Meter pit apparatus

Abstract

A plurality of water meter pit inserts and water meter pit enclosures are disclosed. A plurality of marker apparatus for the location of water meter pit enclosures are also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for housing a water meter which is connected to a first water line and a second water line such that water flows from the first water line through the water meter and to the second water line, the apparatus comprising:
 a water meter pit enclosure;   a water meter pit insert positioned within an interior of the water meter pit enclosure, the water meter pit insert supporting the water meter, the water meter pit insert being spaced apart from the water flowing from the first water line through the water meter and to the second water line;   a first flexible water line coupler supported by the water meter pit insert and adapted to be coupled to the water meter and the first water line;   a second flexible water line coupler supported by the water meter pit insert and adapted to be coupled to the water meter and the second water line; and   at least one coupler coupling the water meter pit insert to the water meter pit enclosure.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water meter pit insert is supported by the water meter pit enclosure. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the water meter pit insert is spaced apart from a bottom of the water meter pit enclosure. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water meter pit insert generally centers the water meter in an interior of the water meter pit enclosure. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water meter pit insert supports the first water line and supports the second water line. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the water meter pit insert has an interior and the first water line and the second water line each pass through an interior of at least the portion of the water meter pit insert. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water meter pit insert provides a rigid support to hold the water meter in a first position relative to water meter pit enclosure. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first position is generally centered side-to-side and end-to-end in the water meter pit enclosure. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupler is coupled to an upstanding wall of the water meter pit enclosure at a first location and at a second location generally opposite from the first location. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the water meter pit enclosure includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposite the first side wall, the first location being within the first side wall and the second location being within the second side wall. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one coupler includes at least two supports which span from the first location to the second location and pass through the water meter pit insert between the first location and the second location. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water meter pit insert includes an interior having a first opening located proximate a lower portion of the water meter pit insert and a second opening located proximate a location of the water meter, wherein airs flows from the first opening through the interior of the water meter pit insert and out of the second opening. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for housing a water meter which is connected to a first water line and a second water line such that water flows from the first water line through the water meter and to the second water line, the apparatus comprising:
 a water meter pit enclosure;   a lid supported by the water meter pit enclosure and having an opening therein;   a water meter pit insert positioned within an interior of the water meter pit enclosure and supporting the water meter; and   a handle apparatus coupled to the water meter pit insert, the handle apparatus extending above the water meter.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the water meter is positioned at a service position proximate to the opening in the lid and a second position lower than the service position. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the service position is up to about 16 inches from the opening in the lid. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the service position is about 14 inches from the opening in the lid. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the handle apparatus is used to move the water meter from the second position to the service position. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the handle apparatus extends through the opening in the lid when the water meter is in the service position. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the handle apparatus includes at least one support member which is supported by the lid when the water meter is in the service position. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the handle apparatus may serve as a brace when the water meter in the second position. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein an end of the handle apparatus contacts the lid when the water meter is in the second position. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the water meter pit insert being spaced apart from the water flowing from the first water line through the water meter and to the second water line. 
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for housing a water meter which is connected to a first water line and a second water line such that water flows from the first water line through the water meter and to the second water line, the apparatus comprising:
 a water meter pit enclosure; and   a water meter pit insert positioned within an interior of the water meter pit enclosure, the water meter pit insert having an interior, at least a first opening in fluid communication with the interior of the water meter pit insert proximate a lower portion of the water meter pit enclosure and a second opening in fluid communication with the interior of the water meter pit insert proximate the water meter, wherein airs flows from the at least a first opening through the interior of the water meter pit insert and out of the second opening.   
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the water meter pit insert has a variable length to adjust a depth of the water meter in the water meter pit enclosure.