阅读说明：本技术 一种具有指示作用的桥梁护栏用灯具 (Bridge is lamps and lanterns for guardrail with indicative function ) 是由 文国强 于 2021-08-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种具有指示作用的桥梁护栏用灯具,包括安装板,所述安装板上表面转动卡设有转环,所述转环上表面设有限位杆,所述安装板上表面转动设有圆盘,所述圆盘上表面设有齿板,所述圆盘上表面开设有转孔,所述转孔内部设有支撑柱,所述支撑柱端部固定连接有保护盒,所述转孔内部设有第二电机,所述第二电机端部设有齿轮,所述齿轮与齿板啮合,所述圆盘侧面设有旋转结构,所述保护盒内部设有滑轨,所述滑轨侧面滑动卡设有指示灯,所述保护盒内部设有固定板,所述固定板上表面设有升降结构,设置可升降的太阳能板,在使用时可从保护盒里推出,利用光能,在不使用时可收回到保护盒内,防止遇到恶劣天气使得太阳能板受到损坏。(The invention discloses a lamp for a bridge guardrail with an indicating function, which comprises a mounting plate, wherein a rotating ring is rotatably clamped on the upper surface of the mounting plate, a limiting rod is arranged on the upper surface of the rotating ring, a disc is rotatably arranged on the upper surface of the mounting plate, a toothed plate is arranged on the upper surface of the disc, a rotating hole is formed in the upper surface of the disc, a supporting column is arranged in the rotating hole, the end part of the supporting column is fixedly connected with a protective box, a second motor is arranged in the rotating hole, a gear is arranged at the end part of the second motor, the gear is meshed with the toothed plate, a rotating structure is arranged on the side surface of the disc, a sliding rail is arranged in the protective box, an indicating lamp is slidably clamped on the side surface of the sliding rail, a fixed plate is arranged in the protective box, a lifting structure is arranged on the upper surface of the fixed plate, a liftable solar panel is arranged, and can be pushed out of the protective box when in use to utilize light energy, when not in use, the solar panel can be retracted into the protection box, so that the solar panel is prevented from being damaged due to severe weather.)

1. The utility model provides a lamps and lanterns for bridge railing with indicative function, includes mounting panel (1), its characterized in that, mounting panel (1) upper surface rotates the card and is equipped with swivel (11), swivel (11) upper surface is equipped with gag lever post (12), mounting panel (1) upper surface rotates and is equipped with disc (7), disc (7) upper surface is equipped with pinion rack (71), hole (72) have been seted up to disc (7) upper surface, the inside support column (73) that is equipped with of hole (72), support column (73) end fixedly connected with protection box (2), the inside second motor (8) that is equipped with of hole (72), second motor (8) tip is equipped with gear (81), gear (81) and pinion rack (71) meshing, disc (7) side is equipped with revolution mechanic (6), protection box (2) inside is equipped with slide rail (23), slide rail (23) side slip card is equipped with pilot lamp (3), protection box (2) inside is equipped with fixed plate (22), fixed plate (22) upper surface is equipped with elevation structure (4), folding groove (21) have been seted up to protection box (2) upper surface, protection box (2) side is equipped with changes board structure (5).

2. The lamp with indicating function for the bridge guardrail as claimed in claim 1, wherein: elevation structure (4) include lifter plate (41), lifter plate (41) upper surface is equipped with solar panel (45), solar panel (45) can the activity card be established in folding groove (21), lifter plate (41) upper surface is equipped with threaded rod (42), threaded rod (42) run through protection box (2) and the first carousel of fixedly connected with (441), first carousel (441) outside rotation card is equipped with first belt (44), lifter plate (41) upper surface is equipped with first motor (43), first motor (43) run through protection box (2) and fixedly connected with second carousel (442), second carousel (442) rotate the card and establish in first belt (44).

3. The lamp with indicating function for the bridge guardrail as claimed in claim 1, wherein: revolution mechanic (6) include limiting plate (61), limiting plate (61) upper surface is equipped with spacing snap ring (611), spacing snap ring (611) side rotates the card and is equipped with revolves axle (62), revolve axle (62) run through spacing snap ring (611) and with gear (81) fixed connection, revolve the outside rotation card of axle (62) and be equipped with second belt (64), limiting plate (61) upper surface is equipped with spacing cardboard (612), spacing cardboard (612) side rotates and is equipped with card axle (631), card axle (631) rotates the card and establishes in second belt (64), card axle (631) side is equipped with second helical gear (63).

4. The light fixture with indicating function for bridge guardrail of claim 3, wherein: the rotating plate structure (5) comprises a rotating block (52), the rotating block (52) is slidably clamped on the side surface of the protection box (2), the side surface of the rotating block (52) is hinged with a hinged rod (521), the end part of the hinged rod (521) is hinged with a reflecting plate (51), the end part of the reflecting plate (51) is provided with a rotating column (511), the upper surface of the rotating column (511) is rotatably inserted with a limiting rotating plate (26), the limiting rotating plate (26) is fixedly connected with the protection box (2), the side surface of the rotating block (52) is provided with a connecting rod (522), the end part of the connecting rod (522) is fixedly connected with a lantern ring (53), a clamping block (531) is arranged in the lantern ring (53) in a sliding and clamping way, a rotating handle (54) is arranged on the side surface of the clamping block (531), a rotating rod (55) is arranged on the side surface of the rotating handle (54), the external of the rotating rod (55) is fixedly sleeved with a first bevel gear (551), and the first bevel gear (551) is meshed with a second bevel gear (63).

5. The light fixture with indicating function for bridge guardrail of claim 4, wherein: the side surface of the protection box (2) is provided with a rotary groove (25), and the rotary block (52) is slidably clamped in the rotary groove (25).

6. The lamp with indicating function for the bridge guardrail as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the side of the indicator light (3) is provided with a first sliding rod (31), the side of the sliding rail (23) is provided with a sliding groove (231), and the first sliding rod (31) can be movably clamped in the sliding groove (231).

7. The lamp with indicating function for the bridge guardrail as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the protection box (2) is internally provided with a clamping groove (24), the lower surface of the indicator light (3) is provided with a second sliding rod (32), and the second sliding rod (32) can be movably clamped in the clamping groove (24).

8. The lamp with indicating function for the bridge guardrail as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the limiting rod (12) is externally provided with a rotating shaft (121) in a rotating sleeve mode, and the rotating shaft (121) is tangent to the disc (7).

9. The lamp with indicating function for the bridge guardrail as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a limiting block (721) is arranged inside the rotating hole (72), and the upper surface of the limiting block (721) is fixedly connected with the second motor (8).

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of bridge guardrails, in particular to a lamp with an indicating function for a bridge guardrail.

Background

The guardrail is used as a protection and protection facility, the existing guardrail generally mainly focuses on firmness and durability, and considers less other functions, the guardrail is usually used for separating motor vehicle lanes on a municipal road at present, the existing municipal guardrail is similar in structure, a middle supporting upright post is usually a hollow post, the cross section is rectangular, a cover is embedded at the upper end to complete the whole, the traditional bridge guardrail mostly uses a street lamp without a protection device and is easy to fall and damage when a vehicle collides with a bridge, the light emitted by a lamp for the traditional bridge guardrail cannot be adjusted in intensity, the traditional bridge guardrail is easy to be seen by a driver under special conditions, the brightness cannot be warned to the driver, and the traditional bridge guardrail lamp is not provided with a solar panel or is exposed outside all the time, so that the solar panel is easy to damage and cannot fully utilize a light source, therefore, a lamp for a bridge guardrail with an indicating function is provided for solving the problem.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a lamp for a bridge guardrail with an indicating function, so as to solve the problems in the background technology.

In order to achieve the purpose, the invention provides the following technical scheme: the utility model provides a lamps and lanterns for bridge railing with indicative function, includes the mounting panel, the mounting panel upper surface rotates the card and is equipped with the change, the change upper surface is equipped with the gag lever post, the mounting panel upper surface rotates and is equipped with the disc, the disc upper surface is equipped with the pinion rack, the hole has been seted up changeing to the disc upper surface, change downthehole portion and be equipped with the support column, support column tip fixedly connected with protection box, change downthehole portion and be equipped with the second motor, second motor tip is equipped with the gear, gear and pinion rack meshing, the disc side is equipped with revolution mechanic, the inside slide rail that is equipped with of protection box, slide rail side slide card is equipped with the pilot lamp, the inside fixed plate that is equipped with of protection box, the fixed plate upper surface is equipped with elevation structure, folding groove has been seted up to protection box upper surface, protection box side is equipped with changes the plate structure.

Preferably, elevation structure includes the lifter plate, the lifter plate upper surface is equipped with solar panel, solar panel can move about the card and establish in folding inslot, the lifter plate upper surface is equipped with the threaded rod, the threaded rod runs through the first carousel of protection box and fixedly connected with, the outside card of rotating of first carousel is equipped with first belt, the lifter plate upper surface is equipped with first motor, first motor runs through protection box and fixedly connected with second carousel, the second carousel rotates the card and establishes in first belt.

Preferably, revolution mechanic includes the limiting plate, the limiting plate upper surface is equipped with spacing snap ring, spacing snap ring side is rotated the card and is equipped with the spiral shaft, the spiral shaft run through spacing snap ring and with gear fixed connection, the outside rotation card of spiral shaft is equipped with the second belt, the limiting plate upper surface is equipped with spacing cardboard, spacing cardboard side is rotated and is equipped with the card axle, the card axle rotates the card and establishes in the second belt, card axle side is equipped with the second helical gear.

Preferably, the rotating plate structure comprises a rotating block, the rotating block is slidably clamped on the side face of the protection box, the side face of the rotating block is hinged with a hinge rod, the end part of the hinge rod is hinged with a reflection plate, the end part of the reflection plate is provided with a rotating column, the upper surface of the rotating column is rotatably inserted with a limiting rotating plate, the limiting rotating plate is fixedly connected with the protection box, the side face of the rotating block is provided with a connecting rod, the end part of the connecting rod is fixedly connected with a lantern ring, the sliding block inside the lantern ring is provided with a clamping block, the side face of the clamping block is provided with a rotating handle, the side face of the rotating handle is provided with a rotating rod, the outer part of the rotating rod is fixedly sleeved with a first helical gear, and the first helical gear is meshed with a second helical gear.

Preferably, a rotary groove is formed in the side face of the protection box, and the rotary block is slidably clamped in the rotary groove.

Preferably, the side face of the indicating lamp is provided with a first sliding rod, the side face of the sliding rail is provided with a sliding groove, and the first sliding rod can be movably clamped in the sliding groove.

Preferably, a clamping groove is formed in the protection box, a second sliding rod is arranged on the lower surface of the indicating lamp, and the second sliding rod can be movably clamped in the clamping groove.

Preferably, the limiting rod is externally provided with a rotating shaft in a rotating manner, and the rotating shaft is tangent to the disc.

Preferably, the rotating hole is internally provided with a limiting block, and the upper surface of the limiting block is fixedly connected with the second motor.

Compared with the prior art, the invention has the beneficial effects that:

1. the solar panel capable of being lifted is arranged, can be pushed out of the protection box when in use, and can be retracted into the protection box when not in use by utilizing light energy, so that the solar panel is prevented from being damaged in severe weather;

2. the angle-adjustable reflector is arranged, so that the angle of the reflector can be adjusted according to actual needs, the effects of adjusting the light irradiation range and emphasizing irradiation are achieved, and meanwhile, the warning effect can be achieved by continuously changing the light intensity;

3. the rotatable turntable is arranged to drive the lamp to rotate within a small range, so that the irradiation range of the lamp is larger, and the sight blind area is avoided.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of the structure of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an indicator light according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the lift structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a rotating plate according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a rotary structure of the present invention;

in the figure: 1. mounting a plate; 11. rotating the ring; 12. a limiting rod; 121. a rotating shaft; 2. a protection box; 21. a folding slot; 22. a fixing plate; 23. a slide rail; 24. a card slot; 25. rotating the groove; 26. a limiting rotating plate; 231. a chute; 3. an indicator light; 31. a first slide bar; 32. a second slide bar; 4. a lifting structure; 41. a lifting plate; 42. a threaded rod; 43. a first motor; 44. a first belt; 45. a solar panel; 441. a first turntable; 442. a second turntable; 5. a rotating plate structure; 51. a reflector; 52. rotating the block; 53. a collar; 54. turning a handle; 55. rotating the rod; 511. turning the column; 521. a hinged lever; 522. a connecting rod; 531. a clamping block; 551. a first helical gear; 6. a rotating structure; 61. a limiting plate; 62. rotating the shaft; 63. a second helical gear; 64. a second belt; 611. a limit snap ring; 612. a limiting clamping plate; 631. clamping a shaft; 7. a disc; 71. a toothed plate; 72. hole turning; 73. a support pillar; 721. a limiting block; 8. a second motor; 81. a gear.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1-6, the present invention provides a technical solution: a lamp with an indicating function for bridge guardrails comprises a mounting plate 1, wherein a rotary ring 11 is arranged on the upper surface of the mounting plate 1 in a rotary clamping manner, a limiting rod 12 is arranged on the upper surface of the rotary ring 11, a disc 7 is arranged on the upper surface of the mounting plate 1 in a rotary manner, a toothed plate 71 is arranged on the upper surface of the disc 7, a rotary hole 72 is arranged on the upper surface of the disc 7, a support column 73 is arranged inside the rotary hole 72, the disc 7 can rotate to drive a protection box 2 to rotate through the support column 73, the end part of the support column 73 is fixedly connected with the protection box 2, a second motor 8 is arranged inside the rotary hole 72, a gear 81 is arranged at the end part of the second motor 8, the gear 81 is meshed with the toothed plate 71, the second motor 8 drives the gear 81 to rotate, so as to drive the disc 7 to rotate through the toothed plate 71, a rotary structure 6 is arranged on the side surface of the disc 7, a slide rail 23 is arranged inside the protection box 2, an indicating lamp 3 is arranged on the side surface of the slide rail 23, a slide rail 23 is arranged on the side surface of the protection box 2, the spout 231 has been seted up to the slide rail 23 side, can make 3 slip cards of pilot lamp establish in spout 231, carry on spacingly to pilot lamp 3, and pilot lamp 3 dismantles the change easily when pilot lamp 3 damages moreover, and protection box 2 is inside to be equipped with fixed plate 22, and fixed plate 22 upper surface is equipped with elevation structure 4, and folding groove 21 has been seted up to protection box 2 upper surface, and protection box 2 side is equipped with changes board structure 5.

The lifting structure 4 comprises a lifting plate 41, a solar panel 45 is arranged on the upper surface of the lifting plate 41, the solar panel 45 can be movably clamped in the folding groove 21, a threaded rod 42 is arranged on the upper surface of the lifting plate 41, the threaded rod 42 penetrates through the protection box 2 and is fixedly connected with a first rotating disc 441, a first belt 44 is rotatably clamped outside the first rotating disc 441, a first motor 43 is arranged on the upper surface of the lifting plate 41, the first motor 43 penetrates through the protection box 2 and is fixedly connected with a second rotating disc 442, the second rotating disc 442 is rotatably clamped in the first belt 44, when weather is clear, a power supply of the first motor 43 can be started, the first motor 43 drives the second rotating disc 442 to rotate, a first belt 44 is rotatably clamped outside the second rotating disc 442, the second rotating disc 442 rotates to drive the first belt 44 to rotate, the first belt 44 rotates to drive the first rotating disc 441 to rotate, thereby driving the threaded rod 42 to rotate, and the lifting plate 41 is driven to ascend by the threaded rod 42, the solar panel 45 is arranged on the upper surface of the lifting plate 41, the lifting plate 41 rises to push the solar panel 45 to be lifted out of the folding groove 21 and to be leaked above the protection box 2, light energy can be fully utilized, if the rain occurs, the first motor 43 can be started to drive the second turntable 442 to rotate in the opposite direction, so that the threaded rod 42 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction, the lifting plate 41 is driven to descend, the solar panel 45 is driven to return to the protection box 2 again, and the solar panel 45 is prevented from being damaged.

Revolution mechanic 6 includes limiting plate 61, limiting plate 61 upper surface is equipped with spacing snap ring 611, spacing snap ring 611 side rotates the card and is equipped with the axle 62 soon, the axle 62 soon runs through spacing snap ring 611 and with gear 81 fixed connection, the outside rotation card of axle 62 soon is equipped with second belt 64, limiting plate 61 upper surface is equipped with spacing cardboard 612, spacing cardboard 612 side rotates and is equipped with card axle 631, card axle 631 rotates the card and establishes in second belt 64, card axle 631 side is equipped with second helical gear 63, gear 81 rotates and can drive axle 62 soon and rotate, thereby it rotates to revolve axle 62 and drive second belt 64, second belt 64 rotates and drives card axle 631 and rotate, card axle side is equipped with second helical gear 631, thereby drive second helical gear 631 and rotate, second helical gear 63 meshes with first helical gear 551, thereby drive first helical gear 551 and rotate.

The rotating plate structure 5 comprises a rotating block 52, the rotating block 52 is slidably clamped on the side surface of the protection box 2, the side surface of the rotating block 52 is hinged with a hinge rod 521, the end part of the hinge rod 521 is hinged with a reflection plate 51, the end part of the reflection plate 51 is provided with a rotating column 511, the upper surface of the rotating column 511 is rotatably inserted with a limiting rotating plate 26, the limiting rotating plate 26 is fixedly connected with the protection box 2, the side surface of the rotating block 52 is provided with a connecting rod 522, the end part of the connecting rod 522 is fixedly connected with a sleeve ring 53, the inside of the sleeve ring 53 is slidably clamped with a fixture block 531, the side surface of the fixture block 531 is provided with a rotating handle 54, the side surface of the rotating handle 54 is provided with a rotating rod 55, the rotating rod 55 is fixedly sleeved with a first helical gear 551, the first helical gear 551 is meshed with a second helical gear 63, the first helical gear 551 rotates to drive the rotating rod 55 to rotate, so as to drive the rotating handle 54 to rotate, the fixture block 531 slides up and down in the sleeve 53, so as to drive the rotating block 52 to slide in the rotating groove 25 through the connecting rod 522, the rotating block 52 is hinged with the reflection plate 51 through the hinge rod 521, the hinge point of the hinge rod 521 and the reflector 51 is located at the lower center of the reflector 51, and the rotating block 52 slides in the rotating slot 25 to drive the reflector 51 to swing back and forth along the limiting rotating plate 26 within a small range, so as to adjust the angle of light reflection emitted by the indicator light 3.

The rotating groove 25 has been seted up to protection box 2 side, and the sliding card of commentaries on classics piece 52 is established in rotating groove 25, and commentaries on classics piece 52 is articulated with reflector panel 51 through articulated rod 521, and articulated rod 521 is located reflector panel 51 center off centre department with reflector panel 51's pin joint, and commentaries on classics piece 52 slides in rotating groove 25 and drives reflector panel 51 along spacing commentaries on classics board 26 back and forth the swing of miniverum to the angle of the light reflection that the adjustment pilot lamp 3 jetted out.

The side of the indicator light 3 is provided with a first slide bar 31, the side of the slide rail 23 is provided with a slide groove 231, and the first slide bar 31 can be movably clamped in the slide groove 231 to limit the indicator light 3.

The inside draw-in groove 24 of having seted up of protection box 2, the lower surface of pilot lamp 3 is equipped with second slide bar 32, and second slide bar 32 can the activity card establish in draw-in groove 24, carry on spacingly to pilot lamp 3.

The outside cover that rotates of gag lever post 12 is equipped with pivot 121, pivot 121 is tangent with disc 7, 1 upper surface of mounting panel rotates and is equipped with swivel 11, 11 upper surfaces of swivels are equipped with gag lever post 12, 12 outside rotation covers of gag lever post are equipped with pivot 121, pivot 121 rotates with disc 7 and is tangent, can drive pivot 121 when disc 7 rotates, thereby spacing disc 7, and 7 sides of disc are equipped with limiting plate 61, can drive revolution mechanic 6 and disc 7 through limiting plate 61 and rotate together, it is spacing to carry out disc 7, improve 7 stability of disc, when limiting plate 61 rotates to contact with gag lever post 12, can promote gag lever post 12, thereby drive swivel 11 and rotate.

The inside stopper 721 that is equipped with of rotating hole 72, stopper 721 upper surface and second motor 8 fixed connection carry on spacingly to second motor 8.

The working principle is as follows: when the solar energy storage box is used, the lifting structure 4 can control the solar panel 45 to ascend or descend, when weather is clear, the first motor 43 can be started to supply power, the first motor 43 drives the second turntable 442 to rotate, the first belt 44 is clamped outside the second turntable 442 in a rotating mode, the second turntable 442 rotates to drive the first belt 44 to rotate, the first belt 44 rotates to drive the first turntable 441 to rotate, so as to drive the threaded rod 42 to rotate, the threaded rod 42 rotates to drive the lifting plate 41 to ascend, the solar panel 45 is arranged on the upper surface of the lifting plate 41, the lifting plate 41 ascends to push the solar panel 45 to be lifted out of the folding groove 21 and is exposed above the protection box 2, light energy can be fully utilized, when the weather occurs, the first motor 43 can be started to drive the second turntable 442 to rotate in the opposite direction, so as to drive the threaded rod 42 to rotate in the opposite direction, the lifting plate 41 descends to drive the solar panel 45 to return to the protection box 2 again, the solar panel 45 is prevented from being damaged, when the irradiation angle of the indicator light 3 needs to be adjusted, the power supply of the second motor 8 can be started to drive the gear 81 to rotate, the gear 81 is meshed with the toothed plate 71, the gear 81 rotates to drive the disc 7 to rotate, so that the protective box 2 is driven to rotate through the support column 73, the side surface of the protective box 2 is provided with the slide rail 23, the side surface of the slide rail 23 is provided with the slide groove 231, the indicator light 3 can be slidably clamped in the slide groove 231 to limit the indicator light 3, when the indicator light 3 is damaged, the indicator light 3 is easy to detach and replace, the gear 81 rotates to drive the rotary shaft 62 to rotate, the rotary shaft 62 rotates to drive the second belt 64 to rotate, the second belt 64 rotates to drive the clamping shaft to rotate, the side surface of the clamping shaft 631 is provided with the second helical gear 63, the second helical gear 63 is meshed with the first helical gear 551 to rotate, the first bevel gear 551 rotates to drive the rotary rod 55 to rotate, thereby driving the rotary handle 54 to rotate, so that the fixture block 531 slides up and down in the sleeve ring 53, thereby driving the rotary block 52 to slide in the rotary slot 25 through the connecting rod 522, the rotary block 52 is hinged with the reflector 51 through the hinge rod 521, the hinge point of the hinge rod 521 and the reflector 51 is located at the lower center of the reflector 51, the rotary block 52 slides in the rotary slot 25 to drive the reflector 51 to swing back and forth along the limit rotary plate 26 in a small range, thereby adjusting the angle of light reflection emitted by the indicator lamp 3, thereby playing a role of adjusting the light range, simultaneously, the light adjustment can also play a role of warning, the protection box 2 rotates to drive the indicator lamp 3 to rotate, thereby avoiding the appearance of sight blind zone as much as possible, the rotary ring 11 is arranged on the upper surface of the mounting plate 1, the limiting rod 12 is arranged on the upper surface of the rotary ring 11, the limiting rod 12 is sleeved with the rotary shaft 121 outside the limiting rod 12, the pivot 121 rotates with disc 7 tangent, disc 7 can drive the pivot 121 when rotating and rotate, thereby it is spacing to carry out disc 7, and disc 7 side is equipped with limiting plate 61, can drive revolution mechanic 6 and disc 7 through limiting plate 61 and rotate together, when limiting plate 61 rotates to contact with gag lever post 12, can promote gag lever post 12, thereby drive swivel 11 and rotate, make gag lever post 12 and limiting plate 61 rotate together, it is spacing to carry out disc 7, improve disc 7's stability.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.