Abstract:
A grooved lock coupler for holding a tee to a flow line for forced air conveyance and unloading of dry bulk granular material from a storage container vehicle is disclosed which comprises a tee having a first end, a second end, an inlet end, and a circumferential groove provided on the first end and a coupler for interconnecting to a flow line from the tee, the coupler having a cam lock fastener pivotally mounted on the coupler, the cam lock fastener cooperating with an opening in the coupler proximate the fastener to allow for the cam lock to extend through the opening in the coupler and to engage within the groove to lock the flow line and coupler to the tee in preparation for an unloading process.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/744,389, filed on Sep. 26, 2012, design patent application having Serial No. 29/421,194, filed on Jun. 12, 2012, which claimed priority to the non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/200,625, filed on Sep. 27, 2011, which claimed priority to the non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/249,672, filed on Oct. 10, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,091,925, which claimed priority to the provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/030,777, filed on Feb. 22, 2008, which is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,362, which also claimed priority to the continuation-in-part design patent application having Serial No. 29/395,947, filed on Apr. 26, 2012, which claimed priority to the design patent application having Serial No. 29/362,245, filed on May 21, 2010, and also claimed priority to the provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/688,864, filed on May 23, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to a device for interconnecting an unloading hose, or flow line, which predominantly conveys dry bulk material during an unloading process, or even during a loading process, to a tank trailer, railroad car, or other storage device. The present disclosure incorporates a tee and an unloading hose, which are contoured to cooperate with an integrated cam lock mechanism, that may be embodied upon the tee, or the unload line, to provide a unique and quick interconnection between the two, when prepared primarily for the unloading of dry bulk material or granular material. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Granular product or dry bulk material, such as grain or corn, may be stored and shipped in bulk containers such as railroad tank cars, tank trailers, hoppers, and pipelines for transportation from one site to be delivered to another site. The delivered product exits from the storage compartment of the transport carrier, such as its tank trailer, through a tee attached to the bottom of the trailer. The tee is connected to a source of pressurized air for assisting and directing the exiting material into a hose or a pipe. The exiting material then flows through the hose or the pipe for delivery to a storage facility or location of usage. 
         [0004]    Numerous types of tees, and flow lines, principally for conveying dry bulk granular product or material from a tank trailer have long been available. Usually the tee will connect onto the bottom of a discharge port from the tank trailer, to deposit the granular material by gravity into the flow line, while pressurized air introduced into and also flowing through the flow line, and the tee, conveys the granular material to another location, for either storage or other uses and processing. Typically, the types of prior art couplers that were normally employed to interconnect the flow line with the tee would include an older cam lock interconnecting device, which generally changed the internal diameters of the flow line, as it transitioned onto the tee, and exiting the same, so as to cause a turbulence and disruption in the flow of the granular material as it was being conveyed from the tank trailer. In addition, interconnecting of such flow lines to the tee through the older style of lock required some physical dexterity, to get these two parts interconnected, and to operate satisfactorily. The transition from the tee to within the flow line usually provided a change to a different diameter, which could disrupt the routine of flow of the granular material under air pressure, and cause such turbulence to effect a reduction in the speed and efficiency of the unloading process. This further caused a pressure drop during usage of such prior art devices which also reduced the speed and efficiency of the unloading process. Furthermore, the use of the locking cams, within their grooves, would result in excessive wear to the entire tee, and which would necessitate a replacement of the tee, on a more frequent basis, than desired. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the usual form of interconnection of the cam locking device, of the older prior art styles, would necessitate a threaded connection of its coupling with the flow line, and which would create that inequality in the internal diameters between the cam lock coupling, and the hose and pipe to which it connected, which caused the type of disruption in flow, as previously reviewed, which would lead to inefficiencies in discharge of the dry bulk material, and an undesired pressure drop, during usage. 
         [0006]    Another prior art type of means for connection of the flow line and its pipe to the tee included that threaded fitting, that would screw onto the approximate end of the tee, and the problem with this type of connection is that usually some of the threads formed internally of a coupler would be exposed to the passing granular material, and hence, once again, caused disruption of flow, turbulence in the movement of the dry bulk material, which would lessen, once again, the efficiency of conveyance of the bulk material from the tank trailer, etc., to a distant location for either unloading, storage, or for further processing. The female threads contained within its coupler would remain exposed when tightened on the male threads of the tee of this prior art type device, and which could also create an area for contamination, where the bulk material may become embedded, and soiled (see  FIG. 8 ). As previously reviewed in earlier patents, the trapping of the bulk material from one load, if it gets intermixed with another or subsequent load of a different bulk material, can and would contaminate, and in some instances, require an entire disposal as waste of the later conveyed dry material. Furthermore, having exposed threads within the flow line, from the threaded coupler, also furnished an abrasive location, where disruption of the flow of the granular material would occur, thereby acting as an excessive friction and wear point, leading towards a wear out of the tee, and its coupler, at that location, requiring their total replacement. 
         [0007]    A further type of coupling means, used in the prior art, would provide a perimeter clamp that would surround and span the gap between the end of the coupler, and the end of the tee, to secure the two together. The problem with that type of coupling was that there was normally a gap formed between these two components, and the gap between the fitting and the flow line or pipe was a source for contamination, and wear, as aforesaid, that would accelerate the fatigue of the components, at that location, as a result thereof. In addition, the use of that type of a fitting coupler would require the acquisition and use of an additional form of a grooved coupler, to hold the pipe or flow line in place, and to connect with the previously defined tee coupler. 
         [0008]    The concept of this current disclosure is to greatly simplify and accelerate the interconnection of the pipe or flow line to a tee, through a cam coupler, that has uniformity of internal diameter and contours, and also assumes a quick interconnection through the use of its cam locking feature, that is unexposed to any bulk material passing through the tee or flow line, and which interconnection can be readily made by an individual worker, between the flow pipe, through the tee, during an unloading process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0009]    The present disclosure contemplates the formation of a tee, that cooperates with a coupler, for securement of an unloading hose or line to it, so that once the coupler and the unloading line is connected with the tee, it furnishes a smooth uniformed uninterrupted interior surface that has no effect upon the flow of granular material therethrough, such as when this tee, and its flow line, are connected into means for conveying of granular material from a tank trailer, or the like. Generally, the tee will fit inside the coupler, to place it into alignment with the unloading hose, so as to create a smooth interior surface for the flow line, while exteriorly, a series of cam lock fasteners may be used for holding the coupler and the hose to the tee, or for holding the coupler and the tee to the hose, when providing for their interconnection, in preparation for usage. Their installation can be done rather expeditiously, since only a pair or more of cam locking fasteners are needed to secure these components together, when assembled for conveying purposes. 
         [0010]    In the overall structure of the present device, the device forms a grooved lock coupler integrated upon the surface of the tee, as when assembling the flow line to the tee, through the coupler, to attain the unloading of any granular material. The disclosure is directed to a tee, with the tee being formed having its usual ends, and the tee having a circumferentially positioned groove provided at least at approximately one end of the tee, when fabricated, molded, or cast. A coupler is provided for interconnecting with the flow line, to the tee. The coupler may fit upon or into the flow line, and be fastened in place by means of one or more bands, or other means for connection. The coupler has at least a pair of bosses formed integrally thereon, and each pair of bosses are provided for securement of a cam lock thereon, such that when the coupler is placed over the proximate end of the tee, each cam lock can be pivoted into connection for locking within the tee circumferential groove, as previously described. All of this type of assembly can be easily performed by a single installer, when preparing the flow line for unloading of the dry granular material. 
         [0011]    It is also likely that the tee itself may include at least a pair of cam locking fasteners, at its proximate end, and the coupler itself may have a circumferential groove provided therearound, so that when the coupler, secured to the hose, is applied into the end of the tee, the cam locks provided upon the tee end will be pivoted into locking engagement within the groove of the hose coupler, to provide for an immediate securement of these components together, in readying the tee and the unloading hose for an unloading of the bulk material laden tank trailer. 
         [0012]    It should be recognized that the present disclosure provides a device for holding a coupler and flow line onto the end of a tee, through the use of cam locking mechanisms, and through the use of very little manual effort when assembling the installation for granular material discharge from a tank trailer. 
         [0013]    The present disclosure is also directed to a device for securement of a flow line coupler to a tee, where its internal surfaces are maintained uniform, and present no obstruction to the free flow of granular material therethrough. 
         [0014]    The present disclosure provides a coupler that secures with the end of the tee, and provides no location where granular material can become embedded, which may give rise to contamination of subsequently conveyed dry bulk material, which can lead to expensive disposal of the contaminated load. 
         [0015]    The present disclosure also provides a tee and coupler that can be easily attached or assembled by a single installer. 
         [0016]    The present disclosure is further directed to a device for interconnecting a flow line coupler onto the end of a tee, and incorporating internally thereof a smooth transition to eliminate any type of contamination built up, or wear out of the internal surfaces of the assembly, during its continued usage. 
         [0017]    The present disclosure also provides a device having grooves, integrally upon the end of a tee, and which provide for retention of a coupler, to the tee, that enhances its useful life during repeat applications for unloading granular material. 
         [0018]    The present disclosure is directed to a tee, with a formed integral groove furnished upon at least one end, and which may connect through the use of a pair of cam locks for securement of an unloading-flow line-to-the-tee during usage. 
         [0019]    These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    In referring to the drawings: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a formed tee constructed according to the present disclosure, showing an internal groove formed at an end of the tee; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the tee shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an opposite side view of the tee shown in  FIG. 1 , showing a circumferential location of a connecting groove; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the tee shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the tee shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the tee shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the tee shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art tee having a coupler threadedly engaged on the tee, leaving exposed threads, and a stepped location where granular material may accumulate during unloading; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of a tee constructed according to the present disclosure with a coupler and an unloading hose aligned for installation onto the tee in preparation for an unloading procedure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the tee shown in  FIG. 9  with the coupler and the unloading hose interconnected by a cam lock fastener onto the tee; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the tee taken along the plane of line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10  showing a pair of cam lock fasteners prior to being fastened; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional view of the tee shown in  FIG. 11  with the pair of cam lock fasteners being fastened; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tee showing a cam lock fastener provided on the tee, in preparation for the interconnection of the cam lock fastener onto and within a groove of a proximate unloading line or hose; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view of the tee shown in  FIG. 13  with a pair of cam lock fasteners prior to being fastened; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a partial cross-sectional view of the tee shown in  FIG. 14  with the pair of cam lock fasteners being fastened. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number  10  identifies a preferred embodiment of a tee constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to  FIG. 1 , the tee  10  comprises a longitudinal flow body or section  12  having an interior longitudinal channel  14  that extends from a first end  16  to a second end  18 . The tee  10  has an upstanding portion  20  leading towards an inlet end  22  that has a vertical channel  24 . An integral flange  26  is provided at the inlet end  22  having a number of bolt holes  28 . The second end  18  is formed having an exterior annular groove  30 . The first end  16  is adapted to being connected to a source of pressurized air. The inlet end  22  is adapted to being connected to an underside of a tank trailer, railroad car, hopper, or other storage device that has contained therein granular material or dry bulk material such as grain or corn. Bolts (not shown) may be used to bolt the tee  10  through the bolt holes  28  provided in the flange  26  to the underside of a tank trailer. Granular material may fall from the tank trailer down the vertical channel  24  to flow out of the second end  18  within the pressurized air flow to convey the material to another location for unloading or further processing. The pressurized air enters from the first end  16  and exits with the entrained bulk material through the channel  14  and out the second end  18 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the tee  10 . The tee  10  has body  12  having the first or pressurized air inlet end  16  and the second or outlet end  18 . The second end  18  has the groove  30  formed therein and is used to accept a connection device (not shown), as will be discussed in detail further herein. The tee  10  also has the upstanding portion  20  and the flange  26 . The upstanding portion  20  has a first end  32  that is generally straight and parallel to the first end  16 . The upstanding portion  20  also has a second end  34  that is sloped from the flange  26  toward the second end  18 . In this manner, the second end  34  assists in directing the flow of granular material in the tee  10  from the inlet end  22  toward the outlet end  18 . 
         [0038]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , an opposite side view of the tee  10  is illustrated. The tee  10  has the annular groove  30  formed in the second end  18 . The groove  30  continues around the entire second end  18 . The body  12  is shown having the first end  16  and the second end  18 . The upstanding portion  20  has the second end  34  that is sloped downwardly from the flange  26  to the second end  18 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first end  16  of the tee  10 . The first end  16  serves as the inlet for a source of pressurized air that is injected into the channel  14  to flow through the channel  14 . As seen from the first end  16 , the channel  14  provides an unobstructed pathway for both pressurized air to flow and granular material to flow. The tee  10  also has the first end  32  of the upstanding portion  20  and the flange  26 . The first end  16  has a circular opening  36  and is adapted for receiving a conduit such as a hose. 
         [0040]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the second end  18  of the tee  10  is shown. The second end  18  is provided to allow both the pressurized air and granular material to flow through the channel  14  and to exit out of the second end  18 . The channel  14 , as seen through the second end  18 , is smooth and unobstructed. The second end  18  has a circular opening  38 . The tee  10  also has the second end  34  of the upstanding portion  20  and the flange  26 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the tee  10 . The flange  26  is circular in shape and has the bolt holes  28  spaced about the flange  26 . The inlet end  22  is within the flange  26  and the channel  14  is shown therethrough. Any granular material that falls or flows through the inlet end  22  will pass through the channel  14  toward the outlet or second end  18 . The second end  18  has the groove  30 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a bottom view of the tee  10  are depicted. The tee  10  has the body  12  which is generally a cylinder or pipe to allow pressurized air to flow through from the first end  16  to the second end  18 . The flange  26  is circular in shape having the bolt holes spaced equally about the flange  26 . The bolt holes  28  allow bolts (not shown) to be passed therethrough to bolt or secure the tee  10  to an underside of a tank trailer that has stored therein a supply of granular material. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a prior art tee  50  and a coupling device  52 . The prior art tee  50  has a threaded end  54  upon which is threaded the coupling device  52 . The coupling device  52  has female threads  56  which remain exposed when tightened onto male threads  58  of the tee  50 . Since the female threads  56  are exposed the threads  56  are subject to collecting bulk material that flows through the tee  50  and the coupling device  52 . Bulk material may become embedded in the female threads  56 . This can lead to contamination of subsequent loads of material. As has been discussed, contamination should be avoided. 
         [0044]    With reference now to  FIG. 9 , a coupler or coupling device  60  positioned on a discharge hose or conduit  62 . The coupler  60  is in position to be placed over the second end  18  of the tee  10 . The coupler  60  has a first cam lock fastener or mechanism  64  that is used to connect, lock, or clamp the coupler  60  to the second end  18  of the tee  10 . When the coupler  60  is placed over the second end  18 , the first cam lock mechanism  64  may be operated to secure the coupler  60  to the second end  18 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows the coupler  60  being inserted onto the second end  18  of the tee  10 . The cam lock mechanism  64  has not been actuated to connect the coupler  60  to the tee  10 . The coupler  60  fits over the groove  30  of the second end  18 . As will be explained, the cam lock mechanism  64  and the groove  30  cooperate together to lock the coupler  60  to the second end  18  of the tee  10 . 
         [0046]    Referring now in particular to  FIG. 11 , a cross-sectional view of the coupler  60  being inserted over the second end  18  of the tee  10  is shown. The coupler  60  has an extension member  66  that extends into the hose  62 . The member  66  may be secured to the hose  62  by a locking band (not shown) or by any other suitable securing device. The coupling  60  has an outer sleeve  68  that receives the second end  18  of the tee  10 . The coupler  60  is shown having the first cam lock mechanism  64  and a second cam lock mechanism  70 . Although two cam lock mechanisms  64  and  70  are shown, it is possible to have more than two. The first cam lock mechanism  64  comprises a cam arm member  72  having an integral cam  74  mounted on a pivot pin  76 . The cam arm member  72  is used to pivot the integral cam  74  about the pivot pin  76 . The outer sleeve  68  has a first slot  78  through which the integral cam  74  may pass to contact the groove  30 . A ring  80  is attached to the cam arm  72  through an aperture  82  formed in the cam arm  72 . The second cam lock mechanism  70  comprises a cam arm member  84  having an integral cam  86  mounted on a pivot pin  88 . The cam arm member  84  may be pivoted about the pivot pin  88  to move or rotate the integral cam  86 . The outer sleeve  68  also has a second slot  90  formed therein through which the integral cam  86  may enter to contact the groove  30  on the tee  10 . A ring  92  is connected to the cam arm  84  through an aperture  94  provided in the cam arm  84 . A gasket  96  may be provided between the second end  18  and the coupler  60  to align the tee  10  with the coupler  60 . The gasket  96  also provides for a uniformity of diameter between the tee  10  and the coupler  60  to assure that there is no area where any bulk material can accumulate or become embedded. Thus, the channel  14  of the tee  10  and the coupler  60  has a continuous uniform flow path so that there is a smooth flow contour between the tee  10  and the coupler  60  when connected together. Also, there is no gap between the tee  10  and the coupler  60  when both these components are connected together. 
         [0047]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-sectional view of the coupler  60  and the tee  10  connected together and the cam lock mechanisms  64  and  70  both in a locked position. The cam arm  72  has been pressed down to pivot the integral cam  74  into the groove  30 . The cam arm  84  has also been pivoted downwardly to move the integral cam  86  into engagement with the groove  30 . With the integral cams  74  and  86  engaging the groove  30 , the coupler  60  will be locked in place on the second end  18  of the tee  10 . An unloading procedure or process may take place when the coupler  60  is secured to the tee  10 . Also, the rings  80  and  92  may be tied down, or otherwise secured, to maintain the cam lock mechanisms  64  and  70  in the locked position. This will prevent any inadvertent or untimely decoupling or disconnection, particularly while unloading a large volume of dry bulk material. A single installer may easily position the coupler  60  onto the tee  10  and then press down on both the arms  72  and  84  to lock the coupler  60  in place. Further, due to the groove  30 , no specific positioning of the tee  10  within the coupler  60  is required. This eliminates any time required to determine how to couple the tee  10  and the coupler  60  together. 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , another embodiment of a tee and unload hose having an integrated cam lock  150  is shown. The tee and unload hose having an integrated cam lock  150  comprises a tee  152  having an outlet end  154  having a coupler  156  and a cam lock mechanism  158 . A hose  160  has a coupler end member  162  having an integral groove  162 . The coupler end member  162  fits into the coupler  156  and the cam lock mechanism  158  is used to secure the couplers  156  and  162  together. As can be appreciated, a distinction between the tee and unload hose having an integrated cam lock  150  and the tee  10  and the coupler  60  is that the groove  164  is formed in the coupler  162  and not in the tee  152 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 14  is cross-sectional view of the coupler  162  being inserted into the coupler  156 . The coupler  162  has an extension member  166  that extends into the hose  160 . The member  166  may be secured to the hose  160  by a locking band (not shown) or by any other suitable securing device. The coupling  162  has an outer sleeve  168  that is adapted to fit within the coupler  156 . The coupler  156  is shown having the first cam lock mechanism  158  and a second cam lock mechanism  170 . Although two cam lock mechanisms  158  and  170  are shown, it is contemplated to have more than two. The first cam lock mechanism  158  comprises a cam arm member  172  having an integral cam  174  mounted on a pivot pin  176 . The cam arm member  172  is used to pivot the integral cam  174  about the pivot pin  176 . The coupler  156  has a first slot  178  through which the integral cam  174  may pass to contact the groove  164  of the coupler  162 . A ring  180  is attached to the cam arm  172  through an aperture  182  formed in the cam arm  172 . The second cam lock mechanism  170  comprises a cam arm member  184  having an integral cam  186  mounted on a pivot pin  188 . The cam arm member  184  may be pivoted about the pivot pin  188  to move or rotate the integral cam  186 . The coupler  156  also has a second slot  190  formed therein through which the integral cam  186  may enter to contact the groove  164  formed in the coupler  162 . A ring  192  is connected to the cam arm  184  through an aperture  194  provided in the cam arm  184 . A gasket  196  may be provided between the coupler  156  and  162  to align the tee  152  with the coupler  162 . The gasket  196  also provides for a uniformity of diameter between the tee  152  and the coupler  162  to assure that there is no area where any bulk material can accumulate or become embedded. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a cross-sectional view of the coupler  162  and the tee  152  being connected together and the cam lock mechanisms  164  and  170  both in a locked position are shown. The cam arm  172  has been pressed down to pivot the integral cam  174  into the groove  164 . The cam arm  184  has also been pivoted downwardly to move the integral cam  186  into engagement with the groove  164 . With the integral cams  174  and  186  engaging the groove  164 , the coupler  156  will be locked in place on the coupler  162 . An unloading of any bulk material from a bulk storage container may take place when the coupler  156  is secured to the coupler  162 . Also, the rings  180  and  192  may be tied down to maintain the cam lock mechanisms  164  and  170  in the locked position. During an unloading process, since there are various pressures and forces that are acting upon internally of the tee  152  and the unloading line  160 , that may generate some impact or vibrations, some form of connection may be needed to assure that the cam fasteners  164  and  170  remain intact and locked and the rings  180  and  192  may be used for this purpose. As can be appreciated, a single installer or individual may easily position the coupler  162  into the coupler  156  and then press down on both the arms  172  and  184  to lock the coupler  156  in place. Further, due to the groove  164 , no special care or locating is required in positioning the coupler  162  within the coupler  156 . 
         [0051]    As has been shown above, an unloading hopper tee having a groove with the tee being secured to the underside of a bin of a tank trailer, railroad car, other hopper, or bulk storage container is used in combination with a coupler having a cam locking mechanism that is secured to the groove formed in the tee. This construction allows installation of the coupler onto the tee to be accomplished by a single installer to reduce manpower and time consumed in setting up or unloading operation of the bulk storage container. In addition, the efficiency in the operations of the installed flow line, so as to reduce any turbulence, and to avoid any gaps or notches where the granular material may become embedded, and to avoid contamination of any subsequent bulk material loads, is prevented by use of the present disclosure. Since the tee and the unloading line or hose are maintained in alignment, and have the same interior diameter, the flow path of the bulk material is uniform which reduces the potential for abrasive wear of these components during usage. The tee and coupler allow for quick connection and disconnection as may be required. 
         [0052]    From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a tee and unload line with an integrated cam lock. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art; however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject tee and unload line with an integrated cam lock are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.