Patent Publication Number: US-2023133306-A1

Title: Attachment for vehicle interior material

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-179327 filed on Nov. 2, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The technology relates to an attachment to be mounted on a mounting hole formed in a vehicle interior material for attaching components to the mounting hole. 
     Various electrical components are mounted on a vehicle interior material of an automobile. A solar radiation sensor, as an example of the electrical components, may be mounted on a top face of an instrument panel, as an example of the interior material, disposed in a front portion of a vehicle interior. 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-23168 discloses a structure for mounting a solar radiation sensor on an instrument panel. 
     The solar radiation sensor includes a flange portion and a body portion. A catch claw formed of a spring elastically displaceable in a radial direction of the body portion is disposed in the body portion. The body portion of the solar radiation sensor is inserted into a mounting hole formed in the instrument panel, the flange portion of the solar radiation sensor is abutted against a peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole from a front side and the catch claw of the body portion is engaged with the peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole from a back side, and thereby the solar radiation sensor is mounted on the instrument panel. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the technology provides an attachment for a vehicle interior material. The attachment includes an abutment plate portion, a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion. The attachment is mounted on a mounting hole for attaching a component to the mounting hole formed in the vehicle interior material. The component includes a body portion and a head portion protruded from the body portion in a flange configuration. The body portion has a catch claw disposed therein. The catch claw is elastically displaceable in a radial direction of the body portion. The abutment plate portion has dimensions that do not permit the abutment plate portion to be inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior material. The abutment plate portion has an insertion hole formed in a middle portion thereof. The first retaining portion and the second retaining portion are disposed on a back side of the abutment plate portion. The first retaining portion and the second retaining portion are insertable into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior material. The first retaining portion and the second retaining portion are inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior material, the abutment plate portion is abutted against a peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole in the vehicle interior material from a front side and the first retaining portion is engaged with the peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole from a back side, and thereby the attachment is mounted on the mounting hole. The insertion hole of the abutment plate portion is formed with dimensions that permit the body portion of the component to be inserted thereinto and that do not permit the head portion of the component to be inserted therein. The body portion of the component is inserted into the insertion hole, the head portion of the component is abutted against the abutment plate portion and the catch claw of the body portion of the component is engaged with the second retaining portion, and thereby the component is attached to the attachment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the technology and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate example embodiments and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the technology. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view, showing an attachment according to one embodiment of the technology, a defroster grille on which the attachment is mounted and a solar radiation sensor to be attached to the attachment. 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged view of a main portion of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a plan view of the attachment mounted on the defroster grille, showing the attachment in a state in which the solar radiation sensor is attached thereto. 
         FIG.  4 A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG.  3   , showing the attachment in a state before the solar radiation sensor is attached thereto. 
         FIG. B 4    is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG.  3   , showing the attachment in a state before the solar radiation sensor is attached thereto. 
         FIG.  5 A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5 B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  6    is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a perspective view, showing the defroster grille and a solar radiation sensor to be directly attached to a mounting hole of the defroster grille. 
         FIG.  7 B  is a cross-sectional view, showing the solar radiation sensor directly attached to the mounting hole of the defroster grille. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the structure for mounting the solar radiation sensor on the instrument panel disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-23168, the mounting hole of the instrument panel is formed according to a shape of the solar radiation sensor. Therefore, when a solar radiation sensor having a different shape is to be mounted thereto due to a specification change, it is required to provide a new instrument panel having a mounting hole having a shape corresponding to a shape of the solar radiation sensor. Further, it is also required to make anew a mold for the instrument panel. In view of the foregoing, it is desired to provide an attachment for a vehicle that solves the problem mentioned above. 
     In the following, some example embodiments of the technology are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is directed to illustrative examples of the technology and not to be construed as limiting to the technology. Factors including, without limitation, numerical values, shapes, materials, components, positions of the components, and how the components are coupled to each other are illustrative only and not to be construed as limiting to the technology. Further, elements in the following example embodiments that are not recited in a most-generic independent claim of the technology are optional and may be provided on an as-needed basis. The drawings are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Throughout the present specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted with the same reference numerals to avoid any redundant description. 
     An attachment for a vehicle interior material according to one embodiment of the technology will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the technology is applied to an attachment  20  which is to be mounted on a front defroster grille  10  (vehicle interior material) in a vehicle interior of an automobile and to which a solar radiation sensor  30  (component) is to be attached. The technology enables the solar radiation sensor  30  that cannot be directly attached to the front defroster grille  10  to be attached to the front defroster grille  10 . 
     The front defroster grille  10  shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    is mounted on an instrument panel (not shown) disposed in a front portion of a vehicle interior of an automobile. The front defroster grille  10  is mounted in a middle portion of a front end edge portion of the instrument panel in a vehicle width direction. The front defroster grille  10  is made of resin and is formed in an elongated configuration elongated in the vehicle width direction by injection molding. The front defroster grille  10  is disposed along a lower edge of a front window (not shown). The front defroster grille  10  includes a pair of blow outlets  11 L,  11 R respectively disposed in left and right portions thereof. The blow outlets  11 L,  11 R blow out an air from an air conditioning device to the front window. 
     The front defroster grille  10  has a mounting hole  12  for mounting a component thereon formed between the two blow outlets  11 L,  11 R. Among components to be mounted on the mounting hole  12  are a solar radiation sensor  30  shown in  FIGS.  1  to  5 B  and a solar radiation sensor  40  shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B . The solar radiation sensors  30 ,  40  sense intensity (brilliance) of the sun and output the sensed intensity as electrical signals. The electrical signals are used for automatic lighting control of a headlight, control of the air conditioning device and the like. 
     The mounting hole  12  is formed in a shape that fits a shape of one solar radiation sensor  40  ( FIGS.  7 A and  7 B ) of the two solar radiation sensors  30 ,  40 . Accordingly, the solar radiation sensor  40  can be directly mounted on the mounting hole  12 . However, the solar radiation sensor  30  ( FIGS.  1  to  5 B ) having a different shape from that of the solar radiation sensor  40  cannot be directly mounted on the mounting hole  12 . It is via an attachment  20  that the solar radiation sensor  30  is mounted on the mounting hole  12 . 
     &lt;Arrangements for Directly Mounting Solar Radiation Sensor&gt; 
     Firstly, arrangements for directly mounting the solar radiation sensor  40  on the mounting hole  12  will be described with reference to  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B . 
     The solar radiation sensor  40  includes a head portion  41  and a body portion  42 . The head portion  41  is formed in a flattened disk configuration and has dimensions that do not permit the head portion  41  to be inserted into the mounting hole  12 . An outer peripheral portion of the head portion  41  is protruded from the body portion  42  in a flange configuration. 
     The body portion  42  is disposed on a back face of the head portion  41 . An external shape of a basal end portion (on the head portion  41  side) of the body portion  42  has a D-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The basal end portion of the body portion  42  includes a flat portion  42   a , a protruded portion  42   b  protruded in an arched configuration and side face portions  42   c ,  42   c  connecting the flat portion  42   a  and the protruded portion  42   b.    
     The mounting hole  12  having the shape that fits the solar radiation sensor  40  extends through the front defroster grille  10  in a thickness direction of the front defroster grille  10 . As shown in  FIG.  7 A , the mounting hole  12  is formed to correspond to the D-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the body portion  42  of the solar radiation sensor  40 . The mounting hole  12  includes a straight portion  12   a , a curved portion  12   b  having an arched configuration and disposed opposed to the straight portion  12   a  and side portions  12   c ,  12   c  connecting end portions of the straight portion  12   a  and the curved portion  12   b.    
     Catch claws  43 ,  43  are respectively disposed in the side face portions  42   c ,  42   c  that constitute a peripheral wall of the body portion  42  of the solar radiation sensor  40 . Each of the catch claws  43  includes inclined faces  43   a ,  43   b  respectively on the head portion  41  side and on a distal end side of the body portion  42 . 
     The inclined face  43   a  of the catch claw  43  is inclined further outward in a radial direction of the body portion  42  as it is distanced from the head portion  41  in an axial direction. The inclined face  43   b  is inclined further inward in the radial direction of the body portion  42  as it is distanced from the head portion  41  in the axial direction. The catch claw  43  is elastically displaceable inward in the radial direction of the body portion  42 . 
     &lt;Method for Directly Mounting the Solar Radiation Sensor&gt; 
     A method for mounting the solar radiation sensor  40  on the mounting hole  12  will be described hereinafter. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 A , in order to align the mounting hole  12  and the body portion  42  of the solar radiation sensor  40  above the front defroster grille  10 , the flat portion  42   a , the protruded portion  42   b  and the side face portions  42   c ,  42   c  of the body portion  42  are respectively brought to positions corresponding to positions of the straight portion  12   a , the curved portion  12   b  and the side portions  12   c ,  12   c  of the mounting hole  12 . At this time, the catch claws  43 ,  43  of the body portion  42  are in a natural state in which no external force works thereon. The catch claws  43 ,  43  are protruded outward in the radial direction with respect to the side portions  12   c ,  12   c  of the mounting hole  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 B , the body portion  42  is inserted into the mounting hole  12 . When the catch claws  43 ,  43  ride over the mounting hole  12 , the head portion  41  is abutted against the front defroster grille  10  at a peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole  12  from a front side and the inclined face  43   a  of the catch claw  43  is engaged with the front defroster grille  10  from a back side. Thereby, the solar radiation sensor  40  is directly mounted on the mounting hole  12 . 
     &lt;Arrangements for Mounting the Solar Radiation Sensor Via an Attachment&gt; 
     Secondly, arrangements for mounting the solar radiation sensor  30  having a shape that does not fit the mounting hole  12  on the mounting hole  12  will be described hereinafter with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  6   . 
     When a component to be mounted on the mounting hole  12  is changed from the solar radiation sensor  40  shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  to the solar radiation sensor  30  shown in  FIG.  2    due to a specification change, the solar radiation sensor  30  cannot be directly mounted on the mounting hole  12  because the shape of the solar radiation sensor  30  is different from the shape of the solar radiation sensor  40  and external dimensions of the solar radiation sensor  30  are smaller than external dimensions of the solar radiation sensor  40 . 
     To prepare a new front defroster grille including a mounting hole having a shape that fits the solar radiation sensor  30  ( FIG.  2   ), it is required to make a mold for the new front defroster grille. To avoid this inconvenience, the technology provides arrangements for mounting the solar radiation sensor  30  on the mounting hole  12  by mounting the attachment  20  on the mounting hole  12  for the solar radiation sensor  40  ( FIGS.  7 A and  7 B ) and mounting the solar radiation sensor  30  on the attachment  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the solar radiation sensor  30  includes a head portion  31  having a disc configuration and a body portion  32  as with the solar radiation sensor  40  described above. An outer peripheral portion of the head portion  31  is protruded from the body portion  32  in a flange configuration. A distal end portion of the body portion  32  (on a side opposite to the head portion  31 ) has an external shape having an octagonal cross-sectional configuration. Catch claws  33 ,  33  are respectively disposed in a cantilever manner in a pair of opposite side faces of the distal end portion of the body portion  32 . 
     Each of the catch claws  33  includes an inclined face  33   a  and an inclined face  33   b . The inclined face  33   b  continues from the body portion  32  and is inclined further outward in a radial direction of the body portion  32  as it extends toward the head portion  31  in an axial direction of the body portion  32 . The inclined face  33   a  continues from a distal end of the inclined face  33   b  and is inclined further inward in the radial direction of the body portion  32  as it extends toward the head portion  31  in the axial direction of the body portion  32 . 
     The inclined face  33   b  of the catch claw  33  is inclined more gently than the inclined face  33   a . The catch claw  33  is elastically displaceable in the radial direction of the body portion  32 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  6   , the attachment  20  includes an abutment plate portion  21  having a disc configuration and a retaining portion  23  disposed on a back side of the abutment plate portion  21 . 
     The abutment plate portion  21  has dimensions that do not permit the abutment plate portion  21  to be inserted into the mounting hole  12  of the front defroster grille  10 . An insertion hole  22  is formed in a middle portion of the abutment plate portion  21 . The insertion hole  22  extends through the abutment plate portion  21  in a thickness direction thereof. 
     The insertion hole  22  is formed in a D-shaped configuration. The insertion hole  22  includes a straight portion  22   a , a curved portion  22   b  opposed to the straight portion  22   a  and side portions  22   c ,  22   c  connecting end portions of the straight portion  22   a  and the curved portion  22   b . The body portion  32  of the solar radiation sensor  30  can be inserted into the insertion hole  22 . However, the head portion  31  cannot be inserted into the insertion hole  22 . 
     The retaining portion  23  is disposed along a peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole  22 . The retaining portion  23  includes a lock portion  24  (first retaining portion), two lock portions  25  (first retaining portion) and two lock portions  26  (second retaining portion). 
     The lock portion  24  is disposed at a location along the straight portion  22   a  of the insertion hole  22 . The two lock portions  25  are disposed at locations along the curved portion  22   b  of the insertion hole  22 . The lock portions  26 ,  26  are respectively disposed at locations along the side portions  22   c ,  22   c.    
     The retaining portion  23  (lock portions  24 ,  25 ,  26 ) can be inserted into the mounting hole  12  of the front defroster grille  10 . 
     The lock portions  24 ,  25 ,  25  (first retaining portions) prohibit the attachment  20  mounted on the mounting hole  12  from escaping therefrom. Since a plurality of the first retaining portions are provided, an effect of prohibiting the attachment  20  from escaping from the mounting hole  12  may be enhanced. 
     The lock portions  26 ,  26  (second retaining portions) prohibit the solar radiation sensor  30  attached to the attachment  20  from escaping therefrom. Since a plurality of the second retaining portions are provided, an effect of prohibiting the solar radiation sensor  30  from escaping from the attachment  20  may be enhanced. 
     Each of the lock portions  24 ,  25 ,  26  will be described in detail hereinafter. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the lock portion  24  includes a plate-like piece portion  24   a  extending in an axial direction of the insertion hole  22  from a portion along the straight portion  22   a  in the abutment plate portion  21 . A slit  24   b  having a C-shaped configuration convex toward the abutment plate portion  21  is formed in the plate-like piece portion  24   a.    
     A portion surrounded by the slit  24   b  is a displaceable portion  24   c . The displaceable portion  24   c  has a cantilever configuration. A distal end portion (upper end portion) of the displaceable portion  24   c  is a free end portion. The free end portion is displaceable in such a manner as to be elastically rotatable about a basal end portion of the displaceable portion  24   c.    
     As shown in  FIG.  4 A , a protruded portion  24   d  is disposed in an outer face of the free end portion of the displaceable portion  24   c . The protruded portion  24   d  includes inclined faces  24   e ,  24   f  respectively on the abutment plate portion  21  side and a distal end side of the plate-like piece portion  24   a.    
     The inclined face  24   e  is inclined further outward in a radial direction as it is distanced from the abutment plate portion  21  in the axial direction of the insertion hole  22 . The inclined face  24   f  is inclined further inward in the radial direction as it is distanced from the abutment plate portion  21  in the axial direction of the insertion hole  22 . The inclined face  24   f  is inclined more gently than the inclined face  24   e.    
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , each of the lock portions  25  includes a plate-like piece portion  25   a  extending in the axial direction of the insertion hole  22  from a portion along the curved portion  22   b  in the abutment plate portion  21 . The plate-like piece portion  25   a  has a cantilever configuration. A distal end portion (lower end portion) of the plate-like piece portion  25   a  is a free end portion. The free end portion is displaceable in such a manner as to be elastically rotatable about a basal end portion of the plate-like piece portion  25   a.    
     A protruded portion  25   b  is disposed in an outer face of each of the plate-like piece portions  25   a . As shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  6   , the protruded portion  25   b  includes inclined faces  25   c ,  25   d  respectively on the abutment plate portion  21  side and a distal end side of the plate-like piece portion  25   a.    
     The inclined face  25   c  is inclined further outward in the radial direction as it is distanced from the abutment plate portion  21  in the axial direction of the insertion hole  22 . The inclined face  25   d  is inclined further inward in the radial direction as it is distanced from the abutment plate portion  21  in the axial direction of the insertion hole  22 . The inclined face  25   d  is inclined more gently than the inclined face  25   c.    
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 B and  6   , each of the lock portions  26  is formed as a plate-like piece extending in the axial direction of the insertion hole  22  from a portion along the side portion  22   c  in the abutment plate portion  21 . A distal end of the lock portion  26  includes an engagement face  26   a  facing downward and having a perpendicularly cut-out configuration with respect to an extending direction thereof. The catch claw  33  of the solar radiation sensor  30  is engaged with the engagement face  26   a  as will be described later. That is, the solar radiation sensor  30  is engaged in a simplified arrangement. 
     &lt;Method for Mounting the Solar Radiation Sensor Via the Attachment&gt; 
     A method for mounting the attachment  20  having the features mentioned above on the mounting hole  12  will be described hereinafter. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the mounting hole  12  and the retaining portion  23  of the attachment  20  are aligned above the front defroster grille  10 . Specifically, the lock portion  24  of the attachment  20  is brought to a position corresponding to a position of the straight portion  12   a  of the mounting hole  12 . The lock portions  25 ,  25  are brought to positions corresponding to a position of the curved portion  12   b . The lock portions  26 ,  26  are respectively brought to positions corresponding to positions of the side portions  12   c ,  12   c.    
     At this time, the lock portion  24  and the lock portion  25  are in a natural state in which no external force works thereon. The protruded portion  24   d  of the lock portion  24  is protruded outward in the radial direction with respect to the straight portion  12   a  of the mounting hole  12 . The protruded portion  25   b  of the lock portion  25  is protruded outward in the radial direction with respect to the curved portion  12   b  of the mounting hole  12 . 
     When the retaining portion  23  of the attachment  20  is inserted into the mounting hole  12  as shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the protruded portion  24   d  of the lock portion  24  rides over the straight portion  12   a  of the mounting hole  12  and the protruded portion  25   b  of the lock portion  25  rides over the curved portion  12   b  of the mounting hole  12  as shown in  FIG.  4 A . 
     At this time, the abutment plate portion  21  is abutted against the front defroster grille  10  at the peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole  12  from the front side and the inclined face  24   e  of the lock portion  24  and the inclined face  25   c  of the lock portion  25  are engaged with the front defroster grille  10  from the back side. Thereby, the attachment  20  is mounted on the mounting hole  12 . 
     Since the inclined faces  24   f ,  25   d  of the lock portions  24 ,  25  located farther from the abutment plate portion  21  are inclined gently, the inclined faces  24   f ,  25   d  can ride over the mounting hole  12  easily. Since the inclined faces  24   e ,  25   c  of the lock portions  24 ,  25  located closer to the abutment plate portion  21  are inclined steeply, the inclined faces  24   e ,  25   c  cannot ride over the mounting hole  12  easily. Accordingly, the attachment  20  may be easily mounted on the mounting hole  12  and cannot be easily removed from the mounting hole  12 . 
     Particularly, since the inclined faces  24   f ,  25   d  are inclined gently and the displaceable portion  24   c  including the inclined face  24   f  and the plate-like piece portion  25   a  including the inclined face  25   d  are elastically displaceable, workability of mounting of the attachment  20  on the front defroster grille  10  is improved. 
     Next, a method for mounting the solar radiation sensor  30  on the attachment  20  mounted on the mounting hole  12  will be described hereinafter. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the insertion hole  22  of the attachment  20  and the body portion  32  of the solar radiation sensor  30  are aligned. Specifically, the catch claws  33 ,  33  of the body portion  32  are brought to positions respectively corresponding to positions of the side portions  22   c ,  22   c  of the insertion hole  22 . 
     At this time, the catch claws  33 ,  33  of the body portion  32  of the solar radiation sensor  30  are in a natural state in which no external force works thereon. The catch claws  33 ,  33  are protruded outward in the radial direction with respect to the side portions  22   c ,  22   c  of the insertion hole  22 . 
     When the body portion  32  of the solar radiation sensor  30  is inserted into the insertion hole  22  as shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , each of the catch claws  33  rides over the side portion  22   c  of the insertion hole  22  and the lock portion  26  as shown in  FIG.  5 B . 
     At this time, the head portion  31  of the solar radiation sensor  30  is abutted against a portion of the abutment plate portion  21  constituting the peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole  22  from the front side. The inclined face  33   a  of the catch claw  33  of the solar radiation sensor  30  is engaged with the engagement face  26   a  of the lock portion  26 . Thereby, the solar radiation sensor  30  is attached to the attachment  20 , and further, to the mounting hole  12  of the front defroster grille  10  as show in  FIGS.  3 ,  5 A and  5 B . 
     The inclined face  33   b  of the catch claw  33  inclined gently can ride over the insertion hole  22  and the lock portion  26  easily. On the other hand, the inclined face  33   a  cannot ride over the lock portion  26  easily because the inclined face  33   a  is inclined steeply and the engagement face  26   a  of the attachment  20  to be engaged with the inclined face  33   a  is oriented to an insertion direction of the solar radiation sensor  30 . Accordingly, the solar radiation sensor  30  may be easily attached to the insertion hole  22  of the attachment  20  and cannot be easily removed from the insertion hole  22 . 
     &lt;Effects of the Attachment&gt; 
     The attachment  20  described above enables the solar radiation sensor  30  having a shape that does not fit the mounting hole  12  of the front defroster grille  10  to be mounted on the front defroster grille  10 . Thereby, it is not required to prepare, for every solar radiation sensor having a different shape, a new front defroster grille including a mounting hole that fits the solar radiation sensor. Further, it is not required to make a new mold for injection molding the new front defroster grille. That is, a front defroster grille can be shared by solar radiation sensors having different shapes. 
     The technology is not limited to the embodiment described above and various modifications may be adopted without departing from the spirit or scope of the technology. 
     The vehicle interior material is not limited to the front defroster grille. The vehicle interior material may be various vehicle interior materials including an instrument panel, a door trim, a roof trim, a roof side trim, a pillar trim and the like. 
     Components to be mounted on the vehicle interior material are not limited to the solar radiation sensor. The components may be various components including other electrical components and the like. 
     The technology can be applied to an attachment to be mounted on a mounting hole formed in a vehicle interior material for mounting components on the mounting hole. 
     According to at least one embodiment of the technology, the technology enables a component having a shape that does not fit a mounting hole to be mounted on a vehicle interior material and makes the vehicle interior material to be sharable. 
     Although some example embodiments and modification examples of the technology are described hereinabove, the foregoing embodiments and modification examples are mere examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology. It should be also appreciated that various omissions, replacements, and modifications may be made in the foregoing embodiments and modification examples described herein, without departing from the scope of the technology. The technology is intended to include such modifications and alterations in so far as they fall within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.