TAMPER-PROOF WATER METER

• US 3,795,144 A
• Filed: 02/17/1972
• Issued: 03/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ralph R. Marchesi
• Original Assignee: Ralph R. Marchesi
• Inventors: Marchesi, Ralph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldstein, Herbert
• Application Number:
  US05/227,091
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 73/201,273,275,276,277
• US Class Current: 73/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/007 comprising means to prevent fraud
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/14 Casings, e.g. of special material

Abstract

A tamper-proof plumbing arrangement for a water meter in an establishment for preventing the owner of the establishment from reversing or bypassing the water meter. The water meter has the internal shut-off valve for the establishment as an integral part of the meter such that the water meter cannot be removed while the shut off valve is closed. The water meter has a main housing which houses both the water meter and the shut off valve, and has a small, unbreakable window at the top of the meter to allow the meter to be read. The small Plexiglass window prevents the gauge reading from being altered by the customer.

Claims

1. A tamper-proof plumbing arrangement for a water meter in an establishment for eliminating the possibility of a water supply customer reversing or bypassing the water meter, and comprising:

a. an inlet water pipe into the establishment;

b. a water meter, connected directly to said inlet water pipe and without an intervening shut off valve, for metering the quantity of water flowing into the establishment;

c. said meter having as an integral and inseparable component thereof an inside shut off valve for the establishment, whereby the shut off valve cannot be closed to shut off the flow of water into the establishment and then the water meter be reversed or bypassed.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shut off valve is positioned on the inlet side of the water meter.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. said water meter has a gauge which enables a reading of water through the meter;

b. said water meter has one unitary housing which encloses the components of said shut off valve and the mechanism of said water meter, and also extends around said gauge; and

c. said unitary housing includes means for securing an unbreakable window over said gauge to allow meter readings to be taken.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said unitary housing is formed of one unitary piece of metal.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said unitary metal housing has a thinner metal section around said water meter mechanism and around said gauge, and has a thicker metal section around said components of the internal shut off valve to provide a greater resistance against freezing of the components of the internal shut off valve.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said unbreakable window is formed of a plastic material.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said water meter has a gauge which enables a reading of water through the meter;

b. said water meter has one unitary housing which encloses the components of said shut off valve and the mechanism of said water meter, and also extends around said gauge; and

c. said unitary housing includes means for securing an unbreakable window over said gauge to allow meter readings to be taken.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said unitary housing is formed of one unitary piece of metal.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said unitary metal housing has a thinner metal section around said components of the water meter and around said gauge, and has a thicker metal section around said components of the internal shut off valve to provide a greater resistance against freezing of the components of the internal shut off valve.