Abstract:
A frame assembly for a hose reel is provided. The frame assembly includes closed extrusion members. Closed extrusion members are structured to hide visually displeasing elements such as, but not limited to, support ribs. The closed extrusion members face downwards and backwards so that the visually pleasing outer side of the closed extrusion members are typically visible.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a hose reel and, more specifically, to a hose reel having a frame assembly including closed extrusion members and wherein the closed extrusion members are positioned with their outer side oriented to be highly visible. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hose reels are constructs structured to rotatably support a hose. More specifically, a hose reel has a frame assembly and a basket assembly. There are functional assemblies as well, such as, but not limited to, the water conduit assembly, but those are not relevant to the present disclosure. The basket assembly includes a barrel about which a hose is wound. The frame assembly is structured to rotatably support the basket assembly. 
         [0003]    Hose reel frame assemblies are, typically, made from either tubular metal members or molded plastic members. Metal frame assemblies tend to be more expensive and are prone to rust. Thus, many hose reels are made from plastic. The molded plastic members are typically planar members having a perimeter sidewall and a plurality of support ribs on one or both sides of the planar member. Generally, a smooth surface is considered more eye-pleasing, so many hose reels have the ribs on only one side. With this type of frame member, the ribbed side is oriented to face laterally inward or outward. That is, there are typically two side frame assemblies held in a spaced relation that support a rotatable basket assembly. Each side frame assembly is typically molded as a single piece. These side frame assemblies are mirror images of each other. The basket assembly is rotatably disposed between the side frame assemblies. To reduce the visual impact of the less attractive ribbed side of the side frames, the side frame assemblies ribbed sides are oriented so as to face the basket assembly. The same is also true for the handle assembly which is coupled to the frame assemblies. 
         [0004]    In this configuration, a user will typically see only one of the ribbed sides. That is, if the user is standing to the right of the hose reel, the user will see the smooth outer surface of the right frame assembly, but will also see past the basket assembly to see the ribbed inner side of the left side frame assembly. A user standing in front of, or behind, the hose reel, will typically see both side frame assemblies&#39; inner sides. 
         [0005]    In addition to the visual disadvantage of such plastic hose reels, there is an economic disadvantage as well. As noted above, the side frame assemblies are mirror images of each other. This requires two molds; one for each side frame as well as any associated parts. This also requires additional care in assembling a boxed hose reel for sale. That is, during the preparation of the boxed hose reel, care must be taken to ensure that each box has the proper inventory of parts, typically one part oriented for opposing sides of the hose reel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a visually pleasing plastic frame assembly for a hose reel, and to reduce the cost associated with preparing the disassembled hose reel kit. As is known, and as mentioned above, molding of plastic into an elongated, thin walled planar member may incorporate a raised edge, side wall or medial rib to increase the rigidity of the member. The planar member may have sidewalls and ribs extending from opposing sides of the planar member. As used herein, such a construct shall be identified as a “two-sided” member. For aesthetics, and other reasons, plastic planar members may have one face without sidewalls and ribs, while having sidewalls and ribs on the opposing face. That is, the planar member may have a cross-section similar to the shape of a bracket character, e.g. “[”. As used herein, a planar member in such a configuration is a “one-sided” member having, as used herein, a “smooth side” without ribs, and, as used herein, a “ribbed side,” having ribs. Further, in either the one-sided or two-sided configuration, both sides of the planar member are generally visible. Accordingly, as used herein, a planar extrusion is an “open extrusion.” 
         [0007]    Conversely, in an elongated plastic member having an arcuate cross-section, especially where the radius is relatively small, i.e. less than 2.5 inches, an angled cross-section, and/or wherein the longitudinal sidewalls extend generally tangent to the arcuate portion, e.g. such as, but not limited to, a “U” shape, only the outer side of the member is generally visible and the inner side of the member is generally hidden. Accordingly, as used herein, an extrusion having a cross-section structured so as to substantially hide one side of the member is a “closed extrusion.” More specifically, a closed extrusion having an arcuate portion, as used herein, is an “arcuate closed extrusion.” Further, as used herein, a closed extrusion has an “inner side,” e.g. the concave side, and an “outer side,” e.g. the convex side. The inner and outer sides may “face” a particular direction. That is, as used herein, “face,” when used as a verb, means that the identified side is predominantly visible from the identified direction. For example, if the outer side of the curved member faces upwardly, as in an inverted “U,” the outer side is predominantly visible when viewed from above. It is noted that, with an inverted U-shaped extrusion, the outer side is also visible from the sides. Conversely, a curved inner side that faces downwardly is predominantly visible when viewed from below; due to the curvature of the member, however, the inner side is less visible from the sides. 
         [0008]    Further, the support ribs are preferably disposed on the inner side of a closed extrusion. In this configuration, the ribs are typically not visible. Thus, such extruded members may be positioned so that the inner side is not highly visible and the outer side is. This does not mean, however, that the inner side can never be seen, only that when generally viewed, the outer side is more visible than the inner side. More specifically, a closed extruded member may be positioned with the outer side oriented to be “highly visible.” As used herein, “highly visible” means that a substantial portion of the outer side of a closed extrusion faces substantially forward and/or upward. 
         [0009]    The concept disclosed below relates to extruded plastic members configured to form a frame assembly for a hose reel. The plastic members forming the frame assembly are a closed extrusion which are oriented so that the inner side having ribs is generally hidden. For example, the hose reel has a lower frame assembly structured to support a hose reel having generally “A” shaped frame members. The frame members include closed extruded members wherein the inner sides are disposed at the interior surfaces of the “A” shape. In this configuration, the inner side of the closed extruded members are substantially not visible. That is, the ribs can only be seen easily from the lower side of the frame assembly and, as this side is adjacent to the ground, users should not be able to see the ribs during normal operation of the hose reel. 
         [0010]    Further, when the frame members are formed from a closed extrusion, the same components may, typically be used on either side of the finished frame assembly. That is, unlike one sided plastic frame members, wherein the closed side faces inwardly and which therefore require a specific right side frame and left side frame, a closed extrusion frame member that faces downwardly may be used on either side of the frame assembly. As both sides of the frame assembly are alike, there is no need for side specific molds and no need to track which components are provided in the disassembled kit. That is, the number of components must be tracked, e.g. two side frame assemblies, but not the type of components, e.g. one right side frame assembly and one left side frame assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a hose reel. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A-2C  are assembly views of the hose reel.  FIG. 2A  shows the basket assembly and the side frame assemblies.  FIG. 2B  further shows the handle assembly.  FIG. 2C  further shows the base assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A-3C  show alternate cross-sectional views of closed extrusion members.  FIG. 3A  shows a closed extrusion member with a flat base plate.  FIG. 3B  shows a closed extrusion member with an angled base plate.  FIG. 3C  shows a closed extrusion member with an arcuate base plate. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of the hose reel. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs. 
         [0017]    As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. 
         [0018]    As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. The fixed components may, or may not, be directly coupled. 
         [0019]    As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body. 
         [0020]    As used herein, “temporarily coupled” means that two components are coupled in a manner that allows for the components to be easily decoupled without damaging the components. 
         [0021]    As used herein, “correspond” indicates that two structural components are sized to engage each other with a minimum amount of friction. Thus, an opening which corresponds to a member is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member may pass through the opening with a minimum amount of friction. This definition is modified if the two components are said to fit “snugly” together. In that situation, the difference between the size of the components is even smaller whereby the amount of friction increases. 
         [0022]    As used herein a “handle” is an element that is generally structured to be grasped by a user and not an element that is merely capable of being grasped. For example, a wheelbarrow frame assembly may have a plurality of elongated members that may be grasped, but only the handles are structured, i.e. positioned and sized, to be grasped by the user. 
         [0023]    As used herein, a “grip” is the portion of a handle structured to be gripped by a user. A “grip” includes a portion of a handle having a sufficient, substantially straight length of handle to accommodate the width of four fingers, and may also include a textured surface on the handle and/or a padded portion of the handle. A “grip” must be distinguishable from other portions of the handle. For example, a smooth, straight broomstick is a handle without an identifiable grip because no portion of the handle is different than any other portion. 
         [0024]    As described below, there are several components of the hose reel that have similar corresponding components, often a mirror image component. It is understood when two components are being described, subsequent pairs of reference numbers relate to the respective components. For example, as set forth below, the first and second side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  each include a forward support member  40 ,  42 . This means that the first side frame assembly  26  includes forward support member  40  and the second side frame assembly  28  includes forward support member  42 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a hose reel  10  includes a frame assembly  20 , a rotating basket assembly  200 , and a water conduit assembly  300 . The hose reel  10  has a front side  12 , a rear side  14 , a first lateral side  16  and a second lateral side  18 . Generally, the user is positioned behind the rear side  14  when moving the hose reel  10 , and, to the front side  12  or one of the lateral sides  16 ,  18  when using the hose reel  10 . Further, because the handle assembly  22  is positioned at the rear side  14 , the front side  12  is typically shown when the hose reel  10  is displayed, e.g. prior to sale or in advertisements. 
         [0026]    The frame assembly  20  is made from plastic components and, as detailed below, preferably from a plurality of elongated members which include at least one closed, extruded member  21 . As shown in  FIG. 2A-2C , the frame assembly  20  includes a handle assembly  22  and a lower frame assembly  24 . The lower frame assembly  24  is structured to rotatably support the basket assembly  200 . The lower frame assembly  24  includes two substantially similar side frame assemblies, a first side frame assembly  26  and a second side frame assembly  28 , and, in the preferred embodiment, a base assembly  29 . The two side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  are maintained in a spaced relation by the basket assembly  200  and/or one or more elongated cross frame members  30  located on the base assembly  29 . The two side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  each have a forward support member  40 ,  42  and a rear support member  44 ,  46 . The side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  are shaped generally as an inverted “V.” At the vertex of each side frame assembly  26 ,  28  is a hub  32 ,  34 , to which the basket assembly  200  is rotatably coupled. It is noted that the side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  are substantially identical. That is, the side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  are interchangeable. 
         [0027]    The base assembly  29  includes a first base member  48  and a second base member  50  as well as one or more cross frame members  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the base members  48 ,  50  are shaped as upwardly extending arches. On each base member  48 ,  50  there is a front coupling  52 ,  54 , and a rear coupling  56 ,  58 . Each coupling  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  includes a post  53  and a lug  55 . Each coupling  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 , and more specifically each post  53 , extends generally upwardly. Each lug  55  is disposed at the distal end of the associated post  53  and each lug  55  is sized and shaped to snuggly correspond to the lower ends of the support members  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 . The side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  are coupled, as described below, to the upper side of the base assembly  29  to form the lower frame assembly  24 . In this embodiment, the first side frame assembly  26 , the second side frame assembly  28 , and the base assembly  29  are each formed as a unitary body. It is, however, noted that the base assembly  29  cross frame members  30  may be formed independently and thereafter coupled to the base members  48 ,  50 . 
         [0028]    Further, a wheel  45 ,  47  ( FIG. 2C ) may be rotatably coupled to each lateral side of the base assembly  29 . That is, a first wheel  45  is rotatably disposed at the distal, lower end of the first base member  48 . Similarly, the second wheel  47  is rotatably disposed at the distal, lower end of the second base member  50 . The hub  32 ,  34  support members  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and base members  48 ,  50  of each lateral side of the frame assembly  20  are, generally, disposed in a plane. 
         [0029]    The side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  are structured to rotatably support the basket assembly  200 . That is, the basket assembly  200  includes a cylindrical barrel  202 . At each end of the barrel  202  there is a radially extending flange  204 ,  206 . The space about the barrel  202  and in between the two flanges  204 ,  206  define the basket  208  which is the space in which the hose reel hose (not shown) is disposed. That is, the hose reel hose is wrapped about the barrel  202 . As is known, a portion of the water conduit assembly  300  extends through one axle  212  ( FIG. 2A ) and is structured to supply water to the hose reel hose. A basket handle or crank  214  ( FIG. 1 ) is fixed to the barrel  202 . 
         [0030]    The frame assembly  20  may include various types of members, e.g. solid, hollow, closed extrusion, etc. In this disclosure, at least one frame member  30  is an elongated closed extrusion member  31 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . As defined above, a closed extrusion member  31  has an inner side  33  and an outer side  35 . The closed extrusion member outer side  35  is generally free from mold lines, openings, couplings, etc. The closed extrusion member  31  may be a narrow channel formed from an elongated, generally flat base plate  60 A having generally perpendicular, longitudinal sidewalls  62 A, as shown in  FIG. 3A , an elongated, angled base plate  60 B with ( FIG. 3B ) or without (not shown) longitudinal sidewalls  62 B, or in the preferred embodiment, an arcuate base portion  60 C with ( FIG. 3C ) or without (not shown) longitudinal sidewalls  62 C. That is, in an arcuate closed extrusion member there is a longitudinally extending arcuate base portion  60 C as well as longitudinal sidewalls  62 C that extend generally tangent to the ends (when viewed in cross-section) of the arcuate base portion  60 C. In cross-section, this configuration resembles a capital “U.” 
         [0031]    The at least one closed extrusion member  31  is positioned with the outer side  35  oriented to be highly visible. That is, the at least one closed extrusion member  31 , or a substantial portion of the at least one closed extrusion member  31 , outer side  35  faces generally forward and/or upward. Conversely, the at least one closed extrusion member  31 , inner side  33  faces generally backward and/or downward. In this configuration, a user or observer will typically see the smooth outer side of the at least one closed extrusion member  31 . 
         [0032]    A closed extrusion member  31  may further be supported by one or more ribs  51 . The ribs  51  are disposed on the inner side of a closed extrusion member  31 . The ribs  51  are planar members having an inner edge  64  and an outer edge  66 . The rib inner edge  64  is, preferably, directly coupled to the inner side  33  of a closed extrusion member  31  and may be formed as a unitary body therewith. Thus, the rib inner edge  64 , preferably, corresponds with the shape of the closed extrusion member  31 . That is, if the closed extrusion member  31  is a narrow, rectangular channel, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the rib inner edge  64  is substantially linear. If the closed extrusion member  31  has an angled base plate  60 B, the rib inner edge  64  has a corresponding angle. And if the closed extrusion member  31  has an arcuate base portion  60 C, the rib inner edge  64  is arcuate. The rib outer edge  66  is typically either a straight edge or a curved edge. When the rib outer edge  66  is straight, it typically extends in a plane parallel to the distal ends of the closed extrusion member side walls  62 A,  62 B,  62 C or the distal ends of the angled base plate  60 B, or arcuate base portion  60 C. When the rib outer edge  66  is a curved edge, the rib outer edge  66  is generally arcuate, but having a greater radius than the arcuate base portion  60 C. In this configuration, the rib  51  tapers at tips of the outer edge  66 . Alternatively, the rib outer edge  66  may have the same curvature as the arcuate base portion  60 C, but, where the rib  51  extends over the longitudinal sidewalls  62 C, the rib outer edge  66  tapers. Finally, it is noted that a rib  51  may be disposed at the very end of the closed extrusion member  31 , creating a closed end, or spaced from the very end of the closed extrusion member  31 , creating a pocket (not shown) defined by the rib  51  and the distal end of the closed extrusion member  31 . 
         [0033]    The ribs  51  may extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member  31  or may extend at an angle generally less than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member  31 . Typically, when the ribs  51  have a curved outer edge  66 , the ribs  51  extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member  31 . Ribs  51  in this configuration resemble the inner side of a canoe. Ribs  51  having a straight outer edge  66  typically extend at an angle generally less than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member  31 . Further, such ribs  51  typically cross over each other creating a pattern similar to “X&#39;s”, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0034]    Preferably, each of the frame members  30  forming the side frame assemblies  26 ,  28 , and the base assembly  29  are closed extrusion members  31 . That is, each support member,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and each base member  48 ,  50  is elongated and has a lateral width, i.e. a width normal to the plane of the side frame assemblies  26 ,  28 . The support members  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  each descend from the associated hub  32 ,  34  with the forward support members  40 ,  42  extending toward the hose reel front side  12  and the rear support members  44 ,  46  extending toward the hose reel rear side  14 . The distal ends of each support member,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  have a rib  51  spaced therefrom. That is, each distal end of each support member,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  forms a pocket (not shown). 
         [0035]    As noted above, base members  48 ,  50  may be upwardly arched so that, when the side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  are coupled thereto, the two lateral sides of the frame assembly  20  generally resemble a capital “A” with the hub  32 ,  34  at the vertex of the support members,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 . In this configuration, a user, and more specifically a user&#39;s eyes, will typically be disposed above the side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  and the base assembly  29 . Thus, to reduce the chance of the user seeing the closed extrusion member inner side  33 , the closed extrusion members inner sides  33  face generally downwardly. It is noted that, at the back end of the arched base members  48 ,  50 , the closed extrusion members inner sides  33  face forwardly and, as such, could be seen by a user standing directly in front of the hose reel  10 . Typically, however, the other elements of the side frame assemblies  26 ,  28 , notably the forward support member  40 ,  42 , will block the user&#39;s view of the forward end of the arched base members  48 ,  50 . Only when a user is standing to one side of the hose reel  10  will the user be able to see some small portion of the arched base member closed extrusion inner side  33 . This is noted as the disclosed concept does not require that the entire closed extrusion inner side  33  face backwardly and/or downwardly, but rather that a substantial portion of each closed extrusion member  31  face backwardly and/or downwardly. 
         [0036]    Further, the base assembly cross frame members  30  may also be closed extrusion members  31 . The cross frame members  30  are, preferably, arcuate closed extrusion members  31  having longitudinal sidewalls. The closed extrusion cross frame members  30  may have ribs  51  disposed on the inner side. The closed extrusion cross frame members  30  face substantially downwardly. In this configuration, a user cannot typically see the inner side of the closed extrusion cross frame members  30 . It is noted that, while the closed extrusion member outer side  35  is typically smooth, the closed extrusion cross frame member  30  disposed at the front side of the hose reel  10  may include a textured step  23 . The textured step  23  is disposed on the same lateral side as the barrel crank  214 . In operation, the user may stand on the textured step  23  while using the crank  214 . 
         [0037]    To assemble the lower frame assembly  24  the two side frame assemblies  26 ,  28  are coupled to the base assembly  29 . More specifically, the pockets located at the distal ends of each support member  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  correspond to the lugs  55  and, more specifically, the lugs  55  snuggly correspond to the pockets. Further, the posts  53  have an outer surface with substantially the same dimensions as the support member  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  coupled thereto. In this configuration, there is an essentially seamless transition between the outer side  35  of each support member  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and the associated coupling  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 . 
         [0038]    The frame assembly handle assembly  22  also includes closed extrusion members  31 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the handle assembly  22  includes a generally U-shaped handle assembly body  70  with an elongated, first arm  72 , an elongated second arm  74 , a handle member  76 . That is, the handle assembly body  70  has two tines, i.e. the arms  72 ,  74 , and a bight, i.e. the handle member  76 . The handle member  76  may include a textured surface defining a grip  78 . Each arm  72 ,  74  has a distal end  80 ,  82  spaced from the handle member  76 . Similar to the support members,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , the handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  are preferably closed extrusion members  31 . Each handle assembly arm  72 ,  74  is rotatably coupled to one of the side frame assemblies  26 ,  28 , but may be temporarily fixed in at least one of an upper or lower position. 
         [0039]    That is, the handle assembly  22  may move between an upper first position ( FIG. 1 ) and a lower second position ( FIG. 2C ). Generally, the handle assembly  22  is placed in the upper position when the user is moving the hose reel  10  from one location to another. When the handle assembly  22  is temporarily locked in this position, a user applies a slight downward pressure, or backward horizontal pressure, to the handle member  76  thereby causing the hose reel  10  to rotate about the wheels  45 ,  47  and lifting the forward side of the base assembly  29  off the ground. The hose reel  10  may then be rolled from one location to another. 
         [0040]    When the handle assembly  22  moves between the first and second positions, the first and second arms  72 ,  74  also move between an upper first position and a lower second position. It is noted that, unlike the prior art, wherein it is known to move the handle to the front of the hose reel  10  in the lower position, in this embodiment when the first and second arms  72 ,  74  are in the first position, the handle assembly body  70  extends toward the lower frame assembly  24  rear side  14 , and when the first and second arms  72 ,  74  are in the second position, said handle assembly body  70  extends toward said lower frame assembly  24  rear side  14  as well. 
         [0041]    As noted above, the handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  are preferably closed extrusion members  31 . The handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  are positioned with the inner side  33  of the closed extrusion members  31  facing generally backwardly when in the first, upper position, and substantially downwardly when in the second, lower position. As before, the handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  may be any embodiment of a closed extrusion member  31 , as discussed above, but are preferably arcuate closed extrusion members having tangential sidewalls. The handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  preferably include ribs  51  having a straight outer edge extending at an angle generally less than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member  31 . That is, the handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  preferably include ribs  51  which cross over each other creating a pattern similar to “X&#39;s”, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this configuration, the user cannot, typically, see the inner side of the closed extrusion handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  when the handle assembly  22  is in the second, lower position. When the handle assembly  22  is in the first position and the user is behind the hose reel  10 , the user can, typically, see the inner side of the handle assembly arms  72 ,  74 . When the hose reel  10  is used, however, the user typically moves to the front side of the hose reel  10 , where the hose is located. When the user is in front of the hose reel  10 , or even to the lateral sides of the hose reel  10 , the user cannot see the inner side of the handle assembly arms  72 ,  74 . Accordingly, when the handle assembly  22  is in the first position and the closed extrusion member handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  face generally backwards, the closed extrusion member handle assembly arms  72 ,  74  are positioned with the outer sides oriented to be highly visible. 
         [0042]    The handle member  76  may also be a closed extrusion member, but more preferably is formed of a series of exposed, closely spaced, parallel ribs  51 , thereby forming the grip  78 . A shell  79 , e.g. a semicircular tube, may be disposed over a portion of the exposed ribs  51  forming the grip  78 . 
         [0043]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.