Patent Publication Number: US-6901701-B2

Title: Modular assembled shutter set

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an improvement in providing window covering shutter which are designed to be constructed from materials to give a more finished appearance with more balance in the shutter, including the ability to specify louver and side panel shutter door widths but without the loss of the professional look and without mistake, and expensive scrappage. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Shutters which fold over window and door openings have been in use and have varying degrees of custom fit. In a typical window installation a poor quality of installation might include spacers which actually move the pivot point for the shutters and shutter sets toward the center of the assembly. This represents the worst solution to make up for a shutter set which is forced to fit a larger window. 
   In other more sophisticated assemblies the user can add decorative spacers to the shutter doors at either of their vertical sides with the whole shutter pivoting with respect to a window opening. Where the components for the typical unsophisticated user are provided in a pre-finished state, the unsophisticated user has an opportunity to “build out” by shims, shutter doors. The “build out” can be accomplished to keep a decorative horizontal balance in the shutter set. 
   Given the generally prominent vertical side rails which form the main structural components of the shutter doors, unsophisticated users have had little choice in determining the vertical height of individual shutter doors. Some vertical customizability can be had by specifying the border thickness of a support frame. However, this still restricts the opening the same as vertical blocks added to extend the pivot point of the shutters. 
   Although unsophisticated end users have been only partially empowered to perform good customization of self installed shutter sets using finished components, the goal of using finished components still holds a great deal of value for persons in the chain of sales and service from professional installers to manufacturers and assemblers. One of the main objectives is to enable as much cutting and painting to remain at the base manufacturing site. In other words, the key is to limit cutting to the original raw materials cutting which occurs at the factory using precision machines, and to limit painting to the professional, automated painting which occurs at the factory. 
   Looking at it from this viewpoint, most user constructable or modifiable shutter assemblies are configured to provide some activity on the part of the user or installer other than cutting and painting in order to provide matching with the ultimate user&#39;s window size. Further, because the user matching activities have been traditionally limited, the user&#39;s ability to affect the physical outcome of the shutter installation has also been limited. Much of the variation has been focussed upon obtaining a window opening fit, and thus the non-variable portion has centered upon the size of the louvers, and the area and shape of the louver space. 
   What is therefore needed is a further, deeper method of modularization which makes use of pre-cut and pre-painted components which can be user specified to not only match a given window opening, but which can be user specified to match more subtle user preferences. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A pre-cut, pre-painted shutter door includes a pair of vertical members available in a range of discrete or quantum heights, and having a two level slot along their length for engaging an upper and a lower panel to form the outer portions of a shutter door. Vertical members are preferably pre-tapped with bores to facilitate threaded member access to engagement for attachment to the upper and lower panels. The upper and lower panels have a curved surface to either facilitate direct manual pivoting of the louvers or to provide clearance for an optional common actuator bar. A louver pivot support fits within the two level slot of the vertical members and carries a series of pre-drilled holes for pivotally supporting the louvers. Both the vertical members, panels and louver member supports are of constant cross section to facilitate the use of finger joints and to promote continuous extrusion-type processing. A series of louvers have shafts which extend through pre-drilled holes in the louver pivot supports. Louver shafts may carry gears engaging a gears fittable within a clearance between the louver pivot supports and the more inner level of the two level slot to accommodate a gear rack engaging the gears of the louver shafts to provide simultaneous movement of the louvers with linear translation of the gear rack. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a basic view for reference and illustrating a single shutter in a frame; 
       FIG. 2  is a gently exploded view of the upper left corner of the shutter door seen in FIG.  1  and which illustrates a number of components thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view of the components seen in  FIG. 2  with the addition of optional components for operation of louvers; 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of a louver pivot support carried by the first and second vertical members and illustrating a number of dimensional measurement quantities; 
       FIG. 5  is an end view of a first or second vertical member and illustrating a number of dimensional measurement quantities; 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of a upper or lower panel and illustrating the curved surface for either accommodating a common actuator bar or for facilitating manual opening of the louvers and illustrating a number of dimensional measurement quantities; 
       FIG. 7  is an end view of a divisional rail having a pair of curved surfaces; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a section of first or second vertical member and illustrating an optimum method for utilizing finger joint construction; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an upper or lower panel illustrating an optimum method for utilizing finger joint construction; and 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the louver pivot support illustrating an optimum method for utilizing finger joint construction. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The description and operation of the shutter system of the invention will be best described with reference to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a perspective view of fundamental assembled shutter door  11  within a plain frame  13 . The shutter door  11  includes a first vertical member  15  and a second vertical member  17 . First vertical member  15  has a knob  19  used to open and close the shutter door  11 . The second vertical member  17  typically has a hinge mount so that it can pivot with respect to the frame  13  or with respect to another shutter door  11 . 
   The shutter door  11  has an upper panel  21  and a lower panel  23  which have side edges which connect to the first and second vertical members  15  and  17 . Both the upper and lower panels  21  and  23  have a curved surface  25 , which is seen only in the upper panel  21  of FIG.  1 . The curved surface  25  of the lower panel  23  faces in the opposite direction. 
   Between the upper panel  21  and the lower panel  23 , a series of louvers  31  are ultimately pivotally supported by the first and second vertical members  15  and  17 . A common actuator bar  33  is connected to each of the louvers  31  by any number of types of pivoting connection assemblies including staple and eyelet, and eyelet to eyelet (not seen in FIGS.  1 ). These connections typically have a relationship between their size and orientation versus the degree to which the louvers  31  are enabled to pivot. Other factors include the thickness of the louvers and how they are oriented to interfit. 
   Conventional shutter doors typically have a small notch at the bottom edge of an upper panel to accommodate the upper end of the common actuator bar  33 . This type of configuration usually requires a fixed system where the number and thickness and path of travel of the louvers  31  are known, where the pivotal attachment assemblies and their operation are known, and where the common actuator bar attachment and excess length is known. Further, the size and depth of the notch have to meet the size and depth travel of the common actuator bar in order to achieve a good fit. 
   Further note that typical louver orientation on shutter doors, including shutter door  11  are such that complete light blocking closure is had for movement of the common actuator bar  33  and louvers  31  in one direction such as the upward direction. The lower direction will typically not enable full closure and this position is typically used to direct light for light effect in a room. The curved surface  25  helps to accommodate the connection assembly between the common actuator bar  33  and the louvers  31 , and provides a handy, easy to clean space for manual actuation of the louver  31  closest to one of the upper or lower panels  21  and  23 . 
   The use of the curved surface  25  enables an aesthetically pleasing shape which accomplishes a number of objectives. By eliminating a point indentation along an otherwise constant cross sectional area member, one also eliminates the need to create an indentation, but more importantly the need to insure that it is centered with respect to the ultimate length of the upper panel  21  for the given configuration of shutter door  11  to be formed. 
   Further, the provision of a curved surface rather than a right angled internal surface facilitates cleaning. All of the surfaces of the elements including vertical members  15  and  17 , knob  19 , upper and lower panels  21  and  23  with their curved surfaces  25  and even the rounded series of louvers  31  are significantly rounded. There are no sharply angled corners within which dust may collect. A soft damp cloth could be used to completely wipe all the surfaces of the shutter door  11 . There are not even corners of ninety degrees which would limit the ability to clean the shutter door  11 . 
   Further, the simplification of the components of the shutter door system  11  also enables the use of finger joint techniques to construct lengths of the simplified components from shorter material lengths. Finger joint techniques can be advantageously employed to produce long continuous lengths of material without the ability to detect the existence or location of the finger joints in the finished material. Professional finishing, sanding and painting techniques at the manufacturing facility helps to insure a product with a smooth look. 
   With regard to the shutter door  11  seen in  FIG. 1 , and given that the orientation shown uses clearance on the reverse side of the lower panel  23  merely for clearance of the unobstructed bottom of the bottom most louver  31 , the curved surface  25  of the lower panel  23  (not seen in  FIG. 1 ) will work well. This, however, enables the use of an upper panel  21  which is of the exact same shape and width as lower panel  23 . However, the height of the upper and lower panels  21  and  23  can be varied to accommodate more or less louvers  31 , to accommodate a more vertically centered series of louvers  31  or a less vertically centered series of louvers  31 . 
   Because the common actuator bar  33  extends to or above the upper extent of the curved surface  25  and does not lock into it, variation of the louvers  31  can be had with little or no effort. A larger number of much narrow louvers  31  could be substituted, as well as a lesser number of wider louvers  31 . As will be seen the pivoting accommodation of the louvers  31  combined with the ability to select upper and lower panels  21  and  23  will ultimately give the user complete vertical specifiability of the louver door  11 . Selection of the length of the upper and lower panels  21  and  23 , louvers  31  and widths of the first and second vertical members  15  and  17  will enable a user to have complete control of the overall horizontal and vertical configuration of the shutter door  11 . 
   It can be argued that any configuration for any shutter can be had by sizing, cutting, and then painting conventional structures, but this is not the case. The purpose for the components and structures of  FIG. 1  is the provision of a series of components which are pre-cut and pre-painted and which differ by quantitized amounts to enable quantum combinations of components to yield a large but finite number of configuration. 
   The plain frame  13  can be chosen to have a width which may be available in quantum lengths to enable it to vary slightly, or by a quantum amount, with respect toany inexactitude with respect to the size of a window opening after the overall measurements are specified. These overall measurements respresent sums into which the individual measurements within which the first and second vertical members  15  and  17 , upper and lower panels  21  and  23 , and series of louvers  31  should fit. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded perspective view of the upper left side of the shutter  11  is seen. The first vertical member  15  (which is identical to the second vertical member  17 ) is seen as having a superimposed two level slot, simply referred to as two level slot  41 . A pair of oppositely oriented surfaces provide support relatively outward of the two level slot  41 , while a base, innermost surfaces provides support relatively inward into the two level slot  41 . 
   The two level slot  41  serves double duty as a deep slot having a base  43  with side walls  45  and  47 , and a wider shallow slot having abbreviated depth side walls  49  and  51  and adjacent bottom walls  53  and  55  which are immediately adjacent the side walls  45  and  47 . The two level slot  41  could have been configured as a pair of different depth, non-symmetrical side by side slots or any other configuration which enables control of engagement tension, or creation of an accommodation space or general selection and control of the depth of engagement into the two level slot  41 . 
   To the right of these structures an upper panel  21  has a flat end  57  and an optional tongue end  59 . The optional tongue end  59  illustrates the use of a deep tongue structure which can extend somewhat deeply toward base  43 . Conversely the flat end  59  can extend to the outer level and engage the adjacent bottom walls  53  and  55  adjacent the abbreviated depth side walls  49  and  51 . Where bolts or screws are inserted into pre-tapped holes in the first vertical member  15  to engage the upper panel  21  or lower panel  23 , spacers or force engagement members can be used to give good support and to save the slot  41  from opening or splitting. 
   Seen for the first time is a louver pivot support  61  having an overall “T” cross sectional shape and which fits into the slot  41 . The “T” cross sectional shape has a base portion  63  which extends predominantly toward the base  43  of the two level slot  41  and a pair of side extensions  65  and  67  which form the “arms” of the “T” shape and which fit into the adjacent bottom walls  53  and  55  of the abbreviated depth side walls  49  and  51 . A top surface  69  of the louver pivot support  61  contains a series of bores  71  which pivotally support the supports for the louvers  31 . 
   By interfitting the louver pivot support  61  into the two level slot  41 , the two level slot  41  is covered flush and it appears as if the inside or louver  31  directed surface of the first vertical member  15  is smooth and flush. The louver pivot support  61  is shown with flat ends to emphasize its structures and to emphasize that it need not be shape conforming to the bottom of the upper panel  21  and its curved surface  25 . In the configuration shown, a tapering gap within the two level slot  41  between the top of the louver pivot support  61  and the curved surface  25  will exist. Alternatives include the shaping of the upper end of the louver pivot support  61  to complement and mate against the curved surface  25 , or to make a square nick at the lower corner of the upper panel  21 , the latter of which is not preferred. Since the upper versus lower extend of the louver pivot support  61  will meet “S” complementary curved surfaces  25 , the ends of the louver pivot support  61  could be pre shaped to eliminate the gap. 
   Also seen in  FIG. 2  is a mechanical extension  73  which includes a gear  75  supported by a shaft  77  and extending beyond the base portion  63 . As such it can be seen that the depth of the base portion  63  falls short of the full distance to the base  42  to enable the gear  75  and shaft  77  to rotate within the resulting space. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective sectional view illustrates an optional rack an pinion setup as well as further details of the components seen in FIG.  2 . The first vertical member  15  is seen as having a decorative groove  79 . The space between the side walls  45  and  47  is occupied with the base portion  63  with enough room to closely fit a gear rack  81  having a slot  83  having a gear  85  to one side. 
   As stated earlier, the “superimposed” two level slot  41  is but one configuration of slot, and the gear rack  81  is but one configuration of a gear rack. Where a pair of connected slots having a deep surface adjacent a shallow surface is used, the gear rack might be completely linear and place on one of the sides of the deeper slot, for example. 
   In the configuration of  FIG. 3 , the turning of the gear  75  at the end of the shaft  77  will engage the gear  85  of the rack  81  and cause it to translate within the slot  41  and slide along the base  43 . Recall that the range of movement of a louver is about one hundred forty to about one hundred fifty degrees, or about 40% of a circle. Where a gear  75  is an effective average of about one quarter inch in diameter, a one hundred fifty degree turn will cause a vertical translation of about 40% of about 0.78 inches or about 0.31 inches (7.97 mm). 
   This means that the end clearances for the rack  81  will need to be no more than about 8.0 millimeters. Further, the rack  81  can be fitted with slots to enable threaded members to extend through the vertical member  15  and engage the louver pivot support  61  at various points without interfering with the function of the rack  81 . Where the louvers  31  are so attached to the shaft  77  that rotation of the louver  31  will not occur without the rotation of the louver  31 , the louvers  31  and the rack  81  can be oriented together upon placement within slot  41  to eliminate the need for common actuator bar  33 . In this case, a user would simply manipulate one louver  31  to turn all of the louvers  31  commonly adjacently connected. This would provide for a much greater aesthetic finish and eliminate a loosely operating member. 
   A thin washer  89  is seen as occupying the space between the top surface  69  of the louver pivot support  61  and the outside surface  91  of the louver  31 . This will eliminate a straight material to material rubbing and will achieve better mechanical fit and motion. Note that the surface  69  might extend slightly beneath the extent of the abbreviated depth side walls  49  and  51  and that the thickness of the thin washer  89  can be used to make a close clearance between the outside surface  91  and the closest approach of the first vertical member in the direction of the outside surface  91 . 
   Also seen is an insertion portion  93  of the shaft  77  which enters the louver  31  at a bore  95 . The engagement of the insertion portion  93  and the bore  95  can be via gluing, threaded engagement, key and matching bore insertion and more. Also seen at a bottom breakaway portion is the insertion of a threaded member, such as a threaded member  97  through a bore  99  and into a solid portion of the louver pivot support  61 . In this manner the louver pivot support can be locked tightly into the two level slot  41 . 
   The series of bores  71  have been seen to work well with standard center to center spacings of two inches for louvers  31  having a width of slightly more than two inches to standard center to center spacings of three inches for louvers  31  having a width of slightly more than three inches. The slightly greater width is utilized to insure that there is sufficient overlap for light blockage and for limiting the effective angular range of turn for each louver  31  so that edge matching is not necessary. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4  an end view of the louver pivot support  61  is seen to illustrate one possible range of its dimensions. It may have a total depth “A” of about one half inch. The width of the base may have a width “B” of about one half inch. The width of the “T” portion is shown as having a dimension “C” of about three quarters of an inch. The thickness of the arms of the “T” section have a dimension “D” of about one eighth of an inch. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5  an end view of the first vertical member  15  (which may be identical to the second vertical member  17 ) is seen to illustrate one possible range of its dimensions. It may have a total width “E” of about two inches. The thickness may have a dimension “F” of about one and one sixteenth inches. The other dimensions of the two level slot  41  are complementary to the external dimensions of the louver pivot support  61 . 
   First vertical member  15  may have an optional notch  101  when it is used to form one of two overlapping shutter doors  11 . Notch  101  has a dimension “G” of about nine sixteenths of an inch, and a dimension “H” of about one quarter of an inch. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a sectional view of the upper panel  21  (which is preferably identical to the lower panel  23 ) is seen. The upper panel  21  has a width of “I” of about one half inch, and a height “J” which is variable based upon the overall height needed for the panel. The curved surface  25  ends an abbreviated thickness end  103  having a width “K” of about “0.2” inches, slightly rounded. The depth of the curved surface  25  may preferably have a dimension “L” of about one inch. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , where it is desired to have a single division rail which separates two vertically stacked banks of louvers  31 , a division rail  105  having a pair of curved surfaces  25  may be utilized. The oppositely oriented curved surfaces  25  are in the same orientation as was seen in  FIG. 1  with curved surface  25  at the bottom of the bank (lower panel  23  in  FIG. 1 ) would face oppositely to the curved surface  25  seen in the upper panel  21  of FIG.  1 . Interposition of the division rail  105  would simply add a facing upper curved surface  25  for the next lower bank of louvers and a rearwardly facing upper curved surface for adjacency to the lowest louver  31  in an upper bank. 
   A typical louver  31  may vary in size but the preferred thickness is about three eighths of an inch. An end curvature protrusion from the end of the planar extent of the louver  31  of about one eighth of an inch is typical for the louver edge curvature extension. Two widths of louver  31  which have proven advantageous includes a first width of about three and three eighths inches and a second width of about two and three eighth inches. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of a short length of the first vertical member  15  illustrates a preferred method of use of finger joints with this component. After sections of whole wood are end cut to form interfitting finger joints  109 , and after the finger joints are glued and joined, the member is sanded on the exterior surface to form a smooth surface and to minimize any smoothness deviation due to a joint boundary  111 . Thereafter, the features including decorative groove  79  and two level slot  41  with its details including base  43 , side walls  45  and  47 , abbreviated depth side walls  49  and  51  and adjacent bottom walls  53  and  55  are formed. 
   Because the structure of  FIG. 8  has a constant cross section, it may be routed internally and externally by linear feed through a precise machine. The first vertical member  15  may be cut into various lengths, preferably differing only by a small quantum amount. The overall length of the first vertical member  15  (and identical second vertical member  17 ) will set the height of the shutter door  11 . The only other vertical quantum combinations to be considered are the vertical length of the upper and lower panels  21  and  23  in combination with the stack of pivotally mounted louvers  31 , supported by lengths of selected louver pivot support  61 . 
   Within the range of choices for the vertical combinations for the upper and lower panels  21  and  23  in combination with the stack of pivotally mounted louvers  31 , the user can select the upper and lower panels  21  and  23  which approach evenness or which may have one much vertically larger than the other. Another combination the user can select is the use of more louvers  31  and lesser vertical height combined upper and lower panels  21  and  23  or a lesser number of louvers  31  and greater vertical height combined upper and lower panels  21  and  23 . The play off between the heights of the upper and lower panels  21  and  23  and louvers  31  can also include selection of different sized louvers  31 . 
   For a given desired vertical louver opening space the user can select a larger number of smaller louvers  31  or a lesser number of larger louvers  31 , especially the width of the louvers  31 . All of these variations can be specified by specifying the construction of pre-cut, pre-painted components. In other words the shutter door  11  assembly can be constructed with finished components. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , a perspective view of a short length of the upper panel  21  illustrates a preferred method of use of finger joints  109  with this component. Again, after sections of whole wood are end cut to form interfitting finger joints  109 , and after the finger joints  109  are glued and joined, the member is sanded on the exterior surface to form a smooth surface and to minimize any smoothness deviation due to a joint boundary  111 . Thereafter, the features including curved surface  25  is formed. 
   Again, because the structure of  FIG. 9  has a constant cross section, it may be routed internally and externally by linear feed through a precise machine. The upper panel  21  may be cut into various lengths, preferably differing only by a small quantum amount. The overall length of the upper and lower panels  21  and  23 , along with the widths of the first and second vertical members  15  and  17  will set the width of the shutter door  11 , with the lengths of the louvers  31  available to match the widths of the upper and lower panels  21  and  23 . 
   The only other horizontal quantum combinations to be considered would possibly be different width first and second vertical members  15  and  17  or possibly the existence of notch  101  to form an overlap where two shutter doors  11  close. The only other consideration, not aesthetic, would be selection of the first and second vertical members  15  and  17  which are wide enough to insure structural integrity of the resulting shutter door  11  to hold its own weight and more. The horizontal width of the louver  31  opening will depend upon the combined widths of the first and second vertical members  15  and  17 . 
   Within the range of choices for the horizontal combinations for the the upper and lower panels  21  and  23  the louver opening area can only be narrowed. Again, however the user can select the first and second vertical members  15  and  17  of different width for a different effect, although it is typical to choose first and second vertical members  15  and  17  for symmetry. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , a perspective view of the louver pivot support  61  is seen and which illustrates a preferred method of use of finger joints  109  with this component. Again, after sections of whole plain wood are end cut to form interfitting finger joints  109 , and after the finger joints  109  are glued and joined, the member is sanded on the exterior surface to form a smooth surface and to minimize any smoothness deviation due to a joint boundary  111 . Thereafter, the features including base portion  63  (which may be selected for a depth to leave a clearance for the gear rack  81  within two level slot  41 ), as well as pair of side extensions  65  and  67  which are configured to engage the more outer engagement level of the two level slot  41 . Also seen are bores  71  for pivotally supporting the shafts  77 . In addition, pre-tapped bores  115  are seen which align with the bore  99  of the vertical members  15  and  17  to facilitate threaded member  97  reaching through the vertical members  15  and  17 , and through the louver pivot support  61  and into engagement with the upper and lower panels  21  and  23 . 
   Again, because the structure of  FIG. 10  has a constant cross section, it may be routed externally by linear feed through a precise machine and it may be drilled with bores  71  and  115  in an automated fashion. The louver pivot support  61  may be cut into various lengths, preferably differing only by a small quantum amount with the locations of the bores  71  and  115  matching the bores  97  of the vertical members  21  and  23  with which it may be used. For a given size of vertical member  21  and  23 , a longer louver pivot support  61  will accompany the use of a vertically taller bank of louvers  31  and a shorter pivot support  61  will accompany the use of a vertically shorter bank of louvers  31 . 
   Again, all of the components for construction of the shutter door  11  are specified by specifying the construction of pre-cut, pre-painted components for both the vertical and horizontal sizes, and preferably those sizes differ by only a quantum amount so that the completed structure will differ with respect to a window opening by no more than that quantum difference amount. Any mismatch with the window opening can be made up by shimming the frame  13  with regard to a window opening. 
   Once the window opening is known, the next quantum size less of frame  13  is specified to give a known opening for the shutters. Once gross possibilities such as number of shutter doors to fit within the frame are selected, the user will probably be left with a number of design possibilities probably marshaled in accord with louver area size. Once the user selects the configuration, typically with computer assistance to rapidly select and illustrate the possibilities, the user&#39;s order will be filled by construction of louver doors from component bins which are already pre-cut and pre-painted. 
   Technicians select the first and second vertical members  15  and  17 , upper and lower panels  21  and  23 , series of louvers  31  (with or without gears  85  and gear rack  81 ), and louver pivot supports  61 . Threaded members  97  are selected, possibly based upon the size of the first and second vertical members  15  and  17  and upper and lower panels  21  and  23 , and the louver door  11  is assembled. The assembled door looks complete, flawless and brand new. The last step is the assembly of the frame  13  (which may also be available in bins according to exacting sizes and which may be assembled using threaded members) and the attachment of the shutter doors  11  into pivoting attachment relationship with the frame  13 . 
   While the present invention has been described in terms of a system for enabling custom specification of a shutter set by providing minimal components and either accommodation of a common actuator bar  33  or elimination of an actuator bar  33  altogether to provide common internally linked louver movement, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many structures, including any structure where construction methodology is facilitated by preconstruction sizing and finishing. 
   Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.