Abstract:
A ball collection device, including a handle; a first tube segment and a second tube segment coupled substantially perpendicularly to the handle; a multi-directional roller ball coupled to the first and second tube segments; a crossbar coupled to the handle adjacent and substantially parallel to the first and second tube segments; a first arm coupled to and extending substantially perpendicular from the first tube segment; a first wing extending from the first arm that is configured to deflect objects downward; a second arm coupled to and extending substantially perpendicular from the second tube segment; a second wing extending from the second arm that is configured to deflect objects downward; and at least one roller rotatably mounted on each of the first and second tube segments and the crossbar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/205,360, filed August 14, 2015, entitled BALL COLLECTION DEVICE, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    n/a 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention relates to a ball collection device and, more particularly, to a push broom-style ball collector that has improved maneuverability. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Push broom style ball collectors are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,030 to Robert Pearson et al. (the &#39;030 patent), discloses a foldable device for retrieving golf, tennis or other balls. In the &#39;030 patent, a strap or length of cord formed from nylon or another resilient material is secured to a side of the mesh material adjacent brace member and forms a loop or lifting handle. A pair of wheels or castors is secured to the undersides of the arm members and at the first ends. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,817,405 to W. C. Pearson discloses a bowl retriever having a generally trapezoidal shape. The sides of the trapezoidal frame extend forwardly at equal obtuse angles relative to a bearing member or rear side of the frame. The frame is supported by two caster wheels located at the forward ends of the frame sides, remote from the bearing member, and by two axially spaced elongate rollers that are mounted beneath, and extending longitudinally of, the bearing members on suitable journal brackets. 
         [0006]    Similarly, U.K. Patent No. 539,348 to Atcherley discloses a wheeled collecting device having a handle, rubber covered rollers on its front face adapted to engage with the bowls so that the bowls will roll easily in front of the device, and which is supported by rubber tired castors or other wheels. 
         [0007]    Additionally, certain ball collector products are available in the market, such as the Scorpion Ball Sweeper, the Green Rake by Range Servant, and the Dry Court Tennis Ball Sweeper by Tennisnuts™. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a push broom-type ball collector that is easy to manipulate and rotate in any direction. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a push broom-type ball collector that solves the disadvantages of ball collecting devices of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ball collecting device that can be moved easily in any direction and is easy to manipulate and use. In one particular embodiment of the invention, a push broom-type ball collector is provided that utilizes a multi-directional center roller ball that permits the collector to be manipulated and rotated in any direction. 
         [0010]    The present invention advantageously provides a ball collection device, including a handle; a multi-directional roller ball coupled to an end of the handle; a bottom tube coupled to the roller ball substantially perpendicular to the handle; a first arm coupled to and extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom tube; and a second arm coupled to and extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom tube. The bottom tube may include a first tube segment and a second tube segment, wherein the first and second tube segments enclose at least a portion of the roller ball. The ball collection device may include a ball shield covering at least a portion of the roller ball, wherein the ball shield may be configured to deflect external objects away from the roller ball. At least one of the first and second arms may include a wing extending at an angle therefrom and/or may include a crossbar coupled to the handle adjacent to the bottom tube. The crossbar may be substantially parallel to the bottom tube and/or may be substantially V-shaped. The ball collection device may include at least one roller coaxially and rotatably mounted on the crossbar and/or a curvilinear support bracket connecting the handle to at least one of the crossbar and bottom tube. The ball collection device may include at least one roller coaxially and rotatably mounted on the bottom tube and/or may include a first wheel coupled to the first arm and a second wheel coupled to the second arm. The handle of the ball collection device may be selectively adjustable. 
         [0011]    A ball collection device is disclosed, including a handle; at least one crossbar coupled substantially perpendicular to the handle; a multi-directional roller ball coupled to the at least one crossbar; and a plurality of arms, wherein the at least one crossbar and the plurality of arms form a ball capture region. The at least one crossbar may include a bottom tube and a crossbar substantially parallel and vertically adjacent to the bottom tube. The bottom tube may include a first tube segment and a second tube segment, wherein the first and second tube segments enclose at least a portion of the roller ball. Each of the plurality of arms may include a wing extending at an angle therefrom configured to direct balls towards the ball capture region. The ball collection device may include a plurality of rollers rotatably coupled to the at least one crossbar. Each of the plurality of rollers may be concentrically mounted on the at least one crossbar. 
         [0012]    A ball collection device is disclosed, including a handle; a first tube segment and a second tube segment coupled substantially perpendicularly to the handle; a multi-directional roller ball coupled to the first and second tube segments; a crossbar coupled to the handle adjacent and substantially parallel to the first and second tube segments; a first arm coupled to and extending substantially perpendicular from the first tube segment; a first wing extending from the first arm that is configured to deflect objects downward; a second arm coupled to and extending substantially perpendicular from the second tube segment; a second wing extending from the second arm that is configured to deflect objects downward; and at least one roller rotatably mounted on each of the first and second tube segments and the crossbar. The handle of the ball collection device may be selectively adjustable. 
         [0013]    A ball collection device is provided, including a handle; a first tube segment and a second tube segment coupled substantially perpendicularly to the handle; a multi-directional roller ball coupled to the first and second tube segments; a crossbar coupled to the handle horizontally offset from the first and second tube segments; a first arm coupled to and extending substantially perpendicular from the first tube segment; a first wing extending from the first arm that is configured to deflect objects downward; a second arm coupled to and extending substantially perpendicular from the second tube segment; a second wing extending from the second arm that is configured to deflect objects downward; and a plurality of rollers rotatably coupled to the crossbar. The plurality of rollers may include a first plurality of rollers substantially aligned with each other and vertically adjacent to a second plurality of rollers substantially aligned with each other. 
         [0014]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a rolling ball collector, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
         [0015]    The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a ball collection device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a ball collection device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the ball collection device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view, taken from the bottom, of the ball collection device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a front plan view of a ball collection device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a rear plan view of a ball collection device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5C  is a top plan view of a ball collection device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5D  is a bottom plan view of a ball collection device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5E  is a side plan view taken from the left side of a ball collection device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5F  is a side plan view taken from the right side of a ball collection device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a portion of the ball collector of one embodiment of the invention in contact with a ball located in the capture region; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a front isometric view of another example of a ball collection device in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a rear isometric view of the ball collection device of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the ball collection device of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the ball collection device of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , there is shown one particular embodiment of a ball collection device  100 . The ball collection device  100  is a push-broom style ball collector including a handle  110 , arms  120 , and a backplane  130 . Each of the handle  110  and the arms  120  are connected to, and removable from, the backplane  130  via a fastening mechanism. In one particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the fastening mechanism includes a spring pin and hole combination. The invention is not meant to be limited to this, however, as other ways of fixing the handle  110  and arms  120  to the backplane  130 , such as, welding, screwing, pinning, etc., can be used to removably or permanently connect the handle  110  and/or arms  120  to the backplane  130  without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0033]    The Handle: As discussed above, the ball collection device  100  includes a handle or main handle assembly  110 , with which it can be pushed and/or maneuvered. In one particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the handle  110  is a telescoping handle made from two or more concentric pipe sections  112 ,  114 , with a rotating locking member  116  that permits the length of the handle  110  to be selected and set at a preferred length. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the handle  110  additionally includes a grip  118 , for ease in grasping the handle and for comfort. The handle  110  may be coupled to one or more components described herein employing a variety of rotational, pivotal, or other movable joint mechanisms to allow the angle of the handle  110  to be freely moved and changed during use of the ball collection device  100 . 
         [0034]    The Backplane: The backplane  130  includes a bottom tube  140 , which acts as the base component of the backplane  130 , to which all of the other elements of the backplane  130  are connected. For example, a support bracket  132  is mounted to the bottom tube  140  via curved brackets  134  bolted to the bottom tube  140  using mechanical fasteners or bolts  131 . This is not meant to be limiting, as the curved brackets  134  could be permanently fixed to the bottom tube through welding, gluing, pinning, etc., as desired. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the bottom tube  140  is formed from anodized aluminum tubing, although other materials may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Further, although referred to as a “tube,” the cross sectional shape and construct of the bottom tube  140  is not limited to circular or hollow embodiments. 
         [0035]    In the present preferred embodiment, the handle  110  connects to, and is removable from, the support bracket  132 , via a fastening mechanism or fastener  115 . In one particular embodiment, the pipe section  114  mates concentrically with a pipe section  136   a  (or, alternately, a socket, not shown) of the support bracket  132  and the fastener includes a spring pin  132   a  on a portion of the support bracket  132  that mates with a hole  110   a  through the shaft of pole  114 , or vice-versa. A portion  136  of the support bracket  132  is provided at a particularly defined angle, so that the handle  110  connected thereto is at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the ground. If desired, the angle of the portion  136  may be adjustable to permit the user to change the angle of the handle  110  relative to the ground. 
         [0036]    The backplane  130  serves as the rear wall of an area or capture pen  180  in which balls  175  entering between the two arms  120  are entrapped. As such, in the present preferred embodiment, the backplane  130  is provided with several mechanisms for ensuring that the collector  100  will have great mobility while collecting balls  175  between the arms  120 . Referring more particularly to  FIG. 5B , the main point of ground contact for the ball collector  100  is a multi-directional center ball or roller ball  138  trapped in place between the two tube portions or segments  140   a  and  140   b  that form or constitute the bottom tube  140 . In a less desirable embodiment, the roller ball  138  could be replaced by a roller mounted coaxially on a portion of the bottom tube  140 . However, the use of a multi-directional center ball  138  provides a mobility that surpasses the use of a simple roller and is critical to the ability of the collector  100  to veer off quickly and easily at a tangent to the previous direction of travel of the collector  100 . Consequently, the use of the roller ball  138  permits the collector  100  to easily and quickly change direction in order to collect balls  175  located at random spaced locations over a field, green or court. 
         [0037]    For purposes of balance and ease of motion, the ball collector  100  of the present invention can additionally include further mobility elements aligned at its outer peripheral sides. For example, in the present embodiment shown, wheels  122  on the underside of the arms  120  and wheels  162  on the underside of the backplane  132 , and more particularly, on the underside of the elbow portions  160  of the backplane  132 , provide further mobility to the collector  100  and additionally serve to balance the peripheral sides of the collector  100  and arms  120  above and off of the ground, in use. It should be understood that the foregoing is not meant to limit the invention only to the use of wheels. Rather, for purposes of the present invention, the outer peripheral mobility elements can be wheels, skid pads, skis and/or rollers, as desired, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, the outer peripheral mobility elements for each side of the ball collector  100  should be aligned with a longitudinal axis through the body of the arm  120  of that respective side. 
         [0038]    The multi-directional center roller  138  entrapped between the bottom tube portions  140   a  and  140   b,  is protected in the front capture region or pen  180  (i.e., the region between the arms  120  and the backplane  130 ) by a ball shield  135 . Ball shield  135  overlays the roller ball  138  in the front, to prevent balls  175  in the front capture region  180  from becoming entangled with the roller ball  138 , or knocking the roller ball  138  out from between the bottom tube portions  140   a  and  140   b.  In the present particular embodiment illustrated, the ball shield  135  is V-shaped, with the point of the “V” aligned under a correspondingly V-shaped crossbar  150 . The V-shaped example of the shield  135  directs and deflects balls and/or other external objects toward the sides or arms  120  of the capture region  180 . Additionally, the ball shield  135  is held in place and stabilized by multiple points of contact with other frame portions of the backplane  130 . For example, in the present preferred embodiment, the ball shield  135  includes braces  137  attached to the support bracket  132 , braces  139  attached to each of the bottom tube portions  140   a  and  140   b,  and a central bracket  158  that secures the front of the ball shield  125  to the crossbar  150  and maintains its position relative thereto. Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the ball shield  135  includes flanges on its inner surface, to provide strength to the shield  135  and prevent deformation when impacted by a ball caught in the capture region  180 . 
         [0039]    Additionally, in the present preferred embodiment, the ball roller  138  is further protected by a V-shaped crossbar  150  that deflects captured balls  175  towards the sides of the capture region  180  (i.e., adjacent the arms  120 ), in use. More particularly, the V-shaped crossbar  150  is connected to the bottom tube  140  via the elbow portions  152  and  160 . In one particular embodiment of the invention, the crossbar  150  includes a plurality of rollers  156  mounted coaxially around the tubular body of the crossbar  150 . Each of the rollers  156  is mounted such that it can move rotationally about the body of the crossbar  150  when a tangential force is applied to the roller  156  by a ball trapped between the arms  120 . Similarly, in one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the backplane  130  additionally includes rollers  142  circumferentially mounted around the bottom tube  140 , which are designed to rotate about the bottom tube  140 , when contacted by a ball trapped between the arms  120 . The rollers  142 ,  156  help ensure that the balls  175  move ahead of the backplane  130  as the collector  100  is rolled, and that they do not become trapped under the crossbar  150  or bottom tube  140 . For example, as the ball collector  100  is pushed forward in use, balls  175  in the capture region  180  will eventually contact the backplane  130  at the crossbar  150  and/or the bottom tube  140 . The rollers  142 ,  156  will roll about the respective tube  140 /crossbar  150  and keep the captured balls  175  rolling forward (in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rollers  142 ,  156 , as shown more particularly in  FIG. 6 ), rather than allowing them to be pushed into the turf or trapped under the crossbar  150  or tube  140 . In addition, the rollers  156  and/or the crossbar  150  may be vertically configured at a position with a sufficient height to allow the rollers  156  to prevent any balls from cascading or rolling over the top of the backplane  130  when the device  100  is used to gather large numbers (or sizes) of balls. 
         [0040]    Providing the rollers  142 ,  156  of the backplane  130  also ensures that much less rotational friction exists for heavy balls, such as baseballs, that buttress up to the collector surfaces at the back portion of the capture region  180 . Additionally, the reduction in rotational friction due to the rollers  142 ,  156  preserves operator mobility (i.e., the ability to continue pushing and operating the collector  100 ) when a high volume of heavy-type balls (such as baseballs) are in the capture region  180 . Thus, the backplane rollers  142 ,  156  provide an efficient way to preserve the mobility of the ball collector  100 . This feature of the ball collector  100  has industrial application, as it permits the ball collector  100  to be used to collect a broader range of balls, including heavier balls like baseballs, than other ball collectors presently available. The rollers  142 ,  156 , in combination with the roller ball  138  of the backplane, provide a ball collector  100  that is much more user friendly than other ball collector devices currently known. 
         [0041]    The backplane  130  additionally includes elbows  160 , which curve around 90 degrees, or substantially 90 degrees, from the ends of the tube portions  140   a  and  140   b  distal from the roller ball  138 . One end of each elbow is connected to the bottom tube  140 , while the other end provides a connection for the arms  120 . Additionally, the elbows  160  include a connection for receiving elbows  152 , to which the crossbar  150  is connected. The elbows  152  raise the plane of the crossbar above the plane of the bottom tube  140 . The raised crossbar  150  prevents balls  175  in the capture region  180  from being bounced or spun over the back of the collector  100  (i.e., over the bottom tube  140 . 
         [0042]    It should be noted that each of the components should be sized for the ball intended to be gathered in the capture region  180  of a particular ball collector  100 . A ball collector  100  configured for collecting tennis balls or baseballs will have a lower crossbar  150  (i.e., a shorter elbow  152 ), as compared to a collector  100  configured to collect soccer balls or basketballs. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the crossbar  150  is omitted when the balls  175  to be collected are too small to need or contact the crossbar  150  (e.g., golf balls or table tennis balls). Each of the elbows  160 ,  152  of the present embodiment are configured to be removable from the backplane  130 . For example, the elbow  152  may be attached to the elbow  160  using a spring pin hole arrangement, or even a friction fit, as desired. Similarly, each elbow  160  may be attached to the bottom tube  140  using a spring pin hole arrangement, or even a friction fit, as desired. The free end of each elbow  160  (i.e., the end not received in the tube  140 ) is configured to removably attach to one of the arms  120 . 
         [0043]    The Arms: Each of the arms  120  is configured to connect to, and be removable from, the backplane  130 . In one particular embodiment of the invention, each arm  120  is attached to the backplane  130  at an elbow  160 , via a fastener  120   a  which, in the present embodiment, is illustrated as a spring pin  160   a  on the elbow  160  that mates with a hole  120   a  through the shaft of each arm  120 . The invention is not meant to be limited to this, however, as the arms  120  can be welded or otherwise permanently fixed to the backplane  130  without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0044]    Each of the arms  120  includes a mobility element, which, in the illustrated case, is a wheel or roller  122  aligned with the wheel or roller  162  of the elbow  160  along the longitudinal axis of the arm  120 . As discussed hereinabove, this is not meant to be limiting, as other types of mobility elements can be used for the outer peripheral portions of the collector  100 . In one particular embodiment, one or both of the wheels  122 ,  162  on each side of the collector  100  is/are replaced by a skid pad. In another particular embodiment of the invention both wheels  122 ,  162  on each side of the collector  100  are replaced by one or more skis. Other types of mobility elements can be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
         [0045]    Additionally, in the present preferred embodiment, each of the arms  120  includes a wing  124  mounted to the upper surface portion thereof The wings  124  are pigeon toed-in or angled in towards the capture region  180 , to deflect and maintain balls  175  in the capture region  180 . In one particular embodiment of the invention, the arms  120  are streamlined and designed to aesthetically resemble an aircraft nacelle. 
         [0046]    Now referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , another example of the ball collection device  100  is shown having many of the features described above (e.g., many of the same components, detachment and disassembly constructs, etc.). In the illustrated example, the backplane  130  includes the crossbar  150  and components coupled thereto, which may include crossbar segments or portions  150   a  and  150   b  coupled to the handle  110  and the arms  120 . Each crossbar segment or portion may include a tube, frame, or other mechanical construct configured to provide the functionality and features described herein. The crossbar segments  150   a,    150   b  create or define the ball capture region  180  with the arms  120 . The crossbar segments  150   a,    150   b  may be horizontally offset from the tube portions  140   a,    140   b  to create the ball capture region forward of the tube portions  140   a,    140   b.    
         [0047]    The rollers  156  may be rotatable disposed or coupled to the crossbar  150  or portions thereof. For example, each of crossbar segment  150   a  and  105   b  may include a plurality of rollers  156   a,    156   b  mounted thereon. The pluralities of roller  156   a,    156   b  may each include two rows of rollers  156  vertically adjacent and parallel to each other. The vertical spacing and/or positioning of the higher or upper row of rollers  156   a,    156   b  may be configured to provide sufficient height to allow the upper row of rollers to prevent any balls from cascading or rolling over the top of the backplane  130  when the device  100  is used to gather large numbers (or sizes) of balls. Moreover, although the rollers are illustrated as substantially aligned with one another (see, e.g., the top view of  FIG. 9 ), the rows of rollers may also be angled or horizontally offset from each other as well to provide an angled collection plane that can knock down any balls that bounce up or accumulate in front of the rollers when using the device. To that effect, the upper rows of rollers may be positioned at least partially forward of the lower rows of rollers, creating somewhat of a roller overhang on the crossbar  150 . 
         [0048]    The ball collection device  100  may also include one or more rollers  156   c  between the crossbar segment  150   a  and  105   b  and/or otherwise substantially in the middle of the crossbar  150  in proximity to the multi-directional roller ball  138 . The rollers  156   c  may be included on the device  100  as an alternative to the shield  135 . The rollers  156   c  shield and direct balls or other external objects away from the roller ball  138  and back toward the capture region  180 . 
         [0049]    In use, the ball collector  100  is maneuvered through a court or field in order to collect balls  175  strewn therethrough. The multi-directional roller ball  138  permits the ball collector to be easily turned or maneuvered in any direction, 360 degrees relative to any point. Balls  175  are captured by capturing them between the arms  120 . As the ball collector  100  is pushed forward, balls  175  in the capture region  180  between the two arms  120  contact the backplane  130  and, in particular, the bottom tube  140  and/or crossbar  150 . Rollers  142 ,  156  on the bottom tube  140  and crossbar  150  contact the balls  175  and roll about the bottom tube  140  and crossbar  150 , respectively, in order to propel the balls  175  forward with the ball collector. Balls  175  contacting the V-shaped crossbar  150 , as the collector  100  is advanced, are deflected to the sides of the capture region  180  by the crossbar  150 , towards the arms  120 . Wings  124  on the arms  120  corral the balls  175  within the capture area. 
         [0050]    The present invention provides a ball collection device as described herein. Alternate to the embodiment shown in the drawings, if desired, the collector  110  can be constructed using fewer pieces without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention, each arm  120  can be formed with a portion of the bottom tube  140 , wherein a bend is made in the tube in place of the elbow  160 . Thus, in this embodiment, two unitary tube/arm portions are provided, one on either side of the ball roller  138 . 
         [0051]    As described herein, the ball collection device  100  can also be readily disassembled into the core components—the handle, the arms, and the backplane—to allow the device  100  to be stored and transported with a significantly reduced footprint, such as in a duffle bag or the like. 
         [0052]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. Of note, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Moreover, while certain embodiments or figures described herein may illustrate features not expressly indicated on other figures or embodiments, it is understood that the features and components of the examples disclosed herein are not necessarily exclusive of each other and may be included in a variety of different combinations or configurations without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.