U.S. patent application number 10/812046 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for sporting equipment audible device.
Invention is credited to Koncelik, Lawrence J. JR..
Application Number | 20040180729 10/812046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25349358 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040180729 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koncelik, Lawrence J. JR. |
September 16, 2004 |
Sporting equipment audible device
Abstract
The present invention 10 discloses a device that attaches to
sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound
under predetermined conditions. The device 10 is selectively
attached to hand held sporting equipment, such as a golf club 18
and tennis racquet 38, that travels through a sweeping motion. By
attachment of the sound generating device to the aforementioned
equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds under abrupt
increases in velocity. The device of the preferred embodiment is
comprised of a sound generation element 12 such as pliable
material, and may include a means of attachment element 14. The
sound generation element 12 can be permanently or semi-permanently
fixed to the sporting equipment. In the permanent/semi-permanent
state the sound generation element is fixedly positioned by means
of adhesive 40, or any other bonding means known within the art, to
the sporting equipment thereby having no need for a means of an
attachment element 14. The means of attachment element 14 provides
for selective attachment and detachment of the sound generating
device and is comprised of a snap-on collar or clip 24 and
alternately of lengths of material 22 that can be twisted or tied
around a portion of the sporting equipment. The clip 24 is a
substantially cylindrical object having a slotted aperture 28
formed by flexible divergent arms 26 enclosing a throughbore
whereby the clip can be pressed onto sporting equipment.
Inventors: |
Koncelik, Lawrence J. JR.;
(East Hampton, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mr. Walter J. Tencza, Jr.
Suite 3
10 Station Place
Metuchen
NJ
08840
US
|
Family ID: |
25349358 |
Appl. No.: |
10/812046 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10812046 |
Mar 29, 2004 |
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10422511 |
Apr 24, 2003 |
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6733399 |
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10422511 |
Apr 24, 2003 |
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09867215 |
May 29, 2001 |
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6692370 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/224 ;
473/234; 473/524; 473/553 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/38 20130101;
A63B 69/3635 20130101; A63B 15/00 20130101; A63B 2024/0068
20130101; A63B 2220/51 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/224 ;
473/234; 473/524; 473/553 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/36; A63B
049/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for attachment to a golf club shaft for use as an
aid to improve a golf swing comprising: a sound generation element
comprising a pliable plastic planar material and a means for
selectively attaching or detaching the sound generation element
anywhere on the golf club shaft.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the sound generation
element is attached to the golf club shaft and when the golf club
shaft is swung in a jerky swinging motion, the sound generation
element flutters.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the sound generation
element is attached to the golf club shaft and when the golf club
shaft is swung at a sufficiently high rate of speed the pliable
plastic planar material will sound a crack as a golf club head of
the golf club shaft travels through an impact area of the golf
swing.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively
attaching or detaching the sound generation element comprises
adhesive material disposed on a portion of the sound generation
element.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said adhesive material can bond
the sound generation element to itself anywhere on the golf club
shaft and said adhesive material can thereby cause the sound
generation element to encompass a portion of the golf club
shaft.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively
attaching or detaching comprises mating hook and loop material
disposed on one or more portions of the sound generation
element.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said mating hook and loop
material fastens to itself to cause a portion of the golf club
shaft to be encompassed by the sound generation element.
8. An apparatus comprising a sound generation element; and a first
clip; wherein the first clip can be attached anywhere on a golf
club shaft; and wherein the sound generation element can be
attached to the first clip to thereby attach the sound generation
element to the golf club shaft.
9. The apparatus claim 8 wherein the first clip further comprises a
pair of flexible arms, said arms capable of encircling the golf
shaft so as to secure said first clip anywhere on the golf club
shaft.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a post connected to
the sound generation element; wherein said first clip has a
vertically disposed slot therein, said slot disposed on a wall of
said clip opposite to said pair of flexible arms; and wherein the
post can be inserted into the vertically disposed slot of the first
clip to attach the sound generation element to the first clip.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said sound generation element
is connected to a side of said post.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a second clip
disposed on a wall of said first clip opposite to said pair of
arms, wherein the second clip is smaller than the first clip; and
further comprising an elongated post connected to the sound
generation element for insertion into said smaller second clip.
13. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively
attaching or detaching said sound generation element anywhere on
the golf club shaft further comprises a cord, wherein said sound
generation element is attached to said cord, said cord being
capable of being tied to the golf club shaft.
14. A golf swing training device comprising a first material which
is less than fifty square inches; and a means for attaching the
first material anywhere on a golf club shaft.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein said means for attaching is
comprised of an adhesive.
16. The device of claim 14 wherein said means for attaching is
comprised of a plastic clip.
17. The device of claim 14 wherein said first material is a
polyester film.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein when the first material is
attached anywhere on the golf club shaft, the first material will
produce a humming sound at a predetermined club head speed of a
golf club head of the golf club shaft; and wherein the
predetermined club head speed is determined by a planar surface
area of the first material.
19. The device of claim 13 further comprising: a plurality of
materials, and wherein the first material is one of the plurality
of materials; and wherein each of the plurality of materials has a
means for attaching itself anywhere on the golf club shaft; and
wherein the surface area of at least one material of the plurality
of materials differs from the surface area of at least one other
material of the plurality of materials.
20. A method comprising the step of attaching a sound generation
element to a golf club shaft, so that the sound generation element
can be selectively attached or detached anywhere on the golf club
shaft.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the sound generation element
further comprises plastic pliable material so that said pliable
material will flutter during a jerky swinging motion of the golf
club shaft by an individual.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the sound generation element can
be attached anywhere on the golf club shaft through a first
clip.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the clip comprises a pair of
flexible arms, said arms capable of encircling the golf club shaft
so as to secure said first clip anywhere on the golf club
shaft.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the sound generation element is
connected to a post; wherein said first clip has a vertically
disposed slot therein, said slot disposed on a wall of said clip
opposite to said pair of flexible arms; and wherein the post can be
inserted into the vertically disposed slot of the first clip to
attach the sound generation element to the first clip.
25. The method of claim 23 wherein the first clip is connected to a
second clip disposed on a wall of said first clip opposite to said
pair of arms, wherein the second clip is smaller than the first
clip; further comprising inserting an elongated post connected to
the sound generation element into said second clip.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This present patent application is a divisional of and
claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/422,511
titled "Sporting Equipment Audible Device", filed on Apr. 24, 2003
which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/867,215, titled "Sporting Equipment Audible Device", filed on
May 29, 2001, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,370. This present
patent application also claims the priority of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/867,215, titled "Sporting Equipment Audible
Device", filed on May 29, 2001, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
6,692,370, and PCT patent application, International application
No. PCT/US01/26686, titled "Sporting Equipment Audible Device"
filed on Aug. 28, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to sporting
equipment and more specifically to a device that can be selectively
attached to some sporting equipment for the purpose of generating
an audible sound under predetermined conditions.
[0004] The sound-generating device of the present invention is
attached to hand held sporting equipment that travel through a
sweeping motion, such as golf clubs and tennis racquets. By
attachment of the sound-generating device to the aforementioned
equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds during
predetermined velocities of the sound-generating device.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0005] The present invention discloses a device that attaches to
sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound
under predetermined conditions. The device is selectively attached
to hand held sporting equipment, such as a golf club and tennis
racquet, that travels through a sweeping motion. By attachment of
the sound-generating device to the aforementioned equipment it will
be possible to cause audible sounds under abrupt increases in
velocity. The device is comprised of a sound generation element and
may include a means of attachment element.
[0006] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a sound
generation element comprised of a planar sheet of polyester film
having an amount of adhesive along one side of said polyester film
with a peelable protective element covering the adhesive. The
device is fixed to the sporting equipment by removing the adhesive
protective element and placing the device in contact with the
sporting equipment. The device is wrapped around the sporting
equipment with the adhesive element being a fixed to a part of the
planar sheet of polyester. The adhesive does not come into contact
with the sporting equipment. Thereby the device is free to rotate
about the sporting equipment during use.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, the device
incorporates a means of attachment element. The means of attachment
element provides for selective attachment and detachment of the
sound generating device and is comprised of a snap-on collar or
clip and alternately of lengths of material that can be twisted or
tied around a portion of the sporting equipment. The means for
attachment element can be lengths of suitable material, such as
cord or wire reinforced cord, having the sound generation element
fixedly positioned thereto with sufficient free end lengths that
can pass around a selected point on the sporting equipment and tied
or twisted as means for securing the sound generation element to
the sporting equipment. As an alternate means of securing the
sound-generating element to the sporting equipment, a clip is
provided. The clip is a substantially cylindrical object having a
slotted aperture formed by flexible divergent arms enclosing a
throughbore whereby the clip can be pressed onto sporting
equipment. The flexible divergent arms aid in the removal of the
device from the sporting equipment.
[0008] An additional element is provided for the sound generation
element in the form of a planar somewhat rigid pliant material such
as paper or plastic. That can be attached permanently or
semi-permanently by any means known with the art, such as
adhesively. Using a means of attachment element, such as a clip,
enables selective attachment and removal of the sound generation
device.
[0009] The sound generation element has a clip mating member formed
on one edge. The clip mating member Is inserted into a channel or
aperture within the clip. The length of the sound generation
element can be adjusted by wrapping said element around the clip
mating member prior to insertion in the clip.
[0010] The purpose of the sound generation device of the present
invention is to provide means whereby a golfer may accurately
determine whether he is accelerating the club at a proper point of
the swing or during the wrong part of a swing or at the top of the
back swing. If the golfer jerks the club back or hits from the top,
the sound generation element will make a loud flutter sound at the
point of incorrect acceleration. If the swing is correct, the sound
generation element will only make the flutter sound at impact of
the swing. The size of the flutter flag is inversely proportional
to the speed at which is the flutter.
[0011] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation device that can be attached to selective sporting
equipment.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation device that will interact with atmospheric air
during a sweeping motion while attached to sporting equipment to
generate sound.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation device that can be permanently or semi-permanently
attached to sporting equipment.
[0014] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a sound generation device that can be selectively attached
and removed from sporting equipment.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation device having a sound generation element.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation element that can be fixedly attached to sporting
equipment by means of adhesive.
[0017] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a sound generation element that can be attached to sporting
equipment by means of an attachment element.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation device having a sound generation element and a
means of attachment element.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation device comprising a sound generation element
formed from a semi-rigid planar material such as, paper, Mylar or
nylon or other polyester film.
[0020] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a sound generation attachment element for a sound
generation element comprising lengths of suitable material such as
cord or wire reinforced line that can be tied or twisted about
sporting equipment as means of securement.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
attachment element for a sound generation element comprised of a
cylindrical member having a slotted aperture that can be pressed on
sporting equipment.
[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
attachment element having cylindrical walls with opposing divergent
arms forming a slotted aperture that can be pressed on sporting
equipment.
[0023] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a sound generation element having a post fixedly attached
to one edge of the sound generation element and forming an integral
part therewith.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation element having a post whereby the sound generation
element can be inserted into an attachment element and selectively
removed therefrom.
[0025] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
sound generation element and an attachment element that form a
sound generation device.
[0026] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a sound generation element that can be adjustably mounted
to vary the length of said sound generation element.
[0027] Additional objects of the present invention will appear as
the description proceeds.
[0028] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art by providing a sound generating device having a sound
generation element that can be permanently/semi-permanently
attached to hand held sporting equipment that will generate a sound
during an accelerated sweeping motion.
[0029] The sound generation element can be formed from a semi-rigid
pliant material. The aforementioned sound generation elements can
be selectively attached to hand held sporting equipment by means of
an attachment element.
[0030] The attachment element can form an integral part of the
sound generation element, such as length of suitable material
bonded to the sound generation element that can be positioned to
straddle a portion of the sporting equipment and tied or twisted
forming closure and attachment to the sporting equipment.
[0031] Alternately the attachment element can be a clip that can be
pressed onto selective sporting equipment.
[0032] The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear
from the description to follow. In the description reference is
made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in
which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which
the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described
in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments
may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying
drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar
parts throughout the several views.
[0033] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be
taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention
is best defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in
use.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sound generation element
of the present invention having an amount of adhesive on a portion
thereof.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sound generation element
of the present invention wrapped around a golf club shaft.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the present invention
taken from FIG. 3 as indicated.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sound generation element
of the present invention wrapped around a golf club shaft.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the present invention
taken from FIG. 5 as indicated.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sound generation device
of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sound generation device
with an attachment clip.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sound generation element
with an attachment clip.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sound generation
element with an attachment clip.
[0044] FIG. 11 is a section view of the present invention attached
to a golf club shaft by a retaining clip.
[0045] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sound generation
element wrapped around a golf shaft with a retaining clip.
[0046] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the present invention wrapped
around a golf shaft with a retaining clip.
[0047] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sound generation device
attached to means for ties.
[0048] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sound generation
element of the present invention attached to a tennis racquet.
[0049] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sound generation device
of the present invention attached to a tennis racquet.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0050] With regard to reference numerals used, the following
numbering is used throughout the drawings.
[0051] 10 present invention
[0052] 12 sound generation element
[0053] 14 sound generation attachment element
[0054] 18 golf club
[0055] 20 golf club shaft
[0056] 22 wire reinforced line
[0057] 24 clip
[0058] 26 arm of clip
[0059] 28 aperture
[0060] 30 golfer
[0061] 32 point of back swing
[0062] 34 point of incorrect acceleration
[0063] 36 point of flutter sound
[0064] 38 tennis racquet
[0065] 40 adhesive material
[0066] 42 clip mating member
[0067] 44 slot
[0068] 46 post
[0069] 48 wall
[0070] 50 small clip
[0071] 52 hook and loop material
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0072] The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment
of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This
discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the
invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in
the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For
definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is
directed to appended claims.
[0073] Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is a perspective view of
the present invention 10 disposed on a golf club 18 having a sound
generation element attached thereto whereby a golfer 30 will cause
the sound generation element to emit a sound by jerking the golf
club 18 during the top of the back swing. If the golfer 30 jerks
the golf club 18 back at the back swing point 32 or has incorrect
acceleration at point 34, e.g., a flutter sound or other sound will
be emitted at point 36.
[0074] Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is a perspective view of
the present invention 10 attached to the shaft 20 of a golf club.
The sound generation element may be made of a stiff pliant
material, such as paper or plastic or the like that is fixed to the
golf club shaft 20 for the purpose of generating a sound under
predetermined conditions during a sweeping motion of the golf club
18.
[0075] Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is a perspective view of
the present invention 10 showing the sound generation element 12
having a partial layer of adhesive material 40 on one portion
thereof. The adhesive material will bond the sound generation
element 12 to, e.g., a golf club shaft 20, by being wrapped around
the shaft 20.
[0076] Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is a view of the sound
generation device of the present invention 10 attached to shaft 20.
The sound generation element 12 is wrapped around the shaft 20 and
adhesively attached to itself. The sound generation element 12
encloses shaft 20 without being affixed thereto. Thereby the sound
generation element 12 is able to freely rotate around shaft 20.
During use of the present invention the sound generation 12 will
rotate around shaft 20 lagging during a sweeping motion.
[0077] Turning to FIG. 5, shown therein is a perspective view of
the present invention 10 showing the sound generation element 12
having a mating hook and loop material 52 on one end thereof. The
hook and loop material is spaced apart so that a golf club shaft
can be placed between said mating members whereupon said mating
members will be engaged enclosing the golf club shaft therein. The
sound generation element 12 having been releasably fixed to golf
club shaft 20 has sufficient circumference to freely rotate about
club shaft 20.
[0078] Turning to FIG. 6, shown therein is a view of the sound
generation device of the present invention 10 attached to a shaft
20. The sound generation element 12 is wrapped around the shaft 20
and the mating hook and loop material 52 is attached to itself
enclosing shaft 20 without being affixed thereto. Thereby the sound
generation element 12 is able to freely rotate around shaft 20.
During use of the present invention the sound generation 12 will
rotate around shaft 20 lagging during a sweeping motion.
[0079] Turning to FIG. 7, shown therein is a perspective view of
the sound generation device of the present invention 10. The sound
generation element 12 being of a semi-rigid pliant material is
fixed to a post 46 which is attached to the means of attachment
element being a clip 24. The clip 24 has a slotted aperture 44 in
the wall 48 thereof wherethrough the post 46 of the sound
generation element can be inserted and retained thereby. The clip
24 has a slotted aperture 28 formed by divergent arms 26 whereby
the clip attachment element can be pressed onto sporting equipment.
The divergent arms 26 provide means for easily dismounting the
sound generation element from the sporting equipment.
[0080] Turning for FIG. 8, shown therein is a perspective view of
the sound generation device of the present invention 10 showing the
sound generation element 12 wrapped around the post 46 a selective
number of times whereby the length of the sound generation element
12 can be varied. Other elements previously disclosed are also
shown.
[0081] Turning to FIG. 9, shown therein is a perspective view of
the sound generation device of the present invention 10 showing the
sound generation element 12 wherein the post 46 is inserted into a
slotted aperture 44 within the wall of the means of attachment
element 24. The means of attachment element 24 grips a portion of
sporting equipment, such as a golf club. The means of attachment
clip 24 can be rotated upon the sporting equipment through a
predetermined number of degrees whereby the sound generation
element 12 can be rotated to generate a sound through a sweeping
motion in either of the back swing or fore swing of a golf
club.
[0082] Turning to FIG. 10, shown therein is a view of the sound
generation device of the present invention 10. The sound generation
device is comprised of a sound generation element 12 being a length
of semi-rigid pliant material fixedly attached to a post 46 which
forms a sound generation attachment element mating member for
insertion into a small clip 50 disposed on the back of the large
clip 24 opposite to arms 26.
[0083] Turning to FIG. 11, shown therein is a view of the sound
generation device of the present invention 10 attached to a
sporting equipment shaft 20. The sound generation device is
comprised of a sound generation element 12 having a length of
semi-rigid pliant material fixedly attached to a post 46 which
forms a sound generation attachment element mating member for
insertion into a small clip 50 on the back of the large clip
24.
[0084] Turning to FIG. 12, shown therein is a perspective view of
the sound generation device partially mounted onto a sporting
equipment shaft 20. The sound generation device is comprised of a
sound generation element 12 and a mounting element 24. The sound
generation element 12 can be wrapped around the sporting equipment
shaft until a desired length of the sound generation element is
exposed, whereupon the clip attachment element 24 is pressed onto
the shaft 20 over the sound generation element movably fixedly
positioning the sound generation element a desired length onto the
sporting equipment shaft 20.
[0085] Turning to FIG. 13, shown therein is a view of the sound
generation device of the present invention 10 attached to a shaft
20. The sound generation element 12 is wrapped around the shaft 20
until a desired length of sound generation element is exposed. The
sound generation attachment element 24 holds the sound generation
element 12 at the aforementioned selective positioning onto the
sporting equipment shaft 20.
[0086] Turning to FIG. 14, shown therein is a perspective view of
the sound generation device comprised of a sound generation element
12 and a sound generation attachment means forming an integral part
therewith. The sound generation device, as shown, is a semi-rigid
planar pliant material fixed to multiple lengths of a suitable
tying or twisting material, such as cord or wire reinforced cord
22. The sporting equipment is encircled by the opposing lengths of
the tie material 22 positioned at each distal end. The lengths of
line 22 are then tied or twisted around the portion of sporting
equipment. This configuration enables the sound generation element
12 to be attached to irregular objects such as a tennis racquet. It
also provides for selective attachment as need be.
[0087] Turning to FIG. 15, shown therein is a perspective view of
the present invention 10 attached to a tennis racquet 38. The sound
generation device 10 is comprised of a sound generation element
detachably attached to the tennis racquet 38 by means of ties 22
forming an integral part of the sound generation element. The sound
generation device will emit a sound during an accelerated jerky
sweeping motion of the tennis racquet 38 as opposed to a smooth
sweeping motion.
[0088] Turning to FIG. 16, shown therein is a perspective view of
the sound generation device of the present invention comprising a
sound generation element 12 and a means of attachment element 22.
The sound generation element is comprised of a semi-rigid pliant
material attached to the rim of a tennis racquet 38 by ties 22.
* * * * *