Electric meter including a switch cover lockable in an open position

An electric meter for measuring electricity and comprising:

• a housing including a vertical wall, said vertical wall having an opening therethrough;
• switch means positioned within the opening of said vertical wall of said housing for permitting activation thereof from external to said housing;
• a horizontally extending hinge pin connected to said vertical wall of said housing above and adjacent said opening, said horizontally extending hinge pin comprising a generally cylindrical shaft and a ridge extending longitudinally on said shaft;
• and
• a switch cover comprising a body portion and a hinge portion connected to said body portion, said hinge portion having passageway therethrough receiving said horizontally extending hinge pin and permitting pivotal movement of said switch cover about said horizontally extending hinge pin between a closed position, wherein said switch cover is disposed vertically against said vertical wall preventing activation of said switch means, and an open nonvertical position, permitting activation of said switch means, said passageway defined by a generally cylindrical portion with a pair of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending channels in communication therewith and cooperating with said ridge to lock said switch cover in respective closed and open positions.

An electric meter for measuring electricity and comprising:

• a plastic housing including a vertical wall, said vertical wall having an opening therethrough;
• switch means positioned within the opening of said vertical wall of said housing for permitting activation thereof from external to said housing;
• a plastic horizontally extending hinge pin integrally molded with said plastic vertical wall of said housing and positioned above and adjacent said opening, said horizontally extending hinge pin comprising a generally cylindrical shaft and a ridge extending longitudinally on said shaft;
• and
• a switch cover comprising a plastic body portion and a plastic hinge portion integrally molded with said body portion, said hinge portion having passageway therethrough receiving said horizontally extending hinge pin and permitting pivotal movement of said switch cover about said horizontally extending hinge pin between a closed position wherein said switch cover is disposed vertically against said vertical wall, preventing activation of said switch means, and an open nonvertical position, permitting activation of said switch means, said passageway defined by a generally cylindrical portion with a longitudinally extending channel in communication therewith and cooperating with said ridge to lock said switch cover in the open nonvertical position such that said switch cover is prevented from pivoting from said nonvertical position to said vertical position during activation of said switch means.