PLASTIC WATER METER WITH METAL THREADS
First Claim
1. A water meter comprising:
- a plastic top cover defining an interior cavity shaped to accept a metering device, said top cover further defining at least one spud defining a bore in communication with the interior cavity;
a metering device positioned in the interior cavity;
a bottom cover engaging the top cover and enclosing the metering device within the interior cavity; and
at least one connector assembly engaging the at least one spud, said connector assembly comprising;
a plastic spud insert having a first end and a second end comprising;
an engagement portion proximate the first end engaging the at least one spud,an annular lip portion positioned proximate the second end and extending outwardly, anda collar portion having a circumferential profile and positioned intermediate the engagement portion and lip portion, anda metal ring having an inner surface and outer surface, wherein threads are formed on the outer surface and the inner surface has a profile complementary with the profile of the collar, wherein the metal ring is positioned proximate the lip portion with the inner surface engaging the collar portion, and wherein the circumferential profile of the collar portion and the complementary profile of the metal ring are configured to discourage relative relational movement.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to flow meters and more particularly to improved plastic water flow meters for commercial or residential use. In various embodiments, a plastic water meter is provided that may include metal threads for connecting the water meter to a water system. In particular, the plastic water meter may include at least one spud that is shaped to receive and engage a plastic spud insert, in which the plastic spud insert may include a metal ring with a threaded outer surface. The plastic spud insert may include an annular lip portion extending outwardly to discourage removal of the metal ring when the spud insert is engaged with the water meter. Furthermore, the plastic spud insert and the inner surface of the metal ring may have complementary circumferential profiles to discourage relative rotation between the metal ring and the spud insert.
25 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A water meter comprising:
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a plastic top cover defining an interior cavity shaped to accept a metering device, said top cover further defining at least one spud defining a bore in communication with the interior cavity; a metering device positioned in the interior cavity; a bottom cover engaging the top cover and enclosing the metering device within the interior cavity; and at least one connector assembly engaging the at least one spud, said connector assembly comprising; a plastic spud insert having a first end and a second end comprising; an engagement portion proximate the first end engaging the at least one spud, an annular lip portion positioned proximate the second end and extending outwardly, and a collar portion having a circumferential profile and positioned intermediate the engagement portion and lip portion, and a metal ring having an inner surface and outer surface, wherein threads are formed on the outer surface and the inner surface has a profile complementary with the profile of the collar, wherein the metal ring is positioned proximate the lip portion with the inner surface engaging the collar portion, and wherein the circumferential profile of the collar portion and the complementary profile of the metal ring are configured to discourage relative relational movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A connector assembly for use with a plastic device having a spud defining a bore, said connector assembly comprising:
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a plastic spud insert having a first end and a second end comprising; an engagement portion proximate the first end configured to engage with the bore, an annular lip portion positioned proximate the second end and extending outwardly, and a collar portion having a circumferential profile and positioned intermediate the engagement portion and lip portion; and a metal ring having an inner surface and outer surface, wherein threads are formed on the outer surface and the inner surface has a profile complementary with the profile of the collar, wherein the metal ring is positioned proximate the lip portion with the inner surface engaging the collar portion, and wherein the circumferential profile of the collar portion and the complementary profile of the metal ring are configured to discourage relative relational movement. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification