FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pipeline unit for a building comprising modular housing units, and more particularly to a pipeline unit for a building comprising modular housing units as described in the preamble of the independent claim 1.

The present invention further relates to a method for providing a pipeline in a building, and more particularly to a method for providing a pipeline in a building as described in the preamble of the independent claim 7.

The present invention further relates to a pipeline arrangement of a modular housing unit, and more particularly to a pipeline arrangement of a modular housing unit as described in the preamble of the independent claim 14.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays buildings are usually provided with fresh water pipes and sewerage pipes. Sometime also a warming is arranged with a piping.

In the prior art pipes are in most cases fixed to the building on construction site with pipe connector such that the pipe connectors are connected to the pipes and to the building.

Fulfilling current regulations usually requires a fire proof seal or an insulating material around the pipes. Typically, the fire proof seal and the insulating material are installed on-site.

One of the problems associated with the prior art is that fixing pipes to a building on-site and installing on-site the insulating material and fire proof seal around the pipes requires a large space around the pipes. This reduces an area of the building which may be used for example for living or working or storing.

Other of the problems associated with the prior art is that on-site work is complicated because walls of a building hinder installing pipes, insulating materials and fire proof seals,

Also moving tools on a construction site causes additional work.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide as to over come or at least alleviate the prior art disadvantages. The objects of the invention are achieved by a pipeline unit for a building, a method for providing a pipeline in a building and a pipeline arrangement of a modular housing unit which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a pipeline unit for a building comprising modular housing units, the pipeline unit comprises an elongated support profile having a first end and a second end, one or more elongated main pipes having a first end and a second end, the one or more elongated main pipes are fixed to the support profile. The support profile and the one or more elongated main pipes extend parallel to each other. The one or more elongated main pipes further comprise one or more insulated portions which are covered with an insulation material. The one or more elongated main pipes further comprise one or more fire proofed portions which are covered with a fire proof seal such that the fire proof seal is connected with the insulation material.

Typically, the modular housing unit is a prefabricated room module for a building. The modular housing unit may be transported from a factory where it has been manufactured to a building site. For instance, the modular housing unit may be a bathroom module or a kitchen module. The pipeline unit according to the invention may be used in any type of building which has a pipeline and a modular housing unit.

Typically, the fire proof seal maybe any suitable commercially available fire proof seal. In one preferred embodiment the fire seal complies with requirements defined in an applicable standard for a purposed use.

An advantage of the invention is that the pipeline unit according to the invention enables fixing the elongated main pipes close to each other and thus decreases needed space for the pipes. The pipeline unit also decreases on-site work.

In one embodiment a gap between the one or more elongated main pipes and the support profile is equal or more than a thickness of the fire proof seal, and equal or more than a thickness of the insulation material. This eases installation of the insulating material and the fire proof seal.

In one embodiment a gap between the one or more elongated main pipes and the support profile is equal or less than a thickness of the fire proof seal multiplied by 2 or equal less than a thickness of the insulation material multiplied by 2, preferably a gap between the one or more elongated main pipes and the support profile is equal or less than a thickness of the fire proof seal multiplied by 1,5 or equal less than a thickness of the insulation material multiplied by 1,5, more preferably a gap between the one or more elongated main pipes and the support profile is equal or less than a thickness of the fire proof seal multiplied by 1,2 or equal less than a thickness of the insulation material multiplied by 1,2. This reduces a needed space for the pipeline.

In one embodiment the support profile further comprises an installation part in the vicinity of the first end of the support profile for securing the support profile to the modular housing unit. This eases fixing the support profile to a modular housing unit.

In one embodiment the support profile comprises a first installation part at a first distance from the first end of the support profile for securing the support profile to a transport location to the modular housing unit and a second installation part at a second distance from the first end support profile for securing the support profile to a final location to the modular housing unit.

In one embodiment the pipeline unit comprises at least three elongated main pipes having central axes, and the central axes of the pipeline units are arranged to a define triangle in which the central axes of the pipeline units are at corner points of the triangle. This decreases a needed space for the pipes.

In one embodiment the one or more elongated main pipes are fixed to the support profile between the first end and the second end of the support profile with two or more pipe fixings. This decreases on-site work.

The invention is further based on the idea of providing a method for providing a pipeline in a building, the building comprising an intermediate floor such that the intermediate floor further comprises an opening, one or more modular housing units, and one or more pipeline units. The one or more pipeline units further comprise an elongated support profile having a first end and a second end, and one or more elongated main pipes having a first end and a second end. At least one main pipe is fixed to each support profile, and the support profile and the one or more elongated main pipes extend parallel to each other. The method comprises the following steps: a) installing at least a part of the support profile into the opening of the intermediate floor; b) supporting the support profile to the modular housing unit; c) positioning of the second end of the one or more elongated main pipes for adjusting a position of the one or more elongated main pipes in the opening ; d) securing the support profile supported to the modular housing unit; and e) filling the opening in the intermediate floor and simultaneously fixing the support profile to the intermediate floor by a filling material.

An advantage of the method according to the invention is that it decreases on-site work and decreases space needed for the pipes.

In one embodiment the method comprises the following steps carried out successively: a) installing at least a part of the support profile into the opening of the intermediate floor; b) supporting the support profile to the modular housing unit; c) positioning of the second end of the one or more elongated main pipes for adjusting a position of the one or more elongated main pipes in the opening ; d) securing the support profile to the modular housing unit; and e) filling the opening in the intermediate floor and simultaneously fixing the support profile to the intermediate floor by a filling material.

In an alternative embodiment the method comprises the following steps carried out successively: b) supporting the support profile to the modular housing unit; a) installing at least a part of the support profile into the opening of the intermediate floor; c) positioning of the second end of the one or more elongated main pipes for adjusting a position of the one or more elongated main pipes in the opening ; d) securing the support profile to the modular housing unit; and e) filling the opening in the intermediate floor and simultaneously fixing the support profile to the intermediate floor by a filling material.

In a further alternative embodiment, the method comprises the following steps carried out successively: b) supporting the support profile to the modular housing unit; d) securing the support profile to the modular housing unit a) installing at least a part of the support profile into the opening of the intermediate floor; c) positioning of the second end of the one or more elongated main pipes for adjusting a position of the one or more elongated main pipes in the opening; and e) filling the opening in the intermediate floor and simultaneously fixing the support profile to the intermediate floor by a filling material.

In one embodiment the method comprises a step joining the first end or second end or the first and second ends of the one or more main pipes elongated main pipes to successive similar main pipes elongated main pipes together after the step c) or after step d) or before the step e) for forming a pipeline. This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment the modular housing unit further comprises a support bracket for securing the support profile to the modular housing unit, and the step d) comprises adjusting position of the support profile in the support bracket for adjusting the position of the support profile in relation to the modular housing unit before securing the support profile to the modular housing unit with the support bracket. This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment the step d) comprise adjusting position of the support profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support profile in the support bracket.

In one embodiment the modular housing unit further comprises a support bracket such that the support profile is secured with the support bracket to the modular housing unit in a transport position location and the step a) further comprises relocating the support profile from the transport location to a final position location by changing a position location of the support profile in the support bracket in a longitudinal direction of the support profile in relation to the modular housing unit. This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment the pipeline further comprises a pipe connector and the one or more modular housing units further comprises a modular housing unit pipe such that the method comprises joining the modular housing unit pipe and the one or more elongated main pipes together with the connector. This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment the method comprises a step adjusting length of the one or more elongated main pipes after the step b); or in an alternative embodiment the method comprises a step adjusting length of the one or more elongated main pipes after the step a); or in an alternative embodiment the method comprises a step adjusting length of the one or more elongated main pipes before the step a); or in an alternative embodiment the method comprises a step adjusting length of the one or more elongated main pipes after the step c); or in an alternative embodiment the method comprises a step adjusting length of the one or more main pipes elongated main pipes before the step e) . This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment intermediate floor comprises an upper surface and a lower surface; and the one or more main pipes elongated main pipes comprising a fire proofed portion extending along the one or more main pipes elongated main pipes, and the method comprises a step of arranging the fire proofed portion to extend between the upper surface and the lower surface of the intermediate floor in the opening; or the one or more main pipes elongated main pipes comprising a fire proofed portion, and the method comprises a step of arranging the fire proofed portion in connection with the opening at the lower surface of the intermediate floor.

In one embodiment method is carried out with any of previous disclosed pipeline unit.

The invention is further based on the idea of providing a pipeline arrangement of a modular housing unit. The arrangement comprises one or more modular housing units, one or more intermediate floors such that the intermediate floors further comprise openings, one or more fillings in the openings of the intermediate floors and one or more pipeline units. The pipeline units further comprise an elongated support profile having a first end and a second end, and one or more elongated main pipes having a first end and a second end, such that the one or more elongated main pipes are fixed to the support profile, and the support profile and the one or more elongated main pipes extend parallel to each other, and such that the one or more support profiles are fixed to the intermediate floor openings with the fillings and to the modular housing units. An advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that it decreases on-site work and decreases space needed for the pipes.

In one embodiment the pipeline arrangement comprises a support bracket, the support profile is fixed to the modular housing unit with the support bracket. This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment the support bracket comprises an adjustment element arranged to adjust position of the support profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support profile in the support bracket.

In one embodiment the support bracket is provided a ceiling of the modular housing unit; or the support bracket is provided a wall of the modular housing unit . This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment the intermediate floor further comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, and the one or more elongated main pipes comprise the fire proofed portions extending in the opening between the upper surface and the lower surface of the intermediate floor; or the one or more elongated main pipes comprising a fire proofed portion, the fire proofed portion is arranged in connection with the opening at the lower surface of the intermediate floor. This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment the arrangement comprises one or more support brackets such that the one or more support profiles are fixed to the modular housing unit with the one or more support brackets. This further eases on-site work.

In one embodiment the arrangement comprises any previous disclosed pipeline unit. This further eases on-site work.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a pipeline unit according to the invention from one side;

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the pipeline unit according to the invention shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a support profile according to the invention from one side;

Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a pipeline arrangement according to the invention from one side;

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4;

Figure 6 shows one embodiment of a pipeline arrangement according to the invention from one side;

Figure 7 shows the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 as seen from other side;

Figure 8 shows one embodiment of a pipeline unit secured to the transport location;

Figure 9 shows one embodiment of a pipeline unit arranged or secured to the final location; and

Figure 10 shows one further embodiment of a pipeline arrangement according to the invention from one side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1 and 2 show a pipeline unit according to the invention. Figure 1 shows the pipeline unit from one side and Figure 2 shows a cross section of the pipeline unit in Figure 1. A pipeline unit 3 comprises an elongated support profile 4 having a first end 5 and a second end 6, one or more elongated main pipes 7 having a first end 8 and a second end 9, such that the one or more elongated main pipes 7are fixed to the support profile 4, and the support profile 4 and the one or more elongated main pipes 7 extend parallel to each other, the one or more elongated main pipes 7 further comprise one or more insulated portions 10 which are covered with an insulation material, and the one or more elongated main pipes 7 further comprise one or more fire proofed portions 11 which are covered with a fire proof seal, such that the fire proof seal is connected with the insulation material. Typically, the insulation material is mineral wool, glass wool or polymer foam. Typically, the fire proof seal comprises cement or graphite or acryl. In one embodiment the fire proof seal expands during a fire.

The support profile 4 is arranged to carry a load of the pipeline to the building and to the modular housing unit 2. Various cross sections are suitable for the support profile 4. Preferably the support profile is arranged to a Z-form, a sigma form or an U-shape form. Typically, the support profile 4 is formed from a thin metal.

In one embodiment the fire proof seal and the insulation material are arranged tightly against each other. In one embodiment the fire proof seal and the insulation material comprise a uniform outer layer. In one preferred embodiment the main pipe 7 comprises an uncovered portion in the vicinity of the first end 8 and in vicinity of the second end 9 for joining the adjacent elongated main pipes7.

In one embodiment the elongated main pipes are arranged to extend at least a height of a one floor of the building.

In one embodiment the support profile 4 is shorter than the elongated main pipes7. In one embodiment the first end 8 of the one or more elongated main pipes7 extends longer then the first end 5 of the support profile 4. In one embodiment the second end 9 of the one or more elongated main pipes 7 extends longer then the second end 6 of the support profile 4.

Typically, a material of the main pipe is metal or polymer.

Typically, a diameter of the main pipe is 10 -100 mm.

Typically, the one or more elongated main pipes 7 are water pipes, warming pipes or sewerage pipes.

In a preferred embodiment the one or more elongated main pipes 7 are water pipes or warming pipes.

In one embodiment a gap between the one or more elongated main pipes and the support profile is equal or more than a thickness of the fire proof seal, and equal or more than a thickness of the insulation material. This enables installation of the insulation material and the fire proof seal between the elongated main pipes 7 and support profile.

In one embodiment a gap between the one or more elongated main pipes 7 and the support profile 4 is equal or less than a thickness of the fire proof seal multiplied by 2 or equal less than a thickness of the insulation material multiplied by 2, preferably a gap between the one or more main pipes elongated main pipes 7 and the support profile 4 is equal or less than a thickness of the fire proof seal multiplied by 1,5 or equal less than a thickness of the insulation material multiplied by 1,5, more preferably a gap between the one or more elongated main pipes 7 and the support profile 4 is equal or less than a thickness of the fire proof seal multiplied by 1,2 or equal less than a thickness of the insulation material multiplied by 1,2. This reduces a needed space for the pipeline.

In one embodiment the support profile 4 further comprises an installation part 12 in the vicinity of the first end 5 of the support profile 4 for securing the support profile 4 to the modular housing unit 2.

In one embodiment the installation part 12 comprises a screw thread. In one embodiment the screw thread is arranged to a hole in the support profile 4. In an alternative embodiment the support profile comprises a nut.

In one embodiment the installation part 12 comprises holes in the support profile 4.

In one embodiment the elongated main pipes 7 further have central axes such that the central axes are arranged in a corner points of a triangle.

Preferably the support profile 4 have a cross section comprising at least three support profile 4 portions 4a, 4b, 4c such that the elongated main pipes 7 are fixed to at least the three separate support profile 4 portions 4a, 4b, 4c. In other words, a web of the support profile forms one of the support profile portions 4b and flanges of the support profile form two of the support profile portions 4a, 4c. In an alternative embodiment the elongated main pipes 7 are fixed to two separate support profile 4 portions 4a, 4b.

In one embodiment the one or more elongated main pipes 7 are fixed to the support profile 4 between the first end and the second end of the support profile 4 with two or more pipe fixings 13. The pipe fixings 13 are arranged to fix the elongated main pipes 7 to the support profile 4 such that there is a gap between the main pipe and the support profile 4. A distance between the pipe fixings 13 depend on stiffness of the elongated main pipes 7. In one embodiment at least a part of the pipe fixing 13 penetrates the insulating material. Typically, the pipe fixing 13 comprises a screw part and a surrounding part which surrounds the elongated main pipes 7 such that the screw part secures the surrounding part to the support profile 4 such that there is a gap between the main pipe 7 and the support profile 4.

Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a support profile according to the invention from one side. In this embodiment the support profile 4 comprises a first installation part 12a at a first distance from the first end 5 of the support profile 4 for securing the support profile 4 to a transport location to the modular housing unit 2 and a second installation part 12b at a second distance from the first end 5 support profile 4 for securing the support profile 4 to a final location to the modular housing unit 2.

Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a pipeline arrangement according to the invention from one side and Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 The pipeline arrangement 17 comprises one or more modular housing units 2, one or more intermediate floors such that the intermediate floors further comprise openings 14, one or more fillings in the openings 14 of the intermediate floors and one or more pipeline units 3. The pipeline units 3 further comprise an elongated support profile 4 having a first end 5 and a second end 6, one or more elongated main pipes 7 having a first end 8 and a second end 9. The one or more elongated main pipes 7 are fixed to the support profile 4, and the support profile 4 and the one or more elongated main pipes 7 extend parallel to each other. The one or more support profiles 4 are fixed to the intermediate floor openings 14 with the fillings and to the modular housing units 2. The filling of the opening 14 is arranged to fill the opening 14.The opening 14 must be filled with a material which fulfils sound insulation and fire proof requirements.

Typically, the one or more modular housing units 2 are arranged to one on the other. In other words, the one or more modular housing units 2 are provided superposed to each other.

Typically, the openings 14 are arranged to one on the other. In other words, the openings 14 are arranged to form a vertical route for the one or more elongated main pipes 7. In one preferred embodiment the filling of the opening 14 is concrete.

In one preferred embodiment the pipeline arrangement 17 comprises one or more support brackets 15 such that the one or more support profiles 4 are secured to the modular housing unit 2 with the one or more support brackets 15.

In one embodiment the support profiles 4 are fixed to the modular housing unit 2 at distance from the opening 14 in a direction of the pipeline unit.

In one preferred embodiment the modular housing unit 2 further comprises a ceiling 22 such that the first end 5 of the support profile 4 is secured on the ceiling 22 with the support bracket 15. The second end 6 of the support profile 4 is fixed to the building with the filling material. In other words, the support profile 4 is secured to the modular housing unit 2 with the support bracket 15 and fixed to the building with the filling.

In one embodiment the support bracket 15 comprises elongated holes for relocating the support profile 4 from a transport location to a final location by changing a location of the support profile 4 in the support bracket 15.

In one embodiment the support bracket 15 comprises separate holes for a transport location and for a final location.

Figure 6 shows one embodiment of a pipeline arrangement according to the invention from one side and Figure 7 shows the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 as seen from other side. The support bracket 15, 27,28 is provided a wall 21 of the modular housing unit 2.

In one embodiment the fire proofed portion 11 is arranged in connection with the opening 14 at the lower surface 41 of the intermediate floor 1.

Figure 8 shows the pipeline unit 3 or the support profile 4 and the one or more elongated main pipes 7 arranged or secured to the transport location in the support bracket 15, 27, 28. The modular housing unit 2 comprises a unit floor 20 having a bottom floor surface 23. In the transport location of the pipeline unit 3 or the support profile 4, the support profile 4 is in vertical direction above the bottom floor surface 23 or level A of the bottom floor surface 23.

In one embodiment, in the transport location of the pipeline unit 3 or the support profile 4, the lower end of the support profile 4 is in vertical direction above the bottom floor surface 23 or level A of the bottom floor surface 23.

In a further embodiment, in the transport location of the pipeline unit 3 or the support profile 4, the one or more elongated main pipes 7 or lower ends thereof are in vertical direction above the bottom floor surface 23 or level A of the bottom floor surface 23. Figure 9 shows the pipeline unit 3 or the support profile 4 and the one or more elongated main pipes 7 are arranged or secured to the final location in the support bracket 15, 27, 28. In the final location of the pipeline unit 3 or the support profile 4, the second end 9 of the one or more main pipes elongated main pipes 7 is in vertical direction below the bottom floor surface 23 or level A of the bottom floor surface 23.

In one embodiment, each intermediate floor further comprises an upper surface 40 and a lower surface 41, in the final location of the support profile 4, the lower end of the support profile 4 is in vertical direction between the bottom floor surface 41 and the lower floor surface 41.

In a further embodiment, in the final location of the pipeline unit 3 or the support profile 4, the one or more elongated main pipes 7 or lower ends thereof are in vertical direction below the bottom floor surface 23 or level A of the bottom floor surface 23.

In one embodiment the support bracket 15 comprises holes having a larger diameter than a diameter of a screws which secures the support bracket 15 to the modular housing unit 2 for enabling an adjustment of a position.

In one embodiment the support profile 4 is secured to the support bracket 15 such that the support profile 4 comprises holes having a larger diameter than a diameter of a screws which secures the support profile 4 to the support bracket 15 for enabling an adjustment of a position.

In one embodiment the fire proofed portions 11 extend between the upper surface 40 and the lower surface 41 of the floors and insulated portions 10 extend between the fire proof portions 11.

In one embodiment the arrangement 17 comprises a gap between the successive support profiles 4.

Figure 10 shows one further embodiment of a pipeline arrangement according to the invention from one side. The arrangement 17 comprises a main pipe joint 30 between two similar elongated main pipes 7 and 7’. Preferably the main pipe joint is in vertical direction between the lower surface 41 of the intermediate floor 1 and the ceiling 22. In one embodiment the main pipe joint 30 comprises a T shape pipe connector between two similar elongated main pipes 7 and 7’ such that the T shape pipe connector joints together two similar elongated main pipes 7 and 7’ and modular housing unit pipe 16.

In one embodiment the modular housing unit pipe 16 is flexible. The arrangement 17 may comprise any previously disclosed pipeline unit.

A method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) installing at least a part of the support profile 4 into the opening 14 of the intermediate floor 1; b) supporting the support profile 4 to the modular housing unit 2; c) positioning of the second end of the one or more elongated main pipes 7 for adjusting a position of the one or more elongated main pipes 7 in the opening 14; d) securing the support profile 4 to the modular housing unit 2; and e) filling the opening 14 in the intermediate floor 1 and simultaneously fixing the support profile 4 to the intermediate floor 1 by a filling material, for providing a pipeline in a building comprising: an intermediate floor 1 comprising an opening 14, a modular housing unit 2, and a pipeline unit 3. The pipeline unit 3 further comprises an elongated support profile 4 having a first end 5 and a second end 6, and one or more elongated main pipes 7 having a first end 8 and a second end 9. The one or more elongated main pipes 7 are fixed to the support profile 4, and the support profile 4 and the one or more elongated main pipes 7 extend parallel to each other.

In one embodiment the method comprises a step joining the first end 8 or second end 9 or the first and second ends 8, 9 of the one or more elongated main pipes to successive similar elongated main pipes 7 before the step e) for forming a pipeline.

In one embodiment the modular housing unit 2 comprises a support bracket 15, 27, 28 for securing the support profile 4 to the modular housing unit 2, and the step d) comprises adjusting position of the support profile 4 in the support bracket 15, 27, 28 for adjusting the position of the support profile 4 in relation to the modular housing unit 2 before securing the support profile 4 to the modular housing unit 2 with the support bracket 15, 27, 28.

In one embodiment the modular housing unit 2 further comprises the support bracket 15, 27, 28 and the support profile 4 is secured with the support bracket 15, 27, 28 to the modular housing unit 2 in a transport location and the step a) further comprises relocating the support profile 4 from the transport location to a final location by changing a location of the support profile 4 in the support bracket 15, 27, 28 in a longitudinal direction of the support profile 4 in relation to the modular housing unit 2.

In one embodiment the method comprises a step adjusting length of the one or more elongated main pipes 7 after the step b).

In an alternative embodiment the method comprises a step adjusting length of the one or more elongated main pipes 7 after the step a).

In other alternative embodiment the method comprises a step adjusting length of the one or more elongated main pipes 7 before the step a).

In a further alternative a step adjusting length of the one or more elongated main pipes 7 before step e).

In one embodiment the intermediate floor 1 comprises an upper surface 40 and a lower surface 41, and the one or more elongated main pipes 7 comprising a fire proofed portion 11 extending along the one or more elongated main pipes 7, and the method comprises a step of arranging the fire proofed portion 11 to extend between the upper surface 40 and the lower surface 41 of the intermediate floor 1 in the opening 14.

In an alternative embodiment the intermediate floor 1 comprises an upper surface 40 and a lower surface 41, and the one or more elongated main pipes 7 comprising a fire proofed portion 11 extending along the one or more elongated main pipes 7, and one or more elongated main pipes 7 comprising a fire proofed portion 11, and the method comprises a step of arranging the fire proofed portion 11 in connection with the opening 14 at the lower surface 41 of the intermediate floor 1.

The method may be carried out with any previously disclosed pipeline unit 3.

The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.