IMPROVED FIRING CONTROL MECHANISM AND METHOD

Abstract

A firearm having a housing, a handle coupled to the housing, at least two barrels, and a firing control assembly arranged within the housing. Each barrel may be configured to expel a round therefrom. The firing control assembly may have a trigger configured to be depressed by a user and at least two firing pins, each corresponding with one of the at least two barrels. The firing control assembly may additionally have a rotatable state change cog and a pawl configured to engage with at least one of the firing pins. The firing control assembly may additionally have a pawl selector configured to engage with the pawl. The pawl selector may be configured to slide between a first position and a second position in response to rotation of the state change cog.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising: a housing; a handle coupled to the housing; at least two barrels, each barrel configured to expel a round therefrom; and a firing control assembly arranged within the housing, the assembly comprising: a trigger configured to be depressed by a user; at least two firing pins, each corresponding with one of the at least two barrels; a rotatable state change cog; a pawl configured to engage with at least one of the at least two firing pins; and a pawl selector configured to engage with the pawl, the pawl selector further configured to slide between a first position and a second position in response to rotation of the state change cog.

2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the pawl selector comprises a pawl channel for the pawl.

3. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the pawl selector comprises a tab for each of the at least two firing pins, wherein each tab is configured to selectively prevent a corresponding firing pin from firing.

4. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the firing control assembly further comprises a cog pusher configured to cause rotation of the cog upon depression of the trigger.

5. The firearm of claim 4, wherein the state change cog is configured to rotate approximately 90 degrees upon depression of the trigger.

6. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the state change cog comprises one or more fins, each fin having a peak.

7. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the pawl selector is configured to direct the pawl toward a first firing pin when in the first position, and to direct the pawl toward a second firing pin when in the second position.

8. The firearm of claim 1, further comprising a sear lug arranged on each firing pin.

9. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the pawl is a first pawl and the firing control assembly further comprises a second pawl, and wherein each pawl is configured to engage with a corresponding sear lug.

10. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the firing control assembly further comprises a spacer arranged between each firing pin and a rear wall of the housing.

11. The firearm of claim 9, wherein each spacer comprises a ramp for slidingly engaging the pawl to disengage the pawl from a corresponding firing pin.

12. A firing control assembly for a firearm having at least two barrels, the firing control assembly comprising: a trigger configured to be depressed by a user; at least two firing pins, each corresponding with one of the at least two barrels; a rotatable state change cog; a pawl configured to engage with at least one of the at least two firing pins; and a pawl selector configured to engage with the pawl, the pawl selector further configured to slide between a first position and a second position in response to rotation of the state change cog.

13. The firing control assembly of claim 12, wherein the pawl selector comprises a pawl channel for the pawl.

14. The firing control assembly of claim 12, wherein the pawl selector comprises a tab for each of the at least two firing pins, wherein each tab is configured to selectively prevent a corresponding firing pin from firing.

15. The firing control assembly of claim 12, further comprising a cog pusher configured to cause rotation of the cog upon depression of the trigger.

16. The firing control assembly of claim 12, wherein the pawl selector is configured to direct the pawl toward a first firing pin when in the first position, and to direct the pawl toward a second firing pin when in the second position.

17. The firing control assembly of claim 12, further comprising a sear lug arranged on each firing pin.

18. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the firing control assembly further comprises a spacer arranged between each firing pin and a rear wall of the housing.

19. The firearm of claim 9, wherein each spacer comprises a ramp for slidingly engaging the pawl to disengage the pawl from a corresponding firing pin.

20. A method for selectively firing a single barrel of a multiple-barrel firearm, the method comprising the steps of: depressing a trigger of the firearm, wherein depression of the trigger causes rotation of a state change cog; and wherein rotation of the state change cog causes a pawl selector to transition between at least a first position and a second position, the pawl selector configured to direct a pawl toward a firing pin of firearm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firearm of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side internal view of a firearm of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 3 is perspective internal view of a firearm of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a firearm of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a close-up side view of a firing control assembly of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of a firing control assembly of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pawl selector of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of barrel housing of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a trigger assembly of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a firing pin of the present disclosure, according to one or more embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a side internal view of a firearm of the present disclosure, with a trigger partially depressed, according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous firearms and firing control assemblies for firearms. In particular, the present disclosure relates to firearms having multiple barrels, in which a firing control assembly is configured to selectively engage a firing pin to fire a round through one barrel at a time. Moreover, a firearm of the present disclosure may configured to be concealable and/or may generally be configured to appear as a smartphone or another device that is not a firearm. The firearm may be relatively compact and may be provided without a hammer in some embodiments.

[0023] Turning now to FIG. 1, a firearm 100 of the present disclosure is shown, according to one or more embodiments. The firearm 100 may have a housing 102, a trigger assembly 104, a handle 106, and one or more barrels 108. In some embodiments, the firearm 100 may have at least two barrels 108. The firearm 100 may generally be configured to be concealable. In particular, in some embodiments, the firearm 100 may be configured to be relatively compact. Moreover, the firearm 100 may be configured to appear similar to a cellphone or another relatively small electronic device. In some embodiments, for example, the handle 106 may have a hinged connection to the housing 102 and may be configured to fold or pivot toward the housing, as shown for example in FIG. 2. In a folded position, the handle 106 may operate to cover or partially cover the trigger assembly 104. In a folded configuration, the firearm 100 may be configured to appear similar to a smartphone, for example. In particular, the folded firearm 100 may have a relatively flattened rectangular shape with rounded corners. The firearm 100 may be configured to be inconspicuous so as not to draw attention, but may additionally be configured to be readily accessible to the user. In some embodiments, a firearm of the present disclosure may be, or may be similar to, firearms discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,151,556, entitled Concealable Firearm, and issued Dec. 11, 2018, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/134,418, entitled Concealable Firearm, and filed Sep. 18, 2018, the content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0024] Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, internal views of a firearm 200 of the present disclosure are shown, according to one or more embodiments. As shown, the firearm 200 may have a housing 202, a trigger assembly 204, and a foldable handle (not shown). The firearm 200 may additionally have at least one, or at least two, barrels 208 arranged within a barrel assembly 209, as shown in FIG. 4. Where the firearm 200 comprises two barrels 208, the barrels may be arranged in an over-under configuration, as shown for example in FIG. 8. In particular, the firearm 200 may have an upper barrel 208a and a lower barrel 208b. The upper barrel 208a may be arranged generally above the lower barrel 208b when the firearm 200 is held upright by a user grasping the handle. However, in other embodiments, the two barrels 208 may be arranged in a side-by-side configuration. In still other embodiments, the firearm 200 may have three, four, or any other suitable number of barrels 208 arranged in any suitable configuration. Additionally, the firearm housing 202 may have a front wall 260 through which rounds may exit the barrels 208. The housing 202 may have a rear wall 262 opposing the front wall 260. The housing 202 may additionally have an upper wall 264, lower wall 266, and two opposing sidewalls 268.

[0025] With reference back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the firearm 200 may additionally have a firing control assembly 210, which may include the trigger assembly 204, one or more firing pins 212, a state change cog 214, and a pawl selector 218. In some embodiments, the firearm 200 may include at least two firing pins 212. The firing pins 212, like the barrels 208, may be arranged in an over-under arrangement in some embodiments, with an upper firing pin 212a arranged above a lower firing pin 212b when the firearm 200 is held upright by a user. However, in other embodiments, two firing pins 212 may be arranged in a side-by-side configuration or another suitable configuration. In still other embodiments, the firearm 200 may have more than two firing pins 212. The firing control assembly 210 may additionally include a spacer 220 associated with each firing pin 212. The trigger assembly 204 may include a trigger 230, one or more pawls 216, and a cog pusher 232. FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the components of the firearm 200, included an exploded view of the fire control assembly 210 components, according to some embodiments.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 10, each firing pin 212 may have an elongated cylindrical shape with a striker and pin 228 extending from one end and configured for striking a bullet. In some embodiments, each firing pin 212 may be or include an inertial firing pin, having a primary spring 222 and a rebound spring 224. However, in other embodiments, other firing pins may be used. In some embodiments, each firing pin 212 may have a sear lug 226 arranged thereon. The sear lug 226 may provide a ridge extending laterally from an outer surface of the firing pin 212. The sear lug 226 may be arranged at an end of the firing pin 212 opposing the end where the striker and pin 228 are arranged. Each sear lug 226 may be configured to engage with a pawl 216. In particular, the sear lug 226 may extend from the firing pin 212 with a height configured to catch an end of a pawl 216, as described below.

[0027] As additionally shown in FIG. 10, a spacer 220 may be arranged between each firing pin 212 and a wall of the housing 202, such as the rear wall 262. An upper spacer 220a may be configured to be arranged between the upper firing pin 212a and the rear wall 262, and a lower spacer 220b may be configured to be arranged between the lower firing pin 212b and the rear wall. In some embodiments, each spacer 220 may have a generally rectangular shape or cube shape. As shown for example in FIG. 10, each spacer 220 may have a generally rectangular shape with at least two open sides. In some embodiments, each spacer 220 may have one or more ramps 221 extending therefrom. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a spacer 220 may have a pair of parallel ramps 221 extending from a pair of parallel sidewalls of the spacer. Each ramp 221 may have an angled or curved edge. The angled or curved edge of the ramp 221 may be configured to engage with a pawl 216 so as to guide the pawl away from a sear lug 226. In some embodiments, the ramp 221 may extend from the spacer 220 with a height the same as, or larger than, that of the sear lug 226. In this way, as the pawl 216 moves along the ramp 221, the height of the ramp may cause the pawl to lift away from the sear lug 226, and thus disengage from the sear lug, as described below.

[0028] The trigger assembly 204 may be configured to cause retraction or compression of the firing pin springs so as to cause each of the firing pins, alternately, to strike a bullet when the trigger assembly is actuated by a user. The trigger assembly 204 is shown, in an exploded view, in FIG. 9. As indicated above, the trigger assembly 204 may include a trigger 230, one or more pawls 216, and a cog pusher 232. The trigger 230 may be configured to be exposed on the firearm 200, such that a user may access and pull back on the trigger while holding the firearm handle. The trigger 230 may have a curved surface configured for receiving a user's finger. The trigger 230 may couple to a mounting arrangement 231. The mounting arrangement 231 may be configured to receive the pawls 216 and cog pusher 232. For example, the mounting arrangement 231 may have one or more openings for receiving a peg having the pawls 216 arranged thereon. The mounting arrangement 231 may additionally have one or more openings for receiving a peg having the cog pusher 232 arranged thereon. In other embodiments, the mounting arrangement 231 may be configured for mounting the pawls 216 and cog pusher 232 in other ways. In some embodiments, the trigger 230 and mounting arrangement 231 may be molded together as a solid component.

[0029] Each pawl 216 may have a mounting portion 234, an arm portion 236, and a sear engaging portion 238. The mounting portion 234 may be configured to mount the pawl 216 to the mounting arrangement 231. For example, the mounting portion 234 may have an opening configured to receive a mounting peg. The arm portion 236 may extend between the mounting portion and the sear engaging portion 238. The sear engaging portion 238 may extend laterally from an end of the arm portion and may be configured to latch or hook onto a sear lug 226 so as to engage a firing pin and cause the firing pin to fire. In some embodiments, a torsion spring may be configured to bias each pawl 216 toward a particular direction. For example, a first torsion spring may operate to bias a first pawl 216 upward toward an upper firing pin 212a, and a second torsion spring may operate to bias a second pawl downward toward a lower firing pin 212b.

[0030] The cog pusher 232 may have a mounting portion 240 and a cog engaging portion 242. The mounting portion 240 may be configured to mount the cog pusher 232 to the mounting arrangement 231. For example, the mounting portion 240 may have an opening configured to receive a mounting peg. The cog engaging portion 242 may extend from the mounting portion and may be configured to catch or latch onto the cog 214 so as to cause the cog to rotate about an axis. In some embodiments, the cog engaging portion 242 may have a generally curved or arced shape and may have a length suitable for engaging with the cog 214 as the trigger assembly 204 is pulled back by a user. The length and shape of the cog engaging portion 242 may be configured to rotate the cog 214 to a particularly desired degree of rotation when the trigger assembly 204 is depressed toward the rear wall 262 of the housing 202. For example, the length and shape of the cog engaging portion 242 may be configured to rotate the cog 214 between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 180 degrees, or between approximately 60 degrees 120 degrees, or between approximately 80 degrees and approximately 100 degrees. In some embodiments, the length and shape of the cog engaging portion 242 may be configured to rotate the cog 214 approximately 90 degrees on each trigger pull. In other embodiments, the length and shape of the cog engaging portion 242 may be configured to rotate the cog approximately 45 degrees, approximately 180 degrees, approximately 360 degrees, or to any other suitable degree of rotation. In some embodiments, a spring may allow the cog pusher 232 to hinge or pivot with respect to the mounting arrangement 231.

[0031] With reference to the close-up views of FIGS. 5 and 6, the cog 214 may be rotatably arranged on an axis. The cog 214 may have a generally circular shape in some embodiments. Additionally, the cog 214 may have a radial surface geometry having at least one high point or peak and at least one low point or valley. For example, the cog 214 may have one or more curved fins 244 extending radially from an outer radial surface. Each fin 244 may extend from the cog 214 toward a peak. The cog 214 may have one, two, three, four, or any other suitable number of fins 244. In some embodiments, the radial surface of the cog 214 may have notches or ledges instead of or in addition to the fins 244, or the fins may have an alternative shape. Before each fin 244, the radial surface of the cog 214 may have a low point or valley. It is to be appreciated that the cog 214 may have a peak radius measured at a fin 244 peak and a valley radius measured at a valley, wherein the peak radius may be larger than the valley radius. In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cog 214 may have four fins 244, each fin having a peak, and four valleys, each valley arranged between two fins. In some embodiments, the radial surface of the cog 214 may have a pinwheel or pinwheel-like shape. The cog 214 may be configured to engage with the pawl selector 218 to alternate the selector alternates between a high position and a low position. In particular, as the cog 214 rotates, a fin 244 may align with and contact the selector 218 so as to push the selector 218 upward into a high position. As the cog 214 rotates further, the selector 218 may drop off of the peak and become aligned with a valley, at which point the selector may be arranged in a low position until rotation of the cog causes another fin 244 to push the selector upward.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 7, the pawl selector 218 may be configured to ensure that only one pawl 216 engages with a firing pin 212 upon each pull of the trigger 230. The pawl selector 218 may generally be or include a ring having a rectangular shape with four sides or walls. In other embodiments, the pawl selector 218 may have a generally square, oval, or round shape, or any other suitable shape. A first wall of the selector 218, which may be an upper wall 250 as the firearm 200 is held upright in a firing position, may extend over or across a first of the two firing pins 212. Two parallel sidewalls 252 may extend down from the upper wall 250 and may be configured to extend across opposing sides of one or both two firing pins 212. A fourth wall 254, which may be a lower wall, may be arranged parallel with the upper wall 250, and may extend between the two firing pins 212, or alternatively below or beneath both firing pins, when the firearm 200 is held upright in a firing position.

[0033] In some embodiments, each sidewall 252 may have a pawl channel 256, which may be or include a cutout or groove in the sidewall. The pawl channel 256 may be configured to engage with a sear engaging portion 238 of a pawl 216. In particular the channels 256 may each be configured such that the sear engaging portion 238 of a pawl 216 may extend laterally across the channel. The channels 256 may be configured to position the pawls 216 generally toward one firing pin 212 at a time, so as to prevent the pawls from each engaging a firing pin at the same time.

[0034] Additionally, each sidewall 252 may have a tab 246 extending therefrom. Each tab 246 may extend laterally inward toward an opposing sidewall 252. The two tabs 246 may be configured to encourage selection of only one firing pin 212 at a time by the pawls 216. In particular, each tab 246 may be arranged on the sidewall so as to align with a sear lug 226 of a firing pin 212. An upper tab 246a (nearest the upper wall 250) may be configured to align with a sear lug 226 of the upper firing pin 212a when the selector 218 is in a high position. Similarly, a lower tab 246b (nearest the lower wall 254) may align with a sear lug 226 of the lower firing pin 212b when the selector 218 is in a low position. Each tab 246 may operate to engage with its corresponding sear lug 226 so as to prevent engagement of the sear lug by a pawl 216.

[0035] The pawl selector 218 may be arranged such that it may contact the cog 214 as the cog rotates between high and low positions. In particular, the pawl selector 218 may be configured such that the lower wall 254 may contact the cog 214. Fins 244 of the cog 214 may operatively push the selector 218 into a high position, and allow the selector to drop back down to a low position as the cog 214 rotates.

[0036] In use, a firearm of the present disclosure may operate to fire one round through one barrel upon each pull of the trigger. A firing control assembly of the present disclosure may operate to select a single firing pin upon a trigger pull to ensure that only one firing pin is actuated at a time. Where the firearm has two firing pins, the firing control assembly may alternately select between the two firing pins, alternating back and forth between the two pins, while selecting only one pin on each trigger pull.

[0037] In particular, while holding the firearm 200 by its handle, a user may depress, or pull back on, the trigger 230 a first time to fire a first round, causing the trigger assembly 204 (including the pawls 216 and cog pusher 232) to move toward the user or toward the rear wall 262 of the firearm. As the trigger assembly 204 moves toward the rear wall 262, the cog pusher 232 may engage with the cog 214 by pushing against a fin 244 of the cog, thereby causing the cog to rotate about its axis. As described above, each trigger 230 pull may cause the cog 214 to rotate approximately 90 degrees. However, in other embodiments, the cog pusher 232 may be configured to cause any other suitable degree of rotation of the cog 214. Additionally, as the trigger assembly 204 moves toward the rear wall 262, the two pawls 216 may each move toward the sear lugs 226. Simultaneously, as the cog 214 rotates, a fin 244 may engage with the pawl selector 218, thus pushing the pawl selector upward, toward the upper wall of the firearm, away from the cog, and into a high position.

[0038] FIG. 11 shows the firearm 200 with the trigger assembly 204 partially depressed, according to some embodiments. As the pawl selector 218 moves into a high position, it may pull or guide both pawls 216, via the pawl channels 256 generally upward toward the upper firing pin 212a, and may thus prevent either pawl from engaging with the lower firing pin 212b. Additionally, with the selector 218 in the high position, the lower tab 246b may align with the sear lug 226 of the lower firing pin 212b and may operate to hold the firing pin in place and prevent it from being engaged by a pawl. Thus, by virtue of being in a high position, the pawl selector 218 may prevent the lower sear lug 226 and firing pin 212b from being engaged by a pawl 216, but may permit the upper sear lug 226 and firing pin 212a to be engaged by a pawl.

[0039] As the trigger assembly 204 continues to depress back toward the rear wall 262 of the housing 202, a pawl 216 may engage with the sear lug 226 of the upper firing pin 212a, pushing the firing pin back to compress the primary spring 222 of that firing pin, and causing the firing pin to strike toward a round. This may in turn cause a round to fire through the upper barrel 208a. As the round fires, the pawl 216 may ride down the ramp 221 of the upper spacer 220a associated with the engaged upper firing pin 212a, thus guiding the pawl off of the sear lug 226 to disengage the pawl from the sear lug and firing pin. After the upper firing pin 212a fires the round, and the user releases the trigger 230, the trigger assembly 204 may move forward toward a front wall 260 of the housing 202.

[0040] A user may depress the trigger 230 a second time to fire a second round. As the trigger assembly 204 moves toward the rear wall 262 once again, the cog pusher 232 may cause the cog 214 to rotate approximately 90 degrees or another suitable degree. Rotation of the cog 214 may cause a fin 244 to move out of alignment with the pawl selector 218, and may thus bring the pawl selector into a low position. As the pawl selector 218 moves into a low position, it may pull or guide both pawls 216, via the pawl channels 256 generally downward toward the lower firing pin 212b, and may thus prevent either pawl from engaging with the upper firing pin 212a. Additionally, with the selector 218 in the low position, the upper tab 246a may align with the sear lug 226 of the upper firing pin 212a and may operate to hold the firing pin in place and prevent it from being engaged by a pawl. Thus, by virtue of being in a low position, the pawl selector 218 may prevent the upper sear lug 226 and firing pin 212a from being engaged by a pawl 216, but may permit the lower sear lug 226 and firing pin 212b to be engaged by a pawl.

[0041] As the trigger assembly 204 continues to depress back toward the rear wall of the firearm 200, a pawl 216 may engage with the sear lug 226 and lower firing pin 212b, pushing the firing pin back to compress the primary spring 222 of that firing pin, and causing the firing pin to strike toward a round. This may in turn cause a round to fire through the lower barrel 208b. As the round fires, the pawl 216 may ride up the ramp 221 of the lower spacer 220b associated with the engaged lower firing pin 212b, thus guiding the pawl off of the sear lug 226 to disengage the pawl from the sear lug and firing pin. After the lower firing pin 212b fires the round, and the user releases the trigger 230, the trigger assembly 204 may move forward toward the front wall 260 of the housing 202.

[0042] It may thus be appreciated that position of the pawl selector 218 may determine which of the two firing pins 212 is engaged by a pawl. It may further be appreciated that rotation of the cog fins 244 may cause the pawl selector to alternate between a high position and a low position with each depression of the trigger 230. In some embodiments, a firing control assembly of the present disclosure may have a single pawl that operates to alternately engage both firing pins. For example, the pawl selector may operate to guide the pawl toward an upper firing pin when in a high position and may operate to guide the pawl toward a lower firing pin when in a low position.

[0043] It is further to be appreciated that while the firing control mechanism is described above with respect to forward and rearward movements of the trigger assembly 204 and upper and lower (up and down) movements of the pawl selector 218, the components may move in any suitable direction depending on the orientation or configuration of the firing control mechanism. In particular, where a firearm of the present disclosure has a side-by-side barrel and firing pin configuration, the pawl selector may be configured to move side to side to cause alternating selection of one of the two firing pins. Still other configurations and orientations are envisioned.

[0044] As used herein, the terms “substantially” or “generally” refer to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” or “generally” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have generally the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” or “generally” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an element, combination, embodiment, or composition that is “substantially free of” or “generally free of” an element may still actually contain such element as long as there is generally no significant effect thereof.

[0045] To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

[0046] Additionally, as used herein, the phrase “at least one of [X] and [Y],” where X and Y are different components that may be included in an embodiment of the present disclosure, means that the embodiment could include component X without component Y, the embodiment could include the component Y without component X, or the embodiment could include both components X and Y. Similarly, when used with respect to three or more components, such as “at least one of [X], [Y], and [Z],” the phrase means that the embodiment could include any one of the three or more components, any combination or sub-combination of any of the components, or all of the components.

[0047] In the foregoing description various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The various embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the disclosure and their practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.