Patent ID: 9093744
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. A utility meter assembly comprising: an exterior cover including an open end for receiving and enclosing a plurality of meter components of the utility meter assembly and a closed end, the closed end defining an inner surface and an outer surface; the plurality of meter components housed within the exterior cover and operative for measuring and collecting data, the plurality of meter components including a transceiver operative for signal communications over a network and a metering information component; a faceplate providing a surface for the metering information component and disposed a distance from the inner surface of the exterior cover, thereby defining a space between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and the faceplate, and further the surface of the faceplate containing an opening; an internal dipole antenna comprising a center-fed driven element further comprising a pair of flexible, oppositely disposed, elongate, metallic, radiating elements deformed into a shape that conforms to an internal shape of the exterior cover and positioned such that the metallic elements extend into the space defined between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and forward of the surface of the faceplate, the radiating elements of the dipole antenna being operatively coupled to the transceiver; and a mounting bracket comprising an arcuate-shaped element defining a segment of a cylindrical surface for supporting the internal dipole antenna and positioned such that the mounting bracket extends into the space defined between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and forward of the surface of the faceplate, the bracket comprising at least at least one downwardly extending member of a length that is received by the opening on the surface of the faceplate thereby attaching the bracket to the surface of the faceplate.