FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to adapter links or adapter hooks used to

secure flail chains to debarking drums when needed to secure certain flail chains to certain debarking drums that have configurations that do not permit the respective flail chains to be secured to the respective debarking drums. It will be appreciated that there are a wide variety of debarking drums associated with a wide variety of debarking devices to which flail chains or debarking chains are secured in order to remove bark from logs in debarking operations that generally precede chipping operations. Removing bark from logs in commercial debarking operations is an important step in preparing chips for further utilization.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] It is well known that bark and limbs can be removed from trees or logs in a debarking device by passing the tree or log between one or more rapidly rotating, upper and/or lower debarking drums or flail drums in a variety of debarking devices, each of which have many debarking chains, also commonly called flail chains, secured proximate the rotating surfaces of the respective debarking drums. The debarking chains repetitively strike the surface of the respective logs with significant force at a high rate of speed, effectively tearing away any small limbs and virtually all of the bark on the logs in preparation for chipping operations in which the log is chipped into small pieces appropriate for commercial utilization in a variety of ways.

[0003] Logs are conveyed lengthwise through debarking devices along a

predetermined feed plane as shown in relation to the prior art debarking devices shown in Figs. 1 -4. Upper flail drums are located above the feed plane and the lower flail drum or drums are located below the feed plane. Flail drums typically rotate about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the path of travel of the trees or logs, each at a distance from the feed plane to allow the debarking chains, or flail chains, to remove bark and limbs from the surface of the log. It will be appreciated that it is desirable for each set of debarking chains, associated with each of the respective debarking drums, to reach the midpoint of the sides of each of the logs. Some debarking devices have additional debarking drums, some of which are fixed drums and some of which are often "floating" drums.

[0004] As noted above, debarking is important in chipping operations. This is mainly because this processing step minimizes the residual amount of bark mixed into wood chips during subsequent chipping and chip processing operations. Wood chips are less desirable for pulping operations and other wood processing operations when they contain bark that is not removed from logs before the logs are chipped. This generally lowers the value of the chips to buyers or commercial users of the resulting wood chips.

[0005] It will be further appreciated that in prior designs, debarking chains have often consisted of a plurality of "standard" oblong chain links that will generally have both a projected wear pattern and a projected wear life based on prior use and primarily due to link-to-link impact and link-to-link wear. Efforts to develop new flail chains incorporating new designs for chain links have resulted in a variety of new flail chains. Unfortunately, some of these new chain designs employ chain links that are configured in such a way that makes it unlikely that they can be used with certain debarking drums, creating a need for a way to use such flail chains with such debarking drums.

[0006] The present invention provides improvements that address limitations

associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, the present invention provides a flail chain adapter link constructed for engagement of a flail chain having a plurality of chain links to a debarking drum, the flail chain adapter link comprising a sinuous length of metal material having first and second tail portions and a closed end portion. The first tail portion will preferably include a first generally U-shaped section, the closed end portion will preferably include a second generally U-shaped section and the second tail portion will preferably include a third generally U- shaped section, wherein the second generally U-shaped section is

interconnected with the first generally U-shaped section by a first intermediate section and the second generally U-shaped section is interconnected with the third generally U-shaped section by a second intermediate section. Each of the respective tail portions will preferably include an extended end section interconnected both with the respective first or third generally U-shaped section and the respective intermediate sections to form a generally J-shaped hook that extends away from opposite ends of the second generally U- shaped section; wherein the first tail portion is a first generally J-shaped hook made up of the first intermediate section, the first generally U-shaped section and a first extended end section that extends away from a first end of the second generally U-shaped section and the second tail portion is a second generally J-shaped hook made up of the second intermediate section, the third generally U-shaped section and a second extended end section that extends away from a second end of the second generally U-shaped section. Each of the respective extended end sections will preferably include an end where the sinuous length of metal material comes to an end and where the respective generally J-shaped hooks come to an end, wherein the end of the first generally J-shaped hook is positioned away from the first intermediate section in a first general direction that is generally the opposite of a second general direction in which the end of the second generally J-shaped hook is positioned away from the second intermediate section. In preferred embodiments, the first and second intermediate sections extend away from the second generally U-shaped section from opposite ends thereof. In other preferred embodiments, the length of metal material is a metal object made of a material selected from the group consisting of a strand of wire form material and an object made of forged metal material. In further preferred

embodiments, the intermediate section will be a generally straight section.

In preferred embodiments, the debarking drum has a securing rod and the first of the plurality of chain links of the flail chain is a first chain link for engagement with the adapter link; wherein the adapter link is constructed and arranged to engage the first chain link proximate the closed end portion and the securing rod proximate both of the respective tail portions in a manner that allows the adapter link to secure the first chain link to the securing rod and allows the securing rod to secure the flail chain to the debarking drum; wherein the adapter link has a first wire diameter, the first chain link has a second wire diameter and the securing rod has a third wire diameter; wherein the first and second intermediate sections, which extend away from the second generally U-shaped section from opposite ends thereof, interconnect with respective, adjacent, generally U-shaped sections, which in turn connect with respective extended end sections to form first and second generally J- shaped hooks; wherein each of the respective first and third generally U- shaped sections of the first and second generally J-shaped hooks have inside surfaces and a point along such inside surface that is most distant from the closed end portion; wherein the inside surface of the first generally J-shaped hook is the first surface and such point on the first surface is the first point and the inside surface of the second generally J-shaped hook is the second surface and such point on the second surface is the second point; wherein the inside surface is a surface selected from the group consisting of an inside radius of a generally U-shaped section or a flat ridge on the inside of a generally U-shaped section; and wherein a first horizontal plane passes through the first point on the inside surface of the first generally J-shaped hook and a second horizontal plane passes through the second point on the inside surface of the second generally J-shaped hook; and wherein a third horizontal plane passes through a center point, equidistant from the respective sides of the intermediate sections of the respective generally J- shaped hooks, along a further inside surface of the second generally U- shaped section of the closed end portion; wherein the further inside surface is a surface selected from the group consisting of an inside radius of a generally U-shaped section or a flat ridge of a generally U-shaped section; wherein a first length is a first distance between the first horizontal plane and the third horizontal plane and a second length is a second distance between the second horizontal plane and the third horizontal plane; wherein a fourth horizontal plane passes through a fourth point on the outside surface of the first generally U-shaped section of the first generally J-shaped hook; wherein the fourth point is a point on such outside surface that is most distant from the closed end portion; and wherein a fifth horizontal plane passes through a fifth point on the outside surface of the third generally U-shaped section of the second generally J-shaped hook; wherein the fifth point is a point on such outside surface that is most distant from the closed end portion; wherein the outside surface is a surface selected from the group consisting of an outside radius of a generally U-shaped section or a flat ridge on the outside of a generally U-shaped section; and wherein sixth and seventh horizontal planes pass through each of the respective hook ends of the first and second generally J-shaped hooks, such that a third length is a third distance between the fourth horizontal plane and the sixth horizontal plane and a fourth length is a fourth distance between the fifth horizontal plane and the seventh horizontal plane; wherein each of the first and second lengths are equal to an inside length that is less than the lesser length of the third length and the fourth length, plus the third wire diameter and the difference between the second wire diameter and the first wire diameter, if the second wire diameter is greater than the first wire diameter. The inventors note that the horizontal planes recited herein are consistent with horizontal lines on the face of the drawing pages, which pass through the same point or points of contact and also that such a horizontal line or such horizontal lines on the face of the drawing pages that reside on the plane of the paper or page on which they are shown may be substituted for such a horizontal plane or planes without departing from the meaning of the terms of the present disclosure.

Preferred methods of use of the present invention include a method of connecting a flail chain to a debarking drum having a flail chain opening for receiving a portion of a flail chain and a rod for engaging the flail chain and securing the flail chain to the drum; the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a flail chain and a flail chain adapter link constructed for

engagement of a flail chain to a debarking drum, the flail chain adapter link being a sinuous length of metal material having first and second tail portions and a closed end portion, wherein the first tail portion includes a first generally U-shaped section, the closed end portion includes a second generally U- shaped section and the second tail portion includes a third generally U- shaped section, wherein the second generally U-shaped section is

interconnected with the first generally U-shaped section by a first intermediate section and the second generally U-shaped section is interconnected with the third generally U-shaped section by a second intermediate section; wherein the first and second intermediate sections extend away from the second generally U-shaped section from opposite ends thereof; wherein each of the respective tail portions include an extended end section interconnected with the respective first or third generally U-shaped section and the respective intermediate sections to form a generally J-shaped hook that extends away from opposite ends of the second generally U-shaped section; wherein the first tail portion is a first generally J-shaped hook made up of the first intermediate section, the first generally U-shaped section and a first extended end section that extends away from a first end of the second generally U- shaped section and the second tail portion is a second generally J-shaped hook made up of the second intermediate section, the third generally U- shaped section and a second extended end section that extends away from a second end of the second generally U-shaped section; wherein each of the respective end sections include an end where the sinuous length of metal material comes to an end and where the respective generally J-shaped hooks come to an end, wherein the end of the first generally J-shaped hook is positioned away from the first intermediate section in a first general direction that is generally the opposite of a second general direction in which the end of the second generally J-shaped hook is positioned away from the second intermediate section; b) engaging the flail chain with the flail chain adapter link; c) passing at least a portion of the flail chain adapter link through the flail chain opening; and d) engaging the rod with the adapter link and the debarking drum to secure the flail chain to the debarking drum. In preferred embodiments, where the debarking drum has a plurality of flail chain openings and the step of providing a flail chain and a flail chain adapter link includes providing a plurality of flail chains and a plurality of flail chain adapter links, the step of engaging the flail chain with the flail chain adapter link includes engaging each of the plurality of flail chains with one of the plurality of flail chain adapter links; the step of passing at least a portion of the flail chain adapter link through the flail chain opening includes passing at least a portion of each of the plurality of flail chain adapter links that are engaged with one of the plurality of flail chains at least partially through one of the plurality of flail chain openings; and the step of engaging the rod with the adapter link and the debarking drum to secure the flail chain to the debarking drum includes engaging the rod with each of the plurality of adapter links that are engaged with one of the plurality of flail chains and with the debarking drum to secure each of the plurality of flail chains to the debarking drum. In preferred embodiments, where the debarking drum has a plurality of flail chain openings and the step of providing a flail chain and a flail chain adapter link includes providing a plurality of flail chains and a plurality of flail chain adapter links, the step of engaging the flail chain with the flail chain adapter link preferably includes engaging a plurality of flail chains with each of the plurality of flail chain adapter links; the step of passing at least a portion of the flail chain adapter link through the flail chain opening preferably includes passing at least a portion of each of the plurality of flail chain adapter links that are engaged with a plurality of flail chains at least partially through one of the plurality of flail chain openings; and the step of engaging the rod with the adapter link and the debarking drum to secure the flail chains to the debarking drum preferably includes engaging the rod with each of the plurality of adapter links that are engaged with a plurality of flail chains and with the debarking drum to secure the plurality of flail chains to the debarking drum. In further preferred embodiments, the sinuous length of metal material is a metal object made of a material selected from the group consisting of a strand of wire form material and forged metal material.

In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a method of debarking logs is provided, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a debarking apparatus for debarking logs, the debarking apparatus having a debarking drum, the debarking drum having a plurality of flail chain openings for receiving a portion of a flail chain and a rod for engaging a plurality of flail chains and securing the plurality of flail chains to the debarking drum; b) providing a plurality of flail chains and a plurality of flail chain adapter links each constructed for engagement of a flail chain to such a debarking drum, each of the plurality of flail chain adapter links being a sinuous length of metal material having first and second tail portions and a closed end portion, wherein the first tail portion includes a first generally U-shaped section, the closed end portion includes a second generally U-shaped section and the second tail portion includes a third generally U-shaped section, wherein the second generally U-shaped section is interconnected with the first generally U-shaped section by a first intermediate section and the second generally U- shaped section is interconnected with the third generally U-shaped section by a second intermediate section; wherein the first and second intermediate sections extend away from the second generally U-shaped section from opposite ends thereof; wherein each of the respective tail portions include an extended end section interconnected with the respective first or third generally U-shaped section and the respective intermediate sections to form a generally J-shaped hook that extends away from opposite ends of the second generally U-shaped section; wherein the first tail portion is a first generally J-shaped hook made up of the first intermediate section, the first generally U-shaped section and a first extended end section that extends away from a first end of the second generally U-shaped section and the second tail portion is a second generally J-shaped hook made up of the second intermediate section, the third generally U-shaped section and a second extended end section that extends away from a second end of the second generally U-shaped section; wherein each of the respective end sections includes an end where the sinuous length of metal material comes to an end and where the respective generally J-shaped hooks come to an end, wherein the end of the first generally J-shaped hook is positioned away from the first intermediate section in a first general direction that is generally the opposite of a second general direction in which the end of the second generally J-shaped hook is positioned away from the second intermediate section; c) engaging each of the plurality of flail chains with one of the plurality of flail chain adapter links; d) passing at least a portion of each of the plurality of flail chain adapter links that are engaged with one of the plurality of flail chains at least partially through one of the plurality of flail chain openings; e) engaging the rod with each of the plurality of adapter links that are engaged with one of the plurality of flail chains and engaging the rod to the debarking drum to secure each of the plurality of flail chains to the debarking drum; and f) passing logs into the debarking apparatus while the debarking drum is rotating at a speed that is effective to remove bark from the surface of the logs such that bark is removed from the logs when the logs are struck by the plurality of flail chains. In further preferred embodiments, the step of engaging each of the plurality of flail chains with one of the plurality of flail chain adapter links includes engaging a plurality of flail chains with each of the plurality of flail chain adapter links; the step of passing at least a portion of each of the plurality of flail chain adapter links that are engaged with one of the plurality of flail chains at least partially through one of the plurality of flail chain openings includes passing at least a portion of each of the plurality of flail chain adapter links that are engaged with a plurality of flail chains at least partially through one of the plurality of flail chain openings; and the step of engaging the rod with each of the plurality of adapter links that are engaged with one of the plurality of flail chains and engaging the rod to the debarking drum to secure each of the plurality of flail chains to the debarking drum includes engaging the rod with each of the plurality of adapter links that are engaged with a plurality of flail chains and with the debarking drum to secure the plurality of flail chains to the debarking drum. In further preferred embodiments, the sinuous length of metal material is a metal object made of a material selected from the group consisting of a strand of wire form material and forged metal material.

[001 1 ] An object of the present invention is to provide a connecting link or an adapter link that can be used to connect a flail chain or a plurality of flail chains having round links of a certain size, or having other dimensions, to debarking drums having flail chain openings or pockets for receiving flail chains that would not otherwise accept such flail chains and, therefore, make securing such flail chains to debarking drums having such openings or pockets for receiving flail chains possible. It will be appreciated that using such a connecting link or adapter link will also allow operators to use shorter flail chains, because the connecting link or adapter link provides a certain amount of length, thereby supplanting the need for a flail chain as long as previously required.

[0012] These and various other objects, advantages and features of novelty which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the drawings, in which corresponding reference numerals and letters indicate corresponding parts of the various embodiments throughout the several views, and in which the various embodiments generally differ only in the manner described and/or shown herein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a schematic illustration of a prior art

debarking/delimbing apparatus 10 having flail chains 26 secured to different debarking drums 20a, 20b;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a schematic illustration of an alternate prior art debarking/delimbing /chipping apparatus 1 10 utilizing debarking or flail chains 126 having a plurality of substantially round links 140;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate prior art debarking drum 220

showing a rod 228 that is removed so that the prior art flail chains 226 that might otherwise be secured to the debarking drum 220 by the rod 228 can be detached from the debarking drum 220 as shown, in order to be replaced or flipped;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical plate 222, the shaft 232 and the rods 228 of the alternate prior art debarking drum 220 illustrated in FIG. 3 as seen from the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a side elevation illustrating a portion of an alternate flail chain 326 having round links 338 engaged with a flail chain adapter link 40 of the present invention, which is in turn engaged with a rod 328, as it might be when the rod is engaged within a debarking drum (not shown); [0019] FIG. 6 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating a single oblong chain link 336, which is representative of a portion of an alternate flail chain engaged with the flail chain adapter link 40 of the present invention, which is in turn engaged with a rod 328, as shown if FIG. 5;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the single oblong chain link 336, which is representative of a portion of an alternate flail chain engaged with the flail chain adapter link 40 of the present invention, being positioned closer to the rod 328 so as to illustrate the position of the rod 328 with respect to the adapter link 40 when the chain link 336 is not pulling the adapter link against the rod 328;

[0021 ] FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a preferred flail chain adapter link 40 showing the wire diameters or two round links 338 of flail chains (not shown) attached to the adapter link 40;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a bottom view from the open end of the adapter link 40 also showing a cross-section of a securing rod 328 which is unable to pass between sections of the adapter link 40 proximate end 92 and an intermediate section 64;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the adapter link 40 showing a cross-section of a securing rod 328;

[0024] FIG. 1 1 is a side view showing flail chain adapter links 40 shown partially in hidden lines when attached to a debarking drum 320 by securing rods 328;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the debarking drum shown in FIG. 1 1 as seen from the line 12-12 of FIG. 1 1 showing the flail chain adapter links 40 securing round links 338 to the debarking drum 320;

[0026] FIG. 13 shows two flail chains 336 having large round chain links 338

engaged at the closed end portion 48 of the flail chain adapter link 40; [0027] FIG. 14 is a perspective view from the top of a flail chain adapter link 40 showing the closed end portion 48 of the adapter link secured to a securing rod 328 within a debarking drum 320;

[0028] FIG. 15A is a side elevation of a further preferred embodiment of the flail chain adapter link 40' showing the closed end portion 48' on top and the first and second tail portions 44', 46' on the bottom;

[0029] FIG. 15B is a side elevation of the further preferred adapter link 40' shown in

FIG. 15A, but showing the adapter link 40' turned clockwise, about a generally vertical axis (not shown), from the position shown in FIG. 15A;

[0030] FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the further preferred adapter link 40' shown in

FIG. 15A but showing the adapter link 40' turned counterclockwise generally about 90 degrees, about a generally vertical axis (not shown), from the position shown in FIG. 15A;

[0031 ] FIG. 17 is a top view of the adapter link 40' shown in FIGS. 15A and 16,

showing the top of the closed end portion 48' of the further preferred adapter link 40';

[0032] FIG. 18 is a view of the flail chain adapter link 40' similar to that shown in FIG.

15A but also showing the J-shaped hooks 82', 84' shown in duplicated dashed lines set apart from the adapter link 40' and showing where the respective dashed line J-shaped hook 82', 84' extend from the respective ends 55a', 55b' of the U-shaped section 54';

[0033] FIG. 19 is side elevation similar to that shown in FIG. 16 but showing the J- shaped hooks 82', 84' in the manner similar to that shown in FIG. 18;

[0034] FIG. 20 is a side elevation of an alternate embodiment of the flail chain

adapter link 40" showing the adapter link 40" turned to display alternate U- shaped sections 52", 54", 56"; [0035] FIG. 21 is a side elevation of a further flail chain adapter link 40"' turned to show further U-shaped sections 52'", 54'", 56'"; and

[0036] FIG. 22 is a side elevation of a yet further flail chain adapter link 40"" turned to show a yet further embodiment of the U-shaped sections 52"", 54"", 56"".

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Debarking devices are commonly used in the wood pulp, wood pellet and composite lumber industries to remove bark and small limbs from the surface of a log prior to chipping of the log. As shown in the prior art illustration of FIG. 1 , a debarking/delimbing apparatus 10 often includes upper and lower debarking units 14 and 16, respectively, having a plurality of flail or debarking chains 26. Each debarking chain 26 is constructed of multiple elongated or oblong chain links 34, which are used to flail the surface of a log 12 to remove bark and limbs. The useful life of known debarking chains is limited by the impact and wear on the respective chain links at the point where adjacent or next to adjacent oblong chain links 34 make contact with adjacent and next to adjacent links when the chain 26 strikes the log 12. The elongated shape of such typical chain links is believed to lead to repetitive wear from such stress and such impacts, generally in the same place on the inside and outside surfaces of the rounded portion in the U-shaped end of each link 34. This repetitive wear diminishes the material in these areas and also places repetitive stress upon these areas resulting in a higher degree of metal fracture; all of which results in a limitation on the useful life of such debarking chains 26.

[0038] The prior art debarking/delimbing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is

representative of other similar prior art devices, which also have one or more upper and one or more lower debarking units 14, 16 having debarking drums 20a, 20b. In many cases, such similar prior art devices will include additional debarking units (not shown) spaced away from the first two units 14, 16. In many cases, the upper debarking drum 20a is a "floating" unit and the lower debarking drum 20b is in a fixed position, as these respective drums 20a, 20b are. The term "floating" is used to describe a vertically self-adjusting ability. As logs 12 of different diameters are inserted into the debarking unit 14, the debarking unit 14 will pivot up or down in order to accept the log 12 while still remaining close enough to the log 12 in order to debark/delimb. Each debarking drum 20a, 20b may include a cylindrical plate (not shown) similar to the cylindrical plate 222, shown in the prior art debarking drum 220 illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the plate 222 has a series of chain receiving openings or pockets 224 in which an end link 236 of one or more debarking chains 226 can be received and subsequently secured by a securing rod 228, secured by various means known in the art within openings 229 within a hub or hubs 230. The hubs 230, through which a shaft 232 is also secured, permit the debarking drums 20a, 20b to rotate relative to a housing 33. The securing rods 228 are often secured within respective hubs 230 by threaded fasteners (not shown). With respect to certain debarking devices, the threaded fasteners can be further secured to reciprocally threaded ends on the debarking drum (not shown).

It will be appreciated that the debarking drums 20a, 20b rotate at a very high rate of speed and that the debarking chains 26 strike the logs 12 with great force as the logs 12 enter the debarking/delimbing apparatus 10. A great deal of this force is directed to points along the inner and outer boundary of each of the respective chain links as they strike adjacent and next to adjacent links and against the outer surface of links as they strike the log. It is commonly observed by persons familiar with debarking/delimbing operations that this is especially the case for the link that is the second from the end closest to the log of any secured debarking chain 26 and also for the link that is third from the end. [0040] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the prior art debarking/delimbing/chipping apparatus 1 10 includes a debarking drum 120a, 120b, each debarking drum having at least one preferred debarking or flail chain 126, each of which preferably includes a plurality of interlocking chain links, many which are passing links 140. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each of the chain links of each of the debarking chains 126 are passing links 140, with the exception of the end links 136 on each flail chain 126. In these embodiments, the debarking chains 126 include end links 136 that are elongated, oblong chain links, like those in the prior art debarking chains 26 shown in FIG. 1. It is believed that, for various embodiments, it is important for the end links 136 at each end of certain debarking chains 126 of the present invention, to be oblong links so that these end links 136 will fit easily into chain receiving openings or pockets (not shown) similar to the pockets 224 shown in FIG. 3 that are common in debarking units that are presently used throughout the wood chipping/wood pulping industry. It will be appreciated, however, that a redesigned debarking drum, including a connecting member to connect alternate debarking chains of the present invention (not shown), that is made entirely of substantially round passing links, is envisioned as falling within the scope of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that present debarking drums can be modified to increase the size of the pocket such that one or more substantially round passing links will fit into the pocket and be used.

[0041 ] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate debarking drum 220 similar in many ways to a debarking drum of debarking apparatus model numbers 2755 Flail Chiparvestor or 2355 Flail Chiparvestor, sold by Morbark of Winn, Michigan. It is believed that debarking drums associated with the debarking devices readily accept most, if not all, flail chains. The debarking drum 220 has an outer surface or cylindrical plate 222 having a plurality of chain securing openings or pockets 224 in which an end link 236 can be secured. The debarking drum assembly 220 is configured to allow the end links 236 of the debarking chains 226 to fit into the pockets 224, along an axis perpendicular to the length of the debarking drum assembly 220. The end link 236 of each debarking chain 226 that resides within the pocket 224 is secured by a securing rod 228 that is preferably configured to slide through securing openings 229 in hubs 230 at each of two ends of the cylindrical plate 222 or perhaps at a single end in other embodiments, such that it can reside within the cylindrical plate 222 of the debarking drum 220 along an axis parallel to that of the debarking drum 220 and inserted such that it passes through the end link 236 of each of the attached debarking chains 226. Each debarking chain 226 in the debarking drum assembly 220 is preferably constructed to rotate about the axis defined by shaft 232 at a high rate of speed.

[0042] A cutaway view from the illustration shown in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4

showing the debarking drum assembly 220 in greater detail. The end link 236 of each debarking chain 226 that passes through the openings or pockets 224 is preferably fastened to a rod 228 secured between hubs 230 at each end of the drum assembly 220.

[0043] Referring now also to FIGS. 5-19, alternate debarking devices, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 1 , 12 and 14, include debarking drums 320 having a plurality of pockets 324 that do not readily accept all flail chains 326. As shown, the devices have rod receiving openings 329 for six (6) securing rods 328 used during debarking operations to secure flail chains 326 to the debarking drums 320. Some debarking drums, such as perhaps these debarking drums 320 and/or others, have undersized pockets 324 that do not accept all flail chains 326, especially those having round chain links 338, some of which have large wire diameters L7A that can provide superior wear characteristics when suitably manufactured. The round links 338 in current flail chains 326 will preferably have wire diameters that range from about 0.630 to about 0.787 inches, preferably from about 0.630 to about 0.656 inches. In preferred embodiments, the debarking chains or flail chains employing "standard" oblong links 336 will preferably have wire diameters that range from about 0.630 to about 0.787 inches, preferably from about 0.630 to about 0.656 inches. In preferred debarking drums 320, the securing rod 328 will have a wire diameter of from about 0.50 to about 1.0 inches, preferably about 0.75 inches or larger.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, when a link, 338, 336 is engaged with the adapter link

40 and the securing rod 328 is engaged in the respective tail sections 44, 46 of the adapter link 40, it is highly unlikely for the rod 328 to disengage from the tail sections 44, 46, unless it disengages to the side by being drawn out of the respective tail portions 44, 46 one at a time. As shown particularly in FIG. 7, the securing rod 328 is prevented from disengaging from the adapter link 40 by passing upward out of the respective generally J-shaped hooks 82, 84 because the first link 336 of a flail chain 326 (not shown) will not allow the securing rod 328 to pass. This is because the length of the respective generally J-shaped hooks is carefully limited so that the securing rod 328 is unable to disengage from the adapter link 40 in that way. As shown in FIG. 7, it will be appreciated that the length of the extended end sections 72, 74 of the J-shaped hooks 82, 84 prevents the rod 328 from disengaging from the adapter link 40 when the first link 336 of a flail chain is engaged within the adapter link 40. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first preferred adapter link 40 is configured in such a way that the wire diameter L6 of the of the rod 328 is too great to pass between the hook ends 92, 94 and the sinuous length of metal material 42 proximate the intermediate sections 62, 64 of the opposite J-shaped hooks 82, 84, when the first link 336 is engaged with the adapter link 40 as shown.

[0045] In FIG. 5, the first link 338 is a round link which has a wire diameter L7A in a range of from about 0.630 to about 0.787 inches. The securing rod 328 will preferably have a wire diameter of from about 0.5 to about 1 .0 inches, preferably about 0.75 inches or larger and the adapter link 40 will preferably be made of wire form material 42 which will preferably have a wire diameter L5 of from about 0.5 to about 0.8 inches, preferably about 0.562 inches. As seen in FIG. 5, the tail portions 44, 46 of the open end 47 of the adapter link 40 will have a respective outside radii 41 a, 41 b, each of which has a most distant point 43, 45, respectively, from the closed end portion 48. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the adapter links 40 are secured to a first "oblong" chain link 336, in a manner as it would be when secured to a flail chain (not shown) having such a first chain link 336. As shown in FIG. 6, the adapter link 40 is drawn against the securing rod 328 as it would generally be during most operations. In development of the adapter link 40, it was discovered that on occasion, depending on the length of prototypes of the adapter link (not shown) and particularly upon the length of the prototype from the inside radius at one end to the inside radius at the other end, the rod 328 could disengage from the prototype adapter links by passing between the hook ends and the first chain link, thereby allowing the attached flail chains to separate from the debarking drums during operations. To address this, the inventors designed the adapter link 40 to limit the distance between the inside radius 55 of the generally U-shaped section 54 to the inside radius of each of the generally U-shaped sections 52, 56 of the respective tail portions 44, 46, so that it is highly unlike that the securing rod 328 can escape from the J- shaped hooks 82, 84 of the adapter link 40, when the link 40 is engaged with a first chain link 336, 338 of a flail chain 326 or any link. As seen in FIG. 7 and noted above, the securing rod 328 is unable to pass between the first chain link 336 and the hook ends 92, 94 of the generally J-shaped hooks 82, 84 in order to disengage from the adapter link 40 when the flail chain 326 is engaged with the adapter link 40.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8-10, the preferred adapter link 40 will preferably have a distance L2 from the most distant part of the second U- shaped section 54 to the most distant part of either the first or the third U- shaped sections of from about 2.4 to about 4.6, preferably about 2.8 to about 4.2, more preferably from about 3.2 to about 3.8, most preferably about 3.5 inches and the length L2 of the preferred adapter link 40 will preferably be from about 2.4 to about 5.0, preferably from about 2.7 to about 4.7, more preferably from about 2.8 to about 3.6 inches. The preferred adapter link 40 will preferably have an inside length L1 from the most distant point 55 on the inside radius 41 c of the second generally U-shaped section 54 to the most distant points 53, 55 on the respective inside radii (see corresponding radii 41 d', 41 e' of the second preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 17) of from about 1 .8 to about 3.2, more preferably from about 2.2 to about 2.8, more preferably from about 2.4 to about 2.6, most preferably about 2.5 inches. In addition, the preferred adapter link 40 will preferably have a width L3 of from about 1 .8 to about 3.2, more preferably from about 2.2 to about 2.8, more preferably from about 2.4 to about 2.6, most preferably about 2.5 inches and the distance L4 from the end of either of the tail portions 44, 46 to the respective hook ends 92, 94 will preferably be from about 1.0 to about 3.0, preferably about 1.5 to about 2.5, more preferably from about 1.8 to about 2.2, more preferably about 2.0 inches.

In FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16 and 17, a second preferred embodiment of the present adapter link 40' is shown in which the distances L1A', L1 B' are the respective distances between points 53', 57' on the inside radius 41 d', 41 e' on the inside of the generally U-shaped sections 52', 56' of tail portions 44', 46' and the center point 55' on the inside radius 41c' of the closed end portion 48'. As can be seen, however, L1A' and L1 B' differ somewhat, as is possible but not a requirement. L1A' is the distance between a horizontal plane P1 that passes through the most distant point 53' on the inside radius 41 d' of the generally U-shaped section 52' to a horizontal plane 53' that passes through a center point 55' on the inside radius 41c' of the U-shaped section 54' of the closed end portion 48'. Similarly, the distance L1 B' is the distance between a horizontal plane P2 that passes through a most distant point 57' on the inside radius 41 e' on the inside of the generally U-shaped section 56' to the horizontal plane P3, which is described above. As noted above, it will be appreciated that any horizontal plane recited herein is consistent with a horizontal line that is horizontal with respect to the images as the images are present in the drawing page passing through the same point of contact and that such a horizontal line or lines may be substituted for such a horizontal plane, without departing from the meaning of the disclosure set forth herein. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any vertical plane recited herein is consistent with a vertical line that is vertical with respect to the images as the images are present in the drawing page passing through the same point or points of contact and that such a vertical line or lines may be substituted for such a vertical plane, without departing from the meaning of the disclosure set forth herein.

[0048] As further shown in FIG. 15B, a length L4A' is a length from a horizontal plane P4 that passes through a point 43' most distant from the closed end portion 48', which resides on an outside radius of the generally U-shaped section 52', similar to the outside radius 41 a shown in FIG. 9 for the first preferred embodiment of the adapter link 40, to a horizontal plane P6 that passes through the link end 92' of the generally J-shaped hook 82'. Similarly, a length L4B' is a distance between a horizontal plane P5 passing through a point 45' on an outside radius of the generally U-shaped section 56', similar to the outside radius 41 b shown in FIG. 9 for the first preferred embodiment of the adapter link 40, to a horizontal plane P7 that passes through the hook end 94' of the generally J-shaped hook 84'.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 15A, the intermediate sections 62', 64' have opposite outer surfaces 63', 65' or sides, that are consistent with vertical planes P63 and P65, respectively. In this regard, it is noted that a center point 55' on the inside radius 41 c' of the generally U-shaped section 54' is equidistant from the respective sides 63', 65' of the adapter link 40', and that the distance L8A is equal to the distance L8B, so that the line M8 is equidistant from the respective sides 63', 65' and the respective vertical planes P63, P65, which indicates that the center point 55' is at the center of the inside radius 41c' of the generally U-shaped section 54.

[0050] In preferred embodiments of the adapter link 40, 40' a center line 78 of any of extended end section 72, 72' will preferably be at an angle a1 of from about 0° to about 40° with respect to a center line 68 of the respective intermediate sections 62, 62' within each of the respective J-shaped hooks 82, 82' and also their counterparts 84, 84' and may be varied for a variety of reasons including simple design reasons. In the preferred adapter link 40' shown in FIGS. 15-17, it is believed that this angle α1 ' (not shown) will be preferably from about 0° to about 5°.

[0051 ] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 9 and 17, which show the two most

preferred embodiments of the present adapter link or adapter link 40, 40', an angle α2, a2' between a line 77 passing from the center of respective hook ends 92, 94' and the center of the corresponding intermediate sections 62, 64', respectively, and a line 67 passing through a mid-section of the closed end portion 48, 48' and the adjacent intermediate section 62, 64' will preferably be from about 30° to about 70°; more preferably from about 40° to about 60°. The same special relationships will preferably exist for the opposing side of the preferred adapter links 40, 40'.

[0052] In each of the adapter link embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 17, the

respective hook ends 92, 92' on one side of the respective adapter link 40, 40' are set apart from the respective adjacent intermediate sections 62, 62' in a first direction D1 , D1 ' and the hook ends 94, 94' on the opposite side of the adapter link 40, 40' are set apart from adjacent intermediate sections 64, 64' in a generally opposite direction D2, D2', so that the respective hooks ends 92, 92' of one generally J-shaped hook 82, 82' are positioned on the opposite sides of the adapter link 40, 40' from the respective hooks ends 94, 94' of other generally J-shaped hook 82, 82' when the respective adapter link 40, 40' is in a vertical orientation with the closed end portion 48, 48' on the top, as shown in FIGS. 15-16.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10, an angle a3 between separate lines 76, 66 passing along the sides 63, 65 of the respective intermediate sections 62, 64 will preferably be from about 30° to about 70°; more preferably from about 40° to about 60°.

[0054] It is an object of the present invention to permit operators to use a wider variety of flail chains in operations employing debarking drums that do not accept flail chains having all kinds of chain links. In particular, it is believed that certain debarking drums, including Peterson Pacific™ debarking drums, Husky™ debarking drums and additional debarking drums, have openings or pockets for receiving flail chains that are configured in such a way that they cannot accept chain links from certain flail chains. It is believed that the present flail chain adapter link will permit any well known flail chains to be secured to these debarking drums and also permit the use of shorter flail chains because of the added length provided by the adapter link when it is attached to the debarking drum.

[0055] Since debarking drums in the early stages of development of this invention included pockets that were not sized for receiving large round links, the present inventors have designed a connector link or an adapter link 40, 40' that will effectively connect flail chain 326 having large round chain links 338 to Peterson Pacific™ and other debarking drums to which attachment of such flail chains was not previously known to be possible.

[0056] The flail chain adapter hooks or adapter links 40, 40', 40", 40'", 40"", 40'"" of the present invention are designed to secure a flail chain 326 to debarking drums 320 having somewhat more restricted flail chain receiving openings or pockets 324. The respective adapter links 40, 40', 40", 40'", 40"", 40"'" will be passed through a flail chain receiving opening or pocket 324 and engaged with a securing rod 328 after a flail chain 326 is engaged with the respective adapter link 40, 40', 40", 40'", 40"", 40'"". Referring now particularly to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-19, to engage the flail chain 326 with the adapter link 40, 40', an end link 338 is passed over a hook end 92, 92', 94, 94' and slid along the sinuous length of metal material 42, 42' making up the adapter link 40, 40' until the link 338 is engaged with the closed end portion 48, 48' of the adapter link 40, 40'. At this point, the adapter link 40, 40' can be inserted into the flail chain receiving opening or pocket 324 and the securing rod 328 can be engaged with the two tail portions 40, 40', 46, 46' of the adapter link 40, 40' as shown in FIG. 5 and also in FIGS. 1 1 , 12 and 14. Once engaged with the securing rod 328, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the securing rod cannot disengage from the adapter link 40, 40' by sliding upward to pass out of the generally U-shaped sections 52, 52', 56, 56' of the respective tail portions 44, 44', 46, 46'. This is further demonstrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 which show that the diameter of the securing rod 328 is larger than the space between the hook ends 92 and the intermediate sections of the opposite J-shaped hook 84.

[0057] It will be appreciated that the adapter link or adapter hook 40, 40' is designed to accommodate the wire diameter of more that one flail chain 326 by being able to accommodate the wire diameter of two chain links 338 within the space proximate the second U-shaped section 54, as shown in FIG. 8. Once the adapter link or adapter hook 40, 40' is engaged with a securing rod 328 within the debarking drums 320 of the present drawings, the securing rod 328 cannot disengage from the adapter link 40, 40' without being drawn out of the respective first and second tail portions 44. 44', 46, 46' from the side as the securing rod 328 is drawn out of the drum 320.

[0058] It is an object of the present invention to provide a reusable adapter link that can be reused in multiple flail chain change-outs. It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a way for contractors that operate Peterson Pacific™ debarking equipment to use round link flail chains such as shown in the figures. It is a further objective of the present invention to permit contractors to attach one or, perhaps, two flail chains to any particular flail chain adapter link or adapter hook. It is a further objective of the present invention to allow contractors to buy flail chains that have one less link in any particular flail chain and thereby reduce the cost of the flail chain by doing so. [0059] As used herein, the word "sinuous" means having many curves, bends or turns. As such, a sinuous link of material is a winding length of material that has many curves, bends and/or turns.

[0060] The term "U-shaped," as used herein, is used broadly and is not limited to a literally U-shaped structure. Instead, the term "U-shaped" is intended to describe, and is in turn intended to mean, any structure of a length of material that follows a path in which the path eventually turns and goes back generally in the direction from which the length of material has come. For this reason, the term "U-shaped," as used herein, describes the U-shaped sections of the present flail chain adapter links 40, 40', 40", 40'", 40"", shown in FIGS. 8-10, 15A-19, 20, 21 and 22. As will be appreciated, a U-shaped structure need only be a structure in which the direction of the material starts in one direction and then eventually turns and goes back generally in the direction from which it came as the material does in the generally U-shaped sections shown in the above-referenced drawing figures (FIGS. 8-10, 15A-19, 20, 21 and 22), and may in fact be a flat area or an irregular area that makes the radius or inside surface either flat or somewhat circuitous or irregular and doesn't exhibit a radius as is shown in FIGS. 8-10, 15A-19 and 21. It will be appreciated that the surface will be flat or have at least a flat ridge when a section or a portion of a section is straight, as is the case with the alternate adapter links 40" and 40"", shown in FIGS. 20 and 22.

[0061 ] As used herein, the term "J-shaped" means a shape that looks generally like a "fish hook" and will have a longer portion on one side and an open hook on the other side, but will also pass through a turn in which the path of the J- shaped hook will extend first in one direction and eventually turn and go generally back in the direction from which the path has come in the manner in which the J-shaped hooks 82, 84, 82', 84', 82", 84", 82'", 84'", 82"", 84"" of the present adapter links 40, 40', 40", 40"', 40"" demonstrate, as shown in FIGS. 8-10, 15A-17, 20, 21 and 22. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flail chain adapter link 40 constructed for engagement of a flail chain 326 having a plurality of chain links 338 to a debarking drum 320 is provided. The flail chain adapter link 40 comprises a sinuous length of metal material 42 having first and second tail portions 44, 46 and a closed end portion 48, wherein the first tail portion 44 includes a first generally U-shaped section 52, the closed end portion 48 includes a second generally U-shaped section 54 and the second tail portion 46 includes a third generally U-shaped section 56, wherein the second generally U-shaped section 54 is interconnected with the first generally U-shaped section 52 by a first intermediate section 62 and the second generally U-shaped section 54 is interconnected with the third generally U-shaped section 56 by a second intermediate section 64. Each of the respective tail portions 44, 46 preferably include an extended end section 72, 74 interconnected with the respective first or third U-shaped section 52, 56 and the respective intermediate sections 62-64 to form a generally J- shaped hook 82, 84 that extends away from opposite ends 55a, 55b of the second U-shaped section 54. The first tail portion 44 is preferably a first generally J-shaped hook 82 made up of the first intermediate section 62, the first generally U-shaped section 52 and a first extended end section 72 that extends away from a first end 55a of the second generally U-shaped section 54. The second tail portion 46 is preferably a second generally J-shaped hook 84 made up of the second intermediate section 64, the third generally U- shaped section 56 and a second extended end section 74 that extends away from the second end 55b of the second generally U-shaped section 54. Each of the respective end sections 72, 74 preferably include a hook end 92, 94 where the sinuous length of metal material 42 comes to an end and where the respective generally J-shaped hooks 82, 84 come to an end. The first hook end 92 of the first generally J-shaped hook 82 is preferably positioned away from the first intermediate section 62 in a first general direction D1 that is generally the opposite of a second general direction D2 in which the second hook end 94 of the second generally J-shaped hook 84 is positioned away from the second intermediate section 64. This is also true for the second preferred flail chain adapter link 40' as shown in FIG. 17.

As shown in FIGS. 15A -19. in preferred embodiments, the adapter link 40, 40', in which the debarking drum 320 has a securing rod 328 and the first 336, 338 of the plurality of chain links of the flail chain 326 is a first chain link 336, 338 for engagement with the adapter link 40, 40'; wherein the adapter link 40, 40' is constructed and arranged to engage the first chain link 336, 338 proximate the closed end portion 48' and the securing rod 328 proximate both of the respective tail portions 44', 46' in a manner that allows the adapter link 40, 40' to secure the first chain link 336, 338 to the securing rod 328 and allows the securing rod 328 to secure the flail chain 326 to the debarking drum 320; wherein the adapter link 40, 40' has a first wire diameter L5, the first chain link 336, 338 has a second wire diameter L7B, L7A and the securing rod 328 has a third wire diameter L6; wherein the first and second intermediate sections 62', 64', which extend away from the second generally U-shaped section 54' from opposite ends 55a', 55b' (as shown for the other preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 18) thereof, respectively, interconnect with respective, adjacent, generally U-shaped sections 52', 56', which in turn connect with respective extended end sections 62', 64' to form first and second generally J-shaped hooks 82', 84'; wherein each of the first and third generally U-shaped sections 52', 56' of the first and second generally J- shaped hooks 82', 84', have a point along an inside radius of each of the respective generally U-shaped sections 52, 56, which is most distant from the closed end portion 48'; wherein a first horizontal plane P1 passes through the first point 53' on the inside radius 41 d' of the first generally J-shaped hook 82' and a second horizontal plane P2 passes through the second point 57' on the inside radius 41 e' of the second generally J-shaped hook 84'; and wherein a third horizontal plane P3 passes through a center point 55', equidistant from the respective intermediate sections 62', 64', along an inside radius 41 c' of the second generally U-shaped section 54' of the closed end portion 48', such that a first length L1A' is a first distance between the first horizontal plane P1 and the third horizontal plane P3 and a second length L1 B' is a second distance between the second horizontal plane P2 and the third horizontal plane P3; wherein a fourth horizontal plane P4 passes through a fourth point 43' on the outside radius 41 a' of the first generally U-shaped section 52' of the first generally J-shaped hook 82'; wherein the fourth point 43' is the most distant point on the outside radius 41 a' of the first generally U-shaped section 52' from the closed end portion 48'; and wherein a fifth horizontal plane P5 passes through a fifth point 45' is the most distant point on the outside radius 41 b' of the third generally U-shaped section 56' of the second generally J- shaped hook 84' from the closed end portion 48'; wherein the fifth point 45' is the most distant point from the closed end portion 48' on the outside radius 41 b' of the third generally U-shaped section 56'; and wherein sixth and seventh horizontal planes P6, P7, respectively, pass through each of the respective hook ends 92', 94' of the first and second generally J-shaped hooks 82', 84', such that a third length L4A' is a third distance between the fourth horizontal plane P4 and the sixth horizontal plane P6 and a fourth length L4B' is a fourth distance between the fifth horizontal plane P5 and the seventh horizontal plane P7; wherein each of the first and second lengths L1A', L1 B' are equal to an inside length that is less than the lesser length of the third length L4A' and the fourth length L4B', plus the third wire diameter L6 and the difference between the second wire diameter L7B, L7A and the first wire diameter L5, if the second wire diameter L7B, L7A is greater than the first wire diameter L5. It will be appreciated that a horizontal line on the page of the images illustrated on the face of the drawing pages and passing through the same point or points of contact through which a horizontal plane passes, will be consistent with such horizontal plane and can be substituted for such a plane and, similarly, a vertical line on the page of the images illustrated on the face of the drawing pages and passing through the same point or points of contact through which a vertical plane passes, will be consistent with such vertical plane and can be substituted for such a plane. [0064] FIG. 18, which is similar to FIG. 15A, is provided to better illustrate in dashed lines how the intermediate sections 62', 64' of respective generally J-shaped hooks 82', 84' extend away from opposite ends 55a', 55b', respectively, of the second generally U-shaped section 54' of the closed end portion 48'. FIG. 19, which is similar to FIG. 16, is provided to better illustrate in dashed lines the same generally J-shaped hooks 82', 84. In each case, the generally J- shaped hooks 82', 84' shown in dashed lines are shown separated by dashed lines that are intended to show where the respective generally J-shaped hooks 82', 84' are actually connected to the closed end portion 48'.

[0065] All of the adapter links 40, 40', 40", 40"' and 40"" of the present invention have the same parts as described herein with respect to each of the respective embodiments, except that the alternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 20 and 22 do not have either an inside or an outside radius 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d' or 41 e' as described for the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 - 19 and 21 , nor do they have most distant points or center points through which horizontal planes P1 , P2, P3, P4 and P5 will pass. Instead these alternate embodiments have a center point 53a", 55a", 57a", 53a"", 55a"", 57a"" on flat center line 53", 55", 57", 53"", 55"", 57"" on a ridge of the rounded surface in the middle of the generally U-shaped sections 52", 54", 56", 52"", 54"", 56"" at either end of the alternate adapter links 40", 40"" and horizontal planes corresponding to horizontal planes P1 , P2, P3, P4 and P5 will pass through those points to determine the respective lengths corresponding to lengths L1A, L1 B, L4A, L4B, L1A', L1 B', L4A', L4B'. As noted above, it will be appreciated that any horizontal plane recited herein is consistent with a horizontal line that is horizontal with respect to the images as the images are present in the drawing page passing through the same point of contact and that such a horizontal line or lines may be substituted for such a horizontal plane, without departing from the meaning of the disclosure set forth herein. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any vertical plane recited herein is consistent with a vertical line that is vertical with respect to the images as the images are present in the drawing page passing through the same point or points of contact and that such a vertical line or lines may be substituted for such a vertical plane, without departing from the meaning of the disclosure set forth herein.

It is to be understood that, even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.