Plastic meter lid and frame assembly for an in-ground meter box

Abstract

A lid assembly for an in-ground meter box that can withstand substantial loads (e.g., 22, 500 lbs) without deformation. The lid assembly includes a metal frame secured to the bottom side of a plastic lid to allow the plastic lid to seat tightly for covering the in-ground meter box. The metal frame provides the rigidity and strength to withstand the loading while simultaneously providing the lid with sufficient weight to make it non-bouyant, i.e., should the surrounding ground environment become flooded, the lid is heavy enough to remain in place, covering the meter box and will not float away. The metal frame also is detectable by a metal detector should the lid every be covered over with debris and need to be located. The plastic lid body (e.g., linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)) of the lid assembly avoids radio signal interference or attenuation emanating from a transmitter positioned within the meter box.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.