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; and   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 and having a variable length to adjust a depth of the water meter from a top portion of the water meter pit enclosure.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water meter pit insert includes discrete lengths corresponding to discrete depths of the water meter from the top portion of the water meter pit enclosure. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the water meter pit insert includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being slidably engaged with the lower portion. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the upper portion includes a first upstanding support member which is arranged in a telescoping arrangement with a second upstanding support member of the lower portion. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein one of the first upstanding support member and the second upstanding support member has a locator coupled thereto which is received in a plurality of slots of the other of the first upstanding support member and the second upstanding support member. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of slots includes a longitudinal slot and a plurality of transverse slots which intersect with the longitudinal slot, wherein when the locator is positioned in the longitudinal slot the first upstanding support member is translatable relative to the second upstanding support member to adjust the length of the water meter pit insert and when the locator is in one of the plurality of transverse slots the first upstanding support member is rotatable relative to the second upstanding support member. 
   
   
       7 . 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. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water meter pit insert includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being slidably engaged with the lower portion. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the position of the upper portion of the water meter pit insert relative to the lower portion of the water meter pit insert is controlled by a pneumatic system. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the pneumatic system includes an air chamber supported by the lower portion of the water meter pit insert and a piston disposed within the air chamber, the piston supporting the upper portion of the water meter pit insert. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the air chamber is in fluid communication with an air line and wherein the upper portion of the water meter pit insert is raised by increasing the air pressure within the air chamber by communicating pressurized air through the air line. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the air line is tethered to an upper portion of the water meter pit enclosure. 
   
   
       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 water meter support positioned within an interior of the water meter pit enclosure, the water meter support supporting the water meter; and   a pneumatic system coupled to the water meter support to adjust a depth of the water meter from a top portion of the water meter pit enclosure.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the water meter support is spaced apart from the water flowing from the first water line through the water meter and to the second water line. 
   
   
       15 . 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 support positioned within an interior of the water meter pit enclosure, the water meter support supporting the water meter; and   a lifting apparatus coupled to the water meter support to adjust a depth of the water meter from a top portion of the water meter pit enclosure, the lifting apparatus including a linear actuator.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the linear actuator has a first length corresponding to a first depth of the water meter and a second length corresponding to a second depth of the water meter. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the lifting apparatus includes a lifting arm supporting the water meter support, the lifting arm being coupled to the linear actuator and moveable therewith such that when the linear actuator has the first length the lifting arm supports the water meter at the first depth and when the linear actuator has the second length the lifting arm supports the water meter at the second depth. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the lifting apparatus includes an engagement member operatively coupled to the linear actuator and which is engageable by a tool introduced through an opening proximate a top of the water meter pit enclosure, the tool being able to adjust the length of the linear actuator. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the water meter support is spaced apart from the water flowing from the first water line through the water meter and to the second water line.