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Utility meter pit lid mounted antenna antenna assembly and method

  • US 6,617,976 B2
  • Filed: 11/19/2001
  • Issued: 09/09/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A radio frequency utility meter communication apparatus for transmitting utility meter data to a remote utility meter data collection unit from an underground pit box receiving a utility meter and having a generally ground level pit lid with an opening therethrough, said communication apparatus comprising:

  • an antenna element having a top cap larger than the pit lid opening and received thereabove, and having a depending base extending from said top cap and passing through the pit lid opening into the underground pit box, wherein said top cap comprises a separate component joined with a ground plane component forming an upper portion of said depending base;

    antenna securement means for securing said antenna element in a fixed position relative to an associated pit lid with said top cap of said antenna element received above the pit lid opening and with said depending base thereof extending through said pit opening, wherein said antenna securement means includes radially outward threads carried on an outside diameter portion on said antenna element depending base;

    an RF transmitter situated inside the underground pit box and associated with said antenna element depending base such that RF signals transmitted by said RF transmitter are propagated by said antenna element; and

    utility meter interconnection means for interconnecting data from a utility meter with an underground pit box to said RF transmitter situated inside such underground pit box;

    whereby said antenna element top cap, at least partly situated above an exterior, above ground portion of the pit box lid, propagates utility meter data from the utility meter within the pit box to a remote utility meter data collection unit.

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