U.S. patent application number 14/157411 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-16 for ball bat with a fused end cap.
The applicant listed for this patent is EASTON SPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Dewey Chauvin, Stephen J. Davis.
Application Number | 20150196816 14/157411 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53520474 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150196816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Stephen J. ; et
al. |
July 16, 2015 |
BALL BAT WITH A FUSED END CAP
Abstract
A ball bat includes an end cap that is fused directly or
indirectly to an inner or outer surface of the bat barrel. In one
embodiment, a sleeve is molded or bonded to an inner surface or an
outer surface of the bat barrel. The end cap is then fused to the
sleeve, optionally via a spin-welding process. If removal of the
end cap is attempted, a fracture zone results that damages the end
cap and makes it unusable and effectively irreplaceable.
Inventors: |
Davis; Stephen J.; (Van
Nuys, CA) ; Chauvin; Dewey; (Simi Valley,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EASTON SPORTS, INC. |
Van Nuys |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53520474 |
Appl. No.: |
14/157411 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/566 ; 29/428;
473/564; 473/567 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/16 20151001;
A63B 2102/18 20151001; A63B 60/50 20151001; A63B 2102/182 20151001;
A63B 59/50 20151001; Y10T 29/49826 20150115 |
International
Class: |
A63B 59/06 20060101
A63B059/06 |
Claims
1. A ball bat, comprising: a handle; a barrel attached to or
integral with the handle; a sleeve attached to or integral with a
surface of the barrel; and an end cap positioned at an end of the
barrel and fused to the sleeve.
2. The ball bat of claim 1 wherein the end cap and the sleeve
comprise substantially similar materials such that they are fusible
to each other.
3. The ball bat of claim 2 wherein the end cap and the sleeve each
comprise thermoplastic materials.
4. The ball bat of claim 3 wherein the barrel comprises a composite
material, and the thermoplastic sleeve is molded or bonded to an
inner surface of the composite barrel.
5. The ball bat of claim 3 wherein the barrel comprises a composite
material, and the thermoplastic sleeve is molded or bonded to an
outer surface of the composite barrel.
6. The ball bat of claim 1 wherein the end cap is fused to an inner
surface of the sleeve.
7. The ball bat of claim 1 wherein the end cap is fused to outer
surface of the sleeve.
8. The ball bat of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is injection-molded
to the inner surface of the barrel.
9. The ball bat of claim 8 wherein one of the sleeve and the inner
surface of the barrel includes a protrusion, and the other of the
sleeve and the inner surface of the barrel includes a corresponding
groove into which the protrusion is positioned to mechanically
secure the sleeve to the inner surface of the barrel.
10. The ball bat of claim 1 wherein one of the sleeve and the
surface of the barrel includes a protrusion, and the other of the
sleeve and the surface of the barrel includes a corresponding
groove into which the protrusion is positioned to mechanically
secure the sleeve to the surface of the barrel.
11. A ball bat, comprising: a handle; a barrel including a first
end attached to or integral with the handle and a second distal
end, with the barrel including an inwardly projecting rim at the
second distal end and an inwardly projecting forming portion spaced
from the rim to define a cavity between the rim and the forming
portion; and an end cap including a deformable extension positioned
in the cavity under the rim such that the end cap is secured to the
barrel.
12. The ball bat of claim 11 wherein the barrel comprises a metal
material and the end cap comprises a deformable material.
13. The ball bat of claim 12 wherein the end cap comprises a
thermoplastic material.
14. The ball bat of claim 11 wherein the forming portion includes a
curved portion that positions the deformable extension in the
cavity.
15. A method of attaching an end cap to a barrel of a ball bat,
comprising: attaching a sleeve to an inner surface of the barrel;
spinning the end cap at a high velocity; inserting the spinning end
cap into the barrel so that an outer region of the end cap spins
against an inner surface of the sleeve; and fusing the outer region
of the end cap to the sleeve via the heat and friction generated
between them.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the attaching step comprises
molding the sleeve to the inner surface of the barrel.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the attaching step comprises
bonding the sleeve to the inner surface of the barrel.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the spinning step comprises
spinning the end cap at a velocity of approximately 3000 rpm.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the inserting step continues
until a shoulder on the end cap contacts an end of the barrel.
20. A ball bat, comprising: a handle; a barrel attached to or
integral with the handle, the barrel comprising a first fusible
material; and an end cap comprising a second fusible material that
is compatible with the first fusible material, the end cap directly
fused to the barrel.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Many modern ball bats include a plastic end cap that is
either mechanically fixed to the end of the bat barrel or bonded in
place. The plastic end cap provides a light weight closure for the
end of the bat barrel. Because bat-ball collisions are severe, the
end cap and its attachment mechanism must withstand numerous
impacts while remaining in place. One issue that commonly arises is
that plastic is not easily bondable to fibrous-composite materials
or other commonly used bat materials, and the bonding process
itself can be unreliable. Mechanical mechanisms that secure the cap
to the bat barrel are also often unreliable.
[0002] FIG. 1 shows an example of an existing end cap that is
mechanically attached to a bat barrel 12. The end cap 10 may be
made of an injection-molded thermoplastic material or of another
suitable material. Such an end cap 10 typically covers the end 14
of the barrel 12, and the diameter of the outside edge 16 of the
cap 10 is substantially equal to the outside diameter 18 of the bat
barrel 12. In the illustrated example, the bat barrel 12 includes
an inwardly facing groove 26 and an inwardly protruding ridge 22,
which are engaged by an outwardly protruding ring 24 and an
outwardly facing groove 20 of the end cap 10, respectively. The end
cap may additionally or alternatively be bonded to the inner
surface of the barrel 12 with an adhesive.
[0003] An end cap 10 such as the one shown in FIG. 1 typically can
be removed without damaging the ball bat. This removal can be
achieved by applying heat or steam to soften the end cap and any
adhesive, then pulling the end cap 10 out of the barrel 12 using a
gripping device. Once the cap is removed, after-market bat
modifiers are able to thin out the barrel 12 from the inside, which
yields a more reactive bat barrel (i.e., one that increases the
potential power of the bat). Such a modified bat is generally not
sanctioned for league play and can be dangerous to fielders due to
the increased velocity at which a ball may leave the bat.
[0004] Following such an unsanctioned modification, the end cap 10
can typically be re-installed onto the bat barrel 12 such that the
internal modification is undetectable. And, in the event the end
cap 10 happens to be damaged, a new end cap may be used to replace
the original cap. This type of unsanctioned modification has become
so prevalent that replacement caps are now available from
third-party vendors. Thus, there exists a need for a ball bat that
is constructed in a manner that makes undetectable barrel
modifications difficult or impossible to achieve.
SUMMARY
[0005] A ball bat includes an end cap that is fused directly or
indirectly to an inner or outer surface of the bat barrel. In one
embodiment, a sleeve is molded or bonded to an inner surface or an
outer surface of the bat barrel. The end cap is then fused to the
sleeve, optionally via a spin-welding process. If removal of the
end cap is attempted, a fracture zone results that damages the end
cap and makes it unusable and effectively irreplaceable. Other
features and advantages will appear hereinafter. The features
described above can be used separately or together, or in various
combinations of one or more of them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates
the same element throughout the several views:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an existing end cap
mechanically attached to a bat barrel.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of a ball bat with an end cap.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of a fusible end cap
separated from a bat barrel, according to one embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the end cap of FIG. 3 fused to
an inner sleeve in the bat barrel.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an inner sleeve being
injection molded to the inner surface of a bat barrel, according to
one embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an inner sleeve that is
injection molded to an inner surface of a bat barrel as a result of
the process illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view of an end cap separated
from a bat barrel, according to another embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the end cap of FIG. 7 after
being spin-welded to an inner surface of the bat barrel.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an end of a bat barrel
configured to receive an outer sleeve.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the bat barrel of FIG. 9 with
an outer sleeve attached to the barrel.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the bat barrel shown in FIGS.
9 and 10 with an end cap fused to the outer sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described.
The following description provides specific details for a thorough
understanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One
skilled in the art will understand, however, that the invention may
be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some
well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in
detail so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant
description of the various embodiments.
[0019] The terminology used in the description presented below is
intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even
though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description
of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may
even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be
interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and
specifically defined as such in this detailed description
section.
[0020] Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also
include the plural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless
the word "or" is expressly limited to mean only a single item
exclusive from the other items in a list of two or more items, then
the use of "or" in such a list is to be interpreted as including
(a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list,
or (c) any combination of items in the list. Further, unless
otherwise specified, terms such as "attached" or "connected" are
intended to include integral connections, as well as connections
between physically separate components.
[0021] Turning now in detail to the drawings, as shown in FIG. 2, a
baseball or softball bat 1, hereinafter collectively referred to as
a "ball bat" or "bat," will be shown and described. The ball bat 1
includes a handle 2, a barrel 4, and a tapered section 6 joining
the handle 2 to the barrel 4. The free end of the handle 2 includes
a knob 8 or similar structure. The barrel 4 is closed off by an end
cap 9, as described in detail below. The interior of the bat 1 is
preferably hollow, allowing the bat 1 to be relatively lightweight
so that ball players may generate substantial bat speed when
swinging the bat 1.
[0022] The ball bat 1 may be a one-piece construction or may
include two or more separate attached pieces (for example, a
separate handle and barrel), as described, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,593,158, which is incorporated herein by reference. The
barrel 4 may be made of a composite material, such as carbon or
glass, or of a metal material, such as aluminum. The bat handle 2
may be constructed from the same material as, or different
materials than, the barrel 4. In a two-piece ball bat, for example,
the handle 2 may be constructed from a composite material (the same
or a different material than that used to construct the barrel), a
metal material, or any other suitable material.
[0023] The bat barrel 4 may include a single-wall or multi-wall
construction. A multi-wall barrel may include, for example, barrel
walls that are separated from one another by one or more interface
shear control zones ("ISCZs"), as described in detail in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,115,054, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0024] The ball bat 1 may have any suitable dimensions. The ball
bat 1 may have an overall length of 20 to 40 inches, or 26 to 34
inches. The overall barrel diameter may be 2.0 to 3.0 inches, or
2.25 to 2.75 inches. Typical ball bats have diameters of 2.25,
2.625, or 2.75 inches. Bats having various combinations of these
overall lengths and barrel diameters, or any other suitable
dimensions, are contemplated herein. The specific preferred
combination of bat dimensions is generally dictated by the user of
the bat 1, and may vary greatly between users.
[0025] The embodiments described below are generally directed to a
ball bat including an end cap that is fused directly or indirectly
to an inner surface of the bat barrel. For example, a sleeve to
which the end cap may be fused may be bonded to or molded with an
inner surface of the bat barrel. Fused, as used herein, generally
refers to a solid-state bond that is achieved by melting two
compatible components together, such as two components made of
thermoplastic or composite materials. Polyester is one particularly
suitable thermoplastic material, since polyester is bondable to the
epoxy resin that forms a typical composite bat barrel. Other
suitable materials include polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyamide,
polypropylene, or the like.
[0026] In one embodiment, an inner sleeve in a composite bat barrel
is formed and attached during molding of the barrel. This may be
achieved by fusing the outer surface of the sleeve to the inner
surface of the composite barrel while heat and pressure are applied
in the mold. Composite bat barrels are generally formed with plies
of fiber-reinforced preimpregnated materials that are rolled into a
tubular shape. A bladder is placed inside the preimpregnated tube
and the assembly is placed in a mold. Air fittings may be applied
to the bladder ends. The mold is then closed and heated, and air
pressure is applied to the bladder to force the preimpregnated
plies against the mold, which consolidates and cures the plies.
[0027] The sleeve may be placed between the bladder and the
innermost ply so that, when pressure is applied during the molding
process, the sleeve compresses against the innermost ply and bonds
to its epoxy resin, which flows along the sleeve. Once the epoxy
crosslinks and cures, the sleeve is molded to the inner surface of
the barrel.
[0028] Alternatively, the sleeve may be bonded to the inner surface
of an already cured bat barrel via an adhesive. This may be
preferred when the barrel material is aluminum or another metal, or
the bat material necessitates that an adhesive be used to bond the
inner surface of the barrel to the sleeve. In one embodiment, an
adhesive is positioned between the inner surface of the bat barrel
and the outer surface of the sleeve. Pressure may then be applied
to the inner sleeve to compress the adhesive and complete the
bonding process.
[0029] The sleeve may alternatively be a sheet of plastic or
similar material that is rolled into a cylindrical shape and then
placed inside the rolled preimpregnated plies of the bat barrel.
When forming the barrel, the heat and consolidation pressure will
force the rolled up sheet to bond to the thermosetting resin of the
preimpregnated plies, permanently fixing the inner sleeve to the
inside surface of the bat barrel.
[0030] In another embodiment, the sleeve may be injection-molded to
the inner surface of the bat barrel. Such a process involves
placing the barrel in an injection mold that seals against an outer
surface of the barrel. A sliding core may then be positioned inside
the barrel near or against the barrel's inner surface. Plastic is
then injected between the inner surface of the barrel and the
sliding core to form the sleeve.
[0031] The inner sleeve may additionally or alternatively include
ridges, grooves, holes, or other surface effects for mechanically
locking the sleeve in place to corresponding or complementary
features in the bat barrel.
[0032] When used, the inner sleeve may have any suitable
dimensions. In one embodiment, the inner sleeve has a thickness of
approximately 0.03-0.07 inches, and a length of approximately
0.25-0.75 inches. The inner sleeve may form a complete cylinder or
may optionally have a gap along its length to allow the sleeve to
expand against the preimpregnated plies during molding. The inner
sleeve is preferably made of the same material or a similar
material to the end cap so that it may thermally bond to the end
cap. The inner sleeve is also preferably bondable or moldable to
the resin of the composite barrel.
[0033] In another embodiment, the barrel itself may be formed of a
thermoplastic material or of a similar material such that the
end-cap material is compatible with, and fusible to, the resin of
the bat barrel. In this embodiment, the end cap may be directly
fused to an inner surface or outer surface of the barrel such that
no sleeve is required.
[0034] In one embodiment, the end cap is fused to the inner sleeve
or to the inner surface of the bat barrel via spin-welding. Spin
welding is a process in which friction is created by spinning one
component relative to another component, such as two thermoplastic
components, and forcing them together. The heat from the friction
melts the two materials creating a solid-state bond between them.
The end cap is preferably somewhat flexible and has an outer
diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the bat
mating surface, such as the inner surface of the barrel or the
inner sleeve, to create the necessary interference and
friction.
[0035] This spin-welding process fuses the end cap to the inner
sleeve or to the inner surface of the bat barrel. Removal of such a
fused end cap would be very difficult and would result in
significant damage or destruction to the end cap itself. Further,
any "successful" removal of the end cap would create a fracture
zone in the bat barrel or on the inner sleeve, making it
effectively impossible to successfully attach or affix another end
cap to the fracture zone.
[0036] Various specific embodiments will now be described. It is to
be understood, of course, that other embodiments utilizing the
inventive concepts described herein may alternatively be
employed.
[0037] Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, a sleeve 30 is
permanently bonded, molded, or otherwise attached to an inner
surface of a bat barrel 12. A flexible end cap 29 includes a ridge
or a protruded ring 28 with an outer diameter that is greater than
the inner diameter of the inner sleeve 30 before the end cap 29 is
inserted into the barrel 12. The end cap 29 and the inner sleeve 30
are made of similar or identical materials, such as thermoplastic
or other suitable materials, so that, when abraded together during
a spin-welding process, for example, they form a solid-state bond
between them. At a minimum, the end cap 29 is made of a material
that is compatible with the barrel's resin so that a thermal bond
between them may be achieved during a spin-welding or similar
process.
[0038] In one embodiment, the inner sleeve 30 may be formed prior
to its fusion to the barrel 12 by injection molding it into a
substantially cylindrical form that includes an outer diameter that
essentially matches the inner diameter of the bat barrel 12. The
inner sleeve 30 may additionally or alternatively include one or
more grooves into which epoxy may flow, or one or more ridges 34
that engage corresponding grooves or channels in the inner surface
of the bat barrel 12, to provide a mechanical lock to the barrel
12. The inner sleeve 30 may optionally include a gap along its
length that allows the inner sleeve 30 to expand during the molding
process.
[0039] In one embodiment, the inner sleeve 30 may be bonded to the
inner surface 32 of the barrel 12 during the molding process. The
inner sleeve 30 may be positioned on the inside of the barrel
pre-form during packing of the mold. When the mold is heated and
air pressure is applied to consolidate the preimpregnated barrel
plies, the inner sleeve 30 is pressured against the plies such that
it bonds to their epoxy resin.
[0040] The inner sleeve 30 effectively forms at least a portion of
the inner material of the barrel 12. Fusing the end cap 29 to the
inner sleeve 30 may occur anytime during the manufacturing process,
but will typically occur after the barrel 12 is finished and
decorated. The process of spin welding lends itself well to fusing
the end cap 29 to the inner sleeve 30. This process involves
clamping or otherwise fixing the bat barrel 12 in place while
spinning the end cap 29 at a high rotational speed and inserting it
into the bat barrel 12. To spin weld the end cap 29 to the inner
sleeve 30 or inner surface of the bat barrel 12, the cap 29 is spun
at a velocity of approximately 2500-3500 rpm, or approximately 3000
rpm.
[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
protruded ring 28 of the end cap 29 comes into contact with the
inner sleeve 30 and their thermoplastic (or other similar)
materials melt together from the heat generated by the friction
between them. The end cap 29 continues to be inserted into the
barrel 12 until a shoulder 36 on the end cap 29 contacts the end of
the bat barrel 12. The melt region 38 of the two components then
solidifies such that the end cap 29 becomes permanently fused to
the bat barrel 12. Any excess resin or flash may optionally be
collected in a relief area 31. A second relief area may optionally
be included at the handle end of the melt region 38.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates the end cap 29 fused to the bat barrel 12
in the finished state. The protruded ring 28 of the end cap 29 has
melted and fused with the inner sleeve 30 in the melt region 38.
Excess flash is provided in the relief area 31. The volume of the
melt region 38 may vary based on the materials used, the desired
strength of the attachment, and the desired weight properties of
the ball bat. If such a fused end cap 29 is removed, the melt
region 38 will fracture. The resulting fracture zone will have a
rough and inconsistent surface, making it effectively impossible to
reattach the end cap 29 or to attach a replacement end cap.
Further, there will be no useable mechanical mechanism remaining to
which an end cap may be attached.
[0043] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment in which an inner
sleeve 40 is injection molded to the inner surface of a metal
barrel, such as an aluminum barrel 42. The aluminum barrel 42
includes a ridge or an inwardly protruding ring 44 and a groove 46.
Other mechanical means may be used to lock the inner sleeve 40 to
the aluminum barrel 42. For example, additional grooves or
protruding rings may be utilized. Additionally or alternatively,
holes may be drilled in the wall of the barrel for receiving
protrusions on the inner sleeve.
[0044] The barrel 42 is positioned in an injection mold where an
exterior portion 48 of the mold compresses and seals to the outside
surface 50 of the barrel 42. An internal core 52 is then inserted
into the barrel to compress and seal against the protruding ring 44
and the end 55 of the barrel 42. A polymer resin is injected into a
space 53 formed between the inner surface 54 of the barrel 42 and
the outer surface 56 of the internal core 52 to form the internal
sleeve 40. The injected polymer flows into the groove 46 to provide
a mechanical lock.
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates the inner sleeve 40 molded to the barrel
42 via the injection-molding process shown in FIG. 5. The polymer
has formed in the groove 46 to provide a mechanical lock preventing
the inner sleeve 40 from being removed. The weld zone between a
subsequently added end cap and the inner sleeve 40 may be located
anywhere along the length of the inner sleeve 40. Removal of such
an end cap will result in a rough and inconsistent fracture zone
making replacement of the cap effectively impossible.
[0046] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment in which an end
cap 74 is attached to a metal barrel, such as an aluminum barrel
60. The aluminum barrel 60 includes an inwardly protruding ridge or
rim 62 and an inwardly protruding receiving portion or forming
portion 64. The rim 62 includes an inner edge 66 that has a smaller
diameter than the inside surface 68 of the barrel 60. The forming
portion 64 includes a curved portion 70 and an inside edge 72. The
diameter of the inside edge 72 is smaller than the inside diameter
of the rim edge 66.
[0047] The end cap 74 includes a cylindrical or substantially
cylindrical extension 76. The end cap 74 is spun at a high rate of
speed of approximately 2500-3500 rpm, or approximately 3000 rpm,
and is inserted into the barrel 60. When the end-cap extension 76
comes into contact with the curved portion 70 of the barrel 60, the
thermoplastic (or similar) material of the end cap 74 begins to
soften and deform. The deforming extension 76 is then guided by the
curved portion 70 into a cavity 78 under the rim 62 such that the
end cap 74 is secured in place. FIG. 8 illustrates the installed
end cap 74 with the deformed extension 80 filling the cavity 78 and
locking the end cap 74 into position.
[0048] In another embodiment, the bat barrel may include an
external recess or zone for receiving a sleeve to which an inner
surface of an end cap may be fused or otherwise attached. Such a
configuration is particularly applicable to a metal bat barrel but
may also be utilized in a composite bat barrel. The end of the bat
barrel may be formed by machining in the case of a metal bat, or by
molding in the case of a composite bat.
[0049] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate an example of such an embodiment. A
bat barrel 90 includes a recessed channel or groove 92 bordered by
a rim 94 or other outward projection. A sleeve 100 is molded or
otherwise attached to an outer surface of the groove 92. An end cap
110 is fused or otherwise attached to the outer sleeve 100 at a
weld region 112 formed between an inner surface of the end cap 110
and an outer surface of the sleeve 100.
[0050] The outer sleeve 100 may be a conformable C-shaped ring,
such as a thermoplastic ring, that may be pulled open to clear the
rim 94 and to seat on a floor 102 of the groove 92. Alternatively,
the sleeve 100 may be made of two or more separate pieces that are
positioned along the outer circumference of the groove 92. A
spin-welding or similar process ideally fuses any open seams to
form a one-piece ring fused to the end cap 110.
[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, optional holes 96 or openings
are drilled through the wall 98 of the bat barrel 90 in the groove
region. The outer sleeve 100 includes one or more protuberances 104
that fit into one or more of the holes 96. Such a protuberance 104
aids in preventing rotation of the outer sleeve 100 when the end
cap 110 is spin-welded or otherwise attached to it. The free end of
the protuberance 104 may optionally be heat-staked to an inside
wall 106 of the bat barrel 90.
[0052] Any of the above-described embodiments may be used alone or
in combination with one another. Further, the end cap and related
attachment mechanisms may include additional features not described
herein. While several embodiments have been shown and described,
various changes and substitutions may of course be made, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The
invention, therefore, should not be limited, except by the
following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *