U.S. patent application number 11/598584 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for merchandise display assembly having a crossbar base assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Berkshire Fashions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Boris J. Duchatellier.
Application Number | 20080110842 11/598584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39368196 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duchatellier; Boris J. |
May 15, 2008 |
Merchandise display assembly having a crossbar base assembly
Abstract
A merchandise display assembly having a crossbar base assembly
and a display container mounted thereon for displaying products
above a conventional hanging rack, wherein the crossbar base
assembly is for mounting on the upper hangrail of the hanging rack.
The crossbar base assembly includes a first crossbar and a second
crossbar being disposed perpendicular to each other in the same
horizontal plane. The first crossbar includes a first midsection, a
first outer section and a second outer section; and the second
crossbar includes a first midsection, a first outer section and a
second outer section. The first crossbar includes a first notch
that is formed in the bottom surface of the first outer section and
a second notch that is formed in the bottom surface of the second
outer section; and the second crossbar includes a first notch that
is formed in the bottom surface of the first outer section and a
second notch that is formed in the bottom surface of the second
outer section. The first midsection of the first crossbar has a
first receiving surface with a reduced thickness for receiving the
display container thereon, and the first midsection of the second
crossbar has a second receiving surface with a reduced thickness
for receiving a display container thereon. The first and second
notches of the first and second crossbars are used for engaging and
receiving within the notches the upper hangrail of the hanging rack
for mounting the crossbar base assembly and the display container
thereon. Also, the display container includes a plurality of
display compartments on the upper surface thereof for displaying
product merchandise in the display compartments.
Inventors: |
Duchatellier; Boris J.; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ezra Sutton PA
Plaza 9 Building, 900 Route 9 North
Woodbridge
NJ
07095
US
|
Assignee: |
Berkshire Fashions, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39368196 |
Appl. No.: |
11/598584 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/49.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/024 20130101;
A47F 3/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/49.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A merchandise display assembly having a crossbar base assembly
and a display container mounted thereon for displaying products
above a conventional hanging rack, wherein said crossbar base
assembly is for mounting on the upper hangrail of the hanging rack,
comprising: a) a crossbar base assembly including a first crossbar
and a second crossbar being disposed perpendicular to each other in
the same horizontal plane; b) said first crossbar including a first
midsection, a first outer section and a second outer section; c)
said second crossbar including a first midsection, a first outer
section and a second outer section; d) said first crossbar
including a first notch formed in the bottom surface of said first
outer section and a second notch formed in the bottom surface of
said second outer section; e) said second crossbar including a
first notch formed in the bottom surface of said first outer
section and a second notch formed in the bottom surface of said
second outer section; f) said first midsection of said first
crossbar having a first receiving surface having a reduced
thickness for receiving said display container thereon, and said
first midsection of said second crossbar having a second receiving
surface having a reduced thickness for receiving said display
container thereon; g) said first and second notches of said first
and second crossbars for engaging and receiving within said notches
the upper hangrail of the hanging rack for mounting said crossbar
base assembly and said display container thereon; and h) said
display container having a plurality of display compartments on the
upper surface thereof for displaying product merchandise in said
display compartments.
2. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein the junction of said first midsection and said first outer
section of said first crossbar forms a first locking edge, said
first locking edge for engaging and holding in place a first side
of said display container.
3. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein the junction of said first midsection and said second outer
section of said first crossbar forms a second locking edge, said
second locking edge for engaging and holding in place a second side
of said display container.
4. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein the junction of said first midsection and said first outer
section of said second crossbar forms a third locking edge, said
third locking edge for engaging and holding in place a third side
of said display container.
5. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein the junction of said first midsection and said second outer
section of said second crossbar forms a fourth locking edge, said
fourth locking edge for engaging and holding in place a fourth side
of said display container.
6. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said first and second crossbars are connected to
each other to form said crossbar assembly.
7. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 6,
wherein each of said first and second crossbars are connected by a
nut and bolt, welding, dowling, glueing, screws or opposing joint
notches.
8. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said first and second crossbars have a tubular
shape.
9. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said first and second crossbars have a bar
shape.
10. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said merchandise display assembly is made from materials
selected from the group consisting of cardboard, lightweight
plastic, lightweight metal, wood or combinations thereof.
11. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said display container includes a display header having
indicia thereon.
12. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 11,
wherein said display header is centrally positioned within said
plurality of display compartments of said display container.
13. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said first and second notches of said first and
second crossbars, respectively, have a height of 3/4 of an inch, a
width of 3/4 of an inch and a thickness of 3/4 of an inch.
14. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said first and second crossbars have a length of 33
inches, and a width of 3/4 of an inch.
15. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said first and second outer sections of said first
crossbar have a length of 4 inches, a width of 3/4 of an inch and a
height of 2 inches.
16. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said first and second outer sections of said second
crossbar have a length of 10 inches, a width of 3/4 of an inch and
a height of 2 inches.
17. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said first receiving surface of said first crossbar has
said reduced thickness of 3/4 of an inch, a length of 25 inches and
a width of 3/4 of an inch.
18. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said second receiving surface of said second crossbar has
said reduced thickness of 3/4 of an inch, a length of 13 inches and
a width of 3/4 of an inch.
19. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said first and second notches of said first and second
crossbars, respectively, have a center to center length of 30
inches.
20. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said display container includes geometric shapes selected
from the group consisting of an oval, a circle, a square and a
rectangle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a merchandise display
assembly having a crossbar base assembly and a display container
thereon for displaying products, clothing, hats, gifts and the
like, above a conventional hanging rack. More particularly, the
crossbar base assembly is for mounting on an upper hangrail of the
hanging rack for securely supporting thereon the display container
having products therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Clothing and merchandise display racks for retail stores and
department stores for displaying products on hanging racks are well
known in the art. Display containers for displaying other products
above the hangrail of the hanging racks are problematic and suffer
from several undesirable limitations. For example, such display
containers have complex mounting structures and they do not place
the products in a position where they can be easily and readily
viewed by a consumer who is standing adjacent to the hangrail.
Also, many of these display containers are not capable of
displaying a desired amount of products/items above the hangrail
and still comply with display requirements of most mass marketing
department stores. Further, many retail stores have height limits
on how far products and signage supported on a display rack can
extend above the floor. Common limits restrict products to
fifty-four inches above the floor and signage to seventy-two inches
above the floor. Accordingly, there is a need for a product display
system that overcomes the above deficiencies and provides a
convenient way to display products to consumers in a manner that
causes consumers to be interested in purchasing the products and to
facilitate product stocking.
[0003] There remains a need for a new and innovative
merchandise/product display assembly that includes a display
container for displaying products, clothing, hats, gifts, and toys
that are mounted on a crossbar base assembly and, in turn, the
crossbar base assembly is mounted on an upper hangrail of a
conventional hanging rack. Further, the merchandise display
assembly is configured for easy assembly and to maximize product
storage for displaying products above the hanging rack at an
optimum position for viewing and access by the consumer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0004] Merchandise display racks, rotary display stands, product
display systems, display stands and merchandising bins and the like
having various designs, configurations, structures and materials of
construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example,
U.S. Application No. 2004/0055982 to JENNINGS discloses a product
display system configured for displaying products such as hats
above a conventional clothing rack. The display system includes a
base assembly for supporting the other system components above the
rack, a plurality of product display trays supported on the base
assembly for displaying the products, and a sign assembly supported
on the base assembly for displaying product information and
advertising indicia. The display system enables cross-merchandising
at the point of sale by utilizing previously unusable space above
the conventional circular rack while still complying with display
requirements of most mass marketing retail stores. The base
assembly is formed of wire bars that form modular truss sections
and interconnect to form a sloped tray-supporting surface that
extends radially beyond the perimeter of the rack to place the
products supported thereon at an optimum position for viewing and
access by the consumer. The display trays are uniquely configured
to enable them to be arranged in a polygonal arrangement on the
base assembly to maximize product storage. This prior art
publication does not disclose or teach the design, configuration
and structure of the merchandise display assembly of the present
invention.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,214 to METCALF discloses a merchandise
display stand for use as a countertop stand for displaying
merchandise, in which a tubular support pole is held in an
operationally upright position by a ground engaging base or
pedestal and mounts at least one support member from which
merchandise display racks or baskets are suspended outwardly about
the support pole. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach
the design, configuration and structure of the merchandise display
assembly of the present invention.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,634 to TINTARY discloses a rotary
display stand for use as a merchandise display stand which is
intended to serve both as a means for displaying merchandise and as
a device for maintaining a relatively large stock of said
merchandise in immediate proximity and accessibility to the display
thereof. The display stand is adapted to display and stock various
types of small articles of hardware. This prior art patent does not
disclose or teach the design, configuration and structure of the
merchandise display assembly of the present invention.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,678,253 to ROSENBERG discloses a rotary bin
having an upright central shaft and a series of bin sections
mounted at different levels on the shaft, each with capacity for
rotation relative to the shaft and independently of the others.
This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design,
configuration and structure of the merchandise display assembly of
the present invention.
[0008] None of the aforementioned prior art references disclose or
teach a merchandise display assembly having a display container
detachably mounted on a crossbar base assembly and wherein the
crossbar base assembly is detachably mounted to an upper hangrail
of a circular hanging rack.
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a merchandise display assembly having a display container
with a plurality of individual display compartments therein for
displaying products, hardware, clothing, hats, gifts, toys,
cosmetics and the like above a conventional hanging rack, and a
crossbar base assembly for detachably mounting on an upper hangrail
of the hanging rack for securely supporting thereon the display
container having products therein.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
merchandise display assembly having a crossbar base assembly that
includes first and second crossbars being disposed in a
perpendicular configuration to each other in the same horizontal
plane, such that the crossbar base assembly is detachably mountable
on the upper hangrail of the hanging rack.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
merchandise display assembly where each of the sides of the display
container engages and is held in place by locking edges on each of
the first and second crossbars of the crossbar base assembly, such
that the display container is detachably mounted on the first and
second receiving surfaces of the first and second crossbars,
respectively.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
merchandise display assembly that is easy to assemble and to mount,
and easy to clean and maintain when in operational use at a retail
or department store.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
merchandise display assembly having no moving parts that is easy to
use and is durable and easily cleaned for repeated use by the
merchandiser.
[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
merchandise display assembly that can be mass-produced in an
automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the
merchandiser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a merchandise display assembly having a crossbar base assembly and
a display container mounted thereon for displaying products above a
conventional hanging rack, wherein the crossbar base assembly is
for mounting on the upper hangrail of the hanging rack. The
crossbar base assembly includes a first crossbar and a second
crossbar being disposed perpendicular to each other in the same
horizontal plane. The first crossbar includes a first midsection, a
first outer section and a second outer section; and the second
crossbar includes a first midsection, a first outer section and a
second outer section. The first crossbar includes a first notch
that is formed in the bottom surface of the first outer section and
a second notch that is formed in the bottom surface of the second
outer section; and the second crossbar includes a first notch that
is formed in the bottom surface of the first outer section and a
second notch that is formed in the bottom surface of the second
outer section. The first midsection of the first crossbar has a
first receiving surface with a reduced thickness for receiving the
display container thereon, and the first midsection of the second
crossbar has a second receiving surface with a reduced thickness
for receiving the display container thereon. The first and second
notches of the first and second crossbars are used for engaging and
receiving within the notches the upper hangrail of the hanging rack
for mounting the crossbar base assembly and the display container
thereon. Also, the display container includes a plurality of
display compartments on the upper surface thereof for displaying
product merchandise in the display compartments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the
following detailed description of the presently-preferred
embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the merchandise display
assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing a display container on a crossbar base assembly mounted to
an upper hangrail of a clothing rack being in n assembled state and
in a fully operational mode;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the merchandise display
assembly of the present invention showing the display container
having a header card, and the crossbar base assembly having a first
crossbar base assembly having a first crossbar and a second
crossbar that are perpendicular to each other in the same
horizontal plane
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the merchandise
display assembly of the present invention showing the major
component parts thereof;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the merchandise
display assembly of the present invention showing the display
container and the crossbar base assembly being mounted to the upper
hangrail of the hanging rack; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the of the merchandise display
assembly of the present invention showing the display container
having a plurality of individual display compartments thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 10
[0022] The merchandise display assembly 10 and its component parts
of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are
represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 5 of the patent drawing.
The merchandise display assembly 10 is used for the displaying of
products 12, hardware, clothing, hats, gifts, toys, cosmetics and
the like for merchandising to consumers, such that the merchandise
display assembly 10 is detachably mounted on an upper hangrail 14
of the conventional hanging rack 16, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4
of the drawings.
[0023] The merchandise display assembly 10 includes a detachable
display container 20 mounted on a crossbar base assembly 40. The
display container 20 includes a display housing 22 being
substantially rectangularly-shaped. The display housing 22 includes
a base member 24 having side walls 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d for
forming an interior compartment 28. The interior compartment 28
includes a plurality of individual display compartments 30a, 30b,
30c, 30d, 30e and 30f having a middle wall 32 for separating
display compartments 30a to 30c from the remaining display
compartments 30d to 30f. Middle wall 32 can be replaced by a header
wall card 34 having indicia 36 thereon for also separating display
compartments 30a to 30c from the remaining display compartments 30d
to 30f. Additionally, display compartments 30a to 30c are also
further subdivided by angled separating divider walls 38a and 38c
and display compartments 30d to 30f are subdivided by angled
separating divider walls 38c and 38d, respectively, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings. The display container 20 can include
other geometric shapes, such as a square, a circle or an oval
depending upon the size and shape of the clothing rack 16. Also,
rack 16 may be of various shapes, such as circular, oval, square or
rectangular. Further, the merchandise display assembly 10, and its
component parts, including display container 20 and the crossbar
base assembly 40 may be made from construction materials selected
from the group consisting of wood, cardboard, plastic, lightweight
metals (such as aluminum) and combinations thereof.
[0024] The crossbar base assembly 40, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
includes a first crossbar 42 and a second crossbar 62. The first
crossbar 42 and second crossbar 62 are joined and connected at a
center point C.sub.P, such that each of the crossbars are disposed
in a perpendicular configuration P to each other and being in the
same horizontal plane H.sub.P to each other. Each of the first and
second crossbars 42 and 62 are joined and connected at the center
point C.sub.P of first midsections 44 and 64, respectively, by a
connecting device, such as a nut and bolt, gluing, welding,
dowling, screws or opposing joint notches 43 and the like. The
first crossbar 42 includes a first midsection 44, a first outer
section 46 and a second outer section 48. The second crossbar 62
includes a first midsection 64, a first outer section 66 and a
second outer section 68. The first crossbar 42 includes a first
notch 50 formed in a first bottom surface 52 of the first outer
section 46 and a second notch 54 formed in a second bottom surface
56 of the second outer section 48. The second crossbar 62 includes
a first notch 70 formed in a first bottom surface 72 of the first
outer section 66 and a second notch 74 formed in a second bottom
surface 76 of the second outer section 68.
[0025] Further, the first midsection 44 of the first crossbar 42
includes a first receiving surface S.sub.R1 having a first reduced
thickness T.sub.R1 for receiving the display container 20 thereon
(the length L of display container 20), and the first midsection 66
of the second crossbar 62 includes a second receiving surface
S.sub.R2 having a second reduced thickness T.sub.R2 for receiving
the display container 20 thereon (the width W of display container
20). The first notches 50 and 54, and second notches 70 and 74 of
the first and second crossbars 42 and 62, respectively, are for
engaging and receiving within the notches 50, 54, 70 and 74 the
upper hangrail 14 of the clothing rack 16 for mounting the crossbar
base assembly 40 and the detachable display container 20
thereon.
[0026] Additionally, at the junction J.sub.1 of the first
midsection 44 and the first outer section 46 of the first crossbar
42 there is formed a first locking edge 45 and the first locking
edge 45 is for engaging and holding in place the first side 26a of
the display container 20; and at the junction J.sub.2 of the first
midsection 44 and the second outer section 48 of the first crossbar
42 there is formed a second locking edge 47 and the second locking
edge 47 is for engaging and holding in place the second side 26b of
the display container 20. Also, at the junction J.sub.3 of the
first midsection 64 and the first outer section 66 of the second
crossbar 62 there is formed a third locking edge 65 and the third
locking edge 65 is for engaging and holding in place the third side
26c of the display container 20; and at the junction J.sub.4 of the
first midsection 64 and the second outer section 68 of the second
crossbar 62 there is formed a fourth locking edge 67 and the fourth
locking edge 67 is for engaging and holding in place the fourth
side 26d of display container 20, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the
patent drawings.
[0027] It is understood that the first and second crossbars 42 and
62 of the crossbar base assembly 40 can have a tubular shape or a
rectangular/square bar shape depending upon the type of materials
used, such as wood, cardboard, lightweight plastics, lightweight
metals (aluminum) or combinations thereof.
[0028] The physical dimensions of the display container are as
follows: The width W is 13 inches, the length L is 25 inches and
the height is 6 inches. Each of the individual product display
compartments 30a to 30d have a width of 8 inches and a depth of 6
inches. Each of the divider walls 38a to 38d have a thickness of
one half inch. Middle wall 32 has a height of 6 inches, a length of
24 inches and a wall thickness of one half inch. The header wall
card 34 has a height of 12 inches, a length of 24 inches and a wall
thickness of one half inch.
[0029] The physical dimensions of the crossbar base assembly 40 are
as follows: Each of the first and second crossbars 42 and 62 have a
length of 33 inches and a width of 3/4 of an inch. Each of the
first and second outer sections 46 and 48 of the first crossbar 42
have a length of 4 inches, a width of 3/4 of an inch and a height
of 2 inches. Each of the first and second outer sections 66 and 68
of the second crossbar 62 have a length of 10 inches, a width of
3/4 of an inch and a height of 2 inches. The first receiving
surface S.sub.R1 (first midsection 44) of the first crossbar 42 has
a first reduced thickness T.sub.R1 of 3/4 of an inch, a length of
25 inches and a width of 3/4 of an inch. The second receiving
surface S.sub.R2 (first midsection 64) of the second crossbar 62
has a second reduced thickness T.sub.R2 of 3/4 of an inch, a length
of 13 inches and a width of 3/4 of an inch. Each of the first and
second notches 50 and 54, and 70 and 74 of the first and second
crossbars 42 and 62, respectively, have a center to center length
of 30 inches. Each of the first and second notches 50 and 54, and
70 and 74 of the first and second crossbars 42 and 62,
respectively, have a height of 3/4 of an inch, a width of 3/4 of an
inch, and a thickness of 3/4 of an inch within each of the first
and second outer sections 46 and 48, and 66 and 68, respectively,
of the first and second crossbars 42 and 62.
OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the merchandise display
assembly 10 operates in the following manner: The user initially
opens a container box (not shown) and removes the display container
20 and the crossbar base assembly 40, in order for the user to
assemble the individual display container 20 and the crossbar base
assembly 40. Next, the user assembles the plurality of display
compartments 30a to 30f using divider walls 38a to 38d within the
interior compartment 28 of display housing 22, using either middle
wall 32 or header card wall 34 having indicia 36 thereon. The user
now assembles each of the first and second crossbars 42 and 62,
such that the first and second crossbars are joined and mated
together at a center point C.sub.P, where each of the crossbars 42
and 62 are disposed in a perpendicular configuration P to each
other and are in the same horizontal plane H.sub.P to each other.
Also, each of the first and second crossbars 42 and 62 are joined
and mated together at the center point C.sub.P of first midsections
44 and 64, respectively, by a connecting device, such as a nut and
bolt, welding, dowling, gluing, screws, opposing joint notches 43
or the like. The user now places the display container 20 within
the crossbar base assembly 40 such that each of the locking edges
45, 47, 65 and 67 of the first and second crossbars 42 and 62
engage and hold in place the container sides 26a to 26d,
respectively (see FIG. 5). Now, the user places the notches 50, 54,
70 and 74 of crossbars 42 and 62 on the upper hangrail 14 of
clothing rack 16, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 of the patent
drawings. In the last step, the user places the product, such as
hats 12, within each of the individual product display compartments
30a to 30d, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, so the merchandise display
assembly 10 is in full operational use.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0031] Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that
it provides for a merchandise display assembly having a display
container with a plurality of individual display compartments
therein for displaying products, hardware, clothing, hats, gifts,
toys, cosmetics and the like above a conventional hanging rack, and
a crossbar base assembly for detachably mounting on an upper
hangrail of the hanging rack for securely supporting thereon the
display container having products therein.
[0032] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a merchandise display assembly having a crossbar base
assembly that includes first and second crossbars being disposed in
a perpendicular configuration to each other in the same horizontal
plane, such that the crossbar base assembly is detachably mountable
on the upper hangrail of the hanging rack.
[0033] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a merchandise display assembly where each of the sides
of the display container engages and is held in place by locking
edges on each of the first and second crossbars of the crossbar
base assembly, such that the display container is detachably
mounted on the first and second receiving surfaces of the first and
second crossbars, respectively.
[0034] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a merchandise display assembly that is easy to
assemble and to mount, and easy to clean and maintain when in
operational use at a retail or department store.
[0035] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a merchandise display assembly having no moving parts
that is easy to use and is durable and easily cleaned for repeated
use by the merchandiser.
[0036] A further advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a merchandise display assembly that can be
mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily
affordable by the merchandiser.
[0037] A latitude of modification, change and substitution is
intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some
features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding
use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the
appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent
with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.
* * * * *