|
Description  |
|
|
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Present invention relates generally to a modular wall panel system and,
more particularly, to a modular wall panel system which allows for
interconnection of adjacent panels without the need for tools and/or
detachable parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable displays have found wide usage in today's business environment,
particularly with respect to businesses which participate in conventions,
trade shows, seminars and other such events. Due to the nature of this
application, such portable displays are typically assembled and
disassembled by a limited number of persons at the exhibition site. Thus,
a basic design requirement of such portable display devices is a
minimization of weight and structural complexity, coupled with a
maximization of durability and aesthetic appearance. Generally, prior art
display devices sacrifice one of these design factors in favor of another,
i.e. known systems which are durable and attractive are also cumbersome,
heavy and complicated to assemble, or known systems which are lightweight
and easy to assemble lack sufficient durability to withstand constant
assembly and disassembly. In the extremely competitive sales environments
in which trade show exhibits are commonly used, the owner is usually not
willing to sacrifice durability or aesthetic appearance. Therefore,
typical prior art exhibit display devices are heavy, awkward to transport
and require a complicated and cumbersome assembly process.
The conventional trade show display is a semi-permanent reusable display
designed for long-term usage. These are generally custom fabricated, and
are very heavy and durable, allowing for frequent reuse. Such displays are
very costly to buy as well as to use. For transport, the displays must be
broken down into numerous component parts, which are then crated for
shipping. In a typical installation, such assemblies must be received at a
proper loading dock and constructed by the exhibit site personnel at a
substantial cost. Frequently, only venue employees are allowed to unload
and construct the exhibit display. This can dramatically increase the
costs of setting up a large exhibit. For example, an exhibit display large
enough to fill a semi-trailer may cost approximately $4,000 to ship across
the country. However, local drayage (the unloading of the trailer at the
exhibit dock and the carrying of the exhibit pieces to the display area)
may cost an equal amount, just to move the exhibit display pieces the
final 100 feet. These local drayage costs are based upon the manpower
required to unload the exhibit display and the time required for doing so.
These factors are typically directly related to the weight and size of the
individual exhibit display pieces. Extremely high drayage costs are the
norm in the trade show exhibit industry, owing to the fact that the
exhibit displays must be sturdily constructed in order to withstand
constant assembly, disassembly and shipping. The modular panels used in
existing exhibit displays are typically large, heavy and cumbersome,
requiring two men to carry each modular panel.
A typical prior art modular wall panel system for use at a trade show
exhibit is illustrated if FIG. 1 and indicated generally at 10. Each panel
of the prior art modular exhibit 10 includes a frame constructed from
vertical support members 12 and horizontal support members 14. The
supports 12 and 14 are typically 1".times.4" wooden boards. These boards
are stapled and/or screwed to one another in order to form a rigid frame
for each modular panel. A decorative outer skin (not shown) is then placed
over one side of the frame. In such prior art modular display systems 10,
in which the rear side of each display panel is hidden from view and
therefore does not include a rear outer skin covering, adjacent panels of
the display 10 may be secured to one another by means of bolts 16 and nuts
18 which engage appropriate holes drilled through the frames. Because
there is no rear outer skin on such display panels, access may be had to
the bolts 16 and nuts 18 through the rear of the display for assembly and
disassembly.
However, the prior art exhibit display 10 has several drawbacks. First,
because it is constructed with a wooden frame, it is extremely heavy and
bulky, requiring two persons to carry an average sized panel
(8'.times.4'.times.4"). Furthermore, the use of bolts 16 and nuts 18 to
interconnect adjoining panels requires a very labor intensive and lengthy
assembly time. Furthermore, tools are required for such assembly and
disassembly and it is nearly impossible to guarantee that nuts and bolts
will not be lost during such operations.
A second type of prior art exhibit display is illustrated in FIG. 2 and
indicated generally at 20. Like the display panels 10 of FIG. 1, the
display 20 utilizes frames constructed from 1".times.4" wooden supports 12
and 14. However, the panels of the display system 20 contain outer
decorative skins (not shown) on beth the front and back sides thereof,
intended for viewing from either side. Because the rear side of such
displays are covered by the decorative outer skin, it is not possible to
utilize the bolts 16 and nuts 18 of the display system 10 because access
may not be had to these for disassembly. The display panels 20 are
therefore constructed using rotary locks comprising male portions 22 and
female portions 24. Such rotary locks are operated by means of an allen
wrench key 26. The key 25 is inserted through a small hole formed in the
outer skin on one side of the display panel.
The rotary lock system is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3. The
display panel system 20 of FIG. 3 is illustrated with the front outer skin
removed so that the rotary lock system is exposed to view. The male
portion 22 and female portion 24 of the rotary lock are each joined to the
inside surface of one of the vertical support members 12 of the display
unit frame. The rotary lock portions 22 and 24 are mounted over
longitudinal slots 28 formed through the vertical support members 12. When
the rotary lock key 26 is inserted into the keyhole 30 in the male portion
22 and rotated, a hook 32 is caused to extend through the slot 28 adjacent
the male portion 22. When the two panels of the display system 20 are
adjacent one another, extension of the hook 32 causes it to enter the slot
28 adjacent the female portion 24 and to engage a transverse bar (not
shown) within the female portion 24. The transverse bar is rigidly
attached within the female portion 24 by means of the connector 34. By
this means, the adjoining panels in the display system 20 are rigidly
affixed to one another by turning of the key 26 of the rotary lock.
Similarly, the adjoining panels are disengaged from one another by turning
the key 26 in the opposite direction.
Although the rotary lock of the display system 20 of FIGS. 2 and 3
eliminates the cumbersome assembly and disassembly of the bolts and nuts
of the display system 10, the rotary lock adds weight and complexity to
the display system 20 and also requires that the key 25 be maintained in
close proximity to the display system 20. If the key 26 is lost, the
exhibit display may not be constructed or disassembled. Furthermore, the
display system 20 exhibits even more weight and bulk than the display
system 10.
There is therefore a need in the prior art for a display system which may
be easily assembled and disassembled at exhibit trade shows, which has
substantially less weight and bulk than prior art display systems, such
that transportation and drayage costs of the modular panels are reduced,
yet which retains the durability and aesthetic appearance of the high
quality prior art display panels. The present invention is directed toward
meeting these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular wall panel system in which
individual panels are constructed with a lightweight aluminum frame. In a
preferred embodiment, the frame is substantially filled with a foam core
material and decorative display surfaces are affixed to opposite sides
thereof. One edge of the panels contains a plurality of specially shaped
connector pins, while the opposite edge has a plurality of connector slots
having a "dogbone" configuration. Therefore, a similar panel placed
adjacent to the first panel may be mated thereto by engagement of the
connector pins with respective connector slots in the other panel. The
pins/slots are shaded and sized so that the connector pin may enter/exit
the connector slot at either end of the dogbone but not in the center slot
of the dogbone. Secure coupling with fast assembly/disassembly is thereby
achieved, without tools or detachable components. Furthermore, the dogbone
shape of the slot allows panels to be removed from either side.
In one form of the invention, a modular wall panel is disclosed, comprising
a first aluminum vertical support member forming a first side of the
panel, a second aluminum vertical support member forming a second side of
the panel, a plurality of aluminum horizontal support members coupled
between the first and second vertical support members, thereby forming a
panel frame, a first display surface coupled to the panel frame and
forming a third side of the panel, a second display surface coupled to the
panel frame and forming a fourth side of the panel, a plurality of
connector pins coupled to the first vertical support member and extending
substantially perpendicular to the first side, each of the connector pins
having a first diameter at a first junction between the connector pin and
the first side, and a second diameter at a point on the connector pin
spaced from the first junction, wherein the second diameter is larger than
the first diameter and a plurality of connector slots formed in the second
vertical support member, each of the connector slots having a dogbone
shape comprising two spaced apart end portions connected with a central
slot, wherein a third diameter of the end portions is larger than the
second diameter and a first width of the central slot is larger than the
first diameter and smaller than the second diameter wherein first and
second adjacent wall panels may be releasably coupled by vertically
raising the first panel with respect to the second panel until the
connector pins of the first panel are aligned with one of the end portions
of corresponding connector slots of the second panel, moving the first
panel toward the second panel and then vertically lowering the first panel
to substantially a level of the second panel such that each of the
connector pins is retained in the central slot of the corresponding
connector slot.
In another form of the invention a modular wall panel is disclosed,
comprising a first aluminum vertical support member forming a first side
of the panel, a second aluminum vertical support member forming a second
side of the panel, a plurality of aluminum horizontal support members
coupled between the first and second vertical support members, thereby
forming a panel frame, a first display surface coupled to the panel frame
and forming a third side of the panel, a second display surface coupled to
the panel frame and forming a fourth side of the panel, a plurality of
connector pins coupled at a first junction to the first vertical support
member and extending substantially perpendicular to the first side, each
of the connector pins comprising a first cylindrical portion having a
first outside diameter, a second cylindrical portion having a second
outside diameter, the second outside diameter being greater than the first
outside diameter, a first frustoconical portion extending between the
first and second cylindrical portions, the first frustoconical portion
providing at least a partial transition between the first and second
outside diameters and a second frustoconical portion extending from the
second cylindrical portion on a side opposite a second junction between
the first frustoconical portion and the second cylindrical portion.
In another form of the invention, a modular wall panel is disclosed,
comprising a first aluminum vertical support member forming a first side
of the panel, a second aluminum vertical support member forming a second
side of the panel, a plurality of aluminum horizontal support members
coupled between the first and second vertical support members, thereby
forming a panel frame, a first display surface coupled to the panel frame
and forming a third side of the panel, a second display surface coupled to
the panel frame and forming a fourth side of the panel, a plurality of
connector pins coupled to the first vertical support member and extending
substantially perpendicular to the first side, each of the connector pins
having a first diameter at a first junction between the connector pin and
the first side, and a second diameter at a point on the connector pin
spaced from the first junction, wherein the second diameter is larger than
the first diameter and at least one foam core member substantially filling
a cavity defined by the first and second vertical support members, the
first and second display surfaces and two of the plurality of horizontal
support members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment prior art modular panel
display system.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment prior art module panel
display system.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotary lock system used on the second
embodiment prior art modular panel display system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the first embodiment if the
present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a connector pin of the first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a connector slot of the first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the connector slot of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a locator pin of the present
invention.
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a locator slot of the present
invention.
FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the locator slot of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the first embodiment of the present
invention, showing connection between adjacent display panels.
FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 18 is a plan view of a portion of the third embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 19 is a plan view of a portion of the third embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 20 is an elevational view of a portion of the third embodiment of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the
invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the
drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the
invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications
in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles
of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
The present invention provides for a modular panel wall system having
individual wall panels which are approximately half the thickness and half
the weight of prior art wall panel systems. Not only does this reduce the
shipping costs associated with transporting the disassembled exhibit
across the country, but it also significantly decreases the drayage costs
at the exhibit site, due to the fact that the wall panels of the present
invention are light enough to be handled by a single person. Even so, the
panels of the present invention retain the rigidity, aesthetic quality,
and durability of the wall panels of the prior art systems. Furthermore,
the modular wall panels of the present invention include a system for
interconnecting adjacent panels which does not require any tools or
separate parts to affect such coupling.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a first embodiment wall panel of
the present invention, indicated generally at 40. Each of the panels 40
has a frame formed from vertical support members 42 and horizontal support
members 44. Both the vertical support members 42 and the horizontal
support members 44 are formed from aluminum. In a preferred embodiment,
the vertical support members 42 are formed from substantially square
aluminum tubing having dimensions of 1 1/2".times.1 1/2". Also in a
preferred embodiment, the horizontal support members 44 are formed from 1
1/2"1" aluminum U-channel members. The horizontal cross members 44 are
affixed to the vertical support members 42 by any convenient means, such
as by welding. The use of aluminum in the frame construction of the
modular panel 40 results in a modular panel having less than one-half the
weight and thickness of the prior art wall panels, yet retaining
approximately the same strength and rigidity. The horizontal support
members 44 are formed from U-channel material rather than from full tubes
in order to further decrease the weight of the finished unit. The
placement of the horizontal support members 44 is illustrated in the cross
sectional view of FIG. 5. The configuration of the vertical support
members 42 is more clearly illustrated in the plan view of FIG. 6.
The right side of each modular wall panel 40 is provided with two connector
pins 46, located near the upper and lower ends thereof. Furthermore, a
locator pin 48 is coupled to the right side of the wall panel 40
substantially in the middle of the right hand vertical support member 42.
Referring to FIG. 7, each wall panel 40 further includes two connector
slots 50 formed in the left hand vertical support member 42 thereof. The
connector slots 50 are located at the same vertical locations as the
connector pins 46. Furthermore, a locator slot 52 is formed in the left
hand vertical support member 42 at the same vertical location as the
locator pin 48. As described in greater detail hereinbelow, the connector
pins 46 are designed to fit in locking engagement with the connector slots
50 of an adjacent wall panel 40. Likewise, the locator pins 48 are
designed to engage the locator slot 52 of an adjacent wall panel 40,
although the locator pin does not fit in locking engagement with the
locator slot. The use of the pins and complementary slots in the first
embodiment of the present invention allows for adjacent wall panels 40 to
be coupled to one another without the use of any tools and without
requiring separate parts which may become separated from the wall panels
40. Furthermore, the connector pin/connector slot arrangement of the
present invention allows for extremely quick assembly and disassembly of
the exhibit display (from either direction), dramatically reducing the
costs associated with these operations.
With reference to FIGS. 8-10, the connector pin 46 and connector slot 50
engagement is illustrated in greater detail. The connector pin 46 is
preferably formed from a machined piece of aluminum having a first
cylindrical portion 54, a second cylindrical portion 56, and a first
frustoconical portion 58 joining the first and second cylindrical
portions. Finally, the connector pin 46 includes a second frustoconical
portion 60 adjoining the opposite side of the second cylindrical portion
56. The connector pin 46 is joined to the vertical support member 42 by
means of an allen head machine screw 62 which extends longitudinally
through the center thereof. The screw 62 threadingly engages a threaded
insert 64 which is held in the vertical support member 42 by an
interference fit with a mounting hole formed for this purpose. The largest
exterior dimension of the connector pin 46 is the diameter of the second
cylindrical surface 56.
The connector slot 50 is designed in a "dogbone" configuration having end
portions 66 of increased diameter coupled by a slot 68 of reduced
diameter. The diameter of the end portion 66 is chosen to be slightly
larger than the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 56 of the
connector pin 46. The width of the slot 68 is chosen to be slightly larger
than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 54 of the connector pin
46, but smaller than the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 56. In
this manner, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the connector pin 46 may be
inserted through either of the enlarged portions 65 of the connector slot
50 until the connector pin 46 lies substantially within the vertical
support member 42. At this point the connector pin 46 may be slid into
alignment with the slot 68, wherein the connector pin 46 is thereby locked
within the connector slot 50. Because the diameter of the second
cylindrical portion 56 of the connector pin 46 is larger than the width of
the slot 68, the connector pin 46 is prevented from exiting the connector
slot 50 when it is arranged in the central position. Thus, the two
adjacent wall panels 40 are effectively locked together once the connector
pin 46 has been properly inserted into the connector slot 50.
Provision of mating connector pins 46/connector slots 50 near the top and
bottom of each modular wall panel 40 insures the panels 40 will be rigidly
coupled together. The frustoconical portions 58 and 60 of the connector
pin 46 allow for smooth mating and unmating of the connector pin 46 with
the connector slot 50. Because both the connector pin 46 and the connector
slot 50 are formed from similar aluminum materials, there is very little
appreciable wear on either member, insuring the connector system of the
present invention will outlast the useful life of the modular wall panel
40.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the locator pin 48 is formed from a
cylindrical portion 70 which is attached to the vertical support member 42
by means of an allen head machine screw 72. The screw 72 threadingly
engages a threaded insert 74 which is maintained in the vertical support
member 42 by means of an interference fit with a mounting hole formed
therein for this purpose. Unlike the multiple surfaces of the connector
pin 46, the locator pin 48 has a single diameter throughout substantially
its entire length. Furthermore, the locator slot 52 has substantially the
same width throughout its entire length. The width of the locator slot 52
is chosen to be slightly larger than the width of the cylindrical portion
70 of the locator pin 48. Therefore, the engagement of the locator pin 48
with the locator slot 52 does not result in any locking engagement between
adjacent wall panels 40. Rather, the locator pin 48/locator slot 52
combination is provided merely as an alignment guide which facilitates the
proper mating of the two connector pins 46 with their respective connector
slots 50.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the use of the
specially shaped connector pin 46 and the connector slot 50 having a
dogbone shape allows for assembly and disassembly of adjacent wall panels
40 in any order. For example, once the wall panels 40 are assembled,
disassembly, of the panels requires that one panel be raised vertically
relative to its adjacent neighbor so that the connector pins 46 may be
aligned with the enlarged portions 66 of the connector slots 50 and
removed therefrom. Because of the dogbone configuration of the connector
slots 50, either the panel having the connector slot 50 or the panel
having the connector pin 46 may be vertically raised in order to affect
decoupling between the two wall panels. Because either of the adjacent
panels may be lifted and removed from the other panel, disassembly of an
exhibit may be made from either end, or from both ends simultaneously.
This design therefore offers a significant advantage over connection
schemes which require that adjacent panels be disassembled from a
particular side.
Referring now to FIG. 14, it is illustrated how the modular panels 40 of
the present invention may be coupled horizontally as well as vertically in
order to form a grid of the modular panels 40. Horizontal coupling of the
modular panels 40 is affected by engagement of connector pins 46 with
connector slots 50 as described in detail hereinabove. Vertical coupling
of adjacent modular walls 40 is effected by means of short sections of 1
1/4".times.1 1/4" aluminum tube 76 which is sleeved into the 1
1/2".times.1 1/2" square tube of the vertical support members 42 of each
modular panel 40.
Referring now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a second embodiment modular
wall panel of the present invention, indicated generally 80. The modular
panel 80 is illustrated in cross section in the view of FIG. 16. The wall
panel 80 is formed from the same frame construction as the first
embodiment wall panel 40, and further includes the same connector pin
46/connector slot 50 and locator pin 48/locator slot 52 configuration.
However, the spaces between adjacent horizontal support members 44 in the
wall panel 80 are filled with 1 1/2" thick cellulose foam material 82. The
sections of foam 82 are sized to substantially completely fill the space
within the frame of the modular panel 80, with the exception that the
U-channels within the horizontal support members 44 remain unfilled. Both
sides of the modular panel 80 are then covered with a decorative laminate
material 84, such as laminations commonly known in the art and
manufactured by Formica.RTM., wilsonart.RTM., etc. The outer laminate 84
is coupled to the foam and/or frame of the modular panel 80 by any
convenient means, such as a spray adhesive.
Because of the low density and high strength of the cellulose foam material
82, its addition to the structure of the modular panel 80 adds essentially
no weight to the finished structure, however, it is very effective in
providing rigidity to the entire structure. The foam material 82 is
especially useful in preventing deformation of the laminate material 84
when subjected to forces perpendicular to its surface. Optionally, an
elongate hole 86 may be cut entirely through the modular panel 80 in order
to provide a convenient hand hold for carrying the modular panel 80.
Because the modular panel 80 is light enough to be carried with one hand,
the positioning of the hole 86 substantially in the center of the modular
panel 80 facilitates lifting and carrying of the panel. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the hole 86 will not be seen
in the final constructed exhibit display if graphics or other materials
are mounted onto the modular panel 80, as is usually the case.
Referring now to FIG. 17, there is illustrated in perspective view an
example of a completed modular exhibit display constructed according to
the present invention. The exhibit of FIG. 17 includes a first portion 90
coupled to a second portion 92. Both the first portion 90 and the second
portion 92 are formed from the modular display panels of the present
invention, as described in more detail hereinbelow. The remaining features
of FIG. 17 merely illustrate a typical environment of use of the present
invention.
The first portion 90 of the exhibit display of FIG. 17 is illustrated in
plan view in FIG. 18. The first portion 90 is constructed substantially
from modular wall panels 80 as illustrated in FIG. 13. Additionally, the
first portion 90 includes some modular wall panels with slightly different
configurations from the panels 80 shown in FIG. 15. For example, there are
two modular wall panels 92 which are substantially identical to the
modular panel 80 with the exception that the connector pins 46, locator
pin 48, connector slots 50 and locator slot 52 are located on the same
side of the panel 92 as one of its display surfaces. This configuration
will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art with reference to
FIG. 18.
Secondly, the first portion 90 includes a modular panel 94 which is
substantially identical to the modular panel 80 of FIG. 15, with the
exception that a door has been formed therein in order to allow access to
the interior space of the first portion 90. The door of the modular panel
94 is easily provided by eliminating the two central horizontal support
members 44 of the panel 80. By including the door in the modular panel 94,
access is thereby provided to the interior space of the first portion 70
for storage of exhibit supplies, such as advertising materials or food
service.
Finally, the first portion 90 includes several curved modular panels, such
as the 120.degree. panel 96, the 180.degree. panel 98, and the 210.degree.
panel 100. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these
curved modular panels are essentially identical to the modular panel 80
with the exception that their surfaces execute a particular arc. The
210.degree. panel 100 is illustrated in FIG. 19, in which the connector
pin 46 and connector slot 50 are indicated. The mating and unmating of
these curved modular panels follow the same procedure as the mating and
unmating of the modular panels 40 and 80. The first portion 90 further
includes planters 102 which are designed to fit with the recesses created
by the shape of the various modular panels. The planters 102 are free
standing and do not form a part of the present invention.
The second portion 92 of the exhibit display of FIG. 17 illustrates that
the modular panels of the present invention may be formed in substantially
any shape in order to achieve substantially any desired aesthetic affect.
As illustrated in FIG. 20, the first portion 92 is formed from a first
panel 104, a second panel 106 and a cylindrical planter stand 108. The
panels 104 and 106 are formed from aluminum frames but contain no
horizontal cross members or foam core because, as illustrated in FIG. 17,
they are laminated with a transparent Plexiglas.RTM. material in order to
form window-like panels. Furthermore, the frames of the panels 104 and 106
are formed with curving shades in order to produce a divider wall having a
sweeping exterior arc once the panels are assembled together. Other than
these unique aspects of the second portion 92, the panels 104 and 106 are
coupled to one another by the identical connector pin 46/connector slot 50
and locator pin 48/locator slot 52 configuration of the other embodiments
of the present invention. Finally, the cylindrical plant stand 108 is also
coupled to the panel 106 by means of a connector pin 46/connector slot 50
coupling arrangement. However, because of the relatively small height of
the plant stand 108, there is no need for a locator pin 48/locator slot
52.
It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
present invention provides for a modular panel wall system having
individual wall panels which are approximately half the thickness and half
the weight of prior art wall panel systems. Not only does this reduce the
shipping costs associated with transporting the disassembled exhibit
across the country, but it also significantly decreases the dra | | |