U.S. patent application number 17/028103 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-08 for wringer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Micronova Manufacturing, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Micronova Manufacturing, Inc.. Invention is credited to C. Travis Hunsucker, Phillip LeCompte.
Application Number | 20210204789 17/028103 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005478215 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210204789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LeCompte; Phillip ; et
al. |
July 8, 2021 |
WRINGER
Abstract
A wringer has a support surface and a first wringer surface
depending from the support surface to a second wringer surface
having perforations and curving to a free edge substantially below
the support surface. The second wringer surface may be curved in an
approximately 180 degree arc. The first wringer surface may be flat
and also perforated. The support surface may be formed as an
inverted channel structure with a closed upper surface and an
angled surface extending away from the first wringer surface. The
angled surface may extend at an angle approximately 45 degrees. The
wringer may be used with one or more buckets, where the wringer is
supported from the rim of one bucket or from the adjacent rims of
two buckets. A flat first wringer surface may be used to ring a
flat mop, and the curved second wringer surface may be used to
bring a round mop.
Inventors: |
LeCompte; Phillip; (Anaheim,
CA) ; Hunsucker; C. Travis; (Lakewood, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Micronova Manufacturing, Inc. |
Torrance |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Micronova Manufacturing,
Inc.
Torrance
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005478215 |
Appl. No.: |
17/028103 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15340937 |
Nov 1, 2016 |
10779700 |
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17028103 |
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14164229 |
Jan 26, 2014 |
9480384 |
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15340937 |
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13008823 |
Jan 18, 2011 |
8635737 |
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14164229 |
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12121756 |
May 15, 2008 |
7870636 |
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13008823 |
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10826166 |
Apr 16, 2004 |
7377004 |
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12121756 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/58 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/58 20060101
A47L013/58 |
Claims
1. A wringer comprising: a support element for supporting the
wringer from a support surface, the support element including a
first support wall for supporting a wringer element on a first side
of a container wall and a second support wall extending to a free
end on a second side of a container wall and a third support wall
positioned intermediate the first and second support walls and
wherein the third support wall extends in a direction other than
vertical and other than horizontal; a wringer surface supported by
the support element; and wherein the wringer surface includes a
first portion that extends at a first angle in a first direction
from a vertical line from the support element to a lower wringer
surface below the support element and wherein the wringer surface
includes a second portion extending away from the first portion in
a second direction different from the first direction and
terminates at a free end and has a laterally extending edge below
the support element.
2. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the wringer surface depends from
the first support wall of the support element.
3. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the wringer
surface is substantially flat.
4. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the second portion of the wringer
surface is curved.
5. The wringer of claim 4 wherein the second portion of the wringer
surface curves through an arc greater than 90 degrees.
6. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the wringer surface includes
perforations that are substantially round.
7. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of
the wringer surface include perforations.
8. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the wringer
surface extends at the first angle of approximately 45 degrees.
9. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the first support wall of the
support element includes a first vertical wall and wherein the
first support wall and the first portion of the wringer surface
join to form an angle of approximately 135 degrees.
10. The wringer of claim 9 wherein the second portion of the
wringer surface curves from the first portion and terminates so as
to be pointing in a direction closer to than away from the support
element.
11. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the support element extends
longitudinally and wherein the wringer surface extends
longitudinally approximately the same distance as the support
element and wherein the support element is substantially free of
openings through the material of the support element.
12. The wringer of claim 1 wherein the support element includes an
upper surface and the upper support surface and the third support
wall extend away from the wringer surface.
13. The wringer of claim 12 wherein the third support wall extends
at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from a vertical line.
14. A bucket and wringer assembly for a mop comprising: a bucket
having a bucket wall; a wringer supported on the bucket wall
wherein the wringer includes, a support having an upper support
wall resting on a top of the bucket wall and first and second
depending support walls extending away from the upper support wall
and wherein the second depending support wall terminates at a free
surface, and wherein the first depending support wall extends to
and joins a wringer surface along a line at least partly closer to
the upper support wall than the free surface and wherein the first
depending support wall and the wringer surface form an angle at the
line, and having at least one wall defining an opening through the
wringer surface, wherein the wringer surface includes a first
portion that is substantially flat and a second portion that is
curved and includes a laterally extending edge on a side of the
wringer surface opposite the first portion.
15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the laterally extending edge
of the second portion is at a lower vertical position than the line
joining the wringer surface and the first depending support
wall.
16. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the laterally extending edge
of the second portion is at a lower vertical position than the free
surface of the second depending support wall.
17. A wringer comprising: a wringer having a support channel for
engaging a rim surface of a bucket, wherein the support channel
includes a support wall, the wringer further includes a first
wringer surface supported by the support wall and a second wringer
surface having perforations and supported by the first wringer
surface wherein the second wringer surface is curved and has a
laterally extending edge surface that terminates below the rim
surface of the bucket, and wherein the wringer further includes a
bucket wall engagement element extending in a direction away from
the first wringer surface toward a bucket surface when the wringer
is supported on a bucket, and wherein the wall engagement element
includes at least one laterally extending wall positioned on the
wall engagement element opposite the first wringer surface so as to
extend at least partly parallel to an adjacent surface of a bucket
wall.
18. The wringer of claim 17 wherein the wall engagement element is
a first wall engagement element positioned on the wringer at a
first side portion of the wringer and further including a second
wall engagement element at a second side portion of the wringer
wherein the second wall engagement element includes a second
laterally extending wall opposite the first wringer surface.
19. The wringer of claim 18 wherein the first and second wall
engagement elements extend toward each other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
Field of the Inventions
[0001] The present inventions relate to wringers, including
wringers that can be used to wring flat mops, round mops and mops
having other configurations.
Related Art
[0002] Wringers for mops used in cleaning floors, walls, ceilings
and other surfaces are often large, heavy and apply substantial
pressure to mops to remove a substantial amount of cleaning fluid.
Typical wringers apply mechanical pressure through opposing plates
or surfaces while the user applies force to a crank, lever or other
mechanism.
[0003] Mops used in medical and other facilities may be used to
apply anti-bacterial, anti-germ or other disinfecting or cleaning
fluids. During use, a desired amount of fluid should remain on or
in the mop until the mop is applied to the surface. Typically, the
mop is immersed in a quantity of clean fluid and then wrung out
using a wringer to remove excess fluid. The fluid is then applied
to the surface using the mop. However, if the wringer applies too
much pressure, not enough fluid remains on the mop material to
apply enough solution to the surface. As a result, the subject
surfaces may not be cleaned according to required procedures.
[0004] Conventional wringers may not be suitable for some types of
mops that are used in controlled environments, such as clean rooms,
medical facilities and the like. For example, flat mops and round
mops, particularly those using special materials, are not easily
wrung using wringers that apply pressure to the mop with opposing
plates or surfaces. An example of a flat mop is the SlimLine 2000,
and one example of a round mop is the TMop, sold under those names
by Micronova Manufacturing Inc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS
[0005] One or more aspects of the present inventions can be used to
provide a wringer that can more reliably wring mops, for example
when it is desired to retain in or on the mop an amount of fluid to
be applied to surfaces or other areas to be cleansed. One or more
aspects of the present inventions can also be used to wring mops
having specific shapes. Aspects of the present inventions may also
be used to provide an improved assembly of a wringer and one or
more buckets for use in cleansing surfaces and other areas.
[0006] In one example described herein, a wringer includes a
support element, and a wringer surface having a first portion
extending at a first angle and a second portion extending away from
the first to terminate at a free end below the support element. The
first and second portions of the wringer surface are preferably
fixed to each other, and do not move relative to each other. The
support element supports the wringer from a support surface, for
example the rim of a bucket used to hold a fluid such as a
cleaning, disinfecting or other appropriate fluid. The support
element is preferably configured to extend over the rim of a single
bucket or adjacent rims of two adjacent buckets.
[0007] In another example described herein, a wringer includes a
support element and a perforated wringer surface depending from the
support element. The wringer surface includes a first portion that
extends at a first angle in a first direction from the support
element to a lower wringer surface below the support element. A
second portion of the wringer surface extends away from the first
portion in a second direction different from the first direction
and terminates at a free end below the support element. The first
portion is preferably substantially flat and the second portion is
preferably curved, for example away from the first portion in an
arc so as to terminate at a free edge extending in a direction
toward the support element. The second portion may curve through an
arc more than 90 degrees and approximately through an angle of 180
degrees.
[0008] In a further example described herein, a wringer includes a
support element and a perforated wringer surface depending from the
support element. The support element includes an upper support wall
and the wringer surface joins the upper support wall at an angle of
approximately 135 degrees. The support element may also have an
angled wall extending from the upper support wall away from the
wringer surface. The angled wall may extend from the support
element at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The upper support
wall extends longitudinally and is preferably free of openings so
that fluid drains easily off of the upper support wall rather than
through the upper support wall. The angled wall may terminate at an
approximately vertical plate having a free edge. The free edge may
be positioned at a line lower than the junction line between the
support element and the wringer surface. The vertical plate helps
to stabilize the wringer.
[0009] In an additional example described herein, a combination of
a wringer and bucket is described were the wringer has a support
element supported by a rim surface on the bucket. The support
element includes a support wall and the wringer includes a first
wringer surface supported by the support wall and a second wringer
surface having perforations and supported by the first wringer
surface. The second wringer surface is preferably curved and
terminates in a free edge below the rim surface of the bucket. The
support element may be configured to extend over adjacent rims of
two buckets, and the wringer can extend into a waste bucket
adjacent a clean fluid bucket. During use, a mop or other cleaning
element is immersed in fluid in the clean fluid bucket and then
pressed against either one or both of the first and second wringer
surfaces. The wringer surfaces are stationary and fixed relative to
each other, and the wringing action is achieved pressing the
cleaning element against the wringer surface. Preferably,
perforations are formed in both of the first and second wringer
surfaces, and they are configured in size, position and number to
leave a desired amount of fluid on or in the mop or other cleaning
element for application on the surface to be cleansed.
[0010] These and other examples are set forth more fully below in
conjunction with drawings, a brief description of which
follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic and side elevation and partial cutaway
view of a pair of cleaning buckets and a wringer supported by
adjacent rims of the buckets.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic and end elevation view of one example
of a wringer for use with one or more buckets such as those shown
in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the wringer of FIG.
2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the wringer of FIG.
2.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the wringer of FIG. 2 and
a round mop in position to be wrung.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the wringer of FIG. 2 and
a flat mop in position to be wrung.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following specification taken in conjunction with the
drawings sets forth the preferred embodiments of the present
inventions in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can
make and use the inventions. It should be understood that various
modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the
present inventions.
[0018] It should be understood also that one or more aspects of the
present inventions can be incorporated into a device or procedure
to achieve one or more of the benefits of the present inventions
without adopting all aspects or achieving all benefits of the
inventions described herein. The examples of the inventions
described herein are directed to apparatus and methods of using a
wringer, but other apparatus can be used with the methods, and
other methods can be used with the apparatus other than those
described herein. For example, it is not necessary that a wringer
having the configurations described herein be used with a
particular type of mop or other cleaning element, or be used with a
particular type of container or bucket, as the mops and buckets
described herein are included as examples and to provide context to
the construction and use of the wringer described. Additionally,
configurations of a wringer other than those described herein can
incorporate one or more aspects of the present inventions and/or
achieve one or more of the benefits described herein.
[0019] A wringer 20 (FIGS. 1-6) will be described in the context of
a double bucket system such as that shown in FIG. 1 having a first
bucket 22 designated herein as the clean fluid bucket and a second
bucket 24 designated herein as the waste fluid bucket. However, it
should be understood that the wringer 20 can be used with a single
bucket, more than two buckets, or with support structures other
than fluid containers. The wringer 20 is described with the double
bucket assembly to demonstrate one benefit of the wringer
configuration described herein. In the examples, each of the first
and second buckets will contain the desired fluid in the desired
amounts, with the waste fluid bucket typically empty when the
cleaning process is begun. The first bucket includes a front upper
rim 26, a left side upper rim 28, and a rear upper rim 30. The
right upper rim of the first bucket 22 is not shown as that portion
of the wall has been cutaway in the view shown in FIG. 1. The rear
upper rim 30 includes an upwardly facing surface 32 and an
outwardly facing wall 34. In the present example, the first
container 22 holds a fresh cleaning fluid 36, which may be any
suitable fluid used in conventional procedures. It should be
understated that terminology used for orientation, such as front,
rear, side, left and right are used herein merely for ease of
understanding and reference, and are not used as exclusive terms
for the structures being described and illustrated.
[0020] The second bucket 24 includes a rear upper rim 38, a left
side upper rim 40 and a front upper rim 42 adjacent the rear upper
rim 30 of the first bucket 22. The right side upper rim of the
second bucket 24 is not shown as part of the right side wall is
cutaway to show the wringer 20. The front upper rim 42 includes an
upwardly facing surface 44 and an outwardly facing wall 46. The
second container holds contaminated cleaning fluid 48 wrung from a
mop or other cleaning element. The first and second buckets 22 and
24 are substantially identical in the present example. The first
and second buckets may be placed on a cart (not shown) having
wheels, castors or other means for easily moving the buckets, and
for supporting the buckets.
[0021] Considering the wringer 20 in more detail, the wringer
includes a support element in the form of an inverted support
channel 50 (FIGS. 2-6). The support element supports the wringer
from a suitable support surface, such as the adjacent upper rims 30
and 42 of the double bucket assembly, a rim of a single bucket or
other suitable support surface. The wringer also includes a wringer
surface 52. The wringer surface can take a number of
configurations, and preferably serves as a base, back stop or other
contact surface against which a mop or other cleaning element is
applied, such as by pressure, rolling, rubbing or other suitable
application, for removing fluid from the mop or other cleaning
element while preferably leaving sufficient fluid on the mop or
other cleaning element to enable the fluid to be applied to the
floor, wall, ceiling or other surface or area to be cleansed. While
a number of cleaning elements can be used with the wringer
described herein, examples provided will discuss mops. Therefore,
it should be understood that other products and devices can be used
with the wringer described herein.
[0022] In the present example, the wringer surface 52 includes a
first portion in the form of a perforated base plate 54 that
extends longitudinally from left to right, as shown in FIGS. 3 and
4, to provide a surface sufficiently wide to allow complete contact
with the base plate 54 by the entire width of the mop. The width
can be selected so as to accommodate the bucket size as well as the
size of the mop head. Aside from the side plates and the ear
flanges on the rear portion of the wringer described below, the
profile of the support element 50 and the wringer surface 52 is
substantially the same over the entire width of the wringer. The
wringer surface 52 also includes a second portion in the form of a
perforated channel plate 56, which also extends longitudinally from
left to right.
[0023] In the illustrated example, the base plate 54 of the wringer
surface joins the support element 50 forming an angle 58 of
approximately 135 degrees, so that the base plate 54 depends from
and is supported by a substantially vertical wall 60 at a line 62
(FIG. 3). The line 62 is at a first level below the top or upper
surface 64 of the support element 50. The base plate 54 extends
downwardly in a first direction from the vertical wall 60 to a
lower portion of the base plate, designated generally by the dashed
lines at 66, which lower portion of the base plate is below the
support element 50. Preferably, the lower portion 66 of the base
plate 54 is substantially below the support element 50.
[0024] The lower portion 66 of the base plate 54 transitions to the
perforated channel 56. The perforated channel is preferably
integral with the base plate 54 and curves so as to follow an arc
of greater than about 90 degrees and preferably approximately 180
degrees to a free edge or end 68. The perforated channel 56 extends
away from the base plate 54 and curves upward and back generally in
the direction of the support element 50, but the free edge 68 does
not necessarily point precisely at the support element 50. The
perforated channel 56 is preferably formed to accommodate wringing
of a round mop, such as that shown in FIG. 5. The free edge 68 is
also preferably significantly below the support element 50. As can
be seen in the side view of FIG. 2, the wringer surface is
asymmetrical about a vertical plane extending into the paper of
FIG. 2.
[0025] Both the base plate 54 and the channel 56 include elements
for removing fluid from the mop. In the examples described herein,
the fluid removing elements take the form of perforations 70,
preferably distributed evenly over the base plate 54 and the
channel 56. The perforations in the example are arranged in rows
72, and they are preferably a half-inch in diameter with 22
perforations in each row, with approximately half inch to one inch
in center-to-center spacing between each perforation, and
preferably about three-quarter inch center-to-center. The
center-to-center spacing is preferably the same horizontally and
vertically. It is believed that about 50% open space to about 50%
solid material space is suitable for a desired amount of wringing.
In the example shown, there are five rows 72 of perforations in the
base plate 54, and three rows 72 of perforations in the perforated
channel 56. The perforations at the end of each row are preferably
approximately 1/2 inch from the adjacent edge of the wringer. The
number of perforations and the number of rows 72 may be determined
by the overall dimensions of the wringer, the width of the example
described herein is about 163/4 inch from left side to right
side.
[0026] The wringer surface 52 is supported and held away from the
bucket wall by left and right side plates 74 and 76, respectively
(FIGS. 2-4), extending rearward from the respective left and right
edges of the base plate 54. Each side plate preferably includes a
lower, substantially horizontally extending wall 78 and a rear,
substantially vertically extending wall 80. The horizontally
extending wall 78 meets the base plate 54 in the general location
of the transition between the base plate 54 and the channel 56. The
vertical wall 80 joins the base plate 54 at the horizontal line 62,
where the base plate 54 is supported by the vertical wall 60. The
vertical wall 80 is preferably aligned with the vertical wall 60.
As shown in FIG. 4, respective left and right ear flanges 82 and 84
extend inwardly from their respective side plates 74 and 76. The
ear flanges 82 and 84 help to support the wringer against the
support structures, for example the side walls of the respective
bucket. The ear flanges 82 and 84 are preferably formed by bending
the flanges inward to be perpendicular to the respective side
plates of which they are a part, and they may be rectangular or
they may have their inner corners angled or clipped (not
shown).
[0027] The support element 50 extends longitudinally the entire
width of the wringer. The support element is formed from the
vertical wall 60 and the upper wall 64 perpendicular to the
vertical wall 60. The wringing surface is supported by the support
element through the vertical wall 60. The support element also
includes an angled wall 86 (FIGS. 2 and 4) extending downwardly and
away from the wringer surface at an angle of approximately 45
degrees from the horizontal upper surface 64 or from a vertical
line. The angled wall 86 terminates in an outer vertical wall 88
extending downwardly to a lower free edge 90. The junction 92
between the angled surface 86 and the vertical wall 88 occurs along
a line at a vertical distance below the upper surface 64
approximately the same as the vertical distance below the upper
surface 64 that the vertical wall 60 joins the base plate 54 at the
line 62. The free edge 90 terminates a distance below the junction
62 between the vertical wall 60 and the base plate 54.
[0028] The support element 50 in the present example foul's an
inverted channel with the walls 60, 64, 86 and 88 opening
downwardly. The support element 50 extends over and is supported by
the upper rim of one or two buckets. With a single bucket, the
depth of the upper wall 64 from front to back is approximately the
same as or greater than the width of the upper surface of the
bucket so that the rim surface contacts the underside of the upper
wall 64. With a double bucket and adjacent upper rim surfaces
supporting the support element 50, the inverted channel of the
support element 50 contacts and pushes the adjacent bucket rims
toward each other. The upper rim of one bucket contacts the
vertical wall 60 and the upper rim of the other bucket contacts the
angled wall 86 and/or the outer vertical wall 88. The inverted
channel of the support element 50 helps to keep the two buckets of
a double bucket assembly together. The inverted channel is
preferably non-perforated along the entire width of the support
element so that any drops of fluid flow off the top of the support
element 50 rather than through the structure.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, a round mop 94 includes a handle 96, a
round mop head 98 for use on walls, for example, and a fastening
element 100 for securing the mop head onto the handle. The mop head
may take a number of configurations, including having foam, a cloth
or other material covering, and the like. After the mop head is
immersed in the fluid, the mop head 98 is pressed by the user into
the perforated channel 56 of the wringer. Pressing the front,
bottom and rear surfaces of the mop head against the curved walls
of the channel 56 wrings some of the fluid from the mop head. The
combination of the amount of pressure applied to the mop against
the wringer channel and the number and configuration of the
perforations help to determine the amount of fluid wrung from the
mop head and the amount of fluid remaining in or on the mop head.
In the configuration where the wringer is mounted to a bucket
supported by rollers, castors or wheels, the angled base plate 54
and curvature of the perforated channel help to reduce the
possibility of the bucket moving when the mop is being wrung.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, a flat mop 102 includes a handle 104, a
flat mop head 106 having a rectangular flat surface for use on
floors and walls, for example, and a fastening element 108 for
securing the mop head onto the handle. As with the round mop, the
mop head may take a number of configurations, including having
foam, cloth or other material. After the mop head is immersed in
the fluid, the mop 102 is pressed by the user against the
perforated base plate 54 of the wringer. Pressing the flat face of
the flat mop head 106 against the perforated base plate 54 wrings
some of the fluid from the mop head. Similarly, a combination of
the amount of pressure applied to the mop against the wringer base
plate and the number and the configuration of the perforations help
to determine the amount of fluid wrung from the mop head and the
amount of fluid remaining in or on the mop head. In the
configuration where the wringer is mounted to a bucket supported by
wheels, the angle of the base plate helps to reduce the possibility
of the bucket moving when the mop is wrung. The sides of the flat
mop head can also be pressed against the base plate.
[0031] The wringer is preferably configured so as to occupy less
than half of the opening of a bucket, allowing ready access for the
mop to the bottom of the bucket. It is formed by stamping and
forming or by other methods from a suitable material, for example
stainless steel, in a manner similar to other equipment used in
cleanrooms, medical areas, and the like. Some exemplary dimensions
for the wringer include the upper wall 64 extending horizontally
front to back about 1/2 inch, the angled wall 86 extending
downwardly approximately one inch, and the outer vertical wall 88
extending downward approximately half-inch. The vertical wall 60
extends downwardly approximately one inch. The perforated base
plate extends downwardly from the junction 62 approximately four
inches, and the perforated channel 56 as a radius of approximately
one and 1/4 inch. The ear flanges 82 and 84 preferably extend
inwardly approximately 1/4 inch. The vertical height of the ear
flanges and the adjacent edges of the side plates is approximately
two and 3/4 of inch. Other dimensions can be used as well.
[0032] Having thus described several exemplary implementations of
the invention, it will be apparent that various alterations and
modifications can be made without departing from the inventions or
the concepts discussed herein. Such operations and modifications,
though not expressly described above, are nonetheless intended and
implied to be within the spirit and scope of the inventions.
Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be
illustrative only.
* * * * *