HANDGRIP FOR SPORTING EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A handgrip for placement about an elongated member is disclosed. The handgrip includes a resilient body member having an arcuate gripping surface adapted to conform to the outer surface of the elongated member. A plurality of outwardly extending curvilinear projections are adapted to conform to the shape of a hand of a user. A finger engaging member extends from the resilient body member. The finger engaging member is adapted to retain the handgrip on the hand of a user after the elongated member is released.

Claims

1. A handgrip for use on an elongated member having an outer surface, the handgrip comprising: a resilient body member including inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the resilient body member substantially defined by a plurality of outwardly extending curvilinear projections adapted to conform to a shape of a hand of a user, the plurality of curvilinear projections defining a longitudinal axis of the resilient body member; an arcuate gripping surface defined by the inner surface of the resilient body member, the arcuate gripping surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member and between first and second ends of the resilient body member, the arcuate gripping surface configured to conform to and releasably engage the outer surface of the elongated member; and a finger engaging member coupled to and outwardly extending from the outer surface of the resilient body member, the finger engaging member positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member in spaced relation to the outwardly extending curvilinear projections.

2. The handgrip of claim 1 wherein the finger engaging member is positioned intermediate the first and second ends of the resilient body member

3. The handgrip of claim 1 wherein the finger engaging member is elastically deformable such that the finger engaging member is extendable at least along the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member.

4. The handgrip of claim 3 wherein the resilient body member and the finger engaging member comprise integrally molded thermoplastic elastomer.

5. The handgrip of claim 1 wherein the finger engaging member comprises first and second coupling arms, the first and second coupling arms of the finger engaging member coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member, a width of the finger engaging member wider than a width of each of the coupling arms.

6. The handgrip of claim 5 wherein the first and second coupling arms of the finger engaging member are coupled to at least one of the plurality of curvilinear projections.

7. The handgrip of claim 6 wherein the first coupling arm of the finger engaging member couples to a first one of the plurality of curvilinear projections and the second coupling arm of the finger engaging member couples to a second one of the plurality of curvilinear projections, the second one of the plurality of curvilinear projections independent of the first one of the plurality of curvilinear projections.

8. The handgrip of claim 7 wherein a third one of the plurality of curvilinear projections is positioned intermediate the first and second ones of the plurality of curvilinear projections, the third one of the plurality of curvilinear projections independent of each of the first and second ones of the plurality of curvilinear projections.

9. The handgrip of claim 1 wherein: a first one of the plurality of curvilinear projections is juxtaposed with the first end of the resilient body member; and a lower finger recess is juxtaposed with the second end of the resilient body member adjacent a second one of the plurality of curvilinear projections.

10. The handgrip of claim 9 further comprising an orientation indicator coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member and positioned proximate the second end of the resilient body member, the orientation indicator configured to aid the user in orientating the second end of the resilient body member of the handgrip on the hand of the user, wherein an orientation of the second end of the resilient body member depends on a type of the elongated member.

11. A method of using a handgrip on an elongated member having an outer surface, the method comprising: providing an elongated member having an arcuate outer surface; providing a handgrip, the handgrip comprising a resilient body member and a finger engaging member, the resilient body member comprising an arcuate gripping surface defined by an inner surface of the resilient body member, the finger engaging member coupled to and extending from an outer surface of the resilient body member, the outer surface of the resilient body member configured to receive a hand of a user; providing the hand of the user, the hand of the user comprising at least one digit; placing the at least one digit of the hand of the user intermediate the finger engaging member and the resilient body member of the handgrip whereby the handgrip is retained on the hand of the user; placing the handgrip on the outer surface of the elongated member whereby the arcuate gripping surface of the resilient body member of the handgrip releasably engages the outer surface of the elongated member; swinging the elongated member; removing the handgrip from the outer surface of the elongated member; and retaining the handgrip on the hand of the user, wherein the finger engaging member retains the handgrip on the hand of the user.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of: providing a second handgrip, the second handgrip comprising a resilient body member and a finger engaging member, the resilient body member comprising an arcuate gripping surface defined by an inner surface of the resilient body member, the finger engaging member coupled to and extending from an outer surface of the resilient body member, the outer surface of the resilient body member configured to receive the hand of the user; providing a second hand of the user, the second hand of the user comprising at least one digit; placing the at least one digit of the second hand of the user intermediate the finger engaging member and the resilient body member of the second handgrip whereby the second handgrip is retained on the second hand of the user; placing the second handgrip on the outer surface of the elongated member whereby the arcuate gripping surface of the resilient body member of the second handgrip releasably engages the outer surface of the elongated member; and positioning the second handgrip on the outer surface of the elongated member proximate the first handgrip.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first and second handgrips each further comprise an orientation indicator coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member and positioned proximate a second end of the resilient body member, the orientation indicator configured to aid the user in orientating the second end of the resilient body member of the on each of the first and second hands of the user; and the positioning step further comprises: determining a type of the elongated member; orientating the first and second handgrips in a first position upon determining that the elongated member is of a first type; orientating the first and second handgrips in a second position upon determining that the elongated member is of a second type, the second position of the first and second handgrips independent of the first position of the first and second handgrips, the second type of elongated member independent of the first type of elongated member.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the orientating the first and second handgrips in a first position upon determining the elongated member is of a first type step further comprises: placing the second end of the first handgrip adjacent an end of the elongated member of the first type, wherein the orientation indicator of the first handgrip is juxtaposed with the end of the elongated member of the first type; and placing the second end of the second handgrip adjacent a first end of the first handgrip, wherein the orientation indicator of the second handgrip is juxtaposed with the first end of the first handgrip.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the orientating the first and second handgrips in a second position upon determining the elongated member is of a second type step further comprises: placing a first end of the first handgrip adjacent an end of the elongated member of a second type; and placing the second end of the second handgrip adjacent the second end of the first handgrip, wherein the orientation indicator of the second handgrip is juxtaposed with the orientation indicator of the first handgrip.

16. A grip assembly for use on an elongated member having an outer surface, the grip assembly comprising: a first handgrip, the first handgrip comprising: a resilient body member comprising inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface substantially defined by a plurality of outwardly extending curvilinear projections adapted to conform to a shape of a hand of a user, the plurality of curvilinear projections defining a longitudinal axis of the resilient body member; one of the plurality of curvilinear projections juxtaposed with a first end of the resilient body member; a lower finger recess juxtaposed with a second end of the resilient body member; an orientation indicator coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member and positioned proximate the second end of the resilient body member, the orientation indicator configured to aid the user in orientating the second end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip on the hand of the user; a finger engaging member coupled to and outwardly extending from the outer surface of the resilient body member, the finger engaging member positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member; and an arcuate gripping surface defined by the inner surface of the resilient body member, the arcuate gripping surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member, wherein the arcuate gripping surface of the resilient body member is configured to frictionally engage and grip the outer surface of the elongated member thereby reducing rotational or axial movement of the first handgrip relative to the elongated member; and a second handgrip, the second handgrip juxtaposed with the first handgrip, the second handgrip comprising: a resilient body member comprising inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface substantially defined by a plurality of outwardly extending curvilinear projections adapted to conform to the shape of the hand of the user, the plurality of curvilinear projections defining a longitudinal axis of the resilient body member; one of the plurality of curvilinear projections juxtaposed with a first end of the resilient body member; a lower finger recess juxtaposed with a second end of the resilient body member; an orientation indicator coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member and positioned proximate the second end of the resilient body member, the orientation indicator configured to aid the user in orientating the second end of the resilient body member of the second handgrip on the hand of the user; a finger engaging member coupled to and outwardly extending from the outer surface of the resilient body member, the finger engaging member positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member; and an arcuate gripping surface defined by the inner surface of the resilient body member, the arcuate gripping surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member, wherein the arcuate gripping surface of the resilient body member is configured to frictionally engage and grip the outer surface of the elongated member thereby reducing rotational or axial movement of the second handgrip relative to the elongated member.

17. The grip assembly of claim 16 wherein: the second end of the resilient body member of the second handgrip is positioned adjacent the first end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip; and the lower finger recess of the second handgrip is positioned intermediate one of the plurality of curvilinear projections proximate the second end of the second handgrip and one of the plurality of curvilinear projections proximate the first end of the first handgrip.

18. The grip assembly of claim 16 wherein: the lower finger recess of the first handgrip is positioned intermediate one of the plurality of curvilinear projections proximate the second end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip and the second end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip; the second end of the resilient body member of the second handgrip is positioned adjacent the second end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip; and the lower finger recess of the second handgrip is positioned intermediate one of the plurality of curvilinear projections proximate the second end of the resilient body member of the second handgrip and the lower finger recess of the first handgrip.

19. The grip assembly of claim 16 wherein: the orientation indicator of the first handgrip comprises an arrow pointing towards the second end of the first handgrip; and the orientation indicator of the second handgrip comprises an arrow pointing towards the second end of the second handgrip.

20. The grip assembly of claim 16 wherein: the resilient body member and finger engaging member of the first handgrip comprise integrally molded thermoplastic elastomer; and the resilient body member and finger engaging member of the second handgrip comprise integrally molded thermoplastic elastomer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] A detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative handgrip of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the illustrative handgrip of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the illustrative handgrip of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is an end view of the illustrative handgrip of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 5A is a left side view of the illustrative handgrip of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 5B is a right side view of the illustrative handgrip of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a grip assembly of the present disclosure installed on a golf club;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a grip assembly of the present disclosure installed on a baseball bat;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handgrip of the present disclosure orientated upright on the hand of a user;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the handgrip of the present disclosure inverted on the hand of a user; and

[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an illustrative handgrip of the present disclosure coupled to a batting glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selective for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.

[0028] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-6, an illustrative embodiment handgrip 10 of the present disclosure is illustrated as including a resilient body member 12. The body member 12 includes both an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16 wherein the inner surface 14 defines an arcuate gripping surface 18 extending axially from a first end 20 to a second end 22 of the resilient body member 12. The arcuate gripping surface 18 is configured to conform to and releasably engage, through friction, an arcuate outer surface of an elongated member. The outer surface 16 is adapted to conform to the shape of a user's hand to facilitate gripping thereof. More particularly, a plurality of alternating finger recesses 24 and curvilinear projections 26 are formed within the outer surface 16 of the body member 12, which respectively conform to the fingers and spaces between the fingers of a user's hand. Thus, the fingers of a user's hand may comfortably rest within the finger recesses 24, while the curvilinear projections 26 generally conform to and are positioned in the spaces between the fingers of a user's hand.

[0029] The curvilinear projections 26 include individual curvilinear projections 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d which are axially aligned along a longitudinal axis 28 (FIGS. 2 & 3). Likewise, the finger recesses 24 include individual finger recesses 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d which are aligned along longitudinal axis 28 (FIGS. 2 & 3). It should be noted that projection 26d is spaced axially farther from the second end 22 of the resilient body member 12 than projection 26a is spaced axially from the first end 20 of the resilient body member 12. The additional spacing between the projection 26d and second end 22 provides for an extended finger recess 24d for accommodating a finger of the user's hand.

[0030] Orientation indicator 40 is illustratively supported by the outer surface 16 of the resilient body member 12 at lower finger recess 24d and aids a user in orienting second end 22 of resilient body member 12 on her hand. Because orientation indicator 40 is configured to visually indicate second end 22, orientation indicator 40 illustratively comprises an indicating arrow 41 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7-10. Nonetheless, orientation indicator 40 could embody a variety of visual or textual indicators such as indentations, raised surfaces, color schemes, or some combination thereof. While the curvilinear projections 26 and finger recesses 24 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5A-10 as being four in number, it is to be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only and in no way limits the scope of the invention.

[0031] A finger engaging member or strap 30 couples to and extends from the outer surface 16 of the resilient body member 12. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, finger engaging member 30 couples to the plurality of curvilinear projections 26. A first coupling arm 32 and a second coupling arm 34 of the finger engaging member each couple to curvilinear projections 26. Illustratively, first coupling arm 32 couples to curvilinear projection 26b and second coupling arm 34 couples to curvilinear projection 26d. In this way, finger engaging member 30 extends along only a portion of resilient body member 12 rather than the entirety of it. As a result, first coupling arm 32 and second coupling arm 34 will be positioned in the spaces between the fingers of a user's hand. Additionally, this coupling configuration substantially reduces the deflection of resilient body member 12 along longitudinal axis 28. As shown in FIG. 4, a width 37 of finger engaging member 30 is wider relative to a width 38 of either of the first or second coupling arms 32 and 34. In FIG. 4, the wider width 37 is formed from a flat portion 36 of finger engaging member 30. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, flat portion 36 stabilizes handgrip 10 on the fingers of a user's hand and prevents the finger engaging member from rolling about an axial axis during use.

[0032] Illustratively, first and second coupling arms 32 and 34 are integrally formed with flat portion 36 and resilient body member 12 from a resilient, yet non-slip, material. For example, resilient body member 12 and finger engaging member 30 may be integrally molded from a thermoplastic elastomer, for example, Dynaflex™ thermoplastic elastomers available from PolyOne Corporation of Avon Lake, Ohio, USA. As such, finger engaging member 30 elastically deforms along longitudinal axis 28. In this way, finger engaging member 30 can adjust to fingers of various sizes. Moreover, while handgrip 10 appears to be of the same size in FIGS. 1-6, it is to be understood that different sizes of handgrip 10 may be available depending on the size of the user's hand. Additionally, resilient body member 12 can deform and bias the arcuate gripping surface 18 into engagement with the arcuate outer surface of the elongated member to enhance coupling therewith.

[0033] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a user placing a handgrip on her hand 50 in one of two primary configurations: (1) upright; and (2) inverted, respectively. In FIG. 9, upright handgrip 80 is shown, and inverted handgrip 90 is depicted in FIG. 10. Each of the handgrips 80 and 90 has the identical structure described above with respect to handgrip 10 of FIGS. 1-6.

[0034] Turning first to FIG. 9, the upright handgrip 80 is defined by the placement of the user's index finger 52 into finger recess 24a and the placement of her little finger 58 into lower finger recess 24d. Therefore, indicating arrow 41 points away from the user's little finger 58. The user's middle and ring fingers 54, 56 are then placed intermediate finger engaging member 30 and resilient body member 12. That is, the user's middle finger 54 is positioned in finger recess 24b and her ring finger 56 is positioned in finger recess 24c. In this way, finger engaging member 30 retains the handgrip 80 on the user's hand 50. Additionally, FIG. 9 illustrates a user placing the upright handgrip 80 on her hand 50. The act of grasping, i.e. curling her fingers 52, 54, 56, 58 around the handgrip, will position the flat portion 36 of the finger engaging member 30 between the first knuckles 53, 57 and second knuckles 55, 59 of her middle and ring fingers 54, 56. As such, upright handgrip 80 will be stabilized on the user's fingers 52, 54, 56, 58, and coupling arms 32 and 34, positioned in the space between the user's index and middle fingers 52, 54 and between her ring and little fingers 56, 58, will prevent the handgrip 80 from sliding over her hand 50.

[0035] Inverted handgrip 90, illustrated in FIG. 10, is defined by the placement of the user's index finger 52 into lower finger recess 24d and the placement of her little finger 58 into finger recess 24a. Therefore, indicating arrow 41 points away from the user's index finger 52. The user's middle and ring fingers 54, 56 are then positioned intermediate finger engaging member 30 and resilient body member 12. That is, the user's middle finger 54 is positioned in finger recess 24c and her ring finger 56 is positioned in finger recess 24b. Again, finger engaging member 30 retains the handgrip 90 on the user's hand 50. Additionally, FIG. 10 illustrates a user placing the inverted handgrip 90 on her hand 50. The act of grasping, i.e. curling her fingers 52, 54, 56, 58 around inverted handgrip 90, will position the flat portion 36 of the finger engaging member 30 between the first knuckles 53, 57 and second knuckles 55, 59 of her middle and ring fingers 54, 56. As such, inverted handgrip 90 will be stabilized on the user's fingers 52, 54, 56, 58, and coupling arms 32 and 34, positioned in the space between the user's ring and little fingers 56, 58 and between her index and middle fingers 52, 54, will prevent the grip from sliding over her hand 50.

[0036] Turning now to FIG. 7, a grip assembly 60 comprising first and second handgrips 62a and 62b is shown installed around the grip or handle portion 63 of a golf club 61. Conversely in FIG. 8, a grip assembly 70 comprising first and second handgrips 72a and 72b is shown installed around the handle portion 73 of baseball bat 71. Each of the handgrips 62a, 62b, 72a, and 72b has the identical structure described above with respect to handgrip 10 of FIGS. 1-6. Moreover, the installation of handgrips 62a, 62b and 72a, 72b are independent of the user's dominant hand. In this sense, the orientation of the handgrips on the sporting equipment is exclusive of whether the user swings the sporting equipment left- or right-handed. A golf club 61 and baseball bat 71 are used in the following descriptions for illustrative purposes only and it should be readily apparent that handgrips 62a and 62b and 72a and 72b of the present disclosure would find equal applicability with any instrument having an elongated member, particularly tools and/or sporting equipment.

[0037] In operation with the baseball bat 71, the arcuate gripping surface 18a of the first handgrip 72a is placed in contact with the outer surface 74 of the handle portion 73 of the baseball bat 71. Lower finger recess 24da is positioned adjacent the knob 75 of the baseball bat 71 such that a finger of a user placed within recess 24da is secured between curvilinear projection 26da and the knob 75 (FIG. 8). In this configuration, indicating arrow 41a of handgrip 72a points toward the knob 75 of baseball bat 71, and lower finger recess 24da defines the lower extremity of handgrip 72a.

[0038] Next, a user places the second handgrip 72b in contact with the outer surface 74 of the handle portion 73 of baseball bat 71 adjacent to the first end 20a of the first handgrip 72a. The arcuate gripping surface 18b of the second handgrip 72b engages the outer surface 74 of the handle portion 73. The second end 22b of the second handgrip 72b is placed adjacent to the first end 20a of the first handgrip 72a. Once again, indicating arrow 41b of handgrip 72b is oriented downwardly such that the lower finger recess 24db of the second handgrip 72b defines the lower extremity of the second handgrip 72b. As a result, a finger of the user's second hand may reside in lower finger recess 24db of the second handgrip 72b and intermediate curvilinear projection 26db of the second handgrip 72b and curvilinear projection 26aa of the first handgrip 72a.

[0039] In operation with the golf club 61, the arcuate gripping surface 18a of the first handgrip 62a is placed in contact with the outer surface 64 of the grip 63 of golf club 61. The first end 20a is positioned proximate an end 65 of the grip 63 such that curvilinear projection 26aa is positioned intermediate a finger of the user's hand and the end 65 of the grip 63 (FIG. 7). In this configuration, indicating arrow 41a of the first handgrip 62a points away from the end 65 and towards the middle of the grip 63. As a result, the lower finger recess 24da defines an upper extremity of the first handgrip 62a.

[0040] Next, a user places the second handgrip 62b in contact with the outer surface 64 of the grip 63 of golf club 61 adjacent the second end 22a of the first handgrip 62a. More specifically, the second end 22b of the second handgrip 62b is juxtaposed with the second end 22a of the first handgrip 62a. And so indicating arrow 41b of the second handgrip 62b points toward indicating arrow 41a of the first handgrip 62a such that lower finger recess 24db of the second handgrip 62b defines a lower extremity of the second handgrip 62b. Accordingly, lower finger recess 24da of the first handgrip 62a (forming an upper extremity) and lower finger recess 24db of the second handgrip 62b (forming a lower extremity) define a recess that facilitates a variety of golf club grips, e.g. baseball or ten finger, overlock, or interlock. Again, the arcuate gripping surface 18b of the second handgrip 62b engages the outer surface 64 of grip 63.

[0041] Once each handgrip has been properly oriented on the user's hands and positioned on the elongated member, the user is free to swing the elongated member. Because handgrip 10 preferably comprises a resilient, yet non-slip, material, shocks from contact with a sport ball are at least partially absorbed and the abrasiveness on the user's hand is reduced. Additionally, the position of handgrip 10 on the user's hand, described previously, facilitates holding the elongated member on the user's fingers as opposed to back in the palm. This is particularly important when using handgrip 10 on a baseball bat. To this end, the use of handgrip 10 on a baseball bat may supplement the need for batting gloves.

[0042] Alternatively, handgrip 10 may be easily used with a batting glove in accordance with some users' personal preferences. Moreover, a handgrip 10′ could be modified and coupled to a batting glove 102, as illustrated by handgrip assembly 100 in FIG. 11. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 11, handgrip 10′ has substantially similar structure as described above with respect to handgrip 10, except where otherwise indicated, and is illustratively coupled to baseball glove 102 in the orientation of upright handgrip 80 of FIG. 9. Depending upon the illustrative coupling means, the finger engaging member 30 may be eliminated.

[0043] Illustratively, handgrip 10′ could be coupled to batting glove 102 in a number of ways, including binding (e.g., stitching), permanent or transitory adhering (e.g., glue), or integrally molding with the batting glove 102. While the resilient body member 12 of handgrip 10′ is preferably coupled to the batting glove 102 at the intersection of finger slots 106, 107, 108, 109 and palm 104 of the batting glove 102, resilient body member 12 of handgrip 10′ could be coupled to baseball glove 102 at a number of locations, for example, further towards a distal end of finger slots 106, 107, 108, 109. Further, finger engaging member 30 is shown in phantom in FIG. 11 to illustrate that handgrip 10′ may or may not include finger engaging member 30 when handgrip 10′ is coupled to baseball glove 102. Additionally, while shown as having a unitary body in FIG. 11, handgrip 10′ could be segmented with the finger slots 106, 107, 108, and 109 of the batting glove 102 in such a way, for example, as to facilitate ease in adjustability on the elongated member, increase the flexibility of the batting glove 102, or both.

[0044] After swinging, the user is free to release the elongated member. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and apparent from the above descriptions, the finger engaging member 30 retains handgrip 10 on user's hand even after the elongated member has been released. In this way, the grips are easily transferred to another elongated member or easily repositioned on the same or different elongated member. Such versatility is particularly useful in a situation in which multiple users may be using the same elongated member, for example, baseball, or, conversely, in which a single user is using multiple elongated members in a short period of time, for example, golf. Finally, the handgrip is able to support the user's fingers during vigorous physically activity such as when the batter slides head-first into a base.

[0045] From the above descriptions, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides a handgrip that is easily installed upon and removed from an elongated member. Further, the present disclosure provides a handgrip that can be easily retained on the user's hand after the elongated member is released. Additionally, the handgrip of the present disclosure facilitates proper orientation on the user's hand depending on the type of elongated member.

[0046] While the form of apparatus herein described and the method of operation thereof constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus and method, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.