Patent Publication Number: US-2009229935-A1

Title: Continuously Blockable Locking Device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention is directed to a continuously blockable locking device with a housing having a first end and a second end, a substantially cylindrical work chamber formed in the housing, a piston which is arranged in the work chamber so as to be displaceable and which divides the work chamber into a first work space near the first end and a second work space near the second end, a piston rod which is arranged at one side of the piston and which projects through the first work space and is guided out of the work chamber in a sealed manner at the first end through a guiding and sealing device, and a valve chamber formed in the housing parallel to the work chamber in which a first valve assembly and a second valve assembly are arranged. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A locking device of the type mentioned above is known from DE 199 38 306 A1 in which the valve assemblies are arranged in overflow channels and outlet channels so that a relatively large installation space is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an economical, continuously blockable locking device with a compact structural shape. 
     This object is met in that the continuously blockable locking device comprises a housing having a first housing end and a second housing end, a substantially cylindrical work chamber formed in the housing, a piston which is arranged in the work chamber so as to be displaceable and which divides the work chamber into a first work space near the first housing end and a second work space near the second housing end, a piston rod arranged at one side of the piston and which projects through the first work space and is guided out of the work chamber in a sealed manner at the first housing end through a guiding and sealing device, and a valve chamber which is formed in the housing parallel to the work chamber and in which a first valve assembly and a second valve assembly are arranged. 
     In another embodiment, the work chamber and valve chamber are separated from one another by an intermediate wall, wherein a first connection channel is constructed in the intermediate wall near the first housing end and a second connection channel is constructed in the intermediate wall near the second housing end, and the first connection channel and second connection channel connect the work chamber and the valve chamber. 
     In a particular embodiment, the valve chamber is filled mostly with the liquid medium and is filled with a gas under pressure. 
     In one embodiment, the liquid medium is a hydraulic oil and the gas is nitrogen. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, a first valve assembly is arranged in the valve chamber near the first housing end and a second valve assembly is arranged in the valve chamber near the second housing end. Further, the two valve assemblies are preferably arranged at a distance from one another and a connection space is formed between the two valve assemblies. 
     In another embodiment, the first valve assembly comprises a force-loaded check valve whose closing member opens in the direction of flow from the first housing end to the connection space against the force of a helical compression spring during an outward movement of the piston rod and the resulting increase in pressure in the first work space, wherein the oil displaced by the piston flows into the connection space and then into the second work space via an unloaded check valve of the second valve assembly. 
     The second valve assembly likewise comprises a force-loaded check valve whose closing member opens in the direction of flow from the second housing end to the connection space against the force of a helical compression spring during an inward movement of the piston rod and the resulting increase in pressure in the second work space, wherein the oil displaced by the piston flows into the connection space and then into the first work space via an unloaded check valve of the first valve assembly. 
     The housing preferably has a closable opening at its upper side so that the oil and gas can be introduced or removed in a simple manner. In another embodiment of the invention, the force-loaded check valves and the unloaded check valves of the first valve assembly and of the second valve assembly are arranged in a material block, and every material block can be constructed as part of the housing. 
     In one embodiment, the valve chamber has an at least partially oval cross-sectional shape. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, a fastening element is arranged at the first housing end of the housing and is welded or glued to the housing or is formed integral with the housing, and at least one bore hole for receiving a screw is formed in the fastening element. 
     In another embodiment, the fastening element is arranged at the housing so as to be swivelable. 
     Alternatively, a ball in which a screw can be screwed can be arranged in the at least one bore hole of the fastening element. 
     According to the invention, it is also possible to form the fastening element located at the first housing end as an articulated head by which the housing can be swivelably fastened to a structural component part, for example, the body of a vehicle. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing has a substantially L-shaped longitudinal section. The work chamber has a longer extension in axial direction than the valve chamber. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a damping cup is arranged in the extension of the work chamber, and a damping sleeve arranged at the piston penetrates into this damping cup when the piston rod moves outward. 
     In another embodiment, the valve chamber has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, a through-opening extends from the connection space and connects the valve chamber to another volume compensation chamber which is arranged above the valve chamber and which is filled with oil and a gas. 
     In an advantageous further embodiment of the invention, the two valve assemblies and their respective force-loaded and unloaded check valves are arranged in a tubular valve receiving body which can be inserted into the valve chamber. 
     In another embodiment, the valve receiving body has, at its ends, a closure wall that faces the first housing end and a closure wall which faces the second housing end, a first annular chamber located between the first housing end and the closure wall, and a second annular chamber located between the second housing end and the closure wall. 
     Further, the force-loaded check valve and the unloaded check valve are preferably arranged in the closure wall, and the force-loaded check valve and the unloaded check valve are arranged in the closure wall. 
     In another embodiment, a sealing device is provided at the respective ends of the valve receiving body. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, sealing devices form the unloaded check valves. 
     In another embodiment, the housing is arranged at a fastening bracket. The fastening bracket preferably has a substantially U-shaped web whose first end is connected by a fastening pin to a knuckle eye arranged at the second housing end. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a flange is formed at the second end of the web located opposite from the first end, and the flange has two projections, each with an internal thread, for fastening the bracket to a swivelable structural component part, in particular a vehicle door. 
     In a further embodiment, the flange is connected to a plate in which a cutout is provided through which the piston rod extends, and bellows which are connected to the piston rod near a connection element formed as a ball socket can be inserted into the cutout. Alternatively, the fastening bracket can be arranged at the area of the work chamber extending past the valve chamber. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing is fastened by two angled plates to the area of the work chamber extending past the valve chamber. 
     In order to make possible a compact construction with valve assemblies which are arranged closely adjacent to one another, first and second valve assemblies are preferably arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the cylindrical work chamber. 
     In a further embodiment, the connection space which directly connects the first and second valve assemblies to one another adjoins the end of the upwardly directed side of the two valve assemblies which is remote of the work chamber. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the valve chamber can be divided, at least partially, into a first partial chamber and a second partial chamber by means of a dividing wall, the first valve assembly being accommodated in the first partial chamber and the second valve assembly being accommodated in the second partial chamber, and the two partial chambers are connected to one another by the connection space. 
     In order to provide any desired length for the work chamber and, consequently, any lift length regardless of the structural size of the valve chamber, the connection channel is formed parallel to the work chamber and forms a fluidic connection between the second work space and the second valve assembly. 
     In another advantageous embodiment, at least one flow channel is provided in the cover closing the work chamber and/or a connection slot is provided between the second work space and the second connection channel which is guided parallel to the latter. In so doing, the first connection channel connects the first work space to the valve chamber by a receiving chamber. 
     It is particularly advantageous for a simple construction when a cover is arranged on the valve chamber, which cover closes the valve chamber so as to seal it relative to the outer environment and holds the first valve assembly and second valve assembly in their position, wherein the cover has, for every valve assembly, a holding web around which work medium flows and which brings the valve assemblies into contact with the wall of the work chamber. 
     In order to make the locking device even more versatile, an electrically controllable valve unit or a cover can be arranged at the receiving chamber. 
     Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, a sensor device is arranged at the pivot point of the housing at the fastening bracket, and the angle and/or angular velocity can be determined by means of this sensor device. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the dividing wall in the valve chamber is formed by two dividing walls forming a receiving space therebetween. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, an electrically controllable valve unit or a filling body can be inserted into the receiving space. The filling body keeps two openings in the dividing walls closed, and the openings can be opened or closed by the valve unit. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiment examples of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described more fully in the following. 
         FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  are a longitudinal section and a cross section of a continuously blockable locking device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an arresting device  1  according to the invention with a fastening device; 
         FIG. 3  is a fastening device of the door arresting device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a fastening device of the door arresting device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a fastening device of the door arresting device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are a door arresting device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are a door arresting device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a fastening device for the door arresting device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a fastening device of the door arresting device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a fastening device of the door arresting device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a door arresting device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a locking device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a door arresting device according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a door arresting device according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show a continuously blockable locking device for doors or hatches of motor vehicles having a housing  1  which has a first end wall, designated as first housing end  2 , and a second end wall, designated as second housing end  3 . A substantially cylindrical work chamber  4  and a valve chamber  5  which is arranged parallel to the work chamber  4  and which has a substantially oval cross section are formed in the housing  1 . The work chamber  4  and the valve chamber  5  are separated from one another by an intermediate wall  6 . A first connection channel  7  is formed in the intermediate wall  6  near the first housing end  2  and a second connection channel  8  which connects the work chamber  4  to the valve chamber  5  is formed in the intermediate wall  6  near the second housing end  3 . 
     The work chamber  4  is preferably always completely filled with a liquid medium, preferably hydraulic oil. The valve chamber  5  is filled with hydraulic oil for the most part and to a small extent with a gas, preferably nitrogen, which is under pressure. The valve chamber  5  can accordingly compensate for variations in the temperature of the oil and the volume of oil displaced by the piston rod when it moves into the work chamber  4 . Further, the valve chamber  5  is designed in such a way that the valves are always immersed in oil even when the locking device is sharply inclined. 
     Arranged in the work chamber  4  so as to be axially displaceable is a piston  9  having a piston ring  10  which divides the work chamber  4  into a first work space  11  adjoining the first housing end  2  and a second work space  12  adjoining the second housing end  3  in such a way that the oil cannot overflow from one work space into the other by way of the piston  9 . However, a possibility for overflow can be provided in the form of one or more axial grooves, not shown, at the inner wall of the work chamber  4  to create an area in which the door arresting device cannot be blocked. 
     The piston  9  is connected to a piston rod  13  which extends in axial direction of the housing  1  through the first work space  11  and is guided out of the first housing end  2  by way of a sealing and guiding device, not shown, such as those constructed in gas springs or dampers. 
     A first valve assembly  14  is arranged in the valve chamber  5  near the first housing end  2  and a second valve assembly  15  is arranged in the valve chamber  5  near the second housing end  3 . The two valve assemblies are arranged at a distance from one another and a connection space  16  is formed between the two valve assemblies. 
     The first valve assembly  14  comprises a force-loaded check valve  17  whose closing member  18  opens in the direction of flow from the first housing end  2  to the connection space  16  against the force of a helical compression spring  19  when the piston rod  13  moves outward and the pressure in the first work space  11  is accordingly increased. In this way, the fluid displaced by the piston  9  flows into the connection space  16  and then into the second work space  12  via an unloaded check valve  24  of the second valve assembly  15 . 
     In a corresponding manner, the second valve assembly  15  comprises a force-loaded check valve  21  whose closing member  22  opens in the direction of flow from the second housing end  3  to the connection space  16  against the force of a helical compression spring  23  during the inward movement of the piston rod  13  and the resulting increase in pressure in the second work space  12 . 
     The liquid medium displaced by the piston  9  can flow into the connection space  16  and then into the first work space  11  via an unloaded check valve  20  of the first valve assembly  14 . 
     When the piston rod  13  is not loaded, all of the valves are closed and the piston  9  is held in its instantaneous position. 
     The housing  1  preferably has a closeable opening  26  at its upper side  25  by which the oil and gas can be introduced or removed. 
     The force-loaded check valves and the unloaded check valves of the first valve assembly  14  and of the second valve assembly  15  are arranged in a material block  27 . Every material block is part of the housing  1 . 
       FIG. 2  shows another embodiment form of the door arresting device according to the invention. The first valve assembly  14  and the second valve assembly  15  completely fill the oval cross section of the valve chamber  5 , but again define the connection space  16  which is filled mostly with oil and to a small extent with a gas under pressure, preferably nitrogen, so that a temperature compensation and/or volume compensation is again possible. 
     A fastening element  28  is arranged at the first housing end  2  of the housing  1  and is welded or glued to the housing  1  or is formed integral with the housing  1 . At least one bore hole  29  in which a screw, not shown, can be screwed is provided in the fastening element  28  for connecting the housing  1 , for example, to the door of a motor vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  shows fastening element  28  is arranged at the housing  1  so as to be swivelable by means of a pin  30  and several projections  31  at the fastening element  28  and the first housing end  2 , which projections  31  can be penetrated by the pin  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a ball  32  with a pocket hole  33  in which a screw, not shown, can be screwed is arranged in the at least one bore hole  29  of the fastening element  28  to connect the housing  1  to a structural component part, for example, a vehicle door, so as to be swivelable. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the fastening element  28  is formed at the first housing end  2  as an articulated head  34  by which the housing  1  can be swivelably fastened to a structural component part of a motor vehicle, for example, the door. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the housing  1  has a substantially L-shaped cross section because the work chamber  4  has a longer extension in axial direction than the valve chamber  5 . A damping cup  35 , shown schematically, is arranged in the extension of the work chamber  4 . A damping sleeve  36  arranged at the piston  9  can penetrate into this damping cup  35  when the piston rod  13  moves outward. The axial length of the damping sleeve  36  is selected in such a way that the piston ring  10  of the piston  9  cannot move over the first connection channel  7  when the damping sleeve  36  strikes the base of the damping cup  35 . 
     The damping device formed by the damping cup  35  and damping sleeve  36  prevents the vehicle door from being moved too quickly against its end stop and possibly swinging back again when the vehicle door is opened to the full extent. 
     In this embodiment form, the valve chamber  5  preferably has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. The two valve assemblies  14  and  15  are completely immersed in oil and limit the connection space  16  in axial direction, which connection space  16  is preferably completely filled with oil. A volume compensation chamber  37  is arranged parallel to the valve chamber  5  and is separated by an intermediate wall  38  from the valve chamber  5 . A through-opening  39  which joins the valve chamber  5  to the volume compensation chamber  37  extends from the connection space  16  through the intermediate wall  38 . The volume compensation chamber  37  is filled with oil and a gas. The closable opening  26  through which the interior of the housing  1  can be filled with oil and gas via the volume compensation chamber  37  is provided at the upper side  25  of the housing  1 . 
     The two valve assemblies  14  and  15  and their respective force-loaded check valves and unloaded check valves are arranged in a tubular valve receiving body  40  which is located in a preferably preassembled state in the valve chamber  5 . The valve receiving body  40  has, at its ends, a closure wall  41  which faces the first housing end  2  and a closure wall  42  which faces the second housing end  3 . A first annular chamber  43  is located between the first housing end  2  and the closure wall  41 , and a second annular chamber  44  is located between the second housing end  3  and the closure wall  42 . The force-loaded check valve  17  and the unloaded check valve  20  are arranged in the closure wall  41 . The force-loaded check valve  21  and the unloaded check valve  24  are arranged in the closure wall  42 . The connection space  16  is located between the two closure walls. A sealing device  45  is provided at the ends of the valve receiving body  40  so that the oil can only flow via the valves from the connection space  16  into one of the annular chambers  43 ,  44 , or vice versa. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , the unloaded check valves are formed by the two sealing devices  45 ′. The sealing devices  45 ′ have a substantially V-shaped cross section or the shape of piston rod seals such as are known, for example, in gas springs or dampers. The preferable V-shaped cross section ensures that the oil can flow from the connection space  16  into the annular chambers  43  or  44  in that the pressure of the oil presses around the sealing lip contacting the inner wall of the valve chamber  5 . If the pressure in the annular chambers  43  or  44  increases, the sealing lip is pressed more firmly against the inner wall of the valve chamber  5  and prevents the flow of oil into the connection space  16  through the sealing devices  45 ′. 
       FIG. 8  shows the embodiment example of the door arresting device shown in  FIG. 6  with a fastening bracket  46 . The fastening bracket  46  has a substantially U-shaped web  47  whose first end  48  is connected to a knuckle eye  49  arranged at the second housing end  3  so as to be swivelable by means of a fastening pin  50 . A flange  52  is formed at a second end  51  of the web  47  located opposite from the first end  48 . The flange  52  has two projections  53 , each having an internal thread by means of which the fastening bracket  46  can be fastened to a structural component part, for example, a vehicle door. The flange  52  is connected to a plate  54  in which is provided a cutout  55  through which the piston rod  13  extends. Bellows  56  which are connected to the housing  1  or to the piston rod  13  near a connection element  57 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , is preferably inserted into the cutout  55 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the fastening bracket  46  is fastened at the area of the work chamber  4  extending past the valve chamber  5 . The axial extension of the fastening bracket  46  is also substantially limited to this area. Further, it can be seen that the second housing end  3  of the housing  1  can also be formed by a cover  58  which is welded or glued to the housing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the door arresting device is fastened by means of two angled plates  59  which are fastened to the area of the work chamber  4  extending past the valve chamber  5 . 
     The door arresting devices shown in the drawings are preferably made of plastic but can also be made of, e.g., aluminum, steel, or an alloy of a wide variety of metals, which makes it possible to achieve a reduction in weight. Further, the housing can comprise two halves which are connected to one another or can comprise a main body which is closed by at least one cover  58  which forms the first and/or second housing end  2 ,  3 . Further, the constructions described above, for example, with respect to the valve assembles  14 ,  15 , the fastening bracket  46 , the fastening element  28  or the like, can, of course, also apply to the embodiment forms described in the following. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 to 14 , first and second valve assembles  14 ,  15  are not constructed in a common center axis but are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical work chamber  4 . The connection space  16  which directly connects the first and second valve assemblies  14 ,  15  to one another adjoins the end of the upwardly directed side of the two valve assemblies which is remote of the work chamber  4 . The connection space  16  is partly filled with gas to compensate for the volume displaced by the inward and outward movement of the piston rod  13  of the door adjustment system and for the thermal expansion of the liquid work medium. 
     In order to realize a compact construction with valve assemblies  14  and  15  arranged closely adjacent to one another for both directions, the valve chamber  5  is divided at least partially into a first partial chamber  61  and a second partial chamber  62  by means of a dividing wall  60 . The first valve assembly  14  is accommodated in the first partial chamber  61 , and the second valve assembly  15  is accommodated in the second partial chamber  62 . The two partial chambers  61 ,  62  are connected to one another by the connection space  16 . Further, a flow guide is provided which provides the connection channel  8  parallel to the work chamber  4  and forms a fluidic connection between the second work space  12  and the second partial chamber  62  of the valve chamber  5  and, therefore, the second valve assembly  15 . An advantage of this embodiment form consists in that any length of the work chamber  4  and, consequently, any lift length can be provided regardless of the structural size of the valve chamber  5 . In addition, flow channels  63  can also be provided in the cover  58  closing the work chamber  4 . In a suitable embodiment form, a connection slot  64  can be used between the second work chamber  12  and the second connection channel  8  which is guided parallel to the latter so that there is a flow around the piston ring  10  of the piston  9  and, in this way, an area is provided which is free of locking forces. 
     The first connection channel  7  connects the first work space  11  to the first partial chamber  61  of the valve chamber  5  by a receiving chamber  66  which is closed by a cover  65 . As is shown in the drawing, the cover  65  can be provided with an annular groove  67  into which a sealing ring  68  is inserted to seal the receiving chamber  66  from the outer environment. 
     A cover  69  is likewise arranged on the valve chamber  5  and closes the valve chamber  5  so as to seal it from the outer environment. Further, the cover  69  serves to hold the first valve assembly  14  and second valve assembly  15  in their position. For this purpose, the cover  69  for every valve assembly has a holding web  70  and  71 , respectively, around which work medium flows and which brings the valve assemblies into contact with the wall of the work chamber  4 . 
     It should be noted that the receiving chamber  66  and the valve chamber  5  are preferably constructed closer to the first end  2  of the housing  1  similar to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 12 , the cover  65  from  FIG. 11  can be omitted and an electrically controllable valve unit  72 , shown schematically, can be arranged in place of the cover  65  at the receiving chamber  66 . In addition, a sensor device  73  is arranged at the pivot point of the housing  1  at the fastening bracket  46  which is shown schematically. The angle and/or angular velocity can be determined by means of this sensor device  73 . In cooperation with a device, not shown, for detecting obstacles, for example, a camera, a capacitive sensor, or the like, the valve unit  72 , which is preferably constructed as a proportional valve, can close the first connection channel  7 , preferably to an increasing extent as the door approaches the obstacle. However, it is also possible that the valve can be closed abruptly. By closing the connection channel  7 , the flow of medium is blocked in the entire system and the piston  9  is accordingly rigidly locked. The door cannot be moved any farther. 
       FIG. 13  substantially corresponds to the locking device shown in  FIG. 11 , but the dividing wall  60  in the valve chamber  5  is formed by two dividing walls  60   a  and  60   b  which form a receiving space  74  therebetween in which a cylindrical filling body  75  is arranged. Near the work chamber  4 , the dividing walls  60   a  and  60   b  have openings  76  which open into the receiving space  74 , but which are closed by the filling body  75  so as to be tight against fluid. The working medium flows around the part of the filling body  75  that is close to the cover  69 , that is, the part of the filling body  75  located in the connection space  16 . In other respects, the operation of the locking device corresponds exactly to that of the embodiment form shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 14  shows the door arresting device from  FIG. 13  in which the filling body  75  from  FIG. 13  has been replaced by another electrically controllable valve unit  77  which is also shown schematically. By means of the valve unit  77 , the first valve assembly  14  and the second valve assembly  15  can be short-circuited by releasing the openings  76 , and the work medium can flow directly through the connection channels  7  and  8  from one of the work spaces  11  or  12  into the other work space. Accordingly, the medium no longer flows through the valve assemblies  14  and  15  because of their high flow resistance which comprises the blocking force of the entire system. In this way, the door can be moved very easily in the closing direction and in the opening direction. The valve of the valve unit  77  can preferably be opened when, for example, a user&#39;s hand is sensed at a door handle, not shown. 
     It is clear from the embodiment forms shown in  FIGS. 11 to 14  that various functions can also be provided subsequently when the locking device is already installed, namely, in addition to the simple locking function, an obstacle function can be provided through the installation of the valve unit  72  and a convenience function can be provided through the installation of the valve unit  77 , or both additional functions can be provided at the same time. 
     Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.