LOCK DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Abstract

A lock device (12) comprising a bolt (22) movable between a retracted position (24) and an extended position (90); a bolt force device (26) arranged to force the bolt (22) from the retracted position (24) towards the extended position (90); a blocking member (28) movable between a blocking position (32) and an unblocking position (96); a lock device magnet (46) movable between a passive position (48) and an active position (94) in response to a repulsive magnetic force acting on the lock device magnet (46); and a release transmission (52) arranged to mechanically transmit a movement of the lock device magnet (46) from the passive position (48) to the active position (94), to a movement of the blocking member (28) from the blocking position (32) to the unblocking position (96). A system (10) comprising a lock device (12) and a strike plate (14) is also provided.

Claims

1. A lock device for installation in an access member movable relative to a frame, the lock device comprising: a bolt movable between a retracted position for disengagement from a strike plate in the frame, and an extended position for engagement with the strike plate; a bolt force device arranged to force the bolt from the retracted position towards the extended position; a blocking member movable between a blocking position where movement of the bolt from the retracted position towards the extended position is blocked by the blocking member, and an unblocking position where movement of the bolt from the retracted position towards the extended position is not blocked by the blocking member; a lock device magnet movable between a passive and an active position in response to a repulsive magnetic force acting on the lock device magnet; and a release transmission arranged to mechanically transmit a movement of the lock device magnet from the passive position to the active position, to a movement of the blocking member from the blocking position to the unblocking position.

2. The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the bolt is arranged to move substantially linearly between the retracted position and the extended position.

3. The lock device according to claim 1, wherein the release transmission comprises a knee joint having a knee joint pivot, and a first link member and a second link member interconnected via the knee joint pivot, wherein the lock device magnet is arranged to act on the knee joint such that movement of the lock device magnet from the passive position to the active position causes a movement of the knee joint pivot.

4. The lock device according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking member pivot, wherein the blocking member is rotatably connected to the blocking member pivot for rotation between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

5. The lock device according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking member force device arranged to force the blocking member against the bolt for blocking the bolt.

6. The lock device according to claim 5, wherein the bolt comprises an engageable structure, and wherein the blocking member comprises an engaging structure arranged to engage the engageable structure for blocking the bolt.

7. The lock device according to claim 6, wherein the engageable structure comprises teeth.

8. The lock device according to claim 1, further comprising a configurable hub operatively connected to the bolt, the configurable hub being arranged to configure a locked side and an unlocked side of the lock device.

9. The lock device according to claim 8, wherein the configurable hub comprises an intermediate member, an outer member, an inner member and an attachment element selectively attachable to the intermediate member from either side of the lock device through either the outer member or the inner member to configure the locked side and the unlocked side of the lock device.

10. The lock device according to claim 1, further comprising an arm having a guiding member, wherein the bolt comprises a guiding structure, and wherein the guiding member is arranged to travel in the guiding structure such that a movement of the arm generates a movement of the bolt.

11. The lock device according to claim 10, wherein the bolt force device is arranged to exert a torque on the arm.

12. The lock device according to claim 9, wherein each of the outer member and the inner member is arranged to push the arm.

13. A system comprising a lock device according to claim 1 and a strike plate for installation in a frame.

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a strike plate magnet provided in the strike plate, wherein the repulsive magnetic force is generated between the lock device magnet and the strike plate magnet when the frame is aligned with the strike plate.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the strike plate magnet is fixed with respect to the strike plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0055] FIG. 1: schematically represents a system comprising a lock device and a strike plate;

[0056] FIG. 2: schematically represents an interior side view of the lock device with a bolt in a retracted position;

[0057] FIG. 3: schematically represents a bottom view of the lock device;

[0058] FIG. 4: schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the lock device along line B-B in FIG. 3;

[0059] FIG. 5: schematically represents an enlarged view of section A in FIG. 2;

[0060] FIG. 6: schematically represents an enlarged view of section C in FIG. 4; and

[0061] FIG. 7: schematically represents an interior side view of the lock device with the bolt in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] In the following, a lock device for installation in an access member movable relative to a frame, and a system comprising a lock device and a strike plate, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0063] FIG. 1 schematically represents a system 10 comprising a lock device 12 and a strike plate 14. The lock device 12 is here exemplified as a lock case. The system 10 further comprises an access member 16 and a frame 18.

[0064] The access member 16 is here exemplified as a door leaf. The lock device 12 is installed in the access member 16. The access member 16 is movable relative to the frame 18. In FIG. 1, the access member 16 is in a closed position. The strike plate 14 is installed in the frame 18. In the closed position of the access member 16, the lock device 12 faces the frame 18.

[0065] The lock device 12 comprises a handle 20, here exemplified as a lever. A further handle (not shown) is arranged on the opposite side of the access member 16. Reading electronics (not shown) for wireless authentication may be arranged in the handle 20. The gap between the access member 16 and the frame 18 (at the side of the lock device 12) may for example be 6-8 mm or less. However, the system 10 as described herein can function with a gap of 12 mm.

[0066] FIG. 2 schematically represents an interior side view of the lock device 12 when the access member 16 is in an open position, i.e. not aligned with the frame 18. The lock device 12 comprises a bolt 22. In FIG. 2, the bolt 22 is in a retracted position 24. In the retracted position 24, the bolt 22 is disengaged from the strike plate 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the bolt 22 is entirely accommodated inside the lock device 12 in the retracted position 24. The bolt 22 is movable from the retracted position 24 to an extended position.

[0067] The lock device 12 further comprises a bolt force device 26. The bolt force device 26 exerts a force on the bolt 22 from the retracted position 24 towards the extended position, i.e. to the right in FIG. 2. In this example, the bolt force device 26 is a torsion spring.

[0068] The lock device 12 further comprises a blocking member 28. In this example, the blocking member 28 is rotatably arranged about a blocking member pivot 30. In FIG. 2, the blocking member 28 is in a blocking position 32. In the blocking position 32, the blocking member 28 blocks movement of the bolt 22 from the retracted position 24 towards the extended position. The blocking member 28 is movable from the blocking position 32 to an unblocking position.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 2, the bolt 22 comprises a guiding structure 34. The guiding structure 34 of this example comprises a linear bolt slot 36. The bolt slot 36 is angled (here approximately 30°) with respect to a vertical direction (up/down direction in FIG. 2). A holding recess 38 is formed in an upper end of the bolt slot 36.

[0070] The lock device 12 further comprises an arm 40. The arm 40 is rotatably arranged about an arm pivot 42. The arm 40 comprises a guiding member 44. The guiding member 44 is engaged in the guiding structure 34. Thus, the guiding member 44 can travel up and down in the bolt slot 36.

[0071] The bolt force device 26 exerts a torque on the arm 40 about the arm pivot 42, in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2. In this way, the bolt 22 and the bolt force device 26 are arranged such that in the retracted position 24 of the bolt 22, the bolt 22 is preloaded towards the extended position (to the right in FIG. 2). However, as long as the blocking member 28 adopts the blocking position 32, the blocking member 28 prevents the bolt 22 from moving from the retracted position 24 towards the extended position. The bolt force device 26 may be arranged to force the bolt 22 from the retracted position 24 towards the extended position in alternative ways, e.g. not necessarily via the arm 40.

[0072] The lock device 12 further comprises a lock device magnet 46. In FIG. 2, the lock device magnet 46 is in a passive position 48. The lock device magnet 46 is movable from the passive position 48 to an active position, to the left in FIG. 2, in response to a repulsive magnetic force acting on the lock device magnet 46. The lock device magnet 46 is integrated in the lock device 12.

[0073] The lock device 12 further comprises a forend 50. In the illustrated passive position 48, the lock device magnet 46 rests against the interior of a plastic housing 88 inserted into the forend 50. The housing 88 also houses the release transmission 52. As an alternative to the housing 88, a portion of the forend 50 adjacent to the lock device magnet 46 may be made of plastic. As shown in FIG. 2, no parts protrude outside the forend 50 (to the right in FIG. 2).

[0074] The lock device 12 further comprises a release transmission 52. The release transmission 52 is arranged to mechanically transmit a movement of the lock device magnet 46 from the passive position 48 to the active position, to a movement of the blocking member 28 from the blocking position 32 to the unblocking position. In this way, the bolt 22 can be released.

[0075] In this example, the bolt 22 is arranged to move linearly between the retracted position 24 and the extended position. The bolt 22 may be made of metal, for example molded stainless steel.

[0076] The release transmission 52 is connected to the blocking member 28 and is arranged to purely mechanically transmit a movement of the lock device magnet 46 from the passive position 48 to the active position, to a movement of the blocking member 28 from the blocking position 32 to the unblocking position.

[0077] In this example, the release transmission 52 comprises a linkage. More specifically, the release transmission 52 comprises a knee joint 54 having a knee joint pivot 56, a first link member 58 and a second link member 60. The first link member 58 and the second link member 60 are rigid and interconnected via the knee joint pivot 56. The second link member 60 is coupled to the blocking member 28.

[0078] The first link member 58 is rotationally arranged about a first link member pivot 62. A portion of the first link member 58 is in abutting contact with the lock device magnet 46. The lock device magnet 46 is thus arranged to act on the first link member 58 of the knee joint 54 such that a movement of the lock device magnet 46 from the passive position 48 towards the active position (to the left in FIG. 2) causes a rotation of the first link member 58 (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) and a consequential movement of the knee joint pivot 56. A movement direction of the lock device magnet 46 from the passive position 48 towards the active position is substantially aligned with the knee joint pivot 56.

[0079] The lock device 12 further comprises a configurable hub 64. The configurable hub 64 is operatively connected to the bolt 22. By means of the configurable hub 64, a locked side and an unlocked side of the lock device 12 can be configured. To this end, the configurable hub 64 comprises an intermediate member 66, an outer member 68, an inner member (not shown) and an attachment element 70. The intermediate member 66 is arranged between the outer member 68 and the inner member. The attachment element 70 can be manually inserted into the intermediate member 66 from either side of the lock device 12. In FIG. 2, the attachment element 70 has been inserted (e.g. by means of legs on the attachment element 70) into the outer member 68 and into the intermediate member 66. Thereby, the outer member 68 rotates together with the intermediate member 66. The inner member on the other hand rotates independently of the outer member 68 and the intermediate member 66.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 2, the lock device 12 further comprises a blocking lever 72. The blocking lever 72 is movable between an illustrated unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the blocking lever 72 blocks rotational movement of the intermediate member 66.

[0081] The lock device 12 may optionally comprise a key cylinder (not shown) operatively connected to the blocking lever 72. In this case, the lock device 12 can be realized entirely without electronics. Alternatively, the lock device 12 may comprise an electric actuator (not shown) for controlling the blocking lever 72, for example in response to an authorization signal issued in response to a valid authorization, e.g. by presenting a card to the reading electronics.

[0082] FIG. 3 schematically represents a bottom view of the lock device 12. In FIG. 3, the inner member 74 of the configurable hub 64 can be seen.

[0083] FIG. 4 schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the lock device 12 along line B-B in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the lock device magnet 46 is covered by an outer side of the housing 88. Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows that the lock device magnet 46 rests against the housing 88 in the passive position 48.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 4, the bolt 22 comprises an engageable structure 76. Moreover, the blocking member 28 comprises an engaging structure 78. The engaging structure 78 is arranged to engage the engageable structure 76 in the blocking position 32 of the blocking member 28. By means of this engagement, the bolt 22 is prevented from being released. In this example, the engaging structure 78 is realized as a notch and the engageable structure 76 is realized as a plurality of teeth 80. The engaging structure 78 and the engageable structure 76 thereby form a ratchet mechanism which, when the blocking member 28 adopts the blocking position 32, prevents the bolt 22 from moving from the retracted position 24 towards the extended position, but allows the bolt 22 from the extended position to the retracted position 24. The ratchet mechanism thus allows the bolt 22 to be retracted, e.g. by turning the handle 20, when the access member 16 is open and the blocking member 28 adopts the blocking position 32.

[0085] FIG. 5 schematically represents an enlarged view of section A in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the second link member 60 comprises a second link member slot 82. The blocking member 28 comprises a pin 84 engaged in the second link member slot 82. The blocking member 28 is allowed to move (rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 5) such that the pin 84 travels downwards in the second link member slot 82. In this way, the bolt 22 is allowed to be retracted such that the teeth 80 slide over the engaging structure 78 when the blocking member 28 adopts the blocking position 32.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 5, the lock device 12 further comprises a blocking member force device 86, here exemplified as a torsion spring. The blocking member force device 86 is arranged to force the blocking member 28 against the bolt 22. The blocking member force device 86 forces the blocking member 28 to rotate (in a clockwise direction in FIG. 5) about the blocking member pivot 30.

[0087] When the blocking member 28 is forced from the unblocking position to the blocking position 32 by means of the blocking member force device 86, the blocking member 28 rotates (in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5) about the blocking member pivot 30. This rotation of the blocking member 28 causes the second link member 60 to be pulled upwards (by the engagement of the pin 84 in the second link member slot 82), the first link member 58 to rotate (in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5) about the first link member pivot 62 to push the lock device magnet 46 from the active position back to the passive position 48.

[0088] With collective reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, when the lock device magnet 46 is in the passive position 48, an angle between the first link member 58 and the second link member 60 is approximately 20°. Thus, an angle between a first line, between the first link member pivot 62 and the knee joint pivot 56, and a second line, between the knee joint pivot 56 and the pin 84, is approximately 20°. A movement direction of the lock device magnet 46 from the passive position 48 towards the active position is directed between the first link member pivot 62 and the pin 84.

[0089] FIG. 6 schematically represents an enlarged view of section C in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 88 accommodates the lock device magnet 46 in a cylindrical portion thereof. The lock device magnet 46 thereby moves linearly like a piston from the passive position 48 to the active position (to the left in FIG. 6). In this example, an outer side of the housing 88 (to the right in FIG. 6) is flush with an outer side of the forend 50 (to the right in FIG. 6). Also the release transmission 52 is contained within the housing 88. The second link member 60 partly protrudes out from the housing 88. The housing 88 may be made of any non-magnetic material. A thickness of the housing 88 may be approximately 1 mm.

[0090] FIG. 7 schematically represents an interior side view of the lock device 12 with the bolt 22 in the extended position 90. As shown in FIG. 7, a strike plate magnet 92 is arranged in the strike plate 14. The strike plate magnet 92 is fixed with respect to the strike plate 14. Thus, the strike plate 14 does not contain any moving parts. In this example, the strike plate magnet 92 is embedded in the strike plate 14 and is covered by a plastic layer of the strike plate 14.

[0091] In the following, the function of the lock device 12 when closing the access member 16 will be described. Slightly before the access member 16 becomes aligned with the frame 18, the proximity of the lock device magnet 46 to the strike plate magnet 92 causes the respective magnetic fields of the lock device magnet 46 and the strike plate magnet 92 to combine to generate a repulsive magnetic force. Since the strike plate magnet 92 is fixed, the repulsive magnetic force causes the lock device magnet 46 to be repelled, i.e. pushed to the left in FIG. 7. Eventually, the repulsive magnetic force causes the lock device magnet 46 to move from the passive position 48 to the active position 94.

[0092] The release transmission 52 mechanically transmits the movement of the lock device magnet 46 from the passive position 48 to the active position 94 to a movement of the blocking member 28 from the blocking position 32 to the unblocking position 96. In the unblocking position 96, movements of the bolt 22 from the retracted position 24 towards the extended position 90 is not blocked by the blocking member 28. Thus, in the unblocking position 96, the blocking member 28 is disengaged from the bolt 22. As soon as the blocking member 28 moves from the blocking position 32 to the unblocking position 96, the bolt force device 26 forces the bolt 22 away from the retracted position 24, i.e. to the right in FIG. 7 through the forend 50. Thus, the lock device 12 automatically releases the bolt 22 when the access member 16 comes close to the frame 18 such that the lock device magnet 46 is in proximity of the strike plate magnet 92.

[0093] If the access member 16 is not yet aligned with the frame 18, the bolt 22 will be pushed against the front of the strike plate 14, next to a strike opening 98. The lock device 12 thus enables release of the bolt 22 to be triggered slightly before the access member 16 becomes aligned with the frame 18. When the access member 16 becomes aligned with the frame 18, the bolt 22 will be pushed further away from the retracted position 24 and into the extended position 90 illustrated in FIG. 7 where the bolt 22 protrudes into the strike opening 98 and thereby engages the strike plate 14. The bolt 22 is thus automatically released into engagement with the strike plate 14 purely by means of mechanic and magnetic action, without needing any electronics and without needing to maneuver a handle.

[0094] Furthermore, in addition to the movements of the bolt 22 and the access member 16, no parts outside the lock device 12 or in the strike plate 14 move. The lock device 12 thereby generates less sound in comparison with the prior art. In this example, the only part that protrudingly engages the strike plate 14 is the bolt 22. Only magnetic cooperation between the strike plate magnet 92 and the lock device magnet 46 is required to release the bolt 22. In the closed position of the access member 16, magnetic poles of the same type of the lock device magnet 46 and the strike plate magnet 92 are facing each other.

[0095] No mechanical cooperation with the strike plate 14, such as pins, are needed for releasing the bolt 22. Such solutions would require tight tolerances in the assembly, e.g. an accurate positioning between the lock device 12 and the strike plate 14.

[0096] In this example, when the lock device magnet 46 moves from the passive position 48 to the active position 94, the lock device magnet 46 pushes the first link member 58. The first link member 58 is thereby caused to rotate (in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7) about the first link member pivot 62.

[0097] Due to this rotation of the first link member 58, the second link member 60 is pulled downwards in FIG. 7 by means of the connection to the first link member 58 via the knee joint pivot 56. As shown in FIG. 7, these movements of the first link member 58 and the second link member 60 cause the angle between the first link member 58 and the second link member 60 to become more acute.

[0098] The movement of the second link member 60 in turn pulls the blocking member 28 to rotate about the blocking member pivot 30 from the blocking position 32 to the unblocking position 96 by means of the engagement between the second link member slot 82 and the pin 84. When the blocking member 28 moves from the blocking position 32 to the unblocking position 96, the engaging structure 78 in the blocking member 28 is released from the engageable structure 76 in the bolt 22. The bolt 22 is thereby released.

[0099] When the bolt 22 is released, the torque exerted on the arm 40 by means of the bolt force device 26 causes the arm 40 to rotate (in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7) about the arm pivot 42. This rotation of the arm 40 causes the guiding member 44 to travel in the bolt slot 36 from the lower end to the upper end. This engagement between the guiding member 44 and the bolt slot 36 causes the bolt 22 to be pushed from the retracted position 24 towards the extended position 90.

[0100] When the access member 16 is closed, the blocking lever 72 is moved to the locked position where the blocking lever 72 blocks the intermediate member 66, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The bolt 22 is thereby locked in the extended position 90, i.e. the bolt 22 cannot be retracted by moving the handle 20. The blocking lever 72 may be moved to the locked position after a certain time from an authorization request has been granted. Alternatively, the lock device 12 may comprise a sensor for sensing when the access member 16 is aligned with the frame 18. The sensor may for example be a sensing latch or a sensing wheel (not shown). Such sensing latch may be depressed into the lock device 12 by the strike plate 14 when the access member 16 is aligned with the frame 18. Thus, the sensing latch does not have to protrudingly engage with the strike plate 14. The lock device 12 can thereby be made more silent since there is no latch crashing into the strike plate 14. The sensing latch may be forced out from the lock device 12 with a very low spring load. In response to a signal from the sensor indicating that the access member 16 is closed, the blocking lever 72 can be driven from the unlocked position to the locked position. The lock device 12 may further comprise a privacy thumbturn (not shown) for locking the bolt 22 in the extended position 90.

[0101] Since the strike plate magnet 92 is fixed to the strike plate 14, in contrast to a strike plate magnet moving with respect to a strike plate, the system 10 is made simpler and more reliable. In addition, the system 10 can easily replace an existing set of lock case and strike plate, e.g. by fastening a strike plate magnet 92 to the strike plate 14 and replacing an existing lock case with the lock device 12.

[0102] The reading electronics, e.g. in the handle 20, may be arranged to communicate wirelessly with an external device, such as a mobile phone. The wireless communication may for example be carried out by means of BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). As an alternative to wireless communication, a user may input a code to the reading electronics, for example via a keypad.

[0103] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the guiding member 44 engages the holding recess 38 when the bolt 22 adopts the extended position 90. By means of this engagement, the bolt 22 is prevented from being manipulated from the extended position 90 to the retracted position 24.

[0104] In order to open the access member 16 from the outer side shown in FIG. 7, the blocking lever 72 first has to be moved from the illustrated locked position to the unlocked position. This is because the intermediate member 66 is coupled to the outer member 68 by means of the attachment element 70 of the configurable hub 64.

[0105] If an authorization request is denied, the blocking lever 72 is not switched, i.e. remains in the locked state. If the authorization request is granted, e.g. upon presenting a valid credential, the blocking lever 72 is driven (e.g. by means of an electromechanical actuator) from the locked state to the unlocked state. As an alternative to the reading electronics, the intermediate member 66 can be unlocked by means of a key cylinder.

[0106] When the blocking lever 72 adopts the unlocked position and the handle 20 is turned, the outer member 68, the intermediate member 66 and the attachment element 70 are rotated (counterclockwise in FIG. 7). The outer member 68 then pushes the arm 40 such that the arm 40 rotates about the arm pivot 42 (clockwise in FIG. 7). The rotation of the arm 40 causes the guiding member 44 to travel down in the bolt slot 36. As the guiding member 44 travels downwards in the bolt slot 36, the bolt 22 is caused to move from the extended position 90 back to the retracted position 24.

[0107] When the access member 16 is opened, the lock device magnet 46 becomes more and more distant from the strike plate magnet 92 and the repulsive magnetic force between the lock device magnet 46 and the strike plate magnet 92 acting on the lock device magnet 46 will be more and more reduced. Eventually, the force on the lock device magnet 46 generated by the blocking member force device 86 will overcome the repulsive magnetic force. The blocking member force device 86 will then force the blocking member 28 from the unblocking position 96 back to the blocking position 32. This movement of the blocking member 28 will be mechanically transferred by the release transmission 52 to a movement of the lock device magnet 46 from the active position 94 back to the passive position 48.

[0108] In this example, the blocking member force device 86 will force the blocking member 28 to rotate about the blocking member pivot 30 (in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7) from the unblocking position 96 to the blocking position 32. This rotation of the blocking member 28 will pull the second link member 60 upwards by means of the engagement between the pin 84 and the second link member slot 82. This movement of the second link member 60 will cause the first link member 58 to rotate (in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7) about the first link member pivot 62 by means of the engagement between the second link member 60 and the first link member 58 in the knee joint pivot 56. This rotation of the first link member 58 will cause the first link member 58 to push the lock device magnet 46 from the active position 94 back to the passive position 48. The lock device magnet 46 will thereby move from the active position 94 back to the passive position 48

[0109] In order to open the access member 16 from the inner side, an inner handle may be turned. Since the inner member 74 is not coupled to the intermediate member 66, the inner member 74 can be rotated regardless of the state adopted by the blocking lever 72. When the inner handle is turned, the inner member 74 rotates (in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7). The inner member 74 then pushes the arm 40 such that the arm 40 rotates about the arm pivot 42 (clockwise in FIG. 7). The kinematic chain from the arm 40 to the bolt 22 is then the same as for the outer member 68.

[0110] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.