Patent Publication Number: US-7216820-B2

Title: Faucet spray head assembly

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/350,237 filed Jan. 23, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,837, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to a faucet spray head assembly, and more specifically, but not exclusively, concerns a dual action faucet spray head that is easy to assemble as well as can be easily docked and undocked from a faucet. 
   With today&#39;s modern kitchen and bathroom designs, faucets have been redesigned to incorporate faucet spray heads or wands that act as both a spray head as well as a regular faucet. The convenience provided by these dual mode faucet spray heads allow the user to easily switch between a regular faucet mode in which a single, aerated stream of water is supplied and a sprayer mode in which a spray of water is supplied. The dual mode spray head can be used for cleaning dishes or vegetables, for example. Aesthetically, these dual mode spray heads reduce clutter around the sink, thereby providing a cleaner, modern environment in the kitchen. Usually, a flow switching mechanism for switching the operational mode of the spray head is located on the spray head. The switching mechanism typically incorporates a rubber boot so as to isolate the switching mechanism from the outside environment. However, with such a boot design, the user is unable to readily discern whether the spray head is in the faucet or spray mode, such that the user can accidentally spray themselves or their work area upon turning on the faucet. As should be appreciated, this rubber boot design also makes assembly of the spray head more difficult. In addition, the rubber boot can crack after repeated use, thereby diminishing the overall appearance of the spray head over time. 
   Typically, with such dual mode faucet heads, the spray head or wand is attached to a flexible water supply hose that is threaded from underneath the sink and through the faucet body or hub. The hose allows the user to extend the spray head from the faucet. A counterweight, which is attached to the hose underneath the sink, is used to retract the spray head. Once retracted, only the weight of the counterweight ensures that the spray head remains attached to the faucet body. It should be appreciated that with this type of design, the spray head can be easily dislodge such that water can be accidentally sprayed outside the sink. For example, the force applied by the user when actuating the flow switching mechanism can accidentally dislodge the spray head from the faucet so that the water is sprayed in the wrong direction. Moreover, the pressure of the water spraying from the spray head can cause the spray head to become accidentally dislodged. 
   Thus, there remains a need for improvement in this field. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One aspect of the present invention concerns a faucet spray head that includes a diverter valve. The diverter valve has a diverter stem constructed and arranged to control water flow patterns from the faucet spray head. The stem includes a neck and a head that is larger than the neck. A shell encloses the diverter valve, and the shell has an opening through which the stem extends. A pivot member is coupled to the shell. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled to the pivot member, and the rocker arm has a retention opening. The retention opening is constructed and arranged to slidably receive and retain the head of the stem during assembly of the rocker arm to the pivot member. 
   Another aspect concerns a spray head assembly that includes a spout that defines a spout opening and a lock tab opening. A supply hose is slidably received in the spout opening. A spray head is coupled to the hose, and the spray head has at least one lock pin. A lock insert is received in the spout, and the lock insert has a lock tab received in lock tab opening to secure the lock insert to the spout. The lock insert defines at least one lock pin opening constructed and arranged to detachably retain the lock pin of the spray head. 
   A further aspect concerns a method of assembling a spray head. The method includes attaching a pivot member to a spray head shell. The spray head shell has a diverter stem of a diverter valve extending therefrom. The stem includes a neck and a head that is larger than the neck. A head opening that is defined in a rocker arm is positioned over the head of the diverter stem. The rocker arm has a retention opening positioned proximal to the head opening. The retention opening has a pair of retention flanges that define a gap that is larger than the neck and smaller than the head of the diverter stem. The rocker arm is secured to the diverter stem by sliding the neck of the diverter stem between the retention flanges. The rocker arm is mounted on the pivot member by pivotally securing the rocker arm to the pivot member. 
   Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a faucet spray head with a rocker switch assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side, partial cross sectional view of the  FIG. 1  spray head. 
       FIG. 3  is a top, partial cross sectional view of the  FIG. 1  spray head. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the rocker arm used in the rocker arm assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a spray head docking assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross sectional view of the  FIG. 5  assembly. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a lock insert used in the  FIG. 5  assembly. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the  FIG. 7  lock insert as taken along line  8 — 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the  FIG. 7  lock insert as taken along line  9 — 9  in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a spray head docking assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a front, partial cross sectional view of the  FIG. 10  assembly. 
       FIG. 12  is a side, partial cross sectional view of the  FIG. 10  assembly. 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of a lock insert used in the  FIG. 10  assembly. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of the  FIG. 13  lock insert as taken along line  14 — 14  in  FIG. 13 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS 
   For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
   A spray head assembly  30  according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1–4 . Although the spray head assembly  30  according to the present invention will be described with reference to a water faucet, it is contemplated that selected features of the present invention can be adapted for use in other fields. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the spray head assembly  30  includes a diverter valve assembly  31  which is used to change the fluid flow in the spray head  30  between a faucet mode and a spray mode. An outer shell  32  encloses the diverter valve  31 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer shell  32  is bell shaped, but it is contemplated that the outer shell  32  can be shaped differently. The spray head assembly  30  further includes a pivot member  33  that is attached to the outer shell  32 , and a rocker arm or switch  34  is pivotally mounted on the pivot member  33 . In one embodiment, the outer shell  32 , the pivot member  33  and the rocker arm  34  are made of plastic. However, it is contemplated that these components can be made from other types of materials. 
   As previously mentioned, the diverter valve assembly  31  is used to change the operational mode of the spray head assembly  30  from a normal faucet mode to a spray mode, and back. In one embodiment, the diverter valve assembly  31  is an AMFAG brand diverter valve of the type that is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,713, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As should be appreciated, the spray head assembly  30  can incorporate other types of flow diverter valves. As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the diverter valve  31  includes a diverter stem  38  that is used to actuate the diverter valve  31 . In one embodiment, when the diverter stem  38  is extended or pulled away from the shell  32 , the spray head assembly  30  supplies the water as a single, aerated stream, and when the diverter stem  38  is pushed in an inward direction relative to the shell  32 , the spray head  30  delivers the water as a spay. Nevertheless, it is should be appreciated that the diverter valve  31  can operate in an opposite fashion in other embodiments. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the diverter stem  38  includes a body portion  39  where the stem  38  is attached to the rest of the valve  31 , a neck portion  40  that extends from the body portion  39 , and a head portion  41  that extends from the neck portion  40 . The neck portion  40  in the illustrated embodiment is thinner than both the body portion  39  and the head portion  41 . Proximal to the neck portion  40 , the head  41  of the stem  38  in one form of the present invention is rounded. In the illustrated embodiment, the diverter stem  38  has an overall cylindrical shape, but it should be appreciated that the diverter stem  38  can be shaped differently. As shown in  FIG. 1 , valve body  42  of the diverter valve  31  has, at one end, an internally threaded opening  43  to which a water supply hose is threadedly attached. Around the threaded opening  43 , the valve body  42  has one or more lock pins  44  that are used to secure the spray head  30  to the rest of the faucet. In the illustrated embodiment, the spray head  30  has a pair of oppositely disposed lock pins  44  that are used to secure the spray head  30 . Around the threaded opening  43  of the valve body  42 , the spray head  30  further includes a gasket  45 . In the illustrated embodiment, gasket  45  is in the form of an o-ring, but in other embodiments, the gasket  45  can be shaped differently. As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the outer shell  32  defines a pair of lock pin slots  46  through which the lock pins  44  slide through the outer shell  32  during assembly. The diverter valve  31 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is enclosed inside the outer shell  32  through a spray member or ring  47  that is threadedly secured to the shell  32 . 
   As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the outer shell  32  has a rocker arm flange  50  that defines a rocker arm cavity  51  in which the rocker arm  34  is received. As shown, the rocker arm cavity  51  has a contour, which generally corresponds to the peripheral shape of the rocker arm  34 . The rocker arm flange  50  aids in giving the spray head  30  an overall finished appearance. Moreover, flange  50  prevents someone from tampering with or removing the rocker arm  34 , once the rocker arm  34  is attached to the shell  32 . Inside the rocker arm cavity  51 , the shell  32  defines a diverter stem opening  53  through which diverter stem  38  extends. In the illustrated embodiment, the diverter stem opening  53  is in the form of an elongated slot. However, it should be appreciated that the diverter stem opening  53  can be shaped differently. 
   So as to reduce the cost of molding the outer shell  32 , the pivot member  33  in the illustrated embodiment is a separate component that is attached to the outer shell  32  during assembly of the spray head  30 . If the pivot member  33  was molded inside the rocker arm cavity  51  of the outer shell  32 , an undercut problem would arise in the mold design. To form the shell  32  and the pivot member  33  as a unitary piece, one type of mold design would require an articulation piece, such as an externally sliding core piece, in order to form the pivot member  33 . This mold design, nevertheless, would increase cost of the mold as well as the overall manufacturing costs associated with the spray head  30 . Molding the outer shell  32  and the pivot member  33  separately, however, simplifies the mold design. To permit attachment of the pivot member  33 , the outer shell  32  inside the rocker arm cavity  51  further defines one or more lock tab openings  55 . The pivot member  33  includes one or more lock tabs  56  with lock flanges  57  that secure the lock tabs  56  inside the lock openings  55 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the pivot member  33  has a pair of lock tabs  56 . Body  60  of the pivot member  33  has a pair of opposing pivot pins  61  extending therefrom. Although a pair of pivot pins  61  are shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is contemplated that the pivot member  33  can include one or more pivot pins  61 . To reduce the amount of material involved in forming the pivot member  33 , the body  60  of the pivot member  33  defines a relief cavity  62 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , the rocker arm  34  defines oppositely disposed pivot pin openings  64  in which the pivot pins  61  of the pivot member  33  are received. In another embodiment, the pivot member  33  incorporates the pivot openings  64 , and the rocker arm  34  has the pivot pins  61 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the rocker arm  34  has a divider wall  65 , a peripheral wall  66  and an exterior wall  67  that together define a pivot member cavity  68  in which the pivot member  33  is received. Walls  65 ,  66  and  67  further define a diverter stem cavity  70  in which the head  41  of the diverter stem  38  is secured. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the pivot pin openings  64  are positioned to open into the pivot member cavity  68  so that the pivot pins  61  are able to engage the pivot pin openings  64 . Around each pivot opening  64 , a pair of expansion notches  73  are defined in the peripheral wall  66  so as to form expansion arms  74 . The expansion notches  73  allow the expansion arms  74  to deflect away from one another when the pivot pins  61  are inserted into the pivot openings  64 . As shown in the  FIG. 1  embodiment, each pivot opening  64  includes a semi-circular portion  76  that is configured to receive the cylindrically shaped pivot pins  61 , and the opening of the semi-circular portion  76  is sized to retain the pivot pin  61  inside the pivot opening  64 . Proximal the opening of the semi-circular portion  76  the expansion arms  74  include beveled portions  77  that aid in guiding the pivot pins  61  into the semi-circular opening portions  76 . 
   As noted above, the diverter stem cavity  70  is configured to retain the diverter stem  38  so as to secure the rocker arm  34  to the outer shell  32 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2–4 , the diverter stem cavity  70  is in the form of a slot. Opposite the divider wall  65 , the stem cavity  70  includes an insertion portion  81  that is sized to receive the head  41  of the diverter stem  38 . Proximal the divider wall  65 , the stem cavity  70  includes a retention portion  82  that is configured to retain the head  41  of the diverter stem  38  inside the stem cavity  70 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the retention portion  82  has retention ridges  83  that form an opening that is smaller than the head  41  of the diverter stem  38 , but the opening between the retention ridges  83  is large enough to receive the neck  40  of the stem  38 . To reduce the profile of the rocker arm  34  on the shell  32 , the rocker arm  34  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  has a first end  84  with a concave shape so as to generally coincide with the shape of the shell  32 . Opposite the first end  84 , the rocker arm  34  has a second end  85  that flares away from the outer shell  32 , which in turn facilitates actuation of the rocker arm  34 . 
   As should be appreciated, the spray head assembly  30  according to the present invention simplifies the assembly process for the spray head  30 . During assembly, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the pivot member  33  is attached to the outer shell  32  by snapping the lock tabs  56  of the pivot member  33  into the lock tab openings  55  of the shell  32 . The rocker arm  34  is then positioned so that the insertion portion  81  of the stem cavity  70  is positioned over the head  41  of the stem  38 . The head  41  is then slid into the retention portion  82  of the stem cavity  70 , thereby securing the rocker arm  34  to the stem  38 , as is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The pivot openings  64  in the rocker arm  34  are positioned over the pivot pins  61  on the pivot member  33 , and the pivot pins  61  are snapped into the pivot openings  64  so that the rocker arm  34  is secured to the rest of the spray head  30 . With such a construction, the spray head  30  has a clean overall appearance. Moreover, the rocker switch  34  in the spray head  30  according to the present invention can be easily attached to the outer shell  32 , but cannot be easily removed. As noted above, the rocker arm flange  50  prevents the user from prying the rocker arm  34  from the pivot member  33 . 
   To operate the spray head  30 , the first end  84  of the rocker arm  34  can be depressed so as to extend the diverter stem  38 . As mentioned above, depending on the configuration of the diverter valve  31 , extending the diverter stem  38  can cause the spray head  30  to supply spray or a single stream of water. By pressing on the second end  85  of the rocker arm  34 , the stem  38  of the diverter valve  31  is pushed inwards such that the operational mode of the spray head  30  is changed. For example, in one embodiment, when the first end  84  of the rocker arm  34  is depressed, the spray head  30  supplies a spray of water, and when the second end  85  is depressed, a single stream of aerated water is supplied. 
   As previously discussed, one problem associated with pull-out type spray heads is that the spray head may not always be firmly secured when docked with the rest of the faucet. If the spray head is accidentally dislodged, the spray head may spray water where it is not desired, such as on the countertop or on the floor. A spray head docking system  90  according to one embodiment of the present invention solves this docking problem by providing a secure connection when the spray head is docked, while at the same time permitting easy detachment of the spray head. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the spray head docking system  90  includes a fluid supply hose  91 , which supplies water to the spray head  30 . The supply hose  91  is threadedly secured to the threaded opening  43  in the spray head  30 , and the hose  91  is slidably received inside a spout member  92 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spout  92  has a generally cylindrical shape and is generally straight. However, it should be appreciated that the spout  92  can be shaped differently. For example, the spout  92  may be bent into u-shape for accommodating different faucet styles. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the spout  92  defines a hose cavity  93  through which the supply hose  91  passes, and the spout  92  has a docking end portion  94 . A lock insert  96  is attached inside the docking end portion  94  of the spout  92  for detachably securing the spray head  30  to the spout  92 . In one form, the lock insert  96  is made of plastic, but it should be appreciated that the lock insert  96  can be formed from other materials. The hose  91  slides within the lock insert  96  when the hose  91  is extended and retracted. With the hose  91  sliding within the lock insert  96 , the lock insert  96  acts as a guide, which reduces the amount of wear on the hose  91 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the docking system  90  when the spray head  30  is docked with the spout  92 . For the sake of clarity, the hose  91  is not illustrated in  FIG. 6 , but it should be understood that the hose  91  is normally attached to the spray head  30  when the spray head  30  is in the docked position. The spray head  30  in the spray head docking system  90  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is attached and detached from the spout  92  in a manner similar to that of a bayonet. As shown, the spout  92  defines a lock tab opening  98  that is used for securing the lock insert  96  to the spout  92 . The spout  92  further defines an orientation notch  99  at the docking end portion  94  of the spout  92 . The orientation notch  99  is used to orient the lock insert  96  in the spout  92 , and further prevents the lock insert  96  from rotating inside the spout  92  during docking and undocking of the spray head  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lock insert  96  has a generally cylindrical shape in order to coincide with the shape of the hose cavity  93  in the spout  92 . Nevertheless, it is contemplated that the insert  96  can have a different overall shape, depending on the shape of the spout  92 . 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , the lock insert  96  has a lock arm  101  with a lock tab  102  that is constructed and arranged to be received inside the lock tab opening  98 . The lock insert  96  further has an alignment tab  103  extending radially therefrom that is configured to be received into the orientation notch  99 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lock tab  102  has a generally circular or cylindrical shape in order to coincide with the shape of the lock tab opening  98 . The lock tab  102  further has a beveled surface  104  so as to make insertion of the lock tab  102  easier. Alignment tab  103  in the illustrated embodiment has a generally rectangular shape in order to fit inside the orientation notch  99 . As shown, the outer periphery of the lock insert  96  further has seal rings  106  that engage the docking end portion  94  of the spout  92 . With the lock insert  96  constructed in such a manner, the lock insert  96  can be easily replaced when it becomes worn or damaged. Alternately, the lock insert  96  can be easily replaced with another type of lock insert that is configured to dock the spray head  30  in a different manner. For example, lock insert  96  could be replaced with the one illustrated in  FIGS. 10–14 , which will be described below. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lock insert  96  defines a spray head receptacle or opening  107  in which the spray head  30  is attached. The spray head receptacle  107  acts as a guide for the hose  91  such that the hose  91  smoothly extends from the spout  92 . The lock insert  96  has a spout facing end  108  that is inserted inside the hose cavity  93 , and the spout facing end  108  has a pair of relief notches  109  that extend in a parallel relationship with respect to one another and on opposite sides of the lock arm  101 . These relief notches  109  aid in inserting the lock insert  96  into the spout  92 . Opposite end  108 , the lock insert  96  has a spray head-facing end  110 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The spray head-facing end  110  of the lock insert  96  has a beveled edge  111  formed around the spray head receptacle  107 . Similarly, the spout-facing end  108  has a beveled edge  112  formed around the spray head receptacle  107 . Beveled edge  112  aids in aligning the spray head  30  during docking as well as in retaining the o-ring  45 , once the spray head  30  is docked. 
   As previously mentioned, the lock insert  96  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7–9  incorporates a bayonet-style socket  113 . Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the bayonet socket  113  includes a pair of opposing bayonet notches  114 . The bayonet notches  114  are in the form of L-shaped slots with each having an opening portion  115  in which one of the pins  44  of the spray head  30  is inserted and a lateral cavity  116  in which the pin  44  is secured. To attach the spray head  30  to the spout  92 , the pins  44  are inserted into corresponding opening portions  115  of the bayonet slots  114 . The spray head  30  is then twisted in a counterclockwise fashion, thereby securing the pins  44  into the lateral cavity  116  in the lock insert  96 . Once the pins  44  are in the lateral cavities  116 , the spray head  30  is firmly secured to the spout  92 . The o-ring  45  helps to ensure that the spray head  30  is firmly secured within the bayonet socket  113 . To detach the spray head  30  from the spout  92 , the spray head  30  is rotated in a clockwise fashion such that the pins  44  disengage from the bayonet notches  114 . In another embodiment, the bayonet notches  114  are oriented in an opposite fashion such that the spray head  30  is docked and undocked by rotating the spray head  30  in clockwise and counter directions, respectively. 
   A spray head docking system  120  according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 10–14 . The spray head docking system  120  includes a number of components that are similar to the ones described above, including the hose  91 , the spout  92 , the O-ring  45 , and the spray head  30 . In the spray head docking system  120 , lock insert  126  differs from the lock insert  96  as described above. However, as will be appreciated from the discussion below, the lock insert  126  illustrated in  FIGS. 10–14  in many respects shares a number of features that are common with the lock insert  96  in illustrated in  FIG. 5 . For instance, lock insert  126  includes the lock arm  101 , the lock tab  102 , the alignment tab  103 , and the seal rings  106 . The spray head  30  in system  120 , however, is attached and detached from the lock insert  126  in a different manner. Instead of twisting the spray head  30  as is required for docking and undocking the spray head  30  in the bayonet-type socket  113  in the  FIG. 5  embodiment, the lock insert  126  illustrated in  FIG. 10  uses a straight in-and-out method for docking and undocking the spray head  30 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the lock insert  126  is generally ring-shaped and defines spray head opening  107 . Similar to the previous embodiment, lock insert  126  has relief notches  109  defined in spout facing end  128  of the lock insert  126  and beveled edge  112  around opening  107 . Likewise, spray head facing end  130  of the lock insert  126  has beveled edge  111  around opening  107  for directing the spray head  30  into the opening  107 . The spray head-facing end  130  further includes a retention edge  131  that radially extends from end  130 . The retention edge  131  rests against the spout  92  so as to prevent the lock insert  126  from being pushed into the hose cavity  93 , when the spray head  30  is attached. The alignment tab  103 , in conjunction with the orientation notch  99  in the spout  92 , prevents rotational movement of the lock insert  126  in the spout  92 . 
   The lock insert  126  forms a spray head socket  133  that is adapted to detachably couple the spray head  30  to the spout  92 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , spray head socket  133  includes one or more pin receptacle notches  134  that are configured to receive and retain the pins  44  on the spray head  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spray head socket  133  includes a pair of notches  134  that are disposed on opposite sides of the spray head opening  107 . Each pin receptacle notch  134  is surrounded by a pair of deflection notches  135 , which together define a pair of socket arms or protrusions  136 . In the receptacle notch  134 , the socket arms  136  define an entrance portion  139  that has a beveled shape, a pin retention portion  140 , and an expansion slot  141 . The beveled shape of the entrance portion  139  helps in the insertion of the pins  44  into the socket  133 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pin retention portion  140  has semi-circular shape so as to coincide with the shape of the pins  44 . Between the entrance portion  139  and the pin retention portion  140 , notch  134  is narrowed by retention flanges  143  that extend towards one another on arms  136 . The expansion slot  141  and the deflection notches  135  together allows the socket arms  136  to resiliently deflect from one another during insertion of the pins  44  between the retention flanges  143 . Once the pins  44  are received inside the pin retention portion  140 , the arms  136  deflect back to their original position so that the retention flanges  136  retain the pins  44  within the socket  133 . Consequently, the spray head  30  is docked with the spout  92 . To remove the spray head  30  from the spout  92 , the user simply pulls the spray head such that the pins  44  become disengaged from the socket  133 . 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.