Abstract:
In a flat display apparatus capable of decreasing an emission of an electromagnetic radiation, a flat display apparatus includes a flat display panel, a first receiving container, a driving part, a second receiving container and a ground member. The flat display panel displays an image. The first receiving container receives the flat display panel. The driving part is disposed on the first receiving container to drive the flat display panel. The second receiving container covers the driving part to block an electromagnetic radiation radiated from the driving part. The ground member is formed with the second receiving container to electrically connect the first receiving container to the second receiving container. Therefore, the second receiving container is electrically connected to an earth potential through the ground member and the first receiving container to decrease the emission of the electromagnetic radiation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    The present application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2003-35292, filed on Jun. 2, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a flat display apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flat display apparatus capable of decreasing an emission of an electromagnetic radiation.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    A display apparatus having a cathode ray tube (CRT) is used as a monitor of a television receiver set, a measurement and control system, a personal computer (PC), etc.  
           [0006]    The display apparatus having the cathode ray tube (CRT) has large size, heavy weight and high power consumption.  
           [0007]    A flat display apparatus is smaller and lighter than the display apparatus having the cathode ray tube (CRT). The flat display apparatus is classified into a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus, a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic electro luminescent display (OELD) apparatus, etc. The LCD apparatus has various characteristics, for example, such as high luminance, high efficiency, uniform luminance, long lifetime, thin thickness, light weight and low cost and so on.  
           [0008]    A timing signal, a data signal, a driving signal, an image signal, etc., are applied to the LCD apparatus. A portion of the signals is generated from an integrated circuit of a printed circuit board (PCB). The LCD apparatus radiates electromagnetic radiations formed by the signals.  
           [0009]    Power consumption of a backlight assembly that supplies an LCD panel of the LCD apparatus with a light increases in proportion to a size of the LCD panel. Therefore, an amount of the electromagnetic radiation radiated from the LCD apparatus increases in proportion to the power consumption of the backlight assembly.  
           [0010]    In particular, the integrated circuit generates an electromagnetic radiation of high frequency. Therefore, an electro magnetic interference (EMI) may occur.  
           [0011]    When the electromagnetic radiation is radiated to an electronic instrument or a human body, a malfunction of the electronic instrument or a human disease may occur.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention provides a flat display apparatus capable of decreasing an emission of an electromagnetic radiation.  
           [0013]    The flat display apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a flat display panel, a first receiving container, a driving part, a second receiving container and a ground member. The flat display panel displays an image. The first receiving container receives the flat display panel. The driving part is disposed on the first receiving container to drive the flat display panel. The second receiving container covers the driving part to block an electromagnetic radiation radiated from the driving part. The ground member is formed with the second receiving container to electrically connect the first receiving container to the second receiving container.  
           [0014]    The flat display apparatus in accordance with another aspect of the present invention includes a display unit, a bottom chassis, a printed circuit board (PCB), a PCB case and a ground member. The display unit displays an image. The bottom chassis is disposed under the display unit to receive the display unit. The printed circuit board (PCB) is disposed under the bottom chassis to apply an electric signal to the display unit. The PCB case is disposed under the bottom chassis. The PCB case includes a bottom surface, a sidewall protruded from a side of the bottom surface and a receiving space defined by the sidewall to receive the printed circuit board to block an electromagnetic radiation generated from the printed circuit board (PCB). The ground member is formed with the PCB case. The ground member is disposed between the sidewall and the bottom chassis to electrically connect the PCB case to the bottom chassis.  
           [0015]    The flat display apparatus in accordance with still another aspect of the present invention includes a display unit, a backlight assembly, a bottom chassis, an inverter, an inverter case and a ground member. The display unit displays an image. The backlight assembly is disposed under the display unit to supply the display unit with a light. The bottom chassis is disposed under the backlight assembly to receive the display unit and the backlight assembly. The inverter is disposed under the bottom chassis to apply an electric signal and an electric power to the display unit. The inverter case is disposed under the bottom chassis. The inverter case includes a bottom surface, a sidewall protruded from a side of the bottom surface and a receiving space defined by the sidewall to receive the inverter to block an electromagnetic radiation generated from the inverter. The ground member is formed with the inverter case. The ground member is disposed between the sidewall and the bottom chassis to electrically connect the inverter case to the bottom chassis.  
           [0016]    Therefore, the ground member is disposed between the PCB case and the bottom chassis or between the inverter case and the bottom chassis so that the PCB case or the inverter case is electrically connected to the earth potential, thereby decreasing the emission of the electromagnetic radiation. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The above and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an LCD apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a backside of the LCD apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a PCB case shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inverter case shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a PCB case in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an inverter case in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a graph showing a relationship between a frequency and an amplitude of an electromagnetic radiation of a conventional LCD apparatus; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a graph showing a relationship between a frequency and an amplitude of an electromagnetic radiation of the LCD apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]    It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described below may be varied modified in many different ways without departing from the inventive principles disclosed herein, and the scope of the present invention is therefore not limited to these particular following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be through and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by way of example and not of limitation.  
         [0027]    Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an LCD apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a backside of the LCD apparatus shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the LCD apparatus  100  includes an LCD module  130 , a front case  110  and a rear case  120 . The LCD module  130  displays an image in response to an image signal. The front and rear cases  110  and  120  receive the LCD module  130 .  
         [0030]    The LCD module  130  includes a display unit  170  and a backlight assembly  150 . The display unit  170  includes an LCD panel  171 . The backlight assembly  150  supplies the display unit  170  with a light.  
         [0031]    The display unit  170  includes an LCD panel  171 , a printed circuit board (PCB,  176 ) and a tape carrier package (TCP,  178 ). The image is displayed on the LCD panel  171 .  
         [0032]    The LCD panel  171  includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate  172 , a color filter substrate  173  and a liquid crystal (not shown).  
         [0033]    When a timing signal and a driving signal are applied to a gate electrode and a source electrode of a TFT of the TFT substrate  172 , respectively, an electric field is formed between a pixel electrode of the TFT substrate  172  and a common electrode of the color filter substrate  173 . The liquid crystal (not shown) varies arrangement in response to the electric field applied thereto, and a light transmittance of the liquid crystal (not shown) may be changed.  
         [0034]    The arrangement and the light transmittance of the liquid crystal (not shown) are controlled by the driving signal and the timing signal. The timing signal is applied to the gate electrode of the TFT through a gate line. The driving signal is applied to the source electrode of the TFT through a data line.  
         [0035]    When the driving signal and the timing signal are applied to the data line and the gate line, the driving signal and the timing signal are applied to the source electrode and the gate electrode of the TFT, respectively. Therefore, the TFT is turned on/off to output an electric signal to a drain electrode of the TFT.  
         [0036]    The color filter substrate  173  is disposed at a position corresponding to the TFT substrate  172 . The color filter substrate  173  includes a color filter. When a light passes through the color filter, a light having a predetermined color is formed. The color filter includes a red color filter portion, a green color filter portion and a blue color filter portion. The color filter may be formed through a photo process or a photolithography process. The common electrode including an indium tin oxide (ITO) is formed on the color filter substrate  173 .  
         [0037]    The backlight assembly  150  is disposed under the display unit  170 . The backlight assembly  150  supplies the display unit  170  with the light having a uniform luminance. The backlight assembly  150  includes a light guide plate  152 , an optical sheet assembly  153 , a lamp  162  and a reflecting plate  154 . The backlight assembly  150  may also include a lamp assembly having a plurality of the lamps. The lamp  162  generates a light. The light guide plate  152  guides the light generated from the lamp  162  into the display unit  170 . The optical sheet assembly  153  uniformizes the light exiting from the light guide plate  152 . A portion of the light generated from the lamp  162  is reflected from the reflecting plate  154  into the light guide plate  152 . The backlight assembly  150  includes an inverter  165  and an inverter case  139 . The inverter  165  applies a lamp driving signal and an electric power to the lamp  162  of the backlight assembly  150 . The inverter case  139  covers the inverter  165 .  
         [0038]    A second embossed pattern  139   a  is disposed on the inverter case  139 . Alternatively, the second embossed pattern  139   a  may be integrally formed with the inverter case  139 . The second embossed pattern  139   a  is disposed between the inverter case  139  and the bottom chassis  134 . The inverter case  139  is electrically connected to the bottom chassis  134  through the second embossed pattern  139   a  so that the inverter case  139  is electrical connected to an earth potential through the second embossed pattern  139   a  and the bottom chassis  134 . In addition, the inverter case  139  protects the inverter  165  from an impact that is provided from an exterior to the LCD apparatus  100 .  
         [0039]    The LCD apparatus  100  includes a direct illumination type backlight assembly. Alternatively, the LCD apparatus  100  may include an edge illumination type backlight assembly.  
         [0040]    The display unit  170  is disposed on the backlight assembly  150 . The display unit  170  and the backlight assembly  150  are received in the bottom chassis  134 . A mold frame  132  is disposed between the backlight assembly  150  and the bottom chassis  134  to support the backlight assembly  150 . The top chassis  140  is disposed at a position corresponding to the mold frame  132  to secure the display unit  170 .  
         [0041]    The printed circuit board (PCB)  176  is disposed under the bottom chassis  134 . The printed circuit board (PCB)  176  is electrically connected to the LCD panel  171  through the tape carrier package  178 .  
         [0042]    The PCB case  138  is disposed under the bottom chassis  134 . The PCB case  138  receives the printed circuit board (PCB)  176  to prevent an emission of an electromagnetic radiation. The PCB case  138  includes a first bottom surface, a first sidewall and a first receiving space. The first sidewall is protruded from a side of the first bottom surface. The first receiving space is defined by the first sidewall. The PCB case  138  protects the printed circuit board (PCB)  176  from the impact that is provided from the exterior to the LCD apparatus  100 .  
         [0043]    The first embossed pattern  138   a  is disposed on the PCB case  138 . Alternatively, the first embossed pattern  138   a  may be integrally formed with the PCD case  138 . The first embossed pattern  138   a  is disposed between the first sidewall of the PCB case  138  and the bottom chassis  134  so that the bottom chassis  134  is electrically connected to the PCB case  138 . Therefore, the PCB case  138  is electrically connected to the earth potential through the first embossed pattern  138   a  and the bottom chassis  134 .  
         [0044]    The LCD apparatus  100  includes an integrated printed circuit board (PCB)  176  having a data printed circuit board (PCB) and a gate printed circuit board (PCB) that is integrated with the data printed circuit board (PCB). Alternatively, the LCD apparatus  100  may include a data printed circuit board (PCB) and a gate printed circuit board (PCB) spaced apart from the data printed circuit board (PCB). When the LCD apparatus  100  includes the data printed circuit board (PCB) and the gate printed circuit board (PCB) spaced apart from the data printed circuit board (PCB), the LCD apparatus  100  includes a data PCB case, a gate PCB case, a first data embossed pattern that is disposed on the data PCB case, and a first gate PCB case that is disposed on the gate PCB case.  
         [0045]    In addition, the LCD apparatus  100  may further include a plurality of the printed circuit boards (PCBs), a plurality of the PCB cases, and a plurality of the first embossed patterns that are disposed on the PCB cases.  
         [0046]    The mold frame  132  includes an insulating material. The backlight assembly  150  includes a lamp  162 , a reflecting plate  154  and optical sheet assembly  153 . The backlight assembly  150  may include a plurality of the lamps.  
         [0047]    The LCD panel  171  is electrically connected to an end portion of the printed circuit board (PCB)  176  through the tape carrier passage (TCP)  178 . The tape carrier passage (TCP)  178  is bended toward a backside of the bottom chassis  134  so that the PCB  176  is disposed on the backside of the bottom chassis  134 .  
         [0048]    The printed circuit board (PCB)  176  disposed on the backside of the bottom chassis  134  includes a plurality of driving integrated circuits  176   a  that generate driving signals.  
         [0049]    The driving integrated circuits  176   a  radiates an electromagnetic radiation. The PCB case  138  blocks the electromagnetic radiation. The blocked electromagnetic radiation induces an electric current in the PCB case  138 . The PCB case  138  that blocks the electromagnetic radiation is electrically connected to the earth potential through the first embossed pattern  138   a  and the bottom chassis  134 .  
         [0050]    The PCB case  138  covers the printed circuit board (PCB)  176 . Alternatively, the PCB case  138  may cover a portion of the printed circuit board (PCB)  176 .  
         [0051]    The lamp  162  is electrically connected to the inverter  165  through a wire  163 . The inverter  165  applies a driving signal and an electric power to the lamp  162 . The wire  163  is bended toward the backside of the bottom chassis  134  so that the inverter  165  is disposed on the backside of the bottom chassis  134 . Alternatively, a connecter  164  may be disposed between the inverter  165  and the wire  163 .  
         [0052]    The inverter  165  radiates an electromagnetic radiation. The inverter case  139  blocks the electromagnetic radiation. The blocked electromagnetic radiation induces an electric current in the inverter case  139 . The inverter case  139  that blocks the electromagnetic radiation is electrically connected to the earth potential through the second embossed pattern  139   a  and the bottom chassis  134 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a PCB case shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0054]    Referring to FIGS.  1  to  3 , the PCB case  138  includes the first bottom surface  138   b , the first sidewall  138   c  and the first receiving space  138   e . The first sidewall  138   c  is protruded from the side of the first bottom surface  138   b . The first sidewall  138   c  defines the first receiving space  138   e  that receives the PCB  176 . The first sidewall  138   c  includes a first extended portion  138   d  that is extended in a direction in parallel with the first bottom surface  138   b  from an end portion opposite to the first bottom surface  138   b.    
         [0055]    The first embossed pattern  138   a  is disposed on the first extended portion  138   d . Alternatively, the first extended portion  138   d  may be omitted so that the first embossed pattern  138   a  is disposed on the end portion opposite to the first bottom surface  138   b . The first embossed pattern  138   a  is disposed on the first extended portion  138   d  so that the PCB case  138  is electrically connected to the bottom chassis  134 . The first embossed pattern  138   a  has a hemispheric shape, a polypyramidal shape, a cylindrical shape, a polyprismatic shape, etc.  
         [0056]    The PCB case  138  blocks the electromagnetic radiation radiated from the printed circuit board (PCB)  176  so that the electromagnetic radiation induces the electric current in the PCB case  138 . The induced current formed in the PCB case  138  is electrically connected to the earth potential through the first embossed pattern  138   a  and the bottom chassis  134 .  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inverter case shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0058]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  4 , the inverter case  139  includes the second bottom surface  139   b , the second sidewall  139   c  and the second receiving space  139   e . The second sidewall  139   c  is protruded from the side of the second bottom surface  139   b . The second sidewall  139   c  defines the second receiving space  139   e  that receives the inverter  165 . The second sidewall  139   c  includes a second extended portion  139   d  that is extended in a direction in substantially parallel with the second bottom surface  139   b  from an end portion opposite to the second bottom surface  139   b.    
         [0059]    The second embossed pattern  139   a  is disposed on the second extended portion  139   d . Alternatively, the second extended portion  139   d  may be omitted so that the second embossed pattern  139   a  is disposed on the end portion opposite to the second bottom surface  139   b . The second embossed pattern  139   a  is disposed on the second extended portion  139   d  so that the inverter case  139  is electrically connected to the bottom chassis  134 . The second embossed pattern  139   a  has the hemispheric shape, the polypyramidal shape, the cylindrical shape, the polyprismatic shape, etc.  
         [0060]    The inverter case  139  blocks the electromagnetic radiation radiated from the inverter  165  so that the electromagnetic radiation induces the electric current in the inverter case  139 . The induced current formed in the inverter case  139  is electrically connected to the earth potential through the second embossed pattern  139   a  and the bottom chassis  134 .  
         [0061]    According to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first and second embossed patterns  138   a  and  139   a  are disposed between the PCB case  138  and the bottom chassis  134  and between the inverter case  139  and the bottom chassis  134 , respectively, to decrease the emission of the electromagnetic radiation.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a PCB case in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an inverter case in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements in FIGS.  1  to  4 , and thus any further detailed descriptions concerning the same elements will be omitted except for an extended protrusion.  
         [0063]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  5 , a PCB case  238  includes a first bottom surface  238   b , a first sidewall  238   c  and a first receiving space  238   e . The first sidewall  238   c  is protruded from a side of the first bottom surface  238   b . The first sidewall  238   c  defines the first receiving space  238   e  that receives a printed circuit board (PCB)  176 . The first sidewall  238   c  includes a first extended portion  238   d  that is extended in a direction in substantially parallel with the first bottom surface  238   b  from an end portion opposite to the first bottom surface  238   b.    
         [0064]    The first extended protrusion  238   a  is disposed on the first extended portion  238   d . Alternatively, the first extended portion  238   d  may be omitted so that the first extended protrusion  238   a  is disposed on the end portion opposite to the first bottom surface  238   b . The first extended protrusion  238   a  is disposed on the first extended portion  238   d  so that the PCB case  238  is electrically connected to a bottom chassis  134 . The first extended protrusion  238   a  has a hemispheric shape, a polypyramidal shape, a cylindrical shape, a polyprismatic shape, etc.  
         [0065]    The PCB case  238  blocks the electromagnetic radiation radiated from the printed circuit board (PCB)  176  so that the electromagnetic radiation induces an electric current in the PCB case  238 . The induced current formed in the PCB case  238  is electrically connected to an earth potential through the first extended protrusion  238   a  and the bottom chassis  134 .  
         [0066]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  6 , an inverter case  239  includes a second bottom surface  239   b , a second sidewall  239   c  and a second receiving space  239   e . The second sidewall  239   c  is protruded from a side of the second bottom surface  239   b . The second sidewall  239   c  defines the second receiving space  239   e  that receives an inverter  165 . The second sidewall  239   c  includes a second extended portion  239   d  that is extended in a direction in substantially parallel with the second bottom surface  239   b  from an end portion opposite to the second bottom surface  239   b.    
         [0067]    The second extended protrusion  239   a  is disposed on the second extended portion  239   d . Alternatively, the second extended portion  239   d  may be omitted so that the second extended protrusion  239   a  is disposed on the end portion opposite to the second bottom surface  239   b . The second extended protrusion  239   a  is disposed on the second extended portion  239   d  so that the inverter case  239  is electrically connected to the bottom chassis  134 . The second extended protrusion  239   a  has the hemispheric shape, the polypyramidal shape, the cylindrical shape, the polyprismatic shape, etc.  
         [0068]    The inverter case  239  blocks the electromagnetic radiation radiated from the inverter  165  so that the electromagnetic radiation induces an electric current in the inverter case  239 . The induced current formed in the inverter case  239  is electrically connected to the earth potential through the second extended portion  239   a  and the bottom chassis  134 .  
         [0069]    According to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first and second extended protrusions  238   a  and  239   a  are disposed between the PCB case  238  and the bottom chassis  134  and between the inverter case  239  and the bottom chassis  134 , respectively, to decrease the emission of the electromagnetic radiation.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 7 is a graph showing a relationship between a frequency and an amplitude of an electromagnetic radiation of a conventional LCD apparatus. FIG. 8 is a graph showing a relationship between a frequency and an amplitude of an electromagnetic radiation of the LCD apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements in FIGS.  1  to  4 , and thus any further detailed descriptions concerning the same elements will be omitted except for an extended protrusion. The horizontal axis represents the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation and the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the electromagnetic radiation. The points represent frequencies corresponding to strong electromagnetic radiations.  
         [0071]    Referring to a portion ‘A’ of FIG. 7, the conventional LCD apparatus radiates an electromagnetic radiation having a frequency of about 700 MHz to about 800 MHz.  
         [0072]    Referring to a portion ‘B’ of FIG. 8, an amount of an electromagnetic radiation having the frequency of about 700 MHz to about 800 MHz, which is radiated from the LCD apparatus of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is smaller than that of the conventional LCD apparatus.  
                                                                         TABLE 1                           represents the frequency and the amplitude       corresponding to each of the points.                Conventional   LCD Apparatus of First           LCD Apparatus   Exemplary Embodiment            No. of   Frequency   Amplitude   Frequency   Amplitude       Point   [MHz]   [dBμm]   [MHz]   [dBμm]                    1   801   40.61   801   36.49       2   766   40.45   890   32.96       3   780   39.3   697   32.15       4   759   38.52   547   29.73       5   711   38.37   480   27.84       6   643   36.87   402   25.62       7   745   36.41   339   25.41       8   983   36.4   321   23.92       9   914   36.13       10   948   35.51                  
 
         [0073]    Referring to Table 1, the conventional LCD apparatus radiates strong electromagnetic radiations having the amplitude of about 40.61 dBμm corresponding to the frequency of about 801 MHz, the amplitude of about 40.45 dBμm corresponding to the frequency of about 766 MHz, the amplitude of about 39.3 dBμm corresponding to the frequency of about 780 MHz, the amplitude of about 38.52 dBμm corresponding to the frequency of about 759 MHz, and the amplitude of about 38.37 dBμm corresponding to the frequency of 711 MHz.  
         [0074]    The conventional LCD apparatus has four points corresponding to the frequency of about 700 MHz to about 800 MHz. In contrast, the LCD apparatus in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention does not have any point corresponding to the frequency of about 700 MHz to about 800 MHz.  
         [0075]    Therefore, an inverter case and a PCB case of the LCD apparatus in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention decreases the emission of the electromagnetic radiations that are generated from a PCB and an inverter. In addition, induced currents that are induced by the electromagnetic radiations are connected to an earth potential to improve a display quality of the LCD apparatus.  
         [0076]    According to the present invention, the embossed pattern is disposed between the PCB case and the bottom chassis or between the inverter case and the bottom chassis so that the PCB case of the inverter case is electrically connected to the earth potential through the embossed pattern and the bottom chassis, thereby decreasing the emission of the electromagnetic radiation.  
         [0077]    This invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments. It is evident, however, that many alternative modifications and variations will be apparent to those having skill in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternative modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.