Adjustable force trigger mechanism

Abstract

A trigger assembly having a user-adjustable actuation force. The trigger assembly includes a trigger and indexing pin that are rotatable about a pivot axis and mounted to a locking block of a firearm. A torsion spring bridges the indexing pin and the locking block. Rotation of the indexing pin in a first rotational direction increases the actuation force of the trigger assembly, while rotation of the indexing pin in a second, opposite rotational direction decreases the actuation force. The end user is able to adjust the actuation force of the trigger without procuring additional components and without requiring the services of a locksmith. A safety trigger has a lower pivot point on the trigger and provides a stop that prevents retraction of the trigger unless the safety trigger is retracted first.

Claims

1. A trigger assembly with adjustable actuation force for a firearm, comprising: a trigger mount defining a lateral bore about pivot axis; an indexing pin mounted to said trigger mount within said lateral bore; a trigger supported by said indexing pin, said trigger and said indexing pin being rotatable about said pivot axis; and a torsion spring including a first end coupled to said indexing pin and a second end coupled to said trigger mount, said torsion spring configured to apply a biasing force that opposes actuation of said trigger, wherein rotation of said indexing pin in a first rotational direction within said lateral bore increases said biasing force, and wherein rotation of said indexing pin in a second rotational direction within said lateral bore decreases said biasing force, said second rotational direction being opposite said first rotational direction.

2. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein rotation of said indexing pin adjusts said biasing force in a range of 1 pound of force to 12 pounds of force inclusive.

3. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein said torsion spring is a coil spring surrounding said indexing pin.

4. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein said lateral bore defines a inner diameter, and wherein indexing pin includes a distal end that forms a close, sliding fit within said inner diameter, said distal end of said indexing pin being rotatable within said inner diameter.

5. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein: said lateral bore defines a major diameter and a minor diameter; said indexing pin includes a shaft portion having a distal end, said distal end forming a close, sliding fit within said minor diameter and being rotatable within said minor diameter; and said torsion spring is a coil spring housed within said major diameter and surrounding said shaft portion.

6. The trigger assembly of claim 5, wherein: said shaft portion of said indexing pin defines a pin keyway that extends parallel to a central axis of said shaft portion; said trigger mount defines a bore keyway adjacent said lateral bore and extends parallel to said pivot axis; and said first end of said torsion spring is disposed in said pin keyway and said second end of said torsion spring is disposed in said bore keyway.

7. The trigger assembly of claim 5, wherein said indexing pin includes a head portion.

8. The trigger assembly of claim 7, wherein said head portion includes a tool feature for mating with an external tool.

9. The trigger assembly of claim 7, wherein said head portion is rotatable within said major diameter of said lateral bore.

10. The trigger assembly of claim 9, wherein said head portion includes a detent and said trigger defines a notch, said detent being configured to engage said notch to secure said indexing pin and said trigger in a fixed rotational relationship.

11. The trigger assembly of claim 7, wherein said head portion defines a polygonal cross-section and said trigger defines a complementary polygonal recess, said polygonal cross-section being configured to engage said complementary polygonal recess to secure said indexing pin and said trigger in a fixed rotational relationship.

12. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein said trigger includes a finger hook portion that depends from a bracket portion, the bracket portion including a first ear portion that defines a first lateral through passage and a second ear portion that defines a second lateral through passage, said first lateral through passage and said second lateral through passage being concentric about said actuation axis.

13. The trigger assembly of claim 12, wherein said trigger assembly is configured for insertion into and removal from a receiver of a firearm.

14. The trigger assembly of claim 13, wherein said firearm is a sidearm.

15. A method for adjusting an actuation force of a trigger assembly for a firearm, comprising: providing a kit including a trigger assembly; and providing instructions on a tangible, non-transitory medium, said instructions including: rotating an indexing pin within a trigger of said trigger assembly from a first rotational position to a second rotational position to change a torsional tension of a torsion spring of said trigger assembly, said trigger being rotatable about said indexing pin of said trigger assembly for actuating a firearm, said torsion spring being coupled to said indexing pin and said trigger; and securing said indexing pin to said trigger in said second rotational position.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said instructions include removing said trigger assembly from said firearm prior to the step of releasing.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said instructions in the step of providing instructions includes releasing said indexing pin from said trigger of said trigger assembly prior to the step of rotating said indexing pin.

18. A handgun comprising a handgun housing with an adjustable pull trigger mechanism therein for actuating the firing of the handgun, the trigger mechanism comprising a trigger support frame with a pair of opposing lateral sides, the support frame having bore therethrough, a main trigger with a pair of ears extending to each of the pair of lateral sides, each of the pair of ears having a bore corresponding to the bore through the support frame, a indexing pin extending through the bore in the support frame, and the bores in each of the ears of the main trigger, the index pin and bore of the main support frame defining an annular cavity, the trigger mechanism further comprising a coil torsion spring in the annular cavity, the spring having one spring end rotationally fixed to the indexing pin and one spring end rotationally fixed to the trigger support frame, the indexing pin adjustably rotationally positionable with respect to the support frame whereby spring force applied to the trigger may be adjusted by changing the rotational position of the indexing pin.

19. The handgun of claim 18, wherein the trigger mechanism is part of a firing mechanism and wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises a safety trigger that prevents the firing of the firing mechanism when the safety trigger has not been pulled.

20. The handgun of claim 19, wherein the safety trigger has a lower pivot point and has an upper stop that obstructs the rearward rotation of the main trigger until the safety trigger has be displaced rearwardly into the main trigger.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view of a trigger assembly as mounted in the outline of a firearm according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic of a kit including the trigger assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(3) FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the trigger assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(4) FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the trigger assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(5) FIG. 5 is a sectional view at plane V-V of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(6) FIG. 6 is a sectional view at plane VI-VI of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(7) FIG. 7 is a lower perspective, partially exploded view of the trigger assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

(8) FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a trigger assembly with a polygonal head seated within a polygonal recess according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of particular components of the trigger assembly of FIG. 1.

(10) FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the exploded view of FIG. 9.

(11) FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 1.

(12) FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 11 with the safety trigger depressed.

(13) FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 11 with the main trigger depressed.

(14) FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken at plane VI-VI of FIG. 3 reflecting the mechanism status of FIG. 11.

(15) FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken at plane VI-VI of FIG. 3 reflecting the mechanism status of FIG. 12.

(16) FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken at plane VI-VI of FIG. 3 reflecting the mechanism status of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(17) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a trigger assembly 20 is depicted according to embodiments of the disclosure. In FIG. 1, the trigger assembly 20 is superimposed over a representative image of a firearm 18 and is part of the firearm firing mechanism 22 shown schematically. An actuation force F is required to actuate the trigger assembly 20 and activate the firearm 18. While the depicted firearm 18 is a pistol, the trigger assembly 20 may also be utilized in a long gun (not depicted). In FIG. 2, the trigger assembly 20 is depicted as part of a kit 16 including spare torsion springs 28 and instructions 14 for assembly or operation. In some embodiments, the kit 16 is provided for retrofitting of an existing firearm 18. In some embodiments, the kit 16 includes the firearm 18.

(18) Referring to FIGS. 3 through 7, the trigger assembly 20 for insertion into the firearm is depicted in greater detail according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The trigger assembly 20 includes a trigger support frame configured as a locking block 22 to which a trigger 24 is pivotally mounted about an indexing pin 26. A torsion spring 28 bridges the trigger 24 and the locking block 22.

(19) The locking block 22 defines a lateral bore 42 into which the indexing pin 26 is inserted. The lateral bore 42 defines a bore axis 44 and a cavity 45 conformingly sized for the torsion spring 28, the bore passes laterally through the locking block 22. In some embodiments, the lateral bore 42 defines a major diameter 46 accessible from a first side 48 of the locking block 22 and reduces to a minor diameter 52 on a second or opposing side 54 of the locking block 22. A bore keyway 56 may extend radially from the major diameter 46 of the lateral bore 42 and parallel to the bore axis 44.

(20) The trigger 24 includes a bracket portion 62 and a finger hook portion 64. The bracket portion 62 includes first and second ear portions 66 and 68 that are laterally spaced to straddle the locking block 22 at the bore axis 44 defining a yoke about the trigger support frame 22. The trigger 24 may also include a safety trigger 70 that is nested or otherwise adjacent the finger hook portion 64 of the main trigger 24 with an embodiment discussed in detail below. The structure and function of representative safety triggers suitable herein are explained, for example, at U.S. Pat. No. 9,810,496 to Kolev et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,658,007 to Withey, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,706 to Gancarz et al., all of which are assigned to the owner of the present application, and the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety except for express definitions and patent claims contained therein. Other references describing representative safety triggers 70 that may be utilized include U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,013 to Cutini et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,193 to Lynch, U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,799 to Duperry et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,046,313 to Lutton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,745 to Kallio, U.S. Pat. No. 9,383,153 to Nebeker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,970,723 to Findlay et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,970,724 to Acker, U.S. Pat. No. 10,006,734 to Findlay, U.S. Pat. No. 10,030,927 to Theiss, and U.S. Pat. No. 10,156,409 to Laney et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety except for express definitions and patent claims contained therein.

(21) As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the trigger 24, in an embodiment, has an upper arm 71 with a lug 72 that may be linked to the other portions of the firearm firing mechanism 72 such as with a trigger bar 74, present in many semiautomatic handguns. Any of various known firing mechanisms actuated by a trigger that rotates about a pivot axis may be suitable for the adjustable trigger mechanism and safety trigger herein and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to firearms with firing mechanisms having, for example, trigger bars.

(22) In some embodiments, the first and second ear portions 66 and 68 define first and second lateral through passages 82 and 84, respectively, that are concentric about a pivot or actuation axis 86. The first lateral through passage 82 of the first ear portion 66 may be sized to match the major diameter 46 of the lateral bore 42 of the locking block 22, and the second lateral through passage 84 of the second ear portion 68 may be sized to match the minor diameter 52 of the lateral bore 42. In some embodiments, the first ear portion 66 defines one or more notches 88 that extend radially from the first lateral through passage 82. The first ear portion 66 may include a collar 92 that projects laterally outward, the collar 92 defining the notch(es) 88.

(23) The indexing pin 26 includes a shaft portion 102 and a head portion 104 concentric about a central axis 106, the central axis 106 being substantially parallel to or concentric with the bore axis 44 and the pivot axis 86 when the trigger assembly 20 is fully assembled. The shaft portion 102 may be dimensioned at a distal end 112 to provide a close, sliding fit within the minor diameter 52 of the lateral bore 42. The head portion 104 is dimensioned to fit within the first lateral through passage 82 of the first ear portion 66 and the major diameter 46 of the lateral bore 42 of the locking block 22. In some embodiments, the head portion 104 includes at least one detent 114 that projects radially. The detent 114 is dimensioned to laterally slide into the notch(es) 88. The shaft portion 102 may define a pin keyway 116 that extends parallel to the central axis 106. In some embodiments, the head portion 104 defines a tool feature 118 for coupling with a tool, for example, a hexagonal socket 122 for mating with a hexagonal wrench. The tool feature 118 may be sized for mating with tools other than a hexagonal wrench, e.g., a straight slot for mating with a flat head screw driver, cross slots for mating with a PHILLIPS screw driver, or a starred socket for mating with a TORX bit.

(24) In some embodiments, the torsion spring 28 is a coil spring 132a that coils around the indexing pin 26 and defines an inner coil diameter 134 and an outer coil diameter 136. The coil spring 132a includes a first end leg 142 that extends radially inward from the inner coil diameter 134 and a second end leg 144 that extends radially outward from the outer coil diameter 136.

(25) To assemble the trigger assembly 20, the coil spring 132a is inserted into the major diameter 46 of the lateral bore 42 of the locking block 22 and slide in a second lateral direction 146 toward the second side 54, so that the second end leg 144 extends into the bore keyway 56 that extends parallel to the lateral bore 42. The trigger 24 is positioned so that the pivot axis 86 of the trigger 24 aligned with the bore axis 44 of the lateral bore 42. The indexing pin 26 is positioned and rotated so that the pin keyway 116 is aligned with the first end leg 142 of the coil spring 132a, and the indexing pin 26 inserted into the lateral bore 42 so that the distal end 112 of the shaft portion 102 is inserted into the minor diameter 52 of the lateral bore 42 and the head portion 104 of the indexing pin 26 enters the major diameter 46 of the first ear portion 66. With the second end leg 144 of the coil spring 132a lodged in the bore keyway 56 and the first end leg 142 of the coil spring 132a lodged in the pin keyway 116, the indexing pin 26 is rotated so that the detent 114 on the head portion 104 is aligned with one of the notches 88 of the first ear portion 66 and the indexing pin 26 pushed further into the first lateral through passage 82 and lateral bore 42 so that the detent 114 is registered within the notch 88. The trigger assembly 20 is then mounted into a receiver 150 (depicted in phantom in FIG. 5) of the firearm 16. The indexing pin 26 is thereby effectively captured within the trigger assembly 20 by the receiver 150.

(26) In operation, to adjust the actuation force F, the indexing pin 26 is released from the trigger 24, rotated to change the torsional tension of the torsion spring 28, and secured to the trigger 24. In some embodiments, the indexing pin 26 is slid within the lateral bore 42 in a first lateral direction 148 so that the head portion 104 protrudes partially out of the first ear portion 66, far enough so that the detent 114 is removed from the notch 88. The indexing pin 26 may then be rotated about the central axis 106 to tighten or loosen the coil spring 132a. In this way, the torsion spring 28 (e.g., the coil spring 132a) can remain within the trigger assembly 20 (e.g., within the lateral bore 42) during the tension adjustment operation without being removed from the trigger assembly 20, enabling the user to readily loosen or tighten the trigger actuation force F relative to the previous setting without need for independently tracking the previous tension setting. In some embodiments, the trigger assembly 20 is removed from the receiver 150 to perform the adjustment; in other embodiments, the indexing pin 26 is accessible without need for removing the trigger assembly 20 from the firearm 18.

(27) Optionally, the torsion spring 28 (e.g., coil spring 132a) may be removed and replaced with another torsion spring (e.g., coil spring 132b) of similar construction (FIG. 2). Herein, coil spring(s) are identified generically or collectively by the reference character 132 (e.g., coil spring(s) 132), and specifically or individually by the reference character 132 followed by a letter suffix (e.g., coil spring 132b). In some embodiments, the replacement coil spring 132b includes the same physical features as the coil spring 132a that enables ready exchange within the trigger assembly 20 (e.g., the first end leg 142 that extends radially inward from an inner coil diameter 134 and the second end leg 144 that extends radially outward from an outer coil diameter 136). However, the replacement coil spring 132b may possess a torsional spring constant K that is different than for the spring coil 132a that it replaces. The torsional spring constant K has units of torsion per unit of rotation (e.g., Newton-meters/radian), such that a higher torsional spring constant K requires more force to rotationally displace the spring coil 132 than does a lower torsional spring constant K. The torsional spring constant K of the coil spring(s) 132 may be affected, for example, by changing one or more of the material, wire diameter, and number of turns in the coil of the replacement coil spring 132b relative to the coil spring 132a. For example, a replacement coil spring 132b made of a material having a higher elastic modulus, a greater diameter wire gauge, a fewer number of coil turns, or a combination thereof than for the coil spring 132a it replaces will have a higher torsional spring constant K, thereby requiring more force to actuate the trigger 64. In contrast, the replacement coil spring 132b made of a material having a lower elastic modulus, a smaller diameter wire gauge, a greater number of coil turns, or a combination thereof than for the coil spring 132a it replaces will have a lower torsional spring constant K, thereby requiring less actuation force F to actuate the trigger 64. In some embodiments, a plurality of replacement coil springs 132b, 132c (FIG. 2) may be interchangeable with the coil spring 132a.

(28) For the depicted embodiment, rotation of the indexing pin 26 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 acts to tighten the coil spring 132 about the shaft portion 102, thereby increasing the force required to actuate the trigger assembly 20. As such, also for the depicted embodiment, rotation of the indexing pin 26 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 acts to loosen the coil spring 132 about the shaft portion 102, thereby decreasing the force required to actuate the trigger assembly 20.

(29) In some embodiments, the trigger assembly 20 or kit 16 enables the trigger actuation forces F to be set within a range of 1 lbf to 12 lbf inclusive; in some embodiments, a range of 2 lbf to 10 lbf inclusive; in some embodiments, a range of 4 lbf to 7 lbf inclusive; in some embodiments, a range of 2 lbf to 4 lbf inclusive; in some embodiments, a range of 6 ounces of force to 5 lbf inclusive. Herein, a range that is said to be inclusive includes the end point values of the stated range as well as all values therebetween.

(30) In some embodiments, the various operational steps and characteristics described above are included in the instructions 14 for assembly or operation. The instructions 14 may be provided on a tangible, non-transitory medium. Non-limiting examples of a tangible, non-transitory medium include a paper document and computer-readable media including compact disc and magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, flash drive, cartridge, floppy drive). The computer-readable media may be local or accessible over the internet. The instructions 14 may be complete on a single medium, or divided among two or more media. For example, some of the instructions 14 may be written on a paper document that instruct the user to access one or more of the steps of the method over the internet, the internet-accessible steps being stored on a computer-readable medium or media. The instructions 14 may be in the form of written words, figures, and/or video presentations.

(31) Functionally, disposing the end legs 142 and 144 of the coil spring 132 within the keyways 116 and 56 enables the indexing pin 26 to be translated laterally within the lateral bore 42 without stretching or compressing the coil spring 132 and generating an attendant opposing force. This enables better control of the indexing pin 26 when adjusting the actuation force F. The collar 92, though not necessary, may provide a deeper notch for securing the detent 114 during transfer and mounting of the trigger assembly 20 to the receiver 150. The tool feature 118 provides a way to manipulate and rotate the indexing pin 26 during adjustment of trigger actuation force F (e.g., using a hexagonal wrench seated in the depicted hexagonal socket 122).

(32) By exchanging the coil spring 132, the adjustment characteristics of the actuation force F may be altered. For example, by replacing the coil spring 132a with a replacement coil spring 132b having a higher torsional spring constant, the change in the actuation force F per incremental rotation of the coil spring 132b is increased, thereby increasing the range of the available actuation forces F. By replacing the coil spring 132a with a replacement coil spring 132c having a lower torsional spring constant, the change in the actuation force F per incremental rotation of the coil spring 132c is decreased, thereby increasing the resolution of the trigger actuation force adjustment. For embodiments where a plurality of replacement coil springs 132 are available, the user or retailer can, for example, alter the available ranges of the actuation force F to suit personal or targeted demographic preferences, or provide greater adjustment resolution over a plurality of actuation force ranges. In the depicted embodiment, there are four notches 88 uniformly distributed about the bore axis 44, such that the detent 114 realigns with one of the notches 88 for every 90 degrees of rotation about the central axis 106. Accordingly, the end user can reset the indexing pin 26 after a quarter turn for the depicted embodiment. The inner coil diameter 134 may be sized large enough relative to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 102 and the outer coil diameter 136 may be sized small enough relative to the inner diameter of the lateral bore 42 to enable radial contraction and expansion of the coil spring 132 over several incremental rotations of the indexing pin 26 in both rotational directions. After rotating the indexing pin 26 for one or more incremental rotations, the detent 114 is aligned for seating within one of the notches 88. In some embodiments, upon securing the indexing pin 26 within the notch 88, the trigger assembly 20 is returned to the receiver 150.

(33) The use of more or less than four notches 88 is also contemplated. Using only one notch, for example, limits the incremental rotation of the indexing pin 26 about the central axis 106 to full turns. The greater the number of the plurality of notches 88, the greater the resolution of the trigger actuation force adjustment. For example: two notches 88 may be defined at 180 degree rotational increments, enabling the indexing pin 26 to be reset in turns; three notches 88 may be defined at 120 degree rotational increments to enable the indexing pin 26 to be reset in turns; six notches may be defined at 60 degree rotational increments to enable the indexing pin 26 to be reset in turns; and so on.

(34) Referring to FIG. 8, the use of polygonal shapes 160 for the head portion 104 and the first lateral through-passage 82 are also contemplated to provide rotational resolution for the indexing pin 26. That is, the head portion 104 may define a polygonal cross-section 162 with the lateral through-passage 82 defining a complementary polygonal recess 164. While the head portion 104 is polygonal, the shaft portion 102 may remain cylindrical, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 7. In the depiction of FIG. 8, the polygonal cross-section 162 and the complementary polygonal recess 164 define equilateral triangles for a rotational resolution of 120 degrees. Other polygonal shapes 160 are also contemplated, for example: a square cross-section 162 that is seated within a square recess 164 to provide a rotational resolution of 90 degrees; a hexagonal cross-section 162 seated within a hexagonal (or triangular) recess 164 would provide a rotational resolution of 60 degrees; and so on. Operational steps for the head portions 104 and lateral through-passages 82 for the mating of the detent 114 and notch(es) 88 configuration, described above, are the same, mutatis-mutandis, as for the mating of the polygonal cross-section 162 and the complementary polygonal recess 164.

(35) Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9-13, details of the safety trigger 70 according to an embodiment are depicted. The safety trigger has a lower pivot axis 170 defined by a pin 172 that extends through holes 176 in the lower leg portions 178, 179 of the main trigger 24, with the safety trigger slidingly and rotatably positioned in the slot 182 of the main trigger 24. The upper portion 186 of the safety trigger has a pair of stop portions 188 configures as cylindrical lugs that extend laterally from the main body portion 190 of the safety trigger. The stop portions fit into a pair of slots 194 defined by an upper surface of the main trigger body portion 190 and a lower surface of the trigger support frame 22. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 14, the undepressed trigger is illustrated, the arrow 193 illustrating pressure on the safety trigger causing the safety trigger to be retracted into the slot in the main trigger. At this stage the stops are in the narrow portion 196 of the slots and prevent rotation of the main trigger as the stop does not allow closure of the slot. FIGS. 12, 13, 15, and 16, as the stops reach the widened portion 197 of the slots, the stops do not obstruct closure of the slot and the main trigger is free to rotate rearward under trigger pull pressure.

(36) Each of the additional figures and methods disclosed herein can be used separately, or in conjunction with other features and methods, to provide improved devices and methods for making and using the same. Therefore, combinations of features and methods disclosed herein may not be necessary to practice the disclosure in its broadest sense and are instead disclosed merely to particularly describe representative and preferred embodiments.

(37) Various modifications to the embodiments may be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure. For example, persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the various features described for the different embodiments can be suitably combined, un-combined, and re-combined with other features, alone, or in different combinations. Likewise, the various features described above should all be regarded as example embodiments, rather than limitations to the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

(38) Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that various embodiments can comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the claims can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

(39) Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

(40) Unless indicated otherwise, references to embodiment(s), disclosure, present disclosure, embodiment(s) of the disclosure, disclosed embodiment(s), and the like contained herein refer to the specification (text, including the claims, and figures) of this patent application that are not admitted prior art.

(41) For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms means for or step for are recited in the respective claim.