Abstract:
A collapsible game board having a plurality of rectangular shaped sections joined side by side at a lengthwise edge by a flexible member. The flexible member enables the sections to be folded into a generally rectangular shape with a hollow cavity therethrough. A plurality of closing elements are attached to the game board and are operatively arranged to magnetically interact to secure the game board in a folded configuration or around a case. The rectangular shaped sections preferably have a game design imprinted on one side. Alternatively, either a plurality of strips of the flexible member can be adhered at joints where the lengthwise edge of the rectangular shaped sections meet or a single sheet of the flexible material can be adhered to every rectangular shaped section opposite the game design.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to a game board, more particularly to a collapsible game board that is comprised of incrementally wider longitudinal segments that are adhered to a flexible backing on the non-playing side of the board. The game board can also include closing elements that are operatively arranged to magnetically secure the game board closed or connected to a case that can hold game pieces.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Game boards that are foldable or collapsible are known. Conventional game boards are designed to be folded to ease the storage of the game board. Some game boards (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 538,380 (McKenzie) and U.S. Pat. No. 724,760 (Altena)) are designed to increase the portability of games such as chess or checkers. Game boards of this style are formed from multiple segments that are joined at the edge of the segments by a flexible material. The flexible material enables the segments to be united into a single unit or board when in the unfolded configuration, or to be folded into a compact form. Game pieces can be held inside a hollow pocket that is formed after the game board is folded, however, the game pieces are not contained in a secure case and thus there is the potential that pieces can be lost or damaged. If the pieces are contained in a separate case, such as in the folding board disclosed by McKenzie, the folding pattern of the board, and the size of the case, prevents the case and board from being combined into one compact unit for easy transport. Also previous collapsible game boards either lack closing elements, or the closing elements and folding pattern are not conducive for easy and swift folding.  
         [0003]     The quintessential characteristic and goal of a folding game board of this type is its capability of being transported easily. Consequently, features that increase the portability of a game board are laudable. U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,546 (Iglesias) provides a game board that folds up for easy transport using a locking latch that locks the game board in the folded position. The game board is composed of several slats that have hollow chambers in the slats that can be used to hold game pieces. Each slat of the game board has a trapezoidal shape that permits the board to be rolled into an octagonal shape. The capacity to hold game pieces is provided by this style of game board, but the individual compartments are not large enough to hold all of the pieces. It is also difficult to place pieces into and/or remove them from these small compartments. Moreover, the locking latch, which secures the game board in the folded position, requires that the board be folded in precisely the same way each time and there is no means that assists the user in folding the board properly. If the board is not folded properly, the locking latch will not be aligned properly and in those instances the latch is useless.  
         [0004]     What is needed, then, is a collapsible game board that can overcome the above mentioned problems and that has closing elements that magnetically secures the game board in a collapsed position. In some aspects, the game board includes a case that assists in the folding of the game board and that can hold game pieces and magnetically holds the game board in a collapsed position.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention broadly comprises a collapsible game board having a plurality of rectangular shaped sections joined side by side at a lengthwise edge by a flexible member. The flexible member enables the sections to be folded into a generally rectangular shape with a hollow cavity therethrough. A plurality of closing elements attached to the game board are operatively arranged to magnetically interact to secure the game board in a folded configuration or around a case.  
         [0006]     The collapsible game board can further comprise rectangular shaped sections that are progressively greater in width. A first section can have a width that is less than successive sections, and the first section is preferably folded first when collapsing the game board. In some aspects, a last section is wider than all other sections. An opening tab can be attached to a longitudinal edge of the game board that can be used to open the game.  
         [0007]     The rectangular shaped sections preferably have a game design imprinted on one side. Alternatively, either a plurality of strips of the flexible member can be adhered at joints where the lengthwise edge of the rectangular shaped sections meet or a single sheet of the flexible material can be adhered to every rectangular shaped section opposite the game design.  
         [0008]     In another preferred embodiment, the game board includes a case that the game board can be folded around. The case can reside within the hollow cavity that is created when the game board is folded into a generally rectangular shape. Two enlarged cap portions fixedly attached to the ends of the case provide a guide that can prevent the game board from sliding off of the case. The case can further include at least one compartment capable of holding game pieces and the combination case and game board can further include game pieces, such as chess pieces, checker pieces, backgammon pieces, or countless other game board pieces. The case preferably includes closing elements attached to the case and operatively arranged to magnetically interact with the closing elements disposed on the game board. Preferably, the closing elements disposed on the game board are operatively arranged to magnetically interact with the closing elements disposed on the case. In some aspects, the closing elements on the game board and the case are magnetic or ferromagnetic. The closing elements on the case can be magnetic and/or ferromagnetic. The game board is preferably magnetically attachable to the case.  
         [0009]     It is a general object of the invention to provide a game board that can be foldable into a compact unit and that can be secured in a folded configuration by closing elements that magnetically interact.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the invention to provide a game board that is foldable around a case that is capable of holding game pieces.  
         [0011]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a game board that can be secured magnetically to a case.  
         [0012]     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in view of the several drawings of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a game board and case of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the game board and case shown in  FIG. 1  with the game board partially unfolded;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the game board shown in  FIG. 1  with the game board unfolded and one section of the board still attached to the case;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the game board shown in  FIG. 1  with the game board fully unfolded with a perspective view of the case partially shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the top of the game board shown in  FIG. 1  completely unfolded;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the back of the game board shown in  FIG. 1  completely unfolded with a portion of the backing folded back to reveal a closing element;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the left side of the case partially shown in  FIG. 3  with empty compartments;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the right side of the case partially shown in  FIG. 3  with game pieces inside the compartments of the case;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the bottom of the case partially shown in  FIG. 3 ; and,  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a vertical cross section of a fully folded game board on the case shown in  FIG. 1  taken generally at line  10 - 10 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. In the description below, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, and their derivatives, should be interpreted from the perspective of one viewing the game board as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]     Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0026]     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of game  8  of the present invention, which is comprised of game board  10  and case  40  (best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), with game board  10  in the closed or fully folded position. It should be understood that game board  10  can be folded around case  40  or merely folded around itself. Game board  10  consists of a collapsible or foldable game board with a plurality of slats or sections, where the first slat is designated as slat  12 . Slat  12  has an opening tab  28  connected to the middle of the longitudinal side of the perimeter of the slat. Opening tab  28  assists a user in unfolding game board  10 . Opening tab  28  can be made from various substances which can include, but is not limited to fabric, leather, vinyl, etc. In a preferred embodiment, opening tab  28  is constructed of synthetic leather and is attached to game board  10  with an adhesive. Opening tab  28  can be attached, constructed and positioned to game board  10  in various other ways and the attachment means, construction and positioning of opening tab  28  is in no way limited to the preferred method and position described above.  
         [0028]     In some aspects, game board  10  is folded around case  40  (best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) between end caps  42  and  44  which are located on the ends of case  40 . End caps  42  and  44  prevent game board  10  from sliding off the ends of case  40  when it is in wrapped around the case. End caps  42  and  44  are essentially square pieces that are attached to each end of main body  40   a  of case  40 . End caps  42  and  44  preferably extend outward from main body  40   a  of case  40  a distance equal to the thickness of game board  10  when it is folded about the case. In some aspects, the profile of end caps  42  and  44  is slightly larger then the profile of folded game board  10 . This arrangement enables end caps  42  and  44  to hold a folded game board  10  slightly above the surface the case is placed upon, thereby protecting game board  10  from being marred or worn prematurely when the game  8  is placed on a surface. If the profile of folded game board  10  is slightly smaller than end caps  42 , game board  10  will not touch the surface that game board  10  (folded on case  40 ) is placed on. In one embodiment, end caps  42  and  44  are roughly 2″ square and game board  10 , when in the fully folded position, forms a square that is roughly 2″ on each side. This preferred configuration delivers a game board and case combination that can be folded together and transported as one compact unit.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of game  8  showing game board  10  partially unfolded from case  40 . Slat  12  has been unsecured from case  40  by breaking the magnetic hold provided by the interaction of closing elements  32  and  30 , which are imbedded within the ends of slat  12 , with closing elements  52  and  54 , respectively (best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), which are imbedded within the top of case body  40   a . The front side of game board  10  has a game design of alternating black and white squares. The rear side of game board  10  has backing  38  attached, which is flexible and can cover the entire surface of the individual slats that make up game board  10 . Backing  38  is preferably constructed of a durable synthetic or natural paper which is resistant to tearing or wear that may be caused by repeated folding and unfolding of game board  10 . Using a paper backing material can reduce cost of manufacturing game board  10 , but it is entirely within the spirit and scope of the invention to use material such as fabric or another flexible material. Backing  38  is adhered to individual slats using any adhesive known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, backing  38  can be sewn onto game board  10  or the individual slats that make up game board  10 . Backing  38  is shown covering the entire surface of the individual slats that make up the game board. In other embodiments, backing  38  can be solely at the joints between the individual slats, or thin ribbons of backing  38  can be applied to the rear surface of the individual slats (not shown). Substituting a hinge for backing  38  is another possible alternative to enabling game board  10  to be foldable (not shown).  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of game board  10  entirely unfolded from case  40  with the exception for one slat. Slat  26  remains attached to case  40  due to the magnetic interaction of closing elements  34  and  36 , which are imbedded within the opposing ends of slat  26 , with closing elements  58  and  60 , respectively, which are imbedded within the left side of case  40 . As shown, case  40  has two separate compartments, compartment  46  and compartment  48  which are separated by divider  56 . Game pieces  50  can be contained within compartments  46  and  48 . Separate compartments provide a way to organize game pieces  50  according to color should the game pieces be checker pieces, as shown, which tend to have different colors assigned to opposing sides. Alternatively, the game pieces could be chessmen or backgammon pieces. If an alternative design should be applied to the surface of game board  10 , such as the design popularized by games like Scrabble™, Monopoly™, etc., game pieces appropriate for playing those games can be alternatively placed within compartments  46  and  48  and included as part of game  8 . It should be understood that case  40  can have one compartment, two compartments, or a plurality of compartments (not shown).  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the back of game board  10  fully unfolded from case  40  with slat  26  unsecured from case  40  by releasing the magnetic interaction of closing elements  34  and  36 , which are imbedded within opposite ends of slat  26 , to closing elements  60  and  62 , respectively, imbedded within the left side of case  40 . Case  40  is shown on top of the back of game board  10 . Case  40  is positioned over slat  24  of game board  10 , which obscures slat  24 . Although closing elements  34  and  36  are shown positioned to magnetically interact with case closing elements  60  and  62 , respectively, it should be understood that game board  10  can be repositioned on case  40  in numerous other ways. For example, closing element  34  and  36  can magnetically interact with closing elements  52  and  54 ,  64  and  66 , or  68  and  70 , respectively.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the top of game board  10  completely unfolded, sporting an alternating black and white pattern suitable for playing checkers or chess. It should be appreciated that other game board designs or patterns can be applied to game board  10  and such alternatives are considered within the spirit and scope of the invention. In one embodiment, game board  10  is comprised of eight separate rectangular shaped slats that are joined by backing  38 . In other embodiments, fewer or additional slats can be used. In one embodiment of game board  10 ,  25  each successive slat that is attached to slat  12  is incrementally reduced in width. To demonstrate, if slat  12  is 1.5″ wide then slat  14  would be 1.45″ wide, and so on. The change in width of the slats depends on the size of the overall board, the thickness of the slats and whether a case is used. If a case is used the size of the case influences the width of the slats as well. In a preferred embodiment of game  8  where case  40  has bottoms and sides that are 1.29″ wide, which game board  10  folds around, slat  12  is 1.71″; slats  14  and  16  are 1.59″; slats  18  and  20  are 1.47″; slats  22  and  24  are 1.35″; and slat  26  is 1.29″. This sequential change in slat width provides each slat the clearance to enable game board  10  to fold upon itself in a form that is compact and has a profile that is nearly a perfect square. In some aspects, the slats of the folded game board  10  lie flat against each other with no gaps between the slats. The initial slat  12  has a predetermined width and the following six slats, which are slats  14 - 24 , are reduced in width by pairs. That is, slat  14  and  16  are reduced to a similar width that is less than slat  12 ; slats  18  and  20  are reduced to a similar width that is less than slats  14  and  16 ; and slats  22  and  24  are reduced to a similar width that is less than slats  18  and  20 . The final slat, slat  26 , is reduced slightly to a width that is thinner than slats  22  and  24 . Coupling the reduction in width among the middle set of slats in pairs, is one way to enable game board  10  to fold tightly around case  40  to form a compact generally rectangular form with a profile that is almost perfectly square.  
         [0033]     Slat  12  has closing element  30 , which is imbedded in the end of the right side of slat  12 , and closing element  32 , which is imbedded in the end of the left side of slat  12 . Slat  26  has closing element  34 , which is imbedded in the end of the right side of slat  26 , and closing element  36 , which is imbedded in the end of the left side of slat  26 . Closing elements  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  can be constructed of either a ferromagnetic material, i.e., material that is attracted to a magnet, or a permanent magnetic material. Metals such as iron or nickel or alloys composed of those metals would be superior choices for ferromagnetic substances, but other metallic material can be substituted. Excellent choices for permanent magnetic materials include magnetized metals, ceramic magnets, or other magnetized materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the back of game board  10  completely unfolded with a portion of backing  38  folded back to reveal closing element  34 . Outlines of closing elements  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  reveal the preferred location of those elements. Preferably, closing elements  30  and  32  can be imbedded within slat  12  near the ends of the slat, and closing elements  34  and  36  can be imbedded within slat  26  near the ends of that slat. Alternatively, these closing elements can also be disposed at any other position on slats  12  and  26 , or disposed on other slats entirely. Shallow recesses, which are a depth that is roughly equivalent to the thickness of the closing elements, can be used to retain the closing elements within slats  12  and  26 . The closing elements can be secured within the recesses using an adhesive or another attachment means that would be known to one or ordinary skill in the art. Backing  38  is secured over top the imbedded closing elements. Opening tab  28  is shown attached at the middle of a longitudinal edge of slat  12 . In some aspects, opening tab  28  is adhered to slat  12  and backing  38  is adhered over tab  28 . Thus, backing  38  can be used as a primary or supplemental securing means for tab  28  or the closing elements attached to game board  10 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the left side of case  40 , absent game board  10 , with empty compartments  46  and  48 . Closing elements  60  and  62  are shown imbedded within the left side of case  40  at the ends of the left side distal to each other. Lining  58 , which covers the entire surface of compartment  46  and  48 , is preferably made from a soft material that can absorb shock and protect the contents placed with the compartments. Representative materials that can adequately be used as lining  58  include such products as foam rubber, felt, rubber, cork, fabric etc., but lining  58  is not limited to those materials. Separating the compartments is divider  56  which can be a hard plastic insert that is surrounded by a soft material that is similar what has been described above for lining  58 . Divider  56  can also be constructed entirely of a material like foam rubber, or various other materials. Implementing divider  56  is optional and it should be appreciated that in some instances it may be preferable that case  40  be undivided, or that case  40  include a plurality of dividers  56 . Case  40  can be constructed of a material like plastic, but case  40  is in no way limited to just that material. Other possible alternatives like wood, metal, acrylics, etc. can be substituted, but case  40  is in no way limited to those materials.  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the right side of case  40  with game pieces  50  placed inside compartments  46  and  48 . Closing elements  52  and  54  are disposed on the top of case  40  distal to each other and are shown imbedded within the top of case  40  within recesses that have a depth equal to the thickness of the closing elements. Closing elements  52  and  54  are operatively arranged to magnetically interact with closing elements  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  that are imbedded within game board  10 . The position at which game board  10  is magnetically attached to case  40  will determine which closing elements interact with each other. On the right side of case  40  are another set of closing elements, specifically closing elements  64  and  66 , which are also imbedded within case  40  at the ends of the case distal to each other. All closing elements used in game board  10  and case  40  are constructed of either a ferromagnetic material, i.e., material that is attracted to a magnet, or a permanent magnetic material. Metals such as iron or nickel or alloys composed of those metals would be superior choices for ferromagnetic substances, but other metallic material can be substituted. Excellent choices for permanent magnetic materials include magnetized metals, ceramic magnets, or other magnetized materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the bottom of case  40  partially shown in  FIG. 3  with game board  10  absent. Closing elements  68  and  70  are disposed on the bottom of case  40  and are operatively arranged to interact magnetically with closing elements  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  on game board  10 . The arrangement best suited to provide the magnetic interaction that will sufficiently magnetically attach game board  10  to case  40  is to position closing elements  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  and  70  near the ends of case  40  proximate to end caps  42  and  44 . Disposing closing elements on each end of the surfaces of case  40  facilitates that game board  10  will be magnetically attachable to case  40  at multiple locations. Arranging the closing elements on each surface of  40  also provides that game board  10  will resist unintentional removal of game board  10  from case  40 . Although, the positioning of the closing elements described above is a preferred arrangement, variations in the location of closing elements  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  and  70  can include disposing the closing elements at any position on case  40 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a vertical cross section view of game board  10  closed and folded around case  40 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , taken generally at line  10 - 10 . Closing elements  52 ,  60 ,  66  and  68  are shown imbedded within case  40  proximate to end cap  42 . While the closing elements are shown imbedded within recesses in case  40  it should be appreciated that other attachment arrangements for closing elements  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  and  70  are possible and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, closing elements  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  and  70  can be attached to the exterior surface of case  40 , or in recesses in case  40 , with an adhesive or an attachment means such as a brad, staple or nail. Another possible alternative attachment means for securing the closing elements to case  40  is using Velcro™ or hook and loop patches that are secured to the closing element and case  40 . Closing elements  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  and  70  can be attached to the surface of case  40 , or if imbedded in recesses they can be secured with an adhesive or similar attachment means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some aspects, the case closing elements are truly imbedded, meaning that they are not visible because they are hidden under a superficial layer of case  40 . Closing elements  52 ,  54 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  and  70  on case  40  secure game board  10  to case  40  preferably by magnetic interaction with game board closing elements  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36 . Both sets of closing elements on case  40  and game board  10  are operatively arranged to align with each other when game board  10  is folded around case  40 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , closing element  60 , on the left side of case  40  is aligned over closing element  36  disposed on slat  26  of the lower right corner on game board  10  (see  FIG. 6 ). Alternatively, if slat  26  was secured to the bottom of case  40 , closing element  68  would be aligned with closing element  36 . Thus, the position that slat  26  is attached to case  40  is open to the discretion of the user and as a result can be attached to the left side, right side, bottom or top of case  40 . Preferably each closing element disposed on case  40  is operatively arranged to align with the closing elements disposed on game board  10 .  
         [0039]     In some aspects, slat  26  is attached first to case  40  by the magnetic interaction of closing elements  52 ,  60 ,  66  or  68  with closing element  36  on one side of slat  26 , and the magnetic interaction of closing elements  54 ,  62 ,  64  or  70  with closing element  34  on the other side of slat  26 . The next slat that is folded around case  40  is slat  24 , which as shown is flat against the bottom surface of case  40  resting against case body  40   a . As shown, there are closing elements disposed on slats  26  and  12 . However, closing elements can be disposed on each slat (not shown). Disposing closing elements on both the ends of each slat can facilitate a more secure attachment of game board  10  to case  40 . In the embodiment shown, closing elements are not disposed on slats  14 - 24  and those slats merely lie upon the surface of case body  40   a  of case  40 . Slat  22  is shown abutting the right side of case  40 . Slat  20  is shown abutting the top of case  40 . Slat  20  also serves as the portion of game board  10  that functions as a covering for compartments  46  and  48 , which secures game pieces  50  inside the case. Following the folding of slat  20  on to case  40 , slat  18  is folded onto case  40  overlapping slat  26 . Each slat after this point is also overlapping another previously folded slat as well as being folded around case  40 . The final slat to be folded onto case  40 , slat  12 , is overlapping slat  20 . Closing element  32 , which is disposed on the upper left corner of slat  12 , is aligned with closing element  52 , which is disposed on the top of case  40 . The alignment of closing elements on case  40  and game board  10  is variable and depends upon whether the first slat is attached to the top, bottom, left side or right side of case  40 . Thus, the configuration of game board  10  with case  40  as shown in  FIG. 10  is only one arrangement of many that are possible.  
         [0040]     In a preferred embodiment, game board  10  has slats that are progressively greater in width. One slat, which is designated as the thinnest slat, is preferably attached first to case  40 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , slat  26  is the thinnest slat that is first attached to case  40  first. Gradually the slats are folded upon case  40  and progressively the width of the slats increases. For instance, slat  24  is slightly larger than slat  26 . In an ideal embodiment, the width of successive slats is only incrementally larger and the increase in width only occurs for every other slat, excluding the first and last slats which do not follow this exemplary pattern. For instance, slat  26  is the thinnest slat followed by two slats, slats  24  and  22 , which are slightly wider than slat  26 , but are similar in width with each other. Slats  20  and  18  would be slightly wider than slats  24  and  22 , but would be similar in width to each other. That pattern continues until slat  12 , which would be the final slat, would be the widest slat on game board  10 . This pattern of incrementally increasing the width of successive slats provides a game board that can be folded compactly around case  40  without any gaps between each folded slat and case  40 . This pattern in slat size also can enable game board  10  to be folded into compact rectangular form with a nearly square profile.  
         [0041]     Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.