Abstract:
A structure motivated by an impulse to slide over a surface, including: an impulse-receiving portion for receiving the impulse, the impulse-receiving portion defining a section of a generally semi-hemispherical structure and produced from a foam material patterned to represent at least a portion of a sports ball; and a sliding portion, coupled to the impulse-receiving portion, for sliding contact with the surface on a contact surface of the sliding portion responsive to the impulse the contact surface having a generally planar smooth surface having a periphery surrounded by an extension of the impulse receiving portion, wherein a tumbling of a coupled combination of the impulse-receiving portion and the sliding portion is inhibited by shifting a center of gravity downward by a greater weighting of the sliding portion relative to the impulse-receiving portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/772,488 filed on 27 Feb. 2006 and U.S. Application Ser. No. 11/610,466 filed on 13 Dec. 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,727,088, the entireties of their disclosures are expressly incorporated herein for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to impulse-receiving devices for sliding over a surface responsive to an impulse, and more particularly to impulse-receiving devices fashioned to be evocative of sports equipment suitable for management by young children that impart such impulses through kicking or striking with hand-held implements. 
     Participation in various sporting activities by children has many advantages in beginning to teach various fundamentals of teamwork, technique, and body coordination skills useful in many contexts. Unfortunately for very young children (about four to six years of age), the equipment used for some of these sporting activities is not suitable, either because the equipment is too large, requires a certain amount of skill that exceeds the abilities of the children just to begin participation, or are otherwise unwieldy so that participation is difficult if even possible, delaying development of some of the desired fundamentals and limiting enjoyment of participation in these sporting activities. 
     Two classes of sporting activities are particularly difficult, one class includes sporting activities in which a ball is kicked, another is a class in which a ball or puck is struck by a stick or other implement. Balls are very difficult for a very young child to manage in this context as the balls are usually large relative to the child, the bill will roll or move away from the child relatively easily, the conventional ball often has a relatively large mass that can cause injury to another child or property when mismanaged, particularly with energetic but undisciplined kicking or striking. Especially because very young children often play indoors, risk to property from use of conventional sports equipment may be higher than desired. 
     These factors make participation in sporting activities that use conventional balls difficult if even possible, and hence any positive development skills are delayed. The very young child may develop motor skills, coordination, and derive enjoyment from participation if the equipment were appropriately adapted to accommodate their physical abilities and training while also reducing opportunities for injury to themselves, others, and property. 
     What is needed is an impulse-receiving device suitable for use by very young children participating in modified sporting activities that reduces at least some of the drawbacks of conventional ball systems while preserving and/or enhancing many of the advantages of participation in these sporting activities. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is an apparatus and method for an impulse-driven sliding device primarily for use by young children to simulate desired attributes of ball or puck games while adapting specified attributes to promote safe, effective use for those having reduced training and/or motor-skills. The apparatus includes a structure motivated by an impulse to slide over a surface, including: an impulse-receiving portion for receiving the impulse, the impulse-receiving portion defining a section of a generally semi-hemispherical structure and produced from a foam material patterned to represent at least a portion of a sports ball; and a sliding portion, coupled to the impulse-receiving portion, for sliding contact with the surface on a contact surface of the sliding portion responsive to the impulse the contact surface having a generally planar smooth surface having a periphery surrounded by an extension of the impulse receiving portion, wherein a tumbling of a coupled combination of the impulse-receiving portion and the sliding portion is inhibited by shifting a center of gravity downward by a greater weighting of the sliding portion relative to the impulse-receiving portion. The method includes a) receiving an impulse at a top portion of a device including the top portion coupled to a bottom sliding plate and converting the impulse to a non-tumbling, non-rolling, non-launching translating force; and b) sliding, responsive to the non-tumbling, non-rolling, non-launching translating force, the device over a generally planar surface. 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a sliding ball for use in soccer or hockey—or other similar game. It&#39;s primary, but not exclusive, benefit is to be played safely indoors—a) it is soft b) it is designed to move low to the ground so as not to break anything 3) it is designed not to roll away so the player can easily keep control of it. Disclosed is an impulse-receiving device suitable for use by very young children participating in modified sporting activities that reduces at least some of the drawbacks of conventional ball systems while preserving and/or enhancing many of the advantages of participation in these sporting activities. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an impulse-receiving device embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective plan view of a sliding portion of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective plan view of a bottom of the impulse-receiving portion of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded detail view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a second embodiment of an impulse-receiving device embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a contextualizer configured as a basketball simulating structure; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a basketball simulating sliding impulse device; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a bowling ball simulating sliding impulse device; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a contextualizer configured as a golf hole flag simulating structure; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a golf ball simulating sliding impulse device; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a club/mallet simulating implement for striking a sliding impulse device; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an assortment of athletic ball simulating sliding impulse device and an implement for applying an impulse to the devices; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an alternative implementation for a puck-type sliding impulse device; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a contextualizer configured as a goal net simulating structure; and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an assortment of non-athletic ball simulating impulse/interaction receiving portions, specifically simulating a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an impulse-receiving device  100  embodying the present invention. Device  100  includes two portions: an impulse-receiving top portion  105  and a sliding bottom portion  110 . Device  100  includes a number of features, materials, and characteristics that promote minimization of tumbling when receiving an impulse. As shown in  FIG. 1 , top portion  105  simulates a section of a soccer ball—being patterned and textured to be suggestive of such a ball. 
     Top portion  105  is preferably constructed of lightweight/low-density foam material that may be patterned/textured/colored and the like. Alternatively, other constructions may include an inflated air bladder or a skeletal/wire frame construction. In the embodiments evocative of a “ball”—such as for a soccer ball or a playground ball, top portion is produced as a hemisphere or a section of hemisphere given other considerations as explained herein. In some implementations, top portion  105  may be a full spherical component. 
     Bottom portion  110  is a substantially planar polymer/polycarbonate/plastic component having a balanced coefficient of friction factoring in a desire to easily slide over a variety of surfaces while not being so “slippery” that the intended user group has difficulty in managing device  100  with it moving too easily out of reach. Different implementations balance these factors over a range appropriate for the intended surface or surfaces and age/skill level of the intended user group. Bottom portion  110  includes a surface contacting portion that is typically polished to achieve the desired coefficient of friction while other embodiments include raised bumps, rings or a series of small, flat polymer components with a low coefficient of friction, to achieve the desired slide effect. Bottom portion preferably has a diameter in a range of about two inches to about fifteen inches and more preferably in a range of about four inches to about eight inches, and most preferably about six inches. Some embodiments may not be circular and could include some other profile. 
     The desired surface are typical of play surfaces and include a multitude of flat, slick surfaces (carpet, linoleum, wood, grass, concrete, blacktop, and the like) when motivated by kicking the ball component. 
     In use, device  100  rests over a surface by contacting bottom portion  110  to the surface and exposing top portion  105  for receipt of an impulse. In the preferred embodiment, a user applies the impulse, such as by kicking or striking top portion  105  with an implement and device  100  slides over the surface in response to the impulse without tumbling or leaving the ground. When device  100  comes to rest, it remains at rest absent receipt of another impulse. Device  100  dampens responses to low-force impulses, thus making device slide but a little distance if at all in response to a similar impulse that, when applied to a conventional ball on the similar surface, would cause the conventional ball to travel a much larger distance. A key element is that the little distance and larger distance are related to within “reach” of the user in that the little movements of device  100  maintain device  100  within reach of the user while the larger distance places the conventional device outside this reach. An impulse of sufficient magnitude evidencing a definite desire to move device  100  is required to cause device  100  to slide such a larger distance. An ability for younger children to easily maintain device  100  within reach while also easily moving it beyond reach when desired is an element of preferred embodiments of the present invention. Inhibiting tumbling, rolling, or “end-over-end” movement and relying on sliding relative movement with an appropriate coefficient of friction helps to achieve this element. 
     One or more of the following systems may be employed to promote minimization of tumbling (which also promotes inhibition of device  100  from becoming air-borne in response to the impulse) over a surface upon which device  100  slides. The systems include: i) a relative density difference between said portions, ii) an anti-tumbling cross-section of the top portion, iii) a lowered center-of-gravity, iv) a reduced gap between the surface and the top portion, v) a low profile relative to lateral expanse, and vi) combinations thereof. 
     The relative density difference may be achieved by use of a low-density, light-weight foam top portion  105  (or bladder or frame as noted above) and a relative dense hard polymer/polycarbonate bottom portion  110 . The exposed top portion  105  being low density helps to dampen impulsive forces and moderate response to exuberant children. 
     The anti-tumbling cross-section refers to use of rounded components and preferably less than fully hemispherical section for top portion  105  to reduce an ability to apply the impulse to a surface that can lift/launch device  100 . That is, by exposing surfaces all less than perpendicular for receipt of the impulse, a component of the impulsive force tends to always be downward into the surface, thus maintaining device  100  in contact with the surface. A young child has a more difficult time of accidentally catching an edge or otherwise lifting or launching device  100  when kicked. 
     A lowered center-of-gravity is achieved not only by using the light-weight top portion and dense bottom portion, but also distribution and coupling to minimize a height of the center of gravity above the surface. In this way, impulses applied to device  100  by the child are more likely to be above the center of gravity, improving anti-tumbling characteristics. 
     A reduced gap between the surface and top portion  105  helps to resist tumbling. While device  100  includes top portion  105  coupled to bottom portion  110 , bottom portion  110  preferably is inset into top portion  105  or top portion  105  includes a periphery component overlapping and covering at least part of bottom portion  110 . The feature helps to inhibit tumbling by reducing an opportunity to catch an exposed edge of top portion  105 . Additionally, this feature improves safety to people and property by cushioning the harder/denser bottom portion  110  when striking a person or other object. 
     A low profile relative to lateral expanse (e.g., top portion  105  not too high above the surface given a diameter of bottom portion  110 ) helps to maintain device  100  in sliding engagement over the surface. While there are several anti-tumbling parameters described, various parameters may be adjusted differently from embodiment to embodiment, implementation to implementation, and intended use to intended use such that in some devices one parameter may predominate or a set of parameters may counter-balance other parameters that may not optimally produce anti-tumbling characteristics alone without suitable adjustment of the counter-balancing parameters. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of device  100  shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating an integration of top portion  105  and bottom portion  110 . Top portion  105  is shown as an almost complete semi-hemisphere though other embodiments will include a lesser section. In addition, shown in  FIG. 2  is a set of mating structures  205  that facilitate attachment of a rigid bottom portion  110  to a soft, pliant top portion  105 . The disparate materials and construction of the portions to facilitate anti-tumbling advantageously including mating structures  205  to improve the integration and integrity of device  100  in response to repeated impulses. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective plan view of bottom portion  110  of device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  illustrates an example of the mating structures shown in  FIG. 2 , specifically a set of four posts  305  and sets of interconnecting splines  310 . Not all embodiments would include both posts  305  and splines  310  or may include other mating structures. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective plan view of an underside of top portion  105  of device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Top portion  105  includes complementary mating receptacles for mating structures shown in  FIG. 2 . Specifically, each mating post  305  matches a mating receptacle  405  and each mating spline  310  matches a complementary mating slot  410 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded detail view of device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Device  100  is formed by matching mating structures and applying epoxy or other adhering method or component or layer between the portions to integrate them together. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a second embodiment of an impulse-receiving device  600  embodying the present invention. Device  600  is shaped similar to a puck having a diameter in a range of about two inches to about fifteen inches and more specifically in a range of about two to four inches for a more conventional puck size and about four inches to about fifteen inches for an “Easy Strike” puck size. 
     Device  600  includes a top portion  605  (similar in material and arrangement other than profile and patterning to top portion  105  shown in  FIG. 1 ), a bottom portion  610  similar to bottom portion  110  except sized appropriately to match top portion  605 , and mating structures  615  used to enhance integration of the disparate materials and resist separation during use. 
       FIG. 7  is side view of an alternate embodiment for a device  700  embodying the present invention. While  FIG. 7  depicts alternatives to device  600  shown in  FIG. 6 , the alternate construction is also applicable to device  100  when necessary or desirable. Device  700 , similar to device  600 , includes a top portion  705  that includes bottom portion  610  as an inset such that a peripheral portion  710  of top portion  705  surrounds and cushions a periphery of bottom portion  610 . This peripheral portion  710  not only shields against direct contact of hard bottom plate  610  with people or objects, it also reduces a gap between a surface over which bottom portion contacts and slide and top portion  705 , enhancing anti-tumbling configurations. 
     SOCCER/KICK EMBODIMENT (Soccer/Kick method) 
     Soft (foam, inflated etc.), lightweight “ball” component anywhere from half ball shape (in current manifestation) to full-round ball coupled above a substantially flat polymer component with low friction coefficient properties. Said components designed specifically to slide—with or without horizontal (spin like a globe) rotation—on any flat surface when motivated by kicking. Said components designed specifically not to roll, or tumble, vertically (end over end) when kicked. Said components designed specifically not to “roll away” (like a typical soccer ball) from the user unless motivated by kicking. Said components designed to provide weight distribution and shape to keep flat polymer component in contact with the flat surface, and make it unlikely that it will leave the ground. Said components designed to slide on a multitude of flat, slick surfaces (carpet, linoleum, wood, grass, concrete, blacktop, and the like) when motivated by kicking the ball component. Said components designed to have all soft exposed edges for improving safety for all age players. Alternative flat polymer component arrangements could include raised bumps, rings or a series of small, flat polymer components with a low friction coefficient, to achieve the desired slide effect. Said components may be as small in diameter as a miniature “ball-like puck” (perhaps 3-4″ d) to a full sized soccer ball to an oversized playground-style ball. Alternate ball design comprising a skeleton structure attached to polymer component for same use as above. 
     ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT (Hockey/Hit method) 
     Soft (foam, inflated etc.), lightweight “puck” component coupled above a substantially flat polymer component with low friction coefficient properties. Said components designed specifically to slide—with or without horizontal (spin like a globe) rotation—on any flat surface when motivated by hitting with hockey stick or the like. Said components designed specifically not to roll, or tumble, vertically (end over end) when hit with hockey stick or the like. Said components designed specifically not to “roll away” (like a typical hockey puck on ice) from the user unless motivated by hitting with hockey stick or the like. Said components designed to provide weight distribution and shape to keep flat polymer component in contact with the flat surface, and make it unlikely that it will leave the ground. Said components designed to slide on a multitude of flat, slick surfaces (carpet, linoleum, wood, grass, concrete, blacktop, and the like) when motivated by hitting the puck component. Said components designed to have all soft exposed edges for improving safety for all age players. Alternative flat polymer component arrangements could include raised bumps, rings or a series of small, flat polymer components with a low friction coefficient, to achieve the desired slide effect. Said components may be as small in diameter as a miniature “puck” (perhaps 2-4″ d) to an oversized puck (4″-15″) for easier hitting and younger aged users. 
     In the preceding discussion, preferred embodiments typically describe a two-part construction for the sliding impulse devices; an upper portion for receiving an impulse/interaction from a person. The impulse/interaction is provided directly by contacting/striking/kicking/hitting/punching/throwing/tossing the device using a portion of the person&#39;s body or indirectly by using a tool operated by the person (e.g., an implement simulating participation an athletic event, preferably the athletic event consistent with the simulation suggested by the sliding impulse device). That is, when the sliding impulse device simulates a baseball, the implement may simulate or be suggestive of a baseball bat. 
     The description herein further includes single piece construction for the sliding impulse device. That is, in a single piece, the resulting device includes a soft, collision-tempering, elastic outer body that includes a hard, low coefficient of friction, slide-enhancing bottom surface. The molding and processing of the material results in the device acquiring these properties during manufacture without requiring assembly of a top portion and a bottom portion. The devices described herein may be constructed using one-piece or two-piece designs. 
     The implementations described below further highlight additional features of the present invention, including use of contextualizers that simulate some element of a relevant event (e.g., an athletic event) consistent with the activity suggested or simulated by the impulse device. Preferably the contextualizers are interactive with the impulse device, but need not be interactive. 
     Interactivity may be enhanced by embedding electronics in one or more of the components, such as the impulse device, any applicable implement, and/or any applicable contextualizer. The electronics provide effects, such as background sounds and visual indications, feedback of impulse/interaction and/or progress in the event, or other audio or visual cues or presentations. 
     Further details are set forth herein, including descriptions of  FIG. 8  through  FIG. 17 , however those implementations and embodiments are simply representative and do not limit the scope of the present invention as other implementations and embodiments are contemplated by the inventors. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a contextualizer  800  configured as a basketball simulating structure. The basketball simulating structure includes a basketball goal (e.g., a hoop). Optional electronics included in contextualizer  800  provides effects, audio and/or visual, that may count successful goals (visually or audibly for example), provide background cheers, simulated sights/sounds of a basketball striking a backboard/ring or the like. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a basketball simulating sliding impulse device  900 . Device  900  is useable with contextualizer  800  shown in  FIG. 8  to enhance a simulation/suggestion that the person is participating in a basketball game or the like. Device  900  may also include embedded electronics to provide audio/visual cues, signals, feedback or other effects. In some cases, interactivity may be enhanced by providing electronics and sensors for proximity/contact detection to respond when the person applies the impulse to the device and/or when the device interacts with a contextualizer. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a bowling ball simulating sliding impulse device  1000 . It may be used with a bowling alley contextualizer (not shown) that may include an “alley” and a plurality of “pins” for use with device  1000 . Other features, functions, and characteristics of device  1000  are similar to those of device  900  described with respect to  FIG. 9 , except for the type of event simulated/suggested of course. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a contextualizer configured as a golf hole flag simulating structure  1100 . Structure  1100  provides the person with a simulation/suggestion of a golf context for their interactions and playtime. Structure  1100  is preferably responsive to contact or proximity of an impulse device to provide appropriate effects. Magnets, sensors, contactors, and the like may be used to provide interactivity. This is preferably provided by an electronics assembly  1105  included inside structure  1100 , assembly  1105  including a battery (or other energy source such as a piezoelectric device), a microprocessor/microcontroller/microcomputer or the like, a memory for storing data and computer-executable instructions, and an interface to receive and/or send control signals. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a golf ball simulating sliding impulse device  1200  and  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a club/mallet simulating implement  1300  for striking a sliding impulse device. For example, device  1200  and implement  1300  are useable with structure  1100  shown in  FIG. 11 . As shown, device  1200  includes an electronics assembly  1205  for providing effects, in this case for recording a number of applied impulses on a display of electronics assembly  1205  since a reset has been used. In this way, a number of “strokes” may be recorded. Similarly, implement  1300  is shown with a transducer  1305  (e.g., a speaker) to provide audible feedback, such as when device  1200  is struck. The audio feedback of a stroke may also be incorporated into device  1200  which could have the advantage of fewer electronics assemblies and fewer batteries. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an assortment  1400  of athletic ball simulating sliding impulse device and an implement for applying an impulse to the devices. One common element of the devices is that they preferably do not include an exterior profile that represents more than one-half of the athletic ball (for round balls, this means that the devices are not greater than a hemispherical section of the simulated athletic ball). 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an alternative implementation for a puck-type sliding impulse device  1500 . Device  1500  includes an electronics assembly  1505  for providing appropriate effects. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a contextualizer  1600  configured as a goal net simulating structure. Contextualizer  1600  may be used to simulate/suggest soccer, hockey, lacrosse, cricket, croquet, or other similar goal. Contextualizer  1600  also preferably includes an electronics assembly to provide effects, such as a number of goals, and background sounds (e.g., cheering and the like). 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an assortment of non-athletic ball simulating impulse/interaction receiving portions, specifically simulating a vehicle  1700 . In this configuration, the upper shell (for two piece construction) or the upper portion (for one-piece construction) is shaped like a vehicle. The lower portion is structured similar to other devices described herein. Some embodiments include an electronics assembly that provides effects. These effects may include audio/visual elements, such as “starting,” “revving,” and/or “colliding” and the like. 
     In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.