Patent ID: 8011628

Claim:
An antenna mounting bracket in combination with a water meter container for mounting an antenna, the water meter container defining a tubular body extending from a bottom aperture to a top aperture, the top aperture including a lip for supporting a cap, the cap covering the top aperture, the water meter container housing a water meter for measuring the volume of water traversing through the water meter and generating an electronic signal corresponding to the volume of water, a water input pipe for inputting water into the water meter, a output water pipe for outputting the water from the water meter, an electric conduit electrically coupling the water meter to the antenna, the antenna transmitting a wireless signal from the electronic signal, the mounting bracket, comprising: a first plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge; a first elongated aperture traversing through said first plate; a first slit traversing through said first plate and parallel to said first elongated aperture; a first step secured to said rear edge of said first plate for supporting said first plate upon the lip of the water meter container; a second plate defining a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge; a second elongated aperture traversing through said second plate; a second slit traversing through said second plate and parallel to said second elongated aperture; a second step secured to said rear edge of said second plate for supporting said second plate upon the lip of the water meter container; said bottom surface of said first plate slidably engaging adjacent to said top surface of said second plate with said first step being a mirror image of said second step for defining an adjustable bracket length; said bottom surface of said first plate slidably engaging adjacent to said top surface of said second plate for overlaying said first elongated aperture and said second elongated aperture and defining an adjustable elongated aperture; said bottom surface of said first plate slidably engaging adjacent to said top surface of said second plate for overlaying said first slit and said second slit and defining an adjustable slit; a fastener traversing through said adjustable slit for securing said first plate to said second plate after setting said adjustable bracket length to equal the top aperture; and said adjustable elongated aperture engaging the antenna for positioning the antenna above the water meter.