Abstract:
A structural latticework frame design, fixed end, cantilevered, or collapsible, on a horizontally openable window, wherein the lattice work frame is used for structural value in the open position. This design allows for the load from the glass and sash to be transferred through the latticework frame to the housing to carry the load, which simplifies the mechanism needed to open and close the window.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to windows that can be opened outwardly in a horizontal projecting direction, and specifically, it relates to a structural support design for a horizontally projecting openable window wherein the window sash is reinforced by a structural lattice work and moves along one or more horizontal supports with the aid of rollers, bearings or some other similar friction reducing method which design reduces the effort needed to open and shut the window.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Windows have been known and used for centuries in buildings and other enclosed structures, such as vehicles, and most are made to open. Openable windows have typically opened either in a vertical direction or have been pivotally connected to an unmovable structure, such as a window frame or casement, so that the window can be pivotally rotated about that connection point to move part of the window outwardly and part of the window inwardly relative to the stationary structure. The common example of vertically openable windows is double hung windows. An example of rotating windows is a ventilated sky light/window which pivotally rotates about a central connection point in the casement.  
           [0005]    While such openable windows are functional and suitable for the intended purpose of providing ventilation, they each have disadvantages or limitations which render conventional windows unsuitable for all purposes. For example, the most prevalent concern about conventional windows is their ability to be broken into. With vertically opened windows, the glass can be broken, the latch opened, and the window slid open to provide an entryway for a burglar. As a result, windows cannot be left open to provide ventilation for fear that unlawful entry may occur. The same is true of pivotally hung windows although they may provide slightly less opportunity for enabling unlawful entry.  
           [0006]    Another concern regarding conventional windows is if a wind storm arises, dust, dirt and other air-borne debris can blow into an open window and introduce the unwanted material into the building. This design allows for a filtering device to be installed without obstructing the view out the window. Additionally, conventional windows are inherently unsafe when open because objects can be thrown out of them with possible injury to persons outside, or people can accidentally fall out of open windows. As a result, conventionally openable windows are not installed in high-rise buildings, hospitals or other institutions without the addition of stops. Stops are characteristically installed to allow no more than 4″ to 6″ of access. Thus, the occupants of such structures are deprived of the benefit of natural ventilation.  
           [0007]    Still another disadvantage of conventional windows is the fact that the manner in which the window opens may obstruct the view out of the remainder of the window. This is especially true where a mesh screen is mounted on the window. That problem is particularly acute with windows that are pivotally hung since the window swings partially outward from the casement and partially inward and a portion of the window is most likely obstructing the view at one time or another. Additionally, pivotally hung windows must be able to swing out freely without hitting bushes or trees, or without contacting furniture or fixtures within the building.  
           [0008]    One window design that addresses the shortcomings of conventional windows is the horizontally openable window. The horizontally openable window is designed to be openable, while still providing security, unobstructed view, ease of installment and virtually unrestricted placement for installation. The horizontally openable window is structured to be openable in a horizontal direction relative to the casement of the window to provide a ventilated space about substantially the entirety of the periphery of the window. Because the window moves out horizontally from the surrounding casement, the window remains substantially in its original form so that the view out of the window is not obstructed in any way. In addition, the distance that the window moves horizontally outwardly from the casement is an insufficient distance to allow human entry through the window.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,637 to Jancan discloses a horizontally openable window. The window sash of this horizontally openable window is supported by the same mechanism that serves to open and shut the window. This mechanism is comprised of a threaded pin and shaft type opener located at the four corners of the window. Alternatively, the mechanism comprises a scissors type opener. Because the opening means also serves as the support means, there generally is required more than one opening means. Because the multiple opening means must be operated concurrently, the window, as currently designed, results in a fairly cumbersome opening mechanism. In addition, because the opening means also supports the window, the weight of the window binds the opening means, making it more difficult, if not impossible to operate.  
           [0010]    Thus, it would be advantageous if the support for the window sash were separate from the means for opening and shutting the window. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a means for reducing friction between the window sash and the support in order to render easier the opening and closing of the window.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, the sash of a horizontally openable window is reinforced by a structural lattice work. As used in this application, the term “sash” refers to that part of the window that holds the glass, or other similarly transparent material. The sash and the structural lattice work are supported by at least one non-moving horizontal support of fixed length. The non moving horizontal support provides support for the sash and lattice as they travel in a horizontal direction between the open and closed position and is separate from the means used to open and close the window. Supporting the sash and lattice with at least one horizontal support allows for a separate mechanism to actually open and close the window.  
           [0012]    The window may also comprise a casement to receive the window in registration with it. Where the window comprises a casement, the horizontal supports may be positioned to be in contact with the casement, or may be positioned away from the casement.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment the lattice work comprises a rigid structure. In an alternative embodiment, the lattice work may be designed in such a manner that it can be moved, accordion-like, from an open position to a closed position  
           [0014]    The horizontal supports may be fixedly attached to the building in which the window is located by bolts, screws, nails, glue or any other similar method known to the industry. In the alternative, the horizontal supports are removably attached to the building in which the window is located by affixing plate or other mounting surface to the building in which the window is located. A support bracket may then be removably attached to and supported by the mounting surface.  
           [0015]    The horizontal support may be comprised of two or more parts, with each part comprising at least one mounting plate and at least one horizontal beam.  
           [0016]    The window can be configured such that the sash moves between a first end of the horizontal support and a second end of the horizontal support. In the alternative, the sash can be movably attached to the horizontal support by an apparatus that allows the sash to simultaneously move away from both the first end and the second end of the horizontal support as it moves from the closed position to the open position.  
           [0017]    The lattice work is connected to the horizontal supports in such a manner that it can travel back and forth between an open and a closed position. In its most advantageous structure, the lattice work and the sash which is attached to it travel on rollers or bearings interposed between the horizontal supports and the lattice work. The rollers reduce friction between the sash and lattice work and the horizontal supports as the sash and lattice work move along the horizontal support. This allows the sash and lattice work to be moved between an open and a closed position with relative ease, thus allowing for a wide variety of methods to be employed to open and shut the window, including hand cranked or motorized opening devices, or simply pushing and pulling the sash by hand.  
           [0018]    In addition, the invention includes constructing the lattice work from metal, plastic, wood, or some other suitable material in order to increase the structural strength of the window. The structural lattice work can also be formed as one unit with the sash.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    In the figures, which illustrate what is currently considered to be the best mode for carrying out the invention:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the window of the present invention with the window in a partially opened position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the structural lattice work of the window;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 depicts a side elevation of a collapsible lattice work in the open position;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 depicts a side elevation of a collapsible lattice work in the collapsed position;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the window with the mounting bracket positioned at a distance from the casing;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the horizontal exterior supports;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the horizontal supports with a detachable fastening bracket;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of horizontal support comprised of two independent parts;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9 depicts a partial view in perspective of the structural lattice work and the horizontal exterior support;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of the roller mechanism;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 depicts a view in longitudinal cross section of the roller mechanism shown in FIG. 10 taken at line  11 - 11  and illustrates the positioning of the rod within the roller mechanism;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 12 depicts a longitudinal cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the window.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of the window in a closed position;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 14 depicts a longitudinal cross section of an embodiment of the window in which the horizontal support is cantilevered toward the interior of the building in which the window is mounted;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of the support and rail of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 14;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 16 depicts a partial perspective view of the support and rail of FIG. 14, wherein the rail supports a trolley.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 17 depicts a cross section of the rail and the trolley depicted in FIG. 16 and taken at line  17 - 17 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]    The window of the present invention is generally illustrated in FIG. 1 which shows a perspective view of the window apparatus  10 . The window apparatus  10  generally comprises a casement  12 , which fits into a preformed and appropriately sized opening in a wall  14 , and a sash  16  which is structured to support at least one pane of glass  18 . The outer edge  20  of the casement  12  can be flush with the wall  14  or may extend out from the wall  14  as shown in FIG. 1. The sash  16  is suitably structured to retain a pane of glass  18 . However, the sash  16  can also retain any other type of traditional window materials such as plexiglass or screen material.  
         [0038]    As shown in FIG. 1, the window comprises a lattice work  22  which is connected to the sash  16  and positioned between the sash  16  and the casement  12 . The lattice work  22  provides structural strength to the sash  16 . The lattice work  22  may be steel, wood, plastic, composite, or any other material of suitable strength and weight to render the lattice work  22  sufficiently rigid to support the sash  16  and pane of glass  18 . In an alternative embodiment, the lattice work  22  and the sash  16  may be formed together as one integral unit. The lattice work  22  as shown in FIG. 2, may be configured with a first perimeter member  24  which is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the face  26  (FIG. 12) of the sash  16 . The lattice work  22  also comprises a second perimeter member  28  which is comparable in size and shape to the first perimeter member  24  and is spaced from the first perimeter member  24  by struts  30  which are connected by a first end  32  to the first perimeter member  24  and by a second end  34  to the second perimeter member  28 .  
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the struts  30  may be rigidly affixed to the respective perimeter members  24 ,  28  thereby maintaining the spaced distance of the first perimeter member  24  from the second perimeter member  28 . In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the struts  30  are attached to the perimeter members  24 ,  28  in such a manner that the lattice work  22  is collapsible. In this embodiment, the struts  30  are attached to the first perimeter member  24  and the second perimeter member  28  in a manner which allows the first perimeter member  24  to be movable from a first position where the first perimeter member  24  is spaced from the second perimeter member  28  to a second position where the first perimeter member  24  registers against the second perimeter member  28  as illustrated in FIG. 4. As one exemplar, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first end  32  and/or the second end  34  of the struts  30  may be secured to their respective perimeter members  24 ,  28  with a pivot member  36  that allows the strut to rotate around the pivot member  36 . In the alternative, the first end  32  and/or the second end  34  of the struts  30  may be secured to their respective perimeter members  24 ,  28  with a pin member  38  that is slidably movable within a channel  40  in the perimeter member  24 ,  28  to which the strut  30  is attached with the pin member  38 . This configuration allows the end  32 ,  34  of the strut  30  secured with a pivot member  36  to rotate around the pivot member  36 , as the end  32 ,  34  of the strut  30  that is secured with a pin member  38 , slides within the channel  40  as the first perimeter member  24  moves toward the second perimeter member  28 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 4 illustrates the lattice work  22  in a closed position. The ends  32 ,  34  of each strut  30  secured with a pin member  38  have moved along the channel  40  as the ends  32 ,  34  of each strut  30  secured with a pivot member  36  rotates around the pivot member  36 . This arrangement allows the perimeter members,  24 ,  28  to move with respect to each other from an extended position where the first perimeter member  24  is spaced from the second perimeter member  28  (FIG. 3), to a closed position where the first perimeter member  24  registers against the second perimeter member  28  (FIG. 4).  
         [0041]    Returning now to FIG. 1, a support bracket  42  is affixed to the wall  14 . The support bracket  42  is the supporting element of the window apparatus  10 . The support bracket  42  projects in horizontally outward from the wall in which the window is located. As used herein, the word “horizontal” when used to describe the support bracket and the elements comprising the support bracket, means an orientation that is perpendicular to the long axis of the casement. The support bracket  42  is non-moving and is of fixed length. The support bracket  42  has a mounting plate  44  which is used to attach the support bracket  42  to the wall  14 . As depicted in FIG. 1, the mounting plate  44  is flush with the wall  14 . The support bracket  42  has horizontal beams  46  which project from the mounting plate  44 . The horizontal beams  46  may contact the casement  12  as depicted in FIG. 1. However, the horizontal beams  46  may alternatively be positioned such that they are not in contact with the casement  12 . FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the horizontal beams  46  are located at a distance  48  from the casement  12  and thus, do not contact the casement  12 . However, the support bracket  42  supports the sash  16  and lattice work  22  as described more fully below.  
         [0042]    While two horizontal beams  46  are depicted in FIG. 1, alternative embodiments may comprise only one horizontal beam  46  or more than two horizontal beams  46 . The horizontal beams  46  may be located at the bottom  49  of the window apparatus  10  or to the sides  50  or at the top  52  of the window apparatus  10 . Each horizontal support bracket beam  46  acts as a support for a shaft  54  (shown in phantom) on which a roller housing  56  (FIG. 10) is positioned. The shaft  54  passes through an opening  55  in the sash  16 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the support bracket  42  with the shafts  54  supported by the horizontal beam  46 . In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the horizontal beam  46  includes a vertical support  58  at its first end  60  that supports the first end  62  of the shaft  54 . A second end  64  of the shaft  54  is supported by the mounting plate  44 . In the depicted embodiment, the shaft  54  is oriented more or less parallel to the horizontal beam  46 . However, it is not necessary that the horizontal beam  46  and shaft  54  be parallel. The horizontal beam  46  and the shaft  54  may have any orientation with respect to each other and with respect to the wall  14  so long as the shaft  54  is oriented in the direction of travel of the sash  16  (FIG. 1). In addition, while the shaft  54  depicted in FIG. 6 has a more or less square cross section, the shaft  54  can have a cross section consisting of any geometric shape including a circle, oval, rectangle, etc.  
         [0044]    In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the mounting plate  44  is an integral part of the support bracket  42  itself. However, in an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, the support bracket  42  comprises a mounting bracket  68  and a detachable support assembly  69 . In this embodiment, mounting posts  66  are affixed to the detachable support assembly  69 . The horizontal beams  46  are affixed to the detachable support assembly  69 . The mounting bracket  68  is affixed to the wall  14 . Affixed to the mounting bracket  68  are receiving members  70 . The receiving members  70  contain recesses  72  sufficient to receive an end  74  of the mounting post  66 . The mounting post  66  is configured such that each mounting post end  74  can be inserted into a recess  72  of a corresponding receiving member  70 .  
         [0045]    In yet another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 8, the support bracket  42  comprises at least two separate parts  45 ,  47 , each of which supports at least one horizontal beam  46 . The mounting plates  44  may then be positioned relative to each other to accommodate windows  10  of varying sizes.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9 is a partial illustration of the lattice work  22 , the roller housing  56  and the mounting plate  44 . The roller housing  56  is affixed to the lattice work  22  by welding, bolts, screws, rivets, glue or any other means known to the art. The shaft  54  extends through the roller housing  56 . FIG. 10 illustrates a closeup view of the roller housing  56 . The roller housing  56  is a hollow structure made of steel or some other structurally rigid material and is open at both the first end  76  and second end  78  thereof. The shaft  54  extends through the roller housing  56 , extending through both the first end  76  and the second end  78  of the roller housing  56 . A plurality of rollers  80  are positioned in the roller housing  56  via roller axles  82  which pass through appropriately sized holes  84  formed in the side walls  86 ,  88  in the roller housing  56 . A roller spacer  90  is positioned on one side of the roller  80 . A second roller spacer  91  (shown in phantom), is positioned on the other side of the roller  80 . The roller spacers  90 ,  91  maintain the position of the rollers  80  within the roller housing  56 . Rollers  80  are positioned to be in contact with both the first surface  92  and second surface  94  of the shaft  54 , the first surface  92  and second surface  94  being located at opposite sides of the shaft  54 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 11 illustrates a longitudinal cross section of the roller housing  56  shown in FIG. 10 taken at line  11 - 11 . A first roller  96  and second roller  98  are positioned to contact the first surface  92  of the shaft  54 . A third roller  100  is positioned to contact the second surface  94  of the shaft  54 . The third roller  100  is offset from the first roller  96  and second roller  98 . The positioning of the rollers  96 ,  98 ,  100  maintains the position of the shaft  54  with respect to the roller housing  56 .  
         [0048]    Returning to FIG. 9, there is illustrated the manner in which the lattice work  22  is supported by the shaft  54  as well as the manner in which the shaft  54  is supported by the horizontal beam  46 . The roller housing  56  is affixed to the lattice work  22 . The roller housing  56  is supported by the shaft  54  by virtue of the rollers  80  being in contact with the shaft  54 . Thus, the weight of the lattice work  22  is transferred to the shaft  54 . Because the support bracket  42  is affixed to the wall  14 , the weight of the lattice work  22  is transferred to the wall  14  via the roller housing  56 , the rollers  80 , the shaft  54 , the horizontal beam  46  and the support bracket  42 . The lattice work  22  can move in either direction between the first end  62  of the shaft  54  and the mounting bracket  42  with very little effort due to the fact that the rollers  80  allow the lattice work  22  to roll along the shaft  54  with very little resistance.  
         [0049]    The rollers  80  and roller housing  56  depicted here illustrate one possible method for movably affixing the lattice work  22  to the shaft  54 . However, this object can be accomplished by other methods such as roller bearings, or direct contact between the shaft  54  and the lattice work  22  such that the lattice work  22  actually slides along the shaft  54 . Alternatively, the roller housing  56  can be affixed to the support bracket  42  while the shaft  54  can be affixed to the lattice work  22  in such a manner that the shaft  54  moves back and forth through the roller housing  56 , while the roller housing  56  remains stationary.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 12 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the window  10  shown in FIG. 1, wherein the sash  16  along with the lattice work  22  is suspended from the shaft  54 . In this embodiment, the support bracket  42  is affixed to the header  102  of the building in which the window is located. The roller housing  56  is located at the upper portion  104  of the lattice work  22 . The roller housing  56  is supported by the shaft  54  by virtue of the rollers  80  being in contact with the shaft  54 . Because the lattice work  22  is affixed to the roller housing  56  and the sash  16  is affixed to the lattice work  22 , the sash  16  and lattice work  22  are supported by the horizontal beams  46 . FIG. 12 also illustrates the manner in which an opener  106  may be affixed to the window  10 . The opener  106  may be any suitable mechanism, including manual opening means, electro-mechanical means, hydraulic opening means or solar-powered means. In this instance, the opener  106  is a very simple mechanical (non-motorized) means comprising a crank  108  attached to a threaded pin  110 . The threaded pin  110  is inserted inside a threaded shaft  112 . The crank  108  extends through a hole  114  in the wall  14 . A bearing  116  surrounds the crank  108  where the crank  108  passes through the hole  114  in the wall  14 . The threaded shaft  112  is affixed to the sash  16  and/or lattice work  22  by appropriate means. As the crank  108  is rotated, it rotates the threaded pin  110 , which in turn rotates inside the threaded shaft  112 . As the threaded pin  110  rotates inside the threaded shaft  112 , the threaded shaft  112  is moved either closer to or farther away from the wall  14 . Because the threaded shaft  112  is affixed to the sash  16  and/or lattice work  22 , movement of the threaded shaft  112  causes the sash  16  and the lattice work  22  to move either closer to or farther away from the wall  14 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 13 illustrates the window  10  in a closed position while FIG. 1 illustrates the window  10  in an open position. It can be seen that the window sash  16  moves horizontally outward from its position in registration against the casement  12  as shown in FIG. 13. As used herein, the word “horizontal”, when used to describe the opening of the window sash  16 , means that the window sash  16  moves inwardly toward and outwardly from the casement  12  in a direction which is perpendicular to the plane of the wall  14 . In the open position depicted in FIG. 1, an opening  120  is created between the window sash  16  and the casement  12 . This opening allows for ventilation through the window apparatus  10 . To prevent insects or rain from entering through the window apparatus  10  when it is in the open position, a ventilation skirt  122  can be positioned about the periphery of the window sash  16  (i.e., about all four sides) or inside the lattice work  22  and is preferably interconnected between the casement  12  and the sash  16  about all four sides of the window  10 . The ventilation skirt  122  is structured to move outwardly with the structural lattice work  22  and/or sash  16  as the sash  16  moves horizontally outwardly from the casement  12 .  
         [0052]    [0052]FIGS. 14, 15,  16  and  17  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the window apparatus  124  wherein the support element  126  projects into the interior of the building in which the window apparatus  124  is mounted. The support element  126  comprises a horizontal member  128  that is oriented more or less parallel to the sash&#39;s  16  direction of travel. The support element  126  also comprises a fastening element  130 . The fastening element  130  serves as the means for attaching the support element  126  to the wall  14 . The support element  126  has a first vertical support post  132  that supports the first end  134  of a rail  136 . The rail  136  has a second end  138  that is supported by a second vertical support post  140 . The second vertical support post  140  is positioned at a point between the first vertical support post  132  and the second end  138  of the rail  136 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the support element  126  and the rail  136 . This view shows the manner in which the first end  134  of the rail  136  is supported by the first vertical support element  132 . This view also shows the manner in which the second end  138  of the rail  136  is supported by the second vertical support element  140 . The second vertical support element  140  can be located anywhere between the second end  138  of the rail  136  and the first vertical support element  132 . The rail  136  also contains a recess  142  in its upper surface  144 . Inside this recess  142  is mounted a first roller  146 . The first roller  146  is connected to the rail  136  by an axle  148  that passes through a hole  150  in the rail  136  and through the first roller  146  in such a way that the first roller  146  can rotate. The first roller  146  is also positioned so that a portion of the first roller  146  extends beyond the upper surface  144  of the rail  136 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 16 shows a partial perspective view of the support element  126  and the rail  136 . In this figure, a trolley  152  is positioned so that its first side  154  rests on the first roller  146 . The trolley  152  has two lateral sides  156  that extend beyond the lateral edges  158  of the rail  136  such that the lateral sides  156  of the trolley  152  do not contact the lateral edges  158  of the rail  136 . FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the trolley  152  and rail  136  and illustrates the manner in which the lateral sides  156  extend beyond the lateral edges  158  of the rail  136 . Returning to FIG. 16, the lateral sides  156  of the trolley  152  also extend beyond the lower surface  160  of the rail  136 . A second roller  162  is connected to the lateral sides  156  of the trolley  152  with an axle  164  that passes through a hole  168  in the lateral sides  158  of the trolley  152  and through the second roller  162  in such manner that the second roller  162  can rotate. The second roller  162  is positioned at point between the first roller  146  and the second end  170  of the trolley  152 . The second roller  162  is also positioned such that it makes contact with the lower surface  160  of the rail  136 . The first roller  146  and the second roller  162  provide the contact points between the rail  136  and the trolley  152  and allow the trolley  152  to travel back and forth along the rail  136 . Although two rollers are illustrated in FIG. 15, more than two rollers can be used.  
         [0055]    Returning to FIG. 14, the lattice work  22  is attached to the first end  172  of the trolley  152 . The trolley  152  is supported by the rollers  146 ,  162  as its moves back and forth along the rail  136 . The front  153  of the trolley  152 , moves between point A in the closed position and point B in the open position. The lattice work  22  and the sash  16 , being connected to the trolley  152  move between the open and closed position as they move back and forth with the trolley  152 . Reference herein to specific details of the illustrated embodiments is by way of example and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many additions, deletions and modifications to the illustrated embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.