Abstract:
Finger extensions for astronaut gloves are disposed in sleeves on digits of the gloves. Different embodiments for the extensions are illustrated and discussed. The sleeves are secured to the tops of the digits. The extension elements include bases disposed in the sleeves and tips at outer ends of the bases. The tips may include pads which contact elements desired to be manipulated. The extensions are pivotal with the movement of the astronaut&#39;s digits in a glove. Only a slight movement of the astronaut&#39;s digits is required to provide the required dexterity for the astronaut user to grasp, pick up, move, etc., desired elements with the extensions. Inflexible rings about the extensions are fixed to the gloves prevent reverse bending of the extensions and maintain the extensions generally parallel to the users fingers. The extensions may be fixed or extendable and retractable, as desired. Particular designs for the extensions may depend on the desired task for the astronaut or astronauts and the elements with which the astronaut(s) will be working.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to astronaut gloves, and more particularly, to astronaut gloves with finger extensions to provide finger dexterity for astronauts. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Astronaut gloves are, of necessity, very cumbersome with respect to finger dexterity. Because of the nature of the environment in which astronauts work, astronaut space suits are inherently stiff and difficult to move with any degree of ease of motion. Gloves are especially difficult to use for certain types of work required in the repair and assembly of elements in space. Moreover, the astronaut suits and gloves include tubes for heating and cooling. The many layers involved in the astronaut gloves render them very difficult to use when grasping is needed or desired to any degree of flexibility. The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art and provides astronauts with dexterity not found in the prior art by providing finger extensions on the gloves. 
     Finger splints have been used for many, many years for immobilizing sprained or broken fingers. Moreover, there are types of gloves in the prior art that use elements to immobilize fingers for various reasons, such as arthritis or multiple broken or sprained fingers. Essentially, splints have been adapted to such gloves. In some cases splints may be secured to basic gloves with hook and loop fastening elements. However, such gloves are not comparable to astronaut gloves. And splints are not comparable to extensions for cumbersome astronaut gloves to enable astronauts to work in the hostile environment of space. 
     Gloves have also been suggested that have tips to enable gardeners to facilitate gardening functions by including fixed tips to finger elements of the gloves or to adaptations of second or outer glove elements that may be put on over flexible gardening gloves. In the latter situation, flexible elements are secured to the outer glove and extend outwardly from finger elements of the inner glove. Again, such adaptations of basic gardening gloves are not comparable to extensions for cumbersome astronaut gloves to enable astronauts to work in the hostile environment of space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention described and claimed herein comprises extensions for fingers on astronaut gloves. The extensions may extendable and retractable as desired, or they may be fixed, depending on the particular application for which the gloves are to be used. Several different embodiments of finger extensions are described. The extensions provide an astronaut with the dexterity to pick up and use or adjust, etc., relatively small items. 
     Among the objects of the present invention are the following: 
     To provide new and useful astronaut gloves; 
     To provide new and useful astronaut gloves having finger extensions for grasping an element; 
     To provide new and useful extendable finger extensions for astronaut gloves; 
     To provide new and useful finger extensions housed in sleeves on astronaut glove fingers; 
     To provide a new and useful astronaut glove having segmented finger extensions; 
     To provide new and useful finger extension sleeves secured to the top of fingers on gloves; 
     To provide new and useful finger extension caps secured to the tips of fingers on gloves; 
     To provide new and useful flexible finger extensions for gloves; 
     To provide new and useful astronaut gloves having finger extensions and rings for keeping the finger extensions generally parallel to the astronaut&#39;s fingers and generally limiting the sideways movement of the extensions relative to the astronaut&#39;s fingers; 
     To provide new and useful finger extensions for astronaut gloves and rings about the extensions for preventing the reverse bending of the extensions; 
     To provide new and useful extendable and retractable finger extensions for gloves; and 
     To provide new and useful astronaut gloves having finger extensions with opposable elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an astronaut glove of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a portion of the astronaut glove of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged top view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a view in partial section taken generally along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic side view in partial section of a portion of the glove apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6  sequentially following  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a view in partial section taken generally along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of a finger extension. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus of  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic side view of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a view in partial section of another alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view in partial section of another alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 15  sequentially following  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an astronaut glove  10  of the present invention. The glove  10  includes a cuff section or portion  12  which includes elements  13  for connecting the glove to the arm portion of an astronaut suit. The glove also includes a hand section or portion  14 . Extending from the palm section  14  are five digit sections which receive the astronaut&#39;s digits, namely a thumb section  20 , an index finger section  30 , a middle finger section  40 , a third finger section  50 , and a little finger section  60 . 
     For convenience, the respective digit sections will simply be referred to hereafter as “fingers.” When reference is made to the thumb or fingers of an astronaut user of a glove, such reference will be made specifically to insure that there is no confusion in what is referred to, whether reference is made to a portion of a glove or to the digits of the astronaut user of the glove. For simplification, all five digit sections will generally be referred to as “fingers,” unless it is necessary to refer to the thumb specifically. 
     Each finger section includes a pocket or sleeve in which is disposed a finger extension element. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the finger  20  includes a sleeve  22 , the finger  30  includes a sleeve  32 , the finger  50  includes a sleeve  52 , and the finger  60  includes a sleeve  62 . The sleeves are shown secured to the tops of the respective fingers. In each sleeve is a finger extension element, one extension for a thumb and four extensions for the index finger, the middle finger, the third finger, and the little finger, respectively. Except as specifically set forth herein, the thumb will generally be referred simply as a finger. 
     Five finger extensions are shown in  FIG. 1 , an extension  24  for the finger  20 , an extension  34  for the finger  30 , an extension  44  for the finger  40 , an extension  54  for the finger  40 , and an extension  64  for the finger  60 . Each extension includes an end portion which is curved to fit around the end of each finger. The extensions are shown in  FIG. 1  as being extended outwardly in their open positions, as opposed to their closed or their nested positions. In their nested positions the end portions of the extensions are disposed against the distal tips of the fingers. 
     The extensions may be selectively extended or remain nested, or closed, as desired by the astronaut user or wearer. That is, an astronaut user may desire to only extend one or two extensions, or perhaps three, four, of five. Both the open or extended and the closed or nested orientations of the extensions are illustrated in some of the drawing figures discussed below. 
     The extensions include a base generally disposed in their respective sleeves and movable therein, and a tip secured to the base. The base is the proximal portion of the extension and the tip is at the distal end of the extension. Each tip includes a u-shaped curved end. The curved end fits over the distal tip of the finger. At the bottom of the end is a return and on the bottom of the return may be a pad. A pad, if present, corresponds to and is aligned with the bottom of the tip of the user&#39;s finger. 
     It will be noted that the sleeves are generally open at their proximal end so that a base of the extensions may extend inwardly (toward the astronaut&#39;s wrist or toward the cuff section  12 ) beyond a sleeve if desired. On the other hand, the sleeves may be closed at their proximal ends if desired. 
     The extension  24  includes an end  26  and a pad  28 , the extension  34  includes an end  36  and a pad  38 , the extension  44  includes an end  46  and a pad  48 , the extension  54  includes an end  56  and a pad  58 , and the extension  64  includes an end  66  and a pad  68 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the extension  64 .  FIG. 3  is a side view of the extension  64 .  FIG. 4  is an enlarged top or plan view of a portion of the extension  64  and  FIG. 5  is an enlarged view in partial section taken generally along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . For the following discussion, reference will be made to all of the  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 . 
     The extension  64  is shown, and it comprised a plurality of segments or links joined together. The segments or links include an end segment or link  70 , a link  80 , a link  90 , a link  100 , and a link  110 . The link  70  includes the end  66  and the pad  68 . The pad  68  is secured to the bottom of a return portion  67 . 
     The links include a plurality of tongue-like projections or elements on one end, and a plurality of slots on their opposite ends which receive the tongue-like projections or elements. The link  70 , comprising the distal link, includes only a plurality of tongue-like projections or elements on one end because of the end  66 . The links  80 ,  90 ,  100  include tongue-like projections or elements and slots, while the link  110 , comprising the proximal link, includes only slots. 
     The link  70  includes tongue-like projections or elements  74 ,  76 , and  78 . Extending outwardly or rearwardly from a rear end  72 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear end  72  below the tongue-like elements  74  is chamfered to allow the link  70  to pivot downwardly relative to the link  80 . 
     The link  80  includes slots or recesses  82 ,  84 , and  86 , which receive respectively the tongue-like projections or elements  74 ,  76 , and  78 . A pin  88  extends through aligned aperture&#39;s in the tongue-like elements and links to secure the links  70  and  80  together in a pivoting relationship. 
     The pivoting relationship is a one way relationship because the slots extend downwardly from the top surface of each link but the slots extend downwardly only a distance sufficient to allow a limited downwardly pivoting of the adjacent link. This is best shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The adjacent link cannot pivot upwardly beyond its original generally straight orientation aligned with the astronaut&#39;s glove and the astronaut&#39;s hand in the glove. Thus, the pivoting is essentially unidirectional. This is clearly shown in  FIG. 5 . The astronaut user may bend a finger downwardly and the extension  64  will bend with the finger, but the extension cannot reverse bend during use. In other words, the bending is a one way bending with the return to the normal position as nested in the sleeves. 
     The link  90  is substantially identical to the link  80 . The link  100  is substantially identical to the links  80  and  90  in the tongue-like projection or element and slot structure, but is wider, as shown in  FIG. 2 , to provide offset end walls  102  and  104  to limit the outward movement or outward distance that the extension  64  may move. This will be discussed below. 
     The link  110  is the same width as the link  100 . The link  100  includes both tongue-like projections or elements and slot elements but, as stated above, is the proximal link and thus includes a proximal end wall  112 . 
     Each of the links  70 ,  80 ,  90 ,  100 , and  110  include aligned apertures and pins to join together the respective links, as shown for the links  70  and  80  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     Generally, the links  80 ,  90 ,  100 , and  110  may be considered as the base of the extension  64 . The link  70  may be considered as the tip. The base moves in and through the sleeve  62 , and the tip  70  moves outwardly from the sleeve  62  as desired by the user. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view in partial section through the finger  60 , showing the extension  64  in its closed or nested position.  FIG. 7  shows the extension  64  moved linearly outwardly in its outermost position, generally straight and parallel to the finger  FIG. 8  is a view in partial section taken generally along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . For the following discussion, reference may be made to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , specifically, and also to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  as directed. 
     For convenience, the extension  64  is shown without the link structure shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , as discussed above. The sleeve  62  is shown appropriately secured to the top of the finger  60 . Three rings  120 ,  122 , and  124  are shown extending through the finger  60  and in the sleeve  62 . 
     The rings are inflexible and made of appropriate material for strength. The rings need not be round, but are configured appropriately as desired to confine the extensions, as may be understood from  FIG. 8 . 
     The rings  120 ,  122 , and  124  allows the links  70 ,  80 , and  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , to move through the rings as the extension  64  is moved outwardly by the astronaut user. However, the offset end walls  102  and  104  cannot pass through the rings  122  and  124  and thus limit the outward movement of the extension  64 . See  FIG. 2 . 
     Another function of the rings  120 ,  122 , and  124  is to provide alignment for the extension  64 . The rings, along with the sleeve  62 , limit the sideways or lateral movement of the extension  64 . Thus, the extension  64  remains substantially aligned with the finger  60 . 
     Also, as may be understood and is obvious from  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the inflexible rings  120 ,  122 , and  124  also prevent the extension  64  from reverse bending during use, as with the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , as discussed above. Thus, the extension  64  remains substantially aligned generally parallel to the finger  60  as the finger  60  moves or bends in accordance with the movement of the astronaut&#39;s hand and digit (not shown) movements within the finger  60 . 
     While the design of the links prevents the reverse bending of the extensions in normal action or movements of the astronaut&#39;s fingers, as discussed above, the inflexible rings also insure that an extension remains secured to the glove and the respective fingers and sleeves regardless of the upward force placed on an extension. This is best illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the ring  122  disposed in the sleeve  62  and extending through the finger  60 . The upper portion of the extension  64  is confined between the sleeve  62  and the finger  60 . In addition to the ring  122 , the extension  64  is also confined by the rings  120  and  124 , thus insuring that the extension  64  cannot move upwardly from the generally parallel orientation of the finger  60  in response to a movement of the finger  60  by the digit (not shown) of the astronaut user. 
     Thus, the inflexible rings provide the structural strength to insure that an extension does not interfere with the integrity of a glove, always insuring that an extension remains generally parallel to the finger and the user&#39;s digit within the glove&#39;s finger. In maintaining the generally parallel orientation between an extension and the finger, and thus the user&#39;s digit in the finger, not only do the rings prevent the upward bending of the extension, but they also help to protect the user&#39;s digit from being overextended upwardly regardless of the force put on an extension. 
     While three rings  120 ,  122 , and  124  are illustrated, more or fewer rings may be used, as deemed appropriate. For example, it may be advantageous to have one ring for each link in an extension. Moreover, the length of a sleeve and its extension may also be as desired or as appropriate. 
     Another embodiment of an extension is shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 , and  12 .  FIG. 9  is a top plan view a portion of an extension  130 .  FIG. 10  is a side view of the extension  130 .  FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a portion of the extension  130 .  FIG. 12  is an enlarged side view in partial section of a portion of the extension  130 . For the following discussion, reference will be made to  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 , and  12 . 
     The extension  130  comprises links  132 ,  150 ,  180 , and  190 . In  FIG. 11 , the link  132  is shown to include a distal curved end  134  and a bottom pad  136 . The link  132  also includes a curved rear end wall portions  138  and  140 , and a slanted rear end wall  142 . A tongue-like projection or element  144  extends rearwardly from the slanted rear end wall  142 . Above the tongue-like element  144  is a straight portion  146  of the rear end wall joining the curved portions  138  and  140 . 
     The link  150  includes a curved front end wall portion  152 , and a curved front end wall portion  154  and a straight portion  156  joining the curved portions  153  and  154 . The link  150  also includes a rearwardly slanted end wall  158 . The straight portion  156  abuts the straight portion  146  of the link  132 . 
     The link  150  also includes a slot  160  which receives the tongue-like element  144  of the link  132 . Aligned apertures in the tongue-like element  144  and the link  150  receive a pin  148  to pivotally secure the links  132  and  150  together. 
     The downward pivoting of the links  132  and  150  is limited by the slanted portions  142  and  158 . As the link  132  pivots downwardly, the wall  142  will contact the wall  158  and no further pivoting may occur. Upward pivoting of the link  132  relative to the link  150  is prevented by the contact or abutment of the wall portions  146  and  158  on the links  130  and  150 , respectively. Again, the pivoting of the extension  130  is a one way pivoting, with reverse bending of the link prevented by the contact or abutment of the respective wall portions. 
     The link  150  also includes a rounded rear end wall portion  162  and a rounded rear end wall portion  164 . The rounded portions  160  and  162  are joined by a straight portion  166  which abuts a mating straight portion of the link  180 . The link  150  also includes a rearwardly extending tongue-like projection or element  170 . The tongue-like element  170  extends outwardly from a slanted rear wall  168 . 
     The link  180  is substantially identical to the link  150  in general in that it includes rounded or curved portions like the curved portions  152  and  154  and curved or rounded portions  162  and  164  and straight portions like the straight portions  156  and  166  between the respective rounded or curved portions of the link  150 . The link  180  also includes a slanted front wall beneath the curved and straight portions, as shown in  FIG. 10 . A slot extends into the slanted wall to receive the tongue-like element  170  of the link  150 . 
     However, the width of the link  180  is greater than the width of the links  132  and  150  to limit the outward movement of the extension  130 , substantially the same as discussed above for the extension  64  when the extension  130  is used with the ring structure of  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 . 
     The link  190  has the same structure on its front end as discussed above for the links  150  and  180  to allow it to be secured to the link  180 . However, since it is the proximal or rear link for the extension  130 , it includes a straight rear end wall  192 . 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic representation in partial section of the finger  40  and its sleeve  42 , but with an alternate embodiment  200  of a finger extension. For purposes of simplification, rings are not shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . However, it will be understood that the discussion of rings in conjunction with the embodiments of  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , is also applicable to the extension embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 , and to the finger and extension embodiment of  FIGS. 13 and 14 , and also to the extension embodiments of  FIGS. 15 and 16 , and to the finger and extension embodiment of  FIG. 17 . Indeed, the ring structure is applicable to all of the extension embodiments illustrated in the drawing figures and discussed herein. 
     The finger extension  200  includes a base  202  and an end portion  204  which completely encloses a distal tip  41  of the finger  40 . The end portion  204  comprises an end cap for the end  41  of the finger  40 . The end cap  204  may be as long or as short as desired. The base may be segmented as discussed above in conjunction with the extensions  64  or  130 , or otherwise, as discussed below. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of another alternate embodiment finger extension  210  in the environment of the finger  30 . The finger  30  includes a distal tip  31  and the sleeve  32 . 
     The extension  210  includes a base portion  212  and an end cap portion  214 . Covering the end cap  214  is an end cap sleeve  216 . The end cap sleeve encloses the end cap  214 . When the extension  210  is in its closed or nested position, as shown, the end cap  214  and its sleeve  216  essentially becomes a thicker portion of the finger  30  for the astronaut user. 
       FIG. 15  is a side view of another alternate extension  220 .  FIG. 16  is a side view of the extension  220  sequentially following  FIG. 15 , illustrating the pivoting movement of the extension  220 . For the following discussion, reference will be made to  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
     The extension  220  includes a rear flexible portion  222  and a front rigid portion  230 . The rigid portion  230  includes a curved end  232  and a bottom recess  234 . The recess  234  is spaced apart rearwardly from the curved end  232 . The recess receives a laminate portion  224  of the flexible portion  222 . The flexible portion  224  is appropriately secured in the recess  234 . As the extension  220  is moved outwardly from its sleeve, not shown, the rigid end  230  may bend as at  226 . The bending of the extension  220  may be limited in its outward movement from its sleeve. Again, the use of rings as discussed above, and a widened portion of the flexible portion to abut a limiting ring, may limit the outward movement of the extension  220 . 
     While the flexible portion  222  is shown as comprising an elastomeric material, it will be noted that any appropriate flexible material may be used. Such material must be flexible in the confines of space. 
     The curved end  232  is dimensioned to fit over the tip or end of a finger in its inner or nested position, as illustrated and discussed above in conjunction with other embodiments. 
     The curved end  232  is shown without a pad, and likewise the curved ends or caps  204  and  214 , discussed above in conjunction with  FIGS. 13 and 14 , are shown without pads. It will be noted that the pads are located beneath the tips of the astronaut&#39;s fingers for usage. 
     The extension elements essentially become extensions of the astronaut&#39;s fingers. They may be dimensioned as appropriate, and the extension elements for each finger need not be the same length. 
     If desired, the end portion for the thumb digit, such as the finger  20 , may be wider than a single digit as shown so that the user may grasp an element with the thumb and more than one finger, such as between the thumb and index and middle fingers. As may be best understood from  FIG. 1 , the tip of the thumb may be opposed with the index finger and the middle finger for easy grasping. As indicated, a widened thumb extension may also allow opposition with the index finger and the middle finger, or all four of the fingers, as needed or as desired. 
       FIG. 17  is a schematic top view of a portion of a finger  240  and a sleeve  242  secured thereto. The sleeve  242  includes a front or distal portion  244  and a rear of proximal portion  246 . The rear portion  246  is wider than the front portion  244 . A pair of shoulders  248  and  250  extend between the respective narrow portion  244  and the wide portion  246 . 
     A portion of an extension  260  is shown associated with the sleeve  242 . The extension  260  includes a front narrow portion  262  and a wider rear portion  264 . A pair of shoulders  266  and  268  extend between the respective narrow portion  262  and the wide portion  264 . The tip, not shown, extends from the narrow portion  262 . 
     The outward movement of the extension  260  is limited by the shoulders  248 ,  250  and  266  and  268  of the sleeve  242  and the extension  260 , respectively. In  FIG. 17 , the respective shoulders are shown in an abutting relationship, indicating that the extension  260  is at its outermost location. 
       FIG. 17  thus illustrates another method of limiting the outward movement of an extension. The inward or nesting orientation or location of the extensions is defined by the abutment of the end or tip of an extension and the tip of its finger, as shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  13 , and  14 . 
     Returning again to  FIG. 8 , a bridge across the ring  122  within the finger  60  and below the extension  64  would provide extra strength or reinforcement in the ring. Such bridge would essentially provide a slot in the ring for the extension  64  and would provide more accurate and more precise movement of the extension. 
     It will be noted that the pads are located so as to be opposable relative to the thumb for grasping an object or element. That is, an object or element may be grasped by the thumb and an adjacent finger or fingers, with the pads aligned with the bottom of the tips of the astronaut just as if the astronaut were grasping the object or implement without the impediment of the astronaut suit and its cumbersome gloves. 
     It will also be noted that there is appropriate frictional engagement between the sleeves and the extensions so that a positive movement by the user is required to move the extensions relative to the sleeves. The extensions will not move unless the user astronaut positively moves them. They will not move of their own accord as the user&#39;s arms and hands move. Once in the desired position, they will remain until positively moved inwardly or outwardly by the user. If desired, of course, the extension elements may be fixed in place for particular usage. 
     It will be further noted that the use environment of the present invention has been for astronaut gloves. However, there may be adaptations for the finger extensions for other than for astronaut gloves. The present invention is thus appropriate for any application when a user&#39;s finger dexterity is required but hampered by the glove requirements, as with astronaut gloves, deep sea dry diving, etc. 
     While the principles of the above described apparatus have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, without departing from those principles there may occur to those skilled in the art modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the apparatus, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.