(19)

(11)

EP 1 279 001 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 29.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/05 (21) Application number: 01914467.4 (22) Date of filing: 26.02.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01B 7/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0105/905 (87) International publication number: WO 0106/5202 (07.09.2001 Gazette 2001/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 24.02.2000 US 184786 P (71) Applicant: Webb, Walter L. Hendersonville, NC 28791 (US)	(72) Inventor: Webb, Walter L. Hendersonville, NC 28791 (US) (74) Representative: Becker Kurig Straus  PatentanwälteBavariastrasse 7 80336 München 80336 München (DE)