Abstract:
The present invention includes a prosthetic apparatus for reinforcing a top of a rotted/deteriorating upstanding pole. The prosthetic ensleeves the pole at its uppermost end to provide an elongate support on which insulators and other various equipment can be mounted in a secure fashion. The present invention may include diametrically opposed support stringers to increase support and rigidity. An embodiment may include pole access apertures, insulator cutouts, and bolt receiving channels. The present invention provides a simplistic and inexpensive fix to preexisting rotting utility poles while also enabling a safe and efficient installation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This nonprovisional application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to nonprovisional application No. 14/624,845, entitled “UTILITY OR METER POLE TOP REINFORCEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS,” filed Feb. 18, 2015, which is a divisional and claims priority to nonprovisional application No. 14/082,824, entitled “UTILITY OR METER POLE TOP REINFORCEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS,” filed Nov. 18, 2013 by the same inventor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates, generally, to repair of upstanding poles such as utility poles. More particularly, it relates to methods and apparatuses for strengthening the tops of poles that have structurally deteriorated over time to avoid or delay the cost of replacing such poles. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Utility poles become degraded over time near the ground and also at their upper end. There are many patented devices for strengthening such poles at or near the ground so that they don&#39;t fall over but there has been little inventive activity for strengthening the upper end of such poles to which are connected dedicated voltage transmission/distribution lines as well as telephone/CATV lines. 
     Meter poles are smaller versions of utility poles; they are positioned near structures such as mobile homes where laws forbid the direct attachment of permanent lines. As used herein, the term “pole” refers to utility as well as meter poles or any other type of pole that may be in need of upper end reinforcement. 
     The current cost of replacing a utility pole that has lost its structural integrity is about three thousand dollars per pole. Every U.S. state has millions of such poles. There are between one hundred thirty to one hundred eighty million utility poles in use in North America and most utility companies replace about six thousand poles per year. The cost of course is passed along to the consumer. 
     The upper ends of many pressure-treated poles that were installed in the decade of the 1970s are now losing their structural integrity and are in need of replacement. The same will of course hold true in the future of poles installed in later decades as well. However, it would save companies and consumers substantial monies if those poles could be reinforced instead of replaced. 
     However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art how the upper ends of such poles could be reinforced at a cost substantially less than pole-replacement costs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a device that reinforces deteriorating utility poles, meter poles, and the like is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention. 
     The inventive structure is an apparatus for reinforcing an upstanding pole having an upper end that is worn, rotted, damaged, or otherwise in a deteriorated state. 
     The novel structure includes an elongate brace and at least two bolt-accommodating openings formed in the elongate brace. Each bolt-accommodating opening is centered on a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the elongate brace. The elongate brace is adapted to bear against the upstanding pole near the worn upper end of the upstanding pole. 
     At least two washer plates are disposed in overlying relation to the elongate brace and a bolt-accommodating opening is formed in each washer plate. The bolt-accommodating opening is centered on a longitudinal axis of symmetry of each washer plate and is aligned with a bolt-receiving opening formed in the elongate brace. 
     At least two elongate bolts are adapted to extend diametrically through the upstanding pole. Each elongate bolt extends through a preselected bolt-accommodating opening formed in the elongate brace and through the bolt-accommodating opening formed in the associated washer plate. 
     Each elongate bolt has a tool-engageable head and a free end that extends outwardly from the upstanding pole diametrically opposite from the tool-engageable head. A nut screw-threadedly engages the free end of each elongate bolt and advancement of the nut increasingly secures the associated washer plate to the elongate brace and therefore increasingly secures the elongate brace to the upstanding pole so that the upper end of the upstanding pole is reinforced by the elongate brace. 
     The elongate brace has a base and a pair of laterally spaced apart legs are formed integrally with the base. The legs are adapted to bear against the upstanding pole. 
     At least one cavity for accommodating a pre-existing, conventional washer is formed in the elongate brace in open communication with each bolt-accommodating opening. Each elongate bolt extends through the conventional washer-accommodating opening when the nut secures said washer plate to said elongate brace. 
     In a second embodiment, each washer plate has a recessed channel formed therein, centered on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the washer plate. The recessed channel extends into an associated bolt-receiving opening and a spring lock is disposed in overlying relation to a bottom wall of the recessed channel. A nut screw-threadedly engages the free end of the elongate bolt in bearing relation to the spring lock so that advancing the nut increasingly urges the washer plate towards the elongate brace and therefore increasingly presses the elongate brace against the upper end of the upstanding pole. 
     In a third embodiment, each washer plate has a raised ridge formed therein, centered on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the washer plate, said longitudinal axis of symmetry being coincident with the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the elongate brace. 
     In the third embodiment, a first spring lock is disposed in each bolt-accommodating opening formed in the elongate brace and a first nut is screw-threadedly engaged to the free end of the elongate bolt in bearing relation to the first spring lock. The elongate ridge is disposed in overlying relation to the first nut and a second spring lock is disposed in overlying relation to the elongate ridge. A second nut screw-threadedly engages the free end of the elongate bolt in bearing engagement to the second spring lock so that advancement of the first and second nuts enables each washer plate to bear increasingly against the elongate brace and thus cause the elongate brace to bear increasingly against the upper end of the pole, thereby reinforcing it. 
     All three embodiments include an elongate front support member that is arcuate in transverse section to conform to the surface of the pole and which is mounted on the upper end of the pole in diametric relation to the elongate brace so that the damaged upper end of the upstanding pole is sandwiched between the front support member and the elongate brace. 
     At least two openings are formed in the front support member to accommodate the elongate bolts that secure the front support member to the upstanding pole. The elongate bolt that extends through the elongate brace and washer plate is the same elongate bolt that extends through the preselected opening formed in the front support member, i.e., the elongate bolts secure the front support member to a first side of the pole and secure the elongate brace to a second, diametrically opposed side of the pole so that the upper end of the pole is sandwiched between the front support member and the elongate brace. 
     A fourth embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for supporting a horizontally disposed cross arm mounted to an upstanding pole. It includes a first vertical part that is adapted to be secured to the pole and a horizontal part formed integrally with the first vertical part at an upper end of the first part. 
     The horizontal part extends away from the pole and has a depth substantially equal to a depth of the cross arm. 
     A second vertical part is formed integrally with the horizontal part at a free end of the horizontal part and projects upwardly therefrom. 
     The horizontal part is adapted to abut and support a bottom wall of the cross bar and the second vertical part is adapted to abut a front wall of the cross bar to prevent rotation of the cross bar in a horizontal plane about a longitudinal axis of the pole. 
     An elongate brace is adapted to abut the pole in diametrically opposed relation to the cross arm support member and an aperture is formed in the first vertical part of the cross arm support member to receive a bolt that extends diametrically through the pole to secure the first vertical part and hence the cross arm support member to the pole. 
     A fifth embodiment of the invention is a prosthetic apparatus for reinforcing a deteriorating top of an upstanding pole. It includes a cylindrical main body having an upper rim at a first end of the main body. A pair of legs depends from a second end of the main body in diametrically opposed relation to one another. 
     A plurality of apertures is formed in the cylindrical main body in circumferentially and longitudinally spaced relation to one another to facilitate attachment of the cylindrical main body and the legs to the pole. 
     The upper rim projects above an uppermost end of the upstanding pole when the uppermost end is ensleeved by the cylindrical main body. 
     A top cap has a skirt having a length substantially equal to a distance of the upper rim above the uppermost end of the upstanding pole so that the skirt fits within the hollow interior of the cylindrical main body when the top cap engages the cylindrical main body. 
     An embodiment of the prosthetic apparatus includes a cylindrical main body having an insulator cutout in a second end of the main body in diametrically opposed relation to a bolt receiving channel and a bolt access aperture, wherein the bolt receiving channel extends between the second end of the main body and the bolt access aperture. The first end of the main body main body includes a first pair of diametrically opposed apertures formed in the main body and adapted to receive an insulator through bolt for securing an insulator to the main body. 
     An embodiment may include a second and third pair of diametrically opposed apertures. The second pair is disposed near the first end of the main body while the third pair is disposed near the second end of the main body. Both the second and third pairs are perpendicular with respect to the first pair and are adapted to receive a support through bolt for securing the main body to the upstanding pole. 
     An embodiment may include an open pole access disposed in the main body and circumferentially spaced at least 90 degrees in any direction from an intended location of the insulator when the apparatus is secured to the upstanding pole. The open pole access provides an attachment point for securing equipment directly to the upstanding pole. 
     An embodiment may include a first and second pair of diametrically opposed stringers tangentially integrated into an outer surface of the main body. The stringers include a flat rectangular surface extending along the extent of the main body. This embodiment includes the first pair of diametrically opposed apertures, the bolt receiving channel, and the bolt access aperture disposed in the first pair of diametrically opposed stringers. In addition, the second and third pair of diametrically opposed apertures are disposed in the second pair of diametrically opposed stringers. 
     A general object of this invention is to lengthen the lifetime of upstanding poles such as a utility poles owned by a public or private utility company or meter poles of the type used in connection with mobile homes. 
     A more specific object is to reinforce the upper end of such poles at a cost that is much less than the cost of replacing such a pole. 
     These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed disclosure, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a sectional view taken along line  2 A- 2 A in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a view similar to the sectional view of  FIG. 2A  but depicts a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 2C  is a view similar to the sectional view of  FIG. 2A  but depicts a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the back support brace of the first, second, and third embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the elongate front support that is common to the first three embodiments; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front elevational view of the fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  is a rear elevational view of the fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the novel cross arm support member of the fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the cylindrical prosthesis of the fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 8A  is a partially exploded perspective view of the fifth embodiment when installed on a pole; 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment when installed on a pole; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 9B  is an end vied of the sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 9C  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment installed on a pole; and 
         FIG. 9D  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment installed on a pole. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict a first illustrative embodiment of the novel structure, denoted  10  as a whole, when installed on a utility or meter pole  12  having at least one insulator  14  secured thereto. The structure is perhaps more fully disclosed in  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIG. 2A , conventional insulator  14  having base  14   a  is secured to pole  12  near the uppermost end thereof by elongate bolt  16 . Front support  18  conforms to the shape of pole  12  and its upper end provides support for insulator base  14   a . Front support  18  has an elongate vertical extent as depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     Conventional, pre-existing washer  20  near the top of  FIG. 2A  has an arcuate shape to conform to the shape of pole  12  and is held against the pole by conventional, pre-existing nut  22 . Said washer and nut are diametrically opposed to conventional, pre-existing insulator base  14   a.    
     The novel structure includes elongate brace  24  having laterally spaced apart legs  24   a ,  24   b  that bear against the top of pole  12  in diametrically opposed relation to elongate front plate  18  as depicted. Legs  24   a ,  24   b  are formed integrally with base  26  of elongate brace  24 . At least two bolt-accommodating openings  28  are formed in said base  26 , said openings being centered on a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said elongate brace. Each opening  28  is in open communication with an associated washer-accommodating opening  30 . A plurality of openings  28  is formed along the vertical extent of elongate brace  24  as indicated in  FIG. 1B . Each opening  28  may be provided as a circular opening or as an elongate slot as indicated in said  FIG. 1B  and as indicated in  FIG. 3  as well. 
     Reinforcing base  26  is square at its outer or outboard surface, i.e., the surface that does not contact pole  12 . Washer plate  32  conforms to that square configuration and overlies said outer surface as depicted. Nut  34  screw-threadedly engages bolt  16  and secures washer plate  32  and hence brace  24  to the top of the pole in diametric opposition to insulator  14  and elongate front support  18 . Each washer plate  32  thus performs the function of a washer. 
     Said elongate brace  24  and washer plates  32  are depicted in perspective view in  FIGS. 1A and 3 . Openings  28  are provided in plural locations in both circular and slotted form to accommodate various pole structures. Open slots  28   a  at the opposite ends of elongate brace  24  are used to accommodate pre-existing bolts as needed. 
     It will be observed in the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  that each nut  34  is provided at the time of pole repair, i.e., conventional nut  22  remains in its original position. 
     Novel front support  18 , depicted in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 4  has an elongate structure. It has a first end that underlies insulator  14  and a second end that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end and which therefore does not underlie the insulator. 
     Front support  18  is arcuate in transverse section and its upper end is slotted as at  18   a  to accommodate elongate bolt  16 , which is not depicted in  FIG. 4 . Circular or slotted openings  18   b  are formed therein as depicted to accommodate bolts as needed for fastening front support  18  to the front or insulator side of pole  12 . 
     Front support  18  and elongate brace  24 , which provides back support, are disposed in diametrically opposed relation to one another and hold pole  12  in sandwiched relation between them. 
       FIG. 2B  depicts a second embodiment where conventional nut  22  is removed from bolt  16  and then re-engaged thereto. In this second embodiment, each washer plate  32  has a recessed channel  32   a  formed in the center thereof as depicted. Channel  32   a  includes centrally-apertured bottom wall  32   b  and said bottom wall is substantially flush with washer-accommodating opening  30 . Bottom wall  32   b  thus performs the function of a washer and reinforces conventional washer  20   
     Each spring lock  36  fits within channel  32   a  and abuts channel bottom plate  32   b  Conventional nut  22  is returned to its screw-threaded engagement with bolt  16  to bear against spring lock  36 . This second embodiment has the advantage of not requiring second nut  34  of the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 2C  depicts a third embodiment where conventional nut  22  remains as in the first embodiment in screw-threaded engagement with bolt  16 , and where additional nut  34  of the first embodiment is also used. 
     In this third embodiment, each washer plate  32  has a raised ridge  33  that includes centrally-apertured top wall  33   a  as depicted in  FIG. 2C . Conventional nut  22  and spring lock  36  are disposed in bearing relation to conventional washer  20 . Each washer plate  32  is then placed into overlying relation to base  26  of elongate brace  24  in registration with each opening  28  as needed. A second spring lock  38  is placed into overlying relation to each top wall  33   a  and is secured thereto by a nut  34 . 
     A fourth embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 . This embodiment has utility in connection with upstanding poles  12  having a cross arm  44 , with or without braces  44   a . The perspective view of  FIG. 6  depicts cross arm support member  46 . Aperture  48  is formed in first vertical part  50  and may take the form of a circular opening or an elongated slot as depicted. A first ninety degree bend forms horizontal part  52  and a second ninety degree bend forms second vertical part  54  which serves as a detent. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5A , bolt  56  is inserted into pole  12  through aperture  48  to secure cross arm support  46  to said pole. Cross arm support  46  is positioned on pole  12  so that horizontal part  52  serves as a support surface for cross arm  44  at the mid-length region of said cross arm. Horizontal support surface  52  has a depth substantially equal to a depth of cross arm  44  so that detent  54  overlies a front surface of cross arm  44  at least to some extent. Horizontal support surface  52  provides support for cross arm  44  and inhibits rotation of said cross arm in a vertical plane and detent  54  holds cross arm  44  so that said cross arm cannot rotate in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis of pole  12 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5B , bolt  56 , which secures cross arm support  46  to pole  12  preferably extends diametrically through the pole and when used with a suitable nut and washer secures elongate brace  58  to the rear side of pole  12 . Further bolts may be used to further secure said elongate brace  58  to pole  12 , said brace  58  being provided with multiple apertures along its extent and slots at its opposite ends for that purpose. The sandwiching of pole  12  between cross arm support  46  and elongate brace  58  provides a heretofore unknown degree of support to cross arm  44 . 
     A fifth embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B . Main body  62  of brace  60  is cylindrical. Legs  64   a ,  64   b  depend from cylindrical main body  62  in diametrically opposed relation to one another. The upper rim of main body  62  is denoted  62   a . Apertures collectively denoted  63  are formed in cylindrical main body  62  in circumferentially and longitudinally spaced relation to one another and apertures collectively denoted  65  are formed in legs  64   a ,  64   b.    
     As depicted in  FIG. 8A , upper rim  62   a  of cylindrical main body  62  projects above the uppermost end  12   a  of pole  12  when brace  60  is properly installed in ensleeving relation to a pole top. Skirt  66  of top cap  68  has a length equal to or just slightly less than the distance of rim  62   a  above pole top  12 A so that said skirt fits within the hollow interior of cylindrical main body  62  when top cap  68  is in its functional position as depicted in  FIG. 8B . The diameter of skirt  66  causes it to fit tightly with a good friction fit within said hollow interior so that high winds cannot cause it to separate from said functional position. Various bolts or screws extend through apertures  63  and  65  to secure brace  60  to pole  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-9D , an embodiment includes main body  85  having an effective length between 24 and 120 inches. Because utility poles often include insulators spaced between 24 and 120 inches, the disclosed range guarantees that the present invention will reinforce the connection of at least two of the uppermost insulators to a utility pole. Main body  85  further includes four vertically disposed stringers  92  tangentially integrated in to main body  85  on the outer or outboard surface, i.e., the surface that does not contact pole  12 . Stringers  92  provide increased structural support while also providing a flat surface to more easily mate objects to the surface of the prosthetic. As shown in  FIG. 9B , washers  20 , washer plates  32 , and insulators  14  are able to more easily mate with flat stringers  92  than would be possible on a curved surface. 
     Stringers  92  also provide additional flat space for easily attaching equipment that is typically found on utility poles, such as lightening arrestors and fuses. Some equipment, however, such as dead-end insulators or down Guys (an anchor wire), must be secured to the wooden pole. Therefore, main body  85  includes open pole accesses  94  for attaching such equipment to wooden pole  12 . Open pole accesses  94  can be located on any of the stringers; however, it is beneficial to have open pole accesses located on one of the three stringers  92  not in contact with insulators  14  to provide easy access to the equipment received through open pole accesses  94  without having to avoid contacting electrical wires strung from insulators  14 . 
     Main body  85  preferably includes four stringers  92  circumferentially spaced 90 degrees apart from each other with several through bolt apertures. This arrangement allows for the application of support through bolts  16   a  in perpendicular relation to insulator through bolts  16   b  with both types of bolts  16   a ,  16   b  passing through stringers  92 . The perpendicular relation of through bolts  16   a ,  16   b  provides greater rigidity than is possible when the through bolts are aligned in a single plane. The increased rigidity is of particular importance when the pole top consists of rotten and deteriorated wood. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9C and 9D , support through bolts  16   a  are longitudinally spaced with respect to each other along the vertical extent of main body  85  to provide greater stability along the length of pole  12 . In addition, the perpendicular relation of support through bolts  16   a  with respect to insulator through bolts  16   b  provides the benefit of allowing an installer to more easily avoid contacting the high voltage wires strung from insulator  14  when installing support through bolts  16   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 9D , an embodiment includes cutout  98  in the lower end of main body  85 , wherein cutout  98  is adapted to receive a previously installed insulator  14 . Cutout  98  is preferably between 12 and 24 inches in length to compensate for variations in the location of the lower insulator. 
     Main body  85  further includes bolt access  96  and bolt channel  97  diametrically opposed to cutout  98 . Bolt access  96  is in open communication with open bolt channel  97 . Open bolt channel  97  and cutout  98  work in conjunction to slide main body  85  down and around an installed insulator  14  without requiring the prosthetic installer to remove the insulator. Bolt channel  97  receives the bolt while cutout  98  receives the insulator secured to the bolt, as shown in  FIGS. 9C and 9D . Once the prosthetic is properly in place with the bolt access  96  in receipt of an insulator through bolt  16   b , washer plate  32  receives the insulator through bolt  16   b  and is secured in overlying position with respect to stringer  92  as depicted in  FIGS. 9B and 9C . Nut  22  screw-threadedly engages insulator through bolt  16   b  and secures washer plate  32 , and hence, insulator  14  to main body  85 . Each washer plate  32  thus performs the function of a washer. 
     In addition, spring lock  36  is preferably disposed between washer plate  32  and nut  22 . Conventional nut  22  is screw-threadedly engaged with insulator through bolt  16   b  to bear against spring lock  36  and secure insulator  14  to main body  85 . Securing insulator  14  to main body  85  has the additional benefit of reinforcing a potentially compromised attachment of insulator  14  to a rotted pole top. 
     In an embodiment, bolt channel  97  is of a width large enough to receive an existing nut secured to the insulator through bolt  16   b , so that an installer of the prosthetic does not need to remove the nut prior to sliding insulator through bolt  16   b  through bolt channel  97 . Washer plate  32  can then be secured overtop the existing nut to secure insulator through bolt  16   b  to main body  85  without having to remove the existing nut. In addition, bolt access  96  is preferably large enough to accommodate the necessary tools for removing an existing attachment means from the insulator through bolt  16   b  if necessary. 
     In an embodiment, stringers  92  may have a height, extending in the outboard direction when in end view, that is greater than or equal to the height of a nut that is typically used to secure insulators to utility poles. As a result, the existing nut will not impair washer plate  32  from directly mating to stringer  92 . In another embodiment, washer plate  32  may contain the design shown in  FIG. 2C , which includes adequate spacing for an existing nut that protrudes beyond the height of stringer  92 . Plate  32  is preferably less than or equal to the height, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the main body, of the bolt access  96 . Plate  32  having the design shown in  FIG. 2C  can then be flipped around and top wall  33   a  will slide into bolt access  96 . This functionality is particularly useful when bolt  16   b  does not protrude substantially beyond bolt access  96  and washer plate  32  must butt up against pole  12  in order to secure nut  22  to bolt  16   b.    
     An embodiment of washer plate  32  may include a transversely oblong central aperture to account for rotation of the pole top, which is often found in rotted poles. The oblong aperture enables both an upper and a lower existing insulator through bolt  16   b  to pass through washer plates  32  even when the upper insulator through bolt has rotated with respect to the lower insulator through bolt. 
     The present invention&#39;s ability to receive and reinforce an installed insulator without first removing at least one insulator from a utility pole provides a critical benefit over existing devices. These insulators often support extremely high voltage wires, and thus, safely removing an insulator is extremely dangerous. These insulators should remain undisturbed if possible and doing so greatly improves the safety of the worker attempting to reinforce a rotted utility pole. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing disclosure, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing disclosure or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.