U.S. patent application number 11/307678 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for tile alignment and leveling device and method for using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAVINCI ITALIA/USA GROUP, LLC. Invention is credited to Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi.
Application Number | 20060185269 11/307678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36911125 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060185269 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kufner; Edward A. ; et
al. |
August 24, 2006 |
TILE ALIGNMENT AND LEVELING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING THE
SAME
Abstract
A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in
floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a top plate
with several spacer fins and a bottom plate. The plates are
combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through
the top plate so that the top plate is movable along the length of
the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so
that the top and bottom places hold adjacent tiles at a desired
height as the setting bed dries.
Inventors: |
Kufner; Edward A.;
(Fairfield, IA) ; Volponi; Michele; (Fairfield,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHUTTLEWORTH & INGERSOLL, P.L.C.
115 3RD STREET SE, SUITE 500
P.O. BOX 2107
CEDAR RAPIDS
IA
52406
US
|
Assignee: |
DAVINCI ITALIA/USA GROUP,
LLC
100 W. Burlington
Fairfield
IA
|
Family ID: |
36911125 |
Appl. No.: |
11/307678 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10906478 |
Feb 22, 2005 |
|
|
|
11307678 |
Feb 16, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/169.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 21/22 20130101;
E04F 21/0092 20130101; E04F 13/0892 20130101; E04F 21/185
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/169.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/00 20060101
E04B001/00 |
Claims
1. A device for laying and leveling tiles, said device comprising:
a shaft having an upper portion and a lower portion; a bottom plate
combined with the shaft lower portion; a top plate having an
opening which is adapted to receive the shaft, said top plate
having an upper side and a lower side; and a locking assembly
having an opening adapted to receive the shaft.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the locking assembly is movable in
a first direction along the shaft by not in a second direction
along the shaft.
3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a tongue release
combined with the locking assembly and adapted to allow the locking
assembly to move in both the first and second directions when
actuated.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the shaft further comprises a
separation point that is structurally weaker than the remainder of
the shaft to allow the shaft to be separated from the bottom
plate.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the bottom plate comprises a
plurality of openings.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the bottom plate comprises two
horizontal portions combined with a vertical portion to allow the
device to be used between tiles of different thicknesses.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the lower side of the top plate
further comprises two spacer fins adapted for insertion between
adjacent tiles.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the lower side of the top plate
further comprises four spacer fins adapted for insertion between
adjacent tiles.
9. The device of claim 2 wherein the shaft is threaded.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the bottom plate comprises a
threaded opening adapted to receive the threaded shaft.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the locking assembly is a nut,
said nut adapted for tightening against the top plate as the top
plate is moved in the first direction.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein the shaft upper portion is
thicker than the shaft lower portion.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein the shaft is round.
14. A device for laying and leveling tiles, said device comprising:
a shaft having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a plurality
of surface features; a bottom plate combined with the shaft lower
portion; a top plate having an opening which is adapted to receive
the shaft, said top plate having an upper side and a lower side;
and a locking assembly having an opening adapted to receive the
shaft, wherein the locking assembly has at least one locking tongue
which is adapted to interfere with the surface features on the
shaft so that the locking assembly is movable in a first direction
along the shaft but not in a second direction along the shaft.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein the locking tongue is angled
relative to the shaft.
16. The device of claim 14 wherein the bottom plate, top plate, and
locking assembly are combined with the shaft so that the top plate
is between the bottom plate and the locking assembly.
17. The device of claim 14 wherein the locking assembly further
comprises at least one tongue release adapted to reduce the
interference between the locking tongue and the surface features so
that when the tongue release is actuated the locking assembly is
able to move in both the first direction and the second
direction.
18. The device of claim 14 wherein the surface features are
horizontal.
19. The device of claim 14 wherein the surface features are
vertical.
20. A method for laying and leveling adjacent tiles using a device
having a shaft with a bottom plate secured thereto and a top plate
having an upper side and a lower side, said top plate being
threaded onto and movable along the shaft, said method comprising:
applying a setting bed to a substrate material; placing the bottom
plate in the setting bed; placing at least two tiles over the
bottom plate so that the shaft extends upward between the tiles;
moving the top plate downward along the shaft until it is in
contact with the tiles; leveling the tiles using the device;
allowing the setting bed to dry; and removing the top plate and the
shaft from the bottom plate.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the lower side of the top plate
further comprises spacer fins which are placed between the adjacent
tiles.
22. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of removing
the bottom plate from the shaft by breaking the shaft near the
bottom plate.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein the shaft is threaded and the
bottom plate comprises a threaded opening adapted to receive the
threaded shaft; and wherein the shaft is removed from the bottom
plate by unscrewing the shaft from the bottom plate.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/906,478 filed on Feb. 22, 2005 which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to the field of laying and
leveling tile and slabs. More particularly, the invention is
directed to a device for aligning and leveling adjacent tiles as
they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like.
[0003] Tile has become a popular decorative and functional article
for use in floors, walls, countertops, and the like. Both
professional tile installers and do-it-yourselfers spend a great
deal of time aligning and leveling tiles as they are being placed
on a substrate's surface. Proper alignment and leveling of each
tile is important for a number of reasons. One reason is that if
one tile is improperly placed, the error will continue in adjacent
tiles such that the installation will be unacceptable and the tiles
will have to be replaced and/or ground and polished until the tiles
are level or flat. In addition to aesthetic reasons for properly
laying tile, a level surface is essential in tile floors so that
people do not trip and fall on unevenly laid tiles. Replacing or
otherwise correcting errors in tile installation takes time that
adds to the total cost of the tile installation.
[0004] Laying and leveling tile can be difficult because many
substrates are uneven, such as the ground substrate when laying
tile for an outdoor patio. In this case, it can be difficult to
raise the low areas of the substrate with mortar or other objects
so that all the tiles are level. Further, tiles can shift and sink
into mortar as the mortar dries. It is therefore necessary to
continually monitor newly laid tiles as the mortar dries to ensure
that they remain level. If some of the tiles begin to sink into the
mortar, it can be difficult to raise the sinking tiles without
disturbing the adjacent tiles.
[0005] Tile installers have used a variety of methods to maintain
quality tile installation while completing the installation process
as fast as possible. One basic method uses markings on the
substrate surface. Marking the installation surface requires the
mortar to be carefully applied such that the marks remain visible.
Although this technique aids in the alignment of the tiles, it does
not keep the tiles level as they are laid in the mortar. Further,
the use of this marking technique increases the amount of time
required for the installation which results in increased cost.
[0006] Another device used for laying and leveling tile is a frame
designed to space tiles an appropriate distance. This type of frame
is typically a fixed grid which is designed for a specific tile
size. The disadvantage of this type of device is that it is a fixed
size which requires a professional installer to carry multiple
frames in order to be capable of installing any tile size. A
further disadvantage of this type of frame is that it is only
capable of installing one type of tile at a time.
[0007] Another device used to lay and align adjacent tiles is a
spacer such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,951
(McCarthy). The spacer disclosed in this patent provides a square
edge for properly aligning adjacent tiles at right angles, and a
height adjustment means for adjusting the height of the tiles
relative to the mortar surface. One problem with this device is
that it is difficult to set multiple spacers to the same height
which often results in an uneven tile surface. A related problem
with this device is that the adjustment means does not allow the
height of the tiles to be adjusted after the tile is laid because
the height adjustment means is located under the tile after the
tile is laid.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an efficient and inexpensive
tile leveling and alignment device that allows for the vertical
adjustment of tiles relative to each other after the tiles have
been laid in the mortar.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is directed to a tile leveling and
alignment device for use in installing tiles on substrates such as
floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The invention comprises a
top plate and a bottom plate. The plates are combined with a shaft
that extends from the bottom plate through the top plate so that
the top plate is movable along the length of the shaft. A typical
first step in laying tile is the application of a setting bed, such
as a cement or mortar compound, to the substrate surface.
Thereafter, the tiles can be placed in the setting bed. During
these steps the bottom plate of the present invention is positioned
in the setting bed beneath the tiles so that the shaft extends
upward between adjacent tiles. The bottom plate is preferably
positioned so that it is in contact with more than one tile. The
shaft extends from the bottom plate upward between adjacent tiles
and is combined with the top plate. The top plate is movably
combined with the shaft so that after the tiles are laid in the
setting bed on top of the bottom plate, the top plate is moved
toward the tiles until the tiles are between and in contact with
both plates. The device preferably comprises a locking assembly to
prevent the top plate from moving once it has been properly
positioned. The plates support the tiles so that adjacent tiles
remain level even if the substrate material is not level. In other
words, the plates keep the tiles level relative to the adjacent
tiles, not relative to the substrate surface. It is not even
necessary that the bottom plate be in contact with the substrate in
order for the device to achieve a level tile surface. The plates
hold the tiles at the same height so that corners and/or edges of
the adjacent tiles remain level in the setting bed as the setting
bed dries and cures.
[0010] After the setting bed dries, thereby securing the tiles to
the substrate, the shaft is separated from the bottom plate leaving
the bottom plate beneath the set tiles. The top plate and the
portion of the shaft above the separation point are released from
the set tiles allowing the top plate to be reused in subsequent
tile setting and leveling procedures.
[0011] In addition to the tile leveling feature described above,
the preferred embodiment also comprises a tile spacer means for
aligning adjacent tiles. The tile spacer means is comprised of one
or more vertical fins extending from the surface of the plates
toward the tiles, i.e. the fins are on the lower surface of the top
plate and/or the upper surface of the bottom plate. The fins are
adapted to be placed between adjacent tiles so that adjacent tiles
are spaced the proper distance apart. Different plates may comprise
fins of different sizes so the user can choose the desired distance
between adjacent tiles.
[0012] One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that a
plurality of tile leveling devices can be simultaneously used
between different tiles being laid on a substrate so as to level
many tiles at the same time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the device of the present
invention in use between two adjacent tiles;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower side of the top
plate showing the spacer fins and the sliding channel;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper side of the top
plate wherein the locking assembly is combined with the top
plate;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective cut away view of the upper side of
the top plate showing the locking assembly comprising locking
tongues and tongue release;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the invention wherein the shaft is threaded;
[0019] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an embodiment wherein the
bottom plate is shaped like a stair step to accommodate tiles of
different thicknesses;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an embodiment wherein the
top portion of the shaft is thicker than the bottom portion of the
shaft;
[0021] FIG. 9 is an elevational view showing an embodiment wherein
the top plate is separate from the locking assembly; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a prospective view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 9 wherein the top plate is combined with the locking
assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention is a tile 18 alignment and leveling
device. The device can be used to align and level tiles 18 that are
being secured to any suitable substrate, including floors, walls,
and countertops. It should be noted that words used in this
specification such as upper, lower, top, and bottom, are relative
to the device as it is shown in FIG. 2 with the top plate 10 above
the bottom plate 12.
[0024] As best seen in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a
top plate 10 and a bottom plate 12 combined with a shaft 14. The
plates 10, 12 can be made from any suitable material, however, they
are preferably comprised of plastic with a metal reinforcing insert
embedded inside the plastic. The metal insert provides strength and
rigidity to the plates 10, 12 that may be needed for leveling heavy
tiles 18 or slabs, while the outer plastic portion prevents damage
to the tiles 18 and does not rust.
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the top plate 10 comprises an
opening referred to as a sliding channel 24 which is adapted to
receive the shaft 14. The top plate 10 is movable along the length
of the shaft 14 with the shaft passing through the sliding channel
24. The shaft 14 is preferably comprised of plastic, thereby making
the shaft 14 semi-rigid.
[0026] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shaft 14 is
square with surface features 15 on all four of its sides. The
surface features 15 of the shaft 14 are further described below.
The square shape of the shaft 14 allows the locking assembly 33 to
be combined with the shaft 14 in any of four orientations. This
increases efficiency because the user does not need to spend time
determining the directionality of the locking assembly 33 relative
to the shaft 14 as the user slides the locking assembly 33 onto the
shaft 14. In alternate embodiments, the shaft 14 has surface
features 15 on only one or two of its sides. However, in these
embodiments, the user may have to spend time determining which side
of the shaft 14 aligns properly with the locking assembly 33. In
addition to a square shape, the shaft 14 can be any other suitable
shape, such as rectangular as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, or round as
shown in FIG. 6
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the device of the
present invention between adjacent tiles 18. A typical first step
in laying tile 18 is to apply a setting bed 20 such as mortar or
cement to the substrate surface 22. After the setting bed 20 is
applied, the tiles 18 can be placed in the setting bed 20. In use,
the bottom plate 12 of the device is positioned in the setting bed
20 beneath the tiles 18 so that the shaft 14 extends upward between
adjacent tiles 18, preferably at joint or corner locations. The
shaft 14 extends from the bottom plate 12 upward between the tiles
18 and is combined with the top plate 10, which is positioned above
the tiles 18. The top plate 12 is moved along the shaft 14 toward
the tiles 18 until the tiles 18 are in contact with both plates 10,
12 as shown in FIG. 2. The plates 10, 12 hold the tiles 18 at their
desired height so that adjacent tiles 18 are level regardless of
whether the underlying substrate material 22 is level. In other
words, with the present invention the bottom plate 12 does not need
to rest on the substrate in order for the tiles 18 to be level. The
bottom plate 12 may even be suspended above the substrate as long
as at least a portion of the tile 18 is contacting the setting bed
20 and as long as the tiles 18 are level relative to each other.
The plates 10, 12 hold the tiles 18 at the same height so that
corners and/or edges of the adjacent tiles 18 remain aligned and
level as the setting bed 20 hardens.
[0028] Once the tiles 18 are properly positioned, it is important
that the top plate 10 does not move upward along the shaft 14. To
this end, the device comprises a locking assembly 33 combined with
the shaft 14 above the top plate 10 which prevents the top plate 10
from moving upward along the shaft 14. In some embodiments, the
locking assembly 33 comprises at least one locking tongue 30 which,
together with the shaft 14, functions like a commercially available
"zip tie." In other words, the locking tongue 30 allows the locking
assembly 33 to move freely in a first direction (downward) along
the length of the shaft 14, but not in a second direction (upward)
along the length of the shaft 14. One way to accomplish this is
shown in FIG. 1 wherein the shaft 14 has a plurality of horizontal
surface features 15 along its length. These surface features 15 can
be either indentations or elevated ridges. The locking tongue(s) 30
of the locking assembly 33, shown in FIG. 5, are angled and adapted
to interfere with the surface features 15 to allow movement of the
shaft 14 in only one direction. The surface features 15 are
preferably close enough together so as to provide a nearly infinite
adjustment for the height of the locking assembly 33.
[0029] Another way the locking tongue(s) 30 can prevent movement in
the upward direction is shown in FIG. 10 wherein the device
comprises one or more vertical surface features 17. The vertical
surface features 17 are preferably comprised of a plastic material
similar to the shaft 14 so that the angled locking tongue(s) 30
digs into the surface features 17 and does not allow movement in
the upward direction. The locking tongue(s) 30 could dig into the
plastic shaft 14 directly without any surface features 14, 17;
however, the vertical surface features 17 reduce the surface area
into which the locking tongue(s) 30 must penetrate thereby allowing
the locking tongue(s) 30 to dig deeper and hold better.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 10, the locking tongues 30 may
comprise tongue releases 31. Activation of the tongue release 31
enables the user to release the locking tongues 30 from the surface
features 15 on the shaft 14 to allow movement of the locking
assembly 33, and, thus, the top plate 10, in the second (upward)
direction.
[0031] One of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the
number of locking tongues 30 can vary depending on the shape of the
shaft 14 and the desired holding strength of the device. Typically,
an increased number of locking tongues 30 allows the locking
assembly 33 to resist more force. For example, the locking assembly
33 may comprise four locking tongues 30 so that there is one tongue
30 on four different sides of the locking assembly 33. This
arrangement is preferably for use with a square shaft 14 having
surface features 15 on all four sides. Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 5, the locking assembly 33 may comprise more than one locking
tongue 30 per side of the locking assembly 33.
[0032] FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 show an embodiment wherein the locking
assembly 33 is combined with the top plate 10 so that the top plate
10 and locking assembly 33 are one piece. FIGS. 9 and 10 show an
alternate embodiment wherein the locking assembly 33 is detachable
from the top plate 10 so that different top plates 10 having
different sized fins 26 can be used with the same locking assembly
33. In this embodiment, top plate 10 preferably comprises members
35 which are received by openings (not shown) on the underside of
locking assembly 33 to hold the top plate 10 together with the
locking assembly 33 by an interference fit during use.
[0033] As best seen in FIG. 3, the lower side of the top plate 10
comprises several spacer fins 26 for spacing adjacent tiles 18 a
proper and consistent distance from each other. The thickness of
the spacer fins 26 may vary depending on the desired distance
between adjacent tiles 18. Similarly, different plates 10, 12
having different sized spacer fins 26 may be used depending on the
desired distance between adjacent tiles 18. The spacer fins 26 are
preferably rectangular shaped and extend from the edge of the top
plate 10 toward the center of the top plate 10. In the preferred
embodiment, the top plate 10 comprises four spacer fins 26 when
used at the intersection of four tiles 18, and two spacer fins 26
on either side of the sliding channel 24 when used between two
tiles 18. Further, it is preferred that the spacer fins 26 extend
from the edge of the plate 10 to the edge of the sliding channel 24
to reduce the opportunity for mud or mortar to seep through the
channel 24. In an alternate embodiment, there are spacer fins 26
facing upward from the upper portion of the bottom plate 12 which
serve the same function as the above described spacer fins 26.
[0034] As seen best in FIGS. 1 and 6, the bottom plate 12
preferably comprises a plurality of openings 28. The openings 28
allow the setting bed material 20 to seep through the bottom plate
12. This seepage allows the setting bed material 20 to bond with
the portion of the tile 18 directly above the bottom plate 12,
which otherwise may not contact much of the setting bed material
20. Further, the seepage helps to ensure that the tiles 18 remain
level as forces are applied to the plates 10, 12, setting bed
material 20, and/or tiles 18 during tightening, leveling, and
setting. If the setting bed material 20 was not allowed to seep
through the bottom plate 12, the setting bed material 20 could
raise the bottom plate 12 as it dried which would consequently
affect the level of the tiles 18.
[0035] After the setting bed 20 dries, and the tiles 18 are secured
to the substrate 22, the user removes the portion of the device
that is visible above the laid tiles 18, i.e. the shaft 14, top
plate 10, and locking assembly 33. To accomplish this, the shaft 14
comprises a separation point 16 near the connection of the shaft 14
and the bottom plate 12 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the preferred
embodiment, the separation point 16 is structurally weaker than the
remainder of the shaft 14 so that the user can twist the portion of
the shaft 14 that extends above the tiles 18 and cause the shaft 14
to break at its separation point 16. Although the separation point
16 is capable of breaking when twisted, it is strong enough so that
when force is applied along the length of the shaft 14, the shaft
14 does not break. Once separated at the separation point 16, the
bottom plate 12 remains below the tiles 18 and is therefore not
reusable. The top plate 10 and locking assembly 33, however, can be
removed from the shaft 14 and reused in subsequent tile 18 laying
operations. As discussed above, the shaft 14 is preferably made of
a semi-rigid plastic, and is preferably square in shape. This
square shape and semi-rigid material allow the shaft 14 to more
easily be broken at its separation point 16.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment preferably for use in
laying tiles 18 in wall substrates 22. This embodiment also
comprises a top plate 10a and a bottom plate 12a combined by a
shaft 14a. In this embodiment, the top plate 10a is preferably
metal with a plastic or rubber material on the bottom surface of
the plate 10a. The shaft 14a in this embodiment is preferably
threaded like a screw. The bottom plate 12a comprises a threaded
opening into which the shaft 14a is screwed for securing the shaft
14a to the bottom plate 12a. Preferably, the opening in the bottom
plate 12a is reverse threaded so that the shaft 14a does not become
unscrewed from the bottom plate 12a as the nut 32 us tightened.
Further, preferably, the opening in the bottom plate 12a only
extends through a portion of the bottom plate 12a (not all the way
through) so that the shaft 14a is secured to the bottom plate 12a,
but does not penetrate or screw into the substrate 22 beneath the
bottom plate 12a.
[0037] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the top plate 10a is
freely movable along the length of the shaft 14a. The locking
assembly for this embodiment is a nut 32, preferably a wing nut,
which is threaded onto the shaft 14a. As with the above described
locking assemblies 33, the nut 32 prevents upward movement of the
top plate 10a once properly positioned. The plates 10a, 12a are
placed on either side of the tiles 18 as described in the previous
embodiments, and then the nut 32 is tightened down the shaft 14a to
hold the two plates 10a, 12a snugly on either side of the tile 18.
After the tiles 18 are set in the setting bed 20, the screw/shaft
14a can be unscrewed from the bottom plate 12a. This allows the top
plate 10a and screw/shaft 14a to be removed from the tile 18, while
the bottom plate 12a remains underneath the set tile 18.
Alternatively, the screw/shaft 14a can be separated from the bottom
plate 12a by using a weaker separation point 16 as described in the
above embodiments.
[0038] FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment that can be used with
any of the above embodiments. In this embodiment, the bottom plate
12 is shaped like two stairs in that there are two horizontal
portions combined by a vertical portion. The top of the vertical
portion is preferably where the bottom plate 12 is combined with
the shaft 14. The purpose of this embodiment is so that the device
can be used to lay and level two tiles 18, 18a of different
thickness. This is shown in FIG. 7 wherein the device is being used
to level tile 18 with thicker tile 18a.
[0039] FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment which can be used with
any of the above embodiments wherein the upper portion 14a of the
shaft 14 is thicker than the lower portion 14b of the shaft 14. The
upper portion 14a of the shaft 14 is thicker so that the user can
better grip the shaft 14 when tightening the top plate 10 against
the tiles 18. The lower portion 14b of the shaft 14 that extends
between adjacent tiles 18 toward the bottom plate 12 is thinner so
that tiles 18 can be placed closer together, if desired, and so
that it is easier to separate the shaft 14 from the bottom plate 12
in the embodiment comprising the separation point 16.
[0040] Having thus described the invention in connection with the
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled
in the art that various revisions can be made to the preferred
embodiments described herein with out departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such
revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in
the art will be included with in the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *