ALUMINUM FENCE SYSTEM

Abstract

The fence system attaches to an aluminum or steel rectangular base post in concrete or the ground. The inside wall of a fence column slides over the base post. The fence column also has an outside wall around the inside wall. Each of three side of the fence column has an elongated slot, which receives one end of a slat. A bracket may secure the slat to the fence column. The fence system also has a gate of the same style as the rest of the fence. A lockset housing replaces one fence column. It receives slats on one side, and the lockset's latch projects from the other side. A hollow post has a slot facing the latch when the gate is closed. A latch cover is held by the slot, and an extension of the latch cover extends along the lockset housing to block surreptitious opening the gate.

Claims

1. A gate for a fence system comprising: a first upright fence column, formed of a single piece, the first upright fence column having an inside wall sized to receive a base post and an outside wall around the inside wall; the first upright fence column including at least one slot extending the length of the first upright fence column from the inside wall toward the outside wall, the at least one slot having grooves along either side, each groove adapted to receive distal shoulders of an extension the extension having a length and a height extending from the inside wall through the length of the slot; the extension formed having distal shoulders to engage the grooves and a strike extending the length of the at least one slot, the strike for engaging a second upright fence column forming a portion of a gate when the gate is closed; and the second upright fence column, formed of a single piece, the second upright fence column having a hollow cross-section, incorporating a second slot to receive a slat, and incorporating at least two elongated sidewalls of sufficient width to accommodate a conventional lockset.

2. The gate for a fence system of claim 1, wherein the inside wall of the first upright fence column is rectangular.

3. The gate for a fence system of claim 1, wherein each at least one slot has two outside surfaces extending from the inside wall, each outside surface having a groove.

4. The gate for a fence system of claim 3 further comprising a slot cover having an outer wall and a pair of clip walls, each clip wall having a distal shoulder aligned with the groove in each outside surface.

5. The gate for a fence system of claim 4 wherein the at least two elongated sidewalls of sufficient width to accommodate a conventional lockset are substantially two inches wide.

6. The gate for a fence system of claim 5 wherein the second slot has grooves along either side, each groove adapted to receive distal shoulders of an extension.

7. The gate for a fence system of claim 1 wherein: the dimensions of a conventional lockset are a lock bore of approximately two and one-eighth inches and a width of approximately two inches.

8. The fence system of claim 7 wherein the extension further comprises a latch opening positioned to receive a latch from a conventional lockset.

9. The fence system of claim 8 wherein the second upright fence column has at least one cutout in the outside wall for at least one lock faceplate positioned to insert a latch from a conventional lockset into the latch opening of the extension.

10. The gate for a fence system of claim 9 wherein the second upright fence column has at least one cutout in the hollow cross-section for at least one lock faceplate; and the extension having at least one cutout into which a latch can protrude.

11. The gate for a fence system of claim 8 wherein the at least one cutout in the outside wall for at least one lock faceplate has dimensions substantially one inch wide by two and one fourth inches tall.

12. A gate for a fence system comprising: a first upright fence column, formed of a single piece, the first upright fence column having a first inside wall sized to receive a base post and a first outside wall around the first inside wall; the first upright fence column including a first at least one slot extending the length of the first upright fence column from the first inside wall toward the first outside wall, the first at least one slot adapted to receive a slat having a length and a height extending from the first inside wall through the first at least one slot to the first outside wall; a slot-received strike comprising a single-piece extending the length of the first at least one slot, having two distal shoulders adapted to engage corresponding grooves within the first at least one slot, and including a strike against which a second upright fence column may sit when the gate is closed; the slot-received strike engaging the first at least one slot such that the two distal shoulders engage the corresponding grooves; a second upright fence column, formed of a single piece, the second upright fence column being substantially hollow in cross-section, having a second at least one slot adapted to receive a slat and a second outside wall around the second at least one slot, the second outside wall having two elongated sides of sufficient width to accommodate a conventional lockset.

13. The gate for a fence system of claim 12, wherein the sufficient width includes a lockset width, parallel to the length of the at least one slot, the lockset width sufficient to mount the conventional lockset.

14. The gate for a fence system of claim 13, wherein the conventional lockset has dimensions for a lock bore of substantially two and one-eighth inches and a width of substantially two inches.

15. The gate for a fence system of claim 14 further comprising: a lockset housing mounted on the lockset width of the second upright fence column; the second upright fence column having a portion of the second outside wall adjacent to the first upright fence column and opposite the at least one slot; the second upright fence column modifiable to include a latch opening positioned to receive a latch mounted in and extending out of the lockset housing toward the latch opening.

16. The gate for a fence system of claim 12 wherein each of the first and second upright fence columns are formed of aluminum.

17. The gate for a fence system of claim 12 further comprising: the conventional lockset installed between the two elongated sides of the second upright fence column.

18. The gate for a fence system of claim 12 wherein the conventional lockset is installed passing through both of the two elongated sides of the second upright fence column with a tongue for the conventional lockset extends outward toward the slot-received strike.

19. The gate for a fence system of claim 18 wherein the slot-received strike is modified to incorporate a latch to receive a tongue of the conventional lockset.

20. A gate for a fence system comprising: a gate fence post, the gate fence post being substantially hollow in cross-section, having a gate slot on a first side, adapted to accept one or more of a slat extending outward from the gate slot, a spacer filling the slot such that the face of the first side is flush when the gate slot is filled with the spacer filling; the gate fence post having a flat side, opposite the first side, adapted to easily be modified to receive a tongue of a conventional lockset; the gate fence post having two parallel lockset faces, perpendicular to the first side and the flat side, adapted to easily be modified to accept a lockset; a gate strike fence post, the gate strike fence post having a strike slot, the strike slot having two grooves along opposite sides, each of the two grooves adapted to receive one of two distal shoulders on a slot-received strike; and the slot-received strike including the two distal shoulders and running the length of the gate strike fence post engaged within the strike slot and including a projection extending on one side of the gate strike fence post such that the projection with the gate fence post engages the gate fence post to disable movement of the gate fence post past the projection.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of applicant's fence surrounding a building.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of parts of applicant's fence.

[0019] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of parts of applicant's fence.

[0020] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of parts of applicant's fence.

[0021] FIG. 2C is an exploded view of parts of applicant's fence.

[0022] FIG. 2D is a sectional front view of applicant's fence through plane 2D-2D in FIG. 2C.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view of applicant's fence.

[0024] FIG. 4-7 are front views of different slat arrangements of the fence.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view of a component of applicant's fence used as part of a gate.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view of components of applicant's fence used as part of a gate.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view the door structure of applicant's fence.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a sectional plan view of a section of applicant's fence with a thinner slat like a glass slat.

[0029] FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view showing a connection between two fence columns connected at right angles to each other.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a perspective view with the two fence columns connected at right angles to each other

[0031] FIG. 14 is a sectional plan view of structure for applicant's fence through plane 14-14 of FIG. 13.

[0032] FIG. 15 is front view of a top corner of applicant's fence with an internal bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Overview: Applicant's fence system 2 surrounds or partially surrounds property 4 (FIG. 1). The fence system's fence column 20 attaches to steel or other metal square, rectangle, or polygon base post 10 (FIGS. 2, 2A-2D, 3, 11). Those figures also show the structure of fence column. Having a base post with the same shape as the base post prevents or limits pivoting of the fence column about the base post. The base post could be round, but that would require a different inside shape of fence column 20, but a round-to-round connection may allow the fence column to pivot about the base post. Though the specification uses “rectangle,” the word encompasses the other shapes. But the drawing show a square or nearly square base with rounded internal and external corners.

[0034] Base post 10 can attach to concrete, deck, soil, or to the top of a brick, block, or concrete wall. The base post may be painted or treated to resist corrosion or rust. Base post 10 in FIGS. 2, 2A-D attaches to concrete or a deck 2. The base post in the figures is 1.25 in. (3.175 cm)×1.25 in., but opposite walls may be elongated slightly. Conversions between English and metric are approximated. The base post may have outer flange 12 with screw openings 14 (FIGS. 2, 2A, 2D). Bolts (not shown) secure the flange to concrete. The bolts may extend upward from the concrete when the concrete is poured. Then nuts secure the flange to the bolt and concrete.

[0035] Cover 16 slides over the base post. The inside wall of a fence column slides over the base post (FIGS. 2, 2A-2D). The cover hides the outer flange and bolts for a pleasing appearance.

[0036] To mount the base post on soil, an 18 in. to 24 in. (46 cm to 61 cm) hole is dug. After concrete is poured into the hole, the base post is pushed into the soft concrete and plumbed to be vertical. Whether base posts 10 are in concrete or soil, the base posts are aimed to account for the path of the fence system.

[0037] Connection of slats to fence column: Fence slats 100 extend between fence columns 20 around property 4 (FIG. 1). The fence column (FIG. 3 and others) has a base post receiver, inside wall 22, around base post 10. The inside wall has four sides 24, 26, 28, and 30 (FIG. 3). Adjacent inside walls meet at a 3.4 mm (0.13 in.) outside radius. The inside spacing between walls 24 and 28 is 33 mm (1.3 in.), and the inside dimension between walls 26 and 30 is 34 mm (1.3 in.). Inside wall 22 is almost square to fit with the base post 10. The thickness of the aluminum components may vary, but it typically is 1.78 mm (0.07 in.).

[0038] Screws, other fasteners (not shown) or an adhesive may secure the base post to the inside wall, but friction may suffice. See also projections 34 on inside wall 36 of the other fence column 32 (FIG. 3). Those projections are small enough to allow the base post to pass into the inside wall but the productions deform when the base post is inserted in inside wall 36 to push against the base post and hold the base post within the inside wall. Fence column 32 on the right side of FIG. 3 does not show a base post within inside wall 36.

[0039] Fence column 20 also has outside tubular member 40 attached to and spaced outside of inside wall 22 (FIGS. 2, 2A-2D, 3, 11). Because fence column 20 is extruded, “attached” in the context of the fence column means components are in contact or in such near contact that the aluminum maintains the components' positions with each other. The outside tubular member includes base member 42 with first and second ends 44 and 46 (left side of FIG. 3). The distance between the ends is greater than the length of inside wall 30 (FIG. 3). The base member's width may be 70 mm (2.8 in.) versus 33 mm (1.3 in.) for inside wall 22. End walls 50 and 52 continue from end 44 and 46 and then continue as sidewalls 56 and 58 to intersect fourth and first inside walls 30 and 24 (FIG. 3).

[0040] Three-sided pillars 60 and 62 extend outward near corners 64 and 66 of inside wall 22 (FIG. 3). Open-ended gaps like gap 76 are at the outside corners of pillars 60 and 62. Depending on the location of the end of fence column 20, the gaps receive self-drilling screws 156 for holding cover plate 48 at the top of fence column 20 (FIG. 2). Gaps 78 and 80 on the ends of outside tubular member 40 perform a similar function. Silicone or other adhesive attaches pyramid cover 54 above cover 48 (FIG. 2) to keep water, debris, and insects out of fence columns 20. Cover 48 and pyramid cover 54 may be attached to exposed ends during construction to keep rain or dirt outside the fence column 20 or other appropriate components.

[0041] The sizes and positions of outside tubular member 40 and three-sided pillars 60 and 62 create three slots 90, 92 and 94 (FIGS. 2, 2A-2D, 3). The slots are sized to receive one end of one or more elongated slats such as slat 100 received in slot 94 (FIG. 2D, 3, 9, 10). The slots' width dimension are wide enough to accommodate one end of a slat like slat 100. Additional slats may contact the slat below, or the slats may be spaced from adjacent slats.

[0042] Slats 100 may be powder-coated aluminum, which can be cut to length with an electric miter saw. Each slat's width may be 20.6 mm (0.8 in.). The height of each slat may be 140 mm (5.5 in.), 50 mm (2 in.) or another height. The slats in the drawings are rectangular in cross-section and a height 102 that may exceed its width 104 (FIG. 2B).

[0043] Stainless steel, L-shaped fasteners 110 and 114 and their associated stainless steel, self-driving screws 116 and 118 through wall 26 secure slat 100 to wall 26 at the inside end of slot 94 (FIGS. 2, 2B, 2D). Stainless steel screws work well securing parts like the L-shaped fasteners into the aluminum slats and fence column 20.

[0044] Each sidewall of slots 90, 92, and 94 has opposing grooves 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 (FIGS. 2, 2A-D, and 3) formed during extrusion. Slot covers such as covers 142 and 144 cover unused slots in the fence member (FIGS. 2B, 3). Each slot cover has an outside wall 146 and two sides 148 and 150, each with a distal shoulder 152 and 154. The distal shoulders are sized to fit in their respective groove like groove 130 (FIGS. 2, 2A-2C, 3). When the distal shoulders at the bottom of the slot cover are inserted into the grooves of a slot, the slot cover can be glided through its grooves to cover its empty slot. Though the structure uses grooves in the slots for the slot covers, when the slot cover reaches its final position, they may be fastened with an adhesive or in other ways at their positions in the slots.

[0045] The slats extend from one fence column 20 to adjacent fence column 32 (FIG. 3). With the three slots 90, 92 and 94 (FIGS. 2A-2C and 3), the fence system is not limited to a straight line. In FIG. 3, for example, slat 100 extends from slot 90 of fence column 20 into slot 170 of fence column 32. Another slat, 98 extends from slot 186 in the same general direction as slat 100. Slat 98 also could extend from slot 188 at a right angle to slat 100. Turning fence column 32 180° extends slot 188 in the opposite right angle in FIG. 3.

[0046] Increasing the slots' widths slightly may allow changing the angles that the slats, e.g., 98 and 100, project from fence column 20 so the fence can accommodate irregular property shapes. Angled slats still are secured by screws through L-shaped fasteners 110 and 118.

[0047] Slats' Positioning: FIGS. 4 through 7 show four of many possible slat arrangements. FIG. 4 has 140 mm slats 96 in which the bottom of one slat rests on the top of the adjacent slat. From a distance, the arrangement may appear solid. A similar arrangement could have 140 mm slat 100, 50 mm slat 106 or another height slat or a mixture of them stacked above each other.

[0048] Slats 100 in FIG. 5 are about 140 mm high and are spaced apart about 140 mm apart. The 140 mm slats 106 in FIG. 6 are spaced apart farther than those in FIG. 5, and the 50 mm slats in FIG. 7 are spaced about 50 mm apart. Note the slats in FIGS. 5 and 7 and the single slat in FIG. 4 are aligned with the top and bottom of the fence columns 20 and 21, but the top and bottom slats in FIG. 6 are spaced from the top of the fence columns. FIGS. 5 through 7 only use slats of one width. Slats of two different widths and even three or more widths can be used.

[0049] L-shaped fasteners 110 and 118 secure slats to fence columns 20 in fence system with spacing between the slats, (FIG. 2). That spacing could leave parts of slot 94, the L-shaped fasteners 110 and 114, and screws 116 and 118 visible and exposed. Spacers 158 (FIGS. 2, 2C) can cover those parts of the otherwise open slot. Spacers have the same shape as slot covers 142 and 144. After one slat 100 is secured in place, spacer 158 is slid through grooves like groove 130 and 134 until it contacts the slat. Then another slat is slid through the slot and secured to wall 26. The process continues until the top slat is secured to its position.

[0050] A window of transparent material like glass or plastic 162 may replace one or more aluminum slats (FIG. 11). The transparent material allows light to shine through, and the resident and guests can see out. The window also could be frosted or translucent to allow light to pass through it.

[0051] Glass window 162 extends between fence columns 20 and 32 into slots 90 and 170 (FIG. 11). The window may thinner than applicant's aluminum slats, and it may be taller or shorter than any slat. Clip 164 secures the window in the slot. The clip has a U-shaped portion 166, which is the width of the glass piece. FIG. 11 shows how the window fits in the U-shaped portion. Side projections 168 and 176 project out from the U-shaped section to about the width of the slot, and distal projections 172 and 178 fit into the slot. Distal shoulders 176 and 180 project outward from wall 172 and 178 into slot grooves 182 and 184 to position clip 164.

[0052] Gates: The fence system can include sliding or pivoting door-like gates such as pivoting gate 190 (FIG. 1). Because gates slide, roll or pivot, they don't attach to concrete, deck or soil. Gates, especially sliding and rolling ones, may be wider than the spacing of conventional fence sections like those in FIG. 1, so stronger, more rigid tops and bottoms may be desirable.

[0053] The gate may have two intersecting members: fence columns 192 (vertical) and platform 194 (horizontal) (FIGS. 12-13). Both may have the same shape as fence column 20 (FIG. 3). Using the same fence columns allows builders to keep one component in inventory for both locations, but different dimensioned fence columns could be used. Applicant uses horizontal platform 194 at the bottom of gates (FIGS. 12-13), but the horizontal platform also can be used on fence sections that are not gates.

[0054] Vertical fence column 192 extends upward from horizontal platform 194. See FIGS. 12-15. The horizontal platform becomes a base with its bottom aligned with and at a right angle to the vertical fence column. Instead of a base post attached to the ground like base post 10 in FIGS. 2, 2A, 2D, and 3, applicant uses a short post 196 secured to vertical fence columns 192 and to horizontal platform 194 (FIGS. 12, 14). Those figures show one short post, but a gate usually has at least two short posts at opposite sides of the gate. Longer gates also may have one or more intermediated, spaced-apart, short posts to improve support.

[0055] Short post 196 may be hollow and have the same outer dimensions as base post 10 (FIG. 3 and others). The short post may be coated carbon steel or stainless steel to withstand corrosion. Instead of using bolt 210 and nut 204, the bottom end 208 of the short post may be welded shut, and the end would have a threaded opening 200 for receiving a modified bolt like bolt 202 (FIGS. 12 and 14). A drilled hole (not numbered) extends through inside walls 214 and 216 of the horizontal platform and through the bottom wall 198 if short post 196 (FIG. 14).

[0056] To install the short post, horizontal platform 194 is positioned with slot 210 open upward and slot 212 open downward (FIGS. 12-14). Bolt 202 fits through the holes and engages threaded opening 200 to connect to the short post. FIG. 14 shows nut 204 secured to the end of the bolt, but a nut may be unnecessary when opening 200 and bolt 202 have common threads to be secured to each other. If a nut is used, a locking washer (not shown) between head 206 of the bolt and the horizontal platform 194 also could secure the bolt.

[0057] Until components are aligned, having the bolt remain loose may be advantageous. Smaller screws 218 (FIGS. 12, 14) may be threaded through the slots into preexisting, threaded openings 212 in post 196 for securing the post to its fence column. Inserting those screws also may await aligning the components.

[0058] For a wide gate, one or two additional short posts like short post 196 may mount at spaced-apart locations between the ends of the gate. These short posts support a fence column with slots extending to the sides for receiving slats with the layout of the layout used between fence columns.

[0059] Rolling gates have wheels facing downward from the bottom fence column. The wheels may travel over a metal track attached to concrete under the gate. The support for the wheel attaches to a bolt through the bottom fence column (not shown).

[0060] During assembly, slot covers like cover 142 and 144 (FIGS. 2B and 3) are slid into place. Then the slats like slats 100 and 106 are inserted in the slots of vertical post column 192 attached by an L-shaped fastener like fastener 110. The first inserted slat may mount in slot 200 of vertical fence column 194, or using fasteners, the first inserted slat may be spaced from horizontal platform 194.

[0061] To make the gate more rigid, a similar arrangement of the horizontal and vertical fence columns may mount on the top to the gate after the slats are positioned between the vertical fence columns.

[0062] An alternate arrangement for a fence section uses an L-brace 224 (FIG. 15) to secure vertical fence column 192 and horizontal platform 222 at the top of the fence section. The L-brace may be steel for strength and may be formed from one square, hollow crosspiece with outside dimensions the same as or like short post 10's dimensions. The steel may be treated or painted for rust and corrosion prevention. The L-brace is cut to a desired length at a 45° angle, and one piece is rotated 180°. The 45°-angle ends are welded together to form the L-brace's horizontal section 226 and vertical section 224.

[0063] The free end 226 of L-brace 220 extends into a center section of horizontal platform 228, and the L-brace's vertical section 228 extends into the center section of vertical fence column 232. FIG. 15 shows neither center section, but they are formed from an inside wall like wall 22 in FIG. 3. Screws (not shown) through the slots of the fence column and platform into the L-brace secure the fence columns to the L-brace. Because the L-brace is steel, the bracket's holes may be predrilled and tapped.

[0064] To cover the region near the intersection of L-brace 224's horizontal section 226 and vertical section 224, the adjacent ends 292 and 294 of the horizontal platform and vertical fence columns are cut at a 45° angle so they intersect to form a right angle. Self-drilling screws may extend through the fence columns into predrilled holds in L-brace 224 after ends 292 and 294 are brought together tightly.

[0065] For swing gates, a fence column like fence column 20 mounts vertically on a base post like post 10, attaches to another stationary fence column, or attaches to a concrete, block, stucco, wood, or brick wall. One or more hinges (not shown) attach the fence column that pivots with the gate to the stationary object.

[0066] FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 show components for the side of the swinging gate that swings open and close. Lockset housing 232 replaces fence column 20 from other figures. It has two elongated sides 234 and 236. The right end (FIGS. 8 and 9) forms a slot 238 that receives slats 240. The slats are stacked like they are in other sections of the fence. These slats may be held in place by L-shaped fasteners (not shown) like fastener 110 and 118 in FIG. 2B. Self-drilling screws (not shown) also may extend through walls 240 and 242 near the right end of the lockset housing 232 into the slats. See FIG. 9.

[0067] Lockset housing 232 receives a lockset, which includes doorknobs 246 and 248 (FIG. 9). The doorknobs extend through drilled holes (not shown) through elongated walls 232 and 234. The drilled holes are typically about 3.5 ft. (1.1 m) above the ground. The doorknobs attach to other lockset structure based on instructions often included with purchased locksets.

[0068] Parts of the lockset extend from the doorknobs to a conventional mechanism 250 inside lockset housing 232. Rotating a doorknob causes the mechanism to move latch assembly 252 to the right (FIG. 9) to withdraw latch bolt 254 (FIG. 10). Releasing the doorknobs in the other direction allows the bolt to move outward as FIG. 10 shows. Because the lockset is conventional, and the installer can choose among different locksets, the installer uses components for the chosen lockset. The lockset latch may include a deadlatch plunger to block that may prevent an intruder from using a screwdriver, credit card or other flat device to push the latch inward to open the gate.

[0069] Instead of or in addition to latch 254, the gate may have a deadbolt lock (not shown) as part of the lockset. Applicant also could use a lock for sliding gates such as a sliding gate lock from Locinox USA. The lockset may use electronics for opening the latch through fingerprint recognition, a numeric combination, or remote through wi-fi or other wireless network protocols.

[0070] Post 260 for the gate (FIGS. 9 and 10) may be extruded aluminum. Its back wall 262 may attach to a building wall to another fence column like fence column 20. It also may be attached to the ground though a post. Slot 268 in post 260 has gaps 264 at the inside corners the receive screws for attaching a cover. Post 260's front wall 266 receives slot cover 270 in grooves 272 and 274 (FIG. 9), and opening 268 in the slot cover receives latch 254 when the gate is pivoted closed. Front wall 266 includes extension 276 that extends a short distance along elongated wall 236 (FIG. 9). The extension blocks intruders from reaching latch 252 to force the gate open. Extension 276 should face outward from the property, and the gate opens in toward the opposite direction. See FIG. 10.

[0071] Narrow walls 242 and 244 at the right side of elongated walls 234 and 236 (FIG. 9) have grooves 280 and 282 for receiving slot covers (not shown). Those covers may be sized to align with the outside surface of elongated walls 234 and 236. Other grooves 284 and 286 also may receive spacers like spacers 158 (FIG. 2) between slats.

[0072] Grooves like groove 130 (FIG. 2) inside the three fence column's slots like slot 90 run the length of the fence column. Slot covers may slide into those grooves to create a near-uniform flat face for the side with the slot cover.

[0073] Having no visible slots makes the fence column smooth and aesthetically pleasing. When slats are installed in a slot, the slot cover hide the slats' open ends and any rough edges made while cutting the aluminum.

[0074] Locating the slots along the fence columns' three sides enables the fence columns to be used for straight fence sections and for corners turning “left” or “right” along a fence row. The final side of the fence column, base wall 42, has no groove because that side needs no panels installed to that side.

[0075] The description is illustrative, not limiting and is for example only. Although this application shows and describes examples, those having ordinary skill in the art will find it apparent they can make changes, modifications or alterations. Examples may involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, but those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to achieve the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

[0076] “Plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and similar words in the written description or the claims are open-ended, i.e., each means, “including but not limited to.” Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases regarding claims. The ordinal terms like “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims don't by themselves connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Instead, they merely are labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for the ordinal term's use). Alternatives like “or” include one or any combination of the listed items. “Applicant” means the assignee of this application at the time of filing.