GB2366323A

GB2366323A - Friction stay with biassed slider

Info

Publication number: GB2366323A
Application number: GB0120800A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Phillip Lanaway
Original assignee: DGS HARDWARE Ltd
Current assignee: DGS HARDWARE Ltd
Priority date: 2000-08-31
Filing date: 2001-08-28
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-28
Also published as: GB0120800D0; GB2366323B; GB0021244D0

Abstract

A window support apparatus, i.e. a friction stay, includes a track 10 pivotally connected to a moveable elongate member 16, on which a window is mounted, by a link 22 mounted on a slider 24 allowing lin 22 to slide along the track 10 between a first (datum) position and a second position. The second position is closer to end member 32 than the first position. The slider 24 is biassed towards the first position by spring 84 and during closing the link 22 is moved to its second position against the bias. A removable clip 82 provides a stop to retain the slider 24 in the datum position near end 32. Removal of clip 82 allows slider 24 to move towards end 80. The extent of the biasing force varies during movement of member 16 from a partially open position to a partially closed position. The arrangement allows the window to pivot about a point near to end 32 while still allowing nose 68 of member 16 to approach end cap 32 at a shallow angle.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Improvements in or Relating to Window Supports This invention is concerned with apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, and is particularly concerned with window support apparatus wherein the window is pivotable about either a vertical or horizontal axis.

Such apparatus conventionally comprises a movable member which mounts the window, and a link arrangement for pivotally mounting the movable member on a track attached to the window frame. The track is normally secured to a respective window frame part by screws extending through mounting holes provided in the base of the track, and the track conventionally has a closure member at one end which is engaged by the respective end of a link when the arrangement is moved to the closed position, the engagement correctly aligning the link arrangement with the track and retaining the correct alignment in the closed position.

Unauthorised entry to premises in which the window is installed often involves an attempt to insert a tool between respective window frame parts in order to displace the closure member from the track and enable the link arrangement to be forcibly moved to its open position. GB2287284 discloses an arrangement which minimises the possibility of such attempted forced entry being successful.

In the interests of fire safety, certain windows are designed to be hinged close to one end, such that a large opening is left for easy egress.

It is an object of the present invention to provide window apparatus offering both features of security and fire safety.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, the apparatus including:

an elongate support member adapted to be secured to the fixture opening; an elongate moveable member for mounting the component, the moveable member being pivotally connected to a support component mounted on the support member; and an end member provided at an end of the support member, the end member co-operating with an end part of the moveable member when the component is in its closed position; wherein the support component is slidable along the support member at least between a first position and a second position nearer to the end member and is biased towards the first position, and wherein movement of the moveable member from a predetermined partially open position to the closed position causes movement of the support component to its second position against the bias.

The moveable member is preferably connected to the support component by at least one intermediary link member pivotally connected at one of its ends to the support component and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the moveable member.

Preferably a brace member extends between the moveable member and the support member, one end of the brace member being pivotally connected to the moveable member at a central region thereof and the other end of the brace member being slidably connected to the support member. The said other end of the brace member may be pivotally connected to a slidable member which is slidably mounted on the support member.

Preferably during movement of the moveable member from the predetermined partially open position to the closed position, the slidable member abuts against an end stop on the support member. Preferably during such movement, the abutting of the slidable member against the end stop causes a reaction force which urges the support component towards its second position against the bias. The end stop is preferably located at or near an opposite end of the support member from the end member.

A link member may extend between the support component and a central portion of the brace member, the link member being pivotally connected to the respective components at its respective ends. The reaction force may be at least partially transmitted through the brace member and the link member.

The end member may include means adapted to be secured to a frame part of the fixture opening.

The end part of the moveable member may include a nose portion which may at least partially enter a recess in the end member when the moveable member is in its closed position. One edge of the nose portion may be defined by an arc-shaped cut away part of the end of the moveable member. The recess in the end member may include an internal profile which is complementary to the edge of the nose portion. The edge of the nose portion may be concave and the internal profile of the recess may be convex. An end of the nose portion is preferably curved.

The extent of the biasing force may vary during movement of the moveable member from the predetermined partially open position to the closed position. The biasing force may be weaker at the beginning of such movement. The biasing force at the beginning of such movement may be less than half as great as the biasing force towards the end of the movement.

The biasing means may include resilient means which may include a spring. The resilient means may be located between an edge of the support component and a member fixed relative to the end member.

The support component may also be slidable from its first position in a direction away from the end member. The apparatus may include latch means for selectively allowing or preventing such sliding movement. Movement of the moveable member into its closed position may automatically return the support component to its first position.

According to the invention there is further provided a friction stay for a

window, the friction stay comprising apparatus as described in any of the preceding ten paragraphs.

An embodiment of the invention will be described for the purpose of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a window support apparatus according to the invention shown in a relatively open position; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the window support apparatus of Fig. 1, shown in a closed position; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the window support apparatus of Fig. 1, shown in a partially closed position; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic front elevation of an end member used with the window support apparatus of Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a section on the line A-A of Fig. 4; Fig. G is a section on the line B-B of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a spacer member used in the window support apparatus of Fig. l; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a biasing arrangement used in the apparatus of Fig. l; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the window support apparatus of Fig. 1 in an alternative, easy clean position; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a prior art egress window support apparatus.

Figs. 11A to 11D are top plan, end, side and sectional views of a spring retaining component for use with a window support apparatus according to the invention; and Figs. 12A to 12C are top plan, end sectional and side views of a complimentary spring retaining component for use with the component of Figs. 11A to 11D.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a window support apparatus in the form of a friction stay comprises an open topped track 10 having inturned walls 12, the track 10 being fixed on a lower horizontal part of a window frame (not

shown) by means of any suitable fixing devices engaged through apertures in the base of the track 10. A further track (not shown) is inverted and secured to a horizontal upper member of the window frame.

The window sash (not shown) is fixed at opposed edges to a respective elongate member 16 forming part of a link arrangement. The member 16, at a location intermediate of its ends, is pivotally mounted on one end of an elongate brace member 18, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on a slider 19 on the track 10 towards one end thereof. Towards one of its ends, the support member 16 is pivotally mounted on one end of a link 22, the other end of the link being pivotally mounted on a slider 24 which is located in the track 10. The slider 24 also pivotally mounts one end of a further link 26, the other end of the link 26 being pivotally mounted on the brace member 18. The brace member 18 is stepped along its length to provide a raised section 28 on which the link 26 is mounted, so as to provide clearance for the link 26 in the closed position.

At one of its ends, the track 10 is closed by a member 32. The member 32 has a mounting part 34 overlying an end part of the base of the track 10 below the walls 12. The mounting part 34 has a pair of longitudinally spaced circular fixing holes 36 and 38.

Each of the holes 36, 38 is positioned coaxially with a small hole initially formed in the base of the track 10 so that, at the position of the small hole, the material of the track 10 can be subsequently extruded into the respective hole 36, 38 thereby connecting the end member 32 to the track 10 and providing the through holes in the track base for securing both the end member 32 and the track 10 to the window frame. Fixing devices in the form of screws or the like can then locate through the holes 36, 38 and the correspondingly aligned holes in the base 10, and can also locate through one or more fixing holes 30 at other spaced locations along the base of the track 10. This arrangement provides a simple means of locating the end member 32 on the track 10 with increased accuracy.

The fact that the end member 32 is effectively secured to the window frame at two spaced locations increases the difficulty for an unauthorised person attempting to force the end member 32 out of the track 10, in order to release the link arrangement for unauthorised opening of the window.

Referring particularly to Pigs. 4 to 6, the end member 32 has a two part form, the first part of which, i.e. the mounting part 34, is formed from a metal pressing, and the other part 40 of which is preferably formed of a moulded plastics material such as acetyl. The part 40 is mounted on an end of the mounting part 34 which extends outwardly of the track 10. The part 40 extends at right angles to the mounting part 34, i.e. upwardly of the track 10. At its lower end, the part 40 has the same profile as the outer end of the mounting part 34, while the thickness of the part 40 in a direction towards the track 10 is greater than the length of the mounting part 34 which extends outwardly from the end of the track 10. Lower end recesses 41 are provided on the part 40 whereby the part 40 can overlie respective shoulders 12 of the track 10.

The part 40 is integrally formed with two sections 42, 44, one above the other. The lower section 42, i.e. the section adjacent the track 10, has a through opening 46 to one side thereof, side walls of the opening being defined at said one side by an end wall 48 and at the other side by an internally profiled surface 50 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The second or upper section 44 is formed with a screw hole 52 positioned above the opening 46 in the first section, i.e. towards one side of the part 40. The plastics material thereby provided to the other side 52 of the opening 46 and to the other side of the screw hole enables a mounting rivet 54 to extend therethrough with a retaining head (not shown) engaging the upper end wall of the section 44 and being secured at the lower end to the mounting part 34 (see Pigs. 5 and 6). The rivet 54 provides a metal to metal engagement with the part 34 and reinforces the plastics part 40. A fixing screw or the like can engage through the screw hole 52 to secure the end member 32 to the adjacent window frame part.

The further securing of the end member 32 to the adjacent window frame part further increases the difficulty for an unauthorised person attempting to force the end member 32 out of the track 10 in order to release the link arrangement for unauthorised opening of the window.

Referring in particular to Fig 3, the support member 16, at the end thereof towards the end member 32, is formed with a profiled nose 68 defined by an arcuate end face 70 inwardly curved from one side edge to effectively define the extending nose 68 at the other side edge. The nose has a rounded outer end 72. The arcuate end face 70 is shaped to be complementary to the profile of the internal face 50 in the first section 42 of the end member 32, whereby to engage therewith in a conventional manner in the closed position of the link arrangement.

Between the member 16 and the link 20 there is provided a spacer 74 (see Fig. 7) which extends from the pivot location 78 part way along the length of the member 16 away from the nose, and adopts the same end profile as the nose 68. The spacer and the member 16 have aligned apertures 76 spaced from the pivot location for further securing of the spacer 74 to the member 16. The use of the spacer increases the strength of the member 16 at the respective end, and increases the difficulty for an unauthorised person attempting to deform the material of the member 16 when attempting unauthorised opening of the window.

In use, the track 10 is fixed on the lower horizontal part of the window frame by means of screws engaging through the various apertures and the aligned apertures in the base of the track 10.

The support member 16 may be swung from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the closed position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the member 16 overlies the pivot member 18 and the links 20, 24, the latter in turn overlying the track 10. It will be appreciated that, in a closed position, the window supported by the link arrangement is also closed. When moving to the closed position, the nose 68 of the support member 16 enters the end member 32 and interacts with the

profiled surface 50 to correctly position the window against the window frame in a conventional manner.

To allow correct interaction between the end member 32 and the elongate member 16, the elongate member must approach the end member 32 at a shallow angle. This is in order that the nose 68 of the elongate member 16 can enter the opening 46 of the end member 32 without fouling against the profiled surface 50 of the opening 46. The window stay according to the invention ensures that the elongate member 16 moves in this way as follows.

Referring in particular to Figs. 1 and 3, the slider 24 is slidably mounted on the track 10, such that it may move parallel thereto. However in normal operation, when the window is open, the slider 24 is held in a datum position, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. The slider 24 is prevented from moving towards an end 80 of the track 10 by a latching clip 82, which is described in more detail hereinafter.

In the datum position, the slider 24 is relatively near the end member 32, as compared with conventional arrangements. This ensures that when the window is opened to is widest extent, the window sash is located near to one side of the window opening. This leaves a large window opening, which allows a person to escape from the window, for example in the event of a fire. Friction stays of this type are referred to as "egress" stays.

When in the datum position, the slider 24 is urged against movement towards the end member 32 by biasing means in the form of a pair of compression springs 84. The springs 84 are located between the mounting part 34 of the end member 32 and an end face 85 of the slider 24, and are illustrated in section in Fig. 8. The springs bias the slider 24 away from the end member 32, resisting movement of the slider 24 towards the end member 32, if an attempt is made to move the slider 24 nearer to the end member 32 than it lies in its datum position.

As the window sash is moved from the position of Fig. 1 to the position

of Fig. 3, the elongate member 16 pivots towards the track 10. This causes the slider 19 to move towards the end 80 of the track 10, but initially does not cause any movement of the slider 24. Such movement is prevented by the compression springs 84. However, referring to Fig. 3, it may be seen that further closing movement of the window (beyond the position of Fig. 3) eventually brings the slider 19 into abutment with an end stop 86 located at the end 80 of the track 10.

Once the slider 19 abuts the end stop 86, further closing movement of the window causes the slider 24 to be pushed towards the end member 32, against the force of the springs 84. Thus, as the window is moved into the position of Fig. 2, the slider 24 moves a few millimetres towards the end member 32, compressing the springs 84.

The effect of the springs 84 is that initial closing of the window brings the nose 68 of the member 16 towards the track at a relatively sharp angle. This is because the springs hold the slider 24 in its datum position, while the slider 19 moves away from the slider 24, towards the end 80 of the track 10.

However, once the slider 19 abuts against the end stop 86, the nose 68 starts to approach the end member 32 at a relatively shallow angle, i.e. in a direction closer to parallel to the track 10, This is because the slider 24 moves parallel to the track 10, towards the end member 32, allowing the nose 68 to enter the opening 46 in the end member 32. The springs 84 prevent movement of the slider 24 until the nose 68 is very near to, and ready to enter, the opening 46.

The nose 68 can therefore enter the opening 46 in such a way that the arcuate end face 70 comes into engagement with, but does not foul against, the curved internal face 50 of the opening 46.

Because the slider 46 is near to the end member 32 when in its datum position, normal opening of the window only allows access to one side of the window pane. This only allows one side of the window pane to be cleaned from

an inside of the window. To allow access to both sides of the window pane, the slider 46 may be moved towards the end 80 of the track 10, using the latching clip 82.

The slider 24, which may be formed of a plastics material, has an elongate body having a central upstanding section presenting respective side shoulders which lie in the track 10 below the respective walls 12. Through the upstanding section of the slider 22 there are formed two longitudinally spaced holes for mounting of the links 20, 24 by respective rivets 90, 92 (see Fig. 3). The rivet 92 also mounts one end of an elongate latching clip 94 between the slider 24 and the link 26. The upstanding section of the slider has a reduced height area within which is located the mounting for the latching clip 94.

The latching clip 94 includes a body section 96 and a pair of ears 98, which extend laterally outwardly away from a distal end 100 of the clip 94. Cutaway portions 102 are provided in the in-turned walls 12 of the track 10. The ears 98 are able to enter and engage these cutaway portions.

The latching clip 94 is made of a spring steel material and is shaped and mounted such that its end 100 is biased in an upward direction out of the channel of the track 10. This biases the ears 98 into the cutaway portions 102 of the track 10.

When the ears 98 engage the cutaway portions 102, the latching clip is prevented from moving towards the end 80 of the track 10. This holds the slider 24 in its datum position. However, if the latching clip 94 is depressed, the ears 98 move into a position where they lie under the in turned portions of the walls 12. This allows the clip 94 to be moved towards the end 80 and allows corresponding movement of the slider 24.

Referring to Fig. 9, the slider may be moved up towards the end 80, with the window sash in its fully open position; allowing access to both sides of the window pane, for easy cleaning.

The bias of the springs 84 tends to force the ears 98 firmly into engagement with edges of the cutaway portions 102. If the biasing force of the springs 84 is too strong, this can make release of the latching clip 94 difficult. In order to avoid this problem, it is preferred that the biasing force of the springs 84 is relatively weak right at the start of the movement of the slider 24 towards the end member 32. This weak biasing force allows easy release of the latching clip 94. However, the biasing force should be relatively strong as the nose 68 of the elongate member 16 moves into the opening 46 of the end member 32. This ensures that the nose 68 approaches the opening 46 at the correct angle, as described in detail above. This also ensures that on opening of the window, the nose moves away from the opening at the correct angle and avoids fouling against the profiled edge of the opening.

Figs. 11A to 11D and 12A to 12C illustrate components of a spring mounting arrangement which may be used to mount the springs, in a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the spring mounting arrangement 108 is attached to the slider 24, as described in more detail below, such that the springs move with the slider 24 if the latching clip 94 is depressed and the slider moved towards the end 80 of the track.

Referring to Figs. 11A to 11D, a first spring retaining component 110 of the spring mounting arrangement includes a main body part 112 which is provided with through holes 114 by means of which the component 110 may be affixed to the slider 24 of the window stay. In use, all of the component 110 except a raised end portion 116 is located under the body of the slider 24.

An underside of an end of the body 112 of the component 110 is provided with a pair of cutaway, approximately semi-cylindrical orifices 118 who axes lie generally parallel to the open topped track 110. The orifices 118 are sized so as to be able to receive conventional, cylindrical compression springs of coiled resilient wire.

Protruding laterally outwardly from an end of the body portion 112 are two ears 120. The ears 120 are located in the region of the mouths of the

orifices 118. The component l.10 is made from a moulded plastics material. Referring to Figs. 12A to 12C, a second component 124 is also made from a moulded plastics material. The component 124 includes a body part 126 and two extending legs 128, which are sufficiently thin that they are able to flex relative to the main body 126. An end of each leg 128 is provided with a backwardly directed detent part 130.

An underside of The main body of the second component 124 is provided with cutaway, approximately semi-cylindrical orifices 130 of a corresponding size to the orifices 118 in the first component 110.

During assembly of the friction stay, the first component 110 is inserted within the open topped track 110, generally under the slider 24, with only the raised portion 116 exposed. The first component 110 is attached to the slider 24. The springs 84 are then dropped into the orifices 118 in the first component, and protrude therefrom. The second component 124 may then be pushed along the open topped track into engagement with the first component 110, its legs 128 flexing to pass the ears 120 on the first component 110. The orifices 130 receive end parts of the springs which protrude from the first component 110. Once the legs 128 have flexed to pass these ears the detent parts 130 engage the ears 120 and prevent the first and second components 110 and 124 coming out of engagement with one another.

Once the first and second components are assembled as described above, the two components are normally pushed apart by the springs, to the maximum extent allowed by the engagement of the detent parts 130 with the legs 120. However, the two components are able to move towards one another, against the bias of the springs, as the window is brought into its closed position as described above.

There is thus provided a window support apparatus in which both fire safety and security considerations are dealt with. The controlling of the movement of the elongate member 16 allows the member to be pivoted about a

point relatively near to the end member 32, while still providing that the nose of the elongate member 16 approaches the end member 32 at the required shallow angle. The advantage of the invention is clear on consideration of a prior art egress window support apparatus, illustrated in Fig. 10, Corresponding reference numerals are used for corresponding parts. It may be seen that the elongate member 16 of the prior art egress friction stay approaches an end member 32 of that window stay at a relatively shallow angle. It would not be possible to provide a nose on the elongate member 16 for engagement into a recess of the end member.

Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. In particularly, alternative means may be used for biasing the slider 24 away from the end member 32. Further, the use of the latching clip to allow the easy cleaning of the window is optional.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, the apparatus including: an elongate support member adapted to be secured to the fixture opening; an elongate moveable member for mounting the component, the moveable member being pivotally connected to a support component mounted on the support member; and an end member provided at an end of the support member, the end member co-operating with an end part of the moveable member when the component is in its closed position; wherein the support component is slidable along the support member at least between a first position and a second position nearer to the end member and is biased towards the first position, and wherein movement of the moveable member from a predetermined partially open position to the closed position causes movement of the support component to it second position against the bias. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moveable member is connected to the support component by at least one intermediary link member pivotally connected at one of its ends to the support component and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the moveable member. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a brace member extends between the moveable member and the support member, one end of the brace member being pivotally connected to the moveable member at a central region thereof and the other end of the brace member being slidably connected to the support member. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the other end of the brace member is pivotally connected to a slidable member which is slidably mounted on the support member.

<Desc/Clms Page number 15>

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein during movement of the moveable member from the predetermined partially open position to the closed position, the slidable member abuts against an end stop on the support member. G. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein during such movement, the abutting of the slidable member against the end stop causes a reaction force which urges the support component towards its second position against the bias. 7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end stop is located at or near an opposite end of the support member from the end member. 8. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein a link member extends between the support component and a central portion of the brace member, the link member being pivotally connected to the respective components at its respective ends. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the reaction force is at least partially transmitted through the brace member and the link member. 10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end member includes means adapted to be secured to a frame part of the fixture opening. 11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end part of the moveable member includes a nose portion. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the nose portion at least partially enters a recess in the end member when the moveable member is in its closed position.

<Desc/Clms Page number 16>

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one edge of the nose portion is defined by an arc-shaped cut away part of the end of the moveable member. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the recess in the end member includes an internal profile which is complementary to the edge of the nose portion. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the edge of the nose portion is concave and the internal profile of the recess is convex. 16. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein an end of the nose portion is curved. 17. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the extent of the biasing force varies during movement of the moveable member from the predetermined partially open position to the closed position. 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the biasing force is weaker at the beginning of such movement. 19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the biasing force at the beginning of such movement is less than half as great as the biasing force towards the end of the movement. 20. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein biasing means are provided and the biasing means includes resilient means. 21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the resilient means includes a spring. 22. Apparatus according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the biasing means are mounted on the support component.

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23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the resilient means is mounted between two components which engage with one another to retain the resilient means in place. 24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the first of the components is mounted on the support component. 25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24 wherein one of the components includes one or more resilient legs which may flex to pass over a co-operating member on the other of the two components and which then retain the two components together. 26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the two components are biased away from one another by the resilient means but may move closer to one another, in a direction along the length of the elongate support member, against the bias of the resilient means. 27. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support component is also slidable from its first position in a direction away from the end member. 28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the support component is slidable to a position near to the end stop. 29. Apparatus according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the apparatus includes latch means for selectively allowing or preventing such sliding movement. 30. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein movement of the moveable member into its closed position automatically returns the support component to its first position. 31. A friction stay for a window, the friction stay comprising apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims.

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32. Apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9, 11A to D and 12A to C of the accompanying drawings. 33. A friction stay for a window substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings. 34. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.