AMR/AMI PIT LID ANTENNA BRACKET

• US 20150122959A1
• Filed: 10/31/2014
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Howard Johnson, Jeffrey A. Cook
• Original Assignee: Howard Johnson, Jeffrey A. Cook
• Inventors: Cook, Jeffrey A., Johnson, Howard
• Granted Patent: US 9,170,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/205.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/18 Supports or connecting means for meters
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/04 Adaptation for subterranean or subaqueous use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/12 Supports; Mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2233 used in consumption-meter devices, e.g. electricity, gas or water meters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

An RF antenna bracket for placement through and under a utility meter pit lid for use in an AMR or AMI system that includes a transmitter bracket cap for placement in a hole disposed in a meter pit lid; a cylindrical threaded neck disposed under and depending downwardly from said cap; a female threaded collar threadably disposed on said threaded neck; first and second elongate parallel slide posts connected to and depending downwardly from said female threaded collar, said first slide post having teeth disposed linearly along the length of an interior side of said first slide post; and an antenna mount slidably affixed to said first and second slide posts, said antenna mount engaging said teeth on said first slide post for vertical adjustment and positioning.

Claims

1. An RF antenna bracket for placement through and under a utility meter pit lid for use in an AMR or AMI system, comprising:

a transmitter bracket cap for placement in a hole disposed in a meter pit lid;

a cylindrical threaded neck disposed under and depending downwardly from said cap;

a female threaded collar threadably disposed on said threaded neck;

first and second elongate parallel slide posts connected to and depending downwardly from said female threaded collar, said first slide post having teeth disposed linearly along the length of an interior side of said first slide post; and

an antenna mount slidably affixed to said first and second slide posts, said antenna mount engaging said teeth on said first slide post for vertical adjustment and positioning.

2. The RF antenna bracket of claim 1, wherein said antenna mount is vertically adjustable along said first and second slide posts.

3. The RF antenna bracket of claim 2, wherein said antenna mount includes a spring-biased push button slide element that selectively permits vertical movement of the antenna mount up and down said first and second slide posts.

4. The RF antenna bracket of claim 3, wherein said cap includes a head having a circular flange or disk with a beveled edge and generally planar top side, and wherein said flange has a generally planar underside.

5. The RF antenna bracket of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical threaded neck and said female threaded collar enable said RF antenna bracket to adjust to a variety of meter cover thicknesses without the need for any adjustment tools.

6. The RF antenna bracket of claim 1, further including an interchangeable snap-in antenna mount that accommodates different AMR/AMI antenna systems.

7. The RF antenna bracket of claim 1, wherein said RF antenna bracket includes an antenna mast that extends above the plane of the immediately surrounding meter pit lid surface.

8. The RF antenna bracket of claim 1, wherein said bracket is fabricated from either an RF transparent polypropylene or polyolefin copolymer and meets the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials H20 traffic rating to withstand moving traffic.