Abstract:
So that a device for producing selector positions is easy to operate, the stop positions of which can be taken in securely and largely free of mechanical wear, and so that it is easily adaptable, in particular to the respective operating conditions, a position transmitter unit ( 1 ) is provided which is movable along a longitudinal axis, and thereby its position transmitter teeth can be fixed with respect to the teeth of a first position detector element ( 6.1., . . . 6 .n). The position transmitter unit ( 1 ) can be shifted with a finger body along the longitudinal axis into a recess, and thereby a second rotation body can be placed on a second position selector unit, and this position can be detected by a second position detector element ( 57 ). The position transmitter unit ( 1 ) can be moved with a moving device ( 32.1, . . . 32 .n) via a second position selector unit two dimensionally with respect to a base body ( 4 ), and this position can be detected by third position detector elements ( 8.1 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a discontinuous state selector. It is intended in particular for operating in-vehicle computers, washing machines, bicycle derailleurs, etc., personal computers, computer games, navigational systems etc., or other types of consumer and operating equipment. 
     S. Hildebrand,  Feinmechanische Bauelemente , Carl Hanser, Publishers, Munich 1972, pages 676 to 686, discloses various detent mechanisms employed to establish and maintain a mechanical device in a preferred state. They are primarily threshold-force mechanisms. There are neutral segments between the various settings, within which the mechanisms are inoperative. The mechanisms must always be forced against the mechanical device by an auxiliary force. The components themselves are rotating disks engaged by a pawl. The pawl can have a simple lever and neutral intermediate states, a cylinder, a spring, a double ratchet that releases a shaft, a square bolt, or axial notches. 
     Generally, the transition from the locked to the unlocked state and vice versa is particularly important. Various forces must be accounted for that can be detrimental over the long run with respect to wear and accordingly to the life of the mechanism. 
     Also disclosed is a magnetic detent mechanism, with a cogwheel that rotates around a shaft. Extending out of the shaft and facing the wheel are two cog-like pins fastened to a magnet. The magnet has a certain remote action that can penetrate the walls of non-magnetic materials. 
     The German Patent Publication No. A 3,138,827 discloses a gear selector whereby the state of a lever is communicated remotely by magnetic sensors in conjunction with a magnet on the lever. There is either one sensor for each state of the lever or less sensors than gear states, with the state of the lever represented by a combination sensors or by a code. 
     The drawback here is that the selector can be employed only to detect the state of the lever in a gearshift. 
     The Patent Publication No. German A 19 503 615 discloses a device for two-dimensional control or measurement. It includes a pivoting “club” comprising a rod and a ball and socket. The ball rotates freely in the socket. A magnet on the club actuates Hall sensors. This arrangement provides a joystick for use with computers. 
     Contemporary automobiles usually have built-in computers. Knobs can be pressed on the window-wiper lever or driving control to call up current time, outside temperature plus icy-road signals, average and current gasoline consumption, current gasoline-tank level, mileage remaining until next fill-up, and stopwatch all displayed on the instrument panel. Radio-broadcasting stations can also be selected on one side of the steering wheel and their volume adjusted on the other side. 
     The drawback here is that three separate sets of knobs must be operated individually, which can distract the driver to the detriment of steering. This situation increase the risk of accidents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is accordingly to provide a state selector, especially for in-vehicle computers, washing-machine controls, bicycle gears, etc. that will be easy to use, with states that can be extensively selected without wear, and that can be readily adapted to various applications. 
     This object, as well as other objects which will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the invention, by a state selector comprising a state-transmitting assembly, a state-selecting assembly and a state-indicating assembly as described below. 
     The state-selecting assembly “snaps” into the state-transmitting assembly magnetically and operates without wear. The state-selecting assembly can move with respect to the state-transmitting assembly in any desired direction, preventing damage to or destruction of the click-in controls. The design of the state-transmitting and state-selecting assemblies allows further miniaturization of the click-in controls. The miniaturization allows the device to be installed in the restricted space that occurs in particular in the cockpits of vehicles and aircraft but also inside washing machines. The states are polled without being either contacted or disturbed and are available in the form of electrical signals for further processing. 
     In a particular, preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustability of the click-in controls obtained by rotation is augmented by a touching motion, confirming the states assumed in rotation. This confirming motion is also polled without contact or disturbance and is available in the form of electrical signals for further processing. 
     In another, particular preferred embodiment of the invention, the selection states are augmented by further adjustments in two dimensions. These states are polled without being either contacted or disturbed and are available in the form of electrical signals for further processing. 
     Still another embodiment of the invention is intended to imitate the handy computer mouse. States can be changed in two dimensions as when controlling the motion of a cursor on a computer screen. The rotation around the axis of the state-transmitting assembly allows different programs to be called up. The magnetic finger-touch switching motion along the axis of the state-transmitting assembly can be employed to call up various data or components thereof. The more convenient embodiment described initially above can be employed to great advantage by the blind. The sensitivity with which the states can be changed by rotation around the axis of the state-transmitting assembly, by the touching motion in the direction of the axis, and the displacement between two planes allows states to be selected and confirmed without looking at them. 
     In still another embodiment, the rotation around the axis of the state-transmitting assembly is augmented by a joystick-like function. The states can again be polled without being either contacted or disturbed and are available in the form of electrical signals for further processing. 
     In still another embodiment, both the rotation and the finger-touch motion of the state-transmitting assembly are augmented by corresponding signals emitted in accordance with the joystick-like function mentioned above. This convenient embodiment is particularly appropriate for use with personal computers for the blind in that all the limiting states can be selected and confirmed during operation without looking at them. 
     For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 a  through  1   d  are longitudinal sections through various modular embodiments of a latched switching device. 
     FIG. 2 is a section along the line II—II through the switching device illustrated in FIG. 1 a.    
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are sections through the device of FIG. 1 c  taken along the line I—I. 
     FIG. 4 a  is a schematic top view of a state-transmitting assembly for the latched switching devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 a  through  1   d.    
     FIG. 4 b  is a schematic longitudinal section through the state-transmitting assembly illustrated in FIG. 4 a.    
     FIG. 5 a  illustrates a base for the latched switching device illustrated in FIG. 1 a.    
     FIG. 5 b  is a top view of the base illustrated in FIG. 5 a.    
     FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic longitudinal sections through latched switching devices in the form of intelligent rotating knobs. 
     FIG. 8 is a drawing to scale of the intelligent rotating knobs illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic section through a cardanic version of the latched switching devices illustrated in FIG. 1 a  through  4   b  as accommodated in a housing assembly. 
     FIG. 10 is a section along the line X—X through the cardanic version illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic section through another cardanic version of the latched switching device illustrated in FIG. 1 a  and  1   b  as accommodated in a housing assembly. 
     FIG. 12 is a section along the line XII—XII through a cardanic version of the latched switching device illustrated in FIG.  11 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b , and  1   c  illustrate a modular discontinuous state selector (“click-in controls” hereinafter). It is intended in particular for operating in-vehicle computers, washing machines, etc. 
     FIG. 1 c  illustrates the simplest form of the latched switching device. It includes a position-information, state-transmitting assembly  1  in the form of a cylindrical rotor  5  with an integrated shaft  5 . 1 . Rotors has radial state-transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n distributed around it. The cogs are trapezoidal and separated by matching state-transmitting gaps (not shown in FIG. 1 c ). The total assembly accordingly constitutes a pulse generator. 
     Also in FIG. 1 c , rotor  5  is fastened to another rotor  40  with a larger outside diameter, and mounted on rotor  40  are state-information transmitting components  41 . 1 , . . . ,  41 .n in the form of metal tabs separated by equally wide gaps. 
     Surrounding position-information, state-transmitting assembly  1  is a position selecting assembly  2 . The pulse generator—that is, rotor  5  and its state-transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n,—is surrounded by a crown wheel  44  secured to the cylindrical surface  20 . 1  of an inner housing  20 . The inner surface of crown wheel  44  has at least one radially inward-projecting cog (FIG. 1 b ). The identically shaped cogs are separated by matching gaps. 
     Also in FIG. 1 c , crown wheel  44  accommodates at least to some extent equally distributed permanently magnetized components  44 . 1 ′. 
     Crown wheel  44  is held in and secured by a stationary inner housing  20 . As shown in FIG. 1 b , the state-information transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n on rotor  5  and the permanently magnetized, radially inward projecting cogs  44 . 1 , . . . ,  44 .n on crown wheel  44  are separated by an interval B 3 . 
     In FIG. 1 a , inner housing  20  accommodates and holds a coil  11  that faces rotor  5  and its integrated shaft  5 . 1 . Coil  11  magnetizes state-information transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n (shown in FIG.  10 ), each of which will accordingly behave as an individual magnet. 
     In FIG. 4 b , shaft  5 . 1  extends into a finger-like projection  42 . 
     In FIG. 1 d , a cutout in a sleeve  29  that is part of inner housing (not shown in FIG. 1 d ). Also in FIG. 1 d , sleeve  29  is closed in the vicinity of projection  42  by a floor  27  with a component  28  of magnetically conductive material, specifically steel, iron, finely loaded plastic or the like. Accommodated below component  28  is a magnetic finger-touch switching component  8  that, since it is magnetized, constantly rests against component  28 , such that finger-like projection  42  is always retained between component  28  and magnetic finger-touch switching component  8 . 
     FIG. 1 b  shows the varying internal B 3  between the cogs and gaps. 
     An attractive force 
     
       
           F =(B 2   A )μ 0   
       
     
     wherein 
     A is the total cross-section of an airgap constituted by the varying interval B 3  between the cogs and the gaps, 
     B is the induction at the airgap, and 
     F 0  is the constant of induction, 
     will accordingly always prevail between the individual magnets represented by state-transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n and the cogs  44 . 1 , . . . ,  44 .n. 
     The same equation governs magnetic finger-touch switching component  8 , which is positioned at a variable distance  18  or airgap from component  28 . 
     The touch of position-information, state-transmitting assembly  1  as it is displaced along a longitudinal axis A, forces magnetic finger-touch switching component  8  away from magnetically conductive component  28 . A force similar to that of a tensioned spring must be overcome. When a rotation around longitudinal axis A is transmitted to position-information, state-transmitting assembly  1 , state-transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n will change position like individual magnets subject to cogs  44 . 1 , . . . ,  44 .n and to the four permanently magnetized components  44 ′. 1 , . . . ,  44 ′.n. The change in distance B 3  will it turn vary the overall cross-section of the airgap and accordingly the magnetic force of the individual magnets. 
     Since the individual magnets are uniformly distributed along the cylindrical rotor in the form of state-transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n, they are arranged in the same position in relation to a single cog  44 . 1 , . . . ,  44 .n or permanently magnetized components  44 . 1 ′, . . . ,  44 .n′. Since the attractive force exerted by the individual magnets, state-transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n, that is, on cogs  44 . 1 , . . . ,  44 .n is at a maximum, position-information, state-transmitting assembly  1  will “click” into a fixed position in relation to position selecting assembly  2 . 
     A change from one fixed position and into another is possible only by overcoming the multiple force of attraction. Since state-transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n are as wide as cogs  44 . 1 , . . . ,  44 .n, the position will be exact. 
     Of particular advantage is that the clicking in occurs without wear. Whether position-information, state-transmitting assembly  1  rotates clockwise or counterclockwise is of no significance in that no mechanical components are present that would require rotation in one direction, whereby every change in position would result in damage or destruction. 
     Once a particular position has been assumed, it can be further secured by magnetic finger-touch switching component  8 . This feature is particularly significant when the click-in controls are intended to confirm a selection. 
     If the supply or electricity to coil  11  is interrupted or distorted, the four permanently magnetized components  44 . 1 ′, . . . ,  44 .n′ will ensure that an established position is maintained even when force F of attraction is relatively weak. Figuratively, the click-in controls will discontinue functioning as illustrated in FIG. 1 a  and  1   b  and will begin to function in the simplest phase illustrated in FIG. 1 c.    
     The rotation and possible depression of knob  30 , wherein the outer housing  10  is provided with openings  14 . 1 , . . . ,  14 .n that connect the inner housing with an actuating button  30 , will change the position of state-transmitting components  41 . 1 , . . . ,  41 .n between permanent-magnet components  6 . 1 , . . .  6 .n and Hall sensors  60 . 1 , . . .  60 .n (shown in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , also known as state-detecting components). That these components face each other will be evident from FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , wherein Hall sensors  60 . 1 , . . . ,  60 .n are mounted on a disk  60  (FIG. 3 b , which together form a state-indicating assembly) and separated a distance B 2  (FIG. 3 a ) from state-transmitting components  41 . 1 , . . . ,  41 .n. 
     Back in FIG. 1 b , inner housing  20  accommodates the magnetic components in the form of permanent-magnet components  6 . 1 , . . .  6 .n of equal width and separated by equal gaps. Facing these components and also mounted on disk  60  are mutually separated Hall sensors  60 . 1 , . . . ,  60 .n. State-transmitting components  41 . 1 , . . . ,  41 .n move between permanent-magnet components  6 . 1 , . . .  6 .n and Hall sensors  60 . 1 , . . . ,  60 .n. The Hall sensors convert the position of state-transmitting components  41 . 1 , . . . ,  41 .n into an electric signal for further processing. Another Hall sensor  57  (FIGS. 1 a  and  1   d ) faces magnetic finger-touch switching component  8  and detect its position, converting it as well into an electric signal for further processing. 
     The click-in controls illustrated in FIG. 1 b  can be augmented as illustrated in FIG. 1 a  with a base  4  and with a magnet holder  90  (FIG. 5 a ) mounted at least to some extent on an outer housing  10  (FIG. 1 a ) that surrounds inner housing  20 . 
     In FIG. 1 a , the inner housing  20  in the click-in controls can be enclosed in a wall with equally separated depressions  33  wherein four guide components in the form of balls  32 . 1 - 32 . 4  travel. A permanent magnet  8 . 1  is secured in the midst of depressions  33 . 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the base in conjunction with other components of the controls. Facing one another on its surface  13  are four components  21 . 1 - 21 . 4  in the form of at least two equally long grooves  22 . 1  and  22 . 2  that intersect at the center. Further such intersecting grooves are also possible. FIG. 2 illustrates, in addition to the two grooves  22 . 1  and  22 . 2 , represented by the thick line, two further such grooves at 45 E to the first two and at 90 E to each other. The more grooves, the greater the degree of freedom of guide components  32 . 1 - 32 . 4  (FIG. 1 a ). 
     In FIG. 5 a , if the click-in controls include another magnet holder  80 , the floor of inner housing  20  (not shown in FIG. 5 a ) will be augmented with the configuration represented in FIG. 5 a , and the housing will accordingly be closed by magnet holder  90  shaped as represented in FIG. 5 b . At the center of magnet holder  90  is a permanent-magnet assembly. 
     FIG. 5 b  shows the permanent-magnetic assembly in the form of a Greek cross and consisting of an essential square magnet at the center with four arms in the form of permanent magnets  58 . 1 - 58 . 4 , Each arm has a washboard-like surface of parallel ridges  55 . 1 , . . . ,  55 .n. The ridges are square in cross-section and are accordingly separated by rectangular depressions. System  58  need not be entirely of magnets, but can have a square magnet at the center and arms of a magnetically conductive material, especially iron. 
     Returning to FIG. 5 a , the square magnet at the center of the system faces a permanent magnet  48  of the same shape in magnet holder  80 . It is square and demarcated by a wall at each edge  48 . 1 - 48 .n. The walls extend above the magnet. The smooth inner surface  83  of magnet holder  80  rests against a plane E 1 . At rest, inner surface  83  faces the toothing  55 . 1 , . . . ,  55 .n. 
     In FIG. 5 b , Hall sensors  59 . 1 , . . . ,  59 .n are accommodated in an inner surface  56 . These sensors detect the varied positions of permanent magnet  8 . 1  (shown in FIGS. 1 a  and  1   d ) and convert them into electric signals for further processing. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate click-in controls in the form of an intelligent rotating knob. The rotor  5  in this embodiment is faced by another rotor  5 ′ with similar cogs distributed around it. A coil  11  is accommodated between the two rotors. A shaft and a finger-like projection faces a magnetic finger-touch switching component  8  of the type hereintofore specified. The shaft merges seamlessly into a housing  100  that simultaneously constitutes both the knob and hence a position-information transmitting assembly  1 . The particular positions are selected by a position-selection assembly of the type hereintofore specified. 
     In FIG. 7, click-in controls of this species can be considerably miniaturized. The housing  100  that accommodates the active components is considerably flatter than the housing illustrated in FIG.  6 . What is essential to the present invention is that housing  100  simultaneously constitutes a control knob  300  and can be provided with the rough handling-facilitating surface in the form of groove etc. conventional for such structures. 
     FIGS. 8,  9 ,  10 ,  11 , and  12  illustrate click-in controls of the regular type contemplated in this invention, but with a cardanic connection. Such controls can easily be integrated into a vehicle&#39;s displays or even into its steering wheel. It should be noted that the click-in controls in FIG. 8 extend only 1.3 cm out of the wall, whereas in FIG. 7, they extend out 3 cm. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates click-in controls in the form of an intelligent knob to scale. It has a threaded connection that can be screwed directly into a front wall. 
     In FIG. 9, shaft  5 . 1  definitely extends out of a tilting housing assembly  173  and  184 , or  273  and  284  in FIG.  11  and is provided with an actuating knob  30 . 
     The inner housing  20  that accommodates position-selecting assembly  2  (FIG. 10) rotates around two mutually facing shaft components  181  (FIG. 10) and  191  or  281  (FIG. 12) and  291  (FIG. 11) in a tilting housing  173  (FIG. 9) or  273  (FIG.  11 ). The result is a cardanic suspension. 
     FIGS. 10 and 12 show a position-information transmitting assembly  1  with its state-transmitting cogs  11 . 1 , . . . ,  11 .n and gaps  19 , 1 ,  19 . 2 , . . . ,  19 .n along with the coil  11  around shaft  5 . 1 , Also represented is a position selecting assembly  2  along with crown wheel  44  and it cogs  44 . 1 , . . . ,  44 .n accommodated in inner housing  20 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 11 show that tilting housing  173  (FIG. 9) or  273  (FIG. 11) is hollow and rectangular and closed at one end by a continuous hemisphere  193  (FIG. 9) or  293  (FIG. 11) that merges toward the center of the closure into a disk, through which shaft  5 . 1  extends. 
     The end of knob  30  facing tilting housing  173  (FIG. 9) or  273  (FIG. 11) is provided with hemispherical depressions  194  (FIG. 9) or  294  (FIG. 11) that match hemisphere  193  (FIG. 9) or  293  (FIG.  11 ). Knob  30  can accordingly slide around over the housing. 
     The open end of tilting housing  173  (FIG. 9) or  273  (FIG. 11) is closed by a lid  184  (FIG. 9) or  284  (FIG.  11 ). 
     Individual state-transmitting magnets  190 . 1 , . . . ,  190 .n (FIG. 9) are accommodated in the mutually facing walls of the tilting housing  173  (FIG.  9 ). This housing accordingly assumes the function of an additional position-information transmitting assembly. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, an individual position-information transmitting magnet  290 . 1  is accommodate in the cap  284  of a tilting housing  273 . This housing accordingly assumes in conjunction with cap  284  the function of an additional position-information transmitting assembly. 
     Individual state-transmitting magnets  190 . 1 , . . . , l 90 .n (FIG. 9) face individual magnets  189 . 1 , . . . ,  189 .n (FIG. 9) or  289 . 1  (FIG.  11 ), which are accommodated in inner housing  20 , at a variable distance inside. The individual magnet and the individual position-information transmitting magnets can be either permanent magnet or electromagnets. 
     In FIG. 9, the inner housing  20  accommodates not only individual magnets  189 . 1 , . . . ,  189 .n but Hall sensors  197 . 1 , . . . ,  197 .n that transmit precise and undisrupted information as to changes in the position of inner housing  20 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a Hall sensor  297 . 1  in the vicinity of an individual magnet  289 . 1 . This approach as well will provide information as to changes in the position of an individual magnet  289 . 1  in relation to that of an individual information-transmitting magnet  290 . 1  due to changes in the position of inner housing  20  in the form of an electric signal that can be further processed. 
     In FIG. 9, the specific arrangement of the magnets and their poles will always allow inner housing  20  to assume a well defined limiting or zero position. The cardanic suspension allow a joystick-like motion by way of knob  30  (only shown in FIGS. 9 and 11) . 
     FIG. 1 a  illustrates how the click-in controls operate. 
     In FIG. 1 a , motion of knob  30  moves the guide components in the form of balls  32 . 1 - 32 . 4  along the grooves  22 . 1  and  22 . 2  (FIG. 2) in the intersecting components  21 . 1 - 21 . 4  (FIG.  2 ), establishing a state as is done with a joystick. The particular state assumed is detected by the changed position of permanent magnet  8 . 1  in relation to Hall sensor  59 ′. 1 , . . . ,  59 ′.n (FIG. 2) and transmitted to a computer in the form of an electric signal. Such a procedure could for example select and display a programmable radio receiver. 
     Knob  30  is now rotated, rotating position-information transmitting assembly  1  around the axis A of the shaft. If the cogs on position-information transmitting assembly  1  now face those on the position-selecting assembly, the force of attraction exerted by coil  11  will retain rotor  5  in its current position. This approach will allow the various stations in that particular band to be discontinuously tuned in with the aid of the Hall elements  60 . 1  (FIGS. 1 b  and  1   c ,  3   a  and  3   b ) and their names and frequencies to be displayed. 
     Of particular interest to drivers in this context are stations that transmit information about traffic conditions, icy roads, etc. A direct selection of stations that cover the particular area the vehicle is being driven in is particularly desirable. 
     A particular station can be selected by pressing down on knob  30  along axis A, whereby finger-like projection  42  will separate magnetic finger-touch switching component  8  from magnetically conductive component  28 . This pressure will be limited by the play of second rotor  40 . The changed position of magnetic finger-touch switching component  8  will be detected by Hall sensor  57  (FIG. 1 a ), and the result electric signal will be acknowledged by the computer as a confirmation, locking in the selected station. 
     Once the pressure has been accommodated by knob  30 , component  28  will again be attracted by magnetic finger-touch switching component  8  and will force position-information transmitting assembly  1  back into its original position. The combination of magnetic finger-touch switching component and magnetically conductive component  28  replaces the conventional spring. The advantage here that such a combination cannot malfunction or break like a spring. 
     Releasing the knob will also slide permanent magnet  8 . 1  over permanent magnet  38  and into its original position-Position-information transmitting assembly  1  on the other hand will maintain its rest position and, if a station goes dead or out of tune, it can be called up again just by advancing knob  30  accompanied by the regular confirmation. 
     Moving knob  30  in another direction will establish a different basic program that can for example sort through displayed addresses when the knob is rotated around axis A and acknowledge or select one address when the knob is advanced along the axis. These address are not only displayed on the screen but, once selected, can provide a particular function like maintaining constant speed. 
     Of particular advantage is that the click-in controls specified herein can be manufactured in the dimensions represented in FIG. 8, taking advantage of restricted space. 
     There has thus been shown and described a novel latched switching device which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.