U.S. patent application number 12/773748 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for exercise machine for training watersports athletes.
Invention is credited to Michael APAU.
Application Number | 20110275489 12/773748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44902313 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110275489 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
APAU; Michael |
November 10, 2011 |
EXERCISE MACHINE FOR TRAINING WATERSPORTS ATHLETES
Abstract
An exercise machine adapted for training watersports athletes
has a pair of spaced-apart vertical columns each with hollow
tubular body with a weighted plunger attached to a cable for
vertical reciprocation while a user performs power and return
stroke movements on an instrument attached to the other end of the
cable. The plunger is hydraulically coupled to an air channel fed
by an air-through valve sized to control air movement into the air
channel by the rising plunger during a power stroke to approximate
water resistance to an oar, paddle or arm in the water. The air
channel has a release opening for releasing air balanced against
the weight of the falling plunger to approximate lifting an oar,
paddle, or arm out of the water on a return stroke. The exercise
machine can be used to practice a wide range of watersports
training exercises for swimming, paddleboarding, canoe paddling,
rowing, etc.
Inventors: |
APAU; Michael; (Honolulu,
HI) |
Family ID: |
44902313 |
Appl. No.: |
12/773748 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4035 20151001;
A63B 23/03525 20130101; A63B 2069/062 20130101; A63B 2069/068
20130101; A63B 21/4029 20151001; A63B 69/06 20130101; A63B 21/4043
20151001; A63B 21/0087 20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B
23/03541 20130101; A63B 2244/20 20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/73 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/06 20060101
A63B069/06 |
Claims
1. An exercise machine adapted for training watersports athletes
comprising: a pair of spaced-apart vertical columns each having a
hollow tubular body and a plunger disposed in the tubular body
which is moved by an attached cable in vertical reciprocation
between a power movement and a recovery movement; a pair of
water-resistance simulating mechanisms each hydraulically coupled
to the plunger of a respective one of the vertical columns for
generating a weight resistance approximating water resistance to an
oar, paddle or arm in the water during the power movement of the
plunger's vertical reciprocation, and for releasing the weight
resistance approximating lifting the oar, paddle, or arm out of the
water during the recovery movement of the plunger's vertical
reciprocation; a bench positioned along a perpendicular axis normal
to the pair of spaced-apart vertical columns on which a user of the
exercise machine can sit, stand, straddle or lie to perform
watersports training exercises on the exercise machine; and a pair
of exercise cables entrained on pulleys along respective sides of
the vertical columns, each having a distal end attached to the
plunger of a respective one of the vertical columns and a proximal
end coupled to an instrument that the user uses to perform
watersports training exercises while seated, standing, straddling
or lying on said bench.
2. An exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the
water-resistance simulating mechanism is provided with an air
channel that is fed by an air-through valve at an upper end and a
channel output at a lower end which is coupled to an air-coupling
end of the vertical column.
3. An exercise machine according to claim 2, wherein the plunger
has a given weight and is designed to be movable in reciprocation
in the tubular body of the vertical column and is fitted and sealed
therein in an airtight manner.
4. An exercise machine according to claim 2, wherein when the
plunger is pulled by the attached cable upward in the tubular body,
the suction vacuum created by the upwardly moving plunger sucks air
into the vertical column through the air-coupling end which is fed
through the air-through valve into the air channel of the
water-resistance simulating mechanism.
5. An exercise machine according to claim 4, wherein the
air-through valve is constructed and dimensioned to allow air to be
sucked through under a pulling force that approximates the water
resistance to a power stroke of an oar, paddle or arm in the
water.
6. An exercise machine according to claim 4, wherein the
air-through valve has an adjustable cover that is used to adjust
the size of its air-through opening to set the level of pulling
force against water resistance desired by the user.
7. An exercise machine according to claim 4, wherein the air
channel has an upper release opening which is controlled by a
displaceable hollow ball that is lifted upward from the release
opening by the force of the pushed air when the plunger is released
during the recovery movement to move back downward under gravity,
wherein movement of the weight of the plunger under gravity
approximately balances the force required to push the air from the
air channel through the release opening such that the release
movement approximates the feeling when an oar, paddle or arm is
lifted from the water on a return stroke.
8. An exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
double-handed oar instrument which can be attached to the proximal
ends of the exercise cables of both vertical columns to enable a
user seated on the bench to practice two-handed oaring stroke
movements.
9. An exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
pair of hand grips respectively coupled to the proximal ends of the
exercise cables of both vertical columns to enable a user lying
prone on the bench to practice swimming or surf paddling stroke
movements.
10. An exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
long paddle instrument coupled to the proximal end of the exercise
cable of the vertical column on one side to enable a standing user
to practice paddleboard stroke movements.
11. An exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
short paddle instrument coupled to the proximal end of the exercise
cable of the vertical column on one side to enable a seated user to
practice canoe paddling movements.
12. An exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
double-sided paddle instrument coupled to the proximal ends of the
exercise cables of both vertical columns to enable a seated user to
practice kayak paddling movements.
13. An exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
movable seat on the bench to enable a user to adjust the position
of the seat for practicing correspondingly positioned stroke
movements.
14. An exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
seat back installable on the bench adjacent the vertical columns to
enable a user to be seated with back against the vertical columns
for practicing correspondingly positioned stroke movements.
15. An exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein said bench is
foldable to an upright position in parallel with said vertical
columns to fold the exercise machine into a compact space for
storage or when not in use.
16. A device adapted for use in an exercise machine for training
watersports athletes comprising: a vertical column having a hollow
tubular body and a plunger disposed in the tubular body which is
moved by an attached cable in vertical reciprocation between a
power movement and a return movement; a water-resistance simulating
mechanism hydraulically coupled to the plunger of the vertical
column for generating a weight resistance approximating water
resistance to an oar, paddle or arm in the water during the power
movement of the plunger's vertical reciprocation, and for releasing
the weight resistance approximating lifting the oar, paddle, or arm
out of the water during the return movement of the plunger's
vertical reciprocation; and an exercise cable having a distal end
attached to the plunger of the vertical column and a proximal end
coupled to an instrument that the user uses to perform watersports
training exercises.
17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the water-resistance
simulating mechanism is provided with an air channel that is fed by
an air-through valve at an upper end and a channel output at a
lower end which is coupled to an air-coupling end of the vertical
column.
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein when the plunger is
pulled by the attached cable upward in the tubular body, the
suction vacuum created by the upwardly moving plunger sucks air
into the vertical column through the air-coupling end which is fed
through the air-through valve into the air channel of the
water-resistance simulating mechanism.
19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the air-through valve
has an adjustable cover that is used to adjust the size of its
air-through opening to set the level of simulated pulling force
against water resistance desired by the user.
20. A device according to claim 18, wherein the air channel has an
upper release opening which is controlled by a displaceable hollow
ball that is lifted upward from the release opening by the force of
the pushed air when the plunger is released during the recovery
movement to move back downward under gravity, wherein movement of
the weight of the plunger under gravity approximately balances the
force required to push the air from the air channel through the
release opening such that the release movement approximates the
feeling when an oar, paddle or arm is lifted from the water on a
return stroke.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention disclosure concerns an exercise machine for
training watersports athletes, and particularly one that combines
exercise training for a number of watersports movements such as
surf paddling, swimming, rowing, paddleboarding, and canoe paddling
together in a single compact system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventional exercise machines are commonly designed to have
the user pull or lift against a selectable weight resistance in one
or only a few types of athletic movements of the arms, shoulders,
abdomen or legs. As a result, exercise gyms typically have a large
number of exercise machines installed on the gym floor occupying a
lot of floor space, thereby incurring high equipment and space
rental costs. Additionally, few machines are designed for training
watersports athletes, and none are known to accurately simulate the
stroke resistance that watersports athletes will encounter in
outdoor conditions in water. A conventional type of rowing machine
has a user on a sliding seat pull on a rowing bar attached by cable
to a spinning flywheel.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0003] It would therefore be desirable to provide an exercise
machine that combines exercise training for a number of training
movements for watersports athletes, such as for surf paddling,
swimming, rowing, paddleboarding, and canoe paddling, together in a
single compact system. It would be particularly desirable to
provide an exercise machine which can accurately simulate the
movements or weight resistance that watersports athletes will
encounter in outdoor conditions in water.
Solution to Problem
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, an exercise
machine adapted for training watersports athletes comprises: [0005]
a pair of spaced-apart vertical columns each having a hollow
tubular body and a plunger disposed in the tubular body which is
moved by an attached cable in vertical reciprocation between a
power movement and a recovery movement; [0006] a pair of
water-resistance simulating mechanisms each hydraulically coupled
to the plunger of a respective one of the vertical columns for
generating a weight resistance approximating water resistance to an
oar, paddle or arm in the water during the power movement of the
plunger's vertical reciprocation, and for releasing the weight
resistance approximating lifting the oar, paddle, or arm out of the
water during the recovery movement of the plunger's vertical
reciprocation; [0007] a bench positioned along a perpendicular axis
normal to the pair of spaced-apart vertical columns on which a user
of the exercise machine can sit, stand, straddle or lie to perform
watersports training exercises on the exercise machine; and [0008]
a pair of exercise cables entrained on pulleys along respective
sides of the vertical columns, each having a distal end attached to
the plunger of a respective one of the vertical columns and a
proximal end coupled to an instrument that the user uses to perform
watersports training exercises while seated, standing, straddling
or lying on said bench.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the exercise machine of the
present invention, the water-resistance simulating mechanism is
provided with an air channel that is fed by an air-through valve at
one end and a channel output end which is coupled to an
air-coupling end of the vertical column. The plunger has a given
weight and is designed to be movable in reciprocation in the
tubular body of the vertical column and is fitted and sealed
therein in an airtight manner. When the plunger is pulled by the
attached cable upward in the tubular body, the suction vacuum
created by the upwardly moving plunger sucks air into the vertical
column through the air-coupling end which is fed through the
air-through valve into the air channel of the water-resistance
simulating mechanism.
[0010] The air-through valve is constructed and dimensioned to
allow air to be sucked through under a pulling force that
approximates the water resistance to a power stroke of an oar,
paddle or arm in the water. When the plunger is released during the
recovery movement to move back downward under gravity, it pushes
air out from the vertical column into the air channel and out
through an upper release opening which is controlled by a
displaceable hollow ball that is lifted upward from the release
opening by the force of the pushed air. The movement of the weight
of the plunger under gravity approximately balances the force
required to push the air from the air channel through the release
opening such that the release movement approximates the feeling
when an oar, paddle or arm is lifted from the water on a return
stroke.
[0011] The exercise machine can be used in exercise training for a
number of training movements for watersports athletes. For surf
paddling or swimming, the user can lie prone on the bench facing
the vertical columns and practice swimming stroke movements using
hand grips coupled to the proximal ends of the exercise cables. For
rowing, the user can sit straddling the bench facing the vertical
columns and use a double-handed oar to practice oaring stroke
movements. For paddleboarding, the user can stand straddling the
bench and use a long paddle instrument to practice paddleboard
stroke movements. For canoe paddling, the user can sit straddling
the bench and practice paddle stroke movements using a short paddle
instrument on one side (canoe paddling) or a double-sided paddle
instrument (kayak paddling). Other exercise training movements may
also be devised for use on the exercise machine.
[0012] The suction-and-release air channel coupled to the
reciprocation movement of the air-sealed plunger in each of the
vertical columns of the exercise machine provides the simulated
water-resistance for all watersports training movements of
watersports athletes on a single, compact exercise machine. The
bench may also be folded on stood on end to collapse the machine
for storage or when not in use. Therefore, the compact machine is
suitable for installation even in a home or office.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
[0013] The exercise machine of the present invention enables
watersports athletes to practice a number of training exercises for
a wide range of watersports, including surf paddling, swimming,
rowing, paddleboarding, and canoe paddling, using a single compact
machine. The water-resistance simulating mechanisms are designed to
generate a weight resistance approximating water resistance to an
oar, paddle or arm in the water during a power stroke and lifting
the oar, paddle, or arm out of the water during a recovery stroke.
Watersports athletes of various types can practice training
exercises on one machine installed on the gym floor, thereby
greatly saving on equipment and space rental costs. The exercise
machine is compact enough to be used in a home or office.
[0014] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be explained in the following detailed description
with reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of an exercise
machine for training watersports athletes in accordance with the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the exercise machine
shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the exercise machine.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the exercise
machine.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic left side view of the exercise
machine, the right side view being a mirror image thereof.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the exercise
machine.
[0021] FIGS. 7A-7D show front views of an inclined swivel action
pulley in left, right, and center positions and a side view thereof
used in the exercise machine.
[0022] FIGS. 8A-8B show top views of a mount for the swivel action
pulley which is rotatable in the horizontal plane of the exercise
machine.
[0023] FIGS. 9A-9B show the reciprocating movement of the plunger
in a vertical column coupled to a suction-and-release air channel
when it is pulled to a vertically upward position on a power stroke
and released to a vertically downward position in a release
stroke.
[0024] FIGS. 10A-10E show, respectively, a pair of short paddle
instruments, a pair of long paddle instruments, a double-sided oar
instrument, a pair of hand grips, and a two-handed oar instrument
for use with the exercise machine in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating use of the exercise
machine with a long paddle instrument for paddleboard training.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating use of the exercise
machine with a double-sided paddle instrument for kayak paddle
training.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating use of the exercise
machine with a two-handed oar instrument for rowing training.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating use of the exercise
machine with a short paddle instrument for canoe paddling
training.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating use of the exercise
machine with the user lying on the bench prone and using a pair of
hand grips for surf paddling or swimming training.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating use of the exercise
machine with a pair of hand grips for back and arm training.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In the following detailed description of the invention,
certain preferred embodiments are illustrated providing certain
specific details of their implementation. However, it will be
recognized by one skilled in the art that many other variations and
modifications may be made given the disclosed principles of the
invention.
[0032] Referring to the several views in FIGS. 1-6, a preferred
embodiment of an exercise machine 10 for training watersports
athletes in accordance with the present invention is illustrated
having a pair of spaced-apart vertical columns 12, 14, each having
a hollow tubular body and a plunger (described below) disposed in
the tubular body which is moved by respectively attached cables 13,
15 in vertical reciprocation between a power movement and a
recovery movement as a user practices watersports strokes on the
exercise machine. A pair of water-resistance simulating mechanisms
11, 16 are respectively coupled hydraulically to the plunger of a
respective one of the vertical columns for generating a weight
resistance approximating water resistance to an oar, paddle or arm
in the water during the power movement of the plunger's vertical
reciprocation, and for releasing the weight resistance
approximating lifting the oar, paddle, or arm out of the water
during the recovery movement of the plunger's vertical
reciprocation.
[0033] A bench 17, with a seat 17a and hinged end stand 17b, is
positioned along a perpendicular axis PP normal to the pair of
spaced-apart vertical columns, on which a user of the exercise
machine can sit, stand, straddle or lie to perform watersports
training exercises on the exercise machine. The pair of exercise
cables 13, 15 are entrained on upper pulleys 18a, 18b and lower
pulleys 19a, 19b on respective sides of the vertical columns, each
having a distal end 13a, 15a attached to the plunger in a
respective one of the vertical columns and a proximal end 13b, 15b
to be coupled to an instrument that the user uses to perform
watersports training exercises while seated, standing, straddling
or lying on the bench.
[0034] For providing a rigid structure, the exercise machine can
have a lower base 20 to which the bottoms of the vertical columns
are affixed and which has an upright swivel stand 20a to which one
side of the bench is hinged. The hinged side allows the bench to be
folded upright for storage or when not in use. Front pedestals 21a,
21b are coupled to the lower base 20 to provide rigidity at the
front of the machine. The base has upright side arms 22a, 22b
extending to a transverse lower bracket 23, which in turn has
upright posts 24a, 24b extending to a transverse intermediate
bracket 25 and a transverse upper bracket 26. The vertical columns
are attached to the upright posts 24a, 24b by metal band straps.
The upper pulleys 18a, 18b are mounted on opposite ends of the
upper bracket 26, and the lower pulleys 19a, 19b are mounted on
opposite ends of the upper bracket 26. An optional seat back 27 may
be provided for use of the bench 17 with the seated user's back
toward the machine.
[0035] FIGS. 7A-7D show front views of an inclined swivel action
pulley in left, right, and center positions and a side view
thereof, respectively, as used in the exercise machine. FIGS. 8A-8B
show top views of a mount for the swivel action pulley rotatable in
the horizontal plane of the exercise machine. The pulley mount 30
is attached to the end of the transverse lower bracket 23 (shown in
dashed lines, see FIG. 1). The mount 30 has a brace for holding an
inclined bracket 31 at an inclined angle to the horizontal plane. A
bracket 32 for the swivel action pulley 19 (see 19a and 19b in FIG.
1) is rotatably mounted to the inclined bracket 31 by a center
swivel post 31a. The swivel action pulley can thus rotate through a
range from left to center to right positions while at an inclined
angle to the pulley mount 30, which itself can rotate through a
range of angles in the horizontal plane. The combination of
horizontal plane of movement and inclined angle rotation provides
the pulley with complete three-dimensional freedom of movement so
that a pull on its entrained cable (13 or 15) can come from any
polar direction. This complete three-dimensional freedom of
movement allows the exercise machine to be used for training a wide
variety of watersports stroke movements.
[0036] FIGS. 9A-9B show the plunger 40 attached to the distal end
of the cable 13a, 15a for reciprocating movement in the vertical
column (12, 14 in FIG. 1). The suction-and-release air channel 41
is fed by an air-through valve 42 formed at its upper end, and has
a channel output 43 at its lower end 43 that is coupled to an
air-coupling end 44 of the vertical column. The plunger 40 has a
given weight and is fitted and sealed by seals 40a for
reciprocating movement in the vertical column in an airtight
manner. When the plunger 40 is pulled by the attached cable (13,15
in FIG. 1) upward in the tubular body of the vertical column, the
suction vacuum created by the upwardly moving plunger 40 sucks air
into the vertical column through the air-coupling end 44 which is
fed by the air channel through the air-through valve 42.
[0037] The air-through valve 42 is constructed and dimensioned to
allow air to be sucked through at a controlled rate determined by
the dimensions of the valve opening. The precise valve opening can
be set by the position of the valve cover 42a threaded to the outer
wall of the air channel so that it can be advanced to close or
retracted to open the size of the valve opening. When the valve
cover is set in a desired position, then a pulling force by the
user on the cable will pull the plunger 40 upward, causing air to
be sucked through the valve opening by the hydraulic coupling of
the air channel. A high-speed pulling movement will require more
force to suck the requisite amount of air into the vertical vacuum
space generated by the plunger's upward movement. However, due to
the compressibility of air, a high-speed pulling stroke will
require a somewhat greater pulling force by the user but much less
than an arithmetic multiple of the pulling speed. This
characteristic of the air-through valve feed to the suction vacuum
approximates the water resistance to a power stroke of an oar,
paddle or arm in the water, and therefore gives training strokes
executed on the exercise machine a feel similar to swimming,
paddling, or rowing through water.
[0038] When the plunger 40 is released during the recovery movement
to move back downward under gravity, it pushes air out from the
vertical column into the air channel 42 and out through not only
the air-through valve but also an upper release opening 42b which
is covered by a displaceable hollow (plastic) ball 45 that is
lifted upward from the release opening 42b by the force of the
pushed air. The movement of the weight of the plunger under gravity
approximately balances the force required to push the air from the
air channel through the release opening 42b. As a result, the feel
to the user of the release movement approximates the feeling when
an oar, paddle or arm is lifted from the water on a return
stroke.
[0039] As a specific example of construction, the vertical column
structure may be comprised of a 3 inch pulley attached to a pulley
casing. A 31/2 inch end cap with a rectangular opening is attached
in the center at the top to stabilize the cable feed into the
pulley casing. A plastic sheet membrane, for example, one made from
chlorinated polyethylene, is used to line the wall of the pulley
casing. The plunger can be a cylindrically shaped weight or a
carrier for heavy washers or weights with annular bearings which
act as air-tight seals with the walls of the tubular casing as the
plunger moves in reciprocation. The air channel has the release
opening at its top end provided with a hard plastic ball that is
hollow inside so that it has a light weight. A metal or plastic
cage is provided around the top end of the release opening to
capture the ball when it is lifted by air pressure on the release
stroke so that it can float and fall freely. On the power stroke
the suction force in the air channel holds the ball as a tight
closure of the release opening, so that air is drawn in only
through the air-through valve.
[0040] The air valve cover is adjusted to size the air valve
opening so that the pulling force action is set to the force level
the user desires to train with. By turning the threaded housing of
the air valve cover to retract it downward, the air valve opening
is increased, while turning it in the opposite direction decreases
it.
[0041] FIGS. 10A-10E show, respectively, (a) a pair of short paddle
instruments, (b) a pair of long paddle instruments, (c) a
double-sided oar instrument, (d) a pair of hand grips, and (e) a
two-handed oar instrument for use with the exercise machine
described above with respect to FIG. 1.
[0042] FIG. 11 illustrates the use of the exercise machine with the
long paddle instrument for paddleboard training. The end of the
instrument is attached to the proximal end of the cable (see 13b,
15b in FIG. 1). The standing user uses the long paddle instrument
to perform power and return stroke movements on one side for
paddleboard training. The user may optionally stand on the seat of
the bench to practice balancing on a paddleboard in outdoor
conditions in the water.
[0043] FIG. 12 illustrates the use of the exercise machine with a
double-sided paddle instrument for kayak paddle training. For kayak
paddling training, the seated user performs a power stroke on one
side while turning the other side in a return movement, and vice
versa
[0044] FIG. 13 illustrates the use of the exercise machine with a
two-handed oar instrument for rowing training. The seated user
pulls with both hands on the oar instrument to execute a power
stroke with pulling force on both sides at the same time.
[0045] FIG. 14 illustrates the use of the exercise machine with a
short paddle instrument for canoe paddling training. The seated
user uses the short paddle instrument to perform power and return
stroke movements on one side for canoe paddling training.
[0046] FIG. 15 illustrates the use of the exercise machine for surf
paddling or swimming training. The user lies prone on the bench,
with the seat moved forward to the chest position, and pulls on a
pair of hand grips on respective sides with alternate stroke
movements (or at the same time for butterfly or high speed surf
paddling stroke).
[0047] FIG. 16 illustrates use of the exercise machine for other
types of training movements. In this example, the user is seated on
the seat moved forward to the front of the bench with back against
the seat back equipment for performing a two-armed pull from back
to front. Many other types of training movements for use of the
exercise machine may be devised.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0048] The exercise machine of the present invention enables
watersports athletes to practice a wide range of training exercises
for watersports on a single compact machine. The water-resistance
simulating mechanisms are uniquely designed to generate a weight
resistance approximating water resistance to an oar, paddle or arm
in the water. The exercise machine may also be folded for storage
or when not in use. The use of a single machine to service a wide
range of watersports athletes can greatly save on equipment and gym
space rental costs. The exercise machine is also compact enough to
be used in a home or office.
[0049] It is to be understood that many modifications and
variations may be devised given the above description of the
general principles of the invention. It is intended that all such
modifications and variations be considered as within the spirit and
scope of this invention, as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *