FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a water meter and water tap which is usually found at a property's boundary. The invention has particular application to the layout and/or assembly of the water meter and/or the water shut-off device which is used by Water Authorities for the controlling and recording of the water supplied to, and used by, a consumer and, for convenience of reference, the invention is hereinafter described in the context of such application. However, it will be understood that the invention does in fact have broader application, to many different fluid applications and various fluid pressures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For years, Water Authorities around the world have been plagued with problems relating to water meter assemblies and their associated isolating shut-off devices which are usually connected to a property's water supply. As well as providing a record of the quantity of water used by a particular property, the water meter assembly must provide an effective shut-off device to allow for maintenance and/or repairs to be conducted on that property's plumbing network.

The shut-of device can be damaged when plumbers and consumers apply too much pressure when turning off screw down shut-off devices. Erosion wear can occur to the valve and valve seat due to impurities in the water supply. In those instances where the Water Authorities are responsible for repairing and maintaining the whole assembly, large amounts of money are expended to repair damaged shut-off devices and to replace worn valves. In order to carry out this maintenance, special equipment is needed to interrupt the water supply flow upstream of the device (on the mains side of the shut-off device) . This is usually done by cutting off the water in the pipe upstream of the shut-off device.

Many of the Water Authorities who e poly the "user pays" principal, replace the water meters every ten to twelve years as the older meters tend to become inaccurate and read "slow". Considerable labour expenses are encountered as the old meter has to be disconnected from a supply line. Not only is care required to ensure that the new meter is installed into the line without any leaking joints, but plumbers risk electrocution by breaking into a line where an electrical fault is present at a property which is using the water supply pipes to "ground-earth" the electricals.

To some extent Manifold Meters have overcome the need to break into the line when replacing the metering/recording unit. However, as the actual meter devices are easy to remove, they are not tamper proof and are easily interfered with and can be replaced by a simple cover plate. This not only allows water to be consumed without being metered, but the interference is hard to detect after the meter unit has been restored to its original position.

Further expenses are incurred by the Water Authorities when they carry out water meter flow rate tests to check a meter's accuracy. There are two methods for checking the flow rate. One requires the meter to be disconnected from the line on the downstream side (the consumers side) of the shut-off device. It is then connected to a test tank and a known volume of water is passed into the tank from the mains and checked against the meter's recording unit. Some of the disadvantages are:

1. time consumption, as the tester risks causing leaks due to the need to disturb the joints in the line;

2. inaccuracy of the test due to water supply pressure variance at different locations;

3. as the line has been broken into, back-feeding can occur from the users side of the

disconnection which puts at risk those water heaters which can fail if air is allowed to enter into the pipes; and 4. the consumer needs to- be present at the time of the test to ensure the type and style of water heater can be checked before the test is commenced.

The second occurs with those water meter assemblies which have the facility of a test connection plug located on the downstream side of the meter unit to allow for flow tests to be conducted without breaking into the line. A flexible connection is made which allows water to flow directly to the test tank. While this overcomes the problem of disturbing the joints, the other disadvantages listed above remain. An additional problem arises if, during the test, water is used by the consumer as this produces an inaccurate reading at the meter.

Another problem facing Water Authorities is that of back-feeding and back-siphonage where water, under certain circumstances of negative mains pressure (or where the pressure on the consumers side of the meter is greater than the mains pressure) , is able to flow in the opposite direction to the normal water flow and return to the mains from the consumers pipes. Instances have occurred where contaminated water has not been prevented from back-feeding into the mains and, as a consequence, health risks for the community have resulted.

The normal method of eliminating these problems is to install a single or dual check valve downstream of the meter. However, the problem of "out of sight - out of mind" arises. These devices are rarely checked and do often have a high failure rate after twenty years of operation. Loose jumper valves in taps, by themselves, are not adequate protection.

To address these problems, one embodiment of the current invention seeks to provide a water meter/measuring

and shut-off device assemblies which are easily and completely serviceable and totally replaceable without having to disturb the connection joints of the water pipe network. This is achieved by providing a connection mounting assembly which is permanently installed into the water pipe network and which has the facility of allowing the water metering device assembly and entire shut-off device assembly (including the valve, valve seat, spindle and handle) to be mounted directly onto it.

In another embodiment, the metering device assembly and the shut-off device assembly are combined into the one unit and then mounted onto the connection mounting assembly. In another embodiment, the connection mounting assembly has at least one secondary valve installed at its supply outlet upstream of the primary shut-off device assembly.

The secondary valve is preferably removable from the conenction mounting assembly.

The secondary valve is biased in the direction of the flow of water.

The housing of the shut-off device assembly is designed in such a way that when the shut-off device assembly is removed from the connection mounting assembly, the secondary valve is allowed to close thus terminating the flow of water.

In another embodiment, the housing of the shut-off device assembly is designed in such a way that an interconnection, which may be a movable link, is installed which co-operates with the secondary valve allowing the secondary valve to be activated without first removing the body of the shut-off device assembly from the connection mounting assembly. The interconnection between the shut-off device assembly and the secondary valve is designed in such a way that it may be removed, thus disabling the unit from

operating, and providing a quick, inexpensive and effective termination of the consumers water supply.

In another embodiment, the connection mounting assembly has at least one non-return check valve device installed at its supply inlet downstream of the metering device assembly.

The non-return check valve device is removable from the connection mounting assembly.

In another embodiment, the outlet orifice from the metering device assembly contains at least one non-return check valve device.

The metering device assembly can be easily removed from the connection mounting assembly so as to allow for a flow rate test to be carried out to check and verify the meters accuracy.

In another embodiment, the connection mounting assembly is made of brass.

As the connection mounting assembly is expected to have a working life in excess of sixty years, and as the upper outer casings are made from injection moulded plastic, this provides a very quick and inexpensive method for the Water Authorities to replace the water meter, while at the same time replacing the shut-off device as well.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is a shut-off device assembly for control of fluid flow in pipes, comprising a valve, a valve seat, a fluid passageway, a tap body (or shut-off device body) , an activating mechanism, all of which is mounted upon, a connecting mounting assembly that has at least one inlet end and one outlet end and contains a secondary valve which is linked to the shut-off device assembly. Preferably, the connection mounting assembly has more than one inlet.

Preferably, the connection mounting assembly has more than one outlet.

Preferably, the secondary valve in the connection mounting assembly can be held open by the shut-off device assembly.

Preferably, the secondary valve in the connection mounting assembly can be held open by the position of the shut-off device assembly's valve.

Preferably, within the passageway between the secondary valve and the shut-off device assembly's valve is a secondary valve seat for the secondary valve. preferably, the connection mounting assembly can remain installed in a pipe network while the action of removing part of the shut-off device assembly allows the secondary valve to interrupt the flow of fluid through the said connection mounting assembly. Preferably, the connection mounting assembly can remain installed into a pipe network while the action of removing the entire shut-off device assembly allows the secondary valve to interrupt the flow of fluid through the said connection mounting assembly. Preferably, the secondary valve is operated by a device attached to the body of the shut-off device assembly.

Preferably, the removal of the device controlling the secondary valve allows this valve to close thus interrupting the flow of fluid.

Preferably, a removable cover conceals the device controlling the secondary valve thus maintaining the outer appearance of the shut-off device assembly.

Preferably, the secondary valve is biased in the direction of the normal flow of the fluid.

In another embodiment of the invention the secondary valve operates independently of the operation of the shut-off device.

Preferably, the shut-off device assembly is used in conjunction with a metering device assembly for measuring the amount of fluid flowing through the pipe network and comprising a measuring and/or metering and/or recording unit.

Preferably, the shut-off device assembly is used in conjunction-with a metering device assembly for measuring the amount of fluid flowing through the pipe network and comprising a measuring and/or metering and/or recording unit and both the shut-off device and metering device assemblies are mounted onto the connection mounting assembly.

Preferably, the shut-off device assembly is used in conjunction with the metering device assembly wherein the metering device assembly and the shut-off device assembly are combined into the one unit.

In another embodiment of this invention the secondary valve is allowed to move in a direction against the normal flow of the fluid when conditions of nil or reverse flow exist.

Preferably, the shut-off device assembly is combined with the connection mounting assembly such that a secondary non-return valve seat is provided below the secondary valve. Preferably, the shut-off device assembly is combined with the connection mounting assembly such that the secondary valve has a lower sealing seat and is allowed to make a seal thus also operating as a non-return valve. Preferably, the body of the shut-off device assembly is constructed from injection moulded plastic.

Preferably, the shut-off device assembly contains a valve assembly comprising, a valve body member which is held open, a valve seat member and an annular sealing member which is arranged to be located around the periphery of the valve seat member, when in use the annular. sealing member being arranged to form a seal with the valve body member and the shut-off device's valve seat, when the valve body member is forced against the annular sealing member.

Preferably, the valve seat member projects proud of the annular sealing member and the annular sealing

member is contained within a retainer ring which also projects proud of the annular sealing member thus helping ensure that the annular sealing member is not in direct contact with the flow of fluid- This increses the longevity of the valve seal.

Preferably, the valve disc of the valve body member has an annular sealing surface on its lower face which protrudes from the lower surface from the valve body member. Preferably, the valve seat member is made from metal to ensure maximum protection against erosion wear which can be caused by solid impurities contained within the fluid flowing through the shut-off device assembly. Preferably, the secondary valve is contained within a circular secondary valve seat housing.

Preferably, the circular secondary valve seat housing is removable from the connection mounting assembly.

In another embodiment of this invention the connection mounting assembly is constructed in at least two parts.

Preferably, the two parts of the connection mounting assembly comprise an inlet end for mounting the shut-off device assembly and an outlet end for mounting the metering device assembly. Preferably, a valve is fitted into the outlet side of the connection mounting assembly downstream of the metering device assembly.

Preferably, the valve fitted into the outlet side of the connection mounting assembly downstream of the metering device assembly is a non-return valve. preferably the non-return valve fitted into the outlet side of the connection mounting assembly downstream of the metering device assembly is held in place with a circular retainer. Preferably, the non-return valve is contained within a non-return valve housing.

Preferably, the circular non-return valve housing is removable from the connection mounting assembly.

Preferably, a valve is fitted into the outlet passageway of the metering device assembly.

Preferably, the valve fitted into the outlet passageway of the metering device assembly is a non-return valve.

Preferably, the non-return valves are biased against the normal direction of flow fo the fluid.

Preferably, the biasing method is a spring. Preferably, when the metering device assembly is mounted onto the connection mounting assembly, the two non-return valves are aligned around their axes such that they act as a dual check valve.

In another embodiment of this invention a secondary valve is installed in the supply side of the connection mounting assembly upstream of the metering device assembly.

In another embodiment of this invention the secondary valve is removed from the mains side of the connection mounting assembly upstream of the shut-off device assembly.

Preferably, the connection mounting assembly is constructed of ferrous or non-ferrous metal.

• Preferably, the metering device assembly is constructed from injection moulded plastic. Preferably, the metering device assembly and the shut-off device assembly are both constructed from injection moulded plastic and are combined within the one unit.

The current invention in its preferred form has the advantage that it is non-reversible in the line, is tamper proof (interference with the outer injection moulded plastic body will be easily identified as the unit is factory sealed and is non serviceable) and has an overall length which complies with the Australian Standards regulations for just the meter unit. This invention provides, in that required length, not only the metering/recording unit but also a shut-off device, a dual

check valve, a secondary shut-off valve and, if required, a third non-return valve.

At present, several Australian Water Authorities are faced with the problem of retro-fitting new shut-off devices (possibly plug or ball type valves) to replace the existing isolation taps which are costing millions of dollars per year to maintain; and to install dual check valves for all existing metered properties to ensure the purity of the water supply. Due to its compact length, this invention directly addresses this retro-fit programme as it allows for the existing isolation tap to be removed, or left in place with its actuation handle removed, while providing a meter, an effective shut-off device and a dual check-valve within that overall length now required for just the meter.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling for connection in a pipeline and comprising an upstream passage having an inlet and outlet and a downstream passage having an inlet and outlet, the upstream outlet and downstream inlet having mutually exclusive central axes and being arranged to be connected with a fluid management device which contains a passage for interconnecting the upstream and downstream passages. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid management device for connection to a coupling which is arranged in a pipeline, the device comprising an inlet, an outlet and a passage therebetween, the inlet being arranged to be connected with an upstream outlet of the coupling and the outlet being arranged to be connected with a downstream inlet of the coupling, the device comprising a monitoring device and a flow controller.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling portion having an inlet and outlet, a valve and valve seat, the valve being arranged to form a seal with the valve seat when an

external member for biasing the valve away from the valve seat so as to prevent a seal therewith, is operated to allow the valve to form a seal with the valve seat, the inlet being arranged to be removably connected with the outlet of a coupling and the outlet being arranged to be removably connected with an inlet of a flow controller.

While this invention has been described above as relating to water, it is of course understood that there are far wider applications to any number of fluid measuring requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a sectional front view of a flow controller in the form of a shut-off valve, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a sectional front view of a coupling and fluid management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a variation of the coupling shown in figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a sectional front view of a coupling and fluid management device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a sectional front view of the fluid management device according to the second embodiment in conjunction with a coupling according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a top view of the fluid management device and coupling shown in figure 5; and

Figure 7 shows an end view of the fluid management device and coupling shown in figure 6.

BEST METHODS OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION Referring to figure 1, the fluid controller 10 consists of two coupling portions 11 and 12 and a tap

spindle assembly 13. Coupling portion 11 is in the form of an elbow having a horizontal passage terminating in an outlet flange 14 and a vertical passage terminating in an inlet flange 15. A coupling port 16 is provided in the wall of the coupling portion opposite the inlet flange. A conventional type spindle assembly 17 is screwed into this coupling port so as to receive the stem 18 of valve 19.

The lower end of the valve body 19 has a sealing ring 20 which forms a seal with valve seat 21 formed as an internal flange intermediate the coupling port and inlet port.

The centre of the lower surface of the valve body comprises a central groove from which extends a lower stem 22 which fits into an axial groove extending from an upper surface of the stem 23 of check valve 24. The check valve 24 is housed within an outlet chamber directly below the outlet port 26 of coupling portion 12. The output port 26 has an internal annular seat which forms a seal with the upper surface of the valve body 24. The bottom of the chamber 25 ends in a lower seat 27 which forms a seal with the lower surface of valve 24. The seat 27 extends into vertical passage 28 which ends at inlet 28.

The coupling portion 12 is also provided with external flange 29 located just below the axial location of the lower seat 27. The periphery of the coupling portion 12 above this flange 29 is provided with an external thread which allows it to be screwed into the inlet passage of coupling portion 11 until the inlet flange 15 abuts the external flange 29. Figure 2 shows the flow controller of figure 1 incorporating a variation to the coupling portion 12, this is indicated by referenced numeral 30.

The flow controller is shown connected with a coupling 31. The coupling 31 consists of an upstream inlet 32, an upstream outlet 33, a downstream inlet 34 and a downstream outlet 35. The upstream inlet 32 and the

downstream outlet 35 are coaxial and are located at right and left ends respectively of coupling 31.

The preferred form of the coupling 31 is as shown in figures 3 and 4. The embodiment shown in figure 2 is specifically designed to allow the fluid controller at figure 1 to be connected to it. Accordingly, the embodiment of the coupling shown in figures 3 and 4 will be described firstly and the coupling shown in figure 2 will then be described having regard to the differences between it and the embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4. As shown in figures 3 and 4, both the upstream inlet 32 and the downstream outlet 35 communicate with upstream and downstream passages 36, 37 respectively, which firstly extend horizontally to end walls 38, 39 and then vertically to the upstream outlet 33 and downstream inlet 34 respectively. Accordingly, the upstream outlet 33 and downstream inlet 34 lie on the same horizontal plane and have parallel vertical central axes and the end walls 38, 39 of this outlet and inlet are separated by a distance corresponding to the horizontal length of wall 40 of the coupling 31.

Both the upstream inlet 32 and downstream outlet 35 are defined by cylindrical walls which have external threaded portions 41, 42 respectively. This allows the coupling to be connected into an existing fluid pipe line. It should be noted however, that any other means of connecting the coupling into a pipeline may be utilized.

As the coupling shown in figure 3 is specifically suited to the management device shown in figure 4, the coupling is provided with a non-return valve 43 in the bottom of the downstream passage and a shut-off valve 44 in the upstream outlet. The non-return valve 43 is located in a housing 36 which is a right angled shaped piece of plastic 45 which is fixed by any suitable means into the corner 46 of the downstream passage so that it abuts both the end wall 39 and bottom surface of the passage 37. This right angled shaped member 45 has an

upstanding tubular portion located directly below the downstream inlet 34 and coaxially with its central axis. The stem 47 of valve 43 fits into this tubular portion and is biased towards valve seat 48 by means of a biasing spring 49. The valve seat 48 is formed below the downstream inlet and may be formed by either machining it into the coupling 31 or providing it as part of the right angled member 45.

The shut-off valve 44 forms a seal with valve seat 50 which is formed underneath an annular lip 51 at the opening of outlet 33. This annular lip 51 is formed on a vertical flange 52 which defines the upstream outlet 33 and is provided with an external thread to allow it to be threadably connected with the flow controller shown in figure 4. Similarly, downstream inlet 34 is provided with a vertical flange 53 which may also be provided with an external thread to allow it to be threadably connected with the metering device shown in figure 4. It should be noted however, that each of these flanges do not need to be provided with an external thread and may be provided with any conventional means which allows those parts to be connected to the flow controller and metering device respectively.

Returning now to the embodiment shown in figure 2, the coupling 31 shown therein, differs from that shown in figure 3 at both the upstream outlet and the downstream inlet. Firstly, with regard to the upstream outlet, the flange 52 is replaced by a coupling portion 53 which is tubular and has its lower end 54 of reduced internal and external diameter to allow its threaded external periphery to be screwed into upstream outlet port 55. The upper outlet end 56 of the coupling portion is provided with a lower internal annular seat 57 and the transistional area between the sections of the coupling portion of different internal diameters, is provided with an upwardly facing annular seat 58. A valve 59 is located between both seats and has upper and lower sealing surfaces for forming a

seal with either of the seats. The valve 58 is the same as valve 24 in figure 1.

The section of the coupling portion having the larger external diameter is provided with an external thread which permits the coupling portion to be screwed into inlet section 62 of the flow controller 11.

The downstream inlet 34 instead of being provided with flange 53 as in figure 3, instead opens into a vertically extending passage which comprises an internal coupling portion 63 and external coupling portion 64.

Both the internal and external coupling portions consist of upper flanges 65, 66 which are arranged to be connected with the lower end of a water meter 67. Both the internal and external ports and flanges are coaxially arranged with the internal output port and flange being located at a position vertically lower than the external output port and flange. The internal output port defined by flange 65 has a narrow internal and external diameter compared to the lower vertical passage interconnecting the internal output port with the downstream inlet 34. The upper annular wall 69 formed at the end of the passage 68, acts as a valve seat 69 for valve 70. The coupling portion having the flange 65 may be formed as part of coupling 31 but in figure 2, is shown as a separate coupling portion 71 which is screwed into a stepped internal passage 72 above downstream inlet 34 and extending up to flange 64 on the right hand side of this stepped passage just below flange 64. A horizontal passage extends into a flange 74 which abuts flange 14 of the flow controller. These two flanges can then be sealably connected together by means of an external threaded collar.

As can be seen in figure 2, the coupling 31 effectively extends its downstream inlet 34 to the inlet defined by flange 74. The coupling then provides special flanges 64 and 65 to enable a water meter to be connected to it.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in figure 4, the coupling shown in figure 3 is connected with a fluid management device 75 having a downstream outlet port 76 and an upstream inlet port 77. The downstream outlet port 76 is in the form of a thin vertical annular flange which fits into flange 53. The outer wall of the flange 76 forms an inner annular wall of recess 76 while an outer annular wall 78 has an inside leveled annular section for receipt of a sealing ring 79. This permits the fluid management device to be sealably connected with the downstream inlet port of the coupling 31. Either the downstream inlet port 34 or the downstream outlet port of the fluid management device is provided with a housing 80 for non-return valve 81. The housing 80 is in the form of four horizontal radial elements having a common centre and formed across the walls of, for example, flange 76. The centre of these radial members is provided with an upstanding tubular part 82 which receives the stem 83 of valve 81. A biasing spring 84 fits between the body of the valve 81 and the top of the radial members to bias the valve towards valve seat 84, the valve seat being formed as an internal annular lip directly above the downstream outlet port flange 76. The seat 84 defines the opening of a passage which opens into an upper annular seat 85 which acts with a valve component 86 of the water meter housing 87 to form a seal.

The water meter housing 87 is designed to house a conventional water meter or a new type of water meter.

Referring now to the upstream outlet 33 as shown in figure 6, outlet flange 52 is offset slightly with regard to the flow controller 88. The flow controller comprises a vertical section 89 with an internal passage 90 extending from upstream outlet 33 to control chamber inlet 91. Control chamber 92 consists of a cylindrical passage inclined at 45° with respect to the horizontal axis of the coupling 31. The chamber 92 is contained within a housing 93 which extends outwardly at 45° from

water meter housing 87 at a lower right hand corner thereof.

The junction between the housing 93 and housing 87 is in the form of an angled- annular seat 94 with a narrowed passage 95 interconnecting chamber 92 with the inside of housing 87. A sealing ring 96 housed within retaining rings 97, 98 rests on the seat 94 and forms a seal with the seat and an annular sealing surface 99 of valve body 100 when the valve stem 101 is moved by handle 102 to move the valve 100 towards the seal 97.

The valve stem 101 extends coaxially with the housing 93 through upper cylindrical end 103 and is movable axially by pivotable movement of handle 102. Spring 104 retained by housing 105 at the upper end of chamber 92, ensures that the valve body is not moved into contact with the upper cylindrical wall 103.

Valve 106 is the same as valve 44 of figure 3 and is normally biased by a stem 107 away from contact with seat 108 so that water entering the upstream inlet of the coupling can pass through the upstream outlet into the fluid management device. Removal of the fluid management device from the coupling 31 removes the bias from the valve 106 and fluid flowing through the inlet of the coupling 31 forces the valve to form a seal with valve seat 108.

The spring 109 helps locate the valve 106 and holds it in place when in the open position.

The valve 100 is screwed into chamber 92 by firstly removing cylindrical upper end 103. This upper end 103 may also be screwed into the housing 93 and the retainer 105 can be provided with an external thread to screw into an internal thread of chamber 93 thus, securing valve 100 in position.

In figure 5, the coupling 31 and fluid management device is the same as that shown in figure 4 except that the check valve 106 is replaced by another check valve 109. The stem of this valve 109 is housed within a

tubular portion 110 formed below downstream outlet 112. The centre of the upper surface of the valve 109 is provided with a groove which is arranged to receive the lower point 114 of a stem 115.- The stem 115 is provided with an upper annular sealing collar 116 and a head 117 which protrudes through the upper surface of the coupling 31 as shown in figure 6. A groove 118 in this head 117 enables the stem to have a threaded portion (not shown) which engages with an internal threaded portion of a cover 119 located directly above flange 52 by unscrewing the stem 115 to a predetermined position. The valve 109 under fluid pressure from upstream inlet 32 will form a seal with valve seat 120.

As shown in figure 6, the combined fluid management device and coupling is provided with mounting lugs 121. The coupling 31 viewed from above is effectively cylindrical with a common central axis for its inlets and outlets. Water for example passing through inlet 32, passes from outlet 33 through control chamber 92 into the water meter chamber defined by housing 87 into inlet 34 of the coupling and out through outlet 35 of the coupling. If there is any backflow of water, then non-return valves 43 and 81 will close and if it is desired to remove the fluid management device, both of these valves will close again if there is any flow of water back in through outlet 35 and in addition, upstream outlet 34 will close due to the action of valve 106. If it is desired to remove the water metering device from the housing 87, either the handle 102 of figure 4 can be operated to close the valve 99 or the handle of spindle assembly 17 can be screwed down to close valve 19.

Other embodiments of the invention envisage the flow control device and metering device being removably connected together and the flow control device or metering device being directly coupled to the coupling 31 without the other device connected thereto so that the fluid management device acts solely as a meter or as a flow

controller (shut-off valve) . It is also envisaged that each of the components of the various devices and couplings described hereinbefore be removably connected together, for example, by the provision of threaded connections.

The water meter has not been described in any detail as it is envisaged that a standard conventional water meter be incorporated within the housing 87. As shown in figures 4, 5 and 7, a pivotal connection assembly 122 permits pivotal lugs 124 with grooves 125 to pivotally engage with a cap peripheral annular lip 126. The pivotal lugs 124 are pivoted away from the lip to allow the cap to be removed and a meter device to be inserted into housing 87. Also as shown in figure 7, the head 117 of stem

115 is located adjacent control chamber housing 93. The end view of the combined coupling and fluid management device shown in figure 7, is not exactly the same as that shown in figure 4 or 5 as the flange 52 is replaced by an elongated cylindrical section 127. The stem 115 therefore extends all the way down to the valve 109 as indicated in figure 5. As was previously explained with regard to figure 6, the upstream outlet in this case represented by flange 127 is in axial alignment with the upstream inlet 32. The control chamber housing 93 is offset to the upper left hand corner of the flange 127.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that the coupling 31 can be inserted into a pipeline and left there throughout the life time of the pipeline if necessary. A fluid management device can then be connected and disconnected as often as required without the necessity of interrupting the flow of fluid through the coupling, by having to open and close valves upstream and downstream of the coupling. The present invention also allows a defective meter to be completely removed from the coupling and to be replaced by a cover face while the meter is taken away and repaired. In this way, fluid

flow through the coupling can be maintained and so can fluid to its ultimate destination. In addition, because the fluid management device includes a fluid controller in the form of a shut-off valve in combination with a metering device, it is possible to simply shut-off the fluid flow at the same location where the metering device is thus, saving labour time. Further, because the components described can be sold either together or separately and the components can be pre-assembled, addition labour time can be saved during installation or maintenance.