Patent Document

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     In accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/667,733, entitled “PIPE FITTING INSTALLATION DEVICE”, filed on Nov. 2, 2012, which claims to U.S. Provisional Application 61/555,403, entitled “PIPE FITTING INSTALLATION DEVICE” filed on Nov. 3, 2011. The contents of each of the above referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for the installation of fittings on plastic pipes. In particular, the present invention is a portable device which can be secured to pipes of various outside diameters and secure a pipe fitting, such as a treaded fitting, to the pipe by thermal welding. The pipe is then cut or punctured within the pipe fitting to permit access from the interior of the pipe to the pipe fitting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known in the art to join two plastic pipes together by heating the facing butt ends of each pipe to a selected temperature until they become molten and then pressing the two ends together. This will make a joint that is as strong as the original pipe. It is also known that a selected force should be applied to form the perfect joint. This thermal technique can also be used to secure plastic fittings to the side walls of plastic pipes. Employing this technique, the fitting can be placed onto the pipe and its exact location and position determined prior to the fitting being secured to the pipe. This “trial and error” type of placement of a fitting on a pipe eliminates any judgment errors on behalf of the individual installing the fitting. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,424 discloses a portable pipe fusion apparatus for attaching plastic side wall fittings, e.g. tees and branch saddles to a plastic pipe of selected composition. This apparatus comprises a base plate with means to rigidly clamp the base plate to a pipe main. Two parallel, spaced support rods attached to the base plate at one end and to a support plate across the other two ends. A movable clamp is guided to slide along the support rods with the axis of movement intersecting the axis of the pipe main. The movable clamp can be attached to and hold various side wall fittings rigidly, so that the axes of the fittings intersect the axis of the main pipe. A drive screw, held in a quick release split nut means on the support plate, will force the movable clamp in the direction to contact the transverse pipe main. A hydraulic load cell is interposed between the drive screw and the movable clamp with an indicator which continually reads the force being applied between the moving clamp and the pipe main. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,199 discloses a fitting for coupling a service line to a polyethylene fluid distribution pipe, such as a water main or a gas main. The fitting includes a stub length of polyethylene pipe that serves as a base for attaching a corporation stop valve. The cross section of the open base end is machined to match the curvature of the outside surface of the main pipe and then fused into the sidewall of the main. The corporation stop valve can then be used for hot tapping polyethylene mains. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,377 discloses a pipe fitting adapted to be installed in an aperture in a wall of a fluid container. The fitting comprises inner and outer co-axial sleeve members interconnected for relative axial movement and a split, helically wound, washer. The inner sleeve member has an end portion insertable through the aperture, and the outer sleeve member has an annular bearing surface adjacent to the end portion adapted to overlie a first one of two opposed surfaces of the wall around the periphery of the aperture. The split washer is retained to and extends around the end portion opposite the bearing surface and is of larger outer diameter than the aperture, but is insertable therethrough by winding so as to overlie the second of the opposed surfaces of the wall. The washer is compressible into annular engagement with the second surface of the wall by relative axial movement of the inner and outer sleeve members such that the wall around the aperture is gripped between the washer and the bearing surface, thereby sealing the connection between the fitting and the wall. The fitting may be installed in an aperture of a pipe, which may be lined. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,662 discloses a device which comprises a combination hand cylinder drill and tool for installing a stopper plug for drilling and/or plugging a hole in a sealed fluid container. The stopper plug aspect is used to insert and secure a stopper plug to close a hole in the wall of a storage container or a pipe carrying fluid under pressure. This permits removal of a defective pipe fitting such as a tee or a valve. The stopper plug includes a toggle or anchor for engaging the inner wall of the pipe at the location of the hole to be sealed shut. After the stopper plug is secured in place, the defective fitting is removed. The drill aspect of the invention is used to drill out a cylindrical hole in the pipe and/or fitting so that the plug can be installed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A portable assembly for securing a plastic fitting to a plastic pipe by employing fusion or thermal sealing is disclosed. The assembly is secured to the outer circumference of a plastic pipe at a desired location. The assembly can be secured at any longitudinal and lateral position along a plastic pipe. A heater heats both the pipe and the fitting to the point where they begin to melt. The heater is removed and the fitting is pressed onto the surface of the pipe, thus fusing the fitting to the pipe. After cooling, the assembly is removed and the surface of the pipe within the interior of the fitting is drilled or removed. This now enables fluid within the pipe to be sent to the fitting and onto distribution lines which are connected to the fitting. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an assembly which utilizes a thermal device for securement of relatively small plastic fittings to the sidewall of a larger plastic pipe. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an assembly which can simultaneously heat a plastic pipe and a fitting which is to be secured to the pipe. 
     It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an assembly which enables accurate placement of a fitting on a pipe. 
     It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a portable assembly for securing a fitting to a pipe which is readily adjustable both longitudinally and laterally along a pipe. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the present invention prior to being secured to a pipe; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention after being secured to a pipe; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the pipe of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the heater of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the heater with the housing shown in phantom; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the heating elements of the heater; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a front perspective view of the pipe fitting installation device illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9B  is a plane view of the bottom side of the fitting holder; 
         FIG. 9C  is a cross sectional view of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the pipe fitting installation device illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front plane view of the pipe fitting installation device illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear plane view of the pipe fitting installation device illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the pipe fitting installation device illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the pipe fitting installation device illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of an illustrative example of a pipe fitting having alignment features. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
       FIGS. 1-7 , which are now referenced, illustrate the present invention and the manner in which it is assembled. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally as  10 . The present invention is constructed and arranged to be secured to a pipe  12  which is hollow and is designed to transport fluids. As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the present invention circumscribes almost the entire outer circumference of a portion of pipe  12  when it is in its operational position. In this operational position, the present invention is designed to be secured to a pipe so that it will not move in any direction, with respect to the pipe, while a fitting  14  is being secured to the pipe  12 . Attachment to a pipe  12  also provides for re-rounding the outer surface of the pipe to establish a proper radius for fusing. 
     The present invention includes a plurality of jaws  16  and  18  which are pivotally secured to the main body  20  of the present invention ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The jaws are preferably arranged to provide over center engagement with pipe  12  so that capture of the pipe  12  to the device  10  can be accomplished from the top of the pipe without the need for additional parts. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the lower portion of the main body  20  is arc shaped so that the lower portion will snugly engage a portion of pipe  12 . A plurality of movable lever arms  22  and  24 , preferably attached to the main body  20  at opposing ends, are pivotally secured to the main body  20  at  23  and  25  and cantilevered to the jaws  16  and  18 . These cantilever connections  26  and  28  between the arms  22  and  24  and the jaws  16  and  18  enable the jaws  16 , and  18  to be securely positioned on and secured to the pipe  12 . This arrangement further provides for self locking, preferably through the use of an over center lever system or toggle locking action mechanism. The jaws  16  and  18  and the main body  20  tightly secure the present invention to the outer circumference of a pipe  12 . The arc shape of the lower portion of the main body  20  and the jaws  16  and  18  enable the present invention to be placed on a pipe, secure a fitting to the pipe and then be moved along the longitudinal axis of the pipe  12  so that another fitting can be secured to the pipe  12 . 
     Additionally, the present invention can be rotated around the circumference of the pipe so that one or more fittings can be secured to the pipe  12  at almost any location on the outer surface of the pipe. This feature is especially useful when the pipe  12  is in its final location, for example a water irrigation main feed line, and new sprinklers or drip lines need to be secured to the irrigation main feed line. In this situation, only a portion of the main feed line needs to be uncovered and the present invention is secured to the main feed line. The fitting or drip line(s) are then secured to the main feed line and the pipe is reburied. This eliminates a very costly removal of all or most of the main feed line to secure new fittings, etc. to the main feed line. 
     The main body  20  of the present invention includes at least two upright rods  30  and  32  secured to the top of the main body  20 , see  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The main body  20  also includes an aperture  34  which extends from the upper surface of the main body completely through to the bottom of the main body, as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The preferred shape of the aperture  34  is circular. However, any other shape can also be utilized. The shape of aperture  34  corresponds to the exterior shape of the fitting  14  which is being secured to the pipe  12 . 
     A heater  36 , see  FIGS. 2-6 , is secured to the rods  30  and  32  in a manner which enables the heater  36  to be slidingly raised and lowered along the length of the rods. This interconnection between the heater  36  and the rods  30  and  32  is enabled by tabs  38  and  40  on the heater  36 . Tabs  38  and  40  partially engage the circumference of each rod  30  and  32  so that the heater  36  is aligned with the aperture  34 . This enables the heater  36  to be inserted into and raised out of the aperture  34 . The partial engagement of the tabs on the rods enable the heater  36  to be removed from the rods  30  and  32  without having to be raised to the ends of the rods. This interaction can be seen in  FIG. 2 . The heater  36  has been raised out of aperture  34  and can then be moved toward the right of the drawing and away from rods  30  and  32 . 
     The fitting  14  in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a plastic fitting, such as a fusion transition saddle, which is secured to the outer surface or circumference of a main pipe  12 . Fluid distribution lines (not shown) are then attached to the fitting  14 . Preferably, the interior of fitting  14  includes threads which enable the distribution lines to be threadably connected to the fitting  14 . The fitting  14  is removably secured to a holder  42 . Preferably, the fitting  14  is shaped so that it can only fit into the holder in a position which will enable the fitting to be properly secured to pipe  12 . This relationship between the fitting  14  and the holder  42  avoids incorrect placement of the fitting on the pipe  12  when the apparatus is used in the field. This also enables operators with limited knowledge of the present invention to properly operate the invention. 
     Holder  42  is secured to a swing latch  48  by a shaft  50  with a spring  51 . Swing latch  48  engages rods  30  and  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and when the shaft  50  is turned, the holder  42  is either raised from or lowered toward the main body  20 . The holder  42  is slidingly secured to rods  30  and  32 . The holder  42  includes ends  44  and  46  which are provided with apertures. Rods  30  and  32  pass through these apertures and enable the holder  42  to be raised from and lowered toward the main body  20 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the process by which the fitting  14  is secured to the pipe  12 . The entire assembly  10  is first placed onto pipe  12  at a desired location,  FIG. 1 . Next, the assembly  10  is secured to the pipe by clamps  16  and  18 . Then, the holder  42  is placed in its utmost position, see  FIG. 2 , and the fitting  14  is placed therein. The heater  36  is then placed on the rods  30  and  32  beneath the fitting  14 . The heater  36 , at this stage, is outside of the aperture  34  of the main body  20 . Next, the fitting  14  is lowered into contact with the top of the heater  36  by applying a force to the swing latch  48  which compresses the spring  51 , and both the heater  36  and fitting  14  are lowered into the aperture  34 . The swing latch  48  is designed to swing or rotate so that the hooked portions  53  and  55  are coupleable and locked to a portion of the upright rods  30  and  32 . The lower portion of the heater  36  is brought into contact with the outer surface of pipe  12 . Next, an electric current is sent to the heater, through wires  49  within handle  51 , see  FIGS. 4-7 , which in turn raises the temperature of the heating elements  52  and  54 . The higher temperature of the heating elements  5  and  54  is transferred to the heater housing  37 . The heater housing  37  is now in contact with the lower end of fitting  14  through the upper surface  39  (first heating surface) and the outer surface of pipe  12  through lower heating element  41  (forming a second heating surface). The lower heating element  41  is designed to contain a surface  43  that is the same as or substantially similar to the surface of the pipe fitting that is to be fused with the pipe  12 . The temperature of the heater is now sufficiently high to melt both the lower end of the fitting  14  and the outer surface of pipe  12 . Next, the heater  36  and fitting  14  are raised up and away from the pipe  12  and out of aperture  34 . The heater  36  is then removed from the assembly and the fitting  14  is lowered onto the surface of pipe  12  through aperture  34 . A force is applied to the swing latch  48  to compress the spring  51 . As the force is applied, the swing latch  48  is pushed in a downward direction, pushing on fitting  14 . The swing latch  48  swings or rotates so that the hooked portions  53  and  55  are coupleable and locked to a portion of the upright rods  30  and  32 . The area of the pipe  12  which has been heated and heated end of fitting  14  are at a temperature at which the material from which they are made melts. The fitting is placed onto the pipe, and both the fitting and the pipe melt or fuse together to form a fluid tight seal between them. 
     Next, the holder  42  is raised by unhooking the swing latch  48  and allowing the spring  51  to return to its original form. The assembly  10  is then removed from the pipe  12 . Finally, the outer surface of pipe  12  which is within the interior of fitting  14  is drilled out or removed so that fluid can flow between the pipe  12  and fitting  14 . 
       FIGS. 8-14  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the pipe fitting installation device. The embodiment illustrated in these figures contains many of the same features described previously. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the device for securing a fitting to a pipe, generally referred to as  100 , is designed to provide a quick and easy method of coupling a fusible transition saddle to an existing pipe. Accordingly, the device  100  is designed to secure to a pipe  112 , see  FIG. 9C  through a clamping mechanism using a plurality of jaws  116  and  118 . The jaws  116  and  118  are operatively coupled to the main fuser body  120  so that they are traversable between a first position, i.e. an open position, and a second closed position i.e. enclosed and secured to the outer surface of a pipe inserted between the two jaws  116  and  118 . Preferably, the jaws  116  and  118  are positioned so as to provide over center connection to the pipe without the need for additional structures. The main fuser body  120  is sized and shaped to provide support, particularly when coupled to the pipe. A lower portion  121  of the main body  120 , see  FIG. 11 , is arc shaped so as to snugly engage a portion of the pipe. Preferably, the length of the arch is sized to correspond to the length of the arch shaped perimeter of the attached pipe. To provide for the actual securing of the jaws  116  and  118  to the pipe, a plurality of movable lever arms  122  and  124  are pivotally secured to the main fuser body  120  using for example pins  123  and  125 , see  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Preferably, the lever arms are coupled to the main fuser body  120  at opposing ends. Each arm  122  and  124  contains a proximal end  127  and  129 , and a distal end  131  and  133 . The distal ends  131  and  133  are coupled to the jaws  116  and  118  through linkers or toggles  135  and  137  which are pivotally connected to the jaws through connectors, such as a pin  139  and  141 . The linking plates or toggles  135  and  137  are pivotally coupled to the distal end  131  and  133  through pins  143  and  145 , thus forming a clamp with toggle locking action. As shown  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the jaws  116  and  118  are in the closed position so that the linking or toggle plates are over center, therefore providing a self locking mechanism. This self locking mechanism allows for the device  100  to securely clamp to a pipe without the need for any external securing knobs or other adjustment requirements. The jaws  116  and  118  and the main fuser body  120 , therefore, tightly secure the present invention to the outer circumference of a pipe  12 . To “unlock” the device, the lever arms  122  and  124  are pulled in an opposite direction, thereby releasing the over the center formation. Although not illustrated in  FIGS. 8-14 ,  FIG. 1  illustrates the device in the unlocked or non-engaged position. 
     The main fuser body  120  of the present invention includes at least two upright rods  130  and  132  secured to the top of the main body at terminal ends  133  and  135 , see for example  FIG. 9 . The main body  120  also includes an aperture  134  which extends from the upper surface  147  of the main fuser body  120  completely through to the bottom  149  of the main body, as seen in  FIGS. 9 and 14 . The preferred shape of the aperture  134  is circular. However, any other shape can also be utilized. The shape of aperture  134  preferably corresponds to the exterior shape of the fitting which is being secured to the pipe. A pipe fitting holder  136  contains a top end  138  and a bottom end  142 , see  FIG. 9B . A plurality of openings  143  and  145  are sized and shaped to receive the rods  130  and  132 . Preferably, the fitting holder  136  slidably engages the rods  130  and  132  through the openings  143  and  145 , allowing for vertical movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rods. 
     The pipe fitting holder  136  is adapted to secure to one end of a pipe fitting  152 , such as a fusible transition saddle, to be fused with the pipe. To achieve such functionality, the bottom end  142  contains an opening  144  that allows for coupling of the transition saddle, though for example, frictional fitting, snap fitting, or male/female couplings, see  FIGS. 9B and 9C . Preferably, the opening  144  contains a plurality of channels  146  sized and shaped to engage and secure to plurality of securing members, illustrated as alignment rails  148  positioned within the interior  151  of a fusible pipe fitting  152 , see  FIG. 15 . In this manner, the shape of the fitting holder  136  and the specific fusible fitting  152  provide a self-aligning mechanism. The fusible fitting  152  is simply snapped into place so that the channels  146  align with and receive the longitudinal members  148 . Using this method, proper placement and securement is accomplished without the need for additional securing knobs, other adjustment knobs, or secondary mechanical closure devices. 
     A second plate  150  is fixed at the proximal ends  152  and  154  of rods  130  and  132  through a securing member, such as a screw  156 . The second plate  150  contains an opening  158 , preferably having a key-hole configuration, which is sized and shaped to provide at least a portion of a knob  160  to fit within. The knob  160  is coupled to a first end  162  of a shaft  164 . A second end  166  of the shaft  164  couples to the pipe fitting holder  136 . Engaging the knob  160  provides a compression mechanism to apply a compression force to the fitting during the heating process, as well as the fusion process. The shaft  164  preferably contains a spring  166  having a fixed tension to provide a predetermined compression rate. Having a preset compression rate allows the user to maintain proper tension on the fitting when the fitting is being heated and fused to the pipe. To achieve such functionality, one or more locking mechanisms are employed, see  FIG. 11 . A first locking mechanism, used in the heating process, includes heating lugs or tabs,  168  and  169 , sized, shaped, and positioned to engage the key-hole opening  158 . A second locking mechanism includes a plurality of fusion lugs or tabs  170  and  172  which are also sized, shaped, and positioned to engage the key-hole opening  158 . 
     A heater assembly  174  is designed to be securable to the pipe fitting holder  136  at a first end and to the main fusion body  120  at a second end. This heater assembly is preferably inserted into and removed from the device  100  depending on the need of the user. The heater assembly includes a heater housing unit  176  sized and shaped to contain one or more heating elements within, such as the heating elements  52  and  54  and corresponding wiring  49  as described previously. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the heater housing unit  176  contains a curved upper surface  178 . The curvature of the upper surface  178  is the same as, or substantially similar as the curvature or circumference of the end of the pipe fitting which will be fused to the existing pipe surface. In this manner, the entire surface of the pipe fitting remains in contact with the heating unit  176  during the heating process. The bottom portion of the heating unit  176  may contain an element that is sized and shaped to have a curvature that matches the curvature of the outer surface of the pipe. Such feature is similar to the element  41  as described previously. The heater assembly  174  further includes a handle  180 . A first set of heat assembly securing members is illustrated as a pair of finger-like extensions  182  and  184  coupled to the heating assembly and arranged in a generally parallel manner. The finger-like extensions  182  and  184  have hooked ends  186  and  188  to provide coupling to the pipe fitting holder  136 . Use of the finger-like extensions  182  and  184  fixes the heater unit in place, preventing the heating unit from moving in all multiple axes. In addition, the heater assembly may contain second heat assembly securing members, illustrated as alignment tabs  187  located on the front and back, see  FIG. 11 . At least one of the surfaces of the heating unit can be adapted to provide serrations to the pipe fitting, the pipe, or combinations thereof. 
     In use, the pipe fitting installation device  100  is placed on a pipe. As described, the pipe fitting installation device  100  provides a design which allows for full engagement and capture of the pipe from the top without the need of additional parts being swung under and around the pipe. To secure the device  100  to the pipes, a force is applied to the lever arms  122  and  124  so that they are snapped outwardly. This action closes the lower jaws  116  and  118  onto the pipe. The closing of the jaws  116  and  118  provide sufficient force to compress the pipe upwardly into the underside  121  of the pipe fitting installation device  100 . In this position, the device self locks through the over center lever system or toggle locking action mechanism. 
     In addition to providing sufficient enclosure, the pipe is re-rounded to a particular radius. Once the pipe is secured, a transition saddle having a proper radius is inserted into the pipe fitting holder  136 , which self aligns and properly positions the inserted saddle using the features described above. The heater assembly  174  is inserted into the pipe fitting installation device  100 . Proper alignment is accomplished using alignment tabs  187  positioned on the front and back of the heater assembly by sliding the tabs  187  into grooves positioned within the main fuser body  138 . The user then engages knob  160  by applying a downward force. This action moves the knob  160  in a downward direction. In this position, the fitting holder  138  is captured by the finger like extensions  182  and  184 . Such action captures the heating assembly  174 , providing correct alignment and preventing the heater assembly  174  from moving. 
     The first set of locking members, heating lugs  168  and  169 , engage the fixed plate  150  through the key-hole opening  158 , through activating the compression mechanism, i.e. applying a force to the knob  160 . Such action compresses the spring  164  to burn in the heater to the top surface of the pipe and the underside of the transition saddle. Once full contact has been made, the lugs  168  and  169  are disengaged and a soaking portion of the heating phase is initialed. This phase is performed without spring compression or pressure. After a predetermined time, the knob  160  is pulled in an upward motion. The heating assembly  174  is removed. The pipe fitting is dropped down onto the pipe through aperture  134 . A second set of locking members, the fusion lugs or tabs  170  and  172  engage the fixed plate  150  through the key-hole opening  158 . This engagement compresses the spring  164  and provides the proper amount of pressure to the transition saddle to complete fusing. After sufficient time to cool, the process is complete and the transition saddle is fused to the pipe. The outer surface of the pipe which is within the interior of fitting is drilled out or removed so that fluid can flow between the pipe and the fitting. 
     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 7