U.S. patent application number 13/891013 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for automatically deployable energy efficient mobile structure.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mark Fagan. Invention is credited to Mark Fagan.
Application Number | 20140157685 13/891013 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50879451 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140157685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fagan; Mark |
June 12, 2014 |
AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOYABLE ENERGY EFFICIENT MOBILE STRUCTURE
Abstract
Deployment shelter systems and methods of articulation thereof
are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Fagan; Mark; (Greenville,
SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fagan; Mark |
Greenville |
SC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50879451 |
Appl. No.: |
13/891013 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61799150 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
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61704278 |
Sep 21, 2012 |
|
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61644960 |
May 9, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.5 ;
52/745.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/3444 20130101;
E04H 1/1205 20130101; E04H 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/79.5 ;
52/745.02 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/343 20060101
E04B001/343; E04H 1/12 20060101 E04H001/12; E04B 1/344 20060101
E04B001/344 |
Claims
1. A deployable structure comprising: at least one roof panel, at
least one bottom panel that is generally parallel to the at least
one roof panel, at least two end panels that join the at least one
roof panel and at least one bottom panel, at least one deployable
roof panel that forms a side wall when the structure is in a stored
position, at least one deployable side panel that is adjacent to
the at least one deployable roof panel when the structure is in the
stored configuration, at least one deployable floor panel that is
adjacent to the at least one deployable side panel when the
structure is in the stored configuration, wherein the at least one
deployable floor panel is hingedly attached to the structure in
order to rotate to a deployed floor position and wherein the at
least one deployable side panel is hingedly attached to the
deployable floor panel in order to rotate do a deployed side wall
position, wherein the deployable roof panel is hingedly attached to
the structure in order to rotate to a deployed roof position,
2. The deployable structure of claim 1 further comprising: a frame
comprising at least four top frame members, at least four bottom
frame members positioned in a plane that is generally parallel to
the top frame members, and at least four vertical members that join
the top frame members and the bottom frame members, wherein the at
least one roof panel is affixed to the top frame members, and
wherein the at least one bottom panel is affixed to the bottom
frame members.
3. The deployable structure of claim 2 further comprising one or
more deployable roof frame members hingedly attached to a top frame
member, one or more deployable floor frame members hingedly
attached to a bottom frame member, and one or more deployable side
frame members 108 hingedly attached to a deployable floor frame
member.
4. The deployable structure of claim 3 wherein one or more
deployable roof panels are affixed to one or more deployable roof
frame members and one or more deployable floor panels are affixed
to one or more deployable floor frame members, and one or more
deployable side panels are affixed to one or more deployable side
frame members.
5. The deployable structure of claim 1 further comprising a first
deployable end wall that is adjacent to the at least one deployable
floor panel when the structure is in the stored configuration.
6. The deployable structure of claim 3 further comprising a second
deployable end wall that is adjacent to the first deployable end
wall that when the structure is in the stored configuration.
7. The deployable structure of claim 5 further comprising at least
one roof actuator positioned and configured to deploy a deployable
roof panel to a deployed configuration.
8. The deployable structure of claim 7 further comprising at least
one side actuator positioned and configured to deploy a deployable
side panel to a deployed configuration.
9. The deployable structure of claim 8 further comprising a remote
control to control the transition of the deployable structure
between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration.
10. A method for deploying a structure, the method comprising:
articulating a deployable roof from a stored configuration to a
deployed configuration, and articulating a deployable side wall
from a stored configuration, wherein a deployable floor is
connected to and deployed in connection with the deployment of the
deployable side wall, wherein articulation of the deployable roof
is commenced prior to the articulation of the deployable side
wall.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising articulating one or
more deployable end walls from a stored configuration to a deployed
configuration after deployment of the deployable side wall.
12. A method for deploying a structure, the method comprising the
following steps in the order recited: articulating deployable roof
from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration, and
articulating a deployable side wall from a stored configuration,
wherein a deployable floor is connected to and deployed in
connection with the deployment of the deployable side wall, wherein
articulation of the deployable roof is commenced prior to the
articulation of the deployable side wall.
13. The deployable structure of claim 5 wherein a deployable floor
panel is comprised of two hingedly adjoined panels that form a
bifolding deployable floor panel.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/799,150, filed on Mar. 15, 2013,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/704,278, filed on Sep.
21, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/644,960,
filed on May 9, 2012, each of which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Deployable structures may be useful in many applications as
they may provide a compact storage configuration and larger useful
area deployed configuration. The present invention provides a novel
structure and method for deploying a structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention may be better understood by reference
to the description and figures that follow. It is to be understood
that the invention is not limited in its application to the
specific details as set forth in the following description and
figures. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced or carried out in various ways.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention are better understood when the following detailed
description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shelter
system in the stowed configuration of the current invention;
[0006] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the embodiment of a shelter
system of FIG. 1A as shown partially deployed;
[0007] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the embodiment of a shelter
system of FIG. 1A as shown partially deployed;
[0008] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the embodiment of a shelter
system of FIG. 1A as shown partially deployed;
[0009] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the embodiment of a shelter
system of FIG. 1A as shown fully deployed;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an isolated view of an embodiment of the frame of
the structure shown in FIG. 1A;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an isolated, partial perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of a frame of the structure shown in FIG.
1A;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of deployable
frame members in a stored or stowed configuration of a structure of
the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view of an embodiment of a controller of the
present invention.
[0014] Repeat use of reference characters in the present
specification and drawings is intended to represent same or
analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments
of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of
explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0016] As used herein, reference characters with the same two
ending digits as other reference characters to indicate structure
in the present specification and drawings, without a specific
discussion of such structure, is intended to represent the same or
analogous structure in different embodiments. For example, and as
further seen herein, the structures indicated by reference
characters 102 and 202 both indicate a frame in different
embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] The present invention includes deployable structures that
may readily transition between a stored configuration and a
deployed configuration. FIGS. 1A-1E show an exemplary embodiment of
a deployable structure of the present invention in various stages
between a stored configuration, shown in FIG. 1A, and a fully
deployed configuration, shown in FIG. 1E. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E,
structure 100 includes roof panel 120, bottom panel 122 (not
shown), side panels 124, and end panels 126 (only one shown). In
some embodiments, any depicted panel may be replaced with multiple
adjacent panels. In one embodiment, roof panel 120 is a unitary
panel that spans the entire top or roof of structure 100 when in
the stored configuration shown in FIG. 1A. In some embodiments,
roof panel 120 may remain stationary during deployment and
retraction of the structure between its deployed and stored
positions. In addition, bottom panel 122 may be located on the
exterior side of the bottom frame members 106 and/or on the
interior side of bottom frame members 106. When bottom panel 122 is
located on the interior side of bottom frame members 106, bottom
panel 122 may form a floor for the structure.
[0018] Structure 100 also includes door 118. In some embodiments,
additional doors or alternative locations for one or more doors may
be employed. Alternative types of doors are also within the scope
of the present invention, such as double doors, garage doors, and
rolling doors. Other openings, such as windows and hatches, may
also be included in other embodiments.
[0019] Structure 100 also includes frame 101 having top frame
members 102, bottom frame members 104, and vertical frame members
108, which are each shown in isolation in FIG. 2. As shown in the
exemplary embodiments, frame 101 also includes deployable frame
members, including deployable roof frame members 110, deployable
side frame members 112, and deployable floor frame members 114.
[0020] In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary and detailed
embodiment of frame 101 having top frame members 102, bottom frame
members 104, vertical frame members 108, deployable roof frame
members 110, deployable side frame members 112, and deployable
floor frame members 114. As shown, vertical frame members 108 may
be present in various locations between top frame members 102 and
bottom frame members 104 and are not limited to the corners of the
unit as alternatively shown in FIG. 2. In addition, frame 101
includes top frame support members 102', 102'', and 102''', which
are located interior of top frame members 102. In other
embodiments, additional structures or shapes may be used for the
optional top frame support members, and some embodiments may
include more or less top frame support members than shown in FIG.
3. Frame 101 also includes bottom frame support members 104',
wherein some bottom frame support members 104' form a grid or
waffle pattern in the depicted embodiment.
[0021] Frame members and deployable frame members may be comprised
of any suitable material. In some embodiments, frame members and
deployable frame members may be comprised of the same or different
materials. In addition, some frame members may be of a different
material from other frame members, and likewise amongst deployable
frame members.
[0022] One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate
that the depicted embodiment is exemplary and that alternative
frame structures and arrangements are within the scope of the
present invention. In some alternative embodiments, the frame may
be formed with more or less frame members or deployable frame
members and/or with alternative and/or additional placements of
frame members and deployable frame members. In some embodiments, a
single structure may serve as two members, such as a single beam
serving as both a deployable floor frame member and a deployable
side frame member. In some embodiments of the present invention, a
frame may have one, two, three, four, or more top frame members;
one, two, three, four, or more bottom frame members; one, two,
three, four, or more transverse frame members; and/or one, two,
three, four, or more vertical frame members. For example,
additional top frame members may be arranged between the frame top
frame members 102 shown in FIG. 1. In similar fashion, additional
bottom frame members, transverse frame members, and/or vertical
frame members may be disposed between the respectively depicted
frame members in FIG. 1.
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention may also include
deployable panels. As shown in FIG. 1E, structure 100 includes
deployable roof panels 130 (which is also the same as side panel
124, but is represented with different reference numerals for
clarity), and deployable floor panels 132, which are shown as two
panels that are hinged together to form a bifolding panel,
deployable side panels 134, and deployable end panels 136. In some
embodiments, some or all of the deployable panels may be mounted or
affixed to deployable frame members, such as deployable roof frame
members 110, deployable side frame members 112, and deployable
floor frame members 114. In some embodiments, deployable frame
members may be affixed to or connected with deployable panels at
various locations, such as at or near the edge of a panel or offset
within the edge of a deployable panel.
[0024] In the depicted embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1E and FIG. 2,
deployable roof panels are shown mounted on deployable roof frame
members 110, which are hingedly attached to top frame member 102,
deployable end panels 134 are mounted on deployable side frame
members 108, and deployable floor panels are hingedly attached to
bottom frame member 104. In addition, with reference to the
depicted embodiment, deployable side frame members 134 are hingedly
attached to deployable floor frame members 114. As shown,
deployable side panels 134 are not connected or hinged to
deployable roof frame members 110 or deployable roof panels 130 in
the stored configuration. Deployable side frame members 108 are
hingedly connected to deployable floor frame members in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1A-1E.
[0025] In other embodiments, some or all deployable panels may be
attached, connected, or hinged directly to one or more of frame
members 102, bottom frame members 104, and/or vertical frame
members 108 without being affixed to any deployable frame members.
In some embodiments, some or all of the depicted deployable frame
members may be omitted. In still other embodiments, deployable
frame members may take alternative constructions. For example,
deployable roof panels 130 are shown in FIG. 1 as joined to four
deployable roof frame members 110. However, in other embodiments,
more or fewer deployable roof frame members 110 may be employed.
For example, in some embodiments deployable roof panel 130 may be
mounted on two deployable roof frame members positioned along the
shorter depicted edges of deployable roof panel 130. In still other
embodiments, deployable roof panel 130 could be mounted on three
deployable roof frame members 110, wherein the edge of deployable
roof panel 130 nearest to top frame member 102 does not include a
deployable roof frame member. Such alternative embodiments are
equally available for all other deployable frame members.
[0026] In some embodiments, one or more panels may be omitted or of
smaller dimensions. For example, if an open or partially-open
configuration is preferred after the unit is deployed, one or both
deployable side panels and/or deployable end panels may be omitted.
Alternatively, one or more of deployable side panels and/or
deployable end panels could be configured to only extend partially
between a deployable floor panel and a deployable roof panel, such
as to leave a partial opening upon deployment, such as for a window
frequently observed at concession stands.
[0027] The panels of the present invention may be composed of any
suitable material for the intended use of the structure. In some
embodiments, the panels will be metal, such as aluminum. In one
embodiment, an aluminum skin of about 0.125'' thickness or other
embodiment using a composite material such as available from 3A
Composites USA under the brand name Dibond.RTM. may be employed.
Some or all panels (such as interior floor panels) may include a
durable finish, such as a non-skid coating available from TUFF Coat
Manufacturing, Inc. of Montrose, Colo. In one embodiment, an
interior side of a bottom panel may be coated with a non-skid
coating.
[0028] In some embodiments, sealant may be provided at hinged areas
or been any gaps between panels. Such sealant may include rubber
stripping or any other suitably flexible or pliable material. Any
suitable sealant may be applied on the interior of the shelter, on
the exterior of the shelter, or both. By way of example, sealant
may be provided between or around the position at which deployable
roof panel 130 meets top frame member 102, at which deployable
floor panels 132 meets bottom frame member 104, at which deployable
side panels 134 meet deployable floor panels 132, and/or at other
locations at which components meet or articulate.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1B-D, structure 100 includes roof
actuators 140, which may be attached to deployable frame roof
panels 130 and/or deployable roof frame members 110. In some
embodiments, roof actuators may be 4,000 lb. electrohydraulic
actuators, such as actuators available from HydraMotion of
Cleveland, Ohio under the name F4000. As shown in FIGS. 1C-1D,
structure 100 may also include side actuator 142, which in some
embodiments may be automated and powered by electrohydraulic
actuation. In some embodiments, one or more side actuator 142, such
as an electrohydraulic actuator, may be positioned on each side of
the structure to deploy deployable side panel 134. As shown in the
exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the side actuator is shown
as a scissor arm. In some embodiments, side actuator 142 may be
connected to deployable side panel 134 and vertical frame member
108. The depicted system and components for articulating or moving
the deployment panels are exemplary of a single embodiment, and it
will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that
alternative types of components may be used within the scope of the
present invention.
[0030] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
depicted actuators are exemplary in nature and that alternative
lifting members, such as electrical, mechanical and pneumatic
actuators, may be employed. In addition, alternative quantities and
placements of actuators are within the scope of the present
invention. By way of example, an actuator may attach to deployable
roof frame members in a track such that the actuator moves
outwardly in the track as the unit is deployed. In some
embodiments, actuators may be omitted, such as in structures
designed for manual operation, and a locking mechanism may be
included to hold the deployable panels in place after manual
deployment.
[0031] Structures of the present invention may be shaped in any
manner suitable for its intended purpose. In some embodiments, the
stored configuration of the inventive structure is in accordance
with standards set by the International Organization for
Standardization ("ISO") for cargo and shipping containers,
including ISO 1C, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference. In one embodiment, the structure may have a generally
rectangular shape in its stored configuration. In other
embodiments, the inventive unit may have one or more of the
following parameters: 8'.times.8'.times.19'10.5'' dimensions in
stored configuration, about 400 square feet of interior space in
its deployed configuration, and a tare weight of 10,000 pounds or
less. Structures of the present invention may also include slots
144 located on their bottom to accommodate the forks of a forklift.
In addition, structures of the present invention may have legs,
which may be optionally retractable or attachable to the structure,
to elevate the structure above the ground, such as legs 145 shown
in FIG. 1A.
[0032] In operation, structure 100 may be configured to transition
between a stored configuration (such as shown in FIG. 1A) and a
deployed configuration (such as shown in FIG. E). When in the
storage configuration, some or all of the deployable panels may be
contained within the unit. Also, in the stored position, as shown
in FIG. 1A and schematically in FIG. 4 (in which the circles
represent hinged connections), deployable roof panels 130 form
exterior sides of the structure, and deployable side panel 134 is
adjacent to each deployable roof panel 130. Also, deployable floor
panel 132, which is shown in the exemplary embodiment as a
bifolding panel (or two hingedly joined panels) is interiorly
adjacent to deployable side panel 134, and deployable end panel 136
is interiorly adjacent to deployable floor panel 132. This
exemplary configuration may occupy minimal interior of structure
100 in the stored position, such that structure 100 may be used for
storage.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 1A-1E, an exemplary deployment of
one side of structure 100 is illustrated. Upon activation of
deployment, deployable roof panel 130 is rotated about a hinge to
its deployed state. Subsequently, deployable side panel 134 is
deployed by side actuator 142 and, in the depicted embodiment,
deployable floor panel 132 is hingedly connected to deployable side
panel 134 and is also deployed. In some embodiments, deployable
side panel 134 may not be deployed until deployable roof panel 130
is fully deployed, whereas in other embodiments deployable side
panel 134 may begin deploying prior to deployable roof panel 130
being fully deployed. In some embodiments, deployable roof panel
130 may be deployed to be generally parallel with the ground
surface upon which structure 100 rests. In other embodiments,
deployable roof panel 130 may rest at a downward angle when fully
deployed, which may assist with water runoff.
[0034] Upon complete deployment of deployable side panels 134 and
deployable floor panel 132, deployable end panel 136 may be
deployed. In the depicted embodiment, deployable end panel 136 is
manually articulated about a hinge for deployment, but in other
embodiments such deployment may be automated, such as by an
actuator or mechanical means. In still other embodiments,
deployable end panels 134 may also or alternatively include an
accordion or panache-type of panel that may be unfolded manually or
automatically upon deployment. In still other embodiments,
deployable end panels 134 may also or alternatively include a
flexible material, such as a rubber or cloth material, that is
connected to deployable side walls and deployed therewith. To
return a unit to its stored configuration, the deployment order is
merely reversed.
[0035] The embodiment in FIGS. 1A-1E is illustrated as deploying a
deployable roof panel, a deployable side panel, a deployable floor
panel, and a deployable wall panel on one side of the structure and
then subsequently deploying those panels on the opposing side of
the structure. However, in other embodiments, each correlating
deployable panel may be deployed substantially simultaneously on
each side of the structure. In still other embodiments, an operator
may be able to selectively control such deployments to deploy one
side or both sides, either concurrently or consecutively.
[0036] Structures of the present invention may be manually
deployed, automatically deployed, or deployed using a combination
of manual and automated deployment. By way of example, system 100
in FIGS. 1A-1E includes both automatic and manual deployment. In
particular, deployable roof panels 130, deployable side panels 134,
and deployable floor panels 132 are automatically deployed using
electrohydraulic actuators as discussed above, whereas deployable
end panels 136 are manually deployed by manually rotating the
deployable wall panels about a hinge. In other embodiments,
articulation of a unit may be entirely automatic or entirely
manual.
[0037] As indicated above, and by way of example and without
limiting the present invention, automated deployment may be carried
out using electrohydraulic actuators. In one embodiment, a control
panel 150 having buttons A, B, C, and D, such as shown in FIG. 5,
may be used to initiate deployment or retraction of a structure of
the present invention. In some embodiments, control panel 150 may
be a control unit mounted on the interior or exterior of the
structure. In other embodiments, control panel 150 may be a remote
control device.
[0038] In other embodiments, a phone, cellular phone, or smart
phone device may be used as a control panel and may be in
communication with the structure through cellular or network
signals or connections. As used herein, the reference "in
communication with" indicates that data and/or signals are
transferrable between the referenced components, and include both
physical connections and wireless connections. In addition, "in
communication with" also includes embodiments in which the
referenced components are in direct connection (i.e., directly
connected to each other with a cable) as well as indirect
connections, such as when data is transmitted through an
intermediate component and either relayed in the same format or
converted and then relayed to the referenced component. In other
embodiments, some or all of the aforementioned probes may be in
communication with a single probe processor. In some embodiments, a
security code may be necessary to operate control panel 150 or any
other device controlling structure 100.
[0039] As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5, button A may
be depressed to activate deployment of the unit. Upon depression of
button A, the following deployment may occur: [0040] 1. An
electrical signal is sent to one or more roof actuators 140, which
initiates roof actuator and results in deployment of one or more
deployable roof panels 130. [0041] 2. Upon partial or complete
deployment of deployable roof panel 130, an electrical signal is
sent to side actuator 142, which results in deployment of one or
more deployable side panels 134 and connected deployable floor
panel 132. [0042] 3. Upon complete deployment of deployment of
deployable side panel 134 and deployable floor panel 132,
deployable end panel 136 may be manually rotated on its hinge as
shown between FIGS. 1C and 1D. In alternative embodiments, this
step may also be automatically actuated.
[0043] In some embodiments, the foregoing steps may be controlled
by separate control buttons. In some embodiments, individual
buttons on a control panel may operate individual steps in the
deployment process. For example, one button on a control panel may
activate step 1 above and another button may activate step 2 above.
Similarly, buttons may be limited to controlling the deployment for
only one side of a structure. In addition, certain buttons on a
control panel may be dedicated to retracting some or all deployable
panels to the stored configuration. In some embodiments, a manual
or automatic locking mechanism, such as a pin that locks the some
or all components in place, may be present to secure the structure
in a deployment configuration. In some embodiments, a structure may
be articulated from a deployment configuration to a stored
configuration by performing the deployment process in reverse
order.
[0044] Additional features may also be optionally incorporated into
structures of the present invention. Such features may include,
without limitation, one or more of interior lighting (such as
recessed light emitting diodes), interior electrical receptacles in
the floor and/or some or all of the panels, audible and/or visual
warning signals to indicate deployment or retraction of the
structure, insulation or materials to provide an R-value of about
14 or greater, and heating and/or air conditioning units (HVAC)
also known as environmental control units (ECU). Some embodiments
may also include battery power units, generators, and/or ports for
receiving power from external sources. Some units may have storage
containers for gasoline or other fuel sources. Still other units
may include solar panels for powering the unit. In some
embodiments, the solar panels may be attached to a deployable panel
in order to provide protection while in a stored configuration.
[0045] The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments and
uses of the invention have been presented only for the purpose of
illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous
modifications and adaptations thereof will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the
present invention. As such, further modifications and equivalents
of the invention herein disclosed may occur to persons skilled in
the art using no more than routine experimentation, and all such
modifications and equivalents are believed to be within the spirit
and scope of the invention as described herein.
* * * * *