Utility meter shield and method of installation

Abstract

A utility meter shield for protecting the utility meter from the weight of snow, fallen tree limbs and the like. The shield has a plurality of arched support members held in a spaced relationship by transverse cross members. An arched cover spans between the arched members, extending over the upper portions and most of the side portions of the arched members. The legs of the arched members rest on the ground on opposite sides of the utility meter. An optional auxiliary cover is secured to the arched cover extending between the arched cover and the building structure for protecting conduits leading from the utility to the structure. A screen can be secured to the front arched member for further protection.

1 . A protective shield device for a utility meter, comprising:
 a plurality of arched support members configured for installation over the utility meter, said arched members being retained in a spaced-apart relationship to each other by a plurality of spaced cross members extending between and secured to the arched support members; and   an arched cover detachably secured over the arched support members and extending over upper portions and side portions of the arched support members, while following configuration of the arched support members; said cover having an aspect capable of supporting weight while spanning between the arched members.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary cover detachably securable to the arched cover, said auxiliary cover being selectively adjustably movable in relation to the arched cover. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said auxiliary cover is configured to extend over a utility conduit extending between the utility meter and a building structure. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said auxiliary cover is adjustably secured for movement along a tangent line to an upper portion of the arched cover. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said arched members comprises a front arched member. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a screen detachably secured to an arched member and configured to substantially follow configuration of the arched member. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said screen has a vertical aspect substantially equal to a vertical aspect of the arched cover. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said front arched member is provided with a plurality of push lock pins secured on a front surface thereof, and wherein said screen is provided with a matching plurality of grommets secured along a peripheral edge of the screen, said push lock pins being adapted for engaging with said grommets for securing said screen to said front arched member. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of said arched members comprises a curved upper portion and a pair of opposing leg members, each of said leg members comprising a bottom part. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom part of each leg is formed hollow. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a footing member for positioning the bottom part of each leg on a support surface. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the footing member comprises a base plate and an upright insert secured to said base plate, and wherein the bottom part of each of said leg is configured for receiving the insert therein. 
     
     
         13 . A protective shield device for a utility meter, comprising:
 a plurality of arched support members configured for installation over the utility meter, said arched members being retained in a spaced-apart relationship to each other by a plurality of spaced cross members extending between and secured to the arched support members;   a main arched cover detachably secured over the arched support members and extending over upper portions and side portions of the arched support members, while following configuration of the arched support members; said cover having an aspect capable of supporting weight while spanning between the arched members; and   an auxiliary cover detachably securable to the main arched cover, said auxiliary cover being selectively adjustably movable in relation to the main cover extending toward and away from an upper portion of the main arched cover.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said auxiliary cover is adjustably secured for movement along a tangent line to an upper portion of the arched cover. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a screen detachably secured to a front arched member and configured to substantially follow configuration of the front arched member. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said front arched member is provided with a plurality of push lock pins secured on a front surface thereof, and wherein said screen is provided with a matching plurality of grommets secured along a peripheral edge of the screen, said push lock pins being adapted for engaging with said grommets for securing said screen to said front arched member. 
     
     
         17 . A method of protecting a utility meter positioned adjacent a building structure, comprising the following steps:
 providing a plurality of arched support members configured for installation over the utility meter, said arched members being retained in a spaced-apart relationship to each other by a plurality of spaced cross members extending between and secured to the arched support members, each of said arched members having an upper portion and a pair of opposing side portions;   providing an arched cover having a configural aspect substantially following a configural aspect of the arched members;   detachably securing the arched cover to one of side portions of each of said arched member;   detachably securing the arched cover to another one of the side portions of each of said arched members; and then   detachably securing the arched cover to the upper portion of each of said arched members.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said cover has an aspect capable of supporting weight while spanning between the arched members. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a step of providing an auxiliary cover detachably securable to the arched cover, said auxiliary cover being selectively adjustably movable in relation to the arched cover. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a step of providing a screen detachably secured to an arched member and configured to substantially follow configuration of the arched member.