U.S. patent application number 13/004921 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for lighting system for illuminating a bag.
Invention is credited to Gary Munoz.
Application Number | 20110170282 13/004921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44258388 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110170282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Munoz; Gary |
July 14, 2011 |
Lighting System for Illuminating a Bag
Abstract
What is provided is a bag having one or more interior surfaces
and one or more exterior surfaces; a first lighting strand affixed
to an interior surface, wherein the first lighting strand is
capable of providing illumination to at least one interior portion
of the bag; a second lighting strand affixed to an exterior
surface, wherein the second lighting strand is capable of providing
illumination to at least one exterior portion of the bag; at least
one battery pack electrically coupled to the first and second
lighting strands capable of providing power to said first and
second lighting strands to illuminate the lighting strands; and at
least one switch electrically coupled to the battery pack, wherein
the switch is capable of turning power from said battery pack to
the lighting strips on and off.
Inventors: |
Munoz; Gary; (Rancho Santa
Margarita, CA) |
Family ID: |
44258388 |
Appl. No.: |
13/004921 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61295018 |
Jan 14, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21Y 2115/10 20160801;
A45C 15/06 20130101; F21Y 2101/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/156 |
International
Class: |
A45C 15/06 20060101
A45C015/06 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a bag comprising one or more interior
surfaces and one or more exterior surfaces; a first lighting strand
affixed to at least one said interior surface, wherein said first
lighting strand is capable of providing illumination to at least
one interior portion of said bag; a second lighting strand affixed
to at least one said exterior surface, wherein said second lighting
strand is capable of providing illumination to at least one
exterior portion of said bag; at least one battery pack
electrically coupled to said first and second lighting strands
capable of providing power to said first and second lighting
strands to illuminate said lighting strands; and at least one
switch electrically coupled to said battery pack, wherein said
switch is capable of turning power from said battery pack to first
and second lighting strands on and off.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a third lighting
strand affixed to a second said interior surface, wherein said
third lighting strand is capable of providing illumination to at
least a second interior portion of said bag; wherein said battery
pack is electrically coupled to said third lighting strand and is
capable of providing power to said third lighting strand to
illuminate said third lighting strand.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first and third lighting
strands are capable of illuminating side interior portions of said
bag, and further comprising: a fourth lighting strand affixed to a
bottom interior surface of said bag, wherein said fourth lighting
strand is capable of providing illumination to at least a bottom
interior portion of said bag; wherein said battery pack is
electrically coupled to said fourth lighting strand and is capable
of providing power to said fourth lighting strand to illuminate
said fourth lighting strand.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a fifth lighting
strand affixed to a second said exterior surface, wherein said
fifth lighting strand is capable of providing illumination to at
least a second said exterior portion of said bag; wherein said
battery pack is electrically coupled to said fifth lighting strand
and is capable of providing power to said fifth lighting strands to
illuminate said fifth lighting strand.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pocket located
on one said interior surface of said bag, wherein said pocket is
capable of accepting said battery pack therein.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pocket located
on one said exterior surface of said bag, wherein said pocket is
capable of accepting said battery pack therein.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: two battery packs,
wherein a first said battery pack is electrically coupled to said
first lighting strand and is capable of providing power to said
first lighting strand to illuminate said first lighting strand; and
wherein a second said battery pack is electrically coupled to said
second lighting strand and is capable of providing power to said
second lighting strand to illuminate said second lighting
strand.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an interior lining
on said interior surfaces, wherein said first lighting strand is
affixed to said interior surface by being sewn to said lining.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second lighting
strands are LED lighting strands.
10. A bag, comprising: a LED lighting strand affixed to an interior
lining affixed to one or more interior surfaces of said bag,
wherein said LED lighting strand is capable of providing
illumination to at least one interior portion of said bag; at least
one battery pack electrically coupled to said LED lighting strand
capable of providing power to said LED lighting strand to
illuminate said LED lighting strand; and at least one switch
electrically coupled to said battery pack, wherein said switch is
capable of turning power from said battery pack to said LED
lighting strand on and off.
11. The bag of claim 10, further comprising a second LED lighting
strand, wherein said second LED lighting strand is capable of
providing illumination to one or more exterior surfaces of said
bag.
12. The bag of claim 11, further comprising a second battery pack,
wherein said second battery pack is electronically connected to
said second LED lighting strand and is capable of providing power
to said second LED lighting strand.
13. The bag of claim 10, further comprising a third LED lighting
strand, wherein said third LED lighting strand is affixed to said
interior lining, is electrically coupled to said battery pack and
is capable of illuminating a second said interior surface of said
bag when powered by said battery pack.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 61/295,018, filed on Jan. 14, 2010.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to a lighting system for
illuminating a bag.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Purses having internal lighting are known. Typically, a
purse or handbag is made of non-rigid material. A handbag having
internal lighting contains a lighting source including luminescent
wires or a light bulb, such as an incandescent bulb, to illuminate
the interior of the purse. It is known to affix the lights to the
frame of the purse such that the lights automatically turn on when
the purse is opened and automatically turn off when the purse is
closed. It is known to include a timing circuit to turn the
interior lights on and off. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,111,959 and 6,120,162
disclose examples of illuminated handbags.
SUMMARY
[0004] A lighting system for illuminated a bag is provided. In one
or more embodiments, the lighting system may include one or more
lighting strands, such as but not limited to LED strands, as a
lighting source for illuminating an interior and/or exterior of the
bag. The lighting strands may be electrically coupled to one or
more battery packs capable of providing power to the lighting
strands and one or more switches capable of turning the battery
pack power on and off. In some embodiments, the bag may contain two
or more lighting strands placed on different interior surfaces of
the bag for illuminating the interior. In other embodiments, the
bag may contain a single lighting strand which may be capable of
being affixed to two or more interior surfaces of the bag. Some
embodiments may include a timer or timing circuit to turn all or
some of the lights off after a prescribed amount of time. Some
embodiments may contain separate switches for powering exterior
lighting strands and interior lighting strands. Various embodiments
include but are not limited to purse designs and backpack
designs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly
claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Claimed
subject matter, however, both as to organization and method of
operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following detailed
description if read with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is an example of a purse embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an example of a second purse embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 3 is an example of a third purse embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an example backpack embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 5 is an example of a second backpack embodiment;
[0011] FIGS. 6 and 7 are alternate views of a third backpack
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
methods, procedures, and components have not been described in
detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a handbag or purse embodiment is shown.
Purse 10 depicted is a clutch style bag, but various other styled
purses are contemplated within the scope of this application. For
example, shoulder bag purses, change purses and various other
styled purses are contemplated herein. In some embodiments, purse
10 may be made of a non-rigid material, yet in other embodiments,
purse 10 may be constructed of a rigid material.
[0014] In this embodiment, purse 10 has a lining 11. However,
lining 11 is optional and other embodiments may not include lining
11. Purse 10 has one or more exterior surfaces 12 and one or more
interior surfaces 13. In the embodiment depicted, purse 10 has four
interior surfaces 13 on its sides; however various other
embodiments may possess other numbers of interior surfaces 13,
depending upon the construction and shape of purse 10. In this
embodiment, purse 10 has a bottom interior surface 14, but other
embodiments may be constructed without bottom interior surface 14.
In this embodiment, purse 10 also has fastener 15 that is capable
of removably closing purse 10. Here, fastener 15 is a clasp.
However, various other fasteners 15, including but not limited to,
zippers, velcro, snaps, hinges, buttons, magnetic closures, and
hooks are also contemplated within the scope of this application,
and other embodiments may not include fastener 15.
[0015] Purse 10 also contains lighting strands 16 that are capable
of illuminating one or more portions of the interior of purse 10.
Interior illumination may be useful in viewing one or more interior
portions of purse 10 and/or purse contents. Lighting strands 16 may
be affixed to one or more interior surfaces 13 or bottom interior
surface 14. Lighting strands 16 may be LED light strands or other
types of lighting strips.
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts two LED lighting strands 16 affixed to two
opposing interior surfaces 13, but other embodiments may include
different numbers of lighting strands 16, which may be affixed to
different interior surfaces 13 and/or bottom interior surface 14.
For example, two lighting strands 16 may be affixed to two adjacent
interior surfaces 13 in some embodiments. For example, a lighting
strand 16 may be affixed to bottom surface 14 in some embodiments.
For example, three lighting strands 16 may be employed in some
embodiments, with two affixed to opposing or adjacent interior
surfaces 13 and one affixed to bottom interior surface 14 in other
embodiments. Other embodiments may include lighting strands 16
affixed to top interior surfaces (not shown), for some purse
designs. Other examples having different numbers of lighting
strands 16 configured in different places to illuminate interior
portions of purse 10 are contemplated within the scope of this
application.
[0017] Lighting strands 16 are shown as having a length slightly
less than the length of purse 10. They are shown as being affixed
within purse 10 substantially horizontally. However, lighting
strands 16 may be of any length and may be affixed vertically,
diagonally, or in any other manner within the interior of purse 10
in other embodiments. Claimed subject matter is not intended to be
limited to the particular configuration and length of FIG. 1.
[0018] Lighting strands 16 may be affixed to interior surfaces 13
and/or bottom interior surface 14 in various manners, such as but
not limited to being stitched, sewn or glued onto interior surfaces
13 and/or bottom interior surface 14. In some embodiments having an
interior lining 11, the lighting strands 16 may be stitched, sewn
and/or glued into lining 11. Alternatively, lighting strands 16 may
be affixed to interior surfaces 13 by being threaded through lining
11 from behind the lining 11, such as but not limited to through
grommets located in lining 11. The lighting strands 16 may be
affixed to lining 11 in many other ways and claimed subject matter
is not intended to be limited to these two examples.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a battery pack 17 that is electrically
connected to lighting strands 16 and is capable of providing power
to lighting strands 16 to illuminate them. Battery pack 17 may
accommodate different types of batteries and/or different numbers
of batteries in various embodiments. For example, battery pack 17
may accommodate three or four AA or AAA type batteries in some
embodiments. Other embodiments may employ different numbers and/or
types of batteries. The batteries may be rechargeable batteries in
some embodiments. Other embodiments may use solar powered
rechargeable batteries and include a solar panel on the bag for
recharging the batteries. Claimed subject matter is not intended to
be limited to any particular battery type, size or number. In this
embodiment, battery pack 17 is substantially rectangular in shape;
however battery pack 17 may be shaped differently in various
embodiments and claimed subject matter is not intended to be so
limited.
[0020] In this embodiment, lining 11 has a pocket 18 that is
capable of accepting battery pack 17 therein. In this embodiment,
pocket 18 is substantially rectangular in shape; however, various
other sizes and shapes of pocket 18 are contemplated within the
scope of this application. In this embodiment, pocket 18 has a
fastener, which is shown as a zipper, for opening and closing
pocket 18 to access and/or hide battery pack 17 from the main
interior purse area. Other fasteners for closing pocket 18 may be
employed in various embodiments, such as but not limited to, snaps,
Velcro, buttons, magnets, clasps and other fasteners. Claimed
subject matter is not intended to be limited to a particular type
of fastener. Further embodiments may not include a fastener and
instead have pocket 18 open. Other embodiments may not include
pocket 18 at all. Still, in other embodiments, battery pack 17
and/or pocket 18 may be located in purse 10 in various different
locations. Other embodiments may contain more than one battery pack
17 electrically connected to lighting strands 16.
[0021] In this embodiment, battery pack 17 has a switch 19 capable
of turning power from battery pack 17 to lighting strands 16 on and
off. In this embodiment, switch 19 is on battery pack 17. In other
embodiments, switch 19 may be electrically connected to battery
pack 17 but not located directly on battery pack 17. Further
embodiments may include two switches 19, with one located on
battery pack 17 and the other remotely electrically coupled to
battery pack 17 and lighting strands 16. Remotely electrically
coupled switch 19 may be located either on the interior or the
exterior of purse 10. For embodiments having two switches 19, the
switch 19 located on battery pack 17 may be used as a master switch
to turn battery pack 17 off when not in use, such as when purse 10
is being stored. Claimed subject matter is not intended to be
limited to a particular number of switches nor to particular switch
locations.
[0022] Some embodiments may include a timer or timing circuit for
turning power from battery pack 17 to some or all lighting strands
16 off after a prescribed time period, such as, for example, after
twenty seconds. However, claimed subject matter is not intended to
be limited to bags having a timer or timing circuit.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a purse design. Purse 20
is shown without a lining to display the electrical connections
therein. Though not required, a lining may be used with this
embodiment. Purse 20 has exterior surfaces (not shown) and interior
surfaces 23. Purse 20 is shown with a bottom interior surface 24,
though as discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, other embodiments
may not have a bottom interior surface 24, depending upon the shape
and construction of purse 20. Purse 20 has a clasp 25 capable of
removably closing purse 20. Clasp 25 is merely one example of a
fastener capable of removably closing purse 20 and other fasteners
known within the art are possible within the scope of this
application. Similarly, other embodiments may not include clasp 25
or any other fastener.
[0024] Purse 20 has two lighting strands 26 that are electrically
connected to battery pack 27 via wires 21. Battery pack 27 is
remotely electrically coupled to switch 29 via wire 22. One or more
other switches 29 could be added to this embodiment, as discussed
above with respect to FIG. 1, such as but not limited to, adding a
switch 29 located on battery pack 27 and/or a switch 29 located on
the exterior of purse 20. A lining could be added to this
embodiment to hide some of all of wires 21 and 22 and/or battery
pack 27; however this is not required.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a purse design without a
lining. Purse 30 has exterior surfaces (not shown) and interior
surfaces 33. A lining optionally may be used with purse 30. Purse
30 is shown with a bottom interior surface 34 and a clasp 35
capable of removably closing purse 30, which are both optional, as
discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Purse 30 has a
single LED lighting strand 36 that is electrically connected to
battery pack 37 via wire 31. Other types of lighting strands 36 are
possible within the scope of this application. Battery pack 37 is
remotely electrically connected to switch 39 via wire 32; however,
alternatively switch 29 could be located on battery pack 37 and/or
more than one switch could be electrically connected to battery
pack 37 and located on the interior and/or exterior of purse 30. In
this embodiment, LED lighting strand 36 is shown to be affixed to
more than one interior surface 33. Other embodiments may contain a
single LED lighting strand 36 affixed to only one interior surface
33 and/or bottom interior surface 34. In this embodiment, portion
38 of lighting strand 36 is shown to be not illuminated. For
embodiments having a lining, portion 38 of LED lighting strand 36
may be placed beneath the lining to give the appearance of not
being illuminated. In other embodiments, portion 38 may not be lit
so as to give an appearance of multiple LED lighting strands 36.
Other embodiments having a single LED lighting strand 36 may
include lighting that extends across all interior surfaces 33
and/or across bottom exterior surface 34 and one or more interior
surfaces 33.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, a backpack embodiment is shown.
Backpack 40 has exterior surfaces 44 and interior surfaces 43.
Lighting strands 46 are located on interior surfaces 43 of backpack
40. In this embodiment, two LED lighting strands 46 are placed on a
front interior surface 43 and two LED lighting strands 46 are
placed on a back interior surface 43. Other numbers and types of
lighting strands 46 may be employed in various embodiments and they
may be placed in different locations and/or on different interior
surfaces 43 in various embodiments. Lighting strands 46 are affixed
to interior surfaces 43 substantially vertically with respect to
backpack 40; however lighting strands 46 may be affixed
substantially horizontally, diagonally or in any other manner in
different embodiments. Lighting strands 46 are shown as having a
length slightly less than the length of backpack 40; however in
various embodiments, they may be of different lengths.
[0027] Lighting strands 46 are electrically coupled to battery pack
47, which is capable of providing power to turn the lighting
strands 46 on and off. FIG. 4 shows an interior of battery pack 47
to show an example number and configuration of batteries contained
therein and is only meant to be an example of one possible battery
pack design.
[0028] Battery pack 47 is remotely electrically coupled to switch
49 via wire 42 and to lighting strands 46 by wires (not shown).
Wire 42 is shown as being located beneath an interior lining
(indicated by dashed lines) and viewable at its connection to
battery pack 47 within a pocket in back interior surface 43. Switch
49 is capable of turning battery pack 47 on and off. In some
embodiments, battery pack 47 may also be electrically coupled to a
switch 49 located directly on battery pack 47. In this embodiment,
switch 49 is a push button switch, however many other types of
switches known in the art are contemplated within the scope of this
application, including but not limited to flip switches and slide
switches. Switch 49 may also work with a timer or timing circuit
and may be capable of automatically turning power to some or all of
lighting strands 46 off after a prescribed time period. In this
embodiment, battery pack 47 and switch 49 are placed on a back
interior surface 43 of backpack 40; however battery pack 47 and/or
switch 49 may be located in various places on backpack 40 in
different embodiments and claimed subject matter is not intended to
be so limited.
[0029] Battery pack 47 is shown in a pocket on interior surface 43
with a zipper closure for hiding and/or accessing battery pack 47.
However, both the pocket and closure are optional. Claimed subject
matter is not intended to be limited to a particular battery pack
configuration, shape, size or placement. For example, other
embodiments may include more than one battery pack 47. For example,
battery pack 47 may be located in an exterior pocket of backpack
40, among other possible designs within the scope of this
application.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, a specialized backpack embodiment is
shown. In this embodiment, backpack 50 is a picnic style backpack
containing picnic contents. Claimed subject matter is not intended
to be limited to any picnic contents. Other specialized backpack
embodiments may be wine style backpacks, containing compartments
for wine glasses, a wine bottle, wine opener, and other items.
Other specialized backpack embodiments may contain insulated
compartments for carrying food items and/or ice or other cooling
packs to keep food cool and/or heating packs to keep food warm.
Other specialized backpack embodiments may be camping or hiking
style backpacks, such as but not limited to those with waist
securing straps, places for carrying a sleeping bag and/or having a
metal or other rigid frame. Other specialized backpacks may be for
hunting or fishing and contain compartments designed to fit hunting
or fishing gear. Of course, as discussed above, non-specialized
backpacks embodiment exist and claimed subject matter is not
intended to be limited to special backpack embodiments nor to any
particular specialized backpack contents (i.e. picnic utensils,
cups, etc.) of such embodiments.
[0031] Backpack 50 has two lighting strands 56 placed on opposing
side interior surfaces 53 substantially near the opening of a main
backpack compartment. In this particular embodiment, the lighting
strands 56 are placed to provide interior lighting to backpack 50
in front on backpack contents, illustrating yet another possible
configuration and location for lighting strands 56 within the scope
of this application. However, lighting strands 56 may be placed in
many other locations, including but not limited to, behind backpack
contents, on adjacent side surfaces 53, or on other interior
surfaces 53 in other embodiments. Lighting strands 56 may be of any
length and positioned in many manners on interior surfaces 53, and
claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to this
particular example shown in FIG. 5.
[0032] Lighting strands 56 are electrically coupled to battery pack
57, which is remotely electrically coupled to switch 59 via wire 58
(shown with a dashed line where placed beneath an interior lining).
In this particular embodiment, battery pack 57 and switch 59 are
positioned on a rear interior surface 53 and battery pack 57 is
depicted within a pocket having a zippered closure on rear interior
surface 53; however in other embodiments, they may be located in
other positions and placements, and claimed subject matter is not
intended to be so limited.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a further backpack embodiment. Backpack 60 has
one or more interior surfaces 63 and one or more exterior surfaces
65. It has interior lighting strands 64 on one or more interior
surfaces 63 and it has exterior lighting strands 66 on one or more
exterior surfaces 65. Exterior lighting strands 66 may provide
lighting outside of backpack 60, which may illuminate one or more
exterior surfaces 65 of backpack 60, may illuminate an area outside
of backpack 60, and/or may be employed as a safety feature to a
user of backpack 60 by making backpack 60 more visible to others,
on some embodiments.
[0034] Lighting strands 64 and 66 are electrically connected to
battery pack 67, which is remotely electrically connected to switch
69 via wire 68. Some embodiments may include two switches 69 for
turning interior lighting strands 64 and exterior lighting strands
66 on and off separately. A switch 69 for powering exterior
lighting stands 66 may be located on the exterior of backpack 60. A
third switch 69 may be included with some embodiments, and may be
located directly on battery pack 67 for turning power on and off to
all lighting strands 64 and 66. One or more switches 69 may also
operate with a timer or timing circuit to power one or more
lighting strands 64 and/or 66 off after a period of time. For
example, a timer may be used with an interior switch 69 to turn
interior lighting strands 64 off after a prescribed time period,
but exterior lighting stands 66 may operate without a timer, such
that they remain on until an exterior switch 69 is turned off. This
embodiment includes one battery pack 67; however other embodiments
may include more than one battery pack 67. For example, some
embodiments may include a first battery pack 67 to power interior
lighting strands 64 and a second battery pack 67 to power exterior
lighting strands 66. The particular number of lighting strands 64
and 66 and switches 69 shown and described in this embodiment and
their particular placements on interior surfaces 63 and exterior
surfaces 65 are merely examples of numerous possible numbers of
lighting strands 64 and 66 and switches 69 and possible positions.
For example, FIG. 7 shows a possible embodiment where exterior
lighting strands 76 are configured in a pattern of a star. Lighting
strands 64 and/or 66 may be placed to form many possible patterns,
pictures and stylized designs, within the scope of this
application. Lighting strands 64 and/or 66 may be of many different
sizes and lengths within the scope of this application.
[0035] Other purse, backpack or other bag embodiments may include
lighting strands to illuminate more than one interior compartment.
Further embodiments may include exterior lighting strands on more
than one exterior surface. Different embodiments may include
blinking or otherwise non-continuously lit lighting sources, and
lighting sources of one or more colors.
[0036] Further bag embodiments are contemplated within the scope of
this application. For example, other embodiments may include:
luggage, sports bags, bowling bags, shoe bags, tote bags, hunting
bags, tackle boxes, coolers or other types of bags made of
non-rigid or rigid materials.
[0037] In the preceding description, various aspects of claimed
subject matter have been described. For purposes of explanation,
systems and configurations were set forth to provide a thorough
understanding of claimed subject matter. However, these are merely
example illustrations of the above concepts wherein other
illustrations may apply as well, and the scope of claimed subject
matter is not limited in these respects. It should be apparent to
one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that
claimed subject matter may be practiced without the specific
details. In other instances, well-known features were omitted
and/or simplified so as not to obscure claimed subject matter.
While certain features have been illustrated and/or described
herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and/or
equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is,
therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended
to cover all such modifications and/or changes as fall within the
true spirit of claimed subject matter.
* * * * *