Abstract: There is disclosed a lock and key assembly comprising a lock assembly including a lock body having cylindrical portions, a cylinder retained in the lock body and mounted for rotative movement in the lock body, the cylinder having a head portion having a keyway therein, and a shank portion extending from the head portion and adapted to activate a lock mechanism upon rotation of the shank portion, and a key shell assembly comprising a tubular grip portion, a piston disposed in the grip portion, a key extending from the piston and adapted to enter the keyway, the piston being rotatably movable in the grip portion to turn the key in the keyway and thereby turn the cylinder to cause activation of the lock mechanism, the key shell assembly grip portion being engageable with the lock assembly lock body to hold the lock body against rotative movement during the rotative movement of the cylinder.

Abstract: There is presented a device for operating a valve handle in an underground location spaced from a ground surface, the device having brace means for preventing rotation of a housing portion thereof during operation of a turning portion thereof. The brace means includes two body portions, each substantially flat on an upper surface thereof and adapted to receive a foot of an operator so as to bring the weight of the operator to bear on the brace means which engage the ground surface.

Abstract: A locking assembly adapted for locking first and second members together, the assembly including a housing member and a stud member, the housing member being adapted to receive the stud member and permanently lock the stud member in the housing member, the assembly including a frangible portion, such that a part of the assembly is adapted to be broken away from a remainder of the assembly to permit removal of the assembly from the first and second members.

Abstract: A lock housing and lock assembly unit for use with electric and gas fuel meter enclosures and the like is disclosed, including a lock plunger for mating with a locking stud and biasing means for urging the plunger into the lock position. The plunger and biasing means are captured within the lock housing by a cap which is press fit or otherwise permanently installed in the housing or made of part thereof. Temporary detent means may be provided to position the plunger in the open position prior to installation. A key is inserted through a key hole in the cap and in a socket in the plunger to withdraw the plunger to the open position within the housing. The invention lends itself to various plunger-stud mating designs and is adaptable to lock-key surface mating for selective key operation.

Abstract: A lockable ring assembly for securing an electric meter in a meter box comprises a split ring having a U-shaped cross section, a keeper stud mounted to the split ring on one side of the joint thereof, and a lock housing mounted to the split ring on the other side of the joint thereof, the lock housing defining a keeper stud opening for receiving the keeper stud and a lock receiving opening for removably receiving a barrel lock. The keeper stud and lock receiving openings intersect, and the keeper stud has a notch providing clearance for inserting the barrel lock in the lock receiving opening, whereby the barrel lock engages the keeper stud to hold the ring closed. The split ring is preferably formed in two semi-circular ring parts joined by a hinge for articulated opening and closing action during installation and removal.

Abstract: Force-resistant locking devices for electric meter boxes with hinged cove or the like, comprise a stud member mounted to a wall of the box and a flange member received on the stud member, the flange member including a flange overlying a marginal portion of the cover to keep it closed. The flange and stud members together define an opening receiving and fully enclosing a utility lock for securing the flange and stud members together. In one embodiment, the flange member is an angle iron with rectangular metal stock welded to one leg, and the stud is cylindrical and received in an opening through the flange member. The lock-receiving opening intersects the stud-receiving opening and the shear strength of the utility lock holds the locking device together. In another embodiment, the flange member is a section of channel iron and receives a rectangular stud, the lock-receiving opening deployed to utilize the shear strength of the lock.