The present invention relates to a sinker holder apparatus for securing at least one

magnetically attracted fishing line sinker to a fishing rod or fishing rod sinker holder, and to at least one suggested method of attachment. The invention is directed particularly but not solely towards a magnetic sinker holder apparatus for a baited storage position, but to suit any other applicable position for fishing lines on fishing rods or storage places.

Background of Invention Existing fishing rods do not provide any suitable storage or holding means for sinkers especially while they are attached to fishing line and having hooks. Also there is no way of storing metal or magnetic sinkers or magnetically attracted sinkers on a fishing rod. In attempting to provide such storage, physically it is not very easy to provide such storage on a flexible fishing rod. Any storage has to be robust enough to withstand extreme weather conditions and be simple enough to be usable during those weather conditions.

Also there are problems with trying to bait hooks on an unsecured fishing lines as any such existing fishing line will move around in response to wind and boat movement. Baiting a hook in adverse weather conditions is dangerous to people as well as causing unnecessary entanglement of hooks with lines and nets on a boat. Other problems include the need to be able to use both hands to bait or re-bait hooks while attempting to steady oneself in response to wind or rain and any rocking movement of the boat itself.

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a sinker holder apparatus or fishing rod sinker holder and method of attachment of magnetically attracted sinkers by a magnetic device that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention

Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in a fishing rod sinker holder or any part of a fishing rod including a body having an outer surface and inner space and having magnetic means formed in or attached thereto, to the body, whereby the fishing rod is adapted to provide a holding surface to allow at least one magnetically attracted sinker to be able to be stored or held onto.

Preferably the holding surface is located in at least a located in at least a portion of the outer surface or in at least one recess located on the body. Preferably the body is formed as part of a fishing rod.

Preferably the magnetic means is in the form of at least one magnet.

Preferably the magnet is covered by the rest of the body or is coated.

Preferably the body is formed as part of a fishing rod such as the body or any other component like the reel.

Accordingly in a second aspect the invention consists in a sinker holder apparatus for securing at least one sinker to an elongate member or fishing rod, comprising a clamping means and magnetic means such that the rod clamping means is removably contractable to be able to clamp or unclamp to at least a portion of an elongate member and the magnetic means being adapted to allow for the storage or holding of at least one magnetically attractable sinker thereon.

Preferably, the clamping means includes a first and second clamping members in the form of upper clamping member and lower clamping member constructed and adapted to clamp the elongate means. Alternatively the first and second clamping members are in the form of arm shaped members having a throated space in between which are constructed to enable a clip type fitting arrangement to cause at least a portion of the fishing rod or elongate member to be captured within the throated space.

Preferably the apparatus includes a lever operating means which is constructed to operate the clamping members whereby one clamp member is able to be moved away from another clamping member to cause there to be a space for locating a portion of a fishing rod therein or one clamp is able to be moved towards the other clamping member to cause clamping.

Preferably one clamping member is movably attached to the other clamping member by moving means which includes a Z shaped member and biasing means. Preferably the lever has a locking means to enable it to be locked down when in a clamping mode.

Preferably the clamping members include a body with a curved inner surface. Preferably one of the clamping members has magnetic means located within or on the body of the said clamping member.

Preferably at least one of the clamping members is formed from epoxy resin. Preferably the lever is pivotally mounted at one end of a channel shaped support member, wherein the channel support member is fixedly located on one side of an inner surface of one of the clamping members.

Preferably a curved inner surface is shaped to allow a portion of the fishing rod therein, which is located on the same inner surface as the channel shaped support member.

Accordingly in a third aspect the invention consists in a method of affixing a sinker holder apparatus of the present invention to a fishing rod by carrying out the following steps of: - rotate the lever 4 away from the clamping members 15 & 16

- this causes the lower clamping member 15 to be moved also away from the upper clamping member 16;

- place holder apparatus 1 over the fishing rod with the inner surface of the upper

member 16 abutting part of the fishing rod outer surface;

- rotate lever 4 towards upper clamping member 16 to cause the lower clamping

member 15 having inner surface 22 abutting exposed surface of fishing rod 2 to clamp the holder in position to the fishing rod;

- move sinker 2a to be held against the flat outer surface of upper clamping member 16.

Accordingly in a fourth aspect the invention consists in a method of manufacturing the upper clamping member 16 which is designed to have magnetic means, including the following steps of:

1. Arrange for a silicone mould of the upper clamping member 16

2. Blend ingredients

3. Pour into moulds of the clamping member

4. Place magnets put into epoxy resin

5. Pour epoxy resin over magnets

6. Plastic box is used to squeeze out surplus epoxy resin

7. Plastic box is then removed

8. Remove moulded clamping member

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and application of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. Brief Description

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the

accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side front view of a sinker holder apparatus in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention, in use attached to a fishing rod.

Figure 2 is a perspective upper rear view of the sinker holder moving to a fully opened position to receive the fishing rod.

Figure 3 is a side view of the sinker holder of figure 2

Figure 4 is a perspective rear view of the sinker holder

Figure 5 is another side view of the sinker holder of figure 2

Figure 6 is an upper side view of sinker holder showing the holder as oriented when about to be located on a fishing rod to allow for the attachment of at least one sinker thereon.

Figure 7 is a side view of a fishing rod sinker holder.

Description of Drawings

The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a sinker holder apparatus and fishing rod sinker holder. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

As shown in figures 1-6 the present invention is a sinker holder apparatus 1 which is adapted to be removably affixed to a fishing rod 2 to enable a sinker 2a to be held and secured thereto. The apparatus includes rod clamping means 3 and an operating lever 4 whereby in use the user operates the lever 4 by rotating the lever 4 in one rotational direction R, to open the clamping means 3 to create and provide a suitable clamping means recess 5 for the location of a portion of a fishing rod 2. The clamping means includes clamping members. After insertion of the fishing rod or possibly after fitting one clamping member of the clamping means of the holder apparatus 1 over at least a portion of the rod, the lever 4 is then rotated in an opposite rotational direction R, to then cause the other clamping member to clamp the fishing rod there between both clamping members.

Lever 4 is an elongate shaped member having a distal end 6 and proximal end 7 whereby the proximal end 7 is operatively connected to the rod clamping portion 3 by a pivot means 10 whereby the pivot means 10 is located in a lever support means 12. Lever 4 can have a tab member 13 located at the distal end 6 to assist the user to be able to operate the lever 4 with a users fingers. In cross section the lever 4 can be formed as a channel shaped member.

The clamping means 3 includes first and second clamping members in the form of a lower clamping member 15 movably connected to an upper clamping member 16 (with respect to each other) by a moving means. The moving means includes at least one Z shaped member 20. Associated with the moving means and the lever 4 and lever support means is a biasing means 19. The biasing means 19 is in the form of at least one coiled spring.

As shown in figures 2, 3 and 4 the first and second clamping members are two shaped members having a body of polygonal shape whereby there is a outer surface, an inner surface and sides. The body of the lower clamping member 15 is shaped as in cross section having a curved shape whereby there is a curved outer surface 21 and a curved inner surface 22 with sides 23. The upper clamping member 16 has an inner surface 24, outer surface 25 and sides 26. Inner surface 24 is flat with a curved middle portion 27. The outer surface 25 can be flat and sides 26 are vertical to give a substantial right angle there between. The inner curved surface 22 and curved middle surface 27 together form abutting surfaces for holding or gripping a fishing rod.

Z shaped member 20, is formed from an elongate rod like or wire bar member. Z shaped member 20 includes an elongate central portion 30 with end pivot portions 29 & 31. End pivot portions 29 and 31 are substantially parallel with each other and can be oriented in an axis, angled with respect to the central portion 30. In this example there is one Z shaped member 20 movably and rotatably connecting one clamping member 15 to the other clamping member 16 to allow such movement. The biasing means 19 works in unison with Z shaped member 20 to cause the clamping means 3 to move and clamp. When fitted to the clamping members 15 & 16, the Z shaped member 20 is spaced from the biasing means 19 having a main central portion in an almost parallel orientation in use, to extend from one clamping member 15 to the other clamping member 16.

The lever support member 12 is attached by support fixing means (eg screws) 34 to the upper clamping member 16 of the clamping means 3 and comprises a channel shaped member having a base member portion 35 and up stand or wall portions 36. In this example, the support fixing means 34 includes screws located through holes or apertures 32 in the base member portion 35 of support member 12 which then can be screwed into clamping member 16. The up stands 36 extend away from the upper clamping member 16 to provide a fixing portion for the pivot means 10 of the lever 4 and holes or apertures 33 for pivoting location of one end of the pivot 31 of the Z shaped member 20 and for the location of part of the biasing means 19.

Therefore to assemble one clamping member 15 to the other clamping member 16, to enable them to work to clamp a fishing rod or any elongate member we need to operatively connect the biasing means 19 and Z shaped member 20 to the clamping members 15 & 16.

One end pivot portion 29 of the Z shaped member 20, is located in or through at least one aperture 38 as shown in the outer surface 21 of lower clamping member 15 and the other end pivot portion 31 will go through two in-line apertures 33 in adjacent up stand portions 36 - as shown in figure 2.

For the Z shaped section 20, within apertures 33 in the up-stands 36 the end pivot portion 31 locates through, to end up abutting an outer surface of the up-stands 36 as seen in figure 3 & 5, whereas apertures 37 on the lower clamping member 15, are formed as raised portions forming a slot in an outer face e.g. see figure 3. Any of the ends of the end pivot portion 31 of the Z shaped member and biasing means 19 can be held in place at their distal ends by any suitable means such as a circlip 39. In this example the pivot means 10 for the lever 4, is a pin member slidably located (in and through the centre of the coil spring to hold the spring in place ) in co-linear abutting apertures in the lever proximal end 7 and up-stand 36 of the lever support member 12. A circlip 39 is then used to hold the pin member in place.

The biasing means 19 for example can be a coil spring having a main body portion and ends. One end of the coil spring is a contiguous extension of lever 4 to be located underneath the body of the lever 4 as seen in figure 2. At an opposite end of the spring, the other end is formed as a long tail which terminates in a right angle bend which is similar in shaped to part of the Z shaped member 20. The end of the right angle bend is located in apertures 37 of the outer surface 21 of lower clamping member 15. Apertures 37 & 38 can be formed as raised portions (see figures 2 & 3) having the apertures 38 formed as a tunnel like aperture to slidably receive an end of the right angle bend which is also end clipped with an circlip 39. As shown in figure 4 the main body of the spring is shaped to fit within the channel shape of the lever support member 12 abutting the base portion 35 which is pinned, through the adjacent up stand portions 36, it is held in place by the circlip 39a.

The sinker holder apparatus 1 of figure 6 is also provided with suitable magnetic means in the form of magnets 40. Magnetic means can be located within, or embedded in, at least one of the clamping members 15 or 16 in such a position as to allow a suitable sinker to be attracted to cause the sinker to be held there against the outer surface 25. As shown in figure 6. The magnetic means can be manufactured in any shape such as for example in the form of at least one circular disc. As shown in figure 6 magnetic means is shown being two discs located within the upper clamping member 16 ie the clamping member having an outer surface 25. The position of the discs is determined in relation to giving the best holding power to any suitable sinker.

The outer surface 25 can have a flat outer surface to accommodate either of any flat surface sides of a magnetic or magnetite sinker, outer surface 25 is to help steady the magnetite sinker from movement while attached to the upper clamping member 16. The magnetic holding capacity will be dictated by the strength of the magnetic field which may be varied in different models to suit the expected weights of the sinkers to be used. In this diagram 2 neodymium magnets are used of strength N35 of diameter 20mm x 5mm which equates to around 2300 gauss x2 = 4,600 gauss in total.

For example embedded in the epoxy resin formed upper clamping member is a neodymium magnet or duplicity of magnets.

The clamping means 3 can be formed from epoxy resin or plastics which can enable moulding around a magnet or duplicity of magnets, as in this case two magnets are embedded approximately 1mm below the surface. If the sinker 2a is formed as an unfired or un-sintered magnetite fishing sinker and is held in near proximity to the outer surface 25 of one clamping member 16, the magnetic forces attract and secure the sinker to the upper clamping member 16.

Lever 4 has lever retaining means in the form of a tab 42 which functions to locate itself into a slot 43 to retain the lever 4 in a locked position on a fishing rod or other desired position. As shown in the figures the channel shaped support member 12 with the lever 4 is located on the same inner surface as the curved middle surface of the upper clamping member 16.

When attaching the sinker holder apparatus 1 to a fishing rod 2; - one rotates the lever 4 away from the clamping members 15 & 16

this causes the lower clamping member 15 to be moved also away from the upper clamping member 16;

- place holder apparatus 1 over the fishing rod with the inner surface of the upper

member 16 abutting part of the fishing rod outer surface;

- rotate lever 4 towards upper clamping member 16 to cause the lower clamping

member 15 having inner surface 22 abutting exposed surface of fishing rod 2 to clamp the holder in position to the fishing rod;

- move sinker 2a to be held against the flat outer surface of upper clamping member 16.

When attaching the sinker holder apparatus 1 to a fishing rod 2, or when operating the lever 4, the Z shaped member 20 moves in unison with the biasing means 19 when the lever 4 is rotated about the pivot means 10, pressure is applied to the biasing means 19 to keep the two inner surfaces (22 & 27) of the clamping members 15 & 16 substantially parallel.

As shown in figure 7, the sinker holder apparatus can also be in the form of a fishing rod sinker holder 50 to hold at least one sinker 51 there against, whereby the holder 50 includes a body with an outer surface 52 and inner space. The inner space can be solid or hollow or have recess or pockets therein. The holder 50 includes magnetic means 53 located adjacent to a holding surface adapted to hold the sinker thereto. The holding surface can include at least one recess in the outer surface or can be formed within the inner space so that when at least one magnetically attractable sinker is able to be placed near the location of the magnetic means 53, to then held in an abutting relationship on the holding surface or the holding surface can be formed as just part of the outer surface 52. Alternatively or in combination the fishing rod sinker holder 50 can also be formed as just part of the fishing rod or be part of any component of a fish rod such as the rod body itself or part of the reel. These variations mean that the magnetic means 53 can be hidden from view or it can be recessed or it can outwardly protruding and then be covered if necessary.

The magnetic means 52 can be in the form of at least one magnet of any suitable shape which can be located simply on the outer surface to protrude outwardly. Various coatings and or covers can be applied to the magnet to protect it from weather and from impacts during use.

Method of Manufacture

The method for manufacturing the upper clamping member 16 of the holder 1 which designed to have magnetic means, in summary includes the following steps of

1. Arrange for a silicone mould of the upper clamping member 16

2. Blend ingredients

3. Pour into moulds of the clamping member

4. Place magnets put into epoxy resin

5. Pour epoxy resin over magnets

6. Plastic box is used to squeeze out surplus epoxy resin 7. Plastic box is then removed

8. Remove moulded clamping member

In more detail the method includes, the following:

A silicone mould (white in colour in this instance) is used which at present is of the shape to reproduce a replica of the upper clamping member 16 (to have the magnets in). Epoxy resin is mixed by weight at the ratio of 10 parts of resin to 1 part of catalyst along with 0.02 parts of synthetic black paint colouring (or other black pigment suitable for colouring epoxy resin). These ingredients are thoroughly blended together. The moulds have been previously placed on a perfectly level surface.

The blended epoxy resin is then poured into the moulds to within around 6mm of the top, then left to cure for around 12 hours (which may vary according to the surrounding air temperature)until the hardened resin can support the weight of the neodymium magnets without sinking (other types of magnets may be used in future). In this instance two magnets 40 are then placed centrally on top of the resin but to the side which is furthest away from where the securing screws 34, will penetrate the resin. Then the moulds are then topped up with the same epoxy resin mixture as was used previously and carefully filled to a height just above the flat top of the mould. Care is taken to ensure voids or bubbles are eliminated as far as practical from the liquid epoxy resin in both the earlier and final application. As soon as practical after this, a clear acrylic plastic rectangle around 3mm thick and large enough to cover the top of the mould and overlap the sides is placed one edge down first, on top of the liquid epoxy resin, slowly it is lowered (giving time to allow the epoxy resin to creep up and cling to the acrylic plastic rectangle without entrapping air) until the acrylic plastic rectangle lays flat on the surface of the epoxy resin, it can then be pressed down with the finger-tips until it is firmly down on the edges of the mould, squeezing out surplus liquid epoxy resin from under the edges of the acrylic plastic rectangle, until the white material of the top of the mould is visible through the epoxy resin, at this point the epoxy resin should appear to be uniformly level on all sides of the mould, finger pressure is released and the acrylic plastic rectangle is left in place while the last curing session completes.

In around 12 hours the acrylic plastic rectangle can be lifted off and the resin upper clamping member 16 can be removed from the mould. Final inspection of the upper clamping member 16 which will require removal of a flange left where the mould and the acrylic plastic rectangle joints meet on all four sides adjoining the flat surface 25. This is done first by hand removal of the excess and finally by a sharp metal planning cutter set at 45° to the angle to be trimmed or by sanding with suitable abrasive material after a further 24 hours of curing two pilot holes can be drilled to align with the two screw holes 32 in the base portion 35 this can then be screwed to the epoxy resin upper clamping member 16 to complete the assembly.

This method can also be applied to manufacturing a fishing rod having magnetic means as shown in figure 7.

Following is a schedule of parts 1-52 for the fishing rod sinker holder and sinker holder apparatus. Some of the numbers 1-52 do not have any features assigned to them. Schedule of parts

1. Sinker holder apparatus

2. Fishing rod & 2a. Sinker

3. Clamping means

4. Lever

5. Clamping portion recess

6. Distal end

7. Proximal end

8.

9.

10. Pivot means

11.

12. Lever support member

13. Tab member 14.

15. Lower clamping member

16. Upper clamping member

17.

18.

19. Biasing means - spring

20. Z shaped member

21. Lower clamping member -Curved outer surface

22. Lower clamping member -Curved inner surface

23. Lower clamping member - Sides

24. Upper clamping member - Inner surface

25. Upper clamping member - Outer surface

26. Upper clamping member - Sides

27. Upper clamping member -Curved middle surface

28.

29. Z shaped member - end portion

30. Z shaped member - Central portion

31. Z shaped member - End pivot portions

32. Apertures in base portion of lever support member

33. Apertures in up stand of lever support member

34. Lever support member - Support fixing means

35. Lever support member - Base plate portion

36. Lever support member - Up stand portion

37. Fixing means

38. Apertures in/on lower clamping member 15

39. Circlips & 39a Circlips

40. Magnets

41.

42. Lever tab

43. Lever slot

44.

45.

46. 47.

48.

49.

50. Fishing rod sinker holder

51. Sinker

52. Outer surface

53. Magnetic means

Advantages

a) Modest cost

b) Simple manufacture

c) Able to store at least one sinker in a safe manner

d) Less likelihood of snagging while baiting

e) Simple attachment to any fishing rod

f) Storage frees up hands for other work

g) Keeps line with hooks in a safe position

h) Robust construction

i) Allows easier baiting

j) Allows for storage of non toxic sinkers such as magnetic sinkers Variations

Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functioning of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail so long as the functioning of the invention is not adversely affected. For example the particular elements of the magnetic fishing sinker holder 1 may vary, being dependent on the particular application for which it is intended to be used, without variation in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments described herein are directed to a magnetic fishing sinker holder 1 for use with fishing lines, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims, for example, by modifying the invention to produce a magnetic device incorporated or built in to the handle of a fishing rod or into a fishing reel.

Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

This method described here is just one example of how magnets may be used to attach magnetically attracted fishing line sinkers to a suitable or convenient storage position. That said, this does not limit this method of attachment or incorporation into a fishing rod or fishing reel to any suitable method which may be apparent

The sinker holder apparatus 1 can be fabricated from any material that is suitable for adverse weather conditions including a marine environment. For example the holder can be fabricated from stainless steel or plastics. Any number of sinkers and magnets can be used with the holder 1. Also the holder can be clamped to any elongate member such as a pole. Lever 4 can have other cross sectional shapes such as a simple metal strip or be L shaped or rod shaped and can be hollow or solid. Lever support means 12 has up stands 36 on both sides of the base 35 which can be in the form of two separate up stands on one side of the support member 12 which can also be provided as one continuous up stand.

The clamping means 3 is shown have an upper and lower clamping members but other examples of clamping are also possible such as arms resiliently movable forming a throated area in between two arms to allow at least a portion of an elongate member such as at least a portion of a fishing rod, to be captured therein by clipping the arms over the rod.

The terms "upper" and "lower" are relative terms and merely relate to one example of the position of the holder 1 with respect to the use of the fishing rod in the position shown in figure 1. Obviously other orientations of the fish rod are possible and also the holder 1 itself can be positioned in any orientation on the fishing rod itself. Therefore "upper" and "lower" can equally be termed as "first" and "second". The inner surfaces of the clamping members can be any shape or contour that assists in locating the fishing rod or assisting the clamping action as required to hold the sinker holder apparatus 1 to a fishing rod or any pole or elongate member. For example inner surfaces can be semi circular grooves. The outer surfaces of clamping members 15 and 16 can be any shape that assists in holding at least one sinker in place. The sinker 2a can have any attractant means that enables it to be attracted to the holder 1 of the present invention.

The clamping means 3 can be fabricated from any material that is able to do the clamping in marine conditions and be able to allow the magnetic means to be applied to. For example clamping means can be manufactured from resin plastics metal or wood or any combination thereof. The shape of the clamping members 15 and 16 may change in future and different materials such as injection moulded plastic or other materials not yet available may be used.

Fixing means using pivots, apertures, screws and circlips can be varied to suit such as for example bolts, washers and nuts or welding. In yet other variations, magnetic means may be located on a sinker, with the fishing rod or any part thereof having means to be attracted to a magnet of the sinker and be held thereon. Additionally at least one magnetic means can be attached to or made as part of the body of a fishing rod or made as part of any component of the fishing rod. The magnetic means can be formed or attached in an inner space of the body or be attached to an outer surface whereby at least one magnetically attractable sinker can be held or stored on an outer surface of the body or against the magnetic means itself. Various coatings can be added to the magnetic means if attached to the body to be exposed. The method can be varied to whereby both clamping members can be made by the method disclosed but without the magnets. Also other methods for attaching at least one magnet can be used like for example simply locating a magnet in a recess to be clipped in place. It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described. The sinker holder apparatus is shown as having upper and lower clamping portions assuming that the apparatus is attached having the outer surface 25 with magnetic means 40 positioned upward when using the rod. However the sinker holder can be located in any position on the rod. The diameter of rod which this sinker holder apparatus accommodates, is useful but not limited for diameters of 7mm to 18mm and other diameters are catered for, by widening or reducing the size of the opening between the semi-circular groove 27 on the upper clamping member 16 and the opposing groove 22 on the lower clamping member 15.

It will also be understood that where a product, method or process as herein described or claimed and that is sold incomplete, as individual components, or as a "kit of Parts", that such exploitation will fall within the ambit of the invention.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the method of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economics of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention, Hence specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.