Modular AMI/AMR in-ground meter box
AssigneeNicor, Inc.
InventorJeffrey A. Cook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An AMI/AMR in-ground meter box, including first and second side panels, each having an interior side and an exterior side; and first and second end panels, each having an interior side and an exterior side; wherein each of said side panels and end panels include a generally rectangular planar portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first interlocking end having a plurality of male elements and female slots, an arcuate second end having a 90-degree bend which forms a corner of the assembled meter box and terminating in an interlocking end having a plurality of male elements and female slots configured to interlock with paired male elements and female slots in said first interlocking end and with an improved adjustable bracket channel assembly for interior support.
Claims19
An AMI/AMR in-ground meter box assembly, comprising:
- first and second side panels, each having an interior side and an exterior side;
- and
- first and second end panels, each having an interior side and an exterior side;
- wherein each of said side panels and end panels include a generally rectangular planar portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first interlocking end having a plurality of male elements and female slots forming the first interlocking end having a half-blind vertical edge, an arcuate second end having a 90-degree bend which forms a corner of the assembled meter box and terminating in a second interlocking end having a plurality of male elements and female slots configured to interlock with paired male elements and female slots in a first interlocking end of an adjoining side or end panel;
- and
- at least a first adjustable bracket channel assembly mounted in the interior side of the first side panel of the assembled meter box assembly.
An AMI/AMR in-ground meter box assembly, comprising:
- first and second side panels, each having an interior side and an exterior side;
- and
- first and second end panels, each having an interior side and an exterior side;
- wherein each of said side panels and end panels include a planar portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first interlocking end having a plurality of male elements and female slots forming the first interlocking end having a vertical edge, an arcuate second end which forms a corner of the assembled meter box and terminating in a second interlocking end having a plurality of male elements and female slots configured to interlock with paired male elements and female slots in a first interlocking end of an adjoining side or end panel;
- and
- at least a first adjustable bracket channel assembly mounted in an interior of the assembled meter box assembly;
- and
- wherein said at least first adjustable bracket channel assembly includes a channel member defining a slidable channel and an adjustable bracket member having a free support first end and a support second end removably and adjustable retained within said slidable channel.
An AMI/AMR in-ground meter box assembly, comprising:
- first and second side panels, each having an interior side and an exterior side;
- and
- first and second end panels, each having an interior side and an exterior side;
- wherein each of said side panels and end panels include a planar portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first interlocking end having a plurality of male elements and female slots forming the first interlocking end having a vertical edge, an arcuate second end which forms a corner of the assembled meter box and terminating in a second interlocking end having a plurality of male elements and female slots configured to interlock with paired male elements and female slots in a first interlocking end of an adjoining side or end panel;
- and
- at least a first adjustable bracket channel assembly mounted in an interior of the assembled meter box assembly;
- and
- wherein said at least first adjustable bracket channel assembly includes an adjustable bracket member having a free support first end with a C shape and a support second end movably coupled to the interior side of the first side panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.