function getNumber(numb){ 
   // use to strip of the units of the left, top properties  
   var rc = ''; 
   var i = 0; 
   while (i<numb.length){ 
     if(numb.charAt(i) == '.' || numb.charAt(i) == '-' || numb.charAt(i)=='9' || numb.charAt(i)=='8'|| numb.charAt(i)=='7'|| numb.charAt(i)=='6'|| numb.charAt(i)=='5'|| numb.charAt(i)=='4'|| numb.charAt(i)=='3'|| numb.charAt(i)=='2'||numb.charAt(i)=='0' || numb.charAt(i)=='1' ){ 
 	  rc = rc + numb.charAt(i); 
     } 
     i = i + 1; 
   } 
   return rc;

}