RETENTION DEVICE FOR USE WITH HEADWEAR

Abstract

A retention device for securing a pair of eyeglasses on the bill of a hat or other garment is described. A pair of retention devices may be attached to the inside of hat for receiving and releaseably holding ear pieces of a pair of eyeglasses to retain the lens frames in position on the bill of the cap. Each retention device has a socket for receiving an ear piece of the eyeglasses through an aperture provided in the crown of the hat.

Claims

1. A device for retaining eyeglasses in relation to a hat, the eyeglasses having an earpiece, the device comprising: a base portion having an interior surface, a forward edge, and a rear edge; a retention portion having an interior surface, a forward edge, and a rear edge; wherein the base portion is joined to the retention portion with the interior surfaces disposed toward each other to form a socket for receiving the earpiece of the eyeglasses; and wherein the forward edge of one of the base portion and the retention portion is provided with a recessed portion that is at least partially recessed with respect to the forward edge of other of the base portion and the retention portion.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the forward edge of the base portion is partially recessed with respect to the forward edge of the retention portion.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the retention portion extends forward of the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the forward edge of the base portion is at least partially recessed by a notch in the forward edge of the base portion.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the socket narrows from the forward edge of the retention portion to the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the socket has a uniform width from the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion to the read edge of the base portion.

7. The device of claim 3 wherein the interior surface of the retention portion in the socket is provided with a concave channel extending from the forward edge to the rear edge thereof.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the interior surface of the base portion in the socket is a concave surface.

9. The device of claim 4 wherein the base portion is provided with at least one attachment tab extending therefrom for attaching the device to the hat.

10. The device of claim 3 wherein the hat has an aperture having at least two side edges; and wherein the device is attached to the hat with the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion adjacent to one of the at least two side edges, and the forward edge of the retention portion adjacent to another of the at least two side edges.

11. A device for retaining eyeglasses in relation to a garment having an aperture therein, the eyeglasses having an earpiece, the device comprising: a base portion having an interior surface, a forward edge, and a rear edge; a retention portion having an interior surface, a forward edge, and a rear edge; wherein the base portion and the retention portion are joined with their interior surfaces disposed toward one another to form a socket for receiving the ear piece of the eyeglasses through the aperture in the garment; wherein a portion of the forward edge of the base portion is recessed with respect to the forward edge of the retention member; and wherein when the device is attached to the garment with the recessed portion of the forward edge adjacent to the aperture in the garment, the retention portion of the device substantially covers the aperture.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the retention portion is provided with a concave channel extending from the forward edge thereof through the socket.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion comprises a notch.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the aperture in the garment has at least three edges and the notch in the base portion is disposed adjacent to two of the edges of the aperture, and the forward edge of the retention portion is adjacent to a third edge of the aperture.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein when the earpiece of the eyeglasses is inserted into the aperture, contact between the earpiece and the retention portion guides the earpiece into the socket.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the interior surfaces of the base portion and retention portion of the device grip the earpiece of the eyeglasses.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the socket narrows from the forward edge of the retention portion to the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion, and the socket is of substantially uniform width from the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion to the rear edge of the base portion.

18. A hat with retention devices for releasably retaining a pair of eyeglasses thereon, the eyeglasses having two earpieces, the hat with retention devices comprising: a first aperture and a second aperture disposed on a crown of the hat, the first aperture spaced apart from the second aperture so that each of the two earpieces may be simultaneously inserted into the first and second apertures; a first retention device attached to the inside of the hat adjacent to the first aperture; and a second retention device attached to the inside of the hat adjacent to the second aperture; wherein each of the first and second retention devices comprise: a base portion having a forward edge, a rear edge, and an interior surface; a retention portion having a forward edge, a rear edge, and an interior surface; wherein the base portion is joined to the retention portion to form a socket; and wherein a portion of the forward edge of the base portion is recessed in relation to the forward edge of the retention portion.

19. The hat with retention devices of claim 18 wherein the first and second retention devices are attached to the hat such that the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion is adjacent to an edge of the first and second aperture, respectively, and the retention portion of the first and second retention devices extends across the first and second aperture, respectively.

20. The hat with retention devices of claim 19 wherein the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portions of the retention devices comprises a notch, and the first and second apertures comprise substantially triangular apertures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an end plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0025] FIG. 7 is an end plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a hat including an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hat including an embodiment of the inventive retention device with a pair of sunglasses disposed in the retention device.

[0032] FIG. 14 is an interior view of a portion of a hat including an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0033] FIG. 15 is an interior view of a portion of a hat including an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0034] FIG. 16 is a cut-away interior view of a portion of a hat including an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0035] FIG. 17 is a cut-away interior view of a portion of a hat including an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

[0036] FIG. 18 is an interior view of a portion of a hat including an embodiment of the inventive retention device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] An inventive retention device for securing eyeglasses to headwear is described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a product for removably securing glasses to headwear. The inventive retention device is particularly well suited for use with baseball style caps having a forward facing bill or brim. In embodiments, a retention member, or device, is provided on one or both sides of the cap, above and behind the juncture of the brim and the crown of the cap. In some embodiments, the retention device is attached to the inside of the cap or hat.

[0038] In various embodiments, an aperture is provided through the crown of the cap. This aperture allows the earpieces or temples of a pair of eyeglasses to be inserted from the outside of the cap, through the exterior layer of the cap and into an interior portion of the cap where the retention device is attached to the inside of the cap. In some embodiments or applications for adult caps, the opening is located approximately 1 to 1 inches behind the brim of the cap and above the lower edge of the crown between 1 to 2 inches. In other embodiments, or for children's caps, the opening may be located in a different location with different dimensions, so long as the location is sufficient to allow both earpieces of a pair of glasses to be inserted through the opening on one or both sides of the hat when the rims of the glasses are placed adjacent to the crown of the cap and above the brim. A retention member is fastened inside the cap near each opening to receive the earpieces of the eyeglasses when inserted into the aperture.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1-11, an embodiment of the retention device 100 is depicted. Each retention member 100 includes a base portion 102 and a retention portion 104. In some embodiments, one or both of the base portion 102 and the retention portion 104 are planar or are formed from a sheet material that is generally planar. In other embodiments the portions 102 and 104 may be arcuate, curved, or otherwise shaped to fit a hat to which they are to be attached. In some embodiments, the retention portion, base portion, and side walls may all be formed as part of a tubular, unitary element.

[0040] One of the portions, in this embodiment the retention portion 104 has a forward edge 106 that extends in front of the forward edge of the other portion, in this case base portion 102, which is partially or completely recessed with respect to forward edge 106. In some embodiments, the partially recessed forward edge 108 comprises a substantially V-shaped or funnel-shaped notch in the forward edge 108 that extends partially or completely across the width of the socket 110. In some embodiments, the V-shaped notch in the forward edge 108 serves to guide the earpiece of the glasses into the socket or channel 110 formed between the base portion 102 and the retention portion 104 of the retention device 100. In other embodiments, the edge 108 may be shaped to fit the aperture in the hat, or vice versa. In other embodiments, the edge 108 may be arcuate or non-linear.

[0041] In the depicted embodiment, the base portion 102 and the retention portion 104 are attached to each other along the side edges of the retention portion 104. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-11, the side edges of retention portion 104 are attached to the base portion 102 by side walls 112 that retain the two portions 102 and 104 slightly apart from each other. A socket 110 is formed between the base portion 102 and retention portion 104 with a forward aperture 124 defined by the front edges 106 and 108 of the portions 102 and 104, respectively.

[0042] In the depicted embodiment, the retention portion 104 extends forward of the recessed forward edge 108 of the base portion. This overlap of the retention portion 104 over the notch or recessed forward edge 108 causes the retention portion 104 to prevent the temples of the eyeglasses from missing the socket 110. Contact between the temples and the overlapping portion of the retention portion 104 prevents the temples from missing the front aperture 124, and help guide the temples into the aperture 124 and socket 110.

[0043] In some embodiments the side walls 112 separate the two portions 102 and 104 by between 1-3 mm, and in a preferred embodiment the separation is 2 mm. In some embodiments, the side edges of the portion 104 may be directly attached to a first surface of base portion 102, and the portions 102 and 104 may have varying thicknesses across their width to create a separation between the portions 102 and 104 along a desired portion of their width. In other embodiments, one portion 102 or 104, or both may be arcuate or curved to create the socket 110. In some embodiments the base portion 102 and retention portion 104 may extend beyond the side walls 112 or other point of connection between the two portions.

[0044] In the depicted embodiments, the base portion 102 is provided with at least one attachment tab 114 and 116. In the depicted embodiment, side attachment tabs 114 extend outwardly on each side edge of the base portion 102, and a rear attachment tab 116 extends outward on the back edge 118 of the base portion 102. In other embodiments the attachment tabs may be attached to the retention portion of the device 100 extend outwardly from some point on side walls 112. In other embodiments the attachment tabs 114 and 116 may be of a different shape or location on the device or may be incorporated into other portions of the device 100. In some embodiments they may be removed entirely, in favor of another manner of attaching the device to a hat, such as internal stitching, glue, or other means of connection that may be known to a person of skill in this field.

[0045] In various embodiments, the portions 102 and 104, and side walls 112 are formed from material that is between 1-3 mm thick. In a preferred embodiment, the portions 102 and 104 and side walls 112 are substantially 2 mm thick. The exact thicknesses of the materials may vary from that specified herein without departing from the scope of the invention, and such thicknesses depend on the material used to form the device 100, as well as the exact outer dimensions of the device 100 which may vary for different sizes of the device. In some embodiments, the attachment tabs 114 and 116, if present are 1-3 mm in thickness and may extend from 0-10 mm away from the point of attachment to the retention device 100, though in other embodiments they may be formed of different thicknesses and sizes.

[0046] In some embodiments, the portions 102 and 104, and side walls 112 are formed from a flexible, elastic material, with a surface that releaseably grips other materials. In some embodiments, the portions 102 and 104, and side walls 112 may be formed from rubber or rubber-like materials. Other materials may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0047] In various embodiments of the device 100, the width of one or both of the base portion 102 and retention portion 104, meaning the distance between the side edges of each portion, and the width of the socket 110, decreases from the forward edges 106 and 108 to a rear edges 118 and 120. In some embodiments, the forward edge 106 of the retention portion may be from 10-30 mm wide, and in a preferred embodiment it is substantially 20 mm in width. In some embodiments, the width of the socket 110 may narrow from a width of 10-30 mm wide at the forward edge of the retention member to 5-20 mm wide at the narrowest point in the socket 110. In a preferred embodiment, the socket 110 is substantially 10 mm wide at the narrowest point in the socket 110. In some embodiments the outer dimensions of the base and retention portions may remain the same while the inner dimensions of the socket 110 may decrease as described above. In some embodiments, the change in width of socket 110 may not be linear.

[0048] In some embodiments, rear aperture 122 to socket 110 is provided between the rear edges 118 and 120 of base and retention portions 102 and 104, respectively. In some embodiments, rear aperture 122 is a slit and the edges 118 and 120 may touch each other except when the temples of eyeglasses are disposed therein. In other embodiments, the rear edges 118 and 120 may be disposed apart. In some embodiments, there may be no rear aperture 122 and the base portion 102 and retention portion 104 may be attached along the rear edges.

[0049] In the depicted embodiment, the V-shaped forward edge 108 of the base portion 102 creates a guide which generally accommodates insertion of the earpiece of glasses into socket 110. The decreasing width of the socket 110 created in this embodiment by the base and retention portions 102 and 104 creates a narrowing guide channel which directs the earpiece of the glasses into socket 110 and toward rear aperture 122.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the material of the base and retention portions 102 and 104 is pliable but has a sufficiently high frictional coefficient to secure the earpiece or temple of the glasses within the retention device against accidental discharge due to movement of the wearer's head.

[0051] In some embodiments of the retention device 100, the base portion 102, retention portion 104, side walls 112, and attachment tabs 114 and 116 are made from rubber or silicone. In some embodiments the rubber or silicone material has a durometer hardness of between 30 and 35. In some embodiments, the silicone material is flexible or pliable enough that it can expand to accommodate larger ear pieces while retaining and rebounding to its original shape when the ear piece is removed. The specific durometer hardness selected for the material of construction is selected to be suited for gripping plastic or metal, which are the most common products from which eye glass ear pieces are manufactured.

[0052] In some embodiments such as that depicted herein, the interior surface 128 of the base portion 104 may be provided with a concave channel 126, or groove of some other cross-section, to further guide the earpiece into the socket 110. Similarly, some embodiments include a retention portion 104 with a concave channel 132, or groove of some other cross-section, on the interior surface 130 of the retention portion 104. In some parts of the socket 110, the channels 126 and 132 may extend across the entire width of the socket 110.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 9, a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the retention device 100 is depicted on the axis 9-9 shown on FIG. 4, looking toward the forward edge of the device 100. In the depicted embodiment the interior surface of the side walls curves inwardly from the connection to the retention member 104 to the base member 102. This may increase the surface area contact between the material of the device and the temples of the eyeglasses to increase the holding force exerted by the device 100. In some embodiments, the holding force exerted by the device 100 may be increased by compressive elastic forces created by displacement of the retention portion and side walls 112 by the insertion of the temples of the eyeglasses. This force from the elastic material may also increase the force necessary to overcome the friction between the temples and the device 100.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the retention device 100 is depicted on the axis 10-10 shown on FIG. 4, looking toward the forward edge of the device 100. At this point in socket 110, the interior surfaces 128 and 130 of the base portion 102 and retention portion 104, respectively, are concave across the entire width of the socket 110.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 11, a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the retention device 100 is depicted on the axis 11-11 shown on FIG. 7. In the depicted embodiment, the socket or channel 110 between the base portion and the retention portion may be considered to comprise two sections: a guide section between axis 11-11 shown on FIG. 11 and the forward edges 106 and 108, and an engagement section between axis 11-11 shown on FIG. 11 and the rear edges 118 and 120. In the depicted embodiment, the inner surfaces of the guide portion 134 of the base 102 and the guide portion 136 of the retention portion 104 slant generally inwardly so that the width of the socket 110 narrows from the front edges 106 and 108 as the socket 110 moves toward the axis 11-11. In the depicted embodiment, the engagement portions 138 and 140 of base 102 and retention member 104, respectively, have a fixed interior width such that socket 110 is of constant width in the engagement section.

[0056] In this embodiment of the device, the guide and engagement sections of the device cooperate to guide the temple of the eyeglasses into the device and cause it to be held securely in the device. As will be seen in later figures, the shape of forward edge 108 may be designed to match the opening or aperture provided in the hat, or vice versa, to improve the guidance of the temple 206 as it enters the aperture in the hat into the socket 110. The narrowing walls of the guide portion of the socket 110 direct the end of the temple into the engagement portion of the socket. In addition to the guiding functions, the guide portion of the socket may also provide frictional holding force to prevent the eyeglasses from falling out of the device unexpectedly.

[0057] In these embodiments, the internal surfaces of the engagement section of the device 100 exert a frictional force on the temple of the eyeglasses to prevent the temples from withdrawing out of the socket 110 until a user provides sufficient force to overcome the frictional forces exerted by the surfaces of the device on the eyeglasses. In some embodiments, the displacement of the elastic material used to make the retention portion 104 and side walls 112 may also exert a compressive force on the temple of the eyeglasses to press them against the base portion 102 or the hat 200, and also increasing the force necessary to overcome friction between the temples of the eyeglasses and the device 100.

[0058] In some embodiments there may not be a guide section, or a separate engagement section. In some embodiments, the entire length of socket 110 may be constant in width, or narrowing in width, or have some sections that widen and others that narrow. In some embodiments, the forward edge 108 may be arcuate or shaped in any shape desired to receive a temple of eyeglasses inserted through the aperture in the hat. In a preferred embodiment, the forward edge 108 is shaped to match the shape of the aperture in the hat.

[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 12-18, various views of an embodiment of the retention device 100 installed in a cap 200 are depicted. In this embodiment, the orientation and placement of a retention member and the crown of a hat 200 is selected so that when the ear pieces 206 of the glasses 204 are inserted in retention devices 100 on each side of the hat, the lens frames will rest on the bill of the hat. If placed too low or too high the glasses do not align well as they rest on the brim of the cap. If the placement is too far forward or too far rearward on the hat the retention capacity of the devices is affected. On a standard adult size baseball cap each retention member is mounted in the side of the crown in an area which would be above the wearers ears, as shown in FIG. 12. In some embodiments of hats using the retention device 100, there may only be one device 100 attached to the hat on one side. In a preferred embodiment two devices 100 are attached to a hat 200 to receive both temples 206 of a pair of glasses. In some preferred embodiments the two devices 100 are attached in a symmetrical configuration with respect to the bill or front of the hat.

[0060] In other embodiments, the device may be used with a hat without a bill, or oriented so that the glasses it on the top or back of the hat. In other uses of the device 100, it may be oriented so that the temples of the glasses may be secured with the glasses oriented vertically, from the back of the hat, or even while the glasses are still disposed on the face of the wearer. In yet other embodiments, the device or devices 100 may be attached to the outside of the hat 200 and used without aperture 202.

[0061] In the depicted embodiment an aperture 202 is provided through the crown of the hat adjacent to the front edges of the retention device 100. The ear piece of the eyeglasses are inserted into the aperture 202 and into the socket 110 of the retention device 100. FIG. 12 depicts a side view of a hat 200 with a retention device 100 installed on the interior surface of the hat 200 and visible through aperture 202. FIG. 13 depicts a side view of a hat 200 with glasses 204 resting on the bill of the hat 200, with the visible temple 206 inserted through aperture 202 into retention device 100. A similar device 100 is attached on the other side of hat 200 that is not visible, and the other temple 206 is similarly inserted therein.

[0062] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12-18, the aperture 202 is substantially triangular in shape as defined by edges 212 in hat 200. The edges 212 do not need to be exactly linear, and in some cases more or less than three may be utilized. In some embodiments, the front edge of the triangular aperture is 20 mm and the length of each of the rear edges is 15 mm. In some embodiments the length of the slit aperture is 20-30 mm. In other embodiments, the aperture 202 may be a slit, a circle, a semi-circle, an oval, a semi-oval, a teardrop, a polygon, or any other shape suited for receiving the temple 206 of the eyeglasses. In other embodiments of the invention, the device 100 may be attached to the outside of the hat, or internally next to the lower edge of the hat, so that no aperture is necessary.

[0063] FIG. 13 depicts an external view of the hat having the ear piece 206 of eyeglasses 204 in inserted into the aperture 202, with the lens frames resting on the bill of the hat. FIG. 18 depicts an internal view of the hat 200 with an embodiment of the retention device 100. The earpiece 206 of the eyeglasses 204 is inserted into the socket 110 and extends out through rear aperture 122.

[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 14-18, an embodiment of the retention device 100 is shown as installed in a hat. In some embodiments, the retention device 100 may be fastened within the hat approximately 20-30 mm behind the edge of the brim. In some embodiments the centerline of the socket 111 may be disposed approximately 30 mm above the lower edge of the hat. In various embodiments, the orientation and location on the hat may change depending on the size, configuration and construction of each hat 200 and the retention device 100 itself. In a preferred embodiment, the aperture 202 is aligned with the forward edges 108 and 106 of the base and retention portions 102 and 104 of the device 100.

[0065] In the depicted embodiment, each of the attachment tabs 114 and 116 of the retention device 100 are sewn into the material of the crown of the hat by stitching 210. In other embodiments, the device 100 is affixed to the hat material by sewing, gluing or other known and conventional fastening means, either of attachment tabs 114 and 116 or other parts of device 100.

[0066] As depicted in FIG. 14, in some embodiments the retention device 100 may be disposed behind, or partially or fully covered by a hat band 208 or other integral part of the hat. In other embodiments, the device 100 may be covered by an internal liner for a hat 200. In other embodiments, the device 100 may not be covered at all. FIG. 15 depicts the hat 200 with hat band 208 folded down to reveal the device 100.

[0067] FIG. 16 depicts a view directed toward the back of the hat 200 with a portion of hat band 208 shown in cut-away to reveal an embodiment of the device 100. In this figure, aperture 202 can be seen, with the forward edge 108 of the base portion 102 of device 100 aligned with two of the edges 212 of aperture 202. In this embodiment the edge 108 aligns with two edges disposed closer to the back of the hat 200. In this configuration the retention portion 104 effectively covers the aperture 202 such that the temples 206 may be inserted at any part of the opening 202 and still be guided by retention portion 104 into socket 100.

[0068] In other embodiments, a forward wall may be added to device 100 to cover the area between the forward edge 106 and the inside surface of the hat 200. In other embodiments, the side walls 212 may reduce in height as they approach the forward edge 106 of the retention portion 104, thus bringing edge 106 in close proximity with the forward edge 212 of the aperture 202, and in some cases attachment to the hat. In other embodiments, an attachment tab may extend from the forward edges 106 or 108 for attachment to the hat similar to tabs 114 and 116.

[0069] FIG. 17 depicts a view directed forward toward the bill of the hat 200 with a portion of hat band 208 shown in cut-away to reveal an embodiment of the device 100. The rear aperture 122 of socket 110 is facing toward the back of the hat 200. The temple 206 of glasses 204 secured in device 100 extend out from aperture 122 toward the back of the hat 200.

[0070] FIG. 18 depicts an internal view of the hat 200 facing toward one of the sides of the hat 200. This figure depicts a hat 200 without a hatband 208 or with one that is folded down. In FIG. 18 the eyeglasses 204 are disposed on the bill of the hat 200 as shown in FIG. 13, and the temple 206 extends inside the hat 200 as shown in FIG. 18. In the depicted embodiment the temple 206 extends from of the rear aperture 122 into the internal volume of the hat 200. In other embodiments the device 100 may include a socket 110 that completely contains the end of temple 206 when it is inserted in the device 100, and such embodiments may not be provided with a rear aperture 122.

[0071] The depicted embodiment is shown in relation to a hat, however it and other embodiments may be used with other articles of clothing, such as headbands, shirts, jackets, backpacks, and other articles. For example, the device may be used on clothing to secure one temple of glasses to the clothing when the glasses are folded. In one example it could be attached to a shirt, adjacent to or inside a pocket to receive and secure glasses in or on the pocket. In another use, one or embodiment of the device may be attached to the inside or the outside of a backpack, or inside a pocket of the backpack, to secure folded glasses to the backpack. Other similar uses will be apparent to one of skill in the art of designing clothing and similar articles.

[0072] Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures without departing from the scope hereof. Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative and exemplary of the invention, rather than restrictive or limiting of the scope thereof. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one of skill in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriately detailed structure. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0073] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.