(19)

(11)

EP 1 015 726 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/27 (21) Application number: 98939977.9 (22) Date of filing: 21.08.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E06B 9/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9817/388 (87) International publication number: WO 9909/285 (25.02.1999 Gazette 1999/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 21.08.1997 US 56530 P 27.01.1998 US 72681 P 17.04.1998 US 82088 P 21.08.1998 US  (71) Applicant: Allset Incorporated Arlington, MA 02474 (US)	(72) Inventors: FOSTER, James, D. Arlington, MA 02474 (US) BREFKA, Paul, E. Southborough, MA 01721 (US) (74) Representative: Horner, Martin Grenville et al Cruikshank & Fairweather19 Royal Exchange Square Glasgow G1 3AEScotland Glasgow G1 3AEScotland (GB)