What is the jQuery equivalent of Prototype's Element.extend
<p>I know that jQuery.extend can be used to add by own custom methods to an object such as a DOM element but Prototype's Element.extend adds all the DOM element helper methods to the object. It is that functionality that I am after.</p>

<p>For instance</p>

<pre><code>this.panel = document.createElement('div');
</code></pre>

<p>I want this.panel to be a reference to that new div but also have the handy element wrapper methods attached to it.</p>

<p>I can get something close by wrapping the call to createElement with jQuery()</p>

<pre><code>this.panel = jQuery(document.createElement('div'));
</code></pre>

<p>but that returns an array of one. I just want the element.</p>

<p>What do others do?</p>

<p>TIA</p>

<p>Pat Long</p>
