RESTORATION DEVICE FOR GOLF GRIPS

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a restoration device and method that can be used to restore, for example, grips of golf clubs using abrasion. The device can comprise a body extending along an axis between a first end and a second end. The body can comprise a plurality of side surfaces. Each of the side surfaces can comprise an abrasive material that can be configured to refinish the grip of the golf club. The abrasive material of each side surface can comprise a different level of abrasiveness than the abrasive material of the other side surfaces. The device can comprise attachment mechanism provided on the first end. The attachment mechanism can be configured to secure the device to an item.

Claims

1. A device configured to restore a grip of a golf club, the device comprising: a body extending along an axis between a first end and a second end, the body comprising: a plurality of side surfaces, each of the side surfaces comprising: an abrasive material configured to refinish the grip of the golf club, wherein the abrasive material of each side surface comprises a different level of abrasiveness than the abrasive material of the other side surfaces; and an attachment mechanism provided on the first end, the attachment mechanism configured to secure the device to an item.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of side surfaces comprises three side surfaces.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the different levels of abrasiveness of the abrasive materials comprise: a coarse abrasive material; a medium abrasive material; and a fine abrasive material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of side surfaces comprises a concave surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the abrasive material comprises at least one of a paper-based adhesive material configured to attach the abrasive material to the plurality of side surfaces or a cloth-based adhesive material configured to attach the abrasive material to the plurality of side surfaces.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the abrasive material is removably coupled to the plurality of side surfaces such that the abrasive material is configured to detach and be replaced by a different abrasive material.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the abrasive material is a surface finish of the plurality of side surfaces.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a loop or a clip.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second end comprises a tool configured for at least one of cleaning or refinishing grooves on a face of the golf club.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the tool comprises a plate with a plurality of prongs extending away from the plate.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the tool is removably coupled to the second end.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to modify a coefficient of friction between the grip and contact points of a user.

13. A method for restoring a golf club, the method comprising: supplying a device comprising: a body extending along an axis between a first end and a second end, the body comprising: a plurality of side surfaces, each of the side surfaces comprising: an abrasive material configured to refinish a grip of the golf club, wherein the abrasive material of each side surface comprises a different level of abrasiveness than the abrasive material of the other side surfaces; and an attachment mechanism provided on the first end, the attachment mechanism configured to secure the device to an item; contacting a surface of the grip of the golf club with the abrasive material of at least one side surface of the plurality of side surfaces; moving the device back and forth so that the abrasive material of at least one side surface of the plurality of side surfaces rubs against the surface of the grip.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: contacting the surface of the grip of the golf club with the abrasive material of a different side surface of the plurality of side surfaces; and moving the device back and forth so that the abrasive material of the different side surface of the plurality of side surfaces rubs against the surface of the grip.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing the abrasive material used to rub against the surface of the grip from the side surface of the plurality of side surfaces that the abrasive material used is coupled to.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising attaching a new abrasive material to the side surface of the plurality of side surfaces that the abrasive material removed was removed from.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising attaching the device with the attachment mechanism to the item.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the second end of the device comprises a tool comprising a plate with a plurality of prongs extending away from the plate configured for at least one of cleaning or refinishing grooves on a face of the golf club, and wherein the method further comprises inserting the plurality of prongs in the grooves.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising moving the device back and forth such that the plurality of prongs rub against the grooves.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising attaching the device with the attachment mechanism to the item.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the drawing, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an example device for restoring golf grips.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a third perspective view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 taken along line 9.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 taken along line 10.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 taken along line 11.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 taken along line 12.

[0038] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 taken along line 13.

[0039] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example of a tool for cleaning and/or refinishing grooves in a golf club.

[0040] FIG. 15 is a front view of the tool of FIG. 14.

[0041] FIG. 16 is a side view of the tool of FIG. 14.

[0042] FIG. 17 is a top view of the tool of FIG. 14.

[0043] FIG. 18 is a top view of an example of a sandpaper shaped to be received by a side surface of the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following discussion presents detailed descriptions of several embodiments of devices, systems, and methods for restoring golf grips. These embodiments are not intended to be limiting, and modifications, variations, combinations, etc., are possible and within the scope of this disclosure. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain embodiments of the disclosure. Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the embodiments of the disclosure herein described. For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of various embodiments are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that one embodiment may be carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0045] The level of grip pressure on a grip of a golf club is fundamental to a back swing and keeping the club on plane, and then supporting the transition into the downswing and finally releasing the club at impact to provide the proper face angle of the club face at impact. As new grips begin to lose their coefficient of friction due to wear and/or debris, the player has the tendency to grip the club with significantly more pressure (so as to not let the club fly out of his or her hands), thus greatly influencing the release of the club at impact. The increased need for grip pressure tightens the muscles and tendons used by the fingers and the hands, and thus the hands have reduced speed in which the player releases the club during the down swing, and on average, the club speed is reduced, the ball speed is reduced off the club face, and the overall carry of a ball flight is estimated to be shortened by 2-4 yards. The additional grip pressure dynamics described above can also cause the club release point to vary and can thus create inconsistent contact with the ball. Further, the only commercial solution available today to restore the coefficient of friction on golf club grip is to replace the grips often, usually every 20-40 practice sessions or rounds or once every year, but the use of commercial grip replacement services results in lengthy waiting times and the cost for grip replacement can be very expensive. Additionally, traditional golf club regripping methods use grip solvent to replace grips which must dry before the user can use the regripped clubs. Solvents can take up to a day to dry. Thus, there are high costs and relatively long delays typically associated with regripping a golf club.

[0046] The present disclosure provides devices and methods for restoring golf grips (e.g., improving the grip of a used golf grip and/or restoring that grip to a new, like-new, or improved condition) that solves one or more of the above-noted problems with traditional methods. For example, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device that can be configured to restore grips through abrasion (e.g., a sanding like process) which may have no drying time and can allow the clubs to be used immediately after restoration with the device. Further, some embodiments of the device of the present disclosure can eliminate the need to frequently have grips replaced as well as the additional costs and the waiting time associated with grip replacement by providing a user with a device that can be readily used to restore his or her own grip by himself or herself. Finally, some embodiments of the device of the present disclosure can be used to restore a worn grip on a golf club to return the club to optimal and/or improved performance. For example, the restored grip can modify the coefficient of friction between the golf club grip and contact points of a user contacting the grip, for example, hands of the user. The modified coefficient of friction can optimize golf grip performance. Thus, the devices for restoring golf grips described herein may provide a commercially available option to provide the same level of adherence, grip, or friction as a brand-new grip in a simple, quick, and efficient manner. Further, the devices described herein can include an ergonomic design that allows them to be easily carried on or in a bag for on-the-go use including during and in between rounds of golf.

[0047] FIGS. 1-13 illustrate an embodiment of a device 100 for restoring golf grips that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects, and/or advantages of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 is a first end perspective view, FIG. 2 is a second end perspective view, FIG. 3 is a side view, FIG. 4 is third end perspective view, FIG. 5 is a left side view, FIG. 6 is a right side view, FIG. 7 is a top view, FIG. 8 is a bottom view, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9 in FIG. 5, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10 in FIG. 5, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11 in FIG. 5, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13 in FIG. 5 of the device 100.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1-13, the device 100 can include a body 102. The body 102 can extend between a first end 104 and a second end 106. The body 102 can include a plurality of side surfaces 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 includes three side surfaces 108. In other embodiments, however, the body 102 may include other numbers of side surfaces 108, such as four, five, six, or more. Advantageously, the body can be configured in an ergonomic manner such that it can easily be held and operated with one hand. In some embodiments the shape of the body 102 may narrow from the first end 104 and the second end 106 towards a midsection of the body 102 in a curved fashion to such that the body 102 and side surfaces 108 are concave is shaped. This shape could be advantageous when applied to golf grips because it can conform to the cylindrical curved surface of the golf grip and can allow for quick and easy movement of the device 100 along the surface of the golf grip. Further, the device can include a form factor that makes it portable, such that it can easily be carried with other golf equipment. For example, in some embodiments, the body 102 may measure 5.5 inches from the first end 104 to the second end 106. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the device 100 may measure 1.5 inches. Other dimensions for the device can also be used. For example, the overall length of the device can be about 4 inches, 4.5 inches, 5 inches, 5.5 inches, 6 inches, 6.5 inches, 7 inches, 7.5 inches, 8 inches, 8.5 inches, 9 inches, 9.5 inches, 10 inches, 10.5 inches, 11 inches, 11.5 inches, or 12 inches. In some embodiments, the diameter of the device can be about 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches, or 3.5 inches. In some embodiments, the device narrows so that the diameter at the center of the device (e.g., at the cross section indicated as 13 in FIG. 5) is smaller than the diameter of the device at a wider or the widest portion of the device (e.g., at the cross-sections indicated as 9, 10, 11, or 12 in FIG. 5).

[0049] The body 102 can be a single piece, for example, plastic that is blow molded or otherwise formed, machined metal, or other material such that the body is undivided. In other embodiments, the body 102 can comprise multiple pieces joined together by, for example, welding, using fasteners, or gluing. In some embodiments, the body 102 can be made of medical grade materials for strength and durability. In some embodiments, the body 102 can be made of waterproof and/or weatherproof material such that the device 100 can be used on outdoor golf courses regardless of the playing conditions for reliable performance.

[0050] The first end 104 can include an attachment device 110 configured to removably attach the device 100 to a bag or other piece of equipment. In some embodiments, the attachment device 100 can comprise a loop. In some embodiments, the attachment device 110 can be a clip configured to clip the device 100 to a part of a golf bag. In some embodiments, the attachment device 110 can be a hook-and-loop fastener such that the attachment device 110 includes either hooks, corresponding to loops on a golf bag, or loops corresponding to hooks on a golf bag configured to attach the device 100 to the golf bag. In some embodiments, the attachment device 110 can be a hook configured to hook the device 100 onto a golf bag. In some embodiments, the attachment device 110 can be a magnet configured to attach to a magnetic surface of a golf bag or a corresponding magnet arranged in the golf bag. In some embodiments, the attachment device 110 can be a pin that can be secured on a golf bag. In some embodiments, the attachment device 110 can comprise a string or a rope that can be tied to a golf bag. The aforementioned embodiments of the attachment device 110 are meant to be exemplary and are not meant to limit the present disclosure.

[0051] The second end 106 can include a recess 112. The recess 112 can be configured to receive a plug that can include a logo that can be used, for example, for branding or customization or serve as a bag or equipment identifier. In some embodiments, the plug can include a tracker configured to allow an owner of the bag to track the bag, for example, on their phone, mobile device, or other user device, that the device 100 is attached to. In some embodiments, the plug can include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In some embodiments, the plug can be configured to sound an alarm, for example, by user input into a phone, mobile device or other user device. In some embodiments, the plug can be coupled to the recess 112 using friction fitting. In some embodiments, the recess 112 can include threads such that the plug can be threaded onto the recess 112 to couple the plug to the recess 112. In some embodiments, the recess 112 can include clips that the plug can clip into. The aforementioned embodiments of the recess 112 are meant to be exemplary and are not meant to limit the present disclosure.

[0052] The recess 112 can also be configured to receive a tool 114 as shown in FIGS. 14-17 for cleaning or restoring the grooves of a golf club. Worn, damaged or dirty club face grooves on golf clubs can have multiple negative effects on performance due to the lack of friction between the club face and the ball, including slower ball speeds, reduced shot height, and major decreases in backspin. The tool for cleaning and restoring grooves of the present disclosure can restore the functionality of the groves with prongs 118 configured to use abrasion to restore the shape of the groves to return the club to optimal performance without replacing the club head.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 14-17, the tool 114 can include a plate 116 configured as a base and one or a plurality of prongs 118 extending in a direction away from the plate 116 and configured to correspond to the size and shape of the grooves of a golf club. In some embodiments, the plate 116 can be shaped such that the tool 114 can fit into the recess 112. In some embodiments, the tool 114 can be coupled to the recess 112 using friction fitting. In some embodiments, the recess can include threads such that the tool 114 can be threaded onto the recess 112 to couple the tool 114 to the recess. In some embodiments, the recess 112 can include clips that the tool 114 can clip into.

[0054] In some embodiments, the tool 114 may include one, or two, or three, or four, of five, or six, or seven, or eight, or nine, or ten, or more prongs 118. Ends of the prongs 118 can be sharpened to clean and reform grooves. In some embodiments, the ends of the prongs 118 are sharpened such that they recut and reform the grooves on the face of a golf club. The prongs 118 can have a specific length that corresponds to the desired groove depth. For example, the prongs 118 may be 0.020 in long. The groove cleaning tool 114 can be configured to reform grooves such that they comply with USGA standards. The prongs 118 can be carbide, for example or carbide tipped. In some embodiments, the prongs 118 can be high-speed steel or high-speed steel tipped. In some embodiments, the prongs 118 can be cermet or cermet tipped. Other materials can also be used. In some embodiments, the tool can be formed as a single piece with the body 102 of the device 100 or may be permanently attached to the device 100. Over time, one or more of the prongs 118 may get damaged or the tips may dull. In some embodiments, one or more of the prongs 118 can be removed from the plate 116 and replaced with new prongs 118. In some embodiments, the tips of the prongs 118 may be U-shaped. In some embodiments, the tips of the prongs 118 may be V-shaped. In should be appreciated that not all of the tips of the prongs 118 must have the same shape. For example, in some embodiments, some of the tips of the prongs 118 may be U-shaped while the other tips may be V-shaped or have a different shape. In some embodiments, the tips of the prongs 118 can be flat, like a chisel. In some embodiments, the tips of the prongs 118 can be round with a radius between, for example, 0.010 inches and 0.020 inches. In some embodiments, all of the prongs 118 may be of the same length. In some embodiments, the prongs 118 may differ in length. In some embodiments, the prongs 118 may be aligned along the same axis. In some embodiments, the prongs 118 may be arranged along different axes. In some embodiments, both the groove cleaning tool 114 and the plug may be coupled to the body 102 at the same time. In some embodiments, the groove cleaning tool may further comprise caps that can be configured to cover the prongs 118 when not being used.

[0055] The side surfaces 108 can each be configured with or configured to receive an abrasive material or a refinishing material or surface for sanding or otherwise refinishing a golf grip. In some embodiments, the abrasive/refinishing material can be sandpaper 130 that is shaped to be received in the shape of the side surface 108 as shown in FIG. 18 and that is adhesively and removably attached to the side surface 108 such that the sandpaper 130 can be removed and is replaceable. In further embodiments, the side surface 108 can include one or more recesses such that the sandpaper 130 can be removably coupled to the side surfaces 108 by securing the ends of the sandpaper 130 in the one or more recesses such that the sandpaper can be removed and is replaceable. In some embodiments, the refinishing material can be the surface finish on the side surfaces 108. In some embodiments, each side surface 108 can include a refinishing material of a different granularity to provide a different surface finish to the golf club grip. In some embodiments, the refinishing materials (e.g., whether formed directly on the side surfaces 108 or configured to attach to the side surfaces 108) can include a coarse granularity material, for example, 40-grit to 120-grit, a medium granularity material, for example, 60-grit to 140-grit and a fine granularity material, 110-grit to 190-grit. In one particular embodiment, the granularities applied to each of the side surfaces 108 are 80-grit (coarse), 100-grit (medium), and 150-grit (fine). In some embodiments, the grits comprise silicon carbide grits, although other materials can also be used. The granularities of the refinishing materials can be chosen based on the desired golf grip finish. In some embodiments, the refinishing materials can be heat and water-resistant grit cloth with the durability for many restorations that can allow a user to restore golf grips while playing in any weather condition. In some embodiments, the side surfaces 108 can be contoured shaped to make use of the device 100 efficient and effective on a variety of different shapes and surfaces. For example, in some embodiments, the side surfaces 108 can be concave to better conform to a rounded golf club grip. In other embodiments, the side surfaces 108 may be flat or convex. In some embodiments, the side surfaces 108 can be made of a flexible material such that it can be configured to conform to the shape of the grip to be restored. It can be appreciated that although FIGS. 1-13 show a device 100 with three side surfaces 108, other embodiments can include four, five, six, or more side surfaces 108. In some embodiments, the side surfaces 108 can include windows or covers that can be configured to slide over the abrasive material when not being used.

[0056] An example use of an embodiment of the device 100 can be to restore golf club grips. A user could first insert and/or adhesively attach an abrasive material (e.g., the grit paper cloths of the desired granularity) into/onto the side surfaces 108. In some embodiments, the abrasive material may already be attached to the side surfaces 108. The user could then rub the device 100 with a variety of pressures, for example, with slight pressure, against the golf grip surface with the device 100 positioned such that the abrasive material with the granularity for the desired finish is in contact with the golf grip while rubbing until the golf grip surface is restored. The user can then optionally remove and/or replace the abrasive material from the device 100 if the abrasive material of that granularity is no longer needed or is worn out. In some embodiments, the user may first use a side surface 108 with a coarse abrasive material to contact and rub against the golf grip and then switch to a different side surface 108 with an abrasive material of a different granularity, preferably a finer granularity, to further refine the golf grip. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a lever and/or slider arranged on the device 100 such that the user may move the lever and/or slider to rub the abrasive material against the golf grip. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a motor that is configured to move the abrasive material so as to apply friction to the golf grip. For example, the motor can be configured to rotate a plurality of rollers that the abrasive material is coupled to in order to revolve the abrasive material about the rollers to rub the abrasive material against the golf grip. In some embodiments, the device 100 may include a holder configured to receive a hand or other object to provide an additional contacting surface for holding the device 100 while, for example, rubbing the abrasive material against the golf grip.

[0057] An example use of an embodiment of the device 100 can be to restore the grooves on a golf club. A user could first attach the tool 114 with the appropriately sized and shaped prongs 118 for the grooves to be restored to the recess 112. The user could then position the device 100 such that the prongs 118 are positioned in the grooves to be restored. The user then could move the device back and forth along the groove pattern until the grooves are restored. This can remove debris that has built up in the grooves and refine the grooves into a desired shape.

[0058] Although the foregoing description of the device 100 disclosed by this application describes mostly embodiments of the device relating to the field of golf, it should be appreciated that the device 100 of the present disclosure is not limited to the field of golf and alternative embodiments of the device 100 of the present disclosure can be used in other fields. For example, some embodiments of the device 100 can be used in industrial applications such as to finalize items coming off an assembly line or in a manufacturing process to give the items a desired finish or remove debris from the items. In other embodiments, a tradesman can use the device 100 to restore grips on his or her tools such as the grip of a hammer or the grip of a drill. In additional embodiments, the device 100 can be used in the context of other sports such as for the grip of a baseball bat or a tennis racket. Further, in some embodiments, the device 100 can be used to sand down edges or smooth out a surface. In some embodiments, the device 100 can be used in the beauty and cosmetics field, for example, as an emery board to provide a manicure and/or pedicure. In some embodiments, the device 100 can be used in additive manufacturing, for example, to remove excess material. In some embodiments, the device 100 can be used for artistic purposes to create desired textures. In some embodiments, the device 100 can be used to restore and/or refurbish shoes.

[0059] The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the devices and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the devices and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated.

[0060] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described disclosure. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.

[0061] Reference in the specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, or in some embodiments means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Moreover, the appearance of these or similar phrases throughout the specification does not necessarily mean that these phrases all refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive. Various features are described herein which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but may not be requirements for other embodiments.

[0062] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0063] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as open terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes but is not limited to, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (e.g., a and/or an should typically be interpreted to mean at least one or one or more); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0064] Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C, etc. is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, or C, etc. is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, or C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase A or B will be understood to include the possibilities of A or B or A and B.

[0065] The term comprising as used herein is synonymous with including, containing, or characterized by, and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0066] The above description discloses several methods and materials of the present invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in the methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that this invention be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the true scope and spirit of the invention as embodied in the attached claims. Applicant reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be 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 those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.