POETKER , Philip John (430 - 70 Arthur Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1G7, CA)
POETKER , Philip John (430 - 70 Arthur Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1G7, CA)
CLAiMS:
1. An anti-theft device for an interior space, the device comprising: a pressurized canister containing an irritant fluid and having a valve arranged to release the irritant fluid from the canister therethrough; a nozzle in communication with the valve and being arranged to disperse the irritant fluid from the pressurized canister into the interior space; a sensor arranged to determine an intruder condition in the interior space; and an actuator arranged to open the valve on the pressurized canister upon activation to release the irritant fluid from the canister into the interior space through the nozzle responsive to determination of the intruder condition; the actuator comprising: a motor having an output which is rotatable about an axis of rotation responsive to determination of the intruder condition; and an actuator member supported on the output of the motor so as to be arranged to open the valve of the pressurized canister responsive to rotation of the output of the motor when the intruder condition is determined.
2. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the actuator member is coupled to the output for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation. 3. The device according to Claim 2 wherein the valve is arranged to be movable in axial direction of the canister between open and closed positions as the actuator member is rotated about the axis of rotation with the output of the motor.
4. The device according to Claim 3 wherein the valve is oriented such that the axial direction of movement between the open and closed positions thereof extends radially from the axis of rotation of the output of the motor.
5. The device according to Claim 3 wherein the actuator member extends radially outward from the axis of rotation to a peripheral surface extending generally in a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation, the peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the valve, and the actuator member varying in radial dimension between the axis of rotation and the peripheral surface in circumferential direction.
6. The device according to Claim 5 wherein the radial dimension of the actuator member is greatest at two diametrically opposed locations.
7. The device according to Claim 5 wherein the peripheral surface of the actuator member is generally oval in shape.
8. The device according to Claim 2 wherein one of the rotatable output of the motor and the actuator member comprises a socket and the other one of the rotatable output of the motor and the actuator member comprises a protrusion extending outwardly in a direction of the axis of rotation, the protrusion being arranged to be coupled to the socket in mating connection therewith such that the actuator member and the output of the motor are rotatable together about the axis of rotation.
9. The device according to Claim 2 wherein there is provided at least one position indicator on the actuator member and arranged to be rotated with the actuator member about the axis of rotation; and a sensor supported in fixed orientation in proximity to the actuator member and arranged to detect said at least one position indicator to determine if the actuator is in an open position in which the valve of the canister is open or a closed position in which the valve of the canister is closed.
10. The device according to Claim 9 wherein said at least one indicator comprises an aperture extending through the actuator member and the sensor comprises first and second sensor portions on opposing sides of the actuator member and arranged to communicate with one another through the aperture when the aperture is rotated between the first and second sensor portions.
11. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the nozzle is arranged to atomize the irritant fluid.
12. The device according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided a housing comprising a main portion receiving the canister therein and a cover arranged to be separated from the main portion to provide access to the canister, the actuator being arranged to determine the intruder condition responsive to the cover being removed from the main portion of the housing.
13. The device according to Claim 12 wherein there is provided a cover sensor supported within the main portion of the housing and being arranged to determine the intruder condition upon separation of the cover from the cover sensor.
14. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the actuator is arranged to open the valve for a prescribed duration upon determination of the intruder condition, the actuator being further arranged to maintain the valve open beyond the prescribed duration when the sensor determines an intruder condition which exceeds the prescribed duration.
15. The device according to Claim 1 in combination with a plurality of anti-theft device of similar configuration, all of the actuators being arranged to open the respective valves upon determination of an intruder condition by any one of the sensors.
16. The device according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided a battery arranged to supply electrical power for operating the motor, and wherein there is provided a status indicator arranged to indicate a condition of the actuator and a condition of the battery.
17. The device according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided a housing comprising a main portion supporting the canister and the actuator therein and a cover arranged to provide access to the canister in the main portion, the main portion including a mounting member arranged to secure the canister to the main portion of the housing using a first set of threaded fasteners and the cover being arranged to be secured to the main portion of the housing by a second set of threaded fasteners.
18. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the irritant fluid is substantially clear. |
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE USING AN IRRITANT FLUID
This application claims priority benefits from U.S. provisional application
Serial No. 61/006,715, filed October 20, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to an anti-theft device for an interior space, for example the interior of a building or a vehicle, in which the anti-theft device is arranged to disperse an irritant fluid into the interior space responsive to detection of an intruder to deter the presence of the intruder in the interior space.
BACKGROUND A known type of anti-theft device involves use of an irritant or deterrent fluid, for example teargas, mace, cayenne pepper spray or other disabling substances which are dispensed into the interior space of a building to be protected so that intruders are deterred from the interior space or incapacitated if the intruders remain in the space. Various examples of similar anti-theft devices can be found in the following documents: US patent 4,903,863 belonging to Fink; US patent 7,388,485 belonging to Shen; US patent 5,034,730 belonging to Lin and US patent 5,402,000 belonging to Owens, II.
Various similar devices are also commercially available as disclosed in the following websites: www.stopthecrime.com; www.dragon-anti-intrusion.com; www.pssa.com.au; www.shunk.co.za; www.safecasecorp.com; www.jodsys.co.za and www.sgtpepper.co.za.
Prior art anti-theft devices using an irritant fluid typically disclose activation mechanisms which are relatively large and bulky while requiring a large unattractive housing to be mounted within the interior space being protected.
Accordingly such devices are difficult to conceal. Furthermore known activation mechanisms are not sufficiently reliable for accurate activation and deactivation of the deployment of the irritant fluid. SUMMARY QF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an anti-theft device for an interior space, the device comprising: a pressurized canister containing an irritant fluid and having a valve arranged to release the irritant fluid from the canister therethrough; a nozzle in communication with the valve and being arranged to disperse the irritant fluid from the pressurized canister into the interior space; a sensor arranged to determine an intruder condition in the interior space; and an actuator arranged to open the valve on the pressurized canister upon activation to release the irritant fluid from the canister into the interior space through the nozzle responsive to determination of the intruder condition; the actuator comprising: a motor having an output which is rotatable about an axis of rotation responsive to determination of the intruder condition; and an actuator member supported on the output of the motor so as to be arranged to open the valve of the pressurized canister responsive to rotation of the output of the motor when the intruder condition is determined.
Preferably the actuator member is coupled to the output for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation.
By providing an actuator having a motor with a rotatable output connected to the valve of the pressurized canister containing the irritant fluid, a simple
mechanism can be used for activation and deactivation of the anti-theft device in a compact configuration which can be mounted and concealed within a small attractive housing permitting mounting in a greater variety of locations. The compact rotary output of the motor aiso provides accurate control of arming and disarming in a reliable manner.
The actuator member may be coupled to the output for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation.
The valve may be arranged to be movable in axial direction of the canister between open and closed positions as the actuator member is rotated about the axis of rotation with the output of the motor.
The valve is preferably oriented such that the axial direction of movement between the open and closed positions thereof extends radially from the axis of rotation of the output of the motor.
The actuator member preferably extends radially outward from the axis of rotation to a peripheral surface extending generally in a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation in which the peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the valve and the actuator member varies in radial dimension between the axis of rotation and the peripheral surface in circumferential direction.
The radial dimension of the actuator member may be greatest at two diametrically opposed locations such that the peripheral surface of the actuator member is generally oval in shape.
Preferably one of: i) the rotatable output of the motor, and ii) the actuator member comprises a socket and the other one of: i) the rotatable output of the motor, and ii) the actuator member comprises a protrusion extending outwardly in a direction of the axis of rotation. Preferably the protrusion is arranged to be coupled to the
socket in mating connection therewith such that the actuator member and the output of the motor are rotatable together about the axis of rotation.
There may be provided at least one position indicator on the actuator member and arranged to be rotated with the actuator member about the axis of rotation. A sensor is preferably supported in fixed orientation in proximity to the actuator member and arranged to detect said at least one position indicator to determine if the actuator is in an open position in which the valve of the canister is open or a closed position in which the valve of the canister is closed.
The indicator may comprise an aperture extending through the actuator member and the sensor may comprise first and second sensor portions on opposing sides of the actuator member so as to be arranged to communicate with one another through the aperture when the aperture is rotated between the first and second sensor portions.
The nozzle is preferably arranged to atomize the irritant fluid. When there may be provided a housing comprising a main portion receiving the canister therein and a cover arranged to be separated from the main portion to provide access to the canister, the actuator is preferably arranged to determine the intruder condition responsive to the cover being removed from the main portion of the housing. There may be provided a cover sensor supported within the main portion of the housing which is arranged to determine the intruder condition upon separation of the cover from the cover sensor.
The actuator may be arranged to open the valve for a prescribed duration upon determination of the intruder condition. In this instance the actuator is preferably further arranged to maintain the valve open beyond the prescribed duration
when the sensor determines an intruder condition which exceeds the prescribed duration.
When provided in combination with a plurality of anti-theft device of similar configuration, ail of the actuators are preferably arranged to open the respective valves upon determination of an intruder condition by any one of the sensors.
There may be provided a battery arranged to supply electrical power for operating the motor, and a status indicator arranged to indicate a condition of the actuator and a condition of the battery. There may be provided a housing comprising a main portion supporting the canister and the actuator therein and a cover arranged to provide access to the canister in the main portion. The main portion may include a mounting member arranged to secure the canister to the main portion of the housing using a first set of threaded fasteners and the cover may be arranged to be secured to the main portion of the housing by a second set of threaded fasteners.
Preferably the irritant fluid is substantially clear.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the anti-theft device.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the anti-theft device in which the cover is shown removed.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the anti-theft device in which the cover and printed circuit board of the controller are shown removed. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the main portion of the housing.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rear face of the cover of the anti-theft device.
Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the printed circuit board of the controller. Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the controller.
Figure 8 is a side elevationai view of the actuator member of the anti- theft device.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated anti-theft device generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The device 10 is particularly suited for dispersing an irritant fluid for example teargas, mace, cayenne pepper spray, or any other noxious gas or sprayable substance capable of disabling persons occupying the interior space within which the fluid is dispersed. The interior space protected by the device and into which the irritant fluid maybe dispersed can comprise the interior of a building or the interior of a vehicle for example, to deter and chase away intruders and/or unauthorized persons from the interior space.
The device 10 generally comprises a housing including a main portion 12 having a front opening 14 therein arranged to be enclosed by a cover 16 of the housing. The main portion 12 includes a rear wall 18 including suitable apertures therein for receiving fasteners to secure the rear wail 18 against an upright supporting surface such as a wall for example. A top wall 20 along a top edge of the rear wall, a bottom wall 22 along a bottom edge of the rear wall, and two side walls 24 along opposing side edges of the rear wall 18 project forwardly from the rear wall to a front
side of the housing such that the walls form a perimeter about the front opening 14 receiving the cover 16 spanning thereacross.
The cover 16 forms the front wall of the housing when supported to span the front opening 14 between the top and bottom walls and the two side walls of the main portion of the housing. Suitable fastener apertures 26 are provided in the cover laterally spaced apart adjacent opposing sides of the cover at a central location between the top and bottom sides of the housing in which the fastener apertures 26 are suitable arranged for receiving a first set of threaded fasteners arranged to secure the cover to the main portion of the housing to maintain the housing in an enclosed position.
A battery 28 is supported within the interior of the main portion 12 of the housing adjacent the bottom end thereof. The battery 28 provides electric power to the operating components of the device 10.
A canister 30 is also supported in the interior of the main portion 12 of the housing adjacent the bottom end thereof forwardly of the battery 28 which is positioned adjacent the rear wail. The canister 30 is generally cylindrical in shape and is pressurized for containing the irritant fluid therein. The canister is a commercially available type of prescribed dimension arranged for securement to the rear wall of the housing by a suitable mounting member 32. The mounting member 32 generally comprises a strap extending about the cylindrical body of the canister and which is arranged for securement to the rear wall by a set of second threaded fasteners so that the canister is secured within the interior of the main portion of the housing against the rear wall thereof. In this manner releasing the canister from the housing involves first removing the first set of fasteners which secure the cover to the main portion of the housing to provide access to the
interior locating the canister therein, followed by removal of the second set of fasteners securing the canister to the rear wall of the main portion of the housing by the mounting member 32.
The canister 30 includes a vaive extending axially upward from the top end of the cylindrical shaped body. The valve generally comprises a stem which is biased into a closed position, and which can be displaced into an open position to release the pressurized contents of the canister when the valve is displace axially inward along a central axis of the cylindrical body.
A nozzle 34 is supported at the top end of the canister 30 so as to be oriented generally perpendicularly to the linear displacement of the valve between the open and closed positions thereof. The nozzle 34 is directed forwardly for communication through a dispensing aperture 36 located centrally in the cover for alignment with the nozzle. The nozzle 34 includes an orifice size in the range of three millimetres in diameter to 0.1 millimetres in diameter to suitably atomize the irritant fluid dispensed therethrough for dispersal into the inner space.
The outlet orifice of the nozzle 34 is fixed relative to the housing and communicates with the valve at the top of the canister through a suitable stem 38 defining a passage in communication from the opening of the valve on the canister to the inlet of the nozzle 34. The stem 38 is sufficiently flexible to permit a rear end of the stem coupled to the valve to be displaced with the valve in the axial direction of the canister between open and closed positions thereof while the front end of the stem remains fixed in communication with the nozzle 34.
An actuator 40 is provided to open the valve on the pressurized canister upon activation to release the irritant fluid from the canister into the interior space through the nozzle responsive to determination that an intruder is present or some
other intruder condition has been detected.
The actuator 40 comprises a motor 42 comprising an electric servo motor having a rotary output 44 which rotates about an axis of rotation of the actuator which lies generally horizontaily and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body of the canister.
An actuator member 46 is coupled to the output 44 of the motor for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation of the motor. The actuator member 46 comprises a generally flat disc extending radially outward from the axis of rotation to an outer peripheral surface 48 extending in a generally circumferential direction about the axis of rotation. The peripheral surface 48 has an outer surface arranged for sliding contact with the rear of the flexible stem 38 coupled to the valve of the canister. The valve of the canister is biased upwardly into the closed position so as to be biased into engagement with the outer peripheral surface 48 of the actuator member 46 as the actuator member 46 is rotated despite varying radial dimension of the actuator member between the axis of rotation thereof and the peripheral surface 48. This varying radial dimension causes the actuator member to act as a cam which serves to open the valve of the canister when a portion of increased radia! dimension is rotated in sliding contact pasted the rear of the stem 38 while serving to permit the valve to be dosed in the axial direction when a portion of reduced radial dimension is rotated past the rear of the stem 38 coupled to the valve of the canister.
The actuator member 36 is generally oval in shape about the axis of rotation so that the peripheral surface 48 defines two diametrically opposed lobes 50 of increased radial dimension as well as two intermediate portions 52 between the lobes 50 in which the radial dimension of the actuator member is reduced in relation to the lobes 50. The peripheral surface gradually increases and reduces in radial
dimension in the circumferential direction to form a smooth transition between the two lobes 50 and the intermediate portions 52 therebetween to define the generally oval shape of the peripheral surface 48.
As each lobe 50 of increased radial dimension is positioned at the bottom of the rotation to be in sliding contact with the stem 38 coupled to the valve of the canister 30, the valve is opened. Alternatively as each intermediate portion 52 reaches the lowest point of rotation in contact with the stem 38, the valve is permitted to be biased upwardly into the closed position. The diametrically opposed lobes 50 cause the valve to be opened twice with each complete revolution of the actuator member about the axis of rotation of the output of the motor 42.
The actuator member is coupled to the output of the motor by forming a socket 54 on one side of the disc shaped body of the actuator member which serves to mate with suitable protrusions 56 formed on the output 54 of the motor. More particularly the protrusions 56 comprise four radially extending arms having a suitable thickness extending in the axial direction to be axiaily slidably received in a mating configuration within the socket 54.
The socket 54 generally comprises two ribs 58 associated with each of the four radial arms forming the protrusions 56 in which inner surfaces of the ribs 58 engage with corresponding faces of the radial arms received therebetween such that the mating faces extend both axiaily and radially relative to the axis of rotation so as to be oriented transversely and near perpendicularly to a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation. The orientation of the mating faces ensures positive engagement between the output of the motor and the actuator member to transfer torque from the motor to a rotation of the actuator member. A plurality of fastening apertures 60 are provided extending through the body of the actuator motor in
alignment with the radial arms forming the protrusions on the output to receive suitable fastening between the protrusions on the output and the body of the actuator member when assembled.
The actuator is operated by a controller 62 generally comprising a printed circuit board supported at the top end of the housing within the interior of the main portion 12. The controller 62 is coupled to the battery for receiving electrical power therefrom and may optionally be connected to an external power source as well.
The printed circuit board of the controller 62 supports an intruder sensor 64 thereon on the front side for communication through a sensor aperture 66 centrally located in the cover adjacent the top end thereof. The sensor 64 comprises a passive infrared motion detector arranged to detect movement of an intruder within the interior space being protected by the device 10. Upon detection of motion, the sensor 64 is arranged to determine an intruder condition which is relayed to a processor of the controller 62 which then activates the actuator for a described duration. In the event that continued motion is detected by the sensor upon expiry of the prescribed duration, a further intruder condition is detected and the controller 62, through the actuator 40, maintains the valve in the open position beyond the prescribed duration without delay so that the valve remains open and fluid is continued to be dispersed into the interior space as long as the sensor determines the intruder condition.
The controller 62 also includes a cover sensor 68 arranged to detect when the cover 16 is separated from the main portion 12 of the housing. The cover sensor 68 comprises an optical sensor which includes two sensor portions 70 which are spaced apart on the front side of the printed circuit board so as to communicate with one another. A suitable protrusion 72 is supported on the interior side of the
cover and is arranged to be inserted between the two sensor portions 70 for interrupting communication therebetween when the cover is properly positioned on the main portion of the housing in the closed position. When communication between the two sensor portions 70 is interrupted, the cover sensor 68 determines that the cover is dosed so that the device continues to operate in the usual fashion for activating dispersal of irritant fluid only upon determination of an intruder condition by intruder sensor 64. While armed, if the cover is removed from the main portion of the housing, the protrusion 72 on the cover no longer interrupts communication between the two sensor portions 70 of the cover sensor so that communication therebetween is resumed and the cover sensor determines an intruder condition to cause dispensing of the irritant fluid.
In addition to dispensing the irritant fluid, the controller 62 also operates an audible alarm including a suitable speaker 74 comprising a piezo supported on a rear face of the printed circuit board. Suitable alarm apertures 76 are provided in the rear face of the housing adjacent one side thereof for optimizing sound transmission from the speaker 74 to an exterior of the housing. The audible alarm is actuated along with dispensing of the irritant fluid responsive to determination of an intruder condition.
Also supported on the rear face of the printed circuit board of the controller 62 is a position sensor 78 arranged to communicate with the actuator member to determine the position of the actuator and thus the open or closed condition of the valve of the canister and to relay this information to the processor which controls the motor activation.
A plurality of position indicators are provided at circumferentially spaced positions about the actuator member on the side face thereof for communication with the position sensor 78. The position indicators comprise first indicators 80 situated at
diametrically opposed positions on the two lobes 50 of increased radial dimension and two second indicators 82 which are also positioned diametrically opposite one another at the intermediate portions 52 between the first indicators respectively.
Each first indicator comprises a pair of apertures located adjacent one another while each second indicator comprises a single aperture in which all of the apertures of the first and second indicators are situated at a common radial distance from the axis of rotation. The position indicators are thus suitably arranged for communication with a single position sensor 78 spaced at the same radial spacing from the axis of rotation. The position sensor 78 is an optical sensor comprising two portions 84 supported on the rear face of the printed circuit board to be situated on opposing sides of the actuator member at the top of the rotation of the actuator member. The two portions of the position sensor 78 are arranged to communicate with one another through the apertures forming the position indicators when an aperture is aligned between the two portions of the sensor as the actuator member is rotated.
When a single aperture is rotated between the two portions of the sensors so that the two portions momentarily communicate with one another, and it is desired to close the valve on the canister, the controller stops further rotation of the actuator member to maintain a smaller radial dimension portion of the actuator member in contact with the stem on the valve which remains closed.
When it is desired to open the valve, the motor is activated to start rotating the actuator member until the two portions of the position sensors 78 communicate with one another through two sequential apertures located adjacent one another indicating a first indicator 80, which in turn indicates that one of the lobes 50 is in alignment with the vaive for making the valve in the open position. At this point
the motor is deactivated to maintain the valve in the open position until the controller determines that the prescribed duration has expired or no intruder condition exists any longer.
When the valve is to be closed, the motor is again activated to rotate the actuator member until a single aperture permits a single momentary communication between the two portions of the position sensor 78 indicating that one of the intermediate portions is in alignment with the valve at which point the motor is deactivated to maintain the valve in the closed position.
The printed circuit board of the controller further comprises a serial bus 84 on the front face thereof including a plurality of terminals for various external connections of electrical wiring. The terminals include an electrical power input terminal, an electrical power output terminal, a signal receiving terminal for receiving an intruder condition signal from an external source and a signal out terminal for relaying an intruder condition signal determined by the controller to an external device. In this manner a plurality of anti-theft devices 10 of similar configuration can be connected in series with one another so that power is relayed from one unit to the next and so that an intruder condition by any one of the units connected in series is relayed to all other units for dispersing irritant fluid from all anti-theft devices responsive to a sensor on any one of the devices determining an intruder condition. The device 10 further comprises a pair of status indicators 86 supported on the front side of the printed circuit board of the controller in the form of light emitting diodes (L.E.D.'s), which are arranged to be illuminated in various patterns and configurations to communicate information to an operator. Each of the indicators 86 communicates through a respective indicator aperture 88 situated in the cover of the housings. The indicators serves to indicate a status of electrical power from the
battery and a status of the alarm being either armed, disarmed, activated or inactivated.
The controller also includes a suitable receiver element 90 coupled to the printed circuit board thereof for receiving arming and disarming signals from a remote controller situated externally from the housing. Using buttons on a key fob remote, disarming the device prevents any irritant fluid from being dispensed regardless of any conditions detected. Once armed, irritant fluid will be dispensed responsive to an intruder condition determined by the intruder sensor, by removal of the cover, or by an external source. In some embodiments the anti-theft device 10 may be used in cooperation with an existing alarm of a building or automobile for example. In this instance when an alarm condition is determined by the existing external alarm system, the alarm signal is relayed to the controller which then determines an intruder condition and actuates the dispersal of irritant fluid into the interior space accordingly. For optimal use, depending upon the environment, the activation of the audible alarm responsive to an intruder condition can be adjusted from zero seconds to up to two minutes in length. Furthermore the prescribed duration of fluid dispersal into the interior space through the nozzie can be adjusted from a fraction of a second upwards to fifteen seconds as may be desired depending upon the desired degree of severity of incapacitation of an intruder as well as the size of the interior space to be protected.
When used as a stand alone unit, the device can be operated solely from electrical power from the batteries. As an example four AA size batteries may be used to supply power and be replaced as required. Alternatively when connecting the device to an external source of electrical power, for example when connecting to an
existing alarm system, the batteries can be used only to provide a backup power in case the primary external source of electrical power fails.
The irritant fluid in the preferred embodiment comprises a clear non- staining solution of pepper stray which is readily atomized by the orifice size of the nozzle for optimal dispersion into an interior space without concern for staining any of the objects found in the interior space. Typical interior spaces to be protected include the interior spaces of various buildings including residential and commercial buildings as well as various storage facilities including warehouses, garages, and any other interior spaces such vehicles and the like. Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.