Patent Publication Number: US-2023147481-A1

Title: Magnetic door lock control system and method

Description:
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
     This patent document contains material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of this patent document or any related materials in the files of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to locking systems, including magnetic door lock control systems for use with egress handles and doors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Glass doorway systems typically incorporate egress handle systems that enable users to open the doors. In operation, the user simply presses against a mechanical switch bar (i.e., the door push handle) that electrically activates the door to unlock so that the user may open the door and pass through. In some installations of this sort (e.g., with aluminum framed glass doors), the locking mechanism is mounted above the doorway in the header of the entrance such that electrical wires are required to extend from the mechanical switch bar, across the door jamb, and to the locking mechanism. 
     In other installations (e.g., for heavy glass doors), wires from the mechanical switch bar may be concealed within a round tubing handle routed through the top of a vertical handle tube and into the top door rail, through a wire conduit (door loop) at the hinge side of the door rail, and into the header above where it is connected to an electromagnetic door lock. 
     In either arrangement, the mechanical switch bar communicates electrically, through electrical wires, with the locking mechanism to activate and deactivate the door lock. The electrical wires are typically encased in shielding and provided as a connectorized wire loop. However, the wire loop cannot be easily hidden from view, and may distract from the clean and simple appearance of the glass entryway. In addition, the wire loop may be prone to corrosion and tampering. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a magnetic door lock control system that eliminates the need for the electrical wire loop, and that instead, utilizes magnetic forces as a way for an egress handle system to communicate with a door locking mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    shows aspects of a magnetic door lock control system according to exemplary embodiments hereof; 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  show aspects of a first and second magnet according to exemplary embodiments hereof; 
         FIG.  3    shows an exploded view of a magnetic door lock control system according to exemplary embodiments hereof; 
         FIG.  4    shows an exploded view of an actuator assembly and a switch assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof; 
         FIG.  5    shows aspects of an actuator assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  show aspects of various configurations of an actuator assembly and a switch assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof; 
         FIG.  7    shows aspects of an actuator assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and 
         FIG.  8    show aspects of a magnetic door lock control system according to exemplary embodiments hereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     In general, the system according to exemplary embodiments hereof provides a magnetic door lock control system. The magnetic door lock control system employs magnets that communicate with one another across the door jamb thereby eliminating the need for a hard wired electrical connection between an egress handle system (e.g., a mechanical switch bar) configured with a door and a door locking mechanism mounted above the door in the header of the entranceway. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 8   , the system  10  according to exemplary embodiments hereof will be described in further detail. 
     In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in  FIG.  1   , the magnetic door lock control system  10  (also referred to herein as simply the system  10 ), includes an actuator assembly  100 , and a switch assembly  200 . In some embodiments the system  10  also may include a door stop assembly  300  and/or a lock assembly  400 . In general, the actuator assembly  100  interfaces with an egress handle system H configured with a door assembly D (e.g., a glass panel door assembly) such that when a person activates the handles H to open the door D, the actuator assembly  100  triggers the switch assembly  200  which in turn causes the lock assembly  400  to unlock the door D. In some embodiments, the actuator assembly  100  and/or the switch assembly  200  may be configured with the door stop assembly  300  in the header of the doorway. 
     As will be described herein, in some embodiments the actuator assembly  100  interfaces with the egress handles H magnetically thereby eliminating the need for electrical control wires between the handles H and the actuator assembly  100 . Note that the assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  and the other elements shown in  FIG.  1    are represented as simple blocks to demonstrate the general relationship between the assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  themselves and between the assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  and the other elements, and that  FIG.  1    does not represent the exact sizes, locations, orientations and/or other characteristics of the assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  and of the other elements. The system  10  also may include additional elements and components as necessary for the system  10  to fulfill its intended functionalities. 
     Notably, the system  10  utilizes magnets (preferably permanent magnets) and magnetic forces exerted thereby to provide communication between an egress handle system H and the actuator assembly  100  to unlock a door D. In some embodiments as shown in  FIG.  1   , the actuator assembly  100  includes a first magnet  102  configured with the egress handle system H, and a second magnet  104  in magnetic alignment with the first magnet  102 , the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  separated by a gap  103 , such that magnetic forces between the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  may communicate with one another to affect physical movement between the magnets  102 ,  104 . In some embodiments, it is preferable that the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  are permanent magnets (e.g., as opposed to electromagnetic magnets). 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the interface ( 1 ) between the egress handle system H and the first magnet  102  is preferably mechanical and/or electrical such that activation of the egress handle H causes a physical movement of the first magnet  102  (e.g., up and/or down). The interface ( 2 ) between the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  is purely magnetic such that physical movement of the first magnet  102  causes a corresponding physical movement of the second magnet  104 . The interface ( 3 ) between the second magnet  104  and the actuator assembly  100  is mechanical such that movement of the second magnet  104  causes an associated mechanical movement within the actuator assembly  100 . The interface ( 4 ) between the actuator assembly  100  and the switch assembly  200  is mechanical such that a mechanical movement within the actuator assembly  100  (caused by the movement of the second magnet  104 ) causes a mechanical actuation of the switch assembly  200  (e.g., a pressing of a plunger-type actuator on the switch  200 ). The interface ( 5 ) between the switch assembly  200  and the lock assembly  400  is electrical with the switch assembly  200  sending electrical control signals to the lock assembly  400  when triggered to unlock the door D. 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  provide information regarding the arrangement of the first magnet&#39;s  102 &#39;s poles with respect to the second magnet&#39;s  104 &#39;s poles. As shown in  FIG.  2 A , with the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  configured to attract one another, e.g., with opposing poles facing one another (e.g., N-S or S-N) across a gap  103 , a downward movement of the first magnet  102  in the direction of arrow A will cause a corresponding downward movement of the second magnet  104  in the direction of arrow B. In another example as shown in  FIG.  2 B , with the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  configured to repel one another, e.g., with same poles facing one another (e.g., N-N or S-S), an upward movement of the first magnet  102  in the direction of arrow C will cause a corresponding upward movement of the second magnet  104  in the direction of arrow D. 
     It is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the size and magnetic strength of the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  are chosen to provide adequate attractive and/or repulsive forces between the magnets  102 ,  104  in order to provide the functionalities as described herein. It also is understood that the alignment of the magnets  102 ,  104 , and the spacing between the magnets  102 ,  104  (i.e., the gap  103  between the magnets  102 ,  104 ) is chosen to provide the same. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  are aligned along a common vertical axis (e.g., along the Y-axis as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B ), but other alignments also may be used. 
       FIG.  3    shows an exploded view of the system  10  including the actuator assembly  100 , the switch assembly  200 , and the door stop assembly  300 , and  FIG.  4    shows an exploded view of the actuator assembly  100  and the switch assembly  200 . 
       FIG.  5    shows a side view of the actuator assembly  100  configured with the switch assembly  200 . As shown, and according to some embodiments hereof, the actuator assembly  100  includes a first magnet  102  aligned with a second magnet  104 , with the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  separated by a gap  103 . The first magnet  102  is configured with an egress door handle H (represented as a sheath and internal linkage configured with the first magnet  102 ) such that when the handle H is activated (e.g., a mechanical switch bar is pressed forward), the first magnet  102  is caused to move downward. In this embodiment, the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  are in attractive alignment (also see  FIG.  2 A ) such that downward movement of the first magnet  102  causes a corresponding downward movement of the second magnet  104 . 
     The actuator assembly  100  includes an actuator arm  106  coupled to the second magnet  104  and rotatably configured with an actuator base  108  about a pivot point  110  (via a pivot pin  111 ). The actuator arm  106  includes a first portion  112  extending away from a first side of the pivot point  110  and a second portion  114  extending away from a second side of the pivot point  110 . In some embodiments, the first and second portions  112 ,  114  of the actuator arm  106  are generally orthogonal with respect to one another (forming a “L” shaped arm  106  as shown in  FIG.  5   ), but it is understood that other orientations between the first and second portions  112 ,  114  (such as in-line or offset at other angles) also are contemplated. In some embodiments, the second magnet  104  is coupled to the first portion  112  of the arm  106  (e.g., to the underside of the first portion&#39;s  112 &#39;s distal end) and the second portion  114  of the arm  106  is configured to trigger the switch  200 . 
     In some embodiments as shown by arrows E, F and G of  FIG.  5   , downward movement of the first magnet  102  in the direction of arrow E causes a corresponding downward movement of the second magnet  104  in the direction of arrow F which in turn causes a clockwise rotational movement of the actuator arm  106  about the pivot point  110  in the direction of arrow G. In this arrangement, a clockwise rotational movement of the arm  106  includes a clockwise rotational movement of both the first and second portions  112 ,  114  of the arm  106 . The clockwise rotational movement of the second portion  114  exerts a force F 1  to the switch&#39;s plunger-type actuator  204  thereby triggering the switch  202  to electronically activate the lock assembly  400  to unlock the door D. 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  112  of the actuator arm  106  includes a stop  113  extending between the first portion  112  and a surface of the actuator base  108  (e.g., the lower surface of the base  108  directly above the actuator arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s first portion  112 ). The stop  113  may be designed to limit the upward movement of the first portion  112  to avoid misalignment and/or damage to the assembly  100 . 
     The switch  200  may include a direct current switch  202  including a plunger-type actuator  204  that when pressed inwards activates the switch  202 . It is understood however, that any type of suitable switch may be used as is known in the art. Accordingly, the actuator assembly  100  in this embodiment is configured to convert the downward movement of the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  into an activation force applied to the switch  200 . 
     In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the switch  202  include a built-in magnetic blowout feature that protects the electrical contacts within the switch from arc erosion. 
     In some embodiments, the switch  202  includes an actuator spring  206  concentrically configured with the plunger-type actuator  204  to provide an outward bias to the actuator arm&#39;s  106 ′s second portion  114 . In this way, the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s second portion  114 , when at rest, is held away from the switch&#39;s  202 &#39;s plunger-type actuator  206  to avoid inadvertent triggering of the switch  202 . It is preferable that the level of outward bias exerted by the spring  206  onto the second portion  114  be less than the inward force F 1  provided by the second portion  114  when caused to move by the movement of the second magnet  104 . In this way, the second portion  114  may adequately press the plunger  206  inward to trigger the switch  202  when in use. 
     It can be seen then that one inventive concept of the system  10  is that the actuator assembly  100  establishes a magnetic force between the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  across a gap  103 , enables the first magnet  102  to be moved (e.g., through its configuration with the egress handles H) and utilizes the magnetic force between the magnets  102 ,  104  to cause movement of the second magnet  104  without physical or electrical connections. The actuation assembly  200  also redirects the movement of the second magnet  104  into a force that actuates the switch assembly  200  that in turn triggers the lock assembly  400  to unlock the door D. 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  illustrate various types of actuator arms  106  (with first and second portions  112 ,  114  coupled about a pivot point  110 ) in various configurations to demonstrate the flexibility of the system&#39;s  10 &#39;s architecture. 
       FIG.  6 A  shows the “L” shaped actuator arm  106  and switch  202  configuration described above in relation to  FIG.  5   . In this embodiment, the poles of the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  are aligned to attract one another (see  FIG.  2 A ) such that a downward movement of the first magnet  102  in the direction of arrow H causes a downward movement of the second magnet  104  in the direction of arrow I that causes a clockwise rotation of the actuator arm  106  in the direction of arrow J that causes a left-to-right force F 1  exerted by the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s second portion  114  onto the plunger-type actuator  206  of the switch  202 . 
       FIG.  6 B  shows an “L” shaped actuator arm  106  with the switch  202  configured on the opposite side of the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s second portion  114 . In this embodiment, the poles of the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  are aligned to repel one another (see  FIG.  2 B ) such that an upward movement of the first magnet  102  in the direction of arrow K causes an upward movement of the second magnet  104  in the direction of arrow J that causes a counterclockwise rotation of the actuator arm  106  in the direction of the arrow M that causes a right-to-left force F 1  exerted by the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s second portion  114  onto the plunger-type actuator  206  of the switch  202 . 
       FIG.  6 C  shows a straight actuator arm  106  with the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s first and second portions  112 ,  114  in-line with one another about the pivot point  110  and with the switch  202  configured above the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s second portion  114 . In this embodiment, the poles of the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  are aligned to attract one another (see  FIG.  2 A ) such that a downward movement of the first magnet  102  in the direction of the arrow N causes a downward movement of the second magnet  104  in the direction of the arrow O that causes a clockwise rotation of the actuator arm  106  in the direction of the arrow P that causes an upward force F 3  exerted by the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s second portion  114  onto the plunger-type actuator  206  of the switch  202 . 
       FIG.  6 D  shows a straight actuator arm  106  with the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s first and second portions  112 ,  114  in-line with one another about the pivot point  110  and with the switch configured below the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s second portion  114 . In this embodiment, the poles of the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  are aligned to repel one another (see  FIG.  2 B ) such that an upward movement of the first magnet  102  in the direction of the arrow Q causes an upward movement of the second magnet  104  in the direction of arrow R that causes a counterclockwise rotation of the actuator arm  106  in the direction of the arrow S that causes a downward force F 4  exerted by the arm&#39;s  106 &#39;s second portion  114  onto the plunger-type actuator of the switch  202 . 
     It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the arrangements shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  are meant for demonstration and that the system  10  may implement any variations of these arrangements as necessary. For example, the first and second portions  112 ,  114  of the actuator arm  106  may be oriented at any offset angles between the orthogonal and in-line arrangements shown, and any combinations and/or variations thereof. The switch  202  also may be located and oriented accordingly in any way to receive a force from the second portion  114  of the actuator arm  106  as required to trigger the switch  202  and to unlock the door D. 
     The architecture and structure of the actuator assembly  100  and its configuration with the overall system  10  may be designed in different ways to support the various elements and assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  in relation to one another and in relation to the egress handles H and the door D such that the system  10  is able to perform its various functionalities as described herein. 
     For example, in one embodiment as shown in  FIG.  7   , the switch  202  is mounted to an upper surface of the actuator base  108  generally above and to the right of the pivot point  110 . The pivot point  110  is established between the actuator base  108  and the actuator arm  106  by a pivot pin  111  passing through aligned openings  109  through the base  108  and the arm  106 . Then, in some embodiments, with the base  108  mounted to a surface of the door stop assembly  300  (as described in other sections) the actuator arm  106  is free to move relative to the base  108  and door stop assembly  300  combination. 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG.  8   , the actuator assembly  100  and the switch assembly  200  may be coupled to the door stop assembly  300 . In this way, the combination of assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be mounted together (e.g., in the header of the doorway) and configured with an egress door system H and a door D within an entranceway. 
     In some embodiments, the door stop assembly  300  includes a housing  302 . The housing  302  includes a left side  304 , a right side  306 , a front side  308 , a back side  310 , a top side  312 , and a bottom side  314 . In some embodiments, the housing  302  includes a cavity  316  adapted to receive at least a portion of the actuator assembly  100  and/or the switch assembly  200 . In some embodiments, the cavity  316  is located in the top side  314  towards the front side  310 . However, it is understood that the cavity  304  may be located in any side and/or location on the housing  302  as required by the system  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuator base  108  is coupled to the top side  314  of the housing  302 . For example, the base  108  may include bolt holes in each of its corners that align with corresponding bolt holes in the housing&#39;s  302 &#39;s top side  312  on either sides of the cavity  316  such that bolts may pass through the base  108  and into the housing  302  to secure the base  108  thereto. In this arrangement, the actuator arm  106  may be positioned generally above (and/or partially within) the cavity  316  so that the arm  106  may rotate into the cavity  316  when movement of the first magnet  102  causes movement of the second magnet  104 . In particular, the first portion  112  of the actuator arm  106  and the second magnet  104  may move within the cavity  316  when the first magnet  102  causes the second magnet  104  to move. 
     In some embodiments the lock assembly  400  may include one or more electromagnetic locks  402  (see  FIG.  1   ) configured to lock and/or unlock the door D. As is known in the art, the lock assembly  400  may be configured in any location and orientation required to perform these functionalities. For example, the lock assembly  400  may be configured with a door jamb, a door rail, and/or with any other component and/or system associated with the door D in order to lock and unlock the door D. 
     Given the above, in some embodiments, it may be preferable that the switch assembly  200  include high current handling capacity to enable direct operation of the lock(s)  402  (e.g., a 10 amp@125 VDC (resistive) SPDT switch rated at 1,000,000 mechanical operations). 
     It is understood that while the lock assembly  400  may include internal switches that utilize magnets and/or magnetic fields, these magnets may typically include electromagnetic magnets as opposed to permanent magnets. It also is understood that the magnets  102 ,  104  are separate and distinct from any magnets that may be included in the lock assembly  400 . 
     It is understood that electrical wires or other types of connections may be implemented between the output terminals on the switch assembly  200  and the lock assembly  400 . In some embodiments, the switch  202  may include three electrical terminals to permit normally open and/or normally closed operations, and with two terminals required to interface between the switch  202  and the lock assembly  400 . 
     It is understood that any aspects and/or elements of any embodiments of the system  10  described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way to form additional embodiments of the system  10  all of which are within the scope of the system  10 . 
     Benefits of the System 
     The benefits of the system  10  are multifold and include, without limitation: 
     First, the system  10  eliminates the need for electrical current in the egress door handle. 
     Second, the system  10  eliminates the need for a wire loop across the door jamb to electrically communicate between the egress handles and the door stop assembly  300 . Instead, this is implemented using magnetic forces between the first and second magnets  102 ,  104  as described herein. 
     Third, because of the elimination of the wire loop, the overall doorway entrance includes a much cleaner appearance. 
     Fourth, because of the elimination of the wire loop, the system  10  is tamper proof. 
     Fifth, the system  10  easily interfaces with complex security systems. 
     It is understood that the benefits shown above are meant for demonstration and that other benefits of the system  10  may also exist. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand, upon reading this description, that embodiments hereof may provide different and/or other advantages, and that not all embodiments or implementations need have all advantages. 
     Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human). 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC. 
     As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”. 
     As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation. 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.” 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.” 
     In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase. 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way. 
     It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting. 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.” 
     The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about  3 ” or “approximately  3 ” shall also cover exactly  3  or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant). 
     As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated. 
     It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant). 
     Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.