FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a seat adjustment mechanisms for a bike. In particular, relates to height and lateral displacement adjustment mechanism of the seat of a two-wheeled vehicle having saddle type seats.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

The seat of a two-wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle or an E-bike or a RTO registered E-vehicle is usually provided with a saddle-shaped having a rod attached thereon. The rod is allowed to be inserted into a substantially tubular member of a frame assembly of the seat. As per the rider’s preference or comfort, the height of the seat relative to the ground is adjusted by sliding the seat rod in or out in the frame assembly and fixing the position of the seat at a desired height. There also exist mechanisms for sliding of the seat about a lateral axis or the position of the seat along a front-rear horizontal axis. Conventional bicycles are provided with a clip attachment for seat adjustment. The clip had to press-fit to adjust the height of the seat. These types of clip attachments are used for lightweight bikes having low top-speeds for its simplicity. However, with increasing speed and load, the chances of being disturbing the seat adjustment increases.

Also, the tightening of the clip has to be done with one hand while holding the seat with the other hand at the required height as well as in the correct orientation, so as to prevent the seat from slipping down due to gravity or to prevent any sideward sliding of the seat relative to the front-rear axis. This makes the seat adjustment more cumbersome to a rider. Further, a Pedal-assisted bike need more ground clearance to account for the space required for pedaling, than that of conventional motorcycles or similar two- wheeled vehicles. Thereby, the posture of the rider required in the pedal assisted bikes and in the conventional vehicles will be different. Therefore, the ergonomics of the seat adjustment required to be different on the pedal-assisted bikes for the better rider comfort for a long distance driving.

Thus, there is a need of a seat adjusting mechanism for a bike, that is more robust and easier to use and which ameliorates the above mentioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows. An object of the present disclosure is to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for adjustment of seat of a two-wheeled vehicle.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat adjustment mechanism for a bike.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat adjustment mechanism that is sturdy.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat adjustment mechanism that is convenient to use. Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat adjustment mechanism that is reliable.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat adjustment mechanism that requires minimum effort.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat adjustment mechanism that facilitates quick adjustment of rider posture to an ergonomic form.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for adjusting a seat of a two-wheeled vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages an arrangement for adjusting a seat of a two-wheeled vehicle. The seat is provided on to a seat pipe of a frame assembly of the vehicle, and comprises a wire rod and a U-clamp mounted on the wire rod. The U-clamp has a weld nut configured thereon. The arrangement comprises a rod defined by a cylindrical threaded body, a first nut and a second nut. The rod is configured to be received in the seat pipe of the frame assembly.

The first nut has a threadable shank which is extending from an operative base of the first nut. The shank is configured to be lockingly received on an operative end of the seat pipe having the rod therein. The rotation of the first nut is configured to raise and lower the rod so as to adjust the height of the seat in the seat pipe. Also, the rod is configured with a keyway and a key is lockingly received in the keyway. The second nut is configured to be threadably received on the rod, to thereby restrict the rotation of the first nut.

The threads of the first nut and the second nut are configured to be complementary to the threads of the rod. The loosening of the second nut provides access to the first nut to raise and lower the rod in the seat pipe.

The complementary threads of the rod and the first and second nut provides easy lowering and raising of the seat rod, advantageously the adjustment of seat does not require to use both hands of the rider, thereby the seat adjustment mechanism is convenient and reliable to use.

Further, a jaw is provided to an operative end of the rod. The shape of jaw is defined by a recess having a tapped hole therein. The recess is configured to receive the U-clamp thereon. Also, the jaw has a hollow cylindrical neck 12c portion at one operative end of the jaw. The neck is configured with a threaded hole therein.

In an embodiment, the recess is provided with a second locking means; the second locking means is threadable engaging with the tapped hole and configured to be received in the weld nut to restrict the displacement of the seat in an operative y-axis.

In another embodiment, the locking means is selected from a group consisting a screw, a socket head cap screw, a flat head screw, a low head screw, a button head screw, a hex socket head bolt. In an embodiment, the rod has an operative first end and an operative second end; the hollow cylindrical neck 12c of the jaw is configured to threadable engage with the operative first end of the rod and the operative second end of the rod is configured to be received in the seat pipe.

Further, the operative end of the seat pipe has a pair of through-holes. The through holes are provided oppositely to each other at the operative end of the seat pipe. The through-hole is configured to receive a pair of first locking means therein.

In an embodiment, a bush is configured to be received in a mating space between the shank and the operative end of the seat pipe; the bush has a pair of second holes thereon. The second holes are arranged oppositely on the bush.

In another embodiment, the operative end of the shank is configured with a circumferential groove; the second holes and the circumferential groove are configured to align with the through-holes. The circumferential groove is configured to be locked by means of the first locking means by passing through the through-holes.

Further, the present disclosure also envisages a method for adjusting the seat of the two wheeled vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted to the seat pipe of a frame assembly. The seat is provided with a wire rod attached therein. The U-clamp is mounted to the wire rod and having a weld nut therein. The method comprises the following steps:

• providing the rod with the cylindrical threaded body;

• providing the first nut with a first griping surface thereon, the first nut is provided with the threadable shank extending from the operating base thereof;

• providing the second nut with a second griping surface thereon;

• securing the threadable shank of the first nut on the operative end of the seat pipe, the first nut is allowed to be rotatable on the operative end of the seat pipe;

• engaging the rod to the first nut, the rod is threadably received within the seat pipe; and

• mounting the second nut to the rod; the rotation of the first nut to a predetermined number of counts allowing the raising and lowering of the rod and thereby adjusting the height of the seat to a predetermined height; and the rotation of the second nut allowing the locking and unlocking of the first nut, to thereby the seat is locked and unlocked respectively.

The jaw is mounted to the operative end of the rod. The jaw is provided with the recess for receiving the U-clamp therein and the recess has the tapped hole.

In an embodiment, the U-clamp is locked on the recess with the help of the second locking means; the second locking means is passing through the tapped hole of the recess and receiving in the weld nut and thereby restricting the displacement of the U-clamp.

In another embodiment, the rotation of the second locking means allows the loosening of the U-clamp, to thereby allowing the seat to move in an operative forward and rearward direction.

Further, the operative end of the shank has the circumferential groove. The first nut is secured by locking the circumferential groove with the first locking means provided at the operative end of the seat pipe.

Since, the first nut and the second nut are used to raise and lower the rod; therefore there is no risk of rod slippage even when the vehicle is travelling at high speed. Furthermore, the seat adjusting mechanism provides better stability while riding the vehicle by locking the raised or lowered configuration of the seat by tightening the second nut to the first nut.

Also, the raising and lowering of the seat rod are regulated by the rotation of the first and second nuts, resulting in a robust construction of the seat adjustment mechanism.

Since, the height of the seat rod can be adjusted by rotating the first and second nuts, and the lateral displacement of the seat can be controlled by loosening the locking means, therefore the seat adjustment mechanism provides ergonomic seat configurations for the rider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

The mechanism for adjusting seat of two-wheeled vehicle and method for adjusting thereof, of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows an arrangement of a conventional seat assembly of a bicycle;

Figure 2(a) shows a clip attachment for fixing the seat position in a frame assembly; Figure 2(b) shows an exploded view of the conventional seat assembly with the frame assembly of the bicycle;

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a seat of a bike with the seat adjustment mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 shows another isometric view of the seat of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the seat adjusting mechanism of Figure 3;

Figure 6 shows a side sectional view of the seat adjusting mechanism of Figure 3;

Figure 7 shows a rear sectional view of the seat adjusting mechanism of Figure 3;

Figure 8 shows a locked state of the seat adjusting mechanism of Figure 3 with the seat in a lowered position;

Figure 9 shows an unlocked state of the seat adjusting mechanism;

Figure 10 shows a locked state of the seat adjusting mechanism of Figure 3 with the seat in a raised position; and

Figure 11(A) shows a front most position of the sliding adjustment mechanism in an operating Y-axis.

Figure 11 (B) shows a rear most position of the sliding adjustment mechanism in an operating Y-axis.

Figure 12 shows a sectional view of seat assembly provided with a key in a keyway.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 ’ Frame assembly (Prior art)

2’ Seat pipe (Prior art)

3’ Clip (Prior art)

4’ Clamp (Prior art) ’ Rod (Prior art)

Wire rod (Prior art)

Seat assembly (Prior art) Frame Assembly Upper Pipe Seat Pipe Rear Pipe

Second locking means

Bush

First Nut a Shank b Circumferential Groove

Second Nut

Rod a Keyway 0 Wire Rod 0a Seat Holder Bracket1 U-Clamp 1a Weld Nut 2 First locking means2a Jaw 12b Recess

12c Hollow cylindrical neck

13 Seat Upper Cladding

14 Seat Base

15 Screw

17 Seat Damper

18 Plastic Plate

19 Plastic Spacer

20 Seat Assembly

20a Saddle

21 Seat Foam

22 Seat Cover Rexin

23 Plastic Cap For Seat Pipe

22 Recess

22a Neck

24 Key

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

The Conventional bicycles are provided with a clip 3’ attachment for seat assembly 7’. The conventional bicycle seat assembly 7’ is shown in Figure 1. The clip 3’ had to press-fit to adjust the height of the seat 7’ as shown in Figure 2(A) and Figure 2(B). The clip 3’ attachments are used for lightweight bikes having low top-speeds for its simplicity. However, with increasing speed and load, the chances of being disturbing the seat assembly 7’ increases.

Also, the tightening of the clip 3’ has to be done with one hand while holding the seat assembly 7’ with the other hand at the required height as well as in the correct orientation, so as to prevent the seat assembly 7’ from slipping down due to gravity or to prevent any sideward sliding of the seat assembly 7’relative to the front-rear axis. This makes the seat adjustment more cumbersome to a rider.

Further, a Pedal-assisted bike need more ground clearance. Thereby, the posture of the rider required in the pedal assisted bikes and in the conventional vehicles will be different. Therefore, the ergonomics of the seat adjustment required to be different on the pedal- assisted bikes for the better rider comfort for a long distance driving. The present disclosure envisages a seat adjustment mechanism of a two-wheeled vehicle having saddle type seats. The two wheeled vehicles consisting a E-bicycle, E-bike, and RTO registered pedal assisted E-bike. The present disclosure is hereinafter described with reference to Figures 3-11.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4. The Figure 3 and Figure 4 are isometric views of a seat adjustment mechanism of a seat 20 mounted on a frame assembly 1 of the two wheeled vehicles, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The seat assembly 20, includes a seat holder 10a and a U-clamp 11 attached on the operative lower side of the saddle 20a. An upper cladding 13 is attached to the saddle 20a from underneath and encloses the seat holder and a U-clamp 11. The saddle 20a is formed by foam 21 and a cover 22. The seat holder is provided with a wire rod 10. The U-clamp 11 has a weld nut 11a attached thereto by welding. The frame assembly 1 includes an upper pipe 2, a rear pipe 4 and a seat pipe 3. The seat assembly 20 is provided on to the seat pipe 3 of the frame assembly 1 of the vehicle. A jaw 12a is provided to an operative end of the rod 9. The shape of the jaw 12a is defined by a recess 12b having a tapped hole. Also, a hollow cylindrical neck 12c is configured at one operative end of the jaw 12a having a threaded hole configured therein. The recess 12b is configured to receive the U-clamp 11 thereon. The recess 12b is provided with a second locking means which is threadably engaged with the tapped hole. The second locking means further configured to be received in the weld nut 11a to restrict the displacement of the seat assembly 20 in an operative y-axis.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure envisages a seat height adjustment mechanism. The seat height adjustment mechanism comprises the rod 9 defined by a cylindrical threaded body, a first nut 7 and a second nut 8. The rod 9 is configured with an operative first end and an operative second end. The operative second end of the rod 9 is configured to be received in an operative end of the seat pipe 3 of the frame assembly 1. The rod is configured with a keyway 9a. The keyway is provided along the length of the rod 9. Also, a key is provided in the operative end the rod 9. The key 24 is configured to be lockingly received in the rod. The key 24 restrict the rotational movement of the rod 9. Also, the removal of rod 9 out of seat pipe 3 is restricted by means of the key 24 positioned in the keyway 9a. The keyway 9a on the rod 9 is provided with a top recess and the bottom recess such that it restricts the complete removal of the rod 9 out of the seat pipe 3. Figure 5 is an exploded view of the seat mounting assembly with the adjustment mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first nut 7 has a threadable shank 7a which is extending from an operative base of the first nut 7. The operative end of the shank 7a is configured with a circumferential groove 7b. The circumferential groove 7b is configured to be locked by means of a first locking means 5. Thus, the circumferential groove 7b of the shank 7a is lockingly received on the operative end of the seat pipe 3 having the rod 9 therein. Also, the first nut 7 and the rod 9 are configured to be in threadable engagement. Thereby, the rotation of the first nut 7 raises and lowers the rod 9, to thereby the height of the seat assembly 20 is adjusted in the seat pipe 3.

In an embodiment, the anticlockwise rotation of the first nut 7 allows the raising of the rod 9 in the seat pipe 3, wherein the clockwise rotation of the first nut 7 enables the lowering of the rod 9 in the seat pipe 3.

Further, the second nut 8 is configured to be threadably received on the rod 9. The second nut 8 restricts the rotation of the first nut 7. The second nut 8 is free to be displaced along the axis of the rod 9.

In an embodiment, the loosening of the second nut 8 allows access for the rotation of the first nut 7, thereby the first nut 7 can be fastened or unfastened to lower or to raise the rod 9 in the seat pipe 3 respectively.

Further, the first nut 7 and the second nut 8 are provided with a gripping ring portion. The gripping ringing portion enables the holding of the first nut 7 and the second nut 8, thereby the rotation of the first nut 7 and the second nut 8. A sleeve 6 is provided between the matting space formed between the first nut 7 and the seat pipe 3, particularly between the shank portion 7a of the first nut 7 and the seat pipe 3. The operative end of the seat pipe 3 is provided with a pair of through-holes. The through holes are provided oppositely to each other at the operative end of the seat pipe 3. The through-hole is configured to receive a pair of first locking means 5 therein. The first locking means 5 is allowed to pass through the seat pipe 3 and the sleeve 6 at a position where the screw 5 sits into the groove 7b provided on the shank 7a portion of the first nut 7. The screw 5, therefore, prevents the linear displacement of the first nut 7 along the axis of the rod 9, while allowing the rotation of the first nut 7 as the groove 7b on the shank 7a portion of the first nut 7 makes sliding contact over the first locking means 5 when the first nut 7 is being rotated. In another embodiment, the external threads of the rod 9 are configured to be complementary to the internal threads of the first nut 7 and the second nut 8.

In an embodiment, the threads of the rod 9, the first nut 7 and the second nut 8 are of the buttress type, and preferably of the square buttress type.

Figure 6 shows a side sectional view of the seat mounting mechanism with the seat height adjustment mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Internal components of the seat assembly 20 such as a seat damper 17, a plate 18 and a spacer 19 are visible in the Figure 6. Figure 7 shows a rear sectional view showing the position of the first locking means 5 in a fitted state.

A lowered and locked position of the seat assembly 20 is illustrated in Figure 8. In a locked position of the seat assembly 20, the first nut 7 and the second nut 8 are in contact. Figure 9 shows an unlocked state of the seat height adjustment mechanism, for which the second nut 8 is rotated in an anticlockwise direction, by gripping at the gripping ring portion thereof, starting from the position shown in Figure 8, to be linearly displaced upwards along the seat rod 9, thereby, allowing rotation of the first nut 7. To enable the rotation of first nut 7, the key 24 is required to be disengaged from the keyway 9a, and second nut 8 is required to be unfastened so as to allow recess for the rotation of the first nut 7. Thereby, the rotation of the first nut 7 in anticlockwise direction by gripping at the gripping ring portion thereof, causes the upward displacement of the seat rod 9 and thus the seat assembly 20.

Figure 10 shows a raised and locked position of the seat assembly 20. Again, for locking the seat rod 9 in the desired position, the second nut 8 is rotated in clockwise direction to be brought in contact with the first nut 7. And then the key 24 is required to be inserted in the keyway 9a, so as to restrict the rotation of the seat assembly 20 in the seat pipe 3.

Typically, a maximum height adjustment of 40 mm is facilitated by the seat height adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure. However, the range of seat height adjustment can be easily extended to suit the need of the user.

In an embodiment, the height of the seat adjustment mechanism is varying in a range from 0 mm to 60 mm. While the embodiment described hereinabove comprises a manually operable mechanism for seat height adjustment that requires turning of knobs, the mechanism can be easily modified to incorporate an electromechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic drive in the actuation mechanism.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is a seat sliding adjustment mechanism in an operating Y-axis that allows adjustment of the ‘reach’ of the rider to the handle of the bike from the seated position, by facilitating forward or rearward displacement of the seat assembly 20. The second aspect of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 11 (a) and Figure 11 (b). The figure 11 (a) & 11 (b) shows the displacement of the seat assembly in the operating Y-axis. By unfastening the locking means out of the weld nut 11a of the U-clamp

11 , the seat assembly 20 becomes free to be slide forward or rearward. An Allen key or a similar tool can be used for loosening the first locking means 5 and the second locking means

12. At either extreme position of adjustment, the bend in the wire rod 10 of the seat holder prevents the movement of the seat assembly 20 beyond that extreme position.

Typically, a maximum adjustment of 30 mm is facilitated by the seat sliding adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure. Once the seat assembly 20 is slide to the desired position, the second locking means 5 is fastened to the U-clamp 11 to lock the position of the seat assembly 20. Figure 12 shows the arrangement of the key 24 in the keyway 9a of the rod 9.

In an embodiment, the forward sliding and the rearward sliding of the seat assembly 20 is varied in a range from 20 mm to 30 mm.

In another embodiment, the first locking means 5 and the second locking means 12 are selected from a group consisting a screw, a socket head cap screw, a flat head screw, a low head screw, a button head screw, and a hex head cap screw.

Since, the first nut and the second nut are used to raise and lower the rod; therefore there is no risk of rod slippage even while the vehicle is travelling at high speeds. Furthermore, the seat adjusting mechanism provides better stability while riding the vehicle by locking the raised or lowered configuration of the seat assembly by tightening the second nut to the first nut.

Also, the raising and lowering of the seat rod are regulated with the rotation of the first nut 7 and second nut 8, there is no requirement of the clip attachment as of the conventional bicycle, resulting in a robust construction of the seat adjustment mechanism. Since, the height of the seat rod 9 can be adjusted by rotating the first nut 7 and second nut 8, and the lateral displacement of the seat assembly 20 is controlled by loosening the second locking means 12, therefore the seat adjustment mechanism provides ergonomic seat configurations for the rider. In a First exemplary embodiment, the bicycle was first mounted with a conventional seat assembly. The experiment was conducted on 10 participants marked as 1-10, ages between 20-30 years and all the participants are physically fit. Out of 10 participants, five were males and remaining five were females. They were asked to drive the bicycle over a flat road and ride the bicycle to a distance of 5 km. After driving a distance of 5km, all were asked to quantify their fatigue level on a scale of 01-10. And also, after a period of 01 week, they were asked to ride the bike with a new seat assembly of the present disclosure. Then they were to ask to evaluate the fatigue level and the comfort level on the scale of 01-10.

TABLE Based on the average rating of ten participants with the attachment of the conventional seat and with the attachment of the seat assembly of the present disclosure respectively, it is concluded from the above experimental data that the seat assembly 20 of the present disclosure provides better comfort and less fatigue to the rider than the conventional seat assembly.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a couple of participants had an experience of a seat defect while riding the conventional bicycles. More specifically, while riding at a speed of 40-50kmph, the seat clips of the conventional bicycles came loose, particularly on road bumps, and caused the seats to fall down unexpectedly. As a result, the riding was unstable and uncomfortable. Further, for the rest of the ride, the participants suffered from a trepidation that the seat may fall again.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of the mechanism for adjusting seat of two-wheeled vehicle and the method for adjusting thereof, that:

• provides robust configuration of the seat adjustment mechanism;

• is convenient to operate;

• provides better Safety and comfort

• provides better locking of the different seat configuration

• provides better ergonomic of the seat as per the rider posture

• offers easy height adjustment of the seat assembly;

• provides less rider Fatigue while driving.

• requires minimum effort; provides better seat stability at high speed; and

• provides no risk of rod slippage even when the vehicle is travelling at high speed.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.