Abstract:
An embedded railway system comprising at least one insert removably affixed to a surrounding surface such as a concrete panel by one or more securement devices so that the insert can be installed, removed, replaced or reinstalled without the need to remove the panel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to railway track assemblies and more particularly to an apparatus and method for embedding railway tracks at crossing sites. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Railway track assemblies typically employ a pair of steel rails supported by a plurality of perpendicularly disposed ties that rest on a ballast material. Where roadways intersect or coincide with railway tracks, it is necessary for non-rail vehicles to cross over the railway track assemblies. Often it is desirous to embed the railway tracks so that the top surface of the rails is substantially the same height as the finish grade of the surrounding surface. Embedding the rails in the surrounding surface allows the non-rail vehicles to pass over the rails without discomfort to the non-rail vehicle occupants, damage to the non-rail vehicles, or damage to the track structure. 
     Each pair of rails forming a track have inner sides which are called “gauge” sides. The “gauge” sides face each other. The outer sides of the pair of rails forming a track are called “field” sides. The rails may be embedded in a surrounding surface on the “gauge” side and the “field” side. One of the more common surrounding surfaces is a concrete panel. When rails are embedded in a surrounding surface such as concrete panels, gaps must exist between the rail and the surrounding surface. The gaps between the rails and the surrounding surface or panels allow the wheels of the rail-guided vehicle to pass without obstruction and prevent the surrounding surface from contacting and moving the rails into an unusable out-of-alignment position. 
     The gap between the rail and the surrounding surface causes problems such as the accumulation and flow of fluids and foreign objects between the rail and the surrounding surface. These fluids and foreign objects can damage railway crossing system components, such as ballast, ties, and the attaching hardware. Another problem is that when the surrounding surface is moveable, the gap can allow the surrounding surface or panel to contact or move too close to the rails. In particular, when the center panels of the embedded railway track assemblies are not fixedly attached to the railway ties, the center panels can contact or move too close to the rails. 
     The gap between the rail and the surrounding surface or panels may be filled with material such as asphalt, timber, or an elastomeric material such as natural or synthetic rubber. Such fillers may be attached or not attached to the surrounding surface or panel. One problem with such fillers is that they can be difficult to install, remove, reinstall or replace during, for example, track and ballast inspection and maintenance. A problem with unattached fillers is that they can shift rotationally, laterally, or longitudinally out of their correct installation position during use. A particular problem with existing attached fillers is that they can not be removed, reinstalled or replaced without also moving or removing the surrounding surface or panel. Another problem with attached fillers is that it may be necessary to replace the surrounding surface or panel when the attached filler is replaced. 
     The passage of non-rail vehicles over the embedded railway track assemblies and the exposure to the elements and caustic fluids and foreign objects causes a deteriorating effect on the embedded railway track assemblies. It therefore is desirable to construct the embedded railway track assemblies out of durable materials. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for durable embedded railway track systems that reduce the flow of fluids and other foreign objects between the rail and the surrounding surface, that prevent a moveable surrounding surface from contacting or moving too close to the rails, that are removably attached to the surrounding surface, and that are easy to install, remove, reinstall and replace without moving or removing the surrounding surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,970 to Hull (the present inventor) discloses an elastomeric insert supported by a bracket and affixed to the panel by reinforcing member. The insert is not removable from the panel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,602 to Holland discloses an elastomeric insert affixed to the panel by an edge protector, an extension welded to the edge protector and a bolt inserted through the insert and extension secured by a nut (FIG. 5). The patent does not teach or suggest that the insert is intended to be removable without moving or removing the surrounding surface or panel. The position of the securing nut shows that it would be necessary to move the panel in order to access the bolts and the insert would have to be installed on the panel prior to placement of the panel. The position of the securing nut further shows that the panel would have to be moved in order to access the bolt and nut for removal of the insert. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,711 to Hull (the present inventor) discloses an elastomeric insert supported by a bracket and affixed to the panel an embedded reinforcing member. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,182 discloses an elastomeric insert affixed to the panel by a gripping member embedded in the insert and a cavity for receiving the gripping member where the insert is affixed to the panel by the frictional engagement of the gripping member and the cavity. Once engaged the insert cannot be removed from the panel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,903 to Davis discloses an embedded system in which both field and gauge inserts are bolted to an anchor plate. The &#39;903 patent does not have a panel; rather, the entire system is made of elastomeric material both between the tracks and between the outside of the tracks and the roadway. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,120 to Thim discloses rubber inserts which are secured to the panels by screws. The &#39;120 patent does not teach removing the rubber inserts for any reason. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,670 discloses inserts secured to the panel by means of expanding bolts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,057 to Speer discloses elastomeric inserts secured by a support plate and bolts welded to a plate, and a nut and washer affixed to the bolt after the elastomeric insert is positioned. The drawings indicate that once installed, only the bolts at the very ends of the system would be accessible, if at all. The &#39;057 patent does not teach or suggest that the insert would be removable without the need to move the panel to which the insert is attached. The “U” shaped design of the insert does not allow for access to the bolts once installed. Moreover, the &#39;057 patent teaches away from removability by stating “[b]efore putting the rubber strip into place one side can be coated with a suitable rubber cement to provide an adhesive bond between the rubber strip 16 and plate 20″ (Col 3, 1. 15-18). 
     Therefore, the prior art does not disclose durable embedded railway track systems that reduce the flow of fluids and other foreign objects between the rail and the surrounding surface, that prevent a moveable surrounding surface from contacting or moving too close to the rails, that are removably attached to the surrounding surface, and that are easy to install, remove, reinstall and replace without moving or removing the surrounding surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention which meets the needs identified above is an embedded railway system comprising one or more inserts removably affixed to a surrounding surface such as a concrete panel by one or more securement devices such as a bolt and a nut so that the inserts can be installed, removed, replaced or reinstalled without the need to move the surrounding surface. 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts an overview of the system for one rail. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a cross section of the gauge side of the system for one rail. 
     FIG. 3 depicts an alternate embodiment of the gauge insert. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of the field side of the system for one rail. 
     FIG. 5 depicts a cut line from a top view to show the cross section of FIG. 5 
     FIG. 6 depicts a cross sectional view along the cut line of FIG. 4 showing an alternative panel structure 
     FIG. 7 depicts an alternative panel structure. 
     FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of the system. 
     FIG. 9 depicts the system applied to two rails of a single track. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows the overall system as it is applied to one rail. Rail  10  is fastened to tie plate  40  by means of rail clips  80 . Tie plate  40  is secured to a railroad tie (not shown) by spikes  70  or other rail fasteners. Persons skilled in the art are familiar with a variety of ways to secure rails to ties or other rail foundations such as concrete ties, plastic ties, cross ties or slabs. Gauge panel  170  and gauge insert  110  together make up gauge component  100  of the system. The cross sectional view reveals gauge bolt  150 , gauge nut  156 , gauge cap  130  and gauge plate  160 . Gauge angle  140  is attached to gauge panel  170  and gauge insert  110  is attached to gauge panel  170  by gauge angle  140 , gauge bolt  150  and gauge nut  156 . As used herein for all purposes and references, the word “bolt” shall have the same meaning as the term “securement device” and said term shall include all equivalents to “bolt” known to persons skilled in the art. As used herein for all purposes and references, the word “nut” shall have the same meaning as the term “securement device cap” and said term shall include all equivalents to “nut” known to persons skilled in the art. 
     On the other side of rail  10 , field component  200  is made up of field panel  270  and field insert  210 . Field angle  240  is attached to field panel  270  and field insert  210  is attached to field panel  270  by field angle  240 , field bolt  250 , field plate  260  and field nut  256 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a view of the cross section of gauge component  100 . Gauge angle  140  is a metal piece anchored to gauge panel  170  by anchor rods (not shown) secured to gauge angle  140  and to rebar rods (not shown) which run through gauge panel  170 . In the preferred embodiment, the anchor rods are secured to gauge angle  140  and to rebar rods in gauge panel  170  by welding. Persons skilled in the art are familiar with a variety of methods and devices for securing anchor rods to metal plates such as gauge angle  140  and also for securing anchor rods to rebar rods embedded in concrete. Gauge angle  140  has gauge angle top horizontal section  142 , gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146  and gauge angle vertical section  144 . Gauge angle top horizontal section  142  fits in an indent in gauge panel  170  so that the top surface of gauge angle top horizontal section  142  is generally flush with the top surface of gauge panel  170 . Gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146  has gauge angle hole  147  for receiving gauge bolt  150 . In the preferred embodiment, gauge bolt  150  is inserted into gauge angle hole  147  in gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146  and is welded in place so that gauge bolt threaded body  152  extends upward perpendicular to the surface of gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146 . Gauge bolt base  154  is embedded in the material of gauge panel  170 . Gauge bolt base  154  may be further secured by weld  177 . In the preferred embodiment the material of gauge panel  170  is concrete. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will know that use of gauge bolts  150  could be reversed so that gauge bolt base  154  could be turned to thread gauge bolt threaded body  152  into a threaded cavity in gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146  or to gauge nut  132  welded to the bottom of gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146 . 
     Gauge insert  110  is shaped to receive gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146  and has gauge insert access hole  156 . Gauge insert  110  has gauge plate  160  embedded inside the material of gauge insert  110 . Gauge plate  160  has gauge plate hole  162  for receiving gauge bolt  150 . Gauge plate  160  rests inside and on the material of gauge insert  110  below gauge plate  160 . Gauge insert  110  is placed on gauge panel  170  so that gauge bolt  150  extends through gauge plate hole  162  and into gauge insert access hole  156 . Gauge nut  132  is rotated on gauge bolt  150  and tightened until gauge insert  110  is brought into position against both gauge angle vertical section  144  and gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146 . When gauge insert  110  is brought into position against both gauge angle vertical section  144  and gauge angle bottom horizontal section  146 , gauge insert  110  is fixedly and removably attached to gauge panel  170  so that no lateral or vertical movement of gauge insert  110  can take place relative to gauge panel  170 . In the preferred embodiment, gauge bolt  150  is a ⅝″ outside diameter threaded bolt. Persons skilled in the art will recognize a variety of securement devices in addition to threaded bolts which can be used. For example, a very inexpensive option would be to force fit a mushroom cap (acting as the nut) onto the end of a rebar rod (acting as the bolt) to accomplish the same end. Another option would be to employ a releaseable pressure device to grip a rebar rod or a bolt. In the preferred embodiment, gauge insert  110  is made of a durable, flexible and resilient elastomeric material. Molded natural rubber is one suitable material meeting the requirements. Molded synthetic rubber is another material meeting the requirements. Persons skilled in the art will be familiar with additional materials meeting the requirements described above. The securement device is accessible without the need to move the panel and therefore, the insert can be installed, removed, reinstalled or replaced without the need to move the panel. 
     Gauge insert  110  has gauge insert access hole cap  130  which is placed into gauge insert access hole  156  after gauge bolt  150  and gauge nut  132  have been properly tightened. Gauge insert top surface  123  is horizontal and level with gauge panel top surface  173 . 
     Gauge insert top surface  123  ends at gauge insert top surface edge  111  and extends downward into gauge insert flangeway  112 , gauge insert nose  114  and gauge insert nose rear edge  113 . Gauge insert nose forward edge  115  preferably contacts rail  10  but does not necessarily contact rail  10  due to track structural tolerances. Although preferred, contact of gauge insert nose forward edge  115  is not necessary to perform a function for which gauge insert  110  is intended. A purpose of gauge insert  110  is to reduce the migration of liquid or solid materials to the rail base area of the clips, ties and ballast, and in certain applications, to stabilize gauge panel  170  movement toward rail  10 . Gauge insert face  116  preferably contacts rail  10  but may not contact rail  10 . Although preferred, contact is not necessary because contact need only occur if gauge panel  170  moves toward rail  10 . As long as gauge insert face  116  extends under the ball of rail  10 , gauge insert  110  will form a shield protecting the track and ballast below. Gauge insert bottom surface  118  is flat. FIG. 2 depicts an indent in gauge insert  110  for receiving gauge angle  140 . However, the indent is not necessary and gauge insert  110  can be shaped to extend straight out from gauge angle  140 . Gauge insert flangeway  112 , gauge insert nose  114 , gauge insert face  116  and gauge insert bottom surface  118  extend outward from gauge panel  170  toward rail  10  and define gauge insert arm  119 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts an alternative gauge insert  510 . All of the other components in FIG. 3 are the same as in FIG.  1 . For example, gauge panel  170 , gauge angle  140 , gauge angle hole  147 , gauge plate  160 , and gauge nut  160  are all the same as in FIG.  2 . Alternative gauge insert top surface  523  ends at alternative gauge insert top surface edge  511  and extends into alternative gauge insert flangeway  512 . Alternative gauge insert flangeway  512  turns upward at alternate gauge nose start  513 , continues through alternative gauge insert nose rear face  514  to alternative gauge insert nose tip  515 . From alternative gauge insert nose tip  515 , alternative gauge insert nose face  516  extends to alternative gauge insert nose end  517 . Alternative gauge insert nose face  516  preferably contacts rail  10  but does not necessarily contact rail  10  due to rail structural tolerances. Although preferred, contact with rail  10  is not necessary to perform a function for which gauge insert  510  is intended. The purpose of gauge insert  510  is to reduce the migration of liquid or solid materials to the rail base area of the clips, ties and ballast, and in certain applications, to stabilize gauge panel  170  movement toward rail  10 . Alternative gauge insert face  516  is a curved surface which may or may not contact rail  10  because, although preferred, contact need only occur if field panel  170  moves toward rail  10 . As long as alternative gauge insert face  516  extends under the ball of rail  10 , alternate gauge insert  510  will form a shield protecting the track and ballast below. Alternative gauge insert bottom surface  518  is generally flat. FIG. 3 depicts an indent in gauge insert  510  for receiving gauge angle  140 . However, the indent is not necessary and gauge insert  510  can be shaped to extend straight out from gauge angle  140 . 
     Alternative gauge insert top surface  523 , alternative gauge insert top surface edge  511 , alternative gauge insert flangeway  512 , alternative gauge nose start  513 , alternative gauge insert nose rear face  514 , alternative gauge insert nose tip  515 , alternative gauge insert nose face  516 , alternative gauge insert nose end  517  and alternative gauge insert bottom surface  518  define alternative gauge insert arm  519 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a view of the cross section of field component  200 . Field angle  240  is a metal piece anchored to field panel  270  by anchor rods (not shown) welded to field angle  240  and to rebar rods (not shown) which run through field panel  270 . Field angle  240  has a field angle top horizontal section  242 , a field angle bottom horizontal section  246  and a field angle vertical section  244 . Field angle top horizontal section  242  fits in an indent in field panel  270  so that the top surface of field angle top horizontal section  242  is generally flush with the top surface of field panel  270 . Field angle bottom horizontal section  246  has hole  247  for receiving field bolt  250 . In the preferred embodiment, field bolt  250  is inserted into field angle hole  247  and is welded in place so that field bolt threaded body  252  extends upward perpendicular to field angle bottom horizontal section  246 . Field bolt base  254  is embedded in the material of field panel  270 . In the preferred embodiment the material of field panel  270  is concrete. 
     Field insert  210  is shaped to receive field angle bottom horizontal section  246  and has field insert access hole  256 . Field insert  210  has field plate  260  embedded inside the material of field insert  210 . Field insert  210  has field plate hole  262  for receiving field bolt  250 . Field plate  260  rests inside and on the material of field insert  210  below field plate  260 . Field insert  210  is placed on field panel  270  so that field bolt  250  extends through field plate hole  262  and into insert access hole  256 . Field nut  232  is rotated on field bolt  250  and tightened until field insert  210  is brought into position against both field angle vertical section  244  and field angle bottom horizontal section  246 . When field insert  210  is brought into position adjacent to both field angle vertical section  244  and field angle bottom horizontal section  246 , field insert  210  is fixedly and removably attached to field panel  270  so that no lateral or vertical movement of field insert  210  can take place relative to field panel  270 . In the preferred embodiment, field bolt  250  is a ⅝″ outside diameter threaded bolt. Persons skilled in the art will recognize a variety of securement devices in addition to threaded bolts which can be used. For example, a very inexpensive option would be to force fit a mushroom cap (acting as the nut) onto the end of a rebar rod (acting as the bolt) to accomplish the same end. Another option would be to employ a pressure device with a manual release to grip a rebar rod or a bolt. In the preferred embodiment, field insert  210  is made of a durable, flexible and resilient elastomeric material. Molded natural rubber is one suitable material meeting the requirements. Molded synthetic rubber is another material meeting the requirements. Persons skilled in the art will be familiar with additional materials meeting the requirements described above. The securement device is accessible without the need to move the panel and therefore, the insert can be installed, removed, reinstalled or replaced without the need to move the panel. 
     Field insert  210  has field insert access hole cap  230  which is placed into field insert access hole  256  after field bolt  250  and field nut  232  have been properly tightened. In the preferred embodiment, field insert access hole  256  is wider at the top than at the bottom so that when field insert access hole cap  230  is placed in field insert access hole  256 , field insert access hole cap  230  will not go all the way into field insert access hole  256 . Persons skilled in the art will be familiar with a wide variety of ways of engaging field insert access hole cap  230  in field insert access hole  256 . For example, field insert access hole cap  230  could have an outwardly protruding ring for engaging an indent in field access hole  256 . Field insert top surface  222  is horizontal and level with field panel top surface  273 . Field insert top surface  222  may have a pattern molded into the surface. 
     Field insert top surface  222  ends at field insert top surface edge  211  and extends downward into field insert curve  213 , then extends forward to field insert face  216 . Field insert face  216  is a generally flat surface which preferably contacts rail  10  but does not necessarily contact rail  10  due to track structural tolerances. Contact of field insert face  216  with rail  10  is not necessary because contact need only occur if field panel  270  moves toward rail  10 . As long as field insert face  216  extends under the ball of rail  10 , field insert  210  will form a shield protecting the track and ballast below. Likewise, it is not necessary for field insert top surface edge  211  to contact rail  10 . Contact of field insert face  216  or field insert top surface edge  211  with rail  10  is not necessary to perform a function for which field insert  210  is intended. Field insert face  216  may contact rail  10  and field insert top surface edge  211  may contact rail  10  or neither may contact rail  10  or one or the other may contact rail  10 . The purpose of field insert  210  is to reduce the migration of liquid or solid materials to the rail base area of the clips, ties, and ballast, and, in certain applications, to stabilize field panel  170  movement toward rail  10 . Field insert bottom surface  217  is flat and horizontal. Field insert top section  222 , field insert first corner  211 , field insert face  216 , and field insert bottom surface  217  define field insert arm  219 . FIG. 4 depicts an indent in field insert  210  for receiving field angle  240 . However, the indent is not necessary and field insert  210  can be shaped to extend straight out from field angle  240 . 
     FIG. 5 shows cut line  6 — 6 . On the left cut line  6 — 6  runs through field insert access hole  230  and on the right side cut line  6 — 6  does not run through any field insert hole. 
     FIG. 6 shows the cut line displayed in FIG.  5 . FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus where gauge panel  170  is constructed so that gauge panel  170  has rail retaining device cavity  176  and field panel  240  has a similar rail retaining device cavity which is not shown in FIG.  6 . The reason for the staggered cut line in FIG. 6 is to show that rail retaining device cavities for rail retention clips  80  are staggered so that gauge bolt  150  (cannot be seen in FIG. 6) will not be placed in gauge panel  170  above rail retention clip cavity  176  and so that field bolt  250  will not be placed in field panel  270  above railroad clip  80 . 
     FIG. 6 also shows field angle  240  secured to horizontal rods  290 . Gauge angle  140  is secured to gauge panel  110  by vertical rods  190 . Any combination of horizontal and vertical rods may be utilized. In the preferred embodiment, vertical rods  190  and horizontal rods  290  are spaced  12 ″ center to center and are welded to the rebar rods (not shown) embedded in gauge panel  170  and field panel  270 . Persons skilled in the art will be familiar with a wide variety of ways in which to secure gauge angle  140  and field angle  240  to gauge panel  170  and field panel  270  respectively. The spacing of the rods as well as the number of rods can be varied to maximize the strength of the unit. 
     FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of gauge panel  170  and field panel  270  in which gauge panel  170  extends down in a vertical direction from gauge angle vertical section  144  and gauge angle horizontal section extends outward away from gauge panel  170  providing support for gauge insert  110 . Likewise, field panel  270  extends down in a vertical direction from field angle vertical section  244  and field angle horizontal section extends outward away from field panel  270  providing support for field insert  210 . 
     FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 8, gauge angle  348  has gauge angle horizontal section  342 , gauge angle vertical section  344 , and gauge angle sloped section  346 . Likewise, field angle  440  has a field angle horizontal section  442 , a field angle vertical section  444  and a field angle sloped section  446 . Gauge angle sloped section hole  347  receives gauge bolt  354 . Field angle sloped section hole  447  receives field bolt  450 . Gauge bolt  350  is inserted through gauge washer  348  and gauge angle sloped section hole  347  and rotated to engage gauge threaded receiver  356 . Field bolt  450  is inserted through field washer  448  and field angle sloped section hole  447  and rotated to engage field threaded receiver  456 . Persons of ordinary skill in the art will know that the use of gauge bolts  350  and field bolts  450  could be reversed and gauge bolt head  354  and field bolt head  454  could be welded beneath gauge angle sloped section  346  and field angle sloped section  446  respectively. Gauge threaded receiver  356  and field threaded receiver  456  could be replaced by gauge nut  232  (as shown in FIG. 2) and field nut  232  (as shown in FIG. 4) respectively. Alternatively, gauge angle sloped section hole  347  and field angle sloped section  447  could be threaded for receiving gauge bolt  350  and field bolt  450  respectively. Gauge angle  340  is fixedly attached to gauge panel  370  by gauge angle rod  371 . Field angle  440  is fixedly attached to field panel  470  by field angle rod  471 . In the embodiment disclosed, gauge angle rod  371  and field angle rod  471  are spaced  12 ″ center to center and may be further attached to horizontal or vertical rebar rods in the concrete of field panel  470  and gauge panel  370 . The preferred method of attaching gauge angle rod  371  to gauge angle  370  and field angle rod  471  to field angle  470  is by welding. Moreover, the preferred method of attaching gauge angle rod  371  and field angle rod  471  to rebar rods (not shown) in gauge panel  370  and field panel  470  is by welding: Persons skilled in the art are familiar with a variety of methods and devices for securing anchor rods to metal plates such as gauge angle  340  and field angle  440  and also for securing anchor rods to rebar rods embedded in concrete. 
     One advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is that there is no stabilizing plate. Therefore, in addition to the materials discussed above, extruded rubber may also be usable as a material for gauge insert  310  and field insert  410 . Moreover, gauge washer  348  and field washer  448  can allow for dispensing with gauge slope angle  340  and field slope angle  440  thereby decreasing manufacturing costs. 
     FIG. 9 shows apparatus  50  employed to embed two rails. Apparatus  50  is shown with the center section foreshortened. Field panel  200  for rail  10  mirrors field panel  201  for rail  11 . Gauge panel  100  for rail  10  mirrors gauge panel  101  for rail  11 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.