Cover system and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a cover system (300) for at least temporarily preventing access to one or more terminals (402, 404) of an electrical connector (400). The system (300) comprises a first cover part (100) and a second cover part (200). The first cover part (100) comprises sealing means (104) for sealing the first cover part (100) about the one or more terminals (402, 404) of the electrical connector (400). The first cover part also comprises a member (106) comprising an aperture (118) for receiving a locking means. The second cover part (200) is receivable about at least a portion of the first cover part (100) and at least part of the electrical connector (400). The second cover part (200) comprises engaging means (204) for engaging with the electrical connector (400) to at least partially retain the second cover part (200) about the first cover part (100) and at least part of the electrical connector (400). The second cover part (200) also comprises an opening (202) for receiving the member (106) of the first cover part (100). The aperture (106) of the first cover part (100) is arranged such that when the cover system (300) is assembled with the electrical connector (400) and a locking means is received by said aperture (118), disengagement of the engaging means (204) from the electrical connector (400) is substantially prevented. Embodiments of the invention also relate to a method for at least temporarily preventing access to one or more terminals (402, 404) of an electrical connector (400).

Claims

1. A cover system for at least temporarily preventing access to one or more terminals of an electrical connector, the system comprising: a first cover part comprising: a seal for sealing the first cover part about the one or more terminals of the electrical connector; and a member comprising an aperture for receiving a lock; and a second cover part receivable about at least a portion of the first cover part and at least part of the electrical connector, the second cover part comprising: engaging means for engaging with the electrical connector to at least partially retain the second cover part about the first cover part and at least part of the electrical connector; and an opening for receiving the member of the first cover part, wherein the aperture is arranged such that when the cover system is assembled with the electrical connector and the lock is received by said aperture, disengagement of the engaging means from the electrical connector is substantially prevented.

2. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the aperture is arranged on the member and the engaging means are arranged on the second cover part such that when the first cover part and the second cover part are fitted to the electrical connector, an aperture axis through the aperture is substantially orthogonal to an axis or axes of the engaging means.

3. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the aperture is arranged on the member and the engaging means is arranged on the second cover part, such that a distance along the member where aperture is located is of a shorter length than a length over which the engaging means may maintain engagement with the electrical connector.

4. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the first cover part is at least partially receivable about at least one of the one or more terminals of the electrical connector along a longitudinal axis of the electrical connector.

5. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the second cover part is receivable about at least a portion of the first cover part and at least part of the electrical connector along an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrical connector.

6. The cover system of claim 1, wherein said engaging means comprises a first open ended slot correspondingly shaped to engage with a first lug on the electrical connector.

7. The cover system of claim 6, wherein the engaging means comprises a second open ended slot correspondingly shaped to engage with a second lug on the electrical connector, wherein the first and second lugs on the electrical connector are arranged at opposing sides of the electrical connector.

8. The cover system of claim 6, wherein said open ended slot or slots are each defined by a pair of legs depending from a main body portion of the second cover part.

9. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the engaging means is engageable with the electrical connector by a snap fit mechanism.

10. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the first cover part comprises a body portion, which body portion is at least partially insertable within a female portion of the electrical connector.

11. The cover system of claim 10, wherein the first cover part comprises at least one stop for preventing over insertion of the body portion within the female portion of the electrical connector.

12. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the first cover part comprises at least one locating feature for at least partially aiding alignment of the first cover part with the electrical connector.

13. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the second cover part comprises at least one locating feature for at least partially aiding alignment of the second cover part about the first cover part and the electrical connector.

14. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the sealing means comprises at least one O-ring.

15. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a labyrinth seal.

16. A method of at least temporarily preventing access to one or more terminals of an electrical connector, the method comprising: sealing a first cover part about the one or more terminals of the electrical connector; positioning a second cover part over the first cover part so that a member portion of the first cover part is received through an opening of the second cover part; moving the second cover part over at least a portion of the first cover part after the first cover part has been sealed to the one or more terminals of the electrical connector; and engaging an engaging means of the second cover part with the electrical connector to at least partially retain the second cover part about at least a portion of the first cover part and at least part of the electrical connector, wherein the member portion comprises an aperture for receiving a lock, and wherein the aperture is arranged such that when the first and second cover parts are assembled with the electrical connector and the lock is received by said aperture, disengagement of the engaging means from the electrical connector is substantially prevented.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising translating said first cover part about the one or more terminals of the electrical connector along a longitudinal axis of the electrical connector.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said moving the second cover part comprises moving the second cover part along an axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the electrical connector.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising inserting a body portion of a first cover part at least partially within a female portion of the electrical connector.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising applying the lock through the aperture of the member portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first cover part according to an embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a second cover part according to an embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the first cover part of FIG. 1 and the second cover part of FIG. 2 assembled together, according to an embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an electrical connector; and

(6) FIGS. 5A to 5D show a method of fitting the first and second cover parts of FIGS. 1 to 3 to an electrical connector, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Embodiments of the present invention provide a cover system for at least temporarily preventing access to a terminal of an electrical connector, such as an electrical connector associated with a high voltage electrical system. In the automotive field, a high voltage system may comprise a system involving voltages of at least 48 Volts. The electrical connector may be a connector 400 as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a general electrical connector 400, with some parts not shown, for clarity purposes. The connector 400 comprises a plurality of terminals, such as two terminals 402, 404, a planar face 405 and a female portion 406, which female portion 406 functions as a socket.

(8) With reference to the Figures, a cover system 300 for at least temporarily preventing access to a terminal of an electrical connector, such as the connector 400 shown in FIG. 4, comprises a first cover part 100 and a second cover part 200. The first and second cover parts 100, 200 may be arranged to interlock onto the connector 400.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a first cover part 100 for a cover system 300 according to embodiments of the present invention. The first cover part 100 comprises at least one sealing means 104 and a member 106. The first cover part 100 may also comprise a body portion 102. The member 106 may project outward from the body portion 102, such as being upstanding from the body portion 102. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the body portion 102 comprises a mouth 108 leading to a cavity 110. The cavity 110 may be a blind cavity 110. The mouth 108 and cavity 110 are dimensioned to accommodate receipt of a terminal or terminals 402, 404 of connector 400 within the cavity 110.

(10) In some embodiments, the body portion 102 may be arranged to be at least partially insertable into a female portion of the connector 400 of FIG. 4, such as the socket 406. In some embodiments, the body portion 102 of the first cover part 100 is at least partially insertable in the female portion 406 of the connector 400 along a longitudinal axis 408 of the connector 400. The body portion 102 may have a length 114 that is equal to or less than a length of the female portion 406 of the connector 400 in the longitudinal axis 408. This allows full insertion of the body portion 102 into the female portion 406. The first cover part 100 may include a stop 116 which may comprise a collar that extends beyond a transverse profile or footprint of the body portion 102 of the first cover part 100, such as shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5A to 5D. That is, the stop 116 may outwardly extend from an outer periphery of the body portion 102. The stop 116 is arranged to, in use, abut against an end of the connector 400 to prevent over insertion of the first cover part 100 into the female portion 406 of the connector 400.

(11) The sealing means 104 is arranged to provide a seal between the first cover part 100 and the connector 400 to prevent ingress of material, such as dust or water, into the connector 400. The sealing means 104 may be provided on an external surface of the first cover part 100, such as on the body portion 102, and arranged to seal against an internal surface of the female portion 406 of the connector 400, thereby sealing off the one or more terminals 402, 404 of the connector 400 within the body portion 102. The sealing means 104 may comprise at least one of a labyrinth seal and one or more O-rings. Each O-ring may be accommodated in a groove around the external surface of the body portion 102.

(12) The sealing means 104 may additionally or alternatively be provided within a cavity, such as within the cavity 110 of the body portion 102, and may be arranged to seal about the terminal or terminals 402, 404 of the connector 400. Where the connector 400 comprises more than one terminal 402, 404, the sealing means 104 may be arranged to seal about each individual terminal 402, 404 or about all of the terminals 402, 404 together. The sealing means 104 may be arranged to fit over both the terminal(s) 402, 404 and the female portion 406 of the connector 400. The sealing means 104 may comprise at least one of a labyrinth seal and one or more O-rings.

(13) The sealing means 104 may, in some embodiments, additionally or alternatively be provided on an end of the body part 102, such as at the mouth 108 of the cavity 110. Such sealing means 104 may be arranged to form a seal with an internal end face of the female portion 406 of the connector 400, thereby sealing off the one or more terminals 402, 404 of the connector 400. The sealing means may comprise at least one of a labyrinth seal and one or more O-rings.

(14) In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5A to 5D, the sealing means 104 comprises at least one O-ring received in a respective annular groove 112 on an external surface at a rear end of the body portion 102. By rear end it is understood to be that end of the body portion 102 which is inserted furthest-most into the connector 400. The body portion 102 may be dimensioned to provide, in use, a close sliding fit within the female portion 406 of the connector 400 such that the O-ring abuts an internal surface of the female portion 406 of the connector 400, thereby forming a seal.

(15) The member 106 of the first cover part 100 comprises means for receiving a locking means (not shown). In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 1, 3 and 5A to 5D, the means for receiving a locking means is an aperture 118, such as a through hole. As illustrated in the Figures, the aperture 118 may lie along an aperture axis 180. The aperture 118 may be arranged on the member 106 such that when the first cover part 100 is engaged with the electrical connector 400, the aperture axis 180 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 408 of the connector 400. The locking means may comprise, for example, a padlock or a cable tie.

(16) The first cover part 100 may comprise one or more locating means or features for guiding insertion of the body portion 102 into the female portion 406 of the connector 400. With reference to FIG. 1, the locating means may comprise one or more guide rails or flanges 120. The one or more rails or flanges may be shaped to complement a corresponding one or more grooves 420 in the female portion 406 of the connector 400. The one or more guide rails or flanges 120 may be linear to direct movement of the body portion along a linear axis. The one or more guide rails or flanges 120 may be arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis 408 of the connector 400. The one or more guide rails or flanges 120 may extend outward from the body portion 120, such as arranged at one or more sides thereof.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a second cover 200 part for a cover system 300 according to embodiments of the present invention. The second cover part 200 is receivable over the first cover part 100. In an embodiment, the second cover part 200 is receivable over the first cover part 100 when the first cover part 100 is associated with the electrical connector 400. The second cover part 200 is receivable over the first cover part 100 when the first cover part 100 is sealed to the connector 400. In some embodiments, the second cover part 200 is receivable about the first cover part 100 and connector 400 along an axis 410, which axis is substantially perpendicular to the aperture axis 180 and to the longitudinal axis 408 of the electrical connector 400. When so received, the second cover part 200 is arranged to prevent movement of the first cover part 100 along the longitudinal axis 480.

(18) The second cover part 200 comprises an opening 202, for receiving the member 106 of the first cover part 100, and engaging means 204, for engaging one or more features 412 of the connector 400.

(19) In some embodiments, the engaging means 204 comprises at least one open ended slot 204 correspondingly shaped to engage with a respective feature 412, which may be a lug, of the electrical connector 400. The respective one or more lugs of the connector 400 may outwardly extend from the connector 400. The at least one open ended slot 204 may be arranged along a slot axis 240, which slot axis is arranged to be, in use, substantially perpendicular to said aperture axis 180 of the aperture 118 and said longitudinal axis 408 of the connector 400. The slot axis 240 may be substantially parallel to the axis 410. Each open ended slot 204 may be defined by a pair of legs 206a, 206b, which legs may depend from a main body portion of the second cover part 200. The engaging means 204 may be engageable with the feature 412 by a snap fit mechanism. In some embodiments, such as the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3 and 5A to 5D, the second cover part 200 may comprise two opposed engaging means 204. The two opposed engaging means 204 may be arranged to engage corresponding features 412 of the connector 400, the features 412 opposed about the female portion 406 of the connector 400. The two opposed engaging means 204 may be each arranged along their own respective slot axes 240a, 240b, which slot axes are substantially parallel. The slot axes 240a, 240b may be arranged so as to be, in use, substantially perpendicular to said aperture axis 180 of the aperture 118 and said longitudinal axis 408 of the connector 400. In some embodiments, first and second engaging means 204 are arranged at respective first and second sides of the second cover part 200 to engage with respective first and second features 412 of the connector 400.

(20) The opening 202 of the second cover part 200 is arranged to receive the member 106 of the first cover part 100. The opening 202 may be sized and shaped to match a profile, such as a thickness and width, of the member 106 so that the member 106 may be received in the opening 202 in a close sliding fit. The aperture 118 is arranged about the member 106 such that when the cover system 300 is assembled with the electrical connector 400 and a locking means (not shown) is received by said aperture 118, disengagement of the engaging means from the electrical connector 400 is substantially prevented. In some embodiments, this may be achieved by a position of the aperture 118 about the member 106 being such that a distance 130 between the aperture 118 and an upper surface of the body portion 102 is less than a distance 230 over which the engaging means 204 is arranged to maintain engagement with the feature 412 of the connector. The distance 230 may be defined by a length of the open ended slot 204, such as may be defined by a length of the legs 206a, 206b in some embodiments. That is, the distance 130 between the aperture 118 and the upper surface of the body portion 102 may define a maximum distance of movement of the second cover part 200 in the axis 410 when locked, which is less than the distance 230 required to disengage the engaging means 204 from the one or more features 412 of the connector 400.

(21) Additionally or alternatively, said substantial prevention of disengagement may be achieved by providing the aperture 118 on the member 106 and the engaging means 204 on the second cover part 200 such that when the second cover part 200 is fitted to the first cover part 100 and the connector 400, the aperture axis 180 and the slot axis or axes 240a, 240b are substantially orthogonal to each other. To remove the first cover part 100 from the socket 406 of the connector, it must be moved in a direction away from the socket, along the longitudinal axis 408 and aperture axis 180. The engaging means 204, however, substantially prevents movement of the first cover part 100 at least along the axes 408, 180. When the locking means is received through the aperture 118, the locking means substantially prevents movement of the second cover part 200, or at least the engaging means 204, at least in a direction along axes 240a, 240b, 410. In this way, the axes 180, 240 interlock to prevent release when a locking means is received through the aperture 118 of the member 106. That is, the first cover part 100 and second cover part 200 mutually lock together when fitted to the connector 400 when a locking means is received though the aperture 118.

(22) The first cover part 100 therefore provides the seal about at least one of the terminals 402, 404 of the connector 400 and the second cover part 200 provides locking of the first cover part 100 to the connector 400. Due, at least partially, to the positioning of the aperture 118 and the engaging means 204 and their respective axes 180, 240a, 240b, the first cover part 100 cannot be moved in a direction away from the connector 400 along the longitudinal axis 408, when the second cover part is fitted about the first cover part and the engaging means is connected with the connector 400. Also due, at least partially, to the positioning of the aperture 118 and the engaging means 204 and their respective axes 180, 240a, 240b, the second cover part 200 cannot be moved in a direction away from the connector 400 along the axis 410 of the connector 400 when a locking means is received through the aperture 118. In this way, the first and second cover parts 100, 200 are able to mutually lock together when fitted to the connector 400.

(23) In some embodiments, the second cover part 200 comprises at least one locating feature 215. The locating feature 215 may at least partially help to align the second cover part 200 about the first cover part 100 and the electrical connector 400. The locating feature 215 may be arranged to correspond with a locating feature on the connector 400. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the locating feature 215 comprises a recess on an internal surface of a top face of the second cover part 200. The recess may be shaped to complement a corresponding protrusion 415 on connector 400. The second cover part 200 may comprise one or more cut-outs 220 for accommodating one or more bolt heads in the connector 400. The one or more cut-outs 220 may additionally or alternatively provide a locating feature function, for at least partially aiding with alignment of the second cover part 200 about the first cover part 100 and the electrical connector 400.

(24) In some embodiments, a friction fit or an interference fit may be provided between the first cover part 100 and the second cover part 200. In some embodiments, this is achieved by the second cover part 200 comprising an end face 225. The end face 225 is arranged to be coplanar with an end face 125 of the first cover part 100 when the second cover part 200 is fitted about the first cover part 100. In this way, a flush fitting is provided between the first cover part 100 and the second cover part 200 to prevent movement of the cover parts 100, 200.

(25) In some embodiments, the cover system 300 may be provided with a wedge clip feature, enabling the first and second cover parts 100, 200 to lock gently together.

(26) In some embodiments, the cover system 300 may comprise means (not shown) for allowing activation of a voltage interlock loop, such as a voltage interlock loop (VIL) of the electrical connector 400 when at least the first cover part 100 of the cover system 300 is fitted to the electrical connector 400. The means for allowing VIL activation may be provided by the first cover part 100. The means may comprise an internal connection in the first cover part 100, such as on an internal surface of the end face 125, for bridging a connection between the terminals 402, 404 of the electrical connector 400. Such means may enable diagnostic checks to be run whilst the terminals 402, 404 are sealed off by said sealing means 104 of the first cover part 100.

(27) The electrical connector 400 may comprise a socket key on an underside of the electrical connector 400. In some embodiments, the cover system 300 may be arranged so that when the cover system 300 is fitted to the electrical connector 400, the socket key remains uncovered. In some embodiments, this may be achieved by the second cover part 200 being arranged to fit over a top side of the electrical connector 400. The connector 400 may be arranged so as to prevent the second cover part 200 from being fitted upside down on the electrical connector 400, i.e. from fitting over the underside of the electrical connector 400. The electrical connector 400 may comprise a locating feature to prevent to prevent the second cover part 200 from being fitted upside down on the connector 400. The locating feature may be the same feature 412 with which the engaging means 204 of the second cover part 200 is arranged to engage. The feature 412 may be offset in a horizontal plane to indicate to a user a correct orientation for the second cover part 200. The feature 412 may comprise one or more lugs.

(28) FIGS. 5A to 5D show a method for at least temporarily preventing access to one or more terminals of an electrical connector 400 according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the method comprises sealing the first cover part 100 about the one or more terminals 402, 404 of the electrical connector 400. This may comprise first translating said first cover part 100 along the longitudinal axis 408 of the electrical connector 400, towards the electrical connector 400, to engage the first cover part 100 with the connector 400. In some embodiments, the first cover part 100 comprises a body portion 102. The method may therefore, in some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B, comprise, prior to said sealing, inserting the body portion 102 of a first cover part 100 at least partially within the female portion or socket 406 of the electrical connector 400. A stop 116 may be provided on the first cover part 100 to prevent over insertion of the body part 102. The method may comprise aligning the first cover part 100 with the connector 400 by aligning one or more locating means, such as one or more flanges 120, of the first cover part 100 with one or more corresponding features, such as grooves 420, of the connector 400. When the first cover part 100 is engaged with the connector 400, said aperture axis 180 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 408 of the connector 400 and substantially orthogonal to the axis 410 of the connector.

(29) With particular reference to FIG. 5C, the second cover part 200 is positioned over the first cover part 100 so that the member 106 of the first cover part 100 is received through the opening 202 of the second cover part 200. After said sealing, the second cover part 200 is moved over at least a portion of the first cover part 100 so that the second cover part 200 is arranged about at least a portion of the first cover part 100 and at least a portion of the connector 400, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5D. Said moving the second cover part 200 may, in some embodiments, comprise moving the second cover part 200 along the axis 410 of the connector 400, which axis 410 is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 408 of the electrical connector 400 and the aperture axis 180 of the first cover part 100 received therein. The method may comprise aligning the second cover part 100 with the connector 400 by aligning one or more locating features 215 of the second cover part 200 with one or more corresponding features, such as the protrusion 415, of the connector 400.

(30) The engaging means 204 of the second cover part 200 are engaged with the electrical connector 400, such as with the feature 412, to at least partially retain the second cover part 200 about at least a portion of the first cover part 100 and at least part of the electrical connector 400. When the second cover part 200 is engaged with the connector 400, said slot axes 240a, 240b are substantially orthogonal to the aperture axis 180 of the first cover part 100. When the second cover part 200 is engaged with the connector 400 the slot axes 240a, 240b, may be substantially parallel to the axis 410 of the connector 400 and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 408 of the connector 400.

(31) A locking means, such as a padlock or a cable tie, may be inserted through the aperture 118 once the first and second cover parts 100, 200 are fitted to the connector 400. As discussed above, the aperture 118 of the member 106 is arranged on the member 106 such that when the first and second cover parts 100, 200 are assembled with the electrical connector 400 and a locking means is received by said aperture 118, disengagement of the engaging means 204 from the electrical connector 400 is substantially prevented. This may be achieved by positioning the aperture 118 on the member 106 such that a length 130 between the aperture 118 and the body portion 102 is less than a length 230 over which length 230 the engaging means may maintain engagement with the feature 412 of the connector. The length 230 may be defined by a length of the open ended slot 204, such as may be defined by a length of the legs 206a, 206b.

(32) Additionally or alternatively, said substantial prevention of disengagement may be achieved by providing the aperture 118 on the member 106 and the engaging feature 204 on the second cover part 200 such that when the second cover part 200 is fitted to the first cover part 100 and the connector 400, the aperture axis 180 and the slot axis or axes 240a, 240b are substantially orthogonal to each other. To remove the first cover part 100 from the socket 406 of the connector 400, it must be moved in a direction away from the socket, along the longitudinal axis 408 and aperture axis 180. The engaging means 204, however, substantially prevents movement of the first cover part 100 at least along the axes 408, 180. When the locking means is received through the aperture 118, the locking means substantially prevents movement of the second cover part 200, or at least the engaging means 204, at least in a direction along axes 240a, 240b, 410. In this way, the axes 180, 240 interlock to prevent release when a locking means is received through the aperture 118 of the member 106. That is, the first cover part 100 and second cover part 200 mutually lock together when fitted to the connector 400 when a locking means is received though the aperture 118.

(33) The first cover part 100 therefore provides the seal about at least one of the terminals 402, 404 of the connector 400 and the second cover part 200 provides locking of the first cover part 100 to the connector 400. Due, at least partially, to the positioning of the aperture 118 and the engaging means 204 and their respective axes 180, 240a, 240b, the first cover part 100 cannot be moved in a direction away from the connector 400 along the longitudinal axis 408, when the second cover part is fitted about the first cover part and the engaging means is connected with the connector 400. Also due, at least partially, to the positioning of the aperture 118 and the engaging means 204 and their respective axes 180, 240a, 240b, the second cover part 200 cannot be moved in a direction away from the connector 400 along the axis 410 of the connector 400 when a locking means is received through the aperture 118. In this way, the first and second cover parts 100, 200 are able to mutually lock together when fitted to the connector 400.

(34) Once the cover system 300 is fitted to the connector 400, any appropriate operations, such as servicing, transporting or storing a battery pack, to which the connector 400 is connected, may be carried out safely. After such operations, if it is desired to regain access to the connector 400, the cover system 300 may be disassembled from the connector 400.

(35) To disassemble the cover system 300 from the connector 400, any locking means received by the aperture 118 must first be removed. The engaging means 204 of the second cover part 200 may be disengaged from the connector 400 and the second cover part may be moved away from the connector 400 in a direction along the slot axes 240a, 240b and axis 410 of the connector. Once the second cover part 200 has been disengaged and moved, the first cover part 100 may then be moved away from the connector 400 in a direction along the aperture axis 180 and the longitudinal axis 408 of the connector 400. The first cover part 100 and second cover part 200 may be reused multiple times.

(36) It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be realised in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like a ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a CD, DVD, magnetic disk or magnetic tape. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a program or programs that, when executed, implement embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing a system or method as claimed in any claim herein and a machine readable storage storing such a program. Still further, embodiments of the present invention may be conveyed electronically via any medium such as a communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection and embodiments suitably encompass the same

(37) All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

(38) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(39) The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.