U.S. patent application number 12/134342 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for fender system for vessels which allows fenders to self adjust.
Invention is credited to Samuel S. Stephenson, JR..
Application Number | 20090107384 12/134342 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40581198 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090107384 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stephenson, JR.; Samuel S. |
April 30, 2009 |
Fender System for Vessels Which Allows Fenders to Self Adjust
Abstract
The present invention provides a fender system that is applied
to a dock piling or solid faced bulkhead in order to prevent damage
to a marine vessel while the vessel is moored to a fixed or
floating dock, or dock piling, or solid faced bulkhead. The fender
is designed to uniquely rise and fall with the level of the tide
such that the fender is always in the most suitable position for
protecting the vessel's hull from coming into direct contact with
the piling or bulkhead. Thus, this system is useful in waters in
which there is a constant ebb and flow of the tide and is
especially useful in areas experiencing a storm surge.
Inventors: |
Stephenson, JR.; Samuel S.;
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Darby & Darby (Formerly Michael J. Keller)
P.O. Box 770, Church Street Station
New York
NY
10008-0770
US
|
Family ID: |
40581198 |
Appl. No.: |
12/134342 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61001055 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 30/30 20180101;
E02B 3/26 20130101; Y02A 30/36 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/219 |
International
Class: |
B63B 59/02 20060101
B63B059/02 |
Claims
1. A fender system for a vessel, comprising: a bracket mounted to a
vertical dock piling at a location above a water line; a fender; a
vertical positioning means for positioning the fender and
connecting the fender to the bracket; wherein the fender has means
for attaching to the vertical positioning means; and a float device
positioned below the fender wherein the float device engages the
fender such that the float device causes the fender to
automatically rise and fall in response to the changing level of
the water line.
2. The fender system of claim 1 wherein the bracket is bent into a
180.degree. degree arc that faces downwards towards the water line
when mounted to the dock piling.
3. The fender system of claim 1 wherein the vertical positioning
means is a cable or a rod.
4. The fender system of claim 3 wherein the means for attaching the
fender to the vertical positioning means is a hole traversing the
length of the fender such that the vertical positioning means can
be inserted through the fender.
5. The fender system of claim 4 wherein the float device further
comprises a hole traversing its length such that the vertical
positioning means can be inserted through the float device.
6. The fender system of claim 5 wherein the float device causes the
fender to slide along the vertical positioning means in response to
the changing level of the water line.
7. The fender system of claim 1 further comprising a shackle for
connecting the vertical positioning means to the bracket such that
the vertical positioning means has a range of movement with respect
to the bracket.
8. The fender system of claim 7 further comprising a sleeve
interconnecting the vertical positioning means and the shackle
wherein the sleeve is made of a non-corroding material or a
galvanically acceptable material.
9. The fender system of claim 8 wherein the sleeve is comprised of
nylon.
10. The fender system of claim 1 further comprising a weight
wherein the vertical positioning means is connected to the weight
at its terminating end such that the weight maintains the
positioning and vertical alignment of the fender.
11. The fender system of claim 10 wherein the weight is located
above the sea floor.
12. The fender system of claim 1 further comprising a hollow pipe
having a 1/4'' inch cut traversing the entire length of the pipe
and an end cap on each end of the pipe whereby each end cap has a
1/4'' inch diameter hole at its center wherein the pipe is
positioned between the fender and the float device such that the
pipe is used to alter the height of the fender along the vertical
positioning means in relation to the water line.
13. The fender system of claim 1 wherein the float device is
comprised of foam or plastic.
14. A fender system for a vessel, comprising: an upper bracket
mounted to a vertical dock piling at a location above a water line;
a lower bracket mounted to the vertical dock piling at a location
below the water line; a fender; a vertical positioning means for
positioning the fender and connecting the fender to the upper and
lower brackets; wherein the fender has means for attaching to the
vertical positioning means; and a float device positioned below the
fender wherein the float device engages the fender such that the
float device causes the fender to automatically rise and fall in
response to the changing level of the water tide.
15. The fender system of claim 14 wherein the upper bracket is bent
into a 180.degree. degree arc that faces downwards towards the
water line when mounted to the dock piling.
16. The fender system of claim 14 wherein the vertical positioning
means is a cable or a rod.
17. The fender system of claim 16 wherein the means for attaching
the fender to the vertical positioning means is a hole traversing
the length of the fender such that the vertical positioning means
can be inserted through the fender.
18. The fender system of claim 17 wherein the float device further
comprises a hole traversing its length such that the vertical
positioning means can be inserted through the float device.
19. The fender system of claim 18 wherein the float device causes
the fender to slide along the vertical positioning means in
response to the changing level of the water line.
20. The fender system of claim 14 further comprising a shackle for
connecting the vertical positioning means to the bracket such that
the vertical positioning means has a range of movement with respect
to the bracket.
21. The fender system of claim 20 further comprising a sleeve
interconnecting the vertical positioning means and the shackle
wherein the sleeve is made of a non-corroding material or a
galvanically acceptable material.
22. The fender system of claim 21 wherein the sleeve is comprised
of nylon.
23. The fender system of claim 14 further comprising a hollow pipe
that is positioned between the fender and the float device such
that the hollow pipe is used to alter the height of the fender in
relation to the water line.
24. The fender system of claim 14 wherein the float device is
comprised of foam or plastic.
25. The fender system of claim 23 wherein the hollow pipe further
comprises a longitudinal slit cut the entire length of the pipe
with end caps on each end of the pipe.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to corresponding U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/001,055, filed on Oct. 31, 2007, the
disclosure and contents of which are expressly incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fender system that can be
applied to a dock piling in order to prevent damage to a vessel
whereby the fender uniquely rises and falls with the tide such that
the fender is always in the most suitable position for protecting
the vessel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] With respect to commercial and recreational marine vessels,
the vessels are regularly kept within a marina, harbor or port for
a period of time while not being used alongside a dock area with a
number of vertical dock pilings. Typically, the vessel is somehow
attached or otherwise confined to the dock in order that the
current and tide does not cause the vessel to stray from the dock
area. As a result, the hull, transom or gunwale of the vessel
routinely encounters the dock or dock piling each time the vessel
pitches and rolls against the dock area due to the underlying
current and rise and fall of the tide. Furthermore, in some
instances, the vessel may even work itself under the dock if there
is no structural barrier between the vessel and the dock.
Therefore, a number of systems have been developed in order to
protect the vessel's structure from being damaged by the dock
pilings.
[0004] For example, bumpers have been applied to the vessel's
railings and alongside the dock pilings themselves. The bumpers are
typically made with rubber pads or strips. Unfortunately, the pads
or strips are usually only capable of handling any rubbing
engagement that occurs between a vessel and a piling, and cannot
withstand the full force of an impact between the vessel and the
dock piling. During a forceful impact, the pads or strips either do
not have enough cushion to prevent any damage or are ripped away
from their fastened position on the underlying vessel or piling
structure rendering the bumpers ineffective and causing structural
damage to the vessel or piling. In addition, the bumpers are
unsightly when applied to a vessel or a piling thereby ruining the
aesthetic appeal of the vessel or dock area. Packaging, cushions,
carpeting and even corrugated cardboard have also been strapped to
dock pilings with duct tape in an attempt to provide protection to
the vessel. However, these solutions are only temporary as they
degrade easily and quickly become unsightly.
[0005] In another example, fenders have been developed for mounting
to and hanging over the waterside edge of the stem, fantail or
gunwale of the vessel such that the fender acts as a physical
buffer that prevents the vessel from coming into direct contact
with the dock piling. A typical fender is in the form of a
cylindrical, elongated tube, rounded at both ends or formed similar
to a barrel, and is completely or partially filled with air, water
or a cellular foam core to cushion and absorb the shock of the
vessel bumping and banging against the dock piling. The fender
typically has a line, such as a nylon cord or rope, at its upper
end that is somehow attached or tied to the vessel. The fender
simply hangs down from the gunwale to protect the sides of the
vessel. However, in order to be effective, the fender must be
suspended from the vessel at a precise length in order to be
positioned such that the dock piling hits the vessel at the section
that comes in contact with the fender. Therefore, the fender cannot
just rely upon its buoyancy for placing it in the right place as
the water level may not be where the vessel contacts with the dock.
Determining the precise length of the fender is not a simple task
and requires some trial and error, particularly when the level of
the water is constantly rising and falling. Furthermore, because
the fender is suspended from its top but is free-floating at its
bottom such that there is little tension in the line, the fender
can easily be errantly moved out of position and relies upon the
vessel compressing the fender in place against the dock in order to
keep it in position. Thus, a fender suspended from the vessel is
completely useless in storm conditions. In some instances, the
fender contains water or another substance that adds weight to the
fender while still remaining buoyant. However, the inconvenience
associated with locating the fender at a precise location under
changing conditions still exists. In addition, although fenders are
easily portable, the fender must be transported with the vessel
during its entire voyage as unused cargo.
[0006] Therefore, there exists a need for a system of sufficient
strength and cushion to absorb the full force impact between a
vessel and a dock piling that is not difficult to correctly
position and is permanently attached to the vessel or piling such
that it cannot be easily moved out of the correct position.
[0007] In order to reduce the difficulty in attaching a suitable
buffer to a vessel in the appropriate location and the undesirable
added weight of applying a buffer to the vessel, systems have been
developed for securing an existing inflatable fender or some other
type of mooring device to a dock or pier rather than applying the
fender or other device to the vessel. As a result, there is
flexibility in receiving the impact of the vessel without the
displacement of the fender or other device from its secured
position.
[0008] For example, one system is comprised of an inflatable fender
that is attached to a boat docking structure using at least two
brackets that are secured to the boat docking structure on each
side of the fender using screws. A strap is adjustably received by
the two brackets and completely encircles the fender thereby
securing the fender to the boat docking structure. In addition, the
fender can have a center opening for running a line longitudinally
through the fender whereby the line is attached to the boat docking
structure using a hook or eyebolt to assist in securing the fender
to the boat docking structure. Thus, upon impact of the boat with
the fender, the fender cannot move relative to the boat docking
structure. A series of these fenders can be applied vertically
and/or horizontally in a linear fashion along the boat docking
structure in order to cover the entire length wherein a vessel may
come in contact with the boat docking structure.
[0009] In another example, rather than using readily available and
conventional inflated fenders, one system employs a device having
an extension arm that is attached to a dock in a fixed position.
The extension arm is connected to one or more spring-loaded solid
or air-filled rollers or wheels. The extension arm of the device is
spaced from the dock in a manner so as to stand off a floating
vessel using the solid or air-filled rollers while the vessel is
tied to a stationary dock or piling. The spring-loaded rollers
rotate against the vessel in order to allow the vessel to move with
the vertical tide action, current and light wave or wave
motion.
[0010] However, although these devices are attached permanently to
the dock pilings such that the dock piling can receive the impact
of the vessel without the displacement of the fender or other
device from its secured position, none of these devices are capable
of automatically changing position in response to the rise and fall
of the water level. Therefore, these devices are not suitable for
use in waters in which the water level is constantly changing. In
order to protect the dock, a number of the fenders or other devices
have to be installed up and down the dock area in series, which is
highly unattractive particularly in recreational marinas.
Furthermore, some of the fenders or other devices may need to be
installed in places that, for a portion of the time, are under the
water line in order to be prepared for events in which the water
level drops significantly. This exposes the fenders or other
devices and their means of attachment to the dock area to corrosion
and to the growth of bacteria, barnacles and other damaging marine
life. Accordingly, there exists a need for a fender-like system
that is permanently attached to the dock side in order to maintain
position and is capable of automatically adjusting in response to
the rise and fall of the water level caused by the underlying
current.
[0011] Devices with this automatic adjustment feature have been
developed for mooring or otherwise confining a marine vessel to a
dock area. For example, a self adjusting tidal mooring device has
been developed for mounting onto mooring poles or pilings. The
device includes one or more stainless steel vertical slide shafts
that are mounted along the vertical length of the sides of the
mooring pole or piling using stainless steel mounting plates. A
polyethylene sliding block is affixed to the slide shaft such that
it can be slide up and down the slide shaft. One end of a rope is
secured to the sliding block while the other end of the rope is
tied to the watercraft's cleats. The weight of the vertical slide
block keeps tension on the rope. As the water level rises and
falls, the sliding block moves up and down the vertical slide shaft
allowing the watercraft to move vertically in the mooring slip but
still remain securely positioned in relation to the dock.
[0012] In another example, a boat mooring apparatus, which has been
developed for securing a boat to a vertical piling, includes a
vertical elongated member that is mounted to the piling and has a
longitudinal track along its length. A carriage is mounted such
that it may slide within the track. A float support is secured to
the carriage exterior at its upper end and is connected to a float
on its lower end. The float is typically an air-filled cylinder
that has sufficient buoyancy to float its own mass as well as that
of the float support and the carriage. The float support transmits
the tide forces acting on the float to the carriage in order to
adjust the position of the carriage in response to changes in the
tide. A line of suitable length and thickness for the boat to be
moored is attached to a ring connected to the float support and is
extended to moor the boat. As a result, the boat floats up and down
with the float support and the strain on the mooring lines remains
the same at all times.
[0013] However, none of these devices are capable of acting as a
buffer between the vessel and the dock area because they do not
provide an offset from the dock. These devices only operate to keep
the vessel proximate to the dock area such that the vessel does not
dangerously stray from the area.
[0014] Several systems exist for adjusting the length of the lines
which suspend the fenders from either a source on the dock side or
on the vessel side of the system in relation to the changes in
tide. For example, a crane or derrick with suspended cables that
are attached to a weighted fender can be used to manually hoist or
lower the fender when desired. However, unlike the mooring devices
describe above, each of these systems is not automatically
responsive to the actual rise and fall of the water level as they
require manual intervention in order to move the fender. Thus,
there still exists a need for a fender-like system that is
permanently attached to the dock side and is capable of
automatically adjusting in response to the rise and fall of the
water level and the underlying current.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides a fender system that is
applied to a dock piling in order to prevent damage to a marine
vessel while the vessel is moored to a fixed or floating dock or
dock piling. The fender is designed to uniquely rise and fall with
the level of the tide such that the fender is always in the most
suitable position for protecting the vessel's hull from coming into
direct contact with the piling. Thus, this system is useful in
waters in which there is a constant ebb and flow of the tide and is
especially useful in areas experiencing a storm surge.
[0016] The present invention is affixed to a vertical dock piling
or solid faced pier and is designed to allow the fender to rise and
fall automatically with the tide all the way up to the top of the
piling or solid face of pier in the event of a storm surge and all
the way down to the lowest water point at the lowest tide. The
fender not only rises and falls with the tide, but also stays in
the proper location against the piling and the vessel's rub rail in
order to be an effective fender at all stages of the tide. The
present invention helps protect a vessel's hull from coming into
direct contact with a piling at even the most extreme tides, thus
reducing the chance of damaging the vessel or dock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the
fender system of the present invention depicted as being mounted to
a vertical dock piling at low tide.
[0018] FIG. 2 is side view of a first alternative embodiment of the
fender system of the present invention depicted as being mounted to
a vertical dock piling.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of a second alternative embodiment of
the fender system of the present invention depicted as being
mounted to a vertical dock piling.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view of a second preferred embodiment of
the fender system of the present invention depicted as being
mounted to a vertical dock piling.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 1 as
attached to a cable.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 depicted
as being mounted to a vertical dock piling at high tide.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference may be made to the following detailed description taken
in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying
drawings.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the fender system 1 of the present
invention is generally comprised of a bracket 2 that is affixed to
a vertical dock piling 3, a mechanical means 4 that attaches a
cable 5 to the bracket 2, a fender 6 with a vertical hole 7 for
passage of the cable 5 there through, a pipe 8 just below the
fender 6 having a vertical hole 9 for passage of the cable 5 there
through, a float 10 for providing the buoyancy for the fender 6 and
having a vertical hole 11 for passage of the cable 5, and a weight
12 that is attached to the terminating end of the cable 5.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the fender system 1 includes a
bracket 2 that is attached at one end to a vertical dock piling 3
near the top 13 of the dock piling in order for the fender system 1
to operate along the entire length of the dock piling. The fender
system of the present invention is designed to allow the fender to
rise and fall automatically with the tide all the way to the top of
the piling in the event of a storm or a hurricane. FIG. 1 depicts
the present invention being used during a low tide condition. FIG.
6 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 1 being used during a high tide
condition wherein the fender has risen to near the top of the
piling and closer to the bracket 2. Preferably, the bracket 2 is a
flat bar that is composed of aluminum or stainless steel that has
been bent into a 180.degree. degree arc 14 in a bowed configuration
that is curved downwards with respect to the water line 40. The arc
14 prevents the bracket from harmfully puncturing a vessel should
it somehow come into contact with the vessel. Also, by bending the
bracket into an arc, the mechanical stresses placed upon the
bracket are more evenly distributed along the entire length of the
bracket rather than loading the stresses at the point where the
bracket is attached to the piling. In addition, the arced bracket
can more easily adapt to forces resulting from high winds and
tumultuous water conditions. The end of the bracket 2 is preferably
affixed directly to the dock piling 3 with two lag screws 15 that
are threaded through two 1/4'' inch holes 16.
[0026] As shown in detail in FIG. 5, at the protruding end of the
bracket 2 is a 1/2'' inch hole 17 through which a sleeve 4 passes
through the bracket 2. This sleeve is preferably made of a
non-corroding material, such as nylon, and is used to prevent
corrosion between the metal bracket 2 and the metal shackle 19 that
is further described below. A cable 5 is attached to the bracket 2
using the shackle 19 and a thimble 20, whereby the shackle 19 is
passed through the sleeve 4 and its bottom is passed through the
thimble 20. Preferably, the cable 5, shackle 19 and thimble 20 are
each composed of stainless steel metal. The thimble 20 is
thereafter attached to a 1/4'' inch stainless steel cable 5 by a
swage fitting 22. Thus, the cable 5 is provided with a wide range
of movement at the bracket 2 by the shackle 19.
[0027] The cable 5 is inserted into and through a fender 6 whereby
the fender 6 has a vertical hole 7 that runs longitudinally through
its center such that the fender can slide freely up and down the
length of the cable 5. The fender can be any appropriate shape for
the vessel it is protecting and made from any material which
provides suitable impact cushioning between a vessel and the
structure to which it is moored. In a most preferred embodiment,
the fender is cylindrical in shape and made from a closed cell
polystyrene or vinyl, in which case the vinyl is inflated for the
cushioning affect and has a hole running longitudinally through the
fender.
[0028] Just below the fender 6, a hollow pipe 8 may be used in
order to vary the height of the fender 6. The pipe 8 has a vertical
hole 9 through its center in order for the cable 5 to be inserted
through the hole 9. Preferably, the pipe 8 is made of polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and has a longitudinal slit the length of the pipe
in order for the cable to be passed through. The slit would be
sized to permit the pipe to fit over the cable. For example, where
a 1/4'' inch cable is chosen, the slit would be approximately 1/4''
inches. The length of the pipe 8 is preferably dependent upon the
height of the vessel's gunwale. The pipe should be sized such that
the middle of the fender is positioned at the gunwale of the
vessel. Furthermore, PVC end caps 27 and 28 may be placed at both
ends of the pipe with a hole in the middle of the cap for the cable
to pass through 8. Alternatively, the end caps may be notched to
allow passage over the cable. Below the pipe 8 is a float 10 that
is composed of any suitable buoyant material and has a vertical
hole 11 through which the cable 5 passes through. While the float
can be made from any suitable non-marring buoyant material, the
float 10 is preferably composed of a foam or plastic. In a
preferred embodiment, the float is made out of polystyrene, closed
cell foam, or Styrofoam and has the shape of a bullet in which
there is a hole for the cable to pass through. The float provides
the buoyancy for the fender 6 and prevents the fender 6 from coming
into contact with the water line 40. A weight 12 is attached to the
terminating end of the cable 5 in order to provide tension in the
cable 5 and to keep the entire fender system 1 in vertical
alignment along the dock piling 3. The weight 12 will maintain the
positioning of the fender 6 in the presence of a strong underlying
current that would typically drag the fender out of position. While
any material of suitable mass and dimensions can be used, in one
embodiment, the weight is a metal anchor that is attached to the
cable 5 using a stainless steel wire clamp 29 and thimble 30. The
overall length of the cable 5 is dependent on the depth of the
water as well as the desired location of the weight 12. Preferably,
the weight 12 is located 1' foot off the sea floor 18. It is
understood that the term sea floor means the bottom of the waterway
in which the dock or pier rests.
[0029] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the fender
system 1 does not include a sleeve. Rather, the shackle 19 is
connected to the protruding end of the bracket 2 using an eye bolt
32 that passes through the hole 17 and is secured to the bracket 2
by one or more washers 31 and one or more nuts 33 on either side of
the bracket 2.
[0030] In another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the
fender system 1 could employ two or more stainless steel flat bar
brackets (e.g. 34 and 35), bent at a 90.degree. degree angle, for
attaching the fender 6 and a stainless steel rod or cable 38 to the
piling 3. Preferably, one bracket is mounted at the top of the
piling 3 and a second bracket is mounted below the low water mark
39. Each 90.degree. degree bracket has two holes 16 and 36 for the
lag screws 15 to secure the brackets to the piling 3. In addition,
each bracket has a hole 37 to allow a stainless steel rod or cable
38 to pass through. The stainless steel rod or cable 38 passes
through the holes in the horizontal portion of the upper and lower
brackets 34 and 35. The rod or cable 38 is connected to the upper
and lower brackets via a hole 40 drilled through the rod or cable
38 and a stainless steel screw and nut 41 are placed on the
outermost ends of the rod or cable 38. A fender 6 with a vertical
hole 7 through its middle slides vertically up and down the rod or
cable 38. Below the fender 6 is a buoyant float 10 with a vertical
hole 11 through the middle wherein the rod or cable 38 passes
through the hole 11. The float 10 keeps the fender 6 out of the
water. Accordingly, due to the float 10, the fender 6 automatically
rises and falls with the tide and prevents the manual adjustment of
the fender to keep the fender at the correct height. By attaching
the rod or cable 38 to both the top and bottom brackets, the fender
system 1 has a suitable strength for enduring severe storm and
water conditions.
[0031] In a second preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the
bracket 2 of the fender system 1 is identical to the fender system
described above and shown in FIG. 1 except that the terminating end
of the cable 5 is not attached to a weight 12. Rather, a 90.degree.
degree bracket 42 is mounted to the piling 3 below the low water
mark 39. The terminating end of cable 5 is attached to a hole 45 in
the 90.degree. degree bracket 42 using one or more stainless steel
U-clamps 43 and a stainless steel shackle 44. Thus, the bottom
bracket 42 provides strength and stabilization to the fender system
1 of FIG. 1.
[0032] All materials used in the construction of the present device
should be selected for their ability to survive in a wet and/or
salty environment. Materials that touch should be made from
galvanically acceptable materials or should be made from
non-corroding materials such as nylon. The term "galvanically
acceptable" should be construed to mean that two or more different
materials, when in contact, will not create unacceptable galvanic
currents which lead to erosion of one or more of the materials.
Such materials are known in the marine industry. Stainless steels
such as type 316 are among the preferred galvanically acceptable
materials. In instances where galvanically acceptable materials
cannot be chosen, the present invention may need to be protected by
the use of sacrificial anodes such as zinc, aluminum or magnesium
as are known in the art.
[0033] In the foregoing description, the present invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a person
understanding this invention may conceive of changes or other
embodiments or variations, which utilize the principles of this
invention without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention. The specification and drawings are, therefore, to be
regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited
except as may be necessary in view of the appended claims.
* * * * *