U.S. patent application number 16/949200 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-21 for store-based board game.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alexander Ross, Maximus Ross. Invention is credited to Alexander Ross, Maximus Ross.
Application Number | 20220118346 16/949200 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220118346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ross; Alexander ; et
al. |
April 21, 2022 |
STORE-BASED BOARD GAME
Abstract
A store-based board game allows a player can earn tokens and
move those tokens about the board to occupy as many departments of
a store as possible. Tokens may move to unoccupied departments or
take over occupied departments based on provided game rules. Tokens
may be exchanged for medium sized tokens, which may ultimately be
exchanged for a large token. Store resources are earnable by the
players, where such resources can be used for various purposes,
such as earning additional resources, trading with other players,
or as a requirement to win the game based on a card drawn initially
by each player, indicating the required resources, along with the
large token, required to win the game.
Inventors: |
Ross; Alexander; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Ross; Maximus; (West Palm Beach,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ross; Alexander
Ross; Maximus |
Los Angeles
West Palm Beach |
CA
FL |
US
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
16/949200 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00 |
Claims
1. A board game comprising: a game board having at least one
floorplan defining a plurality of departments connected by at least
one of a door or a short cut; a plurality of sets of small tokens,
each set distinguishable for each of a plurality of players; a
plurality of sets of medium tokens, each set distinguishable for
each of the plurality of players; a plurality of large tokens, at
least one of each of the plurality of large tokens distinguishable
for each of the plurality of players; a plurality of resource roll
tokens sequentially numbered from 3 through 11; a pair of six-sided
dice; a plurality of resource tokens representing a plurality of
resources; and a set of cards for each of the plurality of
resources.
2. The board game according to claim 1, further comprising a
multi-sided die.
3. The board game according to claim 2, wherein the multi-sided die
is a 12-sided die with faces numbered from 1 to 12.
4. The board game according to claim 1, wherein the game board
includes two floorplans interconnected by a stair icon in each of
the two floorplans.
5. The board game according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
departments includes from 8 to 15 departments on each of the at
least one floorplan.
6. The board game according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
resources includes wood, metal, plastic, food, and a tool.
7. The board game according to claim 1, wherein a number of
distinct ones of the plurality of resource tokens is one-half a
number of departments in each of the at least one floorplan.
8. The board game according to claim 1, further comprising a second
set of cards providing a player benefit or a player detriment.
9. The board game according to claim 1, further comprising a second
set of cards, each describing a set of requirements for a player to
win.
10. The board game according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
sets of small tokens, the plurality of sets of medium tokens and
the plurality of large tokens are horse-shaped.
11. A board game comprising: a game board having two floorplan
defining a plurality of distinct departments connected by at least
one of a door, a short cut or a staircase; a plurality of sets of
small tokens, each set having a distinguishing color; a plurality
of sets of medium tokens, each set having the distinguishing color;
a plurality of large tokens, at least one of each of the plurality
of large tokens having the distinguishing color; a plurality of
resource roll tokens sequentially numbered from 3 through 11; a
pair of six-sided dice; a multi-sided die; a plurality of resource
tokens representing a plurality of resources; and a set of cards
for each of the plurality of resources.
12. The board game according to claim 11, wherein the multi-sided
die is a 12-sided die with faces numbered from 1 to 12.
13. The board game according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of
departments includes from 8 to 15 departments on each of the at
least one floorplan.
14. The board game according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of
resources includes wood, metal, plastic, food, and a tool.
15. The board game according to claim 11, wherein a number of
distinct ones of the plurality of resource tokens is one-half a
number of departments in each of the at least one floorplan.
16. The board game according to claim 11, further comprising: a
second set of cards providing a player benefit or a player
detriment; and a third set of cards, each describing a set of
requirements for a player to win.
17. A method for setting up a board game comprising: opening a game
board, the board game having a game board having two floorplan
defining a plurality of distinct departments connected by at least
one of a door, a short cut or a staircase, a plurality of sets of
small tokens, a plurality of sets of medium tokens, a plurality of
large tokens, a plurality of resource roll tokens sequentially
numbered from 3 through 11, a plurality of resource tokens
representing a plurality of resources, and a set of cards for each
of the plurality of resources; placing one small token for each
playing in a player start-designated department; placing one of the
plurality of resource roll tokens in each of the departments,
except the player start-designated department, of each of the two
floorplans; placing one of the resource tokens in each of the
departments of each of the floorplans; providing a multi-sided die
for determining a starting player; and providing a pair of dice for
player turn rolling.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of departments
includes from 8 to 15 departments on each of the at least one
floorplan.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein a number of distinct ones of
the plurality of resource tokens is one-half a number of
departments in each of the at least one floorplan.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: placing a second
set of cards providing a player benefit or a player detriment on
the game board; and placing a third set of cards, each describing a
set of requirements for a player to win, on the game board.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to board
games. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a
board game based on department store layout and a store
commodity.
2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information
[0002] The following background information may present examples of
specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation,
approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be
helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of
the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present
invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or
implied therein or inferred thereupon.
[0003] Many board games on the market are focused on the movement
of game pieces on a board. The boards are based on a variety of
topics, such as real estate, life events, fictional worlds, or the
like. Many consumers enjoy visiting physical shopping stores and
often have a favorite store that they and their friends may enjoy
frequenting. There is, however, a lack of board games that bring
the store layout and elements of the store into the game.
[0004] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a board game
that can combine a person's board game enjoyment with their
favorite department store.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a board game
comprising a game board having at least one floorplan defining a
plurality of departments connected by at least one of a door or a
short cut; a plurality of sets of small tokens, each set
distinguishable for each of a plurality of players; a plurality of
sets of medium tokens, each set distinguishable for each of the
plurality of players; a plurality of large tokens, at least one of
each of the plurality of large tokens distinguishable for each of
the plurality of players; a plurality of resource roll tokens
sequentially numbered from 3 through 11; a pair of six-sided dice;
a plurality of resource tokens representing a plurality of
resources; and a set of cards for each of the plurality of
resources.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a board
game comprising a game board having two floorplan defining a
plurality of distinct departments connected by at least one of a
door, a short cut or a staircase; a plurality of sets of small
tokens, each set having a distinguishing color; a plurality of sets
of medium tokens, each set having the distinguishing color; a
plurality of large tokens, at least one of each of the plurality of
large tokens having the distinguishing color; a plurality of
resource roll tokens sequentially numbered from 3 through 11; a
pair of six-sided dice; a multi-sided die; a plurality of resource
tokens representing a plurality of resources; and a set of cards
for each of the plurality of resources.
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method
for setting up a board game comprising opening a game board, the
board game having a game board having two floorplan defining a
plurality of distinct departments connected by at least one of a
door, a short cut or a staircase, a plurality of sets of small
tokens, a plurality of sets of medium tokens, a plurality of large
tokens, a plurality of resource roll tokens sequentially numbered
from 3 through 11, a plurality of resource tokens representing a
plurality of resources, and a set of cards for each of the
plurality of resources; placing one small token for each playing in
a player start-designated department; placing one of the plurality
of resource roll tokens in each of the departments, except the
player start-designated department, of each of the two floorplans;
placing one of the resource tokens in each of the departments of
each of the floorplans; providing a multi-sided die for determining
a starting player; and providing a pair of dice for player turn
rolling.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as
an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying
drawings, in which like references may indicate similar
elements.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a board game,
during play, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the board game board of
FIG. 1.
[0012] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are
not necessarily drawn to scale. The invention and its various
embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the
following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are
described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated
embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations
on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF
INVENTION
[0013] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and
all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As
used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended
to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof.
[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present
disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0015] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a
number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has
individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with
one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed
techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description
will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the
individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the
specification and claims should be read with the understanding that
such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention
and the claims.
[0016] In the following description, for purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be
evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without these specific details.
[0017] The present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or
description below.
[0018] As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful
considerations and compromises typically must be made when
designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial
implementation of any product, and in particular, the embodiments
of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance
with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be
configured according to the needs of the particular application,
whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to
any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably
omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or
optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills
and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that
addresses the needs of the particular application.
[0019] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a
store-based board game where a player can earn tokens and move
those tokens about the board to occupy as many departments of a
store as possible. Tokens may move to unoccupied departments or
take over occupied departments based on provided game rules. Tokens
may be exchanged for medium sized tokens, which may ultimately be
exchanged for a large token. Store resources are earnable by the
players, where such resources can be used for various purposes,
such as earning additional resources, trading with other players,
or as a requirement to win the game based on a card drawn initially
by each player, indicating the required resources, in addition to a
predetermined number of medium tokens, that a player needs to trade
up to the large token and win the game. In some embodiments, the
store may be an IKEA.RTM. store and the token may be horse-shaped,
provided as small horses, medium horses and large horses. The game
board, as discussed in greater detail below, can include
departments attached by doors and/or shortcuts. In some
embodiments, the game board can include two play areas with stairs
and/or vents joining the two play areas. The two play areas may
represent, for example, two floors of the department store. While
the Figures illustrate two play areas, only a single play area
(floor) or multiple play areas (floors) may be used in the game,
provided that a method for movement between the floors is
provided.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a store-based board game can
include a game board 10 having one or more shopping floorplans 12,
14 displayed thereupon. The floorplans 12, 14 can be divided into
departments 16. Adjacent departments 16 may be connected by a door
18 or a shortcut 20. When there are two or more floorplans 12, 14
on the game board 10, there is some connection therebetween. For
example, stairs 22 may be provided to connect the floorplans 12, 14
as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0021] The game board 10 can include a plurality of card placement
areas 26, such as seven card placement areas. Resource cards 30,
family cards 34 and win requirement cards 36 may be placed in the
card placement areas 26. The function of the cards 30, 34, 36 are
described below with respect to the exemplary rules.
[0022] The game board 10 can include a warehouse area 24 for
storing tokens, such as medium tokens, as described in the
exemplary rules below. The game board 10 can further provide
pictorial representations 48 of select rules.
[0023] The board game can also include a pair of standard six-sided
dice 28 and a twelve-sided die 32 having different indicia on each
face, such as the numbers 1 through 12. The board game can also
include a set of resource roll tokens 40 for each of the floorplans
12, 14 present on the game board 10. Each resource roll token 40 in
the set of resource roll tokens have indicia, such as the numbers 3
through 11.
[0024] The board game can also include one or more sets of resource
tokens 42. The total number of resource tokens 42 can be the same
as the number of departments 16 on all of the floorplans 12, 14.
Thus, one resource token 42 can be placed in each department 16. In
the embodiment shown in the Figures, there are five distinct
resource tokens 42 and ten departments 16 on each floorplan 12, 14,
and two such floorplans 12, 14. Thus, two sets of the five distinct
resource tokens 42 can be used for each floorplan 12, 14.
[0025] The board game can also include small tokens 38 (referred to
as SM.ANG. DALA in the exemplary rules below), medium tokens 44
(referred to as MELLAN DALA in the exemplary rules below) and large
tokens 46 (referred to as Gyllene Hast, or large dala in the
exemplary rules below). There may be sets of tokens 38, 44, 46 for
each player, distinguished by color, for example. In the embodiment
shown in the Figures, up to four players may participate and there
is room in the warehouse area 24 for red, black, blue and green
medium tokens 44. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the
tokens are horse-like in shape. It should be understood that
various shapes may be used for the tokens, provided that there are
small, medium and large tokens available for each player. In some
embodiments, instead of color distinguishing the players, different
shapes may be used for each player's tokens.
[0026] The board game, as shown in the Figures and as described in
the rules below, may represent features related to an IKEA.RTM.
store. It should be understood that various stores may be used with
various floorplans related to such stores.
[0027] The rules below provide an exemplary method for playing the
board game, including the use of the components described above. It
should be understood that changes to these rules may be made within
the scope of the present invention.
[0028] The rules may include an introduction, such as that provided
below. The introduction may describe the store to which the game
relates and an objective of the game.
Introduction
[0029] The world as we know it has ended. You and three other
survivors have managed to cheat death between the walls of an IKEA.
You quickly start to lose yourself. IKEA is love. IKEA is life.
IKEA is your religion. Paper money has no value here. Your new
society is based on equestrian military power and a resource barter
system. The first player to build the Golden Dalahast becomes ruler
of IKEA and gets the meatballs.
[0030] The rules can include a plurality of general rules, as
illustrated below.
[0031] General Rules
[0032] The playable board is divided into two, 10-room grids of
IKEA departments. Players must compete to acquire these departments
and build their resource wealth and military power.
[0033] The warehouse on the right side of the board is where
players will construct their Mellan Dalas (Medium Dalas) and
ultimately trade up to the Gyllene Hast (Large Dala) to get to the
meatballs and win the game.
[0034] Each room will contain a randomly assigned resource token
and corresponding resource roll token. The players who occupy rooms
with numbers matching a resource roll will receive 1 of that
resource (+1 resource for every Mellan Dala built). Resource will
be one of the following: Tra (Wood), Metal (Metal), Plast
(Plastic), Lax (Salmon) and Verktyg (Tool).
[0035] Players must trade in 1 of each resource and 5 Sma Dalas to
build a Mellan Dala. Each Mellan Dala built will award the player
an +1 resource bonus when spaces they occupy are rolled.
[0036] After 3 Mellan Dalas have been built, players must acquire
the remaining resources on their Gyllene Hast card to win the
game.
[0037] Player turns are divided up into 4 phases: (1) Resource
Roll; (2) Troop Additions; (3) Attack or Trade; and (4) Optional
Troop Re-garrison.
[0038] The game can be set-up as illustrated below.
[0039] Set Up
[0040] Resource tokens and resource roll tokens are randomly
distributed to the two 10-room boards. Each board should have two
of each resource (ten total, one for each room), and 1 of each
numbered resource roll token. Care should be taken to ensure there
are not duplicate numbers on the same board aside from the
permanent "7" spaces. The "7" spaces do not need a numbered
resource roll token but do need to be assigned a resource token.
Stair spaces are not able to be occupied and do not need either
token.
[0041] All players draw a Gyllene Hast (win requirements card)
card.
[0042] All players roll the 12-sided die (D12). The player with the
highest number chooses the "7" space (department) they will start
on. A SM.ANG. DALA (Small token) of their color is placed on that
space. Moving clockwise, the remaining players will choose their
starting spaces. All players must start on a "7" space. Once all
players have selected their starting position, and placed their Sma
Dala, the player who picked first will start the game.
[0043] Player Game Turn
[0044] Phase One: Resource Roll
[0045] The player rolls the two 6-sided dice (D6s). Upon rolling a
total of 3 through 11, any player occupying departments with a
matching number (based on the resource roll token) may collect the
resource matching the token of their territory (department). If
territory is unoccupied, no player earns the resource.
[0046] IKEA.RTM. FAMILY CARD ROLL occurs if the roll is a 7 or
doubles. In this case, the player draws an IKEA.RTM. Family Card.
If a card is starred, it must be played immediately. If it is not,
it may be banked for use at a later time. The family card may
provide a benefit or a detriment for a player.
[0047] If a 2 or a 12 is rolled, and the player owns a Mellan Dala,
they must send 1 Mellan Dala to Smaland (a "jail" location on the
game board) for one turn. The player loses+1 resource bonus until
their next turn.
[0048] Phase Two: Troop Additions
[0049] One SM.ANG. DALA is added to every occupied territory of the
player. Players may not re-garrison at this stage of the turn.
[0050] Phase Three: Attack/Trade/do Nothing
[0051] Under an attack option, for attaching unclaimed departments,
the following general rules can be followed: (1) Attackers must
have at least two SM.ANG. DALAS on adjacent territory with a door
or shortcut connecting them. See shortcut rules before use. (2) If
a player has two SM.ANG. DALAS on the adjacent territory, they may
attack with one. At least one SM.ANG. DALA must remain garrisoned
on the attacking territory. (3) If a player has three or more
SM.ANG. DALAS on the adjacent territory, they may attack with two
or a maximum of three. With each additional SM.ANG.DALA past the
first, the player gains a +1 bonus on their roll. (4) If an attempt
on an unoccupied territory fails, the player may not attempt to
acquire it again until their next turn. However, they may attack
another unoccupied territory from that same space or a different
space if they meet the above criteria. (5) A player can only claim
one unclaimed territory once per turn.
[0052] The rules for the attack of an unclaimed department include
the following: (1) Attacking player rolls the D12. (2) If the
number is greater than 4, the player conquers the unclaimed
territory and moves the attacking DALAS to that territory. (3) If
the number is 4 or less, the attack fails and the attacking DALAS
are returned to the space where their attack originated. (4) If
attacking with two or three SM.ANG. DALAS, the player can add +1 or
+2 to their attack rolls respectively. (5) If attacking through the
stairs or vents to another floor, the attacking player receives -1
to their attack roll.
[0053] For attacking an occupied department, the following are the
general rules that can be followed: (1) Attackers must occupy an
adjacent territory with a door or shortcut connecting them. See
shortcut rules before use. (2) Attacking an occupied department
requires a bit more military force. An attacking player must attack
with a minimum of two SM.ANG. DALAS and a maximum of three SM.ANG.
DALAS. The player can Gain +1 on their roll if attacking with
three. (3) If attacking through the stairs or vents to another
floor, the attacking player receives -1 to their attack roll. (4)
Remember that one SM.ANG. DALA must always remain garrisoned on the
attacker's space. If the player has two SM.ANG. DALAS, on their
territory, they may not attack an adjacent occupied territory. (5)
Attackers may attack occupied spaces as many times as they are
willing or able. There is no limit to how many occupied spaces a
player can attack or conquer in a single turn. (6) If an attacker
removes all defending SM.ANG. DALAS, they conquer the space and
move all the attacking SM.ANG. DALAS to occupy their new
territory.
[0054] The rules for the attack of an occupied department include
the following: (1) Both players roll the D12. (2) If the attacker
rolls higher, the defending player loses 50% of their SM.ANG. DALAS
(rounded down). (3) If the defending player rolls higher, the
attacking player loses all but 1 of the horses they used to attack.
(4) A tie goes to the defender.
[0055] Under a trade option, the following rules apply: (1) Players
may opt to trade resources with another player to acquire resources
they need. Players may only trade with resources and not IKEA.RTM.
FAMILY CARDS or SM.ANG. DALAS. (2) Players may also use this phase
of their turn to trade in for a MELLAN DALA. However, they may not
trade resources with another player and trade in for a MELLAN DALA
in the same turn. (3) Once a player has completed either of these
trades, they are not able to attack during this turn. (4) An
exception can apply so that a Player may trade 3 of any 1 type of
resource in to draw a resource card of their choice. The traded in
resources will be added back to the deck. A player may do this at
any phase of their turn and may still attack or trade up to a
MELLAN DALA in the same turn.
[0056] The final option is to do nothing, where play moves to phase
4, as described below.
[0057] Phase 4: Optional Troop Regarrison
[0058] Before ending their turn, a player may move any number of
their troops from occupied territories to a single space of their
choosing.
[0059] Players may only move troops from other occupied territories
that are connected to the territory being defensively fortified.
They need not be directly adjacent to the regarrisoning territory,
but there should be an unbroken path between the supplying and
receiving territories.
[0060] Endgame
[0061] The player who acquires the necessary components listed on
their GYLLENHAST CARD first gets to the meatballs and wins the
game. Everyone knows that giant Dala horses are more structurally
sound than ladders.
[0062] Short Cuts
[0063] The rules for short cuts can include the following: (1)
Walls with a dashed line through them are shortcuts to other
departments. (2) If a player wishes to use a shortcut, they must
trade in three of the same resource. (3) Once a shortcut has been
opened, the player may attack through that short cut as many times
as they want during that turn. (4) After the turn ends, the player
may not use the shortcut again without again paying three of a
single resource type. (5) If a player holds an ALLEMANSRATTEN
IKEA.RTM. Family card, they may pay three resources to attack
through one of their shortcuts and emerge out of any other on
either board. Once the card has been played, they may attack
through the shortcut to one space as many times as they are willing
and able.
[0064] Trade-Ins
[0065] The rules for trade-ins can include the following: (1) If a
player is rich in resources but poor in military strength, they may
trade three pairs of two of the same resource in for five SM.ANG.
DALAS before their attack. This does NOT prohibit them from
attacking in the same turn. (2) A player may trade-in three of any
single resource type to draw one resource card of their choice.
This does not prohibit a player from trading in for a MELLAN DALA
in the same turn.
[0066] As described above, these rules provide an exemplary method
for playing the game using the board game described above and may
be modified within the scope of the present invention.
[0067] All the features disclosed in this specification, including
any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0068] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those
having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that
the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the
purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting
the invention as defined by the following claims. For example,
notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth
below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood
that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or
different ones of the disclosed elements.
[0069] The words used in this specification to describe the
invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only
in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by
special definition in this specification the generic structure,
material or acts of which they represent a single species.
[0070] The definitions of the words or elements of the following
claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only
include the combination of elements which are literally set forth.
In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the
elements in the claims below or that a single element may be
substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements
may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even
initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that
one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases
be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination
may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a
subcombination.
[0071] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as
viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or
later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently
within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions
now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are
defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
[0072] The claims are thus to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what
incorporates the essential idea of the invention.
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