CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE

Abstract

A convertible furniture includes a furniture part with a frame with end supports and thereto supported a bed and a table part; a wall support attached to a wall or other support; pivoting means, rails and gas springs between the furniture part and the wall support to guide the movement of the furniture part between a table position and a bed position; an openable table lock to secure the furniture part in table position allow movement of the furniture part towards the bed position.
The table part include a first edge which is in the table position towards the wall support, and in the bed position is an upper edge of the side of the bed; and a second edge which in the table position is arranged as an outer edge of the table part, and in the bed position arranged as a lower edge of the side of the bed.

Claims

1-35. (canceled)

36. A convertible furniture, which comprises: a furniture part comprising a frame with a first and a second end support and thereto supported a bed and a table part; a wall support arranged to be attached securely onto a wall or other support; pivoting means between the furniture part and the wall support arranged to guide the movement of the furniture part between at least a table position, where the table part is arranged horizontally, thereby forming a horizontal table surface, and the bed is unusable; and a bed position, where the bed is usable, and the table part is unusable and arranged as a side of the bed; a table lock arranged to secure the furniture part in the table position and comprising a first locking member on the furniture part and a second locking member on the wall support, and adapted to be moved with an actuator between a locked position, where the locking members are interlocked with each other, thereby securing the furniture part in the table position and an open position, where the locking members are not interlocked with each other, thereby allowing movement of the furniture part towards the bed position; wherein the table part comprises at least mainly parallel, a first edge which is in the table position towards the wall support or the wall or other support, and in bed position arranged as an upper edge of the side of the bed; and a second edge which is in the table position arranged as an outer edge of the table part, and in bed position arranged as a lower edge of the side of the bed.

37. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein in the bed position the second edge is arranged against a floor or other support beneath the furniture.

38. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein the first locking member is arranged on the table part.

39. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein the actuator is connected to the first locking member and arranged movable with the furniture part.

40. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein the actuator is arranged to extend from the first locking member past the bed and towards the second edge of the table part.

41. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein the actuator is connected to the second locking member and supported on the wall support.

42. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein the table part is arranged perpendicularly to the end supports, whereby each end support functions in table position as a vertical table support and in bed position as a vertical bed end.

43. The convertible furniture according to claim 42, wherein each end support is arranged in table position and in bed position against a floor or other support beneath the furniture.

44. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein the table part and end supports are fixed together firmly and immovably relative to each other.

45. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein bed is supported on the frame immovably.

46. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein in bed position the end supports and the table part form vertical sides, i.e. two bed ends and a side, for the bed.

47. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein one or more wheels are arranged at a lower corner of the end support closest to the wall support in bed position and furthest away from the wall support in table position in order to ease movement of the furniture against a floor beneath it.

48. The convertible furniture according to claim 47, wherein the one or more wheels are arranged to protrude only over the edge that is the lower end support edge in bed position.

49. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein the gas spring is arranged at its longest between table and bed positions, so that when the furniture is moved from table position to bed position or vice versa, the gas spring is arranged to: first get longer, then reach a maximum length, then start to get shorter.

50. The convertible furniture according to claim 36, wherein the pivoting means comprises: a rail arranged substantially vertical on the wall support or on the wall or other support; a pivoting support, such as a slide arranged movable along the rail; whereby at least one piece of pivoting means is attached turnably both on the pivoting support and the furniture part.

51. The convertible furniture according claim 50, wherein the pivoting means comprises at least one gas spring with one end attached turnably at the pivoting support on the wall support and with another end attached turnably on the furniture part.

52. A method with a convertible furniture comprising a furniture part, a wall support and pivoting means between them, the wall support arranged securely onto a wall or other support, the furniture part comprising two end supports and thereto supported a bed and a table part, which table part comprises a first edge and a second edge which are at least mainly parallel with each other, the method comprising moving a furniture part in relation to a wall support between at least a table position and a bed position, guiding said moving with pivoting means arranged between the furniture part and the wall support; wherein the moving the furniture part comprises: in table position: positioning the first edge towards the wall support or the wall or other support and the second edge as an outer edge of the table part; and in bed position: positioning the first edge as an upper edge of the side of the bed and the second edge (8) as a lower edge of the side of the bed.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein in bed position: arranging the second edge against a floor or other support beneath the furniture.

54. The method according to claim 52, wherein the pivoting means comprises at least one gas spring, which is arranged at its longest between table and bed positions, so that when moving the furniture part from table position to bed position or vice versa, the gas spring: irst gets longer, thereby easing the movement in the beginning of the moving; then reaches a maximum length, thereby having the least effect in the middle part of the moving; then gets shorter, thereby slowing down the movement at the end of the moving.

55. The method according to claim 52, wherein the pivoting means comprises a rail arranged substantially vertical on the wall support and a pivoting support arranged movable along the rail, whereby at least one piece of pivoting means is attached turnably both on the pivoting support and the furniture part, so that when moving the furniture part from table position to bed position or vice versa: the pivoting support moves along the rail.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0127] The disclosed embodiments is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which

[0128] FIG. 1 shows a convertible furniture according to the disclosed embodiments in a perspective view from above the furniture in a table position,

[0129] FIG. 2 shows the furniture of FIG. 1 during movement between the table and bed positions,

[0130] FIG. 3 shows the furniture of FIG. 1 in bed position,

[0131] FIG. 4 shows the locking mechanism of a furniture according to the disclosed embodiments in table position in a partly cut view from above the furniture, the locking mechanism in open position,

[0132] FIG. 5 shows the locking mechanism of FIG. 4 in locked position,

[0133] FIG. 6 shows an outer top corner of a furniture according to the disclosed embodiments in table position, in a perspective view from below, with an extra support not engaged,

[0134] FIG. 7 shows the top corner of FIG. 6 with the extra support engaged,

[0135] FIG. 8 shows support plates and pivoting means of one furniture end in table position,

[0136] FIG. 9 shows the support plates and pivoting means of FIG. 8 in bed position,

[0137] FIG. 10 shows a lower part of an end support with a wheel in bed position,

[0138] FIG. 11 shows a second convertible furniture according to the disclosed embodiments in a perspective view from above the furniture in a table position,

[0139] FIG. 12 shows the furniture of FIG. 11 during movement between the table and bed positions,

[0140] FIG. 13 shows the furniture of FIG. 11 in bed position,

[0141] FIG. 14 shows support plates and pivoting means of one furniture end in table position, and

[0142] FIG. 15 shows the support plates and pivoting means of FIG. 14 in bed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES

[0143] For the sake of clarity, in different embodiments same reference numerals are used for parts corresponding to each other. For the sake of clarity, every part and feature has not been numbered in every Figure.

[0144] Two embodiments of a convertible furniture 1 according to the disclosed embodiments are depicted. The structure and functioning of the first and second embodiment differ mainly in the structure of their pivoting means. The first embodiment is presented in FIGS. 1 to 3, and a suitable mechanism, i.e. support plates and pivoting means for it in FIGS. 8 and 9. The second embodiment is presented in FIGS. 11 to 13 and a suitable mechanism, i.e. support plates and pivoting means for it in FIGS. 14 and 15. Embodiments in other Figures, e.g. locking mechanism in FIGS. 5 and 6, extra support of FIGS. 6 and 7 and wheel of FIG. 10 are possible with both embodiments.

[0145] The convertible furniture 1 comprises a furniture part 2 and a wall support 21. The furniture part comprises a frame 11 and thereto supported a bed 3 and a table part 4. The frame 11 comprises two end supports 12a and 12b which are arranged parallel with each other and a distance apart from each other. The frame may comprise other parts also, such as support beams.

[0146] Pivoting means are arranged between the furniture part 2 and wall support 21. Pivoting means comprise hinge arms 5a and gas springs 5b in both the first and second embodiments. In the second embodiment in FIGS. 11 to 13 the pivoting means also comprise vertical rails 30 attached to the wall support 21 and slides 31 adapted to be moved on and along the rails. The pivoting means guide and assist the movement of the furniture part 2 between a table position and a bed position. The pivoting means are attached to the first and second end supports 12a, 12b of the furniture part via first support plates 16 and to the wall support 21 via second support plates 26. In the second embodiment the rail 30 itself or flanges or extensions arranged on it function as a second support plate 26.

[0147] In the table position, shown e.g. in FIGS. 1 and 11, the frame 11 is standing on its side panels and arranged against the wall support 21. The table part 4 is now on the top of the furniture part 2. Table part 4 is now horizontally arranged. The top of the table part 4 forms a horizontal table surface 44 at the top of the furniture 1. The table surface 44 is substantially flush with the top edge of the wall support 21. At the same time, the bed 3 is arranged sideways inside the frame 11. In other words, the bed 3 is in a vertical position under the table part 4, and therefore unusable.

[0148] When moving from the table position to the bed position, the top of the furniture part 2, e.g. the table part 4, is turned away from the wall support 21, see FIGS. 2 and 12. As the frame 11 is turned more and more towards the horizontal, the bed 3 becomes more and more visible. Finally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, the furniture 1 is in bed position. This means that the frame 11 and in them the bed 3 is in a horizontal position.

[0149] Bed 3 is usable. At the same time, the table part 4 has become a horizontal side panel for the bed 3. This means that the table surface 44 is horizontal and thereby not usable as a table.

[0150] The table part 4 comprises a first edge 7 and a second edge 8 parallel to each other, on the opposite sides of the table part 4. The first edge 7 is in the table position against or at least close to the wall support 21. In bed position the first edge 7 is arranged as the upper edge of the side of the bed. The second edge 8 is in the table position arranged as outer edge of the table part 4 and table surface 44. In bed position the second edge 8 is arranged as the lower edge of the side of the bed, against the floor or other support beneath the furniture.

[0151] The frame 11 comprises a first and a second end support 12a, 12b. The table part 4 is arranged perpendicularly between the end supports. Thereby, each end support 12a, 12b functions in table position as a vertical support against a floor and in bed position as a vertical bed end. In the depicted embodiment, each end support 12a, 12b comprises four edges. A first end support edge 131 is in table position mainly vertical and situated towards the wall support 21. In bed position the first end support edge 131 is a mainly horizontal upper edge of the bed end. A second end support edge 132 is in table position mainly vertical and situated facing away from the wall support. In bed position the second end support edge 132 is a mainly horizontal lower edge of the bed end. A third end support edge 133 is in table position a mainly horizontal lower edge of the vertical support against a floor or other support below the furniture 1. In bed position the third end support edge 133 is mainly vertical and situated towards the wall support 21. A fourth end support edge 134 is in table position a mainly horizontal upper edge of the vertical support, supporting the table part 4 on top of it. In bed position the fourth end support edge 134 is mainly vertical and situated away from the wall support 21. In these examples the first and second panel edges are substantially parallel to each other. Similarly, the third and fourth panel edges are substantially parallel to each other, but perpendicular against the first and second. In the depicted embodiments the end supports 12a, 12b are formed as substantially rectangle panels, with at least some rounded corners. This needs not to be the case; the furniture can be designed in many forms.

[0152] In the shown embodiments the wall support 21 is a vertical panel covering the area of the furniture part 2 that is in contact with it in table position. Also, in table position, the upper edge of the wall support 21 is flush with the table surface 44, thereby functioning as an extension of the table surface 44. The wall support 21 may comprise wall brackets 22, seen on FIG. 2, on its back side, i.e. the side meant against a wall or other support (not shown). Wall brackets 22 may be e.g. hooks with which the wall support 21 is attached to e.g. a wall securely and immovable. The wall brackets 22 may be openable so, that the wall panel 21 is easily detached from the wall, if needed. An indentation 27 is formed the at lower end of the back side of the wall support 21. It facilitates the installation of the wall support, e.g. a possible baseboard on a wall it is installed on may fit in the indentation 27.

[0153] To keep the furniture part 2 safely in the table position, an easily operated table lock 6 is arranged between the frame 11 and wall support 21. In a locked position, the table lock 6 secures the furniture part 2 together with the wall support 21. In an open position the table lock 6 allows the movement of the furniture part 2 towards the bed position. The table lock 6, seen e.g. in FIGS. 4 and 5, comprises a first locking member 6a on the table part 4 and a second locking member 6b on the wall support 21. The first locking member 6a is situated at or near the first edge 7 of the table part 4. The second locking member 6b is situated at or near the vertical edge 7 of the wall support 21. This way, the locking members are against each other or at least very near to each other in table position. In bed position the first locking member 6a is arranged on top edge of the side of the bed, see FIGS. 3 and 13.

[0154] In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 the table part is not shown, save its first edge 7 and second edge 8. The table lock 6 is a simple latch, with a steel arc 6a, i.e. an arc-shaped steel form, as the first locking member and a vertical pin 6b as the second locking member. The steel arc 6a can be turned in the direction of the plane of the table part 4 it is arranged on. In the depicted table position, i.e. when the first edge 7 of the table part 4 is in contact with the wall support 21, the steel arc 6a may be turned to reach around and behind the pin 6b, thereby interlocking the steel arc 6a and the pin 6b with each other. This means the table lock 6 is in locking position, as seen in FIG. 5, and the furniture part 2 is secured in the table position. When turning the arc 6a so, that the opening in the arc 6a is towards the wall support 21, the steel arc 6a and the pin 6b are not interlocked, i.e. the table lock 6 is in open position, as seen in FIG. 4. Now the furniture part 2 may be turned away from the wall support 21 towards the bed position.

[0155] To ease the functioning of the table lock 6, a lock actuator, an elongated shaft 6c in FIGS. 4 and 5 is connected at its first end 9a to the steel arc 6a. The shaft 6c is a lever adapted to be turned in the direction of the plane of the table part 4. Turning the shaft 6c moves the steel arc 6a and thus the table lock 6 between the locked and open positions. That means that in table position the table lock is opened and secured by turning the shaft 6c horizontally under the table part 4. The shaft 6c is supported on the inner surface 10 of the table part 4 with a pivot point 13. The second end 9b of the elongated shaft 6c is arranged towards the second edge 8 of the table part 4. The shaft 6c extends, from the table lock 6 past the bed 3, which is arranged under the table part 4, towards the second edge 8 of the table part. The second end 9b of the shaft may comprise a handle, where it can be manually engaged by a user, simply by reaching her/his arm under the second edge 8 of the table part. The shaft 6c is adapted to move close to the inner surface 10. This way it is freely movable in a small gap between the table part 4 and the bed 3. A recess may be formed in the side of the bed to make more space for the shaft to move. One possibility is to arrange the elongated shaft at least partly inside the table part. This may be done e.g. by forming a suitable open recess on the inner surface 10 of the table part 4. The shaft 6c may also be situated totally or almost totally inside the table part 4, so that only the second end of it, e.g. a handle is visible and ready to be engaged with a hand.

[0156] In order to ease movement of the furniture part 2 against a floor or other surface beneath it during the conversion between the table position and the bed position, one or more wheels 14 can be attached to the end supports 12a, 12b. The wheels 14 may be partly hidden. E.g. the wheels 14 in the depicted embodiments are arranged mostly or partly inside the end supports 12a, 12b so that just a part of each wheel 14 is protruding over one or more edges of the end support. The wheels 14 are at the lower end support corners which are farthest away from the wall support 21 in the table position. That is, the wheels 14 are at the corners where the second and third end support edges 132 and 133 meet. A wheel may e.g. protrude over only the vertical or both the vertical and horizontal panel edges table position. In the depicted embodiments, the wheels 14 are arranged to protrude over the second and third end support edges 132 and 133. The wheel may protrude e.g. under 2 mm, under 5 mm, under 20 mm, 2 to 5 mm, 2 to 10 mm, 5 to 10 mm or 2 to 20 mm over the panel edges 132, 133. Extra supports or feet may be arranged at the panel edge 133 so, that in the table position wheels 14 are not engaged with the floor, but as soon as the movement towards the bed position starts, the wheels 14 start to engage the floor. This way they facilitate the conversion of the furniture during practically the whole movement between the two positions. The wheels 14 may be constructed in many ways. It is possible to replace all or some wheels by some other movement facilitating or friction decreasing means, such as rails or plastic glides.

[0157] In FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown an outer top corner of the furniture 1 in table position. A turnable extra support 15 is arranged under the table part 4. In FIG. 6 it is hidden under the table part, against the corner of end support 12a and the inner surface 10 of the table part. In the drawings the support 15 is fixed to the table part 4. When preparing to move the furniture into bed position, an outer end 15b of the support 15 is turned around a vertical axis 15a to be engaged with the second end support edge 132. In the bed position the outer end 15b of the support, situated on the panel edge 132, will engage the floor. On that edge 132, the thickness of the outer end 15b of the support may be the same as the distance the wheels 14 protrude over the panel edge 132, that is, e.g. under 2 mm, under 5 mm, under 20 mm, 2 to 5 mm, 2 to 10 mm, 5 to 10 mm or 2 to 20 mm. This way, the weight of the furniture 1 in bed position rests on the wheels 14 and on the extra support 15. There may be more of these extra supports 15 on different points of the furniture. That would e.g. make it possible to remove all weight from the wheels 14 in bed position. The support 15 may be manufactured e.g. from a suitable plastic. Also fixed feet or other fixed supports may be arranged in panel edges so that they contact the floor in table and bed positions. Feet or other supports may give extra friction between the furniture and the floor in order to prevent unwanted moving of the furniture.

[0158] Figures show embodiments with a pair of elongated support plates 16 and 26 on each end of the furniture 1. FIGS. 8 and 9 show one of the pairs with pivoting means, i.e. a hinge arm 5a and a gas spring 5b arranged between the support plates 16 and 26. FIGS. 14 and 15 show one pair of support plates 16 and 26 with pivoting means, i.e. a gas spring 5b, rail 30 and slide 31 arranged between the support plates 16 and 26. The rail 30 comprises flanges or extensions with attachment points (not shown) which function as a second support plate 26. For clarity, no other parts of the furniture 1, such as end supports 12a, 12b or wall support 21 are shown in FIG. 8, 9, 14 or 15.

[0159] First support plates 16 are attached to the end supports 12a and 12b of the furniture part 2. Second support plates 26 are attached to the wall support 21. In FIGS. 8 and 9 each support plate 16 and 26 supports one end of the hinge arm 5a and one end of the gas spring 5b. In FIGS. 13 and 14 each support plate 16 supports one end of the gas spring 5b and one end of the slide 31. The other end of the slide 31 is attached movably to the rail 30. Each first support plate 16 supports also a wheel 14. The support plates 16 and 26 are attached to the end supports 12a, 12b and wall support 21 with e.g. screws or bolts. Some openings 17 for the screws or bolts are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0160] The first support plates 16 are attached at and along the third end support edges 133, on the inside face of the end supports 12a, 12b. In the Figures the support plates 16 are of the same length and form as the panel edges 133 they are attached to. As a matter of fact, they can be thought to form part of the panel edges 133. Thus, in table position the first support plates 16 are at the mainly horizontal lower edges of the end supports 12a and 12b, against or close to the floor, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 14. In bed position the first support plates 16 are mainly vertical and situated towards the wall support 21. The second support plates are arranged vertically and substantially immovably in the wall support 21. Thus, in bed position, see FIGS. 9 and 15, the first support plates 16 are parallel with and against or close to the second support plates 26 on the wall support 21.

[0161] FIG. 10 shows one example of a wheel 14 arranged at a corner of second and third end support edges 132 and 133. The first support plate 16 is attached at and along the third end support edge 133, on the inside face of the end support 12a. Inside face means the face facing the bed 3 and the other end support 12b. In other words, the first support plate 16 is under the table part 4. The first support plate 16 is aligned with and actually forms parts of both the inner face of end support 12a and the panel edge 133. The wheel 14 is supported and arranged between the inner and outer faces of the end support 12a.

[0162] The wheels 14 may be simple castors, i.e. pivoting rollers mounted to an axle pin 19 on the first support plate. The design of the support plate 16, the diameter of the wheel 14 and the position of the axle pin 19 can be chosen so that the wheels 14 will be the outermost point in the corner of the end support 12a or 12b. Thereby the wheel can be the point of contact with the floor at any given stage of the transition between bed and table positions.

[0163] One end of the axle pin 19 of the wheel is firmly attached, e.g. by welding, on the first support plate 16. The other end of the axle pin 19 may be supported e.g. on the end support 12a, 12b. However, the axle pin 19 can be dimensioned thicker and of a sufficiently strong material so that it would not bend even without a support on its other end.

[0164] When using the disclosed embodiments, the gas springs 5b aid the transition between the table and bed positions. When moving the furniture part 2 between the two positions, the user normally needs most power when starting the movement, e.g. from the bed position toward the table position. Therefore, the gas springs 5b may be arranged so that they provide some or maximum force, i.e. aid for the user when starting from bed and/or table position. The gas springs 5b may provide some or minimum force, i.e. smaller aid for the user in between the two end positions. One way to achieve this is to arrange the gas spring 5b to reach its maximum length between the two positions.

[0165] In the depicted first embodiment the gas springs 5b are arranged at their longest between the table position of FIGS. 1 and 8 and bed position of FIGS. 3 and 9. This way, when the furniture part 2 is moved from table position to bed position or vice versa, the gas springs 5b are arranged to: first get longer, then reach a maximum length, then start to get shorter. This way the gas spring is adapted to ease the movement in the beginning, have the least effect in the middle part and slow down the movement at the end of the movement. The maximum length is reached near the middle point of the gas spring's turning between the table and bed positions. The total turning movement of the gas spring 5b between FIGS. 8 and 9 is approximately 90 degrees, and its maximum length is reached between 40 and 50 degrees.

[0166] In the first embodiment the hinge structure between the furniture part 2 and the wall support 21 comprises one hinge arm on both ends of the furniture. The hinge arms 5a have fastening points 18 and the gas springs 5b have fastening points 23 on first and second support plates 16 and 26. They are attached rotatably at their fastening points 18 and 23. The hinge arms 5a and gas springs 5b may be mounted with bearings at their fastening points to avoid wear.

[0167] In the depicted second embodiment the slide 31 comprises an elongated and horizontal slide base 33. Slide wheels 32 or other sliding means engaging with the rail 30 are arranged on the first end of the slide base 33. The second end of the slide base 33 comprises an attachment point 34, at which the slide is rotatably attached to the first support plate 16. The slide base 33 also comprises an attachment point 23 for one end of the gas spring 5b, between the wheels 32 and the attachment point 34. The slide 31 is arranged to be moved vertically along the rail 30, when the furniture part 2 is moved between table and bed positions. The slide base 33 stays horizontal during the movement, thus, the distance between the wall support 21 and the attachment point 34 remains the same.

[0168] When the second embodiment is in table position, see FIGS. 11 and 14, the slide 31 is at its lowest point on its path along the rail 30. The gas spring 5b is horizontal and lined up with the slide base 33, when seen from the side. The first end support is horizontal, i.e. aligned with the floor. When movement towards the bed position starts, the slide 31 starts moving up along the rail 30. Slide base 33 stays horizontal, but as the furniture part 2 starts to turn, so turn the end supports 12a and 12b, as do the first support plates 16 attached to them and thereby also turn the gas springs 5b, which have their second ends attached to the first end supports 16. This means that when the bed position in FIGS. 13 and 15 is reached, the slide 31 is at its highest point on its path along the rail 30, the first end support 16 is vertical and the gas spring 5b is turned close to vertical.

[0169] Especially if the first support plate 16 is attached at an inner side face of the end support 12a, 12b, at least some of the movable pivoting means may need a cavity inside the end support 12a, 12b, to provide space for its moving. In the second embodiment the gas spring 5b is arranged in such a cavity, as best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15. Also, the wheels 14 may need a cavity inside the end supports 12a, 12b. A cavity for pivoting means 5a, 5b may also be needed on the wall support 21.

[0170] The figures show only a few preferred embodiments according to the present disclosure. Facts of secondary importance with regards to the main idea of the disclosed embodiments, facts known as such or evident for a person skilled in the art, such as support structures possibly required by the disclosed embodiments, are not necessarily separately shown in the Figures. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments is not limited exclusively to the examples described above, but that the disclosed embodiments can vary within the scope of the claims presented below. The dependent claims are not to be considered to restrict the scope of protection of the disclosed embodiments as such.