Disclosure of Invention
In order to solve the technical problems, the invention provides an irrigation device for saline-alkali soil treatment, which aims to solve the problems that the traditional irrigation mode in the prior art often has uneven irrigation, serious water waste and the like, and influences the growth of plants, irrigation efficiency and the like.
An irrigation device for saline-alkali soil remediation, comprising:
the main water pipe mechanism comprises a main water pipe assembly and a branch pipe arranged on the main water pipe assembly;
The water supply pipe mechanism comprises a water supply pipe assembly connected with the branch pipe, and an extension pipe assembly arranged on the water supply pipe assembly;
The water supply pipe assembly comprises a connecting hose, one end of the connecting hose is fixedly connected with an outer joint, the other end of the connecting hose is fixedly connected with a U-shaped pipe, and the bottom of the U-shaped pipe is fixedly connected with a plurality of first drip irrigation heads and a first positioning rod;
the extension pipe assembly comprises an extension pipe body, one end of the extension pipe body is fixedly connected with an inclined pushing block II, and the lower side of the extension pipe body is fixedly connected with a plurality of drip irrigation heads II and positioning rods II;
The second inclined pushing block can be clamped and embedded in the U-shaped pipe.
Preferably, a connecting piece is further arranged in the U-shaped pipe;
The connecting piece comprises a plugging ring, a water guide ring and a torsion spring, wherein one side of the plugging ring is fixedly connected with a connecting rod, the tail end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected with a positioning ring, one side of the water guide ring is fixedly connected with a plurality of first inclined pushing blocks, a plurality of first water outlet holes are formed in the plugging ring, and a plurality of second water outlet holes are formed in the water guide ring.
Preferably, the water guide ring is rotationally clamped and embedded on the connecting rod, one end of the torsion spring is clamped and embedded on the positioning ring, the other end of the torsion spring is clamped and embedded on the water guide ring, and the torsion spring drives the water guide ring to rotate and enables the water outlet hole I and the water outlet hole II to be completely staggered.
Preferably, when the second inclined pushing block is embedded into the U-shaped pipe, the second inclined pushing block drives the water guide ring to rotate, and the first water outlet hole and the second water outlet hole are completely overlapped.
Preferably, the main water pipe assembly comprises a main water pipe I, one end of the main water pipe I is fixedly connected with one end of a telescopic pipe, and the other end of the telescopic pipe is fixedly connected with a main water pipe II.
Preferably, the second main water pipe can be embedded in the first adjacent main water pipe, the open end of the second main water pipe can be connected with an external water supply system, and the open end of the first main water pipe can be plugged.
Preferably, the positioning support mechanism comprises a support assembly clamped and embedded on the outer side of the main water pipe assembly, and a positioning assembly clamped and embedded on the outer side of the support assembly in a rotating mode.
Preferably, the support assembly comprises a support rod and an upper clamp, wherein the lower end of the support rod is fixedly connected with a positioning steel bar I, the upper end of the support rod is fixedly connected with a lower clamp, the upper side of the lower clamp is fixedly connected with a shaft hole frame, one end of the upper clamp is fixedly connected with a rotating rod, and the other end of the upper clamp is provided with a threaded rod in a penetrating manner;
And the outer side of the second main water pipe is fixedly connected with a limiting baffle ring.
Preferably, the pivoted lever rotates the block and inlays on the shaft hole frame, the threaded rod can run through in the clamp down of embedding behind the clamp, go up clamp and clamp down and can rotate the block and inlay in the outside of main water pipe two after the combination, spacing baffle ring can carry out spacingly to last clamp, the lower clamp after the combination.
Preferably, the positioning assembly comprises an L-shaped connecting rod, one end of the L-shaped connecting rod is fixedly connected with a lantern ring, and the other end of the L-shaped connecting rod is fixedly connected with a positioning steel drill rod II;
The lantern ring is rotationally clamped and embedded on the supporting rod.
Compared with the prior art, the irrigation device has the advantages that the irrigation device can meet the irrigation requirements of saline-alkali lands with different scales and shapes through flexible connection of the multi-section main water pipe assembly, ensures that a water source is stably and efficiently conveyed to each irrigation point, is convenient to install and adjust in position, can effectively enclose seedlings, realizes precise irrigation, ensures that the positioning rod is arranged, enables the irrigation device to be firmly inserted into soil, avoids displacement or separation in the irrigation process, ensures the continuity and stability of irrigation, ensures that the water source can be accurately conveyed to plant roots in a drip irrigation mode through the drip irrigation head, reduces water evaporation and waste, and improves irrigation efficiency;
When the irrigation area needs to be enlarged, the extension pipe body is moved into the U-shaped pipe, the rotation of the water guide ring and the superposition of the water outlet holes can be realized by utilizing the embedding effect of the inclined pushing block II, so that water can be smoothly led into the extension pipe body and drip irrigation through the drip irrigation head, the irrigation efficiency is improved, and the irrigation uniformity is also ensured by the design.
Meanwhile, when the extension pipe body is not needed, the extension pipe body is only required to be moved out of the U-shaped pipe, and the torsion spring is reset due to the separation of the inclined pushing block II, so that the water guide ring is driven to rotate and the water outlet hole is sealed, and the waste of water resources and soil erosion are effectively prevented.
Detailed Description
The following description of the embodiments of the present invention will be made clearly and completely with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is apparent that the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
As shown in fig. 1 to 7:
The first embodiment of the invention provides an irrigation device for treating saline-alkali soil, which comprises:
the main water pipe mechanism 1 comprises a main water pipe assembly 11 and a branch pipe 12 arranged on the main water pipe assembly 11;
wherein, the main water pipe component 11 is used as a main part of the irrigation system and is responsible for conveying a water source from a source to each branch point;
Branch pipes 12 are pipes extending from the main water pipe assembly 11 for further distributing the water source to various irrigation points.
A water supply pipe mechanism 2 including a water supply pipe assembly 21 connected to the branch pipe 12, and an extension pipe assembly 22 mounted on the water supply pipe assembly 21;
The water supply pipe assembly 21 comprises a connecting hose 211, wherein one end of the connecting hose 211 is fixedly connected with an outer joint 212, the other end of the connecting hose 211 is fixedly connected with a U-shaped pipe 213, and the bottom of the U-shaped pipe 213 is fixedly connected with a plurality of first drip irrigation heads 214 and first positioning rods 215;
wherein, the connecting hose 211 is used for connecting the outer joint 212 and the U-shaped pipe 213, providing a conveying channel of water source, the connecting hose 211 has certain flexibility, and is convenient for adjusting according to the position of irrigation points;
The outer joint 212 is a part connected with the branch pipe 12, so that the water source can smoothly enter the water supply pipe assembly 21;
The U-shaped pipe 213 is used for irrigation and combines the second inclined pushing block 222 from the extension pipe assembly 22 to realize the transmission and irrigation control of a water source;
the first drip irrigation head 214 is arranged at the bottom of the U-shaped pipe 213 and is used for directly conveying a water source to the roots of plants in a drip irrigation mode, so that evaporation and waste of water are reduced;
the first positioning rod 215 is used to firmly insert the water supply pipe assembly 21 into the soil, preventing displacement or toppling over during irrigation.
The extension tube assembly 22 comprises an extension tube body 221, wherein one end of the extension tube body 221 is fixedly connected with a second inclined pushing block 222, and the lower side of the extension tube body 221 is fixedly connected with a second plurality of drip irrigation heads 223 and a second positioning rod 224;
the extension pipe body 221 is used as a water source conveying channel and is connected to the U-shaped pipe 213 of the water supply pipe assembly 21, and the clamping connection with the U-shaped pipe 213 is realized through the second inclined pushing block 222;
the second inclined pushing block 222 can be embedded in the U-shaped pipe 213, so that the extension pipe assembly 22 is connected with the water supply pipe assembly 21.
The second inclined pushing block 222 can be clamped and embedded in the U-shaped pipe 213;
When the water supply device is used, a worker can connect the multi-section main water pipe assembly 11 with each other, and then connect an external water supply system with the water inlet end of the main water pipe assembly 11 to ensure stable water supply;
The outer joint 212 is connected to the branch pipe 12, the water supply pipe assembly 21 is arranged on the outer side of the sapling, the second inclined pushing block 222 is clamped and embedded in the U-shaped pipe 213, connection of the two is achieved, and the sapling is placed at the position where the water supply pipe assembly 21 and the extension pipe assembly 22 are enclosed;
pressing down the water supply pipe assembly 21 and the extension pipe assembly 22 can enable the first positioning rod 215 and the second positioning rod 224 to be embedded into soil together, so that the situation of separation is avoided;
The switch of the external water supply system is turned on, the water source starts to enter the U-shaped pipe 213 and the extension pipe body 221 through the main water pipe assembly 11, the branch pipe 12 and the connecting hose 211, and is uniformly conveyed to the plant roots in a drip irrigation mode when flowing through the drip irrigation head I214 and the drip irrigation head II 223, so that accurate irrigation is realized;
In the irrigation process, the irrigation water quantity and the irrigation time can be timely adjusted according to parameters such as the growth condition of plants, the soil humidity and the like, the connection condition of each component of the irrigation device and the blocking condition of the drip irrigation head are regularly checked, and the irrigation effect is ensured.
The second embodiment is basically the same as the previous embodiment, except that a connecting piece 216 is further provided inside the U-shaped tube 213;
The connecting piece 216 comprises a blocking ring 2161, a water guide ring 2162 and a torsion spring 2163, one side of the blocking ring 2161 is fixedly connected with a connecting rod 2164, the tail end of the connecting rod 2164 is fixedly connected with a positioning ring 2165, one side of the water guide ring 2162 is fixedly connected with a plurality of inclined pushing blocks one 2166, a plurality of water outlet holes one are formed in the blocking ring 2161, and a plurality of water outlet holes two are formed in the water guide ring 2162;
Wherein the blocking ring 2161 is used as a base part of the connector 216 for blocking the water source in the U-shaped pipe 213 from flowing out uncontrollably by the combined water guiding ring 2162 when the water guiding ring 2162 is not rotated;
the connecting rod 2164 serves to support and connect the plugging ring 2161 with the locating ring 2165;
The positioning ring 2165 is used for fixing one end of the torsion spring 2163, so that the torsion spring 2163 can stably drive the water guide ring 2162 to rotate and reset;
The water guide ring 2162 is provided with a water outlet hole II, when the water guide ring 2162 is coincident with the water outlet hole I of the plugging ring 2161, the water source is allowed to pass through and flow towards the extension pipe assembly 22, and the water guide ring 2162 is clamped on the connecting rod 2164 by rotation so as to realize relative movement with the plugging ring 2161.
One end of the torsion spring 2163 is clamped and embedded on the locating ring 2165, the other end of the torsion spring 2163 is clamped and embedded on the water guide ring 2162, when the second inclined pushing block 222 is embedded in the U-shaped pipe 213, the torsion spring 2163 is compressed and stores energy, and when the second inclined pushing block 222 is moved out, the torsion spring 2163 releases energy to drive the water guide ring 2162 to rotate back to the initial position.
Specifically, the water guide ring 2162 is rotationally embedded on the connecting rod 2164, one end of the torsion spring 2163 is embedded on the positioning ring 2165, the other end of the torsion spring 2163 is embedded on the water guide ring 2162, and the torsion spring 2163 drives the water guide ring 2162 to rotate and enables the water outlet hole I and the water outlet hole II to be completely staggered.
Specifically, when the second inclined push block 222 is embedded into the U-shaped pipe 213, the first inclined push block 2166 drives the water guide ring 2162 to rotate, and the first water outlet hole and the second water outlet hole are completely overlapped.
As can be seen from the above, when the extension pipe body 221 is needed to be used, the extension pipe body 221 is moved to enable the second inclined push block 222 to be embedded into the U-shaped pipe 213, when the second inclined push block 222 is embedded into the U-shaped pipe 213, the first inclined push block 2166 drives the water guide ring 2162 to rotate and enable the torsion spring 2163 to twist, meanwhile, the first water outlet hole and the second water outlet hole are completely overlapped, water in the U-shaped pipe 213 can be led into the extension pipe body 221 and drip irrigation is performed through the drip irrigation head 223, the combined U-shaped pipe 213 and the extension pipe body 221 are moved downwards, and the first positioning rod 215 and the second positioning rod 224 are embedded into soil together, so that the situation that the second inclined push block 222 and the U-shaped pipe 213 are separated is avoided;
when the extension pipe body 221 is not needed, the extension pipe body 221 is moved to separate the second inclined push block 222 from the U-shaped pipe 213, and after the second inclined push block 222 is removed, the torsion spring 2163 is reset to drive the water guide ring 2162 to rotate, so that the first water outlet hole and the second water outlet hole are completely staggered, and water cannot pass through the blocking ring 2161.
As shown in fig. 8:
The third embodiment is basically the same as the previous embodiment, except that the main water pipe assembly 11 includes a main water pipe one 111, one end of the main water pipe one 111 is fixedly connected with one end of a telescopic pipe 112, and the other end of the telescopic pipe 112 is fixedly connected with a main water pipe two 113;
wherein, the primary water pipe one 111 is used for conveying a water source from a source to each branch point;
One end of the extension pipe 112 is fixedly connected to one end of the first main water pipe 111, and the other end of the extension pipe 112 is fixedly connected to one end of the second main water pipe 113, so that water source can smoothly flow through the extension pipe 112 from the first main water pipe 111 and then enter the second main water pipe 113;
The second main water pipe 113 can be embedded in the first adjacent main water pipe 111, so that the design is convenient to install and disassemble, and the layout of an irrigation system can be adjusted according to actual needs;
the open end of the second main water pipe 113 can be connected with an external water supply system so as to introduce a water source into the irrigation system;
The open end of the primary water pipe 111 can be plugged when it is at the end.
Specifically, the second main pipe 113 can be embedded in the first main pipe 111, the open end of the second main pipe 113 can be connected with an external water supply system, and the open end of the first main pipe 111 can be plugged.
From the above, the extension tube 112 can extend the distance, and simultaneously change the direction of the first main water tube 111 and the second main water tube 113, and the second main water tube 113 is embedded in the adjacent first main water tube 111 to be connected, so as to prolong the drip irrigation distance and increase the drip irrigation facilities.
As shown in fig. 8 and 9:
The fourth embodiment is basically the same as the previous embodiment, except that the positioning support mechanism 3 further comprises a support assembly 31 embedded on the outer side of the main water pipe assembly 11, and a positioning assembly 32 rotating and embedded on the outer side of the support assembly 31.
Specifically, the supporting component 31 includes a supporting rod 311 and an upper clamp 312, the lower end of the supporting rod 311 is fixedly connected with a positioning steel bar 313, the upper end of the supporting rod 311 is fixedly connected with a lower clamp 314, the upper side of the lower clamp 314 is also fixedly connected with a shaft hole frame 315, one end of the upper clamp 312 is fixedly connected with a rotating rod 316, and the other end of the upper clamp 312 is provided with a threaded rod 317 in a penetrating manner;
Wherein, the supporting rod 311 is a framework of a supporting component, one end of the supporting rod is fixed on the ground through a positioning steel bar 313, and the other end is connected with a lower clamp 314;
The upper clamp 312 and the lower clamp 314 are a pair of clamps which are matched for use, and can be rotationally clamped and embedded on the outer side of the second main water pipe 113 after being combined to provide stable support for the second main water pipe;
the shaft hole frame 315 is fixed on the upper side of the lower clamp 314 and is used for supporting the rotating rod 316;
The rotating rod 316 is fixedly connected to one end of the upper clamp 312 and can rotate on the shaft hole frame 315, so that the upper clamp 312 can be finely adjusted relative to the lower clamp 314;
The threaded rod 317 penetrates the upper clamp 312 and then is embedded in the lower clamp 314, and the fastening degree between the upper clamp 312 and the lower clamp 314 can be adjusted by rotating the threaded rod 317, so that the two main water pipes 113 can be firmly clamped.
The outer side of the second main water pipe 113 is fixedly connected with a limiting baffle ring 114;
the limiting retainer 114 is an annular component fixedly connected to the outer side of the second main pipe 113, and is used for limiting the combined position of the upper clamp 312 and the lower clamp 314 and preventing the upper clamp and the lower clamp from sliding or falling off due to overlarge stress.
Specifically, the rotating rod 316 is rotationally clamped on the shaft hole frame 315, the threaded rod 317 can penetrate through the upper clamp 312 and then is embedded in the lower clamp 314, the upper clamp 312 and the lower clamp 314 can be rotationally clamped on the outer side of the second main water pipe 113 after being combined, and the limiting stop ring 114 can limit the upper clamp 312 and the lower clamp 314 after being combined.
Specifically, the positioning assembly 32 includes an L-shaped connecting rod 321, one end of the L-shaped connecting rod 321 is fixedly connected with a collar 322, and the other end of the L-shaped connecting rod 321 is fixedly connected with a positioning steel bar two 323;
one end of the L-shaped connecting rod 321 is rotationally clamped and embedded on the supporting rod 311 through the lantern ring 322, and the other end of the L-shaped connecting rod is fixedly connected with the positioning steel bar II 323;
the sleeve ring 322 enables the L-shaped connecting rod 321 to rotate on the supporting rod 311, so that the insertion angle and depth of the positioning steel rod II 323 can be adjusted to adapt to different terrains and soil conditions;
the second positioning steel rod 323 is used for firmly fixing the positioning and supporting mechanism 3 on the ground to prevent the positioning and supporting mechanism from moving or tilting in the irrigation process.
The collar 322 is rotatably engaged with the support rod 311.
From the above, the support rod 311 is moved to a proper position, the L-shaped connecting rod 321 is rotated to be positioned at a proper position, the positioning steel rod I313 is moved downwards and embedded into the soil, the L-shaped connecting rod 321 is moved downwards to enable the collar 322 to slide and descend on the support rod 311, and meanwhile, the positioning steel rod II 323 is embedded into the soil, so that the fixing can be further performed;
the second main water pipe 113 is placed on the lower clamp 314, the lower clamp 314 is positioned through the limiting stop ring 114, the upper clamp 312 is rotated to rotate around the shaft hole frame 315 through the rotating rod 316, when the upper clamp 312 is positioned on the upper side of the second main water pipe 113, the threaded rod 317 is rotated to penetrate the upper clamp 312 and then is embedded into the lower clamp 314, and the second main water pipe 113 can be fixed.
The application process comprises the following steps:
1. preparation stage
Assembling an irrigation system:
Selecting a proper number of multi-section main water pipe assemblies 11 according to the requirement of an irrigation area, and enabling the main water pipe II 113 to be clamped and embedded on the adjacent main water pipe I111;
connecting a second main water pipe 113 at the starting end with an external water supply system, and plugging a first main water pipe 111 at the tail end to form a complete irrigation network;
If it is desired to extend the drip irrigation distance or change direction, this can be accomplished by the telescoping and flexing functions of telescoping tube 112.
Installing a water supply pipe mechanism and an extension pipe assembly:
An outer joint 212 for connecting one end of the hose 211 is firmly connected to the branch pipe 12;
laying out and installing the U-shaped pipe 213 of the water supply pipe assembly 21 and the extension pipe body 221 of the extension pipe assembly 22 according to the positions of seedlings and irrigation requirements;
Ensure that the second inclined pushing block 222 can be smoothly clamped and embedded in the U-shaped pipe 213, and realize stable connection of the two.
Installing and positioning supporting mechanism:
the support rod 311 of the support assembly 31 is moved to a proper position, and then the positioning steel drill one 313 is moved downwards to be embedded into soil;
then the L-shaped connecting rod 321 is rotated to be positioned at a proper position, and the positioning steel bar II 323 is moved downwards to be embedded into soil, so that the fixation of the irrigation device is realized;
The second main water pipe 113 is arranged on the lower clamp 314 and is limited by the limiting stop ring 114;
then the upper clamp 312 is rotated to the upper side of the second main water pipe 113 around the shaft hole frame 315 by the rotating rod 316;
Finally, the threaded rod 317 is rotated to penetrate the upper clamp 312 and then is embedded into the lower clamp 314, so as to fix the second main water pipe 113.
2. Irrigation stage
Connecting an external water supply system:
An external water supply system such as a water pump, a water tank and the like is connected with the water inlet end of the main water pipe assembly 11, namely the opening end of the main water pipe II 113, so that stable and continuous supply of water source is ensured.
Opening irrigation:
The external water supply is turned on to start irrigation, and the water source is introduced into the U-shaped tube 213 and the extension tube body 221 through the main water tube assembly 11, the branch tube 12, the connection hose 211.
In the initial state, due to the action of the torsion spring 2163, the water outlet holes II on the water guide ring 2162 are completely staggered with the water outlet holes I on the blocking ring 2161, and water flow is blocked in the U-shaped pipe 213, so that the first drip irrigation head 214 can work;
When the drip irrigation range needs to be prolonged, the extension pipe body 221 is moved to enable the second inclined pushing block 222 to be embedded into the U-shaped pipe 213, the first inclined pushing block 2166 is pushed to drive the water guide ring 2162 to rotate, the first water outlet hole and the second water outlet hole are completely overlapped, and water flow is allowed to pass through, so that the first drip irrigation head 214 and the second drip irrigation head 223 can work simultaneously.
Drip irrigation:
The external water supply system is opened, and water flow is evenly conveyed to the plant roots in a drip irrigation mode through the first drip irrigation head 214 and the second drip irrigation head 223.
And (5) timely adjusting irrigation water quantity and irrigation time according to parameters such as plant growth conditions, soil humidity and the like.
3. Maintenance phase
Monitoring and adjusting:
During the irrigation process, the connection of the components of the irrigation device and the blockage of the drip irrigation head are checked periodically.
If the connection is found to be loose or the drip irrigation head is blocked, the adjustment and the cleaning are carried out in time.
Ending irrigation:
When the irrigation task is completed, the switch of the external water supply system is closed.
Disconnecting the components, and disassembling and properly keeping the irrigation device for the next use.
Through the application process, the irrigation device for saline-alkali soil treatment provided by the invention can realize accurate and efficient irrigation operation, simultaneously reduce water resource waste, improve irrigation efficiency and provide powerful support for the treatment of saline-alkali soil and the healthy growth of plants.
Standard parts used in the invention can be purchased from the market, special-shaped parts can be customized according to the description of the specification and the drawings, the specific connection modes of the parts adopt conventional means such as mature bolts, rivets and welding in the prior art, the machines, the parts and the equipment adopt conventional models in the prior art, and the circuit connection adopts conventional connection modes in the prior art, so that the details are not described. What is not described in detail in this specification is all that is known to those skilled in the art.
In the description of the present invention, the terms "first," "second," and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such feature. The meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless specifically defined otherwise.
In the present invention, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed, mechanically connected, electrically connected, directly connected, indirectly connected via an intervening medium, or in communication between two elements or in an interaction relationship between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.
In the present invention, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, a first feature "up" or "down" a second feature may be the first and second features in direct contact, or the first and second features in indirect contact via an intervening medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "over" and "on" a second feature may be a first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is level higher than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature may be the first feature being directly under or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is less level than the second feature.
In the description of the present specification, a description referring to terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms are not necessarily for the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples may be combined and combined by those skilled in the art without contradiction.
In the drawings of the disclosed embodiments, only the structures related to the embodiments of the present disclosure are referred to, and other structures may refer to the general design, so that the same embodiment and different embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other without conflict.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments described, or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, and any modifications, equivalents, improvements and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention.