U.S. patent application number 14/156121 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-23 for manually operated firearm system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ronnie Barrett. Invention is credited to Ronnie Barrett.
Application Number | 20140311004 14/156121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51538267 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140311004 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barrett; Ronnie |
October 23, 2014 |
MANUALLY OPERATED FIREARM SYSTEM
Abstract
A bolt control device for causing the bolt of a firearm to be
held in a retained position after each round is fired, the bolt
control device capable of being manipulated by the user to also
release and return the bolt to a firing position so that the
firearm may be used to fire an additional round.
Inventors: |
Barrett; Ronnie;
(Murfreesboro, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Barrett; Ronnie |
Murfreesboro |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51538267 |
Appl. No.: |
14/156121 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61752478 |
Jan 15, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/16 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/12 20060101
F41A003/12 |
Claims
1. A firearm comprising: a receiver, trigger, trigger guard, bolt
carrier group, and bolt catch; the bolt carrier group being in
either a retained position or a firing position; a bolt control
device in communication with the bolt catch to maintain tension on
the bolt catch to retain the bolt carrier group in a retained
position; and wherein a user can manipulate the bolt control device
and release the bolt carrier group from a retained position to a
firing position.
2. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the bolt control device further
comprises a retention spring to maintain tension on the bolt catch
to retain the bolt carrier group in the retention position after a
round is fired.
3. A bolt control device comprising: a first connection for
connecting to a bolt catch for a firearm; a contact point for
manipulating the device by the user; a retention spring for
providing outward pressure on the bolt catch; wherein upon firing,
the firearm's bolt carrier group is retained by the bolt catch and
can be subsequently released by the user manipulating the contact
point on the bolt control device.
4. The bolt control device of claim 3 wherein the retention spring
is positioned between an underside of a paddle of the bolt catch
and an upper receiver of a firearm.
5. The bolt control device of claim 3 wherein the bolt control
device may be adapted to alter a firearm from semi-automatic to
manually operated.
6. A method of operating a firearm comprising the steps of: a.
pulling a trigger of a firearm, the firearm having a bolt catch, a
receiver and bolt; the pulling of the trigger causing a round to
detonate; b. retaining the bolt in a retained position so that the
firearm does not fire; c. engaging a bolt control device on the
firearm, the bolt control device in communication with the bolt
catch; and d. disengaging the bolt from a retained position so that
the bolt returns to a firing position.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the firearm does not have to have
a magazine removed or replaced for the bolt to move between a
retained position and a firing position.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the firearm automatically retains
the bolt after a round detonates.
9. The method of claim 6 further comprising repeating steps a.
through d.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the bolt control device
comprising a drop in replacement for a standard bolt catch for an
AR15 firearm, the bolt control device including a tension spring,
contact portion, and a receiver connection channel wherein the bolt
control device may be connected via a pin to a receiver of a
firearm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/752,478, filed Jan. 15, 2013 for a Manually
Operated Firearm System, all of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0002] I, Ronnie Barrett, a citizen of the United States, residing
in Murfreesboro, Tenn., have invented a new and useful "Manually
Operated Firearm System."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a firearm system,
particularly to a manually operated AR15 style firearm. In optional
embodiments, a receiver for the firearm system may include one or
more buttons or activators to manually release the bolt from a
locked position. In yet further optional embodiments, the invention
may include a retrofit kit so that an existing AR15-style firearm
may be equipped to operate in a non-semi-automatic manner which may
include the use of a device to fit to the existing bolt
release.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
[0004] In the field of firearms, there are a multitude of different
designs and types of rifles. One popular model includes what is
known as the AR15 rifle. Other designations for similarly styled
rifles are used, including both M4 and M16, referring to United
States military variants, which may optionally include selective
fire options. Additionally, the design is considered one of a
modular nature and can include pistol variants as well.
[0005] Most AR15 firearms use a mechanism of operation which can be
understood to be a direct gas impingement system. With such system,
high pressure gas acts directly upon the bolt and the carrier
containing the bolt, eliminating the need for a piston or separate
gas cylinder. Upon firing an AR15 firearm, gas generated from the
detonation of the powder moves through a gas port located in the
top area of a barrel. Gas flows through the gas port into the gas
block where it is directed into a gas tube, running generally about
parallel with the barrel. The gas tube protrudes into the upper
receiver of the AR15 firearm and extends into the bolt carrier key
(also referred to as a "gas key") which directs gas into the bolt
carrier. In turning down into the bolt carrier, the gas has space
to expand within the carrier and forces the bolt carrier rearward
toward the stock of the AR15-style firearm while forcing the bolt
forward. This movement essentially unlocks the bolt from the
forward position where the original detonation of the round took
place. During the rearward movement of the carrier, a cam pin in
the bolt necessitates that the bolt rotates and unlocks from the
barrel extension of the barrel within the upper receiver. Thus,
both the carrier and bolt move rearward together which extracts the
empty cartridge prior to moving forward again, while a new round is
chambered.
[0006] As previously mentioned, there exist further variants of
AR15-style firearm that include piston operating systems. In such
variants, a piston rod may be used that reciprocally moves between
at least two positions. The piston can be coupled to the bolt
carrier for movement of the bolt carrier from a first closed
position to the open position, similarly to the movement obtained
with a direct gas impingement operating system. In further optional
embodiments, the piston is not attached to the bolt carrier but
rather is simply in physical contact with the bolt carrier and thus
can apply pressure to create movement. To function, gas generated
from a detonated round flows through the gas port but instead of
flowing down a gas tube as occurs with direct impingement operating
systems, the gas forcefully acts on the face of the piston. This
action drives the piston rearward and a rod or shaft in connection
with the piston as well, which in turn applies abrupt force to the
bolt carrier, having the rotatable bolt with cam pin. The bolt
carrier moves rearward, the spent cartridge is ejected and the
cycling commences similar to a direct impingement system, yet no
gas directly acts upon the bolt and carrier.
[0007] The AR15 firearm versions in both of the above described
variants generally functions in a semi-automatic matter. Otherwise
stated, one trigger pull only results in the firing of one round of
ammunition and the user can immediately pull the trigger again to
fire another round. Different variants of the M16 rifle can
function in three-round burst or full automatic firing.
[0008] What is particularly desired is a firearm that fires in a
manually operated manner, wherein the user must perform some
function between shots to allow the firearm to fire
subsequently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An optional aspect may include a firearm with a receiver,
trigger, trigger guard, bolt carrier group, and bolt catch; with
the bolt carrier group being in either a retained position or a
firing position; a bolt control device connected to the bolt catch
to maintain tension on the bolt catch to retain the bolt carrier
group in a retained position; and a contact point on the device for
manipulating the device by the user. In such optional aspect, a
user may be able to manipulate the bolt control device and release
the bolt carrier group from a retained position to a firing
position.
[0010] In a further optional aspect, the firearm may further
include a retention spring incorporated with the control arm of the
bolt control device to maintain tension on the bolt catch to retain
the bolt carrier group in the retained position after a round is
fired.
[0011] In yet additional optional aspects, the invention may
include a bolt control device with a first connection for
connecting to a bolt catch for a firearm, a contact point for
manipulating the device by the user; a retention spring for
providing outward pressure on the bolt catch. Upon firing, the
firearm's bolt carrier group is retained by the bolt catch and can
be subsequently released by the user manipulating the contact point
on the bolt control device.
[0012] In another optional aspect, the firearm may include the
retention spring positioned between an underside of a paddle of the
bolt catch and an upper receiver of a firearm. This may push the
paddle outward and thus place the bolt catch in a position to lock
a bolt carrier group into a retained position.
[0013] In further optional aspects, the bolt control device may be
understood to adapt a firearm from semi-automatic to a manually
loaded or operated arrangement.
[0014] As used herein, the term manually operated or manually
loaded refers to a mode of operation of a firearm whereby after
firing a round, a user must manipulate something other than the
trigger on the firearm prior to firing another round. Otherwise
stated, another trigger pull will not fire another round unless
some prior action was taken. Additionally, as used herein, the term
"semi-automatic" refers to a mode of operation of a firearm whereby
after firing a round, a user must only initiate another pull of the
firearm's trigger to fire another round. Otherwise stated, one
trigger pull allows only one round to be shot from the firearm and
the operator must manually perform an action to the rifles in order
to load another cartridge, just as would be for a bolt action,
lever action or pump firearm. Also, as used herein, "automatic"
refers to a mode of operation of a firearm whereby after firing a
round, the firearm fires one or more additional rounds without
requiring the user to depress the trigger again or further
manipulate the firearm.
[0015] Another optional aspect of the invention is a bolt control
device comprising a drop in replacement for a standard bolt catch
for an AR-15 firearm, the bolt catch device including a tension
spring, contact portion, and a receiver connection channel. In such
optional aspect, the bolt control device may be connected via a pin
to a receiver of a firearm.
[0016] An optional aspect of the invention includes a bolt control
device integrated into the firearm's receiver, the bolt control
device operable while a user maintains a firing position on the
firearm.
[0017] A further optional aspect of the invention includes a
firearm with bolt control device with the bolt control device in
communication with a bolt carrier group of the firearm, the bolt
carrier group positionable between a retention position and a
firing position, the bolt control device capable of releasing the
bolt carrier group of the firearm from a retention position.
[0018] In other optional embodiments, the bolt control device may
take the form of a hand guard button. Optionally, the bolt control
device may be in a form of reverse trigger. Furthermore, the bolt
control device may be integrated as a lever or a button into the
receiver of the firearm.
[0019] In describing the various optional aspects of the present
invention, the term "AR15-style firearm" may be used. This term is
not to be considered or taken as limiting, but rather is intended
to cover other variants and related firearm platforms which may
include the AR-10 and similar larger-caliber variants as well as
the various configurations of the M4. The AR15-style firearm and
its variants, are not limited to but include the M16A2, M16A3,
M16A4, the CAR-15 and its variants, the M4 and its variants, as
well as the AR15 and its variants all of which are understood to be
generally included with use of the term "AR15-style firearm."
Furthermore, the invention may be used for a wide range of calibers
for this rifle platform and those calibers should be considered in
addition to the standard .223 Remington/5.56.times.45 mm round with
possible calibers even including 50 Cal. BMG as well as other
common military calibers. Additionally this can include other
rounds as well such as the 22lr up to the 50 Cal. BMG. As further
discussed, the invention can also be used with other firearm
designs, including popular designs like the Ruger 10-22.
[0020] As used herein the term "engage" means to interact with,
interlock with, associate with or communicate with.
[0021] Further as used herein, the term "upper receiver" is used to
be the portion of a rifle with which the barrel attaches. The upper
receiver generally includes an ejection port as well as engagements
for communicating with the lower receiver. The term "lower
receiver" generally houses the trigger group.
[0022] The term "providing", and forms thereof, are used in a broad
sense, and are referred to, but are not limited to, making
available for use, enabling usage, giving, supplying, obtaining,
getting hold of, acquiring, making ready for use, and/or placing
into position ready for use.
[0023] Additionally, the term "firearm" is used to indicate a
weapon from which bullets are discharged by way of gunpowder.
"Rifle" is used to indicate a firearm that may be fired from the
shoulder and includes rifling within the bore. "AR15/M16 style
rifle" as used herein is defined above but also includes the
relatively few variants which may include the same general
components but in a pistol configuration. In other words, the
invention may be applicable to a variety of pistol configurations
and the use of the term "AR15-style firearm" includes those pistol
configurations as well.
[0024] Aside from the structural and procedural arrangements set
forth above, the invention could include a number of other
arrangements, such as those explained hereinafter. It is to be
understood, that both the foregoing description and the following
description are exemplary.
[0025] The accompanying drawing is incorporated in and constitutes
a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate optional
embodiments of the invention and together with the description
serve to explain some principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0026] FIG. 1 is a sideview illustration of various locations for a
bolt control device for a firearm.
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to optional embodiments
of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawing. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers
are used in the drawing and in the description referring to the
same or like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described
herein, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined
herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary
skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as
"a," "an," and "the" are not intended to refer to only a singular
entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific
example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is
used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their
usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the
claims.
[0029] Generally, as used herein, a bolt control device is
understood to be the hardware that can selectively control the
position of a bolt carrier group of a firearm.
[0030] FIG. 1. is an illustration of an optional embodiment of the
firearm system of the present invention detailing various locations
in which a bolt control device may be located. In some embodiments,
the bolt control device may generally embody a design having an
appearance of a reverse trigger forward of the normal trigger used
to operate the firearm. In such an arrangement, a user may fire the
weapon with a pull of the trigger with the bolt control device
retaining the bolt carrier group after each shot thereby requiring
the user to press against the trigger-shape bolt control device to
release the bolt carrier group forward so that another shot may be
fired. As such, the operation of the firearm system in this manner
would not constitute semi-automatic fire, instead being a manually
operated single shot arrangement as the bolt would not
automatically reload and return to a firing position after the
round had been fired. By positioning the bolt control device in
such location forward of the trigger, a user may be able to
initiate the reloading process by release the bolt to the firing
position so that the weapon may be fired again.
[0031] In optional embodiments, the lower receiver for the firearm
system may include an additional opening with the bolt control
device having a shape of a reverse trigger. As such the parts may
integrate within the lower receiver and coordinate with the
existing hardware to maintain the position of the bolt carrier
group. The bolt control device having a reverse trigger type shape
may be in communication with the bolt catch as the bolt catch is
already utilized to maintain the bolt character group in a retained
position after a magazine is emptied. Here, the bolt catch in
optional embodiments could operate so as to retain the bolt carrier
group in the retained position after every shot and not just after
the magazine is emptied.
[0032] In yet further optional embodiments, a bolt control device
in position within the trigger guard of a firearm may communicate
with the bolt or bolt carrier group separate from the bolt catch
for the firearm. As such, the bolt catch as exists on a variety of
different AR15-type firearms would be separate from the mechanical
elements to maintain the firearm in a single shot system. In yet
further optional embodiments, the bolt carrier group for a firearm
may include a notch or catch location point whereby the bolt
carrier group is modified so as to respond and communicate with the
bolt control device in its various forms. As such this optional
embodiment may include a reverse trigger style bolt control device
communicating directly with a bolt carrier group engaging a notch
or catch point on the bolt carrier group to maintain it in a
retained position after a shot has been fired.
[0033] In yet further optional embodiments, the bolt control device
may be located on various locations on the body of the receiver of
the firearm. Generally, such optional embodiments may include the
bolt control device as a lever or button so that a user may be able
to quickly access the bolt control device and be able to put the
weapon in a condition to allow for a subsequent round to be fired.
As the previous optional embodiment described the bolt control
device as being operated by the same hand that pulls the trigger to
fire the firearm there may also be other locations on the receiver
that may also be manipulated by the firing hand of the user. For
example, with an AR15-style firearm, a bolt control device could
optionally be located in front of the magazine release as such
location would allow for a user to use their trigger finger to
release the bolt carrier group from a retained position as
well.
[0034] In further optional embodiments, especially embodiments
where the bolt control device is not in direct communication with
the bolt catch for an AR15-style firearm, the bolt control device
could be located closer to the rear of the receiver in a location
where a user may use the thumb of their firing hand to release the
bolt forward. While the safety of most AR15-style firearms is
located in a position to be operated by the thumb of the firing
hand of a user, there still exists the possibility that a button or
small lever could be located in a similar position so as to control
the position of the bolt or bolt carrier group via the user's
firing hand thumb. Obviously in some optional embodiments this
would require a different style of receiver to allow for the
openings, buttons, and/or levers to be positioned so as to allow
the mechanics of the bolt control device to function. In such
optional embodiments, the bolt control device may also utilize
spring tension to correlate with a catch or notch on the bolt
carrier group to maintain the bolt carrier group not in a firing
position.
[0035] Yet furthermore in optional embodiments, a bolt control
device may be utilized so that a user may use their support hand to
activate the bolt control device and thus push the bolt carrier
group back into a firing position. In some optional embodiments, a
bolt control device may be located on the handguard of the firearm
to be operated by the user's support hand. In such optional
embodiments, a user may manipulate a button, lever, or other type
of bolt control device design on the handguard which thereby could
release the bolt to a firing position. In some optional embodiments
of the handguard style bolt control device, the bolt control device
may communicate with the bolt catch as presently exists on a
variety of different AR platforms. In other optional embodiments,
the bolt control device may function independently of the bolt
catch and thus retain the bolt carrier group out of a firing
position independent of the bolt catch.
[0036] In some optional embodiments, the bolt control device may be
on the top portion of the handguard so a user could use their
thumb, with such design being considered ambidextrous so that a
user could use their left hand or right hand depending on how they
fire the firearm. Furthermore, there may be optional embodiments
whereby the bolt control device may be convertible between a
position on the left side of the firearm or the right side of the
firearm at the handguard so as to allow a user to set up the
firearm preferable for their style of shooting.
[0037] In yet further optional embodiments, the bolt control device
may be part of or located at the bottom portion of the trigger
guard. Somewhat similar to how certain handguns provide a magazine
release located in this general area, a lever could be positioned
here at the lower portion of the trigger guard for control of the
bolt carrier group. In further optional embodiments, such design
may be of an ambidextrous nature and provide levers that work on
both sides of the lower portion of the trigger guard so that a
left-handed or right-handed user could operate the firearm in a
single shot manner.
[0038] While the disclosure has described a firing position and a
retained position with regard to the bolt carrier group, one can
understand the firing position to be a position whereby the bolt is
positioned so that a trigger pull would allow for a round to be
fired. The retained position or retention position generally refers
to the bolt carrier group and bolt held in the rearward position as
is generally done with the standard bolt catch though in optional
embodiments "retained position" or "retention position" may be
understood as being more broad. For purposes of this disclosure
"retained position" or "retention position" means any position in
which the bolt is kept out of a firing position whereby a user
would have to use the bolt control device to push the bolt and bolt
carrier group into a firing position. For example, optional
embodiments of the invention could include a firearm system where
after a shot is fired the bolt carrier group cycles and is
maintained only slightly out of the firing position with another
round at least partially chambered. In looking through an injection
port of this optional embodiment of the firearm system one would
see the bolt in a fairly forward position though not all the way in
a firing position. In this position, the firearm would not yet fire
as the bolt and bolt carrier group are not in a firing position,
though is not held in the most rearward position as is understood
in the prior art. As such, the bolt control device could be used to
provide a relatively slight push, somewhat similar to the action of
the forward assist as found on most AR15-style firearms. Thus,
these optional embodiments of the firearm system would include the
bolt control device functioning to provide forward pressure on the
bolt or bolt carrier group to a firing position. This may also be
understood as not being semi-automatic as a separate action would
be required by the user prior to being able to fire another round.
Regardless, one can understand "retained position" or "retention
position" as any position of the bolt or bolt carrier, at least
slightly rearward, and not in a position to allow for firing.
[0039] Optional embodiments of the bolt control device may be
utilized with firearm systems specifically designed for integration
of the bolt control device. Otherwise stated, in some optional
embodiments the receiver may be designed to have an opening,
indentation, or space specifically provided for the bolt control
device. In some optional embodiments, a firearm system may come
from the factory with the bolt control device integrated into the
firearm. In some of the optional embodiments discussed, such as the
reverse trigger style, one would understand that additional
openings or modifications are necessary to the receiver so as to
allow for such mechanical components to be part of the firearm.
[0040] In yet further optional embodiments, the bolt control device
may be a component that attaches to the bolt catch and exists
generally on the exterior of the receiver. While there do exist
devices currently that connect the bolt catch and allow a user to
manipulate the bolt catch with a right handed user's trigger
finger, the existing devices do not allow or provide for the
retention of the bolt carrier group or bolt after every shot is
fired. Optional embodiments of the bolt control device for the
firearm system advantageously provide a spring element that is
incorporated with a lever that engages the bolt catch of a firearm.
Generally speaking, in this embodiment of the bolt control device,
the bolt control device affixes to the paddle of the bolt catch on
the AR15-style firearm and extends a lever through the trigger
guard to be operated by the user. Additionally, a spring element
may be positioned between the back side of the paddle of the bolt
catch and the firearm so as to maintain outward pressure on the
paddle of the bolt catch. By doing so, the firearm will lock in a
retained position after each shot is fired due to the outward
pressure on the paddle of the bolt catch. The user then would be
able to release the bolt carrier group and allow it to return to a
firing position.
[0041] In optional embodiments, the bolt control device may affix
to both sides of the paddle of a standard bolt catch for an
AR15-style firearm with a spring element positioned on the back
side of the paddle of the bolt catch that remains at least in
partial compression against the receiver of firearm.
[0042] Such design can be considered a retrofit style kit as it may
work with an existing AR15-type firearm. In yet further optional
embodiments, a similar type of device may be utilized that can
entirely replace the bolt catch of an existing AR-type firearm. In
such arrangement, the bolt control device may be integrated with
the bolt catch and likely include a spring element or the like so
as to provide tension and thus maintain the bolt carrier group in
the retained position after a round has been fired.
[0043] Additionally, while the bolt control device has been
described most particularly with respect to an AR15-type firearm,
it could be incorporated with virtually any semi-automatic firearm
to preclude semi-automatic fire while allowing single-shot, manual
operation. This includes the use of a bolt control device with, but
not limited to, virtually any assault rifle, battle rifle,
semi-automatic pistol, machinegun, sub-machinegun, semi-automatic
rifle, and semiautomatic shotgun. Some examples include, but are in
no way limited to the following firearms and their variants: AK;
AMD-65; SCAR; M1; M14; FN FAL; G3; G36; galil; bullpups including
both Steyr and Tavor; various Barrett rifles; HK submachineguns;
Uzis; shotguns include Remington 1100s and VersaMaxes, Benellis, FN
SLPs, Mossberg 930s, Winchesters, and CZs; and 22LR firearms
include the Ruger 10/22, S&W M&P15-22, Mossberg 702 and as
well as various AR conversions.
[0044] In yet further optional embodiments, the bolt control device
could be used with various semiautomatic handguns. Obviously, in
most of these optional embodiments, there would not be options for
the bolt control device to be present on a handguard. However, the
bolt control device in these embodiments could be positioned
differently so as to allow for activation by the user's strong
hand, weak hand, or both. For example, this could allow for a lever
or button on the forward side of the frame's left side so that a
right-handed individual could activate the bolt control device with
their weak thumb. In some optional embodiments, the bolt control
device when used on a handgun, could be positioned so as to be
ambidextrous. This can include, but is not limited to the use of
the bolt control device on handguns manufactured by Sig Sauer;
Glock; Smith & Wesson; Springfield; Ruger; Browning; C-Z; FN;
Walther; Taurus; various 1911s; and HK.
[0045] Furthermore, sizes of various structural parts and materials
used to make the above mentioned components are illustrative and
exemplary only, and persons of ordinary skill in the art would
recognize that these sizes and materials can be changed as
necessary to produce different results or different desired
characteristics.
[0046] It would become apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made to the structure
and methodology of the present invention. Thus, it should be
understood that the invention is not limited to the examples
discussed in the specification. Rather, the present invention is
intended to cover modifications and variations.
* * * * *