LOWER BODY TRAINING ASSIST DEVICE

Abstract

A lower body assist device for assisting a user while performing lower body workouts is provided. The lower body assist device generally comprises handle bars, a frame, and friction reduction apparatuses. The handle bars generally comprise a shaft and support bar having handles. The frame generally comprises a main trunk and frame supports, wherein said frame supports are connected to said main trunk. The method generally entails obtaining the device, bending over and grasping the device, and moving from a starting location to a desired location. A user may also squat while grasping the device before moving from a starting location to a desired location.

Claims

1. A method of using a lower body assist device comprising steps of: obtaining a lower body assist device having a handle bar, frame, and plurality of friction reduction apparatuses, wherein said handle bar is secured to a superior end of a main trunk of said frame via a shaft, wherein said handle bar is used to rotate said main trunk about a central axis, wherein a first frame support and a second frame support are secured to said main trunk between said superior end and an inferior end, wherein an angle, created by said main trunk and ground level of a floor that is substantially flat, is less than ninety degrees and in a direction between said first frame support and said second frame support, wherein said first frame support and said second frame support create an obtuse angle therebetween when secured to said main trunk to allow for a user to stand between said first frame support and said second frame support, wherein said handle bar is positioned at a height between a knee and mid-thigh of said user when said user stands straight legged on said ground level of said floor when said lower body assist device is positioned erect on said ground level of said floor, standing behind said lower body assist device and between said first frame support and second frame support with feet on said floor, positioning arms to create an angle with a chest between 45-degrees and 135-degrees as measured between said feet, shoulders, and hands, bending over substantially at a waist and then gripping said handle bar with said hands, exerting a downward force on said lower body assist device via said handle bar, and pushing said lower body assist device from a starting position to a desired location.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: placing said handle bar and said frame in a position relative to one another, wherein changing said position causes said height of said lower body assist device to change to a desired height.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: adjusting an angle between said first frame support and said second frame support, wherein changing said angle between said first frame support and said second frame support causes said angle between said main trunk and said floor to change.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: securing said first frame support and said second frame support to said lower body assist device between a superior end and an inferior end of said lower body assist device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: manipulating a computing device in a way such that said computing device receives workout data from a control board of said lower body assist device via a wireless communication device, wherein said workout data is collected by a sensor of said lower body assist device, wherein said sensor transmits said workout data to said control board.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: bending knees in a way such that a partial crouch position is assumed.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: straightening a back in a way such that application of said downward force engages core muscles.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: straightening said arms when said hands are gripping said handle bar, wherein said arms continue to create an angle with said chest between 45-degrees and 135-degrees as measured between said feet, shoulders, and hands.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: adjusting a rolling resistance of at least one of said plurality of friction reduction apparatuses secured to at least one of said inferior end of said main trunk or a friction end of said first frame support and said second frame support, wherein adjustment of said rolling resistance at least one of increases or decreases a difficulty of moving said lower body assist device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said first frame support and said second frame support are configured in a way such that they cannot be stood on by said user when said lower body assist device is positioned erect on said ground level of said floor.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

[0013] FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a lower body assist device in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating certain method steps of a method embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a system embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). As used herein, the term comprises and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, a system comprising components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components.

[0017] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate embodiments of a system 100 and the various methods 500 of use for assisting a user 120 while performing a lower body exercise that may also indirectly exercise one's core, neck, and shoulders. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the various components of a lower body assist device 100 that may be used to provide support for a user 120 who is performing a lower body workout. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the various components of a lower body assist device 100 that may be used to provide support for a user 120 who is performing a lower body workout. FIG. 3 illustrates a lower body assist lower body assist device 100 that may be turned by rotating the handle section, which alters the direction of the wheel attached to the inferior end of the main trunk 110A. FIG. 4 illustrates how a user 120 may use the lower body assist device 100 to assist with a lower body workout. FIG. 5 illustrates a method a user 120 may use to perform a walking squat using the lower body assist lower body assist device 100. It is understood that the various method steps associated with the methods of the present disclosure may be carried out by a user 120 using the lower body assist device 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4. Although the lower body assist device 100 and methods 500 of the present disclosure have been discussed for use within the fitness field, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may be utilized in other fields or for other applications in which a lower body assist lower body assist device 100 may be needed. For instance, the lower body assist device 100 could be used in rehabilitation settings.

[0018] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the system 100 generally comprises handle bars 105, a frame 110, and friction reduction apparatuses 115. In a preferred embodiment, the handle bars 105 are connected to a superior end of the frame 110 and friction reduction apparatuses 115 are attached to the inferior end of the frame 110, thus allowing a user 120 to use the system 100 to assist while performing an exercise such as a walking squat. In another preferred embodiment, the system 100 may further comprise a reflective device, which may allow a user 120 to use the device without bending their neck to look in the direction they are going. In yet another preferred embodiment, the system 100 may further comprise a control board configured to collect workout data. The control board is preferably connected to a display such that it may present the workout data to a user 120 of the system 100. The workout data is transmitted to the control board by a sensor configured to collect the workout data. The system 100 may be constructed in a way such that the handle bars 105, frame 110, and/or friction reduction apparatuses 115 are one unit. For instance, the handle bars 105 and frame 110 may be fused together as a single unit. Alternatively, the handle bars 105, frame 110, and friction reduction apparatuses 115 may be constructed separately and combined at a later time. For instance, a shaft 105A of the handle bars 105 may be constructed to telescopically insert into the main trunk 110A of the frame 110 at a later time to create a functioning system 100.

[0019] The handle bars 105 generally comprise a shaft 105A and support bar 105B. In some preferred embodiments, the support bars 105B may be attached directly to the main trunk 110A without the need of a shaft 105A. The shaft 105A is operably connected to the support bar 105B in a way such that when the shaft 105A is connected to the frame 110, the ends of the support bar 105B are positioned above the frame 110. Types of support bars 105B that may be used by the lower body assist device 100 include, but are not limited to, flatlander, plano, riser, bullhorn, drop, aero, cruiser, and butterfly. In a preferred embodiment, the lower body assist device 100 uses flatlander support bars 105B, which allow a user 120 to control the direction of the lower body assist device 100 while in use. Some embodiments of handle bars 105 may further comprise grips on either end of said support bar 105B, which may provide a gripping surface that allows a user 120 to better control the handle bars 105. In one embodiment, the grips may be contoured in a way such that an ergonomic gripping surface is created. In another preferred embodiment, the grips may be textured in a way that increases grip force of a user 120. In some preferred embodiment, the shaft 105A may comprise at least one aperture 125. A user 120 may insert the shaft 105A into the frame 110 and use the at least one aperture 125 of the shaft 105A and frame 110 to lock the lower body assist device 100 into a desired position. In another preferred embodiment, the shaft 105A may be operably connected to the frame 110 in a way such that a user 120 may turn the lower body assist device 100 about a central axis by applying force via the support bars 105B.

[0020] The frame 110 may be defined as the central frame of the lower body assist device 100 and comprises a main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B, wherein said frame supports 110B are connected to said main trunk 110A. The main trunk 110A is a tubular or bar like entity having a superior end and inferior end. The main trunk 110A is preferably rigidly attached to the shaft 105A of the handle bars 105, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. For instance, a lower body assist device 100 comprising handle bars 105, a frame 110, and three swivel wheels may be turned by a user 120 via manipulation of the handle bars 105, which in turn causes the wheels to swivel in the direction that the user 120 wishes to go. However, there may be embodiments in which no main trunk 110A exists and instead the shaft 105A acts as the main trunk 110A of the device. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the main trunk 110A of the frame 110 may be configured to accept the shaft 105A of the handle bars 105 such that they are slideably secured to one another. By moving the shaft 105A about the main trunk 110A, the handle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100 may be raised or lowered, thus altering the height of the lower body assist device 100 by changing the location of the handle bars 105 relative the inferior end of the frame 110. In a preferred embodiment, a user 120 may lock the handle bars 105 relative to the inferior end of the frame 110 via a locking element 127 and at least one aperture 125 as shown in FIG. 3. Apparatuses that may act as the locking element 127 include, but are not limited to, push-pull pins, clamps, set knobs, snap locks, spring buttons, and clutch locks, or any combination thereof. By locking the handle bars 105 in place via a locking element 127, a user 120 may fix the height to a desired level before using the lower body assist device 100 to assist the user 120 with a lower body workout.

[0021] The frame supports 110B are tubular or bar like entities having a trunk end and a friction end, wherein the trunk end is attached to the main trunk 110A and the friction end is attached to a friction reduction apparatus 115. The frame supports 110B may attach to the main trunk 110A between the superior end and inferior end and are situated such that the frame 110 created by the main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B can support itself and the handle bars 105 in an upright position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The frame supports 110B preferably extend from the main trunk 110A and in a direction away from one another. The angle in which the frame supports 110B is connected to the main trunk 110A is preferably acute. In embodiments of the lower body assist device 100 comprising only two frame supports 110B, the frame supports 110B preferably form an obtuse angle with each other, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. However, the frame supports 110B may make obtuse, acute, and perpendicular angles with each other and with the main trunk 110A without departing from the inventive subject matter herein. In a preferred embodiment, the lower body assist device 100 comprises two frame supports 110B that are attached to the main trunk 110A. However, in some preferred embodiments, the frame supports 110B may be configured such that they are removably attached to the main trunk 110A or attached to the main trunk 110A via a hinge, wherein a user 120 may remove said frame supports 110B or fold said frame supports 110B to reduce the size of the profile of the lower body assist device 100 prior to storage. In another preferred embodiment, a locking element may be used to attach the frame supports 110B to the main trunk 110A or keep the frame supports 110B in an extended position.

[0022] In one preferred embodiment, the frame supports 110B may be telescoping. A user 120 may alter the length of the telescoping frame supports 110B to alter the position of the handle bars 105. The frame supports 110B may be locked into a certain length using the at least one aperture 125 of the frame supports 110B and a locking element 127. In another preferred embodiment, the frame supports 110B may be rotatably attached to the main trunk 110A, allowing a user 120 to alter the angle in which the frame supports 110B make with the trunk 110A. In one preferred embodiment, the angle created by the main trunk 110A and the floor is not ninety degrees so that rotating the frame supports 110B about the main trunk 110A causes the angle made by the main trunk 110A and the floor to change. Depending on the side in which the frame supports 110B are positioned relative the handle bars 105, increasing the angle created between a first support and a second support would cause the angle between the main trunk 110A and the floor to decrease, whereas decreasing the angle created between a first support and a second support would cause the angle between the main trunk 110A and floor to increase. In yet another preferred embodiment, the frame supports 110B may be slidably attached to the main trunk 110A, which may allow a user 120 to change the angle the main trunk 110A makes with the floor. Depending on the side in which the frame supports 110B are positioned relative the handle bars 105, the angle created by the floor and main trunk 110A will increase as one slides the trunk end of the frame supports 110B closer to the inferior end of the main trunk 110A, whereas sliding the trunk end of the frame supports 110B toward the superior end of the main trunk 110A may cause the angle created by the floor and main trunk 110A to decrease. By allowing a user 120 to adjust the angle the main trunk 110A creates with the floor, these embodiments also allow a user 120 to alter the position of the handle bars 105. This is important since this grants a user 120 the ability to alter the lower body assist device 100 in way that suits said user's 120 particular height and build.

[0023] A friction reduction apparatus 115 attached to the inferior end of the frame 110 allows the user 120 to push the lower body assist device 100 in the bent over or partially squatted position without resistance that may otherwise make a workout too difficult. Items that may be used as friction reduction apparatus 115 include, but are not limited to, skis, tracks, pads, and wheels, or any combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the lower body assist device 100 may use wheels as the friction reduction apparatus 115. Wheels may be attached to the inferior end of the main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B such that they may allow a user 120 to more easily perform a workout while using the lower body assist device 100 by reducing friction and assisting with turning of the lower body assist device 100. Types of wheels that may be used by the lower body assist device 100 include, but are not limited to, in-line skate wheels, spinner wheels, bicycle wheels, skateboard wheels, or any combination thereof. The wheels used in the preferred embodiment are spinner wheels. In another preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower body assist device 100 may comprise a two or more types of wheels. For instance, the wheel attached to the main trunk 110A may be an in-line skate wheel and the wheels attached to the frame supports 110B may be spinner wheels. In one preferred embodiment, a user 120 may toggle a lock 116 on the wheels that may adjust the rolling resistance of the wheels. This may allow a user 120 to alter the difficulty of a workout assisted by the lower body assist device 100.

[0024] The lower body assist device 100 may be used by a user 120 for support while performing a lower body workout by leaning over the lower body assist device 100 and gripping the handles. The user 120 may then begin to walk in a bent over or partially squatted position and direct the lower body assist device 100 to a desired location with at least one type of friction reduction apparatus 115 being used to control the resistance experienced by the user 120. For instance, a lower body assist device 100 comprising two frame supports 110B may use one wheel attached to the main trunk 110A and two tracks attached to the frame supports 110B to reduce the amount of friction applied to the lower body assist device 100 as a user 120 pushes it during a workout. For instance, tennis balls attached to the main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B may act as ski glides to reduce friction as the lower body assist device 100 is pushed across a gym floor. In one preferred embodiment, the lower body assist device 100 may further comprise a reflective device 107, which may allow a user 120 to move towards a desired location without having to look towards said desired location. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective device 107 is attached to the handle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100. The reflective material of the reflective device 107 is preferably made from a material that has non-specular reflective properties. For instance, a piece of wood with a matte paint coating wood has diffuse reflective properties. For instance, clear standing water has specular reflective properties.

[0025] As mentioned previously, some embodiments of the system 100 may further comprise a control board 615, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The control board 615 preferably comprises at least one circuit and microchip. In another preferred embodiment, the control board 615 may further comprise a wireless communication device 617, which may allow the control board 615 to receive workout data from a sensor 616. The microchip of the control board 615 comprises a processor 620 and memory. The processor 620 may be defined as a multipurpose, clock driven, register based, digital-integrated circuit which accepts binary data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output. The processor 620 is configured to perform the operations disclosed herein based on instructions stored within the system 100. The processor 620 may process instructions for execution within the computing device 610, including instructions stored in memory or on a storage device, to display graphical information for a graphical user interface (GUI) on an external input/output device, such as a display 618. The processor 620 may provide for coordination of the other components of a computing device 610, such as control of user interfaces 611, applications run by a computing device 610, and wireless communication by a communication device 617 of the computing device 610.

[0026] The processor 620 of the control board 615 may be any processor or microprocessor suitable for executing instructions. In some embodiments, the processor 620 may have a memory device therein or coupled thereto suitable for storing workout data, or other information or material disclosed herein. In some instances, the processor 620 may be a component of a larger computing device 610. In a preferred embodiment, the processor 620 may receive workout data via the wireless communication device 617, wherein the workout data comprises distance data, repetition data, and time data. In another preferred embodiment, the processor 620 may receive instructions from a computing device 610 that may instruct the control board 615 to begin a workout cycle. For instance, a user 120 may choose a particular workout via the user interface 611 of a computing device 610 operably connected to the control board 615 of the system 100, which may cause the system 100 to start said workout.

[0027] A computing device 610 may be implemented in a number of different forms, including, but not limited to, servers, multipurpose computers, mobile computers, etc. For instance, a computing device 610 may be implemented in a multipurpose computer that acts as a personal computer for a user 120, such as a laptop computer. For instance, components from a computing device 610 may be combined in a way such that a mobile computing device is created, such as mobile phone. Additionally, a computing device 610 may be made up of a single computer or multiple computers working together over a network. For instance, a computing device 610 may be implemented as a single server or as a group of servers working together over and Local Area Network (LAN), such as a rack server system. Computing devices 610 may communicate via a wired or wireless connection. For instance, wireless communication may occur using a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other such wireless communication device 617.

[0028] The computing device 610 preferably comprises a user interface 611 that allows a user 120 to interact with the control board 615. A user interface 611 may be defined as a space where interactions between a user 120 and the system 100 may take place. In an embodiment, the interactions may take place in a way such that a user 120 may control the operations of the system 100. A user interface 611 may include, but is not limited to operating systems, command line user interfaces, conversational interfaces, web-based user interfaces, zooming user interfaces, touch screens, task-based user interfaces, touch user interfaces, text-based user interfaces, intelligent user interfaces, and graphical user interfaces, or any combination thereof. The system 100 may present data of the user interface 611 to the user 120 via a display 618 operably connected to the processor 620. A display 618 may be defined as an output device that communicates data that may include, but is not limited to, visual, auditory, cutaneous, kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory, or any combination thereof.

[0029] A sensor 616 of the system 100 may be used to collect workout data, which may be used by the system 100 to determine the amount of work a user 120 using the system 100 has performed. The sensor 616 is operably connected to the control board 615 in a way such that any workout data collected by the sensor 616 may be transmitted to the control board 615 and stored in memory. In an embodiment, the sensor 616 comprises an accelerometer, which may measure workout data in the form of acceleration. The system 100 may utilize the acceleration experienced by the system 100 as input to be analyzed to determine how many repetitions a user 120 has performed. In another preferred embodiment, the sensor 616 may comprise global positioning system (GPS), which may measure workout data in the form of geospatial data. Once the processor 620 receives the geospatial data from the GPS, the processor 620 may estimate a distance traveled by the user 120. Geospatial data may be spatial data including, but not limited to, numeric data, vector data, and raster data, or any combination thereof. Numeric data may be statistical data which includes a geographical component or field that can be joined with vector files so the data may be queried and displayed as a layer on a map in a geographic information system (GIS). Vector data may be data that has a spatial component, or X, Y coordinates assigned to it. Vector data may contain sets of points, lines, or polygons that are referenced in a geographic space. Raster data may be data in a .JPG, .TIF, .GIF or other picture file format. For instance, a map scanned in a flatbed scanner may be considered raster data.

[0030] FIG. 4 provides an environmental view 400 of the system 100, wherein a user 120 is performing a lower body exercise using said lower body assist device 100. As shown, a user 120 positions themselves behind the lower body assist device 100 so that they may bend at the waste and grip the handle bars 105 while keeping their back straight. The height of the lower body assist device 100 is low enough such that a user 120 may bend at the waste at least at a 150-degree angle, wherein a 180-degree angle is defined as the angle created by a user 120 from feet to head when standing straight up. The angle a user's 120 arms make with their body when extended from said body is preferably no less than 45-degrees and no more than 135-degrees measured from the user's 120 feet to shoulders to hands. The user's 120 arms are preferably extended such that they are straight when a user 120 is gripping the handle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100. At no point should the handle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100 be higher than the shoulders of the user 120 when said user 120 is in a starting position.

[0031] Alternatively, a user 120 may grip the handle bars 105 in a bent over position as described above but then bend at the knees while keeping their back straight to assume a partially squatted position. The user 120 may then push the lower body assist device 100 while remaining in the partially squatted position, which will work the anterior muscles of the lower body more than a purely bent over position would. The user 120 may desire to bend their knees even further until their thighs are parallel to the ground, using the lower body assist device 100 as a support to prevent falling. In this crouched position, a user 120 may perform a duck walk while minimizing stress to the knees thanks to support from the lower body assist device 100. Regardless of the method used, a user 120 is to keep their back and their arms straight. The position assumed using this stance will exert a downward force on the lower body assist device 100 since the height of the lower body assist device 100 should be no higher than the user's 120 shoulders in said bent position. This downward force will provide resistance to the user 120 as they attempt to push the lower body assist device 100 from a starting position to a desired location. Further, by forcing oneself to stay in this position, the user 120 may indirectly work their core, shoulders, and neck in addition to the muscles of their lower body.

[0032] FIG. 5 provides a flow chart 500 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the method of using the lower body assist device 100 to perform a lower body workout. Step 505 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 510 the user 120 may obtain a lower body assist device 100 and adjust it to fit their body type. Once obtained/adjusted, the user 120 may position their body behind the lower body assist device 100 so that they may grip the lower body assist device 100 when bending from the waste during step 515. In a preferred embodiment, a user's 120 arms make at most a 45-degree angle with the chest while gripping the lower body assist device 100. The user 120 may then decide which exercise to perform during step 520. In some preferred embodiments, the user 120 may manipulate the control board 615 and/or user interface 611 to select a workout, which may then be presented to them via a display 618. Based on the results of the determination, the user 120 may take an action during step 525. If the user 120 determines they would like to perform a bent over walk, the user 120 may proceed to step 526, wherein the user 120 may bend at the waste and grip the handle bars 105. If the user 120 determines they would like to perform a walking squat, the user 120 may proceed to step 527, wherein the user 120 may bend at the waste, bend the knees, and grip the handle bars 105. If the user 120 determines they would like to perform a duck walk, the user 120 may proceed to step 528, wherein the user 120 may bend at the waste, bend the knees so that their thighs are parallel to the floor, and grip the handle bars 105.

[0033] Once the user 120 has assumed one of the exercise positions of steps 526, 527 and 528, the user 120 may push the lower body assist device 100 during step 530. In the method presented herein, the user 120 may push the lower body assist device 100 to a desired location from a starting location. Alternatively, a user 120 may push the lower body assist device 100 until muscle exhaustion. In a preferred embodiment, a user 120 will have selected a starting location and a desired location beforehand and perform a number of sets of the selected exercise. Once the user 120 has pushed the lower body assist device 100 to the desired location, the user 120 may determine if they would like to push the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location during step 535. The user may take an action of this determination during step 540. If a user 120 determines they would not like to push the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location, the user 120 may proceed to terminate method step 550. If the user 120 determines they would like to push the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location, the user 120 may do so during step 545. Once the user 120 has pushed the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 545.

[0034] The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and method stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive subject matter can be made without departing from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter.