Meter cover for automated meter reading

• US 7,619,878 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2008
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nicor Incorporated (Southern Company)
• Original Assignee: Nicor Incorporated (Southern Company)
• Inventors: Cook, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US12/174,562
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 361/662, 361/664, 361/641, 361/52.3, 361/169.6, 361/364, 361/369, 361/667, 361/672, 361/679.01, 174/17.R, 174/50, 174/38, 174/37, 174/58, 174/39, 174/135, 292/44, 292/55, 292/195, 292/202, 292/206, 292/212, 292/288, 292/291, 292/293, 292/294, 292/301, 137/364, 220/484, 220/501, 220/522, 220/3.2, 220/3.6, 220/3.8, 220/3.3, 220/3.5, 220/327, 220/328, 220/521, 220/735, 220/736, 220/697, 732/73, 738/617.7, 738/618.8, 732/72, 738/615.2, D10/103, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 312/223.6, 312/298
• US Class Current: 361/672
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/14 Casings, e.g. of special material
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6995 Valve and meter wells

Abstract

An improved radio frequency transparent utility meter cover for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system. The cover is manufactured from a strong and chemically inert polyolefin or polypropylene copolymer and includes a non-corroding lock to secure the cover to the meter box frame. The underside of the cover includes a plurality of ribs that lend strength and rigidity to the cover while increasing mounting points for meter unit interface devices.

Claims

1. A meter box lid for use in an automatic meter reading system disposed in a below grade meter box, comprising:

a chemically inert, non-corrosive RF transparent utility cover having a generally planar top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer edge, wherein said bottom surface includes a seating lip and a plurality of ribs;

a locking mechanism disposed proximate said outer edge for locking engagement with a compatible element in the meter box; and

a plurality of mounting bracket stand-offs disposed on said bottom surface for mounting one or more of numerous different kinds of automated meter reading meter interface unit devices.

2. The meter box lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is fabricated from a polypropylene co-polymer.

3. The meter box lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is fabricated from polyolefin.

4. The meter box lid of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism is a rotatable polymer worm gear.

5. The meter box lid of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism is a spring-biased latch assembly.

6. The meter box lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is generally circular and said ribs include a generally circular external annular rib, a circular internal annular rib coaxial with said external annular rib, and a plurality of radially extending ribs joining said external annular rib and said internal annular rib.

7. The meter box lid of claim 6, wherein said external annular rib is slightly smaller in diameter than said cover top, thereby creating a seating lip for placement into the meter box.

8. The meter box lid of claim 7, further including magnetic fasteners attached to said seating lip.

9. The meter box lid of claim 6, wherein said external annular rib includes a semicircular portion generally disposed around said locking mechanism.

10. The meter box lid of claim 1, further including a retention tab positioned on the opposite side of said cover from said locking mechanism for insertion into a slot in the meter box frame.