Adapter for meter

Abstract

An adapter is interposed between a standard resource meter and its socket, to provide RF-capabilities. Communications between meter and adapter are effected by optical technology. The adapter has emergency battery back-up capabilities.

1 . An electrical resource metering system, comprising:
 (a) a meter with power pins, that measures an attribute of the electrical resource presented at said pins, and provides information related to the resource or meter and its operating environment, based on said measured attribute;   (b) a meter socket connectable to the electrical resource, having power contacts releasably couplable with said meter power pins;   (c) adapter releasably interposable between said meter and said meter socket, having power coupling means for coupling said meter power pins to said socket power contacts.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said adapter has a first battery bay and a corresponding first battery pack, both being in identical, approximate parallelepiped shape. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said first battery pack comprises a plurality of cylindrical batteries connected in series. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said first battery pack has six batteries arranged in two columns of three batteries each. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said first battery bay has two leads of opposite polarities, and said first battery pack has a plurality of exposed contacts arranged in pairs of opposite polarities, whereby regardless of orientation of said pack with respect to said bay, once inserted into said first battery bay, said battery leads and said first bay contacts are in alignment for electrical connection. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of exposed contacts has two effective leads of opposite polarities, with another two being connected to said effective leads. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second battery bay having the same shape and orientation as said first battery bay and being disposed in said adapter with the same orientation, and a second battery pack being identical to said first battery pack. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said first battery bay has a wall with three indents and said battery bay leads are two battery clips disposed in outer indents