(19)
`
`(12)
`
`(cid:6)(cid:27)&(cid:11)(cid:11) (cid:14)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:14)(cid:11)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:12)(cid:6)
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`(11)
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`17.08.2011 Bulletin 2011/33
`
`(21) Application number: 10153564.9
`
`(22) Date of filing: 15.02.2010
`
`(51) Int Cl.:
`E06B9/174(2006.01)
`
`E06B9/50(2006.01)
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
`HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL
`PT RO SE SI SK SM TR
`Designated Extension States:
`AL BA RS
`
`(72) Inventor: Malausa, Andrea
`31046 Oderzo (Treviso) (IT)
`
`(74) Representative: Citron, Massimiliano et al
`Via primo maggio 6
`31020 San Fior (TV) (IT)
`
`(71) Applicant: NICE S.P.A.
`31046 Oderzo (Treviso) (IT)
`
`(54) Wall-mounting device for a head of a tubular gearmotor for awnings and the like
`
`(57)
`The invention describes a device (20) for wall-
`mounting (22) a head (26) of a tubular gearmotor for awn-
`ings or the like, comprising a first element (50) able to be
`fixed to the wall and having a carrier seat (53) in which
`to receive and support the head (26) of the gearmotor,
`
`and a second element (80) suitable for blocking the head
`(26) to the first element (50). In order to simplify installa-
`tion, the second element (80) is suitable for rotating be-
`tween two angular positions and is configured to block
`or permit and axial withdrawal of the head (26) from the
`seat (53) in one or other of the two positions, respectively.
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
`
`EP2 357 309A1
`
`Lutron Electronics Co. EX1006
`U.S. Patent No. 10,294,717
`
`0001
`
`

`

`1
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`EP 2 357 309 A1
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`2
`
`Description
`
`[0001] The invention refers to a device for mounting/
`fixing (support), to a wall or to a box, a tubular gearmotor
`for awnings, blinds, curtains or the like.
`[0002] Devices for actuating awnings or the like are
`usually made up of a tubular gearmotor inserted inside
`a winding drum. It is fixed to the wall of a recess or cavity
`formed in the wall or to the wall of a containment box.
`The gearmotor is connected on one side to a pulley that
`transmits the motion to the winding drum onto which the
`awning winds and on the other side to a wall, of the recess
`or of the box, through attachment means.
`[0003] Such means comprise an element able to be
`fixed to the wall (generally a female element) having a
`seat in which to receive and support the head of the mo-
`tor. Examples are described in EP 468 925, EP 1 930
`537, EP 1 239 110 and DE 10 2004 057 903.
`[0004] The current market trend is to require increas-
`ingly small motors, so as to adapt to the ever decreasing
`size of cavities and/or boxes (to save on costs and less
`heat dispersions in the building). Then one has to con-
`sider the transportation and installation of curtains inte-
`grally built-in with their box, in which the transportation
`costs are proportional to their size. Fixing, mounting and
`possibly dismounting the head of the motor from the sup-
`port with known tools or systems, which envisage the
`manual intervention of the installer on the support, is be-
`coming increasingly complicated, because there is no
`space to work around the head of the gearmotor. With
`the current sizes, working inside the recesses/cavities
`and boxes, for example with a screwdriver, has become
`almost impossible. Therefore, there is the problem of im-
`proving, speeding up and simplifying the installation of
`the motors.
`[0005] The main object of the invention is indeed to
`improve this scenario through an improved device for
`wall-mounting of the aforementioned type.
`[0006] Another object of the invention is to propose a
`device for wall-mounting that is simple to use, and that
`does not require tools.
`[0007] Another object of the invention is to ensure the
`correct degree of blocking of the head even without the
`use of equipment or tools.
`[0008] Such objects are obtained with a device for wall-
`mounting a head of a tubular gearmotor for awnings or
`the like, comprising
`
`-
`
`-
`
`a first element able to be fixed to the wall and having
`a bearing seat in which to receive and support the
`head of the gearmotor, and
`a second element adapted for blocking the head to
`the first element, wherein the second element is
`adapted for rotating between two angular positions
`and is configured to block or allow an axial withdrawal
`of the head from the seat in one or other of the two
`positions, respectively.
`
`[0009] This arrangement forms a fastening system that
`is simple and easy to use. As well as what will be de-
`scribed hereafter, as second element for example it is
`possible to use as a variant a pawl or a tongue hinged
`to the first element.
`[0010]
`In addition to what will be described hereafter,
`the second element can be rotatably coupled to the head
`of the gearmotor, for example by mounting with a few
`modifications the piece 80 (see below) directly onto the
`head 26 and connecting it to the piece 50 through rota-
`tion.
`[0011] Preferably, the blocking of the head can take
`place thanks to the rotation of the second element, the
`second element being configured to block or allow the
`axial withdrawal of the head from the first element.
`[0012] Other variant of the invention are defined in the
`dependent claims.
`[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the
`invention will become clearer from the example descrip-
`tion of a device, together with the attached drawings, in
`which:
`
`figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a tubular mo-
`tor equipped with the device;
`figure 2 shows a vertical side section view of the
`motor of fig. 1;
`figure 3 shows an enlarged view of fig. 2;
`figure 4 shows a front view of a first element of the
`device;
`figure 5 shows a vertical section view of the first el-
`ement of fig. 4 according to the section plane V-V;
`figure 6 shows a vertical section view of the first el-
`ement of fig. 4 according to the section plane VI-VI;
`figure 7 shows a vertical side section view of the first
`element of fig. 4 according to the section plane VII-
`VII;
`figure 8 shows a three-dimensional view from above
`of the first element of fig. 4;
`figure 9 shows a three-dimensional view from below
`of the first element of fig. 4;
`figure 10 shows a view from below of a second ele-
`ment of the device;
`figure 11 shows a side section view of the second
`element of fig. 10 according to the section plane XI-
`XI;
`figure 12 shows a section view of the second element
`of fig. 10 according to the section plane XII-XII;
`figure 13 shows a view from above of the second
`element of fig. 10;
`figure 14 shows a three-dimensional view from
`above of the second element of fig. 10;
`figure 15 shows an exploded three-dimensional view
`of the device and the head of the motor;
`figure 16 shows a side view of the component in fig. 4;
`figure 17 shows an enlarged view of a detail of the
`component of fig. 4 and 10 when associated in a first
`configuration;
`figure 18 shows an enlarged view of a detail of the
`
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`0002
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`EP 2 357 309 A1
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`4
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`component of fig. 4 and 10 when associated in a
`second configuration;
`figure 19 shows a simplified plan view of the com-
`ponents of fig. 4 and fig. 10 in a first configuration,
`like fig.18;
`figure 20 shows a simplified plan view of the com-
`ponents of fig. 4 and fig. 10 in a second configuration,
`like fig.17;
`figure 21 shows a front view of a stop protrusion
`present on the second element.
`
`[0014] Figure 1 shows a tubular motor made up of a
`tubular body 24 with longitudinal axis X and a head 26,
`able to be fixed to a surface or wall 22 (of a wall or box)
`through a fixing device 20.
`[0015] The device 20 comprises a first element 50 able
`to be fixed to the wall 22 and a second element 80 rotat-
`ably coupled with it.
`[0016] The first element 50 is substantially cup-shaped
`(roughly a hollow cylinder or disc or cylindrical shell) with
`circular plan. It has an open base and a partially closed
`base between which an annular perimeter wall 60 ex-
`tends that delimits and surrounds a containment seat 53.
`The seat 53 serves to receive the head 26, whereas the
`wall 60 is a bearing part and complementary to the head
`26 and serves to support it.
`[0017] The partially closed base of the element 50 has
`a notch or circular step 57 formed by two annular surfaces
`56, 58, arranged on different planes (for example a few
`millimetres apart). The most outer annular surface 58
`has a pair of holes 62 thanks to which the element 50 is
`fixable in contact with the wall 22, thanks for example to
`a pair of screws (not illustrated).
`[0018] On the inner surface of the wall 60, facing to-
`wards the seat 53, there are abutment ridges 68, useful
`to interact with the head 26 (or indentations thereof) to
`avoid the rotation of the latter inside the seat 53.
`[0019] On the outer surface of the wall 60 there are
`recesses or grooves 74, formed either by introflexion of
`the wall 60 or as cavities. The grooves 74 extend per-
`pendicularly to and from the surface 56 for the entire
`length of the perimeter wall 60, parallel to the axis X, and
`they have a bottom 66 that also extends parallel to the
`axis X.
`[0020] The perimeter edge 61 of the wall 60, in an op-
`posite position to the annular surface 56, is not uniform
`and does not lie on a single plane, but has a recess 78
`at each groove 74. The bottom of the recess 78 is not
`straight but has a shaped profile 79, for example a cam-
`shaped profile, preferably obtained through two adjacent
`cusps 79a, 79b (fig. 17 and 18).
`[0021] The second element 80 is also substantially
`cup-shaped with circular plan (roughly a hollow cylinder
`or disc or cylindrical shell). It can be thought of like a
`hollow cylinder with a partially closed base 82 and an
`open base 94 in an opposite position. The base 82 has
`a flat annular edge surface 96 from which an annular
`perimeter wall 90 extends perpendicularly, delimiting and
`
`surrounding an inner cavity 93.
`[0022] The surface 96 has an inner perimeter edge 97
`that delimits a central opening the size or width of which
`is suitable for housing/containing, with little clearance,
`the perimeter of the annular surface 58 of the element
`50, at the circular step 57.
`[0023]
`Inside the element 80, on the inner surface of
`the wall 90, there are stop protrusions 98, in diametrically
`opposite position to one another, made with a roughly
`cubic shape (fig. 21) or else as teeth or studs.
`[0024] The protrusions 98 with respect to the grooves
`74 are slightly smaller in size (fig. 19), so as to be able
`to slide inside them. Moreover, the protrusions 98 pref-
`erably have greater prominence than the depth of the
`grooves 74 (considered as the distance between the out-
`er surface of the perimeter wall 60 and the bottom 66).
`In other words, the diametral distance between the bot-
`toms 66 is greater than the distance between the ends
`of the protrusions 98, and therefore it is necessary to
`slightly force the insertion and sliding of the protrusions
`98 in the grooves 74.
`[0025] Preferably, the elements 50, 80 are made from
`plastic material, by moulding. The device 20 works as
`follows (see fig. 15 and thereafter).
`[0026] The first element 50 is inserted in the inner cav-
`ity 93 of the second element 80, so that the first element
`50 is contained in the second element 80 and is housed
`in it. In order to do this the protrusions 98 are aligned with
`the grooves 74 and they are made to slide in the latter
`thanks to a light pressure (in order to make the wall 90
`slightly dilate as well). When the element 50 is fully
`pushed into the element 80, the protrusions 98 snap be-
`yond and abut upon the profile 79 (see fig. 17 to fig. 20).
`Specifically, the surface 99 of the protrusions 98 facing
`towards the surface 96 goes into direct contact with the
`profile 79. This ensures that the two elements 50, 80 do
`not slip out from one another.
`[0027] The first element 50 is then fixed to the wall 22
`through two through-screws in the holes 62. As a result
`the element 80 stays permanently between the wall 22
`and the first element 50, but being able to rotate on the
`latter thanks to the rotary coupling between the circular
`step 57 and the perimeter edge 97. The head 26 of the
`gearmotor is then slotted into the seat 53, which comple-
`mentarily reproduces the profile thereof. The head can-
`not rotate in the seat 53 due to the ridges 68 and/or the
`shape of the head itself and/or of the grooves 74, 66 (see
`figure 19), but it is not yet blocked longitudinally (move-
`ment along the axis X). The relative position of the ele-
`ments 50, 80 at this moment is shown in fig. 20+17.
`[0028]
`In order to block the head 26 in the seat 53 and
`avoid it from coming out, the element 80 is rotated man-
`ually by an angle α sufficient to move the stop protrusions
`98 - moving them in the empty space of the recesses 78
`- from a position in which they are opposite the grooves
`74 to a position angularly offset with respect to them. In
`the position of figure 20 for the element 80, the head 26
`can be withdrawn, whereas in the blocking position in fig.
`
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`0003
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`

`

`5
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`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`6
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`19, the head 26 cannot be withdrawn.
`[0029]
`Indeed, by rotating the element 80 the protru-
`sions 98 are brought into a position in which they interfere
`with the profile of the head 26, because their height with
`respect to the inner surface of the wall 90 is greater than
`the thickness of the wall 60 and they can thus interact
`with the head 26, as retention/blocking means of the head
`itself in the seat 53. In order to be able to withdraw the
`head 26 it is necessary and sufficient to rotate the ele-
`ment 80 in the opposite direction to move the protrusions
`98 again.
`[0030] The element 80 is of comparable size to the
`head of the motor (for example with a few millimetres of
`extra clearance), for which reason it is quick and easy to
`actuate by hand even if it is close to the wall 22. Moreover,
`in order to block and unblock the head 26 no equipment
`is required.
`[0031] Preferably, stop means are used to block the
`angular position of the second element 80, so that it can-
`not accidentally rotate. As stop means it is advantageous
`to use snap-fastening means, since they are reliable and
`easy to make. For example, the surface 99 of the protru-
`sions 98, the one that slides on the profile 79, can be
`configured with a recess to contain by snap-fastening the
`two identical pointed convexities 79a, 79b of the profile
`79 (see fig. 17, 18, 21). With the movement of the pro-
`trusion 98 from one extremity to the other of the recesses
`78, said recess is occupied each time by one of the con-
`vexities 79a, 79b, which snap into it elastically and require
`a certain amount of momentum on the element 80 to
`come out. This ensures that only with a voluntary inter-
`vention can the motor be connected to or disconnected
`from the fixed element 80.
`
`Claims
`
`1. Device (20) for wall-mounting (22) a head (26) of a
`tubular gearmotor for awnings or the like, comprising
`
`- a first element (50) able to be fixed to the wall
`and having a bearing seat (53) in which to re-
`ceive and support the head of the gearmotor,
`and
`- a second element (80) adapted for blocking
`the head to the first element, characterised in
`that
`
`the second element is adapted for rotating between
`two angular positions and is configured to block or
`allow axial withdrawal of the head from the seat in
`one or other of the two positions, respectively.
`
`2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the second el-
`ement is rotatably coupled with the first element so
`as to rotate around it.
`
`ement is rotatably coupled with the head of the gear-
`motor.
`
`4. Device according to claim 2, wherein the first ele-
`ment has a bearing part (60) for the head that defines
`said bearing seat, and
`the second element has a cavity (93) configured so
`that the first element can be housed in such a cavity.
`
`5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the first and
`second element substantially have a cup- or glass-
`shaped structure, which delimits said bearing part
`and said cavity, respectively, said structure having
`a substantially circular plan.
`
`6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first
`and second element are substantially hollow cylin-
`der-shaped, with one base open and one base op-
`posite thereto, and they are mounted one inside the
`other, and wherein the first element has (i) a bearing
`part formed by one or more perimeter walls (60),
`perpendicular to its opposite base (58), adapted for
`surrounding the head of the motor and forming said
`bearing part, and (ii) an opposite base (58) that has
`a surface for resting on said wall, and the second
`element has an opposite base (96) that is partially
`open and configured to rest on and be able to rotate
`on the opposite base of the first element.
`
`7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the opposite
`base of the first element comprises a circular step
`(57) and the opposite base of the second element
`comprises a central opening (97) configured to rest
`on and rotatably surround said step.
`
`8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least
`one of said walls of the first element on the surface
`facing inwards has abutment projections or seats
`(68) that are complementary to the shaping of the
`head and adapted for opposing a rotation of the lat-
`ter.
`
`9. Device according to one of the previous claims, com-
`prising means (98) for holding the head of the motor
`in the bearing seat which are adapted for holding or
`not holding the head according to the angular posi-
`tion of the second element.
`
`10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the holding
`means comprise one or more stop protrusions (98)
`present on the second element, so that by rotating
`the second element the stop protrusions can be
`moved between two angular positions in which, re-
`spectively, they are adapted for blocking or permit-
`ting by interference the axial withdrawal of the head
`from the seat.
`
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`3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the second el-
`
`11. Device according to claim 6 and 10, wherein the sec-
`
`4
`
`0004
`
`

`

`7
`
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`8
`
`ond element on the surface of said cavity comprises
`one or more stop protrusions (98), and the first ele-
`ment on the outer surface of said one or more pe-
`rimeter walls comprises one or more grooves (74),
`wherein the grooves extend between its open base
`and its opposite base and they are of comparable
`size to one of said stop protrusions so that it can
`slide guided in the other.
`
`12. Device according to claim 11, wherein in the first
`element the edge (61) of said one or more perimeter
`walls at the open base has one or more recesses
`(78) in which a stop protrusion can be confined and
`move after a rotation of the second element.
`
`13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein one or
`more stop protrusions have a radial length that is
`greater than the depth of said grooves, so as to be
`able to position themself beyond the edge of said
`one or more perimeter walls of the first element when
`the latter is inserted in the second and so as to be
`able to oppose a movement of the head opposite to
`insertion by contrast.
`
`14. Device according to claim 12 or 13, comprising non-
`permanent blocking means (99, 79a, 79b) for main-
`taining the angular position of the second element.
`
`15. Device according to claim 14, wherein said blocking
`means comprise one of said stop protrusions (98)
`that has a surface (99) in sliding contact with a bottom
`(79) of a recess (78), the surface and the bottom
`having a profile (79a, 79b) that allows the mutual
`snap-fitting in at least two angular positions of the
`second element.
`
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`0005
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`

`
`
`i‘
`II'
`I
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`EP 2 357 309 A1
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`
`
`-
`I
`_ *
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`
`
`z A/
`
`§
`':
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`§§
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`6
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`0006
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`0006
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`

`

`EP 2 357 309 A1
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`
`
`7
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`0007
`
`0007
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`

`

`EP 2 357 309 A1
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`
`
`8
`
`0008
`
`0008
`
`

`

`EP 2 357 309 A1
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`
`
`9
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`0009
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`

`

`EP 2 357 309 A1
`EP 2 357 309 A1
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`
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`10
`10
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`0010
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`0010
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`

`

`Europiisches
`Patentamt
`European
`
`
`
`fiiflfifl
`desbrevetsp
`
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`EUROPEANSEARCHREPORT
`
`Application Number
`
`EP 10 15 3564
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`EP 2 101 034 A2 (GEIGER GERHARD GMBH & C0
`[DE]) 16 September 2009 (2009-09-16)
`* figures 1,3,4,5 *
`* columns 5,6,7,12 - column 14 *
`* claim 1 *
`
`l,3,9,l° INV.
`E06B9/174
`E06B9/50
`
`(SOMFY [FR])
`EP 0 468 925 Al
`29 January 1992 (1992-01-29)
`* the whole document *
`
`EP 1 239 110 A1 (HEROAL [DE])
`11 September 2002 (2002-09-11)
`* the whole document *
`
`TECHNICAL FIELDS
`SEARCHED
`(IPC)
`
`E06B
`
`N EPOFOFllVl
`
`The present search report has been drawn up for all claims
`Place of search
`Date of completion of the search
`
`Examiner
`
`Munich
`CATEGORY OF CITED DOCUMENTS
`
`X : particularly relevant if taken alone
`Y : particularly relevant if combined with another
`document of the same category
`A : technological background
`0 : non-written disclosure
`P : intermediate document
`
`Tanzler, Ansgar
`6 August 2010
`T: theory or principle underlying the invention
`E : earlier patent document, but published on, or
`after the filing date
`D : document cited in the application
`L : document cited for other reasons
`8( : member of the same patent family, corresponding
`document
`
`15030352(FO4CO1)
`
`11
`11
`
`0011
`
`0011
`
`

`

`EP 2 357 309 A1
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`ANNEXTOTHEEUROPEANSEARCHREPORT
`ON EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION NO.
`
`EP 10 15 3564
`
`This annex lists the patent family members relating to the patent documents cited in the above-mentioned European search report.
`The members are as contained in the European Patent Office EDP file on
`The European Patent Office is in no way liable for these particulars which are merely given for the purpose of information.
`06-08-2010
`
`Patent document
`citedIn search report
`
`Publication
`date
`
`Patent family
`member(s)
`
`Publication
`date
`
`EP 2101034
`
`A2
`
`16- 09- 2009
`
`EP 0468925
`
`A1
`
`29-01-1992
`
`A1
`
`11-09-2002
`
`69100102
`69100102
`2041553
`2664938
`3267986
`4229040
`
`20104119
`352648
`
`08-07-1993
`05-01-1994
`16-11-1993
`24-01-1992
`25-03-2002
`18-08-1992
`
`26-04-2001
`
`09-09-2002
`
`EPOFORMP0459
`
`For more details about this annex : see Official Journal ofthe European Patent Office, No. 12/82
`
`12
`12
`
`0012
`
`0012
`
`

`

`REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
`
`EP 2 357 309 A1
`
`This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
`patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
`excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
`
`Patent documents cited in the description
`
`•
`•
`
`EP 468925 A [0003]
`EP 1930537 A [0003]
`
`•
`•
`
`EP 1239110 A [0003]
`DE 102004057903 [0003]
`
`13
`
`0013
`
`