Abstract:
A utilitarian device such as a weighted base includes a plurality of removable, folding, joinable, and adjustable leveling elements that attach along the underside surface of the base to form a tripod support. The leveling elements include interchangeable folding feet and pointed members each having threaded connections to the base individually or in series, to maintain a level orientation of the base over most surfaces. A plurality of storage clips retain and stow un-deployed leveling elements within the gap provided between the base and the ground surface. An upstanding pole attaches to the base upperside and supports an object such as a flag, umbrella, or other piece of equipment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This U.S. Patent Application is a Division of Continuation-in-Part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/769,041 filed on Feb. 15, 2013, entitled, “Outdoor Solar Lamp with a Base having Flat and Pointed Foot Elements,” now pending. Each patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to outdoor solar powered lamps and specifically to an outdoor solar powered floor lamp with a weighted base, folding feet, and pointed ridges joined adjustably and interchangeably to the underside surface of the base for leveling and stability purposes when placed on hard, soft, even, uneven, uniform, and non-uniform support surfaces. 
     Traditionally, outdoor lamps derive their upright support from a singular pointed base member such as a long finned spike that, when pushed into penetrable soil or a soft ground substrate, provides the necessary vertical support required for the lamp to remain upright. These lamps are capable of standing upright on even, uneven, level, or sloping surfaces; however, these ground penetrating lamps cannot be used on hard surfaces such as patios, decks, balconies, within gazebos, on concrete surfaces, on rough-cut stone, or on other hard surfaces where the use of an outdoor lamp might be useful and desired. 
     Accordingly there is a need for a stable stand-alone, vertically and gravitationally centered, outdoor solar floor lamp structure that can be used on flat or sloping, soft or hard, smooth or rough-cut surfaces, and combinations thereof, while vertically supporting a lamp thereabove. A traditional lamp base connected to an upstanding pole and lamp would suffice for use on hardened surfaces; however, traditional lamp bases are flat-bottomed and in outdoor applications could tilt unsteadily or damage the surface upon which they rest. Most lamp bases provide no means of accommodating the uneven or non-uniform surfaces upon which they are placed, while still providing the ability to level the lamp pole and the base independent of the given support surface. Surfaces upon which an outdoor lamp may be deployed include rough-cut stone, outdoor decks, concrete surfaces, and softer surfaces such as grass, mulch, and soil that may or may not be sloped. A further consideration lacking in most available floor lamp bases is the build-up of dirt, moisture and subsequent mold buildup beneath an otherwise flat lamp base support. Due the lack of air and trapped moisture, the support surface can become stained, develop mold, house pests, or kill underlying grass upon which it is placed. 
     To solve these problems, the present invention is provided having a modular and adjustable base that can be offset from its support surface to remain level, and further to provide an air gap between the support surface and the base for eliminating concerns of damaging the support surfaces. Specifically, a plurality of downward protruding folding feet and pointed ridges joined to the underside of the base serve to create a tripod support therefore that can each be adjusted vertically and interchanged or jointed with one another. The use of flat folding feet is ideal for hardened surfaces, while the pointed ridges are ideal for placement over soft soil or within surface gaps to maintain the base positioning during deployment. 
     Most traditional flat-bottomed lamp bases or those with feet are not suited for use over uneven or inclined surfaces or soft surfaces, since they lack adjustability and the modularity to account for different surface types while maintain a level orientation. Therefore it is desirable to disclose a stand-alone outdoor solar floor lamp with a base that is constructed specifically such that the its leveling elements provide a user with the flexibility to deploy the lamp in a wide variety of differing outdoor environments while maintaining the upright and level position of the base and upstanding lamp. The leveling elements are chosen specifically for the intended environment and specific area of deployment, while un-utilized leveling elements can be conveniently stored under the base for use if the lamp is moved and they are otherwise required. The present base, furthermore, is useful on soft and hard surface types, where the height-adjustable leveling elements are interchangeable with one another. Pointed ridges and generally flat folding feet are chosen to provide the necessary traction and interaction with the support surface required in the given environment. The height of the base can be adjusted to provide both a level orientation and air movement thereunder, minimizing base-to-surface contact on both hard and soft surfaces, and maximizing leveling, balancing, and traction properties with the given environment 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to floor lamps and outdoor solar lamps. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and generally relate to tripod devices and solar lamps having particular elements that diverge from the present invention. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. D464156 to Yeh provides a self-contained fuel powered lamp having a spike base unit for securing the lamp by penetrating into a soft support surface. While disclosing a novel lamp design, the Yeh device is typical of most outdoor torches and lamps that require a soft ground surface to secure the lamp post. The present invention provides a new and improved outdoor lamp post support system that can support itself on most outdoor surfaces, including hardened surfaces, soft soil surfaces, and uneven and non-uniform surfaces. The present invention provides a structure that can be conveniently adapted to vertically and levelly support its lamp upper with minimal restrictions as to the support surface and without causing damage thereto. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,660 to Chen discloses a warning light having a telescoping post connected to a plurality of legs movable from a base structure. The movable legs form a tripod that can be used to level the post for upright support of the warning light thereabove when deployed. When not being used, the device can be condensed into a stowed state, whereby the post is telescopically collapsed onto itself and the legs are positioned in an upright position with respect to the base to reduce the assembly overall volume between uses. While disclosing a solar light support, the elements of the Chen device do not disclose the novel aspects of the weighted base and the adjustable and interchangeable leveling elements of the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,475 to Goodman discloses a non-metallic, weighted base for a light source that comprises a disk-like structure having an interior cavity filled with a dense material. The base includes a flat underside surface and an upper surface recessed region to accept a lamp post therein. The flat underside further includes a plurality of feet to support the base above the ground. No means of adjusting the feet is disclosed in the Goodman device. By contrast, the present invention provides a weighted base having a plurality of interchangeable and adjustable leveling elements that allow the base height and orientation to be adjusted, while also providing clearance for storage of any stowed folding feet not currently in use. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,668 to Tanner discloses a solar powered lamp that utilizes cold cathode fluorescent bulbs for increased illumination and enhanced lamp life. The device includes photovoltaic cells coupled to an electrical storage device that provides low voltage direct current. The low voltage direct current is transformed into higher voltage alternating current for use with a cold cathode fluorescent bulb in the absence of ambient light. The Tanner device is a combination fluorescent bulb light source and photovoltaic cells that allows prolonged lamp life and use during low light hours. The present invention pertains to an adjustable lamp base that is particularly suited for vertically and supporting a solar powered light source, whereby the light source can be positioned outdoors and on uneven surfaces and remain gravitationally centered and level. 
     It is submitted that the present invention is divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing lamp bases to include hard and soft surface stability, gravitationally centered leveling abilities, and convenient parts storage means. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a functional solar powered outdoor floor lamp that is specifically designed to be positioned in a gravitationally centered manner when used on hard or soft, flat or sloping, even or uneven, smooth or rough-cut surface areas and that will provide for air space between the bottom of the base and the top of the surface on which it sits. 
     The above object may be achieved in its simplest form by providing a weighted base having a plurality of interchangeable, height-adjustable, easily storable, folding feet and interchangeable, height-adjustable, easily storable, pointed ridges attached to and along the undermost side of the base. Above the base is provided an elongated pole, formed by at least one pole member or a plurality of segments thereof, which supports a solar powered lamp. 
     Another object is to provide an outdoor solar floor lamp that extends the utility of the otherwise standard ground spike-based outdoor fuel and solar lamps that are only useable on soft surfaces. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel floor lamp base having a leveling capacity that is provided via a plurality of interchangeable adjustable and foldable feet that are used or conveniently stored on the underside surface of the base. The folding feet and pointed ridges can be interchangeably used, jointly used, or stored to support the base on hard, soft, flat, sloping or combination surfaces to prevent deviation of the lamp base or lamp pole from a gravitationally centered orientation. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an underside perspective view of the base and the leveling, penetrating, folding, and storage clip elements of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross section view of the base of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows another cross section view of the base of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a view of the leveling and storable folding foot. 
         FIG. 6  shows a view of a storage clip along the base underside surface used to retain and support the threaded ends of any un-utilized folding feet and pointed ridges. 
         FIG. 7  shows a side cross section view of the folding foot leveling element of the present invention in a deployed state. 
         FIG. 8  shows an overhead view of the folding foot leveling element in a stowed state and connected to a storage clip below the base. 
         FIG. 9  shows a view of the decorative lamp housing, translucent light housing, and an upper lamp enclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the outdoor solar floor lamp. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing the user with an outdoor lamp base having leveling capabilities, an ability to be deployed on surfaces of varying hardness and design, and convenient storage capacity for parts not in use. The present invention is ideally suited for use with a solar powered lamp having an ambient light sensor, whereby the lamp requires no external power source and can automatically activate during low light conditions. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded view of the elements of the present invention, including the base  16 , leveling elements  11 , a lamp pole  20 , a decorative lamp housing  30 , an ambient light sensor  42 , and solar energy collection device  41  powering a light source  43 . The leveling elements include a plurality of folding feet  12  and a plurality of pointed ridges  13  that work interchangeably or in conjunction with one another to form a three legged support for the base  16  that are threadably attached thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the leveling elements include three folding feet  12  and three pointed ridges  13  that can be simultaneously utilized to support the base or utilized in some combination thereof to provide three points of support therefor. Those leveling elements not being used to support the base are stowed along the underside of the base  16  using threadably attached storage clips  15 , which secure the threaded ends of the leveling elements  11  and retain them against the base underside surface. Clearance for the storage clip-retained leveling elements is provided by the offset created by the deployed leveling elements, including the threaded nuts  14 , all of which lift and orient the base  16  above the ground surface. 
     The base  16 , which is elevated above the ground, is covered by a decorative cover  17  that is separated by a cover support washer  10  from the base  16  and threadably connects to the upstanding lamp pole lower end  21 . The cover coextensively covers the base and provides a decorative shell thereover for the purposes of visual appeal. The lamp pole lower end  21  threadably attaches to the base  16  via a threaded connection, while a flanged washer  18  having extended flanges prevents water from entering the base aperture or from leaking through the decorative cover  17 . The upper end  22  of the lamp pole  20  is threadably connected to the lower end  31  of the decorative lamp housing  30 , which supports the illumination elements of the present invention. These elements include a translucent light housing  33  and a light source  43  that is powered by a plurality of rechargeable batteries that are charged by the photovoltaic cells that make up the solar energy collection device  41  via wires and a controller board. The solar energy collection device  41 , an ambient light sensor  42 , the light source  43 , a plurality of batteries, a controller board, and other solar lamp elements are stored within the upper lamp enclosure  40  that threadably connect to the upper end  32  of the decorative lamp housing  30 . The translucent light housing  33  is positioned within an opening provided by the decorative lamp housing  30 , and receives the light source  43  therein. 
     The uppermost end of the lamp assembly includes the solar energy collection device  41 , and an ambient light sensor  42  which are embedded into the upper lamp enclosure  40 . The photovoltaic cells serve as the energy collection and power source for the solar lamp. Positioned within the underside of the upper lamp enclosure  40  is a plurality of batteries, a controller board to control the flow of energy, at least one light source  43 , and assorted other elements such as wires, clips, and switches that necessary to power the solar lamp. The translucent light housing  33  is contained within the decorative lamp support and protects the elements contained therein including at least one light source  43 . The light source  43  may comprises a bulb diffuser that contains one or more lamp bulbs. 
     The underside of the base  16  is configured with a plurality of downward projecting leveling elements  11 . The leveling elements  11  include the pointed ridges  13  and folding feet  12 . The folding feet  12  are configured to lift the base  16  above the ground surface to allow air space for effective water flow, proper drainage and airing, and prevention of trapped moisture between the underneath side of the base  16 , and to provide gravitationally centered balancing properties of the base  16  and lamp pole  20  on even, uneven, flat, sloping, and hard, soft surfaces. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an underside view of the base  16  of the present invention. In this view the decorative cover is not visualized for purposes of clarity. The base  16  comprises a weighted structure that supports the upstanding lamp post and lamp elements. Along the base underside surface  50  of the base are preferably three threaded connections for leveling elements and three threaded connections for downward facing storage clips  15 . The three threaded connections for the leveling elements are equidistantly positioned about the base underside surface, both radially and circumferentially about the central post, whereby the folding feet  12 , and/or pointed ridges  13  are threadably secured therein and adjust vertically to maintain the desired orientation and offset of the base from the ground surface. Three threaded connections for the storage clips  15  are also positioned radially and circumferentially about the central post and are located in between the three threaded connections for the folding feet  12  and the pointed ridges  13 . 
     The folding feet  12  comprise rounded cylindrical structures having a generally flat and channeled upper surface and a flat lower surface having an underside surface pad  52  thereattached. A threaded member  54  pivotably attaches to the foot structure within its upper surface channel, whereby the threaded member  54  is collapsible into the channel from an upright and deployed state to a folded stowed state such that the storage clips  15  may support the threaded member  54  when stowed. The lower surface of the folding feet  12  includes an underside surface pad  52  that prevents rust stains and other surface stains from developing on the support surface therebelow. Also along the lower surface is a threaded aperture  51 , whereby successive leveling elements may be secured together in series. When securing the folding feet  12  to the base  16 , a retaining nut  14  tensions the threaded connection between the retaining nut  14  and the threaded apertures of the base to secure the exposed length of the folding foot threaded member in a static position, thereby securing the height of the folding foot at that location. 
     The second leveling element of the present invention is a pointed ridge  13 , which comprises a pointed body  60  that tapers from a first end to a second end having a defined point, whereby a threaded member  61  extends from the pointed body first end. The threaded member  61  is adapted to secure into one of the base threaded apertures (See  91  at  FIG. 4 ) or through the threaded aperture  51  of a deployed folding foot  12 . The pointed ridge  13  provides a means to support the base  16  by penetrating soft surfaces such as soil, for which the pointed body  60  is better suited for stable support over the flat folding foot  12 . As desired, one pointed ridge  13  may be deployed along with two folding feet  12  wherein the pointed body  60  is fitted into the between-board gap such as is found on decks and balconies, firmly raising, leveling, and steadying the solar lamp. 
     For those leveling elements not being actively deployed in a vertical position to support the base  16 , storage clips  15  are provided along the base underside surface  50  to support and stow the threaded members  61 ,  54  of either the folding feet  12  or the pointed ridges  13 . In this way, the chosen combination of leveling elements is deployed, while those remaining are secured to the base by the storage clips  15 . The collapsing structure of the folding feet  12  and the orientation of the pointed ridges  13  allows these un-utilized members to be stowed beneath the base  16  while the deployed leveling elements adjust, support, and level the base above the ground surface with sufficient clearance therefor. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross section view of the base in a working state. An embodiment of the threaded connection  19  between the lamp pole  20  and the base  16  is shown, along with the flanged washer  18 , the position of the decorative cover  17  over the base, and the cover support washer  10 . The exact layout of the threaded connections between these elements may take several different designs; however it is desired to disclose a means of removable securement between the lamp pole  20  and the base  16 , while the decorative cover  17  secures thereover and water is prevented from leaking into the base or through the decorative cover  17  by way of the flanged washer  18 . 
     Shown in  FIG. 4  there is also a cross section view of the base in working state. The base preferably includes three base threaded apertures  91  that accept leveling elements and three threaded apertures for accepting the clip threaded members, whereby each set of threaded apertures are spread equidistant apart from one another along the base underside surface in a tripod or tri-support configuration. The threaded member  54  of the folding feet  12  or the same threaded member  61  of the pointed ridges  13  is secured within the base threaded apertures  91  and locked into a static position using a retaining nut  14 . The pointed ridges  13  can also be threadably attached to a deployed folding foot  12  by way of the threaded aperture  51 , which accepts the threaded member  61  of the pointed ridge therein. In this way, the folding foot  12  may rest against a ground surface using its underside surface pad  52 , or the folding foot  12  may support a pointed ridge  13  therein. The storage clips  15  secure to the base by way of their own threaded apertures  92 , which accept a threaded member or screw fastener from the storage clip  15 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the base there is also a slight slope from the center of the base to the outer edges to allow for moisture runoff. While this is a preferred structure for the base, it is within the contemplation of the invention that the base and cover may take a wide variety of design configurations such as octagonal or square. Further, the folding feet and pointed ridges can take on many designs such that do not deviate from the utility described herein, wherein functionality across different support surfaces and stability of the base is of primary concern, along with a base-to-surface offset that eliminates the harboring of dirt, mold, mildew or other spotting or stain causing elements. The pointed ridges of the present invention provide a means to anchor the base into soil or to secure the assembly through gaps in an outdoor deck, wherein a pointed ridge may be positioned between two adjacent deck slats for securing the base thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a folding foot  12  and its threaded member  54 . The folding foot  12  comprises a body structure having a flat upper surface with a channel  55  and a flat lower surface with an underside surface pad  52 , along with a flanged  57  ball joint  56  serving as the pivoting connection with for threaded member  54 . The threaded member  54  can pivot  101  between an upstanding position and a stowed position  59  within the channel  55 . When in a stowed position  59 , the threaded member  54  is positioned below the folding foot flat upper surface and is supported by a storage clip  15  below the base, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . When stowed, the threaded member is positioned within the channel  55  and within the body of the folding foot, while a pair of tabs  58  along the channel  55  locks the threaded member  54  therein when stowed. The connection between the threaded member  54  and the folding foot body is a pivot joint or revolute joint, allowing the threaded member to pivot in a single plane and about a single axis when transitioning from a deployed to a stowed state. In a preferred embodiment, a flanged  57  ball joint  56  provides a means to rotate the threaded member, while preventing the threaded member  54  from rotating when securing the threaded member  54  into the threaded aperture of the base during deployment. When deployed in an upstanding position, the threaded member extends upwards from its flat upper surface and is utilized to adjust the vertical position  102  of the folding foot body with respect to the base. A retaining nut  14  secures against the base after the folding foot has been threadably rotated  103  into one of the base underside apertures. The underside surface of the folding feet comprises a threaded aperture  51  that accepts the threaded member  61  of a pointed ridge  13 , or alternatively the underside surface pad  52  is placed against the ground surface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a storage clip  15  of the present invention, three of which are equally interspersed between the base threaded apertures ( 91 ,  FIG. 4 ). The storage clip  15  comprises a body that supports a threaded fastener  97  therethrough to connect the storage clip to the base underside surface, along with first and second curved flanges  93  that surround an opening that accepts and secures against the threaded member  61 ,  54  of one of the leveling elements when not in use. The base  94  of the storage clip is flat to lay flush with the base underside surface and provide minimal offset that would increase its space requirements beneath the base. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , there are show two cross section cuts of the folding foot  12  leveling element of the present invention, including a vertical section cut ( FIG. 7 ) and a horizontal section cut ( FIG. 8 ) to highlight the novel aspects thereof. The folding foot  12  comprises a body  53  that supports a threaded member  54 . The threaded member  54  connects to the body  53  by way of a pivot joint, and preferably using a flanged  57  ball joint  56  such that the threaded member  54  can fold from deployed state ( FIG. 7 ) to a stowed state ( FIG. 8 ) in a single plane while not being free to rotate about its connection. The threaded member  54  engages a threaded aperture of the base on the base underside surface, therefore the threaded member  54  must be prevented from free rotation to allow for the threads of the member  54  to advance into the base aperture. Along the lower surface of the folding foot is an underside surface pad  52  that contours to the given support surface and offsets the body  53  of the folding foot from the ground. 
     When stowed and as shown in  FIG. 8 , the threaded member  54  is secured within a channel  55  that extends through the body  53  of the foot and from its ball joint  56  to its outer sidewall. The channel accepts the threaded member  54  when stowed and secures it therein using a pair of tabs  58 . A portion of the threaded member extends out of the channel  55 , which is grasped by one of the base clips, whereby the curved flanges (shown in  FIG. 6, 93 ) surround the threaded member  54  and support the folding foot  12  along the base underside surface. When stowed, the retaining nut is removed from the threaded member and utilized on a threaded member of a leveling element to be deployed. In this way, a minimum of retaining nuts need be deployed at any given time, their use being only on those leveling elements engaging the threaded apertures of the base while supporting the base. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is a side exploded view of the solar lamp, including its decorative lamp housing  30 , the translucent light housing  33 , the solar powered elements of the present invention, and the light source  43 . An upper lamp enclosure  40  includes a solar energy collection device  41  and ambient light sensor  42 , a general area in which other functional apparatus such as a controller panel, clips, batteries, wires and switches can be housed that support the illumination features and energy gathering features of the present invention. Inside the upper lamp enclosure is the light source  43 . The lower end  31  of the decorative lamp housing  30  connects to the uppermost end of the upstanding lamp pole, which can be segmented, hollow, solid, and have various designs falling within the scope of the present invention. The upper lamp enclosure  40  secures to the upper end  32  of the decorative lamp support to secure the assembly together in a water tight configuration. 
     Overall it is desired to disclose a solar floor lamp that includes a leveling capacity, a weighted base, a solar power functionality, and a convenient under-base storage design that allows a user to modularly place the lamp in outdoor spaces without regard to the support surface characteristics. In an embodiment of the present invention, the base can be directly attached decorative lamp housing to create an indoor or outdoor table lamp having a shorter construction (absent a lamp pole). The base as shown enables the outdoor solar lamp to be used on hard surfaces such as balconies, decks, patios, under gazebos, and in or around pools—in addition to uses on predominantly level soft surfaces such as soil, grass or mulch. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of downward projecting height-adjustable folding feet and pointed ridges are constructed as three downward projecting pieces of hard material, equidistant from one another to form a tripod arrangement for balance and that screw up or down to provide a balancing means for use on most surfaces. 
     Materials contemplated for the present assembly include those that can be fabricated from a variety of weather resistant and noncorrosive materials, with some preferred materials being metal such as steel, aluminum, brass and the like, wood, and polymeric materials with fairly high strength engineering such as polycarbonate, and fiber reinforced composites. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.