Stock lifter assembly

Abstract

A stock lifter for metal forming dies includes a self-contained assembly. The assembly includes a guide pin that reciprocates within a base. A hardened end cap, which contacts the stock, is attached to the guide pin. A spring is located on the exterior surface of a portion of the base and surrounds the guide pin body. One end of the spring contacts a surface on the cap, while the other end of the spring contacts a surface on the base or an optional mounting flange that is attached above the base. Thus, the stock lifter assembly has a hardened cap for the stock to slide on and a larger, externally mounted spring that provides longer life for the stock lifter. The stock lifter assembly can be made of several different lengths and sizes by using longer or wider guide pins and springs.

Claims

1. A multi-station progressive metal forming die having a stock lifter assembly and at least two mutually converging and diverging die members between which a stock piece is shifted longitudinally to form at least one part from the stock, the stock lifter assembly, comprising: a generally cylindrical guide pin body with an outer end portion oriented toward the stock piece, an inner end portion oriented away from the stock piece, and a medial portion between the outer end portion and the inner end portion, wherein: said outer end portion includes an outer end surface with a cap aperture, and a securing member aperture on the generally cylindrical guide pin body; and said inner end portion includes a retainer groove on the generally cylindrical guide pin body; a cap having an outer end portion oriented toward the stock piece and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock piece, wherein: said outer end portion has a diameter that is wider than the diameter of said generally cylindrical guide pin body and an outer end surface that contacts the stock piece; and said inner end portion has a diameter that is sized to be received within said cap aperture in said outer end portion of said guide pin body, and a securing member aperture that aligns with said securing member aperture in said outer end portion of said guide pin body; a securing member received within the securing member aperture in said inner end portion of said cap and the securing member aperture in said outer end of said guide pin body; a base having an outer end portion oriented toward the stock piece and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock guide, with a guide pin aperture extending through the base, wherein: said outer end portion of said base has a first diameter; and said inner end portion of said base has a second diameter that is larger than said first diameter, forming a shoulder on the exterior surface of said base, and an inner end surface; a spring member having a generally hollow interior with an outer end portion oriented toward the stock piece and an inner end oriented away from the stock piece, wherein: said outer end portion contacts a surface of said outer end portion of said cap; and said inner end portion contacts said shoulder on an exterior surface of said base; and a retainer received on said retainer groove on said inner end portion of said guide pin body, said retainer contacting said inner end surface of said base when said stock lifter assembly is fully raised.

2. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide pin aperture in said base includes: a portion that has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of said guide pin body; and an internal shoulder.

3. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 2, including: a plurality of bushings received within said guide pin aperture.

4. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing member has a threaded portion that couples to a threaded portion on one of the securing member apertures.

5. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing member is a roll pin.

6. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said outer end surface of the cap has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the outer end portion of the cap.

7. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, including: a plurality of bushings received within said guide pin aperture.

8. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing member is a roll pin.

9. A stock lifter assembly for a metal forming die in which stock is formed into at least one part, comprising: a generally cylindrical guide pin body with an outer end portion oriented toward the stock and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock, wherein: said outer end portion includes an outer end surface with a cap aperture, and a securing member aperture on the generally cylindrical guide pin body; and said inner end portion includes a retainer groove on the generally cylindrical guide pin body; a cap having an outer end portion oriented toward the stock and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock, wherein: said outer end portion has a diameter that is wider than the diameter of said generally cylindrical guide pin body and an outer end surface that contacts the stock; and said inner end portion has a diameter that is sized to be received within said cap aperture in said outer end portion of said guide pin body, and a securing member aperture that aligns with said securing member aperture in said outer end portion of said guide pin body; a securing member received within the securing member aperture in said inner end portion of said cap and the securing member aperture in said outer end of said guide pin body; a base having an outer end portion oriented toward the stock and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock with a guide pin aperture extending through the base, wherein: said outer end portion of said base has a first diameter; and said inner end portion of said base has a second diameter that is larger than said first diameter, forming a shoulder on the exterior surface of said base, and an inner end surface; a mounting flange having a guide pin aperture and at least one fastener aperture; a spring member having a generally hollow interior with an outer end portion oriented toward the stock and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock, wherein: said outer end portion contacts a surface of said outer end portion of said cap; and said inner end portion contacts a surface of said mounting flange when said mounting flange is installed on said base; and a retainer received on said retainer groove on said inner end portion of said guide pin body, said retainer contacting said inner end surface of said base when said stock lifter assembly is fully raised.

10. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said guide pin aperture in said base includes a portion that has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of said guide pin body.

11. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said guide pin aperture in said base includes an internal shoulder.

12. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 11, including: a plurality of bushings received within said guide pin aperture.

13. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said securing member is a roll pin.

14. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said outer end surface of the cap has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the outer end portion of the cap.

15. A stock lifter assembly for a metal forming die in which stock is formed into at least one part, comprising: a generally cylindrical guide pin body with an outer end portion oriented toward the stock and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock, wherein: said outer end portion includes an outer end surface with a cap aperture, and a securing member aperture on the generally cylindrical guide pin body; and said inner end portion includes a retainer groove on the generally cylindrical guide pin body; a cap having an outer end portion oriented toward the stock and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock, wherein: said outer end portion has a diameter that is wider than the diameter of said generally cylindrical guide pin body and an outer end surface that contacts the stock; and said inner end portion has a diameter that is received within said cap aperture in said outer end portion of said guide pin body, and a securing member aperture that aligns with said securing member aperture in said outer end portion of said guide pin body; a securing member received within the securing member aperture in said inner end portion of said cap and the securing member aperture in said outer end of said guide pin body; a base having an outer end portion oriented toward the stock and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock with a guide pin aperture extending through the base, wherein: said outer end portion of said base has a first diameter; and said inner end portion of said base has a second diameter that is larger than said first diameter, forming a shoulder on the exterior surface of said base, and an inner end surface; a spring member having a generally hollow interior with an outer end portion oriented toward the stock and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock, wherein: said outer end portion contacts a surface of said outer end portion of said cap; and said inner end portion contacts a surface of said shoulder on an exterior surface of said base; and a retainer received on said retainer groove on said inner end portion of said guide pin body, said retainer contacting said inner end surface of said base when said stock lifter assembly is fully raised.

16. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said guide pin aperture in said base includes: a portion that has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of said guide pin body; and an internal shoulder.

17. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 15, including: a plurality of bushings received within said guide pin aperture.

18. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 15, including: at least one mounting fastener relief formed on said inner end portion of said base.

19. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 18, including a shaped washer disposed on a mounting fastener that engages a shaped portion of said at least one mounting fastener relief.

20. A stock lifter assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said outer end surface of the cap has a diameter that is smaller that the diameter of the outer end portion of the cap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the stock lifter assembly embodying the present invention with the die member shown in cross section;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the stock lifter assembly with a different shaped fastener relief with a fastener and a standard washer;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the stock lifter, with a different shaped cap and shaped fastener reliefs with fasteners using shaped washers;

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the stock lifter assembly of FIG. 1, without any fastener reliefs in the base and the use of a mounting flange;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the assembled stock lifter assembly shown in FIG. 4 with optional bushings;

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the stock lifter assembly shown in FIG. 5 with a different shaped cap;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the stock lifter assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5 with a longer guide pin body and spring member shown without a mounting flange;

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the stock lifter assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5 with the spring member compressed;

(9) FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a stock lifter assembly with a different shaped cap;

(10) FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a stock lifter assembly with a different shaped cap;

(11) FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of a stock lifter assembly with a different shaped cap;

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a stock lifter assembly before installation into a die member;

(13) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the stock lifter assembly shown in FIG. 10 in a die member with the tool used to install and remove the mounting fastener;

(14) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of two stock lifter assemblies before installation into a die member, one using a mounting flange and one using a mounting block;

(15) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a stock lifter assembly before installation into a die member;

(16) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of three stock lifter assemblies having different widths and lengths;

(17) FIG. 15 are two cross-sectional views of a stock lifter assembly in compressed and raised positions; and

(18) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of three stock lifter assemblies, using different retainers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(19) For purposes of description herein, the terms “outer,” “inner,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in the attached drawings. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

(20) FIGS. 1-2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10-16 generally designate a stock lifter assembly embodying an aspect of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1, 10-13, the stock lifter assembly 2 is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a die member 3 of a multi-stage progressive metal forming die having at least two mutually converging and diverging die members between which a stock 5 is shifted longitudinally to form one or more parts from the stock 5.

(21) The stock lifter assembly 2 includes a guide pin body 4, a cap 16, a securing member 28, a base 30, a spring member 42, and a retainer 50. In addition, the stock lifter assembly 2 can optionally include a mounting flange 70 or a mounting block 92 to assist with installation of the stock lifter assembly 2 to the die member 3.

(22) The guide pin body 4 has an outer end portion 6 oriented toward the stock 5, an inner end portion 8 oriented away from the stock 5, and a medial portion 10 therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide pin body 4 has a generally cylindrical shape, however, alternative shapes can be used. The outer end portion 6 of the guide pin body 4 has a cap aperture 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap aperture 12 is centrally located within the outer end portion 6 of the guide pin body 4. The cap aperture 12 has a depth that extends beyond the securing member aperture 14 that is formed in the cylindrical wall of the outer end portion 6 of the guide pin body 4. The inner end portion 8 of the guide pin body 4 includes a retainer groove 15 that is spaced away from the inner end surface 17 of the guide pin body 4. The width and length of the guide pin body 4 can be altered depending upon the desired size and desired lift of the stock lifter assembly 2. Examples of different widths and lengths of the guide pin body 4 are illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16.

(23) The cap 16 includes an outer end portion 18 that is oriented toward the stock 5, and an inner end portion 20 that is oriented away from the stock 5. The outer end portion 18 includes an outer end surface 22 that contacts the lower surface of the stock 5 when the stock lifter assembly 2 engages the stock 5. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer end surface 22 can be relatively flat and can be smaller than the remainder of the outer end portion 18 of the cap 16. The outer end portion 18 can include a surface 19 that tapers to the outer end surface 22. This surface 19 can include a straight or curved taper. Other embodiments of the cap 16, shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 9A, 9C, include different-shaped caps 102, 202, 302. For example, in FIG. 3, the cap 102 includes a curved surface 106 that leads to a relatively small, but flat outer end surface 104. FIGS. 6 and 9A illustrate a cap 102 that is entirely rounded. FIG. 9C illustrate a cap 302 that has a flat outer end surface 304 that is only slightly smaller than the remainder of the outer end portion 306. Thus, as illustrated the exemplary embodiments, the transition from the outer end portion 18, 107, 207, and 306 to the outer end surface 22, 104, 203, and 304 can vary and can include curves, tapers, edges, and different-sized and shaped outer end surfaces.

(24) The inner end portion 20 of the cap 16 has a diameter that is smaller than the outer end portion 18. In addition, there can be an intermediate portion 27 of the cap 16 that has a diameter that is in between the diameters of the inner end portion 20 and outer end portion 18 of the cap 16. In that arrangement, a first shoulder 29 is formed on the innermost side of the intermediate portion 27, and the second shoulder 26 is formed on the innermost side of the outer end portion 18 of the cap 16. The first shoulder 29 will contact the top surface 13 of the guide pin body 4 when the cap 16 is installed on the guide pin body 4. The inner end portion 20 of the cap 16 includes a securing member aperture 24 located on the cylindrical wall of the inner end portion 20 of cap 16. When the cap 16 is installed on the guide pin body 4, the securing member aperture 24 of the cap 16 aligns with the securing member aperture 14 of the guide pin body 4. In the illustrated embodiments, the securing member apertures 14 and 24 generally have the same diameter. However, one of the securing member apertures (14, 24) can be slightly enlarged to facilitate ease in alignment. The depth of the cap aperture 12 in the guide pin body 4 must be sufficient to accommodate the length of the innermost portion 20 of the cap 16. Specifically, the cap aperture 12 must be long enough to accommodate the length of the inner end portion 20 that extends beyond the securing member aperture 24 to the innermost surface 31.

(25) The spring member 42 includes a hollow interior 44 and an outer end portion 46 oriented toward the stock 5 and an inner end portion 48 oriented away from the stock 5. When the spring member 42 is installed on the assembly, the inner end portion 48 will contact the outermost surface 73 of a mounting flange 70 if the mounting flange is optionally used. If no mounting flange 70 is used, the inner end portion 48 of the spring member 42 will contact the shoulder 38 on base 30. However, other structures could be inserted on top of shoulder 38 of base 30 to contact the inner end portion 48 of the spring member 42. The outer end portion 46 of spring member 42 contacts the second shoulder 26 of cap 16, as shown in FIG. 5. If no intermediate portion 27 is present on the cap 16, then a single shoulder will be formed on the cap 16 and the outer end portion 46 of spring member 42 will contact that shoulder. If other structures are coupled to the shoulder(s) of the cap 16, the outer end portion 46 of the spring member 42 may contact that other structure.

(26) The securing member 28 in the illustrated embodiment is a roll pin. However, the securing member 28 can be threaded and one or more of the securing member apertures 14, 24 can included a threaded surface. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the securing member 28 can extend entirely through the securing member aperture 24 in cap 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the securing member aperture 14 in the guide pin body 4 can extend into sections of the outer end portion 6 that are on opposite sides of the cap aperture 12. While the illustrated embodiments show a single securing member 28, multiple securing members 28 may be used with associated securing member apertures (14, 24). Moreover, a securing member 28 can also extend only partly into the inner end portion 20 of cap 16. In such an embodiment, the securing member aperture 24 in the cap 16 does not need to extend entirely through the inner end portion 20. Similarly, in such an embodiment, the securing member aperture 14 in the guide pin body 4 does not need to extend through the cap aperture 12 to the other side of the guide pin body 4.

(27) The base 30 includes an outer end portion 32 oriented toward the stock 5 and an inner end portion 34 oriented away from the stock 5. The base has a guide pin aperture 36 that extends through the base. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide pin aperture is centrally located within the outer end portion 32 and inner end portion 34. The inner end portion 34 has a diameter of the outer end portion 32 thereby forming shoulder 38 on an exterior surface of the base 30. The base has an inner end surface 40 which will contact the retainer 50 when the stock lifter assembly 2 is fully raised. The base can also include an inner shoulder 41, as shown in FIG. 5. In this illustrated embodiment, the guide pin aperture 36 is wider than the diameter of the guide pin body 4. Bushings 52 are located within the guide pin aperture 36 of the base 30 to accommodate and assist in the reciprocation of the guide pin body 4 within the guide pin aperture 36 of the base 30. The bushings 52 can be made from anti-friction or reduced-friction material and/or can include a coating to make it easier for the guide pin body 4 to move within the guide pin aperture 36.

(28) An alternative embodiment of a base 230 is shown in FIG. 7. Base 230 has multiple exterior shoulders 232, 240. Specifically, base 230 has an outer end portion 238 oriented toward the stock 5, an inner end portion 234 oriented away from the stock 5, and medial portion 236 located therebetween. The diameter of the inner end portion 234 is smaller than the diameter of the medial portion 236 thereby forming external shoulder 232. The diameter of the medial portion 236 is smaller than the diameter of the outer end portion 238, thereby forming shoulder 240. Thus, this arrangement creates a base 230 that has an additional shoulder that can be received within an associated stock lifter assembly aperture 62 in die member 3. The base 230 includes an inner end surface 251 that will contact the retainer 50 when the stock lifter assembly 2 is fully raised.

(29) As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 13, a mounting fastener relief 39 can be formed on the inner end portion 34 of base 30. In the embodiments shown in those Figures, the mounting fastener relief 39 includes a relatively flat portion that will engage a flat surface on mounting fastener 54 or washer 60, if washers are used in the installation. An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. In that embodiment the fastener relief 139 includes a shaped surface 141 that contacts a shaped surface 113 on shaped washer 112.

(30) Retainer 50 is inserted on retainer groove 15 in guide pin body 4 once guide pin body 4 has been installed into guide pin aperture 36 in base 30. When guide pin body 4 is installed in guide pin aperture 36 of base 30, a section of the inner end portion 8 of guide pin body 4 extends beyond the inner end surface 40 of the base 30, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The retainer 50 can be any type of retaining ring that will restrict the travel of the stock lifter vertically. The retainer 50 fits into retainer groove 15 on the guide pin body 4 and abuts the inner end surface 40 when the spring is relaxed, thereby limiting the travel of the stock lifter assembly 2. The guide pin body 4 cannot be removed from the guide pin aperture 36 of the cap 16 unless the retainer 50 is removed from the retainer groove 15. FIG. 16 illustrates examples of retainers, with retainer 50 being a standard, external retaining ring, retainer 150 being a heavy duty external retaining ring, and retainer 250 being an E-clip. The retainers 50, 150, 250 shown in FIG. 16 are merely exemplary embodiments of retainers. Alternative arrangements can be used with other grooves, apertures, or other structures, provided that the retaining element can be received in an inner end portion 8 of the guide pin body 4 and limit the travel of the guide pin body 4 with respect to the base 30.

(31) FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate embodiments wherein the stock lifter assembly 2, 100 is installed into the die member 3 by use of mounting fasteners 54 that engage a surface of a mounting fastener reliefs 39, 139 on the base 30. As described above, a generally flat washer 60 or a shaped washer 112 can be used with the mounting fastener 54. If a washer 60, 112 is used, the washer 60, 112 will include a surface that engages the surface of a mounting fastener relief 39, 139. If no washer (60, 112) is used, the mounting fastener 54 will contact a surface of the mounting fastener relief (39, 139). In these arrangements, the die member 3 includes a stock lifter assembly aperture 62 that has at least one internal shoulder 64 for engaging an external shoulder of the base 30. The die member 3 also has at least one mounting fastener aperture 66, with threaded portion 68 that couples with the threaded section 56 of mounting fasteners 54 when the mounting fasteners 54 are installed into the die member 3. While the illustrated embodiments show one or two mounting fasteners 54, more mounting fasteners 54 may be used.

(32) The stock lifter assembly 2, 102, 200, 310 can be installed to die member 3 utilizing a mounting flange 70. The mounting flange 70 includes a stock lifter assembly aperture 72 and at least one mounting fastener aperture 74, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the mounting flange 70 is used, the innermost surface 75 of the mounting flange 70 will contact shoulder 38 of base 30, while the outermost surface 73 of the mounting flange 70 will contact the inner end portion 48 of spring member 42.

(33) As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the stock lifter assembly 2 can be installed to a die member 3 utilizing tool 90. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting fastener 54 includes a head 58 that has a hexagonal opening that can be received by the hexagonal shape of tool 90. As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the installation of the stock lifter assembly 2 to the die member 3 can be done adjacent to raised features 7 on die member 3. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the stock lifter assembly 2 will have a height that is above the raised features 7 when the stock lifter assembly 2 is in a fully raised position.

(34) Another option for installing the stock lifter assembly 2 to the die member 3 includes the use of a mounting block 92, as illustrated in FIG. 12. The mounting block 92 includes a stock lifter assembly aperture 96 that has a shoulder 98. The shoulder 98 will engage the innermost side of shoulder 38 on base 30. The mounting block 92 also includes mounting fastener apertures 94. The mounting fasteners 54 will be inserted through mounting fastener apertures 94 in mounting block 92 to secure the stock lifter assembly 2 to the die member 3. The mounting fasteners 54 will be received by the mounting fastener apertures 66 in die member 3.

(35) The guide pin body 4, base 30, and cap 16 can be made of the same material or different materials. For example, the cap 16 can be a hardened material to give it a long wearing surface for lifting and supporting the stock 5. If bushings 52 are not used, the guide pin aperture 36 of base 30 can be formed or machined to have a bearing surface.

(36) In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

(37) It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the present disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

(38) For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” or “operably coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

(39) For purposes of this disclosure, the term “connected” or “operably connected” (in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc.) generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components.

(40) It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating positions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

(41) It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

(42) It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.