GB2215758A

GB2215758A - Mounting means for water meter and/or stop tap

Info

Publication number: GB2215758A
Application number: GB8806738A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David George Reynel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-03-22
Filing date: 1988-03-22
Publication date: 1989-09-27
Also published as: GB8806738D0

Abstract

A method of providing a mounting point for a water meter and/or stop tap comprises the steps of providing an interface member 6 having inlet 7 and outlet 8 connectors and means for receiving a water meter 11 and/or stop tap 14; supporting the interface member on a ground-engaging foot 1 on which the interface member is so mounted e.g. by means of a ball joint 5 as to be articulable relative to the foot; providing that the interface member can be so positioned that the inlet and outlet connectors may be connected to a water supply. The invention also relates to a stop tap cover, comprising a lidded box mounted on a foot in such a way as to be articulable relative to the foot, allows the box or the interface member to be correctly orientated within a hole whilst the foot is fully supported by the bottom of the hole. <IMAGE>

Description

MOUNTING MEANS FOR WATER METERS AND/OR STOP TAPS Field of the Invention The invention relates to water meters and stop taps, and more particularly to the provision of means for mounting these devices in connection with a water supply.

Review of the Prior Art In order to be connected to a water supply line, water meters and stop taps often have to be situated below ground level under, for example, a pavement.

In such cases, the water meter and stop tap are conventionally housed within separate generally cylindrical, protective box units which are connected in series to the water supply, and to which the water meter and stop tap are connected. The water meter and stop tap may be accessed through the tops of the boxes which incorporate lids.

It Is important that the lid of each box is mounted flush with the surface of the ground (usually a pavement) beneath which the box is situated. Failure to do this can result in "pointloading" of, and consequent damage to, the box when the weight of a pedestrian or a vehicle is applied to the box lid. The box will also be damaged if its base is not fully supported by the ground on which the box, in use, stands.

If the box is to be installed beneath a sloping surface, the bottom of the hole into which the box is to be placed must have a corresponding slope, so that the conditions outlined in the previous paragraph can be satisfied. Digging such a hole tends to be a laborious and difficult process and, as a result, many conventional boxes are not correctly installed. These boxes are, therefore, prone to damage which in turn can make the water meter or stop tap susceptible to fracture causing leakage and possible frost damage.

Summary of the Invention In one broad aspect, according to the invention, a method of providing a mounting point for a water meter comprises the steps of providing an interface member having inlet and outlet connectors and means for receiving a water meter; supporting the interface member on a ground-engaging foot on which the interface member is so mounted as to be articulable relative to the foot; providing that the interface member can be so positioned that the inlet and outlet connectors may be connected to a water supply.

In another broad aspect, according to the invention, a stop tap cover comprises a lidded box mounted on a foot in such a way as to be articulable relative to the foot.

In both cases, the articulable foot allows the lidded box or, as the case may be, the interface member to be correctly orientated within a hole whilst the foot is fully supported by the bottom of the hole.

These two broad aspects of the invention may be combined to provide a stop tap and a water meter box for use in a method according to the first broad aspect of the invention.

Preferably the foot is mounted on the box or the interface member via a ball and socket joint.

The cover may with advantage include means for varying the distance between the foot and the box or interface member, which means may comprise a screw-threaded shaft connecting the foot to the box or interface member.

Brief Description of the Drawings A stop tap and water meter cover in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the cover.

Figure 2 is a side view of part of the cover.

Figure 3 is a sectioned side elevation of the cover; and Figure 4 is a section along the line B-B of Figure 3.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 3, a foot 1 comprises a treaded base ring 2, which is attached to a number of supports 3. Each support 3 radiates from a central, cylindrical core. The inner surface of the cylindrical core is screw-threaded, and cooperates with a corresponding thread on a shaft 4. Rotation of the foot 1 relative to the shaft 4 will, therefore, cause the foot 1 to move along the shaft 4. In this embodiment, the range of movement of the foot 1 along the shaft 4 is 4,,-6" (100mm-150mm, say).

A ball joint 5 is formed integrally with the top of the shaft 4, and fits closely within a corresponding socket in an interface member 6. The relative sizes of the ball 5 and its corresponding socket are such that the ball 5 may not be easily removed from the socket, but that the shaft 4 may be articul ated relative to the interface member 6. The member 6 is made from a material which is sufficiently flexible to allow the ball 5 to be initially inserted into the socket by deforming the lip around the socket.

A manifold having an inlet 7, an outlet 8 and a connecting conduit 9 is incorporated into the interface member 6. The interface member 6 is formed by the injection moulding of a suitable plastics material and must, therefore, incorporate a plug which fills the hole formed by the part of the mould which creates the conduit 9. It is envisaged that, in production versions of the cover, the sleeve 10 will extend further along the interface member 6 to conceal the plug.

The interface member 6 also incorporates attachment points 11 and 14 for a water meter and a stop tap respectively. A pair of plugs 12, 13 enable the box to be installed before a water meter or a stop tap is actually connected.

The top of the sleeve 10 is adapted to receive a lid which, together with the sleeve 10 and the interface member 6, forms a lidded box.

The inlet 7 and the outlet 8 are, in use, connected in series with a water supply via a pair of flexible hoses, and in a way which would be apparent to the skilled addressee.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of providing a mounting point for a water meter and comprising the steps of providing an interface member having inlet and outlet connectors and means for receiving a water meter; supporting the interface member on a groundengaging foot on which the interface member is so mounted as to be articulable relative to the foot; providing that the interface member can be so positioned that the inlet and outlet connectors may be connected to a water supply.

2. A stop tap cover comprising a lidded box mounted on a foot in such a way as to be articulable relative to the foot.

3. A stop tap and water meter box adapted for use in a method in accordance with claim 1.

4. The invention defined in any of the preceding claims and in which the foot is mounted on the box or the interface member via a ball and socket joint.

5. The invention defined in any of the preceding claims and in which the cover includes means for varying the distance between the foot and the box or interface member.

6. The invention defined in claim 5 and in which the said means comprises a screw-threaded shaft connecting the foot to the box or interface member.

7. A stop tap and water meter cover substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings

8. A method of providing a mounting point for a water meter, carried out substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.