Patent Publication Number: US-6904732-B1

Title: Device and method for installing building material

Description:
The present invention relates to installation of building materials, and more particularly, to devices that temporarily secure building materials, either overhead or on walls, until the installer can permanently secure the material into position 
     BACKGROUND 
     The burdensome task of installing building materials, such as drywall, is usually cumbersome and labor intensive. The process of installing these large, cumbersome and heavy drywall sheets for covering walls and ceilings usually has been assigned to two or more people. In order to correctly install drywall as ceiling sheets or wall sheets, the drywall sheets must first be lifted and placed into the desired position. With the drywall sheet being supported by at least one person, a second person must then secure the drywall sheet to the overhead joists or wall joists via a means of attachment, one of the more common ways being with screws. Usually screw guns are employed to speed up the process. While a minimum of two people are usually desired for this particular job, sometimes one person is left to accomplish this task all by thereself. This usually involves the installer balancing the panel on his head and/or using a tee bar (a tee bar is usually constructed from two pieces of 2″×4″ wood with the vertical leg being 2″ to 3″ longer than the height of the ceiling) to free his hands in order to apply the means of attachment to attach the sheet of drywall to the structure. This practice is dangerous, leaves little room for adjustments and potentially adds to the amount of scrapped material. Therefore, there is a need for an invention which can temporarily hold a drywall sheet or other building materials in place while the installer is able to do final adjustments to the location and permanently secure the panel to the supporting joists. 
     One example of a device for aiding in the installation of drywall sheets and other building materials is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,329. This patent describes a rotatable device having an integral “Z” shaped body is used to temporarily hold the drywall panel to the ceiling. This device is only capable of being rotated and does not have the option to be locked in a secure position. This causes a problem if the drywal sheet needs to be adjusted to properly fit into the desired position. Likewise, a problem exists when abutting one piece of dry wall next to another. Hence, an installer using the device still requires a minimum of one hand to hold the dry wall in place while the other secures it to the ceiling joists. Further, the device requires multiple components to manufacture it in its simplest form and requires the use of a relatively expensive shoulder screw. With frequent use of the shoulder, the screw head strips, requiring disassembly of the device to replace the screw. 
     Another device used to facilitate the installation of building materials is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,446. This patent describes an overhead support device with an angled surface and widened edges. A tapered screw is embodied inside the housing which is used to secure the support device to the ceiling joists. The panel rests in the gap between the ceiling joist and the top of the housing. However, this device needs to be manually screwed in which is labor intensive, strenuous and time consuming. Furthermore, this device has the ability to possibly damage the building material when it is adjusted into its final position. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus, device, or devices that can be quickly attached to a support structure, such as a ceiling or wall joist, that can be used in multiple surroundings to facilitate the installation of building materials which reduces the effort, the number of people needed to perform the task and preferably leaving both hands free to secure the material. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides an effective and convenient apparatus, devices and/or system for installing building materials either on ceilings or on walls. The apparatus and/or devices allows one individual on his own to install building materials. The invention eliminates the need for one or more persons holding the drywall in place while an initial means of attachment is applied to hold the sheet of drywall in place, thus, allowing an installer to remove the support of their head, or lower their arms. Further, while a first installer is using the devices of the present invention, an additional person(s) can be securing more devices or moving the existing devices in order to be ready to apply the next sheet of drywall. The devices of the present invention provide hands free operations and simplify the job for a ‘do it yourself’ (D.I.Y.) individual or homeowner while eliminating the need to enlists the help of a friend or friends in order to lift the sheet of drywall and hold it in place until the initial means of attachment are in place or rental of a drywall lift. The use of the devices of the present invention gives individuals who do not normally do strenuous work the ability to relatively simply apply drywall on their own, the only requirement is being their ability to lift a sheet of drywall without help. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus for installing building materials includes at least one resting surface  50  spaced apart from a fastener. Further in accordance with the present invention, the devices of the invention are first positioned adjacent to where an installer would like to install the building material. The apparatus of the present invention is attached to an existing structure. Once the apparatus of the invention is attached, the installer may then position a section of building materials so that it contacts a resting surface  50 . Contacting the resting surface may be further facilitated with the use of a guide surface  70 . The building material is then positioned and may be further secured with another device of the apparatuses and/or device of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a device for supporting building material during installation prior to securing it in its final location, with two resting surfaces and a feature to facilitate mounting the device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a similar device to  FIG. 1  for supporting building material during installation prior to securing it in it&#39;s final location, with two resting surfaces, one of the resting surfaces being an extension of the surface that is the adjacent mounting surface and a feature to facilitate mounting the device. 
         FIG. 3  shows a similar device to  FIG. 1  with the added feature of a larger target for guiding the material onto the resting surface. 
         FIG. 4  shows a similar device to  FIG. 1  with the added feature of a means of mounting the device onto a clamp. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a similar device to  FIG. 2  formed in metal, or a composite or molded into a more streamlined part. 
         FIG. 6  shows a similar device to  FIG. 1  formed in metal, or a composite, or molded with the added feature of an anti-rotational feature and a place to attach a means of adding a location feature, to reduce the time to mount the device. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a portion of the device of  FIG. 6  with the added feature of an adjustable support. 
         FIG. 8  shows a similar device to  FIG. 1  with the added feature of an anti-rotational device. 
         FIG. 9  shows a device similar to  FIG. 6  illustrating a clamp as an integral part with the device of the invention for use when installing building material to metal joists. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a device similar to  FIG. 6  illustrating a clamp as an integral part with the device of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a device similar to  FIG. 4  shown in combination with a “c”-clamp. 
         FIG. 12  shows a device similar to  FIG. 4  shown in combination with a quick-grip bar clamp. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a device similar to  FIG. 3  illustrating a bar clamp as an integral part of the device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  shows a device similar to  FIG. 4  in combination with a Jorgesen clamp. 
         FIG. 15  shows a device similar to  FIG. 4  in combination with a Pony clamp. 
         FIG. 16  is a view showing two styles of device in location ready to accept a sheet of building material. 
         FIG. 17  is a view showing an installer using a rule to mark the location to mount one of the devices. 
         FIG. 18  is a view showing an installer using a flexible feature for locating the location to mount a clamp style device. 
         FIGS. 19A , B, C, &amp; D shows a method for installing a sheet of building material overhead by one or more installers. 
         FIG. 20  shows a method of mounting a sheet of building material to a wall. 
         FIG. 21  shows one style of device having a cam action feature for raising a sheet of building material on a wall. 
         FIG. 22  shows another style of the device with another style of cam action. 
         FIG. 23  shows one of the devices of  FIG. 7  in use as an extra set of hands during the framing out of duct work. 
         FIG. 24  shows two of the devices of  FIG. 2  in use as an extra set of hands during the installation of a tongue &amp; grooved ceiling. 
         FIG. 25  shows a similar device to  FIG. 5  with two sets of the same guide and resting surfaces, with one set being a distance from the surface that is adjacent to the building material surface. 
         FIG. 26  shows an adjustable tee-bar for assisting in the application of building materials. 
         FIG. 27  shows another feature of the device in that spacer pads can be added to the surface adjacent to the building material surface in order to vary the spacing whereby different thickness, of building materials can be installed. 
         FIG. 28  shows that the device can also be readily adapted for installation of building materials parallel to the ceiling joists. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The apparatus of the present invention is effective for installing building materials either overhead or on walls. As used herein the term “building materials” includes sheet drywall; paneling, sheet or plank; insulation board, plywood, siding, tongue and grooved planks, framing out of duct work, any form of wood sheet, wood composite sheet, rigid plastic sheet, plastic laminated sheet, expanded plastic (foam sheets), and, any other form of sheet material or planking. 
     The apparatus of the present invention may be made of a variety of materials including wood, metal, plastic and combinations thereof. The devices shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  and  8  would generally and more appropriately be made of wood; molded in plastic; molded in a filled plastic; a powdered metal or cast in metal and the devices shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7  would generally and more appropriately be made of metal; filled plastic; plastic or powdered metal. If the device as shown in  5  through  7  was made in plastic then a person skilled in the art would probably include a support web for both extended target surfaces  76  and  77  running at an angle from a point on the back of the surfaces to the underside of surface  50  and/or the underside of adjacent mounting surface. 
     Several important aspects of the apparatus of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a device of the apparatus of the present invention  20  includes a resting surface  50  spaced apart from a fastener. As used herein, “fastener” may include at least one fastener opening  60  used in combination with a fastener component as described below; a device having a means of attaching a clamp to the device as shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  14 ; a clamp as an integral part of the device as shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  13  and  15 ; and various combinations thereof. 
     In another aspect, the apparatus of the invention may further include a second resting surface  55 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6  or a shortened resting surface  75  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 . In its basic form, the device of the invention only requires one resting surface, however, a second resting surface provides a user with added versatility at low cost. 
     Either one or both of resting surface  50  and second resting surface  55  may include a guide surface  70 , a second continuous guide surface  76 , an elongated continuous guide surface  77 , a detachable guide surface  78 , and combinations thereof. The guide surface  70 , second continuous guide surface  76 , and continuous elongated guide surface  77  may be continuous with the resting surface  50  and/or the second resting surface  55 . In one aspect of the invention, the second resting surface  55  includes a continuous elongated guide surface  77 , associated with it for use when putting sheeting on walls or cathedral ceilings. 
     In alternative aspects of the present invention, the guide surface  70  may generally extend downward from the plane of the resting surface  50 . The downward extension of the resting guide surface  70  may be gradual, as shown in  FIG. 1  or  2 . Alternatively, a shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and continuous elongated guide surface  77  may be at a more extreme angle. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the apparatus of the invention may also include a detachable elongated guide surface  78  which acts as a bigger target area for the installer(s) to find with the leading edge of a sheet of building material and to further facilitate the guiding of building materials to the resting surface  50 . 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for installing building materials may include at least one fastener opening  60 . The fastener opening  60  may be an opening that passes completely through the apparatus  10 . The fastener opening  60  has a diameter sufficient to allow any type of fastener component to be used with the apparatus. As used herein, “fastener component” means any type of screw, nail, rivet, or bolt that can be used to secure the apparatus or device generally designated  10 ,  20  or  30  to an exiting structure or support material. In this aspect of the invention, the fastener may pass through the fastener opening  60  and directly into a ceiling joist or wall stud, or first through a piece of building material before then passing into a ceiling joist or wall stud. The fastener component may allow the apparatus  10  to be circularly rotatable around its attachment point. The fastener opening  60  may also include a metal sleeve(s) or bushing(s)  65  in order to prolong the life of the device. Once the device of the invention is removed, a drywall screw is place into the hole left by the fastener, which removes any evidence that a fastener component passed through the building material. In an important aspect, the fastener component used is a drywall screw. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4 , where the apparatus includes a clamp adaptor  35  and does not include a fastener opening. In another aspect, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the apparatus may include both a fastener opening  60  and clamp adaptor  35 . As used herein, the term “clamp” includes all clamp designs that can or could be modified to fit onto or be incorporated as an integral part of the design of the present invention. Examples of clamps include “C”-clamps, vicegrip, bar-clamps, and pony-clamps. The use of a clamp in combination with an apparatus of the invention that includes a clamp adaptor is shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  14   
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the device generally designated  210  of the present invention may also include a continuous elongated guide surface  77  and a second continuous guide surface  76  that are perpendicular to the plane of the building materials being installed. These guide surfaces  76  and  77  aid the installer in contacting building materials with the device. In another aspect of the invention as shown in  FIG. 5 , the device may include a slightly raised surface  66  around the fastener opening  60 . The raised surface  66  reduces the possibility of marking the building material during rotation of the device. 
     A more streamlined version of the device  220  is shown in FIG.  6 . In this aspect of the invention, the device  220  includes a resting surface  50  continuous with a guide surface  70  and a second continuous guide surface  76 , and a second resting surface  55  continuous with an elongated guide surface  77 . 
     Another aspect of the invention is shown in  FIG. 6  where the apparatus  220  includes an anti-rotational feature  211  which may allow the device to be clamped to a support structure. The anti-rotational feature  211  also serves as an easy locator when addressing the device to the support structure, and also facilitates locating the mounting of the device by placing the fastener opening  60  roughly in the center of a standard 2″ wide joist. Further, the apparatus may also include an attachment opening  212  for attaching a positioning device, such a chord. Hence, the measurements of the device are effective for properly locating the device to facilitate installation of building material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a means of adding another support surface  223 . In this instance, the support surface  223  is shown as being attached via screws  222  and a slot  221  which allows adjustment of the location of the support surface  223 . It is understood that a person skilled in the design can easily design other means of adjustment for this additional surface and these means are hereby included. This feature can be used as an extra pair of hands in supporting a framework that requires holding in place temporarily prior to permanent attachment, hence, allowing the carpenter to operate hands free. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , this figure shows a preferred one piece device generally designated  420 . This device can be made from wood, molded from plastic, filled plastic, powdered metal or cast in metal. The device  420  includes a continuous elongated guide surface  77 , a second continuous guide surface  76 , an anti-rotational feature  211  and a fastener opening  60 . If the device is made in plastic then it optionally may include an inserted bushing in the fastener opening  60 . In devices made of powdered metal or metal this feature would not be required. 
     Various aspects of the invention that include the use of the device in combination with a clamp are shown in  FIGS. 9 through 15 . Many styles of clamps are manufactured by various manufactures including Stanley, Craftsman, Wolfclamp, Pony clamp, Jorgenson, Bessey, Vice Grip, American Tool, plus numerous others which are hereby included in this invention. In an important aspect of the invention, the clamps used include bar clamps, quick grips, power press, cabinet clamp, euro claw, deep reach bar clamps, k-body clamps, vice grips, hand clamp, pony clamps, jorgenson clamps, c-clamps, ratchet clamps, and various other names and styles of these clamps with or without manufactures names that can readily be adapted or designed to accommodate, or have, the features of any or all of the above devices; and, are hereby included in this invention, 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the device may be used in combination a hand-clamp  352  for use during the installation of sheet building material to metal studs. Both jaws have a pivoting feature  57  and  58  that permit the clamp surfaces to be parallel to each other when closed. As further shown in  FIG. 9  is a folded surface  79  continuous with the elongated continuous guide surface  77 . The folded surface  79  eliminates a sharp edge when using this style of device to install building material against a wall. 
     The device of the present invention  320  in combination with a pair of vice grips  350  is shown in FIG.  10 . The vice grips  350  may include serrated teeth  330  useful for biting into wooden joists to more firmly secure attachment of the vice grips  350  to a joist. The serrated teeth  330  may include a single point, multiple teeth, or any other design that would dig into a joist and be effective for securing the clamp to the joist. 
     The device of the present invention in combination with a “C”-clamp is shown in FIG.  11 .  FIG. 11  shows a device of  FIG. 8  where the anti-rotational feature  211  is replaced with a clamp adaptor  35 . The clamp adaptor  35  provides a surface where a “C”-clamp  354  can contact the device to secure it in place. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , this Figure shows a device of  FIG. 4  in combination with a bar-clamp  355 . In this aspect of the invention, the device includes a clamp adaptor  35  whereby the device can be slid onto one of the jaws of an existing style of bar-clamp  355 . The opposing jaw of the bar-clamp may include an antislip feature  442 . The antislip feature  442  may include single or multiple protrusions effective for securing the clamp to a wooden joist to prevent sliding of the clamp. 
     Another aspect of the device of the present invention is shown in FIG.  13 . The device of the  430  may be integrally combined with a bar-clamp  355  such that the device  430  and modified bar-clamp  355  are one piece. As shown in  FIG. 13 , both jaws are shown as having an anitslip feature  442  which is effective for bitting into a joist and preventing slippage. With a bar-clamp as shown in this FIG.  13  and  FIG. 12  one of the jaws is stationary and generally part of the bar; while, the other moveable jaw  356  is moveable by means of a squeezing action that is perpendicular to the bar, an example of which is a quick-grip type clamp. Other styles of bar-clamps actuate the moveable jaw by a squeezing action parallel with the bar, an example of which is a EZ-hang type clamp and by means of a thread clamp such as a c-clamp. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , this figure shows another style of bar-clamp know as a Jorgesen clamp in combination with a device of FIG.  4 . The moveable end  358  is first moved to a snug position then tightened up using the jaw mounted on a thread  357  by turning the handle  359 . 
     Another aspect of the invention is shown in FIG.  15 . In this figure an apparatus generally designated  440  is shown in combination with a clamp known as a “pony clamp”. The fixed end  371  of the clamp is screwed on to a piece of black pipe with the adjustable jaw  370  slid on to the pipe. The rough adjustment is done with the adjustable jaw  370  and the final tightening by cranking the handle on the fixed end. It is to be understood that any of the devices shown could be used in combination with any clamp either attached or as an integral part of the device of the invention. 
     Various aspect of the use of devices of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 16-25  and positioning of the device of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 16-18 . As can be seen in the Figures, each apparatus of the invention is positioned to facilitate installation of the first or next piece of building material. Referring to  FIG. 16 , in this figure two pair of styles of devices are shown in ceiling location ready to have a sheet of building material put in place. One device of each set is mounted on the ceiling joists  130  and the other mounted through the drywall  120  and into the ceiling joists  130 . One style comprises of a pair of devices as reflected by  10  and  30 ; and the other pair&#39;s style are reflected by  210  and  220 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , this figure shows an installer  380  marking the location  514  on the ceiling joist  130  using a rule that is forty-eight an a half inched long. This distance is measured from the edge of a wall or a previously installed sheet. The half inch play is more than enough to place the sheet flush with the ceiling joist and leave little distance to move the sheet in order to put it in place for attachment most sheets of material are 4′×8′ long or 4′×12′ long; but, the metric equivalent of sheet sizes would be allowed for by a rule half an inch longer than the width of the metric standard for building material sheeting. 
     Another means of locating the device  320  to ceiling joist  130  is shown in FIG.  18 . As shown, a flexible length of material  512  by holding a the predetermined mark on the flexible material against either the wall or previously attached sheet stretching it to its limit and attaching in this figure the clamp  320 . Positioning of building material may be accomplished using a positioning device such as a chord  512  and/or measuring device  510 . 
     Installation of the building material  120  is shown in  FIGS. 19A-D . Referring to  FIGS. 19   a, b, c  &amp;  d , these views show a preferred method of installing building material sheets on a ceiling. In this illustration the installer  380  is putting up drywall. After marking the location and installing the devices the drywall  120  is lifted in the near vertical to vertical position and the top edge is engaged with the guide surface of the devices. Building material is then lifted up till it hits the ceiling joists, at which time maintaining a upwards pressure locate the leading edge of the drywall into the pockets created by the devices and ceiling joists as shown in  FIG. 19   b ; and, rotate as shown in  FIG. 19   b  into the horizontal position as shown in  FIG. 19   c . Then the device  210  is rotated into position to support the sheet of drywall  120 . Then the installer is hands free to use his screw gun  360  to permanently mount the sheet of drywall as shown in  FIG. 19   d . When using these devices on an eight foot long sheet it is recommended that two sets of the devices be used; and, on a twelve foot long sheet three sets of these devices be used. 
     A method for installing building material on a wall is illustrated in FIG.  20 . In accordance with the invention, an installer first marks the locations for mounting the device of the present invention using a measuring device  510 . One of the marks made by the installer is just over four feet and the other at four feet and a half inches down from the ceiling. The devices of the inventions, shown as  20  and  220  are secured into position. Other devices of the invention may be used, for example, device  40  in combination with a clamp, device  420 , device  320  as shown in  FIG. 10 , and device  430  in FIG.  13 . The drywall  120  is placed into pockets created by the device of the invention and studs, and rotated into a vertical position. Then using a tee bar  520 , the drywall  120  is manually raised so that the top edge of the drywall is flush with the ceiling. In a typical installation, the ceiling panels may already be in place, whereas,  FIG. 20  shows an open ceiling. 
     An alternative method of raising building material is shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . Instead of using a tee-bar or manually raising the material, the material my be raised using a cam device as shown in  FIG. 21  by rotating handle  432 . With rotation, the excetric cam  434  raises the drywall  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , this figure shows another alternative method of raising a sheet of drywall  120  via another design of cam  436  which rotates around the mounting feature  62 ; and, by the means of twisting the cam using web  438  the drywall sheet is raised. 
     An alternative use of the device of the present invention is shown in FIG.  23 . In this figure, a device with an adjustable additional surface  224 , as illustrated by the feature in  FIG. 7 , is shown attached to a ceiling joist  130  and acting as an extra pair of hands to hold the frame work  610  while framing out ductwork  612 , thus leaving the installers hands free to adjust and secure the framework. 
     Another use of the device of the present invention is shown in FIG.  24 . In this figure a pair of the devices  10  are used to support and place long tongue and grooved planks  620  into a location against ceiling joists  130 , thus, freeing up the installer to secure the planks. It is understood that anybody skilled in the art of construction can readily see using these devices to mount numerous types of building materials on walls or ceilings. Although the devices designated  10  are shown in the figure it is understood that it could just as easily be the device of  FIG. 5  or FIG.  25  and are thereby included in this invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , this figure shows a preferred one piece device generally designated  410 . This device can be made from wood; molded from plastic; filled plastic; powdered metal or cast in metal reflected are the three guide surfaces  70 ,  76  and  77 , on both sides of the fastener opening  60 . As shown in this figure one set of the surfaces is spaced at distance from the adjacent surface that contacts the structure surface to which the device is mounted. If the device is made in plastic then it possibly may include an inserted bushing. In powdered metal or metal this feature would not be required. Also shown is a raised area  66  which is not essential to the device provides a added advantage of reducing possible marking of the building material surface when being rotated into position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , this figure shows an adjustable tee support comprising of a head piece  720  two tubular vertical support piece  722  and  724  which slide one inside the other. Holes  721  and  723  that allow a pin  725  to be placed through both tubes in order to facilitate different heights of use; and, although not necessary for the function of the tee-bar a boot  726  with a roughened base  727  to stop marking the floor. It is understood that anybody skilled in the art could modify the design with a removable head to facilitate storage or transportation, add a coating to the head or make it out of a material that will reduce or eliminate marking the building material, or make the head with limited rocking ability. 
     Referring to  FIG. 27 , this figure shows an additional feature of the present invention for adding space between the apparatus of the present invention and the building material being installed. This feature provides the installer with the ability to install a varity of different thicknesses of building material with the same basic device. In this figure three designs of height block  810   a ,  810   b  and  810   c  are shown. The height block  810   a  shows an extrusion with a clearance hole  62  for the means of mounting the device to the structure. The height block  810   b  is a block with mounting holes  64  and clearance hole  62 . The height block  810   c  shows a design with clip on feet  812  and a clearance hole  62 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , this figure shows the device of  FIG. 26  having two sets of the same guides  76  and  70 . Also two surfaces  50  with a center mounting post and means of attachment  66  mounted at right angles to the ceiling joist  130 . An additional stop  82  is added to give the required gap for the building material to be inserted. In accordance with the invention, building material is raised vertically to near vertical to contact guide surface  76 . The building material is lifted and rotated into position and device  410  is rotated to support the building material. Further shown is an alternative bar clamp design in which the jaws open instead of close. It is understood that any competent designer can add this feature to many of the designs of clamp and are hereby included in this invention. 
     Numerous modifications and variations in practice of the invention are expected to occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the foregoing detailed description of the invention. Consequently, such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.