Sigma Corporation

Stuart J Box

Steven D Kreiser

Satheesh Manicka Seshaiyer Chandrasekaran

A lid assembly for an in-ground meter box that can withstand substantial loads (e.g., 22, 500 lbs) without deformation. The lid assembly includes a metal frame secured to the bottom side of a plastic lid to allow the plastic lid to seat tightly for covering the in-ground meter box. The metal frame provides the rigidity and strength to withstand the loading while simultaneously providing the lid with sufficient weight to make it non-bouyant, i.e., should the surrounding ground environment become flooded, the lid is heavy enough to remain in place, covering the meter box and will not float away. The metal frame also is detectable by a metal detector should the lid every be covered over with debris and need to be located. The plastic lid body (e.g., linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)) of the lid assembly avoids radio signal interference or attenuation emanating from a transmitter positioned within the meter box.

Plastic meter lid and frame assembly for an in-ground meter box

An apparatus and method for re-rounding a distorted end (e.g., oval-shaped) of a pipe for insertion into a mechanical joint fitting or pipe bell have a circular diameter. The apparatus involves two separate semi-circular members having jack bolt assemblies evenly distributed in each. The two ends of each of the semi-circular members have extensions that can be releasably coupled to join to the two members to form a circular re-rounding tool. A first semi-circular member is positioned on the maximum diameter side of the distorted pipe and the other semi-circular member is placed on the opposite side of the distorted pipe and extensions joined. With an equal number of jack bolt assemblies in each member, corresponding jack bolt assemblies in the two members are diametrically aligned forming pairs. To re-round the distorted end, pairs of these jack bolt assemblies are tightened in a 'star sequence' to re-round the distorted end. The re-rounded end is inserted into the mechanical joint fitting or pipe bell and the extensions are decoupled to easily remove the circular tool from the re-rounded end.

Large diameter pipe rounding tool and method of use

A joint restraint for deforming an outer diameter of a pipe for insertion into a socket. The joint restraint can selectively mount to a portion of an irregularly shaped pipe having a maximum outer diameter that differs from a desired substantially constant outer diameter. The joint restraint can have a circumferential ring body surrounding a central axis. A plurality of jacking assemblies can be secured to a portion of the ring body. Each jacking assembly can have a frame and a jacking bolt. The frame can have a threaded aperture that can receive the jacking bolt. Each jacking bolt can be selectively actuatable for radial movement relative to the central axis to deform the pipe proximate the maximum outer diameter of the pipe by selectively urging an outer surface of the pipe to the desired substantially constant outer diameter.

Growing community of inventors

Cropwell, AL, United States of America

Stuart J Box