Automated meter reader direct mount endpoint module

Abstract

An automated meter reader module can be operably connected to an existing utility meter to provide an endpoint for use in an automated meter reader system. The automated meter reader module can utilize an index attachment drive mechanism to electronically and mechanically monitor consumption of a utility such as water, gas, or electricity. The index attachment of the existing utility meter is attached so that it does not physically impede reception or transmission of radio frequency communications by a patch antenna integrated into a printed circuit board located inside the automated meter reader module. A gasket around the edge of the housing sealingly interfaces with the existing utility meter and a multi-faced cover that allows the registered dials located on the index attached to be viewed from a plurality of vantage points.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An enclosure of an automated meter reader module adapted to be installed on an existing utility meter having an index attachment that displays readings from the utility meter, the utility meter presenting an attachment area where the index attachment is selectively attachable to the utility meter, the enclosure comprising:
 a housing with a generally planar base having on a first side a plurality of walls defining an at least one housing cavity adapted to receive a printed circuit board having circuitry for the automated reader meter module and defining a base area having an aperture, the housing including a structure on the first side adapted to interface with the index attachment and a portion of the base on a second side opposite the first side that is adapted to interface with the attachment area, the at least one housing cavity including a cavity portion that extends beyond a perimeter of the attachment area of the utility meter and the aperture;   a cover locatable relative to the housing to cover both the housing cavity, the index attachment, and the base area when the index attachment is mounted on the structure adapted to interface with the index attachment; and   a flexible gasket having a first side adapted to sealingly interface with the cover and the first side of the base and a second side adapted to sealingly interface with the attachment area and second side of the base, the gasket being coextensively releasably attachable to a circumferential edge of the base.   
     
     
         11 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 10 , wherein the structure on the first side of the housing further comprises a first mounting post and a second mounting post designed to interface with the index attachment, the first mounting post and the second mounting post being located outside the at least one housing cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 10 , wherein the cover comprises a substantially planar first face and a substantially concave second face sharing an edge of the cover, the cover interfacing with the structure such that a plurality of register dials are viewable through the planar face and the concave face. 
     
     
         13 . An automated meter reader module adapted to be installed on an existing utility meter having an index attachment that displays readings from the utility meter, and is selectively attachable to the utility meter, the automated meter reader module comprising:
 a housing with a generally planar base having on a first side a plurality of walls defining an at least one housing cavity adapted to receive a printed circuit board having circuitry for the automated reader meter module, the housing including a structure on the first side adapted to interface with the index attachment and a portion of the base on a second side opposite the first side that is adapted to interface with the utility meter;   a cover locatable relative to the housing to cover both the housing cavity and the index attachment when the index attachment is mounted on the structure adapted to interface with the index attachment; and   a wriggler having an index interface mechanism operably connectable to an index drive of the index attachment and a meter interface mechanism operably connectable to a rotating meter interface of the utility meter, the wriggler communicating with a switch in the circuit of the printed circuit board, the wiggler including means for operably coupling the interface mechanism while the rotating meter interface is in operation.   
     
     
         14 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 13 , wherein the structure on the first side of the housing further comprises a first mounting post and a second mounting post designed to interface with the index attachment, the first mounting post and the second mounting post being located outside the at least one housing cavity. 
     
     
         15 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of walls further defines a wriggler housing, the wriggler housing being adapted to receive the wriggler proximal to the switch in the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         16 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 15 , wherein the meter interface mechanism comprises a pair of interface members rotationally positioned approximately one-hundred eighty degrees apart. 
     
     
         17 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 15 , wherein the meter interface mechanism comprises a gear having a plurality of beveled teeth. 
     
     
         18 . An automated meter reader module adapted to be installed on an existing utility meter having an index attachment that displays readings from the utility meter, the utility meter presenting an attachment area where the index attachment is selectively attachable to the utility meter, the automated meter reader module comprising:
 a housing with a generally planar base having on a first side a plurality of walls defining an at least one housing cavity adapted to receive a printed circuit board having circuitry for the automated reader meter module, the housing including a structure on the first side adapted to interface with the index attachment and a portion of the base on a second side opposite the first side that is adapted to interface with the attachment area;   at least one biasing member attached to a first side of the printed circuit board, the biasing member having an elongated body and a resiliently compressible end distal to the elongated body, the resiliently compressible end exerting a force against a first wall defining the housing cavity, the first wall exerting an opposing force against the printed circuit board that causes a second side of the printed circuit board to contact a second wall defining the housing cavity such that the printed circuit board is removably securable in the housing cavity prior to potting of the housing cavity; and   a cover locatable relative to the housing to cover both the housing cavity and the index attachment when the index attachment is mounted on the structure adapted to interface with the index attachment.   
     
     
         19 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 18 , wherein the structure on the first side of the housing further comprises a first mounting post and a second mounting post designed to interface with the index attachment, the first mounting post and the second mounting post being located outside the at least one housing cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 18 , wherein the cover comprises a substantially planar first face and a substantially concave second face sharing an edge of the cover, the cover interfacing with the structure such that a plurality of register dials are viewable through the planar face and the concave face. 
     
     
         21 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 18 , further comprising a flexible gasket having a first side adapted to sealingly interface with the cover and the first side of the base and a second side adapted to sealingly interface with the attachment area and the second side of the base, the flexible gasket being coextensively attached to a circumferential edge of the base. 
     
     
         22 . An enclosure of an automated meter reader module adapted to be installed on an existing utility meter having an index attachment that displays readings from the utility meter on a plurality of dials, the utility meter presenting an attachment area where the index attachment is selectively attachable to the utility meter, the enclosure comprising:
 a housing with a generally planar base having on a first side a plurality of walls defining an at least one housing cavity adapted to receive a printed circuit board having circuitry for the automated reader meter module, the housing including a structure on the first side adapted to interface with the index attachment and a portion of the base on a second side opposite the first side that is adapted to interface with the attachment area, the at least one housing cavity including a cavity portion that extends beyond a perimeter of the attachment area of the utility meter;   a cover locatable relative to the housing to cover both the housing cavity and the index attachment when the cover is mounted on the structure adapted to interface with the index attachment, the cover having a plurality of integrally joined faces with at least two faces permitting viewing of the dials.   
     
     
         23 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 22 , wherein the structure on the first side of the housing further comprises a first mounting post and a second mounting post designed to interface with the index attachment, the first mounting post and the second mounting post being located outside the at least one housing cavity. 
     
     
         24 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of walls further defines a wriggler housing, the wriggler housing being adapted to receive a wriggler proximal to a switch in the circuitry of the printed circuit board, the wriggler having a meter interface mechanism adapted to matingly engage a rotating meter interface. 
     
     
         25 . The automated meter reader module of  claim 22 , further comprising a flexible gasket having a first side adapted to sealingly interface with the cover and the first side of the base and a second side adapted to sealingly interface with the attachment area and the second side of the base, the flexible gasket being coextensively attached to a circumferential edge of the base. 
     
     
         26 . A method of installing an automated meter reader module having a housing, a cover, and a wriggler to an existing utility meter having an index attachment that uses an index drive to display readings derived from a meter drive operably connected to the utility meter, the existing utility meter presenting an attachment area where an index interface of the index attachment is selectively attachable to a meter interface of the utility meter, the wriggler having an index interface mechanism and a meter interface mechanism, the method of installing comprising the steps of:
 removing the index attachment from the utility meter;   operably connecting the index interface mechanism to the index interface;   attaching the index attachment to a structure on a first side of the housing;   operably connecting the meter interface mechanism to the meter interface, the meter interface mechanism adapted to engage the meter interface as the meter interface rotates; and   securing the housing intermediate the cover and the attachment area, the first side of the housing interfacing with the cover and a second side of the housing interfacing with the attachment area.