SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TRANSFORMABLE FURNITURE

Abstract

A multifunctional furniture device that may simultaneously serve gaming, vocational, and lounging purposes is provided. The system generally comprises an external shell, positioning mechanism, platform, and seat. A user may alter the position of a top section and bottom section of the external shell to create different furniture types. The positioning mechanism of the device allows for the platform to be usably positioned in front of the seat when the external shell is placed in an open position. A computing device, input device, and display may be incorporated into the multifunctional furniture device to allow the user to perform vocational and entertainment activities when placed in an open position and may be hidden along with the positioning mechanism, platform, and seat within an internal cavity of the external shell when placed in a closed position.

Claims

1) A system for a reconfigurable furniture device comprising: a bottom section comprising a bottom panel, end panel, and bottom side panels, rotating pillars rotatably secured to said bottom side panels at bottom ends via forward attachment points and backward attachment points, wherein said bottom side panels act as fixed linkages in combination with said forward attachment points and said backward attachment points, wherein said forward attachment points of said bottom side panels are aligned directly across from one another such that a first line drawn between said forward attachment points is parallel with a flat surface on which said bottom panel is in contact, wherein said backward attachment points of said bottom side panels are aligned directly across from one another such that a second line drawn between said backward attachment points is parallel with a flat surface on which said bottom panel is in contact, wherein said first line and said second line are at least one of in plane or parallel, positioning bars rotatably secured to crank points of said rotating pillars at a second end, platform bars rotatably secured to said rotating pillars at a top end via free linkage attachment points, wherein movement of said positioning bars causes said rotating pillars and platform bars to rotate about said forward attachment points, backward attachment points, and free linkage attachment points, and a platform secured to said platform bars, wherein rotation of said rotating pillars and said platform bars about said forward attachment points, backward attachment points, and free linkage attachment points causes said platform to reorient to be substantially parallel with said flat surface on which said bottom panel is in contact.

2) The system of claim 1, further comprising a first inner column and second inner column of said rotating pillars and a right side panel and left side panel of said bottom side panels, wherein said first inner column is secured to said backward attachment points of said right side panel, wherein said second inner column is secured to said backward attachment points of said left side panel.

3) The system of claim 2, further comprising a first outer column and second outer column of said rotating pillars, wherein said first outer column is secured to said forward attachment points of said right side panel, wherein said second outer column is secured to said forward attachment points of said left side panel.

4) The system of claim 3, wherein said forward attachment points of said right side panel is higher than said backward attachment points of said right side panel such that a third line drawn between said forward attachment points of said right side panel and backward attachment points of said right side panel is not parallel with said bottom panel of said bottom section, wherein said forward attachment points of said left side panel is higher than said backward attachment points of said left side panel such that a fourth line drawn between said forward attachment points of said left side panel and backward attachment points of said left side panel is not parallel with said bottom panel of said bottom section.

5) The system of claim 3, wherein a first positioning bar is rotatably secured to said crank points of said first inner column, wherein a second positioning bar is rotatably secured to said crank points of said second inner column.

6) The system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of said bottom panel is generally perpendicular with said inner surface of said bottom side panels.

7) A system for a reconfigurable furniture device comprising: an exterior shell comprising a top section rotatably secured to a bottom section via a hinge, wherein rotation of said top section about said bottom section via said hinge places said exterior shell in one of an open position and a closed position, wherein said top section and said bottom section create an internal cavity when in said closed position, rotating pillars rotatably secured to bottom side panels of said bottom section of said exterior shell at bottom ends via forward attachment points and backward attachment points, wherein said bottom side panels act as fixed linkages in combination with said forward attachment points and said backward attachment points, positioning bars rotatably secured to top side panels of said top section at a first end and rotatable secured to crank points of said rotating pillars at a second end, and platform bars rotatably secured to said rotating pillars at a top end via free linkage attachment points, wherein movement of said positioning bars via rotation of said top section about said bottom section causes said rotating pillars and platform bars to rotate about said forward attachment points, backward attachment points, and free linkage attachment points.

8) The system of claim 7, further comprising an inner column of said rotating pillars, wherein said inner column is secured to said bottom side panels at said backward attachment points.

9) The system of claim 8, further comprising an outer column of said rotating pillars, wherein said outer column is secured to said bottom side panels at a forward attachment points.

10) The system of claim 9, wherein said forward attachment points is higher than said backward attachment points such that a line drawn between said forward attachment points and backward attachment points is not parallel with a floor of said bottom section.

11) The system of claim 9, wherein said positioning bars are rotatably secured to said inner column of said rotating pillars at said crank points.

12) The system of claim 11, wherein said positioning bars comprises a straight central section and two curved ends, wherein said straight central section is substantially parallel with a flat surface on which a bottom panel of said bottom section is in contact when said top section and said bottom section are in said open position, wherein said straight central section is between zero and one inch from said bottom panel of said bottom section when said top section and said bottom section are in said open position.

13) The system of claim 12, wherein said crank points of said inner column are higher than said backward attachment points when said top section and said bottom section are in said open position.

14) The system of claim 7, further comprising a support base secured to an interior surface of a floor panel of said top section.

15) The system of claim 14, further comprising a seat comprising a hinge and a seat bar, wherein said seat is rotatably secured to a top panel of said top section via said hinge, wherein said seat bar is secured to a bottom of said seat and secures said seat to said support base via slots of said support base.

16) The system of claim 15, wherein said positioning bars, rotating pillars, platform bars, support base, and seat are enclosed within said internal cavity created when said top section and said bottom section are in said open position.

17) The system of claim 7, further comprising a platform secured to said platform bars, wherein rotation of said rotating pillars and said platform bars about said forward attachment points, backward attachment points, and free linkage attachment points causes said platform to reorient to be substantially parallel with a flat surface on which a bottom panel of said bottom section is in contact.

18) A system for a reconfigurable furniture device comprising: an exterior shell comprising a top section rotatably secured to a bottom section via a hinge, wherein rotation of said top section about said bottom section via said hinge places said exterior shell in one of an open position and a closed position, wherein said top section and said bottom section create an internal cavity when in said closed position, inner columns rotatably secured to bottom side panels of said bottom section of said exterior shell at bottom ends via backward attachment points, outer columns rotatably secured to said bottom side panels of said bottom section of said exterior shell at bottom ends via forward attachment points, positioning bars rotatably secured to top side panels of said top section and rotatable secured to crank points of said inner columns, platform bars rotatably secured to said outer columns and inner columns at top ends via free linkage attachment points, wherein movement of said positioning bars via rotation of said top section about said bottom section causes said outer columns, inner columns, and platform bars to rotate about said forward attachment points, backward attachment points, and free linkage attachment points, and a support base secured to an interior surface of a floor panel of said top section having side slots, wherein a seat bar secured to a bottom of a seat slidably attaches said seat to said support base via said side slots.

19) The system of claim 18, wherein said seat is rotatably secured to a top panel of said top section via said hinge.

20) The system of claim 18, wherein said seat wherein said positioning bars, rotating pillars, platform bars, support base, and seat are enclosed within said internal cavity created when said top section and said bottom section are in said open position.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 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:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a multifunctional furniture device embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a multifunctional furniture device embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure and in a closed position.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a multifunctional furniture device embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure and in an open position.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a multifunctional furniture device embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of multifunctional furniture device embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of multifunctional furniture device embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a multifunctional furniture device embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure and moving from a closed position to an open position.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a multifunctional furniture device embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure and being used by a user within an environment.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating certain method steps of a method embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] 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 instance, 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.

[0021] The term comprises and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For instance, a multifunctional furniture device 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. 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).

[0022] As will be evident from the disclosure provided, the present invention satisfies the need for a multifunctional furniture device 100 that can accommodate work/entertainment needs as well as function as other pieces of furniture. FIGS. 1-9 illustrate embodiments of the system 100. The multifunctional furniture device 100 generally comprises an exterior shell 105, opening mechanism, platform 125, and seating arrangement. In another preferred embodiment, the device 100 may further comprise a computing device 810 and/or at least one input device 505. Other embodiments of the device 100 may include speakers and haptic feedback devices that may be used to further immerse a user 805 into a gaming experience. In some embodiments, the seat 130 may further comprise or massage device that may be used to increase the comfort level of a user 805 sitting within the working space created by the device 100 when in an open position 710, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a multifunctional furniture device 100 in an open position 710, wherein said open position 710 creates a first furniture configuration in which a user 805 may perform gaming/vocational activities. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a multifunctional furniture device 100 in a closed position 705, wherein said closed position 705 creates a second furniture configuration that hides the first furniture configuration. FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a multifunctional furniture device 100 in an open position 710. FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a multifunctional furniture device 100. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional left-side view of a multifunctional furniture device 100 in a closed position 705, wherein the interior of the rotating pillars secured to the left side is viewable. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional right-side view of a multifunctional furniture device 100 in a closed position 705, wherein the exterior of the rotating pillars secured to the left side is viewable. FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective side view of a multifunctional furniture device 100 moving from a closed position 705 to an open position 710. FIG. 8 illustrates how a user 805 might use the multifunctional furniture device 100 when in an open position 710 within an environment 800. FIG. 9 illustrates a method that may be carried out by a user of the multifunctional furniture device 100. It is understood that the various method steps associated with the method of the present disclosure may be carried by a user 805 using the multifunctional furniture device 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-8.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the exterior shell 105 of the multifunctional furniture device 100 comprises a top section 105A and bottom section 105B operably connected via a hinge 105C where the top section 105A and bottom section 105B meet at a corner, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The top section 105A preferably comprises a floor panel secured to a top section having a top panel, top left side panel, and top right side panel whereas the bottom section 105B preferably comprises an end panel secured to a bottom section having a bottom panel, bottom left side panel, and bottom right panel. Each panel of the top section 105A and bottom section 105B comprise an interior surface and exterior surface. In a preferred embodiment, the various panels of the top section and bottom section are connected in a way that creates a single top section and a single bottom section. In a preferred embodiment, the top section 105A and bottom section 105B of the exterior shell 105 are designed to fit together in a way such that they may be arranged into at least two furniture configurations, depending on a position that the top section 105A is placed in respect the bottom section 105B.

[0025] The furniture configurations created when the multifunctional furniture device 100 is placed in an open position 710 and closed position 705 are preferably of different furniture types, which may allow a user 805 to use the multifunctional furniture device 100 for multiple activities. Furniture types that the device 100 may take on include, but are not limited to, tables, chairs, desks, ottomans, beds, or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior shell 105 may be placed an open position 710 or closed position 705 by rotating the top section 105A about the bottom section 105B via the hinge 105C. An opening mechanism contained within the exterior shell 105 controls the position of the platform 125 whereas the position of the top section 105A and a seating arrangement contained within the exterior shell 105 control the position of the seat 130. Materials that may be used to construct the exterior shell 105 include, but are not limited to, wood, aluminum, steel, plastic, or any combination thereof.

[0026] The seating arrangement controls the position of the seat 130 within the cavity of the exterior shell 105 and allows the seat 130 to change position as the multifunctional furniture device 100 is moved from a closed position 705 to an open position 710. In a preferred embodiment, the seating arrangement comprises a seat 130 and a support base 135 to which the seat 130 is operably connected. The seating arrangement is preferably enclosed within the cavity when the multifunctional furniture device 100 is in a closed position. The seat 130 is preferably rotatably attached to the interior surface of the top panel via a hinge 105C located at a top end of said seat 130. A seat bar 132 secured to the bottom of the seat 130 via an extension preferably anchors the bottom of the seat 130 to the support base 135 in a way that prevents the base of the seat 130 from moving too far forward. In some embodiments, the seat 130 may further comprise a head support positioned on or above the top end of the seat 130. The support base 135 is connected to the interior surface of the floor panel and positioned in a way to accept a seat bar 132 of the seat 130. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the slots 135A of the support base 135 are curved to account for the radial movement of the seat 130 as it moves about the hinge 105C, allowing for the seat bar 132 to smoothly move through the slots 135A.

[0027] The positioning mechanism controls the position of the platform 125 relative the seat 130 within the cavity of the exterior shell 105. As the exterior shell 105 is moved from a closed position 705 to an open position 710, a force transferred to the opening mechanism causes said opening mechanism to rotate into an upright position and places the platform 125 in a position so that it may be used by a user 805. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning mechanism is a 4-bar linkage mechanism driven by a rigid, pivoting linkage. The positioning mechanism generally comprises rotating pillars, platform bars 120, and positioning bars 115, wherein the rotating pillars and positioning bars 115 act with the side panels of the bottom section 105B (which act as fixed linkages) to act as the 4-bar linkage while the positioning bar 115 acts as the rigid, pivoting linkage operably connected to the 4-bar linkage. Preferably, a first rotating column is rotatably secured to the bottom right panel and second rotating column is rotatably secured to the bottom left side panel via forward attachment points 605 and backward attachment points 610. The rotating pillars comprise an outer column 110B and inner column 110A, wherein said outer columns 110B are rotatably secured to the bottom right panel and bottom left side panel at said forward attachment points 605 and the inner columns 110A are rotatably secured to the bottom right panel and bottom left side panel at said backward attachment points 610. The forward attachment points 605 of the bottom side panels are preferably aligned directly across from one another in a way such that a line drawn between the forward attachment points 605 is substantially parallel with one of the ground or the inner surface of the bottom panel, and the backward attachment points 610 of the bottom side panels are preferably aligned directly across from one another in a way such that a line drawn between the backward attachment points 610 is substantially parallel with a flat surface on which the bottom panel is in contact with one of the ground or the inner surface of the bottom panel. In another preferred embodiment, the line drawn between the forward attachment points 605 and the line drawn between the backward attachment points 610 are in plane and/or substantially parallel. In yet another preferred embodiment, the forward attachment points side panels are higher than the backward attachment points so that if a line is drawn between a forward attachment point and backward attachment point of a side panel, the resulting line would not be substantially parallel with the bottom panel of the bottom section. The shapes of the inner column 110A and outer column 110B allow for the orientation of the platform bar 120 (and therefore any platform secured thereto) to change as said rotating pillars move from a collapsed position to an upright position, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-7.

[0028] To allow for unitary motion of the inner and outer columns 110B so that they may behave as if they are part of a 4-bar linkage, the inner columns 110A and their respective outer columns 110B are rotatably secured to platform bars 120 via free linkage attachment points 510. In a preferred embodiment, the platform bar 120 secures to the inner column 110A at a first end and the outer column 110B at a second end. The resulting rotating pillars form a 4-bar linkage mechanism, which allow the rotating pillars to move between collapsed and upright positions. A platform is secured to the platform bars 120 of the rotating pillars, allowing for the simultaneous movement of the rotating pillars. As the rotating pillars move between collapsed and upright positions, the shapes of the inner column 110A and outer column 110B (in combination with their different attachment points about the bottom section 105B) result in the platform bar 120 reorienting. In a preferred embodiment, the platform bar 120 reorients in a way such that a platform secured thereto may be used as a working surface for an activity. In some embodiments, the platform bar 120 may reorient in a way such that it is generally perpendicular with the floor so that a user 805 may view an output device secured to the platform bar 120 and/or platform.

[0029] As previously mentioned, positioning bars 115 acts as the rigid, pivoting linkage, which drives the 4-bar linkage that is the rotating pillars. As such, the positioning bars 115 preferably transfer force to the rotating pillars to cause said rotating pillars to move between collapsed and upright positions. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning bars 115 are rotatably secured to side panels of the top section 105A at first ends and are rotatably secured to the bottom end of the outer columns 110B at a second end. The positioning bars 115 are preferably secured to the outer columns 110B on the corner opposite the crank point 509, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, creating a kind treadle linkage where the upper section serves as the crank. The action of this treadle linkage allows for rotation of the outer columns 110B about their crank points 509 as the positioning bars 115 apply force thereto. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the positioning bars 115 comprise a straight central section and curved ends. Moving the top section 105A about the bottom section 105B causes the straight central section to move between contact/close contact and noncontact amongst it and the inner surfaces of the top section 105A and bottom section 105B, wherein the straight central section is between zero and three inches from the bottom panel of the bottom section when the top section and the bottom section are in the open position. In a preferred embodiment, the straight central section is in contact with the bottom section 105B such that stability of the positioning mechanism is increased when the multifunctional furniture device 100 is in the open position 710.

[0030] In some preferred embodiments, the multifunctional furniture device 100 may comprise a computing device 810 and/or display. A computing device 810 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, servers, databases, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. The computing device 810 may be implemented in a number of different forms. For instance, a computing device 810 may be implemented as a server or in a group of servers. In addition, a computing device 810 may be implemented as a personal computer, such as a desktop computer or laptop computer. A computing device 810 may include a processor, memory, storage device, high-speed expansion ports, low-speed expansion ports, and bus operably connecting the processor. In one preferred embodiment, the bus may comprise a high-speed interface connecting the processor to the memory and high-speed expansion ports as well as a low-speed interface connecting to the low-speed expansion ports and the storage device. Because each of the components are interconnected using the bus, they may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate. In a preferred embodiment, the computing device 810 comprises at least one graphical processing unit (GPU), which may assist or fully replace the processor when generating two-dimensional and three-dimensional images from a model by means of computing instructions.

[0031] The processor may process instructions for execution within the computing device 810, including instructions stored in memory or on the storage device. Processing these instructions may cause the computing device 810 to display graphical information for a GUI on an output device, such as a display coupled to the high-speed interface. In other implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memory units and/or multiple types of memory. Additionally, multiple computing devices 810 may be connected, wherein each device provides portions of the necessary operations. In a preferred embodiment, the computing device 810 of the present disclosure may be used by the user 805 in a virtual reality context, but a user 805 may use the computing device 810 of the present disclosure in any manner of ways without departing from the inventive subject matter described herein.

[0032] The multifunctional furniture device 100 may present data of the computing device 810 to the user 805 via a display operably connected to the processor. A display 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. Information presented via a display may be referred to as a soft copy of the information because the information exists electronically and is presented for a temporary period of time. Information stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be referred to as the hard copy of the information. For instance, a display may present a soft copy of visual information via a liquid crystal display (LCD) mounted to the platform, wherein the hardcopy of the visual information is stored on a local hard drive. For instance, a display may present a soft copy of audio information via a speaker attached to the top section 105A on either side of the seat 130, wherein the hard copy of the audio information is stored memory. For instance, a display may present a soft copy of tactile information via a massage device integrated into the seat 130, wherein the hard copy of the tactile information is stored within a database.

[0033] Displays may include, but are not limited to, cathode ray tube monitors, LCD monitors, light emitting diode (LED) monitors, gas plasma monitors, screen readers, speech synthesizers, haptic feedback devices, virtual reality headsets, speakers, and scent generating devices, or any combination thereof. Some preferred embodiments of the multifunctional furniture device 100 may comprise a display unit, which may be defined as a plurality of displays that work together to display information to a user 805. For instance, the multifunctional furniture device 100 of the present disclosure may comprise a computing device 810 operably connected to a virtual reality headset, haptic feedback device, and speakers to create a display unit that may fully immerse a user 805 into a virtual racing environment. For instance, the multifunctional furniture device 100 acting as an arcade cocktail table in a closed position 705 and a work desk in an open position 710 may comprise an LCD screen that is incorporated into the top panel of the top section 105A and a platform configured to allow for the support of the use of a laptop. A user 805 may use the multifunctional furniture device 100 to play traditional joystick-based arcade games when in a closed position 705 using the first LCD screen.

[0034] As used herein, an input device 505 may be defined as a device that allows a user 805 to input data and instructions that is then converted into a pattern of electrical signals in binary code that are comprehensible to a computing device 810. An input device 505 may include one or more conventional devices that permit a user 805 to input information into the computing device 810, such as a scanner, phone, camera, scanning device, keyboard, a mouse, a pen, voice recognition and/or biometric mechanisms, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the input device 505 is mounted to the platform and/or inner surface of the bottom panel. When the multifunctional furniture device 100 is placed in a closed position 705, the input device 505 is stored within the created internal cavity, thus hiding it from view. Alternatively, other devices may be mounted to the at least one platform, including foot massaging devices, ellipticals, heat pads, cardio cycles, fans, or any combination thereof. For instance, a foot massaging device may be connected to the inner surface of the bottom panel in a way such that a user 805 sitting in the seat 130 may have the foot massage device massage their feet.

[0035] FIG. 9 provides a flow chart 900 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the method of opening the multifunctional furniture device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8. Step 905 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 910, a user 805 may obtain the multifunctional furniture device 100. The user 805 may then rotate the top section 105A of the multifunctional furniture device about the bottom section 105B via the hinge 105C during step 915, placing the floor panel of the top section 105A in plane with the bottom panel of the bottom section 105B. Rotation of the top section 105A about the bottom section 105B causes the opening mechanism to move from a collapsed position to an upright position. The user 805 may then sit in the seat 130 during step 920 and subsequently perform a query to determine whether or not to adjust the seat 130 during step 925. In a preferred embodiment, a user 805 will position in order to maximize comfort while using an input device 505 and/or computing device 810 secured to the platform. Based on the results of the query, the user 805 may take an action during step 930. If the user 805 decides not to adjust the position of the seat 130, the user 805 may proceed to step 935. If the user 805 decides to adjust the orientation of the seat 130, the user 805 may adjust the position of the seat bar within the slots 135A of the support base 135 during step 932 and subsequently return to step 925. A user 805 may turn on the computing device 810 during step 940 and proceed to the terminate method step 945.

[0036] 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 process 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.