(19)

(11)

EP 1 470 308 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 05.08.2004 (43) Date of publication: 27.10.2004 Bulletin 2004/44 (21) Application number: 02773832.7 (22) Date of filing: 21.10.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E05C 9/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/033658 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/036203 (01.05.2003 Gazette 2003/18)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 22.10.2001 US 331086 P (71) Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION Ann Arbor, MI 48106 (US)	(72) Inventors: ANTOS, John, M. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (US) BUTLER, James, C. Sidney, OH 45365 (US) (74) Representative: Schrell, Andreas, Dr. et al Gleiss & GrosseLeitzstrasse 45 70469 Stuttgart 70469 Stuttgart (DE)