Visual Training Apparel and Equipment

Abstract

A device for Visual Training Apparel and Equipment, this is a visual apparel to help one train a user/wearer's body to repeat movement for muscle memory. Observing the movement of the lines is a guideline and blueprint for the different movements to help improve balance, speed, and power. All types of repeatable movements and exercises benefit from this apparel. Enhancements by using mirrors and video to follow body arm and leg movement is like having a trainer with a person all the time to correct and repeat the proper movement. Coaches will benefit with this apparel being able to watch the line movements to train help their athletes.

Claims

1. A Visual Training Apparel device (30) for exercising and improving muscle memory is comprised of: (a) a pre-specified amount of a fabric material (61) having specific characteristics and configured as an apparel; (b) a set of exercise lines (62) at vertical, horizontal, and oblique positions to the ground (G) when worn by a user (100); and (c) a means for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) wherein the apparel (30) can be worn and used with various sports and exercises including but not limited to boxing, swimming, yoga, tennis, volleyball, bowling, lifting weights, baseball, football, physical therapy, Parkinson therapy, golf, martial arts, dance, gymnastics, wrestling, and walking.

2. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 1 further comprising a pair of boxing gloves (91) with training lines (95,96,97,98).

3. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 1 wherein the configuration of the apparel device is selected from the group consisting of long pants, short pants, long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, sleeves, and leggings.

4. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 1 wherein the fabric material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, rayon, cotton, linen, silk, merino wool, polyester, vinyl, synthetic composite materials, non-synthetic composite materials.

5. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 1 wherein the fabric material characteristics are selected from the group consisting of flexible, comfortable, lightweight, easy to launder, and a breathable fabric.

6. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 1 wherein the means for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is selected from the group consisting of a Mechanical means (65), a process means (66), a sewing means (67), and another process/printing means (68).

7. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 6 wherein the mechanical means (65) for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a glue, a set of snaps, and a set of buttons.

8. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 6 wherein the process means (66) for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is selected from the group consisting of a heat seal process, a hot press process, and an iron-on adherence process.

9. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 6 wherein the sewing means (67) for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is using thread that is selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, synthetic composite, and non-synthetic composite material.

10. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 6 wherein the other process/printing means (68) for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is selected from the group consisting of silk screen, dye sublimination, inkjet, and laser print.

11. A Visual Training Apparel device (30) for exercising and improving muscle memory is comprised of: (a) a pre-specified amount of a cotton fabric material (61) having specific characteristics and configured as a set of long pants and long sleeved shirts; (b) a set of exercise lines (62) at vertical, horizontal, and oblique positions to the ground (G) when worn by a user (100); and (c) a means for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) wherein the apparel (30) can be worn and used with various sports and exercises including but not limited to boxing, swimming, yoga, tennis, volleyball, bowling, lifting weights, baseball, football, physical therapy, Parkinson therapy, golf, martial arts, dance, gymnastics, wrestling, and walking.

12. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 11 wherein the means for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical means (65), a process means (66), a sewing means (67), and another process/printing means (68).

13. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 12 wherein the mechanical means (65) for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a glue, a set of snaps, and a set of buttons.

14. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 12 wherein the process means (66) for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is selected from the group consisting of a heat seal process, a hot press process, and an iron-on adherence process.

15. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 12 wherein the sewing means (67) for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is using thread that is selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, synthetic composite, and non-synthetic composite material.

16. The Visual Training Apparel device (30) in claim 12 wherein the other process/printing means (68) for securing the exercise lines (62) to the fabric (61) is selected from the group consisting of silk screen, dye sublimination, inkjet, and laser print.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—FIGURES

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Visual Training Apparel and Equipment Device that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below explain the principles of the exercise apparel and method of use. is understood, however, that the device provided here is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0032] FIGS. 1A through 1E are sketches of the general Visual Training Apparel for sporting and exercising changes.

[0033] FIGS. 2A and 2B are sketches of the general visual training apparel device with components and features noted.

[0034] FIGS. 3A through 3F are sketches of the general visual training apparel with the components and features shown from generally a top view.

[0035] FIGS. 4A through 4D are sketches of the visual training apparel and the material and line details.

[0036] FIGS. 5A through 5C are sketches of the boxing gloves for the visual training apparel and features noted.

[0037] FIGS. 6A and 6B are sketches of the visual training apparel with the use in the ready positions.

[0038] FIGS. 7A through 7F are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing a cross movement.

[0039] FIGS. 8A through 8C are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing an uppercut.

[0040] FIGS. 9A through 9H are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing a hook.

[0041] FIGS. 10A through 10H are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing a jab movement.

[0042] FIGS. 11A through 11E are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing a golf swing.

[0043] FIGS. 12A through 12G are sketches of the visual training apparel used with basketball, throwing, filming and in mirror exercises.

[0044] FIGS. 13A through 13F are prior art examples dealing with exercise apparel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0045] The following list refers to the drawings:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Reference numbers Ref # Description 30 Visual training apparel 30 for exercise and sporting improvement   30A Back view 30A of visual training apparel 30 31 Initial sketches 31 of the visual training apparel 30 40 Apparel prototype 40 of visual training apparel 30 42 Horizontal line 42 (straight punch evaluation) 43 Tee line 43 44 vertical lines 44 (elbow or side seam vertical locations)   44A Side vertical line 44A 45 Shirt 45 of apparel prototype 40   45A Back 45A of shirt 45 47 Short pants 47 of apparel prototype 40   47A Back 47A of short pants 47 49 Punch ovals 49 at shoulders (glove or fist location) 50 Sketches 50 of apparel 40 51 Shirt 51 of sketch 50 52 Front 52 of shirt 51 53 Back 53 of shirt 51 55 Pants 55 of sketch 50 57 Sleeves 57 with lines 59 Leggings 59 with lines 60 Materials and lines sketches 60 61 group of fabric material 61 that can be nylon, rayon, cotton, linen, silk, merino wool, polyester, vinyl, synthetic or non-synthetic composite materials and all the fabric materials having characteristics that are flexible, comfortable, lightweight, easy to clean or launder, breathable fabric - a pre-specified amount of said fabric configured as apparel 62 Exercise lines 62 on fabric 61 (fabric, ink, vinyl, paint or equal, embroidered/sewn with thread) 65 Mechanical means 65 for securing exercise lines to fabric 61 such as adhesive/glue, snaps, sewing/threads, buttons, or other equal adherents 66 process means 66 for adhering exercise lines 62 to fabric 61 such as heat seal, hot press, iron-on adherence etc. 67 Sewing means 67 for securing exercise lines 62 to fabric material 61 with thread including cotton, nylon, synthetic or non-synthetic composite material thread 68 Other process/printing means 68 for securing exercise lines 62 to material 61 such as silk screen, dye sublimination, inkjet, laser print, embroidering, etc. (plastisol, ink, fabric etc.) 70 Ready position 70 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30 73 Hook position 73 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30 75 Jab position 75 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30 78 Cross position 78 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30 79 Uppercut position 79 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30 80 Golf exercise 80 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30 83 Club 83 85 Basketball exercise 85 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 90 Throwing exercise 90 of user 100 in visual training apparel 30 91 boxing gloves 91 with training lines 95, 96, 97, 98 92 basketball 92 93 baseball or softball 93 95 Glove lines 95 96 Cross 96 glove lines 95 97 Longitudinal 97 glove lines 95 98 Side glove lines 98 (line up with elbows) 100  user 100 with a visual training apparel 30 120  means for recording positions 120 cameras, phone, video equipment and the like 150  Filming 150 individual user 100 using visual training apparel 30 170  Exercise with mirror by a user 100 using a visual training apparel 30 172  Reflection 172 of user 100 175  Mirror 175 177  Coaching 177 of user 100 by coach 180 180  Coach 180 185  Screen 185 187  Film results 187 G Ground/mat/floor G - a reference lines 62 and the horizon G 300  Prior Art 300 U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,573 by Wehrell 1990 BOXING EXERCISE HARNESS 310  Prior Art 310 US Patent App. US 2005/0193461 by Caillibotte et al. - GARMENT 320  Prior Art 320 U.S. Pat. No. D809,245 by Yeomans et al- 2018 GARMENT 330  Prior Art 330 U.S. Pat. No. 9,415,254 by Dyer - 2016 - EXERCISE DEVICE 340  Prior Art 340 U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,773 Dicker et al. 1998 AEROBIC EXERCISE GARMENT 350  Prior Art 350 U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,917 by Dicker et al. 1998- ENERGY EXPENDTURE GARMENT

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0046] This invention relates to a device for Visual Training Apparel and Equipment. This is a visual apparel to help train a user/wearer's body to repeat movement for muscle memory. It is a guideline or blueprint for several different movements to help balance, speed, and power. All repeatable movements and exercises will benefit from this apparel. Using mirrors and video to follow body arm and leg movement. It is like having a trainer with you all the time doing the correct movement. Also, coaches will benefit with this apparel being able to watch the line movements to train help their athletes. This is all purpose pattern that can be put on any apparel to help performance. Swimming, yoga, Tennis, Volleyball, Bowling, Physical Therapy, Golf, Boxing, Lifting Weights. The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of an individual's movements and reactions. In particular, the invention relates to an apparel marked with lines to permit monitoring angles and extensions of limbs when worn by a monitored user. the apparel having attached lines on the fabric for monitoring movement. The present invention relates in general to exercise apparel for providing observation and improved muscle movement by conditioning which encourages muscle memory for the proper positions and repeated movements in a proper manner, without tending to cause unwanted and undesired muscle strain or soreness. The present invention relates to clothing garments and the like worn for exercise. It is an improved training garment for physical conditioning of muscle groups.

[0047] The advantages for the Visual Training Apparel device 30 are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefits are that the device: [0048] A. Provides a visual reference for certain athletic movements where shoulders and cheeks meet. Boxing-Golf-Baseball-Bowling-Shooting [0049] B. Provides a visual aid for any type of throwing, turning, follow through, bending. [0050] C. Permits a visual aid for any type of leg or foot movement. Walking, Running, Kicking, Kneeing, Bending, side to side movement, Pivoting, Balance, Picking things up, Repeatability-Visual Guideline. [0051] D. Gives a visual aid to allow one to track and watch how much rotation a user/wearer is getting with hips and shoulders. [0052] E. Is a material that is flexible, comfortable, lightweight, easy to clean or launder, and made of a breathable fabric

[0053] The preferred embodiment of the Visual Training Apparel device 30 is comprised of: (a) a fabric 61—a pre-specified amount of said fabric configured as apparel;(b) a set of lines 62 at vertical, horizontal, and oblique positions to the ground G when worn by a user 100; and [0054] (c) a means to secure the lines 62 to the fabric 61 wherein the apparel 30 can be worn and used with various sports and exercises including but not limited to Boxing, Swimming, Yoga, Tennis, Volleyball, Bowling, Lifting Weights, Baseball, Football, Physical Therapy, Golf, and Martial Arts.

[0055] There is shown in FIGS. 1-13 a complete description and operative embodiment of the Visual Training Apparel and Equipment device 30. In the drawings and illustrations, one notes well that the FIGS. 1-13 demonstrate the general configuration and use of this product. The various example uses are in the operation and use section, below.

[0056] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Visual Training Apparel and Equipment device 30 that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below explain the principles of the exercise apparel device 30. It is understood, however, that the device 30 is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Other examples of attachment devices and the like are still understood by one skilled in the art to be within the scope and spirit shown here.

[0057] FIGS. 1A through 1E are sketches of the general Visual Training Apparel for sporting and exercising changes. Demonstrated in this overview is: a visual training apparel 30 for exercise and sporting improvement; an initial set of sketches 31 of the visual training apparel 30; an apparel prototype 40 of visual training apparel 30; a ready position 70 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30; a jab position 75 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30; and performing a golf exercise 80 of user 100 in a visual training apparel 30. Remember that this is a visual apparel to help train a user/wearer's body to repeat movement for muscle memory. It is a guideline or blueprint for several different movements to help balance, speed, and power.

[0058] FIGS. 2A and 2B are sketches of the general visual training apparel device with components and features noted. Shown here are: a visual training apparel 30 for exercise and sporting improvement; a back view 30A of visual training apparel 30; an apparel prototype 40 of visual training apparel 30; a “tee” line 43; a punch oval 49 at shoulders (glove or first location); a group of fabric material 61 that can be nylon, rayon, cotton, linen, silk, merino wool, polyester, vinyl, synthetic or non-synthetic composite materials all the fabric materials having characteristics that are flexible, comfortable, lightweight, easy to clean or launder, breathable fabric—a pre-specified amount of said fabric configured as apparel; a set of exercise lines 62 on fabric 61 (fabric, ink, vinyl, paint or equal); a pair of boxing gloves 91 with training lines 95,96,97,98; and an user 100 with a visual training apparel 30.

[0059] FIGS. 3A through 3F are sketches of the general visual training apparel with the components and features shown from generally a top view. These drawings provide and reveal: a “tee” line 43; a vertical line 44 (elbow or side seam vertical locations); a side vertical line 44A; a shirt 45 of apparel prototype 40; a back 45A of shirt 45; a pair of short pants 47 of apparel prototype 40; a back 47A of short pants 47; sleeves 57 with lines; and leggings 59 with lines.

[0060] FIGS. 4A through 4D are sketches of the visual training apparel and the material and line details. Here is shown several features and means to connect the material 61 and lines 62 as follows: an initial set of sketches 31 of the visual training apparel 30; a horizontal line 42 (straight punch evaluation); a “tee” line 43; a vertical line 44 (elbow or side seam vertical locations); a side vertical line 44A; a punch oval 49 at shoulders (glove or first location); a sketch 50 of apparel 40; a shirt 51 of sketch 50; a front 52 of shirt 51; a back 53 of shirt 51; a pair of pants 55 of sketch 50; a group of materials and lines sketches 60; a group of fabric material 61 that can be nylon, rayon, cotton, linen, silk, merino wool, polyester, vinyl, synthetic or non-synthetic composite materials and all the fabric materials having characteristics that are flexible, comfortable, lightweight, easy to clean or launder, breathable fabric—a pre-specified amount of said fabric configured as apparel; a set of exercise lines 62 on fabric 61 (fabric, ink, vinyl, paint or equal); a mechanical means 65 for securing exercise lines to fabric 61 such as adhesive/glue, snaps, sewing/threads, buttons or other equal adherents; a process means 66 for adhering exercise lines 62 to fabric 61 such as heat seal, hot press, iron-on adherence etc.; a sewing means 67 for securing exercise lines 62 to fabric material 61 with thread including cotton, nylon, synthetic or non-synthetic composite material thread; and another process/printing means 68 for securing exercise lines 62 to material 61 such as silk screen, dye sublimination, inkjet, laser print, embroidering, etc. (plastisol, ink, fabric etc.) process means 68 for adhering lines 62 to material 61 such as silk screen, dye sublimination, inkjet, laser print, embroidering, etc. (plastisol, ink, fabric etc.); and a pair of boxing gloves 91 with training lines 95,96,97,98.

[0061] FIGS. 5A through 5C are sketches of the boxing gloves for the visual training apparel and features noted. These sketches show: a pair of boxing gloves 91 with training lines 95,96,97,98; a set of glove lines 95; a cross 96 glove lines 95; a longitudinal 97 glove lines 95; and a side glove lines 98 (line up with elbows).

[0062] FIGS. 6A and 6 B are sketches of the visual training apparel with the use in the ready positions. FIGS. 7A through 7F are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing a cross movement. FIGS. 8A through 8C are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing an uppercut. FIGS. 9A through 9H are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing a hook. FIGS. 10A through 10H are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing a jab movement. FIGS. 11A through 11E are sketches of the visual training apparel with the user practicing a golf swing. FIGS. 12A through 12G are sketches of the visual training apparel used with basketball, throwing, filming and in mirror exercises. These are all described in the operations section below.

[0063] FIGS. 13A through 13F are prior art examples dealing with exercise apparel. These include: (a) Prior Art 300 U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,573 by Wehrell 1990 BOXING EXERCISE HARNESS; (b) Prior Art 310 US Patent App. US 2005/0193461 by Caillibotte et al.—GARMENT; (c) Prior Art 320 U.S. Pat. D809,245 by Yeomans et al—2018 GARMENT; (d) Prior Art 330 U.S. Pat. No. 9,415,254 by Dyer—2016—EXERCISE DEVICE; (e) Prior Art 340 U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,773 Dicker et al. 1998 AEROBIC EXERCISE GARMENT; and (f) Prior Art 350 U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,917 by Dicker et al. 1998—ENERGY EXPENDTURE GARMENT. As can be seen, the Visual Training Apparel and Equipment device 30 are unique combinations and uses as described herein.

[0064] The anticipated materials for the Visual Training Apparel and Equipment device 30 batons include: [0065] a group of materials and lines sketches 60 wherein the group of fabric material 61 can be nylon, rayon, cotton, linen, silk, merino wool, polyester, vinyl, synthetic or non-synthetic composite materials. The characteristics preferred are: a fabric which is flexible, comfortable, lightweight, easy to clean or launder, and breathable—a pre-specified amount of said fabric configured as apparel. The sewing 67 of lines 62 to fabric material 61 anticipates a cotton, nylon, synthetic or non-synthetic composite material thread.

[0066] The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a Visual Training Apparel and Equipment device 30 may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of exercise apparel and training systems and their uses.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0067] The Visual Training Apparel device 30 for a body camera to attach to an extendable defense baton has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the Visual Training Apparel device 30. The preferred embodiment of the Visual Training Apparel device 30 is comprised of: (a) a fabric 61—a pre-specified amount of said fabric configured as apparel; (b) a set of lines 62 at vertical, horizontal, and oblique positions to the ground G when worn by a user 100; and (c) a means to secure the lines 62 to the fabric 61 wherein the apparel 30 can be worn and used with various sports and exercises including but not limited to Boxing, Swimming, Yoga, Tennis, Volleyball, Bowling, Lifting Weights, Baseball, Football, Physical Therapy, Golf, and Martial Arts.

[0068] The Visual Training Apparel device 30 operates as follows: The “Tee” 43 on Front 45 and Back 45A is a reference point for starting and finishing movements (ready position 70). The relationship of the lines 62 with the ground G or horizon helps help with balance and with shoulder, hip rotation. Watching the lines 62 and movement can be visual way to help the user 100 to stand taller. It also helps create muscle memory with the repetition to return to the Starting and Finishing points 70 as various actions are completed —whether with boxing, throwing, swinging a club, running, etc. The lines 62 for reference help one/the user to keep elbows in some athletic movements. The coach 180 can also reflect on the user's 100 performance and encourage improvement. These lines 62 all serve as Visual Aid for straight extensions of arm movements. The lines 62 reveal proper form when raising arms above head and when stretching arms out. The lines also can show proper arm swing for running or walking.

[0069] FIGS. 6A and 6B are sketches of the visual training apparel 30 with the use in the ready positions 70. In FIGS. 7 A through 7F are sketches of the visual training apparel 30 with the user practicing a cross movement 78. One easily sees a pair of boxing gloves 91 with training lines 95,96,97,98 whereby lines shift as the various movements occur. FIGS. 8A through 8C are sketches of the visual training apparel 30 with the user practicing an uppercut 79. Again, a coach 180 can watch the user 100 and easily see if the extensions and punches are correct by simply watching or filming the lines 62 as the user 100 moves. FIGS. 9A through 9H are sketches of the visual training apparel 30 with the user practicing a hook 73. In FIGS. 10A through 10H are sketches of the visual training apparel 30 with the user 100 practicing a jab movement 79. FIGS. 11A through 11E are sketches of the visual training apparel 30 with the user practicing a golf swing 80. One can reflect on the relationship of the user's club 83 with the ground G or observe the arm and body positions by watching the relationship of the lines with the user and various lines—the Tee 43, the vertical lines 44 (elbow or side seam vertical locations) or the horizontals 42 (straight punch evaluation). In FIGS. 12A through 12G are sketches of the visual training apparel 30 used with basketball 85 and throwing 90. Further of these views show the filming/video 150 and in mirror exercises 70. One sees the user 100, coach 180, camera means 120, mirror 175, screen 185, and results 187 of the filming 150. All these to review the user's motions and movement of the lines 62 on the apparel 30 as the user 100 performs the exercises.

[0070] In all these use drawings, the various parts of the apparel are seen: a horizontal line 42 (straight punch evaluation); a “tee” line 43; a vertical line 44 (elbow or side seam vertical locations); a side vertical line 44A; a punch oval 49 at shoulders (glove or first location); a group of materials and lines sketches 60; a group of fabric material 61—a pre-specified amount of said fabric configured as apparel; and lines 62 at various angle and sometimes horizontal, oblique, or vertical with the Ground G.

[0071] This is an all-purpose pattern of lines that can be put on any apparel type and boxing gloves 91 with training lines 95,96,97,98 to help performance in many types of exercises. Many types of exercise, sport activity and physical movements can benefit from being utilized with the Visual Training Apparel and Equipment 30. Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Table.

TABLE-US-00003 Item Activity 1 boxing 2 swimming 3 yoga 4 tennis 5 volleyball 6 bowling 7 lifting weights. 8 baseball and football 9 physical therapy/Parkinson therapy 10 golf 11 martial Arts 12 dance 13 gymnastics 14 wrestling 15 walking

[0072] With this description it is to be understood that the Visual Training Apparel device 30 is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the device 30 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.

[0073] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

[0074] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described above in the foregoing paragraphs.

[0075] Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the disclosed embodiments described above.

[0076] The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of “plane” as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term “plane” when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used herein shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “herein this term means,” “as defined herein,” “for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.

[0077] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed considering the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0078] The present invention contemplates modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art. While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosures described heretofore and or/defined by the following claims are desired to be protected.