POCKET STYLE FOLDING BOAT LADDER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A boat with a deck has a sidewall or railing at the periphery of the deck, a door opening in the sidewall with a hinged door, and a pocket ladder assembly adjacent the door opening. The pocket ladder assembly including a stowing enclosure and an access port on one side of the stowing enclosure facing the door opening. A collapsible ladder when in an upright compacted stowed configuration is receivable and stowable in the stowing enclosure. The ladder in the upright stowing configuration is movable laterally out of the stowing enclosure into a door opening seating position when the door is in an open position. The collapsible ladder then rotatable from the upright stowing configuration to an intermediate configuration. The ladder then further convertible from the intermediate configuration to a fully deployed configuration, where the ladder extends outwardly and downwardly from the boat deck.

Claims

1. A pocket ladder assembly for a boat having a passenger deck with a periphery and a sidewall at the periphery of the passenger deck extending upwardly, a door opening in the sidewall, the pocket ladder assembly comprising: a collapsible ladder having a plurality of sections and a plurality of rungs attached thereto, the collapsible ladder having a collapsed stow state and an expanded use state; a stowing enclosure for receiving the collapsible ladder when the ladder assembly is in the collapsed stow state and is upright, the stowing enclosure placeable or placed adjacent the door opening; and a extension-retraction mechanism for moving the collapsible ladder between the stowing enclosure and outside of the stowing enclosure in the door opening on the boat.

2. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension-retraction mechanism comprises a threshold plate that is extendable from and retractable to the stowing enclosure.

3. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 2, wherein the extension-retraction mechanism further comprises an extender mechanism comprising one of a track and carriage slidable thereon and a plurality of rectangular or channel shaped tubing members telescopingly connected, the extender mechanism positioned at or positionable at a lower portion of the stowing enclosure.

4. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 2, wherein the collapsible ladder is pivotally and/or slidably connected to the threshold plate to extend the collapsible ladder outwardly and downwardly from the door opening.

5. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections of the collapsible ladder telescope together.

6. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections of the collapsible ladder are foldable together into the collapsed stow state and are unfoldable to the expanded use state.

7. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension-retraction mechanism comprises a threshold plate is movable from a stow position not obstructing the door opening to a use position where the threshold plate is at the bottom of the door opening.

8. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 7, wherein the extension-retraction mechanism includes a hinge positioned at a lower corner of the door opening such that the threshold plate is pivotal between an upright position at an opening to the enclosure to the use position.

9. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 3, wherein the collapsible ladder comprises a post with a plurality of telescoping post segments, and wherein the threshold plate includes a receiver for an upper end of the post, the receiving having a slot for receiving a pin extending through the upper end of the post whereby the collapsible ladder is slidingly and pivotally connected to the threshold plate at the receiver.

10. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 1, wherein the stowing enclosure does not exceed 3 feet in height.

11. The pocket ladder assembly of claim 1, in combination with the boat, the pocket ladder assembly installed in the boat, and wherein the boat comprises a door hingedly attached to a door frame defining the door opening.

12. A boat comprising a sidewall having a door frame defining a door open and a door therein, the boat further comprising a pocket door assembly positioned at the door frame, the pocket door assembly comprising: a collapsible ladder; a stowing enclosure for the collapsible ladder, the stowing enclosure having an opening at the door opening; an extension retraction mechanism for moving the stowed ladder out of the stowing enclosure to the door opening and from the door opening back into the stowing enclosure, whereby when the collapsible ladder is in the door opening it is extendable out of the door opening and downward.

13. The boat of claim 12, wherein the collapsible ladder telescopes and/or folds to a collapsed state.

14. The boat of claim 13, wherein the pocket door assembly further comprises a threshold plate that the collapsible ladder is pivotally attached to.

15. The boat of claim 14, wherein when the collapsible ladder is fully deployed, the threshold plated is position on the door opening.

16. The boat of claim 12, wherein when the collapsible ladder is deployed, the door cannot close.

17. The boat of claim 16, wherein when the door is closed, the collapsible ladder cannot extend out of the stowing enclosure.

18. A method of deploying a ladder from a boat, the method comprising: opening a door in a door frame providing a door opening; moving a stowed ladder having an upright stowed configuration in a stowing enclosure adjacent to the door opening into a ladder seating position in the door opening; rotating the ladder from the upright stowed configuration to an intermediate configuration; extending the ladder from the intermediate position to a deployed position where the ladder extends outwardly and downwardly.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein opening the door comprises rotating the door about a hinge with a vertical axis.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein extending the ladder from the intermediate position to a deployed position comprises extending telescoping sections of the ladder.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pontoon boat in accord with embodiments with a side door of the boat closed and a collapsible ladder stowed.

[0018] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1 in accord with embodiments with the side door open and the collapsible ladder in a deployed position.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single hull boat with a pocket ladder according to embodiments with the side door closed.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the single hull boat of FIG. 3 with the side door opened.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stern portion of the single hull boat of FIG. 3 with the side door open and the collapsible ladder stowed in the stowing enclosure.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view a portion of the single hull boat of FIG. 3 with the collapsible ladder in an intermediate position.

[0023] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the single hull boat of FIG. 3 with the side door opened and the collapsible ladder in an intermediate position.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the single hull boat of FIG. 3 with the collapsible ladder deployed.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pocket ladder assembly with the collapsible ladder stowed in the stowing enclosure.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective of the pocket ladder assembly of FIG. 9, with the collapsible ladder in an intermediate position after it has been pulled out of the stowing enclosure and with the threshold plate upright.

[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pocket ladder assembly of FIG. 10, with the collapsible ladder rotated outward and the threshold plate seated in the door threshold.

[0028] FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the pocket ladder assembly of FIG. 11 illustrating a receiver for the telescoping post of the collapsible ladder on the underside of the threshold plate, the post slidably and pivotally secured to the receiver.

[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pocket ladder assembly of FIG. 12 with the collapsible ladder swung downward.

[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the pocket ladder assembly of FIG. 13 with the collapsible ladder extended in a fully deployed position.

[0031] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a pocket ladder assembly according to embodiments illustrating the collapsed ladder partially out of the stowing enclosure.

[0032] FIG. 16 is a perspective detail view of a pocket ladder assembly of FIG. 15 with the collapsible ladder out of the stowing enclosure and illustrating detail of an embodiment of an extension retraction mechanism.

[0033] FIG. 17 is a detailed perspective view of the extension retraction assembly of FIG. 16, without the threshold plate and mounting bracket.

[0034] FIG. 18 is a detailed perspective view of the underside of the threshold plate and connections to the carriage and the central post of the collapsible ladder.

[0035] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of details of an extension retraction mechanism comprising a track and carriage.

[0036] FIG. 20 is a perspective detail view of the pocket ladder assembly components of FIG. 15 with the collapsible ladder in a fully deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a pontoon boat 20 generally has a deck 22 with an upper deck surface 24 and a deck periphery 26, a stern 27 and a bow 28. A sidewall 29, which may be configured as a railing 30 or as other non-rail wall structure such as the wall 32 toward the stern 27 of the pontoon boat. The sidewall 29 generally extends about the deck periphery 26 at the port and starboard sides 35, 36 of the pontoon boat and may be displaced inwardly from the deck periphery at the stern 27 and bow 28. The pontoon boat includes seating components 38, storage components 40, an operating counsel 41, and the like positioned on and secured to the deck in the passenger area 43 of the deck as defined by the sidewall 29. Three pontoons 45, 46, 47 are mounted to the underside 49 of the deck 22. The deck has a stern platform 51 or deck region aft of the portion of the deck enclosed by the sidewall 29. Typically, this is a location for deployable ladders on pontoon boats.

[0038] The sidewall 30 has a side door opening 53 defined by a door frame 54 comprising upright door frame members 55, 56 with a door 58 that may be hingedly attached to one of the door frame members, the door having an open position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and closed position as shown in FIG. 1.

[0039] In FIG. 1, with the side door closed, a pocket ladder assembly 60, shown in dashed lines, is in a stowed configuration position. In FIG. 2, with the side door open and the pocket ladder assembly is in a deployed position seated in a threshold of the door opening 47. Components of the pocket ladder assembly 60 viewable in FIG. 2 are a collapsible ladder 62, a stowing enclosure 64 defining a pocket for receiving the ladder, an extension and retraction mechanism 67, and a threshold plate 68. Details of the operation of the pocket ladder assembly are discussed below.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3 through 8, a hull 70 and deck 71 of a single hulled boat 72 is illustrated. The boat has a side door 73 in a door opening 74 defined in the sidewall 75 of the boat, the door opening defined by a door frame 76 with portions 77, 78 and including a door frame threshold 79. A pocket ladder assembly 80 positioned to deploy a collapsible ladder 81 at the door opening 74 when the door 73 is open. the collapsible ladder 82 extends from a threshold plate 83 that may extend over the door frame threshold. As illustrated best in FIG. 3, the door 73 has an exterior 84 which may have structure and finish to match the structure and finish of the hull exterior 85. The sidewall 75 extends upwardly from the deck 71 to a gunwale 88 and structurally is a unitary continuation of the hull 70. FIGS. 4 and 5 has the door hinge 89 with a vertical axis at an interior corner 90 of the door frame 76. The boat sidewall 75 contains or may define a stowing enclosure 94 for the pocket ladder assembly 80. That is, a fiberglass exterior hull and interior sidewall may define respective exterior wall and interior wall of the stowing enclosure 94 and define a pocket for receiving the upright collapsed ladder 81. In embodiments, a separate stowing enclosure as depicted and describe below may be contained within the sidewall portion 95 located aft of the door opening 75 as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. In embodiments the door may be vertically removable from the door frame, retained therein by gravity with cooperating slot structure on the door and door frame rather than hinges.

[0041] In FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the collapsible ladder of the pocket ladder assembly 80 is fully stowed in the stowing enclosure 94. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the collapsible ladder 81, in the collapsed state, has been laterally moved out of the stowing enclosure to the door opening and is still in an upright stow orientation. In FIG. 8, the threshold plate collapsible ladder has been rotated outwardly and extended to be fully deployed.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 9-14, details of the pocket ladder assembly 80 in the single hull boat of FIGS. 3-8 are illustrated. FIGS. 15-20 illustrate the pocket ladder assembly in isolation. The assembly 80 as illustrated may also be suitable for pontoon boats, particularly including pontoon boat designs having fiberglass sidewalls on the pontoon deck. That is, portions of the single hull boat into with the pocket ladder assembly are installed, could also be stand alone components mounted on a pontoon boat deck.

[0043] The pocket ladder assembly generally comprises the stowing enclosure 104, the collapsible ladder 81, the threshold plate 83, and an extension-retraction mechanism 112. In embodiments, the pocket door assembly may include, portions of, or all of, a door frame 115 that defines a door opening 116.

[0044] In embodiments, the stowing enclosure 104 defines a pocket 120 for receiving the collapsed ladder and may have a rectilinear overall shape with planar sidewalls 122. The stowing enclosure has an opening or port 125 with a flange 126 that opens toward the door opening 116. The stowing enclosure may be formed of polymers, fiberglass or other composite materials, and metals such as aluminum and stainless steel. The bottom side 128 of the stowing enclosure 104 may be positioned at or slightly above the deck top surface, not shown in these view. The stowing enclosure is suitably fastened inside the sidewall 75 of the single hulled boat with fasteners or bonded therein to the fiberglass hull.

[0045] In embodiments, the collapsible ladder 81 has a central post 132 formed of a plurality of telescoping post segments 134, 135, 136. Each post segment having a rung 140 with opposing rung portions 141, 142. The collapsible ladder has a collapsed state as shown in FIGS. 9-13 where the telescoping post segments 134, 135, 136 are in a minimal length configuration, and an extended configuration as depicted in FIGS. 14 and 20, where the telescoping segments are extended to the maximum length configuration. In embodiments, the collapsible ladder may be formed of folding ladder segments, such as is illustrated in U.S. Pat. Pub. 2008/0190698, said publication is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. In embodiments, the collapsible ladder may have two side posts with rungs extending therebetween. In embodiments, the collapsible ladder may be collapsible by folding, with hinges position between sequential arranged ladder sections. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,067,413; 5,211,260; 5,350,038; and 6,422,344. Said patents are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. The collapsible ladder may be made from stainless steel, galvanized steel, or aluminum, for example.

[0046] The extension-retraction mechanism 112 provides a means for moving the collapsed ladder into and out of the stowing enclosure. Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, 15-19, details of embodiments of the extension retraction mechanism are depicted. In embodiments, the mechanism may comprise a track 150 that is secured to the deck or other structure on the boat with the track 150 laying flat. A carriage 152 supports the threshold plate and rides along the track 150. The carriage may comprise and assembly including a pair of sliders 155, 156 that are slidingly engaged with and constrained to the track 150, a bracket 160 connecting the sliders and that provides a pivot connection 162 to the threshold plate 83. Suitably, the track 150 is mounted in a stainless steel footing box 165 that is secured to, such as being embedded into, the hull of the single hulled boat at the door opening threshold. On a pontoon boat the track may be securely fastened to the deck, or the footing box 165 may be placed in a recess cut into the pontoon boat deck and secured thereto.

[0047] In embodiments, the track extends from within the stowing enclosure to the threshold of the door opening such that the carriage, and thus the threshold plate and collapsible ladder, are centered in the door opening when the carriage is fully moved out of the stowing enclosure. In embodiments, the sliders 155, 156 may comprise bearings for engagement with the track, including ball bearings. In embodiments, polymer bearings may be utilized, such as HDPE bearings, for example. In embodiments, the sliders and/or track may be formed from polymers. In embodiments, the extension-retraction mechanism may have other configurations, for example, telescoping components that extend over and retract from the door threshold.

[0048] Referring in particular to FIGS. 11, 12 and 18, the central post 132 of the collapsible ladder 81 has an upper end 180 that, in embodiments, is pivotally and slidingly attached at a pivotal connection 181 to the underside 182 of the threshold plate 83 at a receiver 185 that is configured as a slotted bracket 186 with a pivot pin 188 extending through the upper end 180 of the post and through each of the slots 189 on each side of the bracket 186. This allows the threshold plate and collapsible ladder to have a minimum combined length as is shown in FIG. 11 when the pivot pin 188 and post end 180 are at the proximal ends 191 of the slots 189. This configuration constitutes a stow configuration when the threshold plate and compacted collapsible ladder are rotated upwardly as shown in FIGS. 10 and 15, for example. In this stow configuration the threshold plate and collapsible ladder fit into the conformingly sized pocket of the stowing enclosure.

[0049] The central post 132 may, particularly when the threshold plate and collapsible ladder are in the orientation of FIG. 11, be pulled outwardly such that the pivot pin 188 is at the distal ends 193 of the slots 189. In this orientation, the central post may pivot downwardly as best illustrated in FIG. 13. In this orientation, the threshold plate is extending over the door frame threshold, is seated thereon, and the central post is outwardly past the sidewall such that the ladder is hanging downward toward the water. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the compacted collapsible ladder 81 of FIG. 13 then may be extended.

[0050] Notably, with the seating of the threshold plate over the door threshold, the door cannot shut. This is helpful to swimmers, for example, entering the boat from the water and also provides a further visual cue that ladder is deployed.

[0051] The following clauses illustrate example subject matter described herein.

[0052] Clause 1. A pocket ladder assembly for a boat having a passenger deck with a periphery and a sidewall at the periphery of the passenger deck extending upwardly, a door opening in the sidewall, the pocket ladder assembly comprising: a collapsible ladder having a plurality of sections and a plurality of rungs attached thereto, the collapsible ladder assembly having a collapsed stow state and an expanded use state; a stowing enclosure for receiving the collapsible ladder assembly when the ladder assembly is in the collapsed stow state and is upright, the stowing enclosure placeable adjacent the door opening; and a extension-retraction mechanism for moving the collapsible ladder assembly between the stowing enclosure and outside of the stowing enclosure in the door opening on the boat.

[0053] Clause 2. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 1, wherein the extension-retraction mechanism comprises a threshold plate that is extendable from and retractable to the stowing enclosure.

[0054] Clause 3. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 2, wherein the extension-retraction mechanism further comprises an extender mechanism comprising one of a track and carriage slidable thereon and a plurality of rectangular or channel shaped tubing members telescopingly connected, the extender mechanism positioned at or positionable at a lower portion of the stowing enclosure.

[0055] Clause 4. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 2, wherein the collapsible ladder is pivotally and/or slidably connected to the threshold plate to extend the ladder outwardly and downwardly from the door opening.

[0056] Clause 5. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 1 or 4, wherein the plurality of sections of the collapsible ladder telescope together.

[0057] Clause 6. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 1 or 4, wherein the plurality of sections of the collapsible ladder are foldable together into the collapsed stow state and are unfoldable to the expanded use state.

[0058] Clause 7. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 1, wherein the extension-retraction mechanism comprises a threshold plate is movable from a stow position not obstructing the door opening to a use position where the threshold plate is at the bottom of the door opening.

[0059] Clause 8. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 7, wherein the extension-retraction mechanism includes a hinge positioned at a lower corner of the door opening such that the threshold plate is pivotal between an upright position at an opening to the enclosure to the use position.

[0060] Clause 9. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 3, wherein the collapsible ladder comprises a post with a plurality of telescoping post segments, and wherein the threshold plate includes a receiver for an upper end of the post, the receiving having a slot for receiving a pin extending through the upper end of the post whereby the collapsible ladder is slidingly and pivotally connected to the threshold plate at the receiver.

[0061] Clause 10. The pocket ladder assembly of any of clauses 1-4 or 7-9, wherein the stowing enclosure does not exceed 3 feet in height.

[0062] Clause 11. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 10, in combination with the boat, the pocket ladder installed in the boat, and wherein the boat comprises a door hingedly attached to a door frame defining the door opening.

[0063] Clause 12. The pocket ladder assembly and boat combination of clause 11, wherein the boat is a single hull boat and wherein the stowing enclosure is located in a wall of the boat that is part of the hull and wherein the door has an exterior that has a structure and finish that matches the structure and finish of the boat hull.

[0064] Clause 13. The pocket ladder assembly and boat combination of clause 11, wherein the boat is a pontoon boat and the door is a railing door, and the stowing enclosure is mounted to the deck of the pontoon boat.

[0065] Clause 14. The pocket ladder assembly and boat combination of clause 10, 11, or 12, wherein the door is not closeable when the collapsible ladder is not in the stowing enclosure.

[0066] Clause 15. A pocket ladder assembly for a boat, the assembly comprising: a door frame for placement within a side wall of a boat, the door frame defining a door opening; a collapsible ladder comprising a telescoping post, the telescoping post comprising a plurality of post segments, each post segment having a pair of rungs extending from opposite sides thereof, the ladder having collapsed stow state and an expanded use state; a stowing enclosure connecting to the door frame, the stowing enclosure having a receiving region for the collapsible ladder in an upright stow state, the stowing enclosure having an elongate upright opening at the door frame for passing the collapsible ladder between the receiving region in the stowing enclosure and the door opening; a track and carriage, the track extending between the receiving region of the stowing enclosure and the door opening of the door frame, the carriage rideable on the track between the receiving region and the door opening of the door frame; a door threshold plate pivotally attached to the carriage with a horizontal axis, the threshold plate pivotal between an upright stow position where it is receivable in the stowing enclosure, and a generally laying down use position where it extends outwardly from the door opening, the threshold plate having a post receiving portion on an underside of the threshold plate when the threshold plate is in the generally laying down use position, wherein an end portion of the telescoping post is pivotally attached thereto such that the telescoping post is pivotal between an aligned position where an axis of the telescoping post is aligned with a plane defined by the door threshold plate, and a deployed use position where the axis of the telescoping post is transvers to the plane defined by the door plate; wherein when the door threshold plate is upright and the ladder is in the stow state, the ladder is movable into and out of the enclosure.

[0067] Clause 16. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 15, wherein the pivotal connection of the telescoping post of the collapsible ladder to the threshold plate is also slidable between an inward first position corresponding to non fully deployed ladder position and an outward second position corresponding to a fully deployed ladder position.

[0068] Clause 17. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 15, wherein the door frame is U-shaped with two upright door frame portions.

[0069] Clause 18. The pocket ladder assembly of clause 15, wherein the door frame has a single upright door frame member.

[0070] Clause 19. The pocket ladder of clause 15, wherein a door is hingedly attached to one of the two upright door frame portions and wherein when the door is in a closed position the collapsible ladder is captured within the stowing enclosure.

[0071] Clause 20. A method of adding a ladder to a pontoon boat, the method comprising: installing the pocket ladder assembly of any of clauses 1-10, onto the deck of the pontoon boat at a door opening.

[0072] Clause 21. The method of clause 25, further comprising removing a section of a sidewall or railing from the pontoon deck prior to installing the pocket ladder assembly.

[0073] Clause 22. A boat comprising a sidewall having a door frame defining a door open and a door therein, the boat further comprising a pocket door assembly positioned at the door frame, the pocket door assembly comprising: a collapsible ladder; a stowing enclosure for the collapsible ladder, the stowing enclosure having an opening at the door opening; an extension retraction mechanism for moving the stowed ladder out of the stowing enclosure to the door opening and from the door opening back into the stowing enclosure, whereby when the collapsible ladder is in the door opening it is extendable out of the door opening and downward.

[0074] Clause 23. The boat of clause 22, wherein the collapsible ladder telescopes and/or folds to a collapsed state.

[0075] Clause 24. The boat of clause 22 or 23, wherein the pocket door assembly further comprises a threshold plate that the collapsible ladder is pivotally attached to.

[0076] Clause 25. The boat of clause 24, wherein when the collapsible ladder is fully deployed, the threshold plated is position on the door opening.

[0077] Clause 26. The boat of any of clauses 22 to 25, wherein when the collapsible ladder is deployed, the door cannot close.

[0078] Clause 27. The boat of any of clauses 22 to 26, wherein when the door is closed, the collapsible ladder cannot extend out of the stowing enclosure.

[0079] Clause 28. A method of deploying a ladder from a boat, the method comprising: opening a door in a door opening; moving a stowed ladder having an upright stowed configuration in a stowing enclosure adjacent to the door opening into a ladder seating position in the door opening; rotating the ladder from the upright stowed configuration to an intermediate configuration; extending the ladder from the intermediate position to a deployed position where the ladder extends outwardly and downwardly.

[0080] Clause 29. The method of clause 28, wherein opening the door comprises rotating the door about a hinge with a vertical axis.

[0081] Clause 30. The method of clause 28, wherein extending the ladder from the intermediate position to a deployed position comprises extending telescoping sections of the ladder.

[0082] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0083] While the aforementioned particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. It will be understood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such limitation is present. For non-limiting example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim elements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an; the same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.