Abstract:
An improved exercise device in the nature of a kettlebell. The device has a frame covered by a shroud that is configured to lessen the impact of the device on the user. There are a plurality of weights that can be easily attached and detached from the frame to increase or lessen the load to the user. The weights are designed so that they can be added or taken away without altering the center of gravity of the device or the external physical shape of the device. There is also a base that holds the device while the weights are being changed and which also interacts with the device to assist in that exchange. The attaching and detaching system includes a pin that is used to affix the weights to the frame. A dual locking system assures that the pin does not inadvertently come loose during use of the device.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent application is based upon and hereby claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/855,955 filed Nov. 1, 2006. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an exercise device and, more particularly, to an adjustable kettlebell that utilizes specially designed weights. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A kettlebell is a long used exercise with a handle. The kettlebell dates back to the early twentieth century and is attributed to a Russian heritage. The kettlebell comes in different weights, typically from 9 pounds to 90 pounds and is used as a weight lifting device to improve musculature, strength and coordination as well as reduce the risk of injury. One of the typical exercises with a kettlebell is to lift the device and, as the device is raised upwardly, to flip it over so as to rest on the back of the wrist of the user. It is different from a typical dumbbell because the mass of the kettlebell is cantilevered away from the grasp of the user&#39;s hand allowing for a dynamic load to the body as it is flipped over during the exercise. 
     The unique shape of the kettlebell allows a mass center to be located more distal to the joint than a dumbbell and the additional lever of the kettlebell, by placing a resistance distal to the handle, provides a unique challenge to the nervous systems well as the grip. As such, the user encounters much greater inertial forces and which may provide a distinct advantage when attempting to transfer swing gains to athletic tasks with a strong inertial component, such as baseball pitching, a golf swing, Olympic lifts etc. 
     One problem associated with the traditional kettlebells is that the device has a generally crude appearance that has remained relatively unchanged throughout its long history. The shape affects the comfort of the user while exercising, and in particular, in carrying out the basic exercise where the kettlebell is flipped over the handle and stopped on the back of the wrist, the ball shape and iron material can cause discomfort and bruising to the user especially to the beginner who has not mastered the technique. 
     Another problem associated with the traditional kettlebells is that each kettlebell had a specific weight, generally measured in kilograms, and therefore, the user requires multiple kettlebells with different weights to do a variety of exercises requiring a unit for each hand. For a trainer this means carrying and storing many different kettlebells with different weights and bulk. 
     There have been kettlebells disclosed with adjustable weights and which include round flat weights positioned perpendicular to the handle, round flat weights located parallel to the handle and the like. As an example, there is a kettlebell shown and described in U.S. Published Patent Application 2006/0035767 where the device has removable and replaceable weights. 
     However, even with the adding and subtracting of weights, making the overall weight adjustable, there are further problems in that the center of gravity moves with the change of the weights and which is not advantageous for the user where a uniform location of the center of gravity is desirable in optimizing the benefit of the exercise. In addition, the adding and subtracting of weights though current systems changes the size and shape of the kettlebell, again, an undesirable feature. 
     Others devices are constructed in uncomfortable and dangerous forms and, generally, there are difficulties in exchanging the weights quickly and problems in attaching the weights securely. Further problems include the lack of a convenient storage for the weights as well as difficulty in readily identifying the weight of the kettlebell after a change in weight. 
     Accordingly, it would, therefore, be desirable to have a kettlebell that overcomes the aforementioned difficulties and problems in existing kettlebells. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is an exercise device, such as a kettlebell, that overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the aforedescribed prior art devices. With the present invention, the exercise device is a hand held device that has a frame that is generally a heavy metallic construction. There are a plurality of weights that can be attached to and detached from the frame and the weights are configured such each can be added to the frame or removed therefrom without altering the center of gravity of the overall exercise device. 
     To that end, the weights are generally coaxial, when nested together and are generally annular in configuration having different radii so that the weights can nest against each other. In the exemplary embodiment, there is an inner weight, an intermediate weight and an outer weight that nest together. As an enhanced feature, the weights are color coded so that the user can easily identify which weights are being used such that the determination of the overall weight of the exercise device is easy to recognize. 
     The present exercise device also has a shroud that covers the frame and which is designed to reduce the trauma of the device contacting the back of the wrist of the user in carrying out an exercise so as to minimize the impact and discomfort. Thus, the outer shroud of the exercise device has a curved surface that generally fits the contour of the back of the wrist as opposed to the current spherical configuration that does cause trauma to the user, particularly in the case of a novice attempting to learn the exercises. In addition, the presence of the shroud allows the present exercise device to have weights added or taken away while still retaining the same physical size and shape of the device. 
     There is a unique detaching and attaching system that allows the weights to be easily and quickly added and removed from the device. In carrying out that system, there is a pin that can be manipulated by the use of one hand and which can be slid in and out of the frame to add or remove a weight. The pin is held in its inserted position by a dual locking system, that is, there is a locking means having a toggle lever to hold the pin to the frame and also there is a shear force created that acts against the pin when in its operative, inserted position that also contributes to prevent the inadvertent removal of the pin. Both of the locking means of the dual locking system are readily disengaged by the user for easy removal for adding or removing of the weights. 
     As a further feature of the present invention, the is a base that is used to store the weights that are not being currently used in the exercise device and the base provides a ready means of storing the weights as well as facilitate the procedure of adding or removing of weights for the exercise device itself. 
     Finally, there is a handle that is securely affixed to the frame and the handle is a molded plastic, one piece grip that is seamless for comfort of the user in swinging the weight. The handle can be manufactured by various exemplary injection molding techniques. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the exercise device and base constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the base used with the exercise device; 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the exercise device of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side schematic views illustrating the locking system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front cross sectional view of the present exercise device; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present exercise device resting on the base; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a prior art exercise device in use; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present exercise device in use; and 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views of the present exercise device and illustrating pads that can be used therewith. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded view of the exercise device  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention along with its base  12 . The interrelationship between the exercise device  10  and the base  12  will be later explained. Basically, the base  12  has pods  14 , only three of which are shown in  FIG. 1 , so that the base  12  is adapted to sit firmly on a planar surface such as a floor. The base  12  can be a molded component and has a cavity  16  for supporting and storing a plurality of weights, that is, an inner weight  18 , an intermediate weight  20  and an outer weight  22 . 
     As can be seen, the weights  18 ,  20 , and  22  are concentrically oriented and are shaped so as to be nestable within each other. As Such, the intermediate weight  20  fits over and nests to the inner weight  28  and, likewise, the outer weight  22  fits over and nests to the intermediate weight  20 . While only three weights are illustrated, it can be understood that a greater or lesser number weights could be used consistent with the teaching of the present invention. Since the weights  18 ,  20 ,  22  are generally annular, all three have their centers of gravity located such that the center of gravity of the weights  18 ,  20 ,  22  remains at a fixed point whether there is only the outer weight  22 , the outer and intermediate weights  22 ,  20  nested together or all three weights  18 ,  20 ,  22  nested together as will become understood. 
     The inner weight  12  has an elongated vertical slot  24  of a predetermined depth; the intermediate weight has a elongated vertical slot  26  of a lesser depth while the outer weight  22  has an elongated vertical slot  28  of a still lesser depth. There are also holes in each of the weights  18 ,  20  and  22  and are illustrated as lower hole  30  that passes entirely through the lower weight  18 . In the intermediate weight  20 , there is a lower hole  32  and an upper hole  34 . In the outer weight  22 , there is a lower hole  36 , an intermediate hole  38  and an upper hole  40  and which are located at predetermine heights that are coordinated with each of the elongated vertical slots  24 ,  26 ,  28 . 
     Accordingly, when all of the weights  18 ,  20 ,  22  are properly nested within each other, the lower holes  30 ,  32  and  36  are aligned with each other, the upper hole  34  of the intermediate weight  20  is aligned with the intermediate hole  38  of the outer weight  22  and which is located above the bottom of the elongated vertical slot  28  and the upper hole  40  of the outer weight  22  is located above the bottom of the elongated vertical slot  26 . 
     Each of the weights  18  and  20  also has a vertical flange  42  and  44 , slightly tapered outwardly in the downward direction, respectively, and which fit inside a inner slots  46 , and  48  formed in the internal surface of the intermediate weight  20  and outer weight  22  and correspondingly dimensioned, so that the weights  18 ,  20  and  22  are properly aligned when they are nested together. There is also a smaller outwardly projecting flange  45  formed on the outer weight  22 . 
     There further can be seen in  FIG. 1 , that the exercise device  10  has a shroud  50  comprised of half shrouds  50   a  and  50   b  affixed together to make up the shroud  50 . 
     There is also a handle  52  that extends upwardly and which is designed to be grasped by the user in using the exercise device  10  to perform an exercise movement. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle  52  is a molded plastic, seamless construction so as to provide a comfortable surface to the user grasping that handle  52 . 
     The handle  52  can preferably be produced as a one-piece handle by certain molding techniques. One exemplary technique is reaction injection molding where a foaming agent is introduced into the mold. As such, during the molding, the foaming agent creates bubbles to expand the plastic material and fill the mold. The resultant handle is comprised of a non-porous outer skin while the interior of the handle is comprised of a solid foam consistency. 
     Another molding technique that can be used to produce a one-piece handle for the present invention is compression molding wherein the plastic material is placed within the mold such that there is more plastic material than usable volume within the mold. As such, as the mold is closed, the mold pressurizes the molding material, thereby causing the plastic material to set while excess material is rejected outwardly from the sides of the mold. 
     A still further technique for producing the one-piece handle for the present invention is gas assisted injection molding. With this technique, a gas is introduced into the closed mold such the plastic molding material blows up by the formation of a large bubble within the material. The resultant handle is, therefore, a one piece handle with a large void remaining therein. 
     In the half shroud  50   b , there is also an opening area  54  with four receiving openings  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  vertical spaced apart. A locking pin  64  is adapted to enter any of the four receiving openings  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  as will be later explained and there is a toggle lever  66  located at the proximal end of the locking pin  64 . 
     There can also be seen in  FIG. 1  a locking projection  68  located at the bottom of the shroud  50  and its purpose will be later explained. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four locking projections  68  (only one of which is shown in  FIG. 1 ) and which are spaced about 90 degrees apart along that bottom area. 
     Also, in the exemplary embodiment, the upper surfaces  70 ,  72  and  74 , respectively, of the inner weight  18 , the intermediate weight  20  and the outer weight  22  are all tapered downwardly in the outer direction and, as will be seen, when the weights are nested together, those upper surfaces  70 ,  72  and  74  form a common, contiguous tapered surface. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , there is an exploded view of the exercise device  10  of the present invention. In  FIG. 2 , there is shown a frame  76  that can be made of a heavy material, such as cast iron, a heavy plastic or the like. The cast iron frame  76  may be constructed as a one piece unit or may be cast in two or more pieces and secured together. At the bottom of the frame  76 , there is a metal ring  78  affixed to the frame  76  by means such as screws  80  that are threaded into small bosses  82  (only one of which is shown) formed at the bottom of the frame  76 . The metal ring  78  has an outer peripheral flange  84  that extends upwardly and slightly outwardly along the outer edge of the metal ring  78 . As also can be seen, there are the four locking projections  68  formed in the ring  78  and which have tapering surfaces that are slanted or non-horizontal surfaces 
     The frame  76  has an open area  86  that is dimensioned so as to receive the weights  18 ,  20 ,  22 . The half shrouds  50   a  and  50   b  are affixed to the frame  76  and may be affixed thereto by means of screws  88  that pass through bosses  90  formed in the half shroud  50   a  and pass through a projecting boss  92  on the frame  76  (only one of which is shown) and threaded into threads formed in bosses (not shown) provided in the half shroud  50   b.    
     The handle  52  is also secured to the frame  76  and that securing may be by means of screws  94  that pass through vertically spaced apart sets of holes  96  in the handle  52  and similarly located holes  98  in the frame  76  and thread into threads, for example, in the frame  76 . There is also a cover  100  that is positioned atop of the frame  76  and which may be affixed thereto by a press fit or by some suitable fasteners. 
     There are sets of springs that create a bias between the weights  18 ,  20  and  22  and the cover  100  and, as shown, there are preferably three sets of springs, a set of inner springs  102 , a set of intermediate springs  104  and a set of outer springs  106 , each of which sets will be later shown to bias, respectively, against the inner weight  18 , the intermediate weight  20  and the outer weight  22  to serve a purpose that will be later described. The sets of springs may be affixed to the underside of the cover  100  by means such as being pressed into bosses (not shown) in the cover  100  having cylindrical openings, however, other methods of affixing the sets of springs  102 ,  104  and  106  can be used. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2 , the inner, intermediate and outer weights  18 ,  20 ,  22  are illustrated in their nested orientation such that the nesting within each other maintains the center of gravity in a fixed location no matter whether one, two or all three weights are being employed by the user. As a feature of the present invention, the weights  18 ,  20  and  22  are color coded so that the user can easily see what weights are being used with the exercise device  10  since the weights are readily visible from the bottom of the exercise device  10 . Alternatively or in addition, there may be a window or opening at the upper surface of the exercise device  10  that would allow the user to look downwardly into the device in order to easily determine the colors of the weights then in use. Thus, the user can instantly know how much weight is being used in the exercise. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown, an exploded view of the base  12  that is a part of the present invention. As can be seen, the base  12  comprises a molded housing  108  and which may be comprised of a cosmetic plastic construction. At the bottom of the housing  108 , there is a stamped base plate  110  having openings  112 , and, in the exemplary embodiment, there are four openings  112  spaced about ninety degrees apart. The base plate  110  has upstanding locks  114  extending upwardly therefrom, again four are illustrated, and which have upper generally horizontal locking edges  116 . There is a center hole  118  in the base plate  110  and which locates an alignment pin  120  that is used to align and center the weights  18 ,  20  and  22  ( FIG. 2 ) when those weights are contained within the base  12 . 
     Molded rubber feet  122  are also utilized and which can pass through the openings  112  and be press fitted into suitable holes (not shown) located in the lower surface of the pods  14  to retain the base plate  110  to the molded housing  108 . Finally, there are slotted openings  124  formed in the molded housing  108  so that, when assembled, the upstanding locks  114  with the locking edges  116  extend upwardly through the slotted openings  124  and are therefore accessible for a purpose to be later explained. A central hole  126  is also provided in the molded housing  108  in alignment with the center hole  118  in the base plate  110 . Finally, with respect to  FIG. 3 , there is a cut away area  128  formed in the periphery of the molded housing  108  and, again the purpose of the cut away area  128  will later become clear. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , taken along with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the attaching and detaching system used to change the weights that are lifted by a user of the exercise device  10 . There are four receiving openings  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  formed in the frame  76  and each of the receiving openings  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  is adapted to receive the locking pin  64  depending upon the desires of the user. 
     For example, if the user desires to have the frame  76  pick up all of the weights  18 ,  20 ,  22  the locking pin  64  is inserted by the user into the receiving opening  56  where the locking pin  64  then passes through the lower hole  36  in the outer weight  22 , the lower hole  32  of the intermediate weight  20  and the lower hole  30  of the inner weight  18  such that the locking pin  64  has passed through all of the weights  18 ,  22  and  22  thereby attaching all of the weights  18 ,  20 ,  22  to the frame  76 . Accordingly, when the user lifts the frame  76 , it holds all of the weights or the maximum weight for the exercise device  10 . 
     As an alternative, the user can insert the locking pin  64  into the receiving opening  58 , whereupon the locking pin  64  then passes through the intermediate hole  38  of the outer weight  22  and the upper hole  34  of the intermediate weight  20  and the elongated vertical slot  24  of the inner weight  18  and thus only the intermediate weight  20  and the outer weight  22  become attached to the frame  76  such that now only those two weights are lifted as the user lifts the exercise device  10 , thereby exercising with a lighter weight. 
     In a similar fashion, the user can select a still lesser load by inserting the locking  64  into the receiving opening  60 , at which point the locking pin  64  passes through the upper hole  40  of the outer weight  22 , the elongated vertical slot  26  of the intermediate weight  20  and the elongated vertical slot  24  of the inner weight  18  thereby only attaching the outer weight  22  to the frame  76  for lifting by the user. 
     Finally, by inserting the locking pin  64  through the receiving opening  62 , the pin passes through the elongated vertical slot  28  of the outer weight  22 , the elongated vertical slot  26  of the intermediate weight and the elongated vertical slot  24  of the inner weight  18  such that the user now is lifting only the weight of the frame  76  since none of the weights  18 ,  20  or  22  are attached to the frame  76  and, therefore, the user is lifting the lightest weight allowed by the exercise device  10 . 
     There is a dual locking system to prevent the locking pin  64  from inadvertently becoming disengaged from its engaged position within one of the receiving openings and that dual locking system is carried out by two different methods and structure for locking the locking pin  64  into the particular receiving opening. 
     One locking means of the dual locking system is illustrated in  FIG. 4  taken along with the enlarged side cross sectional views of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . As can be seen, the locking pin  64  includes a housing  130  that enters an opening  132  in the frame  76 . The housing  130  encloses a laterally movable piston  134  having an enlarged section  136 . In  FIG. 4A , the toggle lever  66  pushes the piston  134  by means of an off center mechanism, against the bias of a spring  136  to move the piston  132  to its leftmost position or unlocked position as shown in  FIG. 4A . 
     A blocking member, such as a ball  138 , is contained in an opening  140  in the housing  130 . As such, when the toggle lever  66  is activated by a user, the piston  134  is released such that the spring  136  moves the piston  13  to the right or locked position and the ball  138  is forced outwardly by the enlarged section  136  of the piston  134  to enter into an annular depression  142  in the opening  132  to securely lock the housing  130  as well as the locking pin  64  itself, within the frame  76 , thereby prevent the locking pin  64  from inadvertently slipping out of its locked position and potentially releasing one or more weights. As also can be seen, when the locking pin  64  is in its locked position, the toggle lever  66  rests closely against the exercise device  10  so as to not snag the user&#39;s clothing or other impediments. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , taken along with  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cross sectional view of the present exercise device  10  and illustrating another locking means that is used to make up the dual locking system. In this view, there can be seen the receiving openings  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  that lead to bores  144 ,  146 ,  148  and  150  in the frame  76  and which bores then lead into the various holes in the weights  28 ,  30  and  32 , as described, in order to attach one of more weights to the frame  76 . Since the same principle applies to all of the bores  144 ,  146 ,  148  and  150 , only one will be used as an example. 
     Taking, therefore the bore  144 , when the locking pin  64  is nested into the receiving opening  56 , the locking pin  64  passes into bore  144  and thence into the lower hole  36  of the outer weight  22 . If the bore  144  and the lower hole  36  are perfectly aligned along their longitudinal axies, the locking pin  64  would pass easily from the bore  144  into the lower hole  36  without hindrance. With the present invention, however, the longitudinal axies of the bore  144  and the lower hole  36  are deliberately out of alignment, that is, when at rest, the longitudinal axis of the bore  144  is slightly higher then that of the lower hole  36 . To make that alignment, it is necessary to move the bore  144  slightly downwardly with respect to the lower hole  36  against the bias of the sets of springs  102 ,  104  and  106 . 
     That relative movement then can align the respective longitudinal axies of the bore  144  and the lower hole  36  to enable the locking pin  64  to be easily slid therein and, when released, the springs  102 ,  104  and  106  again create that misalignment so that there is a shear force exerted against the locking pin  64  by the misalignment of the bore  114  and the lower hole  36 . That shear force serves to hold the locking pin  64  firmly in its inserted position wedged between the frame  76  and the outer weight  18  and, by the relative movement between the frame  76  and the weights  18 ,  20 ,  22 , the locking and unlocking of the locking pin  64  can be carried out. 
     The relative movement that locks and unlocks the locking pin  64  is carried out by the present exercise device  10  automatically as it adds or takes away weights from and to the base  12  where the unused weights are normally stored. 
     Accordingly, referring to  FIG. 6 , taken along with  FIGS. 1-3 , it can be seen that the exercise device  10  is placed atop of the base  12  in order to add or remove weights. The unused weights are stored in the base  12  and retained in the proper alignment by the alignment pin  120 . In order to pick up a weight from the base  12  or to deposit a weight on the base  12 , the exercise device  10  is seated in the base  12  and rotated about an eighth of a turn. In doing so, the slanted locking projections  68  located at the bottom of the exercise device  10  engage with the locking edges  116  of the upstanding locks  114  on the base  12 . 
     The rotation of the exercise device  10  serves to wedge the locking projections  68  underneath those locking edges  116  causing the frame  76  to be drawn downwardly. In the meantime, the weights are seated on the bottom of the base  12  and remain immovable. The lowering of the frame  76  thereby causes the relative movement between the frame  76  and the weights so as to align the longitudinal axies of, for example, bore  144  and the bottom hole  36  in the outer weight  22  to unlock the locking pin  64  and allow it to be easily withdrawn after prior unlocking of the toggle lever  66  as explained. 
     In addition, the downward motion of the frame  76  creates a force against the weights to expel the unattached weights from the exercise device  10  so that a weight or weights will not be hung up in the device and drop out inadvertently as eth user is performing an exercise. The downward force insures that the unused weight or weights has fully dropped out of the exercise device  10 . 
     The reverse action relocks the locking pin  64  as the exercise device  10  is removed from the base  12  since the exercise device  10  must be rotated to release it from the base  12  and that rotation frees the locking projections  68  from the locking edges  116  of the upstanding locks  114 , thereby allowing the bias of the springs to again create a misalignment of the axies of the bore  144  and the lower hole  36 , for example, and clamp tightly again on the locking pin  64 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7  there is a perspective view of a typical prior art kettlebell  152  having a generally spherical shape and, as can be seen, the kettlebell  152  has been flipped over by the users hand and is resting on the back of the wrist  154 . With the shape of a sphere, the impact of the kettlebell  152  hitting the wrist is fairly traumatic and is uncomfortable and potentially painful, particularly with a new user trying to master the technique. 
     Turning then to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a perspective view illustrating the shape of the present exercise device  10 . As can be seen the surface  156  of the exercise device  10  the contacts the back of the wrist  154  of the user is curved and generally fits comfortably along the wrist  154  of the user such that the impact with the wrist  154  is less traumatic and more comfortable for the user carrying out the exercise. 
     Finally tuning to  FIGS. 9A and 9B  there are perspective views of the present exercise device  10  with optional pads  158 ,  160  that can be applied to even more soften the impact between the exercise device  10  and the back of the user&#39;s wrist. The pad  158  can be die cut with cut square edges and can be applied to a reduced area at two locations on the exercise device  10 . The pad  160  can be of a molded construction having a contoured shape with edges having a radius and can cover a broad area. In both of the pads  158 ,  160 , the pads can be applied at the desired location by the user and can have a self-adhesive surface to facilitate that installation. As can be seen, the pads could be molded directly to the plastic shroud or be applied at the factory in some other manner and thus save the need for the user to add the pads to the exercise device  10 . 
     Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the exercise device of the present invention which will result in an improved device and method of using the same, yet all of which will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.