U.S. patent application number 11/914109 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-17 for masonry wall system.
This patent application is currently assigned to FLETCHER BUILDING HOLDINGS LIMITED (NZ/NZ). Invention is credited to James Mark Malone.
Application Number | 20080168725 11/914109 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37396993 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080168725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Malone; James Mark |
July 17, 2008 |
Masonry Wall System
Abstract
A masonry wall system includes a plurality of blocks. Each block
has two external side walls and is adapted for use adjacent to
further said blocks such that the side walls form at least one wall
surface of a wall structure (40) constructed from the blocks. A
plurality of the blocks include a tongue (8) projecting from a
sidewall thereof. The blocks can be arranged such that a plurality
of the tongues (8) combine to form a plurality of furring ridges
(42) on the wall structure having a required spacing therebetween.
In a preferred embodiment the spacing between the furring ridges
(42) is greater than the length of the longest of the blocks used.
A method of assembling a masonry wall is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Malone; James Mark;
(Auckland, NZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULWIDER PATTON LLP
6060 CENTER DRIVE, 10TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Assignee: |
FLETCHER BUILDING HOLDINGS LIMITED
(NZ/NZ)
Penrose, Auckland
NZ
|
Family ID: |
37396993 |
Appl. No.: |
11/914109 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
May 12, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NZ06/00110 |
371 Date: |
November 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/259 ; 52/598;
52/747.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/259 ; 52/598;
52/747.12 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/52 20060101
E04C002/52; E04C 2/04 20060101 E04C002/04; E04B 1/04 20060101
E04B001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 12, 2005 |
NZ |
539980 |
Claims
1. A masonry wall system including a plurality of masonry blocks,
each block having two external side walls and being adapted for
location, in use, adjacent to further said blocks such that the
side walls form at least one wall surface of a wall structure
constructed from the blocks, a plurality of said blocks including a
tongue projecting from a sidewall thereof, wherein, in use, said
blocks can be arranged such that such that a plurality of said
tongues combine to form a plurality of furring ridges on the wall
structure such that a distance between centres of at least one of
said furring ridges and an adjacent said furring ridge is greater
than a length of the longest of said blocks.
2. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein a distance between
centres of each furring ridge and an adjacent furring ridge is
greater than a length of the longest of said blocks.
3. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein the tongues are
shaped and dimensioned such that a volume of air enclosed between
the wall surface and a planar wallboard which is attached, in use,
to the furring, is sufficient to cause attenuation of sound
transmitted through the wall.
4. The masonry wall system of claim 3 wherein the tongues blocks
and tongues are so constructed that, when the ridges are covered by
the planar wallboard, the volume between the brick wall surface and
the wallboard is sufficient to act as an "air-spring".
5. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein each said block is
moulded with no more than one said tongue on each of said external
side walls.
6. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein the wall structure
includes a plurality of rows of said blocks, and each said row of
blocks is laterally offset relative to an adjacent row.
7. The masonry wall system of claim 1 including a first type of
masonry block having no tongues, a second type of block having a
substantially vertically orientated tongue at or adjacent a first
end of the block, and a third type of masonry block having a
substantially vertically orientated tongue intermediate a first end
and a second end of the block.
8. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein each said furring
ridge is substantially continuous.
9. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein each said furring
ridge is substantially linear.
10. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said
furring ridges are substantially vertical.
11. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein the distance between
centres of adjacent ridges, or every second said ridge, is equal to
the width of a standard size of wallboard.
12. The masonry wall system of claim 11 wherein the distance
between centres of adjacent ridges is substantially 600 mm.
13. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein the wall structure
defines an opening, and the blocks adjacent said opening provide
furring ridges around an edge of said opening.
14. The masonry wall system of claim 1 wherein the wall structure
intersects a second masonry wall structure to form a corner
assembly including a plurality of interengaged masonry blocks, a
plurality of which include a tongue projecting from a sidewall
thereof, wherein a plurality of said tongues combine to form a pair
of mutually orthogonal, substantially adjacent furring ridges.
15. A method of assembling a masonry wall including interengaging a
plurality of masonry blocks, a plurality of said blocks including a
tongue projecting from a sidewall thereof, such that said blocks
are arranged so that a plurality of said tongues combine to form a
plurality of furring ridges on the wall, wherein a distance between
centres of at least one of said furring ridges and an adjacent said
furring ridge is greater than a length of the longest of said
blocks.
16. The method of claim 15 including using a first type of masonry
block having no tongues, a second type of block having a
substantially vertically orientated tongue at or adjacent a first
end of the block, and a third type of masonry block having a
substantially vertically orientated tongue intermediate a first end
and a second end of the block.
17. The method of claim 15 including arranging the blocks to define
an opening such that the blocks adjacent said opening provide
furring ridges around an edge of said opening.
18. The method of claim 15, including arranging the blocks to form
a first masonry wall intersecting a second masonry wall to form a
corner assembly which has a plurality of interengaged masonry
blocks, a plurality of which include a tongue projecting from a
sidewall thereof, wherein a plurality of said tongues combine to
form a pair of mutually orthogonal, substantially adjacent furring
ridges.
19. A masonry wall system as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least
some of the plurality of said blocks are configured with the
tongues projecting from the opposite sides thereof.
20. A masonry wall system including a plurality of masonry blocks,
each block having two external side walls and being adapted for
location, in use, adjacent to further said blocks such that the
side walls form at least one wall surface of a wall structure
constructed from the blocks, a plurality of said blocks including a
tongue projecting from a sidewall thereof, wherein, in use, said
blocks can be arranged such that each said tongue combines with
other said tongues to form a plurality of continuous furring ridges
on the wall structure such that a distance between centres of each
said furring ridge and an adjacent said furring ridge is greater
than a length of the longest of said blocks, and wherein each said
block in the system is moulded with no more than one said tongue on
each of said external sidewalls.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to masonry construction blocks and
has particular application to a system of blocks used to create
walls to which an interior and/or exterior lining is applied using
furring.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Masonry construction blocks are well known. These blocks are
frequently hollow, and are placed adjacent to each other using
mortar in between adjacent blocks to form a wall. The cavities
within the blocks align with each other in use so that concrete
grout may be poured into the wall to create a solid structure.
Reinforcing may also be placed through the cavities to add
additional strength to the structure.
[0003] A difficulty with concrete walls constructed from blocks is
that an interior lining is often required to be applied to the wall
for interior spaces. In existing constructions, the lining
typically comprises gypsum board or rock sheet and may be glued
directly on to the concrete wall. However, more often furring is
provided on the wall in the form of a series of wooden or metal
strips which are glued, nailed, bolted or otherwise fastened on to
the interior wall surface. The gypsum board is then affixed using
glue or fasteners to the furring to form a cavity separating the
gypsum lining board from the block surface. This may provide
enhanced acoustic separation and/or a cavity for thermal and/or
acoustic insulation. Services such as plumbing or electric wiring
may also be provided in the cavity.
[0004] Having to provide separate furring results in a number of
disadvantages. Firstly, there is the additional cost of sourcing
the furring strip material. Secondly, there is the labour cost and
additional time in having to affix the furring to the wall before
the interior lining can be affixed.
[0005] A further difficulty with exterior concrete walls
constructed from blocks is that it is difficult to weatherproof
them by sealing to prevent penetration by water. In some situations
this is overcome by attaching exterior claddings to furring on the
block wall which has been sealed, thereby creating a ventilated
cavity and drainage plane.
[0006] Other systems of providing furring have been suggested
whereby each block is provided with a plurality of projecting
tongues. When the blocks are assembled some of the projecting
tongues combine to form closely spaced furring ridges. A problem
with such systems is that the space between the furring ridges has
spare tongues projecting into it, which may increase noise and heat
transmission through the wall and may make it inconvenient to
install insulation such as fibreglass batts between the furring
ridges. In some systems of the prior art the tongues are removable,
but it may be extremely time consuming to remove each unwanted
tongue in a wall assembly. In addition, the extra, unneeded tongues
may add to the cost of the bricks, and to their weight.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
masonry wall system and/or a method of assembling a masonry wall
which will at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages
referred to above.
[0008] Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a masonry wall system and/or a method of assembling a
masonry wall which will at least provide the public with a useful
alternative to existing constructions or methods.
[0009] Further objects of the invention may become apparent from
the following description.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a masonry wall system including a plurality of masonry
blocks, each block having two external side walls and being adapted
for location, in use, adjacent to further said blocks such that the
side walls form at least one wall surface of a wall structure
constructed from the blocks, a plurality of said blocks including a
tongue projecting from a sidewall thereof, wherein, in use, said
blocks can be arranged such that such that a plurality of said
tongues combine to form a plurality of furring ridges on the wall
structure such that a distance between centres of at least one of
said furring ridges and an adjacent said furring ridge is greater
than a length of the longest of said blocks.
[0011] Preferably, a distance between centres of each furring ridge
and an adjacent furring ridge is greater than a length of the
longest of said blocks.
[0012] Preferably, the tongues are shaped and dimensioned such that
a volume of air enclosed between the wall surface and a wallboard
which is attached, in use, to the furring, is sufficient to cause
attenuation of sound transmitted through the wall.
[0013] Preferably, the volume of air is sufficient that an
"air-spring" acoustic damping mechanism is active.
[0014] Preferably, each said block is moulded with no more than one
said tongue on each of said external side walls.
[0015] Preferably, the wall structure includes a plurality of rows
of said blocks, and each said row of blocks is laterally offset
relative to an adjacent row.
[0016] Preferably, the masonry wall system includes a first type of
masonry block having no tongues, a second type of block having a
substantially vertically orientated tongue at or adjacent a first
end of the block, and a third type of masonry block having a
substantially vertically orientated tongue intermediate a first end
and a second end of the block.
[0017] Preferably, each said furring ridge is substantially
continuous.
[0018] Preferably, each said furring ridge is substantially
linear.
[0019] Preferably, a plurality of said furring ridges are
substantially vertical.
[0020] Preferably, the distance between centres of adjacent ridges,
or every second said ridge, is equal to the width of a standard
size of wallboard.
[0021] Preferably, the distance between centres of adjacent ridges
is substantially 600 mm.
[0022] Preferably, the wall structure defines an opening, and the
blocks adjacent said opening provide furring ridges around an edge
of said opening.
[0023] Preferably, the wall structure intersects a second masonry
wall structure to form a corner assembly including a plurality of
interengaged masonry blocks, a plurality of which include a tongue
projecting from a sidewall thereof, wherein a plurality of said
tongues combine to form a pair of mutually orthogonal,
substantially adjacent furring ridges.
[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention a
method of assembling a masonry wall includes interengaging a
plurality of masonry blocks, a plurality of said blocks including a
tongue projecting from a sidewall thereof, such that said blocks
are arranged so that a plurality of said tongues combine to form a
plurality of furring ridges on the wall, wherein a distance between
centres of at least one of said furring ridges and an adjacent said
furring ridge is greater than a length of the longest of said
blocks.
[0025] Preferably, the method includes including using a first type
of masonry block having no tongues, a second type of block having a
substantially vertically orientated tongue at or adjacent a first
end of the block, and a third type of masonry block having a
substantially vertically orientated tongue intermediate a first end
and a second end of the block.
[0026] Preferably, the method includes arranging the blocks to
define an opening such that the blocks adjacent said opening
provide furring ridges around an edge of said opening.
[0027] Preferably, the method includes arranging the blocks to form
a first masonry wall intersecting a second masonry wall to form a
corner assembly which has a plurality of interengaged masonry
blocks, a plurality of which include a tongue projecting from a
sidewall thereof, wherein a plurality of said tongues combine to
form a pair of mutually orthogonal, substantially adjacent furring
ridges.
[0028] According to third aspect of the present invention there is
provided a masonry wall system substantially as herein described
with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.
[0029] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention a
masonry wall system includes a plurality of masonry blocks, each
block having two external side walls and being adapted for
location, in use, adjacent to further said blocks such that the
side walls form at least one wall surface of a wall structure
constructed from the blocks, a plurality of said blocks including a
tongue projecting from a sidewall thereof, wherein, in use, said
blocks can be arranged such that each said tongue combines with
other said tongues to form a plurality of continuous furring ridges
on the wall structure such that a distance between centres of each
said furring ridge and an adjacent said furring ridge is greater
than a length of the longest of said blocks, and wherein each said
block in the system is moulded with no more than one said tongue on
each of said external sidewalls.
[0030] According to a further aspect of the present invention a
masonry wall system includes a plurality of masonry blocks, each
block having two external side walls and being adapted for
location, in use, adjacent to further said blocks such that the
side walls form at least one wall surface of a wall structure
constructed from the blocks, a plurality of said blocks including a
tongue projecting from a sidewall thereof, wherein, in use, said
blocks can be arranged such that a plurality of said tongues
combine to form a plurality of furring ridges on the wall structure
having a required spacing therebetween, wherein each said block in
the system is moulded with no more than one said tongue on each of
said external sidewalls.
[0031] Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered
in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following
description given by way of example of possible embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a block according to a first
embodiment of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a block according to a
further embodiment of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the block of FIG. 2 but
including a knock out section in the tongue projecting from the
block.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the block according to a
still further embodiment of the invention in which a tongue
projects from the block in a horizontal direction.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a wall constructed
using blocks of the preceding figures to provide furring means.
[0038] FIGS. 6-9 are perspective views of four blocks according to
four further alternative embodiments of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a pair of blocks forming a corner
assembly according to a further alternative embodiment of the
invention.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a side elevation of a sill block with a
horizontally extending projecting tongue according to a further
alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0041] FIGS. 12 is a plan view of a rebate block with a vertically
extending projecting tongue according to a further alternative
embodiment of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a rebate lintel block with a
vertically extending projecting tongue according to a further
alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIGS. 14 is a plan view of a lintel and half end closure
with a vertically extending projecting tongue according to a
further alternative embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODES FOR PERFORMING INVENTION
[0044] The term "furring" is used herein to describe means for
attaching an exterior cladding, such as a weatherboard and/or an
internal lining, such as gypsum wallboard, to a wall, which creates
a space or cavity between the cladding/lining and the surface of
the wall.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, a block is shown according to the first
embodiment of the invention being generally referenced 1 and having
sidewalls 2 and 3, an end wall 4 and an opposite end 5 which may be
provided in the form of a wall, or may be open as shown in FIG. 1.
The block 1 is constructed from masonry material, and is preferably
formed by a moulding process. The block may have hollow or open
interior cavities 6 and 7 which may be used in practice to
accommodate reinforcing and concrete to provide a solid wall
structure such as is described further below.
[0046] The block 1 is provided with one or more projecting tongues
8. Typically blocks with tongues 8 on only one side will be used
for external walls to which no external cladding is applied, while
blocks with tongues 8 on both sides will be used for internal
walls, or for external walls where a cladding is applied to the
exterior surface of the wall, thereby providing a ventilation
cavity and drainage plane, and an interior lining is applied to the
interior side of the wall.
[0047] In FIG. 1, the tongues 8 take the form of elongate ridges
provided in a generally vertical direction as shown in the figure.
In a preferred embodiment, the tongue 8 is formed as an integral
part of the block 1 during a moulding manufacturing process.
Furthermore, the preferred embodiment includes a rebate 9 provided
between one end of the tongue 8 and a side wall 2. This allows the
portion of the tongue 8 which is adjacent to the rebate 9 to be
removed, for example by use of a hammer, during a wall construction
process so that the resultant tongue 8 does not extend along the
full height of the side wall 2. The resulting gap allows the
reticulation of services such as plumbing or wiring.
[0048] Turning to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment is shown, which
uses the same reference numerals as those used in respect of FIG. 1
to designate like features. As can be seen from the figure, the
projecting tongue 8 in FIG. 2 is provided at an open end 5 of the
block 10 rather than being provided in a position between the two
ends 4, 5. In an alternative embodiment the tongue 8 may be
provided at the opposite end of the block.
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 3, a block 20 which is similar to the
block 10 of FIG. 2 is shown, but further including a rebate 9
provided between a portion of the tongue 8 and side wall 2. Again,
this rebate 9 allows the section of the tongue 8 which is
immediately adjacent to the rebate to be removed using a hammer,
for example, so that the tongue does not extend the full height of
the side wall 2.
[0050] An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. Again, like
reference numerals represent like features of the block 30 shown in
FIG. 4 and a block described above in the preceding figures. With
the block 30 of FIG. 4 the projecting tongue 8 extends in a
horizontal direction along a base of the sidewall 2. However, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the tongue 8 could also be
provided at a portion of the sidewall 2 somewhere between the upper
and lower edges of the side wall 2, or along an upper edge of the
side wall 2.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 5, an example of a wall, generally
referenced 40, is constructed using the blocks shown in FIGS. 1, 2
or 3 as illustrated, in combination with further wall components
such as standard blocks 41 which are not provided with tongues. It
will be seen that the positioning of the tongue 8 at the positions
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 (or FIG. 3) is such that when the wall
40 is constructed, the tongues 8 are provided adjacent to each
other so as to provide substantially continuous ridges 42 which
extend vertically along a side of the wall 40, even though the
blocks have been assembled in the traditional manner, that is, with
each row of blocks laterally offset relative to the adjacent row or
rows. The preferred arrangement shown in FIG. 5 has a spacing
between adjacent vertical ridges 42 which is such that the distance
between the centres of the adjacent furring ridges is greater than
the length of the largest of the blocks in the system. The spacing
between some or all of the furring ridges can be increased by
adding extra blocks having no tongues between the blocks which do
have tongues.
[0052] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the ridges 42
shown in FIG. 5 provide furring to thereby allow an appropriate
cladding, such as an exterior lining or an exterior wall surface
(both not shown), to be affixed to the wall 40 so constructed. In a
preferred embodiment the spacing between centres of adjacent
furring ridges, or between every second furring ridge is
substantially equal to a width of a standard size of wallboard. In
a preferred example the distance between centres of adjacent ridges
is substantially 600 mm, so that 1200 mm wide wallboard can be
affixed at its centre and edges.
[0053] Preferably the tongues are shaped and dimensioned such that
the volume of air enclosed between the brick wall surface and the
wallboard is sufficient to significantly attenuate noise
transmission through the wall, for example through an air-spring
acoustic damping mechanism. The conditions necessary for this
mechanism of sound attenuation to function are known to those
skilled in the art.
[0054] In a particularly preferred embodiment acoustic and/or
thermal insulation such as fibreglass batts may be placed between
the wall surface and the wallboard. This is made particularly
convenient by the relatively large spacing between the centres of
the furring ridges.
[0055] Cladding such as gypsum board may be affixed to the furring
provided by the invention by directly gluing the board to the outer
surface of the ridges, and/or by using fasteners such as
appropriate nails. The provision of the furring as an integral part
of the block has the advantage that additional furring does not
need to be sourced, nor erected. Therefore there is a significant
cost saving. Furthermore, the use of a concrete furring element has
advantages of increased noise attenuation and increased thermal
resistance due to the resultant insulated cavity.
[0056] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, if
required, some additional blocks with projecting tongues (not
shown) may be used between the blocks creating the continuous
ridges 42, although this embodiment is less preferred.
[0057] It is preferred that each block be moulded with no more than
one tongue on each of the sidewalls. If blocks are manufactured
with more than one tongue on the sidewall then the additional
tongues will need to be removed if a clear space between the
furring ridges is required. This may increase the labour cost
involved with assembling the wall, and may also increase the cost
of the bricks themselves. If blocks with extra tongues do not have
the additional tongues removed then those extra tongues may act to
increase the noise and heat transmission through the wall, and may
also make it more difficult to install insulation in the space
between the furring ridges.
[0058] In an alternative embodiment the blocks may be stacked
directly on top of one another, rather than offset.
[0059] The cavities 43 within the blocks may be provided with
structural reinforcing and/or concrete so as to increase the
structural integrity of the wall.
[0060] Although not shown in FIG. 5, the rebates 9 may be used to
remove a section of the relevant tongue 8 and therefore provide
space through which utilities such as plumbing, wiring etc may be
provided along the wall.
[0061] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show still further embodiments with the
projecting tongues 8 provided on both sides of the block. FIG. 9
shows a still further embodiment of a block with a tongue 8 on one
side only.
[0062] Although the embodiments described above have at least one
end wall, in a still further embodiments (not shown) variants of
the above blocks may be open at both ends, or closed at both
ends.
[0063] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a first corner block 50a and a
second corner block 50b combined to form a corner assembly,
generally referenced 60, at the intersection of two intersecting
masonry walls. The corner blocks are arranged in the usual way,
with one end 51a of the first corner block 50a abutting the side
52b of the second corner block 50b and the end 51b of the second
block 50b substantially aligned with the outermost side 52a of the
first block 50a.
[0064] The first corner block 50a has a projecting tongue 8a which
is spaced apart from the end 51a of the block 50a by approximately
the same distance as the height H2 of the projecting tongue 8b of
the second block 50b. The second corner block 50b has a projecting
tongue 8b spaced apart from the end 51b of the block 50b by a
distance substantially equal to a width W of the first block 50a
plus the height H1 of the projecting tongue 8a of the first block
50a. In this way the two projecting tongues 8a, 8b form a pair of
mutually orthogonal, substantially adjacent furring ridges. This
allows sheets of a suitable lining (not shown) to be secured along
the edges which form the interior corner.
[0065] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that further layers
of blocks will be provided above and below the blocks shown in the
figure. In a preferred embodiment each block used for the corner
assembly has a protruding tongue, so that continuous furring ridges
are formed. In other less preferred embodiments some of the blocks
may not have protruding tongues. In these embodiments the furring
ridges are discontinuous.
[0066] FIG. 11 shows a sill block with a horizontally extending
projecting tongue 8.
[0067] FIG. 12 shows a rebate block with a vertically extending
projecting tongue 8.
[0068] FIG. 13 shows a rebate lintel block with a vertically
extending projecting tongue 8.
[0069] FIG. 14 shows a lintel and half end closure with a
vertically extending projecting tongue 8.
[0070] This skilled in the art will appreciate that suitable
combinations of the blocks illustrated above may be used to define
an opening in the wall which is provided with furring ridges around
the edge of the opening.
[0071] Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made
to specific components or integers of the invention having known
equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if
individually set forth.
[0072] Although this invention has been described by way of example
and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *