of a base, a pair of side walls extending from the base and a pair of inward and downwardly extending legs extending from the side walls, the legs forming a slot therebetween for receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; and further including one end of the electrical conductors being fixedly connected to the base of the jaw contact, the other end of the electrical conductors being connected to one of the electrical terminals.

Claim 14

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein: the plurality of electrical conductors are disposed in one plane between the electrical contacts and the electrical terminals.

Claim 15

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 13 further comprising: means, formed in at least one of the first and second plates, for electrically insulating adjacent conductors from each other, the electrically insulating means including a first flange formed on one of the first and second plates and extending toward the other of the first and second plates when the first and second plates are joined together.

Claim 16

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 14 wherein the electrical insulating means further comprises: a second flange formed on the other of the first and second plates and extending toward the one of the first and second plates when the first and second plates are joined together; and the first and second flanges being disposed in close proximity to each other when the first and second plates are joined together to form a barrier between adjacent electrical conductors.

Claim 17

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 15 wherein: outer ends of the first and second flanges are spaced from the opposed ones of the first and second plates; and the first and second flanges are spaced from each other to form an elongated path between electrical conductors disposed adjacent to each of the first and second flanges.

Claim 18

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 15 further comprising: a plurality of pairs of first and second flanges formed on the first and second plates, each pair of first and second flanges electrically insulating two of the plurality of adjacent electrical conductors from each other.

Claim 19

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 14 wherein: the plurality of electrical conductors comprise bare conductors.

Claim 20

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein the terminal portion comprises: a plurality of spaced dividers formed on the first plate; and a cavity formed between two adjacent dividers for receiving one of the plurality of electrical terminals therein.

Claim 21

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 19 further comprising: a plurality of pairs of short terminal dividers formed on and extending outward from the second plate, each pair of short terminal dividers being spaced apart to receive a lower portion of an electrical terminal therebetween; one short terminal divider of each pair of short terminal dividers being spaced from one short terminal divider of an adjacent pair of short terminal dividers to form a slot therebetween and receiving one end of one of the dividers on the first plate therein.

Claim 22

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 20 wherein the terminals comprise: a collar having first and second portions integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member; the first portion having a first through bore extending therethrough sized to receive an external electrical conductor therein; means for securing an external electrical conductor in the first bore of the collar; the second portion having a second through bore extending therethrough for slidably receiving a first end of the electrical conductor, the second bore disposed in communication with the first bore; the second portion being smaller in width than the first portion; the short terminal dividers receiving the second portion of one of the terminals therebetween.

Claim 23

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 19 further comprising: a plurality of hollow, tubular bosses formed on the first plate and extending outward from the cavities on the first plate, the tubular bosses opening to the cavities.

Claim 24

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 22 further comprising: inward extending flanges formed on each end of the dividers for releasably retaining one of the plurality of electrical terminals between two adjacent dividers.

Claim 25

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 22 further comprising: a terminal cover mounted over and covering the ends of the tubular bosses on the first plate; and means for releasably mounting the terminal cover on the first plate.

Claim 26

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 24 wherein the releasable mounting means comprises: a pin mounted on and extending from the first terminal portion of the first plate; a leg mounted on an outer end of the pin and extending laterally of the pin; an aperture formed in the terminal cover; a flange formed on the terminal cover extending a predetermined distance across the aperture; and the flange and the leg on the pin cooperating to provide a solid surface on the terminal cover covering the aperture when the terminal cover is mounted over the pin.

Claim 27

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 24 further comprising: means for releasably locking the terminal cover on the first section of the terminal portion.

Claim 28

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein the electrical conductors are polygonal shaped bus bars each having a rectangular cross section formed of two major exterior surfaces of a first length and two minor end exterior surfaces of a second smaller length, the two major exterior surfaces of the electrical conductors being co-planarly aligned with the axial extent of the blade terminals of a watthour meter insertable into the housing.

Claim 29

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 27 wherein the bus bars are rigid.

Claim 30

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 27 wherein the terminals comprise: a collar having first and second portions integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member; the first portion having a first through bore extending therethrough sized to receive an external electrical conductor therein; and means for securing an external electrical conductor in the first bore of the collar.

Claim 31

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 29 wherein the terminals further comprise: the second portion having a second through bore extending therethrough for slidably receiving a first end of the electrical conductor, the second bore disposed in communication with the first bore.

Claim 32

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 29 wherein the securing means comprises: an aperture formed in the first portion of the collar; the fastener threadingly extendible through the aperture into engagement with an external conductor inserted into the first bore in the first portion of the collar.

Claim 33

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 29 wherein the securing means comprises: a pair of spaced, co-axial apertures formed in the first portion of the collar; a fastener threadingly extendible through each aperture into engagement with an external electrical conductor inserted into the first bore in the first portion of the collar.

Claim 34

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 30 wherein: a height of the first end of the electrical conductor is greater than a height of the second bore in the collar such that an upper portion of the first end of the electrical conductor extends into the first bore in the collar.

Claim 35

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 29 wherein the electrical conductor has a first step spaced from the first end and engageable with the second portion of the collar to limit the length insertion of the conductor into the second bore of the collar.

Claim 36

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 34 wherein the conductor has a second step spaced from the first end of the conductor, the second step extending transversely with respect to the end of the first through bore in the first portion of the collar, when the conductor is mounted in the collar, to limit the length of insertion of an external electrical conductor through the first bore in the collar.

Claim 37

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a watthour meter receiving portion; and a terminal portion spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the housing, each contact receiving one blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the terminal portion of the housing and receiving one of an external electrical power line conductor and an electrical load conductor connected to an external load; electrical conductors connected to and extending between one contact and one terminal in the housing, each electrical conductor having opposed side surfaces extending co-planarly with an axial extent of a blade terminal of a watthour meter; each of the electrical contacts including: first and second spaced, separate contact clips, each having a first end portion disposed in registry with one of the side surfaces of one of the electrical conductors and a second jaw portion; biasing means, engageable with an outer surface of each of the first and second contact clips, for biasing the jaw portion of each of the first and second contact clips toward each other; and means for fixedly joining the first and second contact clips and the biasing means to each of the electrical conductors; and means, formed in the housing, for covering substantially all exposed surfaces of the electrical conductors and the electrical contacts in the housing.

Claim 38

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a watthour meter receiving portion; and a terminal portion spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the housing, each contact receiving one blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the terminal portion of the housing and receiving one of an external electrical power line conductor and an electrical load conductor connected to an external load; electrical conductors connected to and extending between one contact and one terminal in the housing, each electrical conductor having opposed side surfaces extending co-planarly with an axial extent of a blade terminal of a watthour meter; each of the electrical contacts including: first and second spaced, separate contact clips, each having a first end portion disposed in registry with one of the side surfaces of one of the electrical conductors and a second jaw portion; biasing means, engageable with an outer surface of each of the first and second contact clips, for biasing the jaw portion of each of the first and second contact clips toward each other; and means for fixedly joining the first and second contact clips and the biasing means to each of the electrical conductors; and means, formed in the housing, for covering substantially all exposed surfaces of the electrical conductors and the electrical contacts in the housing.

Claim 39

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 36 wherein each of the first and second contact clips further comprises: the second jaw portion being integral and continuous with the first end portion and bending in a first direction from the first end portion and then in a second direction toward a plane containing the first end portion.

Claim 40

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 36 wherein the first and second contact clips each comprise: a plate-like member having a planar first end portion, an intermediate portion extending at a predetermined angle from the plane containing the first end portion; and a second end portion extending at a predetermined angle from an end of the intermediate portion.

Claim 41

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 38 wherein: a conductor contacting edge is formed at the juncture of an end of the intermediate portion and the second end portion of each of the first and second contact clips.

Claim 42

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 38 wherein: the second end portion extends at an angle less than or equal to substantially 15° from a plane extending parallel to a plane containing the first end portion and through the juncture of the end of the intermediate portion and the second end portion of each of the first and second contact clips.

Claim 43

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 38 wherein the biasing means comprises: first and second spring clips, respectively disposed in registry with the outer surface of the first and second contact clips.

Claim 44

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 41 wherein the first and second contact clips each comprise: a plate-like member having: a planar central portion; a first end portion extending at a predetermined angle from one end of the central portion; an intermediate portion extending at a predetermined angle from an opposite end of the central portion in the same direction away from a plane containing the central portion as the first end portion; and a second end portion extending at a predetermined angle from an end of the intermediate portion toward the plane containing the central portion.

Claim 45

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 42 wherein the first end portion is at a substantially 15° angle with respect to the central portion.

Claim 46

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 43 wherein the intermediate portion is at a substantially 15° angle from the central portion.

Claim 47

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 44 wherein the second end portion is at a substantially 30° angle from the end of the intermediate portion.

Claim 48

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 41 wherein: a slot is formed in each of the first and second spring clips extending from the second end portion to the central portion and dividing the second end and the intermediate portions into two spaced portions.

Claim 49

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 41 wherein the joining means comprises: aligned apertures formed in the second end of the electrical conductor, the first and second spring clips and the first and second contact clips; rivets fixedly mounted in the aligned apertures to force the central portion and the first end portion of the first and second spring clips into substantial registry with the first and second contact clips, respectively, and the first and second contact clips into registry with opposed surfaces of the second end of the electrical conductor to forcibly bias the first and second spring clips into engagement with the first and second contact clips, respectively, to urge the second end portions of the first and second contact clips toward each other.

Claim 50

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 41 further comprising: means for joining the first and second spring clips and the first and second contact clips, respectively, to the second end of each conductor.

Claim 51

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein: the first plate is formed of a transparent material.

Claim 52

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade adapter comprising: a housing formed of first and second plates, each of the first and second plates being formed of an electrically insulating material; means for releasably joining the first and second plates together; each of the first and second plates having a watthour meter receiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; the watthour meter receiving portion of the first and second plates being spaced apart when the first and second plates are joined together to form a cavity therebetween; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted between the terminal portions of the first and second plates; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the first plate, each electrical contact receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical conductors, each connected to one of the electrical contacts and one of the electrical terminals and completely disposed in the cavity between the watthour meter receiving portions of the first and second plates; a side wall formed on and extending from one of the first and second plates and substantially completely surrounding the cavity and the electrical contacts and the electrical conductors disposed therein when the first and second plates are joined together; terminal cover means, mounted on the terminal mounting portion of the first plate, for covering the electrical connections of the electrical terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors in the housing and to external electrical conductors; and means for releasably joining the terminal cover to the terminal mounting portion of the first plate.

Claim 53

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade adapter comprising: a housing formed of first and second plates, each of the first and second plates being formed of an electrically insulating material; means for releasably joining the first and second plates together; each of the first and second plates having a watthour meter receiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; the watthour meter receiving portion of the first and second plates being spaced apart when the first and second plates are joined together to form a cavity therebetween; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted between the terminal portions of the first and second plates; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the first plate, each electrical contact receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical conductors, each connected to one of the electrical contacts and one of the electrical terminals and completely disposed in the cavity between the watthour meter receiving portions of the first and second plates; a side wall formed on and extending from one of the first and second plates and substantially completely surrounding the cavity and the electrical contacts and the electrical conductors disposed therein when the first and second plates are joined together; terminal cover means, mounted on the terminal mounting portion of the first plate, for covering the electrical connections of the electrical terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors in the housing and to external electrical conductors; and means for releasably joining the terminal cover to the terminal mounting portion of the first plate.

Claim 54

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 further comprising: a plurality of hollow receptacles formed in the first plate and extending outward from the first plate, the interior of the receptacles opening to the cavity between the first and second plates; at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts being disposed in each receptacle; and an aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving a terminal of a watthour meter therethrough into electrical contact with the electrical contact disposed within the receptacle.

Claim 55

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 51 wherein each receptacle comprises: a plurality of joined side walls extending from the first plate and terminating in an outer end wall; the joined side walls and the end wall forming a hollow receptacle therebetween for receiving an electrical contact therein; and the aperture being formed in the end wall.

Claim 56

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 51 wherein: at least certain edges of the end wall surrounding the aperture tapering inward from the exterior surface of the end wall toward the aperture.

Claim 57

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 51 wherein: each receptacle has walls extending from the first plate; and at least one of the walls having an angled edge tapering from the exterior surface of the receptacle toward the aperture.

Claim 58

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein the joining means comprises: at least one flange formed on the terminal portion of the second plate, the at least one flange having an aperture therein; at least one clip mounted on the terminal portion of the first plate, the at least one clip having an end flange releasibly engagable in a snap engagement with the aperture in the flange on the second plate.

Claim 59

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein the releasibly mounting means comprises: a pair of flanges formed on the terminal portion of the first plate, each having an aperture formed therein; and a cylindrical boss mounted on and extending outward from each side of the terminal portion of the second plate, each cylindrical boss having a through bore alignable with the aperture in the flange on the terminal portion of the first plate.

Claim 60

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 56 wherein: a mounting pin is mounted on and extends outward from each side of the terminal cover, each pin releasably engagable with the aligned aperture in the first plate and the cylindrical boss in the second plate.

Claim 61

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 further comprising: the annular wall formed on and extending outward from the second plate; a discontinuity formed in the annular wall and extending over a predetermined angular extent of the wall; the discontinuity in the side wall being disposed adjacent a terminal receiving portion of the first plate. a pair of spaced first annular flanges integrally formed with the first plate adjacent the terminal portion of the first plate; a second annular flange releasably engagable with the pair of first annular flanges, the first and second annular flanges completely filling the discontinuity in the side wall; and means for releasably joining the pair of first annular flanges and the second annular flange together.

Claim 62

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 58 wherein the releasible joining means comprises: the second annular flange has opposed side ends; the annular wall on the second plate having opposed side ends; and mating interconnectible tongue and groove formed on the side ends of the second annular flange and the second plate.

Claim 63

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 58 wherein the terminal cover comprises: a front wall with spaced integral side walls extending therefrom; and an arcuate edge formed on the front wall between the spaced side walls, the arcuate edge overlapped with the second annular flange when the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal portion of the first plate.

Claim 64

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 58 wherein the means for releasibly joining the pair of first annular flanges and the second annular flanges comprises: the pair of first annular flanges including a plurality of spaced slots opening outwardly from the first plate; and the second annular flange including a plurality of spaced slots alignable with the slots in the pair of first annular flanges when the second flange is mounted on the pair of first annular flanges to form apertures opening between the watthour meter receiving portion and the terminal portion of the first plate.

Claim 65

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 61 wherein the terminal cover includes: a front wall and integrally spaced side walls extending therefrom, the side walls mountable over the terminal receiving portion of the first plate; the front wall of the terminal cover being spaced from the first plate when the terminal cover is mounted on the first plate to form an opening therebetween communicating with the apertures formed by the interconnected pair of first annular flanges and the second annular flange.

Claim 66

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 62 wherein: a radially extending flange extending perpendicularly from the second annular flange; a recessed edge formed on a peripheral edge of the radially extending flange; the front wall of the terminal cover terminating in an annular edge, the annular edge seated on the recessed edge.

Claim 67

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 62 wherein the terminal cover further comprises: at least one raised portion formed on and projecting outward from the front wall of the terminal cover, the raised portion forming an interior channel opening toward the first plate when the terminal cover is mounted on the first plate.

Claim 68

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 64 wherein the terminal cover includes a pair of spaced apart raised portions formed on the front wall of the terminal cover, each raised portion forming an interior channel.

Claim 69

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein: the first plate is formed of a transparent, electrically insulating material.

Claim 70

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein each electrical contact comprises: a jaw contact formed of a base, a pair of side walls extending from the base and a pair of inward and downwardly extending legs extending from the side walls, the legs forming a slot therebetween for receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; and further including one end of each electrical conductor being fixedly connected to the base of the jaw contact, the other end of each electrical conductor being connected to one of the electrical terminals.

Claim 71

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 50 wherein: the plurality of electrical conductors are disposed in one non-overlapping plane between the electrical contacts and the electrical terminals and the first and second plates.

Claim 72

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 68 further comprising: means, formed in at least one of the first and second plates, for electrically insulating adjacent conductors from each other.

Claim 73

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 69 wherein the electrical insulating means comprises: a first flange formed on one of the first and second plates and extending toward the other of the first and second plates when the first and second plates are joined together.

Claim 74

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 68 wherein the electrical insulating means comprises: a first flange formed on one of the first and second plates and extending toward the other of the first and second plates when the first and second plates are joined together; a second flange formed on the other of the first and second plates and extending toward the one of the first and second plates when the first and second plates are joined together; and the first and second flanges being disposed in close proximity to each other when the first and second plates are joined together to form a barrier between adjacent electrical conductors.

Claim 75

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 71 wherein: outer ends of the first and second flanges are spaced from the opposed ones of the first and second plates; and the first and second flanges are spaced from each other to form an elongated path between electrical conductors disposed adjacent to each of the first and second flanges.

Claim 76

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 71 further comprising: a plurality of pairs of first and second flanges formed on the first and second plates, each pair of first and second flanges electrically insulating two of the plurality of adjacent electrical conductors from each other.

Claim 77

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 71 wherein: the plurality of electrical conductors comprise bare conductors.

Claim 78

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing formed of first and second plates, each of the first and second plates being formed of an electrically insulating material an annular wall extending from the second plate; means for releasably joining the first and second plates together; each of the first and second plates having a watthour meter receiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; the watthour meter receiving portion of the first and second plates being spaced apart when the first and second plates are joined together to form a cavity therebetween; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the first plate; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the first plate, each electrical contact receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical conductors, each connected to one of the electrical contacts and one of the electrical terminals and completely disposed in the cavity between the watthour meter receiving portions of the first and second plates; at least one first annular flange integrally formed with the first plate adjacent the terminal portion of the first plate; a second annular flange releasably engagable with the first annular flange, the first and second annular flanges completely filling the discontinuity in the side wall; means for releasably joining the first and second annular flanges together; a terminal cover releasably mounted on the terminal mounting portion of the first plate and covering electrical connections of the electrical terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors in the housing and to external electrical conductors; the terminal cover including a front wall and integrally spaced side walls mountable over the terminal receiving portion of the first plate; a sealing ring mountable about a mounting flange formed on the annular side wall of the second plate and the first and second flanges and a mounting flange on the watthour meter, a lock means mounted on the sealing ring for locking the sealing ring about the annular flange on a watthour meter and the mounting flange on the annular side wall an annular metallic ring mounted on the first plate adjacent to the annular wall extending from the second plate, the annular metallic ring having an angular discontinuity formed between first and second spaced ends; and a flange carried on each of the first and second ends, the flange mountable on and attachable to the first plate.

Claim 79

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing formed of first and second plates, each of the first and second plates being formed of an electrically insulating material an annular wall extending from the second plate; means for releasably joining the first and second plates together; each of the first and second plates having a watthour meter receiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; the watthour meter receiving portion of the first and second plates being spaced apart when the first and second plates are joined together to form a cavity therebetween; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the first plate; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the first plate, each electrical contact receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical conductors, each connected to one of the electrical contacts and one of the electrical terminals and completely disposed in the cavity between the watthour meter receiving portions of the first and second plates; at least one first annular flange integrally formed with the first plate adjacent the terminal portion of the first plate; a second annular flange releasably engagable with the first annular flange, the first and second annular flanges completely filling the discontinuity in the side wall; means for releasably joining the first and second annular flanges together; a terminal cover releasably mounted on the terminal mounting portion of the first plate and covering electrical connections of the electrical terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors in the housing and to external electrical conductors; the terminal cover including a front wall and integrally spaced side walls mountable over the terminal receiving portion of the first plate; a sealing ring mountable about a mounting flange formed on the annular side wall of the second plate and the first and second flanges and a mounting flange on the watthour meter, a lock means mounted on the sealing ring for locking the sealing ring about the annular flange on a watthour meter and the mounting flange on the annular side wall an annular metallic ring mounted on the first plate adjacent to the annular wall extending from the second plate, the annular metallic ring having an angular discontinuity formed between first and second spaced ends; and a flange carried on each of the first and second ends, the flange mountable on and attachable to the first plate.

Claim 80

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 75 further comprising: a perpendicular flange formed on and extending perpendicularly outward from one of the first and second ends of the annular ring; the perpendicular flange having an aperture formed therein; the perpendicular flange located in proximity with the first annular flange on the first plate and the second annular flange when the annular ring is mounted on the first plate and extending through a slot formed in the front wall of the terminal cover; the lock means on the sealing ring including a flange formed adjacent one end with an aperture formed therein; and a wire seal passable through the aperture in the perpendicular flange exteriorly of the terminal cover and an aperture in a flange on a sealing ring.

Claim 81

An adapter mounted in a watthour meter socket having jaw contacts for receiving blade terminals of an electrical apparatus therein in a snap-in connection, the adapter comprising: a housing having a base and an annular side wall mounted on and extending outward from the base; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the housing, each electrical contact having a jaw contact end matable with a blade terminal of an electrical apparatus and a terminal end matable with a jaw contact in a watthour meter socket; and means, mounted in the housing, for enclosing substantially all exposed front and side surfaces of the contacts mounted therein and for allowing the terminals of an electrical apparatus to be inserted therethrough into the jaw contact end, the means including: a front portion covering the jaw contact ends; and a side portion, integral with the front portion and covering sides of the jaw contacts, the side portion spaced from the annular side wall of the housing to allow mounting of an electrical apparatus in the housing.

Claim 82

An adapter mounted in a watthour meter socket having jaw contacts for receiving blade terminals of an electrical apparatus therein in a snap-in connection, the adapter comprising: a housing having a base and an annular side wall mounted on and extending outward from the base; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the housing, each electrical contact having a jaw contact end matable with a blade terminal of an electrical apparatus and a terminal end matable with a jaw contact in a watthour meter socket; and means, mounted in the housing, for enclosing substantially all exposed front and side surfaces of the contacts mounted therein and for allowing the terminals of an electrical apparatus to be inserted therethrough into the jaw contact end, the means including: a front portion covering the jaw contact ends; and a side portion, integral with the front portion and covering sides of the jaw contacts, the side portion spaced from the annular side wall of the housing to allow mounting of an electrical apparatus in the housing.

Claim 83

The adapter of claim 77 wherein the enclosing means comprises: a single hollow enclosure formed of an electrically insulating material; a plurality of apertures formed in the enclosure, each aperture located to be disposed immediately adjacent one of the jaw contacts in the housing and allowing insertion of a blade terminal of an electrical apparatus therethrough into the jaw contact; and means for mounting the enclosure in the housing such that the enclosure surrounds substantially all exposed front and side surfaces of the jaw contacts in the housing.

Claim 84

The adapter of claim 78 wherein the mounting means comprises: a plurality of flanges integrally formed on and extending outward from the enclosure; the flanges disposed on the base of the housing; and apertures formed in the flanges for receiving fasteners therethrough.

Claim 85

The adapter of claim 78 wherein the enclosure comprises: a plurality of side walls, an open end, and an opposed end wall; the apertures being formed in at least the end wall; the open end of the enclosure disposed adjacent the base of the housing when the enclosure is mounted in the housing.

Claim 86

The adapter of claim 78 wherein the enclosing means comprises: a planar wall; means for mounting the wall to the base of the housing; a plurality of hollow receptacles formed on the wall and extending outward from the wall; and at least one aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving a blade terminal of an electrical apparatus therethrough, the aperture located adjacent one of the jaw contacts in the housing when the enclosing means is mounted in the housing.

Claim 87

The adapter of claim 81 wherein each receptacle comprises: a plurality of joined side walls and an end wall, the side walls and the end wall forming a hollow chamber surrounding at least one jaw contact when the enclosing means is mounted in the housing; and at least one aperture formed in the end wall of each receptacle.

Claim 88

The adapter of claim 81 wherein the mounting means comprises: a plurality of flanges integrally formed on and extending outward from the planar wall; the flanges disposed on the base of the housing; and apertures formed in the flanges for receiving fasteners therethrough.

Claim 89

The adapter of claim 77 wherein the enclosing means comprises: a plurality of hollow receptacles formed on the base of the housing and extending outward from the base; the receptacles each receiving at least one jaw contact therein; and an aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving a blade terminal of an electrical apparatus therethrough into contact with a jaw contact disposed in the receptacle.

Claim 90

The adapter of claim 84 wherein each receptacle comprises: a plurality of joined side walls and an end wall, the side walls and the end wall forming a hollow chamber surrounding at least one jaw contact when the enclosing means is mounted in the housing; and at least one aperture formed in the end wall of each receptacle.

Claim 91

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a watthour meter receiving portion; and a terminal portion spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the housing, each contact receiving one blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the terminal portion of the housing and receiving one of an external electrical power line conductor and an electrical load conductor connected to an external load; an electrical conductor connected to and extending between one contact and one terminal in the housing, the plurality of electrical conductors being bare conductors and disposed in one plane between the electrical contacts and the electrical terminals; and means, formed in the housing, for covering substantially all of the electrical conductors and the electrical contacts in the housing, the covering means including: a plurality of hollow receptacles formed in the watthour meter receiving portion; at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts being disposed in each receptacle; and an aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving a terminal of a watthour meter therethrough into electrical contact with the electrical contact disposed within the receptacle.

Claim 92

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals, the socket adapter comprising: a housing, the housing including: a watthour meter receiving portion; and a terminal portion spaced from the watthour meter receiving portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion of the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion of the housing, each contact receiving one blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the terminal portion of the housing and receiving one of an external electrical power line conductor and an electrical load conductor connected to an external load; an electrical conductor connected to and extending between one contact and one terminal in the housing, the plurality of electrical conductors being bare conductors and disposed in one plane between the electrical contacts and the electrical terminals; and means, formed in the housing, for covering substantially all of the electrical conductors and the electrical contacts in the housing, the covering means including: a plurality of hollow receptacles formed in the watthour meter receiving portion; at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts being disposed in each receptacle; and an aperture formed in each receptacle for receiving a terminal of a watthour meter therethrough into electrical contact with the electrical contact disposed within the receptacle.

Claim 93

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 41 wherein: each of the first and second spring clips has a planar portion adapted to register with one of the first and second contact clips, and a first end portion normally angularly disposed from the planar portion, the first end portion deformed into substantial co-extensive planar alignment with the planar portion when the fixedly joining means joins the first end portion of each of the first and second spring clips to the first and second contact clips.

Claim 94

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing formed with a watthour meter receiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical conductors, each connected to one of the electrical contacts and one of the electrical terminals, a terminal cover releasably mounted on the terminal mounting portion and covering electrical connections of the electrical terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors in the housing and to external electrical conductors; the terminal cover including a front wall and integrally spaced side walls, the side walls mountable over the terminal receiving portion of the first plate; a sealing ring mountable about a mounting flange formed on an annular side wall of the housing and a mounting flange on a watthour meter mounted on the housing, lock means carried on the sealing ring for lockingly mounting the sealing ring about the mating mounting flanges; and stop means, formed on the terminal cover, for limiting the amount of annular rotation of the lock means of the sealing ring over the terminal cover.

Claim 95

A watthour meter socket adapter for use with a watthour meter having a plurality of blade terminals and an annular mounting flange, the socket adapter comprising: a housing formed with a watthour meter receiving portion and a terminal mounting portion; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in the terminal portion; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the watthour meter receiving portion, each electrical contact receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter in a snap-in connection; a plurality of electrical conductors, each connected to one of the electrical contacts and one of the electrical terminals, a terminal cover releasably mounted on the terminal mounting portion and covering electrical connections of the electrical terminals in the housing to the electrical conductors in the housing and to external electrical conductors; the terminal cover including a front wall and integrally spaced side walls, the side walls mountable over the terminal receiving portion of the first plate; a sealing ring mountable about a mounting flange formed on an annular side wall of the housing and a mounting flange on a watthour meter mounted on the housing, lock means carried on the sealing ring for lockingly mounting the sealing ring about the mating mounting flanges; and stop means, formed on the terminal cover, for limiting the amount of annular rotation of the lock means of the sealing ring over the terminal cover.

Claim 96

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 88 wherein: the stop means comprises a pair of stops formed on the front wall of the terminal cover, the lock means movably disposed between the pair of stops.

Claim 97

The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 88 wherein the stop means comprises: a raised portion formed integrally with the front wall of the terminal cover and extending outward therefrom.