Holster

Abstract

A combination exteriorly worn holster and an illuminator packaged together for retail sale, the combination providing a simple exteriorly worn holster solution for handguns with an attached accessory that is wearable either on the right or left side, with a reliable passive retention, and with a universal fit for a very large segment of the semi-automatic handguns with accessory rails. The accessory removed from the packaging instantly snaps onto the handgun's rail without utilizing threaded fasteners such that the handgun and accessory is readily received by the holster and the accessory provides the entirety of the engagement between the handgun and accessory combination and the holster. The holster's passive retention comprising a polymer spring unitary with the holster body, wherein the holster body conformingly and snugly engages and grips the accessory as it is holstered retaining the handgun in position by the illuminator.

Claims

1. A combination handgun holster and illuminator contained within packaging that displays the combination, the holster for receiving each of a multiplicity of handguns having different form factors and each of the multiplicity of handguns having an accessory rail, the illuminator attachable to the accessory rail of each of said multiplicity of handguns; the holster comprising a holster body and a belt loop, the holster body and belt loop being disposed in the interior of the package, the holster body having rearward portion having a shape that is symmetrical about a central plane and belt loop attachment portions on each of a left side and a right side of the rearward portion where by the belt loop is attachable to either the left side or the right side of the holster body with a pair of threaded fasteners included in the packaging, whereby the holster is wearable either on the right or left side of a user; the holster body defining a cavity extending along a handgun receiving and withdrawal axis, the holster body having a first body portion defining a first cavity portion and a second body portion defining a second cavity portion, the first cavity portion being dimensioned and configured so that, while the handgun is holstered there is a clearance between the handgun and holster extending around three sides of the handgun, wherein the first internal cavity is defined by opposing parallel planar faces of opposing lateral holster body sidewalls; the second cavity portion having a shape conforming to the shape of the illuminator whereby the second cavity portion receives the illuminator and engagement of the illuminator with the second body portion precludes movement of the illuminator except for movement in the insertion and withdrawal direction along an illuminator receiving and withdrawal axis parallel to the handgun receiving and withdrawal axis, the second body portion having a pair of parallel through slits disposed in a lateral sidewall of the second body portion defining a unitary retention portion configured as a polymer spring, the polymer spring having a protruding portion disposed between the pair of parallel through slits and extending into the second cavity portion for resiliently engaging the illuminator when the handgun and illuminator are holstered thereby clamping the accessory between the opposing sides of the holster body; the illuminator having a body and a rail attachment portion including a clamp portion for securing the illuminator to the accessory rail without using threaded fasteners, the body defining a battery receiving cavity, a battery included in the packaging; and the packaging being configured such that the holster body and illuminator are visible through the packaging.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the clamp portion of the illuminator comprises a snap-on rail attachment mechanism.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the accessory rail comprises two parallel grooves aligned with an axis of the handgun, and wherein the rail attachment portion includes two opposing elongate groove engagement portions each having in cross-section a V-shaped groove engagement surface, the elongate groove engagement portions unitary with the illuminator body.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein each of the accessory rails of the multiplicity of handguns to which the illuminator is attachable has a transverse notch on the respective accessory rail, and wherein the illuminator clamp portion comprises a spring loaded lever arm with a proximal end pivotally attached to a body of the illuminator, a distal end with a manual grasping portion, and an elongate tab positioned intermediate the distal end and the proximal end and sized for being received in the transverse notch on the accessory rail, the lever arm movable between an outwardly attachment position wherein the elongate tab is positioned for being received in the notch locking the illuminator into position and an inward release position wherein the illuminator is slidable along accessory rails of handguns for attachment and removal of the illuminator to the respective handguns.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the unitary retention portion has a first unitary end and a second unitary end and an intermediate portion extending between the first end unitary with the holster body defining a retention beam portion, the retention beam portion having a pair of ribs oriented with the handgun receiving and withdrawal axis and having an arcuate inwardly facing surfaces for engagement of the accessory while the accessory and attached handgun is being received and seated in the holster, the intermediate portion moving outwardly as the accessory with attached handgun is being received and seated, the inwardly protruding portion being disposed between the first end and the second end, the retention beam portion bending in a bow-like manner while the accessory is received in the cavity.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the body of the illuminator is metal and the holster body is unitarily formed of a single piece of glass filled polyamide material whereby when the illuminator is attached to the handgun, a smooth and soft feel engagement of the illuminator with the attached handgun and the holster body is provided when said illuminator with attached handgun are received by the holster.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the first internal cavity is defined by opposing parallel planar faces of opposing lateral holster body sidewalls, wherein the width of the internal cavity spaced 0.25 inches from the forward margin of the holster body is about 1.20 inches to about 1.50 inches.

8. The combination of claim 1, further in combination with the handgun attached to the accessory.

9. A combination handgun holster and illuminator in packaging that displays the combination, the holster for receiving each of a multiplicity of handguns having different form factors and each of the multiplicity of handguns having an accessory rail, the illuminator attachable to the accessory rail of the handgun; the holster comprising a holster body and a belt loop, the holster body and belt loop being disposed in the interior of the package, the holster body having rearward portion having a shape that is symmetrical about a central plane and belt loop attachment portions on each of a left side and a right side of the rearward portion whereby the belt loop is attachable to either the left side or the right side of the holster body, whereby the holster is wearable either on the right or left side of a user; the holster body defining a cavity sized for receiving each of the multiplicity of handguns with a clearance between each of the multiplicity of handguns and the holster body; the holster body defining a cavity extending along a handgun receiving and withdrawal axis, the holster body having a first body portion defining a first cavity portion and a second body portion defining a second cavity portion, the first cavity portion being dimensioned and configured so that, when the handgun is attached to the illuminator and the handgun is holstered, there is a clearance around the handgun; the first cavity being dimensioned so that the holster body may be utilized with the multiplicity of handguns comprising semi-automatic handguns with mounting rails; the holster only having passive retention of the accessory and attached handgun, the second body portion defining a second cavity portion having a shape and internal width dimension and the illuminator having a shape and external width dimension such that the second body portion interferes with the illuminator when the illuminator is attached to the handgun and the illuminator with attached handgun is inserted into the second cavity portion, whereby when the second body portion receives the illuminator and attached handgun there is an expansion of the internal width dimension of the second cavity portion such that the second body portion conformingly and snugly receives the illuminator, and the engagement of the illuminator with the second body portion precludes movement of the illuminator and attached handgun except for movement in the insertion and withdrawal direction along an illuminator receiving and withdrawal axis parallel to the handgun receiving and withdrawal axis; the second body portion having a pair of parallel through slits disposed in a lateral sidewall of the second body portion defining a unitary retention portion configured as a polymer spring, the polymer spring having a protruding portion disposed between the pair of parallel through slits and extending into the second cavity portion for resiliently engaging the illuminator when the handgun and illuminator are holstered thereby clamping the accessory between the opposing sides of the holster body; the illuminator having a body and a rail attachment portion including a clamp portion for securing the illuminator to the accessory rail; and the packaging having a transparent portion with the holster body and illuminator visible therethrough.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the body of the illuminator is metal and the holster body is unitarily formed of a single piece of glass filled polyamide material whereby when the illuminator is attached to the handgun, a smooth and soft feel engagement of the illuminator with the attached handgun and the holster body is provided when said illuminator with attached handgun are received by the holster.

11. The combination of claim 9; whereby when the illuminator is attached to the handgun and the illuminator and attached handgun are holstered, the polymer spring is pushed outwardly thereby expanding the width of the second cavity and thereby clamping the accessory between the opposing sides of the holster body.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the polymer spring has two unitary ends and an intermediate portion therebetween, the protruding portion configured as a rib with an inclined lead-in surface.

13. The combination of claim 9, wherein accessory rails of handguns to which the illuminator is attachable have a transverse notch, and wherein the illuminator clamp portion comprises a spring loaded lever arm with a proximal end pivotally attached to a body of the illuminator, a distal end with a manual grasping portion, and an elongate tab positioned intermediate the distal end and the proximal end and sized for being received in the transverse notch, the lever arm movable between an outwardly attachment position wherein the elongate tab is positioned for being received in the notch locking the illuminator into position and an inward release position wherein the illuminator is slidable along accessory rails of handguns for attachment and removal of the illuminator to the respective handguns.

14. The combination of claim 9, wherein the packaging comprises a six sided box package having an interior with a volume of about 90 cu. in. to about 104 cu. in, the box having a front panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a rearward panel, and a pair of lateral panels, wherein the package has graphics on at least one of the front panel and the pair of lateral panels, the front panel defining an opening with transparent sheet material spanning the opening, the holster body and illuminator are visible through the transparent sheet material.

15. The combination of claim 14, further comprising a laser sight contained in the package and visible through the transparent sheet material.

16. The combination of claim 14, further comprising threaded fasteners for securing the belt loop to either side of the holster body, a battery for the illuminator, and paper with instructions thereon, all contained within the packaging.

17. A combination handgun holster and battery powered rail mountable light generating accessory contained in packaging, the holster having a holster body sized for receiving each of a multiplicity of handguns having different form factors and each of the multiplicity of handguns having an accessory rail, the illuminator attachable to the accessory rail of each of the multiplicity of handguns; the holster comprising the holster body and a belt loop attachable to either of two lateral sides of the holster body with a pair of threaded fasteners, the pair of threaded fastener included in the packaging, whereby the holster is wearable either on the right or left side of a user; the holster body defining a cavity sized for receiving each of the multiplicity of handguns with spacing between each of the multiplicity of handguns and the holster body; the holster body defining a cavity extending along a handgun receiving and withdrawal axis, the holster body having a first body portion defining a first cavity portion and a second body portion defining a second cavity portion, the first cavity portion being dimensioned and configured so that, while the handgun is holstered, the first body portion receives the handgun while leaving a clearance around the handgun; the clearance being selected to allow the holster body to receive each of the multiplicity of handguns comprising semi-automatic handguns with mounting rails; the holster only having passive retention of the accessory and the attached handgun, the second body portion defining a second cavity portion having a shape and internal width dimension and the accessory having a shape and external width dimension such that the second body portion interferes with the accessory when the accessory is attached to the handgun and the accessory with attached handgun is inserted into the second cavity portion, the second body portion having a pair of through slits disposed in a lateral sidewall of the second body portion and defining a unitary polymer spring, the polymer spring having a protruding portion disposed between the parallel through slits extending into the second cavity portion and defining a measurement point for the internal width dimension, the polymer spring for resiliently engaging the accessory whereby when the accessory is attached to the handgun and the accessory and attached handgun are holstered the polymer spring is pushed outwardly thereby expanding the width of the second cavity and thereby clamping the accessory between the opposing sides of the holster body; the accessory having a body and a rail attachment portion including a clamp portion for securing the accessory to the accessory rail, the body defining a battery receiving cavity, a battery included in the packaging; paper instructions relating to attachment of the belt loop to the holster and attachment of the accessory to an accessory rail included with the packaging; wherein the packaging being configured such that the holster body and accessory are visible through the packaging.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the accessory is a flashlight and the clamp portion attachable to an accessory rail without utilizing thread fasteners.

19. The combination of claim 17, further comprising a laser sight included in the packaging, the laser sight having a clamp portion utilizing threaded fasteners.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a handgun and a holster.

(3) FIG. 2A is a packaged combination holster and accessory according to embodiments.

(4) FIG. 2B a exploded view of packaging of a combination holster and two accessories.

(5) FIG. 2C is a retail display illustrating the minimal display area taken by embodiments.

(6) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a holster body.

(7) FIG. 3B is a plan view of a holster body.

(8) FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the holster body shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B taken at line C-C of FIG. 3B.

(9) FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional perspective view of the holster body shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B taken at line D-D of FIG. 3B.

(10) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the holster body of FIG. 3A.

(11) FIG. 4B is a side view of the holster body shown in FIG. 4A.

(12) FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the holster body shown in FIG. 4A and

(13) FIG. 4B taken at plane C-C of FIG. 4A.

(14) FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional perspective view of the holster body shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B taken at plane C-C of FIG. 4A.

(15) FIG. 5A is a side view of an accessory configured as an illuminator.

(16) FIG. 5B is an end view of the accessory shown in FIG. 5A.

(17) FIG. 5C is an end view of the accessory shown in FIG. 5A, opposite that of FIG. 5B.

(18) FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the accessory showing a snap-on attachment feature.

(19) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a handgun and an accessory attached to the handgun. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the handgun and the accessory are received in a holster.

(20) FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a PRIOR ART standardized mounting rail.

(21) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a PRIOR ART barrel end of a handgun having an accessory rail with a transverse notch.

(22) FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view showing a holster body and a belt loop.

(23) FIG. 8B is an exploded perspective view showing a holster body and a belt loop.

(24) FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a holster attachable to a user's belt at the user's left side.

(25) FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a holster attachable to a user's belt at the user's right side.

(26) While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(27) Referring to FIG. 1, a holster 100 receives a handgun 102 with an accessory 104 configured as an illuminator attached to the mounting rail 106 of the handgun. The holster comprising a holster body 110 and a belt loop 111, the holster body defining a cavity 112 for receiving the handgun with the attached accessory.

(28) Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, a combination holster 100 and accessory 104 are packaged together in packaging 113 for retail sale. The packaging can include a box 114, a form 115 with pockets 116 to receive the combination components. The box may have an opening 117 with a transparent polymer material 118 traversing the opening. In embodiments, the combination includes a holster 100 for receiving a handgun 102, an illuminator 104, such as a flashlight, detachably fixable to a mounting rail 106 of the handgun 102, and packaging 113 suitable for display and sale in a retail store environment. The packaged contents may include paper instructions 121 for using the combination, a battery 121.5 or batteries for powering the accessories, and threaded fasteners 121.7 for attachment of the belt loop to the holster. The box 114 may have an interior 114.5 that has a volume of from 90 cu. In. to about 104 cu. in. Referring specifically to FIG. 2C a retail display rack 119 is illustrated in which the packaged combination 120 is shown to take up relatively little display space. This singular packaged combination with the features described herein can be utilized for a multiplicity of handguns having accessory rails. To provide conventional holsters for the same multiplicity of handguns could well take up the entire display rack 119. Graphics 122 on the packaging 113 identifying that the two products therein, the holster and the accessory, will fit the multiplicity of popular handguns, as well as showing the holster 100 and the accessory 104, through the packaging is believed to create very favorable buying atmosphere conducive to high product turnover. Additionally the graphics can inform the potential purchaser that the holster therein may be used both by left and right handed shooters.

(29) Referring to FIGS. 3A-4D, various views of the holster body 110 having passive retention means 110.5 are provided. In embodiments, the holster body 110 has a rearward portion 123 having a shape that is symmetrical about a central plane so that the belt loop 111 is attachable to either a left side 124 or a right side 125 of the holster body 110 and so that the holster 100 is wearable either on the right or left side of a user. In embodiments, the holster body 110 defines a cavity 112 extending forwardly along a handgun receiving and withdrawal axis A1. In embodiments, the holster body 110 has a first body portion 150 defining a first cavity portion 126 and a second body portion 154 defining a second cavity portion 128. In embodiments, the first cavity portion 126 is dimensioned and configured so that, while the handgun 102 is holstered, the first body portion 150 encloses the handgun 102 while leaving a predetermined clearance C around the handgun 102 as best illustrated by FIG. 6. In embodiments, the clearance is selected to allow a single holster system to be utilized with a multiplicity of semi-automatic handguns with mounting rails. In embodiments, the second cavity portion has a shape conforming to the shape of the illuminator 104 whereby the second cavity portion 128 receives the illuminator 104 and engagement with the second body portion 154 precludes movement of the illuminator 104 except for movement in the insertion and the withdrawal directions along a forward rearward axis A2 of the handgun 102. See FIG. 1. The holster body may have a stop portion to stop the insertion motion of a handgun and attached accessory. The stop portion 155 may be configured as a rib and have a stop surface 156 that faces an accessory and attached handgun as it is being holstered.

(30) Referring to FIGS. 3A-4D and 6, in embodiments, the second body portion 154 has a pair of parallel slits 148 defining a leaf spring 158 or a cantilever beam. In embodiments, the leaf spring or beam 158 has a protruding portion 159 extending into the second cavity portion for resiliently engaging the illuminator 104 when the handgun 102 and attached illuminator 104 are holstered. The leaf spring has a first unitary end 165, and an opposite second unitary end 167 with an intermediate portion 169 therebetween. The first and second ends unitary with the rest of the holster body. The protruding portion may comprise a pair of ribs 168 with a inclined lead-in surface 170 for the smooth engagement of the accessory such as the illuminator when inserted. In other embodiments, the two slits may connect at one set of the ends of the slits thereby forming a cantilevered polymer spring, see the dashed lines labeled 171 in FIG. 4B. In embodiments such a spring may perform better than the leaf spring having both end connecting and unitary with the holster body.

(31) Continuing to refer to FIGS. 3A to 4D, in embodiments, the holster body 110 comprises a plurality of side wall portions 180 unitarily formed of a polymeric material. In embodiments, the plurality of side wall portions 180 including a pair of side wall portions 180 unitarily joined at a top or front 182 of the holster body and bottom or backside 184 of the side wall portions 180 (depending on the orientation). In embodiments, each side wall portion has the pair of inwardly projecting ribs 188 configured for capturing and engaging the illuminator 104 when the handgun 102 with illuminator 104 is inserted into the holster 100. In embodiments, the holster and illuminator engagement constrain all freedom of motion of the illuminator 104 except freedom of motion in the insertion and withdrawal direction along a forward rearward axis A2 of the handgun 102 and the axis of the holster body A1.

(32) Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, the accessory 104, configured as an illuminator in these figures, has a body portion 190 and a rail attachment portion 192 including a clamping portion 193. The clamping portion may be a lever 195 hingedly connected to the body portion by a pin 196 at a proximal end 198 of the lever. A distal end 199 has grasping portion 202 for manually moving the lever. Referring to FIGS. 5A to 7B, an elongate tab 204 positioned intermediate the distal end and the proximal end of the lever 195 projects outwardly to be received in a transverse notch 211 in the handgun accessory rail 106. The lever having a normal position as shown best in FIG. 5B in which the tab is extended outwardly and an inward retracted position as shown by the dashed lines labeled 212. A spring 214 may bias the lever to the normal position. The handgun accessory rail is conventional and may have the dimensions as portrayed in FIG. 7A. The rail has two grooves 213 and two parallel outwardly extending projections 215 each aligned with the axis A2 of the handgun 102. The two parallel outwardly extending projections 215 that receive the cooperating rail attachment portion of the accessory 104. The rail attachment portion 192 of the accessory having two rails 217 with a pair of elongate recesses 219 conforming to the two parallel outwardly extending projections 215 of the accessory rail 106. Each handgun of a multiplicity of handgun will have a conforming accessory rail.

(33) The accessory with the clamp portion as described above may be attached by manually pushing the lever inwardly toward the body portion and engaging the rail attachment portion elongate recesses with the two parallel outwardly extending projections 215. The lever may be released as the accessory is slid along the accessory rail until the tab 204 extends into the transverse groove 211, the action being a snap-on action. In embodiments the rail attachment portion may be slid on the accessory rail without retracting the lever and to 204. Other conventional rail attachment mechanisms may also be suitable in embodiments, for example where the opposing parallel rails with the elongate recesses are tightened toward one another with threaded fasteners.

(34) The accessory, in addition to being an illuminator or flashlight, could be a battery powered laser projecting sight 216, see FIG. 2B. In embodiments, the packaged products may include both an illuminator and a laser sight. Laser sights may use the rail attachment system herein or other rail attachment systems.

(35) In embodiments, the accessory body portion 192 defines a first lateral channel 222 on a first side of the accessory 104 and a second lateral channel 223 on an opposite side of the illuminator 104 for engaging the inwardly projecting ribs 188 of the holster 100. In embodiments, the ribs 188 as part of holster second body portion are adapted and dimensioned to capture and engage the illuminator 104 when the handgun 102 with illuminator 104 is inserted into the holster 100. When an accessory with attached handgun is inserted, the accessory is conformingly and snugly received in the cavity defined by the second body portion. In embodiments, the cavity expands such as by the outward deflection of the spring member

(36) Referring to FIG. 1, an upward direction Z and a downward or lower direction Z are illustrated using arrows labeled Z and Z, respectively. A forward direction Y and a rearward direction Y are illustrated using arrows labeled Y and Y, respectively. A first lateral direction X and a second lateral direct X are illustrated using arrows labeled X and X, respectively. The directions illustrated using these arrows are applicable to the apparatus shown and discussed throughout this application. The second lateral direction may also be referred to as a left direction and/or the second lateral direction. The first lateral direction may also be referred to as a right direction. In one or more embodiments, the upward direction is generally opposite the downward direction. In one or more embodiments, the upward direction and the downward direction are both generally orthogonal to an XY plane defined by the forward direction and the first lateral direction. In one or more embodiments, the forward direction is generally opposite the rearward direction. In one or more embodiments, the forward direction and the rearward direction are both generally orthogonal to a ZX plane defined by the upward direction and the first lateral direction. In one or more embodiments, the first lateral direction is generally opposite the second lateral direction. In one or more embodiments, first lateral direction and the second lateral direction are both generally orthogonal to a ZY plane defined by the upward direction and the forward direction. Various direction-indicating terms are used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shown in the figures. It will be appreciated that many direction indicating terms are related to the instant orientation of the object being described. It will also be appreciated that the objects described herein may assume various orientations without deviating from the spirit and scope of this detailed description. Accordingly, direction-indicating terms such as upwardly, downwardly, forwardly, backwardly, should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention recited in the attached claims.

(37) Referring to FIGS. 8A-10, an ambidextrous handgun holstering system includes a belt loop 111 and a holster body 110 having a shape in lateral cross-section that is symmetric about an XY plane intersecting a central region of the housing. In embodiments, the holster body 110 is shaped and configured so that a user attachment means, such as a belt engaging member or belt loop 111, may be attached to either of two side wall side portions of the holster body 110 by way of fasteners 121.5. This arrangement may allow the holster to be worn and used by both right-handed users and left-handed users. The belt engaging member or belt loop 111 may receive a belt B.

(38) The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,918,784, 6,112,962, 6,267,279, 6,547,111, 6,641,009, 7,937,880, 7,434,712, 7,461,765, 7,556,181, 7,694,860, 7,841,497, 7,954,971, 8,132,355, 8,177,108, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,235,263, 8,474,670, 8,517,235, 8,690,032, 8,720,755, 8,985,412, 9,057,579, 9,057,580, 9,134,093, 9,759,515, and 9,777,986. Published U.S. Patent Application US2017/0205172 is hereby incorporated by reference herein. All U.S. patents issuing from and claiming priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/261,079 are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

(39) The above references to U.S. patents in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B).

(40) The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, 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.

(41) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, 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.

(42) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, 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 above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

(43) Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.