Patent Publication Number: US-2010118662-A1

Title: Clock kit with independently mountable dial

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/112,544 filed Nov. 7, 2008 and entitled “Clock Kit with Independently Mountable Dial,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     This invention is in the field of clocks, such as wall clocks, and other clocks having clock faces that employ numbers or other indicia to correspond to and identify the position of the clock hands. 
     2. The Relevant Technology 
     A wide variety of clocks have clock faces having dials that employ numbers or other indicia to identify the position of the clock hands as the clock hands turn about the dial. Typically, clock faces are comprised of (i) a plurality of clock hands (e.g., hour, minute, and second hands) and a dial (e.g., a circular shaped dial) having numbers and/or other graduations or markings, all of which are examples of “indicia,” that correspond to and identify the position of the clock hands. 
     For example, in a typical clock that employs a plurality of clock hands to indicate the time of day, e.g., in an analog clock, when the hour hand is located at the numeral six on a clock dial and the minute hand is located at the numeral twelve on the clock dial, the time is commonly known to be six o&#39;clock. The dial corresponds to the position of the clock hands and serves both to provide an accurate indication of the time of day, e.g., twelve noon, one thirty, etc., and also serves a decorative function by providing a stylistic appearance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a clock kit with a dial that is mountable independently from the clock mechanism. The clock kit includes a clock mechanism having a clock motor assembly and a plurality of clock hands. The hands are connected to and operated, i.e., turned, by the clock motor assembly. 
     A clock dial that is independent from the clock mechanism is provided. The clock dial can be mounted on a wall surface or other surface. The clock mechanism is then conveniently mounted on the surface and is oriented in such a manner that the pivot points of the clock hands are located in the center of the clock dial. In one embodiment, the clock dial is at least one sticker that is adhered to a wall surface, after which a clock mechanism is mounted to the wall surface with the pivot points of the clock hands being located at the center of the clock dial formed by the at least one sticker. 
     The dial comprises a plurality of indicia that are independent from the clock mechanism and are mountable separately therefrom. The indicia are configured to be mounted on a wall surface. The indicia are selectively orientable at different locations on a particular surface as desired for decoration and use of the clock. 
     In one embodiment, the indicia, e.g., numbers  1 - 12 , or other markings, graduations, and/or gradients, are provided in a circular array. However, a circular array is not required and more or less than 12 numbers or other indicia may also be provided. In another embodiment, a template can be provided separately from the stickers, which can be provided in a non-circular array. In such an example, the stickers can be separately placed using the template. In one embodiment, the circular array that forms the dial comprises one or more stickers that are selectively mounted on a surface, after which the clock mechanism is mounted on the surface. The one or more stickers can be a single contiguous sticker or a series of separate stickers arranged in a desired pattern so as to be positioned about the periphery of the clock mechanism. Thus, one or more stickers, i.e., at least one sticker, can be employed to form a desired clock dial. The one or more stickers serve as the indicia, e.g., numbers that correspond to the movement of the hands of the clock, thereby indicating the time of day. In another embodiment, a template can be provided separately from the stickers, which can be provided in a non-circular array. In such an example, the stickers can be separately placed using the template. 
     The one or more stickers provide a convenient decoration such that the stickers can be placed directly on a wall surface, after which the clock mechanism is placed thereon in the center of the stickers such that the hands of the clock move about the stickers. 
     The decoration that is provided by the stickers can have the pleasant appearance of numbers painted onto a wall surface, for example. By providing the clock numbers as one or more stickers, as opposed to hand painting the numbers on the wall, there is less likelihood that the clock numbers will be out of place or that that the resulting dial will not be an accurate circle or other desired shape. Stickers may also be provided to allow additional customizing of the clock dial and/or clock mechanism, e.g., stickers enabling the last name of the user and/or a particular date to be placed on a wall surface or on the clock mechanism. 
     The stickers may be mounted onto a wall surface or other surface in a similar manner to mounting a decal on a surface. In one embodiment, a sticker assembly of the present invention comprises a first flexible sheet of material, a second flexible sheet of material, and one or more stickers sandwiched therebetween. The first sheet of material serves as a transfer sheet on which the stickers rest in an aligned manner while they are being transferred as an organized group against a surface. The second sheet of material serves as a liner sheet to protect the adhesive side of the stickers until the stickers are transferred onto the surface. 
     Once the liner sheet is removed from the adhesive side of the stickers, the transfer sheet with the stickers is placed in a desired location on the wall surface or other surface. The adhesive side of the stickers is thereby placed against the surface. The user then rubs against the transfer sheet to firmly rub the stickers in place and remove any wrinkles. The transfer sheet is then removed, leaving the stickers in a desired orientation on the surface. The clock mechanism is then conveniently placed in the center of the array of stickers, forming a clock having a decorative dial that has the appearance of being elegantly painted on the surface. 
     The at least one sticker that forms the dial can be a single continuous sticker that includes all of the necessary indicia, e.g., numerals  1 - 12 , or can be multiple stickers that include numerals  1 - 12 , for example, and are positioned in a desired array such that the stickers can be placed on a surface in the formation of a clock dial. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a clock kit of the present invention, including the clock mechanism and a sticker assembly, which comprises: (i) a first flexible sheet (known as the transfer sheet); (ii) a second flexible sheet (known as the liner sheet); and (iii) a plurality of stickers positioned there-between which can be positioned on a wall surface or other surface to form the dial of a clock. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a representation of the clock kit of the present invention including a container, such as a plastic container (e.g., a blister pack) for containing and shipping the components of the kit. An instructions sheet providing instructions for applying the stickers to a wall surface and mounting the clock mechanism thereon is also provided. In one embodiment, sticker assembly  20  is provided in the blister pack as a rolled up sheet. 
         FIG. 1C  is a partial cross-sectional view of the transfer sheet, the liner sheet, and a portion of one of the plurality of stickers shown in  FIG. 1A   
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the clock mechanism of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the sticker assembly of  FIG. 1A  wherein the liner sheet is being peeled away from the transfer sheet and away from an adhesive side of the plurality of stickers. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the sticker assembly of  FIG. 1A  wherein the liner sheet  26  has been peeled away from the transfer sheet  22  and from the adhesive side of the plurality of stickers  24 , which remain mounted on the transfer sheet  22 . 
         FIG. 5  is a view demonstrating the placement of the transfer sheet of the sticker assembly of  FIG. 1A , having the plurality of stickers mounted thereon, on a surface, such as a wall surface  36 .  FIG. 5  also shows the transfer sheet and the plurality of stickers being smoothed so as to be contiguous with the wall surface. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the smoothed transfer sheet against the wall surface. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the transfer sheet of the sticker assembly of  FIG. 1  being peeled away from the wall surface and from the plurality of stickers such that the adhesive side of the plurality of stickers remains against the wall surface. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the plurality of stickers of  FIG. 1A  (with the transfer and liner sheets removed there from) having been mounted on a surface to form a convenient, decorative clock dial that has the elegant appearance of being hand painted on a surface. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the clock mechanism of  FIG. 1A  mounted on the surface adjacent the plurality of stickers shown in  FIG. 8  in order to form a clock in which the numerical indicia that indicate the time of day are mounted directly on the surface such that the clock hands extend about the periphery of the dial defined by the plurality of stickers. 
         FIG. 10  is an example of an instruction sheet for use in conjunction with one embodiment of the present invention, the text and disclosure of which is incorporated into this specification by reference. 
         FIG. 11  is yet another embodiment of a sticker assembly  20   a  of the present invention having a transfer sheet  22   a  and a liner sheet  26   a  and the same stickers as the sticker assembly of  FIG. 1A , but further having additional stickers  48  for decorating the surrounding surfaces and/or clock mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A clock kit is provided herein that includes a plurality of indicia and a clock mechanism. The indicia can include stickers, films, or other media configured to be adhered to a surface, such as a wall or other surface. In at least one example, one or more indicia are placed between a transfer sheet and a liner sheet in a configuration that allows the liner sheet to be removed while maintaining the indicia on one or more transfer sheet. The indicia on the transfer sheet(s) can be provided and grouped together so as to be placed together on a mounting surface together as a complete pattern or can be placed on the transfer sheet(s) so as to be placed individually to thereby allow a user to form a pattern using individual indicia as desired. Regardless of the configuration, providing the indicia as part of a clock kit can allow the indicia to be readily applied to the mounting surface. Further, the use of the transfer sheet can allow the indicia to be formed into intricate patterns as the likelihood of distortion during application is reduced as the transfer sheet supports the indicia and helps reduce unintended distortion or displacement of various portions of the indicia. Accordingly, the support provided by the transfer sheet can allow the indicia to be accurately applied to the mounting surface while retaining the actual mounted shape of the indicia as closely as possible to the intended shape. In addition, the support provided by the transfer sheet can allow for the use of thin layers of material or even films of materials, which can result in an appearance resembling a painted pattern. For example, layers as thin as 0.15 mm to about 0.02 mm or less can be applied as the indicia portion of the clock kit. 
     Various configurations are described below. While some exemplary embodiments and terminology are used, it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. For example, for ease of reference the term “sticker” and “sticker assembly” will be used to described the indicia. It will be appreciated that the term sticker shall be broadly understood to mean any material, layer, or combinations of various layers and materials that form indicia configured to be applied to a mounting surface with the use of a transfer sheet. The term indicia shall be broadly understood to mean any visual cues that can be placed at angular intervals to represent any number of positions on a clock and in any arrangement. Further, though described as a single transfer sheet, it will be appreciate that the indicia can be separated into any number of individual elements, grouped as desired in patterns and/or arrangements, and/or be provided on perforated or otherwise separable larger sheets. 
       FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C and  2  show a clock kit  10  of the present invention for mounting on a surface such as a wall surface. Clock kit  10  comprises: (i) a clock mechanism  12 , having a motor assembly  14  and a plurality of hands  16 ,  18 ; and (ii) a sticker assembly  20  comprising a first flexible sheet  22 , a plurality of stickers  24 , and a second flexible sheet  26 . The plurality of stickers  24  are sandwiched between the first flexible sheet  22 , which is a translucent or transparent sheet, and the second flexible sheet  26 . 
     The plurality of stickers  24  comprise a plurality of indicia, e.g., numbers one through twelve, and/or certain decorative pieces  28 . First flexible sheet  22  is known as a transfer sheet because it is employed to transfer stickers  24  to a surface. Second flexible sheet  26  is known as a liner sheet because it provides a liner for the adhesive side of the stickers  24  prior to placing the stickers  24  on the surface. 
     The stickers numbered  1 - 12  of  FIGS. 1A-1B  are arranged between flexible sheets  22 ,  26  in a circular array so as to collectively form a clock dial that corresponds to the position of hands  16 ,  18  as hands  16 ,  18  move in a circular motion once clock mechanism  12  has been placed in the center of sticker assembly  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , which will be discussed in further detail below. Transfer sheet  22  maintains the stickers  24  in an organized fashion until they are transferred to the surface. 
     Sticker assembly  20  is configured to be mounted on a surface such as a wall surface in order to form a clock dial such that the wall or the surface upon which the plurality stickers  24  are mounted is effectively a clock dial upon which clock mechanism  12  can be mounted. Thus, sticker assembly  20  provides a decorative clock dial upon which clock mechanism  12  can be mounted to form a clock with an elegant appearance. 
     In one example, the entire sticker assembly  20  can be placed on the mounting surface as a single, complete pattern. In other examples, each of the stickers  24  can be placed using a corresponding portion of transfer sheet  22  individually on the mounting surface to form the desired pattern. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A-2 , clock mechanism  12  can comprise a face plate  15  for decoratively covering clock motor assembly  14 .  FIG. 2  is a depiction of a clock mechanism  12  having a motor assembly  14 , hands  16 ,  18  turned by motor assembly  14 , and a mounting bracket  19  connected to motor assembly  14  for convenient mounting of clock mechanism  12  on a wall surface or other surface. 
     Clock mechanism  12  may be mounted to a surface using a variety of different mechanisms such as a nail, screw, hanger or other coupler coupled to the surface upon which bracket  19  of clock mechanism  12  is mounted. In one embodiment, the coupler upon which bracket  19  is mounted is positioned such that the pivot point of hands  16 ,  18  is located in the center of the circular array of stickers  24 . Clock mechanism  12  can also be mounted through the use of an adhesive or other couplers. In one embodiment, the sticker assembly includes a marking, such as an “x” to indicate where the coupler can be placed to enable alignment of the clock hands with the indicia. 
     Clock mechanism  12  is an example of an analog clock having an hour hand  18  and a minute hand  16 . The clock mechanism can also have a second hand or a variety of other hands or components that are common to operable clocks. Motor assembly  14  is comprised of all of the necessary components to turn hands  16 ,  18  in a clock-like fashion so as to indicate the time of day. Motor assembly  14  may comprise, for example, a motor, gears train, housing, circuit board, power source, e.g. battery or electrical cord, movement, setting wheel and its pinion, cylinder, quartz crystal, wire coil, cylindrical magnet, and any other components employed to turn clock hands  16 ,  18  in a manner commonly known for indicating the accurate time of day. However, any clock that can be used in conjunction with a clock dial having numbers, markings, or other such indicia thereon, such as an analog clock, may be employed as a clock mechanism in the present invention. 
     The clock mechanism  12  can be obtained in a variety of different manners such as by purchasing or otherwise producing a clock mechanism  12  comprising a clock motor assembly  14  and a plurality of hands  16 ,  18 . 
       FIG. 1   a  shows the clock kit  10  of the present invention including a container  29 , such as a bag for carrying the components of the kit, and an instructions manual  31  providing instructions for applying the stickers to a wall surface and mounting the clock mechanism thereon. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 3-9 , a method will now be described for mounting wall clock kit  10  onto a wall surface  36 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , sticker assembly  20  is employed to place plurality of stickers  24  onto a wall or other surface by first peeling away liner sheet  26  from stickers  24  and from first flexible sheet  22  thereby exposing an adhesive surface  30  of stickers  24  to the environment once sheet  26  is peeled away. 
     In one embodiment, sticker assembly  20  is provided as a rolled up sheet. Once sticker assembly  20  is unrolled and laid on a flat surface with the liner sheet  26  facing up, sticker assembly  20  can be smoothed and rubbed using applicator  37 , such that liner  26  can be peeled away from stickers  24  and transfer sheet  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1C  illustrates the layers forming a portion of the sticker assembly  20  that include a sticker  24  between the transfer sheet  22  and the liner sheet  26 . In such an example, a first adhesive layer  100  is applied to the rear side of the sticker  24 . Such a configuration places the first adhesive layer  100  between the liner sheet  26  and the sticker  24  when the sticker assembly  20  for packing storage or transit, etc. A second adhesive layer  102  can optionally be applied to the front side of the sticker  24 . Such a configuration can optionally place the second adhesive layer  102  between the transfer sheet  22  and the sticker  24 . In other examples, adhesion between the sticker  24  and the transfer sheet  22  can provide the functionality described with reference to the second adhesive layer  102  discussed below. 
     In some examples, additional layers, such as coloring layers (not shown), including printed layers can be applied to the front portion of the sticker  24  before the second adhesive layer  102  is applied to color the front portion of the sticker  24  or apply a desired visual effect to the front portion of the sticker  24 . 
     In at least one example, the interaction between the first adhesive layer  100  and the liner sheet  26  can result in a smaller adhesive force than that due to the interaction between the second adhesive layer  102  (and/or the front side of the sticker  24 ) and the transfer sheet  22 . Such a configuration can allow the liner sheet  26  to be removed while maintaining the sticker  24  in contact with the transfer sheet  22 . Thereafter, interaction between the first adhesive layer  100  and the surface on which it is mounted can result a larger adhesive force than that between the second adhesive layer  102  (and/or the front side of the sticker  24 ) and the transfer sheet  22 . Such a configuration can allow the sticker  24  to adhere to the mounting surface as the transfer sheet  22  is removed. One exemplary method of mounting a sticker assembly  20  as part of a clock kit will now be discussed in more detail. 
     In at least one example, the first adhesive layer  100  can include, but is not limited to a polypropylene-based adhesive, the second adhesive layer  102  can include, but is not limited to latex-type adhesive. Colorant layers can include, but are not limited to silk screened or 4 Color Process inks. Transfer sheet materials can include, but are not limited to wet strength, wood-free base paper coated with a latex-type adhesive, liner sheet can include but is not limited to wood free paper coated with polyethylene and silicon. The stickers shown in  FIG. 1C  and discussed herein can have a thickness of between about 0.02 mm and about 0.15 mm or more. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , once liner sheet  26  is peeled away, the adhesive surface  30  of stickers  24  is exposed to the environment and a non-adhesive, or less adhesive, surface of stickers  24  remains mounted upon transfer sheet  22 . Stickers  24  are mounted in a desired configuration on transfer sheet  22  in the shape of a clock dial and retain the dial shape when transfer sheet  22  is placed against a surface and removed therefrom. 
     Once liner sheet  26  is removed, transfer sheet  22  with stickers  24  thereon in a dial shape is pressed against a wall surface  36  as depicted in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  demonstrates the placement of sheet  22  with stickers  24  thereon against wall  36 . Transfer sheet  22  is preferably a transparent or translucent sheet provided in order to enable a user to visualize the appearance of stickers  24  and the placement of stickers  24  against a wall surface. 
     Once transfer sheet  22  and stickers  24  are on the wall, the user rubs the area where the stickers  24  are by hand and/or with smoothening applicator  37 . The user then pulls the transfer sheet  22  carefully off and stickers  24  are left on the wall surface. The adhesive on the first side  30  of the stickers  24 , which holds the stickers  24  to the surface  36 , is stronger then an adhesive on the transfer sheet  22 , enabling a user to perform this action. 
     Smoothening applicator  37 , such as a rigid card, e.g., a credit card, may be used to smooth the wrinkles and bumps out of transfer sheet  22  and stickers  24  and to cause them to lay flat on surface  36 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , once the wrinkles from transfer sheet  22  have been removed, sheet  22  is flat against wall surface  36  as are stickers  24 . Sheet  22  can then be removed as illustrated in  FIG. 7  from wall surface  36  and away from the non-adhesive side  38  of stickers  24 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the remaining structure comprises stickers  24  mounted in a circular array, forming a convenient decorative clock dial on wall surface  36  with the non-adhesive side  38  of stickers exposed to the environment. The decorative display formed by decorative stickers  28  enhances the appearance of the clock dial. The resulting decorative clock dial shown in  FIG. 8  has the elegant appearance of being hand painted on a surface. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , once sticker assembly  20  is placed on wall surface  36  to form a decorative dial, clock mechanism  12  can then be placed in the center  40  of the dial defined by the circular array of stickers  24  with the pivot point of the clock hands being located in the center  40  ( FIG. 8 ) of the dial formed by the circular array of stickers  24 . Stickers  24  thus provide the numerical indicia that provide a wall clock dial to correspond to the position of hands  16 ,  18  of clock mechanism  12 . 
     Thus, plurality of stickers  24  provide a convenient decorative wall clock dial mounted directly onto a wall or other surface and can be associated with other decorative stickers  28  and are provided in a circular array having a center  40  such that clock mechanism  12  can be placed on said surface within the parameters of the dial to thereby provide a decorative wall clock. 
       FIGS. 1  thru  9  thus illustrate various components of a wall clock kit  10  for mounting on a wall surface comprising a clock mechanism having a clock motor assembly  14  that turns a plurality of clock hands  16 ,  18  in order to indicate the time of day and a sticker assembly  20 . The stickers  24  serve as indicia in the form of one or more numbers or other markings or graduations corresponding to the time of day. 
     Stickers  24  have a first side  30  that is an adhesive side and is configured to stick to a wall surface  36 . Stickers  24  also having a second side  38  that is non adhesive or less adhesive. First flexible sheet  22  acts as a transfer sheet and maintains the stickers  24  in a desired orientation until the stickers  24  are transferred to a surface; second flexible sheet  26  is a liner sheet, wherein the adhesive, first side of the stickers  24  is mounted on the liner sheet until being ready to be transferred to the surface. 
     The materials for transfer sheet  22 , liner sheet  26 , and plurality of stickers  24 , and decorative stickers  28 , can be obtained thru a variety of manners. Sheet  22  is preferably a translucent or transparent material upon which the second, non-adhesive side  38  of stickers  24  will temporarily stick when liner sheet  26  is removed from stickers  24  and from transfer sheet  22  (see  FIG. 3 ). Liner sheet  26  is configured to be contacted by the first, adhesive side  30  of stickers  24  to protect the adhesive side  30  of stickers  24  and keep the adhesive new, but can be selectively removed therefrom. A variety of different materials can be used for these purposes. 
     Stickers  24  may be comprised of a vinyl type material, for example, with an adhesive placed on the first side  30  thereof to be able to be mounted on a wall surface. In one embodiment the transfer sheet  22  is a transfer paper while the liner sheet  26  is a coated paper. The adhesive on vinyl stickers  24  may be a removable adhesive glue, for example. The transfer sheet  22  may have an adhesive thereon to temporarily stick to: (i) the stickers  24  while making the transfer and (ii) to the liner sheet  26  prior to removing the liner sheet  26 . This transfer sheet  22  leaves little or no adhesive or residue on the top of the vinyl sticker  24  once removed. 
     In one embodiment: (i) liner sheet  26  comprises wood free paper coated with polyethylene and silicon; (ii) transfer sheet  22  comprises a translucent or transparent wet strength, wood-free base paper coated with a latex-type adhesive, and (iii) stickers  24  comprise polyvinyl chloride, i.e., PVC, with an acrylic base, permanent adhesive on the adhesive side  30  thereof. In other examples, the stickers  24  and/or  28  can comprise a polypropylene based film that can be coated with a water-based adhesive. 
     Stickers  24  can be colored and tailored as desired and can have a design printed thereon. Stickers  24  maybe die cut, for example. 
     As the hands  16 ,  18  of clock mechanism  12  sweep around the perimeter defined by stickers  24 , the stickers  24  indicate the time of day. Stickers  24  are examples of various type of indicia which can be used to indicate the time of day. Numbers  1 - 12  are shown in the accompanying drawings; however, a variety of other indicia may provide indications of the time of day such as roman numerals, letters, markings from various languages and font styles and a variety of other types of indicia that might be used to indicate the time of day according to a perceived or known pattern or nomenclature for understanding and interpreting the positions of clock hands  16 ,  18 . 
     Thus, clock kit  10  of the present invention is comprised of clock mechanism  12 , sticker assembly  20 , and smoothening device  37 . Related instruction materials, as shown in  FIG. 10 , and packaging (see  FIG. 1   a ) to package the foregoing components may also be provided in the kit  10 . 
       FIG. 11  is yet another embodiment of a sticker assembly  20   a  of the present invention having a transfer sheet  22   a  and a liner sheet  26   a  and the same stickers as the sticker assembly of  FIG. 1 , but further having additional stickers  48  for decorating the surfaces adjacent the surfaces covered by stickers  24  and/or decorating clock mechanism  14 , for example. Sticker assembly  20   a  can be cut along line  50  prior to removal of liner sheet  26   a,  for example, and/or the portion of sticker assembly  20   a  including stickers  48  can be packaged separately from the portion containing stickers  24  and  28 . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.