Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority based on provisional patent application 61/335,818, which was filed Jan. 11, 2010. A related design patent application 29/348,777 was filed Feb. 10, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to systems for cutting arrow shafts, in particular the invention related to improved adjustable, lightweight, portable, low cost arrow shaft rotary cutting system with improved operator safety. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Bows and arrows have been used for sport, hunting, and military uses for thousands of years. For most of that time, arrows have been hand crafted from wood and other natural materials by the archer or the archer&#39;s family. Recently, arrows have become mass-produced. Today, many new materials such as plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, and carbon fiber are available. 
     An arrow typically comprises a shaft with a head or tip on one end and a nock on the other end. Fletching or feathers or vanes are positioned near the rear of the arrow. In a footed arrow the shaft comprises hardwood near the head and softwood in the rest of the shaft. 
     An arrow is typically shot using the arms to pull back the bow string, and to aim and sight by holding the bow and arrow next to the archer&#39;s eye. Many characteristics of the bow, the arrow, and the archer affect the flight of the arrow. Thus, an arrow, especially the length of an arrow, is still a very personal thing to an archer. Even today, archers prefer to have their arrows cut to a custom length. An archer typically has to go to a shop to have the arrows cut and assembled. Arrow shops use large, expensive arrow saws that cost several hundred dollars. Easton and Apple make such arrow saws. Once the arrow shaft has been cut in the shop, the archer tends to have the shop perform other arrow construction such as fletching and adding arrow tips for additional service fees. 
     What is needed is an improved adjustable, lightweight, portable, low cost arrow shaft rotary cutting system that can be operated safely by an archer or a family member in a home. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Our improved arrow shaft rotary cutting system comprises a safety box configured to mount a rotary cutting tool and a means for holding each arrow shaft at a predetermined length while being cut by the blade of the rotary cutting tool. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a rotary cutting system that can be acquired at a low cost and safely used at home by members of an archer&#39;s family to personalize arrows to be used by the archer. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, the present invention includes the following advantages:
         a) To provide an inexpensive arrow shaft rotary cutting system.   b) To provide an adjustable arrow shaft rotary cutting system.   c) To provide a simpler way of making arrow shaft rotary cutting system.   d) To provide an easy to store arrow shaft rotary cutting system.   e) To provide an easy to transport arrow shaft rotary cutting system.   f) To provide a lightweight arrow shaft rotary cutting system.   g) To provide a simple way to manufacture arrow shaft rotary cutting systems.   h) To provide an inexpensive way to manufacture arrow shaft rotary cutting systems.   i) To provide a simple way to package and ship arrow shaft rotary cutting systems.   j) To provide an arrow shaft rotary cutting system made of parts with consistent sizes to minimize manufacturing and make it easier to assemble.   k) To provide an arrow shaft rotary cutting system comprising a rotary tool which can be used independently for many other uses.       

    
    
     
       DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows components of a low cost arrow shaft rotary cutting system. 
         FIG. 2  shows an assembled embodiment a low cost arrow shaft rotary cutting system. 
         FIG. 3  shows details of a safety box with a rotary tool. 
         FIG. 4  shows details of an adjustable end piece. 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of an end piece assembly. 
         FIG. 6  shows operation of system shafts in an end piece assembly. 
         FIG. 7  shows operation of a work shaft in an end piece assembly. 
         FIG. 8  shows a tip socket in a system shaft. 
         FIG. 9  shows a disassembled view of an embodiment of a safety box having a body and a base. 
         FIG. 10  shows details of the end of the safety box. 
         FIG. 11  shows details of the base of the safety box. 
         FIG. 12  shows a rotary tool support base. 
         FIG. 13  shows operation of an alternate end piece. 
         FIG. 14  shows details of an alternate end piece. 
         FIG. 15  shows details of an adjustable tool support. 
         FIGS. 16A through 16D  show an angle iron embodiment of an arrow shaft rotary cutting system. 
         FIG. 17  shows a safety box with a screw shield. 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  show a depth guide for a safety box. 
         FIGS. 19A through 19M  show various improvements for engaging the far end of the work shaft. 
         FIG. 20  shows another embodiment of a safety box base having an access cutout. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     
         
           10  rotary tool 
           11  collet (chuck) 
           12  tool threads 
           13  power switch 
           14  speed selector 
           15  power cord 
           16  power culoff switch 
           20  cutting assembly 
           22  blade attachment 
           23  cutting blade 
           30  safety box 
           40  end piece 
           41  end bottom 
           42  end top 
           43  end bottom pad 
           44  end screw cap 
           45  end screw 
           46  end screw nut 
           48  nock slot 
           49  system shall cutout 
           50  rotary tool support base 
           60  system shall 
           70  work shaft 
           71  nock 
           80  lip socket 
           91  safety box body 
           92  safely box base 
           93  box bolt 
           94  box pad 
           95  cutting table 
           96  blade cutout 
           97  vacuum attachment 
           98  system shaft screws 
           99  screw hole 
           100  box top 
           101  box side 
           102  tool mounting threads 
           103  box bolt receptacle 
           105  cutting slut 
           106  box shield 
           107  slot apex 
           121  base body 
           122  base pad 
           123  base contour 
           130  alternate end piece 
           132  bolt clamp loop 
           134  clamp bolt 
           150  adjustable tool support 
           151  first support element 
           152  second support element 
           153  first support opening 
           154  second support opening 
           156  strap with buckle 
           157  strap 
           158  element pad 
           160  angle iron box 
           161  angle iron 
           162  tool mounting 
           163  shield hinge 
           164  safely trigger 
           165  alternate cutting table 
           166  shield 
           167  sliding end piece 
           16 S shaft hole 
           169  end piece bolt 
           170  screw shield 
           173  alternate safety box 
           180  guard 
           181  guard bolt 
           182  guard receptor 
           184  depth guide 
           188  depth guide boll 
           190  drilled hole 
           191  point receptor 
           192  bearing 
           194  nock receptor bushing 
           195  nock wall 
           196  pointed bushing 
           197  hushing point 
           198  nock replacement point 
           200  access cutout 
           202  cone pivot point 
           204  rounded pivot point 
           206  nock receiving point 
           208  rounded end 
       
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Arrow Shaft Rotary Cutting System 
       FIG. 1  shows components of a low cost arrow shaft rotary cutting system. The system comprises a rotary tool  10 , cutting assembly  20 , a safety box  30 , an end piece  40  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
     The rotary tool  10  comprises a collet (or chuck)  11  for attaching a cutting assembly  20 , tool threads  12  for attaching to the safety box  30 , a power switch  13 , preferably a speed selector  14 , a power cord  15 . A preferred rotary tool  10  is the Black and Decker RTX brand corded rotary tool. Dremel also makes rotary tools. 
     The cutting assembly  20  comprises blade attachment  22  and a cutting blade  23  (see  FIG. 9 ). A preferred cutting blade is a two-inch diameter blade. 
     The safety box  30  comprises a box shield  106 , tool mounting threads  102 , system shaft screws  98 , a vacuum attachment  97 , a cutting table  95 , and a blade cutout  96 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an assembled view the low cost arrow shaft rotary cutting system. Two arrow shafts are fitted with tip sockets  80  (see  FIG. 8 ) and are attached to system shaft screws  98  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  9 ,  17 ) to form two system shafts  60 . The end piece  40  is then assembled by clamping the two system shafts  60  at a predetermined position to set the length of the arrow to be cut by a cutting blade  20  (not shown) attached a rotary tool  10  resting on a rotary tool support base  50 , inside a safety box  30 . 
       FIG. 3  shows details of a safety box  30  with a rotary tool  10  attached. The attachment of the system shafts  60  to the system shaft screws  98  using the tip sockets  80  is also shown (see  FIG. 8 ). A measuring device can be used to set the precise length to be cut. In one embodiment, a measuring strip of paper or plastic can be attached to one of the system shafts  60 . 
     The components shown in  FIG. 1  are preferably packaged for retail sale in a plastic clamshell or case which is compact, relatively lightweight, and easily shipped and transported. Other components such as system shafts  60  and tip sockets  80  are purchased with the arrow making materials, such as uncut arrow shafts ( 60  and  70 ), nocks  71 , feathers and vanes, tips, and tip sockets  80 . These are preferably packaged separately, or combined in a larger starter kit from a particular manufacturer. 
     Adjustable End Piece 
       FIG. 4  shows details of an adjustable end piece. 
     The end piece  40  comprises an end bottom  41  and end top  42  which are held together by two end screws  45  which pass through the end top  42  and attached to end screw nuts  46  shown held in channels in the end bottom  41 . Each end screw  45  further comprises an end screw cap  44 . Preferably the end screw cap have a small diameter so that the operator is less likely to apply too much clamping force on the system shafts  60  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  6 ,  7 ). Too much clamping force could damage, for example, a carbon fiber shaft. 
     Both the end bottom  41  and the end top  42  have system shaft cutouts  49  for receiving system shafts  60 . A novel aspect of the end piece  40  is the structure and operation that allows the system to use system shafts  60  of different diameters and lengths being fully adjustable. The structure allows the center to of each shaft to be positioned with substantially the same distance and orientation as the system shaft screws  98  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
     Optional end bottom pads  43  are attached to the end bottom  41  and provide friction between the end piece and the surface upon which it rests during operation. 
     In this embodiment, the end top  42  comprises nock slot  48  for receiving the nock  71  of the work shaft  70  (see  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ). Other embodiments are described in reference to  FIGS. 19A through 19M . 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the end piece  40  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 6  shows operation of system shafts  60  in an end piece  40  assembly. The end piece  40  attaches to the far end of the system shafts  60 . The end piece  40  can slide along the entire length of the system shafts  60  to any desired position. The end screw caps  44  are manually tightened to clamp around the systems shafts  60  which are held between the system shaft cutouts  49 . The work shaft  70  (any uncut shaft) is fitted with a nock  71  and rests inside the nock slot  48 . 
       FIG. 7  shows operation of a work shaft  70  in an end piece  40 . After the operator has adjusted the end piece  40  to the desired position, the work shaft  70  (any uncut shaft) is fitted with a nock  71 . The nock  71  is placed in the nock slot  48  that holds the nock  71  and allows it to rotate in place. The work shaft  70  is then cut by placing the other end inside the safety box  30  (similar to the position shown in  FIG. 13  using a different embodiment of an end piece). The systems shafts  60  which are held between the system shaft cutouts  49  of the end piece  40 . 
     System Shafts 
       FIG. 8  shows a tip socket  80  in a system shaft  60 . The tip socket  80  is a conventional tip socket that is configured to match the lumen of a particular arrow shaft. It is used to allow the operator to configure the system using shafts that are themselves being cut to make customized arrows. After the shafts are cut, the tip socket  80  may be used to attach the desired arrow tip or arrow head. 
     A novel aspect of the present invention is the use of any arrow shafts as system shafts  60 . This allows compact packaging, shipping, and transportation of the components shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 . It also allows for easy replacement should any of the system shafts  60  break or should a different size be needed. 
     Safety Box 
       FIG. 9  shows a disassembled view of an embodiment of a safety box having a body and a base. This embodiment of a safety box  30  comprises a safety box body  91  and a safety box base  92 , held together by two box bolts  93 . The box bolts  93  pass through screw holes  99  in the safety box base  92  and engage threads in the safety box body  91  (see box bolt receptacles  103  in  FIG. 10 ). Each box bolt  93  is shown with a box pad  94  attached. Preferably, the box bolt  93  has a large diameter head for easy manual disassembly and reassembly. 
     In this embodiment, a cutting table  95  is formed in the safety box base  92 . The cutting table  95  comprises a blade cutout  96  that allows the cutting blade  23  to rotate in the proper position in relation to the cutting table  95 . 
     In this embodiment, the safety box body  91  comprises system shaft screws  98  and a vacuum attachment  97 . A vacuum hose may be attached to the vacuum attachment to vacuum away the dust the results from the cutting process. Preferably the vacuum has a HEPA filter. 
     Two-piece embodiments such as the one shown in  FIG. 9  have novel built in safety aspects. The cutting assembly  20  attaches to a rotary tool via the blade attachment  22 . There needs to be a way to get the cutting assembly  20  out of the safety box, for example, to replace a broken or worn blade. However, when in an operable state, the safety box preferably forces the operator to have the cutting bade  23  fully enclosed and guarded in order use the system to cut an arrow shaft. By configuring cutting table  95  as part of the safety box base  92 , unless the safety box base  92  is properly configured with the safety box body  91 , the system not usable and the misconfiguration is obvious to the user. 
     The various embodiments of a safety box are preferably made of clear plastic, such as polycarbonate. They may be molded or formed from welded parts. 
       FIG. 10  shows details of the end of the safety box  30 . The safety box body  91  is formed by a rounded box top  100  attached to a box side  101 . Tool mounting threads  102  are formed in one box side  101  and are configured to receive the tool threads  12  of the rotary tool  10 . Box bolt receptacles  103  are show threaded from the bottom of the one box side  101 . Each box side  101  has a void forming a cutting slot  105 , which allows the work shaft  70  (not shown) to enter the safety box  30  under the box shield  106 . The box shield  106  is an extension of the box top  100  beyond the opening of the cutting slot  105 . The slot apex  107  is the farthest point that the shaft can enter the safety box  30 . 
       FIG. 10  also shows that when configured the cutting table  95  position, on safety box base  92 , corresponds to the slot apex  107  and together they prevent the work shaft  70  from passing close to the center of the cutting blade  23 . 
     Each box bolt  93  is shown with a box pad  94  and attaches the safety box base to the box side  101  via the box bolt receptacles  103 . 
       FIG. 11  shows the details of the safety box base  92  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     Rotary Tool Support Base 
       FIG. 12  shows a rotary tool support base. The rotary tool support base  50  comprises a base body  121  having a contoured surface, base contour  123 , that matches the bottom end of the rotary tool  10  (not shown) (see  FIGS. 2 and 13 ). A base pad  122  is shown on the bottom to provide friction with the surface upon which it sits and to provide some damping of vibrations. 
     However, good results have been obtained without using the rotary tool support base  50 , because the rotary tool  10  is attached securely to the safety box  30  that has sufficient pads. 
     Alternate End Piece 
       FIG. 13  shows operation of an alternate end piece  130 . The alternate end piece  130  uses a single system shaft  60  that is held in place by a single bolt clamp loop (see  FIG. 14  for details). The work shaft  70  is placed in the alternate end piece  130 , via a nock slot  48 , and the other end to be cut is passed under the box shield  106  through the cutting slot  105  onto the cutting table  95  (not shown) where it is cut the cutting blade  23  of the cutting assembly  20 . For best results the operator rotates the work shaft  70  where only the wall of the hollow work shaft  70  is cut. 
       FIG. 14  shows details of an alternate end piece. The alternate end piece  130  uses a single system shaft  60  (not shown) that is held in place by a single bolt clamp loop  132  that is tightened by a clamp bolt  134 . The work shaft  70  is placed in the alternate end piece  130 , via a nock slot  48 . 
     Adjustable Tool Support 
       FIG. 15  shows details of an adjustable tool support  150 , which has a similar function to the rotary tool support base  50 . The adjustable tool support  150 , however, is adjustable to fit any make and model of rotary tools. This would allow a packaging configuration that excludes the rotary tool  10  and allows the operator to use rotary tool  10  which is already in the possession of the operator. This lowers the cost, weight, and size of the retail package configuration (compared to, for example, the set of components shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The adjustable tool support  150  comprises two support elements ( 151  and  152 ) each having a support opening ( 153  and  154 , respectively), which allow the two elements to be slidably connected with bolts. The height of the tool may be controlled by sliding the two elements in relation to each other and tightening the bolts. Any sized rotary tool  10  may then be secured to the adjustable tool support  150  using the strap  157  and strap with buckle  156 . Each support elements ( 151  and  152 ) may optionally have element pads  158 . 
     Angle Iron Embodiment 
       FIGS. 16A through 16D  show an angle iron embodiment of an arrow shaft rotary cutting system. The angle iron box  160  in this embodiment is made from a length of angle iron  161 , tool mounting  162  threaded member, a shield hinge  163 , and alternate cutting table  165 . A clear shield  166  and a safety trigger  164  are attached to the shield hinge  163 . The safety trigger  164  engages a power cutoff switch  16  which controls power going to the rotary tool  10 , such that when the shield  166  is raised no power is provided to the rotary tool  10 . 
       FIG. 16B  shows sliding end piece  167  having a shaft hole  168 . The sliding end piece  167  may be positioned anywhere along the top edge of the angle iron  161  and held in place by an end piece bolt  169 . 
     During cutting, the work shaft  70  passes through the shaft hole  168  and rests on the alternate cutting table  165 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 16C , a guard  180  may be attached to alternate cutting table  165  with a guard bolt  181 , via a guard receptor  182  (shown in  FIG. 16A ). This allows the cutting blade to be protected from the top, left, and right. 
     It yet another embodiment, not shown, the shield  166  could have an extension that covers the front of the cutting area (similar to the configuration of the box shield  106  in the safety box  30  configuration. 
     The angle iron embodiments are heavy duty; however, the safety box embodiments (such as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  17 ,  20 ) have the advantage of being lighter weight, easier to package, ship, transport, and store. 
       FIG. 16D  shows an alternate view of the angle iron embodiment. 
     
       FIG. 17 
     
       FIG. 17  shows an embodiment safety box  30  with a screw shield  170 , namely alternate safety box  173 . The screw shield  170  is an extension of the box top  100  ( FIG. 10 ), which shields the system shaft screws  98  from breakage during packaging and shipping. Further, the screw shield  170  may protect the operator from accidental injury. 
     Safety Box Depth Guide 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  show a optional depth guide for a safety box  30 , such as those shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 17 ). The depth guide  184  is attached to the safety box  30  with a depth guide bolt  188 . The depth guide  184  may be positioned by rotating it about the axis of the depth guide bolt  188  to set the desired depth of the cut, and then locked in place by tightening the depth guide bolt  188 . 
     This allows for fine adjustment of the cutting depth to match the wall thickness of a particular set of arrow shafts ( 70 ) and to account for wear down of the cutting blade  23  over time. 
     High Precision Embodiments 
       FIGS. 19A through 19M  show various improvements for engaging the far end of the work shaft. 
     Good results have been obtained by using a convention nock  71  in the simple nock slot  48  of the end piece  40  (for example as shown in  FIG. 7 ). However, some operators or manufactures may want spend more for higher precision embodiments. 
       FIG. 19A  shows the work shaft  70  with a conventional nock  71 . A conventional nock  71  may have some movement off center, or friction, when rotating in the simple nock slot  48 . See below regarding  FIG. 19J  and  FIG. 19K . 
       FIG. 19B  shows a nock replacement point  198  that may be used instead of the convention nock  71  during the cutting process. The replacement point  198  provides a sharp center point for rotation which could engage an improved end piece having a point receptor  191 , such as shown in  FIG. 19E . 
       FIG. 19C  shows a bearing  192  which could be placed in yet another improved end piece having a drilled hole  190 , such as shown in  FIG. 19D . The bearing  192  would engage the conventional nock  71  ( FIG. 19A ) and reduce friction. 
       FIG. 19F  shows a nock receptor bushing  194  having an internal nock wall  195  for engaging the string opening in the nock  71 . In the embodiment shown, the “bottom of the barrel” of the bushing is substantially V-shaped to tightly engage the nock  71 . 
       FIG. 19G  shows yet another bushing, a pointed bushing  196  having a bushing point  197  for reducing the friction on the bushing (without the expense of the bearing of  FIG. 19C ). The bushing point  197  provides a sharp center point for rotation which could engage an improved end piece having a point receptor  191 , such as shown in  FIG. 19E . 
       FIG. 19H  shows a nock receiving point  206  having a rounded end  208  for engaging the string opening in the nock  71 .  FIG. 19I  shows an embodiment of  FIG. 19H  where a nock receptor bushing  194  having an internal nock wall  195  for engaging the string opening in the nock  71 . The nock receiving point  206  provides a sharp center point for rotation which could engage an improved end piece having a point receptor  191 , such as shown in  FIG. 19E . 
       FIGS. 19J and 19K  illustrate the precision cutting problem encountered when the end piece  40  is not orthogonal with the work shaft  70 . The work shaft  70  will not be rotated smoothly and, ultimately, will not provide accurate cutting. The nock  71  has two members which when rotated in the simple nock slot  48  will move up and down as the nock  71  turns. This will lead to some vibration in the work shaft  70  and undesired pressure on the cutting blade  23 . 
     The embodiments shown in  FIG. 19D  and  FIG. 19E  could be used with the conventional nock  71 , as well as with the various options shown in  FIGS. 19B ,  19 C,  19 F,  19 G,  19 H and  19 I. 
     Alternative embodiments shown in  FIG. 19L  and  FIG. 19M  illustrate inserting members that fit into a work shaft  70  and ensure that the center point for rotation is always obtained.  FIG. 19L  illustrates the cone pivot point  202  embodiment, while  FIG. 19M  illustrates the rounded pivot point  204  embodiment. Each of the cone pivot point  202  and the rounded pivot point  204  could be attached in the end piece  40  in the simple nock slot  48  (e.g.  FIG. 6 ) or the drilled hole  190  ( FIG. 19D ), and then engage the work shaft  70 . 
     Permanently Closed Safety Box 
       FIG. 20  shows another embodiment of a safety box base  92  having an access cutout  200 . Embodiments that use this safety box base  92  could permanently attach the safety box base  92  to the safety box body  91  during the manufacturing process. As shown, the access cutout has a first portion shaped to allow passage of the cutting assembly  20 , and a second portion, which would allow temporary access of the operator fingers or a tool to tighten the collet  11 . The first portion is offset from where the blade is positioned when attached to the rotary tool  10 . This requires the operator to pass the cutting assembly  20  into the permanently closed safety box  30  and then position the blade into the blade cutout  96  of the cutting table  95 . Once in position the cutting assembly  20  could be attached to the collet  11  and tightened using the fingers or tool, such as a wrench. This novel structure provides for even more safety against an operator forgetting to attach the safety box base  92 . 
     Advantages 
     Adjustable 
     The preferred embodiments of these arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are adjustable to support cutting arrow shafts of different diameter, wall thickness, and length. 
     Increased Safety 
     The safety box concepts and shields of the embodiments provide increased safety. 
     Lightweight 
     These arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are lightweight. 
     Low Cost 
     These arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are low cost. They can be made with less material than the conventional arrow saws. High precision can be achieved using readily available, lower cost rotary tools. With some embodiments, the cost of the cutting motor and blade is eliminated by using an existing rotary tool. 
     Simple to Make and Manufacture 
     These arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are easy to make or to manufacture, having a simpler set of parts and configuration. 
     Easy to Store 
     These arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are easy to store. 
     Easy to Transport 
     These arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are easy to transport. 
     Easy to Package and Ship 
     These minimal set of components some embodiments of these arrow shaft rotary cutting systems can be shipped easily, compared to having to ship the full system. Various sets of components can be packaged in plastic clamshells or cases, or alternative combined with a set of arrow shafts and components for as a starter kit. 
     Easy to Use 
     These arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are easy to use safely. 
     Easy to Manufacture 
     These arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are made of parts with consistent sizes, which minimize manufacturing and make assembly and disassembly easier. 
     Conclusion, Ramification, And Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the improved adjustable, lightweight, portable, low cost arrow shaft rotary cutting systems are easy to use and transport, and importantly provide greater safety. 
     While the above descriptions contain several specifics these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as examples of some of the preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the components can be manufactured in different ways and/or in different shapes to increase precision, reduce material, or simplify manufacturing. The variations could be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the novel features of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the illustrated embodiments, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Technology Category: y