초록 ▼

One aspect of the present invention includes a sealing ring having a split-ring annular band which includes a first and second end. A first tab is disposed at the first end, with the first tab extending away from the annular band. The first tab also includes a first threaded aperture. A second tab i

One aspect of the present invention includes a sealing ring having a split-ring annular band which includes a first and second end. A first tab is disposed at the first end, with the first tab extending away from the annular band. The first tab also includes a first threaded aperture. A second tab is disposed at the second end, with the second tab also extending away from the annular band The second tab also includes a second threaded aperture. Additionally, a thread of the first aperture is different from a thread of the second aperture. Further, the sealing ring includes a fastener threadedly engaged with the first and second apertures. Rotation of the fastener adjusts a radial dimension of the annular band.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A sealing ring comprising, a split-ring annular band having a first end and a second end; a first tab disposed at said first end, said first tab extending away from said annular band, said first tab including a first aperture and a first aperture threading; a second tab dispo

What is claimed is: 1. A sealing ring comprising, a split-ring annular band having a first end and a second end; a first tab disposed at said first end, said first tab extending away from said annular band, said first tab including a first aperture and a first aperture threading; a second tab disposed at said second end, said second tab extending away from said annular band, said second tab including a second aperture and a second aperture threading, wherein said first aperture threading is reversed from said second aperture threading, wherein at least one of said first and second tabs includes at least one tab slot for receiving a security device; and a fastener threadedly engaged with said first aperture threading and said second aperture threading, said fastener including at least one head for rotating said fastener, said head disposed at an axial end of said fastener, whereby rotation of said head adjusts a radial dimension of said annular band, said fastener including a radially protruding portion disposed between said first and second tabs, said radially protruding portion including at least one opening for engaging said security device. 2. A sealing ring as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one head includes two heads each disposed at opposed ends of said fastener. 3. A sealing ring as defined in claim 1, wherein both of said first and second tabs include at least one tab slot for receiving a security device. 4. A sealing ring as defined in claim 1, wherein said opening includes at least one fastener slot passing through said radially protruding portion, said at least one fastener slot being adapted to align with said at least one tab slot. 5. A sealing ring as defined in claim 1, wherein said tabs are secured to said annular band by fastening means, wherein said fastening means do not visibly protrude from said first and second tabs. 6. A sealing ring as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least one fastener slot extends through the radially protruding portion substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said fastener. 7. A sealing ring as defined in claim 6, wherein said at least one tab slot includes at least two separate tab slots on one of said first and second tabs. 8. A sealing ring as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least one fastener slot includes at least two fastener slots. 9. A sealing ring as defined in claim 1, wherein said fastener includes at least one ergonomic feature for facilitating the adjustment of said sealing ring. 10. A sealing ring as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one ergonomic feature is disposed on said head, wherein said head is ergonomically-shaped. 11. A sealing ring as defined in claim 9, said at least one ergonomic feature includes a longitudinal axis of said fastener being disposed outside a central plane of said annular band, wherein a longitudinal center of said annular band lies in said central plane. 12. A sealing ring as defined in claim 1, wherein said annular band includes a first edge and an opposed second edge, wherein each of said edges extend substantially the entire length of said annular band, and a longitudinal length of said fastener is disposed substantially in a common plane with said first edge. 13. An electric watt-hour meter sealing ring, said sealing ring comprising, a split-ring annular band having a first end and a second end; a first tab disposed at said first end, said first tab extending radially outwardly from said annular band, said first tab including a first threaded aperture; a second tab disposed at said second end, said second tab extending radially outwardly from said annular band, said second tab including a second threaded aperture, at least one of said first and second tabs including at least one portion for retaining a security device; and a fastener threadedly engaged with said first and second threaded apertures, wherein a first portion of said fastener is threaded in the opposite direction from a second portion of said fastener, said fastener including at least one head for rotating said fastener, said head disposed at an axial end of said fastener, said fastener including a radially protruding portion disposed between said first and second tabs, said radially protruding portion including at least one opening for engaging said security device, wherein upon installation of said security device rotation of said fastener being limited by engagement of at least a portion of said opening and said security device. 14. A sealing ring as defined in claim 13, wherein said at least one portion for retaining a security device includes at least one tab slot passing through said at least one first and second tabs. 15. A sealing ring as defined in claim 14, wherein said opening includes at least one fastener slot adapted to align with said at least one tab slot. 16. A sealing ring as defined in claim 13, wherein said security device can pass through both said opening and said at least one security device retaining portion in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said fastener. 17. A sealing ring as defined in claim 13, wherein said head includes at least one ergonomic feature for facilitating the adjustment of said sealing ring. 18. A sealing ring as defined in claim 13, wherein both said first and second tabs include at least one portion for retaining a security device. 19. A sealing ring as defined in claim 13, wherein said at least one opening includes at least two separate openings each passing completely through said radially protruding portion. 20. A method of securing a sealing ring on an electric watt-hour meter comprising, providing a sealing ring including, a split-ring annular band having a first end and a second end, a first tab disposed at said first end, said first tab extending away from said annular band, said first tab including a first threaded aperture, a second tab disposed at said second end, said second tab extending away from said annular band, said second tab including a second threaded aperture, wherein a thread of said first aperture is different from a thread of said second aperture, wherein at least one of said first and second tabs includes at least one security device retaining portion and a fastener threadedly engaged with said first and second apertures, said fastener including at least one head for rotating said fastener, said head disposed at an axial end of said fastener, whereby rotation of said head adjusts a radial dimension of said annular band, said fastener including a radially protruding portion disposed between said first and second tabs, said radially protruding portion including at least one security device engagement opening; positioning said sealing ring on an electric watt-hour meter; and rotating said head thereby aligning said at least one security device retaining portion and said at least one security device engagement opening securing said sealing ring to said meter. 21. A method of securing a sealing ring, as defined by claim 20, wherein at least one of said security device retaining portions includes at least one tab slot for receiving said security device. 22. A method of securing a sealing ring, as defined by claim 21, further comprising: mounting a security device on said sealing ring, said security device passing through said at least one tab slots and said at least one security device engagement opening. 23. A method of securing a sealing ring, as defined by claim 22, wherein said security device passes through both said at least one tab slots and said at least one security device engagement opening in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said fastener. 24. A method of securing a sealing ring, as defined by claim 22, wherein said security device passes through at least two of said tab slots and said fastener engagement opening.