Abstract:
Systems and methods for transporting quarry. One apparatus includes a basket with webbing and a pair of handles, a coupler, and a stabilizer. The basket couples to the rear of a vehicle via the coupler and, optionally, a stabilizer installed on the vehicle. The method includes placing the basket into a substantially horizontal position, loading the basket with quarry, fixing the quarry into the basket via webbing, rotating the basket as needed to place the quarry in the proper position, and raising the quarry to a substantially vertical position relative to the back of the vehicle, optionally using the handles for leverage. Once positioned, the basket may be locked in place in a position in which the quarry is not in contact with the vehicle. The bagged game does not rest on the vehicle but remains in the basket in the vertical position behind the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the U.S. provisional patent application entitled “Transportation Apparatus for Hunted Animals”, having Ser. No. 62/115,673, filed Feb. 13, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparatus, systems and methods for transporting quarry. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus, systems and methods for transporting quarry via a vehicle. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Briefly stated, in one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for transporting quarry and other hunted game animals after it is killed and/or bagged is provided. The apparatus includes a basket with retainers, a coupler, and a pair of handles for leveraging the load. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for transporting quarry via a vehicle is provided. This system includes the apparatus, a vehicle and a stabilizer bar, the apparatus coupling to the rear of the vehicle via a coupler. The vehicle may be an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”), in which case the apparatus attaches to the stabilizer installed on the rear of the ATV. 
         [0006]    In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method for loading quarry on to a vehicle is provided. This method includes attaching the apparatus to the vehicle, loading the apparatus with bagged game, rotating the handles so that the basket is inverted and placing the basket in a vertical position on the back of the vehicle, using the handles for leverage. In such embodiments, the bagged game does not rest on the vehicle but remains in the basket in the vertical position behind the vehicle. The bagged game may be loaded without winches or pulleys. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are rear and side views, respectively, of an apparatus for transporting quarry coupled to the rear of a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective and exploded views of a coupler for coupling the apparatus to a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a stabilizer for use in coupling the apparatus to a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a rear view of the basket in a horizontal position in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom view of the basket in a horizontal position in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a handle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 ; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6A-6E  demonstrate a method for transporting quarry, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower” and “upper” and “top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
         [0016]    Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventors also contemplate aspects of the disclosure described by the plural of that term. As used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, e.g., “a retainer” may include a plurality of retainers. Thus, for example, a reference to “a method” includes one or more methods, and/or steps of the type described herein and/or which will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure. 
         [0017]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods, constructs and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Where there are discrepancies in terms and definitions used in references that are incorporated by reference, the terms used in this application shall have the definitions given herein. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict an apparatus  10  for transporting quarry coupled to the rear of a vehicle  12  such as an ATV in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Although the invention is described herein at being attached to an ATV, it may be used with other vehicles without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , apparatus  10  includes, inter alia, basket  20 , handles  30 , stabilizer  28 , and a coupler  26 . In the depicted embodiment, basket  20  is substantially V-shaped and is formed from a center support  14 , a pair of side supports  16   a  and  16   b , a plurality of V-shaped struts  18 , a base platform  22 , and webbing  24 . In the depicted embodiment, center support  14  is a hollow metal support having a substantially square cross section. It is coupled to a pair of side supports  16   a  and  16   b  via a plurality of substantially V-shaped struts  18 . In the depicted embodiment, side supports  16   a  and  16   b  include a plurality of approximately equidistantly spaced retention mechanism retainers  27  on the rearwardly facing surface of side supports  16   a  and  16   b . Retention mechanism retainers  27  are in the form of a substantially tubular metal section (e.g., a welded oval opening) that extends from the respective side support  16  such that a completely enclosed substantially circular or oval opening  29  (Best seen in  FIG. 4B ) is formed between retention mechanism retainer  27  and side support  16 . When retention mechanism  92  is attached through opening  29  as discussed in greater detail below, the respective retention mechanism system  23  is held in place such that it traverses the face of basket  20 . Similarly, the respective retention mechanism system  23  may be removed from the face of basket  20  by unhooking retention mechanism  92  from retention mechanism retainer  27 /opening  29 . However, alternate methods of affixing and removing webbing  24  or individual retention mechanism systems  23  may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0020]    Additionally, in the depicted embodiment, retention mechanism retainer  27  also prevents or minimizes the potential that retention mechanism  92  and the webbing  24  to which it is coupled, or the components thereof, move longitudinally along side support  16  for any substantial distance. In this manner, retention mechanism retainers  27  act to hold its respective retention mechanism system  23  at the desired location of basket  20 . In the depicted embodiment, retention mechanism retainers  27  operate to keep the plurality of retention mechanism systems  23  substantially equidistantly spaced along the longitudinal extent of side support  16  as best seen in  FIG. 1A . This is one method of maintaining webbing  24  in its desired location, but alternate forms of retention mechanism retainers  27  and alternate locations for retention mechanism retainers  27  may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0021]    In the depicted embodiment, webbing  24  is adjustable and includes a plurality of retention mechanism systems  23 , which are coupled to both first and second side supports  16   a  and  16   b  in a manner in which they collectively traverse the open face of the basket (i.e., the area opposite center support  14  and located between first and second side supports  16   a  and  16   b ). In this exemplary embodiment, each retention mechanism system includes two straps  25   a  and  25   b , one tightening fastener  38 , one retention fastener  94 , and one retention mechanism  92 . In this exemplary embodiment, straps  25  are nylon straps, tightening fasteners  38  are adjustable strap buckles, and retention fasteners  94  are strapless buckles. 
         [0022]    In the depicted embodiment and as best seen in  FIG. 1A , retention mechanism  92  is in the form of an S-hook. Strap  25   b  is coupled to the S-hook by passing an end of a strap through an enclosed end of the S-hook and through one end of tightening fastener  38 . The two ends of strap  25   b  are then sewn together such that a closed loop is formed. Similarly, a first end of strap  25   a  is passed through the opposite end of tightening fastener  38 , then through retention fastener  94 , then through opening  29  of retention mechanism retainer  27 , around vertical support  16   a , and back through retention fastener  94 . In some embodiments, the second end of strap  25   a  is in the form of a loop  98 , which assists the user in tightening webbing  24 ; however, loop  98  is not required to implement the present invention. Loop  98  may be formed by simply sewing the strap such that a loop is formed. This arrangement allows the user to operate the retention fastener  94  such that the straps  25   a  and  25   b /webbing  24  may be moved to a position in which they do not obstruct the opening of basket  20 , thereby allowing the quarry to be loaded into the basket  20  as discussed in greater detail below. Although retention fastener  94  is a hook that is removed from an opening such as opening  29 , alternate retention fasteners may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. Tightening fastener  38 , retention fastener  94 , and/or retention mechanism  92  also allow the user to tighten and loosen straps  25   a  and  25   b  relative to each other. In this manner, the user is able to adjust individual retention mechanism systems  23  and webbing  24  as a whole. Although the depicted embodiment includes adjustable straps  25 /webbing  24 , alternate embodiments are envisioned in which the straps are not adjustable. For example, each retention mechanism system  23  could be substituted with a single strap for which a first end is coupled to side support  16   a  and a second end is coupled to side support  16   b . This is one method of creating webbing  24 , however, alternate methods may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention including, without limitation, non-adjustable webbing, webbing incorporating Velcro®, rope webbing, mesh webbing. 
         [0023]    In the depicted embodiment and as best seen in the bottom view of  FIG. 4B , basket  20  includes a base platform  22 . In the depicted embodiment, base platform  22  is a substantially triangular piece of metal that extends internal to and between the bottommost struts  18  throughout the rear half of basket  20  and additionally a bar  120  that extends latitudinally between the bottom ends of side supports  16 . The triangular portion of base platform  22  includes aperture  103 , through which basket  20  is attached to coupler  26  as described in greater detail herein. Base platform  22  helps to retain the quarry within the basket  20 . In the depicted embodiment, aperture  103  is located in the approximate horizontal midpoint of platform  22  proximal to the front edge thereof. However, alternate locations may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. Also, alternate base platforms may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. It is also understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that basket  20  may be alternately formed without departing from the scope hereof. For example, basket  20  may be formed with non-V shapes including, without limitation, a less angular U-shape with similarly shaped struts. 
         [0024]    As best seen in  FIG. 1B , the depicted embodiment of the present invention includes rest  105 . In the depicted embodiment, rest  105  extends upwardly and outwardly from bar  120  of base platform  22  of basket  20  at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The width of rest  105  is approximately one fifth the width of bar  120  and the height is approximately equal to the width. Rest  105  helps to retain quarry in basket  120  during transportation and prevents or minimizes the possibility that the quarry will slide from the bottom thereof. Alternate forms of rest  105  may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , depicted are perspective and exploded views, respectively, of a coupler  26  for coupling the apparatus to the hitch  32  ( FIG. 1B ) of a vehicle  12   a  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hitch  32  is typically integral to vehicle  12  or may be added on by the vehicle owner post purchase. As seen in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in the depicted embodiment, coupler  26  includes horizontal support  33 , joint  21 , and basket support  63 . In the depicted embodiment, basket support  63  has a substantially square body  62  including a substantially square recess  109  on its top surface and two flanges  64  extending downward and from opposing sides of square body  62 . A threaded extension  68  is welded to the bottom, approximate midpoint of recess  109  and the length of the extension  68  is such that it extends beyond basket support  62  and bumper  66 , the latter of which is also substantially square and is press fit into recess  109 . However, in an alternative embodiment, extension  68  is a bolt passing through an aperture in the bottom of recess  109  such that the proximal portion of the head of the bolt abuts the external surface of basket support and the shaft of the bolt passes through the aperture. The shaft then extends beyond bumper  66  in the same manner as shown for threaded extension  68 . Extension  68  passes through an aperture centrally located in bumper  66  and extension retainer  70  is threaded to the distal end of extension  68 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, extension  68  is a bolt, extension retainer  70  is a nut, and the head of the bolt is welded to a substantially central point on the bottom of recess  109 . However alternate extensions may be substituted without departing form the scope hereof. Extension  68  and extension retainer  70  allow basket support  63  to be coupled to basket  20  as depicted in  FIG. 1B . This coupling is performed by removing extension retainer  70  from extension  68 , passing extension through aperture  103  of basket  20  from the bottom side of basket  20  until the outwardly facing surface of bumper  66  is flush against the downwardly facing surface of basket  20  and then tightening extension retainer  70  on the distal end of extension  68  until the point at which basket  20  is firmly coupled to coupler  26  yet still able to rotate relative to the axis of extension  68 . Bumper  66  eliminates noise and damage that would otherwise be caused due to the rubbing of two metal pieces, particularly during transportation of the basket. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned in which bumper  66  is eliminated. Also, alternate forms of basket support  63  may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0026]    Horizontal support  33  is of similar size and construction as central support  14  and it has a first end  105  configured to adapt to a standard hitch such as hitch  32  as is known in the art. The second end  107  of horizontal support  33  and the distal ends of flanges  64  both include two aligned apertures  41  and  43 , respectively, on the lateral sides thereof. In the depicted embodiment, horizontal support  33  is rotatably joined to basket support  63  via joint  21 . Joint  21  includes a bolt  21 , washers  53 , and nut  58  which may be passed through apertures  41  and  43  when flanges  64  and horizontal support  33  are positioned such that the apertures align (i.e., the flanges  64  are passed over the second end of horizontal support  33  until the apertures align). When the user wishes to maintain the position of the basket relative to the horizontal support  33 , the user loosens nut  58  to allow the basket to rotate. Once the basket is in the desired position, the nut may be tightened in order to retain the basket in the desired position. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned in which the basket is always able to rotate freely relative to joint  21  and basket  20  is held in place via stabilizer  28  only. Also, alternate joints may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0027]    Coupler  26  allows rotation of basket  20  between a substantially horizontal and substantially vertical position while also allowing basket  20  to be rotated three hundred sixty degrees around an axis of rotation aligned with extension  68 . That is, coupler  26  allows basket  20  to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around such axis when it is located in its substantially horizontal position as described in greater detail herein. 
         [0028]    Referring next to  FIG. 3 , depicted is a bottom view of an optional stabilizer  28 , which provides a second point of attachment of the apparatus  10  to the vehicle  12 . The body  61  of stabilizer  28  is configured to couple to rear rack  42  of vehicle  12 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, body  61  includes substantially rectangular top  76   b  and rear  76   a , which are located substantially perpendicular to each other. Top  76   b  has two substantially rectangular flanges  77  extending in a substantially planar manner from the latitudinal ends of top  76   b . The distal ends of flanges  77  include pairs of apertures  72 . Top  76   b  also includes tabs  74   a  and  74   b , which are located slightly inward of flanges  77  and are perpendicular to top  76   b  such that they are also parallel with rear  76   a . That is, when stabilizer  28  is in its normal position, tabs  74   a  and  74   b  extend downward. 
         [0029]    Two central support retainers  78   a  and  78   b  are located on the rear facing side of rear  76   a . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, retainers are finger pull latches with reverse bolt as manufactured by Allegis and having part no. 11-565697 ZN. Retainers  78   a  and  78   b  are equipped with releases  79   a  and  79   b , respectively, which retract strikers  140  into the body of retainer  78  when the releases  79  are pulled away from the body of the respective retainer  78 . Strikers  140  return to their original position upon release of releases  79 . However, other retainers may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0030]    The length of body  61  is such that either end of body  61  may be coupled to a respective support on rear rack  42 . However, alternate body forms may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0031]    Body  61  may be coupled to rear rack  42  as shown in  FIG. 1B  by placing the stabilizer  28  on rear rack  42  such that the rearward bar of rear rack  42  is located in the cavity  75  between the rearwardly facing surface of rear  76   a  and the inwardly facing surface of tabs  74 . Stabilizer  28  is then fastened to rear rack  42  via fasteners such as carriage bolts, which pass through apertures  72  and corresponding apertures in rear rack  42 . However, fasteners other than carriage bolts may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof including, without limitation, U-shaped clamps. The U portion of the fastener could be placed over a bar of rear rack  42  and then the ends of the fastener are passed through apertures  72  such that the bar of rear rack  42  is clamped between the U-shaped clamp and flange  77 . Nuts or the like are then threaded onto the U-shaped clamps to retain stabilizer  28  affixed to rear rack  42 . 
         [0032]    Strikers  140  of stabilizer  28  are located such that they align with central support  14  of basket  20 . Therefore, when basket  20  is rotated to a substantially vertical position, central support  14  applies pressure to the angled rearward sides of strikers  140 , thereby causing them to retract to the extent necessary to allow the central support  14  to pass completely through the strikers. Once the central support  14  is located in cavity  75 , which is located between the rear  76   a  and strikers  140 , strikers  140  retract to their original position, thereby retaining central support  14 , and consequently basket  20 , in its substantially vertical position. Basket  20  will remain in this substantially vertical position until the strikers are retracted via the user pulling latches  79  away from the central support  14 . Once the strikers are retracted, the basket may be lowered from its substantially vertical position. However, alternate forms and methods for coupling central support  14  to stabilizer  28  may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0033]    Turning next to  FIG. 5 , depicted is a front view of a handle  30  in accordance with the depicted embodiment of the present disclosure. Handles  30  include a substantially cylindrical body  129  having two pairs of stops  125  and  127  at a first end and a grip  131 , washer  121 , and stop  123  at a second end. During manufacturing, each handle  30  is inserted into a respective side support  16  such that stops  125  and  127  are located in opposing corners of the substantially square side supports. This configuration prevents rotation of the handles within the side support, thereby providing more stability of the handles during use of apparatus  10 . The tops of side supports  16  are then welded to provide an upper surface that retains handles  30  within side supports  16  by providing a surface that prevents stops  125  and  127  from passing out of the interior of side supports  16  while allowing handles to be raised and lowered along the axis of side supports until the point at which stops  127  contact the upper surface of the respective side support  16 . 
         [0034]    The end of handles  30  opposite stops  127  and  125  include a rubber grip  131  to provide comfort to the user when gripping the handle. The proximal end of grip  131  includes a metal washer  121 , which is held in place between grip  131  and stop  123 . Washer  121  is sized such that it is larger than the top opening of the side support  16  in which it is located. This relative sizing prevents the handle from retracting into side support  16  fully such that the handle  30  is always external to the side support  16  and thereby readily accessible to the user. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, stops  123 ,  125 , and  127  are roll pins that pass through opposing apertures in handle body  129 , however, alternate versions of stops may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments of the present invention, washer  121  is a metal washer. In such embodiments, a rubber washer may be located between washer  121  and stop  123  in order to cushion metal washer  121  from striking the upper end of side supports  16 , thereby alleviating wear and noise caused by metal contacting metal. However, alternate forms of washers including, without limitation, rubber washers may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. Also, alternate versions of handles may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 4A , depicted is a rear view of basket  20  in a horizontal position in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . Extending rearwardly from the upper end of center support  114  is a substantially T-shaped support  146 . The base  91  of the support  146  angles upwardly as it extends towards the vehicle  12  and away from basket  20  as best seen in  FIG. 1B . Top  93  of support  146  extends laterally in a substantially perpendicular manner in both directions from base  91  and it is substantially parallel to the ground when basket  20  is located in a substantially vertical position. The base  91  is configured to support basket  20  and to maintain basket  20  above the ground when the basket is in a substantially horizontal position. Top  93  also may form a second pair of handles for grasping when manipulating the basket  20 . Top  93  is also configured to provide a rest for base  91 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-6E , depicted is a method of transporting quarry using the apparatus  10  as shown and described relative to  FIGS. 1A-5 . First, as depicted in  FIG. 6A , the user pivots the basket  20  from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position. In the depicted embodiment, this requires releasing center support  14  from stabilizer  28  and indexing coupler  26  to a rotational position, if needed. Center support  14  may be released by, for example, pulling latches  79   a  and  79   b  away from strikers  140 . Next, as depicted in  FIG. 6B , the user rotates basket  20  clockwise or counterclockwise until center support  14  is below basket  20  and at its bottommost point as depicted in  FIG. 6C . The user continues to lower basket  20  until it is resting on the ground and supported at a height thereform by support  146 . 
         [0038]    Once apparatus  10  is resting upon support  146  or an equivalent version thereof, the webbing  24  is removed from the removable side of adjacent side support  16   b . In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the removable side of apparatus  10  is the side adjacent side support  16   b  and the webbing  24  is removed by removing retention mechanisms  92  from retention mechanism retainer  27  (e.g., unhooking retention mechanism  92  from strap retainer  27 ). Similarly, the area adjacent side support  16   a  is the stationary side as the webbing  24  is not typically removed from side support  16   a . After removal or opening of webbing  24 , quarry  36  is loaded into basket  20  and atop central support and struts  18 . When quarry  36  is in the desired position, it is fixed in place by fastening webbing  24  around quarry  36  until it is securely held within basket  20  as depicted in  FIG. 6D . In the depicted embodiment, webbing  24  is fixed in place by inserting retention mechanism  92  through opening  29  and then pulling loop  98  until the retention mechanisms  25   a  and  25   b  have obtained the desired tightness relative to quarry  36 . 
         [0039]    In some alternate methods, the user locates the vehicle  12  directly adjacent to quarry  36  prior to beginning the process of loading quarry  36  into basket  20  to allow basket  20  to be lowered to its substantially horizontal position directly above the quarry, thereby eliminating or minimizing movement of the quarry, which may have considerable weight. In such embodiments, quarry  36  may be fastened into basket  20  prior to rotation thereof as shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C . Also, in such embodiments, once basket  20  is rotated with quarry  36  therein, webbing  24  may be retightened to ensure a secure fit. 
         [0040]    After quarry  36  is securely fixed into basket  20 , the user pulls handles  30   a  and  30   b  from side supports  16   a  and  16   b  and extends them as shown in  FIGS. 6D and 6E . In the embodiment of the apparatus having a T-bar support, the user may alternatively grasp the handles on the T-bar support. Thereafter, using leverage, the user may more easily lift basket  20  toward vehicle  12  as depicted in  FIG. 6D . The user then rotates the loaded basket  20  as shown in  FIG. 6E  and pivots basket  20  towards vehicle  12  to its substantially vertical position, ultimately locking the center support  14  to the stabilizer  28  on the back of the vehicle and, optionally, fixing coupler  26  in a fixed position. 
         [0041]    Quarry  36  is now in a substantially vertical position on vehicle  12 , not resting on the vehicle back or any portion of the vehicle, thereby keeping the vehicle relatively clean. Quarry  36  is able to be positioned without the need for pulleys or winches, using simple leverage. When at the desired destination, quarry  36  may be unloaded from apparatus  10  using the reverse steps. 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.