U.S. patent number 3,823,426 [Application Number 05/298,508] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-16 for rapid assembly combination sandbox and pool.
Invention is credited to Walter Mitchko.
United States Patent |
3,823,426 |
Mitchko |
July 16, 1974 |
RAPID ASSEMBLY COMBINATION SANDBOX AND POOL
Abstract
An improved combination sandbox and pool which can be rapidly
assembled or disassembled without the use of screws, nuts and
bolts, or other fastening elements. The well of the unit has a
drain hole, the well serving the dual purpose of a container of
sand or water. The leg members include a female socket with a
wedged channel and oppositely aligned ball-shaped depressions. The
male member has a mating wedge and ball-shaped protrusions. The
male member is forced into the female member, the resiliency of the
walls of the channel allowing the ball lock to provide sufficient
stability for use conditions. The upright sockets have an interior
funnel-shaped wall with a lower cutout and a bottom step. Forcing
an upright into the socket causes the wall to spread, creating a
gripping force. The step limits the downward movement of the
upright. A modified embodiment of the upright includes a
cross-sectional T-shaped member having the lower portion of the
center leg being wedge-shaped and received within a mating female
receptacle in the upright socket. The walls of the receptacle are
slightly resilient and provide a gripping force to engage the
upright. The canopy frame may carry a channel on the end support
either on the top or end surface, passing along the entire length
of support. The canopy covering is positioned over the channel and
a securement member which is T-shaped in cross-section is forced
into the channel, the finger engaging the canopy covering, also
forcing it into the channel.
Inventors: |
Mitchko; Walter (East
Northport, NY) |
Family
ID: |
26960937 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/298,508 |
Filed: |
October 18, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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281539 |
Aug 17, 1972 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/494; 4/506;
248/188; 248/188.8; 472/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H
4/0037 (20130101); A47K 3/064 (20130101); E04F
10/005 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47K
3/02 (20060101); A47K 3/064 (20060101); E04F
10/00 (20060101); E04H 4/00 (20060101); E04h
003/16 (); E04h 003/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;4/172,172.19,170
;248/188,188.8,186 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Artis; Henry K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wolder & Gross
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.
281,539, filed Aug. 17, 1972, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved combination sandbox and pool which can be rapidly
assembled or disassembled, comprising:
a. a well shaped intergrally formed shell unit including a base and
an upstanding peripheral wall;
b. means to support the well secured to the bottom thereof;
c. transversely spaced upright posts;
d. a canopy separably mounted atop the upper ends of the upright
posts;
e. a pair of transversely spaced sockets in said peripheral wall of
the well, each socket including a peripheral wall having an inner
surface of smaller diameter at the bottom than at the top of the
socket; and separably engaging the lower end of a respective post
and
f. a vertically extending slot formed in the wall of the socket to
allow expansion of the wall to accommodate the lower end of the
respective upright post retaining the post in the socket under
tension and each of said sockets having a stop proximate its inside
bottom to limit the downward movement of the respective post.
2. An improved combination sandbox and pool which can be rapidly
assembled and disassembled, comprising:
a. a well made of a single, continuous material;
b. means to support the well, the means including a female member
secured to the bottom surface of the well and a male member;
c. the female member having a channel and oppositely aligned
ball-shaped depressions defined in the side surfaces of the
channel; and
d. the male member having an upper portion receivable within the
channel and oppositely aligned ball-shaped protrusions receivable
within the depressions, so that upon wedging the male member
towards the female member, the sides of the channel are forced
apart slightly and the ball-shaped protrusions are received within
the depressions forming a sufficiently stable support under use
conditions.
3. An improved combination sandbox and pool which can be rapidly
assembled and disassembled, comprising:
a. a well made of a single, continuous material;
b. means to support the well, the means including a female member
secured to the bottom surface of the well and a male member;
c. the female member having a channel and oppositely aligned
ball-shaped depressions defined in the side surfaces of the
channel;
d. the male member having an upper portion receivable within the
channel and oppositely aligned ball-shaped protrusions receivable
within the depressions;
e. upright means;
f. a canopy secured to the upper end of the upright means;
g. at least one socket secured to the wall of the well, the socket
wall having an inner surface of smaller diameter at the bottom than
at the top of the socket; and
h. means defined in the wall of the socket to allow expansion of
the wall to accommodate the lower end of the upright means,
retaining the means in the socket under tension.
4. The invention according to claim 3, the upright being a
substantially rigid cylindrical bar, the interior surface of the
socket being funnel-shaped.
5. The invention according to claim 4, the means defined in the
socket wall being a cutout.
6. The invention according to claim 5, the channel in the female
member being wedge-shaped, and the upper portion of the male member
being similarly wedge-shaped to provide a force fit.
7. The invention according to claim 6, the canopy having sockets to
receive the upper end of the upright means, the sockets having a
cutout defined in the wall thereof to allow expansion of the wall
to accommodate the upright means.
8. The invention according to claim 7, the upper end of the canopy
socket and the lower end of the well socket having step means to
prevent passage of the upright means entirely through the
sockets.
9. The invention according to claim 3, the upright being
substantially rigid T-shaped bar with a central leg member, the
lower portion of which being wedge-shaped.
10. The invention according to claim 9, the socket wall consisting
of two aligned, non-paralleled walls having distances therebetween
substantially the same as the outer dimensions of the wedge-shaped
portion of the leg.
11. The invention according to claim 3, the canopy including a
canopy frame having an end support with a channel defined therein,
a securement member received within the channel, the canopy
covering being positioned over the channel and thence within the
channel between the securement member and the channel in a secure
yet detachable engagement.
12. A readily assembled and disassembled combination pool and
sandbox comprising:
a. an integrally formed open topped well defining unit including a
base wall and an upstanding peripheral wall;
b. a pair of open topped first socket members integrally formed
with and located along the outside faces of said peripheral walls
at opposite locations thereon;
c. an upright post having a lower end separably engaging each of
said first socket members;
d. a canopy member mounted atop and separably coupled to the upepr
ends of said posts;
e. a plurality of peripherally spaced second socket members
depending from and integrally formed with said well base wall and
having downwardly directed openings; and
f. a leg member releasably coupled to each of said socket members
and including a vertical section terminating at its top in a plug
releasably engaging a respective second socket member and having a
bottom face of increased area relative to the transverse cross
section of said plug.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said well is of rectangular
configuration with said first socket members being medially located
at opposite peripheral walls of said well and said second socket
members are located proximate the corners of said well base
wall.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein each of said second sockets
includes a pair of depending longitudinally extending walls having
upwardly, inwardly tapered confronting faces and each of said leg
members is of inverted T-shaped, including a vertical web having a
tapered upper portion separably engaging a respective second socket
and a foot piece defining bottom cross web.
Description
PRIOR ART
The invention is directed to a construction for a combination
sandbox and pool, and more particularly, to a construction formed
out of a resilient material, such as plastic, which can be
assembled and disassembled rapidly, providing sufficient stability
for use, without requiring external fasteners such as screws, nuts
and bolts, or the like.
It is a common practice in today's commercial market, to ship items
in a disassembled condition. The reason for this is twofold, to
eliminate additional labor costs that would be required for
assembly, and to eliminate shipping charges that would be required
for larger cubic shipping volume. Unfortunately, many items are
difficult to assemble and require considerable time to
complete.
Many sandboxes are made of wood or joined metal sections. If they
are filled with water, natural leakage occurs, requiring continuous
filling, plus wetness on the ground under the unit.
If the box contains sand and it rains, the water will "sit" in the
box, remaining in the sand and keeping it damp.
Furthermore, it is important that the proper number of external
fastening elements be present in the package; sometimes the correct
number have not been included, or they are not the proper sizes, or
they are incorrectly formed. For any number of these reasons,
assembly and use of the purchased item is delayed.
Even when the items are assembled with the proper fastening
elements, the structure may tend to lack stability under normal and
even abnormal use conditions.
Another problem exists in connection with the securement of the
canopy covering to the canopy frame. In the past this is usually
done by nailing or tacking the cover to the frame. Nails or tacks
oftentimes come loose and fall out from the frame, causing a hazard
and increasing the possibility of the separation of the covering
from the frame.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, it is among the principal objects of the present
invention to provide an improved, rapid assembly combination
sandbox and pool which may be assembled for stable use conditions
without requiring external fastening elements.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved combination sandbox and pool which may be assembled simply
and rapidly.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
combination sandbox and pool of the character described which may
be assembled or disassembled in a short period of time.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
sandbox of the character described which will retain water without
requiring continued fillings.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
sandbox with an easily removable plug to allow water to drain from
wet sand.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
sandbox of the character described having detachable means to
secure the canopy covering to the canopy frame, eliminating the use
of nails or tacks.
The present invention contemplates a generally standard appearing
combination sandbox and pool having a well with a drain hole. The
well may either be filled with sand or water, as desired by the
user.
Surrounding the well at the ends are seats in the well-known
manner.
The entire unit is supported by five leg members comprising a
female leg socket which is wedge-shaped in cross-section and
carries at least one pair of oppositely aligned ball-shaped
depressions. The male member has a mating wedge portion which is
adapted to be received within the female socket. In addition, the
male member carries two oppositely aligned ball-shaped protrusions.
When the male member is forced into the female member, the
resiliency of the walls of the sockets cause them to spread
slightly so that the ball-shaped protrusions are received within
the ball-shaped depressions forming a socket lock. The five legs
provide sufficient support stability during use.
Centrally positioned on the side walls and towards the interior
thereof are two oppositely disposed upright sockets to receive
uprights supporting a canopy. The upright sockets have an internal
diameter which is slightly larger at the top than at the bottom,
forming a funnel-shaped wall. The socket is open at the bottom with
the exception of a bottom step to limit the downward movement of
the uprights. In addition, there is a cutout on the outward side of
the lower wall so that as the upright is forced onto the socket,
the lower wall can spread slightly to accommodate the cylindrical
upright. This creates a force on the upright, resulting in a strong
retaining force for maintaining the uprights and the canopy within
the sockets.
In a modified embodiment, the T-shaped leg is simply forced into
the female receptacle in the socket, which is wedge-shaped and
approximately the same dimensions as the dimensions of the
wedge-shaped foot of the leg of the upright. The walls of the
receptacle are slightly resilient and accommodate the foot, also
creating a strong retaining force for maintaining the uprights and
the canopy within the sockets.
It should be obvious from the above description that the unit may
be easily disassembled by simply pulling the uprights out of the
sockets and removing the male leg members from the female sockets.
The disassembly requires a certain amount of additional force, that
is well within the limits of the average purchaser.
The above description and objects of the present invention will
become apparent from a reading of the following description taken
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination sandbox and pool
embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view with the upright partially cut, and
portions cut away, particularly the detail of the upright socket,
and showing the upright position within the socket and the lower
portion of the socket walls slightly spread;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the upright socket of
FIG. 2, without the upright in position;
FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an exploded representation of the view otherwise taken
along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the canopy socket;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the lower porition of the
T-shaped upright;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG.
7 and showing the walls of the well socket in section;
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view taken along the line 9--9 of FIG.
7;
FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the well socket;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, enlarged side elevational view, partly in
section, of the socket;
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, enlarged, exploded view of a portion of
the upright, a portion of the canopy covering the securement
member;
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11, with the parts in position;
and
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 13--13 of
FIG. 12.
Referring in detail to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1,
there is shown a combination sandbox and pool 10 basically
comprising a sandbox and pool element 12, two uprights 14, and a
canopy 16 for supporting an awning (not shown).
The canopy 16 is basically a frame and includes side supports 18,
end supports 20, joined to the side supports at their edges, and
interior frame supports 22 which are parallel to the end supports
20 and perpendicular to and joined to the side supports 18 at
intermediate distances along their length. Centrally positioned on
the side supports 18 are canopy sockets 24 with openings 26 defined
therein. The canopy may be made from any rigid plastic material,
such as polystyrene, polyethylene, and propylene.
The uprights 14 are also made of rigid material, preferably a
metallic substance, such as aluminum. The uprights are cylindrical
and defined by an upper edge 28, a wall 30 defined by an outer
surface 31, and a lower edge 34. The uprights have an upper zone 36
which is completely received within the opening 26 and a lower zone
38 completely received within the upright socket of the sandbox and
pool 12, as will be more fully described below.
The combination sandbox and pool 12 includes support means 40, a
well 42 and an annular shoulder 44 and is made of high density
polyethylene. The well is a single continuous piece, and is
substantially rectangular in plan view and a bottom wall 46 defined
by a lower surface 48 and an upper surface 50. The wall 46 is
bounded by side edges 52 and end edges 54. Depending upwardly from
the bottom wall are end walls 56 defined by an inner surface 58 and
an outer surface 60 and side walls 62 defined by an inner surface
64 and an outer surface 66.
Located in a corner of the bottom wall 46 is a cutout defining a
drain 68 with an appropriate mating plug 70.
Depending outwardly from the side and end walls is the continuous
shoulder 44 which more specifically includes side shoulders 72
defined by an upper surface 74 and a lower surface 76 ending in a
downwardly extending lip 78. The side shoulders blend into end
shoulders or seats 80 defined by an upper surface 82 and lower
surface 84. Downwardly extending lip 86 also blends into the
downwardly extending lips 78.
It is further noticed that the corners are rounded in a well-known
manner. Located at each of the four corners of the element 12 are
supporting ribs 88 which pass substantially under the end shoulders
80 as opposed to the side shoulders 72. There are additional
support ribs 90 positioned medially under the shoulders 80 to give
additional support to the seat portions of the shoulders.
Finally, there are side support ribs 92 positioned at the mid-point
of the side walls 62 and shoulders 72.
The unit 12 is supported by five leg members, all of identical
construction, with four positioned angularly at the corners and the
fifth located centrally under the bottom wall 46. FIGS. 2 and 6
basically illustrate the leg members 94. Depending downwardly from
the bottom wall 46 at a position coincident with the meeting point
of the major and minor axes in parallel alignment with the major
axis and in perpendicular alignment to the minor axis, are female
leg members 95 (FIG. 6) which form a channel 96 defined by inwardly
sloping walls 98 and an upper wall 100. The cross-sectional view is
wedged-shaped in appearance. The channels are open at the end. The
walls 102 of the channel are made of the same material as the unit
12 and are slightly resilient. Centrally positioned within each of
the channels are oppositely disposed ball-shaped depressions 104
defined by a hemispherical surface 106.
The male leg member 108 is substantially T-shaped in cross section
and has a bottom supporting portion 110 and a perpendicular
upwardly extending joinder portion 112. Towards the top of the
joinder portion, the side surfaces 114, 116 slope inwardly and meet
at a top edge 118. Needless to say, the dimensions of the upper
wedge-shaped portion defined by the surfaces 114, 116, 118 are
substantially the same as the wedge-shaped formation defined by the
surfaces 96, 98, 100, except that they are just slightly larger. In
addition, centrally positioned on the wedge-shaped section are
oppositely disposed ball-shaped protrusions 120 defined by outer
hemispherical surfaces 122.
Turning to FIGS. 2-4, there is shown the detail of the construction
of the upright socket 124. The side walls 62 protrude inwardly as
shown at 126 to accommodate the sockets. The sockets are defined by
a downwardly extending funnel-shaped inner surface 128 with the
diameter designated at 129 being slightly greater than the diameter
designated at 130. The overall result is a slight funnel shape. In
addition, there is a lower step 132 to limit downward movement of
the uprights.
As best seen in FIG. 3 the outer wall 134 of the socket are also
slightly funnel-shaped, and at the bottom there is a cutout 136
defined by the surface 138. The socket is also made of the same
resilient-type material as the rest of the sandbox.
As best seen in FIG. 3, the outer surface 66 of side walls 62
extends upwardly as at 133 on both sides of the socket, meeting the
outer wall 134 of the socket at 135.
As with other commercial items of this nature, the unit would come
in a knockdown, unassembled condition. When the various parts are
removed from the box, the sandbox element 12 is turned on its upper
surface so that the bottom wall 46 is extending upwardly. The male
leg members 108 are then forced into the channels 96. Because of
the resilient nature fof the walls 102, they spread slightly, and
spread slightly more when the protrusions 120 begin to touch the
initial surfaces of the side walls. The protrusions are designed to
fit snugly within the depressions 104, creating a socket lock in
addition to the wedging effect caused by the upper section within
the channel. When all five male leg members are snapped into
position there is sufficient support to provide the proper
stability under all use conditions. The unit 12 is then turned over
so that it rests on the male members.
The uprights 14 are then positioned at the upper part of the
openings 128. The male members have an outer diameter just slightly
smaller than the diameter 129 at the top of the socket, but larger
than diameter 130 at the bottom of the socket above the step. As
the male member is forced into the socket, the socket wall 34
begins to spread, with the "give" being afforded by the cutout 136.
This is similar to the effect of a clothespin as it is placed over
a piece of clothing on the line. As shown by an examination of
FIGS. 3 as a "before" and 4 as an "after," it is seen how when the
upright is fully in position against the step 132, the socket walls
have spread slightly, and instead of a funnel-shaped appearance,
the inner surface is then substantially cylindrical in appearance.
The forces created by the lower portion of the socket being under
tension, together with the step 132 acting as a barrier, provides
sufficient restraint to maintain the uprights for use
conditions.
The canopy 16 is then simply placed on the upper portion of the
uprights with the grooves 26 encompassing the section 36 of the
upright.
As seen in FIG. 6, the canopy sockets 24 also have a cutout 140
defined by the surface 142. In the same manner as the upright
socket, the groove 26 securely grip section 36. An awning of any
desired aesthetic appearance may then simply be tacked, stapled, or
placed over the canopy.
If it is desired to use the unit as a pool, the drain hole 68 is
fitted with the plug 70 and the well is filled with water. On the
other hand, if it is desired to use the unit as a sandbox, the plug
70 is removed to allow the water to escape. It is then replaced and
the well is filled with sand.
Turning to FIGS. 7-11, there is shown a modified embodiment of the
lower portion of the upright structure. It is understood that the
upper portion means for connecting the upright to the canopy frame
can be as previously described or can be in any well-known manner,
so as not to form a part of the present invention. Looking at FIGS.
7, 9, and 10, there is shown a lower portion of an upright 150,
which is T-shaped in cross-section and consists of a central leg
152 and the cross leg 154 having a right portion 156 and a left
portion 158. The lower engagement portion of the upright 160
corresponding to the portion 38 in length shows the central leg 152
flaring slightly as at 162 and then forming a wedge-shaped lower
leg 164 defined by slightly converging side walls 166, 168 and
ending in the lower inwardly converging bottom wall 170. The three
walls 166, 168 and 170 converge to the inner wall 172.
The cross leg 154 is defined by an outer side surface 174 and an
inner central surface 176 defined from side surfaces 178, and inner
surfaces 180 on either side of the central leg member 152. At the
lower portion of the upright, the central surface 176 moves
outwardly at shoulder 182 to meet the side surfaces 174 forming a
continuous lower surface 184. And the inner surfaces blend into a
step-shoulder 186 and thence form inner channels 188 on either side
of the lower leg 164 until they meet the lower edge 190 of the leg
154. The channels resultantly form lower side alignment legs 192,
194 having outer surfaces 196, 198.
The sockets of the well walls are substantially T-shaped in
cross-section (FIG. 10) and are defined by outer alignment walls
200, 202 having inner surfaces 204, 208. The walls abut an inner
wall 209. Centrally positioned within the socket is a leg
receptacle 210 defined by a right wall 212, left wall 213, and a
forward wall 214 having inner surfaces 216, 217, 218. These walls
are non-parallel, sloping downwardly and inwardly toward each
other.
Engagement between the uprights and the sockets of the wall is
relatively simple and simply can consist of positioning the lower
portional length 160 of the upright 150 within the socket so that
the outer surfaces 196, 198 of the legs 192, 194 engage and abut
the inner surfaces 204, 208 of the alignment walls 200, 202.
The actual gripping takes place between the walls 166, 168 and the
surfaces 218, 216 of the receptacle walls 214, 212. The walls 214,
212 are slightly resilient and are of substantially the same inner
dimensions as the outer dimensions of the lower portion of the leg
164. Thus, when the wedge-shaped leg is inserted within the
receptacle 210 the walls 214, 212 are forced out of position and
slightly away from each other. Due to their resiliency, they exert
a force upon the leg portion (164), tightly gripping it and
providing the desired force to retain the upright within the socket
of the well for normal use.
The canopy may be modified slightly, as shown in FIGS. 12-14. FIG.
12 shows a slightly modified form of the canopy frame 220
consisting of an end support 222 in interior frame support 224 and
side frame supports 226 (the other not shown). Note that here the
interior frame supports run perpendicular to the end support as
opposed to that shown in FIG. 6 where they run parallel to the end
support.
As shown in FIG. 12 there is a channel 228 which is cut into the
top edge 238 of the end support 222 passing inwardly. The channel
is defined by side surface 232, 234 and inner bottom surface
236.
The canopy covering 240 is only shown partially in FIG. 12, and is
not shown at all in FIG. 6. In the well-known manner the canopy
covering extends over the entire frame and acts as an awning. For
purposes of illustration of the invention, the covering has a
portion 242 which covers the top of the frame and portion 244, 246,
248, 250 which extends along the side edge 230 of the end support
222 and culminates in a skirt 252 with scallops 254 for aesthetic
purposes.
As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, there is also shown a securement
member 256 which is T-shaped in cross-section and includes a
central finger 258 and a cross leg 260. The finger may be serrated
as at 262 and the average distances between the two surfaces 264,
268 are not paralleled and decrease as the finger extends outwardly
from the leg 260. The finger terminates in a leading edge 266. The
cross leg 260 has two inner surfaces 268 on either side of the
finger and has an outer somewhat arcuate surface 270. To secure the
covering 240 to the frame 220, the covering is placed along the
edge 230 of the support 222. The finger is then positioned against
the covering and moved into the channel 228. Since the outer width
of the finger is somewhat less than the inner width of the channel,
the added thickness supplied by the edges 246, 250 of the wall
covering plus the width of the finger insure a good, tight, yet
detachable fit. The leading edge 266 of the finger cuts against the
portion 248 of the wall covering and hence against the inner or
bottom wall 236 of the channel. The engagement is best illustrated
in FIG. 14.
Thus, the covering is easily and securely joined to the frame,
without the necessity of nails or pins. Since there are no sharp
objects to come loose and fall into the vicinity of the toy, the
hazards of the use of such a toy are considerably lessened.
Furthermore, this securement means completely eliminates all
extraneous attachment elements, such as screws, pins, bolts,
etc.
Thus, there is described and illustrated a rapidly assemblable and
disassemblable combination sandbox and pool which does not require
the use of any outside fastening devices such as screws, nuts and
bolts, etc. This is a significant advance over present "knockdown"
units since assembly is easier and there are no extraneous
fastening element parts to be lost.
While there has been described and illustrated a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous
alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing
from the spirit thereof.
The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed is defined as follows:
* * * * *