General Electric Company

David J Miller

Patrick Joseph Horan

Warren R Germer

Paul J Babineau

Raymond E Fearnley

Joseph R Legere

Rajiv D Katwala

An electric meter cover of an integrally molded construction which reduces cost of manufacture and increases performance by reducing number of seals required. The cover of the invention includes provision for an optic probe, a viewing window and a reset arrangement allowing the meter to be reset without removing the cover and in a one movement operation, which simplifies the reset operation.

Electric meter cover

An electric meter includes a housing, a switch positioned within an opening in the housing, a hinge pin having a first cross-sectional shape and being connected to the housing, and a switch cover having a passageway receiving the hinge pin therein and permitting pivotal movement of said switch cover between a closed position and an open position. The passageway has a second cross-sectional shape cooperating with the first cross-sectional shape of the hinge pin for locking the switch cover in the open position. The hinge pin preferably includes a generally cylindrical shaft and a ridge extending longitudinally thereon to define the first cross-sectional shape. Accordingly, the passageway of the switch cover is preferably defined by a generally cylindrical portion with a first longitudinally extending channel in communication therewith to define the second cross-sectional shape. The passageway may also include a second longitudinal channel cooperating with the ridge to lock the switch cover in the closed position.

Electric meter including a switch cover lockable in an open position

An electric meter has reduced torque needed during relative rotation of a cover and base during a predetermined portion of rotation between initial and locked positions to thereby facilitate securing of the cover and base together at a predetermined seating torque. The torque reduction is preferably provided by a plurality of base ridges connected to the base mating surface adjacent respective clip receiving slots, and a plurality of cover projections connected to the cover mating surface. The cover projections slidably contact adjacent base ridges on the base mating surface to thereby reduce friction during the portion of rotation between the initial and locked positions. A gasket is preferably positioned between the base mating surface and the cover mating surface.

Electric meter with desired seating torque

The present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a load control apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling the supply of power to a load. The control unit has a first state and a second state. When the load control apparatus is disposed in the first state, the control unit enables power to be supplied to the load. When the load control apparatus is disposed in the second state, the control unit prevents power from being supplied to the load. The load control apparatus further comprises a switch for causing the control unit to switch from one state to another. The switch is actuatable external from the control unit.

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South Berwick, ME, United States of America

David J Miller