Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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The present invention relates to sign structure~ and
more particularly to structures intended to be u~ed in illuminated
signs of the type in which at least one panel carrying a trans~
lucent sign-carrying pane is mounted on a housing in which
incandescent or fluorescent lamps are provided for back-lighting
such a pane to show advertising or other information provided
on such pane as opaque areas or areas of contrasting colours.
Such a sign is often supported over the entrance to
a s-tore or other building. When such a sign is provided with
only a sin~le panel, the sign may be secured with its back
surface against a building wall. Such a sign may also be
provided with two pane-carrying panels, one secured to the
front surface oE the housing and the other secured across the
rear surface of the housing. Such a double-sided sign may be
supported so as to project angularly with respect to a buildiny
wall and/or by the use of a supporting arm extending below the
sign housing or by suitable su~pension means connected to the
top of the sign housing~
Such signs are generally exposed to the elements and
~0 it is necessary, ther~fore, to provide such sign struetures
with suitable weather sealing between the sign housing and the
panel or panels of such a sign.
Additionally ~uch siyns are normally assembled in
factories and then taken to the sites where they are to be
installed. With a one-sided sign, it is generally necessary
to remove the front panel of the sign to allow the sign housing
to be secured to the building wall or other structure. After
th~ 5ign housing has been so mounted; the front panel must then
be replaced on the housing and secured properly in position to
prevent it from coming off the housing, For example, in th case
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of high winds, and possibly injur.ing a person walking below
the sign. In the case of double-s.ided signs, lt is often
necessary -to remove either the ~ront or rear panel to attach
the sign supporting members or for the electrical installation
of the sign.
Additionally, it is frequently necessary to obtain
access to the housing interior of such a sign for maintenance
purposes, for example~ to replace electrical lamps provided
therein.
Various proposals have heretobefore been made for
supporting and ~ecuring the panels of such signs on -their
housings and in Cahadian Patent No. 909,506 entitled "Sign With
Hinged Front Panel" issued September 12, 1972 to Johann Stilling,
there is described one such sign structure. The sign structure
describ2d and claimed in that Canadian patent is intended for
use with illumination elements and comprises a main frame havlng
a top member, side members and a bottom member for the illum-
ination elements and at least one open side defined by the :
side edges of said members; support means on at least one side
edge of said top member of said frame 9 a front panel for
holding a translucent sign element; a curved hinge member
extendinc3 from said front panel; a concave supporting wall
on said support means adapted to receive said curved hinge
member to permit relative swin~ing therebetween, between a
closed position and a released pQSitiOn; and removable stop
means associated with said support means and interengaging with
said curved hinge member in such a manner that said curved hinge
me~er is normally prevented from swinging into said released
position and disengaging from said concave suppor-ting wall~
While the sign structure described in the Canadian
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patent specification hereinbefore identified presented many
important practical advantages, it did not lend itself readily
to the construction of signs having anything other than relatively
plain elevational configurations.
It is accordingly a principal object of this invention
to provide a sign structure of the type already generally
considered herein but which permits the simple construction of
a wide variety of signs of many different and aesthetically
pleasing elevational configurations.
It is another object of this invention to provide a
sign structure to which the teachings of Canadian Patent No.
909,50h can still be applied so permitting the practical benefits
of such teachings to be realised,
Yet another object of this invention is to provide
a sign structure which comprises means to ensure positive ,-
weather-tight sealing between the housing of such a sign
structure and at least one panel releasably mounted on such
housing.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
sign structure in which a first extrusion can be used for all
the side members of the sign hou~ing and in which a second
extrusion can be used for all the frame members of one or two
panels of such a sign so as to effect substantial economies
in the manufacturing cost of such a sign.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent
as the description herein proceeds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is based in part on the finding that
improved versatility in sign design can be ob~ained by inter-
connecting linear housing side members of a sign by housing
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corner members which not only intarconnect but also separate~wo adjacent ones of such housing side members.
The front panel or frame of such a sign structure is
then similarly formed by i~terconnecting linear frame members by
frame corner mel~ers which similarly interconnect and separate
adjacent ones of said frame members. It should be understood
that the various frame members and frame corner members will be
co-extensive with corresponding ones of the housing side members
and housing corner mel~ers respectively.
By forming the housing corner members and the frame
corner members with arcuate elevational configurations and
particularly with outwardly concave or convex elevational con-
figurations, very considerable design versatility is obtained
as will readily be understood as the description herein proceeds.
A sign structure in accordance with this invention is
also charactexized by the provision of a weathar-tLght seal
between the housing and the front panel about the entire peri-
pheral line of contact between those two units~
~ roadly, a sign structure in accordance with this
invention can be defined as comprising a housing which in turn
comprises a plurality o~ elongated linear housing side members
interconnected to provide a ~tructurally riyid and continuous
housing side wall and at least one housing corner member inter-
connecting and separating t.wo adjacent ones of said housing
side members; housing locking members securing said housing
corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said housing
side members; a front panel frame which in turn comprises a
plurality of elongated linear rame members co-extensive with
corresponding ones of said housing side members and interconnected
to provide a structurally rigid and continuous frama and at least
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one frame corner member interconnecting and separating two
adjacent ones of said frame members and co-extensive with said :
housing corner member; frame locking members securing said frame
corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said rame
members; recesses in said frame members and said frame corner
member, such recesses being disposed in a common plane for
receiving edge portions of a front panel; first supporting means
on said housing; second supporting means on said frame alld
releasably engaging said first supporting means -to support said
fram~ across a major face of said housing; a resllienty com- .,
pressible seal disposed between said housing side members and
corresponding ones of said frame members and between said
housing corner member and said frame corner member; and
releasable securing means releasably maintaing said first
supporting means and said second supporting means in engagement
with each other with said qeal being compressed to restrict the
passage of moisture into ~aid housing~
A sign structure in accordance with this invention
will frequently be provided with more than one said housing
corner member and with a corresponding plurality of co-extensive
frame corner members.
The various features of novelty which characterize
this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed to and forming part of this disclosure~ For a better
understanding of this invention, its operating advantages and
specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had
to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which
there are illustrated and dsscxibed preferred embodiments of
the invention,
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now he described merely by way of
illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
Fig~lre 1 is a fragmentary perspective view o one
embodim nt of a sign structure in accordance with this invention
and showing a front panel of such a sign structure in a partly
op~ned position thereof;
Figure 2 is a front elevation on a smaller scale of
~he sign structure shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary section -throuyh the sign
skructure shown in Figure 1 when taken as indicated by the
arrows 3-3 of that figure;
Fi~ure 4 is a fragmentary section similar to that of
Figure 3 but showing the front panel in its fully closed position;
Figure 5 is an exploded and Eragmentary perspective
view rom within of the lower left-hand corner of the housing ~:
of the sign structure shown in Figure l;
Figure 6 is an ~xploded and fragmentary perspective
view of the lower left-hand corner of the front panel of the
sign structure shown in~Figure l;
Figure 7 is a ~ection through the lower left~hand
corner of the sign structure shown in the preceding figures and
showing the manner in which corner members of the housing and
front panel frame interengage, the sectlon being taken as
indicated by the arrows 7-7 of Figures 5 and 6;
~igure a i8 a section similar to that of Figure 7 but
~aken ~ in~icated by ~he arrows 8-8 of Figur~s 5 and 6 with
the housing and frame bottom members omitted;
Figure 9 is an exploded and fragmentary perspective
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view from wi~hin of the upper left-hand corner of tha housing
of ~he sign structure shown in Figure 1, the view having been ~.
rotated through ninety degrees to facilitate comparison with
Figure 5;
Figure 10 is an exploded and fragmentary perspective
view of the upper left-hand corner of the front panel of the
sign structure shown in Figure l, the view having ~een rotated
through ninety degrees to facilitate comparison with Figure 6,
and,
Figures lla to lld are front elevations of alternative
embodiments of ~ign structures in accordance with this invention.
The several figure~ of the drawings are located on
tile appended cards of drawings as follows:
Card #l : Figure l;
Card ~2 : Figures 2, 6, 7 and 8;
Card ~3 : Figures 3, 10 and llc;
Card #4 . Figures 4, 9 and lld;
Card #5 : Figures 5, lla and llb.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFER~E~ ~MBODIMENTS
Reference will first be made to Figures 1 and 2 of
the accompanying drawings in which there i5 indicated generally
by the legend 16 one embodiment of a sign structure in accor-
dance with this inventionO The sign structure 16 comprises a
housing generally indicated ak 18 and a front panel or cover
generally indicated at 20 and which is releasably secured on the
housing 18 to close the front face o ~hat housing.
The housi.ng 18 comprises a top member generally
indicated at 22, a bottom member generally indicated at 24 and
two side me~bers generally indicated at 26 but only one of
which is visible in Figure l. These four members are all formed
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as identical elongated linear extrusions of suitable lengths and
will be generally referred to herein as being side members of
the housing 18.
The housing 18 also comprises two identical upper
housing corner me~bers generally indicated at 28 and two identical
lower housing corner members generally indicated at 30.
The housing side members 22, 24 and 26 ar& inter-
connected and separated by appropriate ones of the housing corner
members 28 and 30 to provide a structurally rigid housing having
a front elevational configuration essentially identical to
that shown in Figure 2 for the front panel or cover 20~
It will be noted from sev~ral figures of the accompany-
ing drawings that each o th~ housing side members 22, 24 and 26
comprises a web 32 which i5 integrally formed along its rear
edge with an inwardly dixected flange 34 which is in tu.rn
integrally formed with a fo~wardly projecting flange 36 which
is inwardly spaced apar~ from ~he web 32 to define therewith
a first channel 3a 1 It ~hould perhaps be explained that, when
referenc~ is made herein to forward, rearward, inward and
ou~ward directions, such references are intended to signify
directions relative to the housing 18. For example, the forward
direction is that direction which extends from the rear oF thQ
housing 18 toward its front, the rearward direction being the
opposite oneO l'he inward direction is that direction which
is normal to the forwa.rd and rearward directions and which
extends from outside the housing 18 toward the inside of that
llousing.
Generally along the front edge of the web 32, there
is integrally formed therewith an inwardly directed flange 40
3~ which is in turn integrally formed with a rearwardly directed
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flange 4~ defining with the web 32 a second channel 44 opposing
the first channel 38.
Referring now to Figures 5, 7 and 8, it will be seen
that the lower corner members 30 each comprises an outwardly
convex web 46 from the opposite ends of which the.re extend linear
web-like tongues or plates 48, each having a width which is very
slighkly less than the distance between the flanges 34 and 40
of the housing side members 22~ 24 and 26 so a].lowing the edge
portions o~ the tonges 48 to be received in the aforementioned
channels 38 and 44 of adjacent ones of those housing side members
during assembly of the housing 18. Screws 50 passing through
holes 52 in the fl~nges 36 and 42 and received in thr~aded holes
54 in the tongues 48 serve as hou~ing locking members to maintain
the housing corner mem~ers connected to adjacent ones of the
housing side membersO It should be noted that some of -the screws
50 have b~en omitted from the accompanying drawinysO
Before continuing the description herein of the
structure of the lower housing cornex members 30, it will be
explained with referenc~ to Figure 9 that the upper housing
corner mem~ers 28 have essentialIy the same structure and differ
from the lower housing corner members 30 principally in that
they are formed with outwardly concave webs 56 instead of the
outwardly convex webs 46. Those parts of the upper hous.ing
corner members 28 which are identical with the corresponding
parts of the lower housing corner members 30 are identified by
the same legends to avoid undue duplication of the description
herein.
The sign structure 16 shown in the acGompanying
drawings if of the so-called single-sided type and, therefore,
has only a front panel or cover but no corresponding rear panel
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or cover, tile sign structure 16 being intended to be mounted on
a vertical structural surface. For such purpose, holes 58 are
provided in the aforementioned flanges 34 of the housing side
members 22, 24 and 26 as well as through aligned inwardly
projecting flanges 60 formed on the housing corner members 28
and 30.
~ omparison of the corner members 28 and 30 shown in
Figures S and ~ respectively will show that, for the particular
structure illustrated, th~ flanges 60 of the lower housing
corner members 30 are cut square to abut the corresponding
squaxe-cut ends of the adjacen~ hou.sing sida members while the
flanges 60 of the upper hou~ing corner members 2S are shown as
being mitred for abutment with correspondingly mitred end edges
of the adjacent housing side members. It will, of course, be
understood that such edges of the flanges 60 can be square-cut
or mitred as desired.
~ aving completed the descxiption herein of the general
construction of the housing 18 and of the manner in which the
several sid~ members and cor~er members thereof interfit and
ar~ in~erconnected, the description herein will now proceed with
an explanation of the general construction of the front panel
or cover 20 before an explanation is given of the co-operating
structure provided on the housing 18 and on the front panel
or cover 20 for releasably securing tho~e two units togethar.
~ r~m Figure 1, it will be ~een that the front panel
20 has the same external front elevational configuration as
the housing 18. The front panel 20 is formed in a generally
similar manner to that of housing 18 and comprises a top frame
member generally indicated at 62, a bottom frame member gener-
ally indica ed at 64~ two side frame members ge~erally indicated
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at 66, two outwardly concave upper frame corner me~b~rs generally
indicated at 68 and two outwardly convex lower frame corner
m~mbers generally indicate~ at 70, only one of each of the members
66, 68 and 70 being visible in Figure 1.
The frame members 62, 64 and 66 are all foxmed as
identical elongated linear extrusions cut to suitable lengths and,
as will readily be seen from Figures 3 and 4, such extrusion
comprises a box~like cl~annel 72 defined by webs 74, 76 and 78
and 80 with spaced apart rearwardly directed lips 82 and 84
being provided on the rear surface of tha web 74. For a reason
yet to be explained, an outwardly projecting lip 8~ is formed
on the web ~0 in close proximity to the web 78 to define there- ;
with a narrow channel 88.
The frame members 62, 64 and 66 of the fram~ 20 are
interconnected and separated by the corner members 68 and 70
which are similar in construction ~ each other and differ only
in that the former have an outwardly concave configuration and
are mitred to abut the mitred ~nds of the top frame member 62
and the mitred upper ends of the side frame members 66 and in
that the. lower frame corner members 70 are outwardly convex and
are square-cut to abut the square cu~. lower ends of the side
frame members 66 and the squarewcut ends of the bottom frame
member 64. Identical component parts of the upper and lower
frame corner members 68 and 70 respectively are identified by
the same legends.
Referring now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, it will be noted
that each lower fra~e corner member 70 comprises an outwardly
conv~x solid body generally indicated at 90 and having a front
surface 92, a rear sur~ace 94, an outer surface 96 and a stepped
inner surface 98 which is cut to provide a slot or recess 100.
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From each end of -the solid body 90, there projects a linear
tongue generally indicated at 101 and having a stepped sectional
configuration defined by an outer surface 102, a rear surface
104, inwardly facing step surfaces 106 and 108 and forwardly
facing surfaces 110, 112 and 114. The rear surface 104 and the
surface 114 define a relatively tnin inwardly projecting flange
116~ The tongues 1.01 ar~ dimensi.oned so that they can be in-
serted into the e~ds of the adjacent ones of the frame mernbers
with the outer surface 102 contiguous with the inner surface
of the web 76 of the respective frame member, the rear surface
104 cOntiguQuS with the front surface of the web 78 of the
respec~ive frame member, the forwardly faciny surface 110
contiguous with rear edge of the lip 8~ of the respective frame
member and with t~e flange 116 received in the aforementioned
channel 88 of the respective frame member so ensuring a no~-
rotational interfit with such frame members,
The solid body of the upper frame corner member 68
is indicated in Figure 10 by the legend 118 in view of its
provision with mitred rather than s~uare-cut end suxfaces.
In ordex to secure the frame mem~ers 62, 64 and 66
to the frame corner members 68 and 70 after asser~ly in the
manner already expla.ined, screws 120 extend through holes 122
provided in the webs 78 o those frame members and screw into
threaded holes ~not shown) provided in the bodies of the
tongues 101 as will best be understood with reference to
Figure 6.
Further reference,~ill now be made to Figures 3
and 4 to explain the structure provided for rele~sably mounting
the front panel 20 on the housing 18. For this purpose, all
~le housing side members 22, 24 and 26 are integrally formed
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with arcuate flanges 124 which project first inwardly from the
flanges 42 and then forwardly, as well as with integrally formed
members 126 which project directly forwardly from the inner ends
oE the flanges 40 and which terminate in inwardly and forwardly
extending oblique lips 128~ A continuous groove 130 is formed
in the outer surface of each of the lips 128 for receiving a
resiliently compressible seal 132 of rubber or other suitable
material. Such seal is usefully adhesively bonded in position
in such grooves. The member 126 and tha arcuate flange 124
on each housing side member together define a forwardly open
femala channel 134 and constitute a first supporting means of
a sign structure in accordance with this invention.
Removably received within the channels 134 of the
housing side members 22, 24 and a6 are members 136 integrally
formed with the webs 78 of the frame members 62, 64 and 66.
Each member 136 has a generally J~shaped sectional configuration
and such members 136 constitute the second supporting means of
a sign structure in accordance with this invention. Screws 138
are thraaded into bores formed in the m~mbers 126 of the housing
side members to permit relative pivoting of a frame men~er
relative to th~ adjacent hou~ing side member to which it is
coupled but to prevent compleke detachment of ~hat frame member
from that housing side member. It will of course be under-
stood that, in the assembled sign structure 16, such pivotal
movement of the front panel 20 about one of its edges will be
possibly only after the screws 1~8 along all the other sides
of the front panel 20 have been removed or at least loosened
sufficiently to allow the J-shaped members 136 tQ move out of
the corresponding channels 134. Such screws 138 constitute the
3Q releasable securing m ans of a sign structure in accordance
with this invention.
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In order to provide an effective weather seal to
prevent moisture such as rain from entering into the afore- :
mentioned channels 134, ths frarne membe~s 62, 64 and 66 are each
formed wit}l a flange 140 which projects rearwardly from the we~
78 outwardly of the member 136 and which terrninates .in an out-
ward'y projecting flange 14 defining with -the outer part of the
web 78 an outwardly facing channel 143. A rib 144 (Figure 3)
is ~ormed on the inner face of the flange 140 for sealing engage-
ment with the aforesaid seal 132. The channel 143 ser-ves to assist
the flow of rainwater off the top surface of the sign structure.
In accordance with one very impor~ant feature of this
invention, i-t has been found that, while it is not necessary
to provide the housing corn~r members 28 and 30 and the frame
corner membars 68 and 70 witll first and second supporting
members corresponding to the aforementloned channels 134 and
members 136 respectively, it i8 essential to provide those
corner men~ers with sealing means so as to ensure a positive
seal between the housing 18 and the front panel 20 about its
entire periphexy. For this purpose, ~he housing corner members
28 and 30 are formed as particularly shown in Figures 7 and 8
each with a forwardly projacting flallge 146 which is provided
in its sloping front edge surface with a groove 148 for
receiving tlle seal 132. Similarly, the frame corner members
68 and 70 are formed with rearwardly projecting flanges 150 ~.
and outwardly projecting flanges 152, defining channels 153,
a rib 154 being formed on each flange 150 for sealing engage-
ment with such ~eal 132.
T.ha sign structure 16 is completed by a planar pane
or pan~l 156 of suitable material, the edge portions of which
extend be~ween the lips 84 and the opposed edges of the webs 80
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of the box-like channels 72 of the frame members 62, 64 and 66
as well as into the aligned recesses 100 provided for such
purpose in the frame corner members 68 and 70. It is usefully
noted that the edge surfaces of the pane 156 are disposed somewhat
inwardly of the ou-ter webs 76 of the channels 72 o the frame
memhers 62, 64 and 66 and of the surfaces 106 of the frame
corner members 68 and 70 to allow for thermal expansion and
contraction oE such pane 156.
The pane 156 can be formed of any suitaDle material
such as a plastics material or g]ass and will normally be in ~.
the form of translucent sheet having characters or other
graphic design or information deli~e~ted thereon by contrasting
colours or by opaque areasO
Having completed the description herein of the con-
struction of the sign structure 16, the manner in which that
structure is assembled from its component parts will now be
briefly reviewed. To effect such assembly, the housing side
members 22, 24 and 26 and the fram~ members 62t 64 and 66 are
first cut from the appropriate extrusions to the desired lengths,
being square-cut or mitred according to the end edge configura-
tions of the corner members to which they are to be attached.
The web-like tongues 48 of the housing corner members
28 and 30 are then inserted into the ends of the housing side
members 22, 24 and 26 as already explained and secured in
position by means of the screws 50~ ThP continus seal i9 then
bonded in position in the groov~s 130 and 148.
The frame membexs 62, 64, and 66 a~d the frame corner
members 68 and 70 are then assembled by inserting the tongues
101 into the ends of the frame members 62~ 64 and 66 as already
described after having positioned khe edges of the pane 156 in
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the pane-receiving recesses already identified. The ~rews 120
are then tightened to maintain the frame 20 in its assembled
configuration.
The J~section members 136 projecting rearwardly from
the frame members 62, 64 and 66 are then inserted into tha
forwardly facing channels 134 on the housing side members 22,
24 and 2G and the screws 138 are ~ightened po~itively but
releasably to hold the frame 20 in po~ition on and closlng
the front face of the housing 18.
Finally, reference will be made to Figures lla to lld
whicn show merely by way o example four different front ele-
vational configuration~ for sign structures in accordance
with this invention.
The sign struc-tur2 generally indicated at 160 in
Figure lla is formad with four outwardly convex corners and
is, therefore, shown as having four fram~ corner members 70.
The sign structure generally indicated at 162 in
Figure llb is shown as being provided with four outwardly
concave corners and is shown as having two outwardly concave
frame corner members 68 and two outwardly concave frame corner
members 164 provided with square~cut ~nd edges rather than
mitred ones.
The sign structure indicated generally at 166 in
Figure llc has a generally cruciform configuration and is
shown in that figure as being formed from eight ou~wardly
convex frame corner members 70, four outwardly concava frame
corner members 68 and twelva linear frame members all of which ~ ;
are for convenience indicated by the legend 66n
The sign structure indicated genarally at 168 in
Figura lld is similar in that it i~ formed in part from five
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linear frame members 66, four convex frame corner members 70 and
two concave frame corner members 68. It differs from the other
sign structures hereinbefore speciEically described, howev~r,
in that it also comprises linear frame members 170 and 172 which
are interconnected in a conventional manrler using hidden corner
splices or gussets (not shown) for the purpose of demonstrating
the great versatility in sign design made possible by this
invention par-ticularly when used in conjunction with known
prior art procedures.
Other variations in and modifications of the sign
structure hereinbefore specifically described are also possible.
~or example, while the sign structures in accordance with this
invention and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings are
all of th~ so-called single-sided type, this invention equally
embraces double sided sign structures which are usefully obtained
by applying the teaching of this invention to the additional
provision of a rear panel of identical structure to the front
panel 20.
~aving described what is believed to be the best mode
by which the inven~ion may be performed, it will be seen that
the in~ention may be particularly defined as follows:
A sign structure which comprises a housing which in
turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear housing side
men~ers int~rconnected to provide a structurally rigid
housing by housing corner members interconnecting two adjacent
ones of said housiny side members, housing locking members
securing each said housing corner member to each of said two
adjacent ones of said housing side members, a front panel
frame which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear
frame members co~extenisive with corresponding ones of said
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housing side men~ers and interconnected to provide a structurally
rigid frame by frame corner members interconnecting two adjacent
ones of said frame members and co-extensive wi-th said housing
co~ner members, Erame locking memb~rs ~ecuring said frame corner
member to each of said two adjacent ones of said frame m~mbers~
recesses in said frame members and said Erame corner member,
such recesses being disposed in a common plane for receiving
edge portions of a front panel, first supporting means on said -~
housing, ~econd supporting means on said frame and releasably
engaging said fir~t supporting means to support said frame
across a major face of said housing, a resiliently compressible
seal disposed betw0en s~id housing side members and corresponding
ones of said frame members and between said housing corner members
and said frame corner members, and, releasable securing means
releasably maintaining said first supporting means and said
second supporting means in engagement with each other with said
seal being compressed to restrict the passage of moisture into
said housing.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment
of ~he invention which is given here by way of example onl~. The
invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the speclfic
features as described, but comprehends all such variations
thereof a~ come within the scope of the appended claims.
