Roadway Cone Safety Augmentation Device

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

THIS APPLICATION CLAIMS THE BENEFIT OF U.S. PROVISIONAL Ser. No. 63/634,167 , FILED Apr. 15, 2024, WHICH IS INCORPORATED IN ITS ENTIRETY, BY REFERENCE HEREIN.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to technology for the safety of roadway workers, and more particularly to an alarm device warning of approaching errant drivers.

BACKGROUND

Roadway workers are always at risk since there are speeding cars and machinery passing by as they work. These workers tend to become oblivious to these passing motorists and machinery as time passes. Highway worker fatalities at road construction sites are available from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), US Department of Labor. These show on average approximately 52% of the fatalities of roadway workers were to workers on foot that were struck by vehicles. Most, if not all of these, work in construction zones already cordoned off with orange roadway cone markers and having flag persons at either end of the construction zone.

Between 2013 and 2021 work zone fatalities increased 61%. In 2021 there were approximately 1000 fatalities. During the pandemic, despite lower traffic, work zone crashes fatalities rose 33%. Obviously, the orange roadway cones, and flag persons are not working to diminish roadway fatalities from errant drivers. The only logical solution is to focus on the workers'awareness and get that to a heightened state.

Henceforth, a quick acting device or system that could augment existing safety devices and would alert road workers of vehicles that pose an immediate threat, would fulfill a long felt need in the roadway safety industry. This invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the problems and accomplish this.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments, a roadway cone safety augmentation device that has an impact sensor transmitter in communication with a wearable remote alert receiver.

In one aspect, an impact sensor transmitter configured for rapid and secure affixation to a roadway cone, is provided.

In another aspect, a rechargeable battery powered, wearable worker receiver in electronic communication with a rechargeable battery powered transmitter mounted on a roadway cone configured to send an alert signal to the alert receiver upon a threshold level of motion detected in the roadway cone.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combination of features and embodiments that do not include all the above-described features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of embodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to similar components.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of an impact sensor transmitter engaged with its cone adapter;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an alert receiver;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective of an impact sensor transmitter;

FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of an alert receiver;

FIGS. 5-7 are top, side and side perspective views of an impact sensor transmitter;

FIG. 8-11 are top, side perspective, side and a side cross sectional view taken through sectional line A - A of the cone adapter;

FIG. 12-17 are top perspective, top, first end, side, second end and bottom of the alert receiver;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an impact sensor partially threaded into its cone adapter;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an impact sensor fully threaded into its cone adapter;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of an impact sensor partially threaded into its cone adapter and engaged in a roadway cone through its top orifice;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an impact sensor fully threaded into its cone adapter and engaged in a roadway cone through its top orifice;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the roadway cone safety augmentation device in use on a roadway;

FIG. 23 is a side view of an activated roadway cone safety augmentation device in use on a roadway; and

FIG. 24 is a side cross sectional view of a roadway safety cone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have been summarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a few exemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice such embodiments. The described examples are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to enable a thorough understanding of the inventive concept. It should be understood, however, that persons having ordinary skill in the art may practice the inventive concept without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first attachment could be termed a second attachment, and, similarly, a second attachment could be termed a first attachment, without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “coupled to”, “engaged to or with” or “connected to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly coupled to or directly connected to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly coupled to,” or “directly connected to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used in the description of the inventive concept and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the term “impact transmitter” refers to an electronic device that generates and sends a wireless signal initiated by its CPU, based on the receipt of an activating stimuli such as a roadway cone movement detected by an accelerometer.

However, the terms transmitter and transceiver are deemed equivalent herein as alternate embodiments of the device may receive signals from the receiver as well.

As used herein, the term “impact transmitter CPU” refers to an integrated circuit device having microprocessors and/or microcontrollers as well as external memory, on-chip peripherals (timers, I/O ports, signal converters, etc.) with an internal controlling bus, wireless communication transmitter/transceiver and a three-axis accelerometer. The CPU is the battery powered electronic device that receives a signal of any motion sensed by the multi-axis accelerometer that exceeds a preset threshold value and generates and outputs a wireless alert signal from its wireless communication transmitter.

As used herein, the term “alert receiver” refers to an electronic device that upon receipt of a wireless signal, affects the action of at least one connected alert unit.

However, the terms receiver and transceiver are deemed equivalent herein as alternate embodiments of the device may send signals from the receiver to the transmitter as well.

As used herein, the term “alert receiver CPU” refers to a integrated circuit device having microprocessors and/or microcontrollers as well as external memory, on-chip peripherals (timers, I/O ports, signal converters, etc.) with an internal controlling bus, wireless communication transceiver/receiver that is configured to receive a wireless signal and affect at least one action of a peripheral connected to the receiver such as a haptic alert (eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor or a linear resonant actuator (LRA)), an audible alert (piezo-electric horn) or a visual alert (flashing led light).

As used herein, the term “roadway cone” refers to any moveable, self-standing vertical member, generally painted a color that is highly visible against a black or grey roadway. It need not be triangular in configuration but must have a means for affixing a “transmitter”thereon.

As used herein, the term “wireless communication transmitter/transceiver” refers to any device capable of generating and transmitting a signal to a remote receiver/transceiver wirelessly using any of the following methods: Radio Frequency (RF) including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID and Zigbee; Microwave; Laser; and Ultrasonic.

As used herein, the term “wireless communication receiver/transceiver” refers to any device capable of receiving a wireless signal from a remote transmitter/transceiver using any of the following methods: Radio Frequency (RF) including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID and Zigbee; Microwave; Laser; and Ultrasonic. Upon receipt it passes the signal to the alert receiver CPU for further action.

The present invention relates to a novel design of a three-piece battery powered alarm system for roadway workers comprising a safety cone mountable impact transmitter 2, a roadway cone adapter 4 and a remote wearable alert receiver 6. This safety device is designed for removeable installation into a conventional orange, triangular roadway cone 8 with a top orifice 10, and in the preferred embodiment, into an LED safety vest. This alarm system is to augment effectiveness of the worker safety a roadway cone 8 provides. It is known that future and more complex systems will utilize transceivers rather than receivers and transmitters, to enable two-way communication between the impact transmitter and the alert receiver for additional features.

Looking at FIGS. 1, 3 and 5-7, the preferred embodiment impact transmitter 2 can best be seen and explained. It has a two-part waterproof sealed, but openable, housing made of a housing body 12 and a housing cap 14. The housing body 12 contains a printed circuit board (PCB) 16 and its operational battery 18. The housing cap 14 frictionally engages about a peripheral flange 20 on the top of the housing body 12 to seal the internal components from the elements. The preferred embodiment allows for a sealant to be placed around the peripheral flange 20 such that additional security from the elements is allowable. This sealant is a broad term and may be a compressible O-ring, caulking, sealant, grease, gasket or some other non-permanent method of making the union waterproof. The housing cap 14 has a series of three recessed screw orifices 22 that matingly align with a series of three stand-off posts 24 in the housing body 12 through which a threaded engagement with a screw (not illustrated) can be realized. In alternate embodiments, the housing body 12 and the housing cap 14 may be permanently connected by such methods as gluing, plastic welding, including but not limited to ultrasonic, laser, or hot plate.

As illustrated best in FIG. 3 there is an internal cavity 26 in the housing body 12 that houses a printed circuit board (PCB) 16, which has mounted on it the impact transmitter CPU 28 with its peripherals, including an accelerometer 34, power switch 36 and indication LED 38, (which is visible in operation through the LED lens 40 on the top of the housing cap 14) as well as the connected battery 18. The power switch 36 and LED extend through the housing for access and visibility. There is also a charging port 44 hard wire connected to the battery 18 mounted thereon the PCB 16 that is accessible from a charging port orifice 46 in the side wall of the housing body 12.

The housing body 12 has a T-shaped, stepped cylindrical configuration best illustrated in FIG. 6. The major diameter upper section 50 houses the PCB and top of the battery 18 (as discussed above) while the minor diameter lower section 52 has at least one exterior thread 54 formed on its outer surface. The lower section 52 has a cross-sectional diameter X (FIG. 6). In the preferred embodiment this is a segmented exterior thread 54 however any partial or full thread form may be utilized.

The impact transmitter 2 is designed for physical engagement within the cone adapter 4 (preferably threaded although alternate embodiments may utilize a plethora of equivalent mechanical connections). The impact transmitter 2 when mated to the cone adapter 4 (FIG. 1) will lock the impact transmitter 2 to the roadway cone 8. (FIG. 21)

Looking at FIGS. 1 and 8-11 the cone adapter 4 can best be explained. The cone adapter 4 has a hollow screw configuration. It has a common screw shape with a cylindrical head 60, a smooth cylindrical middle shank 62 and an outwardly expandable tapered lower wing section 64. The shank 62 and the lower wing section 64 have longitudinal slots 65 formed there through that form the wings 67. There is a bore 72 formed through the longitudinal axis 70 of the cone adapter 4. With the bore 72 and the longitudinal slots 65, the wings 67 of the lower section 64 may flex inward to enter the roadway cone 8 and expand (flare) outwards to lock the core adapter 4 into the roadway cone. In the side wall of the bore 72 there is an interior thread 74 conformed for mating engagement with the exterior thread 54 on the impact transmitter 2. It is to be noted that the exterior thread 54 and the interior thread 74 are located such that they are threadingly engageable when the lower wing section 52 of the impact transmitter 2 contacts the inner side wall 76 of the bore 72 at the tapered wing section of the cone adapter 4. Thus, when the impact transmitter's lower section 52 is inserted into the bore 72 of the cone adapter 4 and threaded therein, the longitudinal slots 65 open slightly causing the wings 67 to flare out away from the axial centerline of the cone adapter 4.

It is to be noted, that the impact transmitter 2 resides suspended with its linear axes aligned along the linear axis of the roadway cone 8. The cone adapter with its flared wings 67 provides a firm lock on the side wall 99 of the roadway cone and the space 34 between the flared wings 67 and the impact sensor 2 provides a spatially void cushion to the impact sensor 2 while preventing the entire device from being ejected from the roadway cone into the roadway. Both features act to ensure the impact sensor's electronics can function and transmit an alert signal when struck by a vehicle.

The impact transmitter 2 and the cone adapter 4 have a dual locking system when installed into a roadway cone 8 to ensure that upon a cone upset, they will not dislodge. For installation, the diameter Y at the top of the wing section 64 is slightly greater than the diameter Z of the orifice 10 at the top of a roadway cone 8. (See FIG. 24) When the wing section 64 on the cone adapter 4 is inserted into the top orifice 10 in the roadway cone 8 up to the top of the wing section 64, it will stop as it will not physically fit. Applying a downward pressure in the direction of the linear axis of the roadway cone 8 will cause the top of the roadway cone 8 to elastically deform and buckle inwards to allow the top end 61 of the cone adapter 4 to enter and descend beyond the cylindrical middle shank 62 until the top cylindrical head 60 contacts the top of the cone 8. This is the first lock between the cone adapter 4 and the roadway cone 8.

When the impact transmitter's lower section 52 is inserted into the inner cavity 72 of the cone adapter 4 (See FIG. 18) and threaded therein, (See FIG. 19) the longitudinal slots 65 open slightly causing the wings of the lower wing section 64 to expand in cross sectional diameter to ensure that the top of the wing section 64 cannot now be extracted through the orifice 10 even under its deformation. Operationally, the impact transmitter inserted into a cone adapter in the top of a roadway cone 8 can be seen in cross section in FIG. 20 and once the impact transmitter is threaded into the cone adapter can be seen in cross section in FIG. 21. This flaring of the wing section 64 is the second lock between the cone adapter 4 and the roadway cone 8.

As can be seen above, the cone adapter 4 and impact sensor 2 are designed for simple, rapid installation into a roadway cone 8 that is accomplished by a simple forceful plunge of the cone adapter 4 into the roadway cone 8 followed by a plunge and twist of the impact sensor 2 into the cone adapter 4. This forces the top end of the lower wing section 67 of the cone adapter past the top orifice 10 in the roadway safety cone 8 and expands the lower wing section outward to lock the unit into the cone and establish a cushion bumper 34.

It is to be noted, that the impact transmitter 2 resides suspended with its linear axis aligned along the linear axis of the roadway cone 8. This creates a physical space 34 between the side wall 30 of the roadway cone 8 and the housing of the impact transmitter 2 when the lower wing section is expanded. This space 34 acts as a cushion or bumper to prevent physical damage to the impact transmitter 2 when a vehicle strikes a roadway cone 8, or when a roadway cone 8 is knocked overt, hereby ensuring that the transmitter's electronics can function and transmit an alert signal. The impact transmitters 2 are far more expensive and sensitive that a roadway cone 8.

The third component of the roadway cone safety augmentation device is the alert receiver 4. (FIGS. 2, 4 and 12-17) The alert receiver 6 has a case 77 made of a first portion shell 70 and a second portion shell 72, that connect to create an internal space 74 that houses a PCB 76 upon which is mounted a receiver CPU 78 with its power switch 80, its wireless communication transmitter/transceiver 82, its haptic alert means 86, its audible horn 88 and its flashing LED 90. There is also an operatively connected battery 84 therein connected to a second charging/communication port 92 extending to the end wall of the case. The case portions 70 and 72 in the preferred embodiment will be connected by threaded engagement of screws through screw orifices in one of the portions and screw posts in the other section.

The alert sensors 6 are intended to be worn by all active personnel on the ground within the active roadway work area. Although not disclosed herein, there is a multitude of ways the alert receiver 6 may be worn by roadway personnel. This envisions lanyards, sleeves, straps, hook and loop fastener strips/patches, vests, hardhats, magnets and the equivalent. They may be worn of the wrist, arm, waist, helmet, suspenders, neck, in various ways or anywhere on the body via an adjustable strap. In the preferred embodiment, the receiver 4 will be connected by a wired connection from its second charging/communication port 92 to an ANSI Class 2 and 3 safety vest that has an LED panel housed on the front and back, or an LED light tube that is located the diameter of the vest at the mid-section. Alternately, the alarm devices may be incorporated solely into the receiver and/or may be incorporated into an article of clothing worn by the road worker, such as a vest, armband, hardhat or the equivalent.

Various embodiments may differ in the number and type of alerts presented by the alert receiver 6. In the preferred embodiment there are all three audible, visual and haptic alerts. Mounting of the alert receiver will be dictated by the individual's sensory capacities and the alerts incorporated into the alert receiver 6. It is to be noted that the audible alert has a frequency and volume intended to be able to be heard through work zone 32 NRR hearing protection, as considering the heavy/manual equipment being used.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the operation of the roadway cone safety augmentation device can best be explained. The batteries of the impact transmitter 2 and the alert receiver 6 are charged and they are powered up. There may be a self-diagnostic test run on all the electrical components by the impact transmitter CPU 28 and the alert receiver CPU 78 upon their power ups. This diagnostic circuit signals its successful completion or fault detection through the units respective LEDS 38 and 90. Once fully operational, the impact transmitters 2 are engaged into the cone adapters 4 which have been installed through the top orifices 10 of the roadway cones 8. The transmitter laden cones 95 are equally interspersed along the road 100 with the conventional roadway cones 97 along the roadway. The ratio of impact transmitter cones to conventional cones will be determined by the worksite location, the proximity of the work to the line established by the roadway cones, the speed of the traffic, and the worker visibility. The workers then don the alert receivers 6. A test is performed by impacting a transmitter 2 and checking all receivers go into alert status and present their three alerts. The transmitters 2 and receivers 6 are then power cycled to reset them.

Work continues as normal until a vehicle strikes a cone with an impact transmitter 95. The multi-axis accelerometer senses the impact and motion of this cone 95 and the impact transmitter CPU develops a wireless alert signal 102 to send out via its wireless communication transmitter provided a threshold level of motion is detected. (The CPU is designed such that it can filter out accelerometer activation based on defined setpoints which would relate to dropping a cone, or it being blown over by a passing semi, compared to being impacted by a vehicle. Vehicle impacts have been designed to include low speed—5-10 MPH, and up to 60 MPH for activation thresholds.) There is slight delay while signal processing to filter out potential stray signals (IE passing car Bluetooth, radios, HAM radios, etc.), proceeds to ensure it was a clean impact signal.

After the impact signal is processed (˜100-200ms), the transmitter sends the wireless signal to all wearable sensors to activate their alarms. All the alert receivers'wireless communication receivers pick up the wireless signal 102 and pass it to the receiver CPU which activates the audible, visual and haptic alerts 104. Both the impact transmitter 2 and the alert receiver 6 are activated for a period that is preset in the timer circuit of the receiver CPU. Depending on the configuration, they must be power cycled to reset. This forces the diagnostic circuit to be run again after the impact to the transmitter cone, ensuring that the equipment has not been compromised.

In the event of a low power battery the alert receiver's LED will flash intermittently for low power, indicating the need to charge. The impact transmitters will flash intermittently for low power as well. This may be more difficult to see during operation, however at the initialization step, the LED light will flash RED, YELLOW, or GREEN based on the calculated power at start-up.

In future alternate embodiments, the audible alert may be customized in frequency and or volume to match the work environment. Additionally, the transmitters 2 and the receivers 6 may be replaced with transceivers, thereby enabling two-way communication between the devices. This would allow for a plethora of other functions such as verification that a worker had their alert transceiver turned on, that the battery on alert transceiver had not died, that there was not a malfunction of the alert receiver CPU, that the worker was out of signal range. Possibly, GPS location of the alert transceivers could be stored for forensic evidence of worker locations. Additionally, the transceivers may be joined to form a mesh network to extend their operating range over the alert transceivers. Additional embodiments may have a central communication hub, for larger work zones, to process the higher number of required input and output signals from transmitters/receivers, for more rapid signal processing & alerting. This additional central hub may also contain alert mechanisms similar in function and intent to the receivers worn by individuals.

The devices will automatically synchronize up with each corresponding device. Failure to connect will be met with a color-coded light, visible on the top of each cone. This will indicate a power-cycle will be necessary to reconnect. Worn sensors will be similarly synced, with the exception that a tone will sound briefly if there is an issue with connecting.

The methodology of augmenting the safety of a roadway cone to provide a safe environment for roadway safety workers of claim 8, comprises the steps of:

Inserting a cone adapter into a top orifice of a roadway safety cone;

Installing an impact sensor transmitter with a multi-axis accelerometer that transmits a wireless alert signal when said cone adapter is contacted by a moving vehicle into said cone adapter;

Expanding a bottom wing section of said cone adapter out to a side wall of said roadway safety cone to lock said impact sensor transmitter into said roadway cone and to create a bumper cushion between said impact sensor transmitter and a side wall of said highway safety cone;

Arranging an array of highway cones with installed said wireless impact transmitters about a road construction site;

Providing a wearable wireless alert receiver to roadworkers at said road construction site;

Sending a wireless alert signal from said impact sensor transmitter to said alert receiver when said safety cone is contacted by a moving vehicle; and

Receiving said alert signal by said alert receiver and providing at least one alert in response thereto, said alert selected from the group consisting of audible alerts, visual alerts and haptic alerts.

An abbreviated method of augmenting the safety of a roadway cone to provide a safe environment for roadway safety workers of claim 8, would comprise the steps of:

Installing into a roadway safety cone, a wireless impact transmitter with a multi-axis accelerometer that transmits a wireless alert signal when said cone adapter is contacted by a moving vehicle;

Arranging an array of highway cones with installed said wireless impact transmitters about a road construction site;

Providing a wearable wireless alert receiver to roadworkers at said road construction site;

Sending a wireless alert signal from said impact sensor transmitter to said alert receiver when said safety cone is contacted by a moving vehicle; and Providing at least one alert signal from said alert receiver, said alert signal selected from the group consisting of audible alerts, visual alerts and haptic alerts.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect to exemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications are possible. Moreover, the system components described according to a particular structural architecture and/or with respect to one system may be organized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporated within other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments are described with—or without—certain features for ease of description and to illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the various components and/or features described herein with respect to a particular embodiment can be substituted, added, and/or subtracted from among other described embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise. Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are described above, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Embodiments are described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, in terms of functional blocks, units and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these blocks, units and/or modules can be physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, CPUs, microcontrollers, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like, which may be formed using semiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturing technologies. In the case of the blocks, units and/or modules being implemented by microprocessors, microcontrollers or similar, they may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. Alternatively, each block, unit and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors, microcontrollers and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block, unit and/or module of the embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts. Further, the blocks, units and/or modules of the embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.

The impact transmitter and alert sensor can include embedded controllers, such as programmable or non-programmable logic devices or arrays, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), embedded computers, smart cards, and the like. One skilled in the art will appreciate that network communication can utilize various wired and/or wireless short range or long-range carriers and protocols, including radio frequency (RF), satellite, microwave, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 545.11, Bluetooth®, optical, infrared, cable, laser, etc.

Consequently, in view of the wide variety of permutations to the embodiments described herein, this detailed description, and accompanying material is intended to be illustrative only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the inventive concept. What is claimed as the invention, therefore, is all such modifications as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto. Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: