U.S. patent application number 10/912599 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for gate latch.
Invention is credited to Clarence Winston.
Application Number | 20060027798 10/912599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35756554 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060027798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Winston; Clarence |
February 9, 2006 |
Gate latch
Abstract
A variable width gate adapted to be manipulated to secure the
gate within the boundary of an opening, the gate comprising: (a) a
gate member; and (b) a locking mechanism to secure the gate member
within a boundary of an opening, the mechanism comprising: (i) a
first member mounted to the gate member, (ii) a second member
mounted to the gate member and adapted to reciprocate with respect
to the first member, the second member being operative to generate
a force expanding the gate member when reciprocated toward the
first member, and (iii) a latch mounted to one of the first member
or the second member that selectively interacts with the other of
the first member or the second member to substantially sustain the
position of the first member with respect to the second member to
substantially sustain the force.
Inventors: |
Winston; Clarence;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAFT, STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP
SUITE 1800
425 WALNUT STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202-3957
US
|
Family ID: |
35756554 |
Appl. No.: |
10/912599 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/65.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 65/0888 20130101;
E05B 65/0007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/065.01 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/14 20060101
E04H017/14 |
Claims
1. A variable width gate adapted to be manipulated to secure the
gate within the boundary of an opening, the gate comprising: a gate
member; and a locking mechanism to secure the gate member within a
boundary of an opening, the mechanism comprising: a first member
mounted to the gate member, a second member mounted to the gate
member and adapted to reciprocate with respect to the first member,
the second member being operative to generate a force expanding the
gate member when reciprocated toward the first member, and a latch
mounted to one of the first member or the second member that
selectively interacts with the other of the first member or the
second member to substantially sustain the position of the first
member with respect to the second member to substantially sustain
the force.
2. The variable width gate of claim 1, wherein: the first member
and the second member include a cantilever; the first member is
mounted approximate a first side of the gate member; and the second
member is mounted approximate a second side of the gate member.
3. The variable width gate of claim 2, wherein the first member
includes a loop adapted accommodate movement of the second member
therethrough.
4. The variable width gate of claim 3, wherein the latch includes
at least one biased appendage adapted engage the other of the first
member or the second member.
5. The variable width gate of claim 4, wherein the latch includes
two biased appendages that are repositionable and adapted to engage
the other of the first member or the second member.
6. The variable width gate of claim 5, wherein: the two biased
appendages are pivotable; and at least one of the two biased
appendages includes a tapered end.
7. The variable width gate of claim 6, wherein: the latch includes
a spring to bias the two biased appendages; and at least one of the
two biased arms includes a flange adapted to be mounted to the
other of the first member or the second member to substantially
sustain the position of the first member with respect to the second
member.
8. The variable width gate of claim 7, wherein: the latch includes
a cavity adapted to receive at least a portion of the first member
or second member therein; and the latch includes a handle adapted
to be gripped to facilitate movement of the latch with respect to
the other of the first member or second member.
9. The variable width gate of claim 2, wherein: the first member
includes a plurality of notches; and the second member includes a
catch, where at least a portion of the catch is adapted to be
received within at least one of the plurality of notches.
10. The variable width gate of claim 2, wherein the gate member
includes a first gate section and a second gate section.
11. The variable width gate of claim 10, wherein: the first member
is pivotally mounted to the first gate section; the first gate
section is laterally slidable with respect to the second gate
section; and at least one of the first gate section and the second
gate section includes contact bumpers mounted thereto.
12. The variable width gate of claim 10, wherein the first member
includes a fastener to inhibit substantial movement of the first
member with respect to the second member when the first member is
mounted to the second member.
13. A gate latch comprising: a mounting portion adapted to be
mounted to a first member of a cantilever; and a receiving portion
adapted to selectively mount the first member to a second member of
the cantilever, the receiving portion including a gripping portion
adapted to be gripped to reposition the receiving portion with
respect to the second member.
14. The gate latch of claim 13, further comprising a receiving
portion adapted to reposition the latch with respect to at least
one of the first member and the second member upon insertion and
application of force by a finger.
15. The gate latch of claim 13, wherein the mounting portion is
adapted to receive at least a portion of the first member
therein.
16. The gate latch of claim 15, wherein the mounting portion
substantially circumscribes the portion of the first member.
17. The gate latch of claim 13, wherein the gripping portion
includes a repositionable appendage adapted to react to selectively
contact the second member and move from a first position to a
second position, where upon being gripped by a user, the
repositionable appendage moves from the second position to the
first position.
18. The gate latch of claim 17, wherein the gripping portion
includes two biased and repositionable appendages adapted to react
to selective contact with the second member to move from a first
position to a second position, where upon being gripped by a user,
the repositionable appendages moves from the second position to the
first position, and wherein the contact between the repositionable
appendages and the second member involves a beveled or arcuate
surface.
19. The gate latch of claim 18, wherein the two biased and
repositionable appendages comprise a first biased and
repositionable appendage facing a second biased and repositionable
appendage, the first and second biased and repositionable
appendages including a cam operative to allow pivoting motion, such
that an upper region of each of the first and second biased and
repositionable appendages are directed toward one another in the
second position, resulting in a lower region of each of the first
and second biased and repositionable appendages being directed away
from one another.
20. The gate latch of claim 19, wherein the lower region of each of
the two biased and repositionable appendages comprises a beveled
surface and a recess adjacent thereto.
21. The gate latch of claim 17, wherein: the mounting portion is
coupled to the first member of the cantilever; the receiving
portion includes a loop; and the gripping portion interposes the
mounting portion and the receiving portion.
22. A method of sizing a variable width gate within an opening to
inhibit through traffic, the method comprising the steps of:
pivoting a first cantilever segment with respect to a second
cantilever segment, the first cantilever segment mounted to an
expandable gate at a first position and the second cantilever
segment mounted to the expandable gate at a second position, the
pivoting of the first cantilever segment with respect to the second
cantilever segment operative to change a width of the expandable
gate; orienting the first cantilever segment with respect to the
second cantilever segment into a generally parallel orientation;
and securing the first cantilever segment to the second cantilever
segment to inhibit movement of the first cantilever segment with
respect to the second cantilever segment.
23. A method of securing a gate within an opening to inhibit
through traffic, the method comprising the steps of: positioning an
expandable gate within an opening having a width; sizing a width of
the expandable gate approximate the width of the opening; and
locking the expandable gate in place by wedging the expandable gate
within the opening; the locking step including the steps of:
positioning a first member with respect to a second member to
include pivotally mounting the first member to the second member,
the first member being mounted to the expandable gate at a first
position and the second member being mounted to the expandable gate
at a second position, and securing the first member to the second
member to substantially inhibit the first member from pivoting with
respect to the second member, the securing step including use of a
biased fastener coupled to the first member and operative to engage
the second member and mount the first member to the second
member.
24. A method of removing a gate from an opening, the method
comprising the step of unlocking an expandable gate wedged within
an opening, the expandable gate including a first cantilever member
mounted to a second cantilever member, where the unlocking step
includes gripping a fastener to disengage the first cantilever
member from the second cantilever member, thereby allowing the
expandable gate to contract.
25. A latching mechanism for an expansive gate comprising: a first
cantilever component adapted to be mounted to an expansive gate at
a first position; a second cantilever component adapted to be
mounted to the expansive gate at a second position, the second
cantilever component adapted to be pivotally mounted to the first
cantilever component; and a fastener adapted to maintain the
general position of the first cantilever component with respect to
the second cantilever component.
26. The latching mechanism of claim 25, wherein: the first
cantilever component includes a recess therein; the second
cantilever component includes a projection adapted to be seated
within the recess to pivotally mount the first cantilever component
to the second cantilever component; and the fastener is mounted to
one of the first cantilever component or the second cantilever
component.
27. The latching mechanism of claim 26, wherein the fastener
includes a biased arm operative to engage and automatically
associate the first cantilever component with the second cantilever
component.
28. The latching mechanism of claim 27, wherein: the biased arm
includes a taper approximate a proximal end thereof; the biased arm
includes a recess approximate at a proximal end thereof; the taper
of the biased arm is adapted to contact at least one of the first
cantilever component and the second cantilever component; and the
recess of the biased arm is adapted to secure at least one of the
first cantilever component and the second cantilever component.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to an expandable gate
operative to selectively inhibit movement through an opening and,
more specifically, to a latching mechanism for an expandable gate
having a latch adapted to be selectively gripped to disengage the
latch and enable the gate to be compressed.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] A variety of gates are known and presently on the market
that are designed to prevent children from passing from one area to
another. Several of these gates can be adjusted for use in openings
having various widths.
[0005] Presently there are two common types of adjustable, pressure
mounted, security gates that are used in the home for children and
pets that have a plurality of panels that are roughly adjusted to
fill the passageway in which they are to be used. One type has
extendable bumpers on at least one side to firmly engage the side
or sides of the passageway to hold the gate in place and the second
type that has fixed bumpers on the panels that are caused to firmly
engage the sides of the passageway by forcibly extending the panels
in opposite directions and locking them in the maximum extended
position.
[0006] Gates having extendable bumpers may incorporate mechanisms
that include numerous interconnecting parts that require precise
fits and positioning to interact with each other to extend and
retract the bumpers. Gates are also known that utilize actuating
mechanisms that include a complex arrangement of links, cranks,
pull rods and springs that are interconnected to a pull handle. An
example of such an actuating mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,052,461.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to an expandable gate
operative to selectively inhibit movement through an opening and,
more specifically, to a latching mechanism for an expandable gate
having a latch adapted to be selectively finger gripped to
disengage the latch and enable the gate to be compressed. The gate
latch may include a pair of spring biased arms that are adapted to
receive a component of the latching mechanism therein to fix the
relative dimensions of the expandable gate. The gate latch may be
finger gripped to overcome the bias and release the component of
the latching mechanism to allow the relative dimensions of the
expandable gate to substantially change.
[0008] It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a
variable width gate adapted to be manipulated to secure the gate
within the boundary of an opening, the gate comprising: (a) an
expandable gate; and (b) a locking mechanism to secure the
expandable gate within a boundary of an opening, the mechanism
comprising: (i) a first member mounted to the expandable gate, (ii)
a second member mounted to the expandable gate and adapted to
reciprocate with respect to the first member, the second member
being operative to generate a force expanding the expandable gate
when reciprocated toward the first member, and (iii) a latch
mounted to one of the first member or the second member that
selectively interacts with the other of the first member or the
second member to substantially sustain the position of the first
member with respect to the second member to sustain the outward
force.
[0009] It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a
gate latch comprising: (a) a mounting portion adapted to be mounted
to a first member of a cantilever; and (b) a receiving portion
adapted to selectively mount the first member to a second member of
the cantilever, the receiving portion including a finger gripping
portion adapted to be finger gripped to reposition the receiving
portion with respect to the second member.
[0010] It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a
method of sizing a variable width gate within an opening to inhibit
through traffic, the method comprising the steps of: (a) pivoting a
first cantilever segment with respect to a second cantilever
segment, the first cantilever segment mounted to an expandable gate
at a first position and the second cantilever segment mounted to
the expandable gate at a second position, the pivoting of the first
cantilever segment with respect to the second cantilever segment
operative to change a width of the expandable gate; (b) orienting
the first cantilever segment with respect to the second cantilever
segment into a generally parallel orientation; and securing the
first cantilever segment to the second cantilever segment to
inhibit movement of the first cantilever segment with respect to
the second cantilever segment.
[0011] It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a
method of securing a gate within an opening to inhibit through
traffic, the method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning an
expandable gate within an opening having a width; (b) sizing a
width of the expandable gate approximate the width of the opening;
and (c) locking the expandable gate in place by wedging the
expandable gate within the opening, where the locking step
including the steps of: (i) positioning a first member with respect
to a second member to include pivotally mounting the first member
to the second member, the first member being mounted to the
expandable gate at a first position and the second member being
mounted to the expandable gate at a second position, and (ii)
securing the first member to the second member to substantially
inhibit the first member from pivoting with respect to the second
member, the securing step including use of a biased fastener
coupled to the first member and operative to engage the second
member and mount the first member to the second member.
[0012] It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a
method of removing a gate from an opening, the method comprising
the step of unlocking an expandable gate wedged within an opening,
the expandable gate including a first cantilever member mounted to
a second cantilever member, where the unlocking step includes
finger gripping a fastener to disengage the first cantilever member
from the second cantilever member, thereby allowing the expandable
gate to contract.
[0013] It is a sixth aspect of the present invention to provide a
latching mechanism for an expansive gate comprising: (a) a first
cantilever component adapted to be mounted to an expansive gate at
a first position; (b) a second cantilever component adapted to be
mounted to the expansive gate at a second position, the second
cantilever component adapted to be pivotally mounted to the first
cantilever component; and (c) a fastener adapted to maintain the
general position of the first cantilever component with respect to
the second cantilever component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an exemplary expandable gate in
accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a segmental frontal view of two components of a
cantilever in a disengaged position in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a segmental frontal view of two components of a
cantilever just prior to an engaged position in accordance with the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an overhead view of an exemplary gate latch in
accordance with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a right side profile view of the exemplary gate
latch of FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary gate latch
of FIG. 4 with the pivoting arms in a contracted position; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary gate latch
of FIG. 4 with the pivoting arms in an expanded position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
described and illustrated below as expandable gates or gate
sections operative to occupy at least a portion of an opening to
selectively inhibit movement therethrough. The various
orientational, positional, and reference terms are used in an
exemplary form to describe the elements of the inventions with
respect to one another. However, for clarity and precision, only a
single orientational or positional reference will be utilized and,
therefore, it will be understood that the positional and
orientational terms used to describe the elements of the exemplary
embodiments of the present invention are only used to describe the
elements in relation to one another and may be reconfigured by one
of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present invention.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of an
extendable gate 10 includes a first gate section 12 mounted to a
second gate section 14. The first gate section 12 includes a right
side frame member 16, a top frame member 18, a bottom frame member
20, and a left side frame member 22. Each frame member 16, 18, 20,
22 includes a channel (not shown) therein that runs the majority of
the length of each frame member and is adapted to receive a pane 26
therein. The pane 26 may include any material that blocks a
substantial portion of the opening defined by the frame members 16,
18, 20, 22, and in this exemplary embodiment includes plastic mesh.
However, it is also within the scope of the invention to utilize
other materials and panel designs, such as wire mesh, solid plastic
panels, or solid panels with orifices therethrough. A pair of
bumpers 27 are mounted to the right side frame member 16 that are
adapted to contact a boundary, such as a wall, when the extendable
gate 10 is secured within an opening. L-shaped fasteners 28 are
utilized to mount the frame members 16, 18, 20, 22 to one
another.
[0023] The second gate section 14 includes a right side frame
member 36, a top frame member 38, a bottom frame member 40, and a
left side frame member 42. Each frame member 36, 38, 40, 42
includes a channel (not shown) therein that runs at the majority of
the length of each frame member and is adapted to receive a pane 46
therein. The pane 46 may include any material that blocks a
substantial portion of the opening defined by the frame members 36,
38, 40, 42, and in exemplary form includes plastic mesh. A pair of
bumpers 47 are mounted to the left side frame member 42 that are
adapted to contact a boundary, such as a wall, when the extendable
gate 10 is secured within an opening. L-shaped fasteners 48 are
utilized to mount the frame members 36, 38, 40, 42 together.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the gate 10 includes two cantilevers
segments 58, 60, with the first cantilever segment 58 being mounted
to the right side member 16 of the first gate section 12 and the
second cantilever segment 60 being mounted to the left side member
42 of the second gate section 14. The first cantilever segment 58
includes a swivel 62 mounted approximate the free end 64 thereof.
The second cantilever segment 60 includes a plurality of crests 66
and troughs 68, where at least one of the troughs 66 is adapted
receive a catch 70 associated with the swivel 62. In further
exemplary embodiment, the troughs 66 are uniformly spaced apart
one-half inch and include widthwise markings corresponding to the
approximate location of the catch 70 to properly bias the gate
sections 12, 14 within an opening having a certain width. For
instance, if the width of the opening is approximately thirty-six
inches, a trough 66 would be labeled "36" indicating that a good
starting point for securing the gate 10 within the opening would be
to place the catch 70 within the trough labeled "36" to create the
proper bias via the cantilever segments 58, 60. The second
cantilever segment 60 also includes a latch 72 mounted approximate
the free end 74 thereof. The latch 72 is adapted to couple the
first cantilever segment 58 to the second cantilever segment 60 and
create a biased wedge between the first gate section 12 and the
second gate section 14.
[0025] Referencing FIGS. 4-7, the latch 72 includes a boxed end 76
adapted to receive the free end 74 of the second cantilever 60. The
boxed end 76 may create a friction fit between the free end 74 to
secure the latch 72 to the free end 74, or may include a fastener
78 received through an opening 80 in the boxed end 76 to secure the
boxed end 76 to the free end 74 of the second cantilever segment
60. The fastener may include, such as, without limitation, a rivet,
a nail, a screw, and other fastener known to those of ordinary
skill. A pair of flanges 81 extends from the boxed end 76 and is
adapted to receive at least a portion of the first cantilever
segment 58 therebetween as the latch 72 is mounted to the first
cantilever segment 58. Opposite the boxed end 76 is a loop 82
adapted to provide a finger insertion location to facilitate upward
and downward movement of the second cantilever segment 60 with
respect to the first cantilever segment 58. Interposing the loop 82
and the boxed end 76 is an active clasp 84.
[0026] The active clasp 84 includes two pivoting arms 86, 88
divided by a partition 90 within the latch 72. Spanning between the
loop 82 and the boxed end 76 are two metal rods 92, 94. The metal
rods 92, 94 are offset, with the first rod 92 piercing a rounded
projection 96 associated with the first pivoting arm 86, and the
second rod 94 piercing a rounded projection 98 associated with the
second pivoting arm 88. Two receivers 100, 102 are divided by the
partition 90 and mounted thereto, with the first receiver 100
including a rounded cavity 104 that receives the rounded projection
96 of the first arm 86 and allows the rounded projection 96 to
pivot therein. Likewise, the second receiver 102 includes a rounded
cavity 106 that receives the rounded projection 98 of the second
arm 88 and allows the rounded projection 98 to pivot therein. The
partition also includes a passageway 108 therethrough that is
traversed by a spring 110 concurrently mounted to the arms 86,
88.
[0027] Referencing FIG. 1, the extendable gate 10 is placed within
an opening, possibly a doorway or between adjacent walls, such that
the first gate section 12 is extended with respect to the second
gate section 14 to position the bumpers 27, 47 in proximity to the
boundary of the opening. As the gate sections 12, 14 are extended,
the second cantilever segment 60 traverses the first cantilever
segment 50 without the catch 70 being fixedly engaged by at least
one of the troughs 66. After the bumpers 27, 47 are in proximity to
the boundary of the opening or are in contact with the boundary,
the catch 70 is positioned within one of the troughs 66. As
discussed above, the second cantilever segment 60 may include
markings (not shown) that correspond to the location where the
catch 70 should be placed within a trough 66 when the opening is
approximately a particular width. For instance, if the troughs 66
are uniformly spaced one-half inch apart and the gate 10 is
extendable between an opening having a width between twenty-nine
inches and fifty inches, the second cantilever would include
forty-three troughs 66 labeled in one-half inch increments from
"29" to "50", where the "29" label would indicate a starting
position for the catch 70 if the opening was approximately
twenty-nine inches wide; likewise, the trough 66 labeled "50" would
indicate a starting position for the catch 70 if the opening was
fifty inches wide.
[0028] After the catch 70 is positioned within one of the troughs
66, the second cantilever segment 60 is pivoted with respect to the
first cantilever segment 58 such that the latch 72 is moved
downward toward the first cantilever segment 58. This pivoting
action by the cantilever segments 58, 60 exerts an outward pressure
upon the sections 12, 14, thereby tending to wedge the sections 12,
14 within the opening. If the width of the opening is too narrow
based upon the position of the catch 70 within a particular trough
66, the second cantilever segment 60 may not properly pivot with
respect to the first cantilever segment 58. An attempt to force the
latch 72 to downwardly engage the first cantilever segment 58 under
these circumstances would result in undue stress upon the
cantilever segments 58, 60, and might result in failure of the
cantilevers. Alternatively, the catch 70 may be positioned within a
trough 66 that enables the latch 72 to engage the first cantilever
segment 58, but does not wedge the gate 10 within the opening. In
either circumstance where the initial position of the catch 70
within one of the troughs 66 did not adequately allow the sections
12, 14 to be wedged within the opening, the catch 70 may be
repositioned to be seated within another trough 66. The above
process may be repeated until the latch 72 is mounted to the first
cantilever segment 58 and the gate 10 is wedged within the opening.
In this exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the catch 70 would
be repositioned to the left to decrease the wedge force and
repositioned to the right, toward the latch 72, to increase the
wedge force.
[0029] Referencing FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, presuming that the proper
trough 66 has been selected to seat the catch 70 therein, the
second cantilever segment 60 is pivoted with respect to the first
cantilever segment 58 to enable the latch 72 to engage the first
cantilever segment 58. The ends of the arms 86, 88 of the latch 72
are tapered and adapted to engage the upper corners of the first
cantilever segment 58 and be forced apart, counter to the bias of
the spring 110, to pivot about the rods 92, 94 and accommodate the
width of the first cantilever segment 58 therebetween. The arms 86,
88 include a recess 126 therein adjacent to the taper where the
bottom corners of the cantilever segment 58 are adapted to be
seated therein after the bottom corners of the cantilever segment
58 pass beyond the tapered portion of the arms 86, 88. The biased
nature of the arms 86, 88 provides a "snap-fit" to mount the first
cantilever segment 58 to second cantilever segment 60, and the
recesses 126 inhibit disengagement between the cantilever segments
58, 60.
[0030] The biased arms 86, 88 of the latch 72 allow for selective
disengagement between the cantilever segments 58, 60 by finger
gripping. To disengage the latch 72 and the second cantilever
segment 60 from the first cantilever segment 58, the biased arms
86, 88 are gripped and directed inward approximate the partition 90
to pivot the tapered ends of the arms 86, 88 outward and disengage
the recesses 126 from the bottom of the first cantilever segment
58. The wedge force created by the cantilever segments 58, 60 in an
engaged position is decreased as the latch 72 and second cantilever
segment 60 pivot away from the first cantilever segment 58 and
enable the gate sections 12, 14 to freely move with respect to one
another. The decrease in wedge force backs away the bumpers 27, 47
from the boundary of the opening, thereby allowing the gate 10 to
be resized and/or repositioned relative to the boundary.
[0031] Following from the above description and invention
summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described
constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the
inventions contained herein are not limited to these precise
embodiments and that changes may be made to them without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined
by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or
elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are
to be incorporated into the meanings of the claims unless such
limitations or elements are explicitly recited in the claims.
Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet
any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention
disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claim,
since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent
and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist
even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.
* * * * *