Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of a meter box and couplings, either separately or in combination, are provided. An illustrative embodiment provides a valve coupling that is disposed through a wall of the meter box such that a first portion of the valve coupling extends exterior of the meter box and a second portion of the valve coupling extends interior of the meter box. An outlet coupling is disposed through the wall of the meter box such that a first portion of the outlet coupling extends exterior of the meter box and a second portion of the outlet coupling extends interior of the meter box. A telescoping tube is located in the meter box, extended into and movable relative to, and in fluid communication with, at least one of the second portion of the valve coupling and/or the second portion of the outlet coupling. The telescoping tube varies a distance between the valve coupling and the outlet coupling within the meter box.

Abstract: An automated meter testing system that includes a fluid inlet valve fluidly coupled both to a fluid source and an inlet on the at least one meter. The fluid source provides fluid pressure to move fluid through the at least one meter. A flow control valve is fluidly coupled to the at least one meter opposite the fluid inlet valve. A valve controller that operates the flow control valve. A controller is electrically connected to the valve controller. The controller sends at least one signal to the valve controller to incrementally open or restrict the flow control valve to increase or decrease a flow rate of the fluid through the at least one meter.

Abstract: A meter pit tile extension assembly is provided. Illustratively, an inner ring is attachable to a pit tile. The inner ring includes a first set of a plurality of outwardly extending ribs. A first space located adjacent the first set of the plurality of outwardly extending ribs. An outer ring is provided that is telescopingly positioned over, and vertically movable with respect to, the inner ring. The outer ring includes a first set of a plurality of inwardly extending ribs. The first set of the plurality of inwardly extending ribs of the outer ring are selectively positionable in a first position in the first space between the first set of the plurality of outwardly extending ribs. The outer ring is also rotatable with respect to the inner ring.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of a meter box and couplings, either separately or in combination, are provided. An illustrative embodiment provides a valve coupling that is disposed through a wall of the meter box such that a first portion of the valve coupling extends exterior of the meter box and a second portion of the valve coupling extends interior of the meter box. An outlet coupling is disposed through the wall of the meter box such that a first portion of the outlet coupling extends exterior of the meter box and a second portion of the outlet coupling extends interior of the meter box. A telescoping tube is located in the meter box, extended into and movable relative to, and in fluid communication with, at least one of the second portion of the valve coupling and/or the second portion of the outlet coupling. The telescoping tube varies a distance between the valve coupling and the outlet coupling within the meter box.

Abstract: A coupling body having an opening and configured to receive a pipe in the opening. The coupling body is made of a metal material and the pipe is made of a different metal material to the metal material of the coupling body. An insulating sleeve lines at least a portion of an inner periphery of the coupling body adjacent the opening. The insulating sleeve is made of non-metallic material and is configured to serve as a physical non-metallic barrier between the metal material of the coupling and the different metal material of the pipe so the different metal material of the pipe does not contact the metallic material of the coupling body.

Abstract: An automated meter testing system that includes a fluid inlet valve fluidly coupled both to a fluid source and an inlet on the at least one meter. The fluid source provides fluid pressure to move fluid through the at least one meter. A flow control valve is fluidly coupled to the at least one meter opposite the fluid inlet valve. A valve controller that operates the flow control valve. A controller is electrically connected to the valve controller. The controller sends at least one signal to the valve controller to incrementally open or restrict the flow control valve to increase or decrease a flow rate of the fluid through the at least one meter.

Abstract: A restraint device assembly that couples adjoining pipes together is provided. The restraint device assembly includes a ring portion having an arcuate inner periphery surface that encircles an outer wall surface of a pipe. The ring includes a first tie rod opening located adjacent a first location and a second tie rod opening located adjacent a second location. The first and second tie rod openings are spaced apart from each other by a first distance. The second ring portion includes a third tie rod opening located adjacent the first location, a fourth tie rod opening located adjacent the second location. The fourth tie rod opening is spaced apart from the third tie rod opening a second distance.

Abstract: A security blow-out-proof valve assembly is provided that includes a valve body, valve stem, and a head. The valve body contains a valve member movable between open and closed positions within the valve body. The valve stem extends from the valve body and moves the valve member between open and closed positions within the valve body. The head located on the valve stem is selectively movable relative to the valve stem and selectively moves the valve stem. When the head selectively moves the valve stem the head moves the valve member between open and closed positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a compressive force finger guard sized to cover at least a portion of the distal phalanx portion of a finger. Illustratively, the compressive force finger guard includes a longitudinally-extending body portion; wherein the longitudinally-extending body portion includes an opening therein sized to receive at least a portion of the fingertip; and a cap tip located on an end of the longitudinally-extending body portion; and wherein the cap tip includes a flange that extends from the longitudinally-extending body portion generally transverse to the longitudinally-extending body portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pipe coupling that includes a coupling body, a first pack joint nut, and first and second sleeves. The coupling body is made of a first metal material and the first pack joint nut is made of a second metal material. The first pack joint nut is configured to receive a portion of a first pipe. The pipe is made of a dissimilar metal material to the first and second metal materials of the coupling body and the first pack joint nut, respectively. The first sleeve is configured to line at least a portion of an inner periphery of the coupling body. The second sleeve is configured to line at least a portion of an inner periphery of the first pack joint nut. The first and second sleeves are made of non-metallic materials, and serve as physical non-metallic barriers between the first/second metal materials of the coupling/first pack joint nut, and the dissimilar metal material of the first pipe.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pipe coupling that includes a coupling body, a first pack joint nut, and first and second sleeves. The coupling body is made of a first metal material and the first pack joint nut is made of a second metal material. The first pack joint nut is configured to receive a portion of a first pipe. The pipe is made of a dissimilar metal material to the first and second metal materials of the coupling body and the first pack joint nut, respectively. The first sleeve is configured to line at least a portion of an inner periphery of the coupling body. The second sleeve is configured to line at least a portion of an inner periphery of the first pack joint nut. The first and second sleeves are made of non-metallic materials, and serve as physical non-metallic barriers between the first/second metal materials of the coupling/first pack joint nut, and the dissimilar metal material of the first pipe.

Abstract: A mechanical pipe joint assembly is provided that connects pipes of different diameters. The mechanical pipe joint assembly includes an annular pipe socket end with an annular cavity located adjacent thereto. A gasket includes first and second sections. The first section includes an arcuate head and an abutment adjacent the arcuate head. The second section includes a lip extension located adjacent the abutment of the first section. The arcuate head of the first portion of the gasket is configured to be circumscribed in the annular cavity of the annular pipe socket. The lip extension of the gasket is configured to be located underneath a tab on a gland portion of the joint assembly and configured to fill space underneath the tab and above the pipe wall.

Abstract: A security blow-out-proof valve assembly is provided that includes a valve body, valve stem, and a head. The valve body contains a valve member movable between open and closed positions within the valve body. The valve stem extends from the valve body and moves the valve member between open and closed positions within the valve body. The head located on the valve stem is selectively movable relative to the valve stem and selectively moves the valve stem. When the head selectively moves the valve stem the head moves the valve member between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A restraint device assembly that couples adjoining pipes together is provided. The restraint device assembly includes a ring portion having an arcuate inner periphery surface that encircles an outer wall surface of a pipe. The ring includes a first tie rod opening located adjacent a first location and a second tie rod opening located adjacent a second location. The first and second tie rod openings are spaced apart from each other by a first distance. The second ring portion includes a third tie rod opening located adjacent the first location, a fourth tie rod opening located adjacent the second location. The fourth tie rod opening is spaced apart from the third tie rod opening a second distance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a compressive force finger guard sized to cover at least a portion of the distal phalanx portion of a finger. Illustratively, the compressive force finger guard includes a longitudinally-extending body portion; wherein the longitudinally-extending body portion includes an opening therein sized to receive at least a portion of the fingertip; and a cap tip located on an end of the longitudinally-extending body portion; and wherein the cap tip includes a flange that extends from the longitudinally-extending body portion generally transverse to the longitudinally-extending body portion.

Abstract: A meter pit lid plug and bracket assembly configured to suspend a transmitter plug inside a meter pit is provide. The meter pit lid plug and bracket assembly includes a plug and a bracket. The plug includes a head and a stem that extends from the head. The stem is also configured to extend through a hole in a meter pit having a top surface. The head is sized to rest on the top surface of the meter pit lid and is configured to hold the stem in the hole. The bracket is configured to hold the transmitter plug inside the meter pit. The stem is selectively engageable with the base so that when the stem is connected with the base, both the plug and bracket are configured to hold and suspend the transmitter plug inside the meter box.

Abstract: A split ring restraint device having dual pipe size capability for securing the connection between adjacent pipes in water piping systems to prevent leakage or failure of the pipe connection. The restraint device comprises an interlocking, stepped joining interface that can be assembled in one orientation to fit a pipe having a first outside diameter and assembled in another orientation to fit a pipe having a second outside diameter. The restraint device can be used without modification on pipes having different outside diameters. The restraint device can be installed more rapidly than current state-of-the art split ring restraint devices.

Abstract: A meter pit lid plug and bracket assembly configured to suspend a transmitter plug inside a meter pit is provide. The meter pit lid plug and bracket assembly includes a plug and a bracket. The plug includes a head and a stem that extends from the head. The stem is also configured to extend through a hole in a meter pit having a top surface. The head is sized to rest on the top surface of the meter pit lid and is configured to hold the stem in the hole. The bracket is configured to hold the transmitter plug inside the meter pit. The stem is selectively engageable with the base so that when the stem is connected with the base, both the plug and bracket are configured to hold and suspend the transmitter plug inside the meter box.

Abstract: A pit cover assembly having a base and a plurality of surfaces is provided. The base includes a hole disposed therethrough and has first and second surfaces. The plurality of surfaces extend from the first surface of the base, are spaced apart from each other, and are configured to engage a pit wall. Each of these surfaces is located on the first surface of the base a radial distance from the hole. At least one of the surfaces is radially adjustable with respect to the hole.

Abstract: Brass articles having leachable lead are contacted with an aqueous caustic solution that contains a chelating agent. A brass article can optionally be post-treated by contacting it with an aqueous solution containing anazole.