Patent Publication Number: US-11044972-B2

Title: Umbrella having an exterior stretcher frame

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/746,205, filed on Oct. 16, 2018, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an umbrella. More particularly, the present invention relates to an umbrella having an interior stretcher frame and an exterior stretcher frame. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Umbrellas are designed to protect a user against natural elements, namely precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) and sunlight. Umbrellas are typically comprised of a folding canopy mounted to a frame that includes at least one hub and a plurality of stretchers. In a conventional umbrella, the hub and the stretchers are mounted on a central shaft, the canopy is formed of a fabric or a flexible plastic, and the frame and the shaft are formed of a lightweight metal or a plastic. In addition, the stretchers typically have one or more joints that permit the stretchers to extend (i.e., to open) and to retract (i.e., to close) relative to the hub and the shaft. One joint is provided at an inner end of each stretcher, where the stretcher is connected to the hub, one or more joints may be provided along a length of each stretcher, connecting the canopy to the stretcher at intermediate points, and one joint is provided at an outer end of each stretcher. When the stretchers extend, the stretchers form an arcuate shape, so as to bend downward from the hub, thereby stretching the canopy into a dome-like shape. The joints attached to the inner ends of the stretchers rotate within the hub by an amount that is usually determined by the relative shapes of the joint and the hub. The joints attached to the inner ends of the stretchers may also be spring loaded to rotate in a direction that opens the stretchers relative to the hub and the shaft. When the stretchers retract, the stretchers rotate towards the shaft, and form a straight shape generally parallel to and adjacent to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, thereby folding the canopy. 
     Umbrellas may be categorized as fully-collapsible umbrellas, in which the shaft is made up of an upper tube that supports the hub, the stretchers, and the canopy, and a lower tube into which the upper tube retracts telescopically, causing the hub to slide down toward the lower tube, and causing the stretchers and the canopy to fold towards the shaft, so that the umbrella is small enough to fit in a handbag or a backpack. The stretchers of a fully-collapsible umbrella have at least one intermediate joint provided between the joint at the inner end of the stretcher and the joint provided at the outer end of the stretcher. The intermediate joint allows the stretcher to fold in half as the upper tube of the shaft retracts into the lower tube. The fully-collapsible umbrella can, therefore, collapse so as to be reduced in overall height when the upper tube retracts into the lower tube and the stretchers fold in half along the shaft. Alternatively, umbrellas may be non-collapsible umbrellas, in which the shaft is formed of an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube moves within the outer tube, thereby moving the hub and opening or closing the stretchers and the canopy. In contrast to fully-collapsible umbrellas, the non-collapsible umbrellas do not reduce in overall height when closed. 
     Umbrellas may also be categorized as manually-operated umbrellas that require the user to manually open the umbrella by sliding a runner along the shaft, thereby urging the upper tube of a fully-collapsible umbrella, or the inner tube of a non-collapsible umbrella, upward, and urging the joints at the inner ends of the stretchers to rotate so as to extend the stretchers and to open the canopy into the dome-like shape. Umbrellas may also be categorized as spring-loaded automatic umbrellas that require the user to press a button to release a spring that forces the upper tube of a fully-collapsible umbrella, or the inner tube of a non-collapsible umbrella, upward, thereby extending the stretchers and opening the canopy into the dome-like shape. 
     The frame and the shaft of conventional umbrellas are optimized to be lightweight, so that the user can hold and support the conventional umbrella with one hand. As a result, the stretchers of the frame tend to be relatively thin. In addition, the stretchers are typically provided on a lower side of the canopy, so as to minimize the structure and, therefore, the weight of the frame of the conventional umbrella. 
     When the conventional umbrella is open, strong wind gusts can strike the lower side of the canopy, causing the stretchers to bend in an upward direction, thereby inverting the dome-like shape of the canopy. This renders the umbrella ineffective for protection from precipitation. Further, such an inversion may cause the stretchers to break and, therefore, the umbrella to become unusable. 
     The structure of the umbrella of the present invention prevents the above-described problems with conventional umbrellas. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides an umbrella comprising a shaft, a canopy, and an opening and closing mechanism. The shaft has an upper end and a lower end that define a longitudinal shaft axis. The canopy has an inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge is centrally mounted to the upper end of the shaft. The opening and closing mechanism is provided between the upper end and the lower end of the shaft. The opening and closing mechanism is configured to move the canopy between an open state and a closed state. An inner stretcher frame has an inner hub centrally mounted to the shaft on an inner side of the canopy and a plurality of inner stretchers. Each of the plurality of inner stretchers has a terminal end that is rotatably connected to the inner hub, and a distal end. An outer stretcher frame has an outer hub centrally mounted to the shaft on an outer side of the canopy and a plurality of outer stretchers. Each of the plurality of outer stretchers has a terminal end that is rotatably connected to the outer hub, and a distal end. Additionally, a plurality of connector assemblies rotatably connect the distal end of each of the plurality of inner stretchers to the distal end of a corresponding one of the plurality of outer stretchers, and retain the outer edge of the canopy. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a stretcher frame assembly for stretching a canopy of an umbrella. The assembly comprises an inner stretcher frame and an outer stretcher frame. The inner stretcher frame has an inner hub centrally mountable to a shaft of the umbrella and a plurality of inner stretchers. Each of the plurality of inner stretchers has a terminal end that is rotatably connected to the inner hub, and a distal end. The outer stretcher frame has an outer hub centrally mountable to the shaft and a plurality of outer stretchers. Each of the plurality of outer stretchers has a terminal end that is rotatably connected to the outer hub and a distal end. Additionally, a plurality of connector assemblies rotatably connect the distal end of each of the plurality of inner stretchers to the distal end of a corresponding one of the plurality of outer stretchers and are configured to retain an outer edge of the canopy. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an umbrella comprising a shaft, an opening and closing mechanism connected to the shaft, an interior stretcher frame assembly, an exterior stretcher frame assembly, and a canopy. The interior stretcher frame assembly is connected to the shaft and has a plurality of interior stretchers. The exterior stretcher frame assembly is connected to the shaft and has a plurality of exterior stretchers. The canopy is connected to the interior stretcher frame assembly and the exterior stretcher frame assembly. When the opening and closing mechanism opens, the interior stretcher frame assembly and the exterior stretcher frame assembly expand outward from the shaft, thereby opening the canopy, and, when the opening and closing mechanism closes, the interior stretcher frame assembly and the exterior stretcher frame assembly retract inward toward the shaft, thereby closing the canopy. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention are described in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the lower end of a shaft of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the lower end of the shaft shown in  FIG. 2 , taken along section line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an interior stretcher of an interior stretcher frame of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an exterior stretcher of an exterior stretcher frame of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a hub included in the interior stretcher frame and in the exterior stretcher frame of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a proximal connector of a connector assembly of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of an exterior distal connector of the connector assembly of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of an interior distal connector of the connector assembly of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a rivet of the connector assembly of the umbrella in one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the description of preferred embodiments of the invention, the terms “inner” and “outer” are used in relation to an inner side and an outer side of a canopy of an umbrella, respectively, and are interchangeable with the terms “interior” and “exterior,” respectively. The terms “upper” and “lower” are used in relation to an upper end and a lower end of a shaft, respectively, when the umbrella is oriented upright, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In addition, the terms “distal” and “proximal” are used in relation to the shaft. More specifically, “proximal” refers to a position relatively closer to the shaft, and “distal” refers to a position relatively farther from the shaft. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment of the present invention, an umbrella  100  includes a shaft  105 , a canopy  110 , an opening and closing mechanism  115 , an interior stretcher frame  120 , an exterior stretcher frame  125 , and a plurality of connector assemblies  130 . The shaft  105  has an upper end  135  and a lower end  140 , and a cap  145  is provided at the upper end  135  of the shaft  105 . The upper end  135  and the lower end  140  of the shaft  105  are aligned along a longitudinal axis A-A of the shaft  105 . The shaft  105  may be formed of a plastic or a metal. The interior stretcher frame  120  is mounted to the shaft  105  by an interior hub  150  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), and the exterior stretcher frame  125  is mounted to the shaft  105  by an exterior hub  155 . The exterior hub  155  is provided movably near the upper end  135  of the shaft  105 . The interior hub  150  is provided in a fixed position on the shaft  105  below the exterior hub  155 . The cap  145  is attached to the upper end  135  of the shaft  105 , above the exterior hub  155 . The interior stretcher frame  120  includes the interior hub  150  and a plurality of interior stretchers  160 , and the exterior stretcher frame  125  includes the exterior hub  155  and a plurality of exterior stretchers  165 . The umbrella also includes a handle  170  at the lower end  140  of the shaft  105 , and a strap  175  for securing the umbrella in a closed state. The strap  175  may be secured using hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®. Alternatively, two straps (not shown) may be provided on the outer side of the canopy  110  to secure the canopy  110  in the folded state by tying the straps together. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the shaft  105  includes a longitudinal slot  180  provided between the upper end  135  and the lower end  140  of the shaft  105 . A connector  185  is provided at the lower end  140  of the shaft  105 , and connects the shaft  105  to the handle  170 . A hook hole  190  is provided in the connector and adjacent to the longitudinal slot  180 . The opening and closing mechanism  115  includes a runner  195 , a hook  200 , and a button  205 . The runner  195  has an inner portion (not shown) that is nested within the shaft  105 , and an outer portion that is generally cylindrical and that has a widened rim  210  that is nearest to the lower end  140  of the shaft  105 . The runner  195  is mounted to the shaft  105  so as to slide along the shaft  105  and in an upward direction and in a downward direction along the longitudinal axis A-A. 
     The hook  200  protrudes from the hook hole  190 , and is shaped so as to have a protrusion that can catch the widened rim  210  of the runner  195 , in order to prevent the runner  195  from moving along the shaft  105 . The hook  200  is mounted within the shaft  105 , and is connected to the button  205 . The hook  200  is mounted within the connector  185  and is biased such that it is normally in a protruded position relative to the shaft, protruding from the hook hole  190 . When a user pushes the button  205  inward on the shaft  105 , the hook  200  retracts within the hook hole  190 , into a retracted position, and releases the widened rim  210  of the runner  195 , thereby allowing the runner  195  to move in the upward direction along the shaft  105 . When a user releases the button  205 , the hook  200  returns to the protruded position. Preferably, the button  205  provides a flat, ergonomic surface that the user can easily and comfortably press to move the hook  200  from the protruded position to the retracted position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the opening and closing mechanism also includes a rod  215  mounted within the shaft  105  and attached to the runner  195 , and a spring  220  that is mounted within the lower end  140  of the shaft  105 . The spring  220  of this embodiment is a compression spring that biases the rod  215  toward the upper end  135  of the shaft  105 . The spring  220 , however, is not so limited and any suitable spring may be used. The rod  215  is connected to the runner  195 . Any suitable connection may be used, but in this embodiment, an insert lock pin  217  is inserted through the longitudinal slot  180  to connect the rod  215  to the runner  195 . The rod  215  moves telescopically within the shaft  105  along the longitudinal axis A-A. The rod  215  and the runner  195  are preferably formed of a relatively hard plastic material, or a metal. 
     When the umbrella  100  is closed, the runner  195  is retained by the hook  200 , and the spring  220  is compressed by the rod  215  and the runner  195 . Because the runner  195  is connected to the rod  215  through the longitudinal slot  180  in the shaft  105 , an amount by which the runner  195  slides upward and downward along the shaft  105  is limited to the length of the longitudinal slot  180  as measured along the longitudinal axis A-A. When a user presses the button  205  inward, toward a center of the shaft  105 , the hook  200  releases the widened rim  210  of the runner  195 , and the spring  220  urges the rod  215  in the upward direction, thereby opening the umbrella  100 . 
     The invention is not limited with respect to the opening and closing mechanism  115  described above, and other opening and closing mechanisms can be used. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the interior stretcher frame  120  includes the plurality of interior stretchers  160  and the interior hub  150 , and the exterior stretcher frame  125  includes the plurality of exterior stretchers  165  and the exterior hub  155 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the interior stretcher frame  120  includes six interior stretchers  160 , and the exterior stretcher frame  125  includes six exterior stretchers  165 . The interior stretchers  160  are symmetrically arranged (i.e., they are provided at equal angles relative to adjacent interior stretchers  160 ) with respect to the interior hub  150 . Similarly, the exterior stretchers  165  are symmetrically arranged (i.e., they are provided at equal angles relative to adjacent exterior stretchers  165 ) with respect to the exterior hub  155 . The interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretcher frame  125  are connected to each other at distal ends via the plurality of connector assemblies  130 . The interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretcher frame  125  may be formed of a plastic or a metal. More specifically, the interior stretchers  160  of the interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretchers  165  of the exterior stretcher frame  125  may be formed of a relatively flexible plastic, and the interior hub  150  and the exterior hub  155  may be formed of metal. The plurality of connector assemblies  130  may be formed of metal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , each interior stretcher  160  includes a pole  225 , with an interior proximal connector  230  attached to one end, and an interior distal connector  235  attached to another end. As shown in  FIG. 6 , each exterior stretcher  165  includes a pole  240 , with an exterior proximal connector  245  attached to one end, and an exterior distal connector  250  attached to another end. 
     The interior hub  150  and the exterior hub  155  have substantially the same structure. Therefore, the description below applies to both the interior hub and the exterior hub. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the hub  150 ,  155  has a generally circular shape, with slots  255  formed in a periphery. Although six slots  255  are provided on the hub  150 ,  155 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the invention is not limited to this number of slots  255 . Preferably, the number of slots  255  on the interior hub  150  corresponds to the number of interior stretchers  160 , and the number of slots  255  on the exterior hub  155  corresponds to the number of exterior stretchers  165 . The hub  150 ,  155  also includes a central through-hole  260 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , for mounting the hub  150 ,  155  to the shaft  105 . As noted above, the interior hub  150  is fixed near the upper end  135  of the shaft  105 , and the exterior hub  155  is movable along the shaft  105 . In this embodiment, the exterior hub  155  is connected to the rod  215  using and insert lock pin (not shown) and the exterior hub  155  is moved by the rod  215 . 
     The interior proximal connector  230  and the exterior proximal connector  245  have substantially the same structure. Therefore, the description below applies to both the interior proximal connector and the exterior proximal connector. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the proximal connector  230 ,  245  has a cylindrical portion  265  that attaches to the pole  225  of the interior stretcher  160 , and a tab portion  270  that attaches to the hub  150 ,  155 . The tab portion  270  is substantially centered on an axis of the cylindrical portion  265 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The tab portion  270  includes a hole  275  that is used to secure the proximal connector  230 ,  245  to the hub  150 ,  155 . The tab portion  270  is inserted into the slots  255  on the hub  150 ,  155 , and the proximal connectors  230 ,  245  are rotatable relative to the hub  150 ,  155 . In this embodiment, a steel wire ring (not shown) is inserted through the hole  275  in each proximal connector  230 ,  245  and the hub  150 ,  155  to secure the proximal connectors  230 ,  245  to the hub  150 ,  155 . In a preferred embodiment, the number of interior stretchers  160  corresponds to the number of slots  255  on the interior hub  150 , and the number of exterior stretchers  165  corresponds to the number of slots  255  on the exterior hub  155 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , six interior stretchers  160  and six exterior stretchers  165  are provided, as noted above, and the interior hub  150  and the exterior hub  155  each include six slots  255 . The invention is not limited, however, by the number of interior stretchers  160  or the number of exterior stretchers  165 , or by the number of slots  255 . 
     The distal connector  250  attached to the exterior stretcher  165  (or the exterior distal connector  250 ) is shown in more detail in  FIG. 9 . The exterior distal connector  250  includes a cylindrical portion  280  that is attached to the end of the pole  240  of the exterior stretcher  165 , and a first tab portion  285  and a second tab portion  290 . Any suitable method may be used to connect the cylindrical portion  280  to the end of the pole  240 , but in this embodiment a steel insert lock pin (not shown) is used. Each of the first tab portion  285  and the second tab portion  290  includes a hole  295  in a center. The first tab portion  285  and the second tab portion  290  are spaced apart from each other, so as to form a gap G. The first tab portion  285  and the second tab portion  290  extend toward one side of an axis of the cylindrical portion  280 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The cylindrical portion  280 , the first tab portion  285 , and the second tab portion  290  are formed integrally. Preferably, the exterior distal connector  250  is formed of metal. 
     The distal connector  235  attached to the interior stretcher  160  (or the interior distal connector  235 ) is shown in more detail in  FIG. 10 . The interior distal connector  235  includes a cylindrical portion  300  that is attached to the end of the pole  225  of the interior stretcher  160 , and a tab portion  305 . Any suitable method may be used to connect the cylindrical portion  300  to the end of the pole  225 , but in this embodiment a steel insert lock pin (not shown) is used. The tab portion  305  includes a hole  310  in a center. The tab portion  305  extends toward one side of an axis of the cylindrical portion  300 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The cylindrical portion  300  and the tab portion  305  are formed integrally. Preferably, the interior distal connector  235  is formed of metal. 
     Each interior distal connector  235  provided on the ends of the poles  225  of the interior stretchers  160  is connected to a corresponding one of the exterior distal connectors  250  provided on the ends of the poles  240  of the exterior stretchers  165  by, for example, a tubular rivet  315 . The distal connectors  235  and  250  and the rivets  315  form the connector assemblies  130 . With reference to  FIG. 11 , each rivet  315  has a head  320  at one end, and a tail  325  at the other end. 
     To form each connector assembly, the hole  310  in the tab portion  305  of the interior distal connector  235  attached to the interior stretcher  160  is aligned with the holes  295  in the first tab portion  285  and the second tab portion  290  of the exterior distal connector  250  attached to the exterior stretcher  165 . More specifically, the tab portion  305  of the interior distal connector  235  attached to the interior stretcher  160  is inserted in between the first tab portion  285  and the second tab portion  290  of the exterior distal connector  250  attached to the exterior stretcher  165 , so that the holes  295  align with the hole  310 . Then, the tail  325  of the rivet  315  is inserted through one of the holes  295  of the corresponding one of the first tab portion  285  and the second tab portion  290  of the exterior distal connector  250  attached to the exterior stretcher  165 , through the hole  310  of the tab portion  305  of the interior distal connector  235  attached to the interior stretcher  160 , and through the other one of the holes  295  of the corresponding one of the first tab portion  285  and the second tab portion  290  of the exterior distal connector  250  attached to the exterior stretcher  165 . Then, the rivet  315  is bucked, or deformed, so as to secure the tab portions  285  and  290  of the exterior distal connector  250  and the tab portion  305  of the interior distal connector  235  together. The invention is not limited, however, to use of a rivet  315  to secure the tab portions  285  and  290  of the exterior distal connector  250  and the tab portion  305  of the interior distal connector  235 . It is within the scope of the invention to use an alternative mechanical fastener to secure the tab portions  285  and  290  of the exterior distal connector  250  and the tab portion  305  of the interior distal connector  235  together. 
     When aligning the holes  295  and  310 , the distal connectors  235  and  250  are arranged so that the side of the cylindrical portion  280  of the exterior distal connector  250  attached to the exterior stretcher  165 , relative to which the first tab portion  285  and the second tab portion  290  protrude, faces the side of the cylindrical portion  300  of the interior distal connector  235  attached to the interior stretcher  160 , relative to which the tab portion  305  protrudes. In this manner, the connector assemblies  130  form a space between the exterior distal connector  250  and the interior distal connector  235 . 
     By forming the connector assemblies  130  in this manner, the connector assemblies  130  are rotatable about an axis of the rivet  315 , allowing the interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretcher frame  125  to open, thereby opening the umbrella  100 , and to close, thereby closing the umbrella  100 . That is, the interior distal connector  235  and the exterior distal connector  250  can rotate about the rivet  315 , in order to allow the interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretcher frame  125  to open and to close. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the canopy  110  includes a central hole  330  (not shown) forming an inner edge  335  that is centrally mounted and secured to the upper end  135  of the shaft  105 . The inner edge  335  of the canopy  110  is secured beneath the exterior hub  155 . An outer edge  340  of the canopy  110  is secured between the each of the plurality of connector assemblies  130 . 
     When the umbrella  100  is closed, the exterior hub  155  is relatively lower in position along the shaft  105 , and each of the interior stretcher frame  120 , the exterior stretcher frame  125 , and the canopy  110  are folded inward. The hook  200  of the opening and closing mechanism  115  holds the runner  195  and, therefore, the rod  215 , in a lower position along the shaft  105 . In addition, the user may use the strap  175  to secure the interior stretchers  160 , the exterior stretchers  165 , and the canopy  110  to the shaft  105 . 
     When the user presses the button  205 , the hook  200  moves to the retracted position, and the spring  220  forces the rod  215  and the runner  195  upward along the shaft  105 . As the rod  215  moves upward, the interior proximal connectors  230  and the exterior proximal connectors  245  rotate within the interior hub  150  and the exterior hub, respectively, causing the distal ends of the interior stretchers  160  and the exterior stretchers  165  to rotate away from the shaft  105 . The flexibility of the interior stretchers  160  and the exterior stretchers  165  enables the interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretcher frame  125 , respectively, to bend. As the interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretcher frame  125  bend, the connector assemblies  130  retain the outer edge  340  of the canopy  110 , thereby stretching the canopy  110  into the dome-like shape. More specifically, due to the relative lengths of the interior stretchers  160  and the exterior stretchers  165 , when the interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretcher frame  125  unfold, or open, and, therefore, the canopy  110  unfolds, or opens, the canopy  110  forms the dome-like shape, with the exterior stretcher frame  125  being on an outer side of the dome-shaped canopy  110 , and the interior stretcher frame  120  being on an inner side of the dome-shaped canopy  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The canopy  110  may be locked in the open, dome-like shape by using a locking mechanism with the runner  195  or the interior hub  150 . In such case, any suitable locking mechanism known in the art may be used including, for example, a triangular shape catch that engages with a groove formed in the runner  195  or the interior hub  150 . 
     The combination of the interior stretcher frame  120  and the exterior stretcher frame  125  has been found to be particularly useful in preventing the umbrella  100  from inverting, i.e., turning inside out. Put another way, the connector assemblies  130  remain in a lower position relative to the interior hub  150  along the longitudinal axis A-A, and, therefore, the umbrella  100  will not invert. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to what is, at present, considered to be the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and the scope of the appended claims.