Exercise apparatus having a stair and slide assembly
10792527 ยท 2020-10-06
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
E04F2011/0205
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
A63B17/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B24/0075
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B69/20
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2220/17
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63G2200/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2220/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2024/0068
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/1227
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2024/0078
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A63B24/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A stair and slide assembly includes a stair portion including a plurality of stairs, a slide portion including a slide with an entrance and an exit, and an assist bar positioned proximate the exit of the slide to assist a user with pivoting from the exit of the slide to the stair portion. The slide has a first portion extending substantially linearly from the entrance of the slide at an angle and a second portion extending from the first portion to the exit of the slide. The second portion transitions the slide from the angle of the first portion to substantially horizontal. The exit of the slide is configured to be positioned at a target height above a ground surface. The target height is between about 18 inches and about 30 inches.
Claims
1. A stair and slide assembly, comprising: a stair portion comprising a plurality of stairs; a slide portion comprising a slide with an entrance and an exit, the slide comprising: a linear main portion extending linearly from the entrance of the slide at an angle to a non-linear landing portion; and the non-linear landing portion extending from the linear main portion to the exit of the slide, the non-linear landing portion comprising a single curve, the single curve transitioning the slide from the angle of the linear main portion to the exit of the slide, to slow a user sliding from the linear main portion as the user approaches the exit of the slide, thereby facilitating safely exiting the slide, wherein the exit of the slide is configured to be positioned at a target height above a ground surface, the target height being between 18 inches and 30 inches, and wherein the linear main portion and the non-linear landing portion allow the user to descend from the entrance to the exit of the slide and to slow the user as the user approaches the exit, thereby facilitating safely exiting the slide; and a platform portion connecting the stair and slide assembly, wherein the stair and slide assembly is supported by a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising at least a first frame subassembly, a second frame subassembly and a third frame subassembly, wherein the first, second and third frame subassemblies are releasably joined together, providing modularity to the stair and slide assembly; wherein the first frame subassembly, the second frame subassembly, and third frame subassembly support the stair and slide assembly; and further comprising one or more exercise devices or exercise equipment attached to the frame assembly.
2. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, wherein the stair portion is at least partially supported by the first subassembly, the slide portion is at least partially supported by the second frame subassembly and/or the platform is at least partially supported by the third frame subassembly.
3. The stair and slide assembly of claim 2, wherein the stair portion and the slide portion are configured to attach to the platform portion and the platform portion has a mono-piece construction.
4. The stair and slide assembly of claim 3, wherein the stair portion is supported by the first frame subassembly, the slide portion is supported by the second frame subassembly and/or the platform portion is supported by the third frame subassembly.
5. The stair and slide assembly of claim 2, wherein the stair portion, the slide portion and/or the platform portion, and the first, second and/or third frame subassemblies are individual components that are coupled together to form the stair and slide assembly.
6. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dividing wall positioned between the plurality of stairs and the slide.
7. The stair and slide assembly of claim 6, wherein the stair portion defines a first inner wall and the slide portion defines an opposing second inner wall of the dividing wall.
8. The stair and slide assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one the first inner wall and the opposing second inner wall defines a groove and the other of the at least one of the first inner wall and the opposing second inner wall defines a lip that engages with the groove to facilitate coupling the stair portion and the slide portion together.
9. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a two piece construction comprising a first platform portion coupled to the stair portion and a second platform portion coupled to the slide portion.
10. The stair and slide assembly of claim 9, wherein the stair portion coupled to the first platform portion is configured for attachment to the slide portion coupled to the second platform portion.
11. The stair and slide assembly of claim 9, wherein the stair portion contacts the first subassembly, the slide portion contacts the second subassembly and/or the platform contacts the third subassembly.
12. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, wherein the horizontal of the non-linear landing portion extends 30 inches.
13. The stair and slide assembly of claim 12, wherein the non-linear landing portion extends at least 4 feet.
14. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, further comprising a platform wall, and the slide further comprising an outer wall positioned on a lateral outer portion of the slide, wherein platform wall and the outer wall are contiguous.
15. The stair and slide assembly of claim 14, wherein the platform wall comprises a single continuous surface.
16. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the stairs include a strip of material that is capable of mitigating forces and/or increasing traction.
17. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, wherein the stair portion and the slide portion are configured to be stackable with a second stair portion and a second slide portion, respectively.
18. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stairs are arranged in a single-stride arrangement or a double-stride arrangement.
19. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, the slide portion is a first slide portion, further comprising a second slide portion, wherein the first slide portion is coupled to a first side of the stair portion and the second slide portion is coupled to an opposing second side of the stair portion.
20. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, wherein the platform portion comprises a mono-piece construction extending from the stair portion to the slide portion.
21. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, further comprising an assist bar positioned proximate the exit of the slide to assist the user with pivoting from the exit of the slide to the stair portion.
22. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, comprising the one or more exercise devices.
23. The stair and slide assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more exercise devices comprises side bars, straight dip handles, angled dip handles, storage racks, a step platform assembly, a throw wall assembly, a speed bag assembly, a punching bag assembly, a suspension band bar, a dip assembly, a pull-up assembly, one or more storage shelves, one or more storage racks, one or more pull-up bars, a trapeze bar assembly, plate horns, and a weight lifting rig.
24. A stair and slide assembly, comprising: a stair portion comprising a plurality of stairs; a slide portion comprising a slide with an entrance and an exit, the slide comprising: a linear main portion extending linearly from the entrance of the slide at an angle to a non-linear landing portion; and the non-linear landing portion extending from the linear main portion to the exit of the slide, the non-linear landing portion comprising a single curve, the single curve transitioning the slide from the angle of the linear main portion to the exit of the slide; wherein the exit of the slide is configured to be positioned at a target height above a ground surface, the target height being between 18 inches and 30 inches, and wherein the linear main portion and the non-linear landing portion allow a user using the stair and slide assembly to descend from the entrance to the exit of the slide; and a platform comprising a deck, wherein each of the stair portion, the slide portion, and the platform portion are individual components that are coupled together to form the stair and slide assembly; wherein the stair and slide assembly is supported by a multi-piece frame assembly, the multi-piece frame assembly comprising at least a first frame subassembly, a second frame subassembly and a third frame subassembly, and wherein the first, second and third frame subassemblies are releasably joined together; and further comprising one or more exercise devices, exercise equipment, and/or storage devices attached to the frame assembly.
25. The stair and slide assembly of claim 24, wherein the slide portion comprises at least two sections that are coupled together to form the slide portion, and/or wherein the stair portion comprises at least two sections that are coupled together to form the stair portion.
26. The stair and slide assembly of claim 25, wherein the slide portion comprises at least three sections that are coupled together to form the slide portion, and/or wherein the stair portion comprises at least three sections that are coupled together to form the stair portion.
27. The stair and slide assembly of claim 25, wherein the platform portion comprises at least two sections that are coupled together to form the platform portion.
28. The stair and slide assembly of claim 24, comprising the one or more exercise devices.
29. The stair and slide assembly of claim 24, further comprising an assist bar positioned proximate the exit of the slide to assist the user with pivoting from the exit of the slide to the stair portion.
30. The stair and slide assembly of claim 24, wherein the one or more exercise devices comprises side bars, straight dip handles, angled dip handles, storage racks, a step platform assembly, a throw wall assembly, a speed bag assembly, a punching bag assembly, a suspension band bar, a dip assembly, a pull-up assembly, one or more storage shelves, one or more storage racks, one or more pull-up bars, a trapeze bar assembly, plate horns, and a weight lifting rig.
31. A stair and slide assembly, comprising: a stair portion comprising a plurality of stairs; a slide portion comprising a slide with an entrance and an exit, the slide comprising: a linear main portion extending linearly from the entrance of the slide at an angle to a non-linear landing portion, and the non-linear landing portion extending from the linear main portion to the exit of the slide, the non-linear landing portion comprising a single curve, the single curve transitioning the slide from the angle of the linear main portion to the exit of the slide, wherein the exit of the slide is configured to be positioned at a target height above a ground surface, the target height being between 18 inches and 30 inches; a platform portion connecting the stair portion to the slide portion; a modular frame assembly supporting the stair and slide assembly, the frame assembly comprising at least three frame subassemblies that are releasably joined together; wherein at least a first frame subassembly of the at least three frame subassemblies at least partially supports the slide portion, at least a second frame subassembly of the at least three frame subassemblies at least partially supports the platform portion, and at least a third frame subassembly of the at least three frame subassemblies at least partially supports the slide portion; and one or more exercises devices, one or more exercise equipment apparatuses, and/or one or more storage devices releasable attached to the modular frame.
32. The stair and slide assembly of claim 31, wherein the one or more exercise devices comprises side bars, straight dip handles, angled dip handles, storage racks, a step platform assembly, a throw wall assembly, a speed bag assembly, a punching bag assembly, a suspension band bar, a dip assembly, a pull-up assembly, one or more storage shelves, one or more storage racks, one or more pull-up bars, a trapeze bar assembly, plate horns, and a weight lifting rig.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The drawings are provided to illustrate example embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be re-used to indicate general correspondence between referenced elements.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(12) Various aspects of the disclosure will now be described with regard to certain examples and embodiments, which are intended to illustrate but not to limit the disclosure. Nothing in this disclosure is intended to imply that any particular feature or characteristic of the disclosed embodiments is essential. The scope of protection is defined by the claims that follow this description and not by any particular embodiment described herein. Before turning to the figures, which illustrate example embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
(13) According to the example embodiment shown in
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(17) In one embodiment, the stair and slide assembly 20 has a two-piece construction such that (i) the stair apparatus 30 and the stair portion 76 of the platform 70 and (ii) the slide apparatus 50 and the slide portion 78 of platform 70 are configured to couple together (e.g., with fasteners, adhesive, welded, etc.) such that the lip 42 of the inner wall 40 of the stair apparatus 30 engages with the groove 62 of the inner wall 60 of the slide apparatus 50, thereby forming the stair and slide assembly 20. As shown in
(18) In other embodiments, the stair and slide assembly 20 has a mono-piece construction such that the stair apparatus 30, the slide apparatus 50, and the platform 70 are manufactured as a single (e.g., integral, unitary, etc.) component. In still other embodiments, the stair apparatus 30 and the slide apparatus 50 are manufactured as a first, unitary component and the platform 70 is manufactured as a second, unitary component that is coupled to stair apparatus 30 and the slide apparatus 50 to form the stair and slide assembly 20. In yet other embodiments, the stair and slide assembly 20 has a three-piece construction such that the stair apparatus 30, the slide apparatus 50, and the platform 70 are each individual components that are coupled together to form the stair and slide assembly 20. In yet still other embodiments, the stair and slide assembly 20 has a four-piece construction such that the stair apparatus 30, the slide apparatus 50, the stair portion 76 of the platform 70, and the slide portion 78 of the platform 70 are each individual components that are coupled together to form the stair and slide assembly 20. And in yet still other embodiments, the stair and slide assembly 20 has a five-piece construction such that the stair apparatus 30 and the slide apparatus 50 are each split into two individual components that are configured to couple together (e.g., with fasteners, adhesive, welded, etc.) to form a complete stair apparatus 30 and slide apparatus 50, which are then coupled together and coupled to the platform 70 to form the stair and slide assembly 20. It will also be foreseeable to one of ordinary skill in the art to make further multi-piece constructions like the five-piece construction by selectively dividing the stair apparatus 30, slide apparatus 50 and platform 70 into multiple components for manufacturing that are subsequently coupled together (e.g., with fasteners, adhesive, welded, etc.) to form the stair and slide assembly 20. In yet another embodiment, the stair and slide assembly 20 has another five-piece construction such that the stair apparatus 30, the slide apparatus 50, the platform 70 and separate pieces that are coupled together along with left and right panels 300 to form the assembly 20.
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(21) According to an example embodiment, the steps 36 range from two feet to eight feet wide. In some embodiments, the steps 36 are greater than eight feet wide (e.g., ten feet, twelve feet, etc.). In one embodiment, the steps 36 are wide enough for users to ascend the stair apparatus 30 in a single file line (e.g., two to four feet wide, etc.). In another embodiment, the steps 36 are wide enough for two or three users to ascend the stair apparatus 30 side by side (e.g., in a race, four feet to eight feet wide, etc.). In some embodiments, the steps 36 are spaced between the bottom end 32 and the top end 34 of the stair apparatus 30 in a single-stride step arrangement. In some embodiments, the steps 36 are spaced between the bottom end 32 and the top end 34 of the stair apparatus 30 in a double-stride step arrangement. In some embodiments, a first half (e.g., a left half, a right half, etc.) of the steps 36 are spaced between the bottom end 32 and the top end 34 of the stair apparatus 30 in a single-stride step arrangement and a second half (e.g., a right half, a left half, etc.) of the steps 36 are spaced between the bottom end 32 and the top end 34 of the stair apparatus 30 in a double-stride step arrangement. In some embodiments, the steps 36 are reconfigurable between a single-stride step arrangement and a double-stride step arrangement (e.g., individual steps 36 may be capable of being selectively dropped, raised, lowered, etc. such that stride lengths can be selectively set by the user).
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(24) According to an example embodiment, the horizontal portion of the landing portion 66 of the slide 56 extends between 18 inches and 60 inches (e.g., from the end of the curved portion of the landing portion 66 to the exit of the slide 56 at the bottom end 52 thereof, etc.). In one embodiment, the horizontal portion of the landing portion 66 extends about 30 inches. In other embodiments, the horizontal portion of the landing portion 66 extends about 18 inches, 24 inches, 36 inches, 42 inches, 48 inches, 54 inches, 60 inches, or any length there between. The length of the horizontal portion of the landing portion 66 may be dependent on the angle of descent of the main portion 64 (e.g., the steeper the angle of descent, the longer the horizontal portion of the landing portion 66 may be, etc.). The angle of descent of the main portion 64 and the length of the horizontal portion of the landing portion 66 may be selected such the slide 56 slows the speed of descent of a user thereof, but not so much that the user stops. The user may therefore maintain sufficient momentum at the exit of the slide 56 to assist in turning and running up the stair apparatus 30.
(25) According to an example embodiment, the landing portion 66 at the bottom end 52 of the slide 56 (e.g., the exit of the slide 56, etc.) is at a height of between 12 inches and 36 inches above the ground surface. In some embodiments, the height of the exit of the slide 56 is between 18 inches and 30 inches. In some embodiments, the height of the exit of the slide 56 is between 12 inches and 24 inches. In some embodiments, the height of the exit of the slide 56 is between 18 inches and 24 inches. By way of example, the exit of the slide 56 may be designed to be approximately knee high on an average adult male, an average adult female, and/or an average child. The height of the exit of the slide 56 may be predefined based on the intended use of the exercise apparatus 10 (e.g., for adult use, child use, male use, female use, etc.). The height of the exit of the slide 56 being approximately knee high may advantageously facilitate a user with quickly getting to a standing position once reaching the bottom of the slide 56 (e.g., the user does not exit the slide 56 in a squatting position, etc.). Therefore, the increased height of the exit of the slide 56 and the lower assist bar 84 may facilitate a user with immediately standing, pivoting, and running up the stair apparatus 30 after descending the slide apparatus 50 (e.g., to maintain a target heart rate, speed, etc.).
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(37) According to the example embodiment shown in
(38) According to an example embodiment, providing a modular exercise apparatus 10 facilitates designing each exercise apparatus to a specific user's needs. By way of example, one user may only desire a single stair apparatus 30 and a single slide apparatus 50. By way of another example, another user may desire a single stair apparatus 30 with dual slide apparatuses 50, one positioned on each side of the single stair apparatus 30. By way of yet another example, still another user may desire to abut two exercise apparatuses 10 side by side to create a zig-zag path through the exercise apparatus (e.g., up a first stair apparatus 30, down a first slide apparatus 50, up a second stair apparatus 30, and down as second slide apparatus 50, etc.). Therefore, a user may acquire any number of stair apparatuses 30, slide apparatuses 50, and/or platforms 70 and arrange them in any desired configuration.
(39) In some embodiments, a first exercise apparatus 10 and a second exercise apparatus 10 are positioned parallel with each other and spaced apart such that a gap is formed there between. The first exercise apparatus 10 and the second exercise apparatus 10 may be joined by an intermediate frame rig that includes various exercise equipment and devices, as described in more detail herein. In some embodiments, an intermediate platform is positioned to connect the two exercise apparatuses 10. In some embodiments, three exercise apparatuses 10 are positioned in a T-shape and connected together with intermediate frame rigs and/or platforms. In some embodiments, four exercise apparatuses 10 are positioned in a cross-shape and connected together with intermediate frame rigs and/or platforms.
(40) As shown in
(41) In some embodiments, the frame assembly 100 additionally or alternatively includes free weight lifting rigs (e.g., bench presses, squat racks, etc.) configured to facilitate bench pressing, squatting, etc. The free weight lifting rigs may include benches, adjustable pegs, bar holders, arms, supports, etc. In some embodiments, the frame assembly 100 additionally or alternatively includes hooks variously positioned about the frame assembly (e.g., high up, low, mid-range, etc.) to facilitate attaching elastic bands and/or ropes to the frame assembly 100 such that users may perform various exercises with elastic bands and/or ropes.
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(50) In some embodiments, the exercise apparatus 10 additionally or alternatively includes kid friendly playground apparatuses and/or devices underneath the stair and slide assembly 20. By way of example, the exercise apparatus 10 may include swings, a sandbox, monkey bars, a rock wall, and/or still other playground apparatuses for children to play on and/or with.
(51) According to the example embodiment shown in
(52) The controller 310 may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP), circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. According to the example embodiment shown in
(53) According to an example embodiment, the controller 310 is configured to facilitate operating the wheel assembly 90. By way of example, the controller 310 may be configured to transmit command signals to the one or more actuators (e.g., hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, etc.) positioned to provide assisted and/or automatic portability and mobility of the exercise apparatus 10 (e.g., assisted or automatic propelling, turning, raising, lowering, etc. of the wheel assembly 90, etc.). In some embodiments, a user may control the actuation of the one or more actuators via a user input device (e.g., a joystick, a touchscreen, one or more buttons or switches, etc.).
(54) According to an example embodiment, the controller 310 is configured to receive first user exercise data from the sensor(s) 320 and/or second user exercise data from the wearable device(s) 350. By way of example, the sensors 320 may include various sensors positioned about the stair and slide assembly 20 and/or the frame assembly 100 to track the movement of one or more users to acquire the first user exercise data. For example, the exercise apparatus 10 may include a sensor positioned at the bottom end 32 of the stair apparatus 30, the top end 34 of the stair apparatus 30, the top end 54 of the slide apparatus 50, the bottom end 52 of the slide apparatus 50, and/or at any location about the frame assembly 100. Such sensors 320 may be configured to facilitate tracking the first user exercise data indicative of, but not limited to, the total number of laps, the time to ascend the steps 36 on each lap, the time to descend the slide 56 on each lap, the total time for each lap, the elapsed time of the current workout, the number of reps/sets a user has performed using the exercise equipment (e.g., the side bars 152, the straight dip handles 154, the angled dip handles 156, the step platform assembly 160, the throw wall assembly 170, the speed bag assembly 180, the punching bag assembly 190, the suspension band bar 200, the dip assembly 210, the pull-up assembly 220, the one or more pull-up bars 234, the trapeze bar assembly 240, the bench press, the squat rack, etc.), etc. for each user of the exercise apparatus 10. The wearable device 350 may include sensors that are capable of tracking the second user exercise data indicative of, but not limited to, a respective user's heart rate, blood pressure, breathing patterns, number of steps, stride length, elapsed time of the current workout, etc.
(55) According to an example embodiment, the controller 310 is configured to communicate the user exercise data received from the sensors 320 and/or the wearable device 350 to the server 340, the wearable device 350, the display 360, and/or the user computing device 370 via the transceiver 330 using any suitable wired and/or wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, radio, cellular, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near-field communication, etc.). By way of example, the controller 310 may upload the user exercise data to the server 340 such that the data may be accessed by a respective user via his or her own personal user computing device 370 over the Internet or an Intranet (e.g., a private network, etc.). In some embodiments, the server 340 may push the user exercise data to the wearable device 350, the display 360, and/or the user computing device 370. By way of another example, the controller 310 may send the data directly to the wearable device 350, the display 360, and/or the user computing device 370. The display 360 may be attached to the exercise apparatus 10 and/or remotely positioned relative to the exercise apparatus 10.
(56) In some embodiments, the controller 310 is configured to track where a user is on the exercise apparatus 10 and what the user is doing (e.g., via the sensors 320, etc.) to identify patterns and/or current performance of the user. The controller 310 may be further configured to provide an indication to the user (e.g., via the wearable device 350, via the display 360, via a speaker system, an audible indication, a visual indication, a haptic indication, etc.) based on the first user exercise data and/or the second user exercise data such that the user may adjust his or her current patterns and/or performance. By way of example, the controller 310 may direct the user via the display 360, directly on their wearable device 350, via a speaker system, etc. to perform a different workout, speed up, slow down, take a break, hydrate, etc. to achieve user defined goals and/or keep the user at an appropriate level of intensity/difficulty.
(57) According to the example embodiment shown in
(58) According to an example embodiment, the stair apparatus 430 is about one and a half to three times wider than the stair apparatus 30. In some embodiments, the steps of the stair apparatus 430 are spaced in a single-stride step arrangement. In some embodiments, the steps of the stair apparatus 430 are spaced in a double-stride step arrangement. In some embodiments, a first half (e.g., a left half, a right half, etc.) of the steps of the stair apparatus 430 are spaced in a single-stride step arrangement and a second half (e.g., a right half, a left half, etc.) of the steps of the stair apparatus 430 are spaced in a double-stride step arrangement. In some embodiments, the steps of the stair apparatus 430 are reconfigurable between a single-stride step arrangement and a double-stride step arrangement (e.g., individual steps may be capable of being selectively dropped, raised, lowered, etc. such that stride lengths can be selectively set by the user).
(59) It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the systems, methods, and/or apparatuses as shown in the example embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the goggle may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations.
(60) Embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the figures are not drawn to scale. Distances, angles, shapes, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the articles that are illustrated. In addition, the foregoing embodiments have been described at a level of detail to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the articles, parts, different materials, etc. described herein. A wide variety of variation is possible. Articles, materials, elements, and/or steps can be altered, added, removed, or rearranged. While certain embodiments have been explicitly described, other embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure.
(61) Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, can, could, might, may, e.g., and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or configurations are in any way required for one or more embodiments. The terms comprising, including, having, and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. The term consisting essentially of can be used anywhere where the terms comprising, including, containing or having are used herein, but consistent essentially of is intended to mean that the claim scope covers or is limited to the specified materials or steps recited and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, the term consisting of can be used anywhere where the terms comprising, including, containing or having are used herein, but consistent of excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in a given claim where it is used.
(62) Also, the term or is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term or means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase at least one of X, Y, and Z, unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, Z, X and Y, X and Z, Y and Z, or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.
(63) Additionally, in the subject description, the word example is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as example is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other example embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.