U.S. patent application number 11/116492 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-02 for collapsible hula hoop and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wham-O Corporation. Invention is credited to Boguslaw Orlowski.
Application Number | 20060246817 11/116492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37235052 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060246817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orlowski; Boguslaw |
November 2, 2006 |
Collapsible hula hoop and method
Abstract
A method for forming a hula hoop comprising depressing a peg
member on a first terminal end section of a cylindrical member, and
passing the peg member into an opening on a second terminal end
section of the cylindrical member to couple the first terminal end
section with the second terminal end section to form a hula hoop. A
hula hoop comprising a tube member having a first terminal end
section and a second terminal end section, and a connector assembly
having a conduit structure coupled to the first terminal end
section and slidably disposed in the second terminal end section.
The connector assembly additionally has a peg assembly including a
peg member passing through an aperture in the conduit structure and
slidably positioned within an opening in the second terminal end
section.
Inventors: |
Orlowski; Boguslaw;
(Oceanside, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Trellis Intellectual Property Law Group, PC
1900 EMBARCADERO ROAD
SUITE 109
PALO ALTO
CA
94303
US
|
Assignee: |
Wham-O Corporation
Emeryville
CA
|
Family ID: |
37235052 |
Appl. No.: |
11/116492 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/236 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/236 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/02 20060101
A63H033/02 |
Claims
1. A method for forming a hula hoop comprising: depressing a peg
member on a first terminal end section of a cylindrical member; and
passing the peg member into an opening on a second terminal end
section of the cylindrical member to couple the first terminal end
section with the second terminal end section to form a hula
hoop.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said depressing a peg member
comprises depressing a peg member into a spring-biased posture.
3. The method of claim 2 additionally comprising releasing the peg
member into a spring-biased relationship with the second terminal
end section.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said releasing the peg member into
a spring-biased relationship with the second terminal end section
is before said passing the peg member into the opening on the
second terminal end section.
5. The method of claim 4 additionally comprising sliding a top of
the peg member along a portion of the second terminal end section
while the top of the peg member remains biased against the portion
of the second terminal end section.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said spring-biased posture on said
peg member is released after said peg member enters said
opening.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein said cylindrical member comprises
a tube having an internal cylindrical surface.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said sliding a top of the peg
member along a portion of the second terminal end section comprises
sliding a top of the peg member along the internal cylindrical
surface of the second terminal end section while the top of the peg
member remains biased against the internal cylindrical surface of
the second terminal end section.
9. A method for forming a hula hoop comprising pressing a peg
member of a peg assembly into a flex-biased posture and in general
alignment with an outside cylindrical surface of a conduit member
which houses the peg assembly and is coupled to a first terminal
end section of a tube member; moving an end of the conduit member
into a second terminal end section of the tube member; placing a
top of the flex-biased peg member in biased contact with an
internal cylindrical surface of the second terminal end section;
sliding the top of the flex-biased peg member along the internal
cylindrical surface until the peg member passes into an opening in
the second terminal end section for coupling the first terminal end
section with the second terminal end section to form a hula
hoop.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said peg assembly comprises a
shoulder structure supporting the peg member, an arcuate structure
bound to the shoulder structure, and a base structure bound to the
arcuate structure.
11. A method for collapsing a hula hoop comprising: removing a peg
member from an opening in a second terminal end section by pressing
the peg member into a flex-biased posture and in general alignment
with an outside cylindrical surface of a conduit member which is
coupled to a first terminal end section of a tube member and is at
least partly slidably disposed on an internal cylindrical surface
in the second terminal end section; sliding the conduit member
along the internal cylindrical surface within the second terminal
end section to move the flex-biased peg member away from the
opening and place a top of the flex-biased peg member in biased
contact with a portion of the internal cylindrical surface; sliding
the biased top of the flex-biased peg member along the internal
cylindrical surface until the flex-biased peg member passes out of
the second terminal end section to produce the tube member with the
first terminal end section being decoupled from the second terminal
end section; and collapsing the tube member into a generally
coiled-spring configuration having a plurality of overlapping
loops.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said plurality of overlapping
loops have generally identical diameters.
13. A hula hoop comprising a tube member having a first terminal
end section and a second terminal end section; a connector assembly
having a conduit structure coupled to the first terminal end
section and slidably disposed in the second terminal end section,
said connector assembly additionally having a peg assembly
including a peg member passing through an aperture in said conduit
structure and slidably positioned within an opening in the second
terminal end section.
14. The hula hoop of claim 13 wherein said peg assembly comprises a
shoulder structure supporting the peg member, an arcuate structure
bound to the shoulder structure, and a base structure bound to the
arcuate structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a hula-hoop.
More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a
collapsible hula-hoop and method for exercising. Embodiments of the
present invention also relate to a method of storing a
hula-hoop.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] A hula is a Polynesian dance which may be characterized by
undulating hips. The hula dance may have inspired a plastic ring
sold under the trade mark Hula-Hoop, registered to Wham-O, Inc. The
Hula-Hoop brand plastic ring is a light-weight plastic ring which
is whirled around the body in proximity to the hips and may be used
for play or for exercise.
[0005] The plastic ring possesses a relatively large diameter, and
because its structural form is fixed, it has practical drawbacks. A
conventional hula-hoop plastic structure is cumbersome and may not
be easily transported. Also, the plastic ring when sold in a store,
occupies an inordinate amount of space, since it possesses a large
diameter and may not be readily collapsed to fit into a relatively
small box.
[0006] Therefore, what is needed and what has been invented is a
structural ring, preferably a plastic ring, which does not possess
the abovementioned disadvantages. What is further needed and what
has been invented is a structural ring which may be readily
collapsed to facilitate transportation and storage.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for
forming a hula hoop comprising depressing (e.g., such as into a
spring-biased posture) a peg member on a first terminal end section
of a cylindrical member, and passing the peg member into an opening
on a second terminal end section of the cylindrical member to
couple the first terminal end section with the second terminal end
section to form a hula hoop. The method may further comprise
releasing the peg member into a spring-biased relationship with the
second terminal end section. The releasing of the peg member may be
before the passing of the peg member into the opening on the second
terminal end section. The method may further comprise sliding a top
of the peg member along a portion (e.g., an internal cylindrical
surface) of the second terminal end section while the top of the
peg member remains biased against the portion of the second
terminal end section. After the peg member enters the opening in
the second terminal end section, the spring-biased posture on the
peg member is released.
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a
method for forming a hula hoop comprising pressing a peg member of
a peg assembly into a flex-biased posture and in general alignment
with an outside cylindrical surface of a conduit member which
houses the peg assembly and is coupled to a first terminal end
section of a tube member. The method further comprises moving an
end of the conduit member into a second terminal end section of the
tube member, placing a top of the flex-biased peg member in biased
contact with an internal cylindrical surface of the second terminal
end section, and sliding the top of the flex-biased peg member
along the internal cylindrical surface until the peg member passes
into an opening in the second terminal end section for coupling the
first terminal end section with the second terminal end section to
form a hula hoop.
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention also further provide a
method for collapsing a hula hoop comprising removing a peg member
from an opening in a second terminal end section by pressing the
peg member into a flex-biased posture and in general alignment with
an outside cylindrical surface of a conduit member which is coupled
to a first terminal end section of a tube member and is at least
partly slidably disposed on an internal cylindrical surface in the
second terminal end section. The method further comprises sliding
the conduit member along the internal cylindrical surface within
the second terminal end section to move the flex-biased peg member
away from the opening and place a top of the flex-biased peg member
in biased contact with a portion of the internal cylindrical
surface. The method also further comprises sliding the biased top
of the flex-biased peg member along the internal cylindrical
surface until the flex-biased peg member passes out of the second
terminal end section to produce the tube member with the first
terminal end section being decoupled from the second terminal end
section, and collapsing the tube member into a generally
coiled-spring configuration having a plurality of overlapping
loops. The plurality of overlapping loops have generally identical
diameters.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention yet also further
provide a hula hoop comprising a tube member having a first
terminal end section and a second terminal end section, and a
connector assembly having a conduit structure coupled to the first
terminal end section and slidably disposed in the second terminal
end section. The connector assembly additionally has a peg assembly
including a peg member passing through an aperture in the conduit
structure and slidably positioned within an opening in the second
terminal end section. The peg assembly comprises a shoulder
structure supporting the peg member, an arcuate structure bound to
the shoulder structure, and a base structure bound to the arcuate
structure.
[0011] These provisions together with the various ancillary
provisions and features which will become apparent to those
artisans possessing skill in the art as the following description
proceeds are attained by devices, assemblies, apparatuses and
methods of embodiments of the present invention, various
embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying
drawings, by way of example only, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a girl swirling the
collapsible hula-hoop around her hips.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a hula-hoop being releasably
separated and folded or collapsed into a coil shaped
configuration.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a view of a girl holding the coil-shaped
configured, collapsible hula-hoop.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view of a girl carrying the coil-shaped
configured, collapsible hula-hoop.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the collapsible hula-hoop
after having been separated into two terminal ends and with a
person holding the two terminal ends and in the process of
connecting or releasably coupling together the two terminal ends to
produce the collapsible hula-hoop with a generally continuous
structure.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the connector assembly coupled
to one of the terminal ends of hula-hoop.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the connector assembly
illustrating a peg member extending through an aperture in a
housing conduit.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of
the arrows and along the plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of
the arrows and along the plane of line 9-9 in FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of
the arrows and along the plane of line 10-10 in FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a partial top plan view of the other terminal end
of the hula-hoop illustrating an opening wherein the peg slidably,
releasably lodges for coupling together the terminal ends of the
hula-hoop to form the collapsible hula-hoop with a generally
continuous structure.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a partial top plan view of the terminal ends
coupled together by the peg member of the connector assembly
slidably, releasably lodged within the opening of one of the
terminal ends of the hula-hoop.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a partial side elevational view of one of the
terminal ends aligned with the connector assembly protruding from
the other terminal end of the hula-hoop in order for the connector
assembly to slidably mate with the internal cylindrical surface of
the terminal end.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a partial side elevational view of the connector
assembly slidably engaged to the terminal end having the opening
with the peg member in a depressed posture and biasedly, slidably
engaging the internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a partial side elevational view of the terminal
ends being releasably coupled together by the connector assembly
after the peg member has been slid along the internal cylindrical
surface of the terminal end while being continuously biased against
the internal cylindrical surface until the peg member reaches the
opening whereupon the flexible, flex-biased structure supporting
the peg member causes the peg member to spring through the
opening.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a partial sectional, side elevational view of
another embodiment of the connector assembly.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken in directions of
the arrows and along the plane of line 17-17 in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In the description herein for embodiments of the present
invention, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples
of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding
of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the
relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the
invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific
details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods,
components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances,
well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring
aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1 there is seen a ring, generally
illustrated as 10 and sold under the trade mark Hula-Hoop,
registered to Wham-O, Inc. While the Hula-Hoop brand ring member
will be broadly referred to hereafter as "hula hoop," such use of
the term "hula-hoop" is not to be construed as misuse of the trade
mark Hula-Hoop. Nor is the use of the term "hula-hoop" to limit the
spirit and scope of the present invention to any conventional
Hula-Hoop brand ring member which is typically adapted to be
whirled around a body 12 by movement of the hips 14. Such use may
be for exercise purposes or for entertainment purposes. The hula
hoop 10 may be manufactured from any suitable material, preferably
any suitable plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
[0031] The hula hoop 10 comprises a connector assembly 18 for
releasably coupling together sections of terminal ends 20 and 22 of
the hula hoop 10 for forming a generally continuous ring structure.
The connector assembly 18 is coupled to and/or slidably engaged to
the terminal end section 20. Terminal end section 22 includes an
opening 23. When the connector assembly 18 disengages the coupled
terminal end sections 20 and 22, the hula hoop 10 may be folded or
collapsed into a generally coiled-spring configuration 30, as best
shown in FIG. 2. In the generally coiled-spring configuration 30,
the hula hoop 10 includes a plurality of overlapping loops having
generally identical diameters. In the collapsed structure or
coiled-spring configuration 30, it may be easily carried and
transported, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0032] In the embodiment of the connector assembly 18 illustrated
in FIGS. 6-10, the connector assembly 18 has a conduit structure
18a having an outside cylindrical surface 18c and ends 32 and 34
and an opening 36. The outside diameter of the conduit structure
18a is slightly less than the internal diameter of the terminal end
section 20 so that the conduit structure 18a is capable of making a
snug, affixed connection with the terminal end section 20, as best
shown in FIG. 17. The terminal end section 22 has an internal
diameter which is larger than the outside diameter of the conduit
structure 18a to facilitate the passage of the conduit structure
18a into the terminal end section 22 for coupling together terminal
end sections 20 and 22 in accordance with the procedure set forth
hereafter.
[0033] The connector assembly 18 also includes a peg assembly 40
having a peg member 42 (e.g., a lug) supported by a flexible,
spring- or flex-biased structure 44 which biases the peg member 42
upwardly after the peg member 42 is depressed downwardly. The peg
member 42 has a top peg surface 42a that generally aligns with the
outside cylindrical surface 18c in the procedure of using the
connector assembly 18 for coupling the terminal ends 20 and 22
together to form a continuous hula hoop structure. The flex-biased
structure 44 has a shoulder structure 45 supporting the peg member
42. The spring- or flex-biased structure 44 also has a base
structure 46 supported by an internal cylindrical surface 18b of
the conduit structure 18a. The shoulder structure 45 and the base
structure 46 terminate in an arcuate structure 48. As peg member 42
is depressed, the spring- or flex-biased structure 44 flexes into a
posture having an upward bias such that when the peg member 42 is
released, the upward biasing of the spring- or flex-biased
structure causes the peg member 42 to spring back into its original
position before being biased. As will be further explained below,
when the terminal end sections 20 and 22 are being releasably
coupled, the peg member 42 removably lodges in the opening 23 of
the terminal end section 22.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 16 there is seen another embodiment of
the connector assembly 18 having the flex-biased structure 44 with
an intermediate section 50 integrally bound to the peg member 42
and to a structure 52 which defines an arcuate channel. Structure
52 is connected to a flange member 54 which is bound to the
terminal end section 20. For this embodiment of the present
invention, the peg member 42 generally operates as it does for the
embodiment of FIGS. 6-10. More specifically, as this embodiment of
the peg member 42 is depressed, the spring- or flex-biased
structure 44 (e.g., the intermediate section 50 and structure 52)
flexes into a posture having an upward bias such that when the peg
member 42 is released, the upward biasing of the spring- or
flex-biased structure causes the peg member 42 to spring back into
its original position before being biased. While the embodiment of
the connector assembly 18 illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 will be used to
illustrate the procedure for releasably connecting terminal end
section 20 with terminal end section 22 such that the hula hoop has
a general continuous structure for any suitable use, it is to be
understood that the use of the embodiment of the connector assembly
18 of FIGS. 6-10 is not to limit the spirit and scope of the
present invention which is to include any generally upward biasing
peg member 42 for removably lodging in opening 23 on terminal end
section 22.
[0035] Referring in detail now to FIGS. 13-15 for explaining the
procedure for releasably coupling together terminal end sections 20
and 22, the conduit structure 18a of the connector assembly 18 is
generally aligned (as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 13) with the hollow
end of terminal section 22. As previously indicated, because the
outside diameter of the conduit structure 18a is slightly less than
the internal diameter of the terminal end section 20, the conduit
structure 18a is capable of making a snug, affixed connection with
the terminal end section 20, as best shown in FIG. 17. A glue
solution or member (not shown) may be used to assist in connecting
the outside cylindrical surface of the conduit structure 18a to the
internal surface of the terminal end section 20. As further
previously indicated, because the terminal end section 22 has an
internal diameter which is larger than the outside diameter of the
conduit structure 18a, the conduit structure 18a may easily pass
into the terminal end section 22. After the conduit structure 18a
of the connector assembly 18 has been generally aligned with the
hollow end of terminal end section 22, peg member 42 is pushed or
depressed downwardly in direction of arrow B in FIG. 13.
Preferably, the peg member 42 is pushed or depressed downwardly
until the top surface 42a is generally aligned with the outside
cylindrical surface 18c of the conduit structure 18a. When the peg
member 42 is depressed or pushed downwardly, the spring- or
flex-biased structure 44 (e.g., the intermediate section 50 and
structure 52) becomes flexed such that the peg member 42 has a
posture including an upward bias.
[0036] Subsequently, the conduit structure 18a is moved in
direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 13 and into the terminal end 22
until at least a portion of the top surface 42a of the peg member
42 is under or superimposed by the internal cylindrical surface of
the terminal end section 22. The peg member 42 may then be released
which causes the top surface 42a of the peg member 42 to be biased
against the internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end
section 22 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The conduit structure 18a is
continually pushed in direction of arrow C in FIG. 14, and while
the conduit structure 18a is being continually pushed, the top
surface 42a of the peg member 42 remains biasedly engaged to the
internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22. Thus,
as the conduit structure 18a is being pushed into the terminal end
section 22, the top surface 42a of the peg member 42 slides along
the internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22
while remaining biasedly engaged thereto with an upward biased
being placed on the peg member 42 by the spring- or flex-biased
structure 44. The conduit structure 18a is continually pushed or
moved in direction of the arrow C until the peg member 42 is under
the opening 23 of the terminal end section 22 whereupon the upward
bias on the peg member 42 from the spring- or flex-biased structure
44 causes the peg member 42 to be released into the opening 23 as
best shown in FIG. 15. Thus, when the peg member 42 reaches the
opening 23, the upward biasing of the spring- or flex-biased
structure causes the peg member 42 to snap into the opening 23 and
to spring back into its original position before being biased. The
terminal end sections 20 and 22 are now coupled together as shown
in FIG. 15, and the hula hoop ring 10 is now formed for any
suitable use, such as being swirled around, and/or movably disposed
on, hips of a human being, such as the girl in FIG. 1.
[0037] After the hula hoop ring 10 has been used as desired, the
procedure is reversed to fold or collapsed the hula hoop ring 10
into the coiled-spring configuration 30 as seen in FIGS. 2-4. More
specifically, the peg member 42 is pushed or depressed downwardly
until the peg member 42 is no longer in opening 23 and the top
surface 42a is below the internal cylindrical surface of the
terminal end section 22 and generally aligned with the outside
cylindrical surface 18c of the conduit structure 18a.
[0038] As previously indicated, when the peg member 42 is depressed
or pushed downwardly, the spring- or flex-biased structure 44
(e.g., the intermediate section 50 and structure 52) becomes flexed
such that the peg member 42 includes a posture having an upward
bias. Subsequently, the conduit structure 18a is commenced being
withdrawn from within the terminal end section 22 until the top
surface 42a of the peg member 42 is not under or not superimposed
by the internal cylindrical surface of the terminal section end 22.
The conduit structure 18a is continually pulled in a direction
opposite to the direction of arrow C in FIG. 14, and while the
conduit structure 18a is being continually pulled, the top surface
42a of the peg member 42 remains biasedly engaged to the internal
cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22. Thus, as the
conduit structure 18a is being withdrawn from within the terminal
end section 22, the top surface 42a of the peg member 42 slides
along the internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section
22 while remaining biasedly engaged thereto with an upward biased
being placed on the peg member 42 by the spring- or flex-biased
structure 44.
[0039] The conduit structure 18a is continually pulled until the
peg member 42 is no longer in contact with the internal cylindrical
surface of the terminal end section 22, whereupon the upward bias
on the peg member 42 from the spring- or flex-biased structure 44
causes the peg member 42 to be released from biased engagement with
the internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22 and
to spring or snap back into the position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and
13 where the top surface 42a is above the outside cylindrical
surface 18c of the conduit structure 18a. The hula hoop ring 10 now
has decoupled and available terminal end sections 20 and 22, and
the hula hoop structure may now be folded or collapsed into a coil
shaped configuration 30 in accordance with the flow diagram of FIG.
2. As previously indicated, when in the coil shaped configuration
30, the coil-shaped configured, collapsible hula-hoop may be easily
carried as seen in FIG. 4, or may be easily stowed in any suitable
container for shipping or transportation.
[0040] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment",
"an embodiment", or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus,
respective appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an
embodiment", or "in a specific embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the
same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present
invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more
other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and
modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described
and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings
herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0041] It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements
depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more
separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as
inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a
particular application. Additionally, any arrows in the
drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not
limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the
term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and/or"
unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps
will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is
foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is
unclear.
[0042] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims
that follow, "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
[0043] The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the
present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and
examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative
purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within
the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in
the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these
modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the
foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present
invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0044] Thus, while the present invention has been described herein
with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of
modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the
foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some
instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be
employed without a corresponding use of other features without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth.
Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the
present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited
to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *