(19)

(11)

EP 1 123 469 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 10.05.2001 (43) Date of publication: 16.08.2001 Bulletin 2001/33 (21) Application number: 00954119.4 (22) Date of filing: 17.08.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16F 15/131 (86) International application number: PCT/US0022/556 (87) International publication number: WO 0114/764 (01.03.2001 Gazette 2001/09)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 19.08.1999 US 149754 P (71) Applicant: AVM, INC. Marion, SC 29571 (US)	(72) Inventors: BERTRAM, James, T. Quincy, SC 29506 (US) AHMED, Feroz Florence, SC 29506 (US) HASTY, Kenneth, L. Marion, SC 29571 (US) ROACH, Jack, R. Florence, SC 29506 (US) (74) Representative: Hitchcock, Esmond Antony  Lloyd Wise, Tregear & Co.,Commonwealth House,1-19 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1LW London WC1A 1LW (GB)