FOLDABLE SUPPORTING DEVICE AND OBJECT SUPPORTED BY THE FOLDABLE SUPPORTING DEVICE

Abstract

A foldable supporting device includes a first supporting frame, a second supporting frame and a retractable structure. The first supporting frame includes a first upper part, a first lower part disposed opposite to the first upper part, and a first side part connecting the first upper part and the first lower part. The second supporting frame includes a second upper part, a second lower part disposed opposite to the second upper part, and a second side part connecting the second upper part and the second lower part. The retractable structure includes a plurality of crossing elements which are rotatably connected to each other. The retractable structure is rotatably and movably connected to the first side part and the second side part, and is retractable from an extended position to a retracted position so as to change a distance between the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame.

Claims

1. A foldable supporting device, comprising: a first supporting frame comprising a first upper part, a first lower part disposed opposite to the first upper part, and a first side part connecting the first upper part and the first lower part; a second supporting frame comprising a second upper part, a second lower part disposed opposite to the second upper part, and a second side part connecting the second upper part and the second lower part; a rail device; a retractable structure movably and rotatably connecting to the rail device; wherein the rail device is configured to guide movement of the retractable structure; wherein the retractable structure further connects the first side part of the first supporting frame and the second side part of the second supporting frame and is retractable from an extended position to a retracted position so as to change a distance between the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame; wherein in the retracted position, the retractable structure is restricted in a range near where the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame are connected to the retractable structure.

2. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retractable structure comprises a plurality of crossing elements which are rotatably connected to each other.

3. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the crossing elements are arranged into a plurality of pairs; in each pair of the crossing elements, the crossing elements cross and are pivoted to each other.

4. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the crossing elements comprise a first end and a second end; the first end is moved parallel to the first side part and the second end is moved parallel to the second side part, when the retractable structure is retracted from the extended position to the retracted position.

5. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: a first upper connector connecting the first upper part and the first side part; a second upper connector connecting the second upper part and the second side part; a first slider connected to the first end; a second slider connected to the second end; wherein the guide device comprises a first guide rail extended parallel to the first side part, and a second guide rail extended parallel to the first side part; wherein the first slider is configured to slide along the first guide rail when the retractable structure is retracted from the extended position to the retracted position; wherein the second slider is configured to slide along the second guide rail when the retractable structure is retracted from the extended position to the retracted position.

6. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first slider and the second slider are guided to slide by the first guide rail and the second guide rail.

7. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first slider and the second slider are pins.

8. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first slider and the second slider are rods.

9. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rods are L-shaped.

10. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising: a first lower connector connecting the first lower part and the first side part; a second lower connector connecting the second lower part and the second side part; wherein the first slider comprises a first laterally extended portion which is disposed outside the first guide rail, and the second slider comprises a second laterally extended portion which is disposed outside the second guide rail; wherein the first slider and the first slider are in a top position when the first laterally extended portion contacts the first guide rail of the first upper connector and the second laterally extended portion contacts the second guide rail of the second upper connector; wherein the first slider and the second slider are in a bottom position when the first laterally extended portion contacts the first lower connector and the second laterally extended portion contacts the second lower connector.

11. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a side structure rotatably connected to the first supporting frame; wherein the side structure comprises a first connecting rod, a joint, a leg and a second connecting rod; wherein the first supporting frame further comprises a first upper connector and a first lower connector; wherein the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first upper connector of the first supporting frame; wherein the first connecting rod and the leg are connected through the joint; wherein the leg is rotatably connected to the second connecting rod; wherein the second connecting rod is rotatably connects to the first lower connector of the first supporting frame; wherein when the leg is rotated to be fully spread, the connecting rod restricts the leg from being spread more, thereby keeping the leg in position.

12. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a side structure rotatably connected to the first supporting frame; wherein the side structure comprises a connecting rod, a joint and a leg; wherein the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first supporting frame; wherein the connecting rod and the leg are connected through the joint; wherein the joint comprises a channel and a roller disposed in the channel; wherein when the side structure is flipped to spread the leg, the joint is inverted with the roller moved in the channel by virtue of gravity until the roller is stuck to a bottom of the channel, thereby keeping the leg in position.

13. An apparatus comprising: an object; the foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 1, configured to support the object.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the object comprises a mattress, a tent disposed on the mattress, a stretch elongated element comprising a first portion and a second portion, and an inflatable frame configured to support the tent and to carry the stretch elongated element; the stretch elongated element is disposed inside or outside the inflatable frame; when the inflatable frame is inflated to erect the tent, the stretch elongated element is stretched; when the inflatable frame is deflated, the first portion is kept in position by the mattress and the second portion is moved toward the first portion by a restoring force of the stretch elongated element thereby controlling the tent to collapse inwards.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the object further comprises a first core and a second core; the first core and the second core are disposed in the inflatable frame and connected by the stretch elongated element; the mattress comprises a receiving portion configured to receive the first core.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the object further comprises a sleeve fixed to the tent; the inflatable frame is penetrated through the sleeve.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the stretch elongated element is disposed outside the inflatable frame; the first end portion and the second end portion are fixed to the inflatable frame.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the inflatable frame comprises an end connected to the mattress; the end is oval in cross section.

19. The foldable supporting device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: a joint; a connecting rod connected to the foldable supporting device through the joint so as to be rotatable between two positions; a torsion spring disposed at the joint; a leg connected to the connecting rod so as to be rotatable between two other positions; wherein the object is an inflatable carrier; wherein when the inflatable carrier is inflated, the foldable supporting device is extended with the torsion spring twisted, with the connecting rod flipped to support the inflatable carrier and with the leg spread to support the leg, whereby the inflatable carrier is supported by the foldable supporting device and the connecting rod; wherein when the inflatable carrier is deflated, the connecting rod and the leg are restored to an original position by a restoring force of the torsion spring.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the object comprises an inflatable mattress, a tent disposed on the inflatable mattress, a stretch elongated element, and an inflatable frame configured to support the tent and to carry the stretch elongated element; wherein the stretch elongated element is fixed at two locations which are staggered in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction; wherein when the inflatable frame is inflated to erect the tent, the stretch elongated element is stretched; when the inflatable frame is deflated, the stretch elongated element is shrunk to generate a pulling force that laterally pulls the tent to collapse towards a central part of the inflatable mattress.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: a coupling element; wherein the object is fixed to the foldable supporting device through the coupling element; wherein the coupling element comprises a first enlarged portion, a second enlarged portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first enlarged portion and the second enlarged portion; wherein the first enlarged portion is fixed to the object; wherein the second portion is detachably connected to the foldable supporting device.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the foldable supporting device comprises an L-shaped groove allowing the connecting portion to slide therein, thereby connecting the object to the foldable supporting device through the coupling element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an inflatable mattress disposed in a foldable supporting device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention wherein the inflatable infant mattress is not inflated yet and the foldable supporting device is in a folded state.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows the inflatable mattress of FIG. 1 after the inflatable infant mattress is inflated and the foldable supporting device is extended.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows the foldable supporting device of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows the foldable supporting device of FIG. 2.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a supporting unit of the foldable device of FIG. 4.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an explored view of the supporting unit of FIG. 5.

[0035] FIG. 7 shows a slider of a retractable structure of the supporting unit of FIG. 5 moved to a bottom position when the retractable structure is extended.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows the slider of the retractable structure of the supporting unit of FIG. moved to a top position when the retractable structure is retracted.

[0037] FIG. 9 shows a side structure of the supporting unit of FIG. 5 in an extended state.

[0038] FIG. 10 shows the side structure of FIG. 5 in a folded state.

[0039] FIG. 11 shows a supporting unit of a foldable supporting device in a folded state in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 12 shows the supporting unit of FIG. 11 in an extended state.

[0041] FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 12.

[0042] FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 11.

[0043] FIG. 15 shows a slider of a retractable structure of the supporting unit of FIG. 12 moved to a bottom position when the retractable structure is extended.

[0044] FIG. 16 shows a mattress and a tent disposed on a foldable supporting device in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention wherein the foldable supporting device is in an extended state.

[0045] FIG. 17 is a partial view of FIG. 16, with a part of an inflatable frame removed to expose the cores and a stretch elongated element disposed therein.

[0046] FIG. 18 depicts the tent of FIG. 16 in a collapse state.

[0047] FIG. 19 shows a mattress and a tent disposed on a foldable supporting device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention wherein the foldable supporting device is in an extended state.

[0048] FIG. 20 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 19.

[0049] FIG. 21 depicts the tent of FIG. 19 in a collapse state.

[0050] FIG. 22 shows a foldable supporting device of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 23 shows a partial view of the foldable supporting device of FIG. 22.

[0052] FIG. 24 depicts the tent of FIG. 22 in a collapse state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a foldable supporting device 10 of a first embodiment of the invention is provided to support an inflatable mattress 30. In FIG. 1, the foldable supporting device 10 is in a folded state, with the inflatable mattress 30 sagging therein. When inflated, the inflatable mattress 30 is expanded. The foldable supporting device 10 can be automatically extended by means of expansion of the inflatable mattress 30 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0054] FIG. 3 depicts the foldable supporting device 10 in a folded state and FIG. 4 depicts the foldable supporting device 10 in an extended state. As shown, the foldable supporting device 10 includes plural supporting units 100 that are combined together. However, the invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that the foldable supporting device of the invention may include only one supporting unit 100.

[0055] For easy understanding, one of the supporting units 100 is taken for introducing the foldable supporting device 10 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, a supporting unit 100 includes two supporting frames 110 and 120, a foldable structure 140 disposed at the bottom of the supporting frames 110 and 120, two retractable structures 130 disposed at opposite sides of the supporting frames 110 and 120, and four side structures 150 laterally connected to the supporting frames 110 and 120.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 6, the supporting frame 110 includes an upper part 111, a lower part 112 disposed opposite to the upper part 111, and two first side parts 113 connected to the upper part 111 through two upper connectors 161 and connected to the lower part 112 through two lower connectors 162. In the first embodiment, the upper part 111 is a rectangular rod, and the lower part 112 and the side parts 113 are round rods. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The upper part 111, the lower part 112 and the side parts 113 may have different shapes. A movable element 143 is movably disposed around the lower part 112.

[0057] Similarly, the supporting frame 120 includes an upper part 121, a lower part 122 disposed opposite to the upper part 121, and two side parts 123 connected to the upper part 121 through two upper connectors 163 and connected to the lower part 122 through two lower connectors 164. In the first embodiment, the upper part 121 is a rectangular rod, and the lower part 122 and the side parts 123 are round rods. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The upper part 121, the lower part 122 and the side parts 123 may have different shapes. A movable element 144 is movably disposed around the lower part 122.

[0058] The foldable structure 140 disposed at the bottom of the supporting frames 110, 120 includes two crossing elements 141, 142 that cross and are pivoted to each other. In the first embodiment, the crossing elements 141, 142 are flat rods. The crossing elements 141, 142 have four ends rotatably connected to the movable element 143, the lower connector 162, the movable element 144 and the lower connector 164, respectively. In operation, the crossing elements 141, 142 are spread or folded with the movable elements 143, 144 moved along the lower parts 112, 122.

[0059] Each retractable structure 130 includes plural crossing elements 131 rotatably connected to each other. The crossing elements 131 are arranged into three pairs. In each pair, the crossing elements 131 cross and are pivoted to each other. Further, the crossing elements 131 have ends rotatably connected to the upper connectors 161, 163 and the lower connectors 162, 164. It is worth noting that two of the ends are movable with respect to the upper connector 161, 163. As shown in FIG. 7. The upper connector 161 (163) is provided with a guide rail 165 which is extended parallel to the side part 113 (123). A slider 133 is connected to the end 132 of the crossing element 131. In the first embodiment, the slider 133 is a pin protruding from the end 132 of the crossing element 131. In operation, the slider 133 is able to slide along the guide rail 165. The guide rail 165 is closed at the bottom (not shown) to prevent an escape of the slider 133 therefrom.

[0060] When inflated, the inflatable mattress 30 is expanded. The foldable supporting device 10 is automatically extended by means of expansion of the inflatable mattress 30. The foldable structure 140 is spread with the movable elements 143, 144 moved along the lower parts 112, 122. Also, the retractable structure 130 is extended, with the slider 133 moved along the guide rail 165 from a top position (FIG. 8) to a bottom position (FIG. 7). The supporting frames 110, 120 are moved away from each other, and the foldable supporting device 10 is extended as shown in FIG. 4.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, the side structure 150 includes a connector 156, a joint 152, a connecting rod 151 connecting to the connector 156 and the joint 152, a leg 153 connecting to the joint 152, a foot 154 disposed under the leg 153, and a connecting rod 155 rotatably connecting to the foot 154 and the lower connector 162 (164). Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the connector 156 and the upper connector 161 (163) are assembled to be a joint 170 in which a torsion spring 159 is provided.

[0062] In a folded state, the side structure 150 is flipped over to the top of the supporting unit 100 as shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 10, the joint 152 has a channel 157 and a roller 158 disposed in the channel 157. When the foldable supporting device 10 is extended by means of expansion of the inflatable mattress 30, the side structure 150 is rotated with respect to the joint 156 (as indicated by arrow A) by the restoring force of the torsion spring 159, and the leg 153 is spread as shown in FIG. 9. Since the side structure 150 is rotated, the joint 152 is inverted with the roller 158 moved in the channel 157 by virtue of gravity. After the rotation of the side structure 150 is finished, the leg 153 of the side structure 150 is spread and the roller 158 falls to the bottom of the channel 157 and is stuck thereto for keeping the leg 153 in position. Further, after the rotation of the side structure 150 is finished, the leg 153 is fully spread as shown in FIG. 5, wherein the connecting rod 155 restricts the leg 153 from being spread more. By such arrangement, the leg 153 can be kept in position stably. When the side structure 150 is flipped to spread the connecting rod 151 and the leg 153, the connecting rod 151 is rotated at about 180 and the leg 153 is rotated at about 270.

[0063] Thanks to the retractable structure 130 and the slider 133 movable along the guide rail 165, the foldable supporting device 10, after folded, does not become higher (the height of the foldable supporting device 10 remains unchanged and the height of the retractable structure 130 change little). Besides, the storage space of the foldable supporting device is significantly reduced. The inflatable mattress 30 after deflated is folded and disposed between the side structure 150 and the retractable structure 130, and the retractable structure 130 after retracted is disposed lower than the connecting rod 151 and the leg 153 of the side structure 150 that are disposed horizontally. It can be therefore understood that the foldable supporting device 10 after folded does not become higher.

[0064] FIGS. 11 and 12 depict a foldable supporting device of a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the elements of the second embodiment same as those of the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals and the descriptions thereof are omitted. Similarly, only one supporting unit 100 is taken for introducing the foldable supporting device of the second embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is an exploded view of FIG. 13. As shown, a mount 167 is fixed to the top surface of the upper connector 161 (163). The mount 167 has an L-shaped groove 166. A coupling element 18 has two enlarged portions 181, 182 and a connecting portion 183 connecting the enlarged portions 181, 182. An inflatable mattress 30 is fixed to the foldable supporting device through the coupling elements 18 as shown in FIG. 15. The inflatable mattress 30 has a bottom sheet 320 and a supplemental sheet 330 that are fused to contain the enlarged portion 181 of the coupling element 18. During assembly, the enlarged portion 182 is coupled to the upper connector 161 (163) with the connecting portion 183 moved along the L-shaped groove 166. Thus, the inflatable mattress 30 can be fixed to the foldable supporting device through the coupling element 18 as shown in FIG. 13.

[0066] The upper connector 161 (163) is provided with a guide rail 165 which is extended parallel to the side part 113 (123) of the supporting frame 110 (120). A slider 133 is configured to slide along the guide rail 165. FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 11 and FIG. 17 is an exploded view of FIG. 16. As shown, the slider 133 is an L-shaped rod which has a lengthwise main body 1331 and a laterally extended portion 1332 extending from the main body 1331. The laterally extended portion 1332 has a through hole 1333. The side part 113 (123) of the supporting frame 110 (120) is penetrated through the through hole 1333. Therefore, the slider 133 is able to slide along the side part 113 (123). The main body 1331 is penetrated through the guide rail 165, and the laterally extended portion 1332 is disposed outside the guide rail 165. Therefore, the slider 133 is also able to slide along the guide rail 165.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 12, in the second embodiment, each retractable structure 130 includes two pairs of crossing elements 131. In each pair of the crossing elements 131, the crossing elements 131 cross and are pivoted to each other. Further referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, one of the crossing elements 131 has an end rotatably connected to the main body 1331 of the slider 131. Therefore, the slider 133 is able to slide along the guide rail 165 with the crossing element 131 rotated with respect to the slider 1331 when the retractable structure 130 is retracted.

[0068] As described above, the slider 133 is able to slide along the guide rail 165. When the foldable supporting device is folded, the retractable structure 130 is retracted and the slider 133 is moved to a top position (FIG. 16) with the laterally extended portion 1332 contacting the guide rail 165. When the foldable supporting device is extended, the slider 133 is moved to a bottom position (FIG. 18) with the laterally extended portion 1332 contacting the lower connector 162 (164).

[0069] Thanks to the retractable structure 130 and the slider 133 movable along the guide rail 165, the foldable supporting device, after folded, does not become higher (the height of the foldable supporting device remains unchanged and the height of the retractable structure 130 change little). Besides, the storage space of the foldable supporting device is significantly reduced.

[0070] The retractable structure 130 of the first embodiment has three pairs of crossing elements 131, while the retractable structure 130 of the second embodiment has two pairs of crossing elements 131. Structurally, the foldable supporting device of the second embodiment can provide stable support more than the foldable supporting device of the first embodiment. When retracted, however, the retractable structure 130 of the second embodiment requires its ends to vertically travel longer than the retractable structure 130 of the first embodiment. The guide rail 165 of the first embodiment cannot provide a sufficient travelling distance required by the retractable structure 130 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, therefore, the slider 133 is an L-shaped rod rather than a pin. The slider 133 has a lengthwise main body 1331 which is configured to slide along the guide rail 165. By such arrangement, the requirement of the travelling distance of the retractable structure 130 of the second embodiment can be satisfied.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 19, a foldable supporting device 10 of a third embodiment of the invention is provided to support a mattress 50 and a tent 40. The mattress 50 has plural receiving portions 51 provided on the circumference thereof. The tent 40 is disposed on the mattress 50. The tent 40 has plural net sleeves 42 fixed thereto. Plural inflatable frames 41 are provided to support the tent 40. The inflatable frames 41 are penetrated through the net sleeves 42 and have ends fitted into the receiving portions 51 of the mattress 50.

[0072] FIG. 20 is a partial view of FIG. 19, with a part of an inflatable frame 41 removed to expose what is in the inflatable frame 41. As shown, the inflatable frame 41 has cores 43, 45 disposed therein. The cores 43, 45 are connected by at least one stretch elongated element 44. Specifically, the stretch elongated element 44 has a first end portion 441 connected to the core 43 and a second end portion 442 connected to the core 45. The core 45 enveloped by the inflatable frame 41 is extended over the tent 40. The core 43 enveloped by the inflatable frame 41 is fitted into the receiving portion 51 of the mattress 50. In the invention, the stretch elongated element 44 may be a line, a thread, a cord, a string, a rope, a twine, a strip, a strap, a ribbon, a band or the like. The cores 43, 45 may be stiff, tough or even resilient, capable of providing sufficient strengths for the inflatable frames 41 to support the tent 40 and capable of assisting the stretch elongated element 44 to fall toward the central part of the mattress 50.

[0073] FIG. 21 depicts the tent 40 in a collapse state. When inflated, the inflatable frames 41 are erected to support the tent 40 as shown in FIG. 19. The stretch elongated elements 44 are stretched. When the inflatable frames 41 are deflated, the first end portion 441 of the stretch elongated element 41 is kept in position by the mattress 50 through the core 43 enveloped by the inflatable frame 41 and the second end portion 442 is moved toward the first end portion 41 by a restoring force of the stretch elongated element 41 and the core 45 is pulled by the second end portion 442 to fall toward the central part of the mattress 50, thereby controlling the tent 40 to collapse toward the central part of the mattress 50 (the tent 40 collapses inwards). The result is as shown in FIG. 21. The tent 40 can be folded with reduced time and labor.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 22, a foldable supporting device 10 of a fourth embodiment of the invention is provided to support a mattress 50 and a tent 60. The tent 60 is disposed on the mattress 50. Plural inflatable frames 61 are fixed to the mattress 50 at least at the ends thereof.

[0075] The FIG. 23 is a partial view of FIG. 22. As shown, the inflatable frames 61 have plural fasteners 63, 65 disposed thereon. A stretch elongated element 64 has a first end portion 641 fixed to the fastener 63 and a second end portion 642 fixed to the fastener 65. It is worth noting that the first end portion 641 and the second portion 642 are staggered in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction.

[0076] FIG. 24 depicts the tent 60 in a collapse state. When inflated, the inflatable frames 61 are erected to support the tent 60 as shown in FIG. 22. The stretch elongated elements 64 are stretched. When the inflatable frames 61 are deflated, the first end portion 641 of the stretch elongated element 64 is kept in position by the mattress 50 through the inflatable frame 61 and the second end portion 642 is moved toward the first end portion 641 by a restoring force of the stretch elongated element 64. Because the first end portion 641 and the second portion 642 are staggered in the vertical direction, the second portion 642 is moved obliquely and downwards thereby controlling the tent 60 to collapse toward the central part of the mattress 50. The result is as shown in FIG. 24. The tent 60 can be folded with reduced time and labor.

[0077] As described, the inflatable frames 61 have ends fixed to the mattress 50. As shown in FIG. 23, the ends are oval in cross section. The inflatable frames 61 in an oval shape can occupy reduced area on the top surface of the mattress 50.

[0078] In the invention, the foldable supporting device can be used to support various carriers such as mattresses, beds, lounge chairs, seat cushions or the like. The mattresses may be inflatable mattresses or foam mattresses. The beds, lounge chairs, seat cushions may be inflatable products.

[0079] While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.