U.S. patent application number 14/711110 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-15 for temporary support.
The applicant listed for this patent is Indian Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Tommy Caswell.
Application Number | 20170167656 14/711110 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40445952 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170167656 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Caswell; Tommy |
June 15, 2017 |
TEMPORARY SUPPORT
Abstract
Equipment is temporarily supported above the ground by a
self-supporting, readily erectable and transportable mast. The mast
comprises a pneumatically inflatable elongate tube having a first
end to which the equipment is coupled and a second end coupled to a
ground support tripod. The mast is provided with bracing structure
adapted to brace the tube when inflated and including respective
flexible members extending from each tripod leg to the first end of
the tube.
Inventors: |
Caswell; Tommy; (Surrey,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Indian Industries, Inc. |
Evansville |
IN |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150247603 A1 |
September 3, 2015 |
|
|
Family ID: |
40445952 |
Appl. No.: |
14/711110 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13852629 |
Mar 28, 2013 |
9050513 |
|
|
14711110 |
|
|
|
|
12812946 |
Sep 16, 2010 |
8684327 |
|
|
PCT/GB2009/000112 |
Jan 16, 2009 |
|
|
|
13852629 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/10 20130101;
E04H 15/20 20130101; F16M 11/40 20130101; F21V 21/30 20130101; A63B
63/00 20130101; F21V 17/007 20130101; F16M 11/14 20130101; F21V
21/06 20130101; F16M 11/24 20130101; A63B 2243/0037 20130101; F21V
21/145 20130101; F21V 21/32 20130101; F16M 11/32 20130101; F16M
11/42 20130101; F21S 8/08 20130101; Y10T 428/1334 20150115; B32B
1/08 20130101; F16M 2200/065 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B
71/023 20130101; F16M 11/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16M 11/40 20060101
F16M011/40; F21V 21/32 20060101 F21V021/32; F21V 21/14 20060101
F21V021/14; F21V 21/06 20060101 F21V021/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 2008 |
GB |
0800703.1 |
Oct 28, 2008 |
GB |
0819761.8 |
Claims
1. A support member comprising: an elongate pneumatically
inflatable tubular chamber formed from a fused flexible wall
material extending along a longitudinal axis between an upper end
and a lower end, the upper end, lower end, and fused flexible wall
material defining a closed tubular chamber, wherein the tubular
chamber is collapsed when deflated and is substantially inflexible
when inflated; the fused flexible wall material having: an inner
layer formed from a material selected from rubber and plastics; an
outer layer formed from the same material as the inner layer;
internal reinforcing strands between the inner and outer layers,
wherein the internal reinforcing strands include textile strands
helically laid along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the inner
and outer layers have been fused together through the interstices
of the reinforcing strands; a base at the lower end of the
inflatable tubular chamber, the base configured to orient the
support member vertically to the ground when the tubular chamber is
inflated; and an object supported at the upper end of the
inflatable tubular chamber.
2. The support member of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing strands
include reinforcing strands helically wound in opposing senses
about the longitudinal axis of the tubular chamber so as to
cross.
3. The support member of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing strands
include reinforcing strands helically wound along the longitudinal
axis of the tubular chamber, the reinforcing strands including a
first portion of the reinforcing strands wound at a first angle to
the longitudinal axis, and a separate second portion of the
reinforcing strands wound at a second angle to the longitudinal
axis.
4. The support member of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing strands
are laid at an angle of 45 degrees or less to the longitudinal
axis.
5. The support member of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the
reinforcing strands are laid at an angle of between 10 degrees and
15 degrees to the longitudinal axis and the separate second portion
of the reinforcing strands are laid at an angle of about 45 degrees
to the longitudinal axis.
6. The support member of claim 3, wherein the reinforcing strands
include further reinforcing strands extending parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the tubular chamber.
7. The support member of claim 3, wherein the first and second
portions of the reinforcing strands are woven together in opposing
senses to form a woven textile reinforcing structure within the
fused flexible wall material.
8. The support member of claim 1, wherein the object is a light
assembly.
9. The support member of claim 1, wherein the material is PVC
plastic and the reinforcing strands include nylon.
10. A support member comprising: a flexible wall extending along a
longitudinal axis, the flexible wall enclosing and defining a
pneumatically inflatable chamber, wherein the flexible wall defines
an inner surface inside the inflatable chamber, and an outer
surface outside the inflatable chamber; and an inflation valve in
fluid communication with the inflatable chamber and configured to
pneumatically inflate the support member; wherein the flexible wall
is formed from a wall material selected from rubber and plastics;
wherein the wall material includes internal textile reinforcing
strands arranged between the inner and outer surfaces, the wall
material enveloping the internal reinforcing strands; and wherein
the support member is collapsed when deflated and is substantially
inflexible supporting an object above the ground when inflated.
11. The support member of claim 10, wherein the reinforcing strands
include nylon reinforcing strands helically wound in opposing
senses about the longitudinal axis of the support member so as to
cross.
12. The support member of claim 11, wherein a first portion of the
reinforcing strands are wound at a first angle to the longitudinal
axis, and a separate second portion of the reinforcing strands are
wound at a second angle to the longitudinal axis.
13. The support member of claim 12, wherein the first angle is 45
degrees or less, and the second angle is 30 degrees or less.
14. The support member of claim 12, wherein the first angle is
between 10 degrees and 15 degrees and the second angle is about 45
degrees.
15. The support member according to claim 10, wherein the
inflatable chamber is substantially inflexible when the inflatable
chamber is inflated to a pressure of between 10 and 20 psi (6.89 to
13.79*10.sup.4 pascals).
16. The support member of claim 1, wherein the object supported
above the ground is a light assembly.
17. A support member comprising: a first end, a second end, and a
flexible wall extending along a longitudinal axis between the first
and second ends, wherein the first end, second end, and flexible
wall define a pneumatically inflatable chamber, the flexible wall
having an inner surface inside the inflatable chamber, and an outer
surface outside the inflatable chamber, wherein the flexible wall
is formed from wall material that includes polyvinylchloride; a
textile reinforcing structure including helically laid textile
strands woven together, wherein the textile reinforcing structure
is within the wall material between the inner and outer surfaces,
the wall material from the inner and outer surfaces fused into
interstices between the textile strands; and an inflation valve
positioned at or near the second end of the support member, the
inflation valve in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber
and configured to pneumatically inflate the support member; wherein
the inflatable chamber is collapsed when deflated and is
substantially inflexible supporting an object at the first end
above the ground when inflated.
18. The support member of claim 17, wherein the helically laid
textile strands include a first portion of the strands wound at a
first angle to the longitudinal axis, and a separate second portion
of the strands wound at a second angle to the longitudinal
axis.
19. The support member of claim 17, wherein the textile strands are
laid at an angle of 45 degrees or less to the longitudinal
axis.
20. The support member of claim 17, wherein the textile strands in
the textile reinforcing structure include reinforcing strands
extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
13/852,629, filed Mar. 28, 2013, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 12/812,946, filed Sep. 16, 2010, which is a
national stage of PCT/GB2009/000112, filed Jan. 16, 2009, which
claims foreign priority to Appl. No. GB 0819761.8, filed Oct. 28,
2008, and Appl No. GB 0800703.1, filed Jan. 16, 2008, all of which
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to the temporary support of signs
and of other equipment, such as electrical equipment, especially
floodlights, above the ground.
[0003] There are numerous circumstances where signs or other
equipment, especially electrical equipment of different kinds,
needs temporarily to be mounted on a support above the ground.
Examples include temporary traffic signs or signals, public address
speakers at a country show or for a travelling circus, satellite
dishes for military communication, emergency lighting for
roadworks, and temporary floodlights for emergency workers at the
site of an accident or for sporting fixtures played after dark or
in poor lighting conditions, especially on public grounds.
[0004] While there have been numerous prior proposals for temporary
supports for signs and for electrical and other equipment, mostly
in the form of mechanically connectable structures, the structures
proposed have often suffered from being too complicated to be
readily erectable and demountable by a single person unfamiliar
with the structure, too bulky when collapsed to be readily
transportable, for example in the boot (trunk) of a small car
(automobile), or insufficiently stable.
[0005] As will become clear from the detailed description below,
the present disclosure adopts a different approach.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of this disclosure,
equipment is adapted to be temporarily supported above the ground
by a self-supporting, readily erectable and transportable mast, the
mast comprising: a pneumatically inflatable elongate tube having a
first end to which the equipment is coupled and a second end
coupled to a ground support tripod, and being provided with bracing
structure adapted to brace the tube when inflated and including
respective flexible members extending from each tripod leg to the
first end of the tube.
[0007] Preferably the tripod legs are extendable, preferably being
telescopic, and are interconnected by bracing struts that may be
pushed beyond dead centre to resist unintentional collapse.
[0008] It will readily be appreciated that a bracing structure
formed of flexible members is non-rigid, and so allows the
structure as a whole to be packed away for easy transport when not
inflated. The principal rigid components of the structure will be
the tripod, which, as noted above preferably has telescopic legs to
reduce its packing space requirement, and the equipment to be
supported. As will become clear from the detailed description below
with reference to the accompanying drawings, this enables (say) a
temporary floodlight to be transportable in a conventional shoulder
bag for erection where required simply by opening the tripod and
inflating the tube.
[0009] The flexible members may each comprise a single or multiple
ply cord interconnecting each leg, preferably from a mounting point
intermediate its ends when extended, to the first end of the tube,
preferably with additional connections to one or more collars
mounted on the tube at positions intermediate its ends. The
additional connections may comprise respective cords extending from
the collar to each said flexible elongate member. Alternatively,
each such collar may be provided with three spokes, the proximal
ends of which are coupled to the collar, and the distal ends of
which are coupled to the cord. For each collar, the distal ends of
its spokes are preferably connected by three further cords.
[0010] When the tube is inflated for use, the cords are each placed
under tension, thereby bracing the structure as a whole.
[0011] In an alternative arrangement, each flexible member may
comprise a respective web of material interconnecting a mounting
point intermediate the ends of a leg when extended with the first
end and the second end of the tube.
[0012] When the tube is inflated for use and the tripod positioned
on the ground, each said web is placed under tension between the
first end and the mounting point and between the first and second
ends, thereby bracing the structure as a whole.
[0013] Preferably the tube is flexible when deflated and
substantially inflexible when inflated, and includes reinforcing
textile strands helically laid between two layers formed from a
material selected from rubber, substitutes therefor and plastics,
the strands being laid at an angle to the axis of the tubular
member of 45.degree., and more preferably, 30.degree. or less.
[0014] Preferred embodiments have one or more of the following
features: The said material is PVC. The reinforcing strands are
formed of a textile material, preferably nylon. The reinforcing
strands are helically wound in opposing senses about the axis of
the tubular member so as to cross. The reinforcing strands are laid
at an angle of between 10 and 15.degree.. The strands with opposing
sense may be interwoven, thereby resulting in a woven textile
reinforcing structure. There is a second layer of reinforcing
strands laid at a different angle to the first. The first layer of
reinforcing strands are laid at an angle of between 10 and
15.degree. and the second layer of strands are laid at an angle of
about 45.degree.. There is a further layer of reinforcing strands
extending parallel to the axis of the tubular member.
[0015] The term "equipment" as used herein is intended to encompass
any form of mechanical or electrical equipment desired to be
supported at a height above the ground, including flags, static
signs, manually movable signs such as a manual Stop/Go board for
controlling traffic flow at road works, sports equipment such as a
netball goal or basketball net, and electrically operable equipment
of diverse kinds, including, in particular, temporary floodlights
flags, electrically operable signs, traffic signals, public address
loudspeakers, illuminated road signs, beacons, security, safety or
speed cameras, satellite dishes, and television cameras.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Embodiments of equipment adapted for temporary support above
the ground are hereinafter more particularly described by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a bag for transporting equipment and mast, and
also a hand operable pneumatic pump;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the bag of FIG. 1 opened to reveal the
equipment, here a temporary floodlight;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the equipment and mast removed from the bag and
coupled to the pump for inflation of an elongate tube;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the equipment supported by the erected
mast;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the equipment and one end of the tube on an
enlarged scale;
[0022] FIG. 6 shows an alternative intermediate bracing structure
coupled to a collar on the tube;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with a bracing structure
including a variation of the intermediate structures shown in FIG.
6;
[0024] FIG. 8 shows the equipment and mast of FIG. 7 collapsed
ready for packing away in a bag;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with an alternative
web-based bracing structure;
[0026] FIG. 10 shows the structure of FIG. 9 partially collapsed
for packing away into its bag;
[0027] FIG. 11 shows the structure of FIG. 9 in the course of being
so packed away;
[0028] FIGS. 12 to 15 show different forms of equipment mounted to
the first end of a tube in a structure as shown in FIG. 9;
[0029] FIG. 16 shows a somewhat schematic and incomplete side
elevational view of a tube with reinforcing strands wound at
45.degree.;
[0030] FIG. 17 shows a similar side elevational view of a tube with
reinforcing strands wound at 10.degree.;
[0031] FIG. 18 shows a similar side elevational view of a tube with
reinforcing strands wound as in both FIG. 16 and FIG. 17;
[0032] FIG. 19 is perspective view of a length of the tube of FIG.
18 with the strands shown between two plastics layers, one shown
partly cut away to show the strands;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 19 for a tube
with a further layer of reinforcing strands parallel to the axis of
the tube.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] As will be apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, electrical
equipment, here a temporary floodlight 1, and a mast for supporting
the floodlight, as described in more detail hereinbelow, are
readily transportable by a single person in a shoulder bag 2, and
need only a simple manually operable pump, here a stirrup pump 3,
for erection of the mast on site for temporary support of the
electrical equipment above the ground.
[0035] A pneumatically inflatable elongate tube 4, shown before
inflation in FIG. 3, has a first end 5 coupled to the floodlight,
as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, and a second end 6 coupled to a
tripod 7, which is shown with its legs 8 unfolded in FIG. 3, but
before extending the legs. In this arrangement the legs are
telescopic, comprising a first leg member 9, the proximal end of
which is pivoted at 10 to a tripod centre member 11 which is
coupled to the second end 6 of the tube, and a second leg member 12
which is telescopically slidable within the first leg member 9 and
clampable thereto when extended. The distal ends 13 of the first
leg members are connected by struts 14 pivoted to ends 13 and also
to a central member 15. The interlinked struts can be pushed beyond
dead centre to brace the tripod against unintentional collapse.
[0036] A valve 16 is provided for coupling to a pneumatic line 17
connected to pump 3. An electrically operable pump, for example run
from a cigar lighter socket in a car (automobile) may be used in
place of a manually operable pump. Valve 16 is preferably placed
near to the first end of tube 4 so that the mast may only be
inflated or deflated when lying on the ground. This avoids the
possible problem of electrical equipment falling on someone as the
mast is deflated.
[0037] As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 5, floodlight assembly 1 is
mounted on a bracket 18 so as to be angularly adjustable, bracket
18 being mounted on a disc 19 closing the first end 5 of the tube.
Electrical wiring 20 for the floodlight assembly 1 passes through
an air-tight grommet 21 into the interior of tube 4 and exits at
the second end 6 of the tube 4, as best shown in FIG. 3, through a
similar grommet (not shown).
[0038] Elongate flexible members, here in the form of guide lines
22 interconnect the distal ends of the first leg members with disc
19 at the first end 5 of the tube. When the tube 4 is adequately
inflated (FIG. 4), the guide lines 22 are placed under tension.
Guide lines 22 may be formed from single or multiple ply cords.
Additional bracing cooperating with the guide lines 22 may be
provided as shown in FIG. 4. Tube 4 is shown mounting several
collars 23 along its length. Here illustrated only for one such
collar, elastic cords 24 are coupled between the guide lines 22 and
the collar 23. It will be understood that similar elastic cords may
be provided for the other collars 23.
[0039] An alternative intermediate bracing structure cooperating
with guide lines 22 is shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, a
collar 23 mounts three spokes 25, the distal end of each spoke
being coupled to a respective guide line 22. The spoke distal ends
are also preferably interconnected by cords 26.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of electrical
equipment and supporting mast, employing additional bracing
structures with spokes 25 as in FIG. 6, but without the additional
cords 26. As can be seen from FIG. 8, even structure such as that
of FIG. 7 will readily collapse for packing away for transport.
[0041] Tripod 7 may be provided with castors 27 so that the erected
mast and equipment may be wheeled into position. The castors are
preferably lockable.
[0042] Since the electrical equipment and mast may be packed away
in a shoulder bag for ready transport, and may be erected on site
simply by opening the tripod and inflating the tube, transport,
erection and taking down can all be performed by a single person
without any tools other than a simple pneumatic pump, and without
any assembly or disassembly of mechanical parts.
[0043] Other arrangements are feasible. Thus, as illustrated in
FIGS. 9 to 11, it is not necessary for the tube bracing structure
to be provided by guide lines. Here respective flexible webs 28
interconnect mounting points 29 on the legs 8 with both the first 5
and second 6 ends of the tube. When the tube is inflated and erect
on the tripod 7, the respective webs 28 are in tension between
their mounting point 29 and the first end and between the first and
second ends. Flexible cords 30 are here shown interconnecting the
mounting points 29. We have found that the illustrated structure
remains stable even in a moderate wind. To reduce any tendency for
the webs 28 to act as sails, they may include apertures (not shown)
to allow air to pass through the webs. The webs may be connected
along their inner edges 31 adjacent the tube 4 to collars 23 spaced
along the tube.
[0044] While the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11 include
electrical equipment in the form of a floodlight, persons of
ordinary skill will readily appreciate that similar masts may be
employed to mount other forms of equipment that it is desired to
temporarily support above the ground, such as, without limitation,
public address speakers, temporary traffic signals or illuminated
road signs, security, safety or speed cameras, or communication
equipment such as satellite dishes, or even equipment that is not
electrical, such as, without limitation, basketball or netball
nets, or signs that do not require illumination. FIG. 12 shows a
netball goal 32 mounted to a first end of a tube in a structure
otherwise as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 13 shows a public address
loudspeaker 33 mounted by a swivel bracket 34 to a first end of a
tube in a structure otherwise as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 14 shows a
close circuit television camera 35, for example a security camera
or a speed camera, coupled by an adjustable mount 36 to a first end
of a tube in a structure otherwise as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 15
shows a static warning sign 37 mounted to a first end of a tube in
a structure otherwise as shown in FIG. 9.
[0045] The elongate tube 4 may be formed from a similar material to
that described in our co-pending British Patent Application No:
0501474.1 (published as GB 2422322 A) for use in providing
inflatable sports goals. The material suggested in GB 2422322 for
forming the tubular struts was natural or synthetic rubber, or
plastics substitutes, preferably reinforced with nylon thread.
Commercial embodiments of sports goals have since been produced and
sold under our Registered Community Trademark Igoal.RTM., and are
formed with a thickness in the material of the struts of around 2
mm, and a diameter for the goalposts and cross-bar of 3 inches
(7.62 cm), and work well when inflated with an applied pressure of
around 1 Bar. The tubular members employ inner and outer layers of
soft polyvinylchloride (PVC) with nylon threads between the two
layers helically wound in opposing senses about the axis of the
tube so as to cross, being laid typically with an angle to the axis
of 80.degree. or more. The two plastics layers are softened to fuse
together in the interstices between the nylon threads. We have
found that this structure prevents the tube from ballooning
(expanding diametrically) in use. An additional layer of parallel
threads preferably runs along the length of the tubular member to
prevent stretching lengthwise in use.
[0046] Elongate tubes formed in the same way work well with the
structures described in the present Specification. However, as
explained below, and as described and illustrated in our co-pending
Patent Application No: 0819761.8 (not yet published at the date of
filing of the present application), we have found that improved
results can be achieved with alternative tubular structures.
[0047] In FIG. 16, tube 4 comprises a layer 38 of plastics,
suitably a relatively soft plastics material such as PVC, or
rubber, overlaid with reinforcing strands 39. The strands 39
comprise a textile material, preferably nylon. In FIG. 16, the
strands 39 are wound helically about layer 38 in opposing senses at
an angle of 45.degree. to the axis of the tubular member. The
opposing sense strands may be interwoven, forming a woven textile
reinforcing structure 40.
[0048] In FIG. 17, similar reinforcing strands 41 are laid at an
angle of 10.degree., again in opposing senses, the opposing sense
strands being interwoven, thereby resulting in a woven textile
reinforcing structure 42. Our experiments have shown that a tube 4
as illustrated in FIG. 17 would be substantially more rigid when
inflated to the same operating pressure than a structure as shown
in FIG. 16, which is already an improvement on the structure
described in GB 2422322 and that a significantly improved rigidity
can already be detected at an angle reduced from the 45.degree.
angle of FIG. 17 to about 30.degree..
[0049] FIGS. 18 and 19 show a preferred structure with two
superposed reinforcing layers comprising the woven textile
reinforcing structures 40 and 42.
[0050] It will be understood that in each of FIGS. 16 to 19, the
reinforcing structures are shown incomplete for the purpose of
illustration and explanation, and that in practice the reinforcing
structures would extend along the entire length of the tube 4.
[0051] As best shown in FIG. 19, a second layer 43 of plastics,
suitably a relatively soft plastics material such as PVC, or rubber
overlies the reinforcing structures. As can be seen from the
drawings, the textile strands are spaced so that, even with two
superposed reinforcing structures, as in FIGS. 18 and 19, there are
interstices between the strands. During application of the second
layer 43, or subsequently thereto, the two layers 38 and 42 are
warmed sufficiently to fuse together through the interstices of the
reinforcing layers.
[0052] FIG. 20 shows a variation on the structure of FIGS. 18 and
19, in which a further layer of reinforcing strands 44 is employed,
the strands, in this case, extending parallel to the axis of the
tubular member. These strands help to prevent the tube 4 stretching
lengthwise.
[0053] For most purposes contemplated by the present invention, we
find that a tube 4, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 or in FIG. 20,
having a diameter of 3 inches (7.62 cm) when inflated to a typical
inflation pressure of around 1 Bar, namely between 10 and 20 psi
(6.89 to 13.79*10.sup.4 pascals), realisable with a foot pump or
with an inexpensive tyre pressure pump operating from the cigar
lighter socket of a vehicle, and an overall thickness of 2 mm,
works well. The textile strands are preferably in the form of thin
textile thread. The textile thread may comprise conventional nylon
sewing thread. It will be understood, however, that different
diameters and thicknesses may be chosen. The tube 4 when deflated
is readily flexible, allowing the temporary structure to be packed
away and to be portable.
[0054] The adoption of tubes 4, especially as shown in FIGS. 18 and
19, which possess enhanced rigidity when inflated, raises the
prospect of providing masts for equipment to be mounted aloft as
described above, where the mast is significantly taller than
heretofore, or where the bracing structure is reduced
* * * * *