Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
Improved Vehicle-use Foldable Beverage I-Iolder
BAChGROLIND OF THE IN~IEN'TION
The invention herein relates to an improvement of the ''Vehicle-use Foldable
Beverage Holder" invention registered under United States Patent No.
x,072,909,
specifically referring. to a kind of improved vehicle-use foldable beverage
holder
offering installation and utilization enhancements.
The invention herein was first improved by the father of the applicant as the
"Vehicle-use Foldable Beverage Holder" and, as indicated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9,
was
mainly comprised of a mounting plate (1), a base plate (2), a left clip arm
(3a), a right
clip arm (;'ib), and clip arm rod (~). The aforesaid adjustable vehicle-use
foldable
beverage holder offered more practicaliy than convcntional beverage holders.
However, since the installation and mounting method remained similar to that
of
conventional beverage holders in that the mounting plate ( 1 ) vvas directly
fastened by
means of screws or adhesives to a vertical interior surface or inside the door
of a
vehicle and the can or cup of beverage was held onto the base plate (2) by the
fivo clip
arms (3a) and (3b), which prevented the occurrence of slanting. Due to the
introduction of numerous vehicle models, especially luxurw sedans having
interiors
characterized by a flowing line design, locating a vertical area for fastening
or
adhering the mounting plate ( 1 ) became increasingly difficult and reduired a
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
modification so that the underside of the base plate (2) could be directly
adhered near
the driver's seat or other level installation surfaces. Furthermore, since the
"Vehicle-
use Foldable Beverage Holder" developed by the father of the applicant and of
the
conventional products were not equipped with a support connecting rod, the
111olllltlllg
plate ( 1 ) frequently tended to automatically fall over and cover the base
plate (2) (as
depicted in FIG. 7), such that when a beverage cal or beverage e.up was placed
onto
the base plate (2), slanting would occur at the slightest contact. While most
beverage
spills in vehicles dirt' the interior, such messes can be cleaned up. However,
seated
passengers are exposed to injury by scalding if a hot beverage tips over ill
the vehicle,
a very unsafe sihlation. Furtherlllore, there are nultlerous vertically and
horizontally
intersecting reinforcement ribs ( l~l) on the rear surface of the mounting
plate ( 1 ) body
( I O) such that when the aforesaid vehicle-use foldable beverage holder is
not being
utilized, the rivo clip arms (3a) and (3b) are folded up against the front of
the
mounting plate ( 1 ) and then the mounting plate ( 1 ) is folded against the
base plate (2)
IS (as depicted in FIG. 9) to conserve space. How°ever, the numerous
reinforcement ribs
( 14) on the exterior of existent vehicle-use beverage holders is totally
unattractive and,
fiu~therlnore, does not match the interior tlowing lines of vehicles, which a
frequent
consumer complaint.
Furthermore, no linkage struchlre or device is designed in betlveen the
IIloLllltlllg plate ( 1 ) and the cover plate (2), when tile Illolnltlllg
plate ( 1 ) has been
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_ . ~__.
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
directly fastened by means of screws or adhesives to a suitable interior
surface of a
vehicle and the hvo sections are utilized, since the mounting plate ( 1 )
deforms and
posts (15) on the hvo sides of the lower bracket [bar] (13) or the holes (25)
of the two
lateral containment edges (21 ) become wom, which leads to loosening such that
the
aforesaid cover plate (2) carrot be linked with stabiliy onto the aforesaid
mounting
plate (1), resulting ,in the partially opened sihiation depicted. in FIG. 9
aid the
incapability of achieving a state of total closure with the aforesaid mounting
plate ( 1 ),
when generates noise due the constant swinging movement while the vehicle is
in
motion, especially when driving on sloped terrain.
The applicant of the invention herein lras accumulated many years of
experience while assisting his father in the mannfacriiring and marketing of
the
aforementioned vehicle-use beverage holder and, furthermore, has observed that
both
the aforesaid beverage holder as well as conventional units are affected by
the
aforementioned shortcomings and, therefore, conducted research and testing to
develop the improved vehicle-use beverage holder of the invention herein.
SUIIII~IARI' OF THE INVENTION
The prima~w objective of the invention herein is to provide a kind of vehicle-
use
folding beverage holder in which there is a minimum of one support ccawecting
rod in
behveen the mounting plate and the base plate to ensure that the hvo clip arms
on the
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
mounting plate do not slant forward when a can or cup of beverage is being
held onto
the base plate.
Another objective of the invention herein is to provide a kind of vehicle-use
folding beverage holder in which a lock-type or an insert-type decorative
cover plate
can be installed to the rear surface of the mounting plate to enhance the
appearance of
the vehicle-use folding beverage holder when not in utilization and the
aforesaid
mounting plate is covering the base plate.
Yet another objective of the invention herein is to provide a kind of vehicle-
use
folding beverage holder wherein the mounting plate is installed on a vertical
surface
such that base plate can be covered tightly to the Illotliltlllg plate after
LlSage lIl a
malmer that feahlres accurate position that precludes the occurrence of
incomplete
closure or opening that would result in separation and falling; tul-thermore,
the
invention herein will not be jarred open when the host vehicle is driven on
sloped
terrain and generate irritating noise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRWi'INGS
Figure 1 is an isometric drawing of the invention herein during utilization,
with
the base plate securely installed.
Figure 2 is an isometric drawing of the invention herein after utilization or
while not being utilized, with the base plate securely installed and
functioning.
.. _ . ._ .__._.__.__.....~.._._ ~__ _.._..-._._.__ " ~ .~..___ _ .___. _.~_
._.._.__.__. _. _..4 _
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
Figure 3 is an isometric exploded drawing of the invention herein.
Figure 4 is an orthographic drawing of another embodiment of the support
coimecting rod as viewed from above.
Figure 5 is an orthographic drawing of another embodiment of the support
com~ecting rod as view 11'0111 the front.
Figure 6 is au orthographic drawing of the left side of another preferred '
embodiment of the invention herein.
Figure 7 is an exploded isometric drawing of another preferred embodiment of
the invention herein.
Figure 8 is an isometric drawing of a conv~utional foldable beverage holder
during utilization, with the base plate securely installed and timctioning.
Figure 9 is an isometric drawing of a conventional folding beverage holder
after
utilization or while not being utilized, with the base plate securely
installed atxl
functioning.
Figure 10 is an isometric drawing of a conventional folding beverage holder
during utilization, with the base plate securely installed and functioning.
Figure 11 is an isometric drawing of a conventional folding beverage holder
after utilization or while not being utilized, with the base plate securely
installed and
functioning.
--S-
~._._.... -.__ ~ ~ ____ _ __ ._.. ~.._.__ ~... .~._.~._..~ _m.. _ . _ _~
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
PARTS OF THE DRS'INGS
1-Mounting plate. 17- Fastener hole.
2-Base plate. 18- Protruding strip
3a-Left clip arm. 1 )- Elongated hole
3b-Right clip arm. 20- Base plate body.
4-Clip arm rod. . 21- Base plate containmeftt edge.
Sa-Lock-type decorative cover 22, 22'-Hale.
plate.
Sb-Insert-ype decorative cover 23-Hole.
plate.
6, 6'-Support correcting rod. 25-Hole.
7, 7'-Split rivet. ~Oa- Lock-ype decorative cover
plate body.
8-Spring SOb- Insert-ype decorative cover
plate body.
10-Mounting plate body. 51- Containment edge.
11-Lateral wall. 52-Split post. .
12-Upper bracket. 53- L-sliaped lip.
1 S 13-Lower bracket. ~~l- Beveled tab. . '
1~1-Reinforcing rib. 60. 60'-Strip.
15-Post. 61- Upper connecting rod.
16-Hole. 62- Lower connecting rod.
101-Lock tab. 612- Semicircular post.
102-Post. 613- Through-hole.
--6-
_ _ _ _ ___...._.__..___ ~ ~ _.r__ _~_._~_ ._... _..__._ _ _ ~____
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
103-Opening. 611- PoSltlolllllb tab.
191-Detest 620- Lo»~er co~wecting rod strip.
601, 602-Hole. 621- Arrowhead-shaped split post.
603, 60~=Arrowhead-shaped split post. 622- Arrowhead-shaped split post.
610-Upper correcting rod strip. 623-Positioning hole.
611- Arrowhead-shaped split post. . '
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. l, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the improved vehicle-use foldable
beverage holder of the invention herein is mainly comprised of a mounting
plate (1), a
base plate (2), a left clip arm (3a), a right clip arm (3b), and a clip arm
rod (~t). All of
the aforesaid components are constructed of a plastic iuaterial and are formed
in single
molding process and, furthermore, after the left clip arm (3a) and right clip
arm (3b)
are first directly sleeved onto the clip arm rod (~t) (as indicated iii FIG.
3) manually and
then fitted onto the tipper bracket ( 12) at the hvo sides of the mounting
plate ( 1);
finally, the hvo rear sides of the base plate (2) are fitted onto the posts
(15) at the hvo
sides of the lower bracket ( 13), which completes the assembh~ of the improved
vehicle-use foldable beverage holder of the invention herein. However, when
the
Illolllltlllg plate ( 1 ) of the improved vehicle-use foldable beverage holder
of the
invention herein is being molded, a hole ( 16) is formed in each of the h;~o
lateral walls
.,
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
( 11) of the mounting plate body ( 10); furthermore, a hole (22) is formed in
each of
the h;-o lateral containment edges (21 ) of the base plate bode (20), thereby
enabling
the installation of the support correcting rods (6) in behveen the left and
right sides of
the momiting plate ( 1 ) and the base plate (2), which are utilized to
supportively
maintain the aforesaid mounting plate (1) and base plate (2) in a fixed L-
shaped
configuration (as viewed from a left lateral perspective), such that the
aforesaid T
mounting plate ( 1 ) is prevented from slanting towards or slanting and
covering the
aforesaid base plate (2) daring the utilization of the invention herein. Each
of the
aforesaid support corniecting rods (2) is struch~rally an active linkage
comprised of an
upper correcting rod (61) and a lower correcting red (62) which are molded
from a
plastic material; during the fabrication of the aforesaid upper correcting rod
(61 ), a
long correcting rod strip (610) is molded with an arrowhead-shaped split post
(611 )
on the imer side of the tipper end, which is capable of pivoting freely when
inserted
.,
into the hole ( 16) through the lateral wall ( 11 ) of the mounting plate body
( 10); a
semicircular post (612) and a through-hole (613) are molded on the outer side
of the
lower end of the aforesaid correcting rod strip (610) and, furthermore, a
positioning
tab (614) is molded on the edge below the through-hole (613) and the
semicircular
post (612); dlll'lItg the fabrication of the lower comlectmg rod (62), a long
lower
correcting rod strip (620) is molded with an arrowhead-shaped split post (621
)
molded at the outer side of the lower end, which is capable of pivoting freely
when
_g_
... ..~__ ' R
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
inserted into the hole (22) through the containment edge (21 ) of the base
plate body
(20); furthermore, au arrowhead-shaped split post (622) is molded on the itmer
side of
the upper end of the aforesaid lower com~ecting rod strip (620), which capable
of
pivoting . freely when inserted into the through-hole (613 ) at the lower end
of the
aforesaid upper correcting rod (61) and thereby operate as a linkage
mechanism; to
enable the movable linkage of aforesaid upper cotutecting rod (C 1 ) and the
aforesaid "
lower correcting rod (62) to remain in a stationary configuration that is
approximately
130 degrees (as viewed a right lateral perspective), the point near the upper
end of the
aforesaid lower correcting rod strip (620) must be positioned across from the
setoicircular post (612) on the aforesaid comecting~rod strip (610), and the
additional
molding of a positioning hole (623) enables such a configuration of the linked
upper
cotmecting rod (61) and lower correcting rod (62) because the semicircular
post (612)
on the aforesaid upper comiecting rod (61 ) can be inserted into the
positioning hole
(623) of the lower correcting rod (62) and, furthermore, the edge at the lom-
er end of
the aforesaid lower correcting rod (62) rests against the positioning tab
(611) at the
lower end of the aforesaid upper correcting rod (61), thereby maintaining the
aforesaid stationary configuration of approximately 130 degrees.
Since the improved vehicle-use foldable beverage holder of the invention
herein has at minimum one support cotmecting rod (6) movable linkage (a
movable
linkage can also be installed on both the left and right sides) in behveen the
mounting
V
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
plate ( 1 ) and the base plate (2) at either the left or right side (according
to the
preference or convenience of the user) and the aforesaid support colmecting
rod (G) is
capable of maintaining a stationary configuration of approximately 130
degrees, as
described in the foregoing section, therefore, the mounting plate ( 1 ) and
the base plate
(2) can be supported in a fixed L-shaped configuration (as indicated in the
left lateral
vie~~~ of the FIG. 1) during utilization; therefore, the bottom of the. base
plate (2)' of the '
invention herein can be installed on a flat surface inside a vehicle by using
an adhesive
or other means of 111o11Iltlllg and, when a beverage can or cup (not shown in
the
drawings) is held in behveen the left clip arm (3a) and the right clip arm
(3b) on the
base plate (2), the lnounting plate ( 1 ) will not slide forward in the
direction of the
aforesaid beverage can or cup, such that a cup of hot beverage being held will
not tip
over and scald passengers. Following usage, the empy can or cup is removed
from the
left clip arm (3a) and the right clip arm (3b), while the left clip arm (3a)
and the right
clip arm (3b) are secured onto the mounting clip ( 1 ) and then, one finger is
pushed
against the movable linkage conjoining the upper colulectin g rod (61 ) and
the lower
connecting rod (62) of the one or hvo support colmecting rod (G) and the
rearward
push causes the original configuration of approximately 130 degrees to fold
into
congruous reverse angle, following which another finger pushes the nu~unting
plate ( 1 )
forward and slush against the aforesaid base plate (2), a procedure that
results in a
final state of appearance (as indicated in FIG. 2) similar to conventional
vehicle-use
_ l0_
,,
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
folding beverage holders.
Referring to FIG. 2, although the post-utilization folding procedures and
condition of the invention herein is similar to that of conventional devices,
the
invention herein has a lock-ype decorative cover plate (Sa) (as indicated in
FIG. 1) or
an insert-n-pe decorative cover plate(Sb) (as also indicated in FIG. 2) that
is fastened
to the rear surface of the mounting plate ( 1 ) and, therefore, the
unattractive reinforcing
rib ~( 14) (identical to that shown in FIG. 11 ) on the rear surface of the
aforesaid
.,
mounting plate (1) are completely covered by the aforesaid lock-type
decorative cover
plate (Sa) or insert-type decorative cover plate (Sb) and remains out of view;
at the
same time, the lock-type decorative cover plate ~ body (SOa) and the insert-
ype
decorative cover plate body (SOb) can be embellished with a walnut veneer or
leather
through adhesion or overlaying to feather enhance the appearance. As indicated
in
FIG. 3, the aforesaid lock-ype decorative cover plate (Sa) consists of a cover
plate
body (~Oa) that is molded from plastic, with the dimensions toatching that of
the
mounting plate ( 1 ) of the invention herein, and essentially involves the
molding of the
containment edge (51) of the cover plate body (SOa) as well as a minimum of
rivo split
posts (~2) on the im~er side of the aforesaid cover plate body (50a), which
are inserted
into the fastener holes ( 17) on the mounting plate body ( 10) at the rear of
the mounting
plate ( 1 ) and thereb~~ permits a means of secure fastening to the rear
surface of the
aforesaid mounting plate ( 1 ) (as indicated is FIG. 1 ). As indicated in FIG.
3, the
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
aforesaid insert-t~~pe decorative cover plate body (~Ob) consists of a cover
plate body
(~Ob) that is molded from plastic, with the dimensions matching that of the
mounting
plate ( 1 ) of the invention herein, and primarily involves the molding of a
containment
edge (51) at the upper end of the aforesaid cover plate body (SOb) and hvo L-
shaped
lips (53) on hvo sides along the lower end and, furthermore, the molding of at
least
one beveled tab (S~I) adjacent to the containment edge (~ 1) on .the imer side
of the '
aforesaid cover plate body (~Ob), which enables the L-shaped lips (~3) at the
upper
extent of the aforesaid mounting plate ( 1 ) to fit over the protruding strips
( 18) on the
tvvo sides of the aforesaid 111o11lltlllg plate body ( 10) and thereby be
insertion fastened
to the rear surface of the aforesaid mounting plate ( 1) (as indicated in FIG.
1).
Additional embodiments of the support correcting rod (6') of the invention are
shot~~n in FIG. ~ and FIG. 5. Although the aforesaid support correcting rod
(6') is
identical to previously described Sllppol't connecting rod (6), and is
structtirall}~ an
active linkage comprised of an upper correcting rod (61') and a lower
correcting rod
(62'), the structure is not a direct linkage, and consists of a split rivet
(7) that is first
equipped with a spring (8) before installation into the linkage structure of
the aforesaid
upper correcting rod (61') and lower correcting rod (62'). The aforesaid upper
comlecting rod (61 ') is stnichirally identical to the upper correcting rod
(61 ) of the
support correcting rod (6) in the previously described embodiment and,
tiirthermore,
consists of a upper coimecting rod strip (610) having an Arrowhead-shaped
split post
-12-
.....,.,....._.._"~.,~.. ., ........_ ...r r _,....._
_.._..._........__.,....._..~.~.r.~.~~.. ._...~._.~ _
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
(611) molded on the itmer side of the upper end, a semicircular post (612) and
a
through-hole (613) molded on the outer side of the lower end and, furthermore,
a
positioning tab (614) molded on the edge below the through-hole (613) and the
semicircular post (612); although the aforesaid lower correcting rod (62') has
an
Arrowhead-shaped split post (621 ) molded at the outer side of the lower end
of the
lower cotwecting rod, strip (620), in addition to the positioning hole (623)
molded at
the itmer side of the upper end, a through-hole is molded at the uppermost end
in
instead of the originally molded arrowhead-shaped split post (622), with the
split rivet
(7) equipped va~ith the spring (8) inserted to complete the linkage sttltchtre
with the
upper correcting rod (61'). In the linkage stntchtre behveen the mounting
plate ( 1 ) and
the base plate (2) of invention herein, the support connecting rod (6')
embodiment is
functionally identical to the previously introduced embodiment support
comiecting rod
(6) and similarly, the arrowhead-shaped split post (611 ) at the upper end of
the upper
correcting rod (61') is inserted into the hole ( 16) in the lateral wall ( 11
) of the
I 5 mounting plate body ( 10) to form the linkage struchtre; and the arrowhead-
shaped
split post (621) at the lower end of the lower correcting rod (62') is
inserted into the
hole (22) in the containment edge (21 ) of the base plate body (20) to torn
the linkage
stntchtre; at the same time, while the support connecting rod (6') embodiment
is
identical to aforementioned support cotmecting rod (6) in relation to the
utilization and
mounting procedures of the mounting plate ( 1 ) and the base plate (2) of the
invention
-13-
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
herein, the tensiliy of the spring (8) facilitates the easier insertion and
removal of the
semicircular post (612) in the positioning hole (623).
Furthermore, another preferred embodiment of the invention herein is shown in
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The aforesaid preferred embodiment is mainly comprised of a
strip
S (60) that functions as the support cotmecting rod and an vehicle-use
foldable beverage
holder linkage that . consists of lateral malls ( 11 ) on the mounting plate (
I ) and '
containment edges (21) on the base plate (2) (as indicated in FIG. 8), and
that supports
the aforesaid mounting plate ( 1 ) and base plate (2) in a tied L-shaped
configuration.
In the installation of the strip (60) to the vehicle-use foldable beverage
holder, during
the molding of the mounting plate ( 1 ), an elongated' hole ( 19) must be
formed in each
of the two lateral walls ( 11 ) of the mounting plate body ( 10) and,
furthermore, a
detent (191) is formed at the lower end of the aforesaid elongated hole (19);
during
the holding of the base plate (2), a hole (22') must be molded il each of the
hvo
containment edges (21 ) of the base plate body (20), thereby enabling the link
insertion
of split rivet (7') in the holes (601 ) and (602) in each of the hvo ends of
the strip (60)
through the aforesaid elongated hole ( 19) and the aforesaid holes (22'). As
the
aforesaid strip (60) is being molded, the arrowhead-shaped split posts (603)
and (60=1)
are molded at the poSltloll Of each of the rivo holes (601) and (602), with
the aforesaid
rivo arrowhead-shaped split posts (603) and (60=1) link inserted through each
of the
elongated holes ( 19) and the holes (22'). A 1111111111L1111 Of one laterally
installed strip
- 1 ~1-
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
(60) trust serve as the linkage struch~re in betlveen the mounting plate (1)
and the base
plate (2) of the improved vehicle-use foldable beverage holder of the
invention herein,
and when the aforesaid mounting plate ( 1 ) is opened to an approximate
vertical state,
the split rivet (7 ~) at the upper end of the aforesaid strip (60) or the
arrowhead-shaped
split post (603) is immovably positioned in the detect ( 191 ) of the lower
end of the
elongated hole ( 19) in the lateral wall ( 11 ) of the aforesaid mounting
plate ( 1') such
that the aforesaid strip (60) supports and maintains the aforesaid mounting
plate ( 1')
and the base plate (2) in a fired L-shaped configuration (as indicated in FIG.
6), such
that when the adhesive mounting on the underside of the base plate (2)
attached to a
suitable planer surface, the left clip arm (3a) and the right clip arm (3b) of
the
aforesaid mounting plate ( 1 ) holding the beverage cup or beverage can will
not slant
forward. Following utilization, one finger is utilized to push the aforesaid
strip (60)
forward and out of the detent ( 191 ) at the lower end of the aforesaid
elongated hole
( 19), while another finger moves the aforesaid mounting plate ( 1 ) frontally
to achieve
1 S the post-utilization folded state, as depicted in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 3, the post ( I 02), which is of a general semi-circular
shape,
and the lock tabs ( 101 ) of the nvo lateral walls ( 11 ) of the aforesaid
Il1o1111t1I1g plate
body ( 10) are formed at the same time that the mounting plate body ( 10) of
the
aforesaid mounting plate ( 1 ) is being molded, furthermore, while the
aforesaid base
plate (2) of the base plate body (20) is being molded, hvo holes (23) in
ntuhtal
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_. _.__ " ~ _ ._._._ k
CA 02258203 1999-O1-08
alignment are formed in the hvo lateral containment edges (21 ) of the base
plate body
(20) to enable, when the aforesaid 111olliltlltg plate ( 1 ) is directly
fastened by means of
screws or an adhesive to an appropriate vertical surface of the vehicle
interior during
usage, the attachment of the base plate (2) onto the mounting plate ( 1 ) and
the
accurate positioning of the aforesaid said hvo lock tabs ( 101 ) that are
secured to the
aforesaid base plate (2), thereby preventing the occurrence of separation and
opening
(as indicated in FIG. 8) and, furthermore, the generation of irritating noise
from the
continuous opening movement when the host vehicle is driven on sloped roads.
When
the aforesaid base plate (2) is covering the mounting plate ( 1 ), since the
hvo lateral
containment edges (21 ) of the base plate body (20) press against the lock
tabs ( 10 I )
on the tlvo sides of the mounting plate body ( I 0), causing the aforesaid
lock tabs ( 101 )
to slant inward, such that after the base plate (2) is completely affixed onto
the
aforesaid mounting plate ( 1 ), the aforesaid rivo lock tabs ( 101 ) continue
to exert
ourivard tension and remain in place, enabling the outer ends of the posts (
102) to stay
inserted in the holes (23) in the hvo lateral containment edges (21) of the
base body
plate (20) and, as a result, the aforesaid hvo lock tabs (101) Illtlst be
situated at a
flexible position; therefore, when the aforesaid lock tabs ( 101 ) are molded
on the tvo
lateral walls ( 11 ) of the aforesaid mounting plate body ( 10), openings (
103 ) must be
formed in behveen the lock tabs ( 101 ) and the aforesaid hvo lateral walls (
I 1 ) to
enable the aforesaid lock tabs ( 101 ) to slant inward and rebound ouhvard.
- 16-
.,
