Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for playing a game of chance. The game of chance includes a multi-reel slot game and one or more matrices. In one embodiment, one matrix per payline configuration is made available. When a special symbol appears on a reel it is activated on the corresponding matrix in a corresponding cell of the matrix. When the special symbols align in the matrix according to the payline in question, a winning outcome occurs. In another embodiment, a plurality of special symbols are available on said reels. One matrix per special symbol is provided. When special symbols appear on the reel selected paylines they are activated in like cell positions on the appropriate matrix. When the a matrix is filled a winning outcome occurs and the player may qualify for an eligibility game that may provide additional awards to a player.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to games of chance. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for games of chance of the slot variety. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     Various games of chance have been promoted throughout the years with varying degrees of success. One particularly popular game of chance is the slot machine type game. Generally speaking, slot machines include at least three reels, either mechanically operated or depicted on a video screen. Upon activation, the reels spin and stop in a random manner. Symbols depicted on the reels, when arranged according to a pay table, can result in a winning event and a player may receive credits or monetary awards. 
     Many have attempted to provide greater excitement to the traditional slot game by various means. For instance, slot games had been grouped together on networks to form progressive pools so that greater jackpots could be achieved. Additionally, adding more and more paylines to traditional slot games has been tried with some success in certain jurisdictions to provide greater player entertainment. Further, certain bonus games dependent on the primary reel game have been touted with both limited and greater success. However, such bonus games are typically confusing and complicated for the player. 
     A continuing need exists to provide ever more exciting slot games that are both simple for the player to understand and exciting for the player to play. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     To overcome these and other shortcomings of the prior art, disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for playing a slot game which includes a matrix game that is triggered by the slot game. More particularly, the present invention depicts a reel slot game and a matrix, wherein the elements of the matrix are made active by results on the reels. When the elements of the matrix combine according to a pay table, one or more awards may be credited or paid to a player in addition to awards determined according to reel stop positions. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a more entertaining slot game than known heretofore. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a slot game which pays according to a pay table based on reel symbol positions, and also activates special symbols on a display matrix when those special symbols appear on selected paylines on the reels. 
     It is another object of the present invention to award players according to a pay table when activated special symbols align in a predetermined manner. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a reel slot game and a plurality of matrices, each of which may include activated special symbols when those symbols appear on the reels. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a reel slot game and a plurality of matrices where when special symbols are aligned and activated in a predetermined manner makes eligible play of another game which may provide additional awards. 
     Viewed from a first vantage point a method for playing a game of chance is disclosed comprising presenting a plurality of reels on a display, the reels including a plurality of symbols depicted thereon; providing at least one payline on the reels; presenting at least one matrix, the matrix including a plurality of cells corresponding to stop positions on the reels; spinning the reels and stopping the spinning reels; determining whether a winning outcome has occurred according to the stopped reel symbol positions as compared to one or more predefined winning outcomes; activating a special symbol in each cell of the at least one matrix in a cell position corresponding to the special symbol location on the reels when a special symbol. appears on the at least one reel payline; determining whether a winning outcome has occurred according to the location of the activated special symbols on the at least one matrix; and notifying the player of a win in the event at least one winning outcome has been determined. 
     Viewed from another vantage point a program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for playing a game of chance is disclosed, the method comprising in combination presenting a plurality of reels on a display, the reels including a plurality of symbols depicted thereon; providing at least one payline on the reels; presenting at least one matrix on the display, the matrix including a plurality of cells corresponding to stop positions on the reels; spinning the reels and stopping the spinning reels; determining whether a winning outcome has occurred according to the stopped reel symbol positions as compared to one or more predefined winning outcomes; activating a special symbol in each cell of the at least one matrix in a cell position corresponding to the special symbol location on the reels when a special symbol appears on the at least one reel payline; determining whether a winning outcome has occurred according to the location of the activated special symbols on the at least one matrix; and notifying the player of a win in the event at least one winning outcome has been determined. 
     Viewed from yet another vantage point a game of chance configured as a slot type game is disclosed comprising in combination a plurality of reels including a plurality of symbols displayable on the reels and at least one payline associated with the reels; at least one matrix configured to display special symbols on the matrix when teh special symbols appear on the reels; a reel spinning means for spinning the reels and stopping the spinning; an outcome determination means for determining the outcome of the game based on comparing a predefined winning outcome schedule with the stopped reel symbol locations and comparing the special symbol locations with the predefined winning outcome schedule; and notification means for notifying a player of a winning outcome. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become manifest from the further descriptions and claims of the invention provided herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a front view drawing of a game machine of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagram of the reels and matrix depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3A is a drawing of a 3×3 matrix for a one-line game of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3B is a drawing of a 3×3 matrix for a three-line game of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3C is a drawing of a 3×3 matrix for a five-line game of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3D is a drawing of a 3×3 matrix for a seven-line game of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4A is a drawing depicting an example of a one-line game in a first state of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4B is a drawing depicting an example of a one-line game in a second state of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5A is a drawing depicting an example of a three-line game in a first state of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5B is a drawing depicting an example of a three-line game in a second state of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6A is a drawing depicting an example of a five-line game in a first state of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6B is a drawing depicting. an example of a five-line game in a second state of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7A is a drawing depicting an example of a seven-line game in a first state of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7B is a drawing depicting an example of a seven-line game in a second state of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a gaming machine of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a drawing of the reels and matrices shown in the display of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a drawing of a display of the eligibility game of the of the alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the method of the alternate embodiment prior to entering the eligibility game of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the method of the eligibility game of the alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Referring now to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals depict like parts throughout the various drawing figures, FIG. 1 depicts an overview of a slot machine  10 . The game machine  10  includes a game cabinet  12 . In this drawing figure the game cabinet  12  is depicted as an “upright” game machine. However, various game cabinets could be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the game cabinet  12  could just as well be configured as a “slant-top” game cabinet wherein part of the cabinet is slanted upwardly so that a player sitting will view that section of the cabinet including the video display  14  while looking in a downward direction. 
     A hole in the game cabinet  12  is configured to accommodate a video display  14 . Various video displays  14  could be utilized without departing from the scope of this invention. Size variations for video displays in the industry range from 13″ to 19″ or greater video displays and they may or may not include a “touchscreen” capability. Any such video display capable of depicting the reel and matrix arrangement to be described hereinafter is contemplated by this invention. 
     Furthermore, a video display  14  may not be utilized at all when mechanical reels are desired. In such a case, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, mechanical reels activated by stepper motors that are controlled by software will work as well, but are not preferred. Additionally, as described below, the matrix  30  is preferably a video depiction. However, that matrix can likewise be mechanically driven with stepper motors controlled by software. Thus, this invention, though preferred in the video form, is not intended to be limited to video, but may include any variations which do not depart from the meaning and scope of the described game. In fact, one clear variation of the game would be to present same on the internet or other network or via software on a computer in the absence of any cabinet or like accoutrements. This is clearly contemplated by this invention and would not depart from the scope and meaning of same. 
     As is common to games of chance configured as slot machines, a credit meter  18  for indicating credits available for play is included on the game cabinet  12  along with a coin slot  20  for receiving coins for play. Additionally, a bill validator  22  for receiving currency instead of coinage is included in the game cabinet  12  along with a card reader  24  for tracking player activity via a player magnetic stripe card. Furthermore, a coin payout bin  26  is included in this preferred embodiment for disbursing winnings to players upon activation of a payout button  27  by a player. Although these described elements are preferred, other game machine variations are contemplated by this invention without departing from the scope of this invention. For instance, instead of the coinage and cash handling means described above, a cashless system may be likewise utilized that incorporates coupons or smartcards instead of cash or coinage. Additionally, other incidental features such as progressive meters, signage, or other display elements are likewise contemplated by the scope of this invention and such variations would not depart from that scope. 
     More particularly, three reels  28  are depicted on the video display. The reels  28  include symbols  29  thereon. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when symbols  29  align on selected paylines  32  according to a paytable (not shown), an award outcome occurs. Additionally, in this invention, when a special symbol  31  presents itself on a selected payline  32 , that special symbol  31 , in this case a “7”, is replicated into matrix  30  at a cell position corresponding to the special symbol  31  position on the reels  28 . 
     More specifically, and referring now to FIG. 2 which depicts the video display of FIG. 1 in an enlarged drawing, reels  28  have stopped in such a fashion as to present special symbol  31  in the center position of the center reel. That special symbol  31  is thus likewise activated in the center cell of matrix  30  as shown. As will be described in greater detail below, when additional special symbols  31  are replicated into matrix  30  an additional award may occur if aligned according to a paytable (not shown). 
     Furthermore, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 are paylines generally described in FIG. 1 as  32 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more paylines may be activated depending on the number of credits a player wishes to play. For instance, a player may select the first payline  34  by playing one or more credits (many games contemplate more than one credit per payline) and selecting the first payline by touching an appropriate touch field in the event a touch-screen display is utilized, or by pressing the appropriate button  16 . The paylines available for selection in this preferred embodiment are the first payline  34  extending across the center line of the reels  28 , the second payline  36  extending across the top line of the reels  28 , and the third payline  38  extending across the bottom line of the reels  28 . Additionally, a forth payline  40  extends diagonally from top to bottom of the reels  28 , while a fifth payline  42  extends from bottom to top of the reels  28 . Furthermore, this preferred embodiment includes a sixth payline  44  that extends from the top of the left reel to the center of the center reel and then to the top of the right reel, while a seventh payline  46  extends from the bottom of the left reel to the center of the center reel and then to the bottom of the right reel. Of course, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any variation of paylines may be implemented with this game without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Depending on the number of paylines selected, a corresponding matrix  30  is presented. That is, and referring now to FIG. 3A, when a player elects to play only the first payline on reels  28 , matrix  30  as shown in FIG. 3A is presented. The special symbols  31  are shown in a grayed-out manner so as to indicate that those positions are yet to be filled in by replicated special symbols  31  from reels  28 . As may be gleaned from FIG. 3A, when all three special symbols  31  are activated in matrix  30  along the corresponding payline  34  on matrix  30 , a winning outcome occurs and an award is paid or credited by the game. Interestingly, when a player elects to play some other number of paylines other than one, a different matrix is presented to the player corresponding to the appropriate number of paylines as will be explained in more detail below. However, when the player chooses to return to the one line game, the matrix as shown in FIG. 3A is presented again to the player along with any activated special symbols  31  previously replicated. Thus, the game is capable of retaining in memory multiple matrices  30  along with previously acquired special symbols  31  for each matrix until a winning outcome occurs in a particular matrix resulting in the clearing of the special symbols  31 . It should be noted, however, that when a special symbol  31  is activated in the matrix for the one-line game, it is preferably not activated for the other payline matrices. 
     Similarly, and referring now to FIG. 3B, a three-line matrix  30  corresponding to a three-line reel game is shown again with the special symbols  31  grayed out. In this three-line matrix when three special “7” symbols  31  align according to any of the three paylines  34 ,  36 , or  38 , a winning outcome occurs resulting in an award. For instance, if all three special “7” symbols become activated after several spins of the reels on payline  36  on matrix  30  of FIG. 3, an award is credited to the player and the three special symbols reset or are grayed out again. However, any other activated special “7” symbols  31  on that matrix will remain active until a winning outcome occurs causing them to be deactivated or reset. Furthermore, any special “7” symbols activated in the matrix shown in FIG. 3B are not preferably activated in the matrix of FIG. 3A or any other matrices. 
     Likewise, and referring now to FIG. 3C, a matrix  30  corresponding to a five-line game is shown. The addition of paylines  40  and  42  indicate the forth and fifth paylines for this matrix  30 . Although, similar to the last two described matrices, it is noted again that special symbols  31  activated in this matrix  30  are not preferably activated in the matrices of FIGS. 3A or  3 B, but are maintained in memory for any future five-line game players. 
     This is also true for the seven-line matrix  30  depicted in FIG.  3 D. The only difference is the addition of paylines  44  and  46 . Again, this matrix only applies to those players playing all seven lines. Thus, depending on the number of paylines played by a player, different matrices  30  are presented on display  14  along with previously activated special symbols  31  for that particular number of paylines. 
     By way of example, but not limitation, and referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a one-line game is shown in a first state (FIG. 4A) and a second state (FIG.  4 B). In the first state as depicted in FIG. 4A, one payline  34  has been selected and one special “7” symbol  31  has appeared on the center of that payline  34 . This has resulted in the activation of special symbol  31  in the one-line matrix  30  above the reels  28 . The remaining special “7” symbols  31  on the payline  34  on the matrix  30  remain grayed out as they have not yet appeared on the corresponding reel  28  positions for one-line players. 
     At some later time, perhaps the next spin of the reels or some many spins later, the state depicted in FIG. 4B occurs. It should be noted that intervening spins may have resulted in special symbols  31  landing on the center line  34  but during non-one-line games, thus not resulting in activation on the one-line matrix  30 . In this particular spin, however, the player elected to play one-line  34  and a special “7” symbol  31  appeared on payline  34  on the right reel  28 . This results in the corresponding special “7” symbol  31  being activated in the right center element of the matrix  30  as shown. As noted above, and as shown in this example as well, a special symbol  31  also appeared in the top right position of the left reel, however, this resulted in no special “7” symbol activation on the one-line matrix (or any other matrix) because that special symbol is not on the selected payline. 
     In another example, and referring now to FIG.  5 A and FIG. 5B, a three-line first game state (FIG. 5A) and second game state (FIG. 5B) are shown. In this example, three paylines  34 ,  36 , and  38  have been selected and two special “7” symbols  31  appeared on payline  36  and one on payline  34 . The corresponding special symbols  31  were activated on the matrix  30  as shown in FIG.  5 A. Thereafter, on some later spin of reels  28  the outcome shown in FIG. 5B occurred. As shown in FIG. 5B, three (lemons) symbols  29  occurred on payline  34  resulting in a standard winning outcome which is paid according to the paytable. Also, special “7” symbols  31  appeared on paylines  36  and  38 . Corresponding cells in matrix  30  for the three-line game were thus activated. Since all three special symbols  31  were activated on payline  36  another winning outcome occurred for the player resulting in a second award. Thereafter, those three special symbols would be deactivated or grayed out, however, the other activated special symbols in lines  34  and  38  of matrix  30  would remain activated. 
     In yet another example, and referring now to FIG.  6 A and FIG. 6B, a five-line first game state (FIG. 6A) and a five-line second game state (FIG. 6B) are shown. In this example the player has elected to play five paylines  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42 . In the first game state the player is awarded for a winning event on payline  36  (three cherries in a row) and two special symbols  31  are activated in corresponding reel to cell locations on matrix  30 . Thereafter, after some future spin of the reels in a five-line game selection, the result shown in FIG. 6B occurred. Due to the special symbols  31  appearing on reels  28  activation of corresponding special symbols occurred in matrix  30  resulting in a winning outcome along payline  40 . It should be noted that although three activated special “7” symbols are shown in the bottom left cell, the middle cell, and the bottom right cell of matrix  30 , this does not result in a winning outcome for the five-line game as it would in a seven-line game. 
     In a final example, and referring now to FIG.  7 A and FIG. 7B a first seven-line game state (FIG. 7A) and a second seven-line game state (FIG. 7B) are shown. In this example, a player has elected to play seven paylines  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 . In the first game state depicted in FIG. 7A the reels  28  stopped resulting in a winning outcome on payline  42  (three watermelons) and a special symbol  31  was activated on the matrix  30  in the bottom middle cell. Thereafter, due to another spin of the reels  28 , the results shown in FIG. 7B occurred. Two winning outcomes are noted on the reels  28 . First, three “7” symbols aligned on payline  42  resulting in a winning outcome. Also, three “7” symbols aligned on payline  46  resulting in another winning outcome. Then, due to those same “7” symbols, activation occurred in matrix  30  in like cell positions resulting in three more winning outcomes. First, a win occurred along payline  42  on matrix  30 . Then another win occurred along payline  38  on matrix  30 . Then, yet another win occurred along payline  46  on matrix  30 . 
     The overall methodology  110  of the preferred embodiment of the game is shown in the flowchart at FIG.  8 . As shown, the game is started at box  112  and a player selects paylines at box  114 . Those paylines may be purchased with previously purchased credits or money or the game may be played merely for fun with free credits. Thereafter, at box  116 , the reels spin (either automatically due to maximum credits being played or by the player depressing an appropriate spin activation button or touch field) and then come to a stop. 
     First, a determination is made as to whether a winning event has occurred due to the alignment of symbols on the selected paylines on the reels  28  as shown at decision diamond  118 . If such a winning outcome has occurred on the reels  28  the player is paid or credited according to the game paytable as shown at box  120 . 
     Then, whether a win occurred on the reels  28  or not, a determination is made as to whether any special symbol  31  landed on any of the selected paylines as shown at decision diamond  122 . If no special symbols  31  landed on selected paylines, then the process starts over at box  112 . On the other hand, if a special symbol  31  did appear on the reels  28  on a selected payline, then the matrix  30  replicates or activates the corresponding symbol position or positions as shown in box  124 . 
     Next, a determination is made as to whether the newly activated symbols have caused a winning event to occur in the matrix  30  as shown at decision diamond  126 . If no winning outcome is found on matrix  30 , then the process starts over at box  112 . On the other hand, if a winning outcome has occurred in matrix  30  then a determination is made as to whether the progressive jackpot should be paid due to the player having played the maximum amount on the maximum number of paylines as shown at decision diamond  128 . If the player meets the progressive guidelines, the player is paid whatever amount the progressive jackpot is currently at and the winning symbols on matrix  30  are deactivated as shown at box  130  and the process starts over at box  112 . Otherwise, the player is paid according to the matrix paytable and the winning symbols on matrix  30  are deactivated as shown at box  132  and the process starts over at box  112 . 
     In an alternate embodiment of the invention  210 , and referring now to FIG. 9, a similar slot machine is shown. The slot machine again includes a cabinet  212 , a video display  214 , buttons  216 , credit meter  218 , coin slot  220 , bill validator  222 , card reader  224 , and payout bin  226  not unlike those described in FIG. 1 above. 
     Referring now also to FIG. 10, reels  228  are depicted on the video display  214  and five possible paylines  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244 , and  246  are shown. In this embodiment, three special symbols  232 ,  234 , and  236  are available in addition to standard symbols  230 . Additionally, three matrices  248 ,  250 , and  252  are presented—one for each special symbol. 
     Like the game of the preferred embodiment, when a special symbol appears on the reels on a selected payline, it is activated on a matrix, but in this embodiment, each special symbol has a unique matrix. That is, when the special symbol  232  appears on the reels on a selected payline, it is activated in a corresponding position in matrix  248 . Likewise, when special symbol  234  appears on selected paylines of reels  228 , a corresponding symbol  234  in a corresponding location is activated in matrix  250 . The same correspondence is true for special symbol  234  and matrix  252 . 
     In this game embodiment, when a matrix is filled with its special symbols a winning outcome occurs. The first matrix  248  provides a first (and lowest) winning outcome when filled. The second matrix  250  provides a second (and middle) winning outcome when filled. The third matrix  252  provides a third (and largest) winning outcome when filled as well as making the player eligible to play an eligibility game to be described in more detail below. 
     For example, as shown in the presented reel positions, three special symbols  232  have appeared and are likewise activated in matrix  248 . Those special symbols will remain active in matrix  248  until all of the special symbols  232  are activated, at which time a winning outcome will occur and all of the special symbols  232  will be deactivated or grayed out so that the matrix can be filled again. Likewise special symbols  234  as presented on the reels  228  are activated in corresponding locations in matrix  250  and special symbol  236  on reel  228  are activated in a corresponding locating on matrix  252 . 
     As noted above, the filling of each matrix  248 ,  250 , or  252  results in a winning outcome and an award be paid or credited to the player. Additionally, when matrix  252  is filled, not only is a winning outcome determined and an award paid, but the player then also becomes eligible to play another game altogether. 
     Referring now to FIG. 11 the preferred eligibility game  310  is shown. The game  310  is depicted on video display  312  which may be the same display  214  used for the primary game. The eligibility game  310  includes preferably four cards  314  being presented face down on display  312 . The player must then select two of the four cards either by depressing certain of buttons  216  or touching touch fields (not shown) over the cards  314 . If the selected two cards  314  match, the player wins a first prize  316 . Play continues in like fashion until the player guesses incorrectly three times or the other prizes  318  and  320  have been obtained through correct guesses, whichever comes first. 
     More particularly, and referring now to FIG. 12, the first portion of the methodology of the alternate embodiment  410  is show in the flowchart. The game starts at  412  and the player elects which payines to play at box  414  by paying money or playing existing credits. Thereafter, the reels spin either automatically due to maximum credits being played or due to the player depressing the appropriate spin button as shown in box  416 . Then a determination is made as to whether a winning outcome has occurred on the reels due to symbols aligning on the selected paylines in accordance with the paytable as shown at decision diamond  418 . If a winning outcome or outcomes is found on the reels payment or credit is paid according to the paytable as shown at box  422 . 
     Next, whether a win occurred on the reels or not, a determination is made as to whether any special symbols have appeared on the selected paylines as shown in decision diamond  420 . If no such special symbols have appeared on the reels, then the process starts over at  412 . Otherwise, any special symbols appearing on the reels are activated in a corresponding position (reel position to cell position) in the matrix corresponding to the special symbol depicted as shown at box  424 . 
     Next a determination is made as to whether any of the three matrices have been filled as indicated by decision diamonds  426 ,  428 , and  432 . If any have been filled, then a winning outcome is awarded according to the matrix paytable for each matrix filled and the filled matrices are then cleared or the symbols deactivated as shown at box  430 . 
     In the even the third or last matrix is filled, the player is then eligible to play the eligibility game  510  as indicated at  434 . Eligibility game  510  starts at  512 . First, counters N and M are set to zero as shown at box  514 . These counters are necessary to determine if the player has used up the available guesses or won the maximum award. 
     Next, four cards are displayed on the screen and the player is allowed to turn two over as shown in box  516 . Then a determination is made as to whether the two chosen cards match as shown in decision diamond  518 . If the cards do not match, N is incremented by one (one of the players incorrect guesses has been used) as shown at box  520  and a determination is made as to whether all three incorrect guesses have been used as shown at decision diamond  522 . If the player has guesses remaining, the process goes back to box  516  where the player is shown four cards face down again and gets to pick two again. If no guesses are left, the normal reel game is again presented and started as in box  536  and  412 . 
     On the other hand, if the player chooses two cards that match, M is incremented by one (the player won one of the prizes) as shown in box  524  and a determination is made as to which prize was won as shown at decision diamonds  526  and  530 . Simply put, if the player guesses correctly three times before guessing incorrectly three times, the player wins all three prizes in order as shown in boxes  528 ,  532 , and  534 . After winning the third and final prize, the reel game is presented on the display for further play as shown in boxes  536  and  412 . 
     While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications than mentioned above are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.