Apparatus and method for securing a watt-hour electrical meter to a socket box

Abstract

The instant disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for securing a watt-hour electrical meter to a socket meter box. A locking ring comprises a divided annular band fitted with tab members configured to accept a variety of ring fasteners. The tab members support a variety of ring fastener and fastener receiver assemblies, and have complementary mating surfaces that substantially mate around the head of an installed meter so that the locking ring is tamper-resistant. The ring fastener and fastener receiver have a number of complementary apertures disposed to receive either wire seals or other locking mechanisms.

1 . An apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box, said apparatus comprising: 
 an annular band, wherein a body portion of said annular band is divided to further comprise a first band portion and a second band portion;    a first tab member disposed on said first band portion, wherein a first aperture region is formed through a body portion of said first tab member;    a ring fastener having a first end and a second end; and    a ring fastener support member suitable for supporting disposition of said ring fastener through said first aperture region.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 1 , further comprising a second tab member disposed on said second band portion.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 2 , wherein said second tab member further comprises a second aperture formed through a body portion of said second tab member.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 1 , wherein said ring fastener further comprises a threaded shaft disposed at said first end.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 4 , further comprising a ring fastener receiver for receiving said threaded shaft of said ring fastener.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 1 , wherein said ring fastener further comprises a fastening member disposed at said second end.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 1 , wherein said ring fastener support member further comprises a support member.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 1 , wherein said ring fastener support member further comprises a staking tool.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 8 , wherein said ring fastener housing further comprises a swaging tool.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box, said apparatus comprising: 
 an annular band, wherein a body portion of said annular band is divided to further comprise a first band portion and a second band portion;    a first tab member disposed on said first band portion, wherein a first aperture region is formed through a body portion of said first tab member;    a second tab member disposed on said second band portion, wherein a second aperture region is formed through a body portion of said second tab member;    a ring fastener having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end further comprises a threaded shaft and said second end further comprises a gripping member; and    a ring fastener support member for supporting disposition of said ring fastener through said first aperture region and said second aperture region.    
   
   
       11 . A method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box, said method comprising: 
 providing an annular band, wherein a body portion of said annular band is divided to further comprise a first band portion and a second band portion;    disposing a first tab member on said first band portion, wherein a first aperture region is formed through a body portion of said first tab member;    providing a ring fastener having a first end and a second end; and    disposing a ring fastener support member in structural cooperation with said ring fastener to support disposition of said ring fastener through said first aperture region.    
   
   
       12 . The method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 11 , further comprising disposing a second tab member on said second band portion.  
   
   
       13 . The method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 12 , wherein said disposing said second tab member further comprises disposing a second tab member further comprising a second aperture formed through a body portion of said second tab member.  
   
   
       14 . The method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 11 , wherein said disposing said ring fastener further comprises disposing a ring fastener comprising a threaded shaft disposed at said first end.  
   
   
       15 . The method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 14 , further comprising disposing a ring fastener receiver suitable for receiving said threaded shaft of said ring fastener.  
   
   
       16 . The method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 1 , wherein said disposing said ring fastener further comprises disposing a ring fastener comprising a fastening knob disposed at said second end.  
   
   
       17 . The method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 1 , wherein said disposing said ring fastener further comprises disposing a ring fastener comprising a support shelf.  
   
   
       18 . The method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 1 , wherein said disposing said ring fastener support member further comprises disposing a ring fastener support member comprising a ring fastener housing.  
   
   
       19 . The method for securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box of  claim 18 , wherein said disposing said ring fastener housing further comprises disposing a swaging tool.  
   
   
       20 . The method of securing an electrical meter to a meter socket box, said method comprising: 
 providing an annular band, wherein a body portion of said annular band is divided to further comprise a first band portion and a second band portion;    disposing a first tab member disposed on said first band portion, wherein a first aperture region is formed through a body portion of said first tab member;    disposing a second tab member disposed on said second band portion, wherein a second aperture region is formed through a body portion of said second tab member;    providing a ring fastener having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end further comprises a threaded shaft and said second end further comprises a fastening knob; and    disposing a ring fastener support member suitable for supporting disposition of said ring fastener through said first aperture region and said second aperture region.