Wriggler for gas meter endpoint
View Patent ↗A wriggler device is provided for a gas meter endpoint or gas meter index as an interface with a gas meter drive mechanism. In general, the wriggler may include a base surface, at least one interface wall, and at least one guide wall. The base surface has a peripheral edge and a center point. The interface wall extends at an interface angle from the base surface, and may have an interface surface and a tip portion, with the tip portion spaced from the base surface. The at least one guide wall may extend between the base surface and the tip portion, and may have a guide surface. The guide wall may be configured to guide the drive mechanism along the guide surface to the base surface. Engagement of the interface surface by the drive mechanism causes the wriggler to rotate.
1. A wriggler for providing for a gas meter endpoint an interface with a drive mechanism of a gas meter, comprising:
a base surface having a peripheral edge and a center point;
at least one interface wall extending at an interface angle from said base surface, having an interface surface, and having a tip portion spaced from said base surface; and
at least one guide wall, having a guide surface, extending between said base surface and said tip portion;
wherein said guide wall is configured to guide an associated drive mechanism along said guide surface to said base surface, such that engagement of said interface surface by the associated drive mechanism causes the wriggler to rotate.
2. The wriggler of claim 1 , wherein said interface surface extends radially between said center point and said peripheral edge.
3. The wriggler of claim 1 , wherein said guide wall is generally curvilinear.
4. The wriggler of claim 1 , wherein said base surface defines a circumference.
5. The wriggler of claim 4 , wherein said guide wall extends circumferentially between said base surface and said tip portion.
6. The wriggler of claim 1 , wherein:
said at least one interface wall comprises a plurality of interface walls; and
said at least one guide wall comprises a plurality of guide walls;
wherein each of said guide walls extends between said base surface and said tip portion of one of said interface walls.
7. The wriggler of claim 6 , wherein:
said wriggler comprises four interface walls and four guide walls; and
wherein said four interface walls are respectively each spaced approximately 90 degrees apart about said center point.
8. The wriggler of claim 6 , wherein said base surface includes a plurality of take-up portions, each of which extends circumferentially between one of said guide walls and said interface surface of one of said interface walls.
9. The wriggler of claim 1 , wherein said base surface defines a central aperture configured to provide an interface for said wriggler as part of an associated gas meter endpoint.
10. The wriggler of claim 1 , wherein said interface angle is in a range from approximately 90 degrees to approximately 120 degrees.
11. The wriggler of claim 1 , wherein said interface angle is approximately 90 degrees.
12. A gas meter endpoint for engaging a drive mechanism of a gas meter, the gas meter endpoint comprising:
a wriggler comprising a base surface having a peripheral edge and a center point, at least one interface wall extending at an interface angle from said base surface, having an interface surface, and having a tip portion spaced from said base surface, and at least one guide wall, having a guide surface, extending between said base surface and said tip portion;
an index apparatus configured to monitor the rotation of said wriggler; and
a shaft;
wherein said wriggler is configured for mounting to said shaft through a central aperture; and
said guide wall is configured to guide an associated drive mechanism along said guide surface to said base surface, such that engagement of said interface surface by the associated drive mechanism causes the wriggler to rotate.
13. The gas meter endpoint of claim 12 , wherein said interface surface extends radially between said center point and said peripheral edge.
14. The gas meter endpoint of claim 12 , wherein said guide wall is generally curvilinear.
15. The gas meter endpoint of claim 12 , wherein said base surface defines a circumference.
16. The gas meter endpoint of claim 15 , wherein said guide wall extends circumferentially between said base surface and said tip portion.
17. The gas meter endpoint of claim 12 , wherein:
said at least one interface wall comprises a plurality of interface walls; and
said at least one guide wall comprises a plurality of guide walls;
wherein each of said guide walls extends between said base surface and said tip portion of one of said interface walls.
18. The gas meter endpoint of claim 17 , wherein said base surface includes a plurality of take-up portions, each of which extends circumferentially between one of said guide walls and said interface surface of one of said interface walls.
19. The gas meter endpoint of claim 12 , wherein said interface angle is in a range from approximately 90 degrees to approximately 120 degrees.
20. The gas meter endpoint of claim 12 , wherein said interface angle is approximately 90 degrees.