Securing Apparatus and Method

Abstract

When securing a watthour meter to a meter box base, a meter sealing ring is typically used. A quick-fastening watthour meter retaining member is provided, in certain embodiment of the present invention, to reduce installation time and generally comprises a circular band, a connector housing member, and a receiver housing member. The connector housing member and a receiver housing member are preferably mounted to the terminus ends of the circular band. A portion of the connector housing member, comprising locking protrusions or “teeth”, is adapted to engage, with a ratchet-type action, in one example embodiment, and fasten into the receiver housing member, which contains, a pre-installed “padlock type” frangible sealing device in an example embodiment. Removal of the ring is accomplished by simply cutting, in one embodiment, and removing the frangible sealing device and allowing the housings to disengage from each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for indicating tampering with a meter box, the method comprising:
 uniting a connector housing member to a receiver housing member comprising an engaging member;   urging contact of the connector housing member with the engaging member; and   biasing the engaging member to engage the connector housing member.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of creating a tamper-evident seal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of mounting the connector housing member and receiver housing member on a retaining member.