Patent Application
20220061526
The invention relates to the field of adjustable shelving accessories, in particular adjustable and mobile shelving racks providing a user with the ability to create a customized organized shelving unit or system.
As is well known in the art, shelves cabinets, racks, and an untold number of other furniture pieces or structures have been used to accommodate and/or store goods and items of nearly any variety or type. Many of these units not only contain a number selves which are arranged in a vertical configuration, but also wherein each shelf includes a partition or other structural component which physically sub-divides or breaks the shelf into multiple compartments.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,215 discloses a cabinet assembly comprising a number of shelves, each shelf itself comprising a number of shelf dividers. Each divider comprises one or more tabs which are slotted into the shelves in order to split up the storage space of each shelf.
Another example of a shelf divider can be found in U.S. Application Publication 2011/0139736 which discloses a rack which is used to display a plurality of items while also sub-dividing a shelf. Specifically, each divider includes a track and a movable pusher which pushes an item from a rear portion of the divider to the front when a previous item is removed from the display.
Yet another prior art solution for sub-dividing a shelf can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,436 which discloses a plurality of wire frame storage dividers for reels. After each storage divider is located on its corresponding shelf, a reel is dropped in or inserted therein so that the reel remains in the vertical position, thereby allowing the user store a large number of reels on a single shelf.
However while each prior art solution including those listed above allow a user to sub-divide a shelf by inserting or attaching any number of dividers or partitions thereon, each shelf divider fails to hold or accommodate items or goods directly in a suspended and stacked configuration. Instead, each divider may allow a user to lean or prop up an item against the divider, but in each instance the item is still principally in contact with a surface of the shelf, thereby requiring a horizontally disposed shelf surface or shelf plate. This can create a problem in some instances however where a large cabinet or shelving system may contain multiple shelves which in turn dramatically increases the overall weight of the shelving, thereby making the shelving system more difficult to move or adjust. In addition to increasing the overall weight of the cabinet or shelving system, shelf plates or other material used to form each shelf surface can also make the cabinet or shelving system more expensive to manufacture which is typically passed on the consumer. Furthermore, because the prior art dividers fail to hold or accommodate the items being stored directly, this can lead to some of the items shifting or moving within each shelf, thus increasing the possibility that items can become damaged.
What is needed therefore is an apparatus and method for sub-dividing and organizing a shelf unit which does not dramatically increase the overall weight of the shelving unit while also providing additional structural support to any items being stored by directly accommodating the items themselves. The apparatus should be easy and quick to use and not require any additional tools or parts beyond the frame of the shelving unit itself.
As is well understood, it can be very difficult to easily access items from a stack of items that are disposed on a shelf. If the item at the bottom of the stack is needed, then the whole stack needs to be removed from the shelf. T his is not only inefficient, but it also means that items being stored must be placed on possibly unsafe or undesired surfaces.
The modular design of the adjustable shelving racks of the current invention solves this problem by permitting a user to add shelving racks to a shelf ad infinitum and completely customize a shelf or shelving unit to hold different sizes of items between each set of shelving racks in a highly efficient and convenient manner. Each adjustable shelving rack maximizes vertical food storage and offers “slide in and out” access to each item from top to bottom within each formed “stack.” The adjustable shelving racks allow for side loading and end loading, and can each be adjusted along the length of a single shelf to hold many different storage devices or containers such as but not limited to food pans, market trays, and food boxes.
The current invention provides an apparatus for maintaining a plurality of containers in a suspended stacked configuration within a shelf of a shelving unit. The apparatus includes a panel comprising a plurality of horizontal supports and a plurality of removable vice assemblies coupled to the panel. Each of the plurality of horizontal supports extend perpendicularly outward from a vertical plane that is defined by the panel while each of the plurality of removable vice assemblies is configured to selectively grip or squeeze at least one traverse forming the shelf.
In one embodiment, each of the plurality of removable vice assemblies includes a fixed clamp, a movable clamp, and means for selectively adjusting the position of the movable clamp relative to the fixed clamp. Specifically, the panel comprises a plurality of recesses which are each configured to accommodate the fixed clamp therein. Even more specifically, the fixed clamp of each of the plurality of vice assemblies includes a dual-prong clip while each of the plurality of recesses has a window defined therein to accommodate the dual-prong clip.
In a related embodiment, the means for selectively adjusting the position of the movable clamp relative to the fixed clamp include a coupling portion disposed on the fixed clamp, an aperture defined through the movable clamp, and a thumb screw disposed through the aperture and inserted into the coupling portion. In a further embodiment, the coupling portion includes an internal thread that is configured to engage a threaded portion of the thumb screw.
In yet another embodiment, a tab is coupled to each of the plurality of recesses. Here, the movable clamp has a bracket which extends from a bottom surface of the movable clamp, the bracket itself being configured to accommodate the tab.
In another embodiment, the fixed clamp of each of the plurality of vice assemblies has a first jaw disposed on a top surface of the fixed clamp while the movable clamp of each of the plurality of vice assemblies has a second jaw disposed on a top surface of the movable clamp.
In yet another embodiment, the panel includes a plurality of vertical non-linear supports that are disposed perpendicular relative to the plurality of horizontal supports. In a related embodiment, the plurality of horizontal supports of the panel each include a plurality of heat dispersing bumps disposed along a length of each of the plurality of horizontal supports and a pair of tray stoppers disposed on each longitudinal end of each of the plurality of horizontal supports
In a separate embodiment, each of the plurality of coupling means includes a stationary wall, a movable wall, and a bolt that is inserted through the movable wall and the stationary wall. A cam lever is further disposed on the bolt so as to actuate the movable wall relative to the stationary wall.
In a related embodiment, each of the plurality of coupling means instead includes an arm that is connected to a hinge that is disposed on the panel. A distal end of the arm in one particular embodiment includes a flexible hook. In a different embodiment, the distal end of the arm includes a flange perpendicularly orientated relative to the arm and a flange bolt that is inserted through the flange. A pad is connected to a distal end of the flange bolt and a wing nut disposed near a proximal end of the flange bolt.
The invention further provides a system for maintaining a plurality of containers in a suspended stacked configuration. The system includes a shelving unit comprising a plurality of traverses, a plurality of item containers, and a plurality of adjustable shelving racks that are selectively coupled to at least one of the plurality of traverses. Each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks specifically includes a plurality of horizontal supports which extend perpendicularly from either side of a vertical plane as defined by a panel of each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks. Additionally, each of the plurality of horizontal supports are configured to accommodate a side or edge of at least one of the plurality of item containers.
In one embodiment, each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks includes a plurality of coupling means, each of the plurality of coupling means being located on the adjustable shelving rack in order to couple to a different one of the plurality of horizontal traverses.
Relatedly, each of the plurality of coupling means specifically include a fixed clamp, a movable clamp, and means for adjusting the linear position of the movable clamp relative to the fixed clamp. Specifically, a removable thumb screw may be disposed through the movable clamp and inserted into the fixe clamp.
In another embodiment, each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks includes a means for selectively adjusting the longitudinal position of the adjustable shelving rack relative to the at least one of the plurality of traverses it is selectively coupled to.
In yet another embodiment, the plurality of item containers include at least two item containers comprising different sizes.
In a further embodiment, the plurality of traverses are located within the shelving unit in order to form a plurality of different shelves. More specifically, at least one of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks is selectively coupled to at least two of the plurality of shelves.
In another embodiment, the plurality of adjustable shelving racks are selectively connected to the same one of the plurality of traverses.
In yet another embodiment, each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks are comprised of injected molded plastic while the plurality of traverses are comprised of pultruded molded plastic.
The invention further provides a method for suspending a plurality of item containers in a shelving unit. The method includes placing a plurality of adjustable shelving racks within the shelving unit, selectively connecting the plurality of adjustable shelving racks to a plurality of traverses forming the shelving unit, and inserting the plurality of item containers in between at least two of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks. Next, each of the plurality of item containers are placed on a corresponding horizontal support within each of the at least two of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks.
In one embodiment, the method also includes adjusting a longitudinal position of at least one of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks relative to at least one of the plurality of traverses.
In another embodiment, the step of placing the plurality of adjustable shelving racks within the shelving unit involves simultaneously disposing a first plurality of vice assemblies located on each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks over a corresponding first parallel pair of the plurality of traverses and then rotating the plurality of adjustable shelving racks relative to the first parallel pair of the plurality of traverses. Next, a second plurality of vice assemblies are simultaneously disposed over a corresponding second parallel pair of the plurality of traverses.
In one particular embodiment, the plurality of adjustable shelving racks are selectively connected to the plurality of traverses forming the shelving unit by first opening a vice assembly located on each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks, accommodating a width of at least one of the plurality of traverses within the open vice assembly, and then closing the vice assembly. Specifically, closing the vice assembly applies a squeezing force to the at least one of the plurality of traverses by the vice assembly. Relatedly, closing the vice assembly also includes actuating a thumb screw that is disposed through the vice assembly.
In another embodiment, the step of inserting the plurality of item containers in between at least two of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks specifically includes inserting the plurality of item containers in a stacked vertical configuration between the at least two of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks.
In a further embodiment, placing each of the plurality of item containers on a corresponding horizontal support within each of the at least two of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks is accomplished by placing an edge of each of the plurality of item containers on the corresponding horizontal support and then sliding each of the plurality of item containers into the shelving unit.
In an alternative embodiment, placing the plurality of adjustable shelving racks within the shelving unit specifically includes placing the plurality of adjustable shelving racks across a plurality of shelves that are located within the shelving unit.
In yet another embodiment, placing each of the plurality of item containers on a corresponding horizontal support within each of the at least two of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks also includes placing at least two of the plurality of item containers on opposing sides of the same adjustable shelving rack.
In a related embodiment, the step of inserting the plurality of item containers in between at least two of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks specifically includes inserting a plurality of item containers of different sizes in between the at least two of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks.
In one embodiment, the step of selectively connecting the plurality of adjustable shelving racks to the plurality of traverses forming the shelving unit includes opening a cam lever assembly disposed on, each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks and accommodating a width of at least one of the plurality of traverses within the cam lever assembly, Next, the cam lever assembly is actuated to close the cam lever assembly onto the at least one of the plurality of traverses by specifically applying a squeezing force to the at least one of the plurality of traverses by the cam lever assembly.
In a separate but related embodiment, the method step of selectively connecting the plurality of adjustable shelving racks to the plurality of traverses forming the shelving unit includes accommodating a width of at least one of the plurality of traverses within a corner portion defined in each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks and then rotating an arm connected to each of the plurality of adjustable shelving racks over the width of the at least one of the plurality of traverses. Next a distal end of the arm is connected to a lip disposed on the at least one of the plurality of traverses. Specifically, in one embodiment, the distal end of the arm is connected to the lip by fitting a hook that is disposed on the distal end of the arm around the lip. In an alternative embodiment, the distal end of the arm is connected to the lip by first disposing a pad over an outward surface of the lip and then advancing the pad until it contacts the outward surface of the lip.
While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents, under 35 USC 112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.
The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.
The current invention solves the problems of the prior art and more by providing an adjustable shelving rack which is denoted generally by reference numeral 10 in
In the magnified view of a vice assembly 20 seen in
Greater detail of the fixed clamp 18 may be seen in
More detail related to the panel 12 may be had by turning to
As seen in greater detail in the partially exploded views of
The movable clamp 22 is coupled to the fixed clamp 18 by sliding a hollow interior 64 defined in the center of the movable clamp 22 as seen in
It should also be noted that in alternative embodiments that the threaded bolt 24 may further comprise a wing nut, an extended surface, or another type of flange which extends outward from the longitudinal length of the threaded bolt 24 so as to provide a user with the ability to apply a greater amount of torque and thus make rotation of the threaded bolt 24 easier.
The adjustable shelving rack 10 is coupled to or disposed within a shelving unit 100 comprised of a plurality of substantially vertical posts 112 and a plurality of substantially horizontal traverses 114. Greater understanding of the traverses 114 of the shelving unit 100 can be had by turning to
The vertical posts 112 and horizontal traverses 114 of the shelving unit 100 are made by a pultrusion process comprising the following steps of providing a supply of fiberglass rovings, guiding fibers from the fiberglass rovings through a resin impregnator, saturating the fibers with resin from the resin impregnator, pulling the saturated fibers through a forming die, forming the fibers to a predetermined shape to form a pultruded component, and cutting the formed pultruded traverse or post to a predetermined length. Specifically, both the primary horizontal traverses 114 and the primary vertical posts 112 are comprised of plastic or plastic composites and are fabricated by the known process of pultrusion.
The process of pultrusion in general includes a plurality of strands of fiberglass or other suitable material being extruded from a plurality of rovings disposed on a rack by a plurality of pulleys or other suitable means. The strands of fiberglass are brought together with other materials such as mats and are placed in a resin bath or are otherwise impregnated with resin and other substances that bind the roving strands together in a resin impregnator. The resin may either be liquid or powder based depending on the type of fiberglass material being supplied by the ravings, and may include a mixture of one or more thermosetting or thermoplastic resins. Various types of filament winding may be added if desired to the resin infused strands by an in-line winder Adding a filament winding increases the bi-axial strength of the pultruded component. The resin infused strands are then mechanically pulled by a set of roving pullers through a set of performers which help the fiberglass rovings obtain an initial rough shape before being pulled through a curring die which forms the fiberglass to a permanent predetermined shape. After being pulled, heated, or cured, a saw then cuts the pultruded component down to a desired length or plurality of lengths.
In the preferred embodiment of the current invention, the horizontal traverses 114 and vertical posts 112 are comprised of a mixture of 70% to 80% glass and 20% to 30% resin. The fiberglass being fed from the rovings is a continuous filament of 2025 Fiber glass. As the fiberglass enters the resin impregnator 176, a resin comprising 50% BAYDUR PUL2500 (Polymeric Diphenyimethane Diisocyanate (pMDI)), 47.32% BAYDURE PUL2500 (Polyol System), 2.07% mold release (AXEL INT-1948MCH), and 0.25% color load (REBUS Code 70165) is impregnated onto the fiberglass. After each of the components have been properly cured, molded, and cut, the resulting product is an extremely strong and durable structural element for the shelving system 100 that is still lightweight enough to be easily carried or otherwise manipulated. It is to be expressly understood however that other similar types of fiberglass or resins may be used in differing proportions from what is listed here without departing, from the original spirit and scope of the invention.
In the embodiment best seen in
To incorporate an adjustable shelving rack 10 into the shelving unit 100, the user inserts the adjustable shelving rack 10 in between two vertical pairs of traverses 114 as seen in
To adjust the relative position of any adjustable shelving rack 10 within the shelving unit 100, the user loosens or adjusts each of the thumb screws 24 in each corresponding vice assembly 20 so that the first and second jaws 36, 42 are backed off of the inside and outside edges of each traverse 114, respectively. With both the top surface 124 and the bottom surface 126 of each traverse 114 still disposed between but not firmly contacting either the first jaw 36 and the second jaw 42 of each corresponding vice assembly 20, the user may slide, push, or otherwise move the adjustable shelving rack 10 in either lateral direction shown by arrows 50 and 52 in
Alternatively, in a separate embodiment seen in
In an alternative embodiment, the panel 12 may be selectively coupled or locked to a traverse 114 is seen in
As discussed above, a traverse 114 is placed or disposed within a cut out or aperture defined in each corner of the panel 12, preferably with a surface of the traverse 114 in contact with the tab 28. The arm 180 is then swung or pivoted over the top surface 124 of the traverse 114. As the arm 180 is placed over the traverse, a snap button or hook 184 disposed on a distal end of the arm 180 is placed in close proximity to the lip 132 that is disposed along the longitudinal length of the traverse 114. Pressure is applied to the hook 184 which causes the hook 184 which is comprised of a flexible yet resilient material to accommodate the lip 132 therein in a substantially friction or snap type fit. An audible “snap” or “click” sound may be emitted as the hook 184 fits around or accommodates the lip 132. The rounded or substantial “U” shape of the hook 184 ensures that the lip 132 remains within the hook 184 for as long as the panel 12 remains coupled to the traverse 114. To remove the panel 12 from the traverse 114 or simply readjust its longitudinal position along the traverse 114, the distal end of the hook 184 is manipulated so as to move the hook 184 off of the lip 132 of the traverse 114. The arm 180 may then be swung or moved back off of the top surface 124 of the traverse 114, thereby clearing the way for the panel 12 to be removed from the traverse 114. The position of the panel 12 is then adjusted as needed and then locked into a new position by again snapping the hook 184 over the lip 132 after rotating or swinging the arm 180 back over the traverse 114 via the hinge 182.
In a related but separate embodiment of how the panel 12 may be selectively coupled or locked to a traverse 114 may be seen in
As discussed above, a traverse 114 is placed or disposed within a cut out or aperture defined in each corner of the panel 12, preferably with a surface of the traverse 114 in contact with the tab 28. The arm 188 is then swung or pivoted over the top surface 124 of the traverse 114. As the arm 188 is placed over the traverse, the flange 190 portion of the arm 188 is naturally disposed or placed in close proximity to the lip 132 disposed along the longitudinal length of the traverse 114. The wing nut 194 is actuated in a first direction which causes the flange bolt 192 to advance through the flange 190 which in turn advances the pad 196 toward the outward facing surface of the lip 132. The wing nut 194 is actuated until the pad 196 makes firm contact with the outward facing surface of the lip 132, thereby locking that particular corner of the panel 12 to that specific position along the length of the traverse. To remove the panel 12 from the traverse 114 or simply readjust its longitudinal position along the traverse 114, the wing nut 194 is actuated in an opposing second direction so as to retract or move the pad 196 off of the lip 132 of the traverse 114. The arm 188 may then be swung or moved back off of the top surface 124 of the traverse 114, thereby clearing the way for the panel 12 to be removed from the traverse 114. The position of the panel 12 is then adjusted as needed and then locked into a new position by once again tightening the pad 196 against the lip 132 after rotating or swinging the arm 188 back over the traverse 114 via the hinge 186. While
In addition to separating a shelf within a shelving unit 100 into one or more sub-compartments or sub-areas for storage, the shelving rack 10 further provides structural support for the goods to be stored within the shelving unit 100 in a suspended stacked configuration. An alternative embodiment of the shelving unit 100′ can be seen in
Specifically, the food or item container may be a food pan 50 which comprises an elevated lip or rim around the perimeter of the food pan 50 as is known in the art. The user selects at which height relative to the shelving rack 10 they wish to place the food pan 50 and then places the lip or rim of the food pan 50 on the horizontal support 14 of each adjacent shelving rack 10 which corresponds to that height. Once each side or edge of the food pan 50 is in contact with a corresponding horizontal support 14, the user then slides or pushes the food pan 50 distally away from themselves and deeper into the shelf or level 154 until the entire length of the food pan 50 is supported by each corresponding horizontal support 14. The food pan 50 may then be released by the user, thereby leaving the food pan suspended and supported by shelving racks 10. The food pan 50 specifically rests on the plurality of heat dispersing bumps 25 disposed on each of the corresponding horizontal supports 14 so as to prevent the transfer of heat between the food pan 50 and the shelving racks 10. The pair of tray stoppers 27 disposed on either end of the horizontal supports 14 help ensure that the food pan 50 is not inadvertently slid off of the horizontal supports 14. To remove the food pan 50 from the shelving system 100, the user simply lifts the food pan 50 off of the horizontal supports 14 and pulls the food pan 50 out of the shelving unit 100, or slides or pulls the food pan 50 in the proximal direction toward themselves until the lip or rim of the food pan 50 slides off the edge of each horizontal support 14.
The user may then repeat the process by inserting another food pan 50 between the same two adjacent, shelving racks 10 by sliding the second food pan 50 on any pair of free or available horizontal supports 14, thereby creating a substantially stacked configuration of stored food pans 50 and maximizing the storage space of the shelf 154. It should be noted that because the food pans 50 are held in a suspended stacked configuration by the adjacent adjustment shelving racks 10, the food pans 50 do not directly rest on or contact one another. The user may therefore place comestible goods or other items within each of the food pans 50 without having the food pan 50 stacked above it crush or otherwise maybe ruin the goods contained within the food pan 50 beneath it. Additionally, because each food pan 50 is stored in a suspended state, the user may add or remove a food pan 50 from the very bottom of the adjacent shelving racks 10 without having to first move or adjust any of the food pans 50 which are disposed directly above it.
While it has been described above that each food pan 50 is inserted longitudinally into the shelving system 100, it should be expressly noted that the food pan 50 may be inserted laterally by altering or changing one or both of the adjacently disposed shelving racks 10 so as to match the overall length of the food pan 50. For example, as discussed above, the relative position of each adjustment shelving rack 10 may be changed by loosening each vice assembly 20 and then sliding the adjustment shelving rack 10 to the new desired position. Each food pan 50 may then be supported in a suspended stacked configuration in the same manner disclosed above, namely be placing each lateral end or edge of the food pan 50 on the corresponding horizontal supports 14.
Relatedly, as seen in
In a related embodiment, a user may be place a plurality of shelving units 100 side by side to create a shelving system with extended or elongated levels or shelves 150, 152, 154. The user may then dispose a plurality of shelving racks 10 across the horizontal traverses 114 so that a variety of containers could be stored in a suspended stacked configuration in between different adjacent shelving units 100, 100′. For example, a user may couple a shelving rack 10 to the traverses 114 of two adjacent shelving units 100, 100′ and then store a plurality of long containers such as the pizza dough boxes 58 between the shelving racks 10. The user may then access the containers from either shelving unit 100, 100′, specifically either longitudinal or lateral side of either shelving unit 100, 100′.
The specific number and configuration of shelving racks 10 seen in
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments.
Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.
The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context, of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.
