Abstract:
An above ground meter box comprising a housing, a removable housing cap, openings on the housing, an adapter pipe, a meter, a annular ring and tubing. A below-ground annular ring is located on the bottom of the housing. A removable housing cap is attached to the top of the housing and covers the open top of the housing. A meter opening receives any brand of meter by placing a grommet on the meter to adapt the meter to conform with the size of the meter opening. At least two openings are located on the housing bottom, adapted to receive the adapter pipe and the tubing connected to the existing consumer line. A faucet may be added to the meter assembly to provide a means to test water pressure, for testing back flush meters, to test for nonfunctioning meters, and for a water sample point.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to meter boxes and, more particularly, to above ground meter boxes with openings for reading and repairing the meter housed in the meter box. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Meters and accessories are commonly installed where services such as gas, electricity or water are supplied to a building. The meters are commonly located in cases to protect them from weather and tampering. The meters are sometimes located inside of buildings or beneath them. Meters may also be located in exterior meter boxes. Exterior meter boxes are most commonly located below the ground surface. 
     There are many disadvantages to having meters located below the ground surface. When an underground water meter leaks the leakage simply penetrates the ground and goes undetected. Also, it is extremely difficult and time consuming to install, repair and replace water meters that are located underground. Above ground meters also increase the safety of the workers reading and repairing the meters because it decreases the chances of being bitten by snakes or insects. Above ground meters are also more efficient because it is easier and less time consuming to read the above ground meters. 
     Certain examples of meter boxes that are representative of common meter boxes are disclosed in the following patents. U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,131 to Edwards et al. describes a common underground meter box assembly. The meter box assembly provides an openable closure, located at ground level, permitting inspection of and access to the meter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,437 to Story discloses an apparatus for reading water meters that are located beneath the ground. The apparatus provides a center tube assembly with a light guide. In operation the center tube assembly is aligned over the meter face which is then viewed through the center tube. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,523 to Smedley et al. discloses a telescoping water meter reading apparatus. The apparatus includes a telescopic tubular viewer attached to the undercount meter and provides a clear sight path through water in the meter box for easy meter reading. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,724,968 to Greene discusses an above ground housing for meters. The invention provides a sectional housing with a base section and upwardly convergent walls. Greene further provides an opening to accommodate or pass elements such as pipes. This opening facilitates installation of the meter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,832,852 to Bassett describes an above ground meter cabinet. The meter cabinet provides a housing for protecting the meter. The cabinet further provides an opening for the water meter to facilitate reading of the meter. The face of the meter is covered with glass to prevent rain and dirt from getting on the dial face of the meter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,030 to Whitman discloses an exterior meter housing. The housing covers the exterior meter for protection. A transparent window is formed in one side of the housing for reading the meter. The meter housing is of attractive appearance so it may be used in conjunction with house or yard accessories. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,021 to King et al. discusses a multiple utility pedestal. The utility pedestal is an above ground meter housing. Partitions inside of the pedestal separate the interior into a series of user-accessible compartments containing valves and connections, and separate locked compartments which contain metering devices that are accessible to the appropriate utility company. 
     A problem exists with these meter boxes in that they do not provide an easily accessible means for installing, reading and maintaining above ground meters. Certain existing meters provide i means for above ground reading of meters but they do not provide an easily accessible means for installing and repairing the meters as well. 
     Therefore, what is needed is an above ground meter box that provides easy and efficient reading of the enclosed meters. What is further needed is an above ground meter box that provides an easily accessible means for installing, repairing and replacing the meters enclosed in the meter box. What is further needed is a meter box that is adapted to receive any commonly used brand of meter. What is still further needed is an above ground meter box that provides an increased degree of safety to the persons having access to the meters. Finally, what is further needed is an above ground meter box that is designed to provide a greater degree of physical stability. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a above ground meter box solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an above ground meter box meeting some or all of the industry needs mentioned above. The present above ground meter box provides efficient reading of meters and an easy means of installation, removal and repair of meters. 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a housing, a removably attached housing cap, a plurality of openings on the outer surface of the housing, an adapter pipe, a meter, an annular ring and tubing. The preferred embodiments can be adapted to use any brand of commonly used meter. The present above ground meter box can be used with any fluid meter. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the housing comprises upwardly convergent exterior walls. Because the housing is tapered in this manner, it provides a greater degree of stability. The tapered structure also allows for stacking of the above ground meter boxes for easier shipping. To further improve the stability of the above ground meter box, an annular ring is located on the bottom of the housing. The annular ring is slightly wider than the rest of the housing to improve stability. The annular ring is located beneath the ground and the bottom portion of the housing is packed in the ground to hold the above ground meter box in place. 
     The housing further comprises an open top to provide access to the meter for installation, removal and repairs. To protect the contents of the above ground meter box a removable housing cap is attached to the top of the housing and covers the open top of the housing. The housing cap can easily be removed whenever access to the meter is necessary. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention a plurality of openings are located on the outer surface of the housing. One of these openings is adapted to receive a meter. The meter opening may receive any brand of meter by placing a grommet on the meter to adapt the meter to conform with the size of the meter opening. The grommet secures the meter in place in the meter opening. At least two openings are located on the bottom of the housing. These openings are adapted to receive the adapter pipe and the tubing connected to the existing consumer line. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the adapter pipe is connected at a first end to an existing curb stop. The adapter pipe is then connected at a second end to a meter valve. The meter valve functions to turn on and off the flow of water. The meter valve is then connected to the meter using a meter nut. The meter is connected to the tubing using a meter nipple with a tubing adapter at one end. The tubing adapter allows the meter nipple to be attached to any type of tubing. The tubing is then connected to the existing consumer line using appropriate fittings. Different fittings will be used depending of the type of pipe the existing line is made from. 
     The inlet flow of water must flow from the top of the meter to the bottom of the meter. This allows for the meter numbers to be seen upright when read through the meter opening. The inlet flows from the existing curb stop through the adapter pipe to the meter valve. After passing through the meter valve and then through the meter the inlet flows through the tubing into the existing consumer line. 
     In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention a faucet is added to the meter assembly. The faucet provides a means to test the water pressure, to test for back flush meters, to test for nonfunctioning meters and to act as a water sample point. A faucet opening is located on the outer surface of the housing and is adapted for receiving a faucet. The faucet is connected between the meter nipple and the tubing adapter using a faucet tee. 
     In accordance with a method aspect of the present invention an above ground meter box is installed in place of an existing meter connection. The existing meter box and meter are removed. The existing curb stop is kept in its existing position below ground and an adapter pipe is attached to the curb stop. A meter valve is then attached to the other end of the adapter pipe. The meter valve is next attached to the meter. The meter is connected to the tubing by a meter nipple with a tubing adapter at one end. The tubing adapter allows the meter nipple to be connected to any type of tubing. 
     The tubing is connected to the existing consumer line using appropriate fittings. The housing is then placed over the meter assembly and filled with insulation. Finally, the removable housing cap is placed on top of the housing. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention an above ground meter box is installed where there is no pre-existing meter connection. Because there is no pre-existing meter connection there is no need for an adapter pipe. The main water supply line is attached to a street ell valve. The street ell is screwed into the meter. The meter is then attached to the tubing in the same manner as above. The tubing then runs to the consumer. 
     In accordance with another method aspect of the present invention the meter is replaced in the above ground meter box by first removing the housing cap and closing the meter valve to stop the flow of water. Then all of the insulation above the meter is removed. The meter valve is loosened and moved to the side. The meter nuts are then loosened and the meter is removed. A new meter is installed and the meter valve is reconnected. Finally, the housing is refilled with insulation and the housing cap is replaced. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an above ground meter box with an easy and efficient means of reading the enclosed meters. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an above ground meter box with an easily accessible means for installing, repairing and replacing the meters enclosed in the meter box. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an above ground meter box that is adapted to receive any commonly used brand of meter. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an above ground meter box that provides an increased degree of safety to the persons having access to the meters. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an above ground meter box that is designed to provide a greater degree of physical stability. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
    
    
     These and other objects of the present invention will become, readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an above ground meter box according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an interior view of the preferred embodiment of the above ground meter box depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of an adapter pipe. 
     FIG. 4 is an interior view of another preferred embodiment of the above ground meter box depicted. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an above ground meter box  10 . The present above ground meter box  10  can be used with any fluid meter. Preferred embodiments of the above ground meter box  10  comprise a housing  30  with a housing cap  20  and an annular ring  60 . The housing  30  comprises upwardly convergent exterior walls  32  and  34 . The housing  30  in the preferred embodiments depicted in the Figures has a cylindrical shape. The housing is not limited to this shape and can be made any shape with upwardly converging exterior walls  32  and  34 . The housing  30  further comprises an open top  36 . 
     The open top  36  provides access to the above ground meter box  10  for installing, replacing or repairing its contents. In certain embodiments of the present above ground meter box  10  a portion of the back wall of the housing  30  may be removed for additional access to the meter  130 . After removing the housing cap  20 , the top third (the portion of the housing  30  above the meter  130 ) of the back wall of the housing can be removed to provide additional access to the meter  130 . 
     The tapered structure of the housing, provided by the upwardly convergent exterior walls  32  and  34 , increases the stability of the above ground meter box  10 . The annular ring  60  is provided to further increase the stability of the above ground meter box  10 . 
     The annular ring  60  is located at the bottom of the housing  30 . The annular ring  60 , as depicted in FIG. 1, is slightly wider than the housing  30 . The annular ring  60  forms a lip that extends out from the bottom of the housing  30 . For additional support, a plurality of base support members  62  secure the annular ring  60  to the housing  30 . The annular ring  60  is located beneath the surface of the ground  70  and the bottom portion of the housing  30  is packed into the ground with dirt to secure the above ground meter box  10  in place. 
     A plurality of openings are located through the walls of the housing  30 . The meter opening  40  is adapted for receiving a meter  130 , which is shown in FIG.  2 . The meter opening  40  is capable of receiving any brand of commonly used meter. The faucet opening  50  is an optional feature. If a faucet  150 , which is depicted in FIG. 2, is included in the above ground meter box  10 , then the faucet opening  50  will be located below the meter opening  40  for receiving the faucet  150 . Finally, at least two pipe openings  52  are located at the bottom of the housing  30 . The pipe openings  52  are adapted to receive an adapter pipe  90  and tubing  110 , which are both depicted in FIG.  2 . In preferred embodiments of the present invention there are four pipe openings  52  located on the housing  30 . 
     The housing cap  20  covers the open top  36  of the housing  30 . The housing cap  20  protects the contents of the above ground meter box  10  from dirt, weather and tampering. The housing cap  20  is placed over the open top  36  and fits into place around the housing  30 . The housing  30  and the housing cap  20  can be made out of any type of UV protecting plastic. The use of structured form, nitrogen insulated plastic or other thermal insulating plastic will aid in freeze protection. 
     FIG. 2 is an interior view of the preferred embodiment of the above ground meter box  10  depicted in FIG.  1 . The contents of the above ground meter box  10  comprise an adapter pipe  90 , a meter valve  170 , a meter  130 , a grommet  42 , a meter nipple  136 , a tubing adapter  112  and tubing  110 . Also, an optional faucet  150  is provided in certain preferred embodiments. 
     The adapter  90  functions to adapt an existing meter connection to the new above ground meter box  10 . The adapter pipe  90  is made from any suitable material including, but not limited to, copper, polyethylene, brass and PVC. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the adapter pipe  90 . The adapter pipe  90  had threaded ends  92  and  94 . Threaded end  94  is adapted for attaching the adapter pipe  90  to an existing curb stop  80 . Curb stop  80  is equipped with a curb stop fastener  82 . Depending on the type of curb  80  in place, the threaded end  94  will be adjusted to fit the existing curb stop fastener  82 . The threaded end  92  is adapted to attach the adapter pipe  90  to a meter valve  170 . The threaded end  92  is secured to the meter valve  170  by a meter valve nut  172 . 
     The adapter pipe  90  allows for water to flow from the existing curb stop  80  to the meter  130 . The existing curb stop  80  is located beneath the surface of the ground  70 . Once the adapter pipe  90  is attached to the curb stop  80  it enters the housing  30  through one of the pipe openings  52 . 
     The meter valve  170  opens and closes the flow of water to the meter  130 . Because the curb stop  80  is located beneath the surface of the ground  70  it is difficult to access to shut off the water supply. The location of the meter valve  170  provides an accessible means of closing the flow of water during installation, replacement or repair of the meter  130 . To close the flow of water the housing cap  20  is removed and the meter valve  170  is turned to a closed position. The location of the meter valve  170  allows for easier locking out of the meter  130  and this lock out of water and soil extends the life of the meter valve  170  and meter  130 . 
     The meter  130  is attached to the meter valve  170 . The meter  130  is secured in the meter opening  40 . The meter  130  can be read through the meter opening  40 . This provides an efficient means for reading the meter  130  because the housing  30  does not need to be opened or removed to read the meter  130 . Also, if the above ground meter box  10  is located near the street the meter  130  can be read while the reader remains in his vehicle. The meter opening  40  can receive any brand of commonly used meter  130 . 
     To ensure that any meter  130  can fit the meter opening  40  a grommet  42  is used to secure the meter  130  in the meter opening  40 . The grommet  42  is specifically designed for each type of meter  130  and adapts the meter  130  to fit securely in the meter opening  40 . In certain preferred embodiments the grommet  42  may include a rain shield. The rain shield would project out from the top of the grommet and hang over the outer face of the meter  130 . The rain shield would protect the face of the meter  130  from any falling rain or debris. 
     The meter  130  is attached at one end to the meter valve  170  using a meter nut  132 . At the other end the meter  130  is attached to a meter nipple  136  using a meter nut  132 . The meter nipple  136  is an attachment means for connecting the meter  130  to the tubing  110 . 
     In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 an optional faucet  150  is provided. The faucet  150  extends through the exterior wall  34  of the housing  30  through the faucet opening  50 . The faucet  150  provides a means for testing the meter  130  for leaks without having to remove the housing  30 . The optional faucet  150  is attached to a faucet nipple  152 . If the optional faucet  150  is not used, a cap may be placed on the faucet nipple  152  to seal the faucet opening  50 . The faucet nipple  152  is attached to a faucet tee  140  using a fastener  142 . The fastener  142  is any appropriate fastener but particularly a nut and washer. The faucet tee  140  is attached to the meter nipple  136  by a fastener  142 . The faucet tee  140  is attached to a tubing adapter  112  at the other end by a fastener  142 . 
     A rubber bushing  154  is slipped over the faucet nipple  152  between the faucet tee  140  and the wall of the housing  30 . The rubber bushing  154  keeps the threads from bottoming out when installing a cap or a faucet  150 . The rubber bushing also secures the piping and meter  130  in the box and seals the faucet opening  50 . 
     The tubing  110  connects the meter  130  to the existing consumer line  100 . The tubing  110  is made from any suitable material including, but not limited to, copper, polyethylene, brass and PVC. The tubing adapter  112  fits the tubing  110  to the meter nipple  136 . The tubing adapter  112  can be any appropriate adapter and in preferred embodiments a compression adapter is used. The tubing  110  then passes through a pipe opening  52  and attaches to the existing consumer line  100 . The tubing  110  and the existing consumer line  100  are secured together using appropriate fasteners. The fasteners used will vary depending on the type of pipe used in the existing consumer line  100 . 
     The arrows  160  demonstrate the inlet flow through the meter assembly. The water flows from the curb stop to the adapter pipe  90  at the bottom end  96  of the adapter pipe  90 . The water then flows to the meter valve  170  located at the top end  98  of the adapter pipe  90 . After passing through the meter valve  170  and the meter  130 , the water travels from the top portion  116  of the tubing  110  to the existing consumer line  100  at the bottom portion  118  of the tubing  110 . It is important that the inlet flow from the top of the meter  130  to the bottom of the meter  130  so that the numbers in the meter  130  will be upright when read through the meter opening  40 . 
     FIG. 4 is an interior view of an above ground meter box  10  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment there is no preexisting meter connection. Because there is no preexisting connection there is no need for an adapter pipe  90  because there is no curb stop  80  beneath the surface of the ground  70 . The supply line  180  enters the housing  30  through a pipe opening  52 . The supply line  180  attaches to a street ell  200 . The supply line  180  is fitted to the street ell  200  using a tubing adapter  204 . The tubing adapter  204  is secured to the street ell  200  by a fastener  202 . The fastener  202  can be any appropriate fastener known to those skilled in the art. 
     The street ell  200  controls the flow of water through the meter  130 . The street ell  200  is attached to the meter  130  using a meter nut  132 . The meter  130  is then attached to a meter nipple using a fastener  132 . The meter nipple is attached to the tubing  110 . The tubing  110  supplies the water to the consumer. 
     Use of the above ground meter box  10  allows the consumer to connect to the water service without having to disturb the above ground meter box. Also, the above ground meter box  10  can have a number printed on the outside of the housing  30  to assist in locating and indentifying the consumer&#39;s meter. Finally, the above ground meter box  10  allows for the meter  130  to be read at a distance. 
     When installing an above ground meter box  10  in place of an existing meter connection the first step is to remove the existing meter box and meter. The existing curb stop  80  remains in its below ground position. The adapter pipe  90  is then attached to the curb stop  80 . The adapter pipe  90  and the adapter pipe threaded ends  92  and  94  are constructed based on the size of the meter  130  and the curb stop  80 . The meter assembly is then assembled using the existing meter  130 , the adapter pipe  90 , the meter valve  170  and the tubing  110 . When installing the existing meter  130 , a grommet  42  is added to securely fit the existing meter  130  in the meter opening  40 . 
     In preferred embodiments where a faucet  150  is used a faucet tee  140  is attached to the meter nipple  136  using a fastener  142 . The tubing adapter  112  is then installed to the faucet tee  140  and the tubing  110  is run to the existing consumer line  100  using appropriate fittings. The curb stop  80  and the annular ring  60  of the housing  30  are buried beneath the surface of the ground  70  and dirt is packed around the bottom of the housing  30  to secure the housing  30  in place. The housing is then filled with insulation for freeze protection. Preferably the insulation is ZONOLITE, a free flowing vermiculite specifically treated for water repellency, but any appropriate insulation may be used, including but not limited to vermiculite and cellulose. Finally, foam rubber is placed in the housing cap  20  to protect the adapter pipe  90  and the meter valve  170  and the housing cap  20  is placed on top of the housing  30 . 
     When replacing an existing meter connection with the above ground meter box  10 , the housing  30  and all of the necessary components, except the insulation, may be preassembled. 
     When changing a meter  130  in an above ground meter box  10 , the housing cap  20  must be removed from the top of the housing  30 . Next the meter valve  170  must be turned to a closed position to stop the flow of water through the assembly. The insulation is then removed to below the meter  130 . Then the meter valve  170  is loosened and moved to the side. Next the meter  130  is loosened and removed and a new meter  130  is installed in its place. The meter valve  170  is then reconnected and the housing  30  is refilled with insulation. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.