SIMULATED RANGE TARGETS WITH IMPACT OVERLAY

Abstract

The present invention provides a precision target that can be used to simulate long distance shooting at a short distance. Soldiers and other shooters may simulate long distance target practice by using a short-range target that simulates multiple ranges or distances. The targets precisely scale various factors in a given scenario, such as target size, target range, wind and other exterior ballistics. The targets may also take into account several changing variables that a shooter may encounter when taking a long-range shot, such as bullet drop, distance, wind direction, wind speed, and other exterior ballistics factors and variables that affect a shot or the trajectory of the fired bullet in order to make the target practice accurate.

Claims

1. A target system that may be used in short-range target practice to simulate long-range target practice, the target system comprising: at least one target placed at a first distance from a shooter when the target system is enabled, the at least one target proportioned to a size commensurate with a second distance; at least one overlay associated with the at least one target, wherein the at least one overlay is proportioned to a size commensurate with a second distance; and wherein the at least one overlay is located at a distance from the at least one target where the shooter should hit to simulate a hit on the at least one target if the shot were extrapolated to the second distance.

2. The target system of claim 1, wherein the at least one overlay is offset vertically from the target to simulate a bullet drop associated with the second distance.

3. The target system of claim 2, wherein the at least one overlay is offset vertically from the target to account for a distance between an axis of a bore of a firearm and an axis of a sight attached to the firearm.

4. The target system of claim 1, wherein the at least one overlay is offset horizontally from the target to simulate a bullet drift associated with a particular wind condition.

5. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target system uses attributes of a particular firearm to calculate the location of the at least one overlay relative to the at least one target.

6. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target system uses attributes of a particular bullet to calculate the location of the at least one overlay relative to the at least one target.

7. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target system includes two or more targets, and the second of the two or more targets is proportioned to a size commensurate with a third distance.

8. The target system of claim 7, wherein the second target also includes at least one overlay located at a distance from the second target where the shooter should hit to simulate a hit on the second target if the shot were extrapolated to the third distance.

9. The target system of claim 1, wherein the at least one target appears as an enemy combatant.

10. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target system includes a separate target that appears as an innocent bystander.

11. The target system of claim 1, wherein the first distance is one of 10 meters, 20 meters, 25 meters, or 50 meters.

12. The target system of claim 1, wherein there are at least three overlays associated with each at least one target.

13. The target system of claim 1, wherein each at least one target is placed in a landscape setting to simulate environmental conditions.

14. A target system that may be used in short-range target practice to simulate long-range target practice, the target system comprising: a plurality of targets placed at a first distance from a shooter when the target system is enabled, each of the plurality of targets proportioned to a size commensurate with a distance longer than the first distance; at least one overlay associated with each of the plurality of targets, wherein the at least one overlay is proportioned to a size commensurate with the distance longer than the first distance associated with each of the plurality of targets; and wherein the at least one overlay for each of the plurality of targets is located where the shooter should hit to simulate a hit on a target if the shot were extrapolated to the distance associated with that target.

15. The target system of claim 14, wherein each overlay is offset vertically from a respective target to simulate a bullet drop associated with the distance associated with that target.

16. The target system of claim 14, wherein each overlay is offset vertically from a respective target to account for a distance between an axis of a bore of a firearm and an axis of a sight attached to the firearm.

17. The target system of claim 14, wherein each overlay is offset horizontally from a respective target to simulate a bullet drift associated with a particular wind condition.

18. The target system of claim 14, wherein the target system uses attributes of a particular firearm to calculate the location of the at least one overlay relative to each of the plurality of targets.

19. The target system of claim 14, wherein the target system uses attributes of a particular bullet to calculate the location of the at least one overlay relative to each of the plurality of targets.

20. The target system of claim 14, wherein the first distance is 10 meters, 20 meters, 25 meters, or 50 meters.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a first simulated range target system provided according to the teachings of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0006] FIG. 1A is an isolated view of a first target combatant shown in FIG. 1;

[0007] FIG. 1B is an isolated view of a second target combatant shown in FIG. 1;

[0008] FIG. 1C is an isolated view of a third target combatant shown in FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 1D is an isolated view of a fourth target combatant shown in FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a first zeroing target that may be used to calibrate a firearm for use with the range target systems of FIG. 1, 3, or 6;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a second simulated range target system provided according to the teachings of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a second zeroing target that may be used to calibrate a firearm for use with the range target systems of FIG. 1, 3, or 6;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a third zeroing target that may be used to calibrate a firearm for use with the range target systems of FIG. 1, 3, or 6; and

[0014] FIG. 6 is a third simulated range target system provided according to the teachings of a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The invention will now be described with reference to various images. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements in the images have not necessarily been maintained. It will be appreciated that the images are simply provided as examples as part of case study summaries.

[0016] The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0017] The present disclosure is generally directed to a simulated range target system. Using traditional mathematical ballistics, when a soldier or other marksman takes aim at a target, the target's distance from the shooter may be determined by angular measurements known as Minute of Angle, or MOA, and Milradians, or MIL. As one skilled in the art would recognize, one MOA, as an angular measurement, equals approximately 0.29 inches at 25 meters, 1.15 inches at 100 meters, 2.29 inches at 200 meters, 11.45 inches at 1,000 meters, and so on.

[0018] To determine target distance using mathematical ballistics, a shooter may measure a known or well estimated target feature, such as shoulder width, top of head to knees or top of head to shoulder in order to extrapolate a distance, for example by assuming a shoulder width of 19 inches. He or she may be able to do so using the angular measurement provided on his or her optic to determine that the shoulders are 2.6 MOA. Proficient shooters may then use a formula to determine the target distance based on the 2.6 MOA measurement at a known 19 inch shoulder width. In this example, if a shooter were to estimate and assume that a target had a 19 inch shoulder width, he or she would be able to determine that the target is 640 meters away based on the above mathematical ballistics calibration system.

[0019] When variables such as a shooter's rifle, sight system, specific ammunition, wind, trajectory, and other exterior ballistics are introduced, there is an exact correction (barrel angle and deviation compared to the line of sight) that allows for the shooter to correct and account for the aforementioned known and predictable variables to achieve hits on his or her target with minimal, predictable error. This correction is also measured by MOA or MIL angular measurements. The correction is dependent on and different for different types of weapons. For the 640 meter example described above, the correction may be, for example, 10 MOA up and 7 MOA right to account for a 15 MPH wind and a 640 meter target distance.

[0020] Those same mathematical ballistics may be scaled and applied with the same visual enemy (2.6 MOA shoulders) and same correction up 10 MOA and right 7 MOA on a much closer paper target. In the case of an enemy combatant 640 meters away from the shooter, the calculation would be 19 inch shoulder/640 meters=0.0297*25 meter paper target distance from shooter=0.7422 inches. This 0.7422 inch measurement may be the shoulder width of an enemy combatant scaled to size printed on an actual target at 640 meters for a 25 meter shot. Because of the nature of an angular measurement, the 0.7422 inch soldier measures the same 2.6 MOA as the actual long-range soldier.

[0021] Even more particularly, weapons systems and optics have precise angles associated with their bullet trajectories, line of sight/point of aim, and bore axes. These exterior ballistics qualities are known, and thus repeatable and predictable for various ammunitions and rifles.

[0022] For example, for an M4 with an Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG), to provide a true (zero) intersection between the true optics (or line of sight) axis and the bore axis (zero) at 300 meters, the bullet should pass 25 meters 0.4 inches below the line of sight axis. As set forth below in some examples, this exact measurement changes slightly with the measurements of any rifle, scope, optic or sight.

[0023] In FIG. 1, a simulated range target system is provided for use with a holographic weapon sight (HWS)M68red dot scope used with an M4 weapon firing M855 ammunition. Other target systems may be created, some of which are illustrated in the Figures and described below, for various other types of scopes, weapons, and ammunition. Thus, the concepts described herein may be adapted and specifically tailored for use with various rifle-scope combinations, various sizes, and types of ammunition having different ballistics coefficients and characteristics, various simulated distances, and other various simulated shooting conditions and parameters.

[0024] In FIG. 1, multiple enemy fighters are shown to simulate various long distances based on a 19 inch shoulder. In other words, the enemy combatants shown in FIG. 1 are scaled to have shoulder widths of 19 inches viewed from the distance at which they are placed using the above mathematical ballistics. A first enemy combatant 10 is simulated as being 100 meters away, a second enemy combatant 20 is simulated as being 200 meters away, a third enemy combatant 30 is simulated as being 300 meters away, and a fourth enemy combatant 40 is simulated as being 400 meters away. Thus, for example, when the simulated target range is placed at 25 meters from the shooter, the enemy combatant 10 appears at the approximate size that a combatant having a 19 inch shoulder width would appear at 100 meters away, and the enemy combatant 40 appears at the size that an enemy combatant having 19 inch shoulder width would appear at 400 meters. It will be appreciated that the enemy combatant or other target objects may be proportioned, sized, and simulated as being located at distances other than those listed herein. For each enemy combatant 10, 20, 30, 40, a plurality of impact overlay silhouettes, or impact overlays, are also provided. Overlays for combatants 10, 20, 30, 40 are also shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, respectively, and are described below.

[0025] For each combatant 10, 20, 30, 40, after being sized to range based on a 19 inch silhouette width as described above, the bullet path and its relationship to the point of aim is determined in MOA. That MOA may be converted to inches before subtracting the initial zero offset, and the silhouette offset outline (as described below) is precisely placed measuring from a dot high center chest to the same dot high center chest on the silhouette's offset outline.

[0026] The M68 HWS sight particularly has a height over bore of 2.5 inches and a 200 meter zero. Thus, on the 25 meter target that is subject of FIG. 1, the correct point of impact is below the point of aim, offset down 1.1811 inches. In other words, when a red dot is zeroed for 200 meters, the bullet passes 1.1811 inches below the line of sight at 25 meters.

[0027] Turning first to combatant 10 illustrated in FIG. 1A, with the above-described 200 meter zero, the bullet path is above the line of sight at 100 meters by 1.36 MOA. At a 25 meter target, this is equivalent to 0.39 inches. Adjusting for the height over bore, 0.39 inches should be subtracted from the 1.1811 inch height over bore. As a result, overlay 45 associated with the combatant 10 should be placed 0.7911 inches offset (and below) the target to simulate a 100 meter shot.

[0028] It should be noted that the combatant 10 includes only a first overlay 45. This is because while some combatants (like combatants 20, 30, 40 described below) include overlays that simulate wind conditions, such windage hold-offs or corrections at 100 meters would be nearly negligible. Even still, in some embodiments, other overlays that simulate wind conditions may be provided with the overlay 45.

[0029] Three impact overlays are provided for each of the enemy combatants 20, 30, 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 1D, respectively. For the enemy combatant 20, each of a left overlay 50, center overlay 60, and right overlay 70 are provided. For the enemy combatant 30, each of a left overlay 80, center overlay 90, and right overlay 100 are provided. For the enemy combatant 40, each of a left overlay 110, center overlay 120, and right overlay 130 are provided.

[0030] Taking the enemy combatant 20 first into consideration as an example, the overlays 50, 60, 70 are provided at the point of impact that would be necessary at 25 meters in order to hit the enemy combatant 20 at 200 meters, taking into account various external factors described below. In describing the overlays and combatants below, the overlays may be described as the point of impact or POI, while the combatants may be referred to as the point of aim, or POA, respectively.

[0031] As alluded to above, the provided 25 meter paper targets may use the same correction calibrations to achieve hits even when taking into account various variable factors. This is done by separating the POA and the POI on the paper target as shown and demonstrated by the enemy combatants 20, 30, 40 and their associated overlays, respectively. In an example where 10 MOA correction is required when taking into account a factor such as wind, that 10 MOA measures 73.3 inches at 640 meters away. Printed on a 25 meter paper target, the same MOA is 2.86 inches, so on a 25 meter paper target the scaled fighter or enemy combatant is the POA, while an impact overlay associated with the enemy combatant is offset 2.86 inches at the POI. This offset may be the impact overlays shown and illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.

[0032] In FIG. 1B, the overlays 50, 60, 70 are positioned and located to simulate a 9 o'clock 5 MPH wind, zero wind, and 3 o'clock 10 MPH wind, respectively. As understood in the art and referred to herein, a 9 o'clock wind is a wind blowing from 9 o'clock toward 3 o'clock in a direct left to right fashion, while a 3 o'clock wind is a wind blowing from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock in a right to left fashion. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1B, the enemy combatant 20 is coupled to a left overlay 50 that is to the left of the enemy combatant 20 because extrapolated out to a longer distance, the ballistics of the bullet or other ammunition would be affected by wind. More specifically, a wind from left to right would cause the bullet to drift from left to right. Similarly, the right most overlay 70 is placed to the right of the point of aim or enemy combatant 20 because a cross wind from right to left will cause the bullet to travel from the right to left. Thus, at 25 meters, a shot would have to be left or right of the POA to be a hit on the POA at a greater distance.

[0033] The overlays 50, 60, 70 are illustrated as positioned below the enemy combatant 20 for the 200 meter shot. That is because when the firearm is zeroed to a 200 meter shot (which it is in the illustrated embodiment), at 25 meters, the point of impact is offset downwardly relative to the line of sight. Thus the overlays 50, 60, 70 indicate, in relation to the enemy combatants 20, where the bullet should pass 25 meters on its way to a long distance shot in order to hit the enemy combatant 20 (i.e., 200 meters). The offset overlays are based both on exterior ballistics and an initial 25 meter zero offset for a 200 meter zero. In accordance with mathematical ballistics, the offset overlay 70 is farther right of center than the offset overlay 50 is left of center. That is because, as mentioned above, the wind associated with the right overlay 70 is a 10 MPH wind, while the wind associated with the left overlay 50 is only a 5 MPH wind. Thus, a shooter must compensate more for the 3 o'clock 10 MPH wind than the 9 o'clock 5 MPH wind.

[0034] Turning now to the enemy combatant 30 of FIG. 1C, its overlays 80, 90, 100 are preferably provided at a higher relative position to the enemy combatant 30 than the overlays 50, 60, 70 are provided relative to the enemy combatant 20. That is because at 300 meters, the bullet has begun its drop, and also because the difference between the scope and the ballistics exit point. Thus, a hold above the high center chest to account for the bullet drop is required.

[0035] This drop is even more pronounced with the overlays 110, 120, 130 associated with the enemy combatant 40 of FIG. 1D. That is because at a distance as great as 400 meters, the bullet will have begun its downward trajectory were it to hit a target at 400 meters. Thus, to simulate a 400 meter shot at only 25 meters, a shooter should aim above the point of aim.

[0036] Moreover, it should be noted that the overlays 110, 130 associated with the combatant 40 that are subject to the crosswinds described above are further from center than are the overlays associated with the combatants 20, 30. That is because if the shot were extrapolated to the longer distance, there would be more time and distance for the crosswind to act on the shot, and more specifically the bullet. Thus, as simulated distance increases, so too does the effect that wind would have on a bullet at the simulated distance.

[0037] When using the target such as the target shown in FIG. 1, a shooter should take care of not to look at the overlays such as overlays 50, 60, 70 for the enemy combatant 20 prior to taking a shot. Rather, he or she should select a combatant to shoot or have a combatant selected by an instructor. The shooter should then determine the combatant's range based on the MOA and use proper aim point and hold to aim at the combatant. The shooter should then, in his or her mind, take into account the range and wind scenario. After shots are fired and recorded on the target, the shooter may analyze his or her results using the impact overlays in order to determine how successful a shot would have been at the intended distance, rather than the 25 meters. In a preferred embodiment, in order to help prevent a shooter from looking at the overlays when taking aim, the overlays are designed to be faint, thin lines. The overlay lines may also be provided in various colors so that a marksman can more easily and quickly keep score of his or her hits after completing a round. In other embodiments, the overlays may be provided on a separate transparent sheet that may be placed over the target or otherwise projected onto the target.

[0038] Prior to beginning target practice using the target system provided in FIG. 1, a shooter should take care to make sure that his or her weapon is zeroed. A first zeroing target 140, which may be present in the target system of FIG. 1, is illustrated in FIG. 2. In order to make sure that a shooter's gun is zeroed he or she should aim at a center 150 of the zeroing target 140 such that a triangle 160 placed above the center 150 just touches the top of the red dot (not illustrated associated with the scope). As known and understood in the art, the shooter should adjust to an upper circle 170 for a 300 meter zero and a lower circle 180 for a 200 meter zero. If the scope is not appropriately zeroed it may be necessary for a shooter to further calibrate his or her scope before beginning target practice.

[0039] Turning now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the target system shown in FIG. 1 is provided. The target provided in FIG. 3, like the other targets described herein, may be adapted for a particular firearm, using a particular scope, and firing a particular round of ammunition. For example, the target may be adapted for use with an M4 or M27 firearm using an RCO-M150-ACOG scope, and firing M855 ammunition. In the target shown in FIG. 3, both enemy combatants and innocent bystanders are shown. In FIG. 3, enemy combatants 190, 200, 210, 220 are distinguished from the innocent bystanders by having overlays, while an innocent bystander 230 is shown as shaded in with stippling. In alternative embodiments, the combatants may brandish weapons while the bystanders may not. Further distinguishing features like combat or civilian attire may also be present in alternative embodiments.

[0040] In FIG. 3, each of the enemy combatants are further associated with a distance that the combatants attempt to emulate during a target practice session. Thus, in FIG. 3, the enemy combatant 190 is positioned to replicate a 110 meter distance, the enemy combatant 200 is positioned and located to emulate a 180 meter distance, the enemy combatant 210 is positioned to replicate a 270 meter distance, the enemy combatant 220 is positioned and located to emulate a 340 meter distance. In alternative targets, various other enemy combatants and their simulated distances are provided.

[0041] Like the enemy combatants in FIG. 1, the enemy combatants provided in FIG. 3 also include overlays with which they are associated that simulate various wind conditions. The enemy combatant 220, for example, includes three overlays, a left overlay 240, a center overlay 250, and a right overlay 260. The left overlay 240 preferably simulates a 9 o'clock 5 MPH wind, while the center overlay 250 simulates no wind. The right overlay 260 simulates a 1:30 o'clock 15 MPH wind. Because the 1:30 o'clock wind is provided at a greater speed, it is necessary for a shooter to aim farther right to compensate for the wind, as exemplified by the overlay 260 being further right of center than the overlay 240 is left of center.

[0042] Overlays 270, 280, 290 of the combatant 210 are provided below the enemy combatant 210 because of the above described (in FIG. 1) difference in planes between the line of sight and the bore axis. The overlays 270 and 290 are also closer to center and the combatant 210 than the overlays 240, 260 associated with the combatant 220 because of the greater effect that wind has over greater distances, as described above.

[0043] As such, the overlays such as 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 indicate, in relation to the enemy combatants 220 and 210 respectively, where a bullet should pass 25 meters on its way to a long distance shot in order to hit the enemy combatants 210, 220 (i.e., 340 meters and 270 meters, respectively). They also are moderately adjusted to account for the difference in vertical location between the scope and the bore axis. At the distances provided in FIG. 3, the overlays are shown below the combatants, because the bullet would not need to be on as great of a trajectory as if the combatants were simulating longer distances. At greater distances (like in FIG. 1 for enemy combatant 40), the overlays may be above the combatant silhouette rather than below the combatant silhouette.

[0044] It should be noted that the innocent bystander 230 shown in FIG. 3 does not include overlays. During target practice, a marksman should recognize the innocent bystanders, and not take shots at them. Thus, it is unnecessary to provide the bystanders with overlays.

[0045] In other embodiments similar to FIG. 3, the enemy combatants and bystanders may be provided as realistic looking figures. Similarly, the landscape provided behind the enemy combatants may be realistic looking. In alternative embodiments, where the target system is provided for recreational hunter target practice, the enemy combatants may be depicted as prey, and the landscape associated with the hunting target systems may be altered, though the landscape may also appear realistic.

[0046] FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate alternative zeroing charts 300 and 310, as compared to the chart 140 of FIG. 2. In many embodiments, those charts 300, 310 may be located at the lower left and the lower right of a target system like the target system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 (or FIG. 6 described below), respectively. For each of the zeroing targets 300, 310 a shooter should use his or her rifle combat optic (RCO) and point and aim for center circles 320 provided on the charts 300, 310. If hits are recorded in the circles 330 provided below the center circles 320, the gun is properly zeroed. If the hits do not land in the circles 320, the weapon should be recalibrated.

[0047] FIG. 6 provides yet another embodiment of a target system that can be used to simulate long-range shots at a short distance. The target system provided in FIG. 6 is also meant to be provided at a 25 meter actual distance at a range. It may be intended to be used with an M4 having an ACOG/RCO scope, or M27 with the same scope using M855 ammunition, for example. Like the target provided in FIG. 1 or 3, enemy combatants provided in FIG. 6 are shown as silhouettes but may also be provided as realistic looking enemies that hold weapons, while innocent bystanders are stippled silhouettes, although in alternative embodiments, the bystanders may also be shown as more detailed, realistic figures. The enemy combatants shown in FIG. 6 are figures 340, 350, and 360. The innocent bystander is figure 370.

[0048] For the purpose of providing an example, the enemy combatant 360 includes three overlays 380, 390, and 400. The overlay 380 is provided left of the enemy combatant 360, while the overlay 390 is provided center of the enemy combatant 360, and the right overlay 400 is provided right of the enemy combatant 360. The left overlay 380 is positioned and located to simulate a 10 MPH 7:30 o'clock wind, and the center overlay 390 is positioned to simulate zero wind. The right overlay 400 is positioned to simulate a 10 MPH 3 o'clock wind. In the exemplary overlays 380, 390, 400, the overlays are provided above the enemy combatant 360 because combatant 360 is supposed to replicate a 560 meter distance, at which the bullet will have dropped. Thus, a hold above the high center chest to account for the bullet drop at the greater, extrapolated distance is necessary. For the sake of comparison, the combatant 340 is scaled to be at a distance of 255 meters, and the combatant 350 is scaled to be at a distance of 320 meters. The target provided in FIG. 6, like other targets in FIGS. 1 and 3, may in alternative embodiments include zeroing targets like the zeroing targets 140, 300, 310.

[0049] The targets provided in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 are all calibrated to simulate long distance shots taken at 25 meters. In alternative embodiments, the targets may be adapted to different distances, such as 25 yards, to similarly simulate long distance shots. In those embodiments, the same mathematical ballistics described above may be used not only to size the enemy combatants that act as the point of aim, but also to calculate where overlays may be provided to simulate various variable conditions that provide a point of impact for a point of aim. Moreover, other targets could be provided that simulate other weapons and/or ammunition.

[0050] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

[0051] The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms having and including and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of optional or may include and not as required. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention.