U.S. patent application number 16/515116 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-23 for decorative masonry system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Quarry Ridge Stone, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Quarry Ridge Stone, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniel W. Fox.
Application Number | 20200024850 16/515116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69160986 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200024850 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fox; Daniel W. |
January 23, 2020 |
DECORATIVE MASONRY SYSTEM
Abstract
A decorative masonry system includes a first block having a
first body portion and a first plurality of edges and a second
block having a second body portion and a second plurality of edges.
A first gutter is defined by a portion of the first plurality of
edges, and a second gutter is defined by a portion of the second
plurality of edges. The decorative masonry system further includes
mastic configured to operably couple the first and second blocks to
a substrate.
Inventors: |
Fox; Daniel W.; (Grand
Rapids, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Quarry Ridge Stone, Inc. |
Byron Center |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Quarry Ridge Stone, Inc.
Byron Center
MI
|
Family ID: |
69160986 |
Appl. No.: |
16/515116 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62700549 |
Jul 19, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0873 20130101;
E04F 13/0885 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/08 20060101
E04F013/08 |
Claims
1. A decorative masonry system comprising: a first block having a
first body portion and a first plurality of edges, wherein the
first block includes a first engagement feature; a second block
having a second body portion and a second plurality of edges,
wherein the second block includes a second engagement feature; a
first gutter defined by a portion of the first plurality of edges;
a second gutter defined by a portion of the second plurality of
edges; and mastic configured to operably couple the first and
second blocks to a substrate, wherein the first and second gutters
are configured to receive a portion of the mastic to allow the
first block to engage the second block in a surface-to-surface
engagement.
2. The decorative masonry system of claim 1, wherein the first and
second engagement features are integrally formed with one of the
first and second body portions, respectively.
3. The decorative masonry system of claim 2, wherein the first
engagement feature of the first block is configured to matingly
couple with the second engagement feature of the second block.
4. The decorative masonry system of claim 1, wherein each of the
first and second plurality of edges includes an edge surface
positioned perpendicular to a front surface of the respective block
of the first and second blocks.
5. The decorative masonry system of claim 4, wherein the edge
surface of the first block is configured to align with the edge
surface of the second block to form a seam that defines the
surface-to-surface engagement.
6. The decorative masonry system of claim 4, wherein each of the
first and second plurality of edges further includes an angled
surface extending rearward of the respective edge surface.
7. The decorative masonry system of claim 6, wherein the angled
surface at least partially defines the respective gutter of the
first and second gutters.
8. The decorative masonry system of claim 6, wherein the angled
surface is positioned at an angle from about 5.degree. to about
85.degree. measured from the edge surface.
9. The decorative masonry system of claim 1, wherein the first
gutter is aligned with the second gutter to form a channel that is
configured to receive a portion of the mastic.
10. A decorative masonry system comprising: a block having a body
portion and a plurality of edges, wherein the body portion includes
a front surface and each edge of the plurality of edges includes an
edge surface and a portion of the plurality of edges includes an
angled surface; a gutter defined by each angled surface of the
plurality of edges; and mastic configured to operably couple a rear
surface of the block to a substrate, wherein at least portion of
the mastic is configured to flow into the gutter.
11. The decorative masonry system of claim 10, wherein the block
includes an engagement feature integrally formed with the body
portion and is surrounded by the plurality of edges.
12. The decorative masonry system of claim 10, wherein a plurality
of protrusions extends from the front surface of the block, and
further wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured to
resemble masonry materials.
13. The decorative masonry system of claim 10, wherein the edge
surface of each edge of the plurality of edges is positioned
perpendicular to the front surface of the block.
14. The decorative masonry system of claim 10, wherein the angled
surface of each edge of the plurality of edges is positioned at an
angle from about 5.degree. to about 85.degree. measured from the
respective edge surface.
15. The decorative masonry system of claim 10, wherein the angled
surface of each edge of the plurality of edges is positioned at an
angle from about 30.degree. to about 75.degree. measured from the
respective edge surface.
16. The decorative masonry system of claim 10, wherein the edges of
the plurality of edges define a continuous gutter extending about a
perimeter of the block.
17. The decorative masonry system of claim 10, wherein the edge
surface of the block, when positioned at a lower edge of the
substrate, is configured to form a seam with a base substrate.
18. A method for making a decorative masonry system, comprising
steps of: providing a mold configured to shape a decorative masonry
block, the decorative masonry block having a body portion and an
engagement feature, wherein a plurality of edges of the decorative
masonry block define a gutter; forming a first block and a second
block from a formable material using the mold; applying mastic to a
rear surface of each of the first block and the second block;
placing the first block on a substrate so that the mastic is
positioned between the rear surface of the first block and
substrate; and displacing the mastic along the plurality of edges
of the body portion and the engagement feature of the first block,
wherein the gutter is configured to receive displaced mastic to
prevent the displaced mastic from engaging a surface-to-surface
seam defined between the first and second blocks.
19. The method for making a decorative masonry system of claim 18,
further comprising the steps of: placing the second block on the
substrate so that the mastic is positioned between the rear surface
of the second block and the substrate and the second block is
aligned with the first block; and aligning one of the plurality of
edges of the second block is engaged with one of the plurality of
edges of the first block to define the surface-to-surface seam.
20. The method for making a decorative masonry system of claim 18,
wherein the step of displacing the mastic along the plurality of
edges of the body portion and the engagement feature of the first
block includes applying pressure to a front surface of the first
block.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/700,549, entitled "DECORATIVE MASONRY SYSTEM," filed Jul. 19,
2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a decorative
masonry system, and more specifically to a tight-seam decorative
masonry system.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Currently, decorative masonry systems including faux stones
require application of a mastic to the rear surface of each block
in the system. When the block is pressed against a wall or surface,
the mastic overflows around the edges of the stone, requiring the
installer to remove the excess mastic by hand.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a
decorative masonry system includes a first block having a first
body portion and a first plurality of edges. The first block
includes a first engagement feature. A second block has a second
body portion and a second plurality of edges. The second block
includes a second engagement feature. A first gutter is defined by
a portion of the first plurality of edges, and a second gutter is
defined by a portion of the second plurality of edges. The
decorative masonry system further includes mastic configured to
operably couple the first and second blocks to a substrate. The
first and second gutters are configured to receive a portion of the
mastic to allow the first block to engage the second block in a
surface-to-surface engagement.
[0005] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a
decorative masonry system includes a block having a body portion
and a plurality of edges. The body portion includes a front
surface. Each edge of the plurality of edges includes an edge
surface. A portion of the plurality of edges includes an angled
surface. A gutter is defined by each angled surface of the
plurality of edges. The decorative masonry system further includes
mastic configured to operably couple a rear surface of the block to
a substrate. At least a portion of the mastic is configured to flow
into the gutter.
[0006] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a
method for making a decorative masonry system includes a step of
providing a mold configured to shape a decorative masonry block.
The decorative masonry block has a body portion and an engagement
feature. A plurality of edges of the decorative masonry block
define a gutter. The method may further include a step of forming a
first block and a second block from a formable material using the
mold. The method may further include a step of applying mastic to a
rear surface of each of the first block and the second block. The
method includes a step of placing the first block on a substrate so
that the mastic is positioned between the rear surface of the first
block and the substrate. The method may further include a step of
displacing the mastic along the plurality of edges of the body
portion and the engagement feature of the first block. The gutter
is configured to receive displaced mastic to prevent the displaced
mastic from engaging a surface-to-surface seam defined between the
first and second blocks.
[0007] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the
present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by
those skilled in the art by reference to the following
specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of a decorative masonry
block, according to an aspect of the device;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of a decorative masonry
block having an engagement feature, according to an aspect of the
device;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the decorative masonry
block of FIG. 1B taken along line II-II;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a decorative masonry
system comprising the decorative masonry blocks of FIG. 1B;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the decorative masonry
system of FIG. 3 taken along line IV-IV;
[0013] FIG. 4A is a zoomed-in view of FIG. 4 as indicated by area
IVA; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for making
and assembling a decorative masonry system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the
disclosure as oriented in FIGS. 1A and 1B. However, it is to be
understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative
orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It
is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the
following specification are simply exemplary examples of the
inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific
dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the
examples disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,
unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0016] As required, detailed examples of the present disclosure are
disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the
disclosed examples are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may
be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not
necessarily to a detailed design and some schematics may be
exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
disclosure.
[0017] In this document, relational terms, such as first and
second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to
distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action,
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements
does not include only those elements but may include other elements
not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,
or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises" does not, without
more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical
elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises the element.
[0018] As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in a list of
two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be
employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed
items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described
as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can
contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C
in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in
combination.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1A-4A, reference numeral 10 generally
relates to a decorative masonry system including a first block 14
having a first body portion 18 and a first plurality of edges 22
and a second block 26 having a second body portion 30 and a second
plurality of edges 34. A first gutter 38 is defined by a portion of
the first plurality of edges 22, and a second gutter 42 is defined
by a portion of the second plurality of edges 34. The decorative
masonry system 10 further includes mastic 46 configured to operably
couple the first and second blocks 14, 26 to a substrate 50.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1A, according to some examples of the
device, one of the first and second blocks 14, 26 is illustrated
having the respective body portion 18, 30. While FIGS. 1A and 1B
illustrate a single member of the decorative masonry system 10,
this illustrated member is indicative of the first and second
blocks 14, 26, which are substantially similar. In these FIGS. 1A
and 1B, pairs of reference numbers are used to indicate some
corresponding features that are present on each of the first and
second blocks 14, 26. Each body portion 18, 30 includes a front
surface 60 having various protrusions 64 configured to resemble
various types of stone masonry. The protrusions 64 may be arranged
in any pattern across the front surface 60. The body portion 18, 30
further includes the plurality of edges 22, 34 forming the
perimeter of the block 14, 26. In some examples, each of the edges
22, 34 may be generally linear and positioned to form right angles
(e.g., angles measuring about 90.degree.). In other examples, the
edges 22, 34 may be positioned to form any other angle (rectilinear
or tessellated polygons, etc.) configured to allow the block 14,
26, in a surface-to-surface engagement, to sit flush with another
block 14, 26 when installed (see FIG. 3).
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1B, according to some examples, one of
the first and second blocks 14, 26 is illustrated having the
respective body portion 18, 30 and one of a first and second
plurality of engagement features 68, 72, respectively. These
engagement features 68, 72 extend from the body portion 18, 30 and
cause the first and second block 14, 26 to have a non-rectangular
shape. In some examples, it is contemplated that the block 14, 26
may have only one engagement feature 68, 72. Similar to the block
14, 26 shown in FIG. 1A, the body portion 18, 30 and the plurality
of engagement features 68, 72 includes the front surface 60 having
the protrusions 64 configured to resemble stone masonry. The
protrusions 64 may be arranged in any pattern across the front
surface 60. The body portion 18, 30 and the plurality of engagement
features 68, 72 further include the plurality of edges 22, 34
forming the perimeter of the block 14, 26. In some examples, each
of the edges 22, 34 may be generally linear and positioned to form
right angles (e.g., angles measuring about 90.degree.). In other
examples, the edges 22, 34 may be positioned to form any other
angle configured to allow the block 14, 26 to sit flush with
another block 14, 26 when installed (see FIG. 3).
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of one of
the first and second blocks 14, 26 is shown having the front
surface 60 and a rear surface 80. The plurality of edges 22, 34
includes an edge surface 84 and an angled surface 88. The edge
surface 84 extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface
60 and is integrally formed with the angled surface 88. The angled
surface 88 extends away from the edge surface 84 at a predetermined
angle A towards the rear surface 80. In other words, the angled
surface 84 may extend rearward of the front surface 60 toward the
rear surface 80 of each of the respective blocks 14, 26. The angle
A may be within a range of from about 5.degree. to about 85.degree.
measured from the edge surface 84. For example, the angle A may be
about 5.degree., about 10.degree., about 15.degree., about
20.degree., about 25.degree., about 30.degree., about 35.degree.,
about 40.degree., about 45.degree., about 50.degree., about
55.degree., about 60.degree., about 65.degree., about 70.degree.,
about 75.degree., about 80.degree., or about 85.degree. or any
value or range of values therebetween. The angle A may be from
about 30.degree. to about 75.degree., from about 50.degree. to
about 65.degree., or from about 55.degree. to about 60.degree.. The
angled surface 88 may be included on each edge of the plurality of
edges 22, 34 in some examples, partially forming a continuous first
or second gutter 38, 42 around the perimeter of the block 14, 26.
In other examples, the angled surface 88 may be included on only a
portion of edges of the plurality of edges 22, 34, partially
forming a discontinuous first or second gutter 38, 42. Where the
gutter 38, 42 is discontinuous, the angled surfaces 88 are
positioned so that at least one gutter 38, 42 is present between
engaging first and second blocks 14, 26. Accordingly, each seam, or
engagement, 94 of the decorative masonry system 10 will typically
include at least one angled surface 88 that corresponds to a gutter
38, 42. The gutter 38, 42 is configured to catch overflowing mastic
46 from the rear surface 80 without allowing the mastic 46 to reach
the edge surface 84, as shown in FIG. 4. By retaining the mastic 46
in the gutters 38, 42, the mastic 46 is prevented from reaching and
extending between the edge surface 84 of the first and second
blocks 14, 26. In this manner, the mastic 46 does not interfere
with the surface-to-surface engagement of the edge surface 84 of
the first and second blocks 14, 26.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, the first block 14 and the second
block 26 may be positioned together so that one of the first
engagement features 68 of the first block 14 is aligned with one of
the second engagement features 72 of the second block 26. When the
blocks 14, 26 are positioned together, the first plurality of edges
22 is flush with, and is substantially in a surface-to-surface
engagement with, the second plurality of edges 34 where the blocks
14, 26 touch. This creates a seamless interface to match the
seamless aesthetic of the protrusions 64 of the blocks 14, 26. It
is contemplated that any number of blocks 14, 26 may be used to
form the decorative masonry system 10 without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, a cross-sectional view of the
first and second blocks 14, 26 positioned together in the
decorative masonry system 10 is illustrated having the front
surfaces 60 aligned. The mastic 46 is applied to the rear surface
80 of the first and second blocks 14, 26 and is trapped between the
rear surfaces 80 and the substrate 50. The first engagement feature
68 of the first block 14 is coupled with the second engagement
feature 72 of the second block 26 so that at least one of the first
plurality of edges 22 is substantially flush with one of the second
plurality of edges 34. When one of the first plurality of edges 22
is positioned flush with one of the second plurality of edges 34,
the angled surfaces 88 of the respective edges 22, 34 are aligned
so that the first gutter 38 is in communication with the second
gutter 42 to form a channel 90. The channel 90 is configured to
receive mastic 46 that leaks or is displaced from the application
of the blocks 14, 26 to the substrate 50. Further, when one of the
first plurality of edges 22 is positioned flush with one of the
second plurality of edges 34, the edge surfaces 84 of the
respective edges 22, 34 are positioned to form a tight and close
fitting engagement 94, providing a tight and close fitting
relationship between the blocks 14, 26 with surface-to-surface
engagement. In various examples, the edge surfaces 84 of one of the
blocks 14, 26 may be positioned to form a tight and close fitting
engagement 94 with a second, or base, substrate 98 such as, for
example, a top surface of a horizontal foundation wall. This
engagement may service to hide, conceal, or otherwise obscure the
location of the seam 94 between the first and second blocks 14, 26.
It will be understood that the tight and close fitting engagement
94 may be in any location along the engagement 94 around the blocks
14, 26 in order to form the desired design with the blocks 14, 26
for the decorative masonry system 10.
[0025] To assemble the decorative masonry system 10, mastic 46 is
applied to the rear surface 80 of each of the first and second
blocks 14, 26. The first and second blocks 14, 26 are placed
against the substrate 50, trapping the mastic 46 between the rear
surface 80 and the substrate 50. When pressure is applied to the
respective front surfaces 60 to secure the first and second blocks
14, 26 to the substrate 50, the mastic 46 overflows along arrows B
into the respective first or second gutter 38, 42. The gutters 38,
42 trap the mastic 46 overflowing without damaging the
surface-to-surface engagement of the decorative masonry system
10.
[0026] When assembling conventional masonry systems, mastic
overflows when the blocks are applied to the substrate. The mastic
then collects on the edges of the blocks and must be manually
removed. The inaccuracy of the removal may cause gaps between the
blocks, causing seams to show and ruining the illusion of an
authentic stone facade. The removal is also labor intensive and
costly to do properly to achieve the seamless look.
[0027] With the proposed decorative masonry system 10, the blocks
14, 26 can be molded for any type of stone facade (e.g., brick,
flagstone, etc.) to provide a seamless appearance. The relief
pattern of the blocks 14, 26 further increases the seamless
aesthetic, creating an illusion of individual stacked pieces of
stone masonry.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5, with continued reference to FIGS.
1A-4A, a method 100 for making a decorative masonry system 10 is
provided that comprises a step 104 of providing a mold configured
to shape a decorative masonry block 14, 26. The decorative masonry
block 14, 26 has a body portion 18, 30 and an engagement feature
68, 72. A plurality of edges 22, 34 of the decorative masonry block
14, 26 defines a gutter 38, 42. The method 100 may further include
a step 108 of forming a first block 14 and a second block 26 from
material using the mold. Next is a step 112 of applying mastic 46
to rear surface 80 of each of the first block 14 and the second
block 26. The method 100 may further include a step 116 of placing
the first block 14 on a substrate 50 so that the mastic 46 is
positioned between the rear surface 80 of the first block 14 and
substrate 50. By pressing the first and second blocks 14, 26
against the substrate 50, the mastic 46 is displaced around
portions of the first and second blocks 14, 26 and toward or into
the gutters 38, 42 defined by the edges 22 (step 120). Next is a
step 124 of placing the second block 26 on the substrate 50 so that
the mastic 46 is positioned between the rear surface 80 of the
second block 26 and the substrate 50 and the second block 26 is
aligned with the first block 14. One of the plurality of edges 34
of the second block 26 is engaged with one of the plurality of
edges 22 of the first block 14 in surface-to-surface contact. It is
contemplated that, although the steps are listed in a particular
order, they may be performed in any order or with two or more steps
being performed concurrently without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0029] The decorative masonry system 10 disclosed herein provides a
smaller rear surface 80 so to provide for the angled surface 88 to
form the gutters 38, 42, and, in turn, the channel 90 for
accumulating excess mastic 46. This mastic 46 can spread when the
first and second blocks 14, 26 are pressed against the substrate
50. By accumulating this excess mastic 46 in the channel 90, the
seam 94 between the first and second blocks 14, 26 remains a
surface-to-surface engagement 94 that conceals, hides, and obscures
the presence of the location of the engagement 94 for the
decorative masonry system 10.
[0030] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all
of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the
joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or
indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature
or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two
components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional
intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary
body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may
be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature
unless otherwise stated.
[0031] Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the
same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the
desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein
combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as
"associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is
achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as
being "operably connected" or "operably coupled" to each other to
achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable
of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably
coupleable" to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
Some examples of operably coupleable include, but are not limited
to, physically mateable and/or physically interacting components
and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting
components and/or logically interacting and/or logically
interactable components. Furthermore, it will be understood that a
component preceding the term "of the" may be disposed at any
practicable location (e.g., on, within, and/or externally disposed
from the vehicle) such that the component may function in any
manner described herein.
[0032] As used herein, the term "about" means that amounts, sizes,
formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics
are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger
or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors,
rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors
known to those of skill in the art. When the term "about" is used
in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure
should be understood to include the specific value or end-point
referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a
range in the specification recites "about," the numerical value or
end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one
modified by "about," and one not modified by "about." It will be
further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are
significant both in relation to the other end-point, and
independently of the other end-point.
[0033] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the
exemplary examples is illustrative only. Although only a few
examples of the present innovations have been described in detail
in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this
disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements
shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or
elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the
operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied,
the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors
or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number
of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be
varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of
the system might be constructed from any of a wide variety of
materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of
a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly,
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications,
changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating
conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary
examples without departing from the spirit of the present
innovations.
* * * * *