IP Library Granted Patent US 9,243,944
Granted Patent B2
US 9,243,944 · App. 13/460,956 · Granted Jan 26, 2016

Adjustable underground meter installation

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,243,944
App. No.
13/460,956
Granted
Jan 26, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pit liner includes an upper section, a lower section, at least one pin wherein each pin is connected to one of the upper section and the lower section, and at least one notch defined in at least one of the upper section and the lower section the lower section and the upper section sized to adjust with respect to each other.

Claims (35)

1. A pit liner assembly comprising:

a tubular upper section defining a first internal chamber;

a tubular lower section defining a second internal chamber, the first internal chamber of the tubular upper section and the second internal chamber of the tubular lower section in combination defining an assembly internal chamber;

a pin, the pin connected to one of the upper section and the lower section;

a notch array defined in at least one of the upper section and the lower section, each pin protruding into one notch array, the array including a step, the step including a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the lower section and the upper section sized to telescope with each other;

a relief cut formed into each tubular section in which a notch array is defined; and

a platform moveable within the assembly internal chamber.

2. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein pin engages the notch array.

3. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the notch array is a closed array.

4. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the notch array includes a central portion.

5. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the notch array includes at least twelve steps.

6. The pit liner assembly of claim 5 , wherein a rise of the notch array is about six inches.

7. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the notch array includes at least six steps.

8. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the notch array is a first notch array and the pin is a first pin, the pit liner further comprising a second notch array and a second pin, wherein the second pin engages the second notch array.

9. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pin is connected to the section telescoping to the outside and each notch array is defined in the section telescoping to the inside.

10. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the platform is positioned on a top end of the tubular lower section.

11. The pit liner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the relief cut has a straight central portion and circular end portions.

12. An underground metering system for use with a water supply, the underground metering system comprising:

an upper section defining a central space;

a lower section defining a central space;

a locking mechanism selectively connecting the upper section to the lower section, the locking mechanism including a notch array defined in at least one of the upper section and the lower section, the array including a step, the step including a horizontal portion and a vertical portion;

a relief cut formed into each tubular section in which a notch array is defined;

a meter disposed within the central space of at least one of the upper section and the lower section; and

flexible tubing connecting the meter with the water supply.

13. The underground metering system of claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism includes

a pin, the pin connected to one of the upper section and the lower section, the pin protruding into the notch array, the lower section and the upper section sized to telescope with each other.

14. The underground metering system of claim 13 , wherein the pin engages the notch array.

15. The underground metering system of claim 13 , wherein the notch array is a first notch array and the pin is a first pin, the underground metering system further comprising a second notch array and a second pin, wherein the second pin engages the second notch array.

16. The underground metering system of claim 13 , wherein the pin is connected to the section telescoping to the outside and the notch array is defined in the section telescoping to the inside.

17. The underground metering system of claim 12 , wherein the notch array is a closed array.

18. The underground metering system of claim 12 , wherein the notch array includes a central portion.

19. The underground metering system of claim 12 , wherein the notch array includes twelve steps.

20. The underground metering system of claim 19 , wherein a rise of the notch array is about twelve inches.

21. The underground metering system of claim 12 , wherein the notch array includes six steps.

22. The underground metering system of claim 12 , wherein the relief cut has a straight central portion and circular end portions.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2018
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 046395/0444 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 2, 2014
From: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC, AS GRANTOR
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 034502/0219 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2014
From: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 034498/0272 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2013
From: FLOYD, SCOTT P.; POPE, BOBBY W.
To: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 031651/0835 →