Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MODUI~R ~uN~-l~u~lloN SYSTED~
.~
The invention relates to a modular construction
system, for instance for educational purposes or ~or use
as toy, which system comprises at least two components
~or mutual releasable coupling by means of coupling
means, which coupling means comprise:
two coupling edges ~orming part o~ a wall o~
the one component and also ~orming the boundary o~ one or
two continuous holes in this wall; and
two coupling lips which are each adapted to be
inserted in a or the continuous hole and which each
comprise for this purpose at least one snap edge for
co-action with an associated coupling edge such that
after this co-action has been brought about the rearward
displacement can only take place by exerting a certain
15 ml n; mllm ~orce in the direction o~ rearward displacement.
Such a construction system is known ~or
instance ~rom US-A-3 195 266. The problem in a system o~
this type is that the coupling between the diverse
components can only be released with di~iculty. In order
to release the coupling a comparatively great force must
be exerted simultaneously on both coupling edges o~ a set
such that the coupling is released in substantially axial
direction. In addition, the construction system according
to the said American patent has no provision whereby the
couplings between the components are always ~ree o~ play
and do not rattle.
The invention has ~or its object to provide a
modular construction system which does not display the
stated shortcomings o~ the known art. To this end the
construction system according to the invention has the
~eature that in coupled situation the coupling edges and
the coupling lips press against each other under bias
with inclining coupling sur~aces such that by rotation
round the one set o~ coupling sur~aces the contact
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between the other set of coupling surfaces can be
released,
a stop surface connects to a set of coupling
lips, which stop surface presses in coupled situation
with some force against at least a part of a coupling
edge such that the coupling between the components is
free o~ play, and
the components consist at least partially of
plastic.
A preferred embodiment has the special feature
that the coupling sur~aces have a generally convex shape.
A specific embodiment has the special feature
that the coupling edges and the coupling lips have
inclining pressure surfaces on their sides remote ~rom
said coupling surfaces, which pressure surfaces can slide
over each other to e~ect the coupling when a pressure
force is applied. With this embodiment the coupling can
be brought about by applying a pressure ~orce depending
on said inclining position. It will be apparent that the
flexibility of the lips and the coe~icient o~ friction
o~ the sur~aces sliding over each other also determine
the required pressure ~orce. This is also the case ~or
the said decoupling.
A particular variant has the special feature
that said pressure surfaces have a generally convex
shape.
Particularly the embodiment in which both the
coupling sur~aces and the pressure sur~aces have a
generally convex shape can advantageously be embodied
such that the coupling lips and parts of the coupling
edges co-acting therewith have substantially the same
shapes.
Particular embodiments can advantageously have
the special feature that the coupling edges and the
coupling lips are non-round such that coupled components
are locked against relative rotation.
The embodiment is recommen~ed in which the stop
surface ~orms part of a flange plate.
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A specific variant o~ this latter principle has
the ~eature that the ~lange plate is permanent-magnetic.
Ferromagnetic components can hereby be connected
magnetically to a made structure.
An exceptional embodiment has the ~eature that
the ~lange plate can be ~lush-mounted in a recess in the
coupling edge.
This embodiment is pre~erably embodied such
that the flange plate ~its into the recess with little
play.
A speci~ic embodiment has the ~eature that the
one component comprises two sets of coupling lips present
on either side o~ a flange plate and that the depth o~
said recess corresponds to hal~ the thickness o~ the
flange plate such that two components coupled by the
~irst mentioned component are positioned with their
coupling edges in at least substantially mutually
abutting relationship.
An alternative comprises tensioning means ~or
placing the lips under directed and great tension in the
inserted situation such that the rearward displacement is
only possible a~ter the tensioning means have been
deactivated.
This latter embodiment can have the ~eature
that the tensioning means can be controlled ~rom outside
by means of control means.
A speci~ic embodiment has the special ~eature
that the control means comprise indicator means for the
active and the inactive state o~ the tensioning means,
which indicator means can be embodied ~or instance as
colour coding means.
The construction system according to the
~ invention pre~erably has the special ~eature that
components consist o~ plastic, ~or instance ABS or
polypropylene (PP). The use o~ a very strong plastic such
as ABS has the advantage that the li~espan o~ the
components is very long, even in the case o~ prolonged
and even rough use. When non-clamping or non-snapping
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couplings are applied the hard ABS is a very good choice.
In the case where ~m~n~s are made o~ the resilience of
the material, particularly in the case of clamp couplings
or snap couplings, a softer, more resilient plastic can
be recomm~n~P~. This can ~or instance be polypropylene.
A system with plastic components can have the
special feature that components are manufactured by
injection moulding.
An alternative can have the ~eature that
components are manufactured by extrusion, followed by
division into pieces of the profiled prismatic rod
manufactured by extrusion, and optionally followed by
selective removal of chosen areas.
It should be appreciated that the term
"prismatic" is understood to mean a shape which at any
position has the same cross-sectional form transversely
of a principal direction.
The invention will now be elucidated with
reference to the ~nn~ed drawing of a number of random
embodiments, to which the invention is not limited. In
the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows a partly perspective view of a
first embodiment;
Fig. 2 shows partly in side view, partly in
cross section the coupled components of fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second
embodiment;
Fig. 4 shows a cross section IV-IV through the
component of ~ig. 3 in coupled situation;
Fig. 5 is a partly broken away perspective view
of a third embodiment;
Fig. 6 shows the cross section VI-VI according
to fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a partly broken away perspective view
of a fourth embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fifth
embodiment;
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Fig. 9 shows a cross section through the
divided block according to fig. 8 in mounted situation;
Fig. 10 is a partly perspective view of a sixth
embodiment;
Fig. 11 shows partly a top view, partly a cross
section of the block o~ fig. 10;
Fig. 12 shows a cross section perpendicularly
of the plane of the section according to fig. 11 of the
block according to fig. 10 in mounted situation;
Fig. 13 is a view corresponding with fig. 1 of
a seventh embodiment, wherein the m~nn~r of manu~acture
by extrusion is also shown;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an eighth
embodiment;
Fig. 15 is a view corresponding with fig. 2 of
a ninth embodiment;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a tenth
embodiment which consists of a plurality of su~-
components;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an eleventh
embodiment;
Fig. 18 is an exploded view of the twelfth
embodiment;
Fig. 19 is a per~pective view of a thirteenth
em~odiment;
Fig. 20 is a perspective view o~ a fourteenth
embodiment;
Fig. 21 shows partly in transparent view a
perspective view o~ a fi~teenth embodiment;
Fig. 22 shows a cross section in expanded
situation of the component of ~ig. 21;
Fig. 23 shows a view corresponding with fig. 22
of the component in non-expanded situation;
Fig. 24 is an exploded view of a sixteenth
embodiment;
Fig. 25 is an exploded view of a seventeenth
embodiment;
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Fig. 26 shows an exploded view of an elghteenth
embodiment which is similar to the sixteenth embodiment
according to fig. 24;
Fig. 27 shows a partly broken away exploded
view of a nineteenth embodiment;
Fig. Z8 shows a partially exploded view of a
twentieth embodiment which is similar to the eighteenth
embodiment according to fig. 2 6;
Fig. 29 shows a partially exploded view of the
sub-components from which the frame of fig. 28 is
constructed;
Fig. 30 is a partly perspective view of a
twenty-first embodiment;
Fig. 31 is a partly perspective view of a frame
in a twenty-second embodiment;
Fig. 32 is a partly perspective view of a frame
in a twenty-third embodiment;
Fig. 33 is a perspective view of a frame in a
twenty-fourth embodiment;
20Fig. 34 is a partly perspective view of a
twenty~ th embodiment;
Fig. 35 shows the embodiment according to fig.
34 in cross-sectional view;
Fig. 36 is a perspective view of a twenty-sixth
embodiment;
Fig. 37 is a perspective view of a twenty-
seventh embodiment;
Fig. 38 is a perspective view of an assembly of
components as according to fig. 37;
30Fig. 39 is a perspective view o~ an assembly of
components as according to fig. 36;
Fig. 40 is a perspective view of a twenty-
eighth embodimenti
Fig. 41 is a perspective view of a twenty-ninth
embodiment;
Fig. 42 is a perspective view of an assembly of
components as according to fig. 40;
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Fig. 43 shows a building brick according to the
invention in a thirtieth embodiment;
Fig. 44 shows an assembly of building bricks in
accordance with a thirty-first embodiment;
Fig. 45 shows a perspective view, partly in
exploded view, of a building structure according to the
invention;
Fig. 46 shows five building bricks according to
the invention, all according to a thirty-second
embodiment but with different ~;m~nsions;
Fig. 47 shows an exploded view of a building
brick accordlng to the invention consisting of two
identical parts in a thirty-third embodiment;
Fig. 48 shows a partly broken away perspective
view of a thirty-fourth embodiment;
Fig. 49 shows a thirty-:Eifth embodiment in
perspective view, wherein the composite parts are drawn
at some mutual distance;
Fig. 50 is a perspective view of the assembled
building brick according to fig. 49;
Fig. 51A is a perspective view of a thirty-
sixth embodiment;
Fig. 51B shows a side view thereof;
Fig. 52A shows a side view of a variant of the
embodiment of fig. 51;
Fig. 52B shows an example of an application of
the building brick of fig. 52A;
Fig. 52C shows a top view of the building brick
of fig. 52A;
Fig. 53 is a partly perspective view of a
thirty-seventh embodiment, wherein two building bricks
are supported by a screw spindle and are axially movable
in rotation thereof;
Fig. 54 is a perspective view of a thirty-
eighth embodiment, the principle of which corresponds
with the embodiment of fig. 53; and
Fig. 55 is a partly perspective view of a
thirty-ninth embodiment.
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.
In all the figures functionally identical
components are designated as ~ar as possible with the
same reference numerals.
Fig. 1 shows a coupling block 1 and a frame 2,
both components of a modular construction system
according to the invention. Frame 2 comprises a
continuous hole 3 which is bounded by four mutually
perpendicular coupling edges which are all designated
with 4 and all have the shown stepped structure.
Coupling block 1 has a central plate 5, the
thickness of which is twice as great as the depth of the
first step 6.
As shown in fig. 2, two frames 2 can be
mutually coupled in this manner without interspaces by
means of coupling block 1. Plate 5 has on each of both
sides two coupling lips 7 with rounded outer edges 8. In
the manner shown in ~ig. 2, these lips can be placed into
snapping co-action with the inner steps 9. The snapping
co-action is ensured by the shown rounded shape of outer
edges 8. The coupling between block 1 and frame 2 can be
released from the situation shown in fig. 2 only by
exerting a relatively great force.
Fig. 3 shows a coupling block 10, of which the
coupling lips 11 with the rounded outer edges 8 can be
placed into snapping co-action with frame 2 as shown in
fig. 4, but wherein the rearward displacement can, if
desired, be blocked by tensioning means embodied as an
eccentric cam element 12 which can be rotated by means o~
a tool 13 which is inserted into a correspondingly shaped
hole 14. Due to this rotation the extreme faces of cam 12
press against correspondingly curved convex surfaces 15
with relatively large radius of curvature of the lips 11,
whereby these latter are effectively driven apart, and '
the inward directed displacement is in any case blocked.
Only by deactivating the described tensioning means can
the coupling of fig. 4 be nn~on~
Fig. 5 and 6 show the use of a coupling block
16 which is embodied single-sided but is based on the
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same principle as coupling block 10. Use is made in this
embodiment of a right-angled transmission with two
co-acting bevel gears 17 which positively couple cam
A element 12 via corresponding shafts 18 to an externally
5 accessible control element 18.
G Fig. 7 shows a variant in which a coupling
block 19 comprises a cam element 12 which is rotatable by
means of a tooth wheel 20 which i5 arranged on shaft 18
and which co-acts with a rack 21 forming part of an
10 axially displaceable control rod 22 which has a length
such that in the inactive situation of cam 12 the one
part o~ the rod protrudes outside the structure and in
the active situation the other part protrudes. It is thus
always clear to the user which movement he must perform
15 to place the tensioning means into the situation other
than the prevailing one. To avoid ambiguity both ends of
rod 22 can be provided with clearly recognizable
differing colours in order to indicate respectively the
active and inactive situation of the tensioning means.
Fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which a coupling
block 23 takes a divided form. Cam element 12 is embodied
as according to the second embodiment of fig. 3. The
outer edges 8 form in this embodiment the coupling lips,
which however are not elastic, so the coupling
respectively decoupling can only be effected by rotation
of the cam 12. This is supported by a disc 25 which
mutually connects the identical parts 24 of block 23 by
friction. The coupling block 23 in divided form comprises
ribs 71, 72 which fit in the m~nn~r shown in fig. 9 into
a framework consisting of two parts 73, 74. In the m~nn~r
drawn a tight fit can be obtained with the outer edges 8.
Fig. 10 shows a coupling block 29 wherein
covers 26 are moulded on the ends of the, in this
embodiment prismatic, form, which covers are connected to
the main form by foil Ainges. Covers 26 take a form such
that they can be placed snappingly into the space defined
by the coupling lips 7. It is noted that elevations 27
present as according to fig. 1 are absent in this
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embodiment. As fig. 11 shows, an arranged cover 26 can be
removed with a tool 28.
Fig. 12 shows the situation of fig. 11 in a
cross section which is directed perpendicularly of the
cross section of fig. 11.
Fig. 13 shows an embodiment in which a coupling
block 30 takes an essentially prismatic form. The
elevations 27 are absent here. Block 30 is manufactured
from an extrudate 31 which is shortened successively at
~ixed separating zones 32, whereafter zones 33 are
removed to obtain steps 34.
Fig. 14 shows that a block 35 consists of three
parts, i.e. a separate plate 5 and two identical lip
units 36 which are connected to plate 5 by means o~
coupling shaft 37. Thus obtained is a structure
consisting of three components which can be grouped in a
manner identical to block 30. In this embodiment the lip
units 36 are however rotatable at any desired angle
relative to plate 5.
Fig. 15 shows an embodiment wherein the inner
steps 38, in contrast to the inner steps 6 o~ fig. 2,
have rounded shapes. This facilitates the effecting and
release of the coupling.
Fig. 16 shows a variant of the eighth
embodiment of fig. 14. Plate 5 and lip units 36 are here
mutually coupled by means of dovetail joints.
Fig. 17 shows a block 39 having on one side a
lip unit 40 and on the other side a sleeve 41, for
instance for rotatably receiving a shaft.
Fig. 18 shows an embodiment which forms an
e~fective combination of the first embodiment according
to fig. 1 and the eleventh embodiment according to fig.
17.
Fig. 19 shows an em~odiment wherein two blocks
41,42 are hingedly coupled to each other by means of a
hinge 43.
Fig. 20 shows a fourteenth embodiment wherein
blocks 44 are embodied identically and each have a
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structure which is similar to the tenth embodiment of
~ig. 16. Blocks 44 are each supported by supports 45 by
means of a dovetail joint. Both supports are identical
and ~ace in opposing directions and together with a pivot
shaft 46 define a hinge. It is noted that a hinge of any
type whatsoever can also extend on mutually facing edges
o~ blocks.
Fig. 21, 22 and 23 show a block 47 which, like
the fifth embodiment as according to fig. 8, is
10 expandable by means of an eccentric element. A rotatable
disc 48 has two inclining pressure surfaces 49 which co-
act with corresponding inner sur~aces 50 o~ the halves 51
of block 47. Fig. 22 and 23 show respectively the
expanded and non-expanded situation. Disc 48 has a ribbed
15 peripheral sur~ace, whereby a user is able to apply the
desired rotation force with his fingers. Alternatively,
use can also be made of one or more protrusions.
Fig. 24 shows a coupling block 52 which can be
coupled on one side to frame 2 and on the other side
20 comprises two coupling lips 53 for coupling to a plate 54
with ~rame 55.
Fig. 25 shows a variant in which a coupling
block 56 comprises four pairs of coupling lips 57. A
maximum of ~our plates 55 can herewith be coupled to each
25 other. One plate can also run along the whole width or
length of block 56 in the manner according to ~ig. 24,
while two other plates can extend as far as this
continuous plate.
Fig. 26 shows a frame 58 with four continuous
30 holes 3 as according to inter alia fig. 1. A coupling
block 1 is received snappingly herein.
Fig. 27 shows two plates 59 which can be
q coupled to a coupling piece 60 which can be coupled to
the peripheral edges of holes 3, as according to for
- 35 instance fig. 1. The thickness of plate 61 corresponds
with the depth of step 62 and the mutually facing edges
of holes 3 have a similar recess. Plates 59 can thus be
mutually coupled such that the bottom sur~aces do not
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display any protruding portions, which would be the case
with the above described blocks. Even a block 1 as
according to fig. 1 taking a single-sided form would not
meet the criterion of absence of protruding portions,
since the plate 5 has a thickness amounting to twice the
depth of step 9.
It will now be apparent that ~rame 58 according
to fig. 26 can couple four plates to each other.
Similarly to plates 59, these plates are provided with
holes 3 in their angular points.
Fig. 28 shows the coupling between a coupling
block 1, a frame 2 and a plate 63.
Fig. 29 shows that ~rame 2 can be embodied as
two parts 64,65 manufactured by injection moulding and
mutually connectable by pin-hole connections. Pins 66 and
the associated holes (not shown) can also be omitted, in
which case glue connections can for instance be applied.
This has the advantage that parts 64,65 can be identical.
Any suitable connection technique is in principle
applicable. Use can for instance also be made o~snap
connections, clamp connections, weld connections or the
like.
Fig. 30 shows an embodiment wherein a coupling
block 67 has a substantially rotation-symmetrical ~orm.
The shape of continuous hole 68 in ~rame 69 with
associated steps is adapted thereto. Fig. 30 shows
clearly that block 67 comprises a comparatively large
continuous hole 70, this being important in the case of
use of this embodiment as child's toy. If a small child
were to swallow block 67, the hole 70 would remain open
as passage ~or air so that suffocation is out of the
question. The structure shown in fig. 30 is preferably
embodied such that ribs 75, 76 have a cham~ering on their
side directed axially outward which acts as positioning
edge, whereby they are easily able to pass over the
internal step 77 in ~rame 69. Shown schematically is that
once an assembly of block 67 and frame 69 has been fixed
it can be separated by pressing together the lips 78 by
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13
making use o~ a schematically designated tool 79 to be
pushed axially.
Fig. 31, 32 and 33 show alternative ~rames 71,
72 and 73.
The block 67 accordlng to fig. 30 is suitable
~or co-action with the schematically designated holes 68
in the ~rame or the building brick 72. It is noted that
the edges of holes 68 are only shown schematically but in
accordance with the teaching o~ the invention have a
sectional ~orm for instance as shown in fig. 2.
Due to the presence of recesses 84 the block or
the building brick 67 can be received locked against
rotation in a hole 68. In this case at least one
protrusion may be present under the ribs 30 of building
brick 67, this protrusion ~itting into a recess 84.
Another manner of locking against rotation is
obtained with the non-round shapes of the holes 85 as
according to fig. 31, with which correspondingly shaped
building bricks can co-act.
Fig. 34 and 35 show a twenty-~ifth embodiment.
The shown coupling block 80 has a prismatic form and
corresponds in this sense with the seventh embodiment
according to fig. 13. Compared with the coupling block 30
shown there, the coupling lips 81 are elongated. By
analogy with that discussed with re~erence to ~ig. 30, it
is possible by pressing axially as according to arrow 83
making use of a tool 82 to achieve the removal of
coupling lips 81 ~rom their resilient clamping position
relative to frame 2 as shown in ~ig. 35, whereby coupling
block 80 can be removed from ~rame 2 by exerting a
continued axial pressure ~orce.
The tool 82 can also be embodied such that said
axial force is obtained by rotating the tool.
Fig. 36 shows a building brick 86, the special
features o~ which do not have to be discussed in detail
in view of the corresponding description of the relevant
functional aspects thereo~ with re~erence to above
described embodiments.
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14
It is generally remarked that a particular
embodiment attempts to embody all coupling edges and
coupling lips in correspondence with each other. All
complementary building bricks can hereby be coupled to
each other. Another embodiment comprises for instance a
plurality of building bricks each provided with at least
two differently ~;m~n~ioned coupling edges and/or
coupling lips.
Fig. 37 shows a variant 87 which di~ers ~rom
the embodiment o~ ~ig. 36 in that top and bottom are open
instead of closed.
Fig. 38 and 39 show examples o~ applications in
which the building bricks according to ~ig. 37 and 36
respectively are mutually coupled. It will be apparent
that the system according to the invention enables many
other combinations.
Fig. 40 shows a single variant 88 of the
embodiment according to fig. 37.
Fig. 41 shows a single variant 89 of the
embodiment according to fig. 36.
Fig. 42 shows an assembly o~ the building
bricks 88 according to fig. 40.
Fig. 43 shows a building brick 90 with two
diagonally crossed sets of coupling edges and coupling
lips.
Fig. 44 shows a plurality o~ building bricks 91
which are mutually connected in longitudinal direction
respectively transverse direction.
Fig. 45 shows yet another example o~ a building
structure with building bricks according to the
invention.
Fig. 46 shows five building bricks 92, 93, 94,
95 and 96 with a generally elongate form which are
provided on their end zones with holes with coupling
edges.
Fig. 47 shows a perspective view of a building
brick consisting of two identical parts 97, 98.
;
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As described with reference to fig. 29, the
parts 97, 98 are manufactured by injection moulding and
are mutually connectable by pin-hole connections.
Fig. 48 shows a building brick 99 wherein the
5 coupling edges form part of respective frames 100 which
r are embodied as inserts. Re~erence is also made in this
context to the description of fig. 55 hereinbelow.
Fig. 49 shows an embodiment wherein a
permanent-magnetic ~lange plate 101 can be coupled to
10 separate plates 102, 103 which are provided with coupling
lips. In this respect reference is made by way of
explanation to for instance fig. 1 and 2. Plates 102, 103
can be connected to magnetic flange plate 101 by for
instance a glue connection. Use can also be made o~ ~or
1~ instance a snap coupling, wherein plates 102, 103
mutually connect via the continuous hole 104 in flange
plate 101.
Fig. 50 shows the thus obtained building brick
105.
Fig. 51A and 51B show building brick 106,
wherein the respective coupling edges are rotated
relatively through 90~.
This same structure can be found in the
building brick 107 according to fig. 52.
Fig. 52B shows the coupling of two building
bricks 107 to a plate 108 with a continuous hole with
corresponding coupling edges.
Fig. 53 shows a screw spindle 109 carrying two
building bricks 110, 111 co-acting therewith as nuts.
30 Through rotation of the nut the building bricks 110, 111
move toward and away from each other because the
associated screw threads 112, 113 have opposed
orientation.
Fig. 54 shows a variant wherein the building
35 bricks 114, 115 take a two-sided form as according to for
instance fig. 1 and 2, while building bricks 110 and 111
are embodied single-sided.
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16
Finally, ~ig. 55 shows a building brick 114
which is built up o~ identical walls 115 and plates 117
which are ~or anchoring therein via slotted holes 116 and
which have continuous holes with coupling edges.
It will be apparent that the invention is not
limited to the drawn and described embodiments.
*****
