U.S. patent application number 11/838597 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for adjustable baseboard and molding system.
Invention is credited to William Friedlich.
Application Number | 20080029613 11/838597 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46329173 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080029613 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedlich; William |
February 7, 2008 |
ADJUSTABLE BASEBOARD AND MOLDING SYSTEM
Abstract
A baseboard system includes baseboard units through which
conduits extend carrying heated fluids, and moldings about the free
ends of the baseboards, to provide a generally uniform external
surface configuration. The moldings are in the nature of
conventional moldings made of wood, pressed wood, plastic or the
like. The use of the moldings with the baseboards provides an
efficient, cost-effective system that produces a uniform appearance
and facilitates cleaning.
Inventors: |
Friedlich; William; (Bronx,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LACKENBACH SIEGEL, LLP
LACKENBACH SIEGEL BUILDING
1 CHASE ROAD
SCARSDALE
NY
10583
US
|
Family ID: |
46329173 |
Appl. No.: |
11/838597 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10255326 |
Sep 26, 2002 |
7255152 |
|
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11838597 |
Aug 14, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
237/59 ;
165/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 19/04 20130101;
F28F 1/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
237/059 ;
165/053 |
International
Class: |
F24D 19/02 20060101
F24D019/02; F24D 3/00 20060101 F24D003/00 |
Claims
1. A baseboard system comprising a convection baseboard unit to be
arranged along a wall proximate to a floor of an enclosure to be
heated; heating means within said baseboard unit, said baseboard
unit defining a predetermined external surface configuration
including vertically spaced openings to allow ambient air to flow
into and heated air to flow out of said baseboard unit and having a
predetermined width defined by two opposing lateral ends; and said
baseboard unit being formed of three vertically spaced members, a
first opening of said spaced openings between a lower member and an
intermediate member forming an inlet opening for admitting ambient
air into said baseboard unit and a second opening of said spaced
openings between said intermediate member and an upper member
forming an outlet opening for discharging heated air, wherein at
least one of said members being formed as an extruded member.
2. A baseboard system comprising a convection baseboard unit to be
arranged along a wall proximate to a floor of an enclosure to be
heated; heating means within said baseboard unit, said baseboard
unit defining a predetermined external surface configuration
including vertically spaced openings to allow ambient air to flow
into and heated air to flow out of said baseboard unit and having a
predetermined width defined by two opposing lateral ends; and said
baseboard unit being formed of three vertically spaced members, a
first opening of said spaced openings between a lower member and an
intermediate member forming an inlet opening for admitting ambient
air into said baseboard unit and a second opening of said spaced
openings between said intermediated member and an upper member
forming an outlet opening for discharging heated air, wherein said
lower member is detachably connected to the wall and selectively
detached from the wall to provide access to a region between said
intermediate member and the floor, whereby that portion of the
floor below said intermediate member normally covered by said lower
member can be finished or cleaned without damage to the baseboard
or equipment used to finish or clean the normally covered portion
of the floor.
3. A baseboard system according to claim 2, wherein said lower
member is detachably connected to the wall by a snap-lock
arrangement.
4. A baseboard system comprising a convection baseboard unit to be
arranged along a wall proximate to a floor of an enclosure to be
heated; heating means within said baseboard unit, said baseboard
unit defining a predetermined external surface configuration
including vertically spaced openings to allow ambient air to flow
into and heated air to flow out of said baseboard unit and having a
predetermined width defined by two opposing lateral ends; said
baseboard unit being formed of three vertically spaced members, a
first opening of said spaced openings between a lower member and an
intermediate member forming an inlet opening for admitting ambient
air into said baseboard unit and a second opening of said spaced
openings between said intermediated member and an upper member
forming an outlet opening for discharging heated air, at least one
conduit supported between the wall and said intermediate member;
and a plurality of fins substantially equally spaced from each
other along said at least one conduit and serving as a heat
exchanger to heat ambient air entering through a lower of said
vertically spaced openings, the spacing between said fins being
selected to provide a desired BTU output per unit length of the
baseboard unit.
5. A baseboard system according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of
conduits are provided each with one of "n" substantially uniform
spacings between adjacent fins, and the baseboard is provided with
one of said conduits having one of said "n" spacing to provide a
desired BTU per unit length of the baseboard.
6. A baseboard system according to claim 4, wherein two conduits
are supported between the wall and said intermediate member, said
conduits being vertically spaced from each other in a plane
substantially parallel to said intermediate members, said fins
being in contact with both said conduits.
7. A baseboard system according to claim 6, wherein each of said
conduits is formed with a plurality of fins substantially equally
spaced a distance "d", and said conduits are axially offset from
each other along the length directions of said conduits a distance
substantially equal to "d/2" to interleave the fins on said
conduits to space adjacent fins of said interleaved fins a distance
substantially equal to "d/2", wherein said distance "d/2" is
selected to provide a desired BTU per unit length of the
baseboard.
8. A baseboard system according to claim 6, wherein each of said
conduits is similarly formed with a plurality of fins adjacent ones
of which are substantially equally spaced a predetermined distance
from each other each fin being similarly configured as a generally
elongate sheet of planer thermally conductive material having a
predetermined length along a fin axis and having an open cutout at
one end configured to conform to a mating surface of a cooperating
spaced conduit and having an intermediate opening between said open
cutout and another opposing end configured to receive an associated
conduit to conform and receive an associated conduit to conform and
contact with said associated conduit, said fin axes of all fins on
an associated conduit being substantially aligned in parallel to
dispose all open cutouts on each conduit generally aligned along a
direction parallel to said conduit, whereby arranging a pair of
conduits to position each conduit within said open cutouts formed
with said fins associated with the other of said conduits fixed the
spacing between said conduits and provides thermal contact between
each of the fins and both conduits to maximize heat transfer from
said conduits to the ambient air through said fins.
9. A baseboard system according to claim 8, wherein said fins are
each rectangular having a length along said fin axis greater than a
width normal to said fin axis.
10. A baseboard system according to claim 9, wherein said conduits
are tubes having circular cross-sections, and said intermediate
openings are circular openings dimensioned to correspond to the
outside diameter of associated conduit to receive the conduit with
little clearance.
11. A baseboard system according to claim 10, wherein said fins are
thermally attached to associated conduit.
12. A baseboard system according to claim 11, wherein said fins are
welded to associated conduit in the region of said intermediate
openings.
13. A baseboard system according to claim 12, wherein said fins are
welded to associated conduit substantially along the entire
periphery of said intermediate openings.
14. A baseboard system according to claim 10, wherein said open
cutouts are formed as semi-circular contours.
15. A baseboard system according to claim 14, wherein said circular
openings and said semi-circular contours define center points that
are substantially co-exlasive with the centers or axes of said
conduits when mated together and define the spacing between said
conduits when assembled in the baseboard.
16. A baseboard system according to claim 6, wherein said two
conduits are connected one end to feed and return lines and
connected to each other at the other end.
17. A baseboard system according to claim 6, wherein a T-splitter
is used at each end to connect both conduits at one end to a feed
line and to connect both conduits to a return line at the other
end.
18. A baseboard system according to claim 6, wherein conduit is
arranged to carry heated water from a supply line and the other
conduit is arranged to carry cooled water to a return line, whereby
the BTU per unit length provided by the baseboard is substantially
on average of the BTUs provided by each of said conduits and
associated fins.
19. A baseboard system comprising a convection baseboard unit to be
arranged along a wall proximate to a floor of an enclosure to be
heated; heating means within said baseboard unit, said baseboard
unit defining a predetermined external surface configuration
including vertically spaced openings to allow ambient air to flow
into and heated air to flow out of said baseboard unit and having a
predetermined width defined by two opposing lateral ends; moldings
abutting at least one lateral end of said baseboard unit and having
an external surface configuration substantially corresponding to
said external surface configuration of said baseboard unit, whereby
abutment of said moldings against at least one lateral end of said
baseboard unit beyond the lateral end thereof to effectively
provide a continuous member having a substantially continuous
external surface configuration having the appearance of said
baseboard and molding extending along at least a portion of a wall
of the enclosure; and adjustable heat exchange means far adjusting
the amount of BTUs per unit length of selected lengths of
baseboard, whereby different lengths of baseboard can be selected
to produce different BTUs per unit length to provide desired heat
distribution without changing the size or shape of said external
surface configuration, whereby a uniform appearance can be provided
despite disparate BTU per unit length generated at different
locations of the baseboard unit.
20. A baseboard system according to claim 19, wherein said
adjustable heat exchanger means comprises a pair of spaced conduits
and substantially uniformly spaced fins along said conduits,
wherein said spacing between adjacent fins being selectable during
assembly of the baseboard to provide desired inter-fin spacing with
corresponding BTU per unit length generation.
21. A baseboard system according to claim 7, wherein one conduit is
for carrying heated fluid and the other is for carrying fluid that
returns in a closed loop system.
22. A baseboard system according to claim 7, wherein both conduits
are for carrying heated fluid from a common feeder conduit feeding
heated fluid to said baseboard, and a T-shaped coupling for
diverting a portion of the heated fluid from the common feeder
conduit to each of said conduit with said baseboard.
23. A baseboard system according to claim 22, further comprising
deflecting means within said coupling for directing substantially
equal amounts of heated fluid to both said conduits.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/255,326, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,255,152 on Aug. 14, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention generally relates to baseboard heaters, and,
more specifically, to an efficient baseboard and molding system
that provides sufficient heat exchange with desired heat
distribution patterns while providing a substantially continuous
profile having a substantially continuous external surface
configuration along a selected portion of a wall of an enclosure to
be heated.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Numerous baseboard heaters have been proposed. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,033 to Cali discloses a functional baseboard
panel that includes a heat transfer tube and a non-functional
panel. This non-functional panel provides symmetry in the room and
allows for expansion if more functional panels are needed in the
room or area. Thus, the non-functional panels serve to provide
expansion capability should additional functional sections be
required, which could then replace the non-functional panels with
functional panels. However, the non-functional sections are
essentially blank versions of the function sections, and these are
intended to possibly be converted at a future date to functional
units. There is no teaching or suggestion that the non-functional
panels be more in the nature of more conventional moldings made of
wood or the like.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,509 to Finnesz, a baseboard is
disclosed that has a wooden cover B evidently for aesthetic
purposes, though no mention is made that such cover should match
any other or surrounding molding in a room or area. U.S. Pat. No.
3,141,499 to Bunten teaches a baseboard radiator with connector
units, while U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,007 to Glatt teaches a baseboard
radiator. In both of these patents, the baseboard appears to extend
about the entire wall length, so that there is presented a
uniformity about the room. However, in both cases, there is no
suggestion that baseboard units be used in conjunction with
matching, non-functional moldings.
[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,981 to Stock, a ventilating system
for a room is disclosed in which there is some coordination with a
ventilating system cabinet. However, shelving is used in
conjunction with the ventilating system cabinet so that there is no
real symmetry or uniform appearance between the heating cabinet and
the adjoining shelving.
[0008] Also, from the turn of the century until almost 1970, energy
was relatively inexpensive, and not much attention was paid to
insulation, thermal breaks, for example, cold air entering a living
area from the outdoors or from a basement. At that time, if
additional heat was required to increase the temperature in a
living quarter additional heat exchangers, such as baseboards or
radiators, were installed. Thus, for example, if a corner 15' by
20' bedroom, having two exposed walls, needed upwards of 20,000
BTUs to maintain the room at 70.degree. F. when the outside
temperature was 0.degree. F., providing the 35' perimeter along the
two exposed walls with baseboards generating 600 BTUs per foot
would yield 21,00 BTUs. However, while the room obtained its
required BTUs the heat was not optimally distributed, with the bulk
of the heat being provided at the exposed walls. Today's houses are
built much tighter. The same room in modern construction would only
need approximately 6,000 BTUs. While this could be achieved with a
10' baseboard on one exposed wall using the conventional 600 BTU
per foot units, there would be an even greater deterioration in the
distribution of heat as the heat distribution would be quite uneven
in the room making it less comfortable for the occupant(s). An
alternative arrangement of a 4' baseboard on the 15' wall and 6'
baseboard on the 20' wall would be better, but still uneven, and
both solutions are less than desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
baseboard system that includes not only baseboard units but
similarly shaped moldings at the free ends of the baseboard units,
not only to provide an aesthetic appearance of a continuous molding
about a wall of an enclosure to be heated, but which molding can
also receive, as necessary, conduits carrying heated fluid.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
baseboard system as in the previous objects which effectively
provides a continuous member projecting forwardly from the wall
that has a substantially continuous external profile or surface
configuration, that thereby eliminates edges and corners in the
regions of the lateral or free ends of the baseboards, to enhance
the appearance of the installation and to facilitate cleaning in
the corners at the free ends of the baseboards while preventing
damage to the baseboards themselves as well as possibly to vacuum
cleaners or other cleaning devices used to clean around the
baseboards.
[0011] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
baseboard system that is simple in construction and economical to
manufacture enabling use of multiple materials.
[0012] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
baseboard system which is efficient and can be easily modified or
adjusted at the construction site to provide desired heat transfer
properties or BTUs per unit length to heat a space of a given area,
insulation and exposure while enhancing the heat distribution
within the space.
[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a
baseboard system, as in the previous objects, which is easy and
convenient to install.
[0014] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
baseboard system, as suggested in the previous objects, which can
accommodate any size or shape enclosure to be heated.
[0015] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a
baseboard system which can easily be adapted to any hot water
heating system and sized for any standard plumbing parts.
[0016] It is an additional object of the invention to provide a
baseboard system in which the baseboard heater and the moldings
used therewith can be made of different materials.
[0017] It is yet an additional object of the invention to provide a
baseboard system that can be used in new constructions or retro
fitted in existing constructions without the need to modify the
pipe layouts to or from the baseboards so that existing pipes could
be used.
[0018] It still an additional object of the invention to provide a
baseboard system whereby the heat exchangers can be easily adjusted
or modified, even in the field, to generate desired BTU's per unit
length to allow desired heat distribution(s) within various
portions of an enclosure to enhance the comfort level within an
enclosure without sacrificing esthetics while preserving a desired
uniform aesthetic appearance.
[0019] It is another object of the invention to provide a baseboard
system that has the ability to be retrofitted with existing
plumbing, typically having larger diameter pipes, or for new
insulations, typically utilizing smaller diameter pipes, without
the need for additional plumbing above or below the floor or
interior or exterior doors.
[0020] It is yet an additional object of the invention to provide a
baseboard that has a removable foot or lower portion on the base
thereof that facilitates sanding or other finishing of the floor
without damaging either the new molding or the heating elements or
the finishing equipment.
[0021] It is still an additional object of the invention to provide
a baseboard system as in the previous objects which provides a
raceway for telephone, cable, computer or other low voltage wiring
in both the heating and the passive portions of the system, beyond
the lateral ends of the active baseboard units.
[0022] In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others
which will become evident hereinafter, a baseboard system in
accordance with the present invention comprises a baseboard unit to
be arranged along a wall proximate to floor of an enclosure to be
heated. Heating means is provided within said baseboard unit. Said
baseboard unit defining a predetermined external surface
configuration including vertically spaced openings to allow ambient
air to flow into the heated air to flow out of said baseboard unit
and having a predetermined width defined by two opposing lateral
ends. Said baseboard unit is formed of three vertically spaced
members, a first opening of said spaced openings between a lower
member and an intermediate member forming an inlet opening for
admitting ambient air into said baseboard unit and the second
opening of said spaced openings between said intermediate member
and an upper member forming an outlet opening for discharging
heated air. One feature of the invention is providing at least one
of said members of said baseboard unit formed as an extruded
member.
[0023] According to another feature of the invention, said lower
member is detachably connected to the wall and selectively detached
from the wall to provide access to a region between said
intermediate member and the floor. In this matter, the portion of
the floor below said intermediate member normally covered by said
lower member can be finished or cleaned without damage to the
baseboard or equipment used to finish or clean the normally covered
portion of the floor.
[0024] According to another feature of the invention, at least one
conduit is supported between the wall and the intermediate member.
A plurality of fins, substantially equally spaced from each other,
are provide along said at least one conduit and serve as a heat
exchanger to heat ambient air entering through a lower of said
vertically spaced openings, the spacing between said fins being
selected to provide a desired BTU output per unit length of the
baseboard unit. Advantageously, a plurality of different BTU-rated
conduits are each provided with different fin spacings so that an
appropriate conduit and fin spacing may be used at any given
location within an enclosure to provide a desired BTU output from
the baseboard, and different BTU output units may be provided along
the entire or partial periphery of an enclosure to provide a
desired heat distribution within the enclosure to enhance the
comfort to the occupants. In accordance with the presently
preferred embodiment, a plurality of conduits are provided each
with one of "n" substantially uniform spacings between adjacent
fins and, the baseboard is provided with one of said conduits
having one of said "n" spacing to provide a desired BTU per unit
length of baseboard. Preferably, two conduits are supported between
the wall and the intermediate member, said conduits being
vertically spaced from each other in a plane substantially parallel
to the intermediate members, said fins being in contact with both
said conduits. Each of said conduits is formed with a plurality of
fins substantially equally spaced a distance "d", said conduits
being axially offset from each other along the length directions of
said conduits a distance substantially equal to "d/2" to interleave
the fins on the conduits to space adjacent interleaved fins of a
distance substantially equal to "d/2". In this way, the distance
"d/2" is selected to provide a desired BTU per unit length of the
baseboard and may vary or be adjusted by changing the distance "d"
by selecting an appropriate conduit with desired fin spacing for
any specific application. Preferably, the fins mounted on each of
the conduits also serve as thermal spacers to fix the desired
spacing between mating or cooperating conduits. By providing
different fin spacing and, different BTU's per unit length, the
overall dimensions, shapes or configurations of the baseboards, as
well as any matching or cooperating moldings, may be maintained and
the overall esthetic look or appearance of the system can be
maintained while providing desired heat distribution patterns
within an enclosure.
[0025] Preferably, in one embodiment the baseboard unit is formed
of three vertically spaced horizontal members, a space between a
lower member and an intermediate member forming an inlet opening
for admitting ambient air into said baseboard unit and a space
between said intermediate member and an upper member forming an
outlet opening for discharging heated air. The lowermost members
are preferably hollow and can serve as conduits for power and data
cables. These members can advantageously be at least partially
disassembled to simplify installation and to be at least partially
removable to allow servicing of the floor, including finishing,
sanding and refinishing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention
when taken in conjunction with the drawings, as follows.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a corner
of an enclosure to be heated, illustrating the baseboard system of
the present invention, including a baseboard provided at the
terminal or lateral ends thereof with suitably configured
moldings;
[0028] FIG. 1A is an enlarged corner detail of the region IA shown
in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 1B is an enlarged end detail of the region 1B in FIG.
1;
[0030] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the baseboard
unit shown in FIG. 1, as viewed along section 2-2;
[0031] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section view of the baseboard
unit shown in FIG. 2, taken along section 3-3;
[0032] FIG. 3A is an enlarged detail view of the region 3A in FIG.
3;
[0033] FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A but showing and alternate
construction;
[0034] FIG. 3C is an enlarged detail of the region 3C in FIG.
3;
[0035] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the unit shown in FIG.
3;
[0036] FIG. 3E is similar to FIG. 3D, but showing an alternate
construction;
[0037] FIG. 3F is a perspective view of the baseplate shown in FIG.
3;
[0038] FIG. 3G is similar to FIG. 3F but showing an alternate
construction of the baseplate;
[0039] FIG. 3H is similar to FIG. 3F but showing an alternate
construction of the baseplate;
[0040] FIG. 3I is similar to FIG. 3F but showing an alternate
construction of the baseplate;
[0041] FIG. 3J is a perspective view of the backplate and
supporting brackets shown in FIG. 3;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an intermediate portion
of the baseboard unit shown in FIG. 3, taken along line 4-4;
[0043] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a molding in
the corner of the room shown in FIG. 1, taken along lines 5-5;
[0044] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but showing an enlarged cross
sectional view of another molding section shown in FIG. 1, taken
along the line 6-6 showing a generally solid cross section;
[0045] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing two conduits
extending through the baseboard unit that carry heated fluid in the
same direction, having been split or diverted by a diverting
coupler or connector unit instead of having one conduit carry
heated water and the other conduit returning the cooled water in a
closed loop system;
[0046] FIG. 8 is similar to FIGS. 5 and 5 but showing an alternate
molding construction;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fin construction suitable
for use with the base board units in accordance to the
invention;
[0048] FIG. 9A is a side elevational view of a fin shown in FIG.
9;
[0049] FIG. 9B is a front elevational view of the fin construction
shown in FIG. 8, designating relevant fin spacings; and
[0050] FIG. 9C is a side elevational view of the fin construction
shown in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0051] Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and first
referring to FIG. 1, an enclosure or room to be heated is generally
designated by the reference numeral 10, a perspective view of only
one corner of a typical room being illustrated. It will become
evident from the description that follows that the present
invention can be used about the entire periphery of a room or only
along a portion of a wall of the enclosure.
[0052] The enclosure 10 includes a floor 12 and walls 14 and 16
that meet at a corner 18.
[0053] The baseboard system according to the present invention is
generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The system 20
includes, in the example shown in FIG. 1, a baseboard unit 20A on
the wall 14, such as below window W, and unit 20B somewhat centered
in the middle of wall 16 between the corner 18 of the enclosure,
and an opening in the wall, namely, door 19. The baseboard units
20A and 20B are arranged along the walls 14, 16, respectively,
proximate to the floor 12. The baseboard units include heating
means to be more fully described in connection with FIGS. 2-4 and
7.
[0054] Each baseboard unit 20A, 20B defines a predetermined
external profile or surface configuration and, in the sample shown
in FIG. 1, includes vertically spaced openings, to be more fully
described in connection with FIG. 3, to allow ambient air Aa to
flow into, and heated air Ah to flow out of the baseboard units.
The baseboard units each have a predetermined width defined by two
opposing lateral ends 20A', 20A'' and 20B', 20B''. The widths of
the baseboard units used in a given enclosure need not be the same.
Thus, the baseboard unit 20A, defined by terminal, lateral or free
ends 20A' and 20A'', is considerably wider than the baseboard unit
20B, defined by terminal, lateral or free ends 20B' and 20B''.
[0055] One aspect of the invention is the provision of moldings 22,
24, 26 and 28, for example shown in FIG. 1, that abut the lateral
ends of the associated baseboard units. These moldings have
external profiles or surface configurations that substantially
correspond to the profiles or external surface configuration of the
baseboard units. In this manner, abutment of the moldings 22, 24
against the lateral ends 20A' and 20A'', respectively, of the
baseboard unit 20A, and abutment of the moldings 26, 28 against the
lateral or free ends 20B' and 20B'', respectively, of the baseboard
unit 20B, as shown, substantially continue the profile or external
surface configuration of the baseboard units before the lateral
ends thereof to effectively provide a continuous member having a
substantially continuous profile or external surface configuration
having the appearance of the baseboards/moldings extending along at
least a selected portion of a wall of the enclosure. Using moldings
that have the same or similar external surface configurations or
cross sectional dimensions as the associated baseboard units
against which they abut both enhances the aesthetic appearance of
the installation and eliminates the sharp edges that might occur at
the lateral ends of the baseboard units, and also eliminates
corners between such lateral ends and the wall, which are sometimes
difficult to clean. Through the elimination of such corners and
through providing a continuous and smooth surface configuration,
the baseboard units themselves are protected against damage as are
vacuum cleaners or other devices that may be used to clean in the
region of the baseboard. FIGS. 1A and 1B are enlarged details of
the moldings 24, 26 and 28 shown in FIG. 1.
[0056] It will be clear that the specific external surface
configuration presented by the baseboard units and associated
moldings is not critical to the present invention, and such
external surface configurations may assume different shapes, sizes,
etc. The external surface configurations of the baseboard units and
associated moldings may correspond to the shapes of traditional
moldings and match each other so as to enhance the aesthetic
appearance of the system and blend with other like or similar
moldings in a given structure or enclosure.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, additional details are
illustrated of a presently preferred embodiment of a baseboard
system in accordance with the present invention. Thus, the
baseboard units 20A, 20B are each formed of three vertically spaced
members, 36, 38, 40 to be described, a space being provided between
the lower member 38 and an intermediate member 40 to form an inlet
opening 44 for admitting ambient air A.sub.a into the baseboard
unit and a space between the intermediate member 44, or baseplate,
and an upper member 36 to form an outlet opening 42 for discharging
heated air A.sub.h. Suitable attachment means is used for attaching
the three members 38, 38, 40 of the baseboard units to the walls.
In the presently preferred embodiment, such attaching means is in
the form of a vertical, substantially flat backplate 30 that is
secured to the wall by any suitable means, such as a series of
fasteners or screws S extending through holes H within the
backplate 30. The backplate includes protuberances projecting
forward, away from the wall, at least one of the members of the
baseboard units being configured to engage such protuberances. As
suggested in FIGS. 2, 3, and 3J, such protuberances are generally
in the form of horizontal projections 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d, that
are inclined relative to horizontal planes. In one embodiment, at
least one of the members comprising the baseboard unit, such as the
faceplate 40, is formed of a flexible or deflectable material (for
example steel or aluminum) and provided with projection-engaging
means configured to engage the projections 30a-30d or supporting
brackets (to be described), for example when the members are
deflected from their normal undeflected states and snap into
engagement with the projections 30a-30d when released to revert to
their undeflected states.
[0058] In another embodiment of the invention the faceplate 40 may
be extruded of a relatively rigid material, such as aluminum or
steel, and provided with an upper lip, such as shown in FIGS. 3A,
3B, and a lower lip, such as shown in FIG. 3C for snapping onto
associated brackets. Since such extruded base plate is relatively
rigid the brackets on which the base plate is mounted may be made
flexible or deformable and beads or gaskets may be used to allow
the base plate to be snapped onto brackets and retained in place.
See also FIGS. 3F-3I for other optional profiles can be used for
the faceplates 40, showing differently configured upper and lower
lips, these being merely illustrative. It should be evident that
other configurations may also be used, the specific shape not being
critical as long as the baseplate can be mounted on the brackets
for covering the central portion of the baseboard unit including
the conduits or pipes and the heat transfer fins.
[0059] For example, elastic gaskets or beads may be provided
between the upper and lower points 32b, 34b of the support bracket
and the longitudinal or horizontal ribs or protuberances 40a, 40b.
Alternatively, a thin plastic strip 70 (FIG. 5) having a bead B
may, for example, be provided to have a portion thereof received
within a recess 70' of the lower portion 56 to snap the lower
portion 56 of the molding to the upper portion. A rigid or
deformable member 56d (FIGS. 5, 6 and 5B) may be provided to
provide a press or friction fit and facilitate assembly. However,
the lower portion may be secured by suitable fasteners, such as
nails 70, without the use of a snap-in-place, as shown in FIGS.
6A-6D. Also, the manner of securing the brackets 32, 34 to the
backplate 30 is not critical, as these may be welded to the
backplate or secured thereto by means of rivets.
[0060] By referring primarily to FIGS. 3, 3D and 3E an upper
bracket 32 is shown extending forward from the backplate 30, and a
lower bracket 34 similarly extending forward and spaced below the
bracket 32. The brackets 32, 34 have upper circular cutouts 32a,
34a, as shown in FIG. 3J, to receive correspondingly dimensioned
pipes or conduits P1, P2, through which flow the fluids of the
heating system. Thus, if the conduit P1 is the conduit through
which heated fluid flows, and conduit P2 is the return for the
cooled fluid. A U-shaped pipe P' (FIGS. 1 and 2) joins the pipes
P1, P2 at the remote or far end of the loop to redirect the water
to pipe P2 and to the boiler. As will be described in connection
with FIG. 7, both conduits, P1 and P2, can also conduct the heated
fluid of the heating system, typically in a retrofit
installation.
[0061] A plurality of bracket 32, 34 may be provided along the
length of each baseboard (FIG. 3J), the number of such spaced
brackets being determined by the width of the baseboard unit as
well as the weight of the conduits supported thereby. Thus, two
brackets 32 can be provided at opposing ends of the baseboard
units, and, similarly, two brackets 34 can be provided at the ends
of the baseboard units, although additional brackets may be
provided in between as may be required or desired.
[0062] The upper brackets 32 are also provided with upwardly
projecting points 32b, while the lower brackets 34 are provided
with downwardly projecting points 34b, to be more fully
described.
[0063] The upper member of the baseboard unit is generally
designated by the reference numeral 36 (FIGS. 2, 3, 3D and 3E), and
is shown to be in the form of a profiled member formed of thin
material. The upper member 36 includes a lower, generally concave
surface 36a, almost a quarter of a quadrant of a circle, a round
convex nose portion 36b, with additional rounded or convex profiles
36c, 36d, as shown. As suggested, the dimensions and configurations
of the convex profiles 36b-36d, may be selected to generally
correspond with or imitate a conventional molding profile, shape or
configuration. The concave surface 36a is not normally visible by
observers within the enclosure 10 except under close scrutiny or
examination. The upper member 36 includes an upper
projection-engaging hook 36f that is configured to engage the
protuberance 30a, while a lower projection-engaging hook 36e
projects upwardly to engage downwardly directed projection 30b, as
shown. Because the upper member 36 is hollow and formed of a
flexible and resilient material, it may be snapped onto the
projections 30a and 30b by spreading or separating the
projection-engaging hooks 36e and 36f and snapping them onto the
projections of the backplate. As with the faceplate 40, the upper
member 36 can also be extruded of a relatively rigid material such
as aluminum or steel. In such a design, deformable members, beads
or gaskets may be used to facilitate the snapping of the member 36
onto the projections 30a, 30b. Other locking or supporting devices
or designs may be used.
[0064] A lower member 38 is provided secured to the backplate 30
and preferably is supported in a stable manner on the floor 12, as
shown. In the presently preferred embodiment, the lower member 38
has a cross section generally in the shape of a foot or a shoe,
having a rear inner depression 38a supported by an elastic gasket
or grommet E. Optionally, a second, forward depression 38b may rest
directly on the floor 12. Aside from the depressions 38a, 38b, the
lower surface of the lower member 38 includes a lower wall 38c. The
upper part of the member 38 is formed of a profiled or curved
surface including two convex regions, 38d, 38d', between which
there is provided a concave surface 38e. To secure the lower member
38 to the backplate 30 it is provided with an upwardly directed
projection-engaging hook 38g configured to engage downwardly
directed protuberance 30c and an upwardly projecting
protuberance-engaging member or edge 38f intended to engage the
downwardly projected protuberance 30d.
[0065] As with the upper member 36, the lower member 38 is
preferably in the form of a profiled hollow member formed of thin
sheet material that can be secured by deforming the lower member 38
so that the hook 38g can snap into or engage with the downwardly
directed projection 30c while the lower hook 38f engages the
downwardly directed projection 30d when the lower member 38 is
permitted to revert to its normal, undeflected state, as shown. As
with the faceplate 40 and the upper member 36, the lower member 38
can also be extruded of a relatively rigid material such as
aluminum or steel. In such a design, deformable members, beads or
gaskets may be used to facilitate the snapping of the member 36
onto the projections 30a, 30b. Other locking or supporting devices
or designs may be used.
[0066] The front, generally flat faceplate 40 is secured to the
brackets 32, 34 to cover the conduits or pipes P1, P2. Fins F that
are supported on the conduits in heat transfer relationship. The
faceplate 40 is provided with a longitudinal downwardly directed
rib or protuberance 40a in the region of the point 32b and an
upwardly directed edge 40b proximate to the lower point 34b. The
features 40a, 40b are spaced from each other to snap over or
otherwise engage and be supported by the brackets 32, 34, as shown.
A profiled upwardly projecting extension 40c, formed in any
reasonable shape, may be provided to restrict the upper passageway
or opening 42 between the intermediate portion or member 40 of the
baseboard unit and the upper member 36.
[0067] Similarly, a lower passageway 44 is formed between the lower
edge 40b of the front or the faceplate 40 and the lower member 38.
The openings 42, 44 are selected to optimize the flow of air A from
the lower opening or passageway 44 up past the conduits P1, P2 and
the fins F and ultimately, by convection, out the opening or
passageway 42. The air that enters through the passageway 44 is
ambient air at room temperature in the enclosure or room. After the
air passes through the baseboard unit and contacts the plates or
fins F of the heat exchanger, as has been described, the heated air
exits through the upper opening or passageway 42. The specific
construction of the heat exchanger is not critical, and any known
heat-exchanging structures may be used. As best shown in FIG. 4,
one presently preferred embodiment utilizes fins F, with extensions
F', F' that have Z-shaped configurations in horizontal planes to
enhance the surface areas and heat-transfer potential of the fins
F, while reducing the depth D of the baseboard unit and projection
of the baseboard unit from the wall on which it is mounted.
However, any suitable fins may be used, bearing in mind that the
objective may not be to optimize or maximize heat output but
provide desired BTU generation per unit length of baseboard for a
given space. The construction, size and number of fins can be
readily modified to increase or decrease heat transfer into the
enclosure, as to be more fully described in connection with FIGS.
9-9c.
[0068] As best shown in FIG. 3, the lower member 38, being hollow
and proximate to the floor 12, can be used as a raceway to receive
and conceal cables C that may include power cables, telephone and
data lines. As with the other members 36, 40, the lower member may
be selectively disconnected from the backplate 30 to open the
region between the lower edge of the faceplate 40, at 40b (FIG. 3),
and the floor 12. This significantly facilitates sanding or
cleaning of the floor 12 in that normally concealed region, such as
finishing the floor, without damage to the baseboard unit or the
finishing equipment used.
[0069] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the cross-sectional configurations of
moldings associated or may be used in conjunction with the
baseboard units are shown in cross section. It will be clear from
the comparison of FIG. 3, on the one hand, and FIGS. 5 and 6, on
the other hand, that the general cross-sectional areas and
dimensions of the baseboard unit as well as the moldings are
generally the same, and mimic each other in outward appearance. In
FIGS. 5 and 6, therefore, a molding 50 is illustrated that has an
upper portion 52, an intermediate portion 54 and a lower portion
56. The size and shape upper portion 52 generally correspond to
those of the upper member 36 of the baseboard unit, with the shapes
and dimensions of the convex or curved 52a-52c generally
corresponding to the shapes 36b-36d.
[0070] The recess 52d generally simulates the opening or passageway
42, while the flat intermediate surface at 54 corresponds to the
flat surface 40 of the face or frontplate of the baseboard unit.
Also, the lower portion 56 of the molding generally simulates the
lower member 38. As will be clear, the baseboard unit and moldings
need not have the identical, precise or one-to-one correspondence
in external shapes or configurations, as long as they generally
mimic each so that a casual observer of the baseboard units and
moldings would find them to generally have a similar or common
configuration. Thus, the curvature 56a of the molding should
somewhat simulate the curvature 38d of the lower member 38.
[0071] The moldings may be made of any suitable and conventional
materials that can be formed to have the desired profiles. Thus,
the moldings may be formed of wood, molded wood chipboard material
or extruded or molded plastic or other suitable material.
[0072] One feature of the moldings 54 is that they may be provided
with at least one horizontal channel or recess 54b for receiving
conduits P1, P2, without the heat transfer fins, to minimize heat
transfer beyond the actual baseboards. The region between the upper
and lower ends 52, 56 are suitable for receiving heating,
fluid-carrying conduits or pipes P1, P2, beyond the lateral ends of
the baseboard unit. As best shown in FIG. 1, the conduits within
the baseboard unit 20B extend beyond the lateral ends 20B', 20B''.
The cavities or recesses 54b allow the pipes or conduits to
continue uninterrupted whether they extend through a baseboard unit
or through a molding. Providing the recesses 54b serves the
additional function of making the moldings lighter and less
expensive to manufacture, as the moldings with the recesses require
less material. However, as evident from FIG. 6, moldings 50' may
not need to be provided with intermediate recesses 54b. Only those
moldings 50 that are intended to receive conduits P1, P2 need be
provided with such recesses. The remaining moldings 55 (FIG. 6) may
optionally be provided with such recesses 54b, although the recess
is not essential if the conduits P1, P2 do not extend to such
moldings.
[0073] The recesses 54b open rearwardly to open in a direction
facing the wall of the enclosure, so that the moldings can be
slipped over the conduits P1, P2, and secured to the wall without
too much effort at the construction site.
[0074] The moldings are preferably also provided with at least one
horizontal channel at the lower end thereof, proximate to the floor
of the enclosure for receiving electrical and/or data cables that
normally would be received within the lower member 38 of the
baseboard unit and extend beyond the baseboard unit.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower horizontal channel is
in the form of a recess 54c in a lower portion of the moldings
proximate to the floor of the enclosure that extends rearwardly
from a front surface of an intermediate portion of the moldings. A
cap 56 cooperates with the moldings to cover the recesses and to
form therewith the horizontal channel for receiving the cables
C.
[0076] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, the
spaced pipes or conduits P1, P2 are arranged in a closed-loop
system so that one of the conduit, such as the upper conduit P1,
carries heated fluid, while the other conduit, P2, carries cooled
fluid. This is also illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 7, both the
upper and lower conduits P1, P2 carry fluid from a common feeder
conduit 60 to the baseboard. The heated fluid flows along direction
66 and is received within a T-shaped coupling 64 for splitting the
heated fluid from the common feeder conduit 60 to each of the
conduits P1, P2 within the baseboard. A similar T-shaped coupling
(not shown) would also be used at the other end of the baseboard in
such a retrofit installation. To ensure that both conduits P1, P2
are provided with substantially equal amounts of heated fluid, the
coupling 64 is preferably provided with a deflecting plate 66
within the coupling for directing substantially equal amounts of
heated fluid to each of the conduits. This arrangement would
typically be used in a retrofit construction that previously used,
for example, a single 3/4'' inlet and outlet conduit or pipe 60
extending through the heat exchangers with the feed or inlet at one
end and the return or outlet at another end. The coupling 64 can
convert the 3/4'' pipes into two 1/2'' conduits P1, P2, since the
single 3/4'' pipe can carry a volume of water approximately twice
the volume carried by two 1/2'' pipes (actually 12.5% more), so the
changeover to the two conduit system does not materially effect the
levels of water pumped through the system and would not require
further modifications, changes of pumps, etc.
[0077] The conduits P1, P2 may be, for example, half-inch ID thin
walled pipe, or another common size of pipe. The fins F are
typically much thinner than the outer case or backplate, as many
such fins are typically mounted closely spaced to each other on the
conduits or pipes in order to increase the effective surface area
through which heat exchange can take place.
[0078] Also, while Z-shaped fins or plates have been illustrated,
it should be clear that any other suitable shapes can be used in
order to conform to the required dimensions of the baseboard units,
as well as the efficiencies required for heat transfer.
[0079] As suggested previously, a combination of baseboard units
and associated or corresponding moldings can be used about the
entire perimeter of a room or enclosure, or only along some of the
walls. This choice will depend on the amount of heat that is to be
brought into the enclosure, as well as the distribution of heat, as
well as other properties of the enclosure, including the number of
windows, doors, etc.
[0080] FIG. 8 shows an alternate construction of a molding 80 that
generally conforms to the shape of the moldings shown in FIGS. 5
and 6. However, the molding 80 is itself is easily and conveniently
constructed using individual members. Thus, an upper member 80a
corresponds generally to the upper portion 52, the central member
80b corresponds generally to the intermediate portion 54 and the
lower member 80d corresponds generally to the lower portion 56.
Suitable spacers 80c and 80e are used to provide desired spacing
from the wall and to provide pipe-receiving and cable-receiving
compartments 80f and 80g, respectively. Again, the specific
profiles are not critical so longs as they generally correspond to
the associated baseboard heater units with which they are used.
While the previous embodiments discussed the use of suitable
materials for construction during extrusion, it is obvious from the
embodiment, that suitable materials for this embodiment may differ
to include wood, plastic, or tile rather the extruded
materials.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 9-9c, an alternate fin construction is
shown that may facilitate as well as provide a means for adjusting
the efficiency or BTU per unit of length assembly of the units. The
fins F include a circular hole H' and semi-circulator cut-out H'',
as shown. By mounting fins F1 on pipe P1 with the cut outs H'' open
downwardly and fins F2 on pipe P2 with the cut outs H'' open
upwardly on pipe P2 as shown, the pipes can be abutted and rested
on each other to properly space them from each other. In one
embodiment, the fins are advantageously welded, at W, to their
associated pipes about the peripheries of the holes H'. Since the
fins F1 and F2 are identical, only one pipe with fin design need to
be used and cut to size on a site and assembled as shown in any
desired lengths.
[0082] Good heating/plumbing practice typically attempts to limit
the length of a hot water loop that extends through baseboards
before the water is returned to the boiler. If the length of the
loop is made longer the hot water is sufficiently cooled off by the
time it reaches the last baseboard on the loop of the system to be
ineffective in heating the baseboard. For example, for 180.degree.
F. water supply, loops are typically kept to below 70' long. This
results in an approximate 20.degree. F. drop in temperature at
opposite ends of the loop, or a 22% drop in temperature. When
larger systems are required they are typically broken up into
multiple zones, each with its own pump and thermostat so that the
heated water can be more directly fed to the baseboards in each
loop, thereby assuring that the baseboards become sufficiently
heated. By using the double conduits within the baseboard system of
the present invention, with the one half inch pipes, for example,
and utilizing a U-shaped pipe P' (FIGS. 1 and 2) at the most remote
end of a given loop, the hot water returns within the return pipe
at a diminished temperature. However, the heat released by the two
pipes within the same baseboard substantially averages the
temperature to an intermediate temperature within each baseboard
along the entire length of the baseboard unit. Therefore, there are
no "cold" spots in the system on a new installation of the type
shown in FIG. 1. Thus, with the present invention the loops can be
made significantly longer before the water is returned to the
boiler. With a 200.degree. F. supply, the system can tolerate a
40.degree. F. drop in temperature, since the supply and return
conduits average 180.degree. F., for only a 10% drop in temperature
within the heat exchangers or baseboards over a loop length twice
the length used in conventional systems.
[0083] A further advantage of the two conduit baseboard system in
accordance with the present invention is that, for new
installations utilizing 1/2'' pipes, the total surface area of the
two conduits is approximately 33% more than the surface area of a
single 3/4'' pipe. For this reason, there is more heat transfer
through the surfaces of the pipe themselves and, therefore, fewer
fins are required to provide the same total heat exchange.
[0084] As will also be evident from FIG. 1, by using the two
conduit system with a U shaped loop P' (FIG. 2) at the termination
of the last active baseboard, there is no need for the pipes at the
end of a loop to be directed through a floor or under a door,
internal or external, to return to the boiler. Therefore, it will
be appreciated that while adjustment of the BTU per unit length of
each baseboard can provide different BTU's along different lengths
or at different locations of an enclosure, such adjustability takes
place only within the baseboard itself by adjustment of the fin
spacings and/or configurations. The external sizes, shapes,
dimensions and profiles of the baseboard units, and any associated
moldings, remain the same to provide a more uniform and esthetic
appearance that is more pleasing than has been the case in the past
where differently-sized baseboards were at times arranged randomly
and arbitrarily within an enclosure to provide the total desired
BTU's but without any consideration or regard to the appearance of
the overall system.
[0085] The adjustability suggested can best be appreciated by a
reference to FIG. 9B. Here, each of the conduits or pipes P1, P2
are provided with fins F1, F2, as described. By providing several
or a plurality of different conduits on which the fins are spaced
at difference distances the inter-fin spacing and the total number
of fins can be adjusted, all contributing to changes in the BTU
outputs. While the fins F1 are shown spaced a distance d.sub.1 and
the fins F2 spaced a distance d.sub.2, it will be evident that when
assembled the distances between the resulting interleaved fins will
be d.sub.3. The distances d.sub.1 and d.sub.2 are normally selected
to be equal while d.sub.3 is equal to approximately one half of the
distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2. In the field, contractors may order or
be provided with a plurality of fin spacings, such as 1/2'', 1.0'',
etc. Depending on how many BTU's per unit length are desired at any
given location within an enclosure, the appropriate conduits with
appropriate fin spacings may be selected so that the total number
of fins and interleaved spacing d.sub.3 can be selected to provide
the desired BTU outputs. Thus, while the fins are preferably welded
to the pipes or conduits at the factory, the specific conduits used
and the resulting heat exchanger can be assembled in the field or
the construction site by simply juxtaposing the conduits P1, P2 as
suggested in FIGS. 9B and 9C, on which appropriately spaced fins
become interleaved as described. Using such adjustable construction
BTU ranges of 100-750 BTU's per unit length can easily be achieved.
The baseboards of the present invention as especially versatile,
and can be modified to increase or decrease the achievable BTUs per
unit length by modifying the surface areas of the fins. For
example, the returns or flanges F' (FIG. 4) may be increased in
size or multiply folded. For example, for flat fins 2.75'' high by
1.0'' wide, the addition of 1/8'' flanges increases the BTU output
by approximately 20% while using 1/4'' flanges could increase the
BTU output by 40%.
[0086] By way of example, a decision is made to provide
approximately 159 BTUs per foot, along a distance of 38' to achieve
approximately 6000 BTUs of uniform heat. If furniture placement or
a special heat loss situation exists, like a bay window facing
North, and no output for one section is desired, and 572 BTUs per
foot for another section, as well as 159 BTUs per foot for still
another section and 277 BTUs for yet another section, this
invention allows all of these sections to be used without any
change in outward appearance or profile of the active and inactive
system sections. Available components, that can be used simply or
in combination(s): TABLE-US-00001 Units Used: BTUs/ft: Plain
molding 0 Plain molding with 2 blank pipes 30 Baseboard heater with
2 blank pipes 100 Baseboard heater with 1 blank pipe 159 and 1 pipe
with 1 fin per inch 2 pipes with 1 fin per inch 218 1 pipe with 1
fin per inch and 1 277 pipe with 2 fins per inch 2 pipes with 2
fins per inch 336 1 pipe with 2 fins per inch 454 and 1 pipe with 4
fins per inch 2 pipes each with 4 fins per inch 572
[0087] Adding 1/8'' flanges on that last-mentioned configuration
would increase the output to approximately 700 BTUs per foot.
[0088] A person skilled in the art of construction and/or heating
systems will be able to easily select the appropriate or necessary
baseboard and molding sections, and lengths of each, to provide the
necessary total BTUs, as well as to provide desired heat
distribution within an enclosure to accommodate special conditions,
room layout, thermal breaks, etc.
[0089] It will also be clear to those skilled in the art that the
same baseboard system can be employed in a single enclosure or room
or can be extended or carried through multiple rooms by bringing
the heated fluid conducting pipes into any enclosures or rooms that
need to be heated. The pipes can be looped, as suggested in FIG. 1,
and can also be extended from room to room by bringing the pipes
through the floors and beneath the floor substructure to another
enclosure or room.
[0090] The invention has been shown and described by way of
presently preferred embodiments, and many variations and
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit
of the invention. The invention, therefore, is not to be limited to
any specified form or embodiment, except insofar as such
limitations are expressly set forth in the claims.
* * * * *