SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING CONCUSSIONS IN SPORTS PARTICIPANTS

Abstract

A system for reducing concussions in a sport participant. The system includes a helmet, the helmet comprising a shell having a crown region; a first tether, the first tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet; and a uniform comprising a waist band and/or belt, the second end of the first tether connected thereto, the first tether having a slack region, wherein the momentum of the first tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the first tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion. A method for reducing concussions in a sport participant is also provided.

Claims

1. A system for reducing concussions in a sport participant, comprising: a helmet, the helmet comprising a shell having a crown region; a first tether, the first tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet; and a uniform comprising a waistband and/or belt, the second end of the first tether connected thereto, the first tether having a slack region, wherein the momentum of the first tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the first tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second end of the second tether is connected to the waistband and/or belt of the uniform at a point diametrically opposed to the point that the second end of the first tether is connected to, the second tether having a slack region.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the momentum of the second tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates a slack region of the second tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the shell is formed of a material comprising a plastic or composite.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the shell also includes a front region, a rear region, opposing side regions, each side region having an ear flap with an ear opening.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band and a belt.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the helmet further comprises a face guard secured to the shell by a face guard connector.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the helmet further comprises a chin strap assembly that releasably secures the helmet to the sport participant.

11. A method for reducing concussions in a sport participant, comprising: providing a helmet, the helmet comprising a shell having a crown region; providing a uniform comprising a waistband and/or belt; providing a first tether having a first end and a second end; and connecting the first end of the first tether to the crown region of the shell of the helmet and the second end of the first tether to the waist band and/or belt of the uniform, the first tether having a slack region, wherein the momentum of the first tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the first tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of providing a second tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second end of the second tether is connected to the waistband and/or belt of the uniform at a point diametrically opposed to the point that the second end of the first tether is connected to, the second tether having a slack region.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the momentum of the second tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the second tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the shell is formed of a material comprising a plastic or composite.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the shell also includes a front region, a rear region, opposing side regions, each side region having an ear flap with an ear opening.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band, the second end of the tether connected to a point on the waistband.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band and a belt, the second end of the tether connected to a point on the belt.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the helmet further comprises a face guard secured to the shell by a face guard connector.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the helmet further comprises a chin strap assembly that releasably secures the helmet to the sport participant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary implementations thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific exemplary implementations is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed herein. This disclosure is to cover all modifications and equivalents as defined by the appended claims. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating principles of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Moreover, certain dimensions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. Further where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The following drawings are provided, wherein:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a system for reducing concussions in a sport participant, in accordance herewith; and

[0032] FIG. 2 a schematic rear view of a system for reducing concussions in a sport participant, in accordance herewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terminology

[0033] The words and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than the broadest meaning understood by skilled artisans, such a special or clarifying definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that provides the special or clarifying definition for the term or phrase.

[0034] For example, the following discussion contains a non-exhaustive list of definitions of several specific terms used in this disclosure (other terms may be defined or clarified in a definitional manner elsewhere herein). These definitions are intended to clarify the meanings of the terms used herein. It is believed that the terms are used in a manner consistent with their ordinary meaning, but the definitions are nonetheless specified here for clarity.

[0035] A/an: The articles a and an as used herein mean one or more when applied to any feature in embodiments and implementations of the present invention described in the specification and claims. The use of a and an does not limit the meaning to a single feature unless such a limit is specifically stated. The term a or an entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms a (or an), one or more and at least one can be used interchangeably herein.

[0036] About: As used herein, about refers to a degree of deviation based on experimental error typical for the particular property identified. The latitude provided the term about will depend on the specific context and particular property and can be readily discerned by those skilled in the art. The term about is not intended to either expand or limit the degree of equivalents which may otherwise be afforded a particular value. Further, unless otherwise stated, the term about shall expressly include exactly, consistent with the discussion below regarding ranges and numerical data.

[0037] Above/below: In the following description of the representative embodiments of the invention, directional terms, such as above, below, upper, lower, etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. In general, above, upper, upward and similar terms refer to a direction toward the earth's surface along a wellbore, and below, lower, downward and similar terms refer to a direction away from the earth's surface along the wellbore. Continuing with the example of relative directions in a wellbore, upper and lower may also refer to relative positions along the longitudinal dimension of a wellbore rather than relative to the surface, such as in describing both vertical and horizontal wells.

[0038] And/or: The term and/or placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. 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). 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.

[0039] Any: The adjective any means one, some, or all indiscriminately of whatever quantity.

[0040] At least: 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). The phrases at least one, one or more, and and/or are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions at least one of A, B and C, at least one of A, B, or C, one or more of A, B, and C, one or more of A, B, or C and A, B, and/or C means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

[0041] Based on: Based on does not mean based only on, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase based on describes both based only on, based at least on, and based at least in part on.

[0042] Comprising: In the claims, as well as in the specification, 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, Section 2111.03.

[0043] Couple: Any use of any form of the terms connect, engage, couple, attach, or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described.

[0044] Determining: Determining encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore determining can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. In addition, determining can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. In addition, determining can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, measuring and the like.

[0045] Embodiments: Reference throughout the specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, some embodiments, one aspect, an aspect, some aspects, some implementations, one implementation, an implementation, or similar construction means that a particular component, feature, structure, method, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment, aspect, or implementation is included in at least one embodiment and/or implementation of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment or in some embodiments (or aspects or implementations) in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment and/or implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, methods, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or implementations.

[0046] Exemplary: Exemplary is used exclusively herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0047] May: Note that the word may is used throughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, being able to), not a mandatory sense (i.e., must).

[0048] Operatively connected and/or coupled: Operatively connected and/or coupled means directly or indirectly connected for transmitting or conducting information, force, energy, or matter.

[0049] Optimizing: The terms optimal, optimizing, optimize, optimality, optimization (as well as derivatives and other forms of those terms and linguistically related words and phrases), as used herein, are not intended to be limiting in the sense of requiring the present invention to find the best solution or to make the best decision. Although a mathematically optimal solution may in fact arrive at the best of all mathematically available possibilities, real-world embodiments of optimization routines, methods, models, and processes may work towards such a goal without ever actually achieving perfection. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the present disclosure will appreciate that these terms, in the context of the scope of the present invention, are more general. The terms may describe one or more of: 1) working towards a solution which may be the best available solution, a preferred solution, or a solution that offers a specific benefit within a range of constraints; 2) continually improving; 3) refining; 4) searching for a high point or a maximum for an objective; 5) processing to reduce a penalty function; 6) seeking to maximize one or more factors in light of competing and/or cooperative interests in maximizing, minimizing, or otherwise controlling one or more other factors, etc.

[0050] Order of steps: It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0051] Ranges: Concentrations, dimensions, amounts, and other numerical data may be presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a range of about 1 to about 200 should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited limits of 1 and about 200, but also to include individual sizes such as 2, 3, 4, etc. and sub-ranges such as 10 to 50, 20 to 100, etc. Similarly, it should be understood that when numerical ranges are provided, such ranges are to be construed as providing literal support for claim limitations that only recite the lower value of the range as well as claims limitation that only recite the upper value of the range. For example, a disclosed numerical range of 10 to 100 provides literal support for a claim reciting greater than 10 (with no upper bounds) and a claim reciting less than 100 (with no lower bounds).

Description

[0052] Specific forms will now be described further by way of example. While the following examples demonstrate certain forms of the subject matter disclosed herein, they are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope thereof, but rather as contributing to a complete description.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic front view of a system 10 for reducing concussions in a sport participant S is presented. System 10 includes a helmet 12, which may be a football helmet, as shown, or other type of sports helmet, such as lacrosse, hockey, baseball, or the like. The helmet 12 includes shell 14 having a crown region 16.

[0054] System 10 further includes a first tether 18, the first tether 18 having a first end 20 and a second end 22, the first end 24 connected to the crown region 16 at a first connection point 24 of the shell 14 of the helmet 12. System 10 also includes a uniform 26 comprising a waistband 28 and/or belt 30. As shown, the second end 22 of the first tether is connected to waistband 28 and/or belt 30 at a front second connection point 32. Advantageously, the first tether 18 is provided with a slack region 34.

[0055] System 10 is designed to minimize the opportunity for a sports participant S to be seriously injured during plays that may ordinarily result in a concussion. The avoidance of such a serious injury can result when the momentum of the first tether 18 upon matching the momentum of the sport participant S eliminates the slack region 34 of the first tether 18 and restrains the helmet 12 of the sport participant S, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic rear view of a system 10 for reducing concussions in a sport participant S is presented. As shown, system 10 may advantageously include a second tether 40 having a first end 42 and a second end 44, the first end 42 connected to the crown region 16 at the first connection point 24 of the shell 14 of the helmet 12.

[0057] As with the first tether 18, the second end 44 of the second tether 40 is connected to the waist band 28 and/or belt 30 of the uniform 26 at a rear second connection point 46, the rear second connection point 46 being roughly diametrically opposed to the front second connection point 32 that the second end 22 of the first tether 18 is connected to. As with the first tether 18, the second tether 40 is provided with a slack region 48.

[0058] In use, the avoidance of serious injury can result when the momentum of the second tether 40, upon matching the momentum of the sport participant S eliminates the slack region 48 of the second tether 40 and restrains the helmet 12 of the sport participant 5, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.

[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, shell 14 of helmet 12 may also include a front region 50, a rear region 52, opposing side regions 54 and 56, each side region having an earflap 58 and 60, with an ear opening (not shown). As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the shell 14 of helmet 12 may be formed of a material comprising a plastic or composite, or other suitable protective material. Helmet 12 may also include a face guard 66 secured to the shell 14 by a face guard connector 68. Helmet 12 may also include a chinstrap assembly (not shown) that releasably secures the helmet 12 to the sport participant S.

[0060] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the uniform 26 may be an American football uniform comprising a jersey 62 pair of pants 64 having a waste band 28. Uniform 26 may also include a belt 30, as previously mentioned.

[0061] Advantageously, slack regions 34 and 48 provide the sports participant S sufficient head motion to conveniently perform all the essential head motions needed in a sport, such as football, until the safety factors of this equipment restrain the head motion by removing the front and rear slack regions 34 and 38 by virtue of Newton's Laws of Motion. In this way, the head is restrained to such an extent that no meaningful concussive force will be experienced by the sports participant S with system 10.

[0062] With this as a start, all the needed features necessary to take advantage of the present disclosure can be accomplished by those skilled in the art of equipment modification. They can design the size of any part of the uniform or equipment, particularly the size of the tether and its placement on the uniformed player.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 may be fixed to the crown region 16 of the helmet 12. A properly measured tether 18 and/or 40, appropriate for the size of a sports participant S and including a slack region 34 and/or 49, respectively, provides freedom of neck motion. In some embodiments, the first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 should be routed inside the helmet 12 in an enclosed space or channel and out safely past the face of the sports participant S, to a first connection 32 and/or a second connection point 46 adjacent to the waist of the players uniform.

[0064] The enclosure routing of the first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 should be manufactured of an appropriate surface free energy material and the surface of the first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 should likewise offer the smallest resistance to movement possible so that following Newton's Laws of motion, the speed of the tether will match the speed of the football player. Therefore, when the first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 lose all of their slack 34 and/or 48, respectively, the first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 anchored to the helmet 12 will stop the forward motion of the helmet 12 and prevent any contact that may cause a concussion of any serious consequence.

[0065] It is believed by the applicant that if an airplane traveling at from 180-200 miles per hour can safely land on a carrier by having its tail hook engage at least one of several cables across the deck of the carrier, which cables are interconnected with sufficient counterweights below deck and slow the aircraft to a safe stop within 4 seconds, the same should be true in the case of stopping a helmeted head of a football player to avoid a concussion.

[0066] This is accomplished by attaching a first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 to the top crown region 16 of a helmeted sports participant S, such as an American football player. The other end of the first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 should be fixedly attached to a point at or near the lower region of the uniform 26, e.g. at or near a belted point about the sports participant's waist in order to give the sports participant's neck freedom of motion to be able to perform all the unrestricted head turning maneuvers needed in the game. This will be accomplished by having each sports participant S measured so as to have the appropriate amount of slack 34 and/or 48 measured into their first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40. The speed of the tether will match the speed of the player until the player is struck by an equal or greater opposing force and Newton's Laws of Motion stops the speed of the tether, which will remove the slack therein. With the slack removed, the helmeted head of the sports participant S will be restrained from continuing to go forward, or alternatively backwards, because first tether 18 and/or the second tether 40 is attached to the helmet 12 at first ends 20 and/or 42 and at second ends 22 and 44, the other end of the slack-free tether is fixedly attached to the belted waist of the sports participant S. This will prevent the sports participant's head from striking any surface in anything approaching a concussive force. This feature can reduce or eliminate the problem of at least some concussions in football and many other endeavors. For example, a vehicle driver whose head can be attached to a resistance anchor sufficient to restrain the head, like the seat belt or other quick release mechanism.

[0067] It will be necessary because of the somewhat serpentine route that the tether or tethers need to take, the equipment personnel must be sure to resolve overcoming the surface resistance between the surfaces. One way is to have the surfaces coated with a Teflon or Teflon-like material or slip type material; this should avoid a meaningful concussion force.

[0068] The front and rear tethers should be placed within e.g. sleeves or tubes of a material that will offer the least resistance to motion between the surfaces of the sleeve material and the surfaces of the tether material. Materials such as Teflon and the like come to mind.

[0069] In some embodiments, the tethers described herein can be formed from fishing line, e.g., 20-30 lb. and coated with an appropriate surface material, e.g., Teflon. Slack measurements should be taken for each sports participant S. As such, each sports participant S will have his or her own tether measurements and slack region(s).

[0070] In some embodiments, the second or rear tether 40 may not require a slack region 48, if the sports participant S participates in a chin-up manner. Chin-up participation will supply the slack. However, for chin-down participation, a slack-region 48 will be required, as may be readily apparent. The same reasoning may apply to the first or front tether 18.

[0071] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for reducing concussions in a sport participant. The method includes the steps of providing a helmet, the helmet comprising a shell having a crown region; providing a uniform comprising a waist band and/or belt; providing a first tether having a first end and a second end; and connecting the first end of the first tether to the crown region of the shell of the helmet and the second end of the first tether to the waist band and/or belt of the uniform, the first tether having a slack region, wherein the momentum of the first tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the first tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.

[0072] In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of providing a second tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet. In some embodiments, the second end of the second tether is connected to the waistband and/or belt of the uniform at a point diametrically opposed to the point that the second end of the first tether is connected to, the second tether having a slack region. In some embodiments, the momentum of the second tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the second tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.

[0073] In some embodiments, the shell is formed of a material comprising a plastic or composite.

[0074] In some embodiments, the shell also includes a front region, a rear region, opposing side regions, each side region having an earflap with an ear opening.

[0075] In some embodiments, the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band, the second end of the tether connected to a point on the waistband. In some embodiments, the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band and a belt, the second end of the tether connected to a point on the belt.

[0076] In some embodiments, the helmet further includes a face guard secured to the shell by a face guard connector. In some embodiments, the helmet further includes a chinstrap assembly that releasably secures the helmet to the sport participant.

[0077] The adaptation of football equipment to the features described herein is, on a cost basis, insignificant in comparison to the avoidance of concussions at all levels of play, especially for play involving children. It is to be understood that because we would be concerned with people of different sizes and shapes, the different lengths of the tether are quite specific to the person being protected. In the case of football, the equipment personnel must carefully measure each player so that someone can calculate the tether length that will restrain the players head before the head strikes the ground, another player or other hard surfaces.

[0078] In the case of a player of the size of a Tom Brady, a slack region in the tether gives the necessary freedom to perform the movements needed. When the player is hit, his momentum will have removed all slack and the tether will be at its end attachment to the waist belt. The tether being fixedly attached at its other end to the helmet will stop his head from hitting anything with a concussive force. Tethering the helmet should be the end of one class of concussions in football and other sport endeavors. Rules against helmet-to-helmet contact should continue to be rigidly enforced.

[0079] In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other references are incorporated by reference herein and define a term in a manner or are otherwise inconsistent with either the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure or with any of the other incorporated references, the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure shall control, and the term or incorporated disclosure therein shall only control with respect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or the incorporated disclosure was originally present.

[0080] As used herein, the terms adapted and configured mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms adapted and configured should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply capable of performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0081] The systems and methods disclosed herein are applicable to the sports equipment industry.

[0082] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite a or a first element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

[0083] It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub combinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

[0084] While aspects of the present disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, the exemplary embodiments discussed above have been shown by way of example. It should again be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein. Indeed, the present disclosure includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.