CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/195,171 filed on July 21 , 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Athletes frequently have the need to store balls and other objects within their clothing during athletic activities and sporting events. In tennis, for example, a player may wish to store an extra ball for future use in the event the player misses his or her first service attempt or hits the ball into an inconvenient area of the court. Access to a readily available ball may allow for the match to continue seamlessly. Athletes may wish to store other types of objects as well. Runners, bikers, and yoga practitioners may wish to store portable electronic devices for playing music, GPS tracking, or for functioning as a timer or stopwatch.

[0003] In the past, athletes, especially racquet sport athletes, have stored balls and other objects within their clothing in a number of different locations, including but not limited to: front-thigh pockets, under compression clothing along the side of the leg, hip, and/or lower buttocks, and in elastic bands disposed about the waist. Many times athletes struggle to insert or retrieve objects from these areas and sometimes an athlete may inadvertently expose body parts not intended to be exposed when inserting or retrieving an object from the stowage location. Moreover, sometimes these locations impair the movement of an athlete, especially in tennis and other racquet sports where a player's swing path may be compromised by inadvertently brushing or bumping into a stored object. Additionally, bands and waistbands may slip out of position during play or when an athlete goes to insert or retrieve an object for use. This slippage can be very distracting to an athlete when engaged in a competitive game or match.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for an athletic garment that addresses these noted challenges. SUMMARY

[0005] An athletic garment having an envelope pocket comprised of a compression material and being disposed along an upper portion o the garment such that an athlete may quickly and ergonomically insert and retrieve objects from the pocket as well as securely and comfortably store the objects in place without impeding the athlete's movement is disclosed.

[0006] In one embodiment, an athletic garment may have an envelope pocket integrated into the upper portion of the garment such that an athlete may quickly and ergonomically insert and retrieve objects from the pocket. The envelope pocket may be enclosed on its sides and top portion and may be configured to open from the bottom or near the bottom of the pocket. In particular, the pocket opening may be positioned at the bottom portion of the pocket which is generally located at the base of the upper portion of the garment. In this manner, an object, such as a tennis ball, may be inserted upward into the envelope pocket and the compression material of the pocket may secure the ball in place by compressing the ball against a reactive surface, or in this case, a player's upper buttocks/lower back region. Advantageously, a ball and/or other objects may be secured in place even during aggressive or strenuous athletic activities. Multiple envelope pockets may provide for many objects to be stowed.

[0007] In another embodiment, an athletic garment may comprise of dual envelope pockets positioned along the rear upper portion of the garment. The pocket openings may ^¬ be at the bottom of the pockets. The first envelope pocket may have a width defined by a first seam located generally at the side of the garment and a second seam centered in the rear of the garment. The second envelope pocket may have a width defined by the second seam and a third seam located generally at the side of the garment opposite the first seam, in this manner the pockets may be disposed along the rear, upper portion of the garment. The pockets may each be of a height sufficient to secure one or more tennis balls.

[0008] In another embodiment, an athletic garment may have an envelope pocket being constructed with an outer panel and inner panel. The outer panel and inner panel may extend upward from a bottom portion of the pocket. The inner panel may extend upward and then may be folded over at a top seam. The inner panel may then extend slightly downward and may meet with the outer panel at a joining panel seam along an inner waist portion of the garment. The top portion of the inner panel may be free standing, or an uncoupled inner top portion, as it may not be attached or joined with outer panel at this top portion location. The outer panel may extend upward from the bottom portion and may join with inner panel at a joining panel seam positioned along the inner waist portion of the garment. The outer panel may then extend and fold over the uncoupled top portion of the inner panel. The outer panel may then extend downward back toward the bottom portion. The outer panel is not joined or attached with the garment at the bottom portion of the outer waist portion of the garment, as this is the location of the pocket opening. The uncoupled top portion of the inner panel m aval low for lateral flexibility in the pocket cavity and may allow for an object to be inserted upward and inward toward a more laterally sloping natural curve of an athlete's body (i.e., the upper ridge of an athlete's buttocks where it intersects the lower back). The fold over portion of the outer panel allows for the outer panel to extend not only the height of the outer waist portion, but may allow for the outer panel to extend along the height of the inner waist portion of the garment. In this manner, more surface area of the outer panel is placed under tension when an object is inserted into the pocket cavity, thereby increasing the compressive forces on the stored object. Greater compressive forces, properly applied to the object, may allow for the pocket to more securely hold an object.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, an athletic garment may comprise of an envelope pocket and a horizontal envelope pocket for storing various objects, such as portable electronic devices. The horizontal envelope pocket may comprise a vertical opening or may be opened from the bottom and may contain a flap panel that may further secure the device in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment; [0011 j FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment; [0012] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein an envelope pocket is shown in use;

[0 13] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein an envelope pocket is shown in use;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein an envelope pocket is shown in use;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein an envelope pocket is shown in use;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplar}' athletic garment comprising dual envelope pockets;

[0017| FIG. 8 is a close up, front perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment comprising dual envelope pockets;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a rear view of an exemplary athletic garment;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein an envelope pocket is shown in use;

[0020] FIG. 1 1 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein an object is stored within an envelope pocket;

100211 FIG. 12 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein two objects are stored within an envelope pocket;

100221 FIG. 13 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein three objects are stored within an envelope pocket;

[0023] FIG. 14 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment wherein one object is stored within each envelope pocket;

100241 FIG. 15 is a close up, front perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment comprising dual-front envelope pockets;

[0025] FIG. 16 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment comprising a single envelope pocket; [0026] FIG. 1 7 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment comprising dual envelope pockets;

[00271 FIG. 18 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment comprising dual envelope pockets;

[0028] FIG. 19 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment having an envelope pocket with a flap panel;

[0029] FIG. 20 is a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment having an envelope pocket with a side opening;

[0030] FIG. 21 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment detailing the inner, rear waistband;

[0031] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view o an envelope pocket taken from plane A of FIG. 21 ;

100321 FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of an envelope pocket taken from plane A of FIG. 2 1 with a tennis ball present in the envelope pocket and the lumbar curvature o an athlete depicted; and

[0033] FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of an envelope pocket showing its construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Multiple embodiments of an athletic garment are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals reference like structures. Although an athletic garment may be illustrated and described herein as including particular components in a particular configuration, the components and configuration shown and described are provided for example purposes only. The figures and descriptions of the embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the breadth or the scope of the inv entive concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed descriptions of the various embodiments are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art and to enable such person to make and use the inventive concepts. [0035] It will be appreciated that the terms "athlete" and "player" are used for explanatory purposes only and that the exemplary athletic garments described herein are not limited to athletes and players. Moreover, the exemplary athletic garments need not be used for athletic activities or sporting events; rather, they may be worn for any purpose,

[0036] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment 10 comprising dual envelope pockets 12. FIG. 2 illustrates a front, perspective view thereof. In this embodiment, athletic garment 10 is a compression pant having dual envelope pockets 12 disposed along an upper portion 14 of the garment. Generally, an upper portion 14 may be a circumferential portion of the athletic garment 10 that is configured to be disposed around the waistline region o a person when the garment is worn. The waistband portion 15 of the athletic garment 1 0 is shown being disposed along the upper portion 14 of the athletic garment 10.

[0037] The athletic garment 10 may comprise of a compression material (i.e., an elastic material ). Common compression materials include but are not limited to spandex (Lycra®), polyester, nylon, other polypropylene fibers, and various blends of these noted materials. In one embodiment, an athletic garment 10 may be a warp knitted tricot. 4-way stretch, 250 GSM (Grams per Square Meter), 73% polyester/27% Lycra material. It will be appreciated that other types of knits, stretch fabrics, weights, and material blends are possible.

[0038] When compression pants are worn, the elastic material of the athletic garment is stretched, or placed in tension. The material seeks to return to its equilibrium state, effectively compressing an athlete ^' s lower body encircled by the compression pants. In particular, the waistband portion 1 5 disposed about an upper portion 14 of the athletic garment 10 may be made of a compression material. And when an object is placed in an envelope pocket 1 2, the pocket material is stretched. The pocket material seeks to return to its equilibrium state, thereby compressing the object against the reactive surface, or in this case, the lower back/upper buttocks region of a person, which effectively secures the object in the pocket. [0039] Referring to FIG. 3, a rear, perspective view of an exemplar}' athletic garment 10 wherein an envelope pocket 12 is shown in use is illustrated. As shown, a player may reach around his or her back and quickly and economically insert a tennis ball (or other object) into envelope pocket 12. A player may place and retrieve the ball from the envelope pocket 12 while maintaining a generally upright posture without need to bend or crunch over, as the pocket openings are disposed along an upper portion 14 of the athletic garment 10, an easy to reach location.

1 04 1 Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, various exemplary embodiments of athletic garments 1 are shown. In FIG. 4, athletic garment 10 is shown as a pair of capris embodying dual envelope pockets 12. In FIG. 5, athletic garment 10 is shown as a pair of shorts embodying dual envelope pockets 12. In FIG. 6, athletic garment 10 is shown as a skirt embodying dual envelope pockets 12. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of athletic garments comprising envelope pockets are possible.

100411 With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, envelope pockets 12 of an exemplary athletic garment 10 will be described in more detail. An athletic garment 10 may comprise a first envelope pocket 16 and a second envelope pocket 18. The first envelope pocket 16 may be opened from the bottom at first opening 20, and likewise, second envelope pocket 18 may be opened from the bottom at second opening 22.

100421 First envelope pocket 16 may have a width wl defined by a first seam 24 and a second seam 26 and may have a height hi defined by a bottom portion 30 and top portion 32. Second envelope pocket 18 may have a width w2 defined by second seam 26 and a third seam 28 and may have a height h2 defined by bottom portion 30 and top portion 32. Height hi and height h2 may be of a sufficient height to accommodate a tennis ball or other specific object the envelope pockets 12 are intended to secure. The heights hi, h2 of the envelope pockets 12 may be of a length that may fully enclose a ball when it is inserted such that the ball is not visible when inserted into the pocket; or in an alternative embodiment, the ball may be partially visible after it is inserted. First envelope pocket 16 may be enclosed on its sides by fi st seam 24 and second seam 26 and by top portion 32. Similarly, second envelope pocket 18 may be enclosed on its sides by second seam 26 and third seam 28 and by top portion 32. In this manner, an outer panel 36 comprising of a compression material and an inner panel 38 of an envelope pocket 12 may form a pocket cavity 40 to secure an object within the pocket.

[0043] In one embodiment, first seam 24 may extend vertically from top portion 32 to bottom portion 30 and may be disposed along the side of the athletic garment 1 such that, when it is worn, the first seam 24 is disposed generally centered along a person's side or hip. First seam 24 may also be disposed exactly at the side of the garment. Likewise, third seam 28 may extend vertically from top portion 32 to bottom portion 30 and may be disposed along the side of the athletic garment 10 such that, when it is worn, the third seam 28 is disposed generally centered along a person's side or hip. The third seam 28 may be disposed on the opposite side or hip from the first seam 24. First seam 24 may also be disposed exactly at the side of the garment. Second seam 26 may extend vertically from top portion 32 to bottom portion 30 and may be disposed along the rear of the athletic garment 10 such that, when it is worn, the second seam 24 is disposed generally centered with a person's spine. The positioning of the seams 24, 26, 28 may allow for a person to quickly and ergonomically place a ball repeatedly in a comfortable position nestled along the upper buttocks/lower back region. The first and third seams 24, 28 may ensure that a player does not place a ball directly on the side of his or her hip, as this may impede movement, and in the case of racquet sports, it may impede or disrupt the swing path of a player. The positioning of the second seam 26, which is the center seam in this embodiment, may ensure that a player does not insert a tennis ball in the center of his or her back, as this may cause discomfort in reaching around to retrieve the ball and may also cause discomfort to a player's sacrum, lower lumbar, and tailbone areas. Moreover, the second seam 26 may prevent balls from sliding around from the left buttocks/lower back area to the right buttocks/lower back area.

[0044] In another embodiment, first seam 24 and third seam 28 may each be positioned closer to the center of a person's back as shown in FIG. 17. This may allow for a player to ensure that an inserted ball or object is positioned more toward the center of the player's back. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, first seam 24 and third seam 28 (not shown) may be positioned generally along opposite sides of the athletic garment 10. However, the second seam 26 and a fourth seam 42 may define a center region 44 that does not include an envelope pocket 12. A rear centerline 72 splits the athletic garment 10 into a first side 74 and a second side 76. In this embodiment, the center region 44 may provide greater protection for a person's sacrum area and may ensure that balls and other objects are positioned more toward the sides of the athletic garment 10.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 10, a close up perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment 10 with an object being inserted into an envelope pocket 12 is illustrated. In this embodiment, a tennis ball 70 is being placed in the first envelope pocket 16. To insert the tennis ball 70, a player may locate the first envelope pocket 16 by sliding his or her fingers upward. Optionally, locating piping 34 may act as a locator for first opening 20 (and second opening 22 for second envelope pocket 18). Once the first opening 20 is located at the bottom portion 30 of the first envelope pocket 16, a player may use one finger to open the pocket and the others to push the tennis ball 70 upward into the pocket. Other methods of inserting an object into an envelope pocket 12 are also contemplated.

[0046] To remove a ball or object from an envelope pocket 12, a player may press downward on the ball with his or her thumb and catch the ball with his or her other fingers. Other methods of retrieving an object from an envelope pocket 12 are also contemplated. Athletic garment 10 may include a fiat lock double seam 33 at the junction of the second seam 26 and locating piping 34. This may prevent the stitching of the pockets to suffer from failures, as this is a high wear area.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 1 1 , 12, 13, and 14, various views of an exemplary athletic garment 10 having balls stowed within its dual envelope pockets 12 are shown. In these various embodiments, the width wl of first envelope pocket 16 extends from the first seam 24 (located generally at the side of the athletic garment 10) to the second seam 26 (located generally in the middle of the rear portion of the athletic garment 10). Thus, first envelope pocket 16 is wide enough for a player to place one or more tennis balls in first envelope pocket 16. Second envelope pocket 18, being of a similar construction, may also have a width w2 that allows for a player to place multiple tennis balls into the pocket. Thus, a player may carry multiple objects within his or her dual envelope pockets 12. [0048] In particular, FIG. 1 1 shows an athletic garment 10 having one tennis ball stowed in its first envelope pocket 16. FIG. 12 shows an athletic garment 10 having two tennis balls stowed in it first envelope pocket 16. FIG. 13 shows an athletic garment 10 having three tennis balls stowed in it first envelope pocket 16. FIG. 14 shows an athletic garment 10 having a tennis ball stowed in its first envelope pocket 16 and a tennis ball stowed in its second envelope pocket 18. It will be appreciated that in the embodiments shown that both the first and second envelope pockets 16, 18 may include up to three balls in their respective pockets.

1 04 1 Referring to FIG. 15, another embodiment of an athletic garment 10 is shown having envelope pockets 12 and front envelope pockets 42 disposed along the upper portion 14 of the garment. It will be appreciated that front envelope pockets 42 may be constructed and may secure objects in the same fashion as envelope pockets 12 disposed along the rear of athletic garment 10.

100501 Referring to FIG. 16, another embodiment of an athletic garment 10 is shown having a single envelope pocket 12 disposed along the upper portion 14 of the garment. It will be appreciated that the single envelope pocket 12 depicted in FIG. 16 may be constructed and may secure objects in the same fashion as embodiments described having dual envelope pockets 12.

100511 Referring now to FIG. 19, an exemplary athletic garment 10 having an envelope pocket 12 with a flap panel 46 is illustrated. The outer panel 36 is transparent i FIG. 19 so that flap panel 46 (shown generally by the dot-dashed lines) may be visible. In this embodiment, personal items, such as a phone (shown with dashed lines), may be stored within env elope pocket 12 and may be further secured by flap panel 46. Flap panel 46 may be enclosed at its bottom portion by being stitched together with locating piping 34 and may be enclosed on its sides by first seam 24 and second seam 26. It will be appreciated that flap panel 46 is shown not extending to the seams and locating piping 34 for illustrative purposes and that flap panel 46 may indeed be stitched with these various seams and piping. Flap panel 46 may extend from the locating piping 34 to flap panel top portion 48. 100521 Objects may be inserted into the flap pocket opening 50 in the following manner. An athlete may first slightly pull out outer panel 36 such that an object may be pushed up into the envelope pocket 12. Next, the athlete may pull out flap panel 46 such that the object may be pushed downward and into the flap pocket opening 50. Accordingly, aside from the compression afforded by the envelope pocket material, flap panel 46 may effectively further prevent an object from falling out of the envelope pocket 12.

100531 With reference to FIG. 20, a close up, rear perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment 10 having a horizontal envelope pocket 52 with a side opening 54 is shown. The outer panel 36 is transparent in FIG. 20 so that objects within the horizontal envelope pocket 52 may be visible. Horizontal envelope pocket 52 may be enclosed by top portion 32 at the top of the pocket, by locating piping 34 at the bottom portion 30 of the pocket, and on its side by second seam 26, which in this embodiment is centered along the rear of the garment. Side opening 54 may allow for objects, in this case a phone, to be inserted and retrieved from the horizontal env elope pocket 52. Optionally, vertical piping 56 may assist the athlete with locating side opening 54.

[0054] With reference to FIG. 21 , the construction of an envelope pocket 12 of an exemplary athletic garment 10 will be described in more detail. FIG. 21 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary athletic garment 10 detailing the inner, rear waistband, or inner waist portion 1 5a. Notably, outer panel 36 may comprise a fold over portion 58 that folds ov er the inner panel 38 at the top portion 32 of the garment. Second seam 26 also folds over top portion 32 as shown. Outer panel 36 may be joined with inner panel 38 at joining panel seam 62. Outer panel 36 may extend downward from joining panel seam 62 to locating piping 34.

[0055] FIG. 22 depicts a cross sectional view taken from plane A of FIG. 21 . It will be appreciated that the various panels of the exemplary envelope pocket shown are spaced apart for illustration purposes and that they might be flush against one another when the athletic garment 10 is worn by an athlete. Beginning from the bottom of the view, the outer panel 36 and inner panel 38 are shown joined together by locating piping 34. The inner panel 38 may extend from locating piping 34 generally along height hi and may be folded over at the top portion 32 o the pocket. A top inner seam 68 may act as a locating seam for an athlete to quickly locate the top edge of the garment, which may useful in determining whether the garment is positioned correctly on a player's body. A fter being folded over at top seam 68, the inner panel 38 extends downward and may be joined with outer panel 36 at joining panel seam 62 along the inner waist portion 15a as shown. As inner panel 38 is not joined with outer panel 36 at the top edge of the garment, inner panel 38 may have an uncoupled top portion 60.

100561 Outer panel 36 may likewise extend generally along height h 1 of first envelope pocket 16. As noted above, outer panel 36 may extend from locating piping 34 and may be joined with inner panel 38 at joining panel seam 62 along the inner waist portion 15a. From there, outer panel 36 extends upward and folds over the uncoupled top portion 60 of inner panel 34 at top portion 32. This area of outer panel 34 may be designated as fold over portion 58. After folding over inner panel 38, the outer panel 36 may extend downward along the outer waist portion 15b toward bottom portion 30. Outer panel 36 may extend generally to locating piping 34. Outer panel 36 is not coupled at the bottom portion 30 along the outer waist portion 15b.

[0057] Outer panel 36 may ha ve an outer panel outer surface 36a and an outer panel inner surface 36b. Inner panel 38 may have an inner panel outer surface 38a and an inner panel inner surface 38b. A pocket cavity 40 may be formed between outer panel inner surface 36b and inner panel outer surface 36a. Tennis balls and other objects may be inserted through the first pocket opening 20 and into the pocket cavity 40.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 23, a cross sectional view of an envelope pocket 16 taken from plane A of FIG. 21 with a tennis ball 70 present in the pocket is depicted. It will be appreciated that the various panels of the exemplary envelope pocket shown are spaced apart for illustration purposes and that they might be flush against one another, tennis bail 70, and with the athlete's body when the athletic garment 10 is worn.

[0059] As shown, the inner panel 38 may have an uncoupled top portion 60 that is not coupled or attached to outer panel 36 at its end (or top seam 68); thus, the envelope pocket 12 may offer more lateral flexibility. Meaning, when a tennis ball 70 or other object is inserted into the pocket, the ball may not only be pushed upward into the pocket, but the ball may also be pushed laterally inward toward an athlete ^' s upper buttocks/lower back region. The lateral flexibility of the envelop pocket 12 may allow for a tennis ball 70 or other object stored within the pocket to sit more flush with an athlete ^' s body. ore specifically, the lateral flexibility may allow for a ball to be inserted and placed more flush with the more laterally sloped natural contours of an athlete's lower lumbar/upper sacrum region, as opposed to say, a more vertical ly sloped mid-buttocks region. So, in this embodiment, not only is the compression material of the outer panel compressing the tennis ball 70 in place, the more laterally sloped contours o an athlete ^' s body may also apply a magnitude of upward force.

[0060] Moreover, as the outer panel 36 is not coupled or attached to the inner panel 38 at top portion 32 (the outer panel 36 has a fold over portion 58 that folds over the inner panel 38), more surface area of the athletic garment 10 may be placed under tension when a tennis ball 70 is inserted into an envelope pocket 12. With more surface area of material under tension, the greater the surface area applying a compressive force on the tennis ball 70, as elastic material in tension seeks to return to its equilibrium state.

100611 In addition, with reference still to FIG. 23, an upper buttocks/lower back region 78 of an athlete is depicted. Of course, the buttocks/lumbar curvature of individuals may v ary greatly from person to person, the upper buttocks/lower back region 78 may include regions of the buttocks and lower back adjacent to where the two regions meet. The waistl ine region may generally be considered to be where the upper sacrum meets the lower lumbar vertebrae.

10062 j With reference to FIG. 24. a cross sectional view of an exemplary envelope pocket detailing its construction is shown. In this embodiment, the i nner panel 38 may extend from bottom portion 30 along the height h 1 of the first envelope pocket 16 until it joins with outer panel 36 at top seam 68 located generally at the top portion 32 of the pocket. The outer panel 36 may extend from top portion 32 downward to bottom portion 30. Outer panel 36 may be uncoupled at the bottom portion 30 of the pocket such that a first pocket opening 20 is formed.

100631 In another embodiment, the outer panel 36 and inner panel 38 may be the same panel. The sole pocket panel may form the inner waist portion 15a of the pocket, the sole panel may then be folded over at top portion 32 (and stitched with a top seam 68), which may be useful for an athlete in locating the top edge of the garment), and then the sole panel may extend downward toward a bottom portion 30 of the pocket along the outer waist portion 15b of the pocket. The sole panel may be uncoupled at the bottom portion 30 of the pocket such that a first pocket opening 20 is formed.

[0064] The words used herein are understood to be words of description and not words of limitation. While various embodiments have been described, it is apparent that many variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and sprit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.