Abstract:
A locking system wherein the latch is rotatable to provide either a first beveled surface for use as a ramp in latching or a second beveled surface for use as a ramp in unlatching. An entire latch module may be rotated about its axis by a rotary solenoid to achieve this function, and the first and second ramping surfaces are physically the same surface repositioned by rotation 180°. Alternatively, a releasable latch has a beveled surface for engaging a striker plate during bolt entry and a non-beveled surface for locking. The latch is pivotable to allow the non-beveled surface to become the beveled ramp for unlocking. The releasably pivotable latch mechanism may be used with a deadlock. The mechanism is readily incorporated into a rim exit device for releasably securing a door such as an emergency exit and may be actuated either electrically or manually.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a mechanism for latching a hinged door into a frame; more particularly, to a latch having a beveled surface for forcing retraction of the latch by engagement with a striker plate during latching; and most particularly, to an improved releasable latch wherein an element of a latch assembly is rotatable about an axis to provide either a first beveled surface for use in latching or a second beveled surface for use in unlatching. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Existing electromechanical locking mechanisms such as electric strikes, electrified locks, and electrified rim exit devices incorporate electromechanical mechanisms that use some type of locking element such as a keeper, a latch bolt, or a pullman style latch bolt. In unlocking, the locking element (referred to generically herein as a “latch”) is required to rotate or retract out of the way of the mating locking element to reach a state of being unlocked. The latch may be mounted in a door and the mating locking element (referred to herein generically as a “striker” or “striker plate”) may be mounted on a door frame, or vice versa, to equal effect. 
     For electric strikes, unlocking is achieved either by the outward rotation of the keeper, which allows the locked latch to pass through the door frame, or by an internal mechanism designed to push the locked latch out of the door frame to allow the door to be opened. For electrified locks, unlocking is typically achieved by electromechanically unlocking the lock&#39;s knob or lever, thus allowing the user to manually retract the latch to open the door. 
     For electrified rim exit devices, unlocking is typically achieved by utilizing an electromechanical device actuated by a solenoid or motor, to draw a pullman-style latch bolt out of or away from the strike to release the locked door. These electromechanical devices are typically very large in size and aesthetically unpleasing, and they require a large amount of power or current to actuate the unlocking mechanism. 
     What is needed in the art is a locking device, and especially an electromechanical locking device, that can fit within a limited amount of functional space and still meet the force requirements, either electrical or manual, of a design that has moving parts and some degree of complexity to resist easy defeat. 
     It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved, compact locking device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described, a locking system in accordance with the present invention includes an improved latch wherein an element of the latch is rotatable about an axis to provide either a first beveled surface for use as a ramp in latching or a second beveled surface for use as a ramp in unlatching. 
     In a first embodiment, an entire spring-loaded latch module is rotated about its horizontal axis to provide a first ramping surface for engaging the exterior entry edge of the striker plate during locking and a second ramping surface for engaging the interior locking edge of that same striker plate in unlocking. A rotary solenoid or clock motor is implemented to achieve this function. In this embodiment, the first and second ramping surfaces are physically the same ramping surface simply repositioned by rotation of the latch module 180°. 
     In a second embodiment, a releasable latch for mounting in a complementary door frame having a first beveled contact surface for engaging a complementary striker plate during door closing and a second non-beveled contact surface for locking. The object of this embodiment is to pivot the releasable latch in such a way as to allow the previously non-beveled locking surface of the latch to become the beveled ramp for unlocking the door just as the previously beveled surface of the latch was the beveled ramp for locking the door. 
     In locking, the releasable latch presents its beveled first contact surface to the exterior entry edge of a striker plate, allowing the force of door closing to drive the latch assembly axially to permit passage of the releasable latch past the striker plate. The assembly springs back into locking position upon alignment of the latch with an opening in the striker plate when the door is fully closed. The striker plate then engages the flat surface of the releasable latch to secure the door. In unlocking, a tip of the releasable latch is allowed to rotate at least 30° on a pivot axis orthogonal to the direction of latch rotation, such that the original flat contact surface of the releasable latch is now a beveled contact surface defining an exit ramp for allowing the force of door opening to drive the assembly axially to permit passage of the releasable latch past the striker plate. 
     In either the first or second embodiment, a ramp angle of about 30° to about 45° on the releasable latch is required to force the latch bolt assembly back to accomplish locking or unlocking. A further embodiment includes a dead latch mechanism wherein the releasable latch is rotated a full 90° about the pivot axis, thus re-positioning the latch out of the path of the striker plate and thereby precluding the need for any translation of the latch bolt in the unlocking mode. 
     The second embodiment further comprises a mechanism which allows the releasable latch to pivot at the appropriate (unlocking) times and to be held rigid and secure with the latch bolt at other (locking) times. Preferably, such a mechanism comprises a solenoid with its associated plunger, a pivotable keeper, and associated linkages, pivots, and springs, which components permit the latch tip to pivot to an angle of between 30° and 90°. 
     The mechanism described above may be readily incorporated into a rim exit device for releasably securing a door such as an emergency exit. The device may be actuated either electrically as just described or manually. 
     Numerous applications, some of which are exemplarily described below, may be implemented using the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a first embodiment of an electrically releasable latch system in accordance with the present invention, shown in locking mode; 
         FIG. 2  is a view like that shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the assembly in unlocking mode; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an electrically releasable latch system in accordance with the present invention, shown in locking mode; 
         FIG. 4  is a view like that shown in  FIG. 3 , showing the system in unlocking mode; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an electrically releasable latch system, similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 , with a deadlock mechanism; 
         FIG. 6  is a view like that shown in  FIG. 5 , in unlocking mode; 
         FIG. 6A  is a sectional view of the deadlock mechanism and latch, taken along line  6 A- 6 A in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view like that shown in  FIG. 5 , shown in latching mode; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an electrically-actuated/manual override releasable rim exit locking system shown in locking mode; and 
         FIG. 9  is a view like that shown in  FIG. 8 , in unlocking mode. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A dual function (translating and rotating) latch bolt lock system allows for bi-directional movement of the locking mechanism. This capability reduces the required amount of space and power needed for an electromechanical locking device to function. 
     In locking systems, an effective way to release a locked lock is simply to reverse the action of a latch bolt so that the locking edge of the latch bolt for holding the door closed becomes the beveled unlocking edge of the latch bolt for opening. To accomplish this, it is necessary either to rotate the entire latch bolt module on its horizontal axis so as to interchange the beveled and flat surfaces of the latch bolt, or to rotate the tip of the latch bolt in such a way as to allow the flat surface used to lock the door in its closed position to become the ramped unlocking surface for unlocking the door. 
     A first embodiment in accordance with the present invention comprises the electrification of a cylindrical lock mounted in a door frame for engaging a complementary striker plate mounted in a door. In this case, an electrical signal causes the latch bolt assembly to be rotated, thus allowing the lock set to release the door as from a remote location or as a result of a signal emanating from a keypad, badge reader, or other identification means. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in a first embodiment  10  of a releasable locking system in accordance with the present invention, a striker plate  12  is provided in door  24 , as known in the art. Striker plate  12 , in accordance with the invention, is disposed for receiving a selectably rotatable latch bolt  30 , to be described. Striker plate  12  includes striker pocket  14  closing edge  16 , which may include chamfer  18  and locking surface  20 . Locking surface  20  may also include chamfer  22 . Generally cylindrical latch bolt  30  is slidably disposed in a bore  32  in base plate  34  mounted in a complementary door frame and is urged outwards by a return spring  36 . Striker pocket  14  receives latching tip  38  of latch bolt  30  wherein latch bolt  30  is latched by engaging locking surface  20  of striker plate  12  substantially parallel with the corresponding surface  40  of latch bolt  30 . Latch bolt  30  is further provided with a diagonal latching/delatching face  42  formed at an angle, as for example approximately 45°, to the axis  44  of bolt  30 . 
     In locking operation, face  42  is engaged by chamfer  18  of closing edge  16  of door  24  generating a force vector  46  along axis  44 . Continued closing force  48  causes the force vector to overcome the force of spring  36 , causing bolt  30  to slide in bore  32  until the end of latching tip  38  clears closing edge  16 . Continued motion of the door causes the latching tip to pass by the plane of locking surface  20 , allowing bolt  30  to enter pocket  14  and be retained therein as described above. 
     First embodiment  10  further comprises a rotary-acting solenoid  50 , or a motor clutch arrangement, having a rotor  52  attached to latch bolt  30 . When solenoid  50  is de-energized, bolt  30  is disposed for locking as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, energizing of solenoid  50  as by a signal generated by a push-button, entry card, or other recognition device (none shown) causes rotor  52  and bolt  30  to rotate 180° in bore  32 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , placing latching/delatching face  42  adjacent locking surface  20  and in engagement with chamfer  22 . In this position, an opening force  54  on door  24  again generates a force vector  46  along axis  44 . Continued opening motion causes the force vector to overcome the force of spring  36  causing bolt  30  to slide in bore  32  until the end of latching tip  38  clears closing edge  16 . Continued opening motion then causes the latching tip to pass by the plane of edge  16 , allowing bolt  30  to clear door  24 . 
     In a second embodiment, the interchange of the locking and unlocking surfaces on the latch bolt is accomplished by introducing a pivot point near the tip of a releasable latch so that in locked position the latch presents a flat surface to the locking edge of a complementary striker plate in the door and in a second instance provides a beveled surface to the striker plate. To this arrangement is added a mechanism which allows the latch tip to pivot at the appropriate times and to be held rigid and secure at other times. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in second embodiment  110  of a releasable locking system in accordance with the present invention, a striker plate  12  is provided in door  24 . Striker plate  12 , is disposed for receiving a releasable latch  125  having a selectably pivotable latch tip  127 , to be described. Striker plate  12  includes striker pocket  14  closing edge  16 , which may include chamfer  18  and locking surface  20 . Locking surface  20  may also include chamfer  22 . A base plate  134  mounter in a door frame is provided complementary to striker plate  12  for receiving as a modular unit electrically releasable latch assembly  160 , in accordance with the present invention. Releasable latch assembly  160 , mounted on backing plate  164 , is slidably disposed in base plate  134 . Compression spring  161  disposed between latch assembly  160  and base plate  134  biases latch assembly  160  toward the left as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Movement of latch assembly  160  toward the right, against spring  161 , along latch assembly axis  132 , permits latching and unlatching of the door, as will be described below. 
     Releasable latch  125  is disposed on a first pin  162  disposed on the backing plate  164  for rotation about a first pin axis  166 . Releasable latch  125  includes a feature such as first tang  168  that is selectively engaged by a corresponding mating feature such as first notch  170  formed in a keeper  172  rotatably mounted on a second pin  174  also extending from plate  164  for rotation about a second pin axis  176 . Linearly actuating solenoid  188  is disposed to selectively move keeper  172  from a first locking position shown in  FIG. 3  to a second unlocking position shown in  FIG. 4 . Solenoid  188  includes plunger  190 . Keeper  172  includes a orifice  180  engageable by a first end of link  182 . A second end of link  182  engages orifice  184  disposed in plunger  190 . Releasable latch  125  is provided with a spring (not shown) that biases it for rotation in a clockwise direction. Solenoid spring  192  biases plunger  190  in a left direction, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Optionally, keeper  172  may be provided with a spring (not shown) that biases it for rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. 
     In  FIG. 3 , it will be seen, when solenoid  188  is de-energized, first tang  168  of releasable latch  125  is engaged by first notch  170 , thus defining a locking condition for assembly  160 . In its locking condition, releasable latch  125  is prevented from rotating counterclockwise to allow locking surface  20  of striker plate  12  from moving past surface  126  of latch tip  127 . That is, surface  126  remains in a locked position substantially in a parallel, abutting relationship with locking surface  20 . In this abutting relationship, the opening force of the door applied to surface  126  remains normal to surface  126  and translation of latch assembly  160  along axis  132  is prevented, thus preventing the door from being opened 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , in releasing latch  125  to permit counterclockwise rotation thereof, solenoid  188  is energized, allowing keeper  172  to rotate clockwise which unlocks first tang  168  from engagement by keeper notch  170 . When an opening force  154  is applied to door  24 , locking surface  20  of the strike plate applies a force to surface  126  causing releasable latch  125  to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. Second tang  169  and second notch  171  of latch  125  contact third tang  173  of keeper  172  causing releasable latch  125  to assume the rotational position shown in  FIG. 4  wherein surface  126  assumes an angular position, relative to axis  132 , of approximately 30° to 45°. Continued movement of the door in the opening direction allows surface  126  of latch tip  127  to slide along chamfer  22  of locking surface  20  thereby pushing assembly  160  against compression spring  161 . Continued opening movement of the door and continued movement of assembly  160  against spring  161  permits latch tip  127  to clear closing edge  16  of strike plate  12 . Note that surface  126  which was formerly a non-beveled locking surface in the latch&#39;s lock position is transformed into an opening surface beveled at an angle to axis  132  when the solenoid is energized. 
     To close and lock the door, solenoid  188  is de-energized. Keeper  172  rotates in a counter-clockwise direction to a position shown in  FIG. 3  under the extending force of solenoid spring  192 . The clockwise force of the releasable latch bias spring (not shown) causes releasable latch  125  to assume the rotational position shown in  FIG. 3 . Continued movement of the door in the closing direction allows chamfer  18  of closing edge  16  of striker plate  12  to slide along beveled surface  129  of latch tip  127  thereby pushing assembly  160  against compression spring  161 . Continued closing movement of the door and continued movement of assembly  160  against spring  161  permits latch tip  127  to clear locking surface  20  of striker plate  12 , thereby locking the door. Note that, in the operation of this embodiment, the roles of surfaces  126  and  129  are reversed. Surface  126  is the beveled surface for allowing the door to open, and surface  129  becomes the beveled surface for returning the door to a locked position. 
     While the actuator for providing selective movement of the keeper has been described as a linear solenoid, a rotary solenoid for providing rotational movement to the keeper about the keeper&#39;s axis may also be used within the scope of the invention as well as any other actuator, whether electrical or not. 
     It will be obvious that the just-described assembly  160  may be configured as a surface mount for installation on a door frame interacting with a locking strike plate on the door, as described or, conversely, for installation in a door with the complementary locking strike mounted on a door frame. Furthermore, it may be installed on a gate with assembly  160  on the gate post, or vise-versa. 
     It is known in the art to deadlock a latch mechanism in a striker plate, by a trigger bolt or dog, in order to prevent unwanted inward movement of the latch against the latch mechanism return spring when the latch is engaged with the striker plate. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 2,768,014. In such a mechanism, the trigger bolt, when blocked from extending into the striker pocket with the latch, locks the latch from being unwontedly forced out of the pocket against the return spring by a thin object or tool inserted between the striker plate and latch base plate such as a credit card.  FIGS. 5 through 7  adapts a deadlock feature to the pivoting releasable latch disclosed in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , third embodiment  210  having a deadlock mechanism  240  coupled to pivoting latch assembly  260  is shown. It will be readily seen that, when solenoid  288  is de-energized, first tang  268  on releasable latch  225  is engaged by first notch  270  of keeper  272 , thus defining a locking condition for assembly  260 . In its locking condition, releasable latch  225  is prevented from rotating counterclockwise to allow locking surface  220  of striker plate  212  from moving past surface  226  of latch tip  227 . That is, surface  226  remains in a locked position substantially in a parallel, abutting relationship with locking surface  220  thus preventing the door from being opened. 
     Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , it is known that, in the locked condition shown, the releasable latch can be forced out of striker pocket  14  by slipping a thin tool such as a credit card through the gap between door  24  and base plate  134  to contact latch tip  127  of releasable latch  125 . By applying pressure to either beveled surface  129  or surface  126  with the edge of the credit card, releasable latch assembly  160  can be manipulated rightward along its axis  132  against compression spring  161  to disengage latch tip  127  from pocket  14 , thereby unlocking the door. Deadlock mechanism  240  prevents rightward movement of the latch assembly when releasable latch is engaged in the pocket of the striker plate. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , deadlock mechanism  240  includes actuating pin  242  and trigger  244  pivotably attached to actuating pin  242  by axle  246  and is biased by a torsion spring (not shown) to rotate relative to actuating pin  242  in the direction shown as  247 . Actuating pin  242  is slidably held in place against backing plate  264  by a groove (not shown). A compression spring (not shown) disposed between actuating pin  242  and base plate  234  thereby biasing actuating pin  242  in its mating groove in the direction shown as  248 . In the closed door position, when releasable latch  225  is engaged in striker pocket  214  as shown in  FIG. 5 , tip  250  of actuating pin  242  contacts surface  252  of striker plate  212  under the force of the actuating compression spring (not shown) thereby preventing further leftward movement of actuating pin  242 . In the position shown, a first ramp surface  254  on trigger  244  is stopped from engaging a second ramp surface  256  on backing plate  264 . Pawl  258  of trigger  244  is thus biased in direction  247  to engage notch  259  in backing plate  264 . Thus, latch assembly  260  is prevented from moving rightward against compression spring  261 , and unwanted disengagement of releasable latch  225  from striker pocket  214  is prevented as well. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in releasing latch  225  to permit counterclockwise rotation thereof, solenoid  288  is energized, allowing keeper  272  to rotate clockwise which unlocks first tang  268  from engagement by keeper notch  270 . When an opening force  154  ( FIG. 5 ) is applied by door  24 , locking surface  220  of the striker plate applies a force to surface  226  causing releasable latch  225  to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction against a biasing torsion spring (not shown). Releasable latch  225  is forced to rotate approximately 90° by striker plate  212  to assume the position shown in  FIG. 6 . Note that, to permit a full 90° rotation of releasable latch  225 , second tang  169  and third tang  173  (as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) are removed. Also, as shown in  FIG. 6A , first tang  268  of releasable latch  225  is bifurcated to receive actuating pin  242  at full 90° rotation. Further, scalloped clearance slot  257  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) is provided in base plate  234  to receive rotated first tang  268 . It is an important feature of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  that, when solenoid  288  is activated to permit 90° rotation of rotatable latch  225 , trigger  244  remains engaged in notch  259  to prohibit rightward movement of latch assembly  260 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , to return the door to a locked position after opening, solenoid  288  is de-energized. The clockwise force imposed by the releasable latch bias spring (not shown) causes first tang  268  of releasable latch  225  to re-engage first notch  270  of keeper  272 . Since striker plate  212  and striker pocket  214  are no longer in position to receive latch tip  227 , and tip  250  of actuating pin  242  is no longer in contact with striker plate  212 , actuating pin  242  moves leftward in direction  247  under the force of the actuating pin compression spring (not shown). First ramp surface  254  rides up on second ramp surface  256  until actuating pin ledge  243  comes in contact with stop pin  245  thereby inhibiting further leftward movement of actuating pin  242 . In the position shown in  FIG. 7 , contact between ramps  254 , 256  causes trigger  244  to rotate counter-clockwise against its biasing torsion spring (not shown). Pawl  258  becomes disengaged from notch  259  thereby once again permitting rightward translation of retractable latch assembly relative to backing plate  264 . Continued movement of the door in the closing direction allows bull nose section  218  of closing edge  216  of striker plate  212  to slide along beveled surface  229  of latch tip  227  thereby pushing assembly  260  against compression spring  261 . Continued closing movement of the door and continued movement of assembly  260  against spring  261  permits latch tip  227  to clear locking surface  220  of striker plate  212 , thereby locking the door. Note that, in the operation of this embodiment, rotatable latch  225  rotates 90° for allowing the door to open, and beveled surface  229  is used for returning the door to a locked position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , an exemplary solenoid actuated, manual override rim-exit releasable latch system  310  in accordance with the present invention comprises a body  312  slidably mountable on or in a door  394 . A releasable latch  325 , having a beveled first entry surface  327 , second locking surface  326  and tang  368 , is pivotably mounted on a first pin  362 . Releasable latch  325  includes a bias spring (not shown) for urging rotation of latch  325  in a counter-clockwise direction against stop  369 . A keeper  372  having a notch  370  is pivotably disposed on a second pin  374 . In locking position as shown in  FIG. 8 , tang  368  is engaged by notch  370 , thus preventing rotation of releasable latch  325 . Keeper  372  includes an arm  373  rotatably connected to a link  375  rotatably connected to a linear solenoid  388 . Solenoid  388  may be actuated remotely by a signal generated by a push button, entry card, or other recognition device. Panic bar  391 , also known colloquially in the art as a “crash bar”, is mounted to a surface of door  324  for reciprocating movement in the direction  390  shown in  FIG. 8 . One or more springs  385  bias panic bar  391  in a direction away from the surface of door  324 . Panic bar  391  includes nose portion  392  protruding through an opening  328  in the surface of door  324 . Lever  350 , pivotably disposed on a third pin  352 , includes a first end  354  slidably connected, via slot  356 , to pin  358  in arm  373 . Nose portion  392  of panic bar  391  makes contact with a radiused edge on a second end  360  of lever  350 . 
     In locking operation, system  310  functions like spring-loaded latch assembly as described above wherein closing force  335  imposed on beveled first entry surface  327  by a striker plate (not shown) causes system  310  to slide axially in a lateral direction  337  to clear the striker plate, whereupon a spring  393  returns system  310  to locked position within the striker plate. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in operation, when panic bar  391  is urged against second end of lever  350 , it causes a counter-clockwise rotation of lever  350  and, through pin  358 , a counter-clockwise rotation of keeper  372 . When notch  370  of keeper  372  disengages from tang  368  of releasable latch  325 , latch  325  is no longer prevented from rotation and thus is free to rotate clockwise in response to an opening force  339  applied to second locking surface  326  of release latch  325 . It will be seen that, in accordance with the present invention, locking surface  326  is transformed by rotation of latch  325  into a beveled unlocking surface (shown as a dotted line  326   a ) that causes system  310  to slide axially to clear the striker plate (not shown) in opening of the door. This arrangement enables a door to open more quickly than the common prior art panic device utilizing a Pullman latch because opening of the door is not dependent on the latch being completely rotated parallel to the surface of the static door frame or mullen. 
     Still referring now to  FIG. 9 , a solenoid actuation of the mechanism  310  is shown, wherein nose portion  392   a  (shown in dotted line) is in its position shown in  FIG. 8 . Keeper  372  includes a first orifice for rotatably receiving a first end of link  375 . Solenoid plunger  390  includes a second orifice for rotatably receiving a second end of link  375 . Actuation of solenoid  388 , which may be remotely actuated, causes counter-clockwise rotation of keeper  372 . When notch  370  of keeper  372  disengages from tang  368  of release latch  325 , latch  325  is no longer prevented from rotation and thus is free to rotate clockwise in response to an opening force  339  applied to second locking surface  326  of release latch  325 . It will be seen that, opening of the door via actuation of panic bar  391  overrides solenoid actuation of the system without functionally inhibiting the ability of the solenoid to actuate the system as well. 
     While the various embodiments have been described as actuate-able by a powered actuator such as, for example, a linear solenoid or a rotary solenoid, it is understood that the embodiments may be actuated by any type of force such, for example, a vacuum motor, or by human force only. 
     While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims.