Abstract:
A valve tester assembly is disclosed that includes an articulated arm assembly having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the articulated arm assembly being movable away from and toward the first end such that when the first end of the articulated arm assembly is connected to a vehicle, the second end of the articulated arm assembly is movable away from and toward the vehicle. The assembly includes a rotation mechanism that is mounted on the articulated arm assembly toward the second end of the articulated arm for rotating a shaft for exercising a valve. The assembly further includes a moving mechanism that is mountable on a vehicle for moving the first end of the articulated arm assembly away from and towards the vehicle.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of my patent application Ser. No. 10/351,636, filed Jan. 24, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to suspension assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test the underground valves. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    The use of suspension assemblies is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,359 describes a vehicle mounted post hole digger. Another type of suspension assemblies is U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,002 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,006 each disclose a hydraulically operated digging arm attached to a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,249 discloses a counterbalancing mechanism for a constant force or load. U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,130 discloses a trenching apparatus pivotally mounted to a tractor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,404 discloses a wire and pulley internal spring counterbalancing mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,005 discloses an articulated arm for supporting a camera from the cargo rack of an all-terrain vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,858 discloses a reversible portable hoist lacking means for vertically aligning the hook of the device with a desired point on a supporting surface without moving the vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,779 discloses an auxiliary hydraulic power unit of the type that would be used in association with the present invention. 
         [0006]    While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, it is believed that these devices do not present a suitable solution for suspending a valve testing or exercising apparatus is a manner that facilitates the testing process by a single person to that easily adapts to variations in the orientations or positions of the valves often encountered under real world conditions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention contemplates a valve tester assembly is disclosed that includes an articulated arm assembly having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the articulated arm assembly being movable away from and toward the first end such that when the first end of the articulated arm assembly is connected to a vehicle, the second end of the articulated arm assembly is movable away from and toward the vehicle. The assembly includes a rotation mechanism that is mounted on the articulated arm assembly toward the second end of the articulated arm for rotating a shaft for exercising a valve. The assembly further includes a moving mechanism that is mountable on a vehicle for moving the first end of the articulated arm assembly away from and towards the vehicle. 
         [0008]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0009]    One advantage of the valve tester suspension assembly of the present invention is that the task of operating or testing or exercising a valve is in most cases converted from a multiple person job to a job that can be performed by a single worker. 
         [0010]    Another advantage of the valve tester suspension assembly of the present invention is that precise positioning of a vehicle carrying the invention is not necessary, and the efficiency of the process of testing underground valves is thereby increased. 
         [0011]    Yet another advantage of the valve tester suspension assembly of the present invention is that not only is the task of testing the valve converted from a two person job into a one person job, but the physical requirements for the person performing the task is reduced, thus reducing the potential for injury or accidents. 
         [0012]    Other advantages of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a new valve tester suspension assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention in an extended in use position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention in an extended position resting on a ground surface. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the rotating device of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the rotating device of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a proximal portion of the articulated arm of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a locking means of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a medial portion of the articulated arm of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternate locking means for the articulated arm assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the present invention in a retracted position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a schematic side view of the extended reach link assembly of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a schematic top view of the extended reach link assembly of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a schematic top view of the extended reach for the rotation assembly using the extended reach link assembly as compared to the articulated arm assembly alone. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 15  thereof, a new valve tester suspension assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
         [0030]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 12 , the valve tester suspension assembly  10  generally comprises an articulated arm assembly  20  designed for coupling to a vehicle  2 . A hydraulically powered rotating assembly  30  is pivotally coupled to the arm assembly  20  such that the rotating assembly  30  is positionable in a substantially horizontal orientation at a selectable position in a three dimensional space adjacent the vehicle  2 . A shaft  12  is provided having a first end  13  operationally couplable to the rotating assembly  30  for rotating the shaft  12 . Typically, the shaft has a receiving portion having a geometric cross-sectional shape for receiving a protrusion  32  rotated by the rotating assembly  30 . An adapter  28  is attachable to the protrusion  32  to permit exercising of fire hydrant valves. Alternately, the protrusion may include a geometric cross-sectional receiver portion for engaging fire hydrant valves and the shaft may be shaped to engage the receiver portion of the protrusion. 
         [0031]    The arm assembly includes a first arm portion  22  designed for coupling to the vehicle  2  by means such as a hitch on the vehicle. For the purposes of this application, the term vehicle is specifically intended to include any device or structure for transporting persons or things thereby including direct connection to a trailer supporting a hydraulic power source. The arm assembly further includes a second arm portion  24  pivotally and rotatably coupled to a distal end  23  of the first arm portion  22 . The arm assembly  20  includes a third arm portion  26  pivotally coupled to a distal portion  25  of the second arm portion  24 . 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, a first biasing assembly  40  is coupled between the first arm portion  22  and the second arm portion  24 . A second biasing assembly  42  is coupled between the second arm portion  24  and the third arm portion  26 . A third biasing assembly  44  is coupled between the third arm portion  26  and the rotating assembly  30 . 
         [0033]    To achieve the pivotal and rotatable coupling between the first and second arm portions, the first arm portion has a pivoting connection portion  16 . The second arm portion is pivotally coupled to the connection portion  16 . Connection portion  16  further includes an extension portion  79  that extends back adjacent to a main portion  15  of first arm portion  22  when the main portion  15  and the connection portion  16  are positioned in alignment with each other. Biasing means  40  is coupled to the extension portion  79  such that biasing means  40  pivots with second arm portion  24  when connection portion  16  pivots. 
         [0034]    Hydraulic supply line assemblies  50  are coupled to the arm assembly  20  for providing hydraulic power to the rotating assembly  30 . Each hydraulic line assembly includes a first fixed portion  52  coupled to the second arm portion  24 . Each hydraulic line assembly  50  further includes a second fixed portion  54  coupled to the third arm portion  26 . Each hydraulic line assembly  50  includes a flexible portion  56  coupling the first fixed portion  52  to the second fixed portion  54 . A protective covering  69  is coupled to the flexible portion  56  of each hydraulic line assembly  50 . Each second fixed portion  54  is operationally coupled to a respective one of an input and an output on the rotating assembly such that each of the hydraulic line assemblies forms either an inlet line or an outlet line. The connectors, as shown in  FIG. 7 , are differentiated to insure the inlet line and the outlet line are not reversed when connecting the invention to an auxiliary hydraulic power unit. 
         [0035]    In the biased embodiment, the first biasing assembly  40  is a pair of first biasing assembly spring members  41  and the second biasing assembly  42  is a pair of second biasing assembly spring members  43 . Each of the second pair of second biasing assembly spring members  43  is coupled between a distal end  60  of an extension portion  62  of the second arm portion  24  and a medial portion  64  of the third arm portion  26 . Extension portion  62  may be a separate piece attached to second arm portion  24  or may be an integral extension of second arm portion  24 . The third biasing assembly  44  is a single third biasing assembly spring member  45 . 
         [0036]    To enhance the safety of the biased embodiment in the event of catastrophic failure of a spring member, each spring member of the first, second and third biasing assemblies has a respective elastic core member  66  extending through the spring member. 
         [0037]    A hydraulic control mechanism  68  is coupled to the rotating assembly  30  for facilitating user operation of the rotating assembly  30 . Corresponding to the currently used practice for testing underground valves, a counter  38  is coupled to a display flange  77  of the rotating assembly  30  for counting rotations of the shaft  12 . Additionally, a torque indicator gauge  78  is operationally coupled to the rotating assembly to indicate torque on the rotating assembly. This provides a new method of testing alternative to counting rotations of the shaft. A torque adjustment means  75  is operationally coupled to the rotating assembly for adjusting the amount of torque applied by the rotating assembly  30  to prevent overstressing of the valve assembly being exercised. 
         [0038]    A first locking means  70  is provided for locking the second arm portion  24  from rotating relative to the first arm portion  22 . A second locking means  76  is provided for locking the second arm portion  24  from pivoting relative to the first arm portion  22 . 
         [0039]    The first locking means  70  is a pin  72  insertable through the first arm portion  22  and the connection portion  16  in spaced relationship to a rotational pivot point  21  of the connection portion  16 . Thus, the connection portion  16  is held in position by pin  72 . 
         [0040]    The second locking means  76  includes a pair of aligned holed flanges  74  in the connection portion  16  of the first arm portion  22 . The second arm portion  24  includes a locking aperture  17  alignable with holes  18  in the flanges  74 . A locking pin  19  is insertable through the aligned holes  18  and aperture  17  whereby the second arm  24  is prevented from pivoting relative to the connection portion  16  of the first arm portion  22 . Additionally, in an embodiment, the second locking means  76  may be a locking bar  27  extending from the second arm portion  24  for engaging a latch member  28  fixedly coupled to the first arm portion  22  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The locking bar and latch member may be used alone for securing the arm assembly during relatively short trips between valve sites or in combination with the locking pin  19  and aligned holes  18  for maximum stability as desired. The invention may include either one of the above described locking structures or both in combination as each provides unique advantages. 
         [0041]    Optionally, an extension member  14  is couplable between the articulated arm assembly  20  and the vehicle  2  for spacing the second arm portion  24  from the vehicle  2  to permit free movement of the second arm portion  24  when a tailgate of the vehicle is in an open position. 
         [0042]    A plurality of handles  58  are coupled to the rotating assembly  30  for facilitating grasping and movement of the rotating assembly  30 . The handles  58  are being arranged to form two opposing handle pairs  59 . The handle pairs  59  are substantially aligned with respect to each other. 
         [0043]    In an embodiment, the rotating assembly  30  is coupled to the articulated arm assembly such that the rotating assembly is pivotable around a horizontal axis to permit positioning of the rotating assembly  30  in a desired position to engage valves that are not in perfect horizontal alignment such that the shaft is in a non-vertical position when engaged to the valve. The coupling of the rotating assembly  30  is achieved by having a post  35  extend from the rotating portion. A rotating assembly connection member  33  includes a bearing portion  36  secured to the post  35  and a pair of limiting bars  37  that extend out from the rotating assembly connection member  33  to contact the rotating assembly to limit the pivoting range of the rotating assembly around the horizontal axis. 
         [0044]    In use, the articulated arm assembly is coupled to a vehicle using a conventional hitch mounted anywhere on the vehicle including the front or back. The vehicle can be driven to a position adjacent an access port in the road that gives access to an underground valve. The invention permits positioning of the vehicle anywhere within a range of the access port so that the vehicle does not have to be moved to precisely align the rotating device with the access port. Typically, the valve being tested is positioned a distance beneath the road, often  4  to six feet. A shaft, which may have an adjustable length either by being telescopic or having a one or more extension pieces, is engaged to the valve. The articulated arm is unlocked to permit free movement of the arm by a single person. The rotating device, typically a heavy hydraulically powered device, is then grasped and may be positioned by a single person. 
         [0045]    When the biasing assemblies are used the weight of the rotating device is partially supported by the biasing in the articulated arm. Adjustments to the amount of support can be achieved through the use of multiple interchangeable springs or other known methods of varying the resistance of a biasing member. 
         [0046]    The pivoting of the articulated arm permits movement of the rotating device within a three dimensional space while holding the rotating device in the necessary substantially horizontal orientation. Additional pivoting of the rotating device is provided to facilitate attachment of the rotating device to shafts when the shaft is slightly off vertical orientation as may happen when the valve is in a slightly tilted position. The rotating device can be positioned immediately over the shaft and then lowered to engage the shaft. The rotating device remains in engagement with the shaft by the residual weight of the rotating device not supported by the articulated arm or the user. The user may also push downwardly on the rotating device during use if desired or otherwise deemed necessary. 
         [0047]    Typically, the testing is done by loosening and re-tightening a number of rotations. In an embodiment, a counter is used to count the number of rotations to facilitate the current testing methods. Alternately, torque measurement style testing is now facilitated by the present invention if the invention is equipped for measuring or responding to pre-determined torque conditions during rotation. Upon completion of the testing, the rotating device is disengaged from the shaft and the articulated arm returned to a storage or retracted position and then locked into place to permit safe movement of the vehicle to the next testing place. This new method provides a significant increase in efficiency allowing many more valves to be tested in a given amount of time. 
         [0048]    Through use of the adapter described above or through integral shaping of the protrusion of the rotating device, the rotating device may also be engaged to fire hydrant valves as desired. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment of the invention that includes variations that may be employed with the above-described elements of the invention, an extended reach link assembly (see  FIGS. 13 through 15 ) may be employed between the first portion  22  of the articulated arm assembly  20  and the vehicle  2  which provides a significant increase in the range of positions for the rotating assembly  30 , including positions that are further from the vehicle due to the added length of the overall apparatus, and in the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the reach of the rotating assembly is extended to approximately 13 feet (approximately 4 meters) or more. Surprisingly, the extended reach link assembly also facilitates the positioning of the rotating assembly  30  significantly closer to the vehicle than with the articulated arm assembly  20  alone. The extended reach link assembly thus permits movement of the rotating assembly to positions, such as adjacent to the vehicle bumper, that might not otherwise be reachable due to the inherent length of the articulated arm assembly  20  of the invention. Perhaps even more significantly, this extended reach is provided without creating regions or areas (between the vehicle and the outer radius of reach) where the rotating assembly  30  cannot be positioned. The significantly enhanced degree of adjustment facilitates the appropriate positioning of the vehicle with respect to the valve to be exercised, as less precise positioning of the vehicle with respect to the valve location is needed. 
         [0050]    The extended reach link assembly  100  is most preferably mounted on the vehicle, such as by using the hitch receiver tube  102  located on most service vehicles  2 . The extended reach link assembly  100  may include a mounting portion  104 , an inboard link portion  106 , an outboard link portion  108 , and an interface portion for mounting to the articulated arm assembly  20 . 
         [0051]    The mounting portion  104  is mountable on the hitch receiver tube  102  on the vehicle  2 . The mounting portion  104  may be adapted for being inserted into the hitch receiver  102  of the vehicle  2  so that the extended reach link assembly  100  is located at the rear of the vehicle, although other locations on the vehicle may be suitable for mounting the link assembly  100  and the articulated arm assembly  20  of the invention. The mounting portion  104  may comprise a mounting bar  112  that has a first end  114  and a second end  116 , the first end  114  being insertable into the hitch receiver  102 . The mounting portion  104  may also include a first pivot component  118  that is mounted on the second end  116  of the mounting bar  112 . The first pivot component  118  may include a first span member  120  that is mounted on the second end  116  of the mounting bar  112 . The first span member  102  may extend in a substantially vertical direction when the extended reach link assembly  100  is mounted on a vehicle  2 . The first pivot component  118  may also include a first pair of spaced ears  122 ,  123  mounted on the first span member  120 , and the first pair may comprise an upper ear  122  and a lower ear  123 . The upper  122  and lower  123  ears may be spaced from each other in a substantially vertical direction. The first pivot component  118  may further include a first pivot post  124  extends between the first pair of spaced ears  122 ,  123 . The first pivot post  124  may be substantially vertically oriented when the extended reach link assembly  100  is mounted on a vehicle  2 . 
         [0052]    The inboard link portion  106  is pivotally mounted to the mounting portion  104 . In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the inboard link portion  106  has an adjustable length such that a distance between the mounting portion  104  of the extended reach link assembly  100  and the outboard link portion  108  is adjustable to permit even more flexibility in positioning the articulated arm assembly  20  and the rotating assembly  30 . 
         [0053]    The inboard link portion  106  may include a first sleeve  126  for receiving the pivot post  124  of the first pivot component  118 . The inboard link portion  106  may also include at least one, and optionally two, inboard link members  128 ,  130 . The inboard link members  128 ,  130  may be oriented in a spaced, substantially parallel relationship to each other. The inboard link members  128 ,  130  may have each have a first end  132  and a second end  134 , with the first end  132  of each of the inboard link members  128 ,  130  being mounted on the first sleeve  126 , and the second end  134  of each of the inboard link members  128 ,  130  being substantially free for connection to the components of the outboard link portion  108  that will now be described. 
         [0054]    The outboard link portion  108  is pivotally mounted to the inboard link portion  106  so that the outboard link portion  108  may be pivoted with respect to the inboard link portion  106  and in turn the mounting portion  104  of the extended reach link assembly  100 . A second pivot component  136  may be provided for pivotally mounting the outboard link portion  108  to the inboard link portion  106 , and more particularly to the inboard link members  128 ,  130  thereof. The second pivot component  136  may comprise a second pivot post  144  that extends between the second ends  134  of the inboard link members  128 ,  130 , and the second pivot post  144  may be substantially vertically oriented when the extended reach link assembly  100  is mounted on a vehicle  2 . The second pivot component  136  may also comprise a second sleeve  146  on the outboard link portion  108  that receives the second pivot post  144  of the inboard link portion  106  in a pivotal manner. The outboard link portion  108  may also comprise at least one, and optionally two, outboard link members  148 ,  150  that are mounted on the second sleeve  146 . In one embodiment of the invention, the outboard link members  148 ,  150  and the second sleeve  146  may be positioned between the second ends  134  of the inboard link members  128 ,  130 . The outboard link members  148 ,  150  may be oriented in a spaced, substantially parallel relationship to each other. 
         [0055]    The outboard link portion  108  may further comprise a third sleeve  152  that is mounted on the outboard link members  148 ,  150  at a location on the outboard link members that is opposite of the location of the connection of the second sleeve  146  to the link members. The third sleeve  152  may be oriented substantially parallel to the second sleeve  146 . 
         [0056]    The interface portion  110  is adapted for mounting to the first portion  22  of the articulated arm assembly  20 , and in some embodiments of the invention the interface portion  110  and the first portion  20  are integral with each other, while in other embodiments the first portion  20  of the articulated arm assembly  20  may be removably mounted on the interface portion  10  of the extended reach link assembly  100 . The interface portion  110  may be pivotally mounted to the outboard link portion  108 . The interface portion  110  may comprise a receiver  154  for receiving a portion of the first portion  20  of the articulated arm assembly  20 , and in some embodiments, the receiver  154  may be integrally formed with the first portion  20  of the articulated arm assembly  20 . The receiver  154  may have a first end  156  and a second end  157 . 
         [0057]    The interface portion  110  may also include a third pivot component  158  that is mounted on the receiver  154 , such as one the first end  156  of the receiver  154 . The third pivot component  158  may include a third span member  160  that is mounted on the receiver  154 . The third span member  160  may extend in a substantially vertical direction when the extended reach link assembly  100  is mounted on a vehicle  2 . The third pivot component  158  may also include a third pair of spaced ears  162 ,  164  that are mounted on the third span member  160 . The third pair of spaced ears  162 ,  164  may include an upper ear  162  and a lower ear  164 . The upper  162  and lower  164  ears may be spaced from each other in a substantially vertical direction when the extended reach link assembly  100  is mounted on a vehicle  2 . The third pivot component  158  may further comprise a third pivot post  166  that extends through the third sleeve  152  of the outboard link portion  108 . The third pivot post  166  may extend between the third pair of spaced ears  160 ,  162 , and may be substantially vertically oriented when the extended reach link assembly  100  is mounted on a vehicle  2 . 
         [0058]    The extended reach link assembly  100  may also include means for selectively and releasably locking the pivot position of various portions of the link assembly  100  with respect to each other. The link assembly  100  may thus include a first position locking mechanism  168  for locking a pivot position of the inboard link portion  106  of the link assembly  100  with respect to the mounting portion  104  of the link assembly. Additionally, the link assembly  100  may also include a second position locking mechanism  170  for locking a pivot position of the outboard link portion  108  of the link assembly with respect to the inboard link portion  106  of the link assembly. Still further, the link assembly  100  may also include a third position locking mechanism  172  for locking a pivot position of the interface portion  110  of the link assembly  100  with respect to the outboard link portion  108  of the link assembly. 
         [0059]    The first position locking mechanism  168  may include a plurality of apertures  174  formed on one of the spaced ears  122 ,  123  of the first pivot component  118 . The plurality of apertures  174  is preferably centered about the first pivot post  124 . The first position locking mechanism  168  may also include a first locking aperture  176  formed in one of the inboard link members  128 ,  130  of the inboard link portion  106  of the link assembly  100 . The first locking aperture  176  is alignable with each of the plurality of apertures  174  such that the first locking aperture  176  and a selected one of the plurality of apertures  174  is capable of receiving a locking pin  180  to lock the mounting portion  104  and the inboard link portion  106  of the link assembly  100  in a selected pivoted position. 
         [0060]    The second position locking mechanism  170  may include a selector plate  180  mounted on the outboard link portion  108 . The selector plate  80  may be mounted on the second sleeve  146  of the outboard link portion  108 , and in some embodiments is located above the upper outboard link member  148 . A plurality of apertures  182  may be formed on the selector plate  180 , and may be substantially centered about an opening  184  receiving the second pivot post  144  of the inboard link portion  106 . The second position locking mechanism  170  may further include a second locking aperture  186  formed in the inboard link portion  106  of the link assembly  100 . The second locking aperture  186  may be located in the upper inboard link member  128  of the inboard link portion  106 . The second locking aperture  186  is alignable with each of the plurality of apertures  182  such that the second locking aperture  186  and a selected one of the plurality of apertures  186  is capable of receiving a locking pin to lock the inboard link portion  106  and the outboard link portion  108  of the link assembly  100  in a selected pivoted position. 
         [0061]    The third position locking mechanism  172  may include a plurality of apertures  188  formed on one of the spaced ears  162 ,  164  of the third pivot component  158 . The plurality of apertures  188  may be centered about the third pivot post  166 . The third position locking mechanism  172  may also include a third locking aperture  190  formed in the outboard link portion  108  of the link assembly  100 . The third locking aperture  190  may be formed in one on the outboard link members  148 ,  150  of the outboard link portion  108  of the link assembly  100 . The third locking aperture  190  may be alignable with each of the plurality of apertures  188  such that the third locking aperture  109  and a selected one of the plurality of apertures  188  is capable of receiving a locking pin to lock the interface portion  110  and the outboard link portion  108  of the link assembly  100  in a selected pivoted position. 
         [0062]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Further, unless particular features are mutually exclusive, all of the various combinations of the features are intended to be encompassed by the invention. 
         [0063]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.