Patent ID: 7854165

Claim:
A water meter comprising: a plastic top cover defining an interior cavity shaped to accept a metering device, said top cover further defining at least one spud defining a bore in communication with the interior cavity; a metering device positioned in the interior cavity; a bottom cover engaging the top cover and enclosing the metering device within the interior cavity; and at least one connector assembly engaging the at least one spud, said connector assembly comprising: a plastic spud insert having a first end and a second end comprising: an engagement portion proximate the first end engaging the at least one spud, an annular lip portion positioned proximate the second end and extending outwardly, and a collar portion having a circumferential profile and positioned intermediate the engagement portion and lip portion, and a metal ring having an inner surface and outer surface, wherein threads are formed on the outer surface and the inner surface has a profile complementary with the profile of the collar, wherein the metal ring is positioned proximate the lip portion with the inner surface engaging the collar portion, and wherein the circumferential profile of the collar portion and the complementary profile of the metal ring are configured to discourage relative relational movement.