(12) United States Patent
`US 6,817,402 B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`Fraczek et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 16, 2004
`
`USOO6817402B1
`
`4,122,559 A * 10/1978 Kelly ............................ 4/608
`4,231,411 A * 11/1980 Hehletal. .................. 160/120
`4,372,432 A
`2/1983 Waine et al.
`4,433,765 A
`2/1984 Rude et al.
`5,975,186 A * 11/1999 Day ........................... 160/321
`192/2234
`1/2001 Liu ...............
`6,173,825 B1 *
`
`6,457,688 B1 * 10/2002 Welfonder ........... 248/266
`
`12/2002 Parent
`...........
`248/267
`6,499,709 B1
`6,532,109 B1
`3/2003 Shopp ........................ 359/461
`
`**
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Blair M. Johnson
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jeffrey M. Kaden, Esq.;
`Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, PC.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Acassette system for window treatment includes a head rail
`with a base, end brackets attached to the base in a facing
`relationship and at least one roller blind with a mandrel and
`a decorative panel that is wound on the mandrel. The panel
`can be selectively drawn off the mandrel by rotation thereof.
`The end brackets are identical and mate with end plugs on
`the mandrel to rotationally support the roller blind. In an
`alternate embodiment, two or more roller blinds are sup-
`ported by intermediate brackets or by an intermediate
`bracket and an end bracket. The end plugs on the madrel(s)
`have identical shapes to mate with respective legs on the end
`brackets.
`
`(54) UNIVERSAL BRACKETING AND CAP
`SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE CASSETTE
`ROLLER SHADE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Richard Fraczek, Stamford, CT (US);
`David M. Cross, Westport, CT (US);
`Jefi'rey Ausfeld, New York, NY (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Rollease, Inc., Stamford, CT (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/391,003
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 18, 2003
`
`(60)
`
`Related US. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/366,318, filed on Mar. 21,
`2002.
`
`(51)
`Int. Cl.7 .................................................. A47G 5/02
`
`(52) US. Cl. ....................... 160/323.1; 248/267
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 160/321, 326,
`160/231, 24, 323.1, 120, 241; 248/266,
`267
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,545,160 A *
`
`7/1925 Myers ........................ 248/266
`
`24 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`0001
`
`Lutron Electronics Co. EX1021
`
`US. Patent No. 10,294,717
`
`Lutron Electronics Co. EX1021
`U.S. Patent No. 10,294,717
`
`0001
`
`

`

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`
`Nov. 16, 2004
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`Nov. 16, 2004
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`Nov. 16, 2004
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`US 6,817,402 Bl
`
`1
`UNIVERSAL BRACKETING AND CAP
`SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE CASSETTE
`ROLLER SHADE
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority to provisional application
`Ser. No. 60/366,318 filed Mar. 21, 2002 entitled UNIVER(cid:173)
`SAL BRACKETING AND CAP SYSTEM FOR CAS(cid:173)
`SETTE ROLLER SHADE and incorporated herein by ref-
`erence.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`system is available, for example, from Benthin Systems of
`Germany. Its main disadvantage is that the bracket and its
`cover add to the cost of the system and are esthetically
`undesirable.
`In addition, both systems described above tend to be
`difficult to assemble.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,372,432 and 4,433,765 disclose clutch
`assemblies that are used for roller blinds and other similar
`devices.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`According to this invention, a window treatment cassette
`system includes a head rail with a base, two preferably
`identical end brackets mounted in the base and a roller blind
`15 supported between the brackets. The blind roller includes
`two end plugs: one for the pin end and one for the clutch.
`The end plugs are formed on the external surface of the
`roller with identical slots adapted to receive the respective
`leg of each supporting bracket. In this manner, the blind
`20 roller can be mounted with the clutch plug end on the left or
`the right, thereby allowing the blind roller to be operated
`from either side.
`In an alternate embodiment, the cassette system is pro(cid:173)
`vided with a plurality of roller blinds of various lengths,
`each roller blind supported either between two intermediate
`brackets or an intermediate bracket and an end bracket.
`
`1. Field of Invention
`This invention pertains to a cassette system for window
`shades and more particularly to a system that incorporates a
`roller blind supported by two identical brackets. The cassette
`system can accommodate one panel that can be deployed by
`a user in the conventional manner, or can include axially
`spaced end panels, each panel each panel being deployed
`independently.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`There are several types of window dressings that can be
`used to cover windows. One of the most popular types of
`window dressings are roller blinds. Typically, roller blinds 25
`consist of a cylindrical mandrel holding a decorative panel
`of fabric, plastic or other pliable material. The cylindrical
`mandrel is formed with a clutch on one side, a pin on the
`other, and supported by two brackets on each side. The end
`of the mandrel supported at the pin is freely rotatable. The 30
`clutch allows the mandrel to rotate in a controlled manner to
`allow selectively the raising or lowering of the panel. A
`control mechanism may,be interfaced with the clutch to
`allow a customer to operate the roller blind, using a chain or
`a rope.
`The simplest roller blinds consist only of the mandrel and
`the panel, and two end brackets. More advanced blind rollers
`are contained in cassette housings. The cassettes provide a
`decorative housing that hides the roller blind (except for the
`panel), the associated hardware, and can be mounted in a
`window frame using a variety of mounting fixtures depend(cid:173)
`ing on the orientation.
`Two different cassette systems with roller blinds are
`known. In one system, the cassettes are provided with roller 45
`blinds having a clutch at one end and a pin at the other, as
`discussed above, with a specific end-cap provided for each
`type of bracket. Systems of this type are available, for
`example, from Multifilm of Cuneo, Italy, Arquati of
`Carrolton, Tex. and Sala Baganza (Parma) Italy. This 50
`arrangement has several disadvantages. One disadvantage is
`that customers demand the ability to install the cassettes
`with the control mechanism, including the clutch on either
`the right or the left side of the window. As a result, the
`cassette systems had to be made with four different types of 55
`brackets: two types for a left clutch and a right pin; and two
`additional types, one for a right clutch and one for a left pin.
`Yet another disadvantage is that there are several types of
`clutches are available, and a different type of bracket must
`be provided for each type of clutch mechanism.
`Another disadvantage on the manufacturing side is that
`end caps of these types require complex and expensive
`tooling, frequently running up to $50,000.
`Another type of cassette system presently available
`requires separate end brackets that must be mounted in the
`window frame and attached to a rail by a screw and finished
`with a protective cover attached to the bracket. This type of
`
`35
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a cassette system
`constructed in accordance with the subject invention for a
`single roller blind;
`FIG. 1a shows a front elevational view of the roller blind
`used in the cassette system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 1b shows a front elevational exploded view of the
`cassette system of FIG. 1A;
`FIG. 1c shows a side elevational view of a clutch plug of
`the cassette system of FIGS. 1a, 1b;
`FIG. 1d shows a side elevational view of a plain plug of
`40 the cassette system of FIGS. 1a, 1b;
`FIG. 2a shows a partial orthogonal view of the head rail
`for the cassette system of FIG. 1 as seen from the back
`without the blind roller and the end caps;
`FIG. 2b shows the head rail of FIG. 2a with the end
`bracket removed;
`FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the bracket of
`FIG. 2b;
`FIG. 4a shows an orthogonal view of a cassette system for
`two blind rollers; and
`FIG. 4b shows an orthogonal view of the cassette of FIG.
`4a with the end plugs removed.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 1a-1d, a cassette system 100
`constructed in accordance with this invention includes a
`head rail12, two end plugs 14A, 14B, a roller blind 15, two
`end brackets 16 and two end caps 18. The end brackets are
`60 mounted on the head rail. The end plugs 14A, 14B are
`inserted telescopically into the roller blind 15 and are
`supported by the end brackets. The cassette system 100 can
`be secured to the frame of a window or other similar fixture
`(not shown) by two or more clips 20 that engage the head rail
`65 12.
`The roller blind 15 includes a hollow mandrel 30 with a
`panel32 wound on the mandrel30. Rotating the mandrel30
`
`0007
`
`

`

`US 6,817,402 Bl
`
`3
`in one direction causes the panel 32 to wind up onto the
`mandrel 30 while rotating the mandrel 30 in the opposite
`direction causes the panel 32 to wind down, as indicated by
`arrow A.
`The ends of the mandrel 30 are hollow to receive end 5
`plugs 14A(shown as an idler) and 14B (shown as a clutch),
`respectively. (In fact, the whole mandrel is typically hollow.)
`End plug 14A consists of a drum 34 and a bushing 36
`rotatably inserted into the drum 36. End plug 14B is formed
`with a drum 38 and a capstan 40. Drums 34, 38 are inserted 10
`into the opposite ends of mandrel 30 and are maintained
`therein by interference fit or by other well known means.
`The drum 38 includes a clutch (not shown). Capstan 40
`includes an opening 42 through which a rope (not shown)
`such as, for example, a cord or bead chain, can pass through. 15
`Within the capstan, the rope passes over a wheel 44 and then
`exits through opening 42. Pulling one end of the rope causes
`the wheel to rotate in one direction. This motion is trans(cid:173)
`mitted to the clutch which then rotates the drum 38 and
`mandrel 30. Pulling the other end of the rope causes the
`mandrel 30 to rotate in the opposite direction. This whole
`mechanism is well known in the art, as described for
`example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,432 incorporated herein by
`reference.
`As best seen in FIG. 1c, the capstan 40 has a central
`scalloped hole 46 on its side surface. The hole 46 defines at
`least one slot 48 having a maximum diameter width D. The
`hole 46 could bet shaped to define two different slots
`disposed, for example, orthogonal to each other, each having
`a maximum width D. As seen in FIG. 1d, the bushing 36 has
`an identical hole 46 with slots 48. The end plugs 14A, 14B
`are installed and oriented with holes 46 positioned coaxially
`with the axis of the mandrel 30 and the slots 42 on the
`respective end plugs disposed in parallel to each other.
`FIGS. 2a and 2b show details of the head rail12 and two
`end brackets 16 mounted on the head rail12 so that they face
`each other. The head rail 12 is made from aluminum, an
`aluminum alloy and other similar rigid and relatively light
`weight material. The head rail is formed with a base 50, a
`rear wall 52 and a front wall 54. The base 50 is formed with
`two L-shaped internal channels 56. The two channels extend
`in parallel to define a track for the brackets 16. The base 50
`and the rear wall 52 each have an external rib 58, 60. These
`external ribs are used to secure the clips 20. The clips 20 are
`external mounting brackets. The front wall 54 is essentially
`decorative and its purpose is to hide the other elements of the
`cassette from view.
`The brackets 16 are generally C-shaped with a vertical
`member 60 and two legs 62, 64 oriented perpendicularly to 50
`the vertical member 60. The leg 64 has a width that
`corresponds to the distance between the channels 56 allow(cid:173)
`ing the brackets to be inserted into the track formed by these
`channels, as shown in FIG. 2b. The leg 62 is formed with a
`small dimple 66 that protrudes slightly to form an interfer- 55
`ence fit with the base 50. As a result of this fit, the brackets
`16 are held within the track. The leg 64 has a width that is
`slightly smaller than the distance D defined by the slots 48
`on the end plugs 14A, 14B.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, the cassette system 100 is 60
`assembled so that the brackets are inserted into the track
`between the rails 56 and the roller blind is supported on the
`legs 64 of the brackets 16. Since these legs 64 are inserted
`into slots 48, the bushing 36 and capstan 40 are immobilized
`thereby allowing the panel 32 to be raised and lowered as 65
`described above. Importantly, since the central holes 46 on
`the end plugs 14A, 14B are identical, the two brackets, in
`
`4
`this example, are identical as well, thereby reducing the
`number of parts required, and manufacturing costs. The end
`caps 18 are made to press fit, as in a manually applied
`frictional engagement onto the head rail12.
`FIGS. 4a and 4b show an alternate embodiment of the
`invention. In this embodiment, a cassette system is shown
`that can be used for two roller blinds disposed side by side.
`As can be seen in these Figures, the cassette system 100
`includes a head rail112, two end brackets. 116 and two roller
`blinds (not shown, but identical to the roller blind of FIGS.
`1-3). Each roller blind has its own set of end plugs 14A, 14B.
`One end plug of each roller blind is mounted on a leg 164
`of one of the end brackets 116. Importantly, the cassette
`system 100 further includes an intermediate bracket 117
`arranged and constructed to slide within the longitudinal
`track formed by ribs 156. The intermediate bracket 117 has
`a vertical member 160 and two legs 164A and 164B oriented
`in the opposite directions, as shown. These legs are used to
`support the other two end plugs of the roller blinds. In FIG.
`4a the end plugs 14B are shown mounted on the legs 164
`20 while the end plugs 14A are mounted on legs 164A, 164B.
`The positions of the end plug can be reversed, or an alternate
`arrangement can be used. For example, starting in FIG. 4a,
`the leftmost end bracket can be used for an end plug 14B, the
`intermediate bracket 117 could be used for one end plug 14B
`25 (facing toward the left) and one end plug 14B facing toward
`the right, The rightmost leg 164 could then be used for an
`end plug 14A.
`The scheme can be extended for any number of roller
`blinds. For this latter cassette system, two end brackets are
`30 required and a number of intermediate brackets, identical to
`bracket 117, are used to provide the proper support. This
`cassette system has several advantages as well. First, the
`same type of parts are used for all systems, the only
`difference between systems being the length of the head rail
`35 112. A further advantage is that each roller blind can be
`raised and lowered independently. Finally, if individual
`cassette systems are used (whether identical to the system
`shown in FIGS. 1-3, or not) each system requires its own
`bracket and end cap at the interface between two adjacent
`40 systems. As a result, when the panels of each roller blinds
`are lowered, the horizontal spacing between these panels is
`substantial. Such a spacing may be esthetically undesirable.
`In the present invention, no end caps are required between
`roller blinds, and subsequently the horizontal spacing ther-
`45 ebetween is substantially equal to the width of the interme(cid:173)
`diate bracket plus the width of the capstan 40. (The distance
`by which the drum 34 on end plug 14A extends axially
`beyond the roller 30 is negligible).
`While the invention has been described with reference to
`several particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
`these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles
`of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in
`particular should be considered as exemplary, not limiting,
`with respect to the following claims.
`We claim:
`1. A cassette system comprising:
`a head rail having a base with a longitudinal track;
`two identical brackets inserted and supported in said
`longitudinal track and having a leg; and
`a roller blind having a first and a second end plug, said end
`plugs having identical slots, each slot receiving one of
`said legs, said first end plug including a control mecha(cid:173)
`nism to control a rotation of said roller blind, said end
`plugs being supported by the legs of said brackets.
`2. The cassette system of claim 1 wherein said end plugs
`are oriented with said slots being disposed in parallel to each
`other.
`
`0008
`
`

`

`US 6,817,402 Bl
`
`5
`
`10
`
`5
`3. The cassette system of claim 1 wherein said roller blind
`includes a mandrel with two ends receiving, said end plugs
`and a panel wound on said mandrel.
`4. The cassette system of claim 1 wherein said head rail
`further includes a front wall and a rear wall, said front wall
`being arranged to cover said mandrel.
`5. The cassette system of claim 1 further comprising two
`end caps covering said brackets.
`6. The cassette system of claim 1 further comprising clips
`attached to said head rail for mounting said cassette.
`7. The cassette system of claim 1 further comprising a
`friction member forming an interference fit between said
`longitudinal track and said brackets.
`8. The cassette system of claim 7 wherein said friction
`member is formed integrally in said brackets.
`9. The cassette system of claim 1 wherein each bracket is
`C-shaped and includes a track leg disposed in said track and
`an end leg mating with one of said end plugs.
`10. A cassette system for window treatment comprising:
`a head rail having a base with a longitudinal track;
`a first end bracket movably disposed in said track and
`having an end leg;
`a second end bracket disposed in said track and having an
`end leg facing the end leg of said first end bracket;
`an intermediate bracket movably disposed in said track
`and having a vertical member with two intermediate
`legs extending in opposite directions from said vertical
`member;
`a first roller blind; and
`a second roller blind;
`said first roller blind being supported by the end leg of
`said first end bracket and an intermediate leg of said
`intermediate bracket, and said second roller blind being
`supported by the end lea of said second end bracket and 35
`the other intermediate leg of said intermediate bracket.
`11. The cassette system of claim 10 wherein said first and
`second end brackets have identical shapes.
`12. The cassette system of claim 10 wherein each roller
`blind has a clutch end plug and a plain end plug, said end 40
`plugs receiving the respective leg to support said roller
`blinds.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`6
`13. The cassette system of claim 7 wherein each roller
`blind has two end plugs and each end plug is formed with a
`slot, all the slots of the end plugs being substantially
`identical and each bracket is formed with substantially
`identical legs, said legs mating with the respective slots.
`14. The cassette system of claim 10 wherein said head rail
`includes a back wall and a front wall forming a tubular
`housing for said roller blind.
`15. The cassette system of claim 14 wherein further
`comprising two end caps covering said brackets.
`16. The cassette system of claim 10 further comprising
`clips attached to said head rail for mounting said cassette.
`17. The cassette system of claim 10 further comprising a
`friction member forming an interference fit between said
`longitudinal track and said brackets.
`18. The cassette system of claim 17 wherein said friction
`member is formed integrally in said brackets.
`19. The cassette system of claim 10 wherein each end
`bracket is C-shaped leg and includes a track leg disposed in
`said track and an end leg mating with one of said end plugs.
`20. A cassette system comprising:
`a head rail with a base formed with a longitudinal track;
`two end brackets each having an end leg and at least one
`intermediate bracket with a vertical member with two
`intermediate legs, said brackets being movably dis(cid:173)
`posed in said track; and
`at least two roller blinds having end plugs, said roller
`blinds being supported in a colinear arrangement
`between said brackets, with said legs and end plugs
`cooperating to allow independent operation of said
`roller blinds.
`21. The cassette system of claim 20 wherein said end
`plugs are formed with slots and said legs being arranged to
`be received in said slots.
`22. The cassette system of claim 21 wherein said end
`wherein said end legs and said intermediate legs are sub(cid:173)
`stantially identical.
`23. The cassette system of claim 20 further comprising
`end caps covering said end brackets.
`24. The cassette system of claim 20 wherein said end
`brackets are identical.
`
`* * * * *
`
`0009
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO.
`DATED
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`: 6,817,402 B1
`:November 16, 2004
`: Richard Fraczek, David M. Cross and Jeffrey Ausfeld
`
`Page 1 of 7
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`Replace formal drawings with attached.
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Tenth Day of May, 2005
`
`JONW.DUDAS
`Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`0010
`
`

`

`Page 2 of 7
`
`(l2) United States Patent
`Fraczek et al.
`
`(LO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,817,402 Bl
`Nov. 16, 2004
`
`{54) UNIVERSAL BRACKETING AND CAP
`SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE CASSETTE
`ROLLER SHADE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Richard Fraczek, Stamford, CT (US);
`David M. Cross, Westport, CT (US);
`Jeffrey Ausfeld, New York, NY (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Rollease, Inc., Stamford, CT (US)
`
`( •) Notice:
`
`l{l·
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/391,003
`Mar. 18, 2003
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/366,318, filed on Mar 21,
`2002.
`Int. CJ.7
`........................................... A47G 5/02
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl ...................................... 160/323.1; 248/267
`(58) Field of Search
`............................ 160/321, 326,
`160/23.1, 24, 323.1, 120, 241; 248/266,
`267
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,122,55~ A • LUM78 Kelly ....................... 4/608
`• 11/1980 Hehl et al. .................. 160/120
`4,231,411 A
`4,372,432 A
`2'1983 Waine et al.
`4,433,765 A
`2'1984 Rude et al.
`• ll/1999 nay ................ ., ....... Hi0/321
`5,975,186 A
`l.iu ........ ···'"······ ... 192/223.4
`6,173,825 Bl •
`l/2001
`6,457,688 B1 • 10/2002 Welfonder . '"·· ........... 248/266
`' 12/2002 Parent
`... 248/267
`6,499,709 B1
`6,532,109 B1 • 3/2003 Shopp ........................ 359/461
`
`• cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Blair M. Johnson
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jeffrey M. Kaden, Esq.;
`Golllieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A cassette system for window treatment includes a head rail
`with a base, end brackets attached to the base in a facing
`relationship and at least one roller blind with a mandrel and
`a decorative panel that is wound on the mandreL The panel
`can be selectively drawn off the mandrel by rotation thereof.
`The end brackets are identical and mate with end plugs on
`tbe mandrel to rotationally support the roller blind. In an
`alternate embodiment, two or more roller blinds are sup(cid:173)
`ported by intermediate brackets or by an
`intermediare
`bracket and an end bracket. The end plugs on the madrel(s)
`have identical shapes to mate with respective legs on the end
`brackets.
`
`1,545,160 A
`
`• 7/1925 Myers ....................... 248i2Ci6
`
`24 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`0011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 2004
`Nov. 16, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 0f5
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`6,817,402 Bl
`6,817,402 B1
`
`Page 3 of 7
`Page 3 of 7
`
`co
`......
`
`
`
`<0
`......
`
`co
`
`
`0012
`
`0012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`6,817,402 Bl
`
`Page 4 of 7
`
`14B
`
`~
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`
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`
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`
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`30
`
`F:
`IG!a
`
`~
`
`40
`
`•
`
`I •
`
`I • I --1c
`
`... -.
`1d
`I I I
`' I
`I I
`• I
`._.
`1d
`
`34
`
`-------------------
`FIG/b
`
`148
`
`14A
`
`46
`
`F/Gid
`
`F!Gic
`
`0013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`6,817,402 Bl
`
`Page 5 of 7
`
`~12
`
`FIG2o
`
`54
`
`.
`
`FIG2b
`
`16
`
`FIG3
`
`66
`
`0014
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 0f5
`
`6,817,402 B1
`
`Page 6 of 7
`
`
`
`
`
`0015
`
`0015
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 0f5
`
`6,817,402 B1
`
`Page 7 of 7
`
`
`
`
`
`0016
`
`0016
`
`