Patent Application
20240271646
The present invention relates in general to connectors for temporary connecting profiles, for example in a temporary booth for trade fairs or expositions. In particular, the invention provides a solution for a profile connector which allows for the temporary connection of long load-bearing structural profiles, wherein a strong and robust connection is realized, and fast assembly and disassembly are possible.
This application claims priority of Belgian patent application BE2023/5105, filed Feb. 14, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.
During trade fairs and exhibitions, temporary trade fair booths or exhibition booths are used, which are constructed for use during the event, and these are dismantled afterwards. In a modular solution for booth construction, as described for example in BE1020560A3, a set of standard frames is provided, using which a temporary booth according to the desired design can be constructed. In addition to the frame shaped modules, profiles are also provided within such a system: elongated hollow beams that can be integrated into the booth and to which functional elements can typically be attached. For example, a profile may contain a slot in its outer surface, which is adapted to slide a lighting rail into it. Such profiles should also be able to be connected to each other in the temporary construction, for example in a T-configuration or in a longitudinal fashion. Given the ever-increasing size of the desired exhibition booths, there is a need to be able to use profiles of large length, for example in the order of 6 m length. Moreover, these profiles must serve as load-bearing construction elements, given that, for example, lighting is suspended from them. Consequently, there is a need for a connector which allows such long load-bearing construction profiles to be connected in a robust way.
In the prior art, solutions are known to connect profiles in a detachable manner. For example, a connector provided with clamping hooks may be used. The connector is placed within the cavity of a first profile, and is capable of clamping onto a second profile using the clamping hooks. On the second profile, for example, a central longitudinal slot may be provided for this purpose.
In a first group of such profile connectors, the connector has two legs, which are each provided with a clamping hook. The legs are moved apart or towards each other transversely to open and close the clamping hooks, respectively. Examples can be found in DE1807892A1 and KR20220030709A. For example, in DE1807892A1, a screw with wedge-shaped component is used to drive the legs of the connector apart. By placing the clamping hooks, in a closed position, within the slot of a profile, and then using the wedge to open the hooks, clamping of the connector within the slot is achieved. The connectors proposed in DE1807892A1 and KR20220030709A only allow the connection of profiles on which a central slot is present, and only a connection of profiles according to a T-configuration is possible. Moreover, by driving the legs apart transversely, a perfect clamping around the slot edges will not always be obtained. After all, due to tolerances on the slot dimensions, wear or usage conditions, deviations may occur in the form of slot, so that no perfect connection of the connector to the second profile is obtained.
In a second group of profile connectors with clamping hooks, an elastic material or spring element is used. Examples can be found in FR2634525A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,337A. The connector has two legs, which are each provided with a clamping hook. The legs can be closed and opened according to a hinged motion, accompanied by a rotation of each of the legs around a fixed point. Closing the legs is accompanied by compression of an elastic material or spring element. When closed, the clamping hooks are inserted into the profile slot, and under the influence of the spring force, the legs open again so that the clamping hooks engage the slot. There is another example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,805A, wherein the second profile does not contain a central slot onto which can be clamped, but T-shaped elements onto which can be clamped along the outside. Such solutions based on spring force or elastic deformation allow profiles to be joined, but-given that manual compression against the spring force should be possible -do not allow for a very strong connection. In FR2634525A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,337A, it is possible to push against a connector leg by tightening a screw to better fasten the connector, but this requires an additional operation which hinders the rapid connection of profiles. Finally, even in this group of solutions, one is limited to the movement imposed by the hinge concept, making it impossible to match the clamping to the exact slot shape, taking into account tolerances, wear and usage conditions.
It is an object of the present invention to describe a solution that overcomes one or more of the described disadvantages of prior art solutions. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to describe a connector for temporarily connecting long load-bearing structural profiles, wherein a strong and robust connection is realized, and rapid assembly and disassembly are possible.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the objectives identified above are achieved by a connector for detachably connecting profiles, as defined by claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:
In other words, the invention relates to a connector for connecting a profile. A profile is an elongated, typically hollow bar, for example made of aluminium or steel. Usually, the profile has a rectangular cross-section, which is bounded by four side faces, but also other cross-section forms are possible. The connector allows to connect a first and second profile with each other, in a detachable manner. The detachable connection refers to the fact that after connecting, the profiles can be detached from each other again, without permanent deformation or damage. The first profile is tubular, at least along a portion of its length. This means that the profile comprises, at least at its end, a cavity which is bounded by a wall, the cavity being adapted to receive the connector. The second profile comprises an outer surface in which undercuts are provided. In other words, the profile surface comprises undercut grooves or undercut edges. This means that one or more slots, recesses or grooves are present on the outer surface of the profile, which are bounded by hook-shaped edges. The hook-shaped edge typically comprises a protruding portion which is substantially perpendicular to the profile wall, and an end which is substantially parallel to the profile wall. The hook-shaped edges may point away from each other, i.e., the ends deflect toward each other, or may point towards each other, i.e., the ends deflect away from each other.
The connector comprises a housing, which extends according to a longitudinal direction X. In a positioned state of the connector, the longitudinal direction X of the connector corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the profile. For example, the housing may be beam-shaped, and bounded by a top surface and bottom surface which are located in an XZ plane, and two side surfaces which are located in an XY plane. Here, the Y direction corresponds to the transverse direction, and the Z direction corresponds to the height direction of the connector. The housing has a front side in which one or more openings are present, through which clamping components protrude outward with respect to the housing.
The connector comprises a first and a second clamping component. The clamping components are movable with respect to the housing, via the one or more openings in the front side of the housing. The clamping components extend along the longitudinal direction X, and are typically located partially inside and partially outside the housing. In one embodiment, the connector may be placed in a state wherein the clamping components are fully retracted and are thus completely located within the housing. The clamping components each comprise a clamping hook at their front end. A clamping hook typically has a first portion located along longitudinal direction X, and a second portion that deflects with respect to the longitudinal direction X. In this way, the clamping hook deflects, at least partially, in the transverse direction Y. For example, the first portion of the clamping hook is an edge located in an XZ plane, parallel to longitudinal direction X, and the second portion of the clamping hook is an edge located in a YZ plane, parallel to transverse direction Y. The clamping hooks are formed such that they engage the undercuts provided in the surface of the second profile, so that clamping occurs between the clamping hooks on the one hand and the hook-shaped edges on the second profile on the other hand. After placing the connector in the first profile, a T-connection can be formed in this way between the first and second profiles. In accordance with which undercuts are located on the second profile, the ends of the clamping hooks may be such that they deflect towards each other, or deflect away from each other.
The first and second clamping components are movable with respect to the housing by means of an activation mechanism. An activation mechanism is typically an assembly of one or more mechanical components, such as a screw, plate, cam, lever, etc, which is adapted to cause the movement of the clamping components. During this movement, the first clamping component is moved according to a shift or translation, and the second clamping component is also moved according to a shift or translation. Thus, a clamping component is moved as a whole, each point being shifted over the same distance, without the occurrence of a rotation. The movement of a clamping component is a shift or translation between two extreme states, wherein the clamping component can be fixed at any intermediate state, so that a particular configuration or position of the two clamp components is obtained.
The connector comprises a first and a second pair of guide elements. The first pair of guide elements comprises a guide element which is provided on the housing, and a corresponding guide element which is provided on the first clamping component. Analogously, the second pair of guide elements comprises a guide element which is provided on the housing, and a corresponding guide element which is provided on the second clamping component. The first and second pairs of guide elements are adapted to define a trajectory of the first and second clamping components during the translation. In other words, the guide elements define a well-defined path that will be followed by the clamp components during their movement. The clamping components are thus required to follow a defined path during their movement. For example, a pair of guide elements may comprise a protruding element, such as a pin or screw, which is formed on a clamping component, and a recess which is formed in the housing, such as a slot, slit, or groove. In this embodiment, the protruding element is adapted to slide within the recess. In another embodiment, the protruding element is attached to the housing, while the recess is located on the clamping component. In yet another embodiment, a pair of guide elements comprises a wheel or rolling element which is adapted to roll on a track or edge. For each clamping component, there is at least one pair of guide elements. In possible embodiments there are multiple pairs of guide elements per clamping component.
The trajectory imposed by the guide elements is such that at least during a part of the trajectory the distance in transverse direction Y between the clamping hooks is varied, and at least during part of the trajectory the distance in longitudinal direction X between the housing and the clamping hooks is varied. This means that during the movement of the clamping components, the clamping hooks are moved towards or away from each other on the one hand, i.e. the closing and opening of the clamping hooks respectively, and the distance in longitudinal direction between a clamping hook and the housing changes on the other hand, i.e. a linear movement of the clamping hooks. Here, the closing/opening on the one hand and the linear displacement on the other hand may occur consecutively, or simultaneously, or partially consecutively and partially simultaneously. For example, the guide element on the housing may be implemented as a slot with a slanted portion, followed by a straight portion, and the guide element on the clamping component may be implemented as a pin that can slide within the slot. During the sliding of the pin in the slanted portion of the slot, the clamping hooks are closed and, at the same time, the clamping hooks are retracted with respect to the housing. During the subsequent sliding of the pin in the straight portion of the slot, only the clamping hooks are retracted further, while their mutual distance no longer changes. In another embodiment, the slot on the housing consists of a straight portion in a transverse direction followed by a straight portion in a longitudinal direction, so that first the clamping hooks are closed without linear movement, and then the retraction of the clamping hooks with respect to the housing takes place. In yet another embodiment, the slot only has a slanted portion, so that the closing of the clamping hooks and their retraction always take place simultaneously.
The invention comes with several advantages. First of all, the movement of the clamping hooks is such that they are not only opened and closed, but also such that the distance in longitudinal direction with respect to the housing is adjustable. Consequently, the connector allows clamping to be realised by opening/closing the clamping hooks in the transversal direction, as well as tightening the connector by pulling the one profile towards the other. In this way, the clamping hooks are brought into the best-fit configuration, for perfectly engaging the hook-shaped edges of the undercuts in the profile surface. Since the linear distance to the housing is adjustable, it is possible to respond optimally to existing deviations due to dimensional tolerances, wear and usage conditions such as thermal expansion. Consequently, the adjustable tightening allows optimal clamping in various conditions and profiles, resulting in a strong and robust connection between the profiles. On the one hand, this differs from existing solutions wherein clamping hooks are only opened/closed in the transverse direction but wherein no tensioning is possible in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, this differs from existing solutions with clamping hooks that perform a rotational movement according to a hinge principle, wherein the linear distance to the housing may vary, but not in an adjustable manner.
Furthermore, the connector allows the realization of a strong connection so that long and load-bearing structural profiles can be reliably connected. Establishing such strong clamping requires a substantial frictional force, which is realizable given that the clamping hooks can be formed as large and strong as necessary. After all, the clamping hooks are perfectly guided during their movement and subsequently fixed according to a certain position, without depending, for example, on a certain spring force or elastic deformation.
Finally, the connector according to the invention allows a user-friendly and rapid assembly and disassembly of profiles. When making a T-connection, the connector can be clamped directly to the desired longitudinal position of a profile; there is no need to insert the connector at one profile end and then shift it over a large length to the desired position. It also allows the connector to first connect the profile such that it is attached but can still be shifted, and subsequently-after shifting to the exact position-to further tighten the connector. Finally, establishing the connection merely requires shifting the clamping components with respect to the housing. Via the activation mechanism, such shifting can be implemented easily, requiring only one control action. In summary, the connector allows to quickly bring the clamping hooks into the best-fitting configuration, adjustable according to the actual situation, resulting in optimal clamping and perfect connection between the profiles.
Optionally, according to claim 2, the housing comprises a front side through which the clamping components protrude, and a rear side opposite to the front side, and the rear side comprises two edges or two undercuts which are adapted to allow the engagement of clamping hooks of a neighbouring connector. For example, a rear panel may be present at the rear side of the connector, on which one or more slots with undercuts are provided. By placing a first connector within a first profile, and placing a second connector within a second profile, the clamping hooks of the first connector can engage the undercuts of the second connector. This has the advantage that the profiles can not only be connected according to a T, but can also be connected to each other longitudinally. In another embodiment, the rear wall of the connector comprises two edges, with an opening next to each of the two edges. Via the openings, the clamping hooks of the first connector can be inserted within the housing of the second connector, after which the clamping hooks can engage the edges present on the rear wall of the second connector.
Optionally, according to claim 3, the trajectory is defined by the first and second pairs of guide elements such that
Optionally, according to claim 4, during the first part of the trajectory, the distance in transverse direction Y between the clamping hooks is varied, while also the distance in longitudinal direction X between the housing and the clamping hooks is varied. This may for example be implemented using a slot that is slanted with respect to the longitudinal and transverse directions. In this case, the first part of the trajectory involves both the opening/closing of the clamping hooks and the retraction of the clamping hooks with respect to the housing.
Optionally, according to claim 5, the clamping hooks each face the inside of the housing, and during the first part of the trajectory, the reduction of the distance in longitudinal direction X between the housing and the clamping hooks is accompanied by the reduction of the distance in transverse direction Y between the clamping hooks. This means that the two clamping hooks have ends that face each other, and are adjusted to engage hook-shaped edges on the profile surface, wherein these hook-shaped edges point away from each other. When connecting the profiles, first the clamping hooks are moved such that they close, and meanwhile the clamping hooks are retracted as well with respect to the housing. In this way, clamping is performed around the undercuts on the profile surface. Subsequently, the clamping hooks are retracted further, so that the connector is tightened further and the profiles are pulled towards each other.
Optionally, according to claim 6, the first and second pairs of guide elements each comprise:
Optionally, according to claim 7, the first recess is formed on the top surface or the bottom surface of the housing, and the second recess is formed on the top surface or the bottom surface of the housing. The top surface and bottom surface of the housing are located in an XY plane, thus extending according to longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y. Additionally, also according to claim 7, the first and second protruding elements each extend in height direction Z, wherein the height direction Z is perpendicular to longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y.
In one embodiment, the first and second clamping components are each guided by multiple pairs of guide elements. For example, the connector may comprise eight pairs of guide elements, four of which are for guiding the first clamping component and four of which are for guiding the second clamping component. For example, four slots may be present in the top surface of the housing, and four slots may be present in the bottom surface of the housing, and on each of the clamping components, two pins are each present on the upper side and two pins may be present on the lower side.
Optionally, according to claim 8, the first and second recesses each comprise:
Optionally, according to claim 9, the straight portion of the recess connects to the slanted portion, so that, from the front side to the rear side of the housing, the straight portion is arranged first, and then the slanted portion is arranged. Here, the front side of the housing is the side through which the clamping components protrude, and the rear side is opposite to the front side. In other words, the slanted portion and the straight portion form one continuous recess, the slanted portion being closer to the clamping hooks than the straight portion is.
Optionally, according to claim 10, the activation mechanism comprises a connection component, which is at least partially positioned between the first and second clamping components, through one or more openings in each of the first and second clamping components, wherein the connection component forms a connection between the first and second clamping components such that the first and second clamping components are movable with respect to the connection component along transverse direction Y, while a movement in longitudinal direction X with respect to the connection component is blocked. For example, the connection component may be implemented as a plate or block, with a top and bottom surface that are parallel to an XY plane. For example, each of the clamping components may comprise a wall, extending in an XZ plane, and the connection component is positioned through an opening in the wall of the respective clamping components. The activation mechanism is adapted to drive, via other components that are comprised in the activation mechanism, the connection component along longitudinal direction X. A driving force in longitudinal direction X can thus be applied to the connection component. Since the connection component prevents the clamping components from moving longitudinally relative to the connection component, when the connection component is driven, the clamping components will move along with the connection component in longitudinal direction X. On the other hand, the openings in the clamping components allow the clamping components to also move in transverse direction Y. This way, the clamping components, when driven via the connection component, are allowed to follow the trajectory imposed by the guide elements.
Optional, according to claim 11, the activation mechanism comprises:
The driving component is, for example, a block, plate, protrusion, or cam, comprising a slanted edge. The driving component is movable only in transverse direction Y; for example, the driving component may be moved by turning a screw. The follower component is moved as a result of moving the driving component. The follower component hereby moves in longitudinal direction X. For example, the driving component and follower component may together form a linear cam device, cam follower mechanism, or wedge cam. In one embodiment, the activation mechanism also comprises a resilient element which is adapted to push the follower component against the driving component or cam element.
For example, both the driving component and the follower component may comprise a slanted edge, wherein both slanted edges extend along the same direction, which is slanted with respect to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. Both slanted edges are in contact with each other, so that when moving the driving component in transverse direction Y, both slanted edges slide over each other, and the follower component is propelled in longitudinal direction X. In an embodiment, the follower component comprises two opposite slanted edges, parallel to each other. For example, the slanted edges may be implemented as edges of a slanted slot. Also, in this embodiment, the driving component comprises two opposite slanted edges, so that the driving component can slide within the slanted slot of the follower component, the respective slanted edges being in contact with each other.
In each of the embodiments, the follower component is part of the connection component. Thus, the follower component is in contact with or fixedly connected to other elements of the connection component. In this way, putting the driving component and follower component into motion also results in a movement of the connection component, and thus also of the two clamping components. The latter movement occurs at least longitudinally, i.e. only longitudinally, or simultaneously longitudinally and transversely. Consequently, the activation mechanism allows to establish the movement of the clamping components via a single control command, namely the movement of the driving element, for example by turning a screw. This contributes to a fast and user-friendly way of establishing the connection between two profiles.
Optionally, according to claim 12, the follower component comprises a slanted edge, which is parallel to the slanted edge of the driving component, so that when moving the driving component in transverse direction Y, both slanted edges slide over each other. For example, the follower component may be implemented as a plate portion, wherein a groove or recess with a slanted edge is present. In an embodiment, the follower component comprises two parallel slanted edges, for example implemented as walls of a slanted slot.
Optionally, according to claim 13, the activation mechanism comprises a screw, extending according to transverse direction Y, wherein the screw is positioned through a hole in the driving component. This hole is provided with corresponding thread so that turning the screw around its axis results in a movement in transverse direction Y of the driving component. In one embodiment, the head of the screw is formed such that it can be turned using an Allen wrench or screwdriver. In this way, tightening the screw is the only action required from the user to close and tighten the clamping hooks.
Optionally, according to claim 14, the connector comprises one or more screws which are adapted to fix the housing within the first profile. This means that the connector is first inserted into the cavity of the first profile, and then secured within this profile using a screw. Typically, a small gap will be present for this purpose in the surface of the first profile.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the objectives identified above are achieved by a system for connecting two profiles, according to claim 15, wherein the system comprises:
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the objectives identified above are achieved by using a connector for detachably connecting profiles in a modular system for temporary exhibition booths, the connector according to the first aspect of the invention.
In the condition shown in
The first pair of guide elements comprises a protruding element 107 attached to the first clamping component 101, and a recess 103 attached to the housing 118. In the embodiment shown, the protruding element 107 is implemented as a pin or screw 107 which extends in height direction Z with respect to the clamping component 101. The protruding element 103 is implemented as a slot 103 which is arranged in the upper surface 113 of the housing 118. During movement of the first clamping component 101, the round head of screw 107 slides into the slot 103 so that the first clamping component 101 is guided in its movement, the shape of the slot 103 determining the followed trajectory. Furthermore, additional pairs of guide elements are provided to guide the first clamping component 101: a third pair of guide elements 109, 105, whose slot 105 is located in the upper surface 113, a fifth pair of guide elements 509, 800 whose slot 800 is located in the lower surface 406, and a seventh pair of guide elements 705, 706, whose slot 706 is located in the lower surface 406. These additional pairs of guide elements are implemented in the same manner as the first pair of guide elements 107, 103. For example, the slots 105, 800 and 706 have the same shape as slot 103.
Analogously, the second clamping component 102 is guided by a second pair of guide elements 108, 104. The second pair of guide elements 108, 104 comprises a protruding element 108, which is implemented as a screw or pin 108 attached to the second clamping component 102, and a recess 104, which is implemented as a slot 104 attached to the upper surface 113 of the housing 118. Furthermore, additional pairs of guide elements are provided to guide the second clamping component 102: a fourth pair of guide elements 110, 106, whose slot 106 is located in the upper surface 113, a sixth pair of guide elements 507, 801 whose slot 801 is located in the lower surface 406, and an eighth pair of guide elements 508, 704, whose slot 704 is located in the lower surface 406. These additional pairs of guide elements are implemented in the same manner as the second pair of guide elements 108, 104. For example, the slots 106, 801, 704 have the same shape as slot 104.
While moving the clamping components 101, 102, the trajectory traveled is determined by the shape of the slots 103, 104. More specifically, starting from the state of
After placement of the connector 100 within a first profile, a T-connection can be formed with a second profile, by having the clamping hooks 111, 112 engaged on undercuts in the surface of the second profile, as will be further illustrated in
The connector 100 further comprises an activation mechanism, as illustrated in
The activation mechanism is adapted to drive the connection component 500 along longitudinal direction X, i.e., to initiate a linear movement of the connection component. The connection component 500 comprises a slanted slot 505, wherein a driving component 700 is placed. The slanted slot 505 has two opposite parallel slanted edges 701 and 702. The driving component 700 also comprises two opposite slanted edges, which are in contact with the respective edges 701 and 702. The driving component 700 is movable in transverse direction Y, by means of a screw 703. The screw 703 extends in transverse direction Y, and is positioned through a hole in the driving component 700, this hole being provided with corresponding thread. By rotating the screw 703 around its own axis, the driving component 700 is moved in the Y direction. In the embodiment shown, the head 506 of the screw 703 is adapted to be rotated by means of an Allen key. For this purpose, a small circular opening 116 is provided in the housing 118. The sections of
The portion of the connection component 500 wherein the slanted slot 505 is located serves as the follower component 505. When the driving component 700 is moved in transverse direction Y, the connecting component 500 is driven, thanks to the slanted slot 505, in longitudinal direction X, according to the principle of a cam. During this, the slanted edges 701, 702 of the follower component 505 slide over the respective slanted edges of the driving component 700. When driving the connection component 500 in longitudinal direction X, the clamping components 101, 102 are also moved longitudinally. During the first part of the trajectory, over the slanted portion of the slots 706, 704, the clamping components 101, 102 are moved both in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The movement in the transverse direction is possible due the openings 501, 502. During the second part of the trajectory, over the straight portion of the slots 706, 704, the clamping components 101, 102 are moved only in the longitudinal direction.
Starting from the state of
The section of
The beam-shaped housing 118 is adapted to be placed within the cavity of the profile 900, as illustrated in
Consequently, via the connector 100, a T-connection can be made between the first profile 900 and a second profile 1200, as illustrated in
Consequently, the connector 100 can be further tightened, by further turning the screw 703, wherein the two profiles 900, 1200 are pulled towards each other. During this second part of the trajectory, defined by the straight portions 301, 303 of the slots 103, 104, only a reduction of the linear distance takes place. The tightening of the connector 100 results in a state wherein the clamping hooks 111, 112 fit perfectly around the undercuts 1201, 1202, so that optimum clamping is obtained. In case a certain deviation is present on the dimensions of the undercuts 1201, 1202, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, wear or thermal expansion, optimal clamping can still be obtained, by tightening the connector more or less. Moreover, bringing the clamping hooks into the best-fit state requires only one control action, namely tightening the screw 703, which allows a quick connection.
After placing the connector 100 within a first profile 900, it can also be used to form a connection in the longitudinal direction with a second profile 1400, as illustrated in
Although the present invention has been illustrated by means of specific embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the preceding illustrative embodiments, and that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and adaptations without leaving the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and non-restrictive in all respects, wherein the scope of the invention is described by the appended claims and not by the foregoing description, and all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are therefore included herewith. In other words, it is understood that this includes all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the underlying basic principles and whose essential attributes are claimed in this patent application. Moreover, the reader of this patent application will understand that the words “comprising” or “comprise” do not exclude other elements or steps, that the word “a” does not exclude a plural. Any references in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claims in question. The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “a,” “b,” “c” and the like, when used in the description or in the claims, are used to distinguish between similar elements or steps and do not necessarily describe a sequential or chronological order. Similarly, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like are used for the purpose of description and do not necessarily refer to relative positions. It should be understood that those terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that embodiments of the invention are capable of functioning according to the present invention in sequences or orientations other than those described or illustrated in the above.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/5105 | Feb 2023 | BE | national |
