(19)

(11)

EP 1 575 722 A3

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 13.10.2005 (43) Date of publication A2: 21.09.2005 Bulletin 2005/38 (21) Application number: 03785083.1 (22) Date of filing: 07.08.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22C 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2003/024928 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/014581 (19.02.2004 Gazette 2004/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 08.08.2002 US 401969 P (71) Applicant: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc. Kennesaw,Georgia 30144-3651 (US)	(72) Inventors: CRAFTON, Scott, P. Marietta, GA 30064 (US) CRAFTON, Paul, M. Kennesaw, GA 30144 (US) KNOBLOCH, Volker, R. Woodstock, GA 30189 (US) LEWIS, James, L., Jr. Kennesaw, GA 30144 (US) FRENCH, Ian Kennesaw, GA 30144 (US) RUEGG, Franz Kennesaw, GA 30152 (US) (74) Representative: Hofstetter, Alfons J. et al Hofstetter, Schurack & Skora Balanstrasse 57 81541 München 81541 München (DE)