Abstract
Gripper band (1) for a gripper weaving machine with a first part (13),a second part (14)and two longitudinal ribs (21), el wherein a thickness of the second part (14) near a centerline (31) of the gripper band (1) is larger than a thickness of the first part (13) near the centerline (31) of the gripper band (1), and in that the gripper band (1) comprising the first part (13), the second part (14) and the longitudinal ribs (21) is one single, integral structure formed of composite material. Gripper unit for a gripper weaving machine with a gripper (2, 3) and such a gripper band (1).
Claims
1. A gripper band for a gripper weaving machine, wherein the gripper band comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is flexible for allowing the gripper band to be wound along a drive wheel, wherein the second part is adapted to carry a gripper, and wherein two longitudinal ribs are provided close to the two sides of the gripper band at least at a bottom side of the second part, wherein a thickness of the second part near a centerline of the gripper band is larger than a thickness of the first part near the centerline of the gripper band, and in that the gripper band comprising the first part, the second part, and the longitudinal ribs is one single, integral structure formed of composite material.
2. The gripper band according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal ribs are starting in a starting section at the first part and extend in the longitudinal direction of the gripper band from the first part towards the second part, wherein in particular the starting section of the longitudinal ribs is the section of the first part closest to a tip of the gripper band which is still adapted to be used for driving the gripper band by means of the drive wheel.
3. The gripper band according to claim 2, wherein the first part of the gripper band is provided with a row of holes arranged near the centerline of the gripper band, which holes are adapted to cooperate with teeth provided at the drive wheel, wherein the row of holes ends in a section of the gripper band, which is closer to the tip than the starting section of the longitudinal ribs.
4. The gripper band according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part both have a basic body with an at least essentially rectangular cross-section with a bottom surface, a top surface and two side surfaces, wherein the longitudinal ribs protrude at least from the bottom surface of the basic body of the second part.
5. The gripper band according to claim 4, wherein the bottom surface of the basic body of the second part is offset from the bottom surface of the basic body of the first part, so that near the centerline the thickness of the basic body of the second part is larger than the thickness of the basic body of the first part.
6. The gripper band according to claim 5, wherein a transition part is provided between the first part and the second part, wherein a bottom surface of the transition part is at least in a portion offset from the bottom surface of the basic body of the first part for increasing a thickness of the gripper band near the centerline.
7. The gripper band according to claim 5, wherein in said portion a lower surface groove is provided near the centerline, wherein an upper boundary surface of the lower surface groove is at the same level as the bottom surface of the basic body of the first part.
8. The gripper band according to claim 5, wherein the transition part comprises at least one inclined surface for continuously increasing the thickness of the gripper band in side regions adjacent to the lower surface groove.
9. The gripper band according to any one of claim 5, wherein the top surface of the basic body of the second part and the top surface of the basic body of the first part are arranged at the same level.
10. The gripper band according to claim 4, wherein the top surface of the basic body of the second part is offset from the top surface of the basic body of the first part, so that near the centerline the thickness of basic body of the second part is larger than the thickness of the basic body of the first part.
11. The gripper band according to claim 4, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface of the basic body of the second part are both offset from the top surface and the bottom surface of the basic body of the first part.
12. The gripper band according to claim 10, wherein a transition part is provided between the first part and the second part, wherein a top surface of at least a portion of the transition part is offset from the top surface of the basic body of the first part for increasing a thickness of the gripper band, wherein preferably in said portion an upper surface groove is provided near the centerline, wherein a lower boundary surface of the upper surface groove is at the same level as the top surface of the basic body of the first part.
13. The gripper band according to claim 12, wherein the transition part comprises at least one inclined surface for continuously increasing the thickness of the gripper band at the top side and/or comprises at least one inclined surface for continuously increasing the thickness of the gripper band in side regions adjacent to the upper surface groove at the bottom side.
14. The gripper band according to claim 1, wherein the second part is provided with mounting holes adapted to receive fastening elements, in particular screws, for mounting a gripper.
15. The gripper band according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal ribs are provided with inclined entry surfaces extending from the bottom surface of the basic body of the first part.
16. The gripper band according to claim 1, wherein the composite material is made of bound prepreg-layers, in particular a composition of prepreg carbon layers.
17. The gripper band according to claim 16, wherein the prepreg-layers are arranged on top of each other.
18. The gripper band according to claim 16, wherein some prepreg-layers have carbon-fibers that are arranged in parallel to each other in longitudinal direction and other prepreg-layers have carbon-fibers that are arranged in parallel to each other at an angle to the longitudinal direction, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
19. The gripper unit for a gripper weaving machine comprising a gripper and a gripper band having a first part and a second part, which gripper band is one single, integral structure formed of composite material according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the gripper is mounted to the second part.
20. The gripper unit according to claim 19, wherein the gripper unit further comprises a guide element extending in the prolongation of the gripper band, wherein the guide element is mounted to the gripper.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of the embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals. In the drawings:
[0029] FIG. 1 is schematic front view of a gripper weaving machine comprising two gripper bands;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the top of a gripper band;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the bottom of the gripper band of FIG. 2;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first part of the gripper band of FIG. 2 with a guide;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a transition part of the gripper band of FIG. 2 with a guide;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second part of the gripper band of FIG. 2 with a guide;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a sectional view near a centerline of a second embodiment of a gripper band similar to the gripper band of FIG. 2 with a gripper unit;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the bottom of a third embodiment of a gripper band similar to FIG. 3;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a first part of the gripper band of FIG. 8 with a guide;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a transition part of the gripper band of FIG. 8 with a guide;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second part of the gripper band of FIG. 8 with a guide;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a sectional view near a centerline of a fourth embodiment of a gripper band similar to FIGS. 8 to 11 with a gripper unit;
[0041] FIG. 13 is a sectional view near a centerline of a fifth embodiment of a gripper band similar to FIG. 7;
[0042] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a first part of the gripper band of FIG. 13 with a guide;
[0043] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a transition part of the gripper band of FIG. 13 with a guide;
[0044] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a second part of the gripper band of FIG. 13 with a guide;
[0045] FIG. 17 is a perspective view from the top of a sixth embodiment of a gripper band similar to FIG. 2;
[0046] FIG. 18 is a perspective view from the bottom of a seventh embodiment of a gripper band similar to FIG. 8;
[0047] FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of layers for a gripper band.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0048] FIG. 1 is schematic front view of a gripper weaving machine comprising two gripper bands 1. One of the two gripper bands 1 carries a gripper 2, the so-called bringer gripper, which brings a weft thread from one side of the weaving machine to approximately the middle of the weaving machine. The other gripper band 1 carries a gripper 3, the so-called receiver gripper, which takes the weft thread from the bringer gripper approximately at the middle of the weaving machine and moves the weft thread to the opposite side of the weaving machine. Driving devices 4 for the gripper bands 1 are provided in the region of side frames 5. These driving devices 4 each include a drive wheel 6 for moving a respective one of the gripper bands 1 in the longitudinal direction A. Guide blocks 7 are assigned to the drive wheels 6 to hold the gripper bands 1 against the drive wheels 6. A sley 8 is supported in the side frames 5 and supports a reed 9. The sley 8 is provided with drives 10.
[0049] Stationary guides 11 are mounted laterally outside the shed, in particular next to the reed 9, between the drive wheels 6 and the sley 8, so as to guide the gripper bands 1 towards the shed. In addition, a number of moveable guides 12 are mounted to the sley 8 and are moved by a movement of the sley 8 into and out of the shed. These moveable guides 12 guide the gripper bands 1 opposite the reed 9 inside the shed.
[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view from the top of a front end of a first embodiment of a gripper band 1 for the gripper weaving machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view from the bottom of the front end of the gripper band 1 of FIG. 2. The gripper band 1 shown has a first part 13, a second part 14, and a transition part 15 arranged between the first part 13 and the second part 14. FIGS. 4 to 6 show different cross-sections of the gripper band 1 guided in guides 12, more in particular cross-sections of the first part 13, the transition part 15 and the second part 14, respectively. FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a similar gripper band 1 near a centerline 31 (see FIG. 2) with a gripper unit 35.
[0051] The first part 13 of the gripper band 1 has a low bending stiffness and is flexible for allowing the gripper band 1 to be wound along the drive wheel 6 as shown in FIG. 1. The first part 13 of the gripper band 1 is further provided with a row of holes 16 near the centerline 31 of the gripper band 1. The holes 16 are adapted to cooperate with teeth (not shown) provided at the drive wheel 6 (see FIG. 1) for driving the gripper band 1. A drive wheel 6 with teeth is known amongst others from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,564,053 and 5,669,423.
[0052] The second part 14 is adapted to carry a gripper 2, 3 (see FIG. 1). In the embodiment shown, the second part 14 is provided with a number of mounting holes 17, which mounting holes 17 are adapted to receive fastening elements, such as screws for mounting the gripper.
[0053] As best seen in the cross-sections of FIGS. 3 to 6, the first part 13, the transition part 15 and the second part 14 each have a basic body 18, 19, 20, with an at least essentially rectangular cross-section with a bottom surface 180, 190, 200, a top surface 181, 191, 201, and two side surfaces 182, 192, 202. The gripper band 1 is further provided with two longitudinal ribs 21 protruding from the bottom surfaces 200, 190 of the second part 14 and the transition part 15. The two longitudinal ribs 21 are provided at the bottom side 32 close to the two sides of the gripper band 1. The longitudinal ribs 21 are used for guiding the gripper band 1 in respective grooves 22 provided on the guide 12. As best seen in FIG. 3, in the embodiment shown the longitudinal ribs 21 start at a starting section 23 of the first part 13 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the gripper band 1 from the first part 13 to the second part 14. In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal ribs 21 extend essentially up to a tip 24 of the gripper band 1. A front of the longitudinal ribs 21 is inclined with respect to a front face 38 of the basic body of the gripper band 1.
[0054] The starting section 23 of the longitudinal ribs 21 in the embodiment shown coincides at least approximately with the section of the first part 13 adapted to be used for driving and guiding the gripper band 1 by means of the drive wheel 6 (see FIG. 1), which is closest to the tip 24. More particular, in case the gripper band 1 is in a fully retracted position, a tooth of the drive wheel 6 (see FIG. 1) that points at least essentially upwards is engaged with holes 16 arranged in the region of the starting section 23. In the embodiment shown, the row of holes 16 ends approximately at the height of the starting section 23 of the longitudinal ribs 21.
[0055] In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal ribs 21 are provided with inclined entry surfaces 26 extending from the bottom surface 180 of the first part 13.
[0056] The thickness near the centerline of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 is larger than the thickness of the basic body 18 of the first part 13. Due to the increased thickness, the bending stiffness in the second part 14 is higher than in the first part 13. Further, the increased thickness allows for a reliable mounting of the gripper 2, 3 (see FIG. 1) at the second part 14. The increased thickness is also advantageous to obtain larger guiding surfaces of the gripper band 1, which guiding surfaces can be guided by the stationary guides 11 and by the moveable guides 12 (see FIG. 1). Larger guiding surfaces are advantageous to avoid wear.
[0057] For increasing the thickness, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the top surface 201 of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 is offset from the top surface 181 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13. The bottom surface 200 of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 is at least approximately at the same level as the bottom surface 180 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13. In other words, the thickness of the gripper band 1 is not enlarged at its bottom side 32 and is enlarged at its top side 33.
[0058] Enlarging the thickness of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 with respect to the thickness of the basic body 18 of the first part 13 is advantageous for guiding the gripper band 1 in the stationary guides 11 as well as in the moveable guides 12.
[0059] In the transition part 15, the top surface 191 of the basic body 19 is also offset from the top surface 181 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13, wherein inclined surfaces 28 are provided at a beginning of the transition part 15 for continuously increasing a thickness of the transition part 15. In the embodiment shown, the starting section of the inclined surfaces 28 at least essentially coincides with a section 25 of the gripper band 1 in the region of the hole 16 closest to the tip 24. At a top side shown in FIG. 2, in the transition part 15 an upper surface groove 30 is provided near the centerline 31, wherein a lower boundary surface 300 of the upper surface groove 30 is at the same level as the top surface 181 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13.
[0060] In the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, a gripper unit 35 is attached to the gripper band 1. The gripper unit 35 comprises a guide element 34 arranged in the prolongation of the gripper band 1, wherein the guide element 34 is mounted in the prolongation of the tip 24 of the gripper band 1 to the gripper 2, 3. The gripper 2 is mounted to the gripper band 1 by means of screws 36. The guide element 34 is fixed to the gripper 2 by means of screws (not shown) in order to be exchangeable. The gripper band 1 is similar to the gripper band 1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and is also provided with an upper surface groove 30 and longitudinal ribs 21. In this embodiment, the longitudinal ribs 21 also have an inclined front face 37. The front face 38 of the basic body of the gripper band 1 is stepped. In an alternative embodiment, an inclined or a straight front face is provided.
[0061] FIGS. 8 to 11 show a third embodiment of a gripper band 1 similar to the gripper band 1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 with a first part 13, a second part 14 and a transition part 15. The same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. In contrast to the first embodiment, a thickness of the gripper band 1 is enlarged at its bottom side 32 and is not enlarged at its top side 33. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 11, in the transition part 15, at the bottom side 32, a lower surface groove 29 is provided near the centerline 31, wherein an upper boundary surface 290 of the lower surface groove 29 is at the same level as the bottom surface 180 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13. In this embodiment, a thickness of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 and a thickness of the basic body 19 of the transition part 15 is larger than a thickness of the basic body 18 of the first part 13. Hence, in the transition part 15 side regions 270 are formed adjacent to the lower surface groove 29 having an increased thickness compared to the basic body 18 of the first part 13. Inclined surfaces 27 are provided at a beginning of the transition part 15 for continuously increasing a thickness in the transition part 15. In the embodiment shown, the row of holes 16 ends in a section 25 of the gripper band 1, which is closer to the tip 24 than the starting section 23 of the longitudinal ribs 21.
[0062] A thickness of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 is larger than a thickness of the basic body 18 of the first part 13, wherein as best seen in FIGS. 9 to 11, the top surface 201 of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 is at the same level as the top surface 181 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13 and the bottom surface 200 of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 is offset from the bottom surface 180 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13 to increase the thickness.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment the longitudinal ribs 21 end at the tip 24, wherein an approximately straight front face 39 is provided. In an alternative embodiment, an inclined or a stepped front face is provided.
[0064] FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a gripper band 1 similar to FIGS. 8 to 11, wherein a gripper unit 35 as shown in FIG. 7 is fixed to the gripper band 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the gripper band 1 is similarly to the gripper band shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, enlarged at its bottom side 32 and not enlarged at its top side 33 and comprises a lower surface groove 29. In this embodiment the top surfaces 181, 191 and 201 extend in a planar surface. Such a planar surface of the gripper band 1 can easily be guided by the stationary guides 11 and the moveable guides 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 the longitudinal ribs 21 do not extend up to the tip 24, but end shortly before the tip 24, and the gripper band 1 comprises a stepped front face 38.
[0065] FIGS. 13 to 16 show a fifth embodiment of a gripper band 1 similar to the gripper band 1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 with a first part 13 having a row of holes 16 adapted to cooperate with a drive wheel 6 (see FIG. 1), a second part 14 having mounting holes 17 adapted to carry a gripper 2, 3 (see FIG. 1) and a transition part 15. FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a gripper band 1 similar to FIG. 7, wherein no guide element 34 is provided. FIGS. 14 to 16 are a cross-sectional view of the first part 13, of the transition part 15 and of the second part 14 of the gripper band 1 of FIG. 13, respectively.
[0066] As best seen in FIGS. 14 to 16, the first part 13, the transition part 15 and the second part 14 all have a basic body 18, 19, 20 with a rectangular cross-section with a bottom surface 180, 190, 200, a top surface 181, 191, 201 and two side surfaces 182, 192, 202. The bottom surface 200 of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 and the bottom surface 190 of the basic body 19 of the transition part 15 are both offset from the bottom surface 180 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13. The top surface 201 of the basic body 20 of the second part 14 and the top surface 191 of the basic body 19 of the transition part 15 are both offset from the top surface 181 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13. The transition part 15 has further an upper surface groove 30 and a lower surface groove 29. Side regions 270 are formed adjacent to the lower surface groove 29 having an increased thickness compared to the bottom surface 180 of the basic body 18 of the first part 13. The bottom surface 180 is at the same level as the upper boundary surface 290 of the lower surface groove 29. The top surface 181 of the basic body 18 is at the same level as the lower boundary surface 300 of the upper surface groove 30.
[0067] The second part 14 is provided with two longitudinal ribs 21. The longitudinal ribs 21 start in a starting section 23 of the first part 13 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the gripper band 1 towards the second part 14.
[0068] FIG. 17 is a perspective view from the top of a sixth embodiment of a gripper band 1 similar to the gripper band shown in FIGS. 2 to 6. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 no upper surface groove 30 is provided at the transition part 15. A starting section of the inclined surface 28 of the transition part 15 does not coincide with a section 25 of the gripper band 1 in the region of the hole 16 closest to the tip 24. Rather, the inclined surface 28 of the transition part 15 is arranged at a certain distance from the holes 16 towards to the tip 24 to allow a punching tool to be moved along the gripper band 1 towards the tip 24 during manufacturing.
[0069] FIG. 18 is a perspective view from the bottom of a seventh embodiment of a gripper band 1 similar to the gripper band shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 with a first part 13, a transition part 15 and a second part 14. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 no lower surface groove 29 is provided at the transition part 15. A starting section of the inclined surface 27 of the transition part 15 does not coincide with a section 25 of the gripper band 1 in the region of the hole 16 closest to the tip 24. Rather, the inclined surface 27 of the transition part 15 is arranged at a certain distance from the holes 16 towards to the tip 24 to allow a punching tool to be moved along the gripper band 1 towards the tip 24 during manufacturing.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 18, the longitudinal ribs 21 start in a starting section 23 at the first part 13 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the gripper band 1 to the second part 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the longitudinal ribs 21 end at the tip 24, wherein an approximately straight front face 39 is provided. In an alternative embodiment, an inclined or a stepped front face is provided.
[0071] In the embodiments shown, a punching tool of a punching machine for punching the holes 16 can be moved along the top surfaces 181, 191 and the bottom surfaces 180, 190 for providing a row of holes 16 that ends in a section 25 which is closer to the tip 24 than the starting section 23 of the longitudinal ribs 21. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 16, the lower surface groove 29 and/or the upper surface groove 30 allow a punching tool of a punching machine used for forming the holes 16 to be moved past the first part 13 towards a tip 24 of the gripper band 1 without the punching tool of the punching machine interfering with parts of the gripper band 1 having an increased thickness. In particular in the embodiment of FIG. 8, a punching machine for punching the holes 16 can be moved along the bottom surfaces 180, 190 for providing a row of holes 16 that ends at a section 25 which is closer to the tip 24 than the starting section 23 of the longitudinal ribs 21. The lower surface groove 29 and/or the upper surface groove 30 also allows the gripper band 1, in particular the transition part 15 of the gripper band 1, to have an increased thickness over a long length in the longitudinal direction of the gripper band 1.
[0072] For avoiding abrupt transitions, the longitudinal ribs 21 have inclined entry surfaces 26. In the embodiments of FIGS. 8, 17 and 18, the transition part 15 has inclined surfaces 27 and/or inclined surfaces 28 arranged closer to the tip 24 than the entry surfaces 26.
[0073] The gripper band 1 comprising the first part 13, the second part 14, the transition part 15 and the longitudinal ribs 21 is one single, integral structure formed of a composite material. As best schematically indicated in the sectional view of FIGS. 7, 12 and 13, in the embodiments shown the gripper band 1 is composed of several bound prepreg-layers, also named plies, arranged in parallel on top of each other. In preferred embodiments, a plate of a composite material is formed by arranging several prepreg-carbon-layers on each other and treating the thus formed stack by a thermal cycle and/or a pressure cycle in function of time in an autoclave-oven and/or a press, for example a heated press. The thus obtained composite material is processed, in particular milled, sawed and/or cut for forming the gripper band 1 having a first part 13 and a thicker second part 14, two longitudinal ribs 21, and a transition part 15 with surface grooves and/or inclined surfaces.
[0074] The orientation of carbon-fibers in the prepreg-layers influences the strength and stiffness of the composite material. In preferred embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 19, several unidirectional composite layers 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 are formed, wherein the layers are arranged so that all carbon-fibers 45, 47 in the prepreg-layers run at least almost in one direction, which for example for the layers 40, 41, 43, 44 is the longitudinal direction A of the gripper band 1 and for the layer 42 is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A. In order to keep the carbon fibers 45, 47 at distance and furthermore to keep as straight as possible, thin flexible fibers 46, 48 are provided, for example glass fibers or polyester fibers. A cloth is formed by the carbon fibers 45, 47 and the fibers 46, 48. In other embodiments a bidirectional arrangement is provided, for example an arrangement wherein all fibers consist of carbon fibers. In the context of the application a prepreg-layer means a pre-impregnated layer, for example an individual layer with a fabric that is impregnated with a resin that is in a condition to make a composition of different layers stacked on top of each other. Thereafter, these layers can be treated, for example by thermal treatment and/or pressure treatment, so that an integral structure of composite material can be obtained. The prepreg-layers 40 to 44 each have a stiff main direction in relation to the carbon-fiber direction, and different prepreg-layers 40 to 44 having a different stiff main direction are laid one on top of each other, so that they are oriented in a correct way, this means some parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gripper band and others perpendicular thereto, so that an optimal strength of the gripper band 1 in specific directions can be obtained.
[0075] In all embodiments the gripper band 1 has one single integral structure formed of composite material. A gripper band according to the invention also offers the advantage that a bending stiffness in regions not wound along the drive wheel 6 (see FIG. 1) is increased.
[0076] Although only a gripper 2 is shown, it is clear that the gripper 3 can be fixed to the gripper band 1 in a way similar to the way that the gripper 2 is fixed to the gripper band 1.
[0077] The gripper band 1 and the gripper unit 35 according to the invention are not limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the drawings, but can also comprise variants and combinations of these embodiments that fall under the claims.
