Locking apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting a plurality of structures, such as ends of a sealing ring, with each end defining an aperture therein and with the ring being adapted to mount a meter to a meter box structure. The apparatus comprises a locking pin with a distal end adapted to be insertable through each of the apertures of the first and second ends of the ring. The locking pin comprises a head member having at least an engageable end and a fracturable member. The locking pin further comprises a shaft portion having the distal end. The apparatus further comprises a lock housing adapted to retain at least a part of the shaft portion such that the first and second ends of the ring are connected between the head member of the locking pin and the lock housing. The head member has an outer surface adapted to receive at least two opposing forces, the at least two opposing forces being of sufficient magnitude to break the fracturable member. A lock removal tool is adapted to receive and fracture a portion of the locking pin, enabling removal of the lock assembly from the meter box sealing ring.

1 . An apparatus for securing a ring having first and second ends, the ring being adapted to mount a meter to a meter box structure, each of the first and second ends of the ring defining an aperture therein, the apparatus comprising:
 a locking pin having a distal end adapted to be insertable through each of the apertures of first and second ends of a ring, wherein the locking pin comprises a head member having at least an engageable end and a fracturable member, the locking pin further comprising a shaft portion with the distal end, the fracturable member being disposed intermediate the engageable end and the distal end of the locking pin; and   a lock housing adapted to retain at least a part of the shaft portion.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head member has an outer surface adapted to receive at least two opposing forces, the at least two opposing forces being of sufficient magnitude to break the fracturable member. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a complementary tool adapted to manipulate the outer surface of the head member, wherein the at least two opposing forces of sufficient magnitude may be applied to break the fracturable member. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the complementary tool comprises at least an actuator housing defining a cavity having an interior surface adapted to capture the head member, the outer surface of the head member being complementary to the interior surface of the cavity, the actuator housing comprising a force-exerting structure to in general, axially bear against the engageable end to break the fracturable member. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fracturable member is disposed immediately adjacent at least one of first and second ends of a ring. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stress-concentration member to concentrate stress at a desired location on the locking pin. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for sealing, the apparatus comprising:
 a fracturable locking pin adapted to unite a plurality of structures; and   a lock housing adapted to retain at least a part of the fracturable locking pin,   wherein the plurality of structures is secureable between a portion of the fracturable locking pin and at least a portion of the lock housing, and   wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin is adapted to receive direct application of opposing forces by a separate object, whereby the fracturable locking pin may be fractured.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin has an outer surface adapted to receive at least two opposing forces, the at least two opposing forces being of sufficient magnitude to break the fracturable locking pin. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a complementary tool adapted to manipulate the outer surface of the portion of the fracturable locking pin, wherein the at least two opposing forces of sufficient magnitude may be applied to break the fracturable locking pin. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the complementary tool comprises at least an actuator housing defining a cavity having an interior surface adapted to capture the portion of the fracturable locking pin, the outer surface of the portion of the fracturable locking pin being complementary to the interior surface of the cavity, the actuator housing comprising a force-exerting structure to in general, axially bear against an end of the portion of the fracturable locking pin to break the fracturable locking pin. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least a part of the portion of the fracturable locking pin is disposed immediately adjacent at least one of the plurality of structures. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , firer comprising a stress-concentration member to concentrate stress at a desired location on the fracturable locking pin. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the fracturable locking pin comprises first and second shaft sections, a fracturable member disposed intermediate the first and second shaft sections, and a head section. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin comprises a head member disposed substantially near an outer side of one of the plurality of structures. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin comprises a head section and an engageable end. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the portion of the fracturable locking pin comprises a head section and an engageable end. 
   
   
       17 . A system for sealing, the system comprising:
 means for uniting a plurality of structures;   means for retaining the means for uniting,   wherein the plurality of structures is secureable between at least a portion of the means for uniting and at least a portion of the means for retaining; and   means for enabling direct application of opposing forces by a separate object to the at least a portion of the means for uniting, whereby the at least a portion of the means for uniting may be fractured.   
   
   
       18 . A method for sealing, the method comprising:
 uniting a plurality of structures, wherein the uniting is carried out with a fracturable locking pin;   retaining at least a part of the fracturable locking pin with a lock housing,   wherein the plurality of structures is secureable between a portion of the fracturable locking pin and at least a portion of the lock housing; and   enabling direct application of opposing forces by a separate object to the portion of the fracturable locking pin, whereby the fracturable locking pin may be fractured.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of manipulating the portion of the fracturable locking pin to break the fracturable locking pin. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of manipulating the portion of the fracturable locking pin further comprises:
 capturing the portion of the fracturable locking pin; and   bearing against an end the portion of the fracturable locking pin to break the fracturable locking pin.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of manipulating the portion of the fracturable locking pin with a complementary tool to break the fracturable locking pin, the complementary tool having structure adapted to manipulate an outer surface of the portion of the fracturable locking pin.