Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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. .
MOBILE BUILDING TRANSPORTATION DEVICE
BACKGROUND
Mobile buildings, such as manufactured or "mobile homes," classrooms,
offices, storage containers, etc., can be moved from one location to another.
Often, transport of mobile buildings occurs on public highways over distances
of
several hundred miles. Government regulations may apply to the transport of
mobile buildings. In the United States, for example, federal regulations
govern
manufactured home transport to ensure safety during transport. However,
these safety regulations permit use of tires that are typically only designed
for a
one-way trip such as bias ply tires. These tires may occasionally be reused if
certain tread limitations and conditions are met. Similarly, brakes, axles,
and
wheel bearings for mobile building transport may also be designed for minimal
service life. For example, many brakes are electrically operated and are
barely
adequate, if at all, for the intended use. Thus, after only one use, many
tires,
brakes, and wheel bearings are replaced or refurbished. The constant need for
replacement or repair can result in significant expense over time.
Additionally,
many of the tire, brake, and axle designs currently in use for manufactured
home transport were originally designed decades ago. Although, at the time,
the designs satisfied federal safety regulations, in more recent years, the
size
and especially weight of manufactured homes has increased, rendering many
tires, brakes, and axles currently in use unsafe and/or insufficient relative
to the
safety regulations. Far worse than violating the safety regulations, the old
designs are frequently dangerous. For instance, many axles are bent or
supports fail while transporting a modern manufactured home on just a one-way
trip to the home's destination.
In addition to having many of the aforementioned aspects typical of the
old designs, the mobile building carrier disclosed in United States Patent No.
6,682,280 to Lindsay is configured such that a mobile building sits on top of
a
longitudinal frame of the carrier. This configuration results in a high center
of
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gravity for the mobile building, which can lead to instability of the mobile
building
and the carrier during transit. These and other deficiencies in mobile
building
transport systems remain.
SUMMARY
Thus, there is a need for a mobile building transportation device that not
only meets or exceeds applicable safety regulations, but is also durable and
capable of multiple trips or extended use. Accordingly, a mobile building
transportation device, system, and associated methods are provided. Such a
device can comprise a frame to support a mobile building for transport on a
public highway. The frame can have a left longitudinal support member
disposed at a left side of the frame and a right longitudinal support member
disposed at a right side of the frame. The frame can also have a front
transverse support member disposed toward a front of the frame and a rear
transverse support member disposed toward a rear of the frame. The front and
rear transverse support members can be configured to interface with the mobile
building and bear at least a portion of the weight of the mobile building. The
frame can further include a coupling feature associated with each of the front
and rear transverse support members for securing the mobile building to the
frame. The mobile building transportation device can further comprise a front
axle disposed at a front end of the frame, coupled to the frame by a front
suspension component and a rear axle disposed at a rear end of the frame,
coupled to the frame by a rear suspension component. The front and rear
transverse support members can be configured to support the mobile building
above the front and rear axles to facilitate minimizing a vertical distance
between the mobile building and the front and rear axles, to minimize a height
of
a center of gravity of the mobile building and facilitate unobstructed
movement
of the front and rear axles through a range of motion of the front and rear
suspension components. At least one of the left longitudinal support, the
right
longitudinal support, the front transverse support member, and the rear
transverse support member can be constructed, at least in part, of tubing.
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Additionally, a mobile building transportation system in accordance with
the principles herein can comprise a mobile building transportation device and
a
mobile building disposed on the mobile building transportation device.
Furthermore, a method of using a mobile building transportation device in
accordance with the principles herein can comprise obtaining a mobile building
transportation device and disposing a mobile building on the mobile building
transportation device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile building transportation device in
accordance with an example of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the mobile building transportation device in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a portion of the mobile building transportation
device in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mobile building transportation device in
accordance with another example of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mobile building transportation system in
accordance with an example of the present disclosure.
These figures are provided merely for convenience in describing specific
embodiments of the invention. Alteration in dimension, materials, and the
like,
including substitution, elimination, or addition of components can also be
made
consistent with the following description and associated claims. Reference
will
now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language
will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that
no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made to certain examples, and specific language
will be used herein to describe the same. Examples discussed herein set forth
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a mobile building transportation device and associated methods that can safely
transport a mobile building on a public highway.
With the general embodiments set forth above, it is noted that when
describing the mobile building transportation device, or the related method,
each of these descriptions are considered applicable to the other, whether or
not they are explicitly discussed in the context of that embodiment. For
example, in discussing the mobile building transportation device per se, the
system and/or method embodiments are also included in such discussions, and
vice versa.
It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular
structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to
equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the
relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein
is
used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not
intended to be limiting.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended
claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents
unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "an axle"
includes one or more of such axles.
Also, it is noted that various modifications and combinations can be
derived from the present disclosure and illustrations, and as such, the
following
figures should not be considered limiting.
In describing and claiming the present invention, the following
terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional
elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience.
However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is
individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual
member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other
member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group
without indications to the contrary.
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Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in
any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims unless
otherwise stated. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will
only
be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following
conditions
are present in that limitation: a) "means for" or "step for" is expressly
recited;
and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material
or
acts that support the means-plus function are expressly recited in the
description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be
determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather
than by the descriptions and examples given herein.
As used herein, a "mobile building" is a transportable edifice or structure,
which is built on a permanent frame that can couple with wheels for
transporting. Examples of mobile buildings can include a manufactured or
mobile home, a classroom, an office, a storage container, etc.
As used herein, a "manufactured home" is a structure, transportable in
one or more sections and which is built on a permanent frame that can couple
with wheels for transporting the manufactured home and is designed to be used
as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation. The frame of the
manufactured home is integral to the integrity of the floor system and is
often
constructed of steel I-beams. A manufactured home is also referred to as a
"mobile home" or a "trailer home." Manufactured homes in the United States
are governed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) Code. A manufactured home is distinct from a "modular home." For the
purposes of this disclosure, one distinguishing feature of the manufactured
home is the non-removable frame that can couple with wheels for transporting
the manufactured home. Modular homes lack this feature and, thus, are often
transported on flatbed trucks.
As used herein the term "highway" includes all public roads and streets to
be legally used in transporting the mobile building.
Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a mobile building transportation device 10.
In accordance with one example of the present disclosure, the mobile building
transportation device can comprise a frame 20, a front axle 30, and a rear
axle
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. .
32. The frame 20 can be configured to support a mobile building 50 for
transport on a public highway. For example, the mobile building 50 can be
disposed on top of the frame 20, with a frame 52 of the mobile building 50
resting on the frame 20 of the transportation device 10. Thus, the
transportation
device frame 20 can be configured to bear the weight of the mobile building
50.
In one aspect, the transportation device 10 can be disposed under a portion of
the mobile building 50, such as a rear portion as illustrated in FIG. 1. The
frame
52 of the mobile building 50 can be coupled to the transportation device 10
with
any suitable coupling mechanism, as disclosed in more detail hereinafter. For
example, coupling features 40 can be operable with removable coupling
mechanisms, such as fasteners, to secure the frame 52 of the mobile building
50 to the transportation device 10. A front portion of the mobile building 50
can
include a drawbar with a hitch for coupling the mobile building 50 to a towing
vehicle, discussed below with regard to FIG. 5. Thus, towing forces can be
transferred from the towing vehicle to the transportation device 10 via the
hitch,
the mobile building frame 52, and the coupling mechanism for the mobile
building 50 and the transportation device 10. The transportation device 10 can
optionally include a hitch 43 for transport of the transportation device 10
when
not transporting a mobile building on the transportation device 10. Typically,
the
transportation device 10 can have a length which is less than half, and in
some
cases 20% to 40% of a length of the mobile building frame 50.
The transportation device 10 can include longitudinal support members,
as desired, to contribute to the structural integrity of the frame 20 for
supporting
the mobile building 50. In one aspect, the transportation device frame 20 can
include a left longitudinal support member 22 disposed at a left side of the
frame
and a right longitudinal support member 24 disposed at a right side of the
frame.
The left longitudinal support member 22 and the right longitudinal support
member 24 can be oriented in a longitudinal direction 2. Additional
longitudinal
support members can be used as well. For example, the frame can include a
longitudinal support member disposed in the center of the frame, running the
length of the frame and coupling to one or more support members of the frame,
as will be discussed more fully below.
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The transportation device 10 can also include transverse support
members, as desired, to contribute to the structural integrity of the frame
20. In
one aspect, the frame can include a front transverse support member 26
disposed toward a front of the frame and a rear transverse support member 28
disposed toward a rear of the frame. The front transverse support member 26
and the rear transverse support member 28 can be configured to interface with
the mobile building 50, such as the frame 52 of the mobile building, and bear
at
least a portion of the weight of the mobile building. As shown in FIGS. 1 and
2,
the frame 20 can include multiple front and/or rear transverse support
members.
For example, two transverse support members 26, 27 can be disposed at the
front, one in front of a front tire 60 and one behind the front tire 60. A
similar
arrangement can be employed at the back of the transportation device. In one
aspect, a transverse support member can extend from the right side of the
frame to the left side of the frame, as shown in the figures. It should be
recognized, however, that a transverse support member need not extend all the
way across the frame and can be segmented or extend only partially across the
frame, such as be extending only outward from the frame. It should further be
recognized that any number of transverse support members can be disposed
anywhere on the frame, as desired, such as to provide support and/or coupling
locations for the mobile building.
As further illustrated in FIG. 1 and in the close-up view of FIG. 3, the
transportation device 10 can include a coupling feature 40 associated with any
of the transverse support members, such as the front and rear transverse
support members 26, 28, for securing the mobile building 50 to the frame 20.
In
one aspect, the coupling feature can comprise a flange 41 to facilitate
fastening
the mobile building to the frame. For example, the coupling feature can
comprise a bracket having a flange, and the bracket can be welded to the
transverse support member. To rigidly and stably couple the mobile building to
the frame, the coupling feature can be configured to secure the mobile home
via
one or more fasteners. For example, the flange can include a hole 42 to
receive
a fastener. In one aspect, the frame of the mobile building can also include a
hole, which can be drilled at the time of coupling, to receive a fastener that
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extends through the hole in the flange. Thus, the transverse support members
can be configured to not only support the mobile building, but also to provide
coupling locations for the mobile building.
In some cases, such as a HUD mobile home, the frame members 52 of
the mobile building may be separated by a width such that the frame members
do not align with the coupling features 40 of the transportation device 10. In
such cases, a block or bracket can be welded or otherwise attached to the
frame members 52 to extend to the location of the coupling features 40 to
provide a coupling location for the mobile building. The block or bracket can
then be drilled to receive a fastener that extends through the hole in the
flange
of the coupling feature, as described above.
In addition, the mobile building transportation device 10 can include a
hitch 43 coupled to the frame 20 to facilitate transporting the transportation
device when not supporting a mobile building. In one aspect, the hitch can be
coupled to the front transverse support, the left and right longitudinal
supports,
and/or any other suitable structural feature of the frame. The transportation
device can also include a cargo basket 44. In one aspect, the cargo basket can
be associated with the hitch, as shown, but it should be recognized that the
cargo basket can be located in any suitable location about the frame.
Furthermore, as shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the front and rear
transverse support members 26, 28 can maintain a width 4 between the left and
right longitudinal support members 22, 24 that is substantially the same from
the
front to the rear of the frame 20. However, it should be recognized that the
width between the left and right longitudinal support members can vary. In a
specific aspect, the left and right longitudinal support members can angle
toward or away from one another. In another specific aspect, the left and/or
right longitudinal support members can comprise multiple sections, where left
and right support member sections are at various widths in the frame. Although
the specific distance can vary, typical distance between the left and right
support members can be about 82 to about 102 inches, and most often about
99.5 inches. This width can generally be about 4 to about 8 inches less than
the mobile building width 6 to allow the mobile building frame 52 to rest on
the
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transverse support members 26, 28 outboard of the left and right longitudinal
support members 22, 24. The left and right longitudinal support members can
therefore fit within the outer frame dimensions of the mobile building 50. In
one
aspect, the mobile building frame 52 can rest on the transverse support
members 26, 28 inboard of the left tires 62, 66 and right tires 60, 64. Thus,
the
front and rear transverse support members can be configured to support the
mobile building outboard of the left and right longitudinal support members,
and
between the left and right longitudinal support members and a wheel coupled to
the front and/or the rear axle. As described in more detail hereinafter, this
configuration can facilitate a low ride height and center of gravity 53 for
the
mobile home 50 compared to previous carrier designs.
In one aspect, the frame 20 can include other support members to
contribute to the structural integrity of the frame for supporting the mobile
building during transit. For example, the frame can include cross members
extending diagonally across the frame to enhance rigidity of the frame.
Additionally, the frame 20 can be constructed of tubing. Tubing can
comprise, in whole or in part, steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, or any other
suitable
structural material in any combination. Tubing can have a cross-sectional
shape that is a rectangle, square, circle, oval, triangle, parallelogram,
trapezoid,
hexagon, octagon, or any other polygon or geometric shape that is suitable for
constructing a frame. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape and/or size of
the
tubing can vary along its length. In some aspects, the tubing can be linear,
curved, or a combination of multiple linear and/or curved sections. Although
the
size of the tubing can vary, typically a 4 ¨ 6 inch height and 2 ¨ 3 inch
width can
be suitable. The tubing wall thickness can vary from about 0.20 to about 0.40
inches and often about 0.25 inches. In one example, the tubing is 6 inches x 2
inches at 0.25 inches wall thickness. In another example, the tubing is 4
inches
x 3 inches at 0.25 inches wall thickness.
Although I-beams efficiently resist bending in a single plane, tubing is
advantageous here due to its ability to resist bending and torsion, which is
beneficial for a frame that may be subjected to complex loading. Tubing is
desirable as well for its ease of fabrication into a frame, which offers
greater
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design flexibility. In one aspect, at least one of the left longitudinal
support 22,
the right longitudinal support 24, the front transverse support member 26, and
the rear transverse support member 28 can be constructed of tubing. In another
aspect, the left longitudinal support, the right longitudinal support, the
front
transverse support member, and the rear transverse support member can be
constructed of tubing. It should be understood that frame components can be
constructed of tubing in whole or in part. For example, the frame can include
a
portion constructed of tubing and a portion constructed of I-beam.
The axles 30, 32 of the mobile building transportation device are
configured to be heavy duty and durable. An axle can be designed to
accommodate two wheels (one per side) or four wheels (two per side or
"dually"). The wheels can include tires that are sufficient to not only carry
the
required load (such as 5,000 lb. per tire rating), but are also durable enough
to
maintain integrity for multiple trips under the required load. Non-limiting
examples of such tires include steel belt radial. Likewise, axles include hubs
and bearings that can withstand the operating loads and survive multiple trips
at
the operating load. Although the useful lifespan can vary depending on
conditions, weight of mobile buildings and the like, typically these devices
can
carry full loads for at least 50,000 miles or more, and are usually only
limited by
the tire tread lifespan. In one aspect, the axles can be 22,500 pound rated
per
axle. This meets or exceeds applicable federal safety regulations for a 42,000
pound manufactured home transported on a transportation device having two
axles. In one aspect, the transportation device 10 can have a front axle 30
disposed at a front end of the frame 20. In another aspect, the transportation
device 10 can have a rear axle 32 disposed at a rear end of the frame 20. Of
course, the mobile building transportation device 10 can include any number of
axles, such as a three axle configuration as illustrated in FIG. 4, discussed
below. A transportation device having three axles rated at 22,500 pound per
axle will meet or exceed applicable federal safety regulations for
transportation
of a 60,000 pound manufactured home. The number of axles may be limited
only by practical considerations such as space constraints or expense. Thus,
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one alternative, one or both of the front and rear can include 2 or 3 axles
each.
Additional axles can make turning progressively more difficult.
To improve ride quality and minimize jostling or jarring the mobile building
50 during transport, axles can be coupled to the frame 20 by a suspension
component. Suspension components can include suspension springs, shock
absorbers, linkages, multi-bar mechanisms, support arms, hangers, shackles,
bushings, mounting bolts, etc. In a specific aspect, the front axle 30 is
coupled
to the frame 20, such as to the longitudinal support member 24, by a front
suspension component 70, as illustrated in FIG. 3. in another specific aspect,
the rear axle is coupled to the frame by a rear suspension component. Front
and rear suspension components can be the same or a different configuration.
Moreover, a front and/or rear suspension component can include a left
suspension component and a right suspension component. Thus, a different
suspension component can be used to couple the axles to the frame at each
coupling location.
It is desirable to position the mobile building 50 as low possible to
improve stability of the mobile building during transport. The configuration
of the
longitudinal and transverse support members can help accomplish this. For
example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, to accommodate the axles 30, 32, the
longitudinal support members 22, 24 can be vertically displaced above the
axles
and in support of the transverse support members. The transverse support
members can be configured to support the mobile building above the front and
rear axles such that a vertical distance 8 between the mobile building 50
(such
as the frame 52) and the front and rear axles can be minimized, as shown in
FIG. 2, to minimize a height 9 of a center of gravity 53 of the mobile
building and
facilitate unobstructed movement of the front and rear axles through a range
of
motion of the front and rear suspension components.
The vertical distance of the longitudinal support members above the
axles can be any suitable length, such as from about 2 inches to about 10
inches and often about 8 inches. The clearance created by the longitudinal
support members can allow the transverse support members to be lowered
toward the ground while allowing the axles to move unobstructed through a
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range of motion of the suspension components. The frame and suspension
components are configured to ensure that under maximum operating load
conditions, sufficient clearance is maintained between the tires and any
features
of the mobile building frame 52 or structure to permit unimpeded wheel
movement and for changing tires. In one aspect, the longitudinal support
members can comprise a straight configuration, such as a straight beam. It
should be recognized, however, that the longitudinal support members can have
any suitable configuration, and can, in some embodiments, include sections
that
are locally elevated about the axles to provide the necessary vertical
distance or
clearance for suspension travel.
The mobile building transportation device 10 can be configured to
support the mobile building 50, with the frame 52 of the mobile building
resting
on the frame 20 of the transportation device. As previously mentioned, the
mobile building frame 52 can rest outboard of the longitudinal support members
and inboard of the tires 60, 62, 64, 66. For example, the mobile building
frame
52 can include an I-beam that is disposed on the right side of the front 26
and
rear 28 transverse support members such that the I-beam is between the right
longitudinal support member 24 and the front wheel 60 at the front end, and is
between the right longitudinal support member 24 and the rear wheel 64 at the
rear end of the transportation device 10. Thus, the transportation device
frame
20 can be configured such that the mobile building frame 52 rests on one or
more transverse support members 26, 28. For example, the mobile building
frame can rest on the front 26 and/or rear 28 transverse support members. Of
course, an I-beam of the mobile building frame 52 can be similarly disposed on
the left side of the transportation device.
With reference to FIG. 3 and continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the
mobile building transportation device 10 can further comprise an air brake 80
disposed proximate and operatively connected to one or more axles. The air
brake can be configured to act on a wheel coupled to an axle to safely
decelerate the frame when the frame supports the mobile building during
transport. In one aspect, an air brake can be disposed proximate to at least
one
of the front axle and the rear axle. Air brakes are superior to the electric
brakes
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often utilized to transport mobile buildings in several aspects including
braking
power, reliability, and durability.
The mobile building transportation device can be configured for safe use
with a mobile building weighing up to 42,000 pounds for a two axle
transportation device and 60,000 pounds for a three axle transportation
device.
Thus, the frame, axles, tires, and braking system are adequate to support,
haul,
and stop a load and also meet or exceed applicable federal safety regulations.
The mobile building transportation device can also be transported on
repeated trips over 300 miles without reconditioning. Thus, a mobile building
transportation device of the present disclosure includes components such as
tires and wheel bearings that are sufficiently sized and constructed to endure
repeated use. In other designs, tires and wheel bearings regularly need to be
replaced or refurbished.
Referring to FIG. 4, illustrated is another example of a mobile building
transportation device 110, in accordance with the present disclosure. This
example shows a mid axle 134 disposed between a front axle 130 and a rear
axle 132. The mid axle 134 can be coupled to a frame 120 by a mid suspension
component 174. Additionally, left and right longitudinal support members 122,
124 can each be configured to be vertically displaced above the mid axle 134,
to allow the mid axle to move unobstructed through a range of motion of the
mid
suspension component 174. The mid axle 134 can be used, for example, to
increase the load carrying capacity of the transportation device. It should be
recognized that a mobile building transportation device can include any number
of additional axles, as desired. In addition, it should be recognized that the
frame can include any suitable number of transverse support members to
provide support for the mobile building. In one aspect, a coupling feature 140
can be associated with any of the transverse support members, as desired, for
securing the mobile building to the frame.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, in accordance with the present disclosure, a
mobile building transportation system 200 can comprise a mobile building
transportation device 210 as discussed above. The mobile building
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transportation system can further comprise a mobile building 250 disposed on
the mobile building transportation device 210.
As discussed above, the mobile building can weigh 42,000 pounds or up
to about 60,000 pounds. Furthermore, the transportation device can transport
the mobile building on repeated trips over 300 miles without reconditioning.
In
a specific aspect, the axles can be 22,500 pound rated per axle, which meets
or
exceeds applicable federal safety regulations for a 42,000 pound mobile
building transported on a transportation device having two axles and a 60,000
pound mobile building transported on a transportation device having three
axles.
In one aspect, the transportation system can further comprise a vehicle
280 to tow the mobile building transportation device and the mobile building.
In
another aspect, the transportation system can include a drawbar 290, such as
an A-frame, and a coupling mechanism, such as a hitch, that can connect the
mobile building 250 to the towing vehicle 280. The drawbar 290 and hitch can
be coupled to a frame of the mobile building. The transportation device 10 can
be pulled by the towing vehicle 280, or another suitable vehicle, via the
hitch
243 when not transporting a mobile building, such as to return the
transportation
device after being used to transport a mobile building. In the illustrated
system,
the vehicle can include a trailer hitch secured to a back end of the vehicle.
In a related example, and to reiterate to some degree, a method of using
a mobile building transportation device is presented in accordance with the
principles herein. The method comprises obtaining a mobile building
transportation device as discussed above. The method also comprises
disposing a mobile building on the mobile building transportation device. In
one
alternative, the mobile building can be built directly on the transportation
device.
This can alleviate the need for use of expensive cranes or lifting equipment
at
the manufacturing site and can reduce chances of damage to the mobile
building during loading onto the transportation device.
In one aspect, the method further comprises coupling a tow vehicle to the
mobile building transportation device. In a specific aspect, the method
further
comprises towing the mobile building transportation device with the tow
vehicle.
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In another aspect, the axles are 22,500 pound rated per axle. In yet another
particular aspect, the mobile building transportation device is configured for
safe
=
use with a mobile building weighing up to 60,000 pounds. In still another
aspect, the mobile building transportation device can be transported on
repeated trips over 300 miles and without reconditioning. In yet another
aspect
of the method, the mobile building transportation device can further comprise
a
mid axle disposed between the front axle and the rear axle, coupled to the
frame by a mid suspension component. It is noted that no specific order is
required in this method, though generally in one embodiment, these method
steps can be carried out sequentially.
It is to be understood that the above-referenced embodiments are
illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention.
Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present
invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection
with the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to
those
of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without
departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in
the
claims.
15
