TWO PLAYER THREE IN ONE JUNIOR BASKETBALL GAME

Abstract

A multi-game arcade-type apparatus includes a framework, a first goal assembly, a ball return chute, and a second goal assembly. The first goal assembly receives tossed balls in a first game and is attached to a support portion of the framework. The ball return chute includes a bed and sidewalls for collecting balls from the first goal assembly and is attached between the support portion and a foldable portion of the framework. The second goal assembly receives tossed bean bags tossed in a second game and is attached to the bed. A rectangular front-end frame attached to the foldable portion includes a moveable upper cross member. In a first lower position, the moveable upper cross member stops the returning balls of the first game. In a second higher position, the moveable upper cross member acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a third game.

Claims

1. A foldable multi-game apparatus, comprising: a framework having a support portion and a foldable portion; a first goal assembly coupled to the support portion for receiving balls tossed by a user in a first game; a ball return chute having a bed and two sidewalls for collecting balls from the first goal assembly and returning the collected balls to the user, a first end of the ball return chute is coupled to the support portion and a second end of the ball return chute is coupled to the foldable portion; and a second goal assembly coupled to the bed for receiving bean bags tossed by the user in a second game of bean bag toss.

2. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second goal assembly comprises a hole in the bed.

3. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second goal assembly comprises a container attached to the hole for collecting bean bags received by the hole in the second game.

4. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container comprises netting.

5. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 2, wherein a width of the hole is smaller than a maximum width of a ball used in the first game so that the hole does not interfere with the first game.

6. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rectangular front-end frame that is attached to the foldable portion of the framework, the rectangular front-end frame comprises a lower cross member that attaches to the bed at the second end of the ball return chute, and a moveable upper cross member that can move with respect to the lower cross member to at least two different positions thereby increasing or decreasing a height of the rectangular front-end frame while still maintaining a rectangular shape; wherein, in a first lower position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member stops the returning balls of the first game at the second end; and wherein, in a second higher position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a third game of ladder toss.

7. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rectangular front-end frame further comprises a first tee joint, a second tee joint, a first telescoping side tube and a second telescoping side tube; and wherein the rectangular front-end frame is formed by: connecting a first end of the first telescoping side tube to one end of the moveable upper cross member and connecting a first end of the second telescoping side tube to another end of the moveable upper cross member; connecting a middle opening of the first tee joint to one end of the lower cross member and connecting a middle opening of the second tee joint to another end of the lower cross member; and sliding a second end of the first telescoping side tube into a first end opening of the first tee joint and sliding a second end of the second telescoping side tube into a first end opening of the second tee joint.

8. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rectangular front-end frame is connected to the foldable portion of the framework by connecting a second end opening of the first tee joint to a first connecting tube of the foldable portion and connecting a second end opening of the second tee joint to a second connecting tube of the foldable portion.

9. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first telescoping side tube and the second telescoping side tube each include at least one detent for maintaining the moveable upper cross member in the second higher position for the third game.

10. A foldable multi-game apparatus, comprising: a framework having a support portion and a foldable portion; a first goal assembly coupled to the support portion for receiving balls tossed by a user in a first game; a ball return chute having a bed and two sidewalls for collecting balls from the first goal assembly and returning the collected balls to the user, a first end of the ball return chute is coupled to the support portion and a second end of the ball return chute is coupled to the foldable portion; and a rectangular front-end frame that is attached to the foldable portion and that comprises a lower cross member that attaches to the bed at the second end of the ball return chute, and a moveable upper cross member that can move with respect to the lower cross member to at least two different positions thereby increasing or decreasing a height of the rectangular front-end frame while still maintaining a rectangular shape; wherein, in a first lower position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member stops the returning balls of the first game at the second end; and wherein, in a second higher position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member acts as part of a second goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a second game of ladder toss.

11. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 10, wherein the rectangular front-end frame is connected to the foldable portion of the framework by connecting a second end opening of the first tee joint to a first telescoping tube of the foldable portion, and connecting a second end opening of the second tee joint to a second telescoping tube of the foldable portion.

12. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first telescoping side tube and the second telescoping side tube each include at least one detent for maintaining the moveable upper cross member in the second higher position for the second game.

13. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first lower position produces a height of the rectangular front-end frame that is smaller than a maximum width of a ball used in the first game so that the moveable upper cross member stops the ball at the second end of the ball return chute.

14. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a third goal assembly coupled to the bed for receiving bean bags tossed by the user in a third game.

15. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 14, wherein the third goal assembly comprises a hole in the bed.

16. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 15, wherein the third goal assembly comprises a container attached to the hole for collecting bean bags received by the hole in the second game.

17. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 16, wherein the container comprises netting.

18. The foldable multi-game apparatus of claim 17, wherein a width of the hole is smaller than a maximum width of a ball used in the first game so that the hole does not interfere with the first game.

19. A method for converting a foldable multi-game apparatus from a ball toss game to a ladder toss game, the method comprising the steps of: moving a moveable upper cross member of a rectangular front-end frame of a foldable multi-game apparatus from a first lower position that stops returning balls of a first game of ball-tossing to a second higher position to act as part of a second goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a second game.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the foldable multi-game apparatus further includes a framework; the framework includes a support portion and a foldable portion; the rectangular front-end frame is attached to the foldable portion; the foldable multi-game apparatus further includes a first goal assembly coupled to the support portion for receiving balls tossed by a user in the first game; the foldable multi-game apparatus further includes a ball return chute including a bed and two sidewalls for collecting balls from the first goal assembly and returning the collected balls to the user, wherein a first end of the ball return chute is coupled to the support portion, and at a second end of the ball return chute is coupled to the foldable portion; wherein the rectangular front-end frame further includes a lower cross member that attaches to the bed at the second end of the ball return chute; and wherein the moveable upper cross member moves with respect to the lower cross member thereby increasing or decreasing a height of the rectangular front-end frame while still maintaining a rectangular shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the framework of the Exemplary Device that is adaptable for indoor home-usage while still providing an arcade-type game, upon which various embodiments may be implemented.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Exemplary Device of FIG. 1 showing a goal assembly and a ball return chute attached to the framework, upon which various embodiments may be implemented.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Exemplary Device of FIG. 1 showing the goal assembly and the framework in the folded position, upon which various embodiments may be implemented.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus that includes a bean bag toss goal assembly, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a side view of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the upper cross member of the rectangular front-end frame in a first lower position, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a side view of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 5 showing the upper cross member of the rectangular front-end frame in a second higher position than it is shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the upper cross member of the rectangular front-end frame in a second higher position than it is shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of the framework of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the upper cross member of the rectangular front-end frame in a first lower position, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective rear view of the framework of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the upper cross member of the rectangular front-end frame in a second higher position, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective rear view of the framework of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the upper cross member of the rectangular front-end frame in a detached position, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0038] FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing a method for converting a foldable multi-game apparatus from a ball toss game to a ladder toss game, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0039] Before one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure are not limited in their application to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and the arrangement of steps set forth in the following detailed description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

[0040] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, the subject embodiments are directed to apparatuses and methods for converting a foldable arcade-type device to a multi-game foldable arcade-type device are provided herein. In this detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. Furthermore, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the specific sequences in which methods are presented and performed are illustrative and it is contemplated that the sequences can be varied and remain within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Three In One Home Arcade-Type Game

[0041] As described above, because of the popularity of various sports, many people enjoy sports either as a participant or as a spectator. Unfortunately, most sports are played outdoors on large playing fields or at large indoor facilities. Heretofore, the ability to take aspects of many sports games indoors has been impractical and space prohibitive for most families.

[0042] Due to the popularity of sports games and the skill involved to play such games well, games derivative from sports such as basketball, football, baseball, and softball have developed. Games to test a player's basketball shooting or ball-tossing skills are among the most popular at amusement parks, carnivals, and fairs. In more recent years, there has been a trend to scale down the size of such sports games so that the game could move indoors into arcades.

[0043] Although arcade games of this type have been used in homes, generally such arcade sports games are not found within a home. This is because, heretofore, such arcade-style game devices were not intended for and do not address the limitations presented by home-usage.

[0044] One known device that does address the limitations presented by home-usage is the Exemplary Device, which is described above. This device is adaptable for indoor home-usage while still providing an arcade-type game.

[0045] Unfortunately, however, the Exemplary Device is useful for only one type of sport or game. As a result, apparatuses and methods are needed for converting an arcade-type game device to a multi-game or multi-sports device.

[0046] Although the prior art includes apparatus for converting an arcade-type game device to a multi-game or multi-sports device, the majority of these arcade-type game devices require significant changes to the original game device or significantly more parts. As a result, additional apparatuses and methods are needed to conveniently convert an arcade-type game device to a multi-game or multi-sports device by applying a minimal number of changes to the device and using a minimal amount of additional parts.

[0047] In various embodiments, a device, such as the Exemplary Device, is converted to a multi-game or multi-sports device. The device is converted by applying a minimal number of changes to the device and using a minimal amount of additional parts.

[0048] Specifically, in various embodiments, the Exemplary Device is adapted to further include a second goal assembly for a bean bag toss game. The second goal assembly is attached to or made part of the ball return chute.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a perspective view 400 of a foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus that includes a bean bag toss goal assembly, in accordance with various embodiments. The foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 includes framework 1, first goal assembly 2, ball return chute 4, and second goal assembly 8.

[0050] The first goal assembly 2 is attached to a support portion 11 of the framework 1. The first goal assembly 2 receives balls tossed by a user in a first game. As shown in FIG. 4, the first goal assembly 2 is a multi-player basketball goal assembly. The goal assembly 2 includes a backboard 21, a pair of baskets 22A and 22B, a pair of ball sensors 23A and 23B, and an opening for a scoring device and scoreboard 24. During a game, basketballs are thrown toward baskets 22A and 22B. The scoring device and scoreboard tally scores or counts made shots from the ball sensors 23A and 23B. Two baskets 22A and 22B and the ball sensors 23A and 23B allow head-to-head competition.

[0051] In various alternative embodiments, first goal assembly 2 can be any type of ball-tossing goal assembly including, but not limited to, a goal assembly for football, baseball, softball, or lacrosse.

[0052] The ball return chute 4 includes a bed 41 and a pair of sidewalls 42 for collecting balls from first goal assembly 2 and returning the collected balls to the user. A first end 411 of the ball return chute 4 is attached to the support portion 11 of the framework 1. A second end 412 of the ball return chute 4 is attached to the foldable portion of the framework 1.

[0053] The second goal assembly 8 is attached to or is made part of the bed 41 of the ball return chute 4. The second goal assembly 8 may receive bean bags tossed by the user in a second bean bag game.

[0054] In various embodiments, the second goal assembly 8 includes a hole 81 in the bed 41. For example, the bed 41 can be a material, but is not limited to, a foldable cloth, plastic, or netting, and the hole 81 is a hole in that material. The hole 81 may be made large enough to accept bean bags.

[0055] In various embodiments, the second goal assembly 8 further includes a container 82 attached to the hole 81 for collecting bean bags received by the hole 81 in the second bean bag toss game.

[0056] In FIG. 4, a container 82 is shown that may be, for example, as a rigid container. In various alternative embodiments, the container 82 may be, but is not limited to, a foldable pocket made of cloth, plastic, or netting.

[0057] In various embodiments, the width of hole 81 is smaller than the width of the maximum cross-sectional area of a ball used and/or the hoops or holes in the first game so that the hole 81 does not interfere with the ball return functionality of the first game. For example, the hole 81 is smaller than a width of a basketball or hoop so that the hole 81 does not interfere with the return of the basketball in the first game. In various alternative embodiments, the second goal assembly 8 can include a moveable cover (not shown) that is closed for the first game, preventing interference with ball return, and opened for the second game that may be different than the first game.

[0058] In various embodiments, the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 further includes a rectangular front-end frame 6 that is adapted for use with a third ladder toss game. The rectangular front-end frame 6 is attached to the foldable portion of the framework 1. The rectangular front-end frame 6 includes a lower cross member 61 that attaches to the bed 41 at a second end 412 of the ball return chute 4. The lower cross member 61 is, for example, threaded through a sleeve of bed 41. The rectangular front-end frame 6 also includes a moveable upper cross member 62 that can move with respect to the lower cross member 61. The moveable upper cross member 62 can move to at least two different positions thereby increasing or decreasing the height of the rectangular front-end frame 6 while still maintaining its rectangular shape.

[0059] In a first lower position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member 62 stops the returning balls of the first game at second end 412 of the ball return chute 4. In a second higher position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member 62 acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a third ladder toss game. In various embodiments, the higher position may include a height larger than a maximum cross-section of a basketball (e.g., a standard size and/or otherwise dependent on hoop) or hoop. In various embodiments, the higher position may include a height smaller than the maximum cross-section of a basketball (e.g., a standard size and/or otherwise dependent on hoop) or hoop

[0060] U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,099 (hereinafter the “'099 Patent”) discloses a basketball return apparatus that includes a ball return chute. The apparatus includes a front-end frame formed by a pair of laterally spaced front corner posts connected by upper and lower front cross members. A vertically adjustable defense bar is mounted in the top ends of the front corner posts and forms a shot barrier over which a basketball must be shot. The defense bar may be adjusted vertically to accommodate the height of a player using the apparatus. In other words, the '099 Patent discloses a vertically adjustable defense bar above a rectangular front-end frame.

[0061] The apparatus of the '099 Patent does not include a moveable upper cross member that, in a first lower position, stops the returning balls of a first game and, in a second higher position, acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a third ladder toss game. The apparatus of the '099 Patent also does not include a moveable upper cross member that forms a rectangular front-end frame with a lower cross member that attaches to one end of a ball return chute and forms rectangular front-end frame without another cross members between the upper cross member and the lower cross member, as disclosed herein.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a side view 500 of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the moveable upper cross member 62 of the rectangular front-end frame 6 in a first lower position, in accordance with various embodiments. In this position, the moveable upper cross member 62 stops or collects the returning balls of the first basketball game, for example. The rectangular front-end frame 6 is attached to framework 1. FIG. 5 further shows the container 82, which is used in the second bean bag toss game.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a side view 600 of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 5 showing the moveable upper cross member 62 of the rectangular front-end frame in a second higher position than it is shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with various embodiments. In this position, the moveable upper cross member 62 acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a third ladder toss game. Again, the rectangular front-end frame 6 is attached to the framework 1. FIG. 6 further shows a container 82, which is used in the second bean bag toss game.

[0064] Returning to FIG. 4, in various embodiments, the rectangular front-end frame 6 further includes a first tee joint 63A, a second tee joint 63B, a first telescoping side tube 64A, and a second telescoping side tube 64B. The rectangular front-end frame 6 is formed by connecting a first end of the first telescoping side tube 64A to one end of the moveable upper cross member 62 and connecting a first end of second telescoping side tube 64B to another end of the moveable upper cross member 62. Further, a middle opening of first tee joint 63A is connected to one end of lower cross member 61 and a middle opening of second tee joint 63B is connected to another end of lower cross member 61. Finally, a second end of first telescoping side tube 64A is slid into a first end opening of the first tee joint 63A and a second end of the second telescoping side tube 64B is slid into a first end opening of the second tee joint 63B.

[0065] In various embodiments, rectangular front-end frame 6 is connected to the foldable portion of framework 1. Specifically, a second end opening of the first tee joint 63A is connected to a first connecting tube 15A of the foldable portion and a second end opening of second tee joint 63B is connected to a second connecting tube 15B of the foldable portion. In various embodiments, the first telescoping side tube 64A can also slide into first connecting tube 15A and the second telescoping side tube 64B can also slide into the second connecting tube 15B.

[0066] The first connecting tube 15A and the second connecting tube 15B are each connected to the foldable portion of framework 1 through one of two curved supports 12. The folding portion also includes two telescopic poles 14 and a U-shaped extendable leg 13 connected to each curved support 12 through a joint 131. Each of telescopic poles 14 includes a support pole 141, a joint 143, and a sliding pole 144 that slides into joint 143.

[0067] In various embodiments, the first telescoping side tube 64A and the second telescoping side tube 64B each include at least one detent (not shown) for maintaining the moveable upper cross member 62 in the second higher position for the third game. Each detent of the first telescoping side tube 64A and the second telescoping side tube 64B can engage, for example, one or more holes of the first tee joint 63A and the second tee joint 63B, respectively, or one or more holes of the first connecting tube 15A and the second connecting tube 15B, respectively.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a perspective view 700 of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the moveable upper cross member 62 of the rectangular front-end frame 6 in a second higher position than it is shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with various embodiments. In this position, the moveable upper cross member 62 acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls 8 tossed in a third ladder toss game. Note that the second tee joint 63B includes a hole 631B for accepting a button of a detent of the second telescoping side tube 64B in order to maintain the moveable upper cross member 62 in the second higher position.

[0069] The rectangular front-end frame 6 includes the lower cross member 61, the first tee joint 63A, the second tee joint 63B, the first telescoping side tube 64A, and the second telescoping side tube 64B. Additionally, the rectangular front-end frame 6 is connected to the foldable portion of framework 1 using a first connecting tube 15A and a second connecting tube 15B of the foldable portion. The folding portion includes, but is not limited to, two curved supports 12, two telescopic poles 14, and a U-shaped extendable leg 13 connected to each curved support 12 through a joint 131. Each of the telescopic poles 14 may include a support pole 141, a joint 143, and a sliding pole 144 that slides into joint 143.

[0070] The first goal assembly 2 is attached to the support portion 11 of the framework 1. The first goal assembly 2 includes the backboard 21, the baskets 22A and 22B, the ball sensors 23A and 23B, and the opening for a scoring device and scoreboard 24. The ball return chute 4 includes the bed 41 and the sidewalls 42 for collecting balls from the first goal assembly 2 and returning the collected balls to the user in the first game. A first end 411 of the ball return chute 4 is attached to support portion 11 of framework 1. A second end 412 of the ball return chute 4 is attached to the foldable portion of framework 1.

[0071] The second goal assembly 8 is attached to or is made part of the bed 41 of the ball return chute 4. The second goal assembly 8 receives bean bags tossed by the user in a second bean bag game. The second goal assembly 8 further includes the container 82 attached to the hole 81 for collecting bean bags received by the hole 81 in the second bean bag toss game.

[0072] FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view 800 of the framework of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the upper cross member 62 of the rectangular front-end frame 6 in a first lower position, in accordance with various embodiments. The moveable upper cross member 62 of the rectangular front-end frame 6 is shown in a first lower position for basketball or bean bag play, for example.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a perspective rear view 900 of the framework of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the upper cross member 62 of the rectangular front-end frame 6 in a second higher position, in accordance with various embodiments. The moveable upper cross member 62 of the rectangular front-end frame 6 is shown in a second higher position for ladder toss play, for example. In various embodiments, there are no other cross members between the moveable upper cross member 62 and the lower cross member 61 of the rectangular front-end frame 6.

[0074] FIG. 10 is a perspective rear view 1000 of the framework of the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the upper cross member 62 of the rectangular front-end frame 6 in a detached position, in accordance with various embodiments. The moveable upper cross member 62 of rectangular front-end frame 6 is shown detached from the first tee joint 63A and the second tee joint 63B.

[0075] FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing a method for converting a foldable multi-game apparatus from a ball toss game to a ladder toss game, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0076] At step 1110 of the method, a moveable upper cross member of a rectangular front-end frame of a foldable multi-game apparatus is moved from a first lower position that stops returning balls of a first ball-tossing game to a second higher position to act as part of a second goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a second ladder toss game.

[0077] The foldable multi-game apparatus further includes a framework 1. The framework 1 includes a support portion and a foldable portion. The rectangular front-end frame 6 is attached to the foldable portion. A first goal assembly 22a for receiving balls tossed by a user in the first game is attached to the support portion. A ball return chute 4 including a bed 41 and two sidewalls 42 for collecting balls from the first goal assembly 2 and returning the collected balls to the user is attached at a first end 411 of the ball return chute to the support portion and is attached at a second end of the ball return chute 4 to the foldable portion. The rectangular front-end frame 6 further includes a lower cross member 61 that attaches to the bed 41 at the second end 412 of the ball return chute 4. The moveable upper cross member 62 moves with respect to the lower cross member 61 thereby increasing or decreasing the height of the rectangular front-end frame 62 while still maintaining a rectangular shape.

[0078] While the present disclosure are described in conjunction with various embodiments, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

[0079] Further, in describing various embodiments, the specification may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments.