GB2385654A

GB2385654A - A telescopic key for operating underground valves

Info

Publication number: GB2385654A
Application number: GB0207844A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Buhla
Original assignee: Kettler GmbH; Heinz Kettler GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Kettler GmbH; Heinz Kettler GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2002-02-22
Filing date: 2002-04-04
Publication date: 2003-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-04
Also published as: GB0207844D0; GB2385654B

Abstract

A key (1 fig.1) for use with shut-off valves of buried pipelines is composed of a multiple part transverse rod 2 equipped with handles 3, 4. The central component 15 of the transverse rod 2 has an extension tube 5 forming a tee bar handle, which detachably couples with a telescopic rod assembly 6, 7 and a socket or coupling sleeve 9 designed to engage with the spindle of the valve to be operated. Latching systems 17, 18, 19 with spring loaded latching members (30 fig.4b) engageable in apertures 25, 26 enable the socket or coupling sleeve 9 and the transverse rod 2 to be coupled to the assembly 6,7 and enable the adjustment of the length of the transverse rod 2. A fixing screw 11 is used to lock the tube assembly 6, 7 for transport and a friction brake 22 serves to hold the components of the assembly at any set position. The transverse rod 2 ,may be detachable to allow actuation of the assembly by a ratchet spanner, and a cardan joint coupling (52 fig.10) may also be used.

Description

Key for operating shut-off valves and the like The invention relates to a key for operating shut-off valves and similar closing components, in particular the sliders of pipelines placed underground in the soil.

Depending on regulations, pipelines conveying water or gas are laid 80 cm and deeper in the soil so the operating bars or sliders of the valves at access points have to be operated from the surface of the earth. To this end, it is known to use a socalled fitment or key with a square rod arranged in a plastic tube which is placed on the slider at the bottom so at the same time the lower end of the square rod, i. e. the coupling sleeve, is also placed thereon. It is consequently then possible to displace the square to be turned more or less into the region of the surface of the earth. However, it is also known to build up a small shaft in the region of these pipeline connections, so the slider or the square of the slider can then be operated directly via a suitable key with an extension. The drawback of this is that the key required to operate the square either has to have a very long rod or else the operator has to lean deep into the shaft in order to be able to operate the key placed on the square of the slider by hand. A further drawback is that the coupling sleeve used for connection to the square of the slider has to be adjusted to the respective square, i. e. to the respective slider. As there are various slider squares the key consequently has to be frequently exchanged so a plurality of such keys has to be kept in supply in the service vehicle.

An operating key is already known from DE-GM 297 04 878 which provides a telescopic rod turned with a transverse rod with

handles and a coupling sleeve detachably placed on the telescopic rod at the lower end. Now only the respective individual coupling sleeves which can be placed on the respective slider have to be kept in supply and also only corresponding telescopic rod assemblies which can be altered during use to adjust to the conditions. The drawback of these known keys is that the connection of the coupling sleeve to the telescopic rod assembly, but also the design of the telescopic assembly itself is relatively complex, in particular if the inner rod is a solid rod, so the weight is then a problem.

Finally a plurality of adjusting screws are needed which require a high degree of labour during operation but also making transportation difficult as these are accordingly projecting components. Finally, it is disadvantageous that the transverse rod, i. e. the part on which the handles are placed, has a predetermined length and cannot therefore be changed.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide an easily manageable key which can be lengthened and assembled reliably and quickly and in which the required force can be effectively applied.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the transverse rod is multi-part in design, the end pieces of the handles displaceably guided in the middle piece having a latching system corresponding with the middle piece, and in that the inner rod of the telescopic rod assembly and the coupling sleeve have a latching system acting in the same way and designed so as to correspond with the extension tube on the transverse rod or the lower end of the outer rod of the telescopic rod assembly, and in that outer rod and inner rod

designed as a hollow tube are to be connected to one another via a friction brake and a fixing screw.

Thus a key according to the invention comprises a transverse rod with handles, a telescopic rod assembly consisting of inner and outer rods extending at right angles to the transverse rod and a terminal coupling sleeve detachably connected to the telescopic rod assembly and adapted to be placed on the slider, wherein the transverse rod is of multi-part construction with end piece components with the handles displaceably guided relative to a central component, latching systems are associated with the components of the transverse rod and with the transverse rod, the telescopic rod assembly and the coupling sleeve which permit extension and retraction into a variety of positions, a friction brake acts between the outer rod and inner rod to hold the rods together unless force is imparted to overcome the action of the friction brake and a fixing screw is provided to lock the inner and outer rods together.

With a key designed in this way it is possible for the first time to adapt the transverse rod via which the force is transmitted to the telescopic rod assembly, to the respective conditions in that the end pieces with the handles are pushed more or less to the same extent into the middle piece or withdrawn therefrom. In this case both components are designed in such a way that even with the greatest possible draw-out length it is ensured that no rupture occurs in the connecting region but rather that the necessary rigidity of the entire transverse rod is always provided. Owing to the fact that a corresponding latching system is provided it is possible to withdraw or insert the end pieces more or less to the same

extent and, more precisely, in that the latching system snaps-in and, more precisely, in the respectively desired position. It is possible in this case to design the latching system in such a way that it acts over the length of the entire transverse rod or rather, in the case of the central or middle piece, on a plurality of points. Furthermore, the remaining telescopic parts also have an identically designed latching system, so screwing, fixing of holding screws or the like are no longer required, simple snapping-in of the latching system in the new position being sufficient. This is easy to bring about, so a key of this type is also regarded overall as a very ergonomical instrument and is accepted in practice. The telescopic rod assembly as such, which can be drawn out or inserted over an extremely long length, would again throw up problems owing to the latching system described as these latching points would also cause stepped lengthening. However, in order to bring about a continuous lengthening in this case it is advantageously provided that outer rod and inner rod designed as hollow tubes are to be connected to one another via the friction brake and the fixing screw. The friction brake is sufficient to determine and maintain the correct position when the telescopic rod assembly is drawn out, and thereafter the outer and inner rods are connected to one another after use with the aid of the fixing screw in such a way that they are convenient to transport, in other words the risk of unintentional separation or telescoping then being ruled out.

According to an expedient embodiment of the invention it is provided that each latching system consists of a double-sided or double-acting thrust piece associated with the insertion element and mutually opposing latching apertures associated with the

receiving component. Upon telescoping of the insertion elements the thrust pieces are subjected to pressure as they pass the latching apertures in such a way that the end pieces of the thrust pieces penetrate the latching apertures so the components are then effectively fastened to one another. If it is desired that such a set of latching apertures be missed out then the insertion element is simply inserted or withdrawn more quickly so the end pieces of the double-sided thrust piece can no longer penetrate the catch apertures. The description hereinafter makes clear how simple and quick the lengthening or the fastening of the insertion elements is with this solution.

The double-sided thrust piece has, according to the invention, a spring with terminal latching members arranged in a guide tube.

The terminal latching members are therefore pushed along the inner wall of the component during movement of the insertion element in the receiving component as the spring loads the terminal latching members accordingly. As a result it is also ensured that when the terminal latching members pass latching apertures they immediately penetrate the latter, resulting in fixing.

To prevent displacement of the guide tube with the centrally arranged spring and to ensure an exact fit even during prolonged standing times it is provided that the guide tube is fixed via a central ring fixed in the inner rod or the coupling sleeve. The two spring-loaded latching members then project beyond this guide tube and slide as desired into the latching apertures and fix the two components to one another, at least for the period desired by the user of the key.

If this connection between an insertion element and a receiving component is to be cancelled again because, for example the handles of the transverse rod are to be arranged more closely to one another, then the connection is possible without difficulty owing to the insertion of the latching members by hand. This action can be facilitated by making the latching apertures bevelled on the outside and in other words form a type of funnel. As a result it is possible to sufficiently push back the latching members and to facilitate further pushing of the insertion element until the double-sided thrust piece reaches the next latching aperture arrangement.

While travel of the insertion element into the receiving component is of course limited by the fact that the insertable component, the insertion element, has at its end, for example, the coupling sleeve or the handles, in other words natural travel limiters, a travel limitation required for the telescopic rod assembly is then brought about in that the outer rod has an anti-insertion device in the form of a fixed transverse pin arranged upstream in the direction of the inner rod. If, therefore, the inner rod reaches this anti-insertion device upon insertion it is not possible to introduce the inner rod further into the outer rod and the correspondingly shortened telescopic rod assembly advantageously facilitates transportation of the entire key.

A rotation of outer and inner rod, but also of the remaining components inside one another is advantageously prevented in that the telescopic rod assembly, the extension tube and also the shoulder of the coupling sleeve have a rectangular, preferably square, cross-section. This particular design also

facilitates the arrangement and introduction of the required latching apertures and the remaining components so, viewed overall, this square design essentially has more advantages than the use of round rods and tubes could provide.

It is particularly advantageous for transportation if the fixing screw acting on the inner rod is arranged at the end of the outer rod facing the transverse rod. The inner rod is effectively fixed in the outer rod with the aid of this fixing screw, so it cannot be unintentionally displaced or cannot displace itself. As already mentioned this is a great advantage for transportation. If the key is then used this fixing screw is simply detached and it is then possible to withdraw the inner rod from the outer rod to a greater or lesser extent or to insert one inside the other. After the work is complete inner rod and outer rod are then connected to one another via the fixing screw as described, and consequently a transport-friendly design is created.

An advantageously robust but easy-to-operate design of the fixing screw is one which consists of the screw plunger provided with a knurled disc and a nut with securing ring guided on the external thread of the screw plunger, the nut again being designed so as to be detachably fixable to the outer rod. The fixing screw is therefore initially fastened via the nut to the corresponding screw component on the outer rod in order for the screw plunger to then be rotated into the nut as required, and this is possible owing to the design of the thread described so at its end the screw plunger can rest securely on the corresponding wall of the inner rod to avoid unintentional insertion or withdrawal of the inner rod from the outer rod

owing to the correspondingly high friction. If for any reasons this fixing screw should be removed or replaced by another the nut can be easily unscrewed in order to then be replaced by a new nut or the like.

If it is necessary to apply particular force or if simply an aid for turning the telescopic rod assembly is required it is advantageous if an auxiliary separate extension tube is equipped with a square at the side facing the middle piece and designed so as to correspond with the receiving aperture of a ratchet spanner. With a design of this type the extension tube with the transverse rod can be removed in the event of any problems and a short replacement extension tube with a square at the top be attached instead. A ratchet spanner can be placed on this square with its receiving aperture, so turning of the telescopic rod assembly is possible with the aid of the ratchet spanner with a long lever arm. The ratchet spanner has the advantage that, in particular under confined conditions, if, for example an appropriate aperture is provided only at one side, turning of the telescopic rod is still possible.

To facilitate placement of an outer tube comprising a respectively larger diameter, on an inner tube, in other words of the receiving component on the insertion element, the invention provides that the extension tube and/or the lower end of the outer rod and/or the middle piece is equipped at the edge facing the respective insertion element, beneath the latching apertures, with a respective introducing bevel for the thrust piece. It is therefore possible, for example, to simply push the extension tube onto the upper end of the inner rod, the thrust pieces or the thrust piece automatically being pushed back to

the extent that further slipping over is possible. It is therefore no longer necessary to push back the two ends of the thrust piece by hand and then to slip over the larger outer rod or the larger component rather this can be performed in one operation without direct involvement of the user's hand.

Therefore, not only is safety increased but at the same time an ergonomically advantageous configuration is achieved which greatly favours the acceptance of a corresponding operating key by the service staff.

If operation of the telescopic rod assembly with the aid of the transverse rod is not possible owing to a lack of space and a ratchet spanner cannot be attached either as the circumstances do not permit this, the invention provides for this set of problems that a coupling is provided with a central cardan joint, an insertion element and an opposing receiving component.

This coupling rod is accordingly attached so there is the possibility of the transverse rod moving out of the vertical accordingly, so in an extreme case the telescopic rod assembly can still be turned if the transverse rod is bent at a right angle thereto. Generally, such extensive bending will not be necessary, so this degree of complexity is not required, but a coupling rod of this type will facilitate operation frequently enough so the service staff will always carry with them a coupling rod of this type.

The invention is characterised in particular in that an actuating key is provided making it possible, in particular in the case of access shafts, to close or open the slide located deep in the ground from the surface, in other words from the surface of the earth, depending on what is required. To this end

the square associated with the slider is turned by the key after the adapted coupling sleeve has been slipped onto the square.

The length of the telescopic rod assembly can accordingly be adapted to the requirements, for which purpose the fixing screw merely has to be detached in order for the rods to then be pulled apart to more or less the same extent. It is then likewise possible to lengthen or reduce the length of the transverse rod in accordance with requirements without difficulty, for which purpose this component is also designed telescopically and can be brought into the respectively desired position by a simple latching system. The ergonomic advantage of a key of this type is enormous, in particular if, for example, various shaft depths are found in the course of a road. Problems such as different squares or different sliders are likewise of no significance in the invention as the coupling sleeve can simply be exchanged as required and replaced by one which fits.

The coupling sleeve can in this case be simply detached from the telescopic rod assembly and the new coupling sleeve attached.

Further details and advantages of the subject of the invention can be found in the description of the associated drawings hereinafter in which a preferred embodiment with the details and individual components required for it are shown. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a key with a telescopic rod assembly constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the key shown in Figure 1 in a disassembled state;

Figure 3 is a side view of the key shown in Figures 1 and 2 likewise in a disassembled state ; Figure 4a is a perspective view of the connecting region of the key between an extension tube and an inner rod of the assembly on a somewhat larger scale; Figure 4b is a sectional view of the connecting region of the assembly shown in Figure 4a; Figure 5 depicts a fixing screw for locking the assembly of the key also on an enlarged scale; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the fixing screw shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a ratchet spanner usable with the key; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an auxiliary extension tube for use with the key; Figure 9 is a bottom view of the extension tube shown in Figure 8 and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a coupling for use with the key.

Figure 1 shows in a perspective view a key 1 constructed in accordance with the invention suitable for operating shut-off valves and similar closing components, in particular sliders of

pipelines placed in the soil. The key 1 has an upper transverse rod 2 with the respective terminals 3,4 for forming handles.

As shown in Figure 3, sleeves with gripping ribs can be placed on the terminals 3,4 to produce the handles. As shown particularly in Figures 2 and 3, an extension tube 5 is mounted at the centre of the rod 2 onto which a telescopic rod assembly 8 consisting of an inner rod 6 and an outer rod 7 is joined. The assembly 8 can be locked by a fixing screw 11 in such a way that the inner and outer rods 6,7 of the assembly 8 can no longer be displaced relative to one another.

A coupling sleeve 9 at the lower end of the key 1 provides the connection to the square of the slider to be turned. The sleeve 9 is mounted at the lower end 20 of the outer rod 7 of the assembly 8. The coupling sleeve 9 has a spigot 10 which is inserted into the outer rod 7 and in order to fix the sleeve 9 quickly and effectively there is a latching system 19, described hereinafter.

It can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 that the transverse rod 2 is of multi-part construction with end pieces 14,16 with the handles 3,4 which are inserted into a central piece 15 with a correspondingly larger diameter. The end pieces 14,16 are fixed to the central piece 15 via a latching system 17 described in more detail hereinafter.

It can be seen in Figure 2 and 3 that the telescopic rod assembly 8 which connects the transverse rod 2 to the coupling sleeve 9 is also easy to assemble and change in length. To this end the telescopic rod assembly 8 has a latching system 18 at the upper end designed in exactly the same way as the latching

system 19 associated with the lower end 20. The latching system 17 is also designed like the systems 18,19. As can be seen in Figures 2,3, 4a and 4b each latching system 17,18, 19 is composed of thrust pieces or projections associated with a respective insertion element 6,21, 10,14, 16 while corresponding latching apertures 25,26, 26'', 26'''are associated with the receiving component 5,7, 24,15 into which the thrust pieces or projections can be latched.

Extension and retraction of the telescopic rod assembly 8 after release of the fixing screw 11 is controlled by a friction brake 22. The friction brake 22 provides that upon insertion, for example of the inner rod 6 into the outer rod 7, a spring arrangement with terminal heads mounted on the inner rod 6 rubs on the inner wall of the outer rod 7 in such a way that so much friction is produced that the inner rod 6 cannot slide freely into the outer rod 7 without applying force and cannot be withdrawn either.

Figure 4b shows the projections of the latching system 18 in the form of double-acting thrust pieces 23 which are, in principle, designed in the same way as the friction brake 22. A guide tube 28 surrounding a compression spring 29 guides the thrust pieces 23 which form spring-loaded latching members 30 engageable in corresponding latching apertures 26'when the individual components are pushed up or pulled apart and make it possible for the components to be fixed. The latching systems 17,19 can be designed in the same way.

The friction brake 22 is positioned at the lower end 27 of the inner rod 6. The insertion travel of the rod 6 into the outer

rod 7 is limited in that an anti-insertion device 34 in the form of a transverse pin 35 is provided. Once the inner rod 6 strikes against this transverse pin 35 further insertion of the inner rod 6 into the outer rod 7 is not possible.

Each guide tube 28 with the spring 29 and the terminal latching members 30 is fixed in the inner rod 6 and the other components 10,14, 16 via a central ring 31. The outer latching members 30 are therefore always loaded by the springs 29 in such a way that they automatically penetrate a passing latching aperture 25,26, 26', e. g. if the end pieces 14,16 are withdrawn from the central piece 15 or any other of the described components. The latching apertures 25,26, 26', 26'', 26'''receiving the latching members 30 are each provided with a bevel 32 (Figure 4a) to promote release of the latching which has occurred.

Release is generally carried out by hand as the latching members 30 are simply pressed into the guide tube 28 against the force of the spring 29 until the insertion element e. g. 21 can again be freely pushed into receiving component, e. g. the outer rod 7 or the extension tube 5.

Figures 4b and 5 and 6 show the details of the fixing screw 11 and its arrangement. The fixing screw 11 is arranged at the upper end, i. e. the end 36 of the outer rod 7 associated with the transverse rod 2. The screw 11 consists of a knurled disc 37 with a screw plunger 38 which has an external thread 39 and can be moved in a nut 40 which can be screwed on a corresponding shoulder on the outer rod 7 or welded to the outer rod 7. A securing ring 41 prevents complete unscrewing of the screw plunger 38.

The fixing screw 11 designed in this way serves above all as a transportation securing device as the outer rod 7 can be effectively fixed on the inner rod 6. The knurled disc 37 makes separate latches and the like superfluous.

Figure 7 shows a spanner usable as an aid with which the telescopic rod 8 assembly and the sleeve 9 can be turned if the longer transverse rod 2 cannot be used owing to confined conditions. The rod 2 is detached from the assembly 8. A basically known ratchet spanner 46 has a receiving aperture 45 into which a square section 44 forming the upper end 43 of a separate auxiliary extension tube 5 with latching apertures 26 can be introduced to replace the rod 2 and the tube 5 thereof.

The spanner 46 is inserted onto the auxiliary extension tube 5 at the upper end 43 and fixed there in such a way that it cannot slip off. The inner rod 6 engages in the tube 5 as before and is fixed with the latching system 18. The entire telescopic rod assembly 8 and therefore also the slider is then actuated at the bottom in the soil with the aid of this ratchet spanner 46. The handle 47 of the ratchet spanner 46 is designed ergonomically favourably and allows the ratchet spanner 46 to be operated, for example with both hands.

Figures 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the auxiliary extension tube 5 with bevels 49, 49'at the lower end 48 facing the insertion element 21, i. e. the inner rod 6. The ends of the latching members 30 projecting outwards are continuously displaced against the force of the spring 29 via these introducing bevels 49 with a slope 50 upon attachment to the extent that manual assistance is not necessary. An introducing bevel 49,49'of this type is expediently associated not only

with the auxiliary extension tube 5 but also with the lower end 20 of the outer rod 7 and also the ends of the central piece 15 of the transverse rod 2 so respective assembly is substantially facilitated thereby. However, as before it is necessary to push the ends of the latching members 30 into the corresponding latching apertures 25,26, 26', 26'', 26'''if separation of the individual components or detachment is required. The bevels 32 are advantageous in this case.

Finally, Figure 10 shows an auxiliary coupling 52 as another operating aid for the key 11. The coupling 52 is composed of end pieces articulated to a central component 53. One end piece acts as the receiving component for the inner rod 6 of the assembly 8 and having the latching apertures 26 while the other end piece acts as the insertion component 21 with the latching members 23,30 for location in the extension tube 5 of the rod 2 or the auxiliary extension tube 5. The central component 53 forms a cardan joint providing the possibility of positioning the transverse rod 2 or the spanner 46 obliquely and still turning the telescopic rod assembly 8. The cardan joint has pivot joints 54,55 and a third joint 56 providing the possibility of still turning the receiving component 24 axially in a variety of orientations.

As can be appreciated from the drawings substantially all the components making up the key are made from hollow section tubing with a square cross-section.

Claims

Claims 1. A key for operating shut-off valves and similar closing components, in particular the sliders of pipelines placed underground in the soil; said key comprising a transverse rod (2) with handles (3,4), a telescopic rod assembly consisting of inner and outer rods (6,7) extending at right angles to the transverse rod (2) and a terminal coupling sleeve (9) detachably connected to the telescopic rod assembly and adapted to be placed on the slider, wherein the transverse rod (2) is of multi-part construction with end piece components (14,16) with the handles (3,4) displaceably guided relative to a central component (15), latching systems (17,18, 19) are associated with the components of the transverse rod and with the transverse rod, the telescopic rod assembly (8) and the coupling sleeve (9) which permit extension and retraction into a variety of positions, a friction brake (22) acts between the outer rod and inner rod (7,6) to hold the rods together unless force is imparted to overcome the action of the friction brake and a fixing screw (11) is provided to lock the inner and outer rods (6,7) together.
2. A key according to claim 1, wherein each latching system (17,18, 19) has a double-acting thrust piece (23) associated with a first component acting as an insertion element (21 = 6, 14,16 ; 10) and selectively engageable in latching apertures (25,26) associated with another component (24 = 15; 5; 20) acting to receive the first component.

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3. A key according to claim 2, wherein each double-acting thrust piece (23) is composed of a spring (29) acting to bias terminal latching members (30) and arranged in a guide tube (28).
4. A key according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the guide tube (28) is fixed with the aid of a central ring (31).
5. A key according to claim 2,3 or 4, wherein the latching apertures (25,26) are bevelled on the outside.
6. A key according to one or more of claims 2 to 5, wherein in the region of the latching apertures (25,26) the outer rod (7) has an anti-insertion device (34) in the form of a fixed transverse pin (35) to limit the displacement of the inner rod (6).
7. A key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the telescopic rod assembly (8), the extension tube (5) and at least part of the coupling sleeve (9) have a rectangular, preferably square cross-section.
8. A key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing screw (11) acts on the inner rod (6) and is arranged on the end (36) of the outer rod (7) adjacent the transverse rod (2).
9. A key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing screw (11) consists of the screw plunger (38) provided with a knurled disc (37) and a nut (40) with a securing ring (41) guided on the external thread (39) of the screw

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plunger (38), the nut (40) being detachably fixable to the outer rod (7).
10. A key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the central component (15) of the transverse rod (2) has an extension tube (5) which receives the inner rod (6,21) and is associated with one of the latching systems.
11. A key according to claim 10, wherein the transverse rod (2) is replaceable by an auxiliary extension tube (5) with a square section (44) designed to correspond with the receiving aperture (45) of a ratchet spanner (46) used for turning the key.
12. A key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the auxiliary extension tube (5) and/or the lower end (20) of the outer rod (7) and/or the central component (15) of the transverse rod (2) is equipped at an edge (48) facing the respective insertion element (21), beneath the latching apertures (25,26) with a respective introducing bevel (49) for the thrust piece (23).
13. A key according to any one or more of the preceding claims and further comprising a coupling rod (52) with a cardan joint (53), an insertion element (21) for fitting with the transverse rod (2) and a receiving component (24) for fitting to the telescopic rod assembly.
14. A key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the components of the transverse rod and the inner and outer rods of the telescopic assembly are made from rectangular or square cross-section hollow tubing.

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15. A key substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any one or more of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.