Retained lock system and method

{
  "publication_number": "US10822839B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Retained lock system and method",
  "abstract": "An apparatus for securing first and second ends of a meter sealing ring, the meter sealing ring adapted for use in installing a meter to a watthour meter box. The apparatus comprises a lock having a head member and a shank portion comprising moveable locking members, with the shank portion being insertable through an aperture formed in the first end of the sealing ring. The apparatus further comprises at least a retaining sleeve adapted to capture the shank portion, wherein the lock is retained on the first end of the sealing ring.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An apparatus for use with a meter sealing ring, the meter sealing ring comprising first and second ends, the meter sealing ring adapted for use in installing a meter to a watthour meter box, the apparatus comprising: a lock having a head member and a shank portion comprising moveable locking members and a plunger member comprising a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion, the shank portion comprising an outer surface proximal the moveable locking members, and wherein the moveable locking members may be fully radially retracted inward within the outer surface of the shank portion and disposed adjacent the smaller diameter portion of the plunger member, the shank portion being inserted through an aperture formed in the first end of the sealing ring; and wherein the shank portion is inserted through a retaining sleeve after the shank portion is inserted through the aperture formed in the first end of the sealing ring, and wherein the retaining sleeve is adapted to capture the shank portion even if the moveable locking members are fully radially retracted inward within the outer surface of the shank portion and disposed adjacent the smaller diameter portion of the plunger member, and wherein the sleeve is prevented from separating from the shank portion.",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the sealing ring is disposed between the retaining sleeve and the head member, and wherein the lock is permanently retained on the first end of the sealing ring.",
    "3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft portion comprises a shaft member, and wherein a portion of the shaft member is nonreleaseably retained by the sleeve.",
    "4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining sleeve is adapted to slidably capture the shank portion.",
    "5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a receiving member disposed on the second end of the sealing ring, the receiving member adapted to receive the moveable locking members of the shank portion, wherein the first and second ends of the sealing ring may be secured between the receiving member and the head member.",
    "6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the shank portion may be removed from the receiving member in an unlocked position, and wherein the shank portion remains captured by the retaining sleeve.",
    "7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first end of the sealing ring is disposed between the retaining sleeve and the head member, and wherein the lock is permanently retained on the first end of the sealing ring.",
    "8. An apparatus for securing first and second ends of a meter sealing ring, the meter sealing ring adapted for use in installing a meter to a watthour meter box, the apparatus comprising: a lock having a head member and a shank portion comprising moveable locking members and a plunger member comprising a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion, the shank portion comprising an outer surface proximal the moveable locking members, and wherein the moveable locking members may be fully radially retracted inward within the outer surface of the shank portion and disposed adjacent the smaller diameter portion of the plunger member, the shank portion being insertable through an aperture formed in the first end of a sealing ring; wherein the shank portion is inserted through a retaining sleeve after the shank portion is inserted through the aperture formed in the first end of the sealing ring, and wherein the retaining sleeve defines an aperture configured to receive a portion of the shank portion therethrough, the retaining sleeve configured to capture the shank portion even if the moveable locking members are fully radially retracted inward within the outer surface of the shank portion and disposed adjacent the smaller diameter portion of the plunger member, and wherein the retaining sleeve is prevented from separating from the shank portion, the first end of the sealing ring being disposed between the retaining sleeve and the head member, and a receiving member disposed on a second end of the sealing ring, the receiving member configured to secure the moveable locking members of the shaft portion, wherein the first and second ends of the sealing ring may be secured between the receiving member and the head member.",
    "9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first end of the sealing ring is slidably disposed between the retaining sleeve and the head member, and wherein the lock is permanently retained on the first end of the sealing ring.",
    "10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the shaft portion comprises a shaft member, and wherein a portion of the shaft member is nonreleaseably retained by the sleeve.",
    "11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the retaining sleeve is adapted to slidably capture the shank portion.",
    "12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the retaining sleeve is disposed between the first and second ends of the sealing ring.",
    "13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the shank portion may be removed from the receiving member in an unlocked position, and wherein the shank portion remains captured by the retaining sleeve.",
    "14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first end of the sealing ring is slidably disposed between the retaining sleeve and the head member, and wherein the lock is permanently retained on the first end of the sealing ring.",
    "15. An apparatus for securing first and second ends of a meter sealing ring, the meter sealing ring adapted for use in installing a meter to a watthour meter box, the apparatus comprising: a lock having a head member and a shank portion comprising moveable locking members, the shank portion being insertable through an aperture formed in the first end of a sealing ring; wherein the shank portion is inserted through a retaining sleeve after the shank portion is inserted through the aperture formed in the first end of the sealing ring, and wherein the retaining sleeve defines an aperture configured to receive a portion of the shank portion therethrough, the retaining sleeve configured to capture the shank portion, wherein the first end of the sealing ring is disposed between the retaining sleeve and the head member; and a receiving member disposed on a second end of the sealing ring, the receiving member configured to secure the moveable locking members of the shaft portion, wherein the first and second ends of the sealing ring may be secured between the receiving member and the head member.",
    "16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first end of the sealing ring is slidably disposed between the retaining sleeve and the head member, and wherein the lock is permanently retained on the first end of the sealing ring.",
    "17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the shaft portion comprises a shaft member, and wherein a portion of the shaft member is nonreleaseably retained by the sleeve.",
    "18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retaining sleeve is adapted to slidably capture the shank portion.",
    "19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retaining sleeve is disposed between the first and second ends of the sealing ring.",
    "20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the shank portion may be removed from the receiving member in an unlocked position, and wherein the shank portion remains captured by the retaining sleeve, the first end of the sealing ring being slidably disposed between the retaining sleeve and the head member, and wherein the lock is permanently retained on the first end of the sealing ring."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to a lock with a retaining structure, and more specifically, it relates to apparatus, systems and methods for securing at least one structure at least one structure or a portion of a utility service enclosure such as, for example, a watthour meter sealing ring to prevent the separation of two opposing members of the watthour meter sealing ring or, for example, a plurality of structures used with a utility service enclosure, or for example, a watthour meter socket ring to prevent the separation of two opposing members of the watthour meter socket box ring, or used to seal, for example, a trucking, shipping, an airline or other transportation or security container. In the electric utility industry, for example, a locking apparatus or seal is useful to secure access panels of enclosures containing electrical or metering equipment. Such a locking apparatus or seal also ideally includes tamper-evident features to indicate unwanted tampering with the seal or attempts to access a secured electrical meter box or the like.\n\nElectrical service providers generally deliver electricity to their customers via power lines buried underground or distributed along poles or towers overhead. The provider's power lines are usually distributed from a power generation station to numerous sets of customer lines, so that customers can then use the power to satisfy their various electrical needs.",
  "cpc": [
    "E05B 65/0089",
    "E05B 67/365",
    "F16B 2/06",
    "F16B 21/165",
    "F16L 23/04",
    "Y10T 292/205",
    "Y10T 70/5566"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E05B 65/00",
    "E05B 67/36",
    "F16B 2/06",
    "F16B 21/16",
    "F16L 23/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "STACHOWIAK JR JOHN EDWARD",
    "DEWALCH TECH INC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "STACHOWIAK JR JOHN EDWARD"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2010-03-08",
  "publication_date": "2020-11-03",
  "grant_date": "2020-11-03",
  "priority_date": "2005-06-03",
  "application_number": "US-66099010-A",
  "family_id": "46329961",
  "citations": [
    "US1843013A",
    "US3867822A",
    "US4329860A",
    "US4413490A",
    "US4415190A",
    "US4611478A",
    "US4828300A",
    "US5357835A",
    "US5542722A",
    "US6032989A",
    "US6367851B1",
    "US6406074B1",
    "US6439010B1",
    "US6467751B1",
    "US6684670B1",
    "US6763691B1"
  ]
}