U.S. patent application number 09/756640 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for cable-tubing organizer system for medical care environments.
Invention is credited to Blenderman, Richard M., Cernosek, Constance M.
Application Number | 20010017340 09/756640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25405383 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010017340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cernosek, Constance M, ; et
al. |
August 30, 2001 |
Cable-tubing organizer system for medical care environments
Abstract
A cable-tubing organizer system is provided for storing and
organizing wire leads and tubing extending from monitoring
equipment used in an operating room or other patient care
environment. The organizer system includes a monitoring lead
assembly, a transducer support device, and a transport plate. The
monitoring lead assembly includes a plurality of clips, mounted on
a base plate, for containing one or more coils of wire or tubing
extending from operating room monitoring equipment. The monitoring
lead assembly includes an attachment mechanism for securing the
assembly to an operating table or any suitably convenient
structure. The transducer support device includes a transducer
bracket for securing a transducer holder that contains several
different transducers. The transducer bracket translates vertically
on a slotted plate for adjustment to patient chest level. The
transducer support device includes a brace for containing wire
leads or tubing and a base for insertion between an operating table
and a mattress. The transport plate includes a transducer holder
and a plurality of clips mounted on a breast plate for containing
one or more coils of wire or tubing extending from a
transducer.
Inventors: |
Cernosek, Constance M,;
(Houston, TX) ; Blenderman, Richard M.; (Houston,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD
711 LOUISIANA STREET
SUITE 1900 SOUTH
HOUSTON
TX
77002
US
|
Family ID: |
25405383 |
Appl. No.: |
09/756640 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09756640 |
Jan 8, 2001 |
|
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|
08895969 |
Jul 17, 1997 |
|
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|
6196503 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/510 ;
248/231.51; 248/74.1; 248/74.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 3/00 20130101; A61M
2209/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/510 ;
248/74.1; 248/74.4; 248/231.51 |
International
Class: |
F16L 003/08; F16L
003/12; E04G 005/06; A47B 096/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A transducer support device for securing a transducer holder
containing medical transducers used for measuring a patient's
arterial and venous pressures comprising: a plate having a first
end and a second end; a transducer bracket for securing the
transducer holder, said bracket mounted on said plate; and a brace
secured to said first end of said plate, wherein said brace is
adapted to receive wire leads and tubing.
2. The transducer support device according to claim 1, wherein said
transducer bracket includes a slot for receiving and securing the
transducer holder.
3. The transducer support device according to claim 1, wherein said
transducer bracket includes a means for supporting said transducer
bracket in various positions of rotation.
4. The transducer support device of claim 1, further including: a
base support mounted substantially transverse to said second end of
said support plate, said base support insertable between a mattress
and a table for supporting said support plate.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/895,969 filed on Jul. 17, 1997.
SPECIFICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a system for the
storage and organization of wire leads and tubes. In particular,
the present invention relates to a system for the storage and
organization of wire leads and tubes extending from monitoring
equipment found in operating rooms, recovery rooms, and other
patient treatment environments. Further, the present invention
relates to a system for the storage and organization of wire leads
and tubes during patient transport between various patient
treatment environments.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Typically, a patient operating room or recovery room
contains various invasive and non-invasive devices for monitoring
patient vital signs and for patient treatment. For example, typical
non-invasive patient monitoring equipment includes a pulse oxygen
meter, an E.K.G., a blood pressure unit, and a temperature unit. In
contrast, invasive monitoring equipment includes transducer units
for determining systemic pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and
central venous pressure. For each monitoring unit, a lead of some
type extends from the monitoring unit to the patient or the
transducer units. These leads may be electrical cables or wires, as
in the case of the pulse oxygen meter, the E.K.G., the temperature
measurement unit and the transducer units. Alternatively, the leads
may be tubing, such as the pneumatic tubing for the blood pressure
monitoring units. In general, the length of the leads extending
from the monitoring equipment is approximately four to twelve
feet.
[0006] The extent of organization of the leads extending from the
monitoring equipment varies greatly from operating room to
operating room and from recovery area to recovery area. In general,
however, no operating room nor recovery area protocol exists for
storing the monitoring leads after their use. In fact, often the
leads are discarded to the floor or left dangling from the
monitors. As a result, the leads tend to knot up or become
entangled with one another. This creates a cluttered work
environment and causes stress to the operating room personnel
because the leads must be located and untangled before they can be
used again. Untangling the leads at the start of an operating room
procedure or a recovery area hook-up takes valuable patient
treatment time away from the nurses and doctors.
[0007] Leads lying on the floor also can cause the operating room
work space to become unworkable because the leads can become
entangled under foot or obstruct ready access to the patient.
Additionally, such leads can become damaged by personnel stepping
on them or rolling heavy equipment over them. Damaged leads require
costly replacement because such leads are less effective at
transmitting signals to the monitoring equipment.
[0008] Similarly, no protocol exists for organizing the transducer
units and their associated wire leads during patient transport from
the operating room to the recovery area or elsewhere. Typically,
the wire leads that extend from the monitoring equipment to the
transducers are disconnected from the monitoring equipment and
haphazardly thrown on the patient gurney or patient. Little
attention is given to keeping the wires from knotting or to keeping
the wires separate from one another. Additionally, the transducers
are randomly set on the gurney or patient. Thus, when the patient
arrives in the recovery area, hospital personnel must untangle the
wire leads extending from the transducers before reattaching them
to the invasive monitoring equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a system for organizing the
various leads extending from operating room or recovery area
monitoring equipment and leads extending from transducers
transported with the patient during transition between the
operating room and the recovery area. The cable-tubing organizer
system of this invention is provided to store and organize the
various leads extending from pulse oxygen metering units, E.K.G.
units, temperature and blood pressure monitoring units, as well as
the leads extending from the invasive monitoring equipment such as
devices which measure systemic arterial pressure, pulmonary artery
pressure, and central venous pressure. Additionally, the present
invention is provided to store and organize leads extending from
transducer units transported with the patient. Further, the present
invention is provided to secure a transducer holder containing
transducer units during an operating room procedure and during
transport between the operating room and the recovery area.
[0010] The cable-tubing organizer system according to the present
invention includes a monitoring lead assembly for temporarily
storing the free ends of the wire or tubing leads of the monitoring
equipment between operations or recovery area applications. The
monitoring lead assembly includes a plurality of clips, mounted on
a base plate, for containing one or more coils of wire or tubing
extending from operating room or recovery area monitoring
equipment. The monitoring lead assembly includes an attachment
mechanism for securing the assembly to an operating table or other
stationary object such as shelves which hold the monitoring
equipment.
[0011] The cable-tubing organizer system further includes a
transducer support device for securing a transducer holder and
organizing the wire or tubing leads extending from the monitoring
equipment during an operating room procedure. The transducer
support device includes a transducer bracket for securing a
transducer holder that contains several different transducers. The
transducer bracket can translate vertically on a slotted plate for
adjustment to patient chest level. One end of the slotted plate
includes a brace for containing wire leads and pneumatic tubing. A
second end of the slotted bracket includes a base for insertion
between a mattress and an operating room table or gurney.
[0012] The cable-tubing organizer system according to the present
invention further includes a transport plate for securing a
transducer holder and for storing and organizing of wire leads that
extend from transducers attached to the transducer holder. The
transport plate includes a bracket for securing the transducer
holder and a plurality of clips for containing the wire leads that
extend from the transducers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A better understanding of the present invention may be had
by reference to the following drawings and contained numerals
therein of which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a typical operating room with
the cable-tubing organizer system of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the monitor lead assembly of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the monitor lead assembly of FIG.
2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of the monitor lead assembly of FIG.
2;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating
one of the clips of the monitor lead assembly of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view, partially in section, taken along line 6-6
of FIG. 5;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a view, partially in section, taken along line 7-7
of FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating
operation of one of the clips of the monitor lead assembly of FIG.
2;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating
operation of one of the clips of the monitor lead assembly of FIG.
2;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a an isometric view of a prior art device for
supporting breathing hoses;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a front view of the transducer support assembly
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a side view of the transducer support assembly of
FIG. 11;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the transducer support assembly of
FIG. 11;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a side view, partially in section, of FIG.
11;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a view, partially in section, taken along line
15-15 of FIG. 14;
[0029] FIG. 16 is an enlarged front elevational view of FIG.
11;
[0030] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a prior art embodiment of a
transducer support bracket;
[0031] FIG. 18 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the
transducer support assembly of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
transducer support assembly of FIG. 18;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a plan view of the transducer support assembly of
FIG. 18;
[0034] FIG. 21 is a plan view of the transport plate of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 22 is a side view of the transport plate of FIG. 21;
and
[0036] FIG. 23 is a view, partially in section, taken along line
23-23 of FIG. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0037] Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a
patient P is illustrated on a gurney G, which may be in an
operating room, a clinic, or other location. Typically, during an
operation an anesthesiologist (not shown) works near the head of
the patient P near patient monitoring units. Although every
operating room and recovery area is unique in its set-up of
equipment, in general, to the right of the anesthesiologist is a
bank of non-invasive monitoring equipment N that typically includes
a pulse oxygen meter, an E.K.G., a blood pressure unit, and a
temperature unit. Additionally, either behind or to the left of the
anesthesiologist is an invasive monitoring equipment bank I that
includes monitoring equipment for measuring systemic arterial
pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and central venous pressure.
As shown, the lead L-1 from the E.K.G. unit E is just one of a
number of leads that can extend from the bank of non-invasive
monitoring equipment N to the patient during an operation.
Similarly, lead L-5 from the pulmonary artery pressure unit PA is
just one of several leads that can extend from the bank of invasive
monitoring units I to a transducer holder T which holds several
standard transducers for monitoring internal patient vital
signs.
[0038] Without the devices of the present invention, the leads from
the monitoring units and transducers fall on the operating room
floor or dangle in a bundle before, during, and after an operation.
Similarly, during patient transport from the operating room to the
recovery area or during other patient movement, the leads rest on
the patient P and become entangled with one another. The
cable-tubing organizer system of the present invention is provided
to contain these various leads extending from monitoring devices
prior to and after their use. As shown in FIG. 1, and described in
greater detail below, the cable-tubing organizer system of devices
according to the present invention includes: a monitor lead
assembly A for temporarily storing wire or tubing leads extending
from invasive and non-invasive monitoring equipment; a transducer
support device B for securing a transducer holder T and organizing
the wire or tubing leads extending to and from transducers held by
the transducer holder T; and a transport plate or breast plate C
for securing the transducer holder T and storing leads extending
from the transducers.
[0039] The devices of the cable-tubing organizer system allow
doctors and nurses to organize the operating room quickly,
efficiently, and easily prior to, during, and after surgery.
Additionally, the devices allow easy organization of leads during
patient transport from one treatment environment to another. In
general, organization of equipment leads increases patient health
and safety because it permits efficient access to the monitoring
equipment and quicker attachment of the leads to the patient and
monitoring equipment.
[0040] The monitoring lead assembly A of the present invention is
further illustrated in the front view of FIG. 2. The monitoring
lead assembly A is used to temporarily store leads L-2 and L-3 of
monitoring equipment that are not in use during an operating room
procedure. As shown in FIG. 1, leads such as L-1 and L-5 extend
from the monitoring equipment to the patient P or to the transducer
during an operation. At the end of the operation, these leads,
which can range in length to six feet or more, must be stored until
the next operation or procedure. The monitoring lead assembly A
provides easy temporary storage of such leads.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the monitoring lead assembly A
includes a rectangular base plate 16 having a plurality of
generally rectangular clips 12 mounted onto a front surface 16a of
the base plate 16. The clips 12 provide an easily accessed storage
means for coiled leads such as L-2 and L-3 that generally extend
from monitoring equipment. The monitoring lead assembly A also
includes a post 17 attached to a rear side 16b of the base plate 16
for mounting the monitoring lead assembly A to a table, shelf, or
any other appropriate fixture found in an operating room or
recovery area. In the preferred embodiment, the post 17 is
pivotally attached to an upper portion 15a of a rotatable stud 15
by a bolt (not shown) with an attached knob 19. The knob 19 allows
for easy adjustment of the position of the post 17.
[0042] The stud 15 includes the upper portion 15a threadably
connected to a lower portion 15b. The threaded connection permits
the upper portion 15a to frictionally rotate 360.degree., with
respect to the lower portion 15b, about an axis extending
longitudinally through both portions 15a and 15b. A gasket 15c
seals any gap between the upper portion 15a and the lower portion
15b. The lower portion 15b of the stud 15 secures to a
hand-operated spring clamp 14 for easy mounting of the monitoring
lead assembly A to any suitable fixture. The spring-biased clamp 14
is of a well-known commercial variety and includes two clamping
members 14a and 14b interconnected for pivotal movement and
spring-biased to a closed position by a spring 18. The
spring-biased clamp member 14 may be coated with a plastic sheath
so that the clamp may be easily cleaned as necessary.
Alternatively, the stud 15 of the monitoring lead assembly A can be
permanently affixed to any suitable fixture by means of a nut and
bolt combination (not shown) or the base plate 16 can be bolted
directly to a fixture (not shown). Also, the spring-biased clamp
member 14 can be secured directly to the base plate 16, by means of
screws or a nut and bolt combination, for temporarily mounting the
monitoring lead assembly A to a fixture.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, the clip 12 is shown in its closed
position. In general, the clip 12 includes a base 12d which can be
attached to the base plate 16 by bolts such as 16a. Additionally,
the clip 12 includes a lever 12a and an L-shaped hook 12b each
pivotally attached to opposite ends of the base 12d. The hook 12b
is L-shaped such that one end contacts a notch 12c of the lever 12a
when the clip 12 is in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 8, the
clip 12 is opened by pushing up on the lever 12a, which disengages
the hook 12b from the notch 12c, thus permitting the hook 12b to
pivot into its opened position. Once the hook 12b is in its opened
position, coiled wire or tubing leads can be easily placed on or
removed from the hook 12b. As shown in FIG. 9, the clip 12 can be
closed simply by pivoting the lever 12a and the hook 12b such that
they contact one another on the notch 12c of the lever 12a. As
shown in FIG. 5, the lever 12a and the hook 12b cooperate to
provide a generally rectangular space to receive coils of wire or
tubing. Preferably, the monitor lead assembly A, including the
individual clips 12, are made of aluminum or similar strength
material.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5-9, to facilitate the opening and
closing of the clip 12, both the lever 12a and hook 12b are
spring-biased into contact with one another. The hook 12b is biased
toward its open position (FIG. 8), whereas the lever 12a is biased
toward its closed position (FIG. 5). This biasing assists the hook
12b in pivoting to its open position (FIG. 9) when the hook 12b is
not in contact with the notch 12c. Moreover, the biasing of the
hook 12b keeps the clip 12 tightly closed when the hook 12b is in
contact with the notch 12c.
[0045] Similarly, the biasing of the lever 12a toward its closed
position keeps the clip 12 tightly closed and allows the hook 12b
to snap into the closed position.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 5, 8, and 9, a spring 12f is used to bias
the lever 12a toward its closed position. Referring to FIGS. 5 and
6, the spring 12f is mounted on a bolt 12e and contacts a pivot arm
12m of the lever 12a As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the compressed
spring 12f pushes on the pivot arm 12g such that when the lever 12a
is pivoted about a pin 12h to the open position, the lever 12a
springs back into the closed position without any human
intervention. In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 8, and 9, a
spring 12j mounted between the hook 12b and the base 12d pushes on
the hook 12b such that when the hook 12b is not constrained by the
notch 12c, the hook 12b pivots about the pivot pin 12h to its open
position. A stop 12k limits the angle through which the hook 12b
can pivot. Although springs are used to bias the lever 12a and the
hook 12b, any suitable biasing means can be employed.
[0047] The transducer support device B of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12. During an operation, a
transducer bracket 36 of the transducer support device B secures a
transducer holder T which contains several different transducers
TR. The transducers TR measure various patient pressures, such as
systemic arterial pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and central
venous pressure. As shown in FIG. 1, the transducer TR measures
arterial pressures through the use of a reservoir R and two saline
hoses H-2 and H-3 and transmits the pressure electronically to the
monitoring equipment through wire lead L-5. In operation, the
reservoir R supplies a flushing pressure of saline solution through
the hoses H-2 and H-3 to an artery or vein within the patient's P
body cavity. The flushing pressure prevents blood clotting at the
junction of blood vessel and an inserted catheter which is at a
patient end of the saline hose H-3. The saline is not discharged
into the artery or vein but, rather, moves within hose H-3 when the
pressure in the artery or vein changes. The transducer TR monitors
the pressure changes within hose H-3 and translates the results
into electrical signals which are sent to the monitoring equipment
through wire lead L-5.
[0048] Significantly, the transducers TR measure most accurately
when located at the patient's chest level. Thus, the transducer
bracket 36 is fully adjustable to the chest height of a small child
or to that of a large adult. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the
transducer support device B includes a brace 34 for containing
breathing hoses H-1 extending from oxygen tank O, transducer hoses
H-2, or invasive monitoring leads.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the transducer support device B
includes the transducer bracket 36 rotatably mounted to a carriage
32. The carriage 32 translates vertically on a slotted plate 38 so
that the transducer bracket 36, and thus the transducers TR, can be
positioned at the patient's chest level for accurate recording of
transducer measurements. The positioning of the transducers TR at
chest level also provides an convenient location for extracting a
blood sample. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 16, the transducer
bracket 36 can be rotated about an axis transverse to the carriage
32 to fine tune the position of the transducers.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 16, the transducer holder T
fits into a transducer slot 36c on the transducer bracket 36. Bolts
36a secure the transducer holder T in place. As shown in FIGS.
11-13, the preferred embodiment includes bolts 36a with attached
knobs 36b for easy fastening of the transducer holder T within the
transducer slot 36c. The transducer bracket 36 is preferably made
of aluminum or similar strength material.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the preferred embodiment of
the carriage 32 includes a back guide 32a and a front guide 32b
each mounted on opposite faces of the slotted plate 38 and secured
together by a bolt 32d inserted through the back guide 32a and the
slot 38a and threaded into the front guide 32b. A knob 32e attached
to the bolt 32d allows for easy adjustment of the carriage 32.
Similarly, the transducer bracket 36 is rotatably mounted to the
carriage 32 by a bolt 32f inserted through the front guide 32b and
a rubber washer 32c and threaded into the transducer bracket 36. A
set screw 36d prevents the bolt 32f from backing out after only a
few rotations of the transducer bracket 36.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the slotted plate 38 includes
the brace 34 for supporting and containing breathing hoses H-1,
transducer hoses H-2, or invasive monitoring leads. The brace 34 is
attached by nuts and bolts or screws such as 34a to one end of the
slotted bracket 38. Additionally, the brace 34 includes slots 34b
for supporting and containing the hoses or wire leads.
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20, a brace 37 can be
attached to the carriage 32. In this embodiment, if the transducers
are not in use, the support bracket 37 can be moved to any
convenient height for supporting and containing the hoses or wire
leads.
[0053] Although the slotted plate 38 can be attached directly to
the operating table through nuts and bolts, it is preferable to
have a base support 38b so the transducer support device B is free
standing. As shown in FIG. 1, the base support 38b fits between the
mattress M and the operating room table or gurney G. The base
support 38b allows the transducer support device B to be moved into
any convenient position for aligning the transducers or supporting
the hoses or wire leads.
[0054] The transducer support device B combines and improves upon
features of the two unrelated prior art devices shown in FIGS. 10
and 17. A prior art "Christmas tree" 200 is shown in FIG. 10. The
Christmas tree 200 is used in the operating room to support
breathing tubes or any other hose or wire lead. It has several
support slots 200a for receiving hoses and leads. Because of its
base 200b, the Christmas tree 200 is free standing. The Christmas
tree 200, however, cannot secure or position a transducer holder
for use during an operation. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 17, the
prior art transducer bracket 300 can secure a transducer holder in
slot 300a but it cannot support and contain hoses and wire leads.
Moreover, the transducer bracket 300 is not free standing but
rather must be mounted on an I.V. pole IV (FIG. 1) or a rod 302
which is attached to the operating table. Also, although the
transducer bracket 300 can translate up and down the rod 302, it
cannot rotate about an axis transverse to the rod 302.
[0055] The transport plate or breast plate C of the present
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 21-23. The breast plate C
is used to secure the transducer holder T and temporarily store the
tubing or wire leads extending from the patient or the transducers
during patient transport from the operating room to the recovery
area or elsewhere. Once the patient arrives in the recovery area,
the transducer holder T is secured into the recovery area
transducer support device B and the tubing or wire leads are
plugged into the non-invasive and invasive monitoring
equipment.
[0056] The generally arcuate breast plate C includes a plurality of
clips 42 mounted on the top side of plate 40 which is rectangular
as viewed from the top, as shown in FIG. 21, and curved as viewed
from the side, as shown in FIG. 22. Each of the clips 42 is
identical to the clips 12 and thus need not be further described.
With the clips 42 in the open position such as illustrated for clip
12 in FIG. 8, the free ends of the wire leads extending from the
transducers can be coiled onto the open interior of the clips 42.
The clips 42 are then closed such that the clips 42 hold several
rounds of coils of the free ends of the leads. The clips 42 are
attached to the plate 40 by suitable screws or bolts. Preferably,
the breast plate C and clips 42 are made of aluminum or other
suitable material.
[0057] The breast plate C also includes a transducer bracket 44
mounted on the top side of the plate 40. The transducer bracket 44
secures the transducer holder T during patient transport. Although
the transducer bracket 36 described above can be used on the breast
plate C, the transducer bracket 44 is slightly different. In
general, the transducer bracket 44 is constructed of hard rubber
and the transducer holder T fits snugly into transducer slot 44a.
Preferably, no bolts are used to secure the transducer holder T
into transducer slot 44a. The transducer bracket 44 is attached to
the plate 40 by suitable screws or bolts.
[0058] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is
illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the
size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of
illustrative construction and assembly, may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *