Abstract:
The invention provides a latch release for engaging an operative portion of a latching mechanism of a connector to switch the latching mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position. In one embodiment, a latch release is provided comprising a housing that is cooperatively associated with the connector so as to be positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism. A beam is pivotably supported by the housing and comprises a front end positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism and a rear end that is spaced from the operative portion of the latching mechanism. In this way, when the rear end of the beam is moved, the beam pivots so that the front end operatively engages the operative portion of the latching mechanism. In another embodiment of the invention, the latch release comprises a beam pivotably supported by the housing and comprising a front end positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism, a rear end that is spaced from the operative portion of the latching mechanism and a resilient hinge located between the front and rear ends. In this embodiment, when the rear end of the beam is moved, the beam pivots flexing the living hinge thereby moving the front end into operative engagement with the operative portion of the latching mechanism. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the latch release comprises a cam slidably supported by the housing and comprising a front end positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism and including a camming surface and a rear end that is spaced from the operative portion of the latching mechanism. In this embodiment, when the rear end of the cam is slid toward the latching mechanism the camming surface operatively engages the operative portion of the latching mechanism.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly to devices adapted for the actuation of locking latches. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electrical connectors typically have a multiplicity of terminal contacts positioned in an insulating housing, and arranged so as to be connected to a complementary connector to form a connector pair. It is well known to use mechanical latching mechanisms for maintaining the connection between the two connectors. The latching mechanism will ensure that the mating connectors maintain an electrical connection. Typically, the connector includes an integral latch member which is secured to the housing by a leg or biased hinge, or a connection point with the housing of the connector. The mating connector has a catch or a lug which will engage the latch mechanism when the two connectors are interengaged thereby ensuring that the connectors remain secured together. Examples of connectors utilizing such devices may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 6,089,898; 6,071,141; 5,947,776; 5,941,726; 5,785,540; 5,725,324; 5,399,109; 5,255,154; 5,207,593; 4,995,826; 4,647,128; and 4,272,145. 
     These arrangements are not always satisfactory, especially when they are used in conjunction with multiple, but separate connectors that are positioned either side-by-side or stacked one above the other. 
     There is a need in the art for connectors that can be released from one another when the latching mechanism is located in a remote position, or in an arrangement with other connector pairs that provides little or no space for actuation. This need in the art has become acute in connection with many “high density” interconnection systems, where unlatching must take place under difficult circumstances, e.g., in a blind space where several such connectors are arranged in a stacked configuration. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a latch release for engaging an operative portion of a latching mechanism of a connector to switch the latching mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position. In one embodiment, a latch release is provided comprising a housing that is cooperatively associated with the connector so as to be positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism. A beam is pivotably supported by the housing and comprises a front end positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism and a rear end that is spaced from the operative portion of the latching mechanism. In this way, when the rear end of the beam is moved, the beam pivots so that the front end operatively engages the operative portion of the latching mechanism. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a latch release is provided comprising a beam pivotably supported by the housing and comprising a front end positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism, a rear end that is spaced from the operative portion of the latching mechanism and a resilient hinge located between the front and rear ends. In this embodiment, when the rear end of the beam is moved, the beam pivots, flexing the living hinge, and thereby moving the front end into operative engagement with the operative portion of the latching mechanism. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, a latch release is provided comprising a cam slidably supported by the housing and comprising a front end positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism and including a camming surface and a rear end that is spaced from the operative portion of the latching mechanism. In this embodiment, when the rear end of the cam is slid toward the latching mechanism the camming surface operatively engages the operative portion of the latching mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a latch release formed according to an embodiment of the invention, and assembled to an electrical connector including a terminated cable; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, similar to that shown in FIG. 4, showing a finger actuating a toggle beam portion of the latch release according to the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 1, including a boot retention feature; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a latch release formed according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and assembled to an electrical connector including a terminated cable; 
     FIG. 8 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, similar to that shown in FIG. 10, showing a finger actuating a hinge-beam portion of the latch release according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a latch release formed according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, and assembled to an electrical connector including a terminated cable; 
     FIG. 13 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 12; and 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevational view, similar to that shown in FIG. 12, showing a finger actuating a slide beam of the latch release according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. In the description, relative terms such as “horizonal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. 
     FIGS. 1-6 show an electrical connector  5  that is terminated to the end of a cable  7  and supporting a latch release  10  formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, electrical connector  5  may comprise any of the well known high density interconnection devices that are known in the art. Connectors of this type typically include a plurality of closely spaced, electrically conductive pin or receptacle contacts (not shown) arranged within an insulative housing  11 , and individually terminated at one end to a corresponding plurality of conductors (not shown) that form the central portion of cable  7 . The electrical interconnection features of the plurality of closely spaced pin or receptacle contacts are positioned adjacent to an interface surface  14  of the connector. 
     Housing  11  of electrical connector  5  is typically formed from one of the well known polymer materials that are suitable for injection molding, e.g., polyhalo-olefins, polyamides, polyolefins, polystyrenes, polyvinyls, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyesters, polydienes, polyoxides, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyterephthalates, and polysulfides and their blends, co-polymers and substituted derivatives thereof. Housing  11  also normally includes a resilient latch  16  having an operative portion positioned on an outer surface, and arranged to releasably engage a corresponding feature on a mating electrical connector (not shown) that may be, e.g., mounted on the edge of a printed wiring board or terminated to the end of another cable, or the like. Latch  16  may comprise various known shapes and include several alternative features that are adapted for releasably engaging a corresponding feature on the mating electrical connector, e.g., recesses, notches, shoulders, catches, or tabs, etc. FIGS. 1-16 show a representative latch  16  that includes a catch  24  that is adapted to engage a corresponding recess, or the like (not shown) on a mating connector. 
     Typically, latch  16  will comprise a cantilevered beam that is fixed, via a living hinge  21  or the like. For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-16, latch  16  extends rearwardly from interface surface  14  toward cable  7 , and at an acute angle relative to the top surface of housing  11 . In this way, depressing latch  16  toward the top surface of housing  11  stores elastic energy in living hinge  21  so that when released, latch  16  springs away from the top surface of housing  11  and toward its original unloaded position. Of course, the various embodiments of the latch release of the present invention, and their obvious variations, are not limited in any way to the latch arrangement shown in the figures, but may be advantageously used in connection with many other arrangements of latches and connectors. 
     Terminal end  26  of latch  16  may include various known features that are adapted for aiding in depressing latch  16 , and are arranged so that a finger  27  or tool may depress terminal end  26  to release latch  16  from engagement with the mating connector. For example, when connectors are mated together latch  16  may be depressed, thus disengaging catch  24  from a corresponding recessed portion (not shown) on the mating connector. However, due to the high density requirements placed on such connectors, little or no space is available for the application of a person&#39;s finger or tool to depress latch  16  and thereby release connector  5  from its corresponding mating connector, as intended by the design. This situation is often acute in applications that require a plurality of interconnection devices to be engaged to the same device in a closely spaced architecture, e.g., mounted both side-by-side and/or in stacked formation, and arranged with minimal clearance between adjacent connectors or other structures. 
     The present invention solves this problem in the art by providing latch release  10  that is adapted to slip over a rear portion of electrical connector  5  so as to provide an easily accessible means for engaging and depressing latch  16  of electrical connector  5 . More particularly, one embodiment of latch release  10  comprises a boot  30  having a first half  33 , a second half  35 , and a toggle beam  37  pivotably assembled between first and second halves  33 , 35  (FIG.  3 ). First half  33  and second half  35  each comprise concavely shaped, complementary body portions that are typically formed from any of the well-known polymer materials disclosed hereinabove in connection with housing  11  of electrical connector  5 . Halves  33 , 35  are designed to mate along a peripheral edge  39  so as to form boot  30 . It has been found to be advantageous, although not required, to form boot  30  so as to be symmetric about a central dividing line (corresponding to peripheral edges  39 ) so that halves  33 , 35  are mirror images of one another. 
     An internal recess  40  of halves  33 , 35  is shaped so as to be complementary with the outer profile of cable  7  and another internal recess  42  of halves  33 , 35  is shaped so as to be complementary with the outer profile of housing  11  of electrical connector  5 . In this way, when halves  33 , 35  are mated together to form boot  30 , i.e., brought into engagement with one another so that their respective peripheral edges  39  engage in aligned relationship, a central, open-ended passageway is formed within boot  30  that is sized and shaped to contain and cooperate with both a portion of housing  11  of electrical connector  5  and a portion of cable  7 . When assembled for use, boot  30  is positioned in overlying relation with electrical connector  5  and cable  7  so that a portion of cable  7  is located within internal recess  40 , and a portion of electrical connector  5  is located within internal recess  42 . 
     A cowl  45  projects from an outer surface of boot  30 , and is formed from cowlhalves  46 , 47  that are formed on corresponding outer surfaces of boot halves  33 , 35 , respectively. Cowl  45  comprises walls  49 , 50  and a radiused outer wall  53 . Through-bores  55 , 56  are formed in walls  49 , 50  at a position where they will be aligned in coaxial relation to one another when boot  30  is assembled from boot halves  33 , 35 . Cowl  45  defines a first open end  59  and a second open end  60 . First open end  59  is generally larger than second open end  60 , and is located adjacent to an open end of the central passageway within boot  30  that is formed by a portion of internal recess  42 . Second open end  60  is located between a portion of radiused outer wall  53  and an outer surface of boot  30 . As a result of this arrangement, when boot  30  is assembled to electrical connector  5 , a portion of terminal end  26  of latch  16  extends into first open end  59  and the interior of cowl  45 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, toggle beam  37  comprises an elongate beam having a first end  63 , a second end  66 , and a pivot axle  69 . More particularly, first end  63  includes an angled or radiused section  70 , that is sized and shaped for engagement with an operative portion of a tool or finger  27 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, first end  63  is radiused so as to curve outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of toggle beam  37  and away from the outer surface of boot  30 . Second end  66  includes a latch engagement section  73  that is spaced from first end  63  and radiused section  70  by a substantially elongate and rigid section  76 . Pivot axle  69  comprises a substantially round shaft that projects outwardly from each lateral edge of toggle beam  37 , in perpendicular relation to rigid section  76 , and has a diameter sized to be received within through-bores  55 , 56  of cowl  45 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, pivot axle  69  is positioned eccentrically along section  76  of toggle beam  37  so as to be adjacent to a rear portion of latch engagement section  73 . Toggle beam  37  is assembled to boot  30  such that latch engagement section  73  is positioned within cowl  45  and adjacent to terminal end  26  of latch  16 , with pivot axle  69  rotatably positioned within through-bores  55 , 56 , and first end  63  and radiused portion  70  extending outwardly and away from second open end  60  of cowl  45  (FIGS.  4  and  5 ). 
     In this way, when radiused portion  70  of toggle beam  37  is lifted, e.g., by sliding finger  27  or a tool between it and the outer surface of boot  30 , toggle beam  37  pivots about pivot axle  69 , thereby moving latch engagement section  73  downwardly into contact with terminal end  26  of latch  16  (FIG.  5 ). As this occurs, latch  16  bends toward housing  11  of electrical connector  5  with elastic energy being stored in living hinge  21 . This action, in turn, tends to bias latch  16  outwardly, away from electrical connector  5 . With latch  16  disposed in this biased state, electrical connector  5  may be pulled from engagement with its mating connector (not shown). Thus the present invention allows for the easy actuation of latch  16  when electrical connector  5  is mated in a high density interconnection architecture, e.g., when mounted either side-by-side, in stacked formation, and/or in any combination with minimal clearance between adjacent connectors or other structures. 
     Various modifications to the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon review of the appended claims. For example, and now referring to FIG. 6, a boot retention means, such as shoulder  78 , may be formed in a portion of halves  33 , 35 , with a corresponding mating recess  79  formed in a portion of electrical connector  5 . In this way, a secure engagement between boot  30  and electrical connector  5  may be maintained. Additionally, it has been found to be advantageous to taper the rear portion of boot  30 , as shown in FIG. 5, so as to provide for clearance between finger  27  and boot  30  during actuation of toggle beam  37 . Also, it will be understood that although boot  30  has been described as being formed from halves  33 , 35 , a single piece boot may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, other structures and forms of retention feature and boot will be suggested by this disclosure to those skilled in the art, and may also be used in connection with the invention with equal effect. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7-11, an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes latch release  80  comprising a boot  82  having a first half  83 , a second half  85 , and a hinge-beam  87 . Hinge-beam  87  is operatively assembled between first and second halves  83 , 85  (FIGS.  8  and  9 ). First half  83  and second half  85  are similar to halves  33 , 35 , inasmuch as each comprise concavely shaped, complementary body portions that are typically formed from any of the well-known polymer materials disclosed hereinabove in connection with housing  11 . Halves  83 , 85  are designed to mate along a peripheral edge  89  so as to form boot  82 . It has also been found to be advantageous, although not required, to form boot  82  so as to be symmetric about a central dividing line (corresponding to peripheral edges  89 ) so that halves  83 , 85  are mirror images of one another. 
     An internal recess  90  of halves  83 , 85  is shaped so as to be complementary with the outer profile of cable  7  and another internal recess  92  of halves  83 , 85  is shaped so as to be complementary with the outer profile of electrical connector  5 . In this way, when halves  83 , 85  are mated together to form boot  82 , i.e., brought into engagement with one another so that their respective peripheral edges  89  engage in aligned relationship, a central, open-ended passageway is formed within boot  82  that is sized and shaped to contain and cooperate with both a portion of housing  11  of electrical connector  5  and a portion of cable  7 . When assembled for use, boot  82  is positioned in overlying relation with electrical connector  5  and cable  7  so that a portion of cable  7  is located within internal recess  90 , and a portion of electrical connector  5  is located within internal recess  92 . 
     A cowl  95  projects from an outer surface of boot  82 , and is formed from cowlhalves  96 , 97  that are formed on corresponding outer surfaces of boot halves  83 , 85 , respectively. Cowl  95  comprises walls  99 , 100  and an outer wall  103 . Through-bores  104 , 105  and  106 , 107  are formed in walls  99 , 100  at a position where through-bores  104 , 105  will be aligned in coaxial relation to one another and through-bores  106 , 107  will be aligned in coaxial relation to one another, when boot  82  is assembled from boot halves  83 , 85 . Cowl  95  defines a first open end  109  and a second open end  110 . First open end  109  is generally larger than second open end  110 , and is located adjacent to an open end of the central passageway within boot  82  formed by a portion of internal recess  92 . Second open end  110  is located between a portion of outer wall  103  and an outer surface of boot  82 . As a result of this arrangement, when boot  82  is assembled to electrical connector  5 , a portion of terminal end  26  of latch  16  extends into open end  109  and the interior of cowl  95 . 
     Hinge-beam  87  comprises an elongate beam having a first end  113 , a second end  116 , and a pair of pivot axles  119 , 120 . More particularly, first end  113  may be flat or may include an angled or radiused section, that is shaped and sized for engagement with an operative portion of a tool or finger  27 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-11, first end  113  is flat so as to extend outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of hinge-beam  87 . Second end  116  includes a latch engagement section  126  that is spaced from first end  113  by a substantially elongate and semi-rigid section  130 . More particularly, a resilient, living hinge  133  is formed in a portion of semi-rigid section  130  in such a way that semi-rigid section  130  may be biased, upwardly or downwardly, with elastic energy being stored in living hinge  133 . 
     Pair of pivot axles  119 , 120  comprise substantially round shafts that project outwardly from the lateral edges of hinge-beam  87  in perpendicular relation to semirigid section  130 , and have a diameter sized to be received within through-bores  104 , 105  and  106 , 107  of cowl  95 , respectively. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-11, pivot axles  119 , 120  are positioned in spaced relation to one another, and to living hinge  133 , so that pivot axle  119  is adjacent to a front portion of first end  113  and pivot axle  120  is adjacent to a rear portion of latch engagement section  126 . Hinge-beam  87  is assembled to boot  82  such that latch engagement section  126  is positioned within cowl  95  and adjacent to terminal end  26  of latch  16 , with pivot axles  119 , 120  rotatably positioned within through-bores  104 , 105  and  106 , 107 , and first end  113  extending through second open end  110  of cowl  95  (FIGS.  8 - 11 ). In this configuration, it is often advantageous to locate through-bores  104 , 105  and  106 , 107  in off-set relation to one another, such that when hinge-beam  87  is mounted within cowl  95 , pivot axle  120  is raised relative to pivot axle  119  (FIGS.  7  and  8 ). 
     Thus, when first end  113  of hinge-beam  87  is depressed, e.g., by sliding finger  27  or a tool over top of it and pressing toward the outer surface of boot  82 , living hinge  133  pivots upwardly, about pivot axles  119 , 120 , thereby moving second end  116  and latch engagement section  126  downwardly into contact with terminal end  26  of latch  16  (FIGS.  10  and  11 ). As this occurs, latch  16  bends toward housing  11  of electrical connector  5  with elastic energy being stored in living hinge  21 . This, in turn, tends to bias latch  16  outwardly, away from electrical connector  5 . This alternative embodiment of the present invention allows for the easy actuation of latch  16  when electrical connector  5  is mated in a high density interconnection architecture, e.g., when mounted either side-by-side, in stacked formation, and/or in any combination with minimal clearance between adjacent connectors or other structures. 
     Referring to FIGS. 12-16, in a further alternative embodiment of the present invention latch release  150  comprises a boot  152  having a first half  153 , a second half  155 , and a slide  157  operatively assembled between first and second halves  153 , 155  (FIGS.  13  and  14 ). First half  153  and second half  155  are similar to halves  33 , 35  and  83 , 85 , inasmuch as each comprise concavely shaped, complementary body portions that are typically formed from any of the well-known polymer materials disclosed hereinabove in connection with housing  11 . Halves  153 , 155  are designed to mate along a peripheral edge  159  so as to form boot  152 . It has also been found to be advantageous, although not required, to form boot  152  so as to be symmetric about a central dividing line (corresponding to peripheral edges  159 ) so that halves  153 , 155  are mirror images of one another. 
     An internal recess  160  of halves  153 , 155  is shaped so as to be complementary with the outer profile of cable  7  and another internal recess  162  of halves  153 , 155  is shaped so as to be complementary with the outer profile of electrical connector  5 . In this way, when halves  153 , 155  are mated together to form boot  152 , i.e., brought into engagement with one another so that their respective peripheral edges  159  engage in aligned relationship, a central, open-ended passageway is formed within boot  152  that is sized and shaped to contain and cooperate with both a portion of housing  11  of electrical connector  5  and a portion of cable  7 . When assembled for use, boot  152  is positioned in overlying relation with electrical connector  5  and cable  7  so that a portion of cable  7  is located within internal recess  160 , and a portion of electrical connector  5  is located within internal recess  162 . 
     A cowl  165  projects from an outer surface of boot  152 , and is formed from cowlhalves  166 , 167  that are formed on corresponding outer surfaces of boot halves  153 , 155 , respectively. Cowl  165  comprises walls  169 , 170  and an outer wall  173 . A slot  175  is formed along a portion of peripheral edge  159  of outer wall  173  when boot  152  is assembled from boot halves  153 , 155 . Cowl  165  defines a first open end  179  and a second end  180 . First open end  179  is generally larger than second end  180 , and is located adjacent to an open end of the central passageway within boot  152  formed by a portion of internal recess  160 . Second end  180  may be open or closed, and is located between a portion of outer wall  173  and an outer surface of boot  152 . As a result of this arrangement, when boot  152  is assembled to electrical connector  5 , a portion of terminal end  26  of latch  16  extends through first open end  179  into the interior of cowl  165 . 
     Slide  157  comprises an elongate beam having a first end  183 , a second end  186 , and a push/pull tab  189 . More particularly, first end  183  may be rectangularly shaped or may have another cross-sectional shape that is complementary to the internal shape of cowl  165 . Second end  186  includes a latch engagement section  193  that is spaced from first end  183  by a substantially elongate and semi-rigid section  190 . Latch engagement section  193  includes a camming surface  196  comprising an inclined or radiused wall. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-16, push/pull tab  189  projects outwardly from the top surface of slide  157  so as to extend through slot  175  of cowl  165 . When slide  157  is assembled to boot  152 , latch engagement section  193  is positioned within cowl  165 , with camming surface  196  positioned adjacent to terminal end  26  of latch  16 . 
     Thus, when first end  183  of slide  157  is moved forwardly, by pushing upon tab  175  with finger  27  or tool, slide  157  moves latch engagement section  193  into contact with terminal end  26  of latch  16  (FIGS.  13 , 15  and  16 ). As this occurs, camming surface  196  engages and slides along terminal end  26  of latch  16  which causes latch  16  to bend toward housing  11  of electrical connector  5  with elastic energy being stored in living hinge  21 . This, in turn, tends to bias latch  16  outwardly, away from electrical connector  5 . Thus this alternative embodiment of the present invention allows for the easy actuation of latch  16  when electrical connector  5  is mated in a high density interconnection architecture, e.g., when mounted either side-by-side, in stacked formation, and/or in any combination with minimal clearance between adjacent connectors or other structures. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.