U.S. patent number 3,893,589 [Application Number 05/344,449] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-08 for vending machine with traveling release.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Marrick Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Darla R. Mandell.
United States Patent |
3,893,589 |
Mandell |
July 8, 1975 |
Vending machine with traveling release
Abstract
A vending machine having two removable storage racks separated
by a central service and item delivery area in a cabinet having two
doors associated with the removable storage racks and a front plate
associated with the central service and item delivery area and
provided with a slidably mounted receiving and releasing mechanism
which obtains a vended item from a storage rack and delivers it to
a purchaser through an item delivery slot in the central service
and item delivery area.
Inventors: |
Mandell; Darla R. (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Marrick Industries, Inc.
(Houston, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
23350595 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/344,449 |
Filed: |
March 23, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/123;
221/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
11/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
11/04 (20060101); G07F 11/10 (20060101); G07f
011/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;221/123,126,127,155,197,242,287,128 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Kocovsky; Thomas E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Johnson; Kenneth H.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A vending apparatus comprising
a cabinet having two hinged doors,
two storage racks having a plurality of vertical chutes therein
said racks being spaced apart and mounted in said cabinet and
positioned behind said doors
a plurality of moveable holding latch means, each associated with
one of said chutes at the lower end thereof and projecting into
said chutes for supporting items in said chute;
a releasing and receiving means slidably mounted on longitudinal
rods below and in cooperative alignment with said racks for
receiving and delivering vended items, said releasing and receiving
means having a platform, a means for moving said platform
horizontally to a predetermined location below a chute comprising a
stepper motor operably connected to a cog wheel, said cog wheel
being functionally associated with a track, and means to actuate
said moveable holding latch means associated with said chute for
withdrawing said holding latch from said chute to allow an item to
drop from said chute on to said platform and
a plurality of blocking means each associated with a chute for
holding items above the first item in said chutes when said first
item is released therefrom, said holding latch means and said
blocking means being independently pivotally mounted on said
chutes.
2. The vending apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said chutes
are adapted to receive rectangular items.
3. The vending apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said storage
racks are removably mounted by means of cooperative engagement of a
bracket attached to each of said racks with a bracket holder
attached to said cabinet.
4. The vending apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bracket
is a longitudinal member having a downwardly open channel therein
and said bracket holder is a longitudinal member having an upwardly
open channel therein.
5. The vending apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said bracket
holder is positioned in said cabinet opposite said doors.
6. The vending apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said racks
are positioned in said cabinet longitudinally on either side of
said service and delivery area.
7. The vending apparatus according to claim 1 having a service and
delivery area positioned between said storage racks wherein said
releasing and receiving means is adapted to remain in said service
and delivery area at a predetermined position therein when said
apparatus is not in vending operation.
8. The vending apparatus according to claim 7 having a panel
removably mounted between said doors wherein said panel is adapted
to cooperate with said releasing and receiving means for delivering
vended items out of said apparatus.
9. The vending apparatus according to claim 8 wherein means is
provided for pushing vended items from said vending machine.
10. The vending apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a selection
means and a currency receiving means are located in said service
and delivery area.
11. The vending apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said panel
is adapted to accommodate said selection means and currency
receiving means for providing access thereto.
12. The vending apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said doors
have display windows therein and form corresponding discrete
display areas.
13. The vending apparatus according to claim 12 wherein light means
are located on the inner side of said doors and adjacent to said
display areas for lighting thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention related to an apparatus for storing and
vending items. More particularly the invention relates to a vending
machine having two storage racks for items and a central dispensing
area. Another aspect of the present invention is the modular
arrangement of components which provides a universal machine which
can be adapted, easily to different sizes and shapes of items being
vended and to changes in the various internal mechanisms.
The concept of modular arrangements of the internal mechanisms
within the cabinet results in a combination which can be described
as a cabinet within a cabinet. The concept of a cabinet within a
cabinet is not a literal configuration but refers to that aspect of
the present invention wherein the cabinet portion of the present
apparatus remains the same while the internal components are
arranged to provide, in essence a new vending machine, capable of
handling different merchandise. The concept is such that the
vending machine is rearranged or adapted for the new task, in situ
by removing and replacing mechanisms and the like to arrive at the
vending machine having the properties and capacities desired.
The present invention also provides an apparatus which can be
easily adapted to accomodate improvements or changes in various
components so that a significant advance in a component portion of
the apparatus will not make the entire machine obsolete as is now
the result. The present apparatus is also very easy to maintain
since a part in need of repair is pulled out and replaced.
Since the machines are never obsoleted by improvements or changes
of the internal modules the overall cost of operation and vending
can be reduced. Furthermore, as needs and conditions change the
vending machine is adaptable to new items.
The present modular concept regarding the apparatus of the present
invention is particularly compatible with my modular solid state
vending apparatus disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No.
262,500 filed June 14, 1972 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,505, which
related to the use of an electronic system to perform all of the
functions in the vending machine except the actual delivery of the
vended item. Thus the purely mechanical aspects of the vending
machine are kept to a minimum and relate, particularly to the
present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated the present invention is a vending apparatus
comprising:
A cabinet having two hinged doors,
Two removable storage racks mounted in said cabinet and positioned
behind said doors,
A means attached to said cabinet for removably mounting said
storage rack,
A releasing and receiving means slidably mounted below and in
cooperative alignment with said storage racks, for receiving and
delivering vended items,
A service and delivery area positioned between said storage racks,
and
a panel removably mounted over said service area.
The cabinet as such is a shell into which the modules are mounted.
The doors of the cabinet also serve as the display area where the
vended items are displayed. Preferably there are a number of
individual display areas where the goods are attractively
presented. The storage racks are mounted in brackets on the back
wall of the cabinet and can be lifted off out through the open
doors. A single rack is mounted behind each door. Between the racks
is a service area. The electronic selection system, for example, is
mounted in this area along with the selection buttons or the like.
Also the currency receptors and the place for delivery of the
vended items are in this area, which is covered with a removeable
plate. If the nature of selection buttons are changed, e.g.,
increased or decreased or the currency receptor changed, e.g., from
coin to paper, the new component is installed in place of the old
in the service area and a new plate adapted to the particular
change, if any, or the old plate if the external features are the
same is installed over the service area. The doors in the closed
position, abutt and overlap the plate and secure the internal
portion of the apparatus.
Each of the racks is comprised of a series of chutes into which
items for vending are loaded. A release mechanism holds the items
in the chutes and releases them when a purchase is made, so they
can be retrieved by the purchaser. The vended item drops into a
carrier which brings it back to service area where it is delivered
to the purchaser through an opening in the plate. It is apparent
that each rack will have several chutes in order to economically
justify the machine, thus a rack will have a plurality of chutes.
The number and size can be varied, however, generally the chutes in
a single machine will be substantially the same size and
configuration and the removable racks will be replaced in their
entirety when a change is desired.
Some of the advantages of the present invention have been indicated
above. One particular advantage of the present vending apparatus is
its convertability from one size or shape of vend item to another.
Another advantage is the security feature of not having the storage
racks immediately accessable from the item retrieval opening.
Another feature of the apparatus is the modular nature of the
components parts which allows great flexibility in the utilization
of the machine. Another feature of the apparatus is the
accessability of the internal components for servicing or repair. A
further feature is the central service area. These and other
advantages will be generally apparent from the specifications and
the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the outer cabinet of the apparatus
of the present invention with all of the components in place for
operation.
FIG. 2 is partial isometric view of the apparatus with the doors
opened and the center plate and one of the removable racks
removed.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus with both doors fully
opened and the center plate removed.
FIG. 4 is a detail of the rack mounts taken along 4--4 of FIG.
3.
FIG. 5 is a detail isometric view of the carrier and a release
mechanism.
FIG. 6 is detail of the release mechanism taken along 6--6 of FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1 the cabinet 1 in the closed and operational
configuration is depicted. Cabinet 1 is a closed unit comprised of
either of a number of parts which are assembled or of a single
prefabricated unit with the front opened and adapted to have hinged
doors 2 attached on each side and a front plate 8 situated between
the two doors 2. In addition to closing the cabinet 1 and securing
the contents thereof the doors 2 also serve as a display area for
the goods being vended. There are a plurality of display windows 3
located on each of the doors 2. In FIG. 1 it can be seen that the
display windows 3 are arranged with four above and three below.
However, any configuration or arrangement which is attractive and
likely to induce use of the machine is suitable. Each display
window 3 is covered with a transparent material 4 such as a glass
or acrylic polymer through which the goods to be sold are displayed
so that the actual item being vended can be seen. Each display
window 3 is a discreet display area separated from the other
display windows by partition 9 and display area cover 11. The front
panel 8 is fixedly attached over the area between the two doors.
The security of the closed cabinet is improved if the doors 2
overlap the front panel 8 to some extent. This panel 8 covers the
service area which is situated in the central portion of the
machine. Included in the service area are such items as the
currency receiver 6, the selection panel comprised of selection
buttons 5, and the item delivery slot 7. The front panel 8 is
designed to be cheaply and readily replaced as the need may arise.
For example, if the nature of the currency receiver 6 should be
changed from the type indicated to a coin type or a combination
coin and currency type, the front panel is removed and a new front
panel with the appropriate openings cut therein is inserted in
place. Similarly the selection buttons 5 may change in number or
size so that they will no longer fit the opening existing in the
front plate 8 for that purpose. This can occur if the machine is
modified for different articles to be vended, for example, where
there are fewer items which will be sold. As has been stated above
the modular concept is extended beyond the internal components to
the external components such as the front plate 8. Similarly the
doors 2 may be removed and exchanged for doors containing new
arrangements of display windows 3.
The internal components of the present vending apparatus can be
seen in perspective FIG. 2. Referring first to the door 2 which is
shown in the open position, display area cover 11 which is mounted
on the door adjacent to the display windows 3 and is illustrated as
a single piece of material. However, it can be readily appreciated
that each display area 3 could have a separate cover. The cover 11
is attached by any conventional means, such as screws, clamp, etc.
Although not shown in detail the cover 11 is seated a slight
distance back from the display area so that the light from electric
flourescent lamp 10 is able to enter into the display area 3 and
illuminate the items on display. Alternatively the partitions 9 can
be made of a transparent or translucent material to allow light to
pass and the cover may be seated against the display areas. It
should be noted that in some applications the electric light 10 may
be omitted and the ambient light from the location where the
machine is placed will light the display windows 3. This will occur
in such instances when the machines are on location in airport
terminals, bus terminals and the like where lighting is always
provided.
The machine is divided so that there are two banks of storage racks
12 situated therein. In FIG. 2 one of the storage racks 12 is shown
displaced from the machine. The other is shown properly seated in
the machine as it would be in operation. The racks 12 are both
removable, thus furthering the modular concept. The mounting of
storage racks 12 is shown in more detail in FIG. 4 which will be
discussed in more detail hereinafter.
Each rack is adapted to be seated into the space between the outer
wall of cabinet 1 and the service area behind front panel 8. Means
(not shown) may be provided whereby the exact location of a storage
rack 12 in the cabinet 1 will be the same each time it is removed
and replaced. This means could be, for example, a color mark,
flange, stud or other simple indicia. Each rack is composed of two
side members 13 which are connected by means of front braces 16 and
back braces 21. As depicted here there are two front braces 16 and
two back braces 19. However, there could be only one such brace or
there could be more than two. Attached by appropriate means such as
spot welding to the front and back braces respectively are front
ribs 15 and back ribs 19 the ribs form chutes into which items to
be vended or containers such as rectangular boxes are placed
containing the vended items. It should be noted that each end
member 13 has a fin 20 along each vertical side thereof which is
conveniently formed by making the end member 13 from a sheet metal
and bending or stamping the sheet to form the fins 20. In any event
the fin 20 along with the end member 13 form a part of the chute.
The other portion of each chute is formed by a rib 15 and a rib 19.
All of the front ribs 15 are comprised of an angle facing in one
direction, in this case to the right of the figure, and all of the
back ribs are formed from an angle facing in one direction which is
opposite to that of the front ribs. Thus all of the chutes are
formed by the ribs 15 and 19 and in the case of the two end chutes
by a pair of ribs and a side member 13. The vended items are
retained in the proper position within the chute by two angles,
i.e., an angle formed in a front rib 15 and an angle formed in a
back rib 19. These two angles are diagonally opposed to one another
across the chute. Across the other diagonal of the chute the flat
surface of a front and rear rib respectively form the other sides
of the chute.
At the lower end of each of the chutes formed within the storage
racks 12 are blocking mechanisms 17 which are mounted on rod 18.
The blocking mechanism 17 and the holding latch 56 are described in
detail in regard to FIGS. 5 and 6. However generally speaking, the
blocking mechanism 17 holds the items being vended other than the
first item in the chutes and the holding latch 56 releases the
first item at the appropriate time after a sale has been made.
The releasing and receiving mechanism is slidably mounted on rods
26 which are mounted longitudely along the front and rear of the
cabinet 1 below the storage racks 12. This receiving and releasing
mechanism is mounted on rods 26 by a housing 29 at the front and
rear of the mechanism through which the rods 26 pass. The housing
may have a frictionless sleeve such as nylon or Teflon seated
therein. Supported on this housing is a platform 34, and four
retaining members 35 located about the sides of platform 34.
Platform 34 is designed to receive a package or item from a chute
and to hold it for delivery to the purchaser. The releasing and
receiving mechanism which is shown in detail in FIG. 5 hereinafter,
is moved to the appropriate location beneath a chute by means of
stepper motor 31 which is connected to gear reduction box 32 by
drive shaft 41. The gear reduction box is in turn connected by
drive shaft 33 to cog wheel 30, which is mounted in operative
contact with teeth 28 on track 27. The stepper motor operates when
it receives a signal in accordance with the procedure, for example,
disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 262,500 filed June
14, 1972, and mentioned above. It is, of course, not important to
this invention by what means the stepper motor is directed to move
and that aspect of the process described here forms no part of this
invention. Furthermore, the releasing and receiving mechanism need
not be propelled by a stepper motor. Having received an instruction
to move the appropriate number of steps either to the right or to
the left the stepper motor then moves the releasing and receiving
mechanism as instructed and will position it below a particular
chute corresponding to the number of steps as directed.
The blocking mechanism 17 and the holding latch 56 at the lower end
of each chute are actuated by the releasing and receiving mechanism
and either by specific signals or as part of a continuous process
to release a vended item which will fall onto the platform 34.
Having completed this step in the process the stepper motor is then
directed to return to the central position it occupies in FIG. 2
carrying the vended item on the platform. When the releasing and
receiving mechanism is again positioned within the service area in
front of the item delivery slot 7 the servo motor 38 is actuated
which causes the spirally grooved rod 29 to rotate in a clockwise
direction. Seated on spirally grooved rod 39 is bushing 37 having a
meshing spiral groove internal thereof such that bushing 37 will
ride along rod 39 towards servo motor 38 as the rod 39 is rotated
in a clockwise direction. Attached to bushing 37 is a pushing
member 36. As the bushing 37 and pushing member 36 are pulled
toward the motor 38 the vended object which has been received onto
platform 34 and carried by the releasing and receiving mechanism
back to the central service area of the machine is pushed forward
and out through the item delivery slot 7. The servo motor 38 will
reverse itself either at a predetermined time or by the tripping of
a switch (not shown) so that the bushing 37 and member 36 are
returned to the point shown in FIG. 2. Rod 39 is rotatably seated
in a bushing on the cabinet (not shown). Slots 40 are adapted to
receive flanges (not shown) on front panel 8 so as to seat the
front panel on the machine. Other means, such as locks and latches
are present and not shown to secure the front panel 8 to the
cabinet 1.
FIG. 3 shows a front elevation of the vending apparatus and the
track running the length of the machine can be clearly seen. The
selection apparatus 5 is a modular unit in itself and can be
replaced in its entirety and more preferably each of the elements
therein have been reduced to a single electronic module which can
be replaced for modification or repair of the machine. The front
panel 8 is designed to be a separate and small portion of the
overall cabinet so that it can be replaced without excessive cost
in the event that the contour or shape or size of the selection
buttons is changed so that the opening in panel 8 through which
these buttons project is not satisfactory. Similarly in the event
that the currency received is changed or out of necessity relocated
the entire front panel is replaced with an appropriate panel. This
has both a practical and an esthetic value. First a front panel
which has unnecessary or overlarge openings therein is a weakened
and less secure element in the security of the machine. It is, of
course, of most importance that the front panel 8 be a substantial
element since it is in such close relationship to the money which
is received in the machine and to the apparatus which directs the
release of the items stored in the chutes. Secondly, it is obvious
that a jury-rigged or inept job of adaption of the front panel 8
might detract from the overall appearance of the cabinet and thus
reduce the customer appeal of the machine and the products
therein.
It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the doors 2 when closed will
project outward somewhat over the lower portion of the cabinet 1
adjacent thereto. This is a result of the use of the doors as
display areas and further provides a degree of security and that
the protruding portion of the door makes access into the storage
area of the machine more difficult. For example, the insertion of a
wire or coathanger into the release mechanism area to release goods
or to try to cause the machine to malfunction and deliver unpaid
for items. The problem of security is ever present with vending
machines and the present novel arrangement of the two-door and
two-storage area cabinet with a central service and delivery area
provides a degree of security that most vending machines do not
have. Generally the delivery slots are in line with the storage
chutes. The art has gone through various attempts to provide
security against manipulation of the release mechanisms in the
machines through the delivery slots, however, it is quite apparent
that the present arrangements wherein there is no direct
relationship between the delivery slot and the storage racks 12 is
a preferable one.
Referring now to FIG. 4 the bracket arrangement for securing the
removable storage racks in the cabinet can be seen in detail.
Bracket holder 25 is situated conveniently across the entire length
of the back inside of the cabinet. In the present embodiment there
are an upper and a lower bracket. The rack bracket 25 can be viewed
as having three elements, which are an upper element 43, a lower
element 42 substantially parallel to upper element and a connecting
element 43 between the two. When the bracket 25 is attached to the
rear inside of the cabinet the lower element 42 is secured by
welding, bolting or any other means to the cabinet. The upper
element 43 is spaced away from the back of the cabinet 1 and forms
a channel along the back of the cabinet. The rack bracket 14 is a
portion of the back brace 21 on the storage racks 12 and is
situated so that there is a downward facing channel formed along
the back brace 21. This downward facing channel on the back brace
21 and the channel formed by upper element 43 of the bracket holder
25 are adapted to engage and thus to suspend the storage rack 12
within cabinet 1. It can be seen that this arrangement allows the
storage rack 12 to be easily lifted in and out of the cabinet yet
the weight of the storage rack itself secures it in place.
Moreover, latching means (not shown) can be provided to secure the
storage rack in position.
Turning now to FIG. 5 let it be assumed that the selector mechanism
has been activated by the insertion of currency or otherwise and a
selection has been made causing the releasing and receiving
mechanism to move along rods 26 to a predetermined chute within one
of the storage racks 12 in accordance with the selection made. In
FIG. 5 the platform 34 has been removed so that the release
mechanism can be more clearly seen. As the releasing and receiving
mechanism approaches a chute the cam surface 49 comes into contact
with the lower portion of blocking mechanism 17 forcing the
blocking mechanism to rotate about rod 18 and forcing the upper end
of the blocking mechanism 17 toward the storage rack. Attached to
the upper end of blocking mechanism 17 are two resilient members 45
which are intended to press forward and contact the second item,
for example a box B in the chute and to hold it in that position so
long as the releasing and receiving mechanism is situated below
that chute. This prevents the second item from moving down the
chute when the holding latch is actuated. Thus only one item will
be vended at a time. In its normal position blocking mechanism 17
is biased by torsional spring 46 to hold the resilient members 46
out of contact with the items in the chute. When the releasing and
receiving mechanism is positioned below the chute a signal can be
sent to a servo motor (not shown) which is attached by a shaft 53
to cam 48 to rotage the cam in the direction of the arrow. The
servo motor wil cause cam 48 to make one complete revolution. In so
doing the arms 50 will be forced outward and trip member 52 which
will contact the holding latch 56.
The holding latch operation is described in detail in FIG. 6. As
shown in FIG. 6 the holding latch 56 is in the non-release
configuration in that it is holding the items to be vended in the
chute in the storage rack 12. This can be seen by the box A which
is seated on shoulder 57. The holding latch is held in this
configuration by torsional spring 55. As noted above when the
releasing and receiving mechanism is situated below a chute the
releasing portion of the apparatus is actuated by rotation of cam
48 sending the trips 51 and 52 outward. As trip 52 moves outward it
will contact the trip contact portion 58 of holding latch 56. In so
doing it will force the holding latch back so that the shoulder 57
is removed from below box A thus allowing box A to drop down into
the receiving portion of the releasing and receiving mechanism. As
noted above the resilient members 45 on blocking mechanism 17
secure the box immediately above box A thus allowing only one box
(A) to fall. As the cam 48 completes its revolution and comes back
into the rest position the spring 55 biases the holding latch 56
back into its normal position forcing the trip 52 back to its
normal position. Similarly trip 52 can be biased by springs
attached thereto and to the plate 59. When this procedure has been
completed the releasing and receiving mechanism will receive a
signal to return to the central service area to its off position
opposite the item delivery slot 7. As the releasing and receiving
mechanism moves away from the chute under which it has been
positioned the cam surface 49 is moved away from the lower portion
of blocking mechanism 17 thus allowing the blocking mechanism to
return to its normal off or static position. In so doing the
blocking effect on the box B is released thus allowing this box or
item to move down the chute into the position of the A box as shown
in FIG. 6 and the other box thereabove will become the new B box.
The box A will seat itself on shoulder 57 and the chute is now
ready to repeat the process. It should be appreciated that a
holding latch similar to that shown in FIG. 6 may also be situated
at the rear of the chute holding box A and releasing it upon
contact with trip 51. A blocking mechanism 17 has not been found to
be necessary at the rear of each chute since the front blocking
mechanism will press the box B back and against the back ribs of
the chute and thus hold it securely in place. It should be noted
that the trip member 52 is situated to the side so as not to block
the delivery of the vended item through the item delivery slot
7.
The arms 50 are held and guided by guides 47 which are mounted on
plate 59. The retaining members 35 are conveniently attached to two
of the guides. It is apparent that the retaining members 35 could
be solid walls and that the platform 34 and retaining members 35
could all be comprised of a single trough-like member.
A particularly interesting feature of the present invention is the
location of the central delivery slot. This allows the releasing
and receiving mechanism to move under a chute and return with the
vended item in a relatively short time as opposed, for example, to
an arrangement wherein the releasing and receiving mechanism would
have to travel the entire length of all of the chutes in a vending
apparatus to arrive at the last chute. By the present novel
configuration the maximum distance that the releasing and receiving
mechanism may be required to travel is one-half of the single
storage rack configuration.
The present apparatus is adapted to operate electrically. The
particular conditions have not been discribed since these may be
varied. For example, the various motors described can be 115 volt
AC or 12-40 volt DC, similarly the selection means and the other
components may operate from a variety of voltages.
It is anticipated that the selection means, currency receivers,
accumulators, counters and the like will be solid state, integrated
circuitry, however, the present invention is capable of operation
with the prior art mechanical equivalents of these solid state
components or with combinations thereof. Similarly, although no
solenoids are disclosed herein they may be employed where they can
perform the function of motors described. Solenoids are a common
feature of prior vending apparatus; they are however, quite
frequently the major source of breakdown and should be avoided.
Although the present invention has been described with regard to a
particular embodiment and the particulr manifestations for that
particular embodiment it is apparent that there are a number of
obvious and conventional modifications which could be made without
changing the overall intent and scope of the invention. These
obvious and expedient modifications are intended to be within the
scope of the invention and the figures submitted herewith are not
intended to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention.
* * * * *