Insulting member for a hole in an attic floor

Abstract

A multimode or multi-configuration insulation assembly includes a cover and a frame. The frame has a seal or gasket which may be oriented upwardly in a first configuration or oriented downwardly in a second configuration. In the first configuration, the insulation assembly defines an insulative 5-sided box. In the second configuration, the insulation assembly is a four-sided frame with a removable cover, which enables the four-sided frame to remain installed on the attic floor to act as a dam to hold back blown-in attic insulation when the cover is removed to permit ingress and egress to the attic through the opening formed in the attic floor.

Claims

1. A multi-mode insulation assembly comprising: a frame formed from insulation material having four sidewalls with each sidewall including an inner surface and an outer surface, and the frame including a first surface and a second surface; a securing mechanism on at least one of the four sidewalls; a cover formed from insulation material; wherein the multi-mode insulation assembly is moveable between two configurations, including: (i) an installed first configuration in which the first surface of the frame is fixedly connected to the cover with the securing mechanism, and the second surface of the frame is proximate an attic floor, thereby defining an inverted five-sided box that is removably placed on the attic floor; and (ii) an installed second configuration in which the first surface is fixedly connected to the attic floor with the securing mechanism, and the second surface is proximate the cover thereby defining a four-sided frame fixedly connected to the attic floor with the cover removably connected to the four-sided frame and the four sidewalls forming an insulation dam to prevent loose-fill insulation in an attic from falling through an access opening in the attic floor.

2. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a bottom surface, wherein the entirety of the bottom surface is vertically above the frame in both the installed first configuration and the installed second configuration.

3. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a bottom surface aligned along a horizontal plane positioned above the first surface and above the second surface of the frame in both the installed first configuration and the installed second configuration.

4. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is free of a depending portion that extends downwardly into the frame.

5. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is a substantially planar member formed from insulating material having an upwardly facing top surface and downwardly facing bottom surface.

6. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 5, wherein the cover has a width complementary to the width of the frame and the cover has a length complementary to the length of the frame.

7. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 6, wherein the cover and the frame are formed from similar insulation material.

8. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 7, wherein the cover and the frame are formed from polyisocyanurate foam board.

9. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a gasket attached to the second surface, wherein when the multi-mode insulation assembly is in the installed first configuration, the gasket sealingly contacts the attic floor to define a substantially hermetic seal for the five-sided box, and when the multi-mode insulation assembly is in the installed second configuration, the frame is inverted and the first surface engages the attic floor and the gasket is oriented vertically above and spaced apart from the attic floor to sealingly contact the cover for the four-sided frame.

10. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a vertical height of the frame measured from the first surface to the second surface; and a vertical depth of the attic insulation, wherein the vertical height of the frame is greater than the vertical depth of the attic insulation.

11. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 10, wherein the vertical height of the frame is in a range from 15% to 200% greater than the vertical depth of the attic insulation.

12. The multi-mode insulation assembly of claim 11, wherein the vertical height of the frame is about 25% greater than the vertical depth of the attic insulation.

13. A method comprising: providing a frame and cover, both formed of insulating material, wherein the frame includes a first surface and a second surface and the cover includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and a securing mechanism on at least one of four sidewalls of the frame; selecting whether the frame and cover are to be installed in one of a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein if the first configuration is selected, then orienting the first surface on the frame near an attic floor to define a five-sided box that covers an access opening in the attic floor, and in which the second surface of the frame is fixedly connected to the cover via the securing mechanism; and wherein if the second configuration is selected, then orienting a second surface on the frame near the attic floor in which the second surface is fixedly connected to the attic floor via the securing mechanism so as to allow the first surface to be oriented upwardly to define a four-sided frame secured to the attic floor with the cover removably connected to the frame and the four sidewalls forming an insulation dam, and damming external attic insulation to preclude the external attic insulation from moving through the attic access opening.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: connecting the second surface of the frame with the attic floor; disconnecting the second surface of the frame from the attic floor; and inverting the frame.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: connecting, subsequent to inverting the frame, the first surface of the frame to the attic floor; and effecting a dam to prevent attic insulation from falling through the attic floor.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: connecting, in a releasable manner, the cover to the frame; and disconnecting the cover from the frame while the frame is connected to the attic floor to dam the attic insulation.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: sealing, hermetically, the frame to the attic floor.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: effecting a vertical height of the frame to be in a range from 15% to 200% greater than a depth of the attic insulation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A sample embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

(2) FIG. 1 (FIG. 1) is a perspective view of an insulation assembly in a first configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 (FIG. 2) is a perspective view of the insulation assembly in the first configuration installed on an attic floor.

(4) FIG. 3 (FIG. 3) is a cross section of the insulation assembly in the first configuration taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 (FIG. 4) is a partially exploded perspective view of the insulation assembly in a second configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 (FIG. 5) is a perspective view of the insulation assembly in the second configuration.

(7) FIG. 6 (FIG. 6) is a cross section of the insulation assembly in the second configuration taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

(8) Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1-FIG. 6 depict a multimode or multi-configuration insulation assembly for an attic opening generally at 10. The insulation assembly 10 may be arranged or configured in a first configuration as shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 3 and may be arranged or configured in a second configuration as shown in FIG. 4-FIG. 6.

(10) Insulation assembly 10 includes an open frame 12 and a cover 14. In one example, the open frame 12 includes longitudinally extending spaced apart parallel sidewalls 16 and transversely extending spaced apart parallel end walls 18. The end walls 18 are abuttingly joined with the sidewalls 16 to form a generally four-sided box-shaped structure defining an interior cavity therein.

(11) Each respective sidewalls 16 and end walls 18 has an outer surface opposite an inner surface. The outer surfaces are oriented to face away from an access opening in an attic, whereas the inner surfaces are oriented to face towards an access opening in the attic. In one example, the thickness of each sidewall 16 and each end wall 18 is determined by the distance between the outer surface and the inner surface. Each respective sidewall 16 and end wall 18 are formed from an insulation material, such as foam board or other insulation that is reinforced with a structural element (i.e., OSB), which provides rigidity and insulation value to the respective wall. In some instances, the insulation value of the end wall 18 or sidewall 16 depends on its thickness. In instances where more insulation (a higher insulative R-value) is required, thicker sidewalls 16 and thicker end walls 18 may be utilized. Alternatively, some dense foam materials have high R-values (such as a rating of R-40 or greater) but still remain relatively thin between the outer surface and the inner surface. Furthermore, some foam boards are provided with a foil layer (not shown) adhered to the rigid foam board itself or other foam boards having an inner and/or outer structural element defining a Structural Insulated Panel (SIP). One exemplary foam board is an insulated wall sheathing. One exemplary material in which the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 may be formed is polyisocyanurate; however, other closed cell rigid foam boards are entirely possible, such as expanded polystyrene. Furthermore, other substantially rigid, or at least semi-rigid, boards formed from other materials may be utilized to fabricate sidewalls 16 and end walls 18. For example, OSB or some other rigid (e.g., load bearing, structural, etc.) element may surround on one or both sides of the cover 14, sidewalls 16, or end walls 18. This may protect the insulation foam from being crushed or punctured in some applications.

(12) The open frame 12 includes a first surface 20 opposite a second surface 22 defining a vertical direction therebetween. The first surface 20 and the second surface 22 are defined by the thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface of the respective sidewalls 16 and end walls 18. For example, as indicated in FIG. 3, the outer surface 24 of sidewalls 16 spaced apart parallel from an inner surface 26 facing the access opening, the distance between the inner surface 26 and the outer surface 24 defines the width of first surface 20 and second surface 22.

(13) A seal or gasket 28 is attached to the second surface 22 as indicated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. When the insulation assembly 10 is in the first configuration, the gasket 28 sealingly contacts an attic floor 30 to define a substantially hermetic seal. When the insulation assembly 10 is in the second configuration (as seen in FIG. 6), the open frame 12 is inverted such that the first surface 20 engages the attic floor 30 and the gasket 28 is oriented vertically above and spaced apart from the attic floor 30 to sealingly contact cover 14.

(14) Cover 14, in one example, is a substantially planar member having an upwardly facing top surface 32 and downwardly facing bottom surface 34. The top surface 32 faces away from the attic access opening defined in the attic floor 30 and the bottom surface 34 faces towards the access opening defined in the attic floor 30. The cover 14 has a width complementary to the width of open frame 12 measured from the outer surfaces 24 transversely between sidewalls 16. Similarly, cover 14 has a length complementary to the distance between the outer surfaces of the spaced apart and parallel end walls 18. The vertical thickness of cover 14 may be varied depending on the insulation value desired to be achieved. Vertical thickness is measured between the top surface 32 and the bottom surface 34. Furthermore, the orientation in which the cover 14 engages the open frame 12 depends on the orientation thereof as will be described in greater detail below. For example, when the insulation assembly 10 is in the first configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover 14 engages first surface 20 of open frame 12. Conversely, when the insulation assembly 10 is in the second configuration, as indicated in FIG. 6, the cover 14 engages gasket 28 and is positioned closely adjacent the second surface 22. In one example, the cover 14 is formed from a material similar to that which forms sidewalls 16 and end walls 18. Thus, when the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 are formed from polyisocyanurate foam board, then the cover 14 may also be formed from polyisocyanurate foam board. However, there may be other instances where the cover 14 is formed from a material different than that of sidewalls 16 and end walls 18.

(15) With continued reference to FIG. 1-FIG. 3, the insulation assembly 10 would ordinarily be provided to an end user as a disassembled set of insulating panels for in situ assembly thereof. The insulation assembly 10 may include adhesive tape 36. This enables the user to arrange the sidewalls 16 in a spaced apart and parallel manner and abuttingly fit the end walls 18 therebetween forming a butt seam. Alternatively, the sidewalls 16 may be arranged to fit between the end walls 18. The butt seams between the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 may be joined and sealed together along their inner and/or outer surfaces by covering the seam with a first portion 36A of tape 36. The vertical butt seams covered with first portion 36A of tape 36 for locations (only two shown in FIG. 1) such that the open frame 12 is essentially a four-sided box-like member having an open top and an open bottom. In addition to first portion 36A of tape 36, the sidewalls and end walls may be attached together by applying a bead or film of adhesive to effectuate a hermetic seal between the sidewalls and end walls.

(16) Thereafter, the cover 14 may be placed on top of the first surface 20 of open frame 12 to define a horizontal seam substantially parallel to the attic floor 30 which is hermetically sealed with a second portion 36B of tape 36. Second portion 36B of tape 36 sealingly connects the cover 14 to the open frame 12. While the butt seams have been shown in the present disclosure, it is to be entirely understood that other types of seams may be utilized to adjoin various panels of the insulation assembly 10. Furthermore, while tape 36 is utilized to join and seal the sidewalls 16 to end walls 18, other mechanical, chemical, or non-mechanical and non-chemical fastening mechanisms could be utilized. The second portion of tape 36B may be on the outer surface of frame 12 and cover 14, or on the inner surface of frame 12 and cover 14, or both on the inner surface and the outer surface of the frame 12 and cover 14.

(17) In addition to second portion 36B of tape 36, the cover 14 may be attached to the first surface 20 by applying a bead or film of adhesive between the bottom surface 34 of cover 14 and first surface 20 of open frame 12. This effectuates a hermetic seal between open frame 12 and cover 14 in the first configuration. Alternatively, mechanical fasteners could be utilized, such as bolts, rivets, brads, nails, spikes, or grommets to connect cover 14 with frame 12; however, inasmuch as these mechanical fasteners are not completely air-tight, it would be necessary to use these mechanical fasteners in combination with a seal or gasket or tape 36 or another chemical substance, such as caulk or joint compound or the like, to effectuate a hermetic seal between open frame 12 and cover 14 in the first configuration.

(18) Once the insulation assembly 10 has been assembled in the first configuration, it may be installed on the attic floor 30 as indicated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. At least one of the walls (either end wall 18 or sidewall 16) of frame 12 includes a securing mechanism 38. In one example, the securing mechanism 38 is a strap assembly having a traditional loop enclosure securement. In the first configuration, as indicated in FIG. 3, securing mechanism 38 may be looped through an anchor 40 in or on attic floor 30. By looping the securing mechanism 38 through the anchor 40, the user may seal insulation assembly 10 to the attic floor 30 by compressing the gasket 28 by applying more force by pulling the securing mechanism 38 around the anchor 40 and attaching the same to itself. Tightening the securing mechanism 38 is ordinarily accomplished by a user inside the access opening defined in the attic floor 30. Alternatively, the securing mechanism 38 can be an elongated generally elastic cord that connects at opposing ends (either with hooks, or a ball-and-loop, or other connection mechanism), wherein a connection mechanism at one end connects with the floor anchor and the other connection mechanism at the second end connects with an anchor on the inner surface of frame 12. It is to be further understood that securing mechanism 38 could take other forms which effectuate the connection of frame 12 to floor 30 in the first configuration. For example, the securing mechanism could include a handle, strap, or other type of gripping mechanism to enable a user to pull down to create substantially hermetic seal as the securing mechanism is tightened and secured.

(19) As indicated in FIG. 3, the insulation assembly 10 may be lowered to cover the access opening as indicated by arrow A. Once the insulation assembly 10 is lowered and the gasket 28 seals and contacts the attic floor 30, the securing mechanism 38 may be looped around anchor 40 to tightly seal and secure the insulation assembly 10 to attic floor 30. In the event the insulation assembly 10 needs to be removed, the securing mechanism 38 may be released from its engagement with anchor 40 and the insulation assembly 10 may be moved vertically upward to disengage the attic floor 30 surface as indicated by arrow B. In the first configuration, when the insulation assembly 10 is removed from its engagement with the attic floor 30, it moves as one piece or one unit. Stated otherwise, in the first configuration, the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 are fixedly connected with cover 14.

(20) FIG. 4-FIG. 6 depict the insulation assembly 10 in its second configuration. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the insulation assembly 10 in its second configuration. The exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 indicates that the end walls 18 form a butt joint between the ends of spaced apart and parallel sidewalls 16. However, the connected sidewalls 16 and end walls 18 are inverted such that the gasket 28 is now facing upwardly and is spaced apart from the attic floor 30. When the open frame 12 is in situ assembled, a user may adhere the first surface 20 to the attic floor 30 via supplied adhesive and may further apply a third portion 36C of tape 36 to hermetically seal the outer surface of the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 to the attic floor 30. Additionally, a similar third portion 36C of tape 36 may be attached to the inside surface of the sidewalls 16 and end walls 18 and may be connected to the attic floor 30. Furthermore, the assembly 10 may be constructed in a manner that provides that the entirety or a substantial majority of the exposed foam exterior periphery is covered with tape 36.

(21) The securing mechanism 38 may repeatably and releasably seal cover 14 to the open frame 12 via a second anchor 42 mounted on cover 14. In one example, the second anchor 42 provides a loop that extends downwardly from the bottom surface 34 of cover 14 to enable the securing mechanism 38 to loop therearound and be pulled tight and connected back to itself. Alternatively, the securing mechanism 38 can be an elongated generally elastic cord that connects at opposing ends, wherein a connection mechanism at one end connects with the floor anchor and the other connection mechanism at the second end connects with an anchor on the inner surface of frame 12, or the elastic cord could be looped through a ring to connect both hooks to the anchor near the floor plane. It is to be further understood that securing mechanism 38 could take other forms which effectuate the connection of cover 14 to frame 12 when arranged in the second configuration. For example, the securing mechanism could include a handle, strap, or other type of gripping mechanism to enable a user to pull down to create substantially hermetic seal as the securing mechanism is tightened and secured.

(22) With continued reference to FIG. 4-FIG. 6, the insulation assembly 10 in the second configuration is configured to be used in association with loose fill attic insulation 44 (such as blown-in insulation). As indicated in FIG. 5, when the insulation assembly 10 is fully installed in the second configuration, the blown-in attic insulation 44 extends around at least one or all sides of the insulation assembly 10 and contacts the outer surface 24 of the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18. In one example, an aspect of the present disclosure provides the ability for the insulation assembly 10 in the second configuration to prevent and preclude blown-in attic insulation 44 from falling through the access opening when the cover 14 is removed from its releasable connection with open frame 12. Stated otherwise, when the cover 14 is removed so as to allow a person to have access to the attic, the connected sidewalls 16 and end walls 18 defining open frame 12 act as a dam or baffle to hold back and prevent any blown-in attic insulation 44 from spilling into (or falling through) the access opening formed in the attic floor 30.

(23) As depicted in FIG. 6, one example of the insulation assembly 10 may include an extension member 50 shown in dashed lines inasmuch as it is optional. Extension member 50 is preferably a strip of insulating foam that is attached near the upper end of the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 when the open frame 12 is in the second configuration. Extension member 50 is designed to be positioned above the blown-in insulation 44 so as to provide additional insulation in the upper region of the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18. When the insulation assembly 10 has the additional extension member 50, the cover 14 may be made wider and longer as indicated at 52 so as to sufficiently cover both the end walls 18 and the sidewalls 16 having extension member 50 thereon.

(24) With continued reference to FIG. 6, the vertical height of the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 measured from the first surface 20 to the second surface 22 is represented by distance 54. The vertical depth of the blown-in insulation 44 is represented by vertical distance 56. The height 54 of sidewalls 16 and end walls 18 are greater than the depth 56 of the blown-in insulation 44. In one example, the height 54 of the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 is about 25% greater than the depth 56 of the blown-in insulation 44. Thus, if the blown-in insulation 44 has a depth 56 of about four inches, then the height 54 of the sidewalls 16 and the end walls 18 are about five inches. However, other ratios are available. It is contemplated that the height 54 may be at least 15% greater than depth 56 of the blown-in insulation 44. Typically, the height 54 of sidewalls 16 and end walls 18 does not exceed 200% of the depth 56 of blown-in insulation 44. Thus, if height 54 is 15% greater than depth 56, and the depth 56 is about 10 inches, then the height 54 would be about 11.5 inches. However, if the height 54 is 200% greater than the depth 56, and the depth 56 is about 10 inches, then the height 54 of sidewalls 16 and end walls 18 is about 30 inches. Furthermore, in one particular example, the height 54 is about 12 inches. Thus, when the height 54 is about 12 inches, the depth 56 of insulation relative to floor 30 is in a range from about 3 inches to about 10.5 inches.

(25) In one example, cover 14 is a substantially planar member such that both the top surface 32 and the bottom surface 34 are substantially flat. Furthermore, the bottom surface 34 may be flat, having essentially no steps or other recess portions. Alternatively, the bottom surface 34 may be substantially planar across its entire area where no portion of the planar cover 14 is considered a depending portion such that nothing protrudes downwardly into the cavity defined by open frame 12 when the cover 14 is attached in either the first configuration or the second configuration. The bottom surface 34 may lie along and be coplanar with a horizontal plane that is positioned above the first surface 20 and above the second surface 22 of the frame 12. In one embodiment, the bottom surface 34 may be lowermost portion of the cover 14 and is vertically above all of frame 12.

(26) As depicted in FIG. 1-FIG. 6, the insulation assembly 10 for an attic closure is shown as being mounted so as to rest on the attic floor 30 in a surrounding relationship with respect to an access opening formed in the attic floor 30. The access opening in the attic floor 30 is normally closed by a trap door which may, in some instances, be formed as part of a fold down ladder or stairs. In other examples, no pull-down attic stairs or ladder are provided in which case the trap door is mounted within a frame which is provided in the ceiling around the access opening such that the trap door may be inserted upwardly through the access opening and then rest on the frame, thereby closing the access opening to the attic. Conventional trap door and trap door fold down ladder or stair combinations are areas in which thermal losses occur in most building structures as the thermal insulation properties of the trap door is not nearly that of the insulation which is used in the attic space.

(27) In some embodiments, at least one dimension of the assembly 10 may be less than two dimensions of the access opening in the attic floor 30. This may permit the assembly 10 to be constructed at least partially below the attic and then be passed through the opening to be installed on the attic floor. In one example, the height of the assembly (i.e., one of its dimensions) may be less than the length and the width of the access opening. Thus, while the length and the width of the assembly 10 are larger than the access opening, the narrowed height of the assembly 10 may permit it to be maneuvered upwardly through the access opening, if such an installation is required that would have a decreased clearance in the attic that would discourage in situ assembly in the attic.

(28) The indefinite articles a and an, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean at least one. The phrase and/or, as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean either or both of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with and/or should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., one or more of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the and/or clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to A and/or B, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as comprising can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, or should be understood to have the same meaning as and/or as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, or or and/or shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as only one of or exactly one of, or, when used in the claims, consisting of, will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term or as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. one or the other but not both) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as either, one of, only one of, or exactly one of. Consisting essentially of, when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

(29) As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase at least one, in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase at least one refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, at least one of A and B (or, equivalently, at least one of A or B, or, equivalently at least one of A and/or B) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

(30) In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as comprising, including, carrying, having, containing, involving, holding, composed of, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases consisting of and consisting essentially of shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.

(31) An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to an embodiment, one embodiment, some embodiments, one particular embodiment, an exemplary embodiment, or other embodiments, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances an embodiment, one embodiment, some embodiments, one particular embodiment, an exemplary embodiment, or other embodiments, or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

(32) If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic may, might, or could be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to a or an element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to an additional element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

(33) Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in an different order could achieve a similar result.

(34) In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

(35) Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.