Abstract: A portable pitching mound with a plurality of mound sections. The plurality of mound sections are assembled by inserting a lower edge of one mound section into a receiving slot of another mound section. The configuration of the receiving slot forms an opening larger than the lower edge of the mound section to be received therein. The larger size of the opening allows the lower edge to be positioned anywhere above the opening of the receiving slot and upon lowering the weight of the mound section and gravity causes the lower edge to slide downwards and towards the adjoining mound section. Assembly does not require any tools or connection members such as screws, bolts, clamps, clasps, pins, adherent or adhesive surfaces, or the like.

Abstract: A portable pitching mound with a plurality of mound sections. The plurality of mound sections are assembled by inserting a lower edge of one mound section into a receiving slot of another mound section. The configuration of the receiving slot forms an opening larger than the lower edge of the mound section to be received therein. The larger size of the opening allows the lower to be positioned anywhere above the opening of the receiving slot and upon lowering the weight of the mound section and gravity causes the lower edge to slide downwards and towards the adjoining mound section. Assembly does not require any tools or connection members such as screws, bolts, clamps, clasps, pins, adherent or adhesive surfaces, or the like.

Abstract: A portable pitching mound with a plurality of mound sections. The plurality of mound sections are assembled by inserting a lower edge of one mound section into a receiving slot of another mound section. The configuration of the receiving slot forms an opening larger than the lower edge of the mound section to be received therein. The larger size of the opening allows the lower to be positioned anywhere above the opening of the receiving slot and upon lowering the weight of the mound section and gravity causes the lower edge to slide downwards and towards the adjoining mound section. Assembly does not require any tools or connection members such as screws, bolts, clamps, clasps, pins, adherent or adhesive surfaces, or the like.

Abstract: A portable pitching mound having multiple mound sections connected to one another. The mound sections have at least one side wall having a lower edge. On a first mound section a flange extends outwardly and upwardly from the lower edge to form a receiving slot. A second mound section has a lower edge that fits within the receiving slot to connect the first mound section to a second mound section.

Abstract: A portable pitching mound having multiple mound sections connected to one another. The mound sections have at least one side wall having a lower edge. On a first mound section a flange extends outwardly and upwardly from the lower edge to form a receiving slot. A second mound section has a lower edge that fits within the receiving slot to connect the first mound section to a second mound section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for adjusting a transmission power level of a transceiver (12, 15) at a utility meter data origination site (10). A power level of transmission at the site transceiver (12, 15) is adjusted to an optimum level if an acknowledgement is not received from a network gateway (30) in response to data transmissions from the site transceiver (12, 15). Also, for each unsuccessful transmission period, the amount of metering data is increased in the next transmission period to make up for the failed communication tries. Upon establishing communication with the gateway (30), the site transceiver (12, 15) can receive commands from the gateway (30) that further adjust its power level of transmission to optimize reception at the gateway from a large plurality of utility meter data origination sites (10) within a geographical area served by the gateway (30).

Abstract: A method and system by which certain radio transmitters are assigned to certain reception nodes for the purpose of transmitting metering data derived from a plurality of utility meters to a system management computer. The reception nodes are configured to receive and process data transmissions only from those transmitters with data paths assigned to particular reception nodes, and to ignore data transmissions from non-listed transmitters, thereby assuring that on a continuous basis, a majority of the transmitters will utilize only one data path. Lists may be formed for the transmitters and reception nodes in the system management computer and transmitted to the reception nodes. The status of data transmissions through the repeaters may also be uploaded to the system management computer for analysis of data update rates and data path redundancy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for adjusting a transmission power level of a transceiver (12, 15) at a utility meter data origination site (10). A power level of transmission at the site transceiver (12, 15) is adjusted to an optimum level if an acknowledgement is not received from a network gateway (30) in response to data transmissions from the site transceiver (12, 15). Also, for each unsuccessful transmission period, the amount of metering data is increased in the next transmission period to make up for the failed communication tries. Upon establishing communication with the gateway (30), the site transceiver (12, 15) can receive commands from the gateway (30) that further adjust its power level of transmission to optimize reception at the gateway from a large plurality of utility meter data origination sites (10) within a geographical area served by the gateway (30).

Abstract: A pit transmitter assembly (10) for RF communication of signals representing utility meter data, includes a transmitter (60) supported by a transmitter substrate (61), a planar ground conductor (43) disposed over the transmitter (60), an antenna substrate (42) disposed on edge on the planar ground conductor (43), a flat coil antenna conductor (41) disposed on two opposite sides of the antenna substrate (42) and in which the transmitter (60) includes an L-C circuit (50) connected to the antenna conductor (41) to provide operation of the antenna in the 450 Mhz-470 Mhz frequency range.

Abstract: A method and system by which certain radio transmitters are assigned to certain reception nodes for the purpose of transmitting metering data derived from a plurality of utility meters to a system management computer. The reception nodes are configured to receive and process data transmissions only from those transmitters with data paths assigned to particular reception nodes, and to ignore data transmissions from non-listed transmitters, thereby assuring that on a continuous basis, a majority of the transmitters will utilize only one data path. Lists may be formed for the transmitters and reception nodes in the system management computer and transmitted to the reception nodes. The status of data transmissions through the repeaters may also be uploaded to the system management computer for analysis of data update rates and data path redundancy.