Patent Publication Number: US-9893467-B2

Title: Connector position assurance device, a connector apparatus having male and female connector assemblies with terminal position assurance devices and the connector position assurance device, a male connector assembly, a female connector assembly, and a method for assembling the connector apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/266,294, filed Dec. 11, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a connector position assurance (CPA) device for assuring the engagement of male and female connector assemblies, a connector apparatus having the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly, the male connector assembly having a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device for connecting thereto at least a set of terminals, and the female connector assembly having a female terminal position (TPA) device for connecting thereto at least a set of terminals. The female connector assembly further includes the CPA device for locking the male and female connector assemblies together. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To ensure that the male terminal position assurance (TPA) device is made available for connecting to the male connector assembly during transport thereof, the male TPA is engaged, in a pre-set position or a pre-lock position, to the male connector assembly. Also, to ensure that the female terminal position assurance (TPA) device is made available for connecting to the female connector assembly during transport thereof, the female TPA is engaged, in a pre-set position or a pre-lock position, to the female connector assembly. 
     In addition to the female TPA at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position engagement with the female connector assembly, the female connector assembly engages thereto, during the transport thereof, with the connector position assurance (CPA) device at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position. 
     At least a terminal is provided into each of the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly, when each of their respective male TPA and female TPA is at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position. The male connector assembly and female connector assembly are engaged together, and the engagement thereof is assured when the CPA device is placed at a full-lock position. The set of terminals provided for the male connector assembly is secured thereto when the male TPA thereof is placed at a full-lock position. Similarly, the set of terminals provided for the female connector assembly is secured thereto when the female TPA thereof is placed at a full-lock position. 
     Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention are set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanations without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the connector apparatus of the present invention having male and female connector assemblies, along with their respective terminal position assurance (TPA) devices. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top perspective view of the female connector assembly.  FIG. 2B  is a bottom perspective view of the female connector assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the connector position assurance (CPA) device of the female connector assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the terminal position assurance (TPA) device of the female connector assembly. 
         FIG. 5A  is a top perspective view of the male connector assembly.  FIG. 5B  is a side end elevational view of the male connector assembly. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top perspective view of the terminal position assurance (TPA) device of the male connector assembly.  FIG. 6B  is a side end elevational view of the TPA device of the male connector assembly. 
         FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view of the female connector assembly, having its TPA and CPA both at pre-set positions or pre-lock positions, ready for transport.  FIG. 7B  is a top perspective view of the female connector assembly, having its CPA device in a pre-set position or a pre-lock position and its TPA device in a full-lock position. 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  8 A- 8 A in  FIG. 7A , showing the TPA device of the female connector assembly in its pre-set position or pre-lock position.  FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  8 B- 8 B in  FIG. 7B , showing the TPA device of the female connector assembly in its full-lock position. 
         FIG. 9A  is a side end elevational view of the male connector assembly with its male TPA inserted and accommodated therein.  FIG. 9B  is a side elevational view of the male connector assembly having its TPA at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position.  FIG. 9C  is a side elevational view of the male connector assembly having its TPA at a full-lock position. 
         FIG. 10A  is a top perspective view of the connector apparatus of this invention with its male and female connector assemblies fully assembled and their respective TPAs at full-lock positions therein and with the CPA at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position.  FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  10 B- 10 B in  FIG. 10A  of the connector apparatus, showing the TPAs thereof at full-lock positions and the CPA thereof at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position. 
         FIG. 11A  is a top perspective view of the connector apparatus of this invention with its male and female connector assemblies fully assembled and their respective TPAs at full-lock positions therein and with the CPA at a full-lock position.  FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  11 B- 11 B in  FIG. 11A  of the connector apparatus, showing the TPAs thereof at full-lock positions and the CPA thereof at a full-lock position. 
         FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  12 A- 12 A in  FIG. 10A , showing the assembled connector apparatus with its CPA at a partial-lock position.  FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  12 B- 12 B in  FIG. 11A , showing the assembled connector apparatus with its CPA at a full-lock position. 
         FIG. 13A  is a side end elevational view of the assembled connector apparatus with its CPA at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position.  FIG. 13B  is a side end elevational view of the assembled connector apparatus with its CPA at a full-lock position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates, in an exploded perspective view, the connector apparatus, generally referred to by reference number  1 , which includes a female connector assembly  3  and a male connector assembly  5 . The female connector assembly  3  includes a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device  6  and a connector position assurance (CPA) device  8 . The male connector assembly  5  includes a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device  10 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the female connector assembly  3 , which includes a side slot  13  on a side thereof and a top slot  15  on a top side  18  thereof. A corner slot  20  is provided through a corner portion  23  of the top side  18  of the female connector assembly  3 . As explained later, the side slot  13  receives the female terminal assurance (TPA) device  6 , while the corner slot  20  receives the CPA device  8 . 
     An elongated flexible member  25  (see,  FIG. 2B ) extends partially or entirely along a side  27  of the female connector assembly  3  and is preferably integral thereto. Extending from a side  28  of the elongated flexible member  25  are a pair of protruding members  30  and extending from a side end portion of the elongated flexible member  25  is a protrusion  120 , the significance of which are explained later. Although a pair of protruding members  30  are shown, a single protruding member may be employed. A ledge portion  32  (see,  FIG. 2A ) extends from an opposite side  37  of the female connector assembly  3 . 
     At an end portion  40  of the female connector assembly  3  (see,  FIG. 2A ), terminal apertures  43 , which include a set of upper apertures  45  and a set of lower apertures  47 , are provided. Another end portion  50  (see,  FIG. 2B ) of the female connector assembly  3  includes another set of apertures  53  for receiving therein at least a set of terminals (not shown). As further shown in  FIG. 2B , an elongated protrusion  31  extends along the end portion  50  of the female connector assembly  3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the CPA device  8  having an upper portion  51 . Extending from the upper portion  51  are a first leg portion  52 , a second leg portion  54 , and a third leg portion  56 . The first leg portion  52  is substantially V-shaped with an elongated indentation  57  extending along thereon. The bottom portion of the V-shaped first leg portion  52  includes a blocking member  62  and a ledge portion  69  for assisting in ensuring that, as more fully discussed later, the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  does not move inward. The second leg portion  54  includes a long portion  64  and short portion  66 , the long portion  64  being substantially U-shaped, and the short portion  66  being substantially L-shaped with an exposed inside surface  67 . Further extending from the upper portion  51  of the CPA device  8  is a flexible leg  59  having a substantially tapered external surface  61 . 
     As discussed later, the first leg portion  52 , the second leg portion  54 , the third leg portion  56 , and the flexible leg  59  interface with the corner slot  20  passing through the corner portion  23  of the top side  18  of the female connector assembly  3  when the CPA device  8  is inserted into the corner slot  23 . As further discussed later, the CPA device  8 , with the above-described features and structural arrangements, allows the CPA device  8  to be in the pre-set position (or the pre-lock) position and the full-lock position when inserted into the corner slot  20  passing through the corner portion  23  of the top side  18  of the female connector assembly, the full-lock position of the CPA device  8  assuring the full engagement, and subsequent locking, of the female connector assembly  3  to the male connector assembly  5 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the TPA device  6  of the female connector assembly  3 . Extending from a top portion  55  of the female TPA device  6  are a pair of elongated members  58 . Also extending from a bottom portion  60  of the female TPA device  6  are another pair of elongated members  63 , which extend, partially or fully, along the bottom portion  60  of the female TPA device  6 . 
     Shown in  FIG. 5A  is the male connector assembly  5  having a one end portion  79  and another end portion  81 . The male connector assembly  5  includes a first side elongated slot  65  at each of opposing sides  70 ,  73  of a first part  75  of the male connector assembly  5 . A second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5  includes a second side elongated slot  68 . An opening  80 , for accommodating therein, the female connector assembly  3 , has an opening portion  83  with a wider width. When shown at a side end elevational view of the male connector assembly  5  (i.e., when viewed from the opening  80 ),  FIG. 5B  illustrates a pair of flexible lance members  84 , which extend from an internal upper surface of the end portion  81  of the male connector assembly  5  toward an internal space  88  of the first part  75  of the male connector assembly  5 . As discussed later, the flexible lance members  84  crimp the set of terminals (not shown) inserted into a set of terminal apertures at the end portion  81  of the male connector assembly  5  when the male TPA device  10  is inserted through the opening  80  (at the end portion  79 ) and onto the flexible lance members  84 . 
     As also illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the opening portion  83  includes substantially U-shaped side portions  90  for guiding the entry of the female connector assembly  3  through the opening  80  of the male connector assembly  5 . Further, the internal space  88  has sides  93  shaped or configured for accommodating and guiding therein the male TPA device  10  upon entry through the opening  80 , and consequently through the internal space  88 , into the male connector assembly  5 . 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates the male TPA device  10  having a first end portion  95  and a second end portion  98 . On each side  100  of the male TPA device  10  are a pair of protrusions  103 ,  105 , the protrusion  103  being nearer to second end portion  98 , and the protrusion  105  being nearer to the first end portion  95 . Elongated slots  108  pass through an upper portion  110  of the male TPA device  10 , while apertures  105  pass through the first end portion  95  of the male TPA device  10 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 6B , viewed at an elevational view from the second end portion  98  of the male TPA device  10 , the male TPA device  10  includes legs  115  at both sides thereof and internal ledge portions  118 . Substantially U-shaped cavities  120  are formed within the internal structure of the male TPA device  10  to correspond to the sides  93  that form the above-described internal space  88 , shown in  FIG. 5B , of the male connector assembly  5  for allowing the male TPA device  10  to travel and be guided through the internal space  88  of the male TPA device  10  upon entry thereof into the male connector assembly  5 . 
     The method for assembling the connector apparatus  1  is hereinafter described. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the female TPA device  6  is inserted into the side slot  13  of the female connector assembly  3  until one of the pair of elongated members  58 , extending from the top portion  55  of the female TPA device  6 , is fully inserted into the top slot  15  of the female connector assembly  3 , while the other one of the pair of elongated members  58  remains outside of the top slot  15 . With the other one of the pair of elongated members  58  of the female TPA device  6  remaining outside of the top slot  15  of the female connector assembly  3  and the female TPA device  6  refraining from being pushed further through the side slot  13  of the female connector assembly  3 , the female TPA device  6  is at a pre-lock position. 
     With the female TPA device  6 , at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position, the CPA device  8  is also shown in  FIG. 7A  in a pre-set position or a pre-lock position. The CPA device  8  remains at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position while its flexible leg  59  remains un-inserted and outside of the corner slot  20  of the female connector assembly  3 . With the female TPA device  6  in a pre-set position or a pre-lock position and the CPA device  8  also in a pre-set position or a pre-lock position, the female connector assembly  3  is readily transported as a single unit, which includes thereto the female TPA device  6  and the CPA device  8 . 
     In  FIG. 7B , the CPA device  8  remains at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position; however, the female TPA device  6  has been completely pushed through the side slot  13  of the female connector assembly  3  and the pair of elongated members  58  have now both been inserted into the top slot  15  of the female connector assembly  3 . Thus, the female TPA device  6  is, as shown in  FIG. 7B , now in full-lock position. 
       FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  8 A- 8 A in  FIG. 7A , showing the female TPA device  6  of the female connector assembly  3  in its pre-set position or its pre-lock position. As discussed above, with respect to  FIG. 7A , shown in  FIG. 8A  is one of the pair of elongated members  58 , extending from the top portion  55  of the female TPA device  6 , fully inserted into the top slot  15  of the female connector assembly  3 , while the other one of the pair of elongated members  58  remains outside of the top slot  15 . With the other one of the pair of elongated members  58  of the female TPA device  6  remaining outside of the top slot  15  of the female connector assembly  3  and the female TPA device  6  refraining from being pushed further through the side slot  13  of the female connector assembly  3 , the female TPA device  6  is at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position. 
       FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  8 B- 8 B in  FIG. 7B , showing the female TPA device  6  of the female connector assembly  3  in its full-lock position. Here, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 7B , the CPA device  8  remains at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position; however, the female TPA device  6  has been completely pushed through the side slot  13  of the female connector assembly  3  and the pair of elongated members  58  have now both been inserted into the top slot  15  of the female connector assembly  3 . Thus, the female TPA device  6  is, as shown in  FIG. 8B , now in full-lock position. 
     As can further be seen in  FIG. 8B , the pair of elongated members  63 , which extend from the bottom portion  60  of the female TPA device  6 , are used for crimping a set of terminals (not shown) that pass through the set of apertures  53  at the end portion  50  of the female connector assembly  3 . Thus, with the female TPA device  6  being in full-lock position with the female connector assembly  3 , the connection of the set of terminals, inserted into the apertures  53 , to the female connector assembly  3  is assured. 
     Next, illustrated in  FIG. 9A  is the male TPA device  10  having been inserted through the opening  80  of the male connector assembly  5  and subsequently through the internal space  88  of the male connector assembly  5 . The internal space  88  has sides  93 , which are shaped or configured for accommodating and guiding therein the male TPA device  10  upon entry through the opening  80 , and consequently through the internal space  88 , of the male connector assembly  5 . The entry of the male TPA device  10  is through the opening  80  at the end portion  79  of the male connector assembly  5 . The male TPA device  10 , upon entry into the internal space  88 , is either pushed independently with a device or by the female connector assembly  3  when the female connector assembly  3  is inserted into the opening  80  of the male connector assembly  5 . The male TPA device  10  is pushed through the internal space  88  until one protrusion  103  of the pair of protrusions  103 ,  105  is inserted through the elongated slot  65 . It is noted that the pair of protrusions  103 ,  105  extend on each side  100  of the male TPA device  10 , and the side elongated slot  65  exists at each of the opposing sides  70 ,  73  of the first part  75  of the male connector assembly  5 . When the one protrusion  103  of the pair of protrusions  103 ,  105  is inserted through the elongated slot  65  of the male connector assembly  5 , the male TPA device  10  is at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position inside the internal space  88  within the first part  75  of the male connector assembly  5 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . 
     With the male TPA device  10  in a pre-lock position, the male connector assembly  5  is readily transported as a single unit, along with the male TPA device  10 . 
     When the male TPA device  10  is further pushed, again either independently with a device or by the female connector assembly  3 , the pair of protrusions  103 ,  105  is inserted through the elongated slot  65  of the male connector assembly  5 , as shown in  FIG. 9C . Consequently, the male TPA device  10  is at a full-lock position inside the internal space  88  within the first part  75  of the male connector assembly  5 . With the male TPA device  10  being in full-lock position with the male connector assembly  5 , the male TPA device  10  pushes the flexible lance members  84 , which in turn crimp the set of terminals (not shown) inserted into a set of terminal apertures at the end portion  81  of the male connector assembly  5  when the male TPA device  10  is inserted through the opening  80  (at the end portion  79 ) and onto the flexible lance members  84 , at a full-lock position, with the pair of protrusions  103 ,  105  having been fully inserted through the elongated slot  65  of the male connector assembly  5 . With the crimping of the set of terminals, after having the male TPA device  10  at full-lock position, the connection of the set of terminals to the male connector assembly  5  is assured. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates the connector apparatus  1  with its female connector assembly  3  and male connector assembly  5  fully assembled and their female TPA device  6  and male TPA device  10 , respectively, at full-lock positions therein and with the CPA device  8  at a partial-lock position. With the female connector assembly  3  fully inserted into the male connector assembly  5 , shown in  FIG. 10A  are the first part  75  and the second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5 , and the female connector assembly  3  extending from the end portion  79  of the male connector assembly  5 . Also shown in  FIG. 10A  are the pair of protrusions  103 ,  105  of the male TPA device  10 , both protrusions  103 ,  105  having been fully inserted into the first side elongated slot  65  of the first part  75  of the male connector assembly  5  and extending out through the first side elongated slot  65  of the male connector assembly  5 . 
     An upper part  126  of the male connector assembly  5  has depressed inward the flexible leg  59  of the CPA device  8 . When the flexible leg  59  of the CPA device  8  has moved inward, the CPA device  8  is pushed, through the corner slot  20  of the female connector assembly  3 , into a final-lock position. (See, also,  FIGS. 12A and 12B .) 
       FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  10 B- 10 B in  FIG. 10A , showing the CPA device  8  at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position. Further shown in  FIG. 10B  are the pair of protruding members  30  of the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  having been fully inserted into the second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5  and extending through the second side elongated slot  68  of the second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5 .  FIG. 10B  also illustrates the female TPA device  6  in a full-lock position, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 8B . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  show the connector apparatus  1  with its male and female connector assemblies  3 ,  5  fully assembled and their respective TPA devices  6 ,  10  at full-lock positions therein and with the CPA device  8  at a full-lock position. That is,  FIGS. 11A and 11B  are similar to what is shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , except that in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the CPA device  8  is at a full-lock position. Here, the CPA device  8 , along with its first leg portion  52 , and flexible leg  59 , are fully inserted through the corner slot  20  of the female connector assembly  3 , while the second leg portion  54  and the third leg portion  56  straddle the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  so that the second leg portion  54  (more specifically, the short portion  66  of the second leg portion  54 ) of the CPA device  8  blocks the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  from moving inward such that the pair of protruding members  30  of the elongated flexible member  25  extend sideways or outward through the second side elongated slot  68  of the second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5 . Moreover, the blocking member  62  of the first leg portion  52  also blocks the flexible member  25  from moving inward, while the ledge portion  69  of the first leg portion  52  abuts against an upper surface of the flexible member  25 . With the protruding members  30  extending through the second side elongated slot  68 , the full engagement of the female connector assembly  3  into the male connector assembly  5  is assured because the pair of protruding members  30  of the elongated flexible member  25 , with the elongated flexible member  25  being blocked by the first leg portion  52  and the second leg portion  54  of the CPA device  8 , assures that the female connector assembly  3  cannot be dislodged or removed from the male connector assembly  5 . 
     With the above-described structural arrangements, while the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  is blocked from moving inward by the second leg portion  54  of the CPA device  8 , the third leg portion  56  blocks any possible outward movement of the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3 . Thus, the second leg portion  54  and the third leg portion  56  block the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  from moving inward or outward, which assures that the pair of protruding members  30  of the elongated flexible member  25  remain extended sideways or outward through the second side elongated slot  68  of the second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5 , which subsequently assures that the female connector assembly  3  cannot be dislodged or removed from the male connector assembly  5 . 
     It is noted that the shape of the corner slot  20  substantially resembles the cross-sectional shapes of the first leg portion  52  and the flexible leg  59  (with the cross-section taken along an upper section of the flexible leg  59 ) of the CPA device  8 . 
       FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  12 A- 12 A in  FIG. 10A , showing the assembled connector apparatus  1  with its CPA device  8  at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position. Shown here are the first leg portion  52 , the second leg portion  59 , and the flexible leg  59  of the CPA device  8  waiting to be fully inserted into the corner slot  20  of the female connector assembly  3 . An upper part  126  of the male connector assembly  5  has depressed inward the flexible leg  59  of the CPA device  8 . When the flexible leg  59  of the CPA device  8  has moved inward ( FIG. 12A ), the CPA device  8  is pushed, through the corner slot  20  of the female connector assembly  3 , into a final-lock position ( FIG. 12B .) 
       FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  12 B- 12 B in  FIG. 11A , showing the assembled connector apparatus  1  with its CPA device  8  at a full-lock position. Shown here are the first leg portion  52 , the second leg portion  59 , and the flexible leg  59  of the CPA device  8  fully inserted through the corner slot  20  of the female connector assembly  3 . The CPA device  8  is locked within female connector assembly by its flexible leg  59 . With the second leg portion  54  of the CPA device  8 , now fully inserted through the corner slot  20 , the second leg portion  54 , as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , blocks the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  from moving inward such that the pair of protruding members  30  of the elongated flexible member  25  extend sideways or outward through the second side elongated slot  68  of the second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5 . As described above, with respect to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , with the protruding members  30  extending through the second side elongated slot  68 , the full engagement of the female connector assembly  3  into the male connector assembly  5  is assured. 
       FIG. 13A  is a side end elevational view of the assembled connector apparatus  1  with its CPA device  8  at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position, which is viewed from the end portion  79  and through the opening  80  of the male connector assembly  5 . With the ledge portion  32  of the female connector assembly  3  having been fully guided by the U-shaped side portion  90  of the opening portion  83  of the male connector assembly  5 , the female connector assembly  3  has been fully inserted into the male connector assembly  5 . 
       FIG. 13B  is a side end elevational view of the assembled connector apparatus  1  with its CPA device  8  at a full-lock position. The second leg portion  54  and the third leg portion  56  of the CPA device  8  are shown as locking the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  in place. More particularly, the short portion  66  of the second leg portion  54  directly abuts against the elongated flexible member  25  on one side thereof, while the third leg portion  56  directly abuts against a protrusion  120  of the elongated flexible member  25  on another side thereof. Assuring that the elongated flexible member  25  is locked in place, a hook portion  125  extending at a bottom portion of the third leg portion  56  engages a bottom portion of the protrusion  120  of the elongated flexible member  25 . With the assurance that the elongated flexible member  25  is blocked from being moved inward and is fully locked in place, it is assured that the pair protruding members  30  of the elongated flexible member  25  of the female connector assembly  3  remain inserted into the second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5  and remain extended through the second side elongated slot  68  of the second part  78  of the male connector assembly  5 , which assures that the female connector assembly  3  remains engaged with the male connector assembly  5 . 
     Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.