Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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-,VERI.003V~p, PATENT
ELECTROLYTIC CELL ATTACHING APPARATtJB
Backctround of the Invention
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to attachment of swimming pool
water purifiers in general, and more specifically to
apparatus fastening a submerged electrolytic cell to a pool
equipped with a piped water circulating system.
Description of Related Art
The invention is directed to water purifiers that are
submerged in a swimming pool attached to existing piping and
fittings. Prior art equipment typically utilizes electrolytic
devices to produce a pH neutral sanitizer in the form of
sodium hypochlorite are either integral with the piping in a
flow-through manner or are designed to float on top of the
pool water.
In U.S. Patent No. 4,'790,923, an electrolytic cell for
producing a halogen biocide and oxygen is placed in a liquid
containing salt in a housing that is connected to a swimming
pool filtering system external to the pool itself.
U.S. Patent No. 4,565,517 teaches an apparatus for
converting solar energy into stored hydrogen that is immersed
in the water or fresh water. The apparatus floats with
hydrogen collection tubes that are vertically disposed below
the solar cells.
U.S. Patent No. 4,525,253, on the other hand, employs a
purification cell in line with a pump and filter using
conventional piping in a watertight neighboring compartment
adjacent to the swimming pool.
U.S. Patent No. 4,422,919 ~ discloses a compact
electrolytic cell in direct through-flow piping with liquid
entering an in-line tubular-shaped housing and an outgasing
container through an entrance tube. The gas outflows fram
the chamber and the liquid drains from another line.
In U. S . Patent No . 4 , 419 , 2 07 , a halogen generator is
submerged in water with the anode and cathode being separated
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by a bed of salt. The chlorine is then collected by a hood.
The only external connection is a cable for electrical power
and a tube leading from a point below the anode to above the
cell allowing liquid to enter when a bubble of gas is vented.
U.S. Patent No. 4,363,719 is the parent patent for the
above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4,419,207 and functions in
the same manner except the tube is lacking.
U.S. Patent No. 4,255,246 employs a closed loop piping
system that uses wire wound electrodes within a separate
housing. This chlorinator is coupled in the pump line of a
swimming pool system all external to the pool generally above
ground.
In U.S. Patent No. 4,100,052, an electrolytic cell is
installed in the piping of a fluid system to generate halogen
directly from a solution containing a very low salt
concentration allowing placement in existing as well as new
facilities. The cell includes planar electrode plates
attached parallel across the entire cross-sectional area of
an enclosure. The cell operation requires constant flow of
fluid to prevent the buildup of hydrogen gas.
U.S. Patent No. 3,458,414 teaches a system including an
electrolytic cell and a chemical injector for cleaning the
cell and a control system for shut--down in the event of
improper operating conditions. The integrated system is
piped away from the swimming pool using only the suction line
and return line interfacing with 'the pool.
It may be clearly seen that prior art employing an
electrolytic cell is concerned with its basic function and
structure, and little concern is given to the attaching
structure itself, particularly to a cell that is totally
immersed in the swimming pool itself.
Summary of the Invention
A pool sanitizing apparatus of the present invention
comprises an electrolytic cell mounted in a swimming pool.
The electrolytic cell includes a plurality of electrodes and
is disposed within an internal cavity of a housing enclosure.
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The apparatus additionally comprises a coupling means
attaching the housing to the pool. The housing is disposed
within the pool in a position where a portion of the housing
overlies a flow line of a water circulation system in
communication with the pool. In this manner, water from the
flow line flows into the cavity. An electrical wire
connected to the electrodes extends from the cavity and
through the flow line to connect the cell with a power source
remote from the water within the pool.
In a preferred embodiment, the coupling means comprises
a first member positioned, at least partially, within the
flow line and a second member engageable with both the first
member and the housing. The first member has a passage way
through which the electrical wire extends. The housing
includes an aperture in communication with the .flow line and
an outlet opening to provide a flow path fox water. Water
from the flow line flows through the cavity and discharges
into the pool. The second member includes an elongated body
portion which extends at least partially through the aperture
of the housing and a flared head which engages against the
housing. The elongated body portion is releasably engageable
with a portion of the first member.
The electrodes preferably include a bore extending
through the juxtaposed electrodes and receiving the elongated
body portion. The elongated body portion includes an axial
flow passage and a radially extending flow passage to direct
water flow between the electrodes.
The electrolytic cell attaching apparatus provides
superior descaling under adverse conditions. An apparatus
was constructed according to this design and was operated fox
one year on a swimming pool with over 2000 ppm total hardness
and was never descaled. These results are even more
impressive when the other scaling factors are considered.
The pH was as nigh as 8.2 at times and alkalinity was
consistently above 190 ppm. According to the Langlier Index,
this pool had a factor of over +2. The +.5 to -.5 range is
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generally regarded as in ''balance." There were at times
visible piles of scale on the bottom of the pool which were
easily removed by vacuuming or scooping with a skimmer net.
Some scale did build up on the inlet nipple on which the cell
is mounted to the wall of the pool but this was easily
cleaned. As a comparison, a state-of-the-art unit,
commercially known as Lectranator, was run under conditions
of approximately 500 total hardness for less than 200 hours
and developed scale on the leading edges of the electrodes
which necessitated descaling. In fact, their instruction
manual recommends only using this unit below a calcium
hardness of 350 ppm. Calcium hardness is usually about 70%
of total hardness. The apparatus also provides a superior
attachment design. The attachment of an electrolytic cell
purifier to a pool may appear to be a minor procedure.
However, if the swimming pool itself must be modified or at
least constructed differently in order to use this type of
pool purifier, it becomes a major drawback to its use.
Repiping or modifying any structure in a pool is difficult
and expensive, and the integrity of the watertight seal is
always in jeopardy. The inventor's previous application,
Serial No. 07/424,305, now T1.S. Patent No. 4,992,156, having
a filing date of March 18, 1989, discloses an electrolytic
cell for total submersion in the swimming pool. Its unique
features include a method of supplying electrical power to
the cell through the use of a wire that is pulled through the
existing piping and exits through a newly drilled hole. The
wire is sealed at the interface of the pipe with a
compression fitting that clamps both the wires and the pipe
with a resilient disc. The problem remaining is that the
cell is located near the discharge pipe with the wire
unsupported therebetween and the cell must be separately
attached to the pool wall.
While the system functions properly, an improvement has
been made that combines the attachment and covers the
unsupported wires completely. Further, if the pool is piped
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for a pool sweeping apparatus, an internally threaded fitting
is already available at the interface with the pool.
Additionally, the threaded fittings fox a return line may
also be,used. It is therefore a primary object of the
invention to employ the existing piping of the pool for the
attachment of the purifier, minimizing and greatly
simplifying the installation process. A physical replacement
of the directional nozzle with an interchangeable nozzle
containing a wire passage is required with the existing pool
1U sweeping arrangement or it may be preferred to add this
feature when the pool is built for ease of installation
later. A second method of attaching is employing an adapter
plate with a seal on one side and a threaded hole in the
middle. The plate itself is attached to the pool wall or to
~.5 a cover plate fitting over the discharge opening with the
plate containing a slot that allows the wire to exist the
water discharge conduit.
An important object of the invention allows the cell to
fit flat against the wall of the pool. This positioning is
20 particularly important because it precludes the possibility
that an automatic pool sweeping may get behind the inventive
apparatus and impede its progress. Additionally, a flat
mounting lessens the probability of a swimmer hitting the
purifier and being injured. Further, the size of the
25 purifier cell with the enclosure is small enough to be
inconspicuous and not detract from the appearance of the
pool, particularly with no wires visible from the outside.
Another object of the invention is directed to
accessories in the form of V-shaped edge spacers that attach
30 to the back of the purifier enclosure and fill in the space
where the installation is in an area of the pool where the
sides are not flat. Any combination of spacers may be used
on the sides, top and bottom to add to the safety and
maintaining a consistent appearance of the purifier.
35 Still another object of the invention relates to the use
of water flow directly through the cell. As the enclosed
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cell is positioned directly in front of the discharge line
from the pump, the recirculated water impinges directly on
the cells, forcing the gases and oligodynamic ions into the
pool and reducing buildup of scale. Although this object is
advantageous, the system by itself functions properly when
the pump is not in operation as the entire cell is submerged,
the chloride is dispensed within the pool due to the natural
flow path created by the bubbles of gas seeking the surface.
Further, the scale is loosened by reversing the polarity of
the electrical power to the electrodes.
Yet another object of the invention is the use of a
thermoplastic material for the enclosure and attaching
accessories which is both electrically non-conductive and by
its very nature non-corrosive. Most pool piping today uses
plastic as the normal conduit for the water circuit;
therefore, the purifier is also compatible with the material
most frequently employed.
A further object of the invention is the use of a spiral
insert placed inside the adapter mounting the purifier that
increases the velocity and helping to remove scale from the
inside of the pipe near the electrode cell.
In accordance with a preferred process of mounting an
electrolytic cell in a swimming pool, the electrolytic cell
is positioned beneath the surface of the pool water and in
front of an outlet end of a water circulation flow line. The
electrolytic cell is attached in this position so that water
flow from the flow line will flow across the cell. An
electrical wire is connected to the electrolytic cell and is
threaded through at least a portion of the flow line. The
opposite end of the electrical wirelis connected to a power
source to supply electrical power to the electrolytic cell.
Preferably, the electrical wire is threaded through at
least a portion of the flow line through the outlet end of
the line. An end of electrical wire opposite for that
connected to the electrolytic cell is subsequently withdrawn
from the flow line and connected to the power supply.
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CA 02053073 2000-02-09
The electrolytic cell is attached to the pool by positioning a first
coupling member in the flow line adjacent to an outlet end thereof and by
positioning a second coupling member in operative engagement with the
electrolytic cell. Attachment further requires engaging the first coupling
member with the second coupling member. The electrical wire is threaded
through an opening in the first coupling member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention a water purifier for
mounting on a wall that at least partially defines a body of water having a
water circulation system including a pipe which communicates with the
body of water through a port positioned beneath the level of water in the
body of water, said water purifier comprising:
an electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes;
1 S an enclosure forming a housing having an internal cavity, said
electrolytic cell being disposed within said internal cavity; and
a coupler attached to said enclosure and adapted to be secured to
the wall at a position overlying the port of the water circulation system,
said
coupler including an inner conduit which defines a water flow path between
the water circulation pipe and the enclosure.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method of
installing a water purifier in a body of water having a water circulation
system including a pipe which communicates with the body of water
through a port positioned beneath the level of water in the body of water,
said method comprising the steps of:
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CA 02053073 2000-02-09
positioning said water purifier beneath the surface of the water
in the body of water with an electrolytic cell of said water purifier
positioned in front of the port of said circulation system; and
attaching said electrolytic cell in said position so that water
from said pipe flows across said cell.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention an
apparatus for mounting an electrolytic cell in a swimming pool of the type
having a water circulation system, including a pipe in flow communication
with the pool beneath the level of water therein, said apparatus comprising:
an electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes;
an enclosure forming a housing having an internal cavity, said
electrolytic cell being disposed within said cavity;
coupling means for attaching said housing in a position within
said pool where a portion of said housing overlies an outlet of said pipe to
enable water ftom said pipe to flow into said cavity; and
an elongated electrical wire connected to said electrodes of said
cell and extending from said cavity through said pipe to connect said cell
with a power source remote from said water within said pool.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention an
apparatus for mounting an electrolytic cell in a swimming pool of the type
having a water circulation system, including a pipe in flow communication
with the pool beneath the level of water therein, said apparatus comprising:
an electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes, said
electrodes being planar in configuration and being juxtaposed to one
another in generally parallel relationship;
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CA 02053073 2000-02-09
an enclosure forming a housing for said electrolytic cell, said
housing having a first portion disposed directly adjacent to a wall of said
pool at a location where the pipe has its outlet end, said housing also having
a second portion spaced at least partially away from said first portion to
thereby form a cavity between said portions, and said electrodes being
disposed within said cavity;
said housing further including mounting means within said
cavity for holding said electrodes in position therein;
a coupler having a first member positioned at least partially
within said pipe adjacent its outlet end and a second member engageable
with both said first member and a portion of said housing, whereby, when
said first and second members are engaged, said housing and thus said cell
are maintained within said first portion of said housing at said location;
said electrodes having a central bore therethrough and said first
surface of said housing having an aperture therein, said bore and said
aperture both being coaxially aligned with said pipe to enable water flow
from said pipe to pass through said aperture and said bore, into said cavity
and across the surface of said electrodes there within;
said second portion of said housing having at least one opening
therein to permit water flow which enters said cavity from said pipe to
discharge into the water in said pool; and
an elongated electrical wire connected to said electrodes of said
cell and extending through said aperture into and at least partially through
said pipe to enable said cell to be connected to a power source remote from
the water within said pool.
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CA 02053073 2000-02-09
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention a method
for counting an electrolytic cell in a swimming pool of the type having a
water circulation line, including a pipe in flow communication with the pipe
beneath the level of water therein, said method comprising the steps of:
positioning said electrolytic cell beneath the surface of the pool
water and in front of an outlet of said pipe;
attaching said electrolytic cell in a position so that water flow
from said pipe will flow across said cell;
providing an elongated electrical wire to connect said
electrolytic cell to a power source remote from the water within said pool;
connecting one end of said wire to said electrolytic cell;
threading the wire through a portion of said pipe; and
connecting an end of said wire to said power source to thereby
supply electrical power to said electrolytic cell.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention in a
swimming pool of the type having a water circulation system including a
pipe with an end in flow communication with the pool beneath the level of
water therein, an apparatus for purifying the pool water comprising:
an electrolytic cell;
an enclosure housing said electrolytic cell, at least a portion of
said enclosure being mounted beneath the level of water within said pool
and overlaying the end of said pipe; and
an electrical wire connected to said electrolytic cell and
extended through said pipe to connect said electrolytic cell with a power
source remote from said water within said pool.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a pictorial schematic of the attaching 10 apparatus
illustrating the pool and decking in cross section and the purifier in partial
cutaway view; arrows depict water flow direction.
Figure 2 is a partial isometric view of the preferred embodiment
shown from the front.
Figure 3 is a partial isometric view of the preferred embodiment
shown from the back.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the enclosure with attaching nipple
installed.
Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the enclosure with 20 attaching
nipple installed.
Figure 6 is a side view of the enclosure with attaching nipple
installed.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Figure
2.
Figure 8 is a partial isometric view of the attaching nipple
completely removed from the invention for clarity.
Figure 9 is a plan view of the spiral insert completely removed from
the invention for clarity.
Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the spiral insert 30 completely
removed from the invention for clarity.
Figure 11 is a cross section of a pool, including the preferred
embodiment of installation where a pool sweeper fitting is employed for
connection.
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CA 02053073 2000-02-09
Figure 12 is a partial isometric view of a unmodified 35 pool
sweeper well nozzle shown separately for clarity.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines
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13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a front view of an unmodified pool sweeper
wall fitting directional nozzle.
Figure 15 is a side view of an unmodified pool sweeper
well fitting directional nozzle.
Figure 16 is a partial isometric view of a substitute
pool sweeper well nozzle shown separately for clarity.
Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines
17-17 of Figure 16.
Figure 18 is a front view of a substitute pool sweeper
well fitting directional nozzle.
Figure 19 is a side view of a substitute pool sweeper
well fitting directional nozzle.
Figure 20 is a cross section of a pool illustrating a
second embodiment of installation where a discharge wall
fitting with cover is employed for connection.
Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines
21-21 of Figure 20 illustrating the wall fitting with the
cover removed.
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines
22-22 of Figure 20 illustrating the attaching plate of the
invention in the second embodiment attached to the wall
fitting.
Figure 23 is a front partial isometric view of the wall
plate shown removed from the invention for clarity.
Figure 24 is a rear partial isometric view of the wall
plate shown removed from the invention for clarity.
Figure 25 is a front partial isometric view of the O-
ring plate shown removed from the invention for clarity.
Figure 26 is a plan view of the enclosure mounted onto
a curved pool surface.
Figure 27 is a partial isometric view of the invention
with four flanged brackets shown separated from the attaching
surfaces at the rear.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
The best mode for carrying out the invention is
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presented in terms of a preferred and a second embodiment.
Both embodiments are primarily designed alike except for the
adapter that interface with the existing pool piping.
The preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1-~19 and
27, is comprised of an electrolytic cell 30 with a circular
aperture 32 in the center. This cell 30 is basically the
same as disclosed in the inventor's application, Serial No.
07/424,305 having a filing date of March 18, 1989, except for
the aperture 32 which does not effect the function; however,
it is unique in that the attachment is made through this
opening and recircu:lated water flows through the cell when
the pump is turned on.
The cell 30 is housed in an enclosure 34 that completely
encompasses the cell and it likewise contains a bore 36 in
direct alignment with the cell aperture 32, allowing full
penetration through both elements simultaneously. The
housing further contains opening 38 in the top and bottom for
the pressurized water to exit when the pool pump is in
operation. The openings 38 in both the top and bottom have
directional diffusers 40 that guide water flow away from the
edge of the pool.
The enclosure 34 also contains one or more, preferably
two, flanged brackets 42 integrally mounted onto the back as
shown in Figure 3. These brackets 42 allow edge spacers 44
to be wedged between the enclosure 34 and the side of the
pool when the pool inner surface is contoured or otherwise
not flat. Figures 26 and 27 illustrate this arrangement with
four spacers 44 furnished, the proper combination or all of
the spacers may be used according to the shape and contour of
the pool. The spacers 40 may also be altered, if required
for an exact fit. The spacers 44 also take up the difference
between the enclosure and pool wall when the attachment is
not parallel to the side wall.
A threaded nipple 46 is used for attachment to the pool.
Since most pools already have water piping in a conventional
recirculating system, usually in conjunction with a filter
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and heater, the invention employs the fitting already at
hand, eliminating the necessity of costly installation
procedures for attachment of the purifier.
The nipple 46 contains a number of notches 48 in one
end, preferably four, allowing system pressurized water to
flow inside the hollow nipple and be dispersed through the
notches. On the same end as the notches 48, a solid flange
50 is permanently attached. The flange 50 is larger in
diameter than the aperture 32 in the cell and also the bore
36 in the enclosure 30, and the enclosure contains a recess
52, the same basic size, allowing the flange 50 to fit flush
with the outside surface of the enclosure when the nipple
penetrates the bore 36. In order to rotate the nipple 46
during assembly and to allow the flange 50 to fit flush in
the recess, the outside face of the flange 50 contains two or
more cavities 54 that may be matched with a special tool
having mating pins positioned in line with the cavities 54.
In order to prevent scale from accumulating inside the
piping adjacent to the purifier, a spiral insert 56, shown in
Figures 9 and 10, is positioned inside the nipple 46,
increasing the velocity of the water and dispersing it
through the notches 48 in a spiral direction. This device is
not mandatory for the invention but acts to improve the
durability and longevity of the system as scale may be
removed from the pipe when the pump is in operation and
augments, the reverse polarity cleaning of the power to the
cell.
The preferred embodiment of the attaching apparatus
utilizes a pool piping adapter 58 shown in Figure 11 that is
basically used for attaching pool sweeping equipment. This
type of adapter 58 normally contains an eyeball-shaped
discharge directional nozzle 60 having internal pipe threads
for attachment to the sweeping equipment. The adapter 58 is
installed at the end of the discharge line of pool piping
beneath the water line of the pool. Figure 13 illustrates
this unmodified nozzle 60 in cross section and by itself in
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l X13 ~ ~.~ ~ ~J
Figures 14 and 15. This fitting makes an ideal connecting
point for the apparatus; however, there is no way to feed the
wires 62 needed to operate the purifier through the inside.
The preferred embodiment of the invention therefore replaces
this nozzle 60 with a substitute nozzle 64 having a threaded
offset hole 66 and a wire passageway 68 as shown in Figures
16-19. The substitute nozzle 64 is completely
interchangeable and is held in plane by an existing retaining
sleeve permitting the nozzle 64 to be rotatably aligned in
the socket of the adapter 58. The wire passageway 68 is
outside of the threaded hole 66 permitting the wires 62 to
pass freely from the inside of the pipe and be routed easily
inside the enclosure for connection to the electrolytic cells
30.
1.5 Installation of the attaching apparatus consists of
replacing the substitute nozzle 64 in the pool adapter 58,
bringing the wires through the passageway 68 and attaching
the wires to the electrolytic cell housed in the enclosure
34. The enclosure is then placed on the wall of the pool
directly over the adapter 58 and the threaded hollow nipple
46, complete with flange 50 and spiral insert 56, is inserted
into the bore 36 through the aperture in the cell 30 and
threaded into the offset hole 66 of the nozzle 64 with a tool
that is inserted into the cavity 54 in the flange 50. The
nipple 46 is tightened securely; however, if the pool wall is
cured, an appropriate edge spacer 49 is placed against the
flanged brackets 42 prior to tightening. It will be noted
that if necessary, the edge spacer or spacers 44 may be
trimmed or contoured to fit.
The second embodiment illustrated in Figures 20-25
employs the same elements as the preferred embodiment except
for the pool piping adapter 58. Instead of the pool sweeping
type, the adapter is the end of an open pipe surrounded by a
wall fitting 70 shown in Figures 20 and 21. If the wall
fitting contains a grill or diffuser, it is removed and not
used and in its place, a plate 72 is attached either directly
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~ to the wall or to the fitting itself as depicted in Figures
21 and 22. Figure 21 illustrates the fitting 70 with the
cover removed and Figure 22 with the plate 72 in place.
The plate 72 itself is preferably constructed of
thermoplastic and contains a threaded centrally located hole
74 and an offset wire receiving slot 76 near the hole. An O
ring 78 mounted into a groove partially encircles the hole 74
terminating at the slot 76, permitting the wires 62 to leave
the wall fitting 70 and enter the purifier.
The installation is the same as previously described
except for the plate 74 which is securely fastened to the
pool wall. The nipple 46 is threaded into the hole 74 and
the entire purifier is compressibly retained therebetween
with the O-ring 78 maintaining a compacting seal.
The invention alsa discloses a method of using a water
circulating pipe as a conduit for a cable for energizing the
electrolytic cell. This is unconventional since a water pipe
has sharp 90° bends contrasted with an electrical conduit
which has long radius sweeping 90° bends to facilitate
pulling of the wire through the conduit. This novel approach
was successful because of the specialized reel assembly and
the construction of the wire cable.
While the invention has been described in complete
detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it
is not to be limited to such details, such many changes and
modifications may be made in the invention without departing
from the spirit and the scope thereof. For example, a pin
and slot connector 46a, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, may be
used in lieu of the preferred threaded fasteners. Hence, it
is described to cover any and all modifications and forms
which may come within the language and scope of the claims.
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