ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 5 -- United States Patent no. 12,276,530, issued on April 15, was assigned to Big Elk Energy Systems LLC (Tulsa, Okla.).

"Portable verification system and method for use in lower pressure commercial and residential gas flow meters" was invented by Dennis McClintock (Tulsa, Okla.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "Embodiments of a portable verification system can move from one commercial building or residential home gas flow meter location to another and temporarily connect to the building's or home's natural gas piping. The portable verification system may be connected to the gas flow meter by a flexible hose having a lap joint flange at one end. Adaptor fittings can be used...