Abstract:
A shielding device configured to be fixed with a circuit board, comprises a frame body comprising multiple sideboards standing at multiple sides of said frame body, wherein a receiving hole and a slot around said receiving hole is at one of said sideboards; and a connector fixed with said frame body, wherein said connector comprises a protrusion at an end of said connector, wherein said protrusion pass through said slot and a top of said protrusion fixed with said slot, wherein said receiving hole receives a portion of said connector. The invention meets the requirement for high torque specification without any additional reinforcing measure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/962,831, filed Dec. 8, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a shielding device, and more particularly to a shielding device with high torque. 
         [0004]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a conventional shielding device  10 , which is affixed to a circuit board by means of soldering. The shielding device  10  includes a frame body  11  connected with a connector  12  for signal input/output. The frame body  11  is formed with a connection hole  13  for receiving therein an end protrusion  14  of the connector  12 . After the end protrusion  14  is fitted into the connection hole  13 , the end protrusion  14  is riveted to connect the connector  12  with the frame body  11 . The frame body  11  and the connector  12  are simply connected by means of riveting so that the shielding device  10  can only have a torque value up to 30.about.40 kg-cm. This only meets the requirement for low torque specification, while failing to meet the high torque specification regulated by Society of Cable Television Engineers (SCTE), which is over 41 kg-cm. 
         [0006]    To overcome the above problem, the junction between the frame body  11  and the connector  12  can be manually welded to increase the torque of the conventional shielding device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a shielding device with high torque. 
         [0008]    To achieve the above and other objects, shielding device of the present invention includes a frame body and a connector. The frame body is composed of multiple sideboards. One of the sideboards is formed with a receiving hole and at least one slot formed around the receiving hole. The connector has a main body section, a connection end section and at least one protrusion. The protrusion is formed on an end face of the main body section at a front end of the connector corresponding to the slot. The protrusion is installed into the slot of the frame body and then riveted to securely connect the connector with the frame body. The protrusions of the connector are assembled in the slot of the frame body to securely connect the connector with the frame body, whereby the shielding device can have a torque value over 60 kg-cm. The shielding device of the present invention meets the requirement for high torque specification. 
         [0009]    These, as well as other components, steps, features, benefits, and advantages of the present disclosure, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The drawings disclose illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. They do not set forth all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without all of the details that are disclosed. When the same reference number or reference indicator appears in different drawings, it may refer to the same or like components or steps. 
           [0011]    Aspects of the disclosure may be more fully understood from the following description when read together with the accompanying drawings, which are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as limiting. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a conventional shielding device  10 , which is affixed to a circuit board by means of soldering; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective exploded view showing a connector and a frame body before assembled in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view showing a connector and a frame body after assembled in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2C  is a plane view showing a sideboard in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2D  is a plane view showing a connector in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2E-2G  are cross-sectional views of a riveting process of the peripheral protrusions being riveted to the slots in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2H-2K  are plane views showing peripheral protrusions of the connectors have various shapes in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective exploded view showing a connector and a frame body before assembled in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view showing a connector and a frame body after assembled in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3C  is a plane view showing a sideboard in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3D  is a plane view showing a connector in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3E-3H  are plane views showing peripheral protrusions of the connectors have various shapes in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a plane view showing a sideboard in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 4B and 4C  are plane views showing connectors have peripheral protrusions with various shapes in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a plane view showing a sideboard in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5B-5F  are plane views showing connectors have peripheral protrusions with various shapes in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       
    
    
       [0028]    While certain embodiments are depicted in the drawings, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments depicted are illustrative and that variations of those shown, as well as other embodiments described herein, may be envisioned and practiced within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Illustrative embodiments are now described. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for a more effective presentation. Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without all of the details that are disclosed. 
         [0030]    Please refer to  FIGS. 2A-2D .  FIG. 2A  is a perspective exploded view showing a connector and a frame body before assembled in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2B  is a perspective view showing a connector and a frame body after assembled in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2C  is a plane view showing a sideboard in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2D  is a plane view showing a connector in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The shielding device  20  of the present invention includes a frame body  21  mountable on a circuit board. The frame body  21  is connected to a connector  30  for signal input/output. 
         [0031]    The configuration of the frame body  21  can be designed according to the requirement of the manufacturer. In this embodiment, the frame body  21  has the form of a rectangular solid. The frame body  21  is composed of four sideboards  22 . One of the four sideboards  22  is formed with a receiving hole  23  having a circular shape and three arcuate slots  24 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the three slots  24  are formed around the receiving hole  23  at equal intervals. 
         [0032]    The connector  30  has a main body section  31 , a connection end section  32 , a central protrusion  34  having a circular shape with a center at a longitudinal axis of the connector  30  and multiple peripheral protrusions  33  surrounding the central protrusion  34 , wherein the central protrusion  34  and peripheral protrusions  33  are integral with the connector  30 . The connector  30  is shaped like a round cylinder with a thread at an outer surface of the connection end section  32  of the round cylinder. A hole  35  passing through the central protrusion  34  and extending along the longitudinal axis of the connector  30  for receiving one or more wire transferring radio-frequency (RF) signals, optical signals, or digital signals, wherein the wire can be a metal wire, a fiber wire, a copper wire, a silver wire or a copper wire covered with nickel plating. Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2D , in this embodiment, there are three arcuate peripheral protrusions  33  formed on an end face of the main body section  31  at a front end of the connector  30  corresponding to the arcuate slots  24 . The peripheral protrusions  33  can be installed into the arcuate slots  24  of the frame body  21  and then riveted to securely connect the connector  30  with the frame body  21  as shown in  FIG. 2B .  FIGS. 2E-2G  are cross-sectional views of a riveting process of the peripheral protrusions  33  being riveted to the slots  24  in accordance with the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 2E-2G , after the central protrusion  34  and peripheral protrusions  33  are inserted into the receiving hole  23  and the slots  24  respectively, the peripheral protrusions  33  can be pressed to be deformed with flat portions  33   a  at tops of the peripheral protrusions  33 , wherein each of the flat portions has a lateral or transverse dimension greater than a lateral dimension of a corresponding one of the slots  24  and greater than a lateral or transverse dimension of a center portion of the corresponding peripheral protrusion  33 , so as to fix with the slots  24  in the sideboard  22  as seen in  FIG. 2G . The connector  30  covers the receiving hole  23  and the slots  24 . Thereby, the connector  30  can be riveted to the frame body  21 . Optionally, after the peripheral protrusions  33  are riveted to the slots  24 , a soldering process can be applied to the outer edges of the flat portions  33   a  so as to form solder joints each joining one of the outer edges of the flat portions  33   a  and the sideboard  22 . Alternatively, the process of deforming the peripheral protrusions  33  can be saved. That is, after the central protrusion  34  and peripheral protrusions  33  are inserted into the receiving hole  23  and the slots  24  respectively, a soldering process can be applied to outer edges of top portions of the peripheral protrusions  33  so as to form solder joints each joining the sideboard  22  and the outer edge of the top portion of one of the peripheral protrusions  33 . 
         [0033]    The slots  24  and the peripheral protrusions  33  may have a corresponding shape or the same shape. For example, referring to  FIGS. 2C and 2D , the three slots  24  and three peripheral protrusions  33  have an arcuate shape. Alternatively, the three peripheral protrusions  33  may have a circular shape, as seen in  FIG. 2H , and the three slots  24  can be replaced with three circular holes for receiving the three circular peripheral protrusions  33  such that the three circular peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the three circular holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the three peripheral protrusions  33  may have a square shape, as seen in  FIG. 2I , and the three slots  24  can be replaced with three square holes for receiving the three square peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the three square peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the three square holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the three peripheral protrusions  33  may have a rectangular shape, as seen in  FIG. 2J , and the three slots  24  can be replaced with three rectangular holes for receiving the three rectangular peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the three rectangular peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the three rectangular holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the three peripheral protrusions  33  may have a polygon shape, such as pentagon shape, as seen in  FIG. 2K , and the three slots  24  can be replaced with three polygon holes, such as pentagon holes, for receiving the three polygon peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the three polygon peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the three polygon holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, some of the peripheral protrusions  33  may have a shape different from the other some of the peripheral protrusions  33 , and some of the slots or holes  24  may have a shape different from the other some of the slots or holes  24 . For example, one of the three peripheral protrusions  33  may have an arcuate shape, and the other two of the three peripheral protrusions  33  may have a circular shape. In correspondence with the peripheral protrusions  33 , one of the three slots or holes  24  may have an arcuate shape for receiving the arcuate one of the peripheral protrusions  33  and the other two of the three slots or holes  24  may have a circular shape for receiving the circular two of the peripheral protrusions  33  respectively. With respect to the above protrusions and slots or holes in the first embodiment, the slots or holes  24  are arranged at a first circular ring having the same center as that of the receiving hole  23  and the peripheral protrusions  33  are arranged at a second circular ring having the same center as that of the central protrusion  34 , wherein the first circular ring has the same diameter as the second circular ring. A first distance in a radial direction is between each of the slots or holes  24  and the receiving hole  23  and the first distances between the slots or holes  24  and the receiving hole  23  can be substantially the same. A second distance in an arcuate direction along the first circular ring is between each neighboring two of the slots or holes  24  and the second distances between the neighboring two of the slots or holes  24  can be substantially the same. A first gap in a radial direction is between each of the peripheral protrusions  33  and the central protrusion  34  and the first gaps between the peripheral protrusions  33  and the central protrusion  34  can be substantially the same. A second gap in an arcuate direction along the second circular ring is between each neighboring two of the peripheral protrusions  33  and the second gaps between the neighboring two of the peripheral protrusions  33  can be substantially the same. The present invention is characterized in that the three peripheral protrusions  33  of the connector  30  are assembled in the three slots or holes  24  in the frame body  21  to securely connect the connector  30  with the frame body  21 . The shielding device  20  of the present invention can have a torque value over 60 kg-cm. The shielding device  20  of the present invention meets the requirement for high torque specification. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective exploded view showing a connector and a frame body before assembled in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3B  is a perspective view showing a connector and a frame body after assembled in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3C  is a plane view showing a sideboard in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 3D  is a plane view showing a connector in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. 
         [0035]    The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the slots or holes with the different number are formed in the sideboard  22  of the frame body  21 . Four slots  24  are formed in the sideboard  22  of the frame body  21  around the receiving hole  23  at equal intervals, wherein a shape of the slot  24  can be arcuate as shown in  FIG. 3C . The connector  30  has a central protrusion  34  and four peripheral protrusions  33  formed on the end face of the main body section  31  corresponding to the slots  24 , wherein a shape of the peripheral protrusions  33  can be arcuate as shown in  FIG. 3D . The central protrusion  34  and peripheral protrusions  33  are integral with the connector  30 . The four protrusions  42  are assembled in the four slots  41  to securely connect the connector  30  with the frame body  21  by the riveting and/or soldering process as illustrated in  FIGS. 2E-2G , wherein the connector  30  covers the receiving hole  23  and the slots  24 . Also, the shielding device  20  of the present invention can have a torque value over 60 kg-cm. 
         [0036]    The slots  24  and the peripheral protrusions  33  may have a corresponding shape or the same shape. For example, referring to  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the four slots  24  and four peripheral protrusions  33  have an arcuate shape. Alternatively, the four peripheral protrusions  33  may have a circular shape, as seen in  FIG. 3E , and the four slots  24  can be replaced with four circular holes for receiving the four circular peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the four circular peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the four circular holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the four peripheral protrusions  33  may have a square shape, as seen in  FIG. 3F , and the four slots  24  can be replaced with four square holes for receiving the four square peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the four square peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the four square holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the four peripheral protrusions  33  may have a rectangular shape, as seen in  FIG. 3G , and the four slots  24  can be replaced with four rectangular holes for receiving the four rectangular peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the four rectangular peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the four rectangular holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the four peripheral protrusions  33  may have a polygon shape, such as pentagon shape, as seen in  FIG. 3H , and the four slots  24  can be replaced with four polygon holes, such as pentagon holes, for receiving the four polygon peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the four polygon peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the four polygon holes, as mentioned above. In the second embodiment, two of the four peripheral protrusions  33  are arranged at opposite top and bottom sides with respect to the central protrusion  34 , and the other two of the four peripheral protrusions  33  are arranged at opposite left and right sides with respect to the central protrusion  34 . Two of the four slots or holes  24  are arranged at opposite top and bottom sides with respect to the receiving hole  23 , and the other two of the four slots or holes  24  are arranged at opposite left and right sides with respect to the receiving hole  23 . 
         [0037]    Alternatively, some of the peripheral protrusions  33  may have a shape different from the other some of the peripheral protrusions  33 , and some of the slots or holes  24  may have a shape different from the other some of the slots or holes  24 . For example, two of the four peripheral protrusions  33  may have an arcuate shape at opposite top and bottom sides with respect to the central protrusion  34 , and the other two of the four peripheral protrusions  33  may have a circular shape at opposite left and right sides with respect to the central protrusion  34 . In correspondence with the peripheral protrusions  33 , two of the four slots or holes  24  may have an arcuate shape for receiving the arcuate two of the peripheral protrusions  33  respectively and the other two of the four slots or holes  24  may have a circular shape for receiving the circular two of the peripheral protrusions  33  respectively. With respect to the above protrusions and slots or holes in the second embodiment, the slots or holes  24  are arranged at a first circular ring having the same center as that of the receiving hole  23  and the peripheral protrusions  33  are arranged at a second circular ring having the same center as that of the central protrusion  34 , wherein the first circular ring has the same diameter as the second circular ring. A first distance in a radial direction is between each of the slots or holes  24  and the receiving hole  23  and the first distances between the slots or holes  24  and the receiving hole  23  can be substantially the same. A second distance in an arcuate direction along the first circular ring is between each neighboring two of the slots or holes  24  and the second distances between the neighboring two of the slots or holes  24  can be substantially the same. A first gap in a radial direction is between each of the peripheral protrusions  33  and the central protrusion  34  and the first gaps between the peripheral protrusions  33  and the central protrusion  34  can be substantially the same. A second gap in an arcuate direction along the second circular ring is between each neighboring two of the peripheral protrusions  33  and the second gaps between the neighboring two of the peripheral protrusions  33  can be substantially the same. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4A  is a plane view showing a sideboard in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 4B  is a plane view showing a connector in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is different from the above embodiments in that the slots or holes  24  with the different number are formed in the sideboard  22  of the frame body  21 . Only one slot  24  is formed in the sideboard  22  of the frame body  21  around the receiving hole  23 , wherein the slot  24  may be shaped like an arc of greater than 130 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees or 270 degrees with respect to a center of the receiving hole  23 , for example. The connector  30  has a central protrusion  34  and only one peripheral protrusion  33  formed on the end face of the main body section  31  corresponding to the slot  24 , wherein the peripheral protrusion  33  may be shaped like an arc of greater than 130 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees or 270 degrees with respect to a center of the central protrusion  34 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 4B , which is the same as the arc of the slot  24  with respect to a center of the receiving hole  23 . The central protrusion  34  and peripheral protrusion  33  may be integral with the connector  30 . The slot  24  is arranged at a first circular ring having the same center as that of the receiving hole  23  and the peripheral protrusion  33  is arranged at a second circular ring having the same center as that of the central protrusion  34 , wherein the first circular ring has the same diameter as the second circular ring. The peripheral protrusion  33  is assembled in the slot  24  to securely connect the connector  30  with the frame body  21  by the riveting and/or soldering process as illustrated in  FIGS. 2E-2G , wherein the connector  30  covers the receiving hole  23  and slot  24 . Also, the shielding device of the present invention can have a torque value over 60 kg-cm. The slot  24  and the peripheral protrusion  33  have a corresponding shape or the same shape. Alternatively, the peripheral protrusion  33  may have a square or rectangular shape, as seen in  FIG. 4C , and the slot  24  can have a square or rectangular shape for receiving the peripheral protrusion  33  such that the peripheral protrusion  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the slot  24 , as mentioned above. A minimum gap between a longitudinal side bar  33   b  of the peripheral protrusion  33  and the central protrusion  34  and be substantially the same as another minimum gap between another longitudinal side bar  33   c  of the peripheral protrusion  33  and the central protrusion  34 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5A  is a plane view showing a sideboard in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 5B  is a plane view showing a connector in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is different from the above embodiments in that the slots or holes with the different number are formed in the sideboard  22  of the frame body  21 . Two slots  24  are formed in the sideboard  22  of the frame body  21  around the receiving hole  23  at equal intervals, wherein a shape of the slots  24  can be arcuate. The connector  30  has a central protrusion  34  and two peripheral protrusions  33  formed on the end face of the main body section  31  corresponding to the slots  24 , wherein a shape of the peripheral protrusions  33  can be arcuate as shown in  FIG. 5B . The central protrusion  34  and peripheral protrusions  33  may be integral with the connector  30 . The peripheral protrusions  33  are assembled in the respective slots  24  to securely connect the connector  30  with the frame body  21  by the riveting and/or soldering process as illustrated in  FIGS. 2E-2G , wherein the connector  30  covers the receiving hole  23  and slots  24 . Also, the shielding device of the present invention can have a torque value over 60 kg-cm. 
         [0040]    The slots  24  and the peripheral protrusions  33  may have a corresponding shape or the same shape. For example, referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the two slots  24  and two peripheral protrusions  33  have an arcuate shape. Alternatively, the two peripheral protrusions  33  may have a circular shape, as seen in  FIG. 5C , and the two slots  24  can be replaced with two circular holes for receiving the two circular peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the two circular peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the two circular holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the two peripheral protrusions  33  may have a square shape, as seen in  FIG. 5D , and the two slots  24  can be replaced with two square holes for receiving the two square peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the two square peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the two square holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the two peripheral protrusions  33  may have a rectangular shape, as seen in  FIG. 5E , and the two slots  24  can be replaced with two rectangular holes for receiving the two rectangular peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the two rectangular peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the two rectangular holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, the two peripheral protrusions  33  may have a polygon shape, such as pentagon shape, as seen in  FIG. 5F , and the two slots  24  can be replaced with two polygon holes, such as pentagon holes, for receiving the two polygon peripheral protrusions  33  respectively such that the two polygon peripheral protrusions  33  can be riveted and/or soldered to the two polygon holes, as mentioned above. Alternatively, one of the peripheral protrusions  33  may have a shape different from the other one of the peripheral protrusions  33 , and one of the slots or holes  24  may have a shape different from the other one of the slots or holes  24 . For example, one of the peripheral protrusions  33  may have an arcuate shape and the other one of the peripheral protrusions  33  may have a circular shape opposite to the arcuate one of the peripheral protrusions  33 . In correspondence with the peripheral protrusions  33 , one of the slots or holes  24  may have an arcuate shape for receiving the arcuate one of the peripheral protrusions  33  and the other one of the slots or holes  24  may have a circular shape for receiving the circular one of the peripheral protrusions  33 . With respect to the above peripheral protrusions and slots or holes in the fourth embodiment, the slots or holes  24  are arranged opposite to each other with respect to the receiving hole  23  and the peripheral protrusions  33  are arranged opposite to each other with respect to the central protrusion  34 . A distance in a radial direction is between each of the slots or holes  24  and the receiving hole  23  and the distances between the slots or holes  24  and the receiving hole  23  can be substantially the same. A gap in a radial direction is between each of the peripheral protrusions  33  and the central protrusion  34  and the gaps between the peripheral protrusions  33  and the central protrusion  34  can be substantially the same. 
         [0041]    Alternatively, the peripheral protrusions may have the various number, such as five, six, seven, eight and so on, and various shapes. 
         [0042]    In conclusion, the shielding device of the present invention meets the requirement for high torque specification without any additional reinforcing measure. 
         [0043]    The components, steps, features, benefits and advantages that have been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor the discussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope of protection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated. These include embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or different components, steps, features, benefits and advantages. These also include embodiments in which the components and/or steps are arranged and/or ordered differently. 
         [0044]    Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. Furthermore, unless stated otherwise, the numerical ranges provided are intended to be inclusive of the stated lower and upper values. Moreover, unless stated otherwise, all material selections and numerical values are representative of preferred embodiments and other ranges and/or materials may be used. 
         [0045]    The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims, and such scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows, and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents thereof.