U.S. patent application number 10/399948 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for spacer element for building blocks, construction unit comprising said element and method of spacing building blocks.
Invention is credited to Herbison, Francis Dennis.
Application Number | 20040040249 10/399948 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9902062 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040040249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herbison, Francis Dennis |
March 4, 2004 |
Spacer element for building blocks, construction unit comprising
said element and method of spacing building blocks
Abstract
A spacer element (10) comprises a first engagement portion (12)
and a second engagement portion (14). The first engagement portion
(12) is arranged to engage in an upper surface of a building block
and the second engagement portion (14) is arranged to engage in a
lower surface of a second building block. The spacer element (10)
comprises two laterally extending arms (16, 18) which project
outwardly from the spacer element (10). The laterally extending
arms (16, 18) support spacer means in the form of spacer members
(20, 22). The spacer members (20, 22) provide an upper contact
surface to contact a brick located above and a lower contact
surface to contact a lower brick. The spacer element comprises two
support members (32, 34). The spacer element (10) provides spacer
means which space the next layer of bricks from the lower layer of
bricks by a particular distance. As the wall is built vertically
upwards further pressure is placed on the support members (32, 34)
and the spacer members (20, 22) which may cause the lower edges
(30) of the spacer members (20, 22) to fracture or shear. The
initial spacing distance may be greater than that required and,
therefore, as the mortar sets the mortar will not crack as it
contracts since the spacing distance between the building blocks
also reduces.
Inventors: |
Herbison, Francis Dennis;
(Hull, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENKINS & WILSON, PA
3100 TOWER BLVD
SUITE 1400
DURHAM
NC
27707
US
|
Family ID: |
9902062 |
Appl. No.: |
10/399948 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
October 25, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB01/04722 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/677 ;
52/565 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/16 20130101; E04B
2002/0245 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/677 ;
052/565 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/02; E04C
003/30; E04C 005/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2000 |
GB |
002620.7 |
Claims
1. A spacer element (10) for spacing adjacent building blocks, the
spacer element comprising a first engagement portion (12) for
engaging with a first building block (46) and a second engagement
portion (14) for engaging with a second building block (50), the
spacer element (10) further comprising spacer means for spacing the
first building. block (46) from the second building block (50)
wherein the spacer means is arranged to space the first building
block (46) from the second building block (50) by a distance which
reduces as a result of pressure applied to the spacer means wherein
the spacer means comprises at least one spacer member (20, 22)
characterized in that the second building block is to be located
above the first building block (46) and the spacer member (20, 22)
provides a lower contact surface to contact and support the spacer
element (10) on a surface of the first building block (46) and said
contact surface is provided by a lower edge (30) of said spacer
member (20, 22).
2. A spacer element (10) according to any preceding claim in which
the spacer element (10) comprises a longitudinal body.
3. A spacer element (10) according to claim 2 in which he
longitudinal body comprises the first engagement portion (12) at
one end thereof and the second engagement portion (14) at the other
end thereof.
4. A spacer element (10) according to claim 3 in which the first
engagement portion (12) has a greater longitudinal length relative
to the second engagement portion (14).
5. A spacer element (10) according to any preceding claim in which
the spacer element (10) comprises at least one laterally extending
arm (16, 18).
6. A spacer element (10) according to claim (5) in which the spacer
means is located on the or each laterally extending arm (16,
18).
7. A spacer element (10) according any preceding claim in which the
spacer means comprises two spacer members (20, 22).
8. A spacer element (10) according to claim 2 or any one of claims
3 to 7 when dependent upon claim 2 in which the or each spacer
member (20, 22) is orientated in a plane substantially parallel to
the longitudinal body of the spacer element (10).
9. A spacer element (10) according to preceding claim in which the
or each spacer member (20, 22) comprises a tapered body.
10. A spacer element (10) according to claim 5 or any one of claims
6 to 9 when dependent upon claim 5 in which the lower edge (30) of
the or each spacer member (20, 22) extends downwardly relative to
the lower surface of the or each laterally extending arm (16,
18).
11. A spacer element (10) according to claim or any one of claims 6
to 10 when dependent upon claim 5 in which a top portion (24) of
the or each spacer member (20, 22) projects upwardly relative to
the surface of the or each laterally extending arm (16, 18).
12. A spacer element (10) according to any preceding claim in which
the spacer means comprises at least one support member (32,
34).
13. A spacer element according to claim 12 in which the or each
support member (32, 34) extends to a tip (36) which provides a
contact surface to contact the second building block (50).
14. A spacer element (10) according to claim 12 or claim 13 in
which the or each support member (32, 34) projects outwardly from
the or each support member (20, 22).
15. A spacer element (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14
in which the or each support member (32, 34) is able to pivot about
the lower edge (30) or the or each spacer member (20, 22).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to spacer elements for spacing
adjacent building blocks from each other and especially, but not
limited to, spacer elements for spacing vertically adjacent bricks
in a construction unit.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Bricklaying is a skilled job and, therefore, should not be
attempted by unskilled people for any significant job. Bricklaying
requires laying bricks accurately in order to provide a stable
vertical structure. This results from accurately spacing subsequent
layers of bricks evenly with mortar. Such constructions built by
unskilled people may be unstable and dangerous. However, the cost
to employ a skilled bricklayer can be expensive and, thereby,
prohibitive to some people.
[0003] Spacer elements that space adjacent building blocks from one
another are known. However, prior art spacer element have a rigid
structure. In use, the spacer element spaces adjacent building
blocks. These spacer element are inserted between adjacent building
blocks whilst the mortar is wet and the construction unit is being
built. However, one problem with these prior art spacer elements
results from the fact that as the mortar dries the mortar contracts
and accordingly, the space between adjacent building blocks
attempts to decrease. This contraction causes cracks to appear in
the mortar since the upper building block does not move downwardly
as a result of the spacer element. Without spacer elements, the
upper building block would move downwards as the mortar contracted
in order to prevent cracks appearing.
[0004] Similarly, as the construction unit is built up vertically,
the additional weight urges the building blocks together.
Accordingly, prior art spacer elements are strong in order to
withstand the force and to space the building blocks vertically as
the wall is built up. This strength thereby encourages the
formation of cracks as the mortar dries.
[0005] It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least
one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to
herein or otherwise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a spacer element for spacing adjacent building blocks,
the spacer element comprising a first engagement portion for
engaging with a first building block and a second engagement
portion for engaging with a second building block, the spacer
element further comprising spacer means for spacing the first
building block from the second building block wherein the spacer
means is arranged to space the first building block from the second
building block by a distance which reduces as a result of pressure
applied to the spacer means.
[0007] The spacer means may comprise resilient means and preferably
comprises a resilient structure. At least a part of the spacer
means may fracture as a result of the pressure applied.
[0008] The spacer means may comprise flexible means and preferably
comprise a flexible structure.
[0009] Preferably the spacer element comprises a longitudinal body.
The longitudinal body may comprise the first engagement portion at
one end thereof and may comprise the second engagement portion at
the other end thereof.
[0010] The cross-section of the first engagement portion may be
substantially "X" shaped. The cross-section of the second
engagement portion may be substantially "X" shaped. The first
engagement portion may comprise a tapered tip. The second
engagement portion may comprise a tapered tip.
[0011] The spacer element may comprise at least one laterally
extending arm and preferably comprises two laterally extending
arms. Preferably the or each laterally extending arm is
substantially planar. Preferably the or each laterally extending
arm projects laterally outwardly from the longitudinal body of the
spacer element and preferably from a position between the first
engagement portion and the second engagement portion.
[0012] Preferably the first engagement portion has a greater
longitudinal length relative to the second engagement portion.
[0013] Preferably the spacer means is located on the or each
laterally extending arm.
[0014] The first engagement portion may comprise a tapered tip. The
second engagement portion may comprise a tapered tip.
[0015] The spacer element may comprise at least one laterally
extending arm and preferably comprises two laterally extending
arms. Preferably the or each laterally extending arm is
substantially planar. Preferably the or each laterally extending
arm projects laterally outwardly from the longitudinal. body of the
spacer element and preferably from a position between the first
engagement portion and the second engagement portion.
[0016] Preferably the first engagement portion has a greater
longitudinal length relative to the second engagement portion.
[0017] Preferably the spacer means comprises two spacer members.
Accordingly, one spacer member is on one laterally extending arm
and a second spacer member is on a second laterally extending arm.
Preferably the or each spacer member comprises a generally planar
member. Preferably the or each spacer member is arranged, in use,
to be generally vertical. Preferably the or each spacer member is
orientated in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal
plane of the longitudinal body of the spacer element.
[0018] Preferably the or each spacer member comprises a tapered
body and preferably a downwardly tapered body. The outer face of
the or each spacer member may be substantially vertical. Preferably
the inner face of the or each spacer member is angled downwardly
and outwardly.
[0019] Preferably the top portion of the or each spacer member
projects upwardly relative to the upper surface of the or each
laterally extending arm, and preferably projects upwardly in. the
region of 0.25 mm to 1 mm and preferably substantially 0.5 mm.
[0020] Preferably the lower edge of the or each spacer member
extends downwardly relative to the lower surface of the or each
laterally extending arm, and preferably extends downwardly in the
region of 1 mm to 3 mm and preferably substantially 2 mm.
Preferably the lower edge of the or each spacer member fracture as
a result of pressure applied, in use.
[0021] Preferably the spacer means comprises at least one support
member and preferably comprises two support members.
[0022] Preferably the or each support member extends to a tip which
provides a contact surface to contact the second building
block.
[0023] Preferably the or each support member projects outwardly
from the or each spacer member.
[0024] Preferably the or each support member projects upwardly
relative to the or each laterally extending arm. Preferably the or
each support member projects upwardly to a support tip.
[0025] Preferably the or each support member is flexible.
[0026] Preferably the or each support member is able to pivot or
flex as a result of pressure applied from above, Preferably the or
each support member is able to pivot or flex about the lower edge
of the or each spacer member.
[0027] Preferably at least a part of the lower edge of the or each
spacer member is arranged, in use, to fracture as a result of the
pressure applied.
[0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a construction unit comprising a plurality of building
blocks whereby vertically adjacent building blocks are spaced from
each other by a spacer element in accordance with the first aspect
of the present invention.
[0029] Preferably the construction unit comprises a plurality of
generally horizontal rows of building blocks. Preferably the
building blocks in vertically adjacent rows are laterally offset
relative to each other.
[0030] Preferably the upper surface of each building block engages
with two spacer elements. Preferably the lower surface of each
building block engages with two spacer elements.
[0031] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of spacing building blocks comprising engaging
a spacer element with a first building block and a second building
block whereby the spacer element provides spacer means which spaces
the first building block from the second building block by a
distance which reduces as a result of pressure applied to the
spacer means.
[0032] Preferably the method comprises applying pressure to the
spacer means by supporting further building blocks on the second
building block.
[0033] Preferably the method comprises distributing mortar between
the first building block and the second building block. Preferably
the method comprises applying pressure to the spacer means by
allowing the mortar to set and, thereby, contract.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example only, and with reference to the drawings that follow, in
which;
[0035] FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a spacer
element.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a spacer
element.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the top of a preferred embodiment
of a spacer element.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bottom of a preferred
embodiment of spacer element.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a side view of part of a preferred embodiment of a
spacer element.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-section through a part of a construction
unit showing a preferred embodiment of a spacer element spacing
vertically adjacent building blocks.
[0041] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a part of a construction
unit.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a side view of a construction unit.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a side view of part of a construction unit.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a pert of a construction unit
comprising a double walled structure.
[0045] FIG. 11 is a side view of a part of a construction unit
comprising a double-walled structure.
[0046] FIG. 12a is a side view of a reconstituted stone building
block.
[0047] FIG. 12b is an end view of a reconstituted stone building
block.
[0048] FIG. 12c is a plan view of a reconstituted stone building
block.
[0049] FIG. 13 is a side view of a construction unit comprising
reconstituted stone building blocks.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0050] A spacer element 10 comprises a first engagement portion 12
and a second engagement portion 14, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The
first engagement portion 12 or the lower engagement portion is
arranged, in use, to engage and locate in a hole provided in an
upper surface of a building block or brick. The second engagement
portion or the upper engagement portion is arranged, in use, to
engage and locate in a hole provided in a lower surface of a second
building block or brick. The term building block is defined to
cover all blocks suitable for building, for example bricks, stone
blocks etc.
[0051] The first engagement portion 12 comprises perpendicular
planar members which tape towards a tip 13 at the lower end
thereof. The first engagement portion 12, thereby has a
substantially "X" shaped cross-section. In use, the first
engagement portion 12 is inserted into a hole defined in a brick.
The hole may have mortar located therein and/or located thereover.
Accordingly, the cross-section of the first engagement portion 12
enables the first engagement portion to be easily inserted. If the
cross-section of the first engagement portion 12 was substantially
the same as the cross-section of the aperture, this would result in
the first engagement portion 12 being difficult to insert as a
result of the pressure being applied to the mortar which would be
inhibited from flowing out of the hole. Similarly, the second
engagement portion 14 is substantially "X" shaped in cross-section
and tapers towards a tip 15 at the upper end thereof.
[0052] The spacer element 10 comprises two laterally extending arms
16, 18 which project outwardly from the spacer element 10 between
the first engagement portion 12 and the second engagement portion
14. The laterally extending arms 16, 18 are substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal body of the spacer element 10.
The laterally extending arms 16, 18 secure to spacer means in the
form of spacer members 20, 22 which are thereby spaced from the
longitudinal body of the spacer element 10. The spacer members 20,
22 have downwardly extending tapered cross-sections, as shown in
FIG. 5. The spacer member 20 comprises an upwardly projecting top
portion 24 which projects above the upper surface of the respective
laterally extending arm 16 by 0.5 mm. The outer face 26 of the
spacer member 20 is substantially vertical whereas the inner face
28 the spacer member 20 is angled downwardly and outwardly relative
to the longitudinal body of the spacer element 10. The differences
in these angled faced 26, 28 creates the overall tapered
cross-section. The spacer member 20 comprises a lower edge 30 which
extends below the lower. surface of the respective laterally
extending arm 16 by 2 mm.
[0053] The spacer members 20,22 provide an upper contact surface to
contact and support a brick located above and a lower contact
surface to contact and support the spacer element 10 on a surface
of a lower brick. The lower contact surface is provided by the
lower edge of the spacer member 20. Accordingly, the contact area
will be relatively small. Mass produced bricks contain a proportion
of granular products (for example glass or coal) in order to reduce
the cost of the bricks. Such granules thereby appear on the surface
and result in the upper and lower surfaces of the brick being
uneven. Accordingly, when a spacer element is engaged thereon, if
the contact surface of the spacer element contact a granule then
the spacer element may project upwardly at an angle or may be
loosely secured. This is especially apparent with prior art spacer
elements which have a relatively large contact area, Therefore,
since the present invention has a minimal contact area provided by
the spacer members, the probability of contacting a granule is
reduced. In addition, the spacer element 10 can be rotated,
relative to the brick in order to prevent contact with an uneven
surface or granule. Furthermore, the spacer members are constructed
from a material which may develop a recess for a granule as
pressure is applied and will thereby encourage an even and secure
contact with both bricks.
[0054] The spacer element comprises two support members 32, 34. The
support members 32, 34 extend laterally outwardly from the
respective spacer members 20, 22. As shown in more detail in FIG.
5, the support member 34 extends laterally outwardly to a tip 36.
The support member 34 also tapers upwardly with respect to the
laterally extending arms 16.
[0055] The spacer element 10 has a set of recesses 40 provided in
the connecting area between the first engagement portion 12 and the
laterally extending arms 16, 18. In use, the recesses 40 locate
adjacent to the periphery of the hole in the brick into which the
first engagement portion 12 is inserted. The holes provided in the
bricks typically have burred edges at the surfaces of. the brick.
Accordingly, the recesses 40 enable the first engagement portion 12
to be inserted into the hole and rotated once located therein. This
prevents the spacer element 10 from abutting the burred edges which
may encourage the spacer element 10 to be vertically angled rather
than substantially vertical. The recesses 40 may be substantially
circular or arcuate and be defined in the first engagement portion
12 and the laterally extending arms 16, 18. Similarly, the second
engagement portion 14 has a series of indentations 42 defined
herein. The indentations 42 and provided in the second engagement
portion only and accommodate any burrs projecting inwardly from the
hole in the second brick.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the first engagement portion 12 of a
spacer element 10 locates in a hole 44 provided in a first brick
46. The second engagement portion 14 locates in a hole 48 provided
in a second brick 50 wherein the second brick is vertically
adjacent to the first brick 46. Similarly, a second spacer element
51 may vertically space the second brick from a vertically adjacent
third brick 52.
[0057] In building the construction unit or the wall the first
layer of bricks is laid. Thereafter, mortar is located on the upper
surface of the first layer and spacer elements 10 are pushed
through the mortar and engage with the bricks through the first
engagement portions 12 and the associated holes. The spacer
elements thereby provide upwardly projecting second engagement
portions 14 in order for the next level of bricks to be laid. The
spacer elements 10 provide spacer means which space the next layer
of bricks from the lower layer of bricks by a particular distance,
The upper brick will first abut the tip 36, 38 of the support
members 32, 34. The support members 32, 34 may pivot or flex about
the lower edges 30 of the spacer members 20, 22 and thereby reduces
the spacing distance between the vertically adjacent bricks. As the
wall is built vertically upwards further pressure will be placed on
the support members 32, 34 and the spacer members 20, 22 which may
cause the lower edges 30 of the spacer members 20, 22 to fracture
or shear or crumple. This will further reduce the distance between
the vertically adjacent bricks. As the pressure increases the
spacer members 20, 22 deform and the stress in the spacer members
20, 22 increases over the elastic limit or yield point add will
eventually fracture. The arrangement of the spacer members 20, 22
and the respective support members encourage the stress to increase
in the lower edges of the spacer members 20, 22. Since the outer
faces of the spacer members 20, 22 are substantially vertical and
the inner face of the spacer members 20, 22 are angled downwardly
and outwardly, this arrangement encourages the lower edges of the
spacer members 20, 22 to shear or crumple. The initial spacing
distance of the spacing members may be 11 mm and, the final spacing
distance of the spacing members, once pressure has been applied,
may be 10 mm. Prior art spacer elements are initially provided with
the final selected spacing distance, for example 10 mm but the
mortar may contract to be less than this 10 mm space and thereby
produces cracks in the mortar. If spacer elements are not used,
then an unskilled person-may construct a wall having an incorrect
height since allowance for the shrinkage may not have been
made.
[0058] This reduction in spacing distance is advantageous since as
the mortar sets, the mortar contracts. If the spacer element
rigidly spaced the vertically adjacent bricks then the contraction
of the mortar may cause cracks to appear in the mortar between the
vertically adjacent bricks. Such cracks may enable fluid to
penetrate into the construction unit and to thereby weaken the
structure. Accordingly, with the present invention the spacing
distance of the spacer element 10 reduces as the wall is built
vertically upwards and/or as the mortar contracts. The mortar will
still be load bearing and the spacer element will not support the
significant proportion of the load. Prior art rigid spacer elements
may support a significant proportion of the load once the mortar
has set.
[0059] As show in FIG. 7, each black 60 preferably has at of the
brick. Accordingly, two spacer elements 10 may be engaged in each
brick 60. The upper engaging portion 14 of the first spacer element
10 may engage with a first brick and the upper engaging portion 14
of a second spacer element 10 may engage with a second brick.
Accordingly, the bricks in adjacent layers will be laterally offset
from each other, as in conventional walls, in order to increase the
stability in the wall.
[0060] In the construction unit or wall, 64 the spacer elements
will be arranged in vertical planes 66 across the width of the wall
64, as shown in FIG. 8. This results from each hole in each brick
having an upper engagement portion from a first spacer element
located therein and a lower engagement portion from a second spacer
element located therein. Alternatively, the spacer elements 10 may
be used to space bricks from each other when vertically adjacent
bricks are not laterally offset to each other.
[0061] The upper engagement portion 14 is longitudinally smaller
than the lower engagement portion, as shown in FIG. 9. This is
advantageous when engaging a brick on to the upper engagement
portion 14 since it prevents the end 72 of the upper brick 70
initially abutting the mortar 74 located an the laterally adjacent
brick 76. If the end 72 of the upper brick 70 initially abutted the
mortar and was then moved downwardly, this would result in the
mortar being moved downwardly relative to the brick 76. This would
weaken the bond between the bricks since the mortar would no longer
be uniformly distributed. The same effect occurs if the mortar was
to be placed on the lateral end of the upper brick 70. Accordingly
since the upper engagement portion 14 is reduced in height and
comprises a tapered upper end this reduces the effect and maintains
the mortar evenly distributed.
[0062] The spacer elements 10 may be used in wall or construction
units comprising two or more leaves, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
11.
[0063] The spacer elements are used as previously described.
However, reinforcement members in the form of a wire tie-ins 80 are
arranged to secure a spacer element 10 from a first leaf to an
adjacent spacer element 10 in the second leaf. The wire tie-in 80
comprises a first loop 82 and a second loop 84. The loops 82, 84
locate around the spacer elements 10. The outer portion of the
first loop 82 locates around a first spacer element 10 and the
outer portion of the second loop 84 locates around a second spacer
element 10. The loops 82, 84 are secured to each other through a
twisted connecting section 86. Accordingly the distance between the
outer portions of the first and second loops 82, 84, and hence the
overall length of the tie-in 80 many be reduced by twisting the
connecting section 86 further. The wire fixings may secure around
the recesses 40 provided in the spacer element 10.
[0064] The spacer elements 10 may be used with a variety of
different building blocks including reconstituted stone. blocks 90,
as shown in FIG. 12a-12c and FIG. 13. The reconstituted stone
blocks 90 may have a slot 92 or engagement hole defined in an upper
surface and in a lower spacer elements to be located and engaged
the therein. As shown in FIG. 13 the reconstituted stone blocks may
be of a variety of shapes and sizes.
[0065] The spacer elements may be used to construct a wall by
simply locating the spacer element and building the wall without
applying any mortar. Once complete the spacer members will have
reduced in height to provide a natural separation between the rows.
Mortar may then be applied between the rows through use of a tool,
for example a gun mortar. The final appearance will be of a
conventionally built wall. The mortar is preferably non-contracting
mortar. Alternatively, an expanding grout material may be applied
between the rows in order to give the appearance of a
conventionally built wall. Such constructions are suitable for
interior, non supporting walls.
[0066] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and
documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this
specification in connection with this application and which are
open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents
of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0067] All of the features disclosed in this specification
(including any. accompanying claims, abstract and lo drawings),
and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may
be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least
some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
[0068] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any
accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0069] The invention is not restricted to the details of the
foregoing embodiments(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or
any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this
specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and
drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the
steps of any method or process so disclosed.
* * * * *