U.S. patent application number 14/372026 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-27 for nested zipper puller.
The applicant listed for this patent is ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Michael P. Pfotenhauer, John S. Pontaoe, David A. Shereyk, Cassie M. Tweed.
Application Number | 20140345092 14/372026 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47666491 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140345092 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shereyk; David A. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2014 |
NESTED ZIPPER PULLER
Abstract
A self-nesting zipper puller includes a body defining a
periphery, a lanyard by which to suspend the zipper puller from a
zipper for use; and a loop secured to the lanyard and engaged about
the periphery of the body during use of the zipper puller to secure
the lanyard and body as an enclosed structure captured by the
zipper.
Inventors: |
Shereyk; David A.;
(Homewood, IL) ; Pontaoe; John S.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Pfotenhauer; Michael P.; (Mill Valley, CA)
; Tweed; Cassie M.; (Bolinas, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. |
Glenview |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47666491 |
Appl. No.: |
14/372026 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
January 14, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US13/21410 |
371 Date: |
July 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61586931 |
Jan 16, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/429 ;
24/431 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/2589 20150115;
Y10T 24/2586 20150115; A44B 19/262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/429 ;
24/431 |
International
Class: |
A44B 19/26 20060101
A44B019/26 |
Claims
1. A self-nesting zipper puller, comprising: a body defining a
periphery; a lanyard by which to suspend the zipper puller from a
zipper during use; and a loop connected to the lanyard and engaged
about the periphery of said body during use of the zipper puller to
secure the lanyard and body as an enclosed structure captured by
the zipper.
2. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, said lanyard
connected at one end to said body and at an opposite end to said
loop.
3. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, said body, said
lanyard and said loop being a one-piece structure.
4. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, said periphery of
said body defining a groove therein, and said loop being retained
in said groove during use of said zipper puller.
5. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, said loop connected
to said lanyard at a first end of said lanyard, a second loop
connected to said lanyard at a second end of said lanyard, and said
second loop also being engaged about the periphery of said body
during use of the zipper puller.
6. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 5, said periphery of
said body defining a groove therein, and said loop and said second
loop being retained in said groove during use of said zipper
puller.
7. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, at least one of said
lanyard and said loop having physical properties altered from the
as molded condition thereof due to an orienting process including
permanent deformation from the as molded condition.
8. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 7, said lanyard
connected at one end to said body and at an opposite end to said
loop.
9. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 7, said body, said
lanyard and said loop being a one-piece structure.
10. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 7, said periphery of
said body defining a groove therein, and said loop being retained
in said groove during use of said zipper puller.
11. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 7, said loop connected
to said lanyard at a first end of said lanyard, a second loop
connected to said lanyard at a second end of said lanyard, and said
second loop also being engaged about the periphery of said body
during use of the zipper puller.
12. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 11, said periphery of
said body defining a groove therein, and said loop and said second
loop being retained in said groove during use of said zipper
puller.
13. A self-nesting zipper puller, comprising: a body defining a
periphery; a tether portion by which to suspend the zipper puller
from a zipper during use; said tether portion including a loop and
a lanyard, said loop being secured to the lanyard and engaged about
the periphery of said body during use of the zipper puller to
secure the lanyard and body as an enclosed structure captured by
the zipper; and said tether portion having physical properties
altered from the as molded conditions thereof due to an orienting
process including permanent deformation from the as molded
condition.
14. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, said lanyard
connected at one end to said body and at an opposite end to said
loop.
15. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, said body and said
tether portion being a one-piece structure.
16. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, said periphery of
said body defining a groove, and said loop being retained in said
groove during use of said zipper puller.
17. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, said tether portion
including a second loop, a first end of said lanyard being
connected to said loop and a second end of said lanyard being
connected to said second loop, said second loop also being engaged
about the periphery of said body during use of the zipper
puller.
18. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, said periphery of
said body defining a groove therein, and said loop and said second
loop being retained in said groove during use of said zipper
puller.
19. A self-nesting zipper puller, comprising: a body having a
periphery defining a groove; a tether portion engaging a zipper
during use; said tether portion including a loop and a lanyard,
said loop being secured to the lanyard and held in said groove
during use of the zipper puller to secure the lanyard and body as
an enclosed structure captured by the zipper; and said tether
portion having physical properties altered from the as molded
conditions thereof due to an orienting process including permanent
deformation from the as molded structure of said tether
portion.
20. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 19, said tether portion
including a second loop, a first end of said lanyard being
connected to said loop and a second end of said lanyard being
connected to said second loop, and said second loop also being
secured in said groove during use of the zipper puller.
21. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 20, one of said loops
being disposed within the other of said loops when secured in said
groove.
22. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 19, said body periphery
defining a second groove and said tether portion including a second
loop, a first end of said lanyard being connected to said loop and
a second end of said lanyard being connected to said second loop,
and said second loop being secured in said second groove during use
of the zipper puller.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/586,931, filed Jan. 16,
2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to zippers, and more
particularly to attachments that are provided for the handles
and/or sliders of zippers to provide a larger, more easily grasped
article by which to pull a zipper for zipping or unzipping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Standard zippers used on clothing, personal articles such as
backpacks, shoulder bags, luggage and other things have relatively
small handles or tabs by which the zipper is operated for closing
(zipping) or opening (unzipping). Even on a large zipper, such as
those found on suitcases and large containers, the handle or tab
can be relatively small and difficult to grasp securely. Frequently
made of metal, the handle is often smooth and can be somewhat
slippery. Zippers are often concealed, with fabric overlapping the
zipper along each side of the zipper track. In such arrangements,
the handle can be difficult to locate and dislodge from beneath the
fabric edges. In heavily packed articles, tension on the zipper can
make it difficult to operate, and the small surface of the handle
can be inadequate to grip securely for operating the zipper. Zipper
handles can become detached or broken, making operation of the
zipper even more difficult.
[0004] It is known to provide zipper pullers of various types
attached to the zipper handle and/or directly to the slider to
provide a larger, more easily grasped article by which to operate
the zipper. The zipper handle commonly has a hole near the end
thereof, and known configurations of zipper pullers are attached by
looping, tying or otherwise securing the puller through the hole in
the handle or through the hole in the zipper slider which normally
receivers the zipper handle.
[0005] In a simple form, a zipper puller may be an elongated piece
of nylon or other fabric tied or looped through the hole in the
zipper handle and/or slider. While fabric secured in this manner
provides a longer structure than the zipper handle alone by which
to grasp and operate the zipper, the smooth, thin fabric can
sometimes be difficult to grasp as well. More advantageously, a
zipper puller has an enlarged or bulbous end or portion more easily
grasped than the relatively thin zipper handle. Known zipper
pullers of this type have been two piece articles, including a
string, cord or the like serving as a tether between the zipper
handle or slider and a larger body end piece attached to the
tether. While two-piece zipper pullers of this type have performed
somewhat adequately for the purpose intended, the two-piece zipper
puller can be costly to manufacture and install. Further, the
string, cord or other tether portion can stretch or otherwise
change, or even break, making the zipper puller nonfunctional, even
if not lost completely. More elastic tethers have been used but
tend to act more like a rubber band, being too springy to transmit
the load effectively from the user to the zipper slider.
[0006] Known methods to attach known zipper pullers include the use
of a knotted half-hitch and one-piece nylon designs in which a
strap-like portion includes a ball at the end thereof, which fits
into a mating recess on the body of the zipper puller.
Alternatively, the zipper puller can be a two-piece assembly that
routes the loop through the zipper handle and then is assembled to
a wedge-like locking device.
[0007] It is known that a body of thermoplastic elastomer can be
processed to align the crystalline structure thereof to a
permanently deformed thinner shape having increased flexibility
while maintaining the strength of a thicker, more robust and less
flexible body. The process has been referred to as "orienting" and
can be found described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,758 and U.S. Patent
Application Publication 2006/0267258.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A self-nesting zipper puller is provided with a body
defining a periphery, a lanyard by which the zipper puller is
suspended from a zipper for use; and a loop secured to the lanyard
and engaged about the periphery of the body during use of the
zipper puller to secure the zipper puller to the zipper.
[0009] In one aspect of one form thereof, a self-nesting zipper
puller is provided with a body defining a periphery; a lanyard by
which to suspend the zipper puller from a zipper during use; and a
loop secured to the lanyard and engaged about the periphery of the
body during use of the zipper puller to secure the lanyard and body
as an enclosed structure captured by the zipper.
[0010] In another aspect of another form thereof, a self-nesting
zipper puller is provided with a body defining a periphery; and a
tether portion by which to suspend the zipper puller from a zipper
during use. The tether portion includes a loop and a lanyard, the
loop being secured to the lanyard and engaged about the periphery
of the body during use of the zipper puller to secure the lanyard
and body as an enclosed structure captured by the zipper. The
tether portion has physical properties altered from the as molded
conditions thereof due to an orienting process including permanent
deformation from the as molded condition.
[0011] In still another aspect of still another form thereof, a
self-nesting zipper puller is provided with a body having a
periphery defining a groove; a tether portion engaging a zipper
during use and including a loop and a lanyard. The loop is secured
to the lanyard and held in the groove during use of the zipper
puller to secure the lanyard and body as an enclosed structure
captured by the zipper. The tether portion has physical properties
altered from the as molded conditions thereof due to an orienting
process including permanent deformation from the as molded
structure of the tether portion.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following
detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals
are used to designate like features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nested zipper puller
installed on a zipper slider;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the zipper puller before
installation;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the zipper puller in a
semi-closed condition for attachment, but without the zipper slider
being shown;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the zipper puller in a
closed condition for attachment, but without the zipper slider
being shown
[0017] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the zipper puller as
shown in FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the zipper puller and
zipper slider as shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another zipper puller;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a view of the zipper puller of Fig, 7 installed on
a zipper slider;
[0021] FIG. 9 is another perspective view more completely showing
the side of the zipper puller of FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 10 is an illustration of the zipper puller of FIGS. 7-9
during an early stage of installation on a zipper slider;
[0023] FIG. 11 is an illustration similar to FIG. 10, but showing a
subsequent stage of the installation;
[0024] FIG. 12 is an illustration similar to FIGS. 10 & 11, but
showing an even later stage of the installation;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the completed
installation;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a view of the zipper puller of FIGS. 7-13
installed on the zipper of an article;
[0027] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of another zipper puller;
[0028] FIG. 16 is an illustration of the zipper puller in FIG. 15,
but showing the zipper puller installed on the zipper of an
article;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the zipper puller of FIGS.
15 & 16 in a preassemble pre-installation condition;
[0030] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the zipper puller of FIG.
17 in a semi-closed condition for attachment, but without the
zipper slider being shown
[0031] FIG. 19 is a view of still another zipper puller;
[0032] FIG. 20 is a view of yet another zipper puller;
[0033] FIG. 21 is a view of a further zipper puller;
[0034] FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a further modified form of
the zipper puller shown in FIG. 15;
[0035] FIG. 23 is an illustration of the zipper puller shown in
FIG. 22, but showing the zipper puller installed on the zipper of
an article;
[0036] FIG. 24 is an exploded view of a still further modified form
of the zipper puller shown in FIG. 15; and
[0037] FIG. 25 is an illustration of the zipper puller shown in
FIG. 24, but showing the zipper puller installed on the zipper of
an article.
[0038] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including", "comprising"
and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and
equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6
show a first embodiment of a nested zipper puller 110 having a main
body portion 112 and a tether portion 114. Tether portion 114
includes a lanyard 116 connected to main body portion 112 and a
loop 118 at the distal end of lanyard 116. Main body portion 112 is
of annular shape and of a size for easy grasping between a user's
fingers, with or without a finger inserted into a center opening
120 in main body portion 112.
[0040] FIGS. 7-14 show a second embodiment of a nested zipper
puller 210 having a main body portion 212 and a tether portion 214.
Tether portion 214 includes a lanyard 216 connected to main body
portion 212 and a loop 218 at the distal end of lanyard 216. Main
body portion 212 is of elongated oval shape, with flattened opposed
surfaces 220 and 222, which may be provided with textured surface
treatments or projections 224 to improve grasping by a user.
Further, a thickness of body portion 212 between surfaces 220 and
222 can increase toward the end of body portion 212 away from
tether portion 214 for still further improved grasping by a
user.
[0041] Zipper pullers 110 and 210 have integral loops 118, 218
received about body portions 112, 212 to provide robust, one-piece
designs that have improved aesthetics, easy assembly and improved
drape over the current standard configurations. Body portions 112
and 212 can define peripheral grooves for receiving loops 118, 218
respectively when the loops are stretched around the body portions
112, 212. Body portion 212 is shown with such a peripheral groove
226. While not shown with such a peripheral groove, it should be
understood that body portion 112 also can be provided with a
peripheral groove.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, zipper puller 110 can be attached
to a slider 130 of a conventional zipper by inserting loop 118
entirely through an opening 132 in the slider until zipper puller
110 is positioned with main body portion 112 on one side of slider
130 and loop 118 on the other side of slider 130, with lanyard 116
extending through opening 132 in slider 130. Loop 118 is then
stretched around the periphery of main body portion 112 (as shown
in FIG. 3 without slider 130).
[0043] In a similar way, zipper puller 210 can be attached to
slider 130 of a conventional zipper by inserting loop 218 entirely
through the opening 132 in the slider until zipper puller 210 is
positioned with main body portion 212 on one side of slider 130 and
loop 218 on the other side of slider 130, with lanyard 216
extending through the slider. FIG. 10 illustrates loop 218 being
passed through opening 132 of slider 130, and FIG. 11 illustrates a
condition after loop 218 has been passed completely through opening
132. Loop 218 is then stretched around the periphery of main body
portion 212 to be received in groove 226 defined in the peripheral
edge of main body portion 212. FIGS. 10-13 show zipper puller 210
in various stages of installation, and FIG. 14 illustrates zipper
puller 210 completely installed on slider 130 of a zipper 134 in an
article 140, such as clothing, a bag or the like.
[0044] Zipper pullers 110, 210 may be manufactured from essentially
elastomeric material capable of being oriented to provide the
desired characteristics. For example, zipper pullers 110, 210 may
be a thermoplastic elastomer, polyester, nylon-based TPE or a
thermoplastic urethane. A variety of alternative elastomers may be
suitable for use. The thickness and shape of a zipper puller 110,
210 can vary from application to application, depending on
conditions in which it will be used and desired performance
characteristics, such as, for example, the anticipated tensile load
to be applied and the desired stiffness or flexibility of tether
portions 114, 214. Accordingly, the as molded size and shape of the
tether portions can differ to achieve the desired result after
processing for orienting.
[0045] After zipper pullers 110, 210 are formed by molding, tether
portions 114, 214 are oriented to achieve the desired physical
characteristics. In the orienting process, for example, tether
portions 114, 214 may be intentionally and permanently deformed
such as by alignment of the crystalline structure in the direction
along which the principle tensile loads will be applied during use
(i.e. to elongate loops 118, 218 and/or lanyards 116, 216). By
orienting in this way prior to actual use, undesired deformation,
referred to as "creep", that might otherwise occur during use can
be limited and potentially avoided. In anticipation of orienting,
zipper pullers 110, 210 are intentionally designed for an as
"molded size" that is shorter but thicker than the required "in
use" size by the amount of permanent deformation that will be
brought on during the orienting process. The precise method and
manner of orienting may vary from application to application and
may differ depending in part on the intended use and final
characteristic of a zipper puller 110, 210. A single act of
stretching, repeated acts of stretching under the same or different
conditions and/or compression by hammering or pressing are all
examples of some suitable orienting processes. Acts of bending
around a curved surface, such as a mandrel; or twisting while
stretching can be used to develop permanently curved or rotated
shapes.
[0046] While a one shot process for molding has been disclosed, it
is anticipated that a two shot process also can be used to mold the
tether portions and main body portions in different colors, for
example, but as a single monolithic structure. Customized loop
colors similar to customized nylon cord pullers can be provided.
Still other features can be included. For example, the body portion
can be provided with a hole for decorative or functional inserts,
labeling, indicia, or the like, or as a finger hole for pulling on
the zipper puller.
[0047] Zipper pullers in accordance herewith can be provided also
in two-piece constructions for improved physical characteristics,
variations in use and/or aesthetic purposes. FIG. 15 illustrates a
zipper puller 310 including a main body portion 312 and a separate
tether portion 314. Tether portion 314 includes a lanyard 316 and
first and second loops 318, 320 at opposite ends of lanyard 316.
Main body portion 312 is configured with a groove 326 about the
periphery thereof to receive both first and second loops 318, 320.
As illustrated in FIG. 16, zipper puller 310 is attached to a
zipper handle 150 held within hole 132 of slider 130, zipper handle
150 defining a hole 152 therethrough. One of the loops 318, 320 is
passed through hole 152 so that lanyard 316 is positioned extending
through hole 152, with loops 318, 320 on opposite sides thereof.
Each of the loops 318, 320 is stretched about the periphery of main
body portion 312 to be received in the peripheral groove 326
defined therein. As shown in FIG. 17, one of the loops 318, 320 can
be stretched around main body portion 312 to establish a
pre-installation assembly with the main body portion 312 and tether
portion 314 connected together.
[0048] With separate pieces for main body portion 312 and tether
portion 314, it may be easier to subject only tether portion 314 to
an orienting process as described previously herein. By using
separate pieces, unique color combinations can be provided.
Further, a clear, white or other basic color can be used for one of
the portions and vibrant, unique or other aesthetically pleasing
colors or configurations can be used for the other component.
Components can be mixed and matched so long as the periphery of
main body portion 312 corresponds with the size of loops 318, 320
for proper engagement and securement.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 17, a two-piece zipper puller can be
shipped in a preassembled form, with one of the loops 318, 320
installed in position about the periphery of main body portion 312.
FIG. 18 illustrates the manner in which the final attachment of the
other of loops 318, 320 can be performed.
[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 19-21 a variety of shape
combinations can be used with the two components of a two-piece
zipper puller as well as with a one-piece zipper puller. A one
piece zipper puller 410 includes a triangular shaped body portion
412 and a tether portion 414 including a lanyard 416 and a loop
418. Another one piece zipper puller 510 includes an annular body
portion 512 and a tether portion 514 including a lanyard 516 and a
loop 518. Within an opening 520 of annular body 512, a series of
projections 522 are provided for aesthetic purposes and/or for
improving grip and function. A two-piece zipper puller 610 includes
a triangular body portion 612 and a tether portion 614 including a
lanyard 616 and first and second loops 618, 620. Projections 622
are provided for aesthetic purposes and/or for improving grip and
function. In a two-piece zipper puller, different colors and/or
materials can be used without requiring a two shot molding process
as necessary for a one-piece puller. The two-piece design allows
for increased tensile strength by the doubling effect of a folded
loop. For example, a single strand with a 40 pound tensile strength
can be doubled to 80 pound tensile strength by simply folding the
loop and attaching both ends onto the same attachment device.
Alternatively or additionally, tensile strength can be improved by
increasing the diameter of the material in the loops and/or by
changing materials and/or by changing the orienting process to
achieve the desired performance characteristics.
[0051] Grove arrangements in the bodies of zipper pullers of other
embodiments also can be used. For example, FIGS. 22 and 23
illustrate a zipper puller 710 similar to zipper puller 310. Zipper
puller 710 includes a main body portion 712 and a separate tether
portion 714. Tether portion 714 includes a lanyard 716 and first
and second loops 718, 720 at opposite ends of lanyard 316. Main
body portion 712 is configured with a groove 726 about the
periphery thereof to receive both first and second loops 718, 720.
While previously described zipper puller 310 includes groove 326 of
sufficient width for holding loops 318, 320 side-by-side therein,
groove 726 of zipper puller 710 is of width for only a single loop,
but is of sufficient depth so that one loop 718 is positioned
within the other loop 720. It should be understood that loop 720
can be made of large diameter than loop 718 to accommodate the
surrounding relationship with loop 718.
[0052] FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate another zipper puller 810 also
similar to zipper puller 310. Zipper puller 810 includes a main
body portion 812 and a separate tether portion 814. Tether portion
814 includes a lanyard 816 and first and second loops 818, 820 at
opposite ends of lanyard 316. Main body portion 812 is configured
with a first groove 826 and a second groove 828 about the periphery
thereof to receive first and second loops 818, 820, each loop in a
separate groove 826 or 828.
[0053] Zipper pullers disclosed herein are made of injection molded
plastic. The entire puller can be molded in one-piece in an
injection molding tool, with or without overmolding in a two-shot
process; or the puller can be molded in multiple pieces, as
explained for various effects both functional and aesthetic. The
zipper puller, or a portion thereof, is then subjected to orienting
to create a very strong, robust and functional loop equivalent to
that of a cord. In some situations, the tether portion or only a
segment of the tether portion will be oriented and the main body
portion not oriented. During the orienting process, the crystalline
structure of the material is adjusted to a greater degree of
alignment. The orienting process allows the material to be tuned or
programmed to meet or exceed design requirements for cord
flexibility, strength and length.
[0054] Using large rings or other easily graspable configurations
for the main body portions provides for easy operation of the
zipper on which the zipper puller is installed. With the loop or
loops engaged about the periphery of the body, an enclosed
structure is formed by which the zipper puller is captured by and
suspended from the zipper on which it is used.
[0055] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
[0056] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *