U.S. patent application number 13/562966 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-06 for blow molded fencing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Wayne E. Dixon, Douglas G. Wright. Invention is credited to Wayne E. Dixon, Douglas G. Wright.
Application Number | 20140034890 13/562966 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50024568 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140034890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dixon; Wayne E. ; et
al. |
February 6, 2014 |
BLOW MOLDED FENCING SYSTEM
Abstract
A fence system including fence sections including singular
blow-molded pickets that engage with fence rails using no
additional parts and wherein the pickets show no external signs of
functional engagement between the pickets and fence rails (e.g.,
pickets having substantially planar surfaces common to traditional
wooden picket fence designs).
Inventors: |
Dixon; Wayne E.; (Chuckey,
TN) ; Wright; Douglas G.; (Morristown, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dixon; Wayne E.
Wright; Douglas G. |
Chuckey
Morristown |
TN
TN |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Barrette Outdoor Living,
Inc.
Cleveland
OH
|
Family ID: |
50024568 |
Appl. No.: |
13/562966 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 17/1439
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/72 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/14 20060101
E04H017/14 |
Claims
1. A fencing system, comprising: a. a first singular blow-molded
picket including a plurality of interference members defined along
a first face of the first picket and at least one interference
member defined along a second face of the first picket, wherein the
first picket is shaped according to a first predefined blow-molding
pattern; and b. a first substantially hollow rail including a first
aperture and a second aperture aligned on a common axis on opposing
sides of the first rail and configured to tightly receive the first
picket therethrough, wherein a first interference member is located
directly adjacent a lower rim of the first aperture; c. a second
substantially hollow rail including a third aperture and a fourth
aperture aligned on a common axis on opposing sides of the second
rail and configured to tightly receive the first picket
therethrough, wherein a second interference member is located
directly adjacent a lower rim of the third aperture; and d. a third
interference member located directly adjacent an upper rim of the
second aperture or an internal upper rim of the fourth
aperture.
2. The system of claim 1, comprising: a. the first substantially
hollow rail including a first aperture and a second aperture
aligned on a common axis on opposing sides of the first rail and
configured to tightly receive the first picket therethrough,
wherein a first interference member is located directly adjacent an
internal lower rim of the first aperture; b. the second
substantially hollow rail including a third aperture and a fourth
aperture aligned on a common axis on opposing sides of the second
rail and configured to tightly receive the first picket
therethrough, wherein a second interference member is located
directly adjacent an internal lower rim of the third aperture; and
c. the third interference member located directly adjacent a
location selected from the group consisting of an internal upper
rim of the second aperture and an internal upper rim of the fourth
aperture.
3. The system of claim 2, comprising: a. the first interference
member defined along the first face of the first picket and the
second interference member defined along the second face of the
first picket; b. a fourth interference member defined along the
second face of the first picket, directly across from the first
interference member, located directly adjacent an internal lower
rim of the first aperture; and c. a fifth interference member
defined along the first face of the first picket, directly across
from the second interference member, located directly adjacent an
internal lower rim of the third aperture.
4. The system of claim 2, comprising: a. the first interference
member defined along the first face of the first picket and the
second interference member defined along the first face of the
first picket; b. a fourth interference member defined along the
second face of the first picket, directly across from the first
interference member, located directly adjacent an internal lower
rim of the first aperture; and c. a fifth interference member
defined along the second face of the first picket, directly across
from the second interference member, located directly adjacent an
internal lower rim of the third aperture.
5. The system of claim 2, comprising: a. a second singular
blow-molded picket including a second plurality of interference
members defined along a first face of the second picket and at
least one interference member defined along a second face of the
second picket, wherein the second picket is shaped according to a
second predefined blow-molding pattern; b. the first substantially
hollow rail including a fifth aperture and a sixth aperture aligned
on a common axis on opposing sides of the first rail and configured
to tightly receive the second picket therethrough, wherein a fourth
interference member is located directly adjacent an internal lower
rim of the fifth aperture; c. the second substantially hollow rail
including a seventh aperture and an eighth aperture aligned on a
common axis on opposing sides of the second rail and configured to
tightly receive the second picket therethrough, wherein a fifth
interference member is located directly adjacent an internal lower
rim of the seventh aperture; and d. a sixth interference member
located directly adjacent a location selected from the group
consisting of an internal upper rim of the sixth aperture and an
internal upper rim of the eighth aperture.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the interference members
of the plurality of interference members comprises a bulge, each
bulge including at least one sloped edge.
7. The system of claim 3, comprising: a. a sixth interference
member defined along the second face of the first picket, directly
across from the third interference member and located directly
adjacent an internal upper rim of the second aperture; b. a seventh
interference member defined along the second face of the first
picket, located directly adjacent an internal upper rim of the
fourth aperture; and c. an eighth interference member defined along
the first face of the first picket, directly across from the
seventh interference member and located directly adjacent an
internal upper rim of the fourth aperture.
8. The system of claim 5 wherein the first pre-defined blow molding
pattern is the same as the second pre-defined blow molding
pattern.
9. The system of claim 5, wherein the first pre-defined blow
molding pattern comprises an average picket width of X and wherein
the second pre-defined blow molding pattern comprises an average
picket width of X.times.Y, wherein X and Y are variables
representing different numbers with each number provided in units
of length.
10. The system of claim 5, wherein the first pre-defined blow
molding pattern comprises an average picket depth of X and wherein
the second pre-defined blow molding pattern comprises an average
picket depth of X.times.Y, wherein X and Y are variables
representing different numbers with each number provided in units
of length.
11. The system of claim 5, wherein the first pre-defined blow
molding pattern comprises an average picket length of X and wherein
the second pre-defined blow molding pattern comprises an average
picket length of X.times.Y, wherein X and Y are variables
representing different numbers with each number provided in units
of length.
12. A kit of picket fence parts, comprising: a. a plurality of
singular blow-molded pickets, each picket including a plurality of
interference members defined along a first face of each picket and
at least one interference member defined along a second face of
each picket, wherein at least a first portion of the plurality of
pickets are shaped according to a first predefined blow-molding
pattern; b. a first substantially hollow rail including a first
plurality of apertures spaced in a repeating pattern along a first
edge of the first rail and a second plurality of apertures spaced
in the repeating pattern along a second edge of the first rail,
wherein the second edge of the first rail is disposed opposite the
first edge of the first rail such that the first rail includes
repeating first pairs of apertures, each pair of apertures
configured for tightly receiving one of the plurality of pickets
therethrough; c. a second substantially hollow rail including a
third plurality of apertures spaced in the repeating pattern along
a first edge of the second rail and a fourth plurality of apertures
spaced in the repeating pattern along a second edge of the second
rail, wherein the second edge of the second rail is disposed
opposite the first edge of the second rail such that the second
rail includes repeating second pairs of apertures, each pair of
apertures configured for tightly receiving one of the plurality of
pickets therethrough; wherein the pickets are configured to be
fixedly attached to the first rail and the second rail by sliding
each of the plurality of pickets partially through the first pairs
of apertures along the first rail such that at least one
interference member per picket is located directly adjacent a
respective lower rim of a respective aperture of the first rail;
and sliding each of the plurality of pickets partially through the
second pairs of apertures along the second rail such that at least
one interference member per picket is located directly adjacent a
respective lower rim of a respective aperture of the second rail;
wherein the sliding each of the plurality of pickets partially
through the first pairs of apertures along the first rail and
partially through the second pairs of apertures along the second
rail also causes at least one interference member per picket to be
located directly adjacent a respective upper rim of a respective
aperture of either the first rail or the second rail.
13. The kit of picket fence parts of claim 12 wherein the pickets
are configured to be fixedly attached to the first rail and the
second rail by sliding each of the plurality of pickets partially
through the first pairs of apertures along the first rail such that
at least one interference member per picket is located directly
adjacent a respective internal lower rim of a respective aperture
of the first rail, providing load bearing support for each
respective picket along each respective lower rim; and sliding each
of the plurality of pickets partially through the second pairs of
apertures along the second rail such that at least one interference
member per picket is located directly adjacent a respective
internal lower rim of a respective aperture of the second rail,
providing load bearing support for each respective picket along
each respective lower rim.
14. The kit of picket fence parts of claim 12, further comprising:
the plurality of singular blow-molded pickets, each picket
including a plurality of interference members defined along a first
face of each picket and at least one interference member defined
along a second face of each picket, wherein at least a second
portion of the plurality of pickets are shaped according to a
second predefined blow-molding pattern.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to fencing systems. More
particularly, this disclosure relates to a picket fence system
including singular blow-molded pickets.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to fence systems. Traditional
wood picket fences have a desirable planar picket surface. When
polymer or similar materials have been used to make construct
similar fences due to, inter alia, the lighter and more robust
characteristics of such materials and manufacturing techniques
(e.g., extruding and/or blow-molding), a consistent problem
encountered in the art has been the inability to achieve a
traditional planar picket surface using polymer-based materials and
related techniques. This problem is based at least in part on the
external appearance of functional features in such polymer-based
fences wherein such appearance does not correspond with the
traditional look of similar fences made of wood. In particular, the
pickets included in traditional picket fence designs have
substantially planar surfaces of various widths and thicknesses,
and often a particular repeating feature on the top of each picket.
Picket fences made using blow molding techniques and/or extrusion
have not been able to reproduce such a look and often require
multiple parts per picket that must be attached together.
[0003] What is needed therefore is a simplified picket fence system
that provides a picket fence with a traditional picket fence look
but wherein the parts of the fence are minimal and are made using
blow molding and extrusion technologies.
SUMMARY
[0004] The disclosure relates to a fencing system having a first
singular blow-molded picket, a first substantially hollow rail, and
a second substantially hollow rail.
[0005] The first singular blow-molded picket includes a plurality
of interference members defined along a first face of the first
picket and at least one interference member defined along a second
face of the first picket. The first picket is shaped according to a
first predefined blow-molding pattern. The first substantially
hollow rail includes a first aperture and a second aperture aligned
on a common axis on opposing sides of the first rail and configured
to tightly receive the first picket therethrough. A first
interference member is located directly adjacent a lower rim of the
first aperture. The second substantially hollow rail includes a
third aperture and a fourth aperture aligned on a common axis on
opposing sides of the second rail and configured to tightly receive
the first picket therethrough. A second interference member is
located directly adjacent a lower rim of the third aperture. A
third interference member is located directly adjacent an upper rim
of the second aperture or an internal upper rim of the fourth
aperture.
[0006] In some examples, the first interference member is located
directly adjacent an internal lower rim of the first aperture, the
second interference member is located directly adjacent an internal
lower rim of the third aperture, and the third interference member
is located directly adjacent an internal upper rim of the second
aperture or an internal upper rim of the fourth aperture.
[0007] In other examples, the first interference member is defined
along the first face of the first picket and the second
interference member is defined along the second face of the first
picket. Additionally, a fourth interference member is defined along
the second face of the first picket, directly across from the first
interference member, located directly adjacent an internal lower
rim of the first aperture. Also, a fifth interference member is
defined along the first face of the first picket, directly across
from the second interference member, located directly adjacent an
internal lower rim of the third aperture.
[0008] In still other examples, the first interference member is
defined along the first face of the first picket and the second
interference member is defined along the first face of the first
picket. Additionally, a fourth interference member is defined along
the second face of the first picket, directly across from the first
interference member, located directly adjacent an internal lower
rim of the first aperture. Lastly, a fifth interference member is
defined along the second face of the first picket, directly across
from the second interference member, located directly adjacent an
internal lower rim of the third aperture.
[0009] In certain other examples, a second singular blow-molded
picket including a second plurality of interference members is
defined along a first face of the second picket. Also, at least one
interference member is defined along a second face of the second
picket, wherein the second picket is shaped according to a second
predefined blow-molding pattern. Additionally, the first
substantially hollow rail includes a fifth aperture and a sixth
aperture that are aligned on a common axis on opposing sides of the
first rail and are configured to tightly receive the second picket.
A fourth interference member is located directly adjacent an
internal lower rim of the fifth aperture. Also, the second
substantially hollow rail includes a seventh aperture and an eighth
aperture that are aligned on a common axis on opposing sides of the
second rail and are configured to tightly receive the second
picket. A fifth interference member is located directly adjacent an
internal lower rim of the seventh aperture. Lastly, a sixth
interference member is located directly adjacent an internal upper
rim of the sixth aperture or an internal upper rim of the eighth
aperture.
[0010] In certain other examples, each of the interference members
of the plurality of interference members includes a bulge. Each
bulge includes at least one sloped edge.
[0011] In other embodiments, a sixth interference member is defined
along the second face of the first picket, directly across from the
third interference member and is located directly adjacent an
internal upper rim of the second aperture. Also, a seventh
interference member is defined along the second face of the first
picket and is located directly adjacent an internal upper rim of
the fourth aperture. Lastly, an eighth interference member is
defined along the first face of the first picket, directly across
from the seventh interference member and is located directly
adjacent an internal upper rim of the fourth aperture.
[0012] In some examples, the first pre-defined blow-molding pattern
is the same as the second pre-defined blow-molding pattern.
[0013] In some examples, the first pre-defined blow molding pattern
has an average picket width of X and the second pre-defined blow
molding pattern has an average picket width of X.times.Y, wherein X
and Y are variables representing different numbers with each number
provided in units of length.
[0014] In some examples, the first pre-defined blow molding pattern
has an average picket depth of X and the second pre-defined blow
molding pattern has an average picket depth of X.times.Y, wherein X
and Y are variables representing different numbers with each number
provided in units of length.
[0015] In some examples, the first pre-defined blow molding pattern
has an average picket length of X and the second pre-defined blow
molding pattern has an average picket length of X.times.Y, wherein
X and Y are variables representing different numbers with each
number provided in units of length.
[0016] In a second set of examples, the disclosure relates to a kit
of picket fence parts including a plurality of singular blow-molded
pickets, a first substantially hollow rail and a second
substantially hollow rail. Each picket includes a plurality of
interference members defined along a first face of each picket.
Also, each picket includes at least one interference member defined
along a second face of each picket. At least a first portion of the
plurality of pickets are shaped according to a first predefined
blow-molding pattern. The first substantially hollow rail includes
a first plurality of apertures spaced in a repeating pattern along
a first edge of the first rail and a second plurality of apertures
spaced in the repeating pattern along a second edge of the first
rail. The second edge of the first rail is disposed opposite the
first edge of the first rail such that the first rail includes
repeating first pairs of apertures. Each pair of apertures is
configured for tightly receiving one of the plurality of pickets
therethrough. The second substantially hollow rail includes a third
plurality of apertures spaced in the repeating pattern along a
first edge of the second rail and a fourth plurality of apertures
spaced in the repeating pattern along a second edge of the second
rail. The second edge of the second rail is disposed opposite the
first edge of the second rail such that the second rail includes
repeating second pairs of apertures. Each pair of apertures is
configured for tightly receiving one of the plurality of pickets
therethrough.
[0017] Additionally, the pickets are configured to be fixedly
attached to the first rail by sliding each of the plurality of
pickets partially through the first pairs of apertures along the
first rail such that at least one interference member per picket is
located directly adjacent a respective lower rim of a respective
aperture of the first rail. Additionally, the pickets are
configured to be fixedly attached to the second rail by sliding
each of the plurality of pickets partially through the second pairs
of apertures along the second rail such that at least one
interference member per picket is located directly adjacent a
respective lower rim of a respective aperture of the second rail.
Sliding each of the plurality of pickets partially through the
first pairs of apertures along the first rail and partially through
the second pairs of apertures along the second rail also causes at
least one interference member per picket to be located directly
adjacent a respective upper rim of a respective aperture of either
the first rail or the second rail.
[0018] In some embodiments, the pickets are configured to be
fixedly attached to the first rail and the second rail by first
sliding each of the plurality of pickets partially through the
first pairs of apertures along the first rail such that at least
one interference member per picket is located directly adjacent a
respective internal lower rim of a respective aperture of the first
rail. Additionally, the pickets are configured to be fixedly
attached to the first rail and the second rail such that the
pickets are provided load-bearing support along each respective
lower rim. Lastly, the pickets are configured to be fixedly
attached to the first rail and the second rail by sliding each of
the plurality of pickets partially through the second pairs of
apertures along the second rail such that at least one interference
member per picket is located directly adjacent a respective
internal lower rim of a respective aperture of the second rail,
providing load bearing support for each respective picket along
each respective lower rim.
[0019] In certain other embodiments, each picket of the plurality
of singular blow-molded pickets includes a plurality of
interference members defined along a first face of each picket and
at least one interference member defined along a second face of
each picket. At least a second portion of the plurality of pickets
are shaped according to a second predefined blow-molding
pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by
reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the
figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly
show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like
elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a fence section according
to a fence system described in the disclosure; FIG. 1B is an
exploded view thereof; and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view
thereof.
[0022] FIGS. 2A-2C are perspective views of a rail component of the
system of FIGS. 1A-1C.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of picket components of the
system of FIGS. 1A-1C.
[0024] FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C show picket components of the system
of FIGS. 1A-1C.
[0025] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a fence section according
to another embodiment of the fence system described in the
disclosure, and FIG. 6B is an exploded view thereof.
[0026] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a fence section according
to yet another embodiment of the fence system described in the
disclosure, and FIG. 7B is an exploded view thereof.
[0027] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a fence section according
to a still further embodiment of the fence system described in the
disclosure; FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view thereof; and
FIGS. 8C and 8D are exploded views thereof
[0028] FIGS. 9A-9C are perspective views of a rail component of the
system of FIGS. 8A-8D.
[0029] FIGS. 10A-10C show a picket component of the system of FIGS.
8A-8D.
[0030] FIG. 11 shows an interference fit of a picket and a rail
according to the disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 12 shows relative dimensions of components of a picket
and a rail according to the disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 13 shows an exemplary partial cut-away side view of a
picket and rails engaged with the picket.
[0033] FIG. 14 shows another exemplary partial cut-away side view
of a picket and rails engaged with the picket.
[0034] FIG. 15 shows yet another exemplary partial cut-away side
view of a picket and rails engaged with the picket.
[0035] FIG. 16 shows still another exemplary partial cut-away side
view of a picket and rails engaged with the picket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Referring to the FIGS. 1-16, the disclosure relates to a
fencing system including, for example, a fence section 10 including
a plurality of pickets 12, a first rail 14, and a second rail 16.
Each of the pickets 12 are formed as a single (or "singular") piece
by blow molding in a single molding step and are, therefore, formed
based on one or more predefined blow-molding patterns. The first
rail 14 is preferably substantially hollow and includes a plurality
of first apertures 18 along two opposing sides of the first rail
14, forming a pattern of pairs of first apertures 18 along the
first rail 14. Each pair of the first apertures 18 is configured to
tightly receive one of the pickets 12 therethrough. Similarly, the
second rail 16 is also preferably substantially hollow and includes
a plurality of second apertures 20 along two opposing sides of the
second rail 16, forming a pattern of pairs of second apertures 20
along the second rail 16. Each pair of the second apertures 20 is
configured to tightly receive one of the pickets 12
therethrough.
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 13-16, each of the pickets 12
includes a plurality of interference members 22 defined thereon. At
least two of the interference members (22A and 22C) for each picket
are defined along a first face 24 of each picket as well as at
least one interference member (22B) defined along a second face 26
of each picket. For each picket, at least one interference member
(22B) is located directly adjacent a lower rim 28 of one of the
first apertures 18, at least one interference member (22C) is
located directly adjacent a lower rim 30 of one of the second
apertures 20, and at least one interference member (22A) is located
directly adjacent either an upper rim 32 of one of the first
apertures 18 or an upper rim 34 of one of the second apertures
20.
[0038] The interference member 22B is preferably located as shown
in FIG. 13 directly adjacent a lower rim 28 of one of the first
apertures 18 from an internal position (internal of the first rail
14), thereby providing load bearing support function for the
applicable picket. Similarly, the interference member 22C is
preferably located directly adjacent a lower rim 30 of one of the
second apertures 20 from an internal position (internal of the
second rail 16), thereby providing load bearing support function
for the applicable picket. Preferably, each picket includes at
least four interference members 22 at every rail interface 36 as
shown in FIG. 14 wherein the internal height "H" of each rail (14,
16) is approximately the same as the distance "D" between outer
edges 38 of the interference members 22 located on the same face of
a picket between a rail.
[0039] FIG. 15 shows an example of a picket that includes three
interference members 22 per rail interface 36. FIG. 16 shows an
example of a picket wherein some of the interference members 22 are
located at locations external from the first rail 14 and the second
rail 16. However, internal location of interference members is
preferred so as to preserve the look of a traditional picket fence
with pickets made of wood or otherwise having substantially smooth
and flat, panel-like exterior surfaces.
[0040] As shown by comparing FIG. 1A, FIG. 6C, FIG. 7A, and FIG.
8A, the style of picket can vary, which, in turn, can vary the size
and/or shape of apertures in the various rail designs to
accommodate for the different sizes of the variously styled
pickets. FIG. 1A through FIG. 3 show an example of a picket fence
section 40 wherein the style of picket varies according to a
repeating pattern along the fence section 40. Because the style and
size of picket varies according to a particular pattern, the size
of the respective apertures 18 in the first rail 14 and the size of
the respective apertures 20 in the second rail 16 also vary
accordingly as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2A-2C.
[0041] FIGS. 6A-6B show another example of a fence section 42
including pickets 44 all made from a first predefined blow-molding
pattern along with an upper rail 46 and a lower rail 48, wherein
both rails include apertures 50 configured for receiving the
pickets 44. FIGS. 7A-7B show yet another example of a fence section
52 including pickets 54 made from a second predefined blow-molding
pattern along with an upper rail 56 and a lower rail 58, wherein
both rails include apertures 60 configured for receiving the
pickets 54. A plurality of interference members 62 are defined
along widthwise surfaces 64 of the pickets 54 in this example.
FIGS. 8A-10C show a third example of a fence section 66 including
pickets 68 all made from a third predefined blow-molding pattern
along with an upper rail 70 and a lower rail 72, wherein both rails
include apertures 74 configured for receiving the pickets 68. A
plurality of interference members 76 are defined along the
depthwise surfaces 78 of the pickets 68 in this example.
[0042] The size of various components of the fence system described
herein can vary based on various factors including, for example,
customer need, although traditional fence picket heights, widths,
and lengths are often preferable. The plurality of fence pickets
and associated rails are preferably made of polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), high density polyethylene, polypropylene or other similar
polymer, copolymer, and/or combinations thereof The rails are
preferably made using an extrusion process. Fences are preferably
formed in sections (e.g., the fence section 10 shown in FIG. 1A)
prior to shipment to dealers or customers. However, kits of picket
fence components are also contemplated wherein the fence components
are shipped unattached. FIG. 8C shows an example of a fence kit 80
including the plurality of pickets 68, the upper rail 70, and the
lower rail 72 used to form the fence section 66 shown in FIG. 8A.
End posts may be included in fence kits wherein the upper rail 70
and the lower rail 72 are attached to the end posts in any manner
known to person having ordinary skill in the art.
[0043] The previously described examples of the present disclosure
have many advantages, including providing traditionally styled
picket fence sections made from recyclable and/or recycled
material, the whole of which is lighter than wood and more
impervious to the elements than traditional wood picket fences.
Another advantage is the traditional appearance of painted wooden
picket fence pickets with substantially planar surfaces with little
or no functional features appearing on the outside surfaces of the
various parts of each fence section.
[0044] The foregoing descriptions of preferred embodiments for this
disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the
best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its
practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill
in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when
interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are
fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
* * * * *