Patent Publication Number: US-6986431-B2

Title: Transportation and storage cart

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/344,090, filed Dec. 19, 2001. 

   The invention is directed toward a transportation and storage cart and more specifically toward a flexible in-process or transportable material handler adjustable to store and transport a wide variety of sizes and quantities of articles. The cart is designed to protect the articles during transportation and storage to reduce the chance of damage to the parts. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The manufacture, transportation and storage of substantially planar articles such as those manufactured from sheet metal, plastic, glass or wood many times necessitates a cart which can be used for storage of the sheet metal, plastic glass or wooden articles as well the secure transportation of those articles between manufacturing sites or from manufacturer to customer or subcontracting user. Specifically, many carts are designated to protect paint and surface finishes of individual articles during storage and transportation and many times it is desired that, during storage and transport, the articles be placed in a vertical position. 
   Numerous patents are directed toward varying embodiments of such carts. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,577 discloses a modular rack and storage system for storing planar articles such as screen stencils, silk screens and the like. The rack unit includes a plurality of channels mounted in opposing pairs which serve as upper and lower guides on supports for retaining the planar article. Other patents, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,338,290 show the use of a vertical storage unit for storing things such as trays and plates. All known rack and storage units for storing workpieces or articles in the vertical position involve opposed sets of rails specifically designed to the dimensions of the article being manufactured and stored. The opposed racks separate the articles to prevent damage to the articles during storage and transportation. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,702,127, 3,199,683, and 3,349,924. 
   The known art, however has a specific deficiency when faced with the necessity of manufacturing and storing articles of various shapes, sizes and dimensions. 
   Thus, there is a need for a storage and transportation cart that is adaptable to store and transport multiple parts in one cart. 
   There is also a need for a storage and transportation cart that securely holds multiple parts vertically in place from side to side and securely locks the parts in place for transportation. 
   There is a further need for a storage and transportation cart which is adaptable to be used as a refillable or recyclable cart capable of adapting to varying sizes of workpieces and articles. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the identified needs by providing a storage and transportation cart having dimensional variability along three axes. The cart is constructed of four rigid corner posts fixed between a rigid base member and a rigid roof member. A plurality of shelves, at least two, are adjustably positioned within the four corner posts. The shelves are adjustable vertically or along a first axis on the corner posts to accommodate a variety of articles of differing heights. The upper and lower shelves include opposing assemblies with adjustable upper and lower guide blocks placed in opposition to each other. The guide blocks are adjustable in their horizontal spacing or along a second axis across the upper and lower shelves to provide adaptability of the cart to storing and retaining articles of varying widths. Finally, an adjustable rear stop assembly, movable along a third axis, is provided to accommodate workpieces and articles of various lengths. 
   The transfer cart of the present invention is adaptable to store a variety of parts having dimensional variations along three axes. 
   Further features include casters placed on the bottom of the cart for easy movement of the cart and a pedal brake for locking the cart in position when desired. 
   The storage and transfer cart of the present invention can be sized to accommodate articles of a specific size but is adjustable along three axes to fit any smaller or larger size and quantity. The cart can be configured to handle multiple parts of different sizes and shapes in the same cart for transportation and storage. Optional items such as extra shelves for accommodating more than one layer of parts, extra guides and dividers, pneumatic tires, fork lift tubes and an optional heavy duty tube construction of the frame may be alternatively incorporated into the cart of the present invention to meet varying needs. 
   Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the storage and transfer cart of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of another molded plastic divider or guide assembly intended for use with the cart of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of the divider shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cart of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a guide assembly intended for use with the cart of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the guide assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the guide assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a guide member that can be used with the cart. 
       FIGS. 7A–7D  is a bottom view of the locking nut used with the guide member of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the guide member of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a stop assembly that can be used with the cart of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a partial side elevation view of the end bracket of the stop assembly of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a partial side elevation view of the end bracket. 
       FIG. 12  is a partial cross sectional view of the stop assembly shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a stop assembly that can be used with the cart of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a shelf assembly that can be used with the cart. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a stop assembly that can be used with the cart of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a shelf assembly that can be used with the cart of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a guide member that can be used with the cart. 
       FIG. 18  is a partial perspective view of a slide lock that is used with the guide member of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of the guide member shown in  FIG. 17 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the storage and transfer cart  1  of the present invention preferably is constructed of a base member  10  and a roof member  11 . The base member  10  and roof member  11  are preferably formed identically so as to be interchangeable. The base member  10  and roof member  11  each have a flat planar surface and four sides preferably upraised from the surface which meet to form four rigid corners  12 . The base member  10  and roof member  11  are spaced from one another in the vertical direction and corner posts  13  are rigidly fixed to the corners  12 . The corner posts  13  and the base member  10  and roof member  11  are preferably interjoined by a removable connector assembly such as a nut and bolt  16  combination. In particular, a carriage bolt works particularly well to interjoint these components. However if desired, the members may be joined in a fixed manner such as welding. Also, if desired, solid side panels can be affixed to the cart to provide additional protection for the articles positioned on the cart. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the corner posts  13  are of an angle configuration allowing for the placement of a plurality of shelf assemblies  14  within the interior angle of the corner posts  13 . Thus, the shelf assemblies  14  can use the interior angle of the corner post  13  as alignment guides. The corner posts  13  include a plurality of stops  15  which extend in even spacing the full length of the corner posts  13 . In the preferred embodiment, the shelf assemblies  14  are secured to the corner posts  13  by removable assemblies such as nut and bolt combinations  16  which extend through the holes or stops  15  of the corner posts and support the shelf assemblies  14 . In particular, carriage bolts are particularly effective in securing the shelf assemblies to the corner posts. Thus, the shelf assemblies  14  are adjustable along a first vertical axis A to accommodate workpieces and articles of varying heights. 
   It is envisioned that any number of opposing shelf assemblies  14  may be positioned within the corner posts  13  to provide more than one layer of article or workpiece storage within the cart. 
   Each shelf assembly  14  has a plurality of locating devices to secure guide members  18  that are used to locate the articles that are stored on the transfer cart. A plurality of slots  17  is one example of a suitable locating device for the guide members. When such slots are utilized, each shelf assembly  14  is designed to have a plurality of spaced and parallel slots  17  extending horizontally along a second axis B. The slots  17  are spaced to receive and retain the guide members  18 . Preferably, a plurality of guide members  18  is positioned in desired spatial relationship on opposing shelf assemblies  14  to match the dimensions of the articles to be stored. The spacing between the guide members  18  is adjustable along the slots  17  to provide variability in spacing for material handling along the second axis B. Preferably each guide member  18  is constructed of a plastic material such as delrin, acetyl, or nylon. However, it should be understood that other materials can be used for the guide members  18  to provide the needed characteristics to locate the articles that are stored on the transfer cart. In some applications, an ultra high molecular weight plastic has been found to work well for the guide members  18 . Such guide members are easily molded, can be quickly installed and moved on the shelf assemblies, and can be configured to accommodate articles of many sizes and shapes. 
   To provide adjustability along the third axis C, at least one rear stop assembly  22  is attached to the shelf assemblies  14 . Slots  23  oriented along the third axis C, provide adjustability for the rear stop assembly  22  in the third axial C direction. The stop assembly  22  is positioned in the slots  23  by known means such as nut and bolt combinations  16 . The stop assembly  22  can be positioned on opposed shelf assemblies  14  to provide added security for the article stored and transported on the cart. Thus, the storage and transfer cart of the present invention is adjustable along three axes to meet the variation in shapes and sizes of articles to be stored on the cart. 
   The preferred embodiment of the cart further includes a hinged retaining gate  25  positioned across the guide members  18  in opposition to the rear stop assembly  22 . The hinged retaining gate  25  may be folded away from the guide members  18  to allow the articles to be slid into or out of the spaces defined by the guide members  18  and returned to an upright position after the workpieces are placed into the cart to secure the workpieces in position within the cart and prevent spillage during transport. A spring loaded retaining latch mechanism  32  is positioned on the retaining gate  25 . The latch mechanism releasably engages the corner posts  13  so that the retaining gate  25  is secured in the upright position to secure the articles in the transfer cart. A retaining gate  25  can be positioned on each opposed shelf assembly  14  to further assist in retaining articles in position during transportation. In addition, retaining gate  25  can be positioned on each side of the shelf assembly  14  across the guide members  18  wherein the retaining gate  25  would replace the stop assembly  22  on one end of shelf assembly  14 . The stop assembly  22  can also be positioned on the shelf assembly  14  wherein the stop assembly functions as a stop for articles inserted from both sides of the transfer cart. This configuration allows articles having different sizes to be positioned on the cart or for articles of substantially the same size to be inserted from both sides of the cart to increase the handling capacity of the cart for such articles. 
   The guide members, stop assembly and retaining gate are all designed to position and retain the articles on the cart in a manner that protects the articles. The surfaces of the guide members, stop assembly and retaining gate that come into contact with the articles are designed to reduce the possibility that the articles will be damaged when transported or stored on the cart. Further, the guide member, stop assembly and retaining gate are designed to be adjustable in position so that these components reduce movement of the articles once the articles are properly positioned and secured on the cart. 
   The cart assembly further includes a plurality of caster members  26 , preferably four, two of which swivel and two of which are fixed, to assist in ease of transportation. A pedal brake  27  is provided to secure the storage and transportation cart in a fixed position when desired. It is also possible to stack a cart assembly on top of another cart assembly to expand the storage and transporting capability. Obviously, in such a stacked arrangement, the top cart assembly would not include the casters  26 . Instead, the base member  10  of the upper cart assembly would be positioned on the roof assembly  11  of the lower cart assembly. 
   The preferred embodiment of the cart further includes a handle  28  to assist in pushing and/or pulling the cart. The handle  28  is adjustably fixed by removable assemblies such as nuts and bolts to the stops  15  on the corner posts  13 . Further, a document pocket  29  can be provided between the upper shelf assembly  14  and the roof  11 . 
   If the cart is intended for use with particularly heavy objects, alternative assemblies may include the use of pneumatic tires in replacement of the caster assemblies and/or a fork tube construction for the frame to provide strength and rigidity to support the heavy objects. 
   An alternative embodiment of the cart assembly can provide the guide members  18  to be oriented along the third axis C to provide an optional end loading version of the cart as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this alternative shelf assemblies  14 , will have slots  17  and slots  23  will be positioned in axis C and B respectively, 90 degrees from the preferred embodiment. In this alternative embodiment guide members  18 , stop assembly  22 , and retaining gate  25  are positioned  90  degrees from the preferred embodiment allowing for wider, but fewer parts to be carried by the cart. Also, the corner posts  13  used in the cart assembly  1  of  FIG. 3  are symmetrical to facilitate placing parts in the cart assembly from either direction. Also, a vertically positioned handle  33  is positioned on each corner post  13 . The handles  33  can be on any length that is desirable. The handles  33  can be positioned on the corner posts  13  wherever convenient to assist in moving the cart assembly. In addition, the handles  33  can also be used in combination with horizontal style handles  28 . 
     FIG. 2  shows another structure for a guide members  18  that is used to locate the articles that are stored on the transfer cart. Each shelf assembly  14  is designed to have a plurality of spaced and parallel slots  17  extending horizontally along a second axis B. The slots  17  are spaced to receive and retain the guide members  18  shown in  FIG. 2 . Each guide member  18  includes a retaining clip  19  and spring clip  20 . The retaining clip  19  and spring clip  20  are specifically spaced to mate with the slots  17  located in the shelf assemblies  14 . The retaining clips  19  and spring clip  20  allow the guide members  18  to be easily secured in and removed from the shelf assemblies  14  to accommodate various articles to be stored on the transfer cart. 
   If it is desirable to provide additional security for the positioning of the guide members  18 , pins  21  can be utilized. The pins  21  are designed to engage holes in the shelf assembly that are located adjacent to the slots  17 . For the guide member  18  shown in  FIG. 2 , the pins  21  and holes would be located between the slots  17 . However, it should be recognized that the pins  21  and holes can be disposed in other locations to assist in positioning the guide members  18 . 
   Preferably each guide member  18  is constructed of a plastic material such as delrin, acetyl or nylon. However, it should be understood that other materials could be used for the guide members  18  to provide the needed characteristics to locate the articles that are stored on the transfer cart. In some applications, an ultra high molecular weight plastic has been found to work well for the guide members  18 . Such guide members are easily molded, can be quickly installed and moved on the shelf assemblies, and can be configured to accommodate articles of many sizes and shapes. 
     FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  show the structure of a guide member  35  that can be used with the cart of the present invention. The guide members  35  are made of a rectangular piece of material having a length  36 , a width  37  and a thickness  38 . At least two spaced apart, substantially parallel holes  40  extend through the guide member  35  in the width direction. At least two spaced apart, substantially parallel holes  44  extend through the guide member  35  in the thickness direction. The holes  40  and the holes  44  are disposed so that they are spaced apart essentially in the same manner on the guide number  35  so that for every hole  40  there is a corresponding hole  44 . The respective holes  40  and  44  are disposed so that the holes are oriented 90° apart and the holes intersect in the center of the guide member  35 . 
   The guide members  35  are secured to the shelf assemblies to locate the articles that are stored and transported on the cart. The guide members  35  are secured to the shelf assemblies by removable connectors such as a nut and bolt. The bolts are positioned in holes  40  or holes  44  and then secured to the slots  17  on the shelf assemblies by a nut. The guide members  35  can be positioned on the shelf assemblies  14  in one of the two directions depending on the configuration of the articles positioned on the cart. If holes  40  are utilized to secure the guide member  35  to the shelf assemblies  14 , the width dimension of the guide member  35  will extend from the shelf assembly between the articles and the articles will be separated by the thickness dimension of the guide member. This results in a relatively long and narrow guide member  35  being positioned between the articles. If the holes  44  are utilized to secure the guide members  35  to the shelf assemblies, the thickness dimension of the guide member will extend from the shelf assembly between the articles and the articles will be separated by the width dimension of the guide member. This results in a relatively wide and short guide member being positioned between the articles. Thus, the guide members  35  can be positioned in different orientations to accommodate different spacing requirements for the articles. In practice it has been found to be particularly useful if the guide members  35  have a width that is at least twice the thickness of the guide members. It is also possible that the width and thickness dimensions could be substantially the same and utilizing the different holes  40  or  44  would allow different surfaces to be positioned adjacent the articles and extend the life of the guide members  35 .  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  show the structure of a guide member  35  that can be utilized with the cart of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  show another configuration that can be used for guide members for the parts that are positioned on the shelf of the cart. The guide members  58  shown in  FIG. 7  are essentially the same as the previously discussed guide member  18  and  35  except for the way in which the guide members  58  are secured to the shelf assembly  14 . The guide members  58  have two spaced apart passageways  60  that are disposed to be in alignment with the slots  17  located in the shelf assembly  14 . A threaded bolt  62  can be positioned in each passageway so that the threaded bolts extend into the slots  17 . The threaded bolts  62  are utilized to secure a locking nut  66  that acts to position the guide member  58  with respect to the shelf assembly  14 . The locking nut  66  has a foot  68  that define shoulders  69  and a neck  72  with a threaded passageway  74 . The threaded passageway  74  is designed to threadingly engage the threaded bolt  62  to secure the bolt to the guide member  58 . The foot  68  is designed to pass through the slots  17  in the shelf assembly  14  when in the orientation shown in  FIG. 7  and to have the shoulder  69  engage the shelf assembly  14  when in the orientation shown in  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 8 , the foot  68  has been rotated 90° from the position shown in  FIG. 7 . The neck  72  has a cam surface  71 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A–7D , that is designed to be in engagement with the slot  17  in the shelf assembly when the neck is in a particular orientation. When the neck  72  is in the orientation shown in  FIG. 8 , the cam surface  71 , as is known in the art, wedges against the slot  17  and prevents further rotation of the locking nut  66  in a clockwise direction. Accordingly, the bolt  62  can be rotated to secure the locking nut  66  to the guide member  58  to securely position the guide member on the shelf assembly  14 . When the bolt  62  is rotated in a counter clockwise direction, the cam surface  71  on the neck  72  allows the locking nut  66  to be rotated in a counter clockwise direction and be positioned in the orientation shown in  FIG. 7  so that the guide member  58  can be placed in a different location on or removed from the shelf assembly  14 . 
     FIGS. 9–12  show another type of stop assembly  87  that can be used with the cart of the present invention. The stop assembly  87  is for use with the shelf assembly  97  shown in  FIG. 14 . The stop assembly  87  has a pair of end brackets  88  that define a generally J-shaped channel  90  that is rotated to position the J-shaped channel around the end wall  98  of the shelf assembly  97 . As shown in  FIGS. 10–12 , an L-shaped bracket  92  is secured to the J-shaped channel  90 . The L-shaped bracket  92  extends in spaced apart relationship over the storage surface  99  of the shelf assembly  97 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . In practice, it has been found to be preferable to have the J-shaped channel  90  and the L-shaped bracket  92  formed as one piece. A bolt and nut assembly  101  can be positioned in the holes  104  in the J-shaped channel  90  and the holes  96  in the end wall  98  of the shelf assembly  97 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The bolt and nut assembly  101  secures the end brackets  88  to the shelf assembly  97 . A first stop member  94  extends from one L-shaped bracket  92  and a second stop member  95  extends from the other L-shaped bracket. The first and second stop members telescopingly mate to form a stop over the storage surface  99  of the shelf assembly  97 . A securing means such as a nut and bolt assembly, a screw or spring biased pin can be utilized to secure the first and second stop members together. The telescoping feature for the stop members allows the stop assembly  87  to be used on shelf assemblies that have different widths. As shown in  FIG. 12 , a protective surface  93  can be positioned on the first and second stop members to protect objects that come into contact with the stop assembly  87 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a jack bolt  103  could be positioned in the aperture  105  in the J-shaped channel  90  to secure the J-shaped channel to the shelf assembly  97 . The jack bolt  103  is advanced to contact the storage surface  99  of the shelf assembly  97  to releaseably secure the J-shaped channel  90  to the shelf assembly. 
     FIG. 13  shows another stop assembly  170  that can be used with the cart of the present invention. The stop assembly has two end brackets  178  that are similar to the end brackets  88  previously described. The brackets  178  define a G-shaped channels  180  that are rotated in the manned previously described to fit around the end wall  98  of the shelf assembly  97  shown in  FIG. 14 . a nut and bolt assembly  182  can be positioned in the aperture  184  in the end bracket and one of the holes  96  in the shelf assembly  97  to secure the stop assembly to the shelf assembly. A first stop member  188  extends from one end bracket and a second stop member  190  extends from the other end bracket. The first and second stop members telescopingly mate to form a stop over the storage surface  99  on the shelf assembly  97 . A securing means as previously described can be used to secure the first and second stop members together. 
     FIG. 15  shows another stop assembly  107  that can be used with the cart of the present invention. The stop assembly has two end brackets  108  that are essentially the same as the end bracket  88  previously described. The stop assembly  107  secures to the shelf assembly  97  in the same manner and functions essentially the same as the previously described stop assembly  87 . However, a one-piece stop member  106  is secured to each bracket  108  by an appropriate securing means such as welding or a nut and bolt assembly. 
     FIG. 16  shows another type of shelf assembly  118  that can be used with the cart of the present invention. The shelf assembly  118  is similar to the shelf assembly  97  previously described and shown in  FIG. 14 . However, the channels are formed in a different manner in this shelf assembly. An insert  122  is positioned in a cut out  123  in the article storing surface  124  of the shelf assembly  118 . The insert  122  forms the channels  125  in the shelf assembly and can be a thicker or stronger material than is used for the rest of the article storing surface  124  of the shelf assembly  118 . The insert  122  can be used to reinforce or strengthen the slot area of the shelf assembly. The insert  122  can be secured to the shelf assembly  118  by spot welding or a stud and nut fastening arrangement. The insert  122  provides an effective way to locally reinforce or strengthen the portion of the shelf assembly  118  that receives the most stress during use. 
     FIGS. 17–19  show another guide member  128  that can be used with the cart of the present invention. The guide member  128  is made from the same material and functions in essentially the same manner as the previously described guide members. 
   The guide member  128  has a divider section  130  that is positioned between objects positioned on the shelf assembly  142 . Slots  144  are located in the shelf assembly  142  for positioning the guide member in the desired location on the shelf assembly  142 . The slots  144  have a plurality of serrations or teeth  148  along one edge of the slots. 
   The guide member  128  has a foot  132  on one end that has a slot engaging surface  134  with a plurality of serrations or teeth  136  that are disposed to engage the teeth  148  in one of the slots  144 . The foot  132  also has a tab  133  that extends from the end of the slot engaging surface  134 . The tab  133  is designed to extend along the surface of the shelf assembly  142  that is opposite to the surface where the divider section  130  is positioned. The foot  132  is designed to fit through one of the slots  144  in the shelf assembly  142 . 
   The other end of the guide member  128  has a slide lock  150  that is slideable positioned in the chamber  138  in the divider section  130 . The slide lock  150  has a protrusion  152  that extends into and is slideably positioned in the chamber  138 . A threaded aperture  151  is positioned in the protrusion  152 . A locking foot  154  extends from the protrusion  152 . The locking foot  154  has a slot engaging surface  155  with a plurality of serrations or teeth  156  and a tab  158  that is essentially the same as the tab  133  on the foot  132 . The slot engaging surface  155  is disposed to engage the serrations or teeth  148  in one of the slots  144 . The tab  158  is designed to extend along the surface of the shelf assembly  142  that is opposite to the surface where the divider section  130  is positioned. The locking foot  134  is designed to fit through the one of the slots  144  in the shelf assembly  142 . 
   An aperture  162  is positioned on the end of the divider section  130  where the slide lock  150  is located. The aperture extends into the chamber  138  and is designed to be alignable with the threaded aperture  151  in the protrusion  152  of the slide lock  150 . A threaded bolt  164  is positioned in the aperture  162  and threadingly engages the threaded aperture  151  in the protrusion  152 . 
   In operation, the guide member  128  is positioned on the shelf assembly  142  with the foot  132  and slide lock  150  positioned in the slots  144 . When the divider section  130  is in the desired location on the shelf assembly  142 . The threaded bolt  164  is rotated to advance the slot engaging surface  155  of the slide lock  150  towards the teeth  148  in the slot  144  and to move the slot engaging surface  134  on the foot  132  into engagement with the teeth  148  on the other slot  144 . The threaded bolt  164  is rotated to advance the protrusion  152  in the chamber  138  until the guide member  128  properly engages the slots  144  and is locked into position on the shelf assembly  142 . The guide member  128  can be released by rotating the bolt  164  in the opposite direction to advance the slide lock  150  in the opposite direction to release the engagement with the slots  144 . 
   Thus, it can be seen how the storage and transportation cart of the present invention is provided with flexibility in design to retain multiple sized parts of a variety of sizes and configurations in a single cart. The cart is capable of an infinite number of adjustments along three axes to assist in retaining multiple parts of varying shapes and sizes. Further, the identical nature of parts such as the base member  10  and roof member  11 , the corner posts  13 , the shelf assemblies  14  and the guide members  18  allow for easy replacement of parts due to damage or wear. 
   The above description of the preferred embodiment is extended to be illustrative in nature and is not intended to be limiting upon the scope and content of the following claims.