U.S. patent application number 11/804987 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for shower curtain rod and fixture.
Invention is credited to Niranjan Patel.
Application Number | 20080289096 11/804987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40071023 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080289096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel; Niranjan |
November 27, 2008 |
Shower curtain rod and fixture
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved shower curtain rod
and fixture. More particularly, the invention encompasses a shower
curtain rod that can be used safely and securely in the motel/hotel
industry. This invention further includes inventive features, such
as, a shower rod that has substantially straight ends and a portion
that is visibly curved to allow for "elbow room" for upper body
movement of a person using a shower, a non-twist or non-sagging
feature that prevents the inventive shower curtain rod from
rotating or twisting after it has been installed, a fixture to
securely and safely secure the inventive shower curtain rod to a
surface, such as a wall, to name a few.
Inventors: |
Patel; Niranjan; (Edison,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AHSAN & ASSOCIATES
P.O. BOX 251
HOPEWELL JUNCTION
NY
12533
US
|
Family ID: |
40071023 |
Appl. No.: |
11/804987 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/610 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/610 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/00 20060101
A47K003/00 |
Claims
1. A straight and curved shower curtain rod, comprising: (a) a
shower curtain rod having a central portion having a curvature, (b)
said shower curtain rod having end portions that are substantially
straight, (c) said substantially straight end portions having at
least one opening, wherein at least a portion of said opening has
spiraling rings, (d) a shower rod end fixture having a
substantially flat surface and a protruding portion, wherein said
protruding portion has at least one opening, and wherein at least a
portion of said opening has spiraling rings, (e) at least one
securing device, wherein at least a portion of said securing device
has spiraling rings, and (f) wherein said at least one securing
device passes through said at least one opening in said
substantially straight end portion and through said at least one
opening in said protruding portion and securely mates with said
spiraling rings in said substantially straight end portion and said
spiraling rings in said protruding portion, so as to prevent any
movement between said shower curtain rod and said shower rod end
fixture.
2. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said central portion is between about 20 percent to about 80
percent of the total length of said straight and curved shower
curtain rod.
3. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
material for said rod is selected from a group consisting of
stainless steel, rustproof zinc, nickel, chrome, plastic, rubber,
metallic material and composite material.
4. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
material for said shower rod end fixture is selected from a group
consisting of stainless steel, rustproof zinc, nickel, chrome,
plastic, rubber, metallic material and composite material.
5. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said securing device is selected from a group consisting of a
screw, a bolt, a set-screw, and a pin.
6. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said at least one opening in said shower rod end fixture has a
recess portion to accommodate a head portion in said at least one
securing device.
7. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said rod is selected from a group consisting of a hollow tube, and
a solid tube.
8. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said rod is a tube where an outer material of said tube is
different than an inner material for said tube.
9. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 8, wherein
said outer material is selected from a group consisting of
stainless steel, rustproof zinc, nickel, chrome, plastic, rubber,
metallic material and composite material.
10. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 8, wherein
said inner material is selected from a group consisting of
stainless steel, rustproof zinc, nickel, chrome, plastic, rubber,
metallic material and composite material.
11. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said rod has a finish selected from a group consisting of a
polished finish, a bright finish, a brushed finish, a satin finish,
a powder coated finish and a white powder coat finish.
12. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said rod is between about 36 inches to about 78 inches long, with
an outer diameter of between about one half inch to about one inch,
and wherein said central portion has about a bow of between about 4
inches to about 8 inches in the middle and said straight end
portions are between about 3 inches to about 9 inches in
length.
13. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said rod is preferably about 72 inches long, and more preferably
about 60 inches long, with about a one inch outer diameter, and
wherein said central portion has a bow of about 6 inches in the
middle and said straight end portions are preferably about 4 inches
in length, and more preferably about 6 inches in length.
14. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
at least one second securing device passes through an opening in
said protruding portion and securely secures said rod to said
protruding portion.
15. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said rod is selected from a group consisting of a hollow metal tube
and a hollow rigid plastic tube.
16. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
said central portion having a curvature is substantially in a
horizontal plane.
17. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
at least one spacer separates said shower rod end fixture from a
wall.
18. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 1, wherein
at least one spacer separates said shower rod end fixture from a
wall, and wherein said spacer is selected from a group consisting
of a metal spacer, a polymer spacer, a silicon spacer, a
composite-material spacer, a rubber spacer and a plastic
spacer.
19. A straight and curved shower curtain rod, comprising: (a) a
shower curtain rod having a length of between about 36 inches to
about 78 inches, (b) said shower curtain rod having a central
portion having a curvature, and wherein said curvature has a bow of
between about 4 inches to about 8 inches, (c) said shower curtain
rod having end portions that are substantially straight, and
wherein said substantially straight end portions are between about
3 inches to 9 inches long, (d) said substantially straight end
portions having at least one opening, wherein at least a portion of
said opening has spiraling rings, (e) a shower rod end fixture
having a substantially flat surface and a protruding portion,
wherein said protruding portion has at least one opening, and
wherein at least a portion of said opening has spiraling rings, (f)
at least one securing device, wherein at least a portion of said
securing device has spiraling rings, and (g) wherein said at least
one securing device passes through said at least one opening in
said substantially straight end portion and through said at least
one opening in said protruding portion and securely mates with said
spiraling rings in said substantially straight end portion and said
spiraling rings in said protruding portion, so as to prevent any
movement between said shower curtain rod and said shower rod end
fixture.
20. The straight and curved shower curtain rod of claim 19, wherein
at least one second securing device passes through an opening in
said protruding portion and securely secures said rod to said
protruding portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved shower curtain
rod and fixture. More particularly, the invention encompasses a
shower curtain rod that can be used safely and securely in the
motel/hotel industry. This invention further includes inventive
features, such as, a shower rod that has substantially straight
ends and a portion that is visibly curved to allow for "elbow room"
for upper body movement of a person using a shower, a non-twist or
non-sagging feature that prevents the inventive shower curtain rod
from rotating or twisting after it has been installed, a fixture to
securely and safely secure the inventive shower curtain rod to a
surface, such as a wall, to name a few.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] In the construction of most bathrooms, it is common to
position a shower head or shower nozzle which is mounted on the
wall in an enclosure above a bath tub or a shower stall to thereby
provide the option of a shower for the resident or the guest using
the bathroom facility. In defining such enclosures, splashing water
out of the enclosure is limited by the use of a sliding door,
typically a translucent plastic or shatter proof glass, or more
conveniently, a shower curtain. The shower curtain is ordinarily
constructed and arranged to drape loosely from a set of eyelets or
curtain rings which slide along the curtain rod. A set of such
rings is normally mounted slidably on the shower curtain rod which
is positioned normally at the height of the sprinkler head or other
nozzle. The shower curtain is draped in the bath tub below or
around a shower stall so that water is not splashed out of the bath
tub or the shower stall. Because the bath tub is below the shower
nozzle, the bath tub also functions to collect water which drains
from the bath tub during the shower.
[0003] Many bath tubs and shower stalls are constructed in a
rectangular manner having one side exposed while the other three
sides have a wall or an enclosure. For such straight side bath tubs
a straight shower rod can be easily positioned above the straight
edge. A shower curtain can then be secured to the straight shower
rod so as to prevent the splashing of the water to an area outside
of the tub or the shower stall and also to direct the water from a
shower head towards a shower drain.
[0004] It is well know in the art to provide a shower curtain rod
which is shaped and profiled to fit above and in cooperation with a
particular type shower or tub construction. These types of shower
curtain rods are intended to be used to support a shower curtain so
as to prevent water from splashing out of the enclosure bordered by
the shower curtain as the curtain is draped into a bath tub below
the curtain rod.
[0005] A curved shower rod is particularly adapted for use with an
oval or an elliptical shaped bath tub so as to follow the contours
of the oval or the elliptical shaped bath tub so as to direct the
water coming from a shower head towards the drain or just to
provide an extra "elbow room" to the user or guest.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,504 (Cellini), the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a shower enlarger
where the shower area can be enlarged to provide a greater stall
space for upper body movement of a person using the shower. The
one-piece curtain rod has an offset medial section for outwardly
displacing an upper area of a shower curtain to allow for greater
space in shower stall for upper body movement while showering. The
offset medial section also includes a pair of angular curtain rod
sections that extend in diverging relation away from opposite ends
of the offset medial section.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,104, (Miller), the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a shower curtain
support for a straight sided bath tub where the shower rod is
provided with a central straight portion having a length
approximately equal to that of the bath tub and which also includes
offset end rod portions which enable connection with the tile wall
which surrounds the bath tub. In this construction, the bath tub is
positioned below the shower curtain rod so that the shower curtain
can drape in the tub. The overhead shower rod has a straight length
portion which approximately conforms to the length or profile of
the bath tub when viewed from above.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,287 (Wise), the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference, discloses a shower curtain rod
having two end portions with angled fittings to enable the shower
curtain rod to be attached between a pair of parallel walls at a
bath tub enclosure. The shower curtain rod is constructed with a
central portion curving to follow the edge or profile of an oval or
elliptical bath tub. This curving central portion enables the
shower curtain to hang into the bath tub. When positioned above the
bath tub, the shower curtain rod is particularly useful to deflect
splashed water into the tub by enabling a user to simply slide the
shower curtain along the length of the shower curtain rod so that
it hangs into the tub therebelow.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,815 (Orpilla), the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a curved shower
curtain rod having two end portions that are bent at 70 degrees.
The curved shower curtain rod is straight in the middle but curved
at both ends. The middle of the curtain rod is still along the
outside edge of the tub, but the ends curve towards inside to the
middle of the tub.
[0010] However, one of the problems that exists with the present
shower rods is that they twist and/or sag and/or rotate thus
creating an unsafe environment and this movement of the curved
shower rod also weakens the associated fixtures. This is primarily
due to the fact that the center of gravity of the curved shower rod
is at a location which forces the central curved portion to move or
rotate or sag down towards the earth.
[0011] Thus, it is clear that the shower rods and shower rod
fixtures of the prior art have a problem that needs an inventive
solution. These and other problems are overcome by the present
invention.
PURPOSES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention is an improved shower rod and a shower rod
fixture.
[0013] Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a
shower rod with at least one opening to secure said shower rod to a
shower rod fixture so as to prevent twisting and/or rotating and/or
sagging of the shower rod.
[0014] Another purpose of this invention is to provide a shower rod
fixture with at least one opening so as to secure a shower rod to
said shower rod fixture so as to prevent twisting and/or rotating
and/or sagging of the shower rod.
[0015] Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a shower
rod with at least one portion that is substantially straight and at
least one portion that has a visible curvature.
[0016] Therefore, in one aspect this invention comprises a straight
and curved shower curtain rod, comprising: [0017] (a) a shower
curtain rod having a central portion having a curvature, [0018] (b)
said shower curtain rod having end portions that are substantially
straight, [0019] (c) said substantially straight end portions
having at least one opening, wherein at least a portion of said
opening has spiraling rings, [0020] (d) a shower rod end fixture
having a substantially flat surface and a protruding portion,
wherein said protruding portion has at least one opening, and
wherein at least a portion of said opening has spiraling rings,
[0021] (e) at least one securing device, wherein at least a portion
of said securing device has spiraling rings, and [0022] (f) wherein
said at least one securing device passes through said at least one
opening in said substantially straight end portion and through said
at least one opening in said protruding portion and securely mates
with said spiraling rings in said substantially straight end
portion and said spiraling rings in said protruding portion, so as
to prevent any movement between said shower curtain rod and said
shower rod end fixture.
[0023] In another aspect this invention comprises a straight and
curved shower curtain rod, comprising: [0024] (a) a shower curtain
rod having a length of between about 36 inches to about 78 inches,
[0025] (b) said shower curtain rod having a central portion having
a curvature, and wherein said curvature has a bow of between about
4 inches to about 8 inches, [0026] (c) said shower curtain rod
having end portions that are substantially straight, and wherein
said substantially straight end portions are between about 3 inches
to 9 inches long, [0027] (d) said substantially straight end
portions having at least one opening, wherein at least a portion of
said opening has spiraling rings, [0028] (e) a shower rod end
fixture having a substantially flat surface and a protruding
portion, wherein said protruding portion has at least one opening,
and wherein at least a portion of said opening has spiraling rings,
[0029] (f) at least one securing device, wherein at least a portion
of said securing device has spiraling rings, and [0030] (g) wherein
said at least one securing device passes through said at least one
opening in said substantially straight end portion and through said
at least one opening in said protruding portion and securely mates
with said spiraling rings in said substantially straight end
portion and said spiraling rings in said protruding portion, so as
to prevent any movement between said shower curtain rod and said
shower rod end fixture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The features of the invention believed to be novel and the
elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with
particularity in the appended claims. The drawings are for
illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Furthermore,
like numbers represent like features in the drawings. The invention
itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation,
may best be understood by reference to the detailed description
which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0032] FIG. 1A is a first embodiment of the invention showing front
view of the inventive shower rod fixture.
[0033] FIG. 1B is a side view of the inventive shower rod fixture
of FIG. 1A.
[0034] FIG. 2A is a second embodiment of the invention showing a
side view of the inventive shower rod fixture.
[0035] FIG. 2B is a front view of the inventive shower rod fixture
of FIG. 2A.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the inventive shower rod.
[0037] FIG. 4A is an enlarged top view of one end of the inventive
shower rod of FIG. 3.
[0038] FIG. 4B is an enlarged side view of one end of the inventive
shower rod of FIG. 3.
[0039] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a securing device.
[0040] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an embodiment showing a
portion of the inventive shower rod as secured to the inventive
shower rod fixture of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first embodiment of the
invention showing a front view and a side view, respectively, of
the inventive shower rod fixture or flange 23. The shower rod
fixture 23, has a base 10, having a back surface 11, and a
protruding section 12, having an opening 13, to accommodate a
shower rod (as more clearly shown in FIG. 6). The protruding
section 12, preferably has an upper flattened section 15, and a
lower flattened section 17. The upper flattened section 15, has at
least one upper opening 14, and the lower flattened section 17, has
at least one lower opening 16. It is preferred that the opening 14,
and opening 16, are substantially aligned so as to allow for the
passage of at least one securing device 20. The base 10, preferably
has at least one opening 18, so as to allow the mounting of the
shower rod fixture 23, to a flat surface, such as, a wall (not
shown), using a secure device, such as a screw (not shown). It is
preferred that the upper opening 14, has a recessed area 19, to
accommodate a head of the securing device 20. For some applications
it is also preferred that the upper opening 14, has grooves or
spiraling rings 21, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, to accommodate
corresponding grooves in the securing device 20. Similarly, for
some applications it is also preferred that the lower opening 16,
has grooves or spiraling rings 27, to accommodate corresponding
grooves in the bottom of the securing device 20. It is preferred
that the upper opening 14, in the shower rod end fixture 23, has a
recess portion 19, to accommodate a head portion 24, in the
securing device 20, as more clearly shown in FIG. 5.
[0042] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a second embodiment of the
invention showing a side view and a front view, respectively, of
the inventive shower rod fixture 23. The shower rod fixture 23, is
similar to fixture 23, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, except
that the openings 14 and 16, have grooves or spiraling rings 21 and
27, respectively, to accommodate the grooves of the securing device
20. Furthermore, the openings 18, to secure the fixture 23, to a
flat surface, such as a wall are in line with the upper opening 14
and the lower opening 16.
[0043] Also shown in FIG. 2A is an optional spacer or gasket 41.
The spacer or gasket 41, could be used in order to prevent gouging
of a flat surface, such as a wall (not shown), or as a cushioning
device 41. It is preferred that the gasket 41, is provided between
the back surface 11, of the fixture 23, and the wall (not shown).
Furthermore, in order to accommodate the unevenness of a wall or to
accommodate variations of a length of a shower rod 30 (shown in
FIG. 3) one or more spacers or gaskets 41, could be provided
between the back surface 11, of the shower rod fixture 23, and a
wall (not shown). It should be appreciated that at least one spacer
41, can be used to separate the shower rod end fixture 23, from a
wall, and wherein the spacer 41, can be selected from a group
comprising of a metal spacer, a polymer spacer, a silicon spacer, a
composite-material spacer, a rubber spacer, a plastic spacer, to
name a few.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the inventive shower or
spacious rod 30. The spacious or shower rod 30, having an interior
33, preferably has a central curved portion 39, and end portions
31, that are substantially straight. The shower rod 30, at one end
31, preferably has at least one opening 34, to allow the passage of
the securing device 20, and a second opening 36, which is shown in
FIG. 4B, which is directly opposite the opening 34, for the passage
of the securing device 20. For some applications the shower rod 30,
at another end 31, preferably has an end 32, that has no opening
similar to opening 34 and/or 36. For most applications the shower
rod 30, would be hollow to make the shower rod 30, a tube like
structure, but the shower rod 30 could also have the interior area
33, that is a solid. It should be appreciated that when the rod 30,
is securely secured to the shower rod fixture 23, the central
portion having a curvature 39, is substantially in a horizontal
plane, so as to prevent the twisting, sagging or rotating of the
rod 30, with respect to the shower rod fixture 23.
[0045] FIG. 4A is an enlarged top view of one end 31, of the
inventive shower rod 30, of FIG. 3, showing the opening 34, and
with a solid interior 33, having a solid or inner core 37.
[0046] FIG. 4B is an enlarged side view of one end 31, of the
inventive shower rod 30, of FIG. 3, showing the first opening 34,
on the surface of the shower rod 30, and a second opening 36. For
most applications the second opening 36, is directly opposite the
first opening 34, and with a hollow, tube-like interior 33, and a
hollow tube or outer shell 35.
[0047] For some applications it is preferred that the straight and
curved shower curtain rod 30, is a hollow tube, as shown in FIG.
4B, or a solid tube, as shown in FIG. 4A. For some applications it
may be preferred that the material for the outer shell 35, of the
rod 30, is different than the material for the inner core 37, for
the rod 30. The material for the outer shell 35, could be selected
from a group comprising of stainless steel, rustproof zinc, nickel,
chrome, plastic, rubber, metallic material, composite material, to
name a few. The outer shell 35, could also be a hollow metal tube
or a hollow rigid plastic tube. Furthermore, the material for the
inner core 37, could be selected from a group comprising of
stainless steel, rustproof zinc, nickel, chrome, plastic, rubber,
metallic material, composite material, to name a few.
[0048] The straight and curved shower curtain rod 30, could also
have a finish which could be selected from a group comprising of a
polished finish, a bright finish, a brushed finish, a satin finish,
a powder coated finish, a white powder coat finish, to name a
few.
[0049] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the securing device 20.
The securing device 20, preferably has a head portion 24, and a
bottom portion 26. The head portion 24, preferably has an securing
area 22, which can be used in conjunction with a flat screwdriver,
a Phillips screwdriver, an Allan wrench, a star wrench, to name a
few. The outer surface 28, preferable has means, such as grooves or
circular rings 28, to securely mate with the holes 34 and 36 in the
shower rod 30, and the holes 14 and/or 16, in the shower rod
fixture 23.
[0050] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an embodiment showing a
portion of the inventive shower rod 30, as secured to the inventive
shower rod fixture 23, of this invention. As one can clearly see
that one end 31, of the shower rod 30, has a securing device 20,
that passes through openings 14, 34, 36 and 16, and securely
secures the shower rod 30, to the shower rod fixture 23. However,
at the other end 31, which is the no-hole end 32, a securing device
20, such as a set-screw 20, is used to securely secure the other
end 31, or the no-hole end 32, of the inventive shower rod 30, to
the inventive shower rod fixture 23.
[0051] The shower curtain rod 30, when viewed from above,
preferably has a curving portion 39. The curving portion 39, of the
instant inventive shower rod may or may not conform to the
curvature of a corresponding bath tub. The bath tub could be of any
shape or size and similarly the bath or shower stall could be of
any shape or size, however with the inventive straight and curved
shower rod one would still get more "elbow" room for upper body
movement.
[0052] For some applications it would be preferred that the shower
curtain rod 30, conforms with the curvature of a correspondingly
curved bath tub. The bath tub or Jacuzzi many be of an oval or it
may be elliptical in shape, and thus the shower rod 30, has at
least a central curved portion 39, which matches that curvature and
is located the requisite distance above the bath tub (not shown) so
that the shower curtain, (not shown) hangs loosely from the shower
rod 30, on a set of rod hangers, drapes into the tub and to prevent
splashed water from escaping from the bath tub around the ends of
the curtain.
[0053] It is preferred that the shower curtain rod 30, is a hollow
tube 35, having an opening 33. However, for some applications the
shower curtain rod 30, could be made from a light weight solid
material which is inexpensive to produce but which can withstand
the normal weight of a shower curtain (not shown). Similarly, the
shower curtain rod 30, could be made from a composite material. For
some applications the shower curtain rod 30, could be made from a
material that is strong on the outside but relatively soft and
light weight on the inside, such as for example, the outside shell
35, could be of a metallic or a plastic material, while the inside
or inner core 37, could be of a light weight material which is well
known in the art, such as, for example, a Styrofoam material or a
light-weight composite material, to name a few.
[0054] The securing device 20, could be selected from a group
comprising, a screw, a bolt, a set-crew, a rivet, a pin, to name a
few.
[0055] The shower rod fixture or flange 23, is preferably made from
a material, such as for example stainless steel, rustproof zinc,
nickel, chrome, plastic, rubber, metallic material, composite
material, to name a few.
[0056] The shower rod 30, is preferably made from a material, such
as for example stainless steel, rustproof zinc, nickel, chrome,
plastic, rubber, metallic material, composite material, to name a
few.
[0057] For some applications, it is preferred that the central
portion 39, is between about 20 percent to about 80 percent of the
total length of the straight and curved shower curtain rod 30.
[0058] For some applications the straight and curved shower curtain
rod 30 would be about 60 inches long, with a one inch outer
diameter, and wherein the central curved portion 39, has a bow of
between about 4 inches to about 8 inches in the middle, and the
straight end portions 31, are between about 3 inches to about 9
inches in length. However, it is preferred that the straight and
curved shower curtain rod 30, is between about 36 inches to about
78 inches long, with about a diameter of between about one half
inch to about one inch, and wherein the central curved portion 39,
has a bow in the middle of between about 4 inches to about 8
inches, and the straight end portions 31, are between about 4
inches to about 8 inches in length.
[0059] While the present invention has been particularly described
in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing
description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims
will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as
falling within the true scope and spirit of the present
invention.
* * * * *