Patent Publication Number: US-10765239-B2

Title: Apparatuses and methods for placing a covering about a mattress

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/990,890 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,362,887, filed on Jan. 8, 2016, entitled APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR PLACING A COVERING ABOUT A MATTRESS, which claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/101,149, filed on Jan. 8, 2015, entitled APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR PLACING A COVERING ABOUT A MATTRESS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to apparatuses and methods for placing a covering, such as a bed sheet, about an object, such as a mattress. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The process of making a bed can be physically taxing, as such a task usually requires bending over, lifting a portion of the mattress, and tucking bed covers underneath the mattress and between the mattress box spring or other support structure. This task can be especially difficult for people with physical disabilities, and particularly those with back pain/trauma or arthritis. Generally, beds are made manually without the aid of an apparatus for assistance. In an institutional setting, such as a hospital or nursing home, or other places having a large number of beds, such as hotels, the repetitive task of making beds can be especially strenuous, even for able-bodied individuals. In addition, the repetitive nature of making numerous beds can potentially lead to fatigue or injury. 
     A number of tools are known for assisting with the making of beds. Known tools are either designed for lifting the mattress for allowing sheets to be tucked under the mattress, or for tucking the sheet itself underneath the mattress. U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,569 to Sakaldasis et al. discloses two such tools. One tool has a handle and a wedge-shaped distal portion for being inserted between the mattress and the mattress support surface, such as a bed frame or a box spring, to lift up a portion of the mattress above the support surface. A separate tool having a handle and a distal tuck member with a planar configuration is used to tuck a flat sheet underneath the mattress. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a tool for placing a sheet-like cover around an object, such as a mattress, includes a proximal handle portion, a distal end portion configured with a cover manipulating portion that includes a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions that extend away from the proximal handle portion. The protrusions are configured to engage with a tool receiving portion of a covering in the form of a plurality of spaced-apart openings in the covering so that the covering can be held and manipulated by the tool. The protrusions are preferably provided with end stop portions adjacent to the spaced-apart protrusions that are sized and configured for abutting with the covering adjacent to the openings of the covering to limit how far the protrusions can extend therethrough. In one form, the protrusions may take the form of prongs or tines that are connected to a shaft or a handle. In another form, the protrusions may be projections that extend from a planar member attached to the handle portion. In some forms, the protrusions extend in a reference plane transverse to a tool axis, such as a longitudinal axis that is defined between the proximal handle portion and the distal end portion. 
     The end stop portions in one form are relatively enlarged portions relative to the spaced-apart protrusions and are sized and configured to be larger than the size of the openings in the cover, such that the end stop portions will abut the covering and will not pass through the openings when the protrusions are inserted through the openings. In one form, the end stop portions take the form of arcuate or spherical bodies disposed adjacent the spaced-apart protrusions. In yet another form, the end stop portions may be the surfaces of the cover manipulating portions that are adjacent to the spaced-apart protrusions, such as a portion of the cover manipulating portion adjacent the spaced-apart protrusions having an increase in diameter or width of the spaced-apart protrusions. 
     In another form, a combination for providing a tucked bed cover about a mattress includes a sheet-like bed covering having four corner portions with a tool receiving portion in the form of a plurality of spaced-apart openings disposed in at least one of the corner portions, and an installation tool for placing the bed covering about a mattress. The installation tool may be of any of the forms described above, i.e., having a handle portion at a proximal end and a distal end having a cover-engaging portion which includes a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions sized and configured to be received within the spaced-apart openings in the cover for manipulating the bed covering at the at least one corner portion to place the bed covering about a mattress. 
     The bed covering may include grommets disposed about each of the spaced-apart openings for reinforcing the openings. In a preferred form, the bed covering further comprises a pair of spaced-apart openings disposed in each of the four corner portions. The bed covering may be a fitted mattress sheet, e.g., one having elastic disposed about all or some of the sheet edge for more closely fitting around a mattress. In one form, the bed covering may include one or more hook and loop fastener components (e.g. “VELCRO”™) disposed adjacent the pair of openings for releasably engaging with a complementary hook and loop fastener disposed on the mattress or an adjacent mattress support structure or another sheet. The cover may further include a top sheet that is attached to the bed covering, such as near the bottom portion of the sheet. 
     In another form, the bed covering tool receiving portion may include a pocket located at one or more corner portions of the bed covering for receiving a user&#39;s hand or a separate tool for manipulating the bed covering for simplifying the tucking of the bed covering about the mattress. The pocket includes an upper open edge that is unattached to the bed covering, and one or more sides that are connected to the cover to form a partially enclosed pocket. 
     A method for placing a sheet-like bed covering about a mattress may include the steps of providing a bed covering having a tool receiving portion, such as a plurality of openings that are spaced-apart from one another and located at at least one corner of the bed covering, engaging the tool receiving portion at at least one corner of the bed covering by an installation tool having a proximal handle portion and a cover manipulating portion, such as a pair of protrusions at a distal end thereof with the protrusions received within an opening of the tool receiving portion, such as the plurality of openings, placing the engaged corner of the bed covering about a corner of the mattress, and withdrawing the installation tool from the tool receiving portion of the bed covering. The method may include other steps, including tucking at least one corner of the bed covering between the mattress and a structure beneath the mattress or placing the bed covering on top of the mattress prior to engaging the corner of the bed covering with the installation tool. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tool for manipulating a bed covering; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tool for manipulating a bed covering according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a distal end of the tool of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the tool of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a tool for manipulating a bed covering according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the tool of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the tool of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a corner portion of a bed covering surrounding a mattress; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a corner portion of a bed covering being tucked under a mattress using the tool of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner portion of an alternate embodiment of a bed covering including a tool receiving portion in the form of a pocket; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of the bed covering of  FIG. 13  covering a bed; 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of a bed covering according to another embodiment covering a bed; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a tool for manipulating a bed covering according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the tool of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the tool of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an end view of the tool of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of a bed covering being tucked under a mattress using the tool of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a bed covering according to another embodiment covering a bed; and 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevational view of a tool receiving portion of a bed covering in the form of a pocket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     In one form, a tool  10  for manipulating a bed covering is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The tool  10  includes a proximal handle portion  12  including a grip  14  connected to a tube-like shaft  16 . The shaft  16  extends along a longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends  11 A,  11 B. The distal tool end portion  11 B includes a cover manipulating portion  17  having a pair of spaced-apart protrusions  18  at the distal ends of prongs or tines  20  that extend away from the proximal handle portion  12 . The prongs  20  are connected to the distal end portion  11 B of the shaft  16  via fasteners, or alternatively may be integrally formed on the shaft  16  to be of a unitary construction therewith. The prongs  20  include end stop portions  22  in the form of enlarged arcuate or spherical members located adjacent the spaced-apart protrusions  18 . The end stop portions  22  are sized and configured for abutting with a bed covering adjacent to openings of the bed covering to limit how far the protrusions  18  may extend through the openings, as further described below. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the tool  10  includes two spaced-apart protrusions  18  at the distal ends of the prongs  20 . It is contemplated that more or less protrusions  18  can be used with the tool  10  of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     Another embodiment of a tool  10 A is shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . In this embodiment, the tool  10 A does not include a grip and the cover manipulating portion  17  is connected to the shaft  16  without fasteners, such as by welding. In this embodiment, the proximal handle portion  12  is solely on shaft  16 . Description of similar portions of the tool  10 A as compared to tool  10  is omitted for the sake of brevity. 
     The end stop portions  22  may take a variety of forms, such as end stop portions  122  of a cover manipulating portion  117  adjacent the spaced-apart protrusions  118  as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . Alternatively the spaced-apart protrusions  18 ,  118  themselves could have a gradually enlarged profile such that portions of the exterior surfaces of the protrusions themselves form the end stop portions. Naturally, in some embodiments, the location of the end stop portions may vary depending on the size of the openings in the cover and the size of the spaced-apart protrusions. 
     As may be apparent, the spaced-apart protrusions and the end stop portions are preferably sized and configured such that the protrusions  18 ,  118  are only capable of protruding through the openings in the cover as far as needed to provide effective retention and control of the bed covering without the bed covering easily disengaging the protrusions  18 ,  118  while the bed covering is being manipulated. In one form, the length of the protrusions  18 ,  118  from their tips to the end stop portions  22 ,  122 , respectively, is approximately ⅜ of an inch. However, a variety of lengths are contemplated, with longer lengths making it less likely that the bed covering will inadvertently fall off of the protrusions  18 ,  118 , while potentially increasing the difficulty of removing the bed covering from the protrusions. Preferably, the length of each protrusion  18 ,  118  is under two inches, and more preferably one inch or less. 
     The spaced-apart protrusions  18 ,  118  are preferably oriented at an angle with respect to the tool axis, which as shown in the disclosed embodiments is the longitudinal axis of the shaft  16 ,  116  (labeled L 1  in  FIG. 10 ). The cover manipulating portion  17 ,  117  may also include an inclined portion  24 ,  124  which is configured for being inserted between a mattress and a mattress support surface, such as a box spring  270  ( FIG. 11 ) or an upper support surface of a bed. The inclined portion  24  permits the user to use the tool  10 ,  10 A,  110  more comfortably and reduces the need to bend over to place the bed covering about a mattress. The inclined portion  24 ,  124  may have a wide range of angles α ( FIG. 10 ) with respect to the tool axis L 1 . For example, the inclined portion  124  in  FIGS. 8-10  extends at approximately a 30 degree angle with respect to the tool longitudinal axis L 1 . The embodiments disclosed in  FIGS. 1-7  include an inclined portion  24  extending at an angle of approximately 55 degrees with respect to the tool longitudinal axis L 1 . However, the inclined portion  24 ,  124  preferably has an orientation between 0 and 75 degrees with respect to the tool longitudinal axis. Although not shown, the protrusions  18 ,  118  may be inclined with respect to the inclined portion  24 ,  124 , or the inclined portion may be omitted entirely. 
     The cover manipulating portion  17 ,  117  also includes a transition portion  26 ,  126  between the inclined portion  24 ,  124  and the shaft  16 ,  116  that may be used as an inclined surface similar to a wedge to lift or pry a mattress when the inclined portion  24 ,  124  is inserted under the mattress. Such a configuration can be helpful to tuck sheets more deeply under the mattress to more securely position the sheet or sheets about the mattress. 
     In  FIGS. 8-10 , an alternate embodiment of a cover manipulating tool  110  is depicted. The proximal handle portion  112 , grip  114 , and shaft  116  are similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 . However, the cover manipulating portion  117  at the distal end  11 B of shaft  116  has a shovel or spatula-like configuration instead of separate spaced-apart tines  20 . In particular, the cover manipulating portion  117  includes a substantially planar plate-like inclined portion  124  and substantially planar plate-like transition portion  126 . Spaced-apart projections  118  extend from a distal end surface  128  of the inclined portion  124 . The projections  118  are approximately 2 inches apart from one another, however other spacings may be used as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill. The projections  118  have a slight taper, such that they are narrower at their distal ends. Although a pair of projections  118  is shown in this and the other disclosed embodiments, other numbers of projections may be used, such as one or three projections. In  FIGS. 8-10 , the cover manipulating portion  117  is connected to the shaft  116  via socket  130  and fasteners. 
     A corner portion  202  of a bed covering in accordance with the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 11-12 . In one form, the bed covering is a fitted sheet  200  with a tool receiving portion in the form of a pair of spaced-apart openings  210  formed in a corner portion of the sheet  200 . In one form, the openings  210  are surrounded by grommets  212  to reinforce the structure of the openings  210 . Preferably, the openings  210  are formed near a bottom edge  216  of the sheet  200  so that the cover manipulating tool  10 ,  110  may position the bottom edge  216  of the sheet underneath the mattress  300  to achieve a proper fit. A top or flat sheet  250  may be sewn or otherwise coupled to the fitted sheet  200  to provide a composite sheet as shown in  FIG. 20 . The top sheet  250  may be attached to the fitted sheet  200  near the bottom edge  216  corresponding with the foot of a bed  400 , along the foot edge  251  of the top sheet  250 . Alternatively, the top sheet  250  can be attached to the fitted sheet  200  adjacent and spaced from the bottom edge  216 . Either the fitted sheet  200  or a separate or connected top sheet  250  or both of the sheets  200 ,  250  may be provided with a hook and loop fastener  260  attached near a lower edge for releasably attaching one or both of the sheets  200 ,  250  to one another or to a mattress support surface having a corresponding hook and loop fastener, such as a box spring  270  or upper bed support surface. 
     A tool  110  for manipulating a bed covering  200  is shown in  FIG. 12  with the spaced-apart protrusions  118  disposed in the openings  210  with the bed covering  200  disposed about a mattress  300 . To place the bed covering  200  about the mattress  300 , a user may first place the bed covering  200  on top of the mattress  300  and then engage one of the corner portions of the bed covering  200  with the spaced-apart protrusions  118  by inserting the protrusions  118  into the openings  210 . Alternatively, the user may first engage a corner portion of the bed covering  200  with the tool  110  before placing the bed covering  200  on top of the mattress  300 . With the bed covering  200  disposed on the distal end  128  of the tool  110 , the lower edge  216  of the bed covering  200  may then be tucked around and underneath the corner of the mattress  300 . The protrusions  118  may then be removed from the openings  210 , leaving the bed covering  200  in place. The method may then be repeated for each corner portion of the bed covering  200 . 
     In another embodiment, the bed covering  200 A may have a tool receiving portion in the form of a pocket  500  located at each corner portion  202  of the bed covering  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14A . The pocket  500  is configured to receive the distal cover engaging portion of an installation tool, such as one of the engaging portions of the tools disclosed in  FIGS. 1-10 . Alternatively, the user may use their hand or another object to manipulate the bed covering  200 A by inserting and temporarily capturing their hand, tool, or object within an opening or interior  516  of the pocket  500 . The pocket  500  has a top edge  518  and a bottom edge  510  between opposite lateral side edges  512 ,  514 . The bottom edge  510  and opposite lateral side edges  512 ,  514  are sewn or otherwise coupled to the bed covering  200  to form the opening or pocket interior  516  for receiving a tool or hand. The relatively larger opening  516  eases insertion of the tool into the pocket  500 . In one form, the side edges  512 ,  514  of pockets  500  are approximately three inches long and the top and bottom edges  518 ,  510  are approximately five inches wide. The pockets  500  could advantageously be provided separately to allow the user to retrofit existing bed covers by sewing or otherwise coupling the pockets  500  to the existing bed cover. Preferably, the pockets  500  are made out of the same material as the bed covering  200 , although other materials may be used. Although the pockets  500  are shown located at the corner portions of the bed cover  200 , the pockets  500  may be partially or completely tucked under the mattress  300  when the bed covering  200  is fully received on the mattress  300  by a user. 
     With reference to  FIG. 14B , a bed covering  200 B is shown having pockets  500  disposed in the corner portions  202  of the bed covering  200 B. The bed covering  200 B further includes a top portion  204 , a bottom portion  206  and oppositely disposed side portions  208 A,  208 B. Along the side portions  208 A,  208 B, intermediate pockets  502  are shown which are configured to receive the cover engaging portion of an installation tool, such as one of the tools disclosed in  FIGS. 1-10 . In this way, the side portions  208 A,  208 B can also be tucked into the spacing between the mattress  300  and the box spring  270 . Any number of intermediate pockets  502  can be disposed along the side portions  208 A,  208 B and may also be disposed along the top and bottom portions  204 ,  206  as necessary for providing a multitude of tool receiving areas along the bed sheet  200 B. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15-18 , a tool  600  for manipulating a bed covering is shown, wherein the tool  600  includes a handle portion  612  disposed on an elongate shaft  616 . The shaft  616  includes a proximal end  11 A and a distal end  11 B, wherein the distal end  11 B includes a cover manipulating portion  617 . The cover manipulating portion  617  is coupled to the shaft  616  via a fastener  620 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 15-18 , the cover manipulating portion  617  of tool  600  includes a body portion  622  that tapers outwardly to define a shovel nosed end  624  having an arched outermost edge  626 . The tool  600  shown in  FIGS. 15-18  can be used to engage a pocket, such as pockets  500  and  502  shown in  FIG. 14B , to properly position the bed covering  200 B on a mattress  300 . Use of the tool  600  for positioning the bed sheet  200 B is further described below with reference to  FIG. 19 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a cross-sectional view of the bed covering  200 B, mattress  300  and box spring  270  is shown with a spacing S disposed between the mattress  300  and box spring  270 . The tool  600  is shown with the cover engaging portion  617  positioned within an interior  516  of pocket  502 . Pocket  502  is an intermediary pocket disposed along a side portion  208 A of the bed covering  200 B. However, it is contemplated that the tool  600  can also be used for any of the corner pockets  500  shown in  FIG. 14B . The shovel nosed end  624  is shown positioned within the interior portion  516  of the pocket  502 , and the angle of the body portion  622  to the arched distal end  626  is shown as positioning the distal end  216  of the bed covering  200 B into the spacing S between the mattress  300  and box spring  270 . With the tool  600  engaged with the pocket  502 , the pocket  502  is pulled away from the side portion  208 A of the bed covering  200 B. The top edge  518  of the pocket  502  is shown having an elastic band  519  coupled thereto which is configured to flexibly and resiliently bias the pocket  502  back towards a flat position against the side portion  208 A when the cover engaging portion  617  of the tool  600  is removed from the pocket  502 . It is further contemplated that the distal edge  216  of the bed covering  200 B may include a rubberized material configured to grip either an underside of the mattress  300 , a top side of the box spring  270  or both once the distal end  216  is properly placed in the spacing S between the mattress  300  and the box spring  270 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , a bed covering  200 C has a similar configuration to bed covering  200 B, but further includes a top sheet  250  coupled near the bottom portion  206  of the bed covering  200 C along a coupling line CL. In this way, when a user positions the bed covering  200 C to the mattress  300 , the top sheet  250  is also fitted thereto, such that the user is spared from a similar top sheet fitting procedure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , an intermediary pocket  502  is shown disposed on side portion  208 A of bed covering  200 B. The intermediary pocket  502  includes a top edge  518  having elastic band  519  coupled thereto. The body portion  520  of the pocket  502  is coupled to the side portion  208 A of the bed covering  200 B along side edges  512 ,  514  and bottom edge  510 . In this way, an interior  516  of the pocket  502  is formed between the body portion  520  of the pocket  502  and the side portion  208 A of the bed covering  200 B. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 , the bed covering  200 B includes a distal end  216  which is meant to be tucked under a mattress, such as mattress  300 , in use. The distal end  216  of the bed covering  20 B includes an elastic portion  217  which may surround an entirety of the distal end  216 , such that the bed covering  200 B is a fitted sheet. The distal end  216  further includes an engagement portion  219  which may be a rubberized or foam like engagement feature that is contemplated to be disposed on the distal end  216  of the bed covering  200 B to provide grip against a mattress, a box spring, or both when the distal end  216  is tucked into position, such as in a manner shown in  FIG. 19 . In this way, when properly placed on a mattress, the bed covering  200 B is configured to stay properly positioned in an effort to reduce the need for adjustments in use. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 
     The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.