Enhanced bolt catch

Abstract

A bolt catch to be utilized in conjunction with an upper receiver and the lower receiver of a firearm, including at least some of a bolt catch having a bolt catch upper button portion and a bolt catch lower button portion, wherein the bolt catch is pivotally attached or coupled within at least a portion of a lower bolt catch recess of a lower receiver, wherein at least a portion of a bolt catch upper button portion recess extends above a planar surface formed by the lower receiver proximate the lower bolt catch recess; and an upper bolt catch recess formed in at least a portion of the upper receiver, wherein at least a portion of the bolt catch upper button portion recess is received at least partially within the upper bolt catch recess if the upper receiver is operably attached or coupled to the lower receiver.

Claims

1. A bolt catch to be utilized in conjunction with an upper receiver and a lower receiver of a firearm, comprising: a bolt catch having a bolt catch upper button portion and a bolt catch lower button portion, wherein said bolt catch is pivotally attached or coupled within at least a portion of a lower bolt catch recess of said lower receiver, approximately between said bolt catch upper button portion and said bolt catch lower button portion, wherein at least a portion of a bolt catch upper button portion recess extends above a planar surface formed by said lower receiver proximate said lower bolt catch recess; and an upper bolt catch recess formed in at least a portion of said upper receiver, wherein at least a portion of said bolt catch upper button portion recess is received at least partially within said upper bolt catch recess if said upper receiver is operably attached or coupled to said lower receiver.

2. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein a first side of said bolt catch upper button portion includes a textured portion.

3. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein a first side of said bolt catch lower button portion includes a textured portion.

4. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein said bolt catch upper button portion recess is formed between said bolt catch upper button portion and a bolt engagement projection.

5. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein said bolt catch upper button portion recess is formed between said bolt catch upper button portion and a magazine biasing projection.

6. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein said bolt catch is pivotable between a bolt engagement position to a bolt disengagement position.

7. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein a bolt catch pivot pin aperture is formed through said bolt catch, approximately between said bolt catch upper button portion and said bolt catch lower button portion.

8. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein said upper bolt catch recess extends from a lower surface of said upper receiver.

9. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein if said upper receiver is operably attached or coupled to said lower receiver, said upper bolt catch recess is positioned above said lower bolt catch recess.

10. The bolt catch of claim 1, wherein a ridge is formed so as to extend from at least a portion of said upper receiver around at least a portion of an area where said bolt catch upper button portion of said bolt catch overlies said upper receiver, when said bolt catch is installed within said lower receiver and said upper receiver is operably attached or coupled to said lower receiver.

11. The bolt catch of claim 10, wherein said ridge is a single, continuous ridge.

12. The bolt catch of claim 10, wherein said ridge is defined by one or more ridge portions are segments.

13. The bolt catch of claim 10, wherein said ridge provides a perimeter around at least a portion of said bolt catch.

14. The bolt catch of claim 10, wherein said bolt catch upper button portion includes a chamfered bolt catch button edge portion.

15. The bolt catch of claim 14, wherein an angle or degree of chamfer of said chamfered bolt catch button edge portion is such that there is a substantially smooth transition between said chamfered bolt catch button portion and an adjacent portion of said ridge.

16. A bolt catch to be utilized in conjunction with an upper receiver and a lower receiver of a firearm, comprising: a bolt catch having a bolt catch upper button portion and a bolt catch lower button portion, wherein said bolt catch is pivotally positionable within at least a portion of a lower bolt catch recess of said lower receiver, wherein a bolt catch upper button portion recess is formed between said bolt catch upper button portion and a bolt engagement projection, and wherein at least a portion of said bolt catch upper button portion recess extends above a planar surface formed by said lower receiver proximate said lower bolt catch recess; and an upper bolt catch recess formed in at least a portion of said upper receiver, wherein at least a portion of said bolt catch upper button portion recess is received at least partially within said upper bolt catch recess if said upper receiver is operably attached or coupled to said lower receiver.

17. The bolt catch of claim 16, wherein said bolt catch is pivotable between a bolt engagement position to a bolt disengagement position.

18. The bolt catch of claim 16, wherein said upper bolt catch recess extends from a lower surface of said upper receiver.

19. The bolt catch of claim 16, wherein if said upper receiver is operably attached or coupled to said lower receiver, said upper bolt catch recess is positioned above said lower bolt catch recess.

20. A bolt catch to be utilized in conjunction with an upper receiver and a lower receiver of a firearm, comprising: a bolt catch having a bolt catch upper button portion and a bolt catch lower button portion, wherein said bolt catch is pivotally positionable within at least a portion of a lower bolt catch recess of said lower receiver, wherein a bolt catch upper button portion recess is formed between said bolt catch upper button portion and a magazine biasing projection, and wherein at least a portion of said bolt catch upper button portion recess extends above a planar surface formed by said lower receiver proximate said lower bolt catch recess; and an upper bolt catch recess formed in at least a portion of said upper receiver, wherein at least a portion of said bolt catch upper button portion recess is received at least partially within said upper bolt catch recess if said upper receiver is operably attached or coupled to said lower receiver.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) As required, detailed exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the systems, methods, and/or apparatuses that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, within the scope of the present disclosure. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to illustrate details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure.

(2) The exemplary embodiments of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

(3) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a known AR-15 style bolt catch;

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates a front cutaway view of a portion of a known AR-15 style upper and lower receiver having a known bolt catch installed therein;

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(8) FIG. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(9) FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(10) FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(11) FIG. 9 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(12) FIG. 10 illustrates a right side view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(13) FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(14) FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(15) FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lower receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(16) FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lower receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(17) FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a lower receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(18) FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(19) FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(20) FIG. 18 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(21) FIG. 19 illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(22) FIG. 20 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver, utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(23) FIG. 21 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(24) FIG. 22 illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver, utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(25) FIG. 23 illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(26) FIG. 24 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver, utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(27) FIG. 25 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(28) FIG. 26 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver, utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(29) FIG. 27 illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver, utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses;

(30) FIG. 28 illustrates a front, cross-sectional view, taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 25, of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver to be utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses; and

(31) FIG. 29 illustrates a front, cross-sectional view, taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 24, of an exemplary embodiment of an upper receiver and a lower receiver, utilized in conjunction with an enhanced bolt catch, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(32) For simplicity and clarification, the design factors and operating principles of the enhanced bolt catch according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses are explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments of an enhanced bolt catch according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. The basic explanation of the design factors and operating principles of the enhanced bolt catch is applicable for the understanding, design, and operation of the enhanced bolt catch of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. It should be appreciated that the enhanced bolt catch can be adapted to many applications where gas pressure or blowback is experienced within a firearm.

(33) As used herein, the word may is meant to convey a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than a mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Unless stated otherwise, terms such as first and second are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.

(34) The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms a and an are defined as one or more unless stated otherwise.

(35) Throughout this application, the terms comprise (and any form of comprise, such as comprises and comprising), have (and any form of have, such as has and having), include, (and any form of include, such as includes and including) and contain (and any form of contain, such as contains and containing) are used as open-ended linking verbs. It will be understood that these terms are meant to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer, step, or group of elements, integers, or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer, step, or group of elements, integers, or steps. As a result, a system, method, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, or contains one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, a method or process that comprises, has, includes or contains one or more operations possesses those one or more operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or more operations.

(36) It should also be appreciated that the terms firearm, upper receiver, lower receiver, and bolt catch are used for basic explanation and understanding of the operation of the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention. Therefore, the terms firearm, upper receiver, lower receiver, and bolt catch are not to be construed as limiting the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention. Thus, for example, the term firearm is to be understood to broadly include any firearm utilizing a bolt catch or bolt release.

(37) Turning now to the drawing FIGS., FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate certain elements and/or aspects of a known, exemplary AR-15 style bolt catch 10. Generally, the bolt catch 10 comprises at least some of a bolt catch body portion 11, a bolt catch upper button portion 15, a bolt catch lower button portion 17, a bolt engagement projection 12, a magazine biasing projection 19, and a bolt catch pivot pin aperture 16.

(38) When installed in a bolt catch recess 22 of a lower receiver 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the bolt catch 10 is pivotable, relative to the lower receiver 20, via a bolt catch 10 pivot pin positioned through the bolt catch pivot pin aperture 16. The bolt catch 10 is pivotably attached or coupled to the lower receiver 20 on a left side, opposite the magazine release button. The bolt catch upper button portion 15 or the bolt catch lower button portion 17 can be pressed to pivot the bolt catch 10 about a bolt catch pivot pin aperture 16 to pivot the bolt catch 10 from a bolt engagement position to a bolt disengagement position.

(39) The bolt catch 10 is typically spring biased to the bolt disengagement position, via a bolt catch plunger and a bolt catch plunger spring positioned within the bolt catch plunger recess 24.

(40) In the bolt engagement position, the bolt catch 10 is pivoted such that at least a portion of a bolt engagement projection 12 extends in front of a portion of the face of the bolt carrier (when the bolt carrier is in a rearward position) and is able to engage a portion of the bolt face to maintain the bolt carrier in the rearward position. In the bolt disengagement position, the bolt catch 10 is pivoted such that the bolt engagement projection 12 will not engage the face of the bolt carrier and the bolt engagement projection 12 will not engage the bolt carrier.

(41) The magazine biasing projection 19 extends from the bolt catch 10 so as to interact with a follower in a magazine. In this manner, when an empty magazine is in the firearm, the magazine follower interacts with the magazine biasing projection 19, to pivot the bolt catch 10 to a bolt engagement position.

(42) When the bolt catch upper button portion 15 is depressed, the bolt catch 10 pivots such that the bolt engagement projection 12 is urged downward, away from the face of the bolt carrier, allowing the bolt carrier to move forward. When the bolt catch lower button portion 17 is depressed, the bolt catch 10 pivots such that the bolt engagement projection 12 is urged upward, towards the face of the bolt carrier, allowing the bolt carrier to move forward.

(43) A planar portion of the lower surface of the upper receiver 30 is positioned above the bolt catch upper button portion recess 18. A bolt catch upper button portion recess 18 formed between the bolt catch upper button portion 15 and the bolt engagement projection 12 allows the bolt catch 10 to continue to pivot to a bolt engagement position when the upper receiver 30 and the lower receiver 20 are in an operable configuration.

(44) As illustrated in FIGS. 3-29, the bolt catch 100 of the present disclosure comprises at least some of a bolt catch body portion 101, a bolt catch upper button portion 105, a bolt catch lower button portion 107, a bolt engagement projection 102, a magazine biasing projection 109, and a bolt catch pivot pin aperture 106.

(45) The bolt catch upper button portion 105 includes a first side facing generally outward, away from the bolt engagement projection 102 and the magazine biasing projection 109, and a second side facing toward the bolt engagement projection 102 and the magazine biasing projection 109. The bolt catch body portion 101 comprises at least some of a bolt catch upper button portion 105 and a bolt catch lower button portion 107.

(46) In various exemplary embodiments, the first side of the bolt catch upper button portion 105 includes a textured portion. In various exemplary embodiments, the first side of the bolt catch lower button portion 107 includes a textured portion (not shown). In this manner, the bolt catch upper button portion 105 and/or the bolt catch lower button portion 107 may be distinguished tactilely from other portions of the bolt catch 100.

(47) In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, bolt catch 100 is pivotally connected to the lower receiver 120, between the bolt catch upper button portion 105 and the bolt catch lower button portion 107, via a fulcrum or bolt catch pivot pin 141 positioned through the lower receiver bolt catch pivot pin apertures 126 and the bolt catch pivot pin aperture 106. The lower receiver bolt catch pivot pin apertures 126 are formed through the retaining lugs 129 of the lower receiver 120.

(48) Generally, a portion of the bolt catch 100 is positioned within the lower bolt catch recess 122 such that the bolt engagement projection 102 and the magazine biasing projection 109 of the bolt catch 100 are positioned above the lower bolt catch recess 122, within at least a portion of the lower receiver 120.

(49) When installed in a lower bolt catch recess 122 of the lower receiver 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 20, 22, 24, 26-27, and 29, the bolt catch 100 is pivotable, relative to the lower receiver 120, via the bolt catch pivot pin 141 positioned through the bolt catch pivot pin aperture 106. The bolt catch 100 is pivotably attached or coupled to the lower receiver 120 on the left side, opposite the magazine release button. The bolt catch upper button portion 105 or the bolt catch lower button portion 107 can be pressed to pivot the bolt catch 100 about a bolt catch pivot pin aperture 106 to pivot the bolt catch 100 from a bolt engagement position to a bolt disengagement position.

(50) The bolt catch 100 is typically spring biased to the bolt disengagement position, via a bolt catch plunger 145 and a bolt catch plunger spring 143 positioned within the bolt catch plunger recess 124.

(51) In the bolt engagement position, the bolt catch 100 is pivoted such that at least a portion of a bolt engagement projection 102 extends in front of a portion of the face of the bolt carrier (when the bolt carrier is in a rearward position) and is able to engage a portion of the bolt face to maintain the bolt carrier in the rearward position. In the bolt disengagement position, the bolt catch 100 is pivoted such that the bolt engagement projection 102 will not engage the face of the bolt carrier and the bolt engagement projection 102 will not engage the bolt carrier.

(52) The magazine biasing projection 109 extends from the bolt catch 100 so as to interact with a follower of an inserted magazine. In this manner, when an empty magazine is in the firearm, the magazine follower interacts with the magazine biasing projection 109, to pivot the bolt catch 100 to a bolt engagement position.

(53) When the bolt catch upper button portion 105 is depressed, the bolt catch 100 pivots such that the bolt engagement projection 102 is urged downward, away from the face of the bolt carrier, allowing the bolt carrier to move forward. When the bolt catch lower button portion 107 is depressed, the bolt catch 100 pivots such that the bolt engagement projection 102 is urged upward, towards the face of the bolt carrier, prohibiting the bolt carrier to move forward and maintaining the bolt carrier in a rearward position.

(54) The bolt catch 100 of the present disclosure includes additional material added proximate the bolt catch pivot pin aperture 106, which increases the amount of material within the bolt catch upper button portion recess 108. By increasing the amount of material proximate the bolt catch pivot pin aperture 106, the bolt catch 100 and the bolt catch upper button portion 105 are strengthened, when compared to a standard, known bolt catch 10. Because of the added material and relative size of the area of the bolt catch 100 proximate the bolt catch pivot pin aperture 106, the bolt catch 100 of the present disclosure will not fit within the area provided between a known upper receiver 30 and lower receiver 20.

(55) To accommodate the improved, oversized the bolt catch plunger recess 124 has been moved further inward within the lower receiver 120, to accommodate the enlarged portions of the bolt catch 100 and allow the bolt catch plunger 145 and the bolt catch plunger spring 143 to provide a spring biasing force to the bolt catch 100 and allow the bolt catch 100 to rotate to the same number of degrees as a standard bolt catch 10. This has an added benefit of reducing the weight of the lower receiver 120.

(56) The retaining lugs 129 of the lower receiver 120 are also enlarged to increase the strength of the lower receiver 120 proximate the lower bolt catch recess 122.

(57) In order to accommodate the extra material added to the bolt catch 100, within the bolt catch upper button portion recess 108, an upper bolt catch recess 132 is formed in at least a portion of the upper receiver 130. The upper bolt catch recess 132 extends from a lower surface of the upper receiver 130. When the upper receiver 130 is operably attached or coupled to the lower receiver 120, the upper bolt catch recess 132 is positioned above the lower bolt catch recess 122.

(58) Thus, when the bolt catch 100 is pivotably installed within the lower bolt catch recess 122, at least a portion of the bolt catch upper button portion recess 108 extends above a planar surface, SP, formed by the lower receiver 120, proximate each side of the lower bolt catch recess 122.

(59) The upper bolt catch recess 132 allows at least a portion of the bolt catch 100, proximate the bolt catch upper button portion recess 108 to be received therein, allowing the bolt catch 100 to pivot between the bolt engagement position and the bolt disengagement position.

(60) In various exemplary embodiments, at least one optional ridge or ridge segment 135 is formed so as to extend from at least a portion of the side wall of the upper receiver 130 around at least a portion of an area where the bolt catch upper button portion 105 of the bolt catch 100 overlies the upper receiver 130, when the bolt catch 100 is installed within the lower receiver 120 and the upper receiver 130 is operably attached or coupled to the lower receiver 120. In various exemplary embodiments, the ridge or ridge segment(s) 135 is/are a single, continuous ridge or ridge segment 135. Alternatively, the ridge or ridge segment(s) 135 may optionally be defined by one or more discrete ridge portions or segments.

(61) When the bolt catch 100, lower receiver 120, and upper receiver 130 are in an operable configuration, the ridge or ridge segment(s) 135 do not contact the bolt catch 100, but provide a perimeter around at least a portion of the bolt catch 100 to reduce the likelihood that the bolt catch 100 will be inadvertently manipulated, to reduce the likelihood that the bolt catch upper button portion 105 will snag, and/or to aid in the proper placement of a user's finger on the bolt catch upper button portion 105 of the bolt catch 100. The ridge or ridge segment(s) 135 may include a textured portion (not shown), such that the ridge or ridge segment(s) 135 may be distinguished tactilely from other portions of the upper receiver 130 or the bolt catch upper button portion 105.

(62) In various exemplary embodiments, a recess is defined within one or more portions of the optional ridge or ridge segment(s) 135.

(63) In various exemplary, nonlimiting embodiments, the bolt catch upper button portion 105 includes a chamfered bolt catch button edge portion 115. The degree of chamfer and the extent of the chamfered bolt catch button edge portion 115 is a design choice. In various exemplary embodiments, the angle or degree of chamfer of the chamfered bolt catch button edge portion 115 is such that there is a substantially smooth transition between the chamfered bolt catch 100 button portion and an adjacent portion of the ridge or ridge segment(s) 135 of the upper receiver 130. In this manner, there is a substantially continuous surface flow between at least the chamfered bolt catch 100 button portion and the ridge or ridge segment(s) 135 of the upper receiver 130.

(64) It should be appreciated that a more detailed explanation of the components of the upper receiver 130, lower receiver 120, and bolt catch 100, instructions regarding how to attach and use the various components of the upper receiver 130, lower receiver 120, and bolt catch 100, methods for installing the related components of the upper receiver 130, lower receiver 120, and bolt catch 100, and certain other items and/or techniques necessary for the implementation and/or operation of the various components of the AR-15 platform are not provided herein because such components are commercially available and/or such background information will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it is believed that the level of description provided herein is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand and practice the systems, methods, and/or apparatuses as described.

(65) While the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses have been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting and the fundamental systems, methods, and/or apparatuses should not be considered to be necessarily so constrained. It is evident that the systems, methods, and/or apparatuses are not limited to the particular variation or variations set forth and many alternatives, adaptations modifications, and/or variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

(66) Furthermore, where a range of values is provided, it is understood that every intervening value, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and is also encompassed within the present disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the present disclosure.

(67) It is to be understood that the phraseology of terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses belong.

(68) In addition, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described herein may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein.

(69) Accordingly, the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments will reveal the general nature of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses, such that others may, by applying current knowledge, change, vary, modify, and/or adapt these exemplary, non-limiting embodiments for various applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and elements or methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in practicing the present disclosure. Any and all such changes, variations, modifications, and/or adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed exemplary embodiments and may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses.

(70) Also, it is noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, and, said, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Conversely, it is contemplated that the claims may be so-drafted to require singular elements or exclude any optional element indicated to be so here in the text or drawings. This statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as solely, only, and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or the use of a negative claim limitation(s).