Abstract:
A label holder including a transparent cover member overlying a main body panel to form a label-receiving pocket connectable to a flat front face shelf without tape. The main body panel faces the front face of the shelf. The label holder includes an attachment structure for attaching the label holder to a horizontally oriented shelf lip by defining a U-shaped slot or gap. The attachment structure includes a concave portion, preferably U-shaped, that is elastically stretchable or deformable. This allows stretching of the attachment structure to accommodate different depths of the shelf lip.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/673,773 filed Apr. 22, 2005. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to label holders for use with merchandise display shelves having a flat front face that is used in retail outlets such as department stores, supermarkets, drug stores, or the like, to receive labels providing information relating to merchandise being displayed on the shelves. More specifically, this invention is directed to a label holder with a transparent window or cover member hingedly and resiliently secured to a back or main body panel to form a pocket therebetween for reception of a paper label or the like. The label holder is intended for tape-free attachment to a shelf having a horizontally oriented merchandise support surface, a downwardly disposed flat face (i.e., without C-channel, for example) and an inwardly oriented lip parallel to the merchandise support surface. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Consumer-oriented product information labels are commonly found in supermarkets, drug stores, and the like, and provide purchasers with the unit price, promotional and nutritional information, and the like and, also, commonly include bar codes or other inventory control information for the use of the store personnel. Such information may be carried on paper or plastic labels secured directly to the front edge of a merchandise shelf, but the use of adhesively-backed labels has obvious disadvantages in the constantly changing commercial environment found in today&#39;s marketplace. More often, plastic label holders are provided which are adapted to removably receive and display the labels in a well-known manner. 
   Such label holders are generally provided in elongated sections, perhaps four feet in length and may be secured by double-sided adhesive tape or the like to flat-faced supporting surfaces, such as the front edge of a merchandise shelf. This method of attaching is well known for merchandise shelves that do not have particular channels, such as C-channels, the latter of which are intended to receive the labels or plastic label holders as are known in the art. 
   Various label holders, as well as combined label and sign holders, are known in the art for connection with a wide variety of shelf configurations. A common label holder is one that includes a transparent window or cover member that is hingedly and resiliently secured to the lower edge of a back or main body panel to form a pocket therebetween for reception of a paper label or the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,394,632, 5,515,632 and 5,899,011, each of which disclose various label holders, including label holders where the cover member is locked to the back or main body panel. Combined label and sign holders are also well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,112. Typically, the cover member of the label holder will include means for retaining a sign on the front face of the cover member, thus enabling the combined label and sign holder configuration. 
   As mentioned above, when the shelving to which a label holder is to be applied includes no front face gripping or attachment elements, such as a C-channel, to receive labels or label holders, the attachment of the label holder to the front face is typically by two-sided tape which has the disadvantages discussed above. Thus, a need has arisen for a label holder for tape-free connection with a flat face shelf arrangement. See, for example, U.S. Design Patent No. D480,434 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,201. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel label holder for facilitating attachment and detachment to a flat front face shelf in an easy and secure manner. Particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel label holder for a shelf having a flat sloping front edge or face with an inwardly oriented lip disposed parallel to the horizontally-oriented merchandise support surface. 
   Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel label holder that is mounted to a sloping flat front face shelf free of any taped connections and easily mountable to the shelf. 
   It is further an object of the present invention to provide a label holder having a main or back body panel with a hingedly and resiliently secured cover member which defines a pocket to receive a label and wherein the cover member can be opened to insert or withdraw a label while maintaining the label holder firmly connected to the shelf. That is, the back surface of the main body panel is intended to remain forcibly and securely maintained in mating engagement to the flat face shelf even when the cover member is opened. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a label holder where the back or main body panel is firmly and forceably engaged with the shelf face to keep it from moving when the window is opened. 
   Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plurality of elongated flexible bumps or ridges on the rear surface of the main body panel to engage the shelf face to prevent the label holder from slipping downward when the window is opened or when the label holder is hit with a downward motion and to also reduce pressure on that part of the label holder that is mounted to the inwardly directed shelf lip. 
   Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a label holder for a standard shelf with the label holder including an upper section having a label holder and a lower section of a V-shape and U-shape being elastically stretched for frictionally engaging a lowermost portion of the standard shelf under a tension force. 
   These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings serve to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to be drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view or cross-sectional view of a standard shelf profile (mid-deck) to which the label holders of the present invention are intended to be attached; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view or cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a label holder for a standard shelf of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view or cross-sectional view of the label holder of  FIG. 2  attached with the standard shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4A  is a side view or cross-sectional view of a bottom shelf or a base deck to which a label holder is intended to be attached; 
       FIG. 4B  is a side view or cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a label holder attached to the standard shelf of  FIG. 1 , it being understood as being within the scope of the present invention that the embodiment of  FIG. 4B  may be used in combination with a base shelf as is typically found in a series of stacked shelves, as well as a mid-deck or standard shelf of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view or cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a label holder of the present invention, it being understood as being within the scope of the present invention that the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 8  may be used in combination with a base shelf as is typically found in a series of stacked shelves; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view or cross-sectional view of the label holder of  FIG. 5  attached to a return lip of the standard shelf of  FIG. 1  or a base shelf having a widthwise dimension of 0.560 inches; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view or cross-sectional view of the label holder of  FIG. 5  attached to a return lip of the standard shelf of  FIG. 1  or a base shelf having a widthwise dimension of 0.615 inches; 
       FIG. 8  is a side view or cross-sectional view of the label holder of  FIG. 5  attached to a return lip of the standard shelf of  FIG. 1  or a base shelf having a widthwise dimension of 0.670 inches; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view or cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a label holder of the present invention having a U-shape lower section with a top opening window; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view or cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention having a U-shape lower section with a bottom opening window; and 
       FIG. 11  is a side view or cross-sectional view of the label holder of  FIG. 9  mounted on a bottom shelf or base deck. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Although only preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are given by way of illustration only. It is not intended that the invention be limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
   In the accompanying drawings,  FIGS. 1-11 , the label holder  10  ( 110 ,  310 ,  410 ) of the present invention is intended to be utilized with elongated standard shelving of the type shown in  FIG. 1  as shelving  100 . This “standard shelf”, or “mid-deck” shelf, as the term is used herein, is typically mounted in stacked parallel planes above a bottom shelf or base deck of the type as is shown in  FIG. 4A . As will be described, the bottom shelf or base deck configuration requires that the label holders in the various embodiments be dimensioned to fit over the bottom lip  208  and below the horizontal plate  205 , i.e., within the gap therebetween. 
   The standard type of shelving includes a horizontally-oriented merchandise support surface  102  having a specific depth to retain merchandise thereon with an integrally-formed front edge or face  104  that is flat and typically disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the upper support surface  102 . The shelf front face  104  may be of various heights typically approximately 13 to 12 inches. At the bottommost edge  106  of the shelf and integral therewith, is a return lip  108  that lies substantially parallel to the support surface  102  and is inwardly directed. 
   As is depicted in  FIG. 1 , the front edge or front face  104  forms an acute angle with the lip  108 . Typically, the angle may approximate 60°. The depth of lip  108  may be of different dimensions particularly as will be indicated with respect to  FIGS. 6 through 8 . 
   The shelving is typically of metal and lies in overlying parallel relationship to adjacent shelves. That is, shelf  100  is part of a vertically-oriented stack of shelves conveniently separated from the adjacent shelf to enable merchandise to be stacked and supported on the support surface  102 . As is depicted, the front shelf face  104  is free of any interconnecting elements that would enable a label holder to be secured thereto. 
   The novel label holder  10  comprises a back or main body panel  12  and a transparent cover member  14  which is of a similar profile, but spaced from the front face  16  of the main body panel  12 . Such a label holder defines a pocket between the back panel  12  and cover member  14  to form a pocket which, when opened, will enable insertion or removal of a label and, when closed as in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , will retain the label within the pocket. 
   As is known in the art, the label holder  10  is typically elongated and extends a substantial length, such as up to four feet or more in length depending upon the size of the shelving. However, lengths less than the full length of the shelving can be utilized and, indeed, the length of the label holder may be as small as two inches to retain small individual labels to the shelf  100 . The label holder is typically an extruded rigid PVC material. Preferably, the main body panel  12  is of a darkened color and the cover member  14  is transparent. Alternatively, the main body panel can also be transparent. 
   The cover member  14  is preferably thinner than the main body panel member  12  and is thus more flexible to enable it to be opened for insertion or removal of a label. When open, the label holder will generally flex about the hinged bottom area  18  or at least in an area toward the hinged bottom  18 . By way of example, and not by limitation, the thickness of the cover member  14 , from its respective front to rear faces may be 0.015 to 0.025 inches, whereas the thickness of the main body panel  12  from front to rear faces may be 0.045 to 0.055 inches. 
   The main body panel  12  of the label holder  10  includes an integral overhang  20  at its upper end to overlie the opening between the cover member  14  and the main body panel  12 . This will provide protection from spillage of liquids, for example, when the label holder  10  is attached to the shelf  100 . Although not shown, the main body panel  12  and cover member  14  could interlock through various locking arrangements that are known in the art and may be disclosed in the patents referred to above. Similarly, although not shown, the cover member  14  could include attachment mechanisms for attaching signs to thus form a combined label and sign holder as is also known in the art. 
   The main or back panel  12  is substantially linear and forms an acute angle with a bottom  40  that is integral therewith. Generally, the back panel  12  forms an acute angle with the bottom leg  40  of the label holder  10  substantially identical to the angle formed between the front face  104  and bottom lip  108  of the shelf to which the label holder is intended to be applied. The identical angles are not critical, however, and the acute angle between back panel  12  and bottom  40  can be less than the angle between front face  104  and bottom lip  108 , in which case there will be a force exerted between the back panel  12  and the front face  104 . 
   The bottom leg  40  is integrally formed with the back plate or member  12  and extends in a substantially horizontal direction and terminates in a U-shaped turn  42  with an upper plate-like leg member  44  which terminates in a radially-profiled free end  46 . The spacing between the legs  44  and  40  of the U-shaped bottom member are closely spaced and, as will be described, are intended to engage and grip the lip  108  of the shelf. Disposed within the slot defined by the legs  40  and  44  is a plurality of flexible teeth or ridges  70 , preferably seven, although the exact number could vary, that are preferably fully elongated and coextensive with the overall length of the label holder  10 . 
     FIG. 4A  depicts a cross-sectional or end view of a bottom shelf or base deck. The base deck, as shown in  FIG. 4A , is identified by the  200  series of numerals corresponding to the  100  series of  FIG. 1 . That is, the base deck  200  includes a horizontally-oriented merchandise support surface  202 , a front edge or face  204 , and a bottom lip  208 . However, the base deck or bottom shelf includes a welded support brace in the form of an L-shaped bracket  201  defined by a generally-vertical oriented plate  203  (or may be slightly angled toward the front face as shown in  FIG. 11 ), and a horizontally-oriented plate  205  that defines the L-shape of the brace. The plate  205  lies in relatively close relationship to the bottom lip  208 . Accordingly, because the gap or spacing between the horizontal plate  205  and the bottom lip  208  is relatively narrow, a U-shaped mounting element of the type shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  may not be able to be easily mounted to the lip  208 , unless the distance between the free end  46  and leg  44  is narrow enough to fit within the gap. See,  FIG. 11 , for example. A variation of the label holder for base deck bottom shelving of the type shown in  FIG. 4B  may be utilized to avoid the upturned free end  46 . 
   As shown in the second embodiment,  FIG. 4B , a plurality of flexible ridges  30 , extend from the leg  44  into the gap  32  between legs  40  and  44 . Although two ridges  30  are shown, it is understood as being within the scope of the present invention that other numbers of ridges may be included depending upon the depth of leg  40 . The reduced width of leg  44  as shown in  FIG. 4B , as compared to the width of leg  44  as shown in  FIG. 2 , enables the label holder of  FIG. 4B  to be used in conjunction with a standard sized shelf as well as with a base shelf  200  of a series of shelves that includes a reduced sized space available for insertion of leg  44  of  FIG. 4B . In  FIG. 4B , free end  47  is closer to bottom leg  40  as compared to radially-profiled free end  46  in  FIG. 2  to reduce the size of gap  33  in  FIG. 4B  as compared to gap  32  in  FIG. 2 . 
   Flexible ridges  30  or teeth  70  are of flexible PVC in contrast to the relatively rigid PVC of the remaining portions of the label holder. Typically, these flexible teeth or ridges have a height of approximately 0.020 inches, whereas the overall spacing between the inner surfaces of the slots or gaps  32 ,  33  defined by the legs  40  and  44  is 0.032 inches. That is, the teeth  70  will overlap each other slightly which will enable a tight grip of the label holder on the bottom lip  108  of the shelf. With respect to the ridges  30  projecting only from the leg  44  in  FIG. 4B , a force is created by the engagement of lip  108  and the ridges  30  to maintain the position of lip  108  in slot or gap  33 . 
   A plurality of ridges  80  of similar material to the teeth  70  and ridges  30  is integrally formed with the rear surface of the back panel  12 . These ridges are spaced along a height of back panel  12  and are also of flexible PVC and of a similar dimension, preferably, to the ridges  30 , although the dimensions may vary. Although the preferred number of four ridges  80  is shown, the number of ridges  80  may vary. 
   The mounting of the label holder  10  to the shelving  100  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4B . The label holder is mounted by slipping the bottom legs  40 ,  44  onto the free edge of the lip  108  and then rotating the window portion of the label holder defined by back member  12  and cover member  14  around to the front of the shelf for engagement with the face  104 . The bottom legs  40 ,  44  are mounted by preferably holding the label holding portions  12 ,  14  generally horizontally below the lip  108  so that the slots or gaps  32 ,  33  are relatively vertical and the free ends  46 ,  47  are pressed against the top of lip  108  and then the holder is rotated. The flexible ridges  30  and teeth  70  within the slots or gaps  32 ,  33  defined by the legs  40  and  44  serve to hold the label holder firmly to the shelf and keep it in position. 
   When attached, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4B , the back panel  12  will exert force upon the front face  104  of the shelf due to the angle between the back member  12  and leg  40  as compared to the angle between the front face  104  and lip  108 . A force of engagement between the back panel  12  and front face  104  is also increased by the resilience of the ridges  80 . The force or pressure exerted between the label holder and the front face  104  presses the top of the label holder firmly against the front face of the shelf to keep the label holder from moving when the window or cover member  14  is opened by flexure in a counterclockwise direction. In addition, the back panel  12  is thicker and thus more rigid than the cover member or window  14  and this further assists to keep the back panel against the front of the shelf when the window is open. 
   Significantly, the ridges  80  of flexible PVC at the rear of the back panel  12  assist in preventing undesirable downward slippage or movement of the label holder. That is, the flexible ridges  80  act to prevent or limit downward movement of the label holder  10  if the label holder is hit with a downward motion or if the window or cover  14  is opened and a downward pressure is exerted when changing labels. Such window opening has a tendency to otherwise move the label holder downward. However, the flexible ridges provide friction against the front face of the shelf  104  to counteract the downward movement. 
   The flexible ridges  80  also reduce the pressure on the rear mounting portion defined by legs  40 ,  44 . Also, the flexible ridges  80  serve as a shock absorber when the shelf is hit by a horizontally oriented force component, such as being hit by a shopping cart, floor scrubber, etc. This also protects the extruded label holder from cracking or breaking. 
   The U-shaped mounting element defined by legs  40 ,  44  is typically longer than the lip  108  dimension so that there is free space between the end of the lip  108  and the U-shaped turn  42 . This enables accommodation of the label holder with different size lips. 
   The front label retaining portion defined by back plate  12  and window  14 , is usable with other types of mounting elements other than the U-shaped mounting element defined by legs  40 ,  44 . For example, other forms of attachment could be utilized with the back member  12  and cover member  14  to attach the label holder with a lip  108  of the shelf. See, for example, the attachment mechanism shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D480,434. 
   Because of the different sizes of bottom lip  108  between various sets of shelving it is possible that there would be space or depth limitations present which would prevent the use of a label holder  10  having a relatively long U-shaped element as defined by the plate-like legs  40 , 44  from fitting on the bottom lip  108 . To accommodate different sized lips  80 , an expandable bottom portion  90  or attachment structure of a label holder  110  ( 310 ,  410 ) would be used as is shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 8  and the embodiment of  FIGS. 9 through 11 . Such embodiments provide for elastic stretching to enable the label holder to be tautly gripped to the bottom lip of the shelf. 
   A label holder  110  for accommodating different sizes of bottom lip  108  is shown in  FIG. 5 . There, the label holder  110  includes a window member  114  and back member  112  similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 4B , and includes a V-shaped mounting leg member or attachment structure defined by lower leg portions  140 ,  142  and upper leg  144 . Significantly, the upper leg  144  is much shorter than the combined corresponding leg portions  142 ,  144 . Flexible ridges  146  are shown extending within the interior of the opening  148  defined between the upper leg  144  and leg portion  142 , but these are not required. 
   The label holder  110  also includes five flexible PVC plastic ridges  150  integrally extruded at spaced intervals on the rear of the back plate  112 , but positioned similarly to the ridges  80  in the previously described embodiments. The number of ridges  150  may vary within the scope of the present invention. The ridges  150 , however, may be eliminated. 
   To accommodate different widths of bottom lip  108 , the label holder  110  as shown in  FIG. 5 , includes a dimensioning between the connection  152  between the rear plate  112  and leg  140  and the connection  154  between the leg  146  and leg  142  which is less than the minimum depth of bottom lip  108 . For example, in the embodiment in  FIG. 5 , the extension between connections  152  and  154  may be 0.500 inches and an angle between leg portions  142 ,  144  would be approximately 130°. 
   When the label holder  110  is mounted on bottom lip  108  as shown in  FIG. 6 , the depth of bottom lip  108  would be 0.560 inches. Due to a lesser extension between the connections  152 ,  154 , when the label holder  110  is mounted on the bottom lip  108  as shown in  FIG. 6 , the V-shaped connection  156  between legs  142  and  140  would be stretched to an angle of approximately 135° to increase the separation between connections  152 ,  154  and thereby accommodate lip  108 . The stretching is preferably elastic, i.e., the angle will revert to its original shape when removed from the shelf. 
   As further shown in  FIG. 7 and 8 , where the depth of bottom lip  108  is 0.615 and 0.670 inches, respectively, the amount of stretch at intersection  156  is increased to accommodate the increased depth of the bottom lip  108 . V-shaped connection  156  would be stretched to an angle of approximately 145° and 150°, respectively. Thereby, different depths of bottom lip  108  may be provided for by a single label holder  110 . 
   The label holder  110  is applied to the lip  108  in a manner similar to the application of the label holder  10  to the lip  108 . That is, the upper leg  144  is pressed against the top portion of the lip  108  and the shelf is then pulled or rotated to overlie the front edge  104  of the shelf. Because of the shape of the leg  144 , it can fit around a bottom lip of standard shelves as well as base shelves. That is, the U-shaped connection  54  is “pulled” against the free edge  109  of the lip  108 .  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  depict the mounting position of the label holder  110  on the bottom lip  108 . Note that the back of the U-shaped connection  154  abuts against the edge  109  of the lip  108  and is pulled against it by the forces exerted by the V-shape expansion of the angle between legs  140 ,  142 . 
   Another label holder for accommodating different sizes of bottom lip  108  is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 8 , but includes instead a U-shaped member  340 , instead of the V-shaped member of the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 8 . Specifically, the label holder  310  includes a front window  314 , a back plate  312 , interconnected by a hinged bottom member  318 . A label is shown between the window  314  and the main body panel  312 . Extending in a rearward direction from the back panel  312 , is an attachment structure or bottom leg  340 , including a first generally linear front portion  364  merging into a radially, downwardly concave portion  360 , and extending further rearward to a generally linear rear section  362 . Section  362  terminates at a free end  342  and has a U-shaped return  344  defined by an upper plate-like member  344  which, in the embodiment shown, terminates in a radially-profiled free end  346 . The upward height of the free end  346  is limited to enable it to be applied to a base deck as shown in  FIG. 11 . Of course, the upturned radially-profiled free end  346  could be eliminated entirely, similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 8 . The attachment structure  340  fits onto the lip  108  or lip  208  of the standard or base member and is “stretched” to provide a spring-like taut connection to the bottom lip  108 ,  208 . As with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 8 , the U-shaped lower leg portion can be applied to the different widths as shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , and indeed other widths of comparable dimensions. 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the back panel  312  is designed to parallel the front face  104 ,  204  of the shelf of  FIGS. 1 and 4A . That is, the acute angle of the back panel  312  with an imaginary line drawn between the rearward free end of the turn  342  to where the leg  340  front section  369  joins the back panel  312  is substantially equal to the angle formed between the front face  104 ,  204  and bottom lip  108 ,  208 . The label holder is intended to be retained to the shelf  100  by forces acting between the attachment structure  340  and the lip  108 ,  208 . The spring-like elastic deformation between the lower leg  340  and the bottom lip  108  or  208  provides a gripping or retaining mechanism to hold the label holder to the shelf. No force need be exerted between the back panel  312  and the front face  104 ,  204  of the shelf to retain the label holder to the shelf. Thus, as the bottom leg  340  is tautly placed around the bottom lip  108 ,  208 , the radius of the U-shaped portion  460  of the bottom leg  440  is displaceable laterally, i.e., the radius of curvature increases to provide the taut gripping force. 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 11  has the window  314  in a top opening configuration. This is similar to the above-described embodiments. The window can be opened by exerting finger pressure on the portion  318  which will separate the window  314  from the back panel  312  to enable the labels to be inserted and removed. 
     FIG. 10  discloses a similar embodiment to that of  FIGS. 9 and 11 , but where the front panel  414  is open at the bottom. Comparable numerals are provided, but prefaced by the numeral  400 . In this embodiment, the front panel  414  is opened by exerting pressure on an extension of the top area  421  where the front panel joins with the back panel, such pressure causing the front panel  414  to angle upwardly relative to the back panel. Otherwise, the embodiment of  FIG. 10  is identical of that of  FIGS. 9 and 11 . 
   The embodiments of  FIGS. 9-11  are devoid of flexible ridges on the back panel as is shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-8 . It should be apparent that such ridges could be utilized. Similarly, the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-8  can be devoid of ridges. Both embodiments may have an upturned free end or may be perfectly straight as is shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 8 . 
   The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.