Folding beach lounge

A beach lounge which may be folded up to form a carrying case with two separate compartments and a handle. The lounge includes two pairs of identically formed shell members pivotally connected in series to one another. The shell members are vented and have notches for gripping a towel cover to the lounge. A shade/support assembly may be adjusted to support the upper two shells in various positions to provide a frame for draping a towel to provide shade and to provide a handle when the lounge is folded into the carrying case position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to collapsible furniture and more 
particularly to a folding beach lounge which, when folded, forms 
compartments for carrying materials and when unfolded can assume a variety 
of positions. 
The leisure activity of sun bathing at the beach, lake or other locale 
often involves a problem of logistics. First, a number of items such as 
sun tan lotion, sun glasses, towels, radios, food and beverages are 
desired at this site. Also, the site generally is some distance away from 
the means of transportation. Further, the sun bather may wish to avoid 
direct contact with the ground surface such as sand, rocks, pebbles or 
grass. Also, it is desirable to assume a variety of positions over time to 
limit the amount of sun exposure any part of the body is given. Further, 
one may wish to change positions to avoid fatigue from prolonged 
maintenance of a given posture. Lastly, it is desirable to block or shade 
the amount of sunshine being directed at the head while the remainder of 
the body is exposed, because the head often is more sensitive to sun light 
or receives more sun light in day-to-day activities. 
In order to obtain these various objectives, a variety of devices are 
required, generally. For example, to transport the goods a tote bag is 
required. In order to ensure shade an umbrella is required and in order to 
obtain the variety of positions desired a versatile lounge is required. 
The use of all of these various devices often creates inconvenience in 
transportation. 
Also, it is desirable to have at least two separate compartments for 
carrying articles, enabling the sun bather to segregate goods into two 
groups which do not co-mingle. For example, it is desirable to keep edible 
goods separate from lotions or electronic equipment separate from wet 
things. 
Folding lounges and chairs which convert from a lounge or chair to a 
carrying case or suitcase are known. For example, British Patent No. 
735,539 describes a folding chair. However, the chair does not provide 
separate compartments and does not provide a means for shading the user. 
In addition, the chair does not provide support for the variety of 
postures described above. Another combination seat and carrying bag is 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,915,154. However, this chair also does not 
provide separate compartments and does not provide support for a variety 
of postures described above. 
Another convertible beach lounge-suit case combination is described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,179,465. The lounge converts into a suitcase which has one 
compartment and the back-rest of the lounge can be pivoted to a variety of 
angles. However, the lounge does not provide a variety of angles for 
support of the legs and does not provide two compartments and does not 
provide a shading means for the user. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,134, the 
lounge converts into a single compartment suit case. However, no shading 
means or two compartment case is provided. In addition, no means to vary 
the angle of support of the legs is described. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,294, a back-rest is connected to a flexible, 
cloth-like mat which may be spread out for use during sun bathing and 
folded to form a compartment which fits within the back-rest to carry 
items. This device does not provide shading and does not provide support 
for the legs. Further, only a single compartment is described. U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,422,938 discloses a two shell support which pivots with respect to 
one another to form a carrying case. In this device no shading means is 
disclosed and no variable support for the legs is described. In addition, 
only a single compartment is provided. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,378, a suit case is opened to provide a seat. A 
back-rest and a support for the lower legs is provided. However, no 
shading means is provided and the support for the lower legs cannot be 
adjusted. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,903, the back and leg supports of a 
lounge are pivoted into a seat support thereby forming one compartment. 
Only a single compartment is described and means to support the variety of 
postures described above is not provided. In addition, no shading means is 
described. 
Another convertible lounge lounge/tote bag is described in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,687,248. Here the back and leg supports pivot against the seat support 
and clasp at their ends. Flaps on the side of the seat support fold upward 
to create an accordion-like carry case. Variable support means supports a 
variety of postures. No shading means or separate compartments are 
provided. 
There is a need in the art for a folding lounge which provides a variety of 
angles of support separately for the head, back, upper legs and lower 
legs, which folds into two separate compartments and which provides a 
means to shade the head of the user in some positions. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The disadvantages of the prior art are alleviated to a great extent by the 
present invention which provides a folding lounge having four shell 
portions pivotally connected to one another so that the two outermost 
shell parts pivot into the two innermost shell parts thus forming two 
compartments. Further, the two compartments pivot against one another to 
form a single structure for transport. Connecting means in the form of 
straps connect the compartments together so that they do not unfold in 
transport. A series of struts are pivotally connected to the shells and 
perform three functions: (1) providing a handle for the carrying case; (2) 
providing a structure for supporting the head and back shells of the 
lounge; and (3) providing a structure positioned above the head of the 
user over which a towel or similar item can be draped to provide shade. In 
use, the four shells are pivotally connected to one another in series and 
provide support to the head, torso, upper leg and lower leg of the user. 
Gripping means in the form of material notches, are provided to secure the 
towel to the shade structure. Straps are provided to perform a variety of 
functions including: (1) supporting the shading structure; (2) providing 
an arm rest when the lower and upper leg shells are positioned 
appropriately and (3) securing the two compartments one against the other 
so as to avoid their becoming unhinged in transport. 
In one aspect of the invention the case is particularly useful for carrying 
items in two separate compartments where one does not want to have the 
items co-mingle. For example, electronic equipment may be separate from 
liquid goods. In addition, edible goods may be kept separate from lotions 
and the like. In another aspect of the invention, the lounge once unfolded 
is particularly useful for supporting a variety of positions. Because the 
angle of the four shells can be determined and set individually the lounge 
can assume support for a variety of postures. For example, the torso and 
head can be supported while the legs lie flat. Conversely, the head and 
torso can lie flat while the legs are supported in a bent position. 
Further, the head alone can be supported in a bent position. In another 
aspect of the invention, a shading means to shade the head of the user and 
means to secure the towel to the shading structure is provided. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a beach lounge. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a beach lounge which 
folds into a carrying case. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beach lounge 
which folds into a carrying case containing two separate compartments. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beach lounge 
which is able to assume a variety of positions. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a beach lounge with a 
shading structure to enable the user to shade his head. 
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily 
apparent from the following description and drawings which illustrate the 
preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Refer now to FIG. 1 wherein it is shown a preferred embodiment of a folding 
beach lounge, generally designated by reference numeral 5, according to 
the present invention. In FIG. 1 the lounge 5 is shown unfolded and 
positioned to support the head and torso of the user while the user's 
upper and lower legs lie flat with respect to the ground. The lounge 
includes a head shell 10, a torso shell 20, an upper leg shell 30 and a 
lower leg shell 40. The lounge 5 is constructed so that it may assume a 
variety of positions for supporting various portions of the user's body in 
various postures. Further, the lounge 5 is constructed so that it may be 
folded up into a compact carrying case which has two separate 
compartments. Further, the lounge has a shade/ support assembly 90 which 
is constructed so as to perform three separate functions. First, the 
assembly 90 may be adjusted to support the shells 10 and 20 as shown in 
FIG. 1. Secondly, the assembly 90 may be adjusted to provide a structure 
for shading the user (FIG. 9). Thirdly, the assembly 90 may be adjusted to 
provide a handle for the lounge 5 in its fully folded position (FIGS. 
10-14). 
The lounge 5 is constructed to support the posture of the user in a variety 
of positions. In FIG. 1 the lounge is positioned to support the user in a 
position where the torso and head are raised above the ground while his 
upper and lower legs lie flat with respect to the ground. The support for 
the head and torso of the user is provided by shells 10 and 20 of the 
lounge 5 respectively. The shells 10 and 20 are supported by the shade/ 
support assembly 90. Specifically, the first support legs 92 are pivoted 
with respect to the pivot shaft 81 and the second support legs 94 are 
pivoted with respect to the pivot rod 98 into engagement with one of the 
notches 14 on each of the shell 10. At this point, the user may lie down 
on the lounge 5 and his weight upon the shells 10 and 20 will be 
transmitted through legs 92 and 94 to the ground. Thus, the legs 92 and 94 
are firmly positioned with respect to the ground due to friction between 
the legs 92 and 94 and the ground and/or the legs 92 and 94 burrowing or 
digging into the surface (i.e., sand) due to the weight of the sun bather. 
The legs 92 and 94 therefore will not slide. Thus, the user is supported 
in a sitting position by the construction of the lounge 5. The user may 
adjust the support for his head provided by the shell 10 by pivoting the 
shell 10 along pivot shaft 81 and moving the handle/support assembly to 
engage another notch 14. The shell 10 may have a plurality of notches 14 
on its side. In the preferred embodiment there are two notches 14. 
The shells 30 and 40 in FIG. 1 are supported by the surface and lay upon 
the ground. The sunbather may shape the surface to define a contour for 
the shells 30 and 40. For example, the sun bather may dig into the sand 
surface to provide a hole so that the shells 30 and 40 contour downward. 
Alternatively, the sunbather may make a mound out of the sand so as to 
support 30 and 40 at an angle thereby allowing the sunbather to raise his 
knees. However, the lounge 5 may be adjusted to support the legs in a 
position where the knees are raised with respect to the ground without 
forming a mound. As shown in FIG. 9 the shell 30 may be pivoted upwards 
away from the ground with respect to the hinge plate 70 at the pivot shaft 
85. The shell 40 is constructed so that it may be pivoted with respect to 
the shell 30 along the pivot shaft 87 so that the outer edge 42 of the 
shell 40 contacts the ground. The outer edge 42 of the shell 40 is 
contoured so that it will burrow and dig into the ground when put into 
contact with the ground. Thus, the shells 30 and 40 may be positioned at 
an angle with respect to the ground and the weight of the user will be 
transmitted along the shell 40 and eventually to the ground through the 
edge 42. Thus, the shells 30 and 40 will support the lower and upper legs 
of the user should the user wish to assume a position where his knees are 
raised and his legs do not lie flat without forming a mound. 
FIG. 2 shows the upper surface of the head shell 10. In the preferred 
embodiment the shell is made by injection molding plastic. The shell 10 is 
also shaped and constructed exactly as the shell 40 so the same tool may 
be used to make both components. The outer surface 114 of the shell 10 has 
vents 11. Similarly, the outer surface 124 of the shell 20, the outer 
surface 134 of the shell 30 and the outer surface 144 of the shell 40 (see 
FIG. 6) also have vents which are numbered 21, 31, and 41 respectively. 
The vents 11, 21, 31 and 41 perforate the shells and extend through to the 
inner sides of the shells 112 of the shell 10, inner surface 122 of the 
shell 20, inner surface of 132 of the shell 30 and inner surface 142 of 
the shell 40, respectively. Accordingly, each of the vents extend through 
the thickness of the various shells. The structural integrity of the 
shells is enhanced through the use of supporting ribs which extend across 
the vents and perpendicular to the vents. Specifically, the shell 10 has 
supporting ribs 116, the shell 20 has supporting ribs 126, the shell 30 
has supporting ribs 136 and the shell 40 has supporting ribs 146 (see FIG. 
6). (Vents 11, 21, 31 and 41 are not shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 10, and 11 
for purposes of clarity). The vents allow air to contact and cool the skin 
of the user of the lounge or to dry a damp towel that may be draped over 
the lounge. When the lounge is folded for carrying articles, the vents 
provide ventilation for damp towels and other articles that may be 
carried. 
The shell 10 also has two material notches 16 which enable a cloth such as 
a towel to be extended through the circular portion 17 of the notch 16, 
and caught, upon the slot portion 18 of the notch 16, thereby forming a 
gripping means. The towel is secured to the shell 10 by poking a portion 
of the towel through the circular portion 17 of the notch 16. The towel 
portion is then forced into the slot portion 18 of the notch 16 thus 
compressing the towel portion and bringing the towel portion into firm 
engagement with the sides of slot portion 18. In this way the towel 
,portion is firmly grasped by the sides of the slot portion 18 and the 
towel or other cloth or other covering 7 and 8 material is firmly secured 
to the lounge 5. To release, the steps for securing the towel or cloth are 
simply reversed. The other shells 20, 30 and 40 have similar notches. 
Specifically, the shell 20 has two notches 26 which include circular 
portions 127 and slot portions 128, the shell 30 has two notches 36 
including circular portions 137 and slot portions 138 and the shell 40 has 
two notches 46 including circular portions 147 and slot portions 148. 
Thus, a towel or cloth can be secured to any of the shells 10, 20, 30 and/ 
or 40. In addition, a large towel or cloth could be secured to all four 
shells simultaneously and held by the eight notches. This would prevent 
the towel or cloth from falling or being blown away from the lounge 5. 
FIG. 3 shows the side of the shell 10 including the outer edge 12 and the 
notches 14. A pivot hole 15 is formed through the side of the shell 10 and 
through which extends the pivot shaft 81 (see FIG. 1). The shell 40 is the 
same construction as the shell 10 in the preferred embodiment, thus the 
shell 40 includes notches 44 (see FIG. 8). 
FIG. 4 shows the torso shell 20 of the folding lounge 5. The torso shell 20 
is constructed in exactly the same shape as the upper leg shell 30 and the 
same manufacturing tool may be used to make both shells 20 and 30. 
Further, the shell 20 is constructed with a first flange 22 and a second 
flange 24 on either side of the shell 20 which houses pivot holes 123 and 
28, respectively. The flanges 22 and 24 and holes 123 and 28 receive the 
pivot shaft 81 which enables the shell 20 to be pivoted with respect to 
the shell 10. The shell 20 is constructed with a ground edge 27 which has 
an edge similar to the construction of the outer edge 12 of the shell 10. 
Thus, when the ground edge 27 contacts the surface such as sand, the 
weight of the user causes friction with the ground and/or forces the edge 
27 into the ground and thereby the lounge 5 is firmly positioned with 
respect to the ground. A strap bolt 29 is attached to either side of the 
shell 20 to secure a strap 50 to the shell 20. 
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the shell 20 of FIG. 4. The pivot hole 25 is 
shown through which the pivot shaft 83 extends (see FIG. 1) thus enabling 
the shell 20 to pivot with respect to the hinge plate 70. 
The shells 10, 20, 30 and 40 are shaped with a rectangular base with an 
inner surface and an outer surface and sides extending in one direction 
from the sides of the rectangular bases. The shells are also constructed 
and dimensioned such that they may be folded into one another to form two 
storage compartments. Specifically, the shell 10 may be pivoted along the 
pivot shaft 81 so that the inner surface 112 of shell 10 faces the inner 
surface 122 of shell 20. Thus, a first compartment 150 (see FIG. 10) is 
formed which may be suitable for carrying goods. Similarly, the shell 40 
may be pivoted along the pivot shaft 87 into contact with the shell 30. 
Thus, forming a second and separate compartment 160 (see FIG. 10). 
The pivot shaft 81 comprises a shaft which extends through holes 15 on 
either side of the shell 10 (see FIG. 8). These holes 15 extend throughout 
the width of both sides of the shell 10. The shaft then extends through 
holes 123 and 28 in the flanges 22 and 24 respectively on both sides of 
the shell 20. Positioned between the flanges 22 and 24 are the ends of the 
support leg 92. The ends of the support leg 92 have holes extending 
through their width and the shaft 81 is positioned within those holes. 
Thus, the support legs 92 are positioned between the flanges 22 and 24 and 
are pivotally secured to the shell 20. Finally, the shaft 81 extends past 
the flanges 22 and extends through holes in the third support leg 95 at 
which point the shaft 81 is capped by cap 89 to prevent axial movement. 
Thus, the support leg 95 is pivotally secured to the shell 20. In summary, 
the pivot shaft 81 enables the shell 10 to be pivoted with respect to the 
shell 20, the legs 92 to be pivoted with respect to the shell 20 and the 
legs 95 to be pivoted with respect to the leg 20. 
The pivot shaft 83 extends through holes in the ridges 23 on both sides of 
the shell 20, and further extends through holes on both outer sides of the 
shell 20. (See FIG. 8) Finally, the shaft 83 extends through holes in the 
hinge plates 70 at which point the shaft 83 is capped by cap 89 to prevent 
axial movement. This enables the shell 20 to be pivoted with respect to 
the hinge plate 70. The shaft 85 is similarly constructed and enables the 
shell 30 to be pivoted with respect to the hinge plate 70. Thus, the pivot 
shafts 83 and 85 enable the shells 20 and 30 to be pivotally secured to 
the plate 70 and to be pivoted into substantial contact with each other. 
Finally, the pivot shaft 87 consists of a shaft extending through holes on 
the sides of the shell 40 and through the two flanges on both sides of the 
shell 30. (See FIG. 8) At this point, the shaft 87 is capped by cap 89. 
Thus, the pivot shaft 87 enables the shell 40 to be pivoted with respect 
to the shell 30. As described earlier, shells 20 and 30 are constructed 
from the same tool, but because the lounge/support assembly 90 is only 
used at one end of the lounge 5 in the preferred embodiment, there are no 
support legs positioned between or outside the two flanges on either side 
of the shell 30. 
FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the lounge 5 fully unfolded so as to support 
the user lying completely flat. In the shade/support assembly 90, a handle 
62 connects the second support legs 94 and the support strut 96 also 
connects the second support legs 94 forming a rectangle. The first support 
legs 92 are pivoted with respect to the second support legs 94 by the 
pivot rod 98. FIG. 6 also shows the outer surfaces of the shells including 
the outer surface 114 of the shell 10, the outer surface 124 of the shell 
20, the outer surface 134 of the shell 30 and the outer surface 144 of the 
shell 40. 
FIG. 7 shows a side view of the folding lounge 5. FIG. 7 shows how the 
lounge 5 is constructed to fold up into a compact carrying case with the 
two compartments 150 and 160. First, the shell 10 is pivoted with respect 
to the pivot shaft 81 along arc of rotation A into the shell 20 to form 
the first compartment 150 (see FIG. 10). The shell 40 is similarly pivoted 
to the pivot shaft 87 along arc of rotation B into the shell 30 to form 
the second compartment 160 (see FIG. 10). Then the pivot rod 98 is rotated 
along arc of rotation C until it pivots 180.degree. into the shell 20. 
When the pivot rod 98 is rotated along arc of rotation C, the handle 62 
moves laterally along direction D such that when the pivot rod 98 is 
positioned within the shell 30 the handle 62 resides just above the pivot 
rod 81 and just outside the shell 20. The shell 30 is then pivoted along 
arc of rotation E with respect to the pivot rod 85 until it is 
perpendicular to hinge plate 70. Finally, the compartment 150 is rotated 
90.degree. with respect to the hinge 83 along arc of rotation F. At this 
point the compartments 150 and 160 abut one another with the handle 62 
resides outside the compartments 150 and 160 thus forming the compact 
carrying case with handle. The straps 50 buckle against snaps located upon 
each other to hold the compartments 150 and 160 in firm contact (FIG. 12). 
Refer now to FIG. 8 wherein is shown a perspective view of the inner side 
of the folding beach lounge 5 of FIG. 1. When the shell 10 is rotated into 
contact against the shell 20 a first compartment 150 is formed (see FIG. 
10). When the shell 40 is rotated into contact against the shell 30 a 
second compartment 160 is formed (see FIG. 10). The compartments 150 and 
160 are separated by the shells 20 and 40 and accordingly two separate 
groups of goods can be segregated, one into either of the compartments 150 
and 160. 
FIG. 9 shows the folding lounge 5 positioned to provide shade to the user 
through the use of the shade/support assembly 90. Third support legs 95 
are pivoted with respect to pivot shaft 81 and connected by a peg into the 
peg hole 64 in the handle 62. In this position the first support legs 92, 
the second support legs 94 and the third support legs 95 form triangles 
above and on either side of the lounge 5. At the same time the handle 62, 
the two second support legs 94 and the support strut 96 form a rectangle 
over the lounge 5. The assembly 90 is prohibited from pivoting in the 
direction G because the first support leg 92 abuts the shell 20. Also the 
assembly 90 is prohibited from movement in the direction H by the straps 
50 which are looped over the support strut 96 and secured to themselves by 
the use of the first snap 52 and the second snap 54. Thus the assembly 90 
is firmly positioned with respect to the lounge 5 over the user. A towel 
or other cloth may be draped over the assembly 90 to provide shade to the 
user. The towel or other cloth may be secured to the shells 20 and 10 
through use of the notches 26 and 16. In this way, the towel or other 
cloth can be secured to the lounge 5 and draped over the assembly 90 so as 
to preclude the towel or other cloth from being blown away or dropped. 
FIG. 9 also shows how the edge 12 of the shell 10, the edge 42 of the shell 
40 and the edge 37 of the shell 30 can be used to provide structural 
support so that the lounge 5 may be adapted by the used to assume a 
variety of configurations. The edges 12, 37 and 42 are forced against the 
ground surface by the weight of the user and thus the ground surface is 
used to create a structural force by friction and/or digging. By pivoting 
the shells 10, 20, 30 and 40 with respect to one another an infinite 
variety of configurations may be created. The shells 30 and 40 may lie 
flat against level ground or may be adjusted to uneven ground contours. 
Moreover, sand may be positioned for support under the shells 30 and 40 to 
adjust their angle as desired. Also the shells 10 and 20 may also lie flat 
against the ground and the assembly 90 positioned over the user's head for 
supporting a towel or other sunscreen. When used in this configuration, it 
is advantageous for the user to first lie on the lounge in a position as 
shown in FIG. 6 and then to pull the assembly 90 into an appropriate 
position such as shown in FIG. 9, by rotating the assembly 90 towards the 
head, or arrange the assemble 90 in another position, such as by digging 
the ends of the struts 94 into the sand, to support the sunscreen. 
Although the edge 27 of the shell 20 is not shown in FIG. 9 it is shaped 
the same as edge 37 and performs a similar function (see FIG. 6). Note 
also that the snaps 52 and 54 of the straps 50 may be snapped onto the 
snap 32 of the shell 30 to provide arm rests. 
FIG. 10 shows the lounge 5 in its partially folded position. The shell 10 
has been pivoted with respect to the pivot 81 into the shell 20 to create 
the first compartment 150. The shell 40 has been pivoted with respect to 
the pivot rod 87 into the shell 30 to create the second compartment 160. 
In order to position the handle 62 in its carrying case position, the 
first support legs 92 are pivoted with respect to the pivot rod 81 to 
straddle and reside between the shell 10 and the shell 20 on either side 
of the shell 10. The support strut 96 resides against the ridges 23. The 
second support legs 94 are pivoted with respect to the first support legs 
92 so that they straddle and reside next to the support legs 92 between 
the shell 10 and the shell 20 on either side of the shell 10. The handle 
62 would reside just outside the shell 10 so that the handle 62 may be 
readily gripped. FIG. 11 shows the lounge 5 in a partially folded 
position. The compartment 160 has been pivoted with respect to the pivot 
pin 85 and the hinge plates 70 so as to form one side of the carrying 
case. To continue the folding procedure the shade/support assembly 90 is 
pivoted into the shell 20 as described above and the compartment 150 is 
pivoted with respect to the hinge plates 70 so that it substantially 
contacts the compartment 160 to form a carrying case. 
FIG. 12 is a side view of the folding beach lounge 5 fully folded up into 
its carrying case position. The straps 50 have snaps 52 and 54 which are 
positioned to snap into engagement with each other or with snaps 
positioned on the lounge 5 so that the straps 50 are taunt and snugly 
support the compartment 150 against the compartment 160 to assure that the 
carrying case 5 does not become unfolded (see FIG. 12). 
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 of the folding beach 
lounge 5 fully folded up into its carrying case position. The 
shade/support assembly 90 including legs 92 and 94 is shown folded up and 
positioned outside the shells 10 and 40. The assembly 90 abuts ridges 23 
and 33. 
FIG. 14 is a cross section of the folding beach lounge fully folded up into 
its carrying case position. The first compartment 150 is formed by the 
shell 10 and the shell 20 and the second compartment 160 is formed by the 
shell 30 and the shell 40. The two compartments 150 and 160 segregate 
goods stored in them which are shown in FIG. 14 as edible goods (a 
sandwich 162 and an apple 164) from the sun lotion 152. 
The above description and drawings are only illustrative of preferred 
embodiments which achieve the objects, features and advantages of the 
present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be 
limited thereto. Any modifications of the present invention which comes 
within the spirit and scope of the following claims is considered part of 
the present invention.