Patent Publication Number: US-2004040220-A1

Title: Gutter protection system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application claims priority to, and incorporates herein by reference in its entirety, pending U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/254,160, (Attorney Docket No. 08990-001), filed Dec. 11, 2000. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to the field of gutter systems, and more particularly, to a device, system, and method for diverting debris from a gutter system. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0003] This invention may be understood from the description that follows and from the attached drawings in which:  
     [0004]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gutter protection system according to the present invention installed in a conventional gutter system on a building structure;  
     [0005]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of an embodiment of the gutter protection system including a support member seated above a hidden hanger and a gutter cap positioned above the bracket;  
     [0006]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a gutter protection system mounted to a gutter system;  
     [0007]FIG. 4 is a top view of double wing support member of an embodiment of the gutter protection system seated on the hidden hanger;  
     [0008]FIG. 5 is a perspective back view of double wing bracket of an embodiment of the gutter protection system seated on the hidden hanger;  
     [0009]FIG. 6 is a perspective back view of an embodiment of the gutter protection system having the support member and hidden hanger integrally formed in a unitary construction;  
     [0010]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the gutter protection system positioned in the gutter;  
     [0011]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the gutter protection system mounted to a gutter system;  
     [0012]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gutter protection system according to the present invention; and  
     [0013]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective of an embodiment of a gutter protection system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0014] In buildings such as dwelling houses and other structures it is desirable to divert water and debris from the roof away from the base of the structure using gutter systems. The gutters of such gutter systems are attached to the roofline of the structure to divert rainwater into downspouts. A common problem with such gutter systems is the accumulation of debris such as leaves and twigs, that block the flow of water in the gutter or the downspout. Such blockage associated with gutter systems prevents proper evacuation of water and/or debris and creates problems that necessitate periodic cleaning and maintenance. Such cleaning and maintenance of gutters, particularly at the roofline, is a difficult and inconvenient activity.  
     [0015] Prior efforts help to provide gutter systems that prevent blockage and accumulation of debris have resulted in various devices and mechanisms attached to building structures and roofs to prevent these materials from falling inside the gutter. For example, solid deflectors or caps have been placed on top of the gutter body or connected to the building structure by piercing the gutter body or structure with fasteners such as nails, often resulting in damage to the structure and roof, or leakage in the gutters. Further, deflectors or caps have been positioned above gutters and connected to the roofing by fasteners, often in a process requiring raising the roofing, which can provide access to the roof board for water and result in water damage. Still other systems have utilized caps or shields that are clipped onto the front lip or edge of the gutter to be retained in position.  
     [0016] One known gutter protection system includes a deflector attached to a gutter support system and to the roofing or shingles. The gutter body is affixed to the structure by a nail of the gutter support system. Inside the gutter, the nail is surrounded by a ferrule (a cylindrical metal tube). The gutter rain deflector of this known system is positioned above the roofline and extends away from the house beyond the outer edge of the gutter body.  
     [0017] Another type of gutter protector is one that uses open mesh screens or grids which are positioned to rest on the body of the gutter and which are held in place by various fasteners. For example, one known system utilizes a mesh screen placed over the gutter opening and biased in place with a lip of the screen positioned under the front lip of the gutter. Such systems do not facilitate run-off of debris, and instead allow small debris, such as pine needles, to readily enter and clog the screen-holes. Further, such biased systems do not remain firmly in place and can be dislodged by wind, rain, or animals.  
     [0018] Certain gutter systems are attached to structures with a hanger positioned within the gutter body and attached to the front lip of the gutter body. Such a hanger is commonly referred to as a hidden hanger. These hidden hangers are typically elongated members having a lip at a first end that attaches to the front of the gutter body. They also have a second end that fastens to the rear wall of the gutter body and to the building structure via a nail or other fastener that pierces the wall of the gutter and the structure.  
     [0019] Certain gutter protection devices are difficult to connect to existing gutter structures or do not remain in place when subjected to wind, rain, or animals. Thus, there exists a need for a gutter protection system or rain deflector that could be easily and fixedly attached to existing gutter structures, including those attached with hidden hangers. Moreover, existing gutter protection systems are not designed to be used with such hidden hangers, but instead require connection to the roofing and front edge of the gutter. Thus, there remains a need for a gutter protection system that is easily attached to existing gutter systems such as those utilizing hidden hangers without damaging the gutter, roofing, or building structure.  
     [0020] Embodiments of the present invention can provide a gutter protection system that easily attaches to a gutter hanger and is supported solely by the gutter hanger while diverting debris away from and receiving rain into the gutter. Further, embodiments of the present invention can provide a gutter protection system structured for use with a rain gutter of established design and construction without the need of being affixed to or supported by the shingles or roof. Moreover, embodiments of the invention can provide a gutter protection system that can be retrofitted to existing gutter systems without requiring removal of the gutters from the structure, or alternatively, can be attached to the gutter prior to or during the attachment of the gutter to the structure.  
     [0021] To overcome the needs and shortcomings of certain known gutter protection systems, embodiments of the present invention can provide an improved gutter protection system for diverting debris from and collecting water in a gutter trough that extends along the length of the gutter. Certain embodiments of the gutter protection system can include at least one support member or bracket seated on a hidden hanger that is connected with the gutter and the building structure to which the gutter is mounted, and a cap or deflector that is preferably connected with and supported solely by the support member or bracket. The support member can positionally fix the cap above the trough of the gutter at a predetermined angle of inclination. Certain embodiments of the present invention are preferably adapted for disposition below a terminal edge of a roof of a building structure without requiring insertion under or connection with roof coverings or shingles.  
     [0022] Certain embodiments of the gutter protection system of the present invention are adapted for use in association with any conventional type of gutter system. The gutter protection system can be retrofitted to previously attached gutters or, alternatively, attached to the gutter during the installation of the gutters on the structure.  
     [0023] In one embodiment, the gutter protection system of the present invention is a gutter protection system for diverting debris from and collecting water in a gutter trough that extends along the length of the gutter. The gutter is of the type that is connected with the roofline of a building structure by a gutter hanger. The gutter hanger is of the type that is commonly connected to a front lip of the gutter and extending transversely across the width of the trough to the structure and referred to as a hidden hanger.  
     [0024] In this first embodiment, the gutter protection system of the present invention comprises a support member having a seat and at least one arm extending from the seat at an angle from the seat. The bracket is adapted to be positioned on the gutter hanger. The gutter protection system further comprises a cap connected to at least one arm of the bracket. The cap extends along the arm in a first direction defining the width of the cap and laterally away from the arm on opposite sides in a second direction defining the length of the cap. The gutter protection system further comprises affixing means for affixing the support member to the hanger.  
     [0025] In this embodiment of a gutter protection system of the present invention, the support member is adapted to positionally fix the cap above the trough such that the cap extends in its first direction above the width of the trough at a predetermined angle from the seat and the cap is spaced apart from the roofline of the structure. Preferably, at least one arm further comprises a plurality of spaced apart arms, and more preferably a pair of spaced apart arms.  
     [0026] Additionally, the cap is preferably positionally fixed at a predetermined angle approximating the angle of the roofline of the structure. In one embodiment, at least one arm extends from the seat such that the support member is adapted to be affixed to the hanger with the distal end of the arm spaced apart from the building structure. The cap is also juxtaposed above and coextensively extends along the length of at least one arm such that the cap and the arm extend from the base at approximately the same angle of inclination. Still further, the support member, in this embodiment, further comprises at least two lateral wings extending downwardly on opposite sides of the seat. The bracket is adapted to be positioned on the hanger such that the wings contact opposite sides of the hanger to secure the support member in a fixed position with respect to the hanger. The bracket further preferably comprises an arcuate body portion between the arms and the seat, and the cap further comprises an arcuate lip portion at a forward end of its width. The arcuate lip portion of the cap coextensively envelopes the arcuate body portion of the bracket. The arcuate lip portion is configured to utilize the surface tension of rainwater to direct the rainwater along the lip into the trough. In additional embodiments, the support and cap can be integrally constructed from a single piece or provided with configurations.  
     [0027] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully, with reference to the accompanying figures. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. With regard to the figures, the term frontward or front refers to the elements positioned, or spaced apart distally from the building structure and roof, and the term rearward refers to the portion of these items that are proximate to the building structure.  
     [0028] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the gutter protection system  10  comprises cover member or cap  15  and a support member in the form of seating bracket  25 . Gutter protection system  10  can be connected to existing gutter system  50  via bracket  25 .  
     [0029] For the purpose of orientation and description, existing gutter system  50  is shown in FIG. 1 to include gutter body  51  that is connected generally along and parallel to the roofline of the structure of building B to which it is attached. Gutter body  51  has a rear wall  52  that is positioned against building B and front wall  53  with lip  56  set apart opposite to rear wall  64 . Gutter body  51  also has a bottom portion  57  between rear wall  64  and front wall  53 . Rear wall  64 , front wall  53 , and bottom portion  57  define trough  54  as shown in FIG. 2.  
     [0030] Existing gutter body  51  can be connected to a building B with a gutter hanger or hidden hanger  58  (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). Hanger  58  can have an elongated body  59  with an upper side  60 , side flanges  61  and  62 , a rearward end portion  63 , and a frontward end  64  opposite the rearward end portion  63 . Hanger  58  can be formed of aluminum, but can be provided in alternative embodiments and other materials including galvanized steel, or other weather resistant materials.  
     [0031] As shown on FIG. 2, hidden hanger  58  can be positioned inside gutter trough  54 . Rearward end portion  63  can be connected to building structure B by an attachment means such as a screw or fastener  68 . Frontward end  64  of hidden hanger  58  can have a curved portion  69  as shown in FIG. 3 that can extend under lip portion  56  of gutter body  51 . Rearward end portion  63  can be curvingly curled upwardly and rearwardly to form butt portion  70  that can be positioned against the rear wall for connection by the screw or fastener  68 . Side flanges  61  and  62  of hidden hanger  58  can form a platform onto which gutter protection system  10  can be supported.  
     [0032] It is understood that the gutter protection system of the present invention may be utilized, in alternative embodiments, with gutter systems having bodies and attachment devices having varying configurations.  
     [0033] Thus, the existing gutter system having been described, the gutter protection system  10  will be more fully described. In the embodiment described in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the gutter protection system  10  includes a cover member or cap  15  and a support member or seating bracket  25 . The seating bracket  25  is adapted to be connected to the hidden hanger  58 .  
     [0034] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seating bracket  25  has a first end  32  including a seat or base portion  28  that is adapted to be position on the hanger  58  by a fastener shown as screw  29 . In alternate embodiments, the mechanical fasteners, or chemical fasteners including adhesives or even electromagnetic fasteners in combination with mechanical or chemical fasteners can be provided. The seating bracket  25  further has a second end  33  including a pair of arms  30  and  31  extending from the seat  28  at a predetermined angle and as shown in FIG. 2. The arms  30  and  31  are parallel to and spaced apart from each other. Each arm  30  and  31  is configured to be fastened to the underside  16  of the cover member  15  to support the cover member  15  above the trough  54 .  
     [0035] The second end  33  is attached to gutter hanger  58  via fastening means depicted as a screw or fastener  24 . It is understood that other connectors and fasteners of various designs and configurations including mechanical connectors, adhesives and other chemical fasteners and even magnetic fasteners can be utilized. The seating bracket  25  also includes an arcuate body portion  26  that extends between the two arms  30  and  31  and the seat portion  28 . The support member  25  is constructed of aluminum, but can be provided in alternative embodiments of other suitable weather-resistant materials having desired surface characteristics to facilitate flow of water or debris including polymers, galvanized steel, copper, or other weather resistant material.  
     [0036] The first end  32  of the seating bracket  25  can be provided in alternative embodiments with a single or further plurality of arms. The arms may be provided in various configurations and alignments to attach to the cover member. As shown on FIG. 5, the bracket wings  34  and  35  are configured to such that when the seating bracket  25  is positioned on the hanger  58 , the bracket wings  34  and  35  contact opposite side flanges  61  and  62  of the hanger  58  to secure the seating bracket  25  in a fixed position with respect to the hanger  58  (see FIG. 1).  
     [0037] The present invention comprises a cover member  15  fastened to the seating bracket  25  with self tapping screws or screws  24  that extend through threaded holes  23  in the cover member  15  that are positioned in the cover member  15  such that when the cover member  15  is attached to the bracket  25 , the hole  23  of the cover member  15  aligns with the corresponding threaded hole  22  in the seating bracket  25  providing a threaded opening for screw  24 . In alternative embodiments, the cover member  15  can be attached to the bracket  25  utilizing other mechanical fasteners such as nuts and bolts, snap or press-fit connectors of various types including by way of example, clips, chemical fasteners or adhesives or magnetic connectors in combination with mechanical or chemical connectors.  
     [0038] The cover member  15  is constructed of aluminum, but can be provided in alternative embodiments of other suitable weather-resistant materials having desired surface characteristics to facilitate flow of water or debris including polymers, galvanized steel or copper. The cover member  15  is connected to the arms  30  and  31  of the seating bracket  25  in a manner such that the cover member  15  extends along each of the arms  30  and  31  in a first direction to a pair of edges  20  and  21  self tapping screw defining the width of the cover member  15  and laterally away from the arm on opposite sides in a second direction to edges  18  and  19  defining the length of the cover member  15 . The cover member can be provided in sections of any desired length. The cover member  15  is juxtaposed above and coextensively along the length of the arms  30  and  31  such that the cover member  15  and the arms  30  and  31  extend from the seat  28  at approximately the same angle of inclination as shown in FIG. 3.  
     [0039] The cover member  15  is thus secured without fastening or connecting to the gutter body  51  or the building B. The seat  28  is adapted to connect the seating bracket  25  to the gutter hanger  58 , thereby seating the bracket  25  and cover member  15  above the gutter trough  54 . The cap  15  has an arcuate lip portion  14  that is configured to utilize the surface tension of rainwater to direct the rainwater into the trough  54 . The edge  18  and edge  19  of the length of the cover member  15  are positioned to extend to end  65  and end  66  of the length of the gutter body member. The hidden hanger  58  of the seating bracket  25  can be provided in alternative embodiments with a single or plurality of arms. FIG. 3 depicts the cover  15  being positioned adjacent and below the lower edge of the roof R. While depicted in FIG. 3 as being attached to a building B with a roof having predetermined pitch, the gutter protection system  10  can be is affixed to buildings with any type of building roof including tin, slate, cedar roof, concrete or other tiles or asphalt or other singles because the gutter protection system does not require attachment to the roofing material. Further, as the cover member  15  can be provided fixedly positioned at various desired predetermined angles of inclination, the gutter protection system  10  can be provided to be utilized with building having roofs regardless of the roof pitch. The cover member  15  preferably has a width that is preferably less than the width of the trough  54  such that the cover member  15  is thereby supported in covering relation over the open top of the gutter body  51  with lip portion  14  extending along the front wall  53  of the gutter body  51 . In this disposition, the cover member  15  is oriented at a slight downward incline from its rearward region  40  to its forward region  42 . The rearward region  42  of the cover member  15  is not in contact with the building. The cover member  15  directs, with the assistance of surface tension, water into the gutter while the leaves, debris, and the like are deflected and/or jettisoned over the edge. The cover member  15  is at an angle of inclination that is approximate the roof angle of inclination. However, the cover member can be mounted at any of a variety of predetermined and/or adjustable angles. The present invention thus provides a gutter protection system that diverts debris from entry to the trough, but which still diverts water into the trough. The gutter protection system can be easily connected to existing gutter installations.  
     [0040] The gutter protection system  10  of this embodiment of the present invention can be attached to an existing gutter system  50  that has been previously attached to a building structure B. The fully assembled gutter protection system  10  is shown attached to the building B and gutter system  50  in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the steps of attaching the gutter protection system  10  to the gutter system  50  including the gutter body  51  and hangers  58  previously connected to a building structure. The support member  25  is positioned on the hanger  58  as described above and connected to hanger  58  as described previously and connected to the hanger. 58  by screw  29 . A support member  25  is connected to each hanger  58 , although the gutter protection system  10  can be utilized without connecting a bracket  25  to every hanger  58  if desired.  
     [0041] The cover member  15  is also positioned on the bracket  25  as desired and described herein and connected to the support member  25  by screw  24 . Thus, the gutter protection system  10  can be connected to an existing gutter without necessitating the removal of the gutter from the structure. Alternatively, the gutter protection system of the present invention can be installed during the installation of the gutter system. In this way, the support member  25  can be attached to the hidden hanger  58  either prior to attaching the hanger  58  to the gutter body  51  and building or after such connection of the hanger is made. This flexibility increases the ease of connection of the gutter protection system whether connecting to a pre-existing gutter system or during the installation of the gutter system on the structure.  
     [0042] In a second embodiment of the gutter protection system  110  of the present invention, the seating brackets  25  and the hidden hanger  58  of the previous embodiment are provided in an integral construction as a single hanger support device  70 . The support hanger device  70  is adapted and configured to connect to the gutter system  50 . The bracket-hanger device  70  has an elongated seat  71  with an upper side  72 , side flanges  74  and  76 . The seat  71  extends from a rearward end portion  78 , to a frontward end portion  80 . The hanger-support  70  also includes an arcuate body  73  located the frontward end  80  that extends from the seat  71  at a predetermined angle. The hanger support  70  further includes a pair of arms  82  and  84  extending from the arcuate body  73  at a predetermined angle as shown on FIG. 6. The arms  82  and  84  are parallel and spaced apart from each other. The arms  82  or  84  are configured to extend coextensively with the underside  16  of the cover member  15  to support said cover member  15  above trough  54 . One of the arms  82  includes a hole  86  for receiving a screw or other fastener (not shown) to connect he cover member  15  to the arm  82 . The rearward end portion  78  of the bracket-hanger device has a lip portion  87 . This second embodiment of the invention comprises a cover member  15  substantially of the same construction as that described with respect to the embodiment in FIGS.  1 - 5 . The cover member  15  is connected to the arms  82  and  84  of the bracket-hanger device  70  in a like manner to that described with respect to the embodiment of the gutter protection system  10  described in FIGS.  1 - 5  such that the cover member  15  extends along each of the arms  82  and  84  in a first direction to a pair of edges  65  and  66  defining the width of the cover member and laterally away from the arm on opposite sides in a second direction to edges  18  and  19  defining the length of the cover member. The cover member  15  is juxtaposed above and coextensively along the length of the arms  82  and  84  such as the cover member  15  and the arms extend from the lip portion  86  at approximately the same angle of inclination. The lip portion  87  of the bracket-hanger device  68  is adapted to fit at the top of the rear wall  64  of the gutter body  51 . A screw (not shown) extending through hole  88  maintains the rearward end portion  78  of bracket-hanger device  68  securely against the structure building B. The bracket hanger device  70  is formed of the same materials as that described with reference to the first embodiment.  
     [0043] As shown in FIG. 8, the bracket hanger device  70  is positioned inside the standard gutter trough  54 . The rearward portion  78  is connected to the building structure B by an attachment means such as a screw or fastener  68 . The frontward end  80  of the bracket hanger device is curved to form a butt portion  70  that is positioned against the rear wall for connection by the screw or fastener  68 .  
     [0044] As depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, this gutter protection system has a sleek and profile unlike the large and bulky product available today and its design is attractive.  
     [0045] The bracket-hanger  70  device of the gutter protection system  110  can be installed to a pre-existing gutter system or during the installation of the gutter system on the structure as seen on FIG. 7. FIG. 8 depicts a cross sectional view of the bracket hanger device  70  sealed in the trough  54  of the gutter body  51 .  
     [0046] The steps of installing the gutter protection system  110  of this second embodiment are similar to the steps of that described with the first embodiment except that the bracket-device  70 , being integrally formed as a single piece, removes the step of attaching the bracket to the hanger. In order to attach the gutter protection system  110  to an existing gutter system, individual hangers  58  would need to be removed and replaced with the bracket-hanger device  70 . The cover member  15  can then be placed on the bracket-hanger device  70  as previously described.  
     [0047]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gutter protection system  1000 , which is shown attached to a gutter  1010 , which is attached to a face board or fascia  1020  of a building  1030 . Rain that falls on building  1030  encounters roofing  1040 , which directs that rain to a top surface of a cap  1050  of gutter protection system  1000 , which then directs the rain into gutter  1010 . Rain that enters gutter  1010  is then directed to a downspout (not shown).  
     [0048]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a gutter protection system  2000 . A gutter  2010  can be supported by a hanger  2020  that is secured to a building (not shown) by a screw or nail (not shown) that protrudes through securement hole  2030 . Hangar  2020  can penetrate a back wall  2040  of gutter  2010 , and can support a front lip  2050  of gutter  2010 . Because the existence and/or location of hangar  2020  can be undetectable from a viewer standing below, hangar  2020  can be referred to as a “hidden hangar”.  
     [0049] Hangar  2020  can define a flat surface  2060  which can support gutter protection system  2000 , and to which gutter protection system  2000  can be attached, secured, and/or mounted. Gutter protection system  2000  can include a support bracket  2070  and a cover, deflector, and/or cap  2080 . Support bracket  2070  can be configured to mount on hangar  2020 . Support bracket  2070  can support cap  2080  at a predetermined and/or adjustable angle with respect to a length of hangar  2020 , to back wall  2040 , and/or to roofing of the building (not shown).  
     [0050] Support bracket  2070  can be attached, mounted, connected, and/or secured to hangar  2020  by any known attachment means  2072 , including a screw, a rivet, a nail, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, a buckle, a latch, a force fit, and/or a snap fit. Moreover, support bracket  2070  can be integral to hangar  2020 . Support bracket  2070  can be constructed of any material known for its use for gutters, including aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, and/or plastic. Support bracket  2070  can be configured to avoid contact with the fascia, roofing components, and/or structure of the building itself (not shown), thereby avoiding unnecessary installation interferences and/or long-term wear caused by such contact.  
     [0051] Cap  2080  can be attached, mounted, connected, and/or secured to support bracket  2070  by any known attachment means  2082 , including a screw, a rivet, a nail, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, a buckle, a latch, a force fit, and/or a snap fit. For example, cap  2080  can define a back lip (not shown) that can snap onto a back edge  2076  of support bracket  2070  once a front portion  2084  of cap  2080  has surroundably engaged an arcuate front portion  2074  of support bracket  2070 . Moreover, cap  2080  can be integral to support bracket  2070 .  
     [0052] Cap  2080  can be constructed of any material known for its use for gutters, including aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, and/or plastic. Also, cap  2080  can be dimensioned and/or configured to avoid contact with the fascia, roofing components, and/or structure of the building itself (not shown), thereby avoiding unnecessary installation interferences and/or long-term wear caused by such contact. Thus, once installed, one or more separations, gaps, and/or spaces can be defined between cap  2080  and the fascia, roofing components, and/or structure of the building.  
     [0053] Embodiments of the gutter protection system of the present invention can provide numerous advantages. For example, in certain of its various embodiments, can be attached to gutter systems either prior to, during, or after installation of those gutter systems. In certain embodiments, this attachment can occur with substantial ease. Moreover, the support member and cover of certain embodiments can be fashioned to accommodate structures and roofs of all types as they do not require connection to the structure or roofing, thereby eliminating potential damage to the structure or roofing. Also, the cover can be positioned at a predetermined and/or adjustable angle to provide a desired pitch of the cover related to the pitch of the roof. Moreover, embodiments of the gutter protection system of the present invention can provide a cost effective product with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Further, embodiments of the present invention can allow water to enter a gutter system, while reducing, resisting, and/or preventing the entry of debris into the gutter system.  
     [0054] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed certain embodiments of the invention and although specific terms are employed, those terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.