Abstract:
A knife locking system is disclosed herein comprising a housing containing a plurality of cavities, a plurality of lockable cases, and a plurality of pivoting means. The lockable case and pivoting means are coupled together and are located within the cavity of housing for lockably storing a knife or set of knives. The pivoting means comprises a compressible spring, a pin, and extensions. The pivoting means and compressible spring work simultaneously when a knife is inserted or withdrawn from the lockable sheath. The lockable case further comprises a peg and extensions. The peg restricts the sheath from moving while in the locked position. The extensions work with the pivoting means and permit the lockable case to pivot through an angle less than about 45 degrees. The lockable sheath(s) are capable of being positioned within the enclosure in a diagonal or parallel relation to one another or in various combinations of diagonal and parallel orientations. The enclosure may further comprise a stay where the stay may or may not be integral with the enclosure.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA  
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional application No. 6,125,0221 filed on Oct. 9, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of knives, and more specifically, relates to a knife block having multiple enclosures capable of securing a knife. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Knives used for boning, carving, and cutting of meat, vegetables, and other comestibles may be used and stored in modern kitchens. A typical knife comprises the following parts: a point, a tip, an edge, a heel, a spine, a bolster, a finger guard, a return, a tang, scales, rivets, handle, guard, and the tip. Kitchen knives are used in preparing food for human consumption and are typically stored in sheaths, drawers or blocks for ease of access by cooks and other users. Dangers of these current storage schemes may include knives poking or piercing the hand of a cook when rifling through a cutlery drawer looking for the appropriate knife, when a block is tipped over, or when a knife is accidentally dislodged from its sheath. Moreover, standard knife blocks do not prevent the knives from spilling out if the block is knocked over or upended. Children are often able to reach into drawers or remove a knife from a block sometimes without even being able to see the knives and can be seriously injured. Knives stored in blocks on a kitchen counter, can easily be upended or accidentally knocked over, thus spilling the knives and increasing the risk of serious injury. 
         [0006]    Various attempts have been made to provide a safe means of protecting users of knives via storage means. There are a variety of knife storage systems available on the market. These range from individual sheaths to wooden blocks with cut-outs into which the knife is inserted. These solutions do not provide an adequate means for preventing the injuries discussed above. 
         [0007]    For example, many knife storage blocks are simply blocks of wood or other materials with cut-outs to slide a knife in to. There is no restraint; a knife stays in the block by gravity alone and will slip out of the block is accidentally knocked over. Some attempts to secure a knife in a storage system such as a block can require a notched blade on a knife to operate a locking mechanism. This requires the user to purchase specially designed knives that can only be secured with that particular system. Further, the knives are not capable of being individually locked; if a user wants to unlock one knife, he or she must unlock all of the knives. Therefore, once one knife is unlocked, all knives are unlocked. This does not overcome the dangers related to spilling as discussed above. This type of system also requires two hands to lock or unlock the system which can be cumbersome and further increases the chance for injury. 
         [0008]    Other attempts to secure a knife involve securing an individual knife in a sheath. While these systems do provide some security, they can also be cumbersome to use because the user must still use two hands Further, not all sheaths contain a locking mechanism, and for those that do, the locking mechanism in or on the sheath can wear down with repeated use. This can make it more difficult to remove the knife over time and at the same time increase the chance for injury as more force is needed to remove the knife. Additionally, these sheaths do not permit the user to store her knives in a single location (such as a block) and must be stored in a drawer. Chance for injury still remains if, for example, a knife is not inserted into the sheath properly or slips out without the user knowing it. Injuries can result as the user unknowingly rifles through a cutlery drawer filled with unsheathed knives. 
         [0009]    Ideally, a locking knife block system should operate reliably as a safe storage means for knives, and be manufactured at a modest expense. A need exists for a reliable, safe, universal locking knife block system that permits the user to efficiently unlock a single knife thus mitigating injury and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. What is also needed is a locking knife storage system which safely stores the knives, prevents their accidental removal, and is capable of securely storing multiple knives of varying types and sizes in one location. Also needed is a knife storage system whereby the user is capable of safely inserting and removing a knife using only one hand. The current invention overcomes the problems with current knife storage systems in several ways. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention broadly provides a secure housing mechanism and locking arrangement for safe and secure removal and insertion of the individual knives of varying sizes as members of a set of knives. A knife locking system is disclosed herein comprising an enclosure with a plurality of cavities, at least one lockable case, a stay, and at least one pivoting means. The lockable case and pivoting means are coupled together and are located within cavity  106  of housing  104  for lockably storing a knife or set of knives. The pivoting means comprises a compressible spring and pin. The pin and compressible spring work simultaneously when a knife is inserted or withdrawn from the lockable case. The knife locking system further comprises a peg. The peg restricts the case from pivoting while in the locked position. The pivoting means permits the lockable case to pivot through an angle less than about 45 degrees. The lockable case(s) are capable of being positioned within the enclosure in a diagonal or parallel relation to one another or in various combinations of diagonal and parallel orientations. The enclosure may further comprise a stay where the stay may or may not be integral with the enclosure. The stay may be perpendicular to the lockable case and works in conjunction with the peg to lockably store the individual members of a set of knives. 
         [0011]    A method of storing a knife in a knife locking system is disclosed herein comprising the steps of: inserting a knife into a sheath within a lockable case enclosed within a cavity; depressing a compressible spring; pivoting the lockable case within the enclosure; and allowing the compressible spring to go back into tension thereby creating a locking relationship between the lockable case and the housing. The locking relationship within the method of storing may comprise a peg and a stay. The compressible spring may be depressed allowing the peg to move under and then behind the stay thereby creating a locking relationship between the components. Unlocking the knife may comprise depressing the compressible spring, pivoting the lockable case to move the peg under and then in front of the stay thereby allowing the knife to be removed. The spring returns to a state of tension. 
         [0012]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a knife storage and locking system. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and description, which are given by way of example only. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating knife locking system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective side view of lockable case  200  within cavity  106  of knife locking system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3 , consisting of  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, illustrates an exploded view of pivoting means  300  by which lockable case  200  functions within knife locking system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates shield  400  and lockable case  200  in locked position  310  and unlocked position  320  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective top view illustrating the relative positioning of lockable sheath  200  in locked position  230  and unlocked position  240 , according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows flowchart of a method of use  600  for knife locking system  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0019]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , showing a perspective view illustrating knife locking system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Knife locking system  100  comprises housing  104 ; stay  130 ; cavity  106 ; and at least one lockable case  200  for lockably storing at least one knife  110 . 
         [0021]    Housing  104  may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials. Housing  104  further comprises a plurality of cavity  106 . Cavity  106  may be of any dimension sufficient to house a plurality of lockable case  200 . Lockable case  200  further comprises sheath  215 . It should be understood that sheath  215  is within lockable case and may be the portion of lockable case  200  that knife  110  is inserted to. Sheath  215  may be of any size sufficient to contain a standard kitchen knife of any type. By way of example, a standard set of kitchen knives may include a butcher knife, a paring knife, a bread knife, a vegetable knife, and a set of steak knives. It should be understood that sheath  215  may be configured to contain, but is not limited to the dimensions to any of the aforementioned knives Knife  110  may be inserted into sheath  210  substantially enclosing knife  110  within lockable case  120 . In this manner, knife locking system  100  is capable of storing and locking any knife or set of knives as selected by the user. 
         [0022]    Lockable case  200  may similarly be of any size sufficient to contain varying sizes and types of knife  110  as contained by sheath  215 . It should be understood that sheath  215  is of sufficient size to contain the user-selected knife, but the dimensions do not have to conform exactly to the dimensions of the knife. In other words, knife  110  is not required to fit snugly within sheath  215 . It is sufficient if the knife fits inside the sheath; any extra space created by a sheath that is larger than a knife will not affect the functionality of knife locking system  100 . It should also be understood that housing  104  is of a sufficient size and shape to permit storing any number and size of cavity  106  and/or lockable sheath  200  according to the user&#39;s needs. In this manner, knife locking system  100  can, but is not limited to, storing one particular type or size of knife  110 . In this manner, and by way of example, a paring knife may easily be stored along side of and with a set of steak knives, butcher knives, or any other type and combination of knives For example, a standard set of kitchen knives can include a combination of different types and sizes of knives. 
         [0023]    As discussed above, cavity  106  is of a sufficient volume to receive at least one lockable case  200 . In this manner, cavity  106  functions to contain lockable case  200  and permit movement of the same from locked position  240  to unlocked position  230  and vice versa (shown and discussed in  FIGS. 2-5 ). Lockable case  200  may be secured within cavity  106  in any manner sufficient to accomplish a secured fit within cavity  106  such as molding, nails, adhesives, friction fit, or any other means sufficient to accomplish such purpose. 
         [0024]    Knife locking system  100  further comprises at least one stay  130 . Stay  130  may be positioned directly over one end of lockable case  200  as shown. Further, stay  130  may be attached to the surface of housing  104  via brads, nails, adhesives, screws, rivets, or any other suitable attaching means. Stay  130  may be comprised of wood, plastics, metals and/or metal alloys, or any material sufficient to secure knife  110  within lockable case  200 . When lockable case  200  is in locked position  230 , stay  130  is positioned directly over the area between the handle and finger guard of knife  110  (further discussed in  FIGS. 2-5 ). Finally, Stay  130  may be integral or non-integral with housing  104  as also shown and discussed in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0025]    Further, housing  104  may compromise a plurality of cavity  106  and lockable case  200  of different heights as shown. In this manner, knife  110  may be inserted or removed from its lockable case  200  without interfering with the remaining plurality of lockable case  200  when stored within housing  104  of knife locking system  100 . It should be understood that cavity  106  may be structured so as to be perpendicular relative to a substrate (such as a counter top) or at an angle relative to the substrate (as depicted in  FIG. 1 ) depending on user preference. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , showing a perspective side view of lockable case  200  within cavity  106  of knife locking system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Lockable case  200  comprises end  205 ; sheath  210  (shown in  FIG. 1 ); sheath extension  215 , at least one peg  220 ; pivoting means  300  (shown and discussed in  FIG. 3 ); and at least one shield  400  (discussed in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0027]    End  205  (shown and discussed in further detail in  FIG. 3 ) may be located at the bottommost portion of lockable case  200  and serves the purpose of providing support for sheath  210 . Further, end  205  may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials for providing support to a knife. 
         [0028]    Lockable case  200  further comprises sheath extension  215  (discussed in further detail in  FIG. 3 ) may be positioned directly beneath end  205  as shown. Sheath extension  215  further comprises first aperture  250  (shown and discussed in further detail in  FIG. 3 ). Further, sheath extension  215  may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials. 
         [0029]    Lockable case  200  is shown in locked position  230  wherein sheath  210  is at a substantially perpendicular relationship to the base of housing  104  such that the handle of knife  110  (not shown) is similarly perpendicular to base of housing  104 . In locked position  230 , peg  220  rests against stay  130 . In this manner, sheath extension  215  works in conjunction with second extension  340  to attach lockable case  200  to second extension  340  of pivoting means  300  (as discussed in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0030]    Lockable case  200  is also shown in unlocked position  240  wherein sheath  210  is at a substantially angular relationship such as, for example, approximately 45 degrees to the base of housing  104  such that the handle of knife  110  (not shown) is similarly at an angle, such as, for example, approximately 45 degrees, to the substrate as shown. In unlocked position  230 , peg  220  may be behind stay  130  as shown. Locked position  230  and unlocked position  240  are also shown and discussed in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Peg  220  may comprise a bar, dowel, or any other means suitable for restraining movement of lockable case  200 . Peg  220  may be made of wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metal, marble, plastic, ceramic, or any other suitable material. When in locked position  230 , peg  220  substantially prevents lockable case  200  from rotating about centerline axis of pivoting means  300 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , consisting of  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, illustrating an exploded view of pivoting means  300  by which lockable case  200  functions within knife locking system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Pivoting means  300  further comprises spring  310 , plate  320 , pin  330 , and second extension  340 . Pivoting means  300  may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials. Further, pivoting means  300  may be secured within cavity  106  by brads, nails, screws, rivets, adhesives, or any other suitable attaching means. 
         [0032]    As mentioned above, pivoting means  300  may comprise plate  320 . Plate  320  serves the purpose of providing a flat surface to support second extension  340 . As mentioned in  FIG. 2 , lockable case  200  further comprises end  205 . End  205  may be located at the bottommost portion of lockable case  200  and serves the purpose of providing support for sheath  210 . Further mentioned in  FIG. 2 , sheath extension  215  may be positioned directly beneath end  205 . Plate  320  may be coupled to spring  310  and end  205 . In this manner, sheath extension  215  and second extension  240  may be situated between plate  320  and end  205  as shown. Sheath extension  215  works in conjunction with second extension  340  to attach lockable case  200  to second extension  340  of pivoting means  300 . End  205  may be affixed to sheath extension  215  via brads, nails, rivets, screws, molding, adhesives, or any other material suitable for such purpose. Plate  320  may be connected to spring  310  via brads, rivets, nails, adhesives, molding, or any other suitable means. Further, plate  320  may be connected to end  205  via brads, rivets, nails, adhesives, molding, or any other suitable means. Finally, plate  320  may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials. 
         [0033]    As mentioned above, pivoting means  300  further comprises second extension  340 . Second extension  340  may be positioned directly above plate  320  as shown. Further, second extension  340  may be attached to plate  320  by molding, adhesives, or any other material suitable for such purpose. Second extension  340  may further comprise at least two identical protrusion  350 . Protrusion  350  (shown in  FIG. 3C ) further comprises second aperture  345 . Second extension  340  further comprises at least one protrusion  350 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , second extension comprises two protrusion  350 . It should be understood that the present invention contemplates at least one protrusion  350 . Second extension  340  may function to surround sheath extension  215  as shown. In this manner, sheath extension  215  may operate as a female end and second extension  340  may operate as a male end. In an alternative embodiment, sheath extension  215  may be comprised of protrusion  350 . In this manner, sheath extension  215  may operate as a male end and second extension  340  may operate as a female end. 
         [0034]    Sheath extension  215  further comprises first aperture  250 . Similarly, second extension  340  further comprises second aperture. The diameter and placement of first aperture  250  of sheath extension  215  and the diameter and placement of second aperture  345  of second extension  340  are complementary, meaning that when sheath extension  215  is positioned in or over or around protrusion  350  of second extension  340 , first aperture  250  and second aperture  345  will line up exactly. 
         [0035]    Pivoting means  300  may further comprise pin  330 . Pin  330  may comprise brads, nails, screws, rivets, or any other suitable attaching means suitable to permit it to function as a coupling means between sheath extension  215  and second extension  340 . In this manner, pin  330  may be inserted through first aperture  250  and second aperture  345  and functions as the means by which pivoting means  300  allows lockable case  200  to be moved along an axis from locked position  230  to unlocked position  240 . Pin  330  may Further, pin  330  comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3A  shows a perspective side view of pivoting means  300  in unlocked position  240 , according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Similarly,  FIG. 3B  shows a perspective side view of pivoting means  300  in locked position  230  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . When the user wishes to insert and lock knife  110  (not shown) into lockable case  200 , he or she may grasp the handle of knife  110 , insert knife  110  into sheath  210  within lockable case  200  and apply pressure in a downward motion to compress spring  310 . Once spring  310  is compressed, peg  220  is at a height lower than stay  130 . The user may then maintain the downward pressure and move lockable case  200  toward the user so that peg  220  is now in front of stay  130  and lockable case  200  is resting against the front end of cavity  106 . In locked position  310  the bottom edge of lockable case  120  comprises an angle parallel to the base of housing  104 . In this position, knife  110  may be substantially resting beneath stay  130 , which may be positioned directly over the area between the bolster and finger guard of knife  110 . 
         [0037]    When the user wishes to unlock lockable case  200 , he or she may grasp the handle of knife  110  (not shown) and apply pressure in a downward motion to compress spring  310 . Once spring  310  is compressed, peg  220  is at a height lower than stay  130 . The user may then maintain the downward pressure and move lockable case  200  away from the user so that peg  220  is now behind stay  130  and lockable case  200  is resting against the opposite end of cavity  106 . Similarly, when the user wishes to lock lockable case  200 , he or she may grasp the handle of knife  110  (not shown) and apply pressure in a downward motion to compress spring  310 . The user may then maintain the downward pressure and move lockable case  200  toward the user so that peg  220  is now moved from behind stay  130 , passing underneath stay  130  and coming to rest in front of peg  220 . In this manner, the spine and bolster of knife  110  (as enclosed by sheath  210  of lockable case  200 ) provides the mechanism by which sheath  210  of lockable case  200  is pivoted within cavity  106  via pivoting means  300 . 
         [0038]    When spring  310  is compressed, lockable case  200  within knife locking system  100  comprises unlocked position  240 . When lockable case  200  is in unlocked position  240 , the front portion of sheath  210  rests against one side of cavity  106 . Lockable case  200  is shown pivoted so that lockable case  200  is moved away from the user&#39;s body, however, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments of knife locking system  100 , knife locking system may be configured such that the user may pull the knife toward her (as opposed to away) to place lockable case  200  in unlocked position  230 . In this manner, lockable case  200  may move from locked position  310  to unlocked position  320 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , illustrating shield  400  and lockable case  200  in locked position  230  and unlocked position  240  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . As discussed above, lockable case  200  further comprises at least one shield  400 . Shield  400  may be affixed to lockable case  200  as shown. In an alternative embodiment, shield  400  may be an integral part of housing  104 . Shield may be affixed to lockable case  200  or to housing  104  via brads, nails, adhesives, screws, or any other suitable attaching means. Further, shield  400  may comprise plastic, rubber, or any other suitable elastomeric or pliant material sufficient to allow shield  400  to conform to the gap between lockable case  200  and cavity  106 . 
         [0040]    Shield  400  may be attached to the front or back portion of sheath  210 , or both, as shown. Further, shield  400  may be sufficient in size to cover the gap between lockable case  200  and cavity  106  that is created when lockable case  200  is in unlocked position  240  or locked position  230 . In this manner, food and other debris are thereby prevented from entering cavity  106  within an embodiment of the present invention. When the user moves lockable case  200  from locked position  230  to unlocked position  240  and vice versa, shield  400  moves with lockable case  200  to form a protective barrier as shown in dotted lines. In this manner, when lockable case  200  is moved from unlocked position  230  to locked position  240  and vice versa, shield  400  occupies the space between lockable case  200  and cavity  106  as shown. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing a perspective top view illustrating the relative positioning of lockable sheath  200  in locked position  230  and unlocked position  240 , according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Peg  220  may be affixed to lockable case  200  as also shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . In an alternative embodiment, peg  220  may be an appendage of housing  104 . Peg  220  may comprise a bar, dowel, nail, brad, or any other means suitable for restraining movement of lockable case  120 . Further, peg  220  may be made of wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metal, marble, plastic, ceramic, or any other suitable material. As discussed above, when in locked position  230 , peg  220  substantially prevents lockable case  200  from rotating about centerline axis of pivoting means  300 . In this manner, lockable case  200  may move from locked position  230  to unlocked position  240 . 
         [0042]    When knife  110  is inserted into sheath  210  such that finger guard  405  and handle  410  are the only visible portions of knife  110 . When lockable case  200  is moved from locked position  230  to unlocked position  240 , shield  400  operates to cover the resulting open space of cavity  106 . In locked position  230 , finger guard  405  is substantially underneath stay  130  and peg  220  is in front of stay  130  as shown. In locked position  230 , lockable case  200  is positioned so that lockable case  200  is in a position within housing  104  closest to the user as shown. In unlocked position  240 , finger guard  405  and handle  410  of knife  110  are no longer beneath stay  130 . Further, in unlocked position  240 , lockable case  200  is positioned so that lockable case  200  is in a position in housing  104  further away from the user as shown. Peg  220  is no longer in front of stay  130  as shown. In unlocked position  240 , stay  130  may be positioned directly over the area between finger guard  405  and handle  410  of knife  110 . In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, unlocked position  240  may be in housing  104  in the position closest to the user and locked position  230  may be in housing  104  in the position furthest from the user. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 6  showing a flowchart of a method of use  600  for knife locking system  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Method of use  600  of storing a knife in a knife locking system may comprise the following steps: step  601  inserting a knife into a sheath within lockable case; step  602  depressing a compressible spring; step  603  pivoting the sheath within the enclosure; and step  604  allowing the compressible spring to return to a tension state thereby creating a locking relationship between the lockable case and the enclosure. 
         [0044]    The insertion step may further comprise step  605  depressing the lockable case thereby compressing the spring and pivoting the lockable case about the centerline axis. The rotation comprises about 45 degrees from the unlocked to the locked position. Insertion is completed by step  606  releasing the pressure on the lockable case thereby allowing the knife to rest under the stay and the peg behind the stay. Step  607  may include unlocking which comprises depressing the compressible spring, rotating the pivotor to move the peg under then in front of the stay and releasing the pressure thereby allowing the knife to be removed. 
         [0045]    It should be noted that optional steps  605 - 607  may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  600  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG.6  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  600 . 
         [0046]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0047]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.