U.S. patent application number 12/328807 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for stabilizer and cushioning support for athletic footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to Saucony, Inc.. Invention is credited to Merrick Jones.
Application Number | 20090145004 12/328807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40720168 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090145004 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Merrick |
June 11, 2009 |
STABILIZER AND CUSHIONING SUPPORT FOR ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR
Abstract
An athletic shoe support structure may include a midsole
constructed to resiliently support a foot and a cradle positioned
underneath the midsole. The cradle has a bottom and a sidewall
upwardly extending from the bottom, where the cradle is arranged to
receive the midsole in nesting relation. The cradle sidewall has at
least one aperture and the midsole has at least one protrusion,
where the protrusion is sized and shaped to engage the at least one
aperture in the sidewall. The cradle and/or the midsole may be made
of a foamed material.
Inventors: |
Jones; Merrick; (Needham,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, P.C.
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210-2206
US
|
Assignee: |
Saucony, Inc.
Lexington
MA
|
Family ID: |
40720168 |
Appl. No.: |
12/328807 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61005476 |
Dec 5, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/88 ; 36/114;
36/30R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/12 20130101;
A43B 13/183 20130101; A43B 13/187 20130101; A43B 13/10 20130101;
A43B 21/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/88 ; 36/114;
36/30.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/14 20060101
A43B007/14; A43B 5/00 20060101 A43B005/00; A43B 13/14 20060101
A43B013/14 |
Claims
1. An athletic shoe support structure comprising: a midsole and
cradle combination in which the cradle is provided with a plurality
of downwardly projecting pods independently engaging an upper
surface of an outer sole and supporting the cradle to receive in
nesting relation, the midsole, said cradle including a bottom and
continuous side wall with a plurality of apertures formed in the
side wall defined by a plurality of struts with the struts coacting
with one another to provide a leaf-spring support for the midsole,
said midsole having a side wall with an outwardly projecting flange
shaped, sized and dimensioned to engage in snug support with the
upper edge of the side wall of the cradle and with a plurality of
bosses or projections integrally formed with the side walls of the
midsole with the outwardly projecting bosses of the midsole shaped,
sized and dimensioned to engage the apertures formed by the struts
of the cradle in a snug relation.
2. An athletic shoe support structure comprising: a midsole
constructed and arranged to resiliently support a foot; a cradle
positioned underneath the midsole, the cradle having a bottom and a
sidewall upwardly extending from the bottom, wherein the cradle is
constructed and arranged to receive the midsole in nesting
relation; and wherein the cradle sidewall has at least one aperture
and the midsole has at least one protrusion, wherein the protrusion
is sized and shaped to engage the at least one aperture in the
sidewall.
3. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 2, wherein the
midsole further comprises an outwardly projecting flange
constructed and arranged to engage an upper edge of the sidewall of
the cradle.
4. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 2, wherein the
cradle further comprises downwardly projecting pods configured to
independently engage a surface.
5. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 2, wherein the
cradle has a plurality of apertures and the midsole has a plurality
of protrusions wherein the plurality of protrusions are sized and
shaped to engage the plurality of apertures in the sidewall.
6. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 5, wherein the
plurality of protrusions includes at least one lateral side
protrusion and at least one medial side protrusion.
7. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 2, wherein the
midsole is made of a foam material.
8. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 7, wherein the
cradle is made of a foam material.
9. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 7, wherein the
cradle is made of a material that is more rigid than the midsole
material.
10. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 2, wherein the
cradle is made of a material that is more rigid than the midsole
material.
11. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 2, wherein the
midsole includes a grid system.
12. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 2, further
comprising an outsole positioned underneath the cradle.
13. The athletic shoe support structure of claim 2, in combination
with a shoe.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/005,476,
entitled "STABILIZER AND CUSHIONING SUPPORT FOR ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR,"
filed on Dec. 5, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a combination cushioning
and stabilizer device for footwear, and in particular for athletic
footwear.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0003] Over the past several decades, great efforts have been
directed to the design of athletic footwear in order to enhance
their performance and comfort. Particular attention has been given
to lightweight footwear designed in particular for running and
similar activities. Over the years attention has been directed to
both providing comfort and stabilization. A good deal of these
efforts has been directed to the stabilization and comfort of the
heel since the heel portion of the shoe has significant relevance
in footwear performance. In designing heel structures that have
both stabilizing and cushioning benefits, different considerations
and problems are presented by each of these features. In
particular, stabilization of a heel requires a relatively secure
support which limits the ability of the heel to move. On the other
hand, cushioning requires resilience and comfort for the wearer's
foot when the foot applies a variety of pressures and forces to the
shoe.
[0004] Efforts to solve these apparently inconsistent problems have
commonly resulted in the design of midsoles having multiple
components that are designed for these features. Some of these
designs are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,526 issued Oct. 11,
1994 to Foley et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,199 issued Aug. 25, 1998
to Miller et al; and U.S. Patent Application Publication
2007/0028484 A1 published Feb. 8, 2007 to Akhidime.
[0005] These and other patents illustrating early work in this art
generally disclose the footwear construction in which the footwear
sole is provided with a craded arrangement of a midsole that fits
into a cradle structure which in turn is supported on the outer
sole of the footwear. These arrangements also generally disclose
the use of a cradle with cantilevered supports providing some
degree of shock absorption to absorb forces applied to the midsole
when pressed in a generally downwardly direction by a foot. The
specific structure, however, of the interaction between the
midsoles and cradles has generally been neglected and has not been
afforded the detailed attention required to provide maximum
efficiency and balance between cushioning and cradling.
Additionally, the interaction of the lower surface of the cradle
with the upper surface of the outer sole has been afforded limited
protection. As a result, the currently available configurations of
these designs do not afford maximum benefits for the combination of
the cradle and midsole combination when varying forces are applied
to them when the footwear is in use.
[0006] In one illustrative embodiment, an athletic shoe support
structure includes a midsole and cradle combination in which the
cradle is provided with a plurality of downwardly projecting pods
independently engaging an upper surface of an outer sole and
supporting the cradle to receive in nesting relation, the midsole.
The cradle includes a bottom and continuous side wall with a
plurality of apertures formed in the side wall defined by a
plurality of struts with the struts coacting with one another to
provide a leaf-spring support for the midsole. The midsole has a
side wall with an outwardly projecting flange shaped, sized and
dimensioned to engage in snug support with the upper edge of the
side wall of the cradle and with a plurality of bosses or
projections integrally formed with the side walls of the midsole
with the outwardly projecting bosses of the midsole shaped, sized
and dimensioned to engage the apertures formed by the struts of the
cradle in a snug relation.
[0007] In another illustrative embodiment, an athletic shoe support
structure includes a midsole constructed to resiliently support a
foot and a cradle positioned underneath the midsole. The cradle has
a bottom and a sidewall upwardly extending from the bottom, where
the cradle is arranged to receive the midsole in nesting relation.
The cradle sidewall has at least one aperture and the midsole has
at least one protrusion, where the protrusion is sized and shaped
to engage the at least one aperture in the sidewall.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An objective of the present invention is to provide an
improved design for a midsole cradle combination in which the
interaction of the midsole and cradle provides maximum cushioning
and stabilizing effect and in which the benefits of the combination
cradle and midsole are maximized when subject to forces in varying
directions when foot pressure is applied.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved midsole cradle combination design for ease in manufacture,
installation and use. A still further object of the present
invention is to provide an improved cradle midsole combination in
which the interengagement of the cradle and midsole is stabilized
by a series of projections integrally formed with the midsole and
projected into apertures formed in the cradle with the apertures
having the dual function of providing a cantilever support for
limited movement of the cradle while supporting the midsole for
engagement with the heel of the wearer's foot.
[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an improved cradle midsole combination in which the midsole
is formed with the extending pods radially arranged about the
periphery of the cradle to provide differential resistance for each
of these pods to varying forces applied to the combination cradle
and midsole by the wearer's foot.
[0011] The foregoing objects and advantages of the present
invention are attained by a footwear construction in which the
midsole is suitably nested within a cradle which is in turn may be
supported on an outer sole. The cradle is shaped with a series of
independent downwardly projecting pods peripherally arranged about
the cradle to engage the upper surface of the outer sole. The side
walls of the cradle are formed with a series of openings or
apertures that essentially define an open lattice work of struts or
cross-members. These struts or cross-members cooperate with one
another to essentially provide a leaf-spring support for the
midsole. The midsole in turn is formed with a series of projections
that are sized in shape to engage the aperture and upper edge of
the cradle with these projections supporting the midsole in
transmitting forces applied to the midsole by the wearer's foot to
the cradle on use. Forces applied to the cradle through the midsole
are transmitted through the cradle to the outer sole through the
independent pods which engage the outer sole.
[0012] A further embodiment of this invention contemplates a cradle
and midsole construction in which the cradle and midsole
construction are extended lengthwise to form a unitary cradle and
sole structure as well as a full length midsole.
[0013] Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain
advantages. Not all embodiments of the invention share the same
advantages and those that do may not share them under all
circumstances.
[0014] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as
well as the structure of various embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail below with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings are schematic and are not intended
to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical, or
substantially similar component that is illustrated in various
figures is typically represented by a single numeral or notation.
For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every
figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention
shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the
drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an elevational view of an athletic
footwear embodying the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective side elevation of a midsole
and cradle in nested relation, one to the other;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates the components shown in FIG. 2 but with
the cradle and midsole separated for illustrative purposes;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the cradle midsole
combination in nested relation to one another;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the midsole and cradle
separated one from the other for illustrative purposes;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a modification of the
present invention in which the midsole and cradle are separated one
from the other for illustrative purposes and in which both
components include a fore part or sole component;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the modified
components illustrated in FIG. 6 with the element on the left side
of FIG. 7 comprising a bottom view of the cradle and the component
shown on the right side of FIG. 7 comprising the midsole;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an engineering drawing comprising a rear plan view
of the right shoe of footwear having an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a view comparable to that of FIG. 8 but of the
left shoe;
[0025] FIG. 10 is an engineering bottom plan view of the embodiment
of FIG. 8;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a medial view showing the interengaged midsole
and cradle of FIG. 10;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a lateral view of the embodiment to FIG. 10;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken essentially along the line
A-A of FIG. 10;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken essentially along the line
B-B of FIG. 10;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken essentially along the line
C-C of FIG. 10;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken essentially along the line
D-D of FIG. 10;
[0032] FIG. 17 is an engineering top plan view of the embodiment of
FIG. 10;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken essentially along
the line E-E of FIG. 10;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken essentially along
the line F-F of FIG. 10;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a medial view illustrating another embodiment of
an interengaged midsole and cradle;
[0036] FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 20; and
[0037] FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken essentially along the line
A-A of FIG. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] This invention is not limited in its application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth
in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or
of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having," "containing," "involving," and
variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[0039] The present invention may be embodied or incorporated into
footwear of the type illustrated in FIG. 1. This footwear typically
considered athletic footwear includes an outer sole 10 and upper 12
of conventional design. The design of a particular shoe may vary
considerably depending upon the commercial needs of the
marketplace, but ordinarily would include an upper of a fabric
material with decorative stitching and various mesh components as
illustrated.
[0040] The principal components to which this invention is directed
may be supported on an outer sole 10 and may be coupled either
directly or indirectly to an upper 12. The principal components of
one embodiment of the present invention are illustrated FIG. 2. In
this arrangement, a cradle 14 is positioned directly over the upper
surface (not shown) of the outer sole 10. The cradle 14 supports a
midsole 16 in a nested relation as more fully described hereafter.
The cradle 14 and midsole 16 may be formed of lightweight foam or
plastic material conventionally used in structures of this type.
Various materials of construction are discussed in greater detail
below, but in one embodiment, some of the material may be selected
from a variety of polyurethane foams and the like. It should be
appreciated that although certain embodiments may include an outer
sole positioned below the cradle, the invention is not limited in
this respect, and some embodiments may not include a separate outer
sole component and the cradle 14 may function as an outer sole
10.
[0041] The cradle construction illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 is formed
with a bottom 18 and integrally and continuously formed upwardly
extending side walls 20, with the side walls 20 extending from the
lateral through the rear and to the medial side of the cradle 14.
The bottom 18 may be integrally and continuously formed with the
side wall 20. The bottom 18 may be formed with apertures 22
centrally located and extending through the bottom 18 of the
cradle. The shapes of these apertures may vary depending upon the
degree of flexibility and resilience desired in the particular
application.
[0042] The cradle 14 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2-5
extends forwardly to the instep region of the foot at which point
the cradle 14 is tapered to a feathered or essentially feathered
edge 100 so that it may be appropriately secured to the outer sole
10 or instep components of the shoe.
[0043] The side wall 20 is specifically defined by a series of
struts or cross-members 24 that essentially define a series of
lattice openings 26 extending from one side to the other and
including the heel portion of the cradle. These openings 26 extend
through the side wall of the cradle and may essentially function as
a leaf-spring system for support as hereafter described for the
midsole. Consequently, the struts or cross-members 26 are capable
of flexing and moving with downward forces applied indirectly from
a wearer's foot.
[0044] The bottom surface 18 of the cradle 14 is formed with a
series of separately defined downwardly projecting pods 28
independent of one another. These pods 28 are radially arranged
about the outer periphery of the cradle 14 and are formed with a
flat lower surface shaped and sized to engage a surface, such as,
in one embodiment, the upper surface of the outer sole about its
periphery. These downwardly projecting pods 28 are separated from
each other by a space which allows the pods to flex independently
one from the other when subject to varying forces in different
directions when the wearer's foot pressure is applied. These
downwardly projecting pods may be radially arranged about the
apertures 22 in the lower surface of the cradle 14. In the
configuration of the illustrative embodiment, the cradle 14 is
preferably formed with a plurality of apertures 26 on each side and
at least one larger aperture 26 extending across the rear of the
cradle in the heel region.
[0045] The midsole according to one illustrative embodiment is
shown in FIGS. 2-5. This midsole 16 in this embodiment is shaped in
size to nest within the opening formed by the cradle 18 and as
further described, fits snugly within it. The midsole 16 tapers
from a thickened heel end towards the fore part which may have a
feathered edge 102 to terminate essentially close to the
termination point of the cradle 14 so that both components may be
secured within the shoe in nested relation, one to the other.
[0046] The midsole 16 may be formed of conventional material which
may or may not be the same as the material used for the cradle 14
depending upon the specifics of the system desired. The midsole 16
may be formed with a recessed upper surface 104 defined by the
bottom 30 of the midsole and the midsole side walls 32 with the
midsole side walls 32 extending upwardly to form a smoothly shaped
cup to receive the wearer's foot (not shown). The upper surface 104
of the midsole bottom 30 may be smooth or formed with mesh-like
pattern for purposes of fitting the midsole in the heel region and
thus lightening the overall weight of the midsole. The lower
surface of the midsole may be similarly treated to reduce its
thickness and thereby its weight. In some embodiments, such as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the midsole 16 may include a grid
system 106 for additional energy return characteristics. A sock
lining (not shown) or other covering may be provided over the upper
surface of the midsole 16 to conventionally finish the interior of
the shoe.
[0047] An outwardly projecting flange 36 extends along each side of
the midsole 16 with these outwardly projecting flanges 36 having a
lower surface 108 that conforms and mates with the upper edge 38 of
the cradle 14. The outwardly projecting flange 36 engages the edge
38 of the cradle 14 in an interfering fit which supports the
midsole 16 firmly on the upper edge 38 of the cradle. This
interaction or interfit of the outwardly projecting flange 36 an
upper edge of the cradle, provides a snug and secure
interengagement of the midsole 16 with the cradle 14 preventing
unintended movement of the midsole 16 with respect to the cradle 14
during use of the footwear.
[0048] Additionally, the midsole 16 is provided with a series of
supplemental bosses or projections 40 which are shaped, sized and
positioned to fit into the openings 26 formed in the sidewall of
the cradle. As illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, these bosses or
projections 40 extend at least partially into the openings 26 to
provide a snug interengagement and limiting relative movement of
the cradle and midsole. These projecting bosses 40 also assist in
locating the two components 14, 16 during the assembly process, and
in some embodiments, this construction may minimize the amount of
adhesive required to assemble and secure these components together.
As illustrated, in one embodiment, the shape of a projection 40 is
substantially identical to the shape of the corresponding opening
26.
[0049] As mentioned above, the midsole and cradle components may be
made of various types of materials as the invention is not limited
in this respect. In one embodiment, the cradle is made of a more
rigid material in comparison to the midsole. In this embodiment,
the midsole may be made of a softer more cushioning material, while
the cradle may be made of more rigid material to provide more
stability. In one embodiment, the midsole is made of material such
as a compression molded EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) and may for
example have a durometer of approximately 58 asker (+/-3 asker). In
one embodiment, the cradle is made of an injection molded EVA with
a harder durometer, such as 65 asker (+/-3 asker). It is also
contemplated that the cradle may be made with a harder material
such as TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane). In some embodiments, the
midsole 16 and/or cradle 14 may be made of various foam materials,
and it is also contemplated that certain components, such as the
cradle 14 may be made of a mixture of TPU and foam, and may, for
example, be plastic reinforced for pronation. It is also
contemplated that other materials, such as glass reinforced
plastic, nylon and carbon fiber may be incorporated into the cradle
14 and/or midsole 16.
[0050] In one embodiment, components may be provided to insert into
one or more of the openings 26 in the cradle to adjust the
cushioning and stability characteristics of the cradle. It is
contemplated for inserts to be provided to insert into opening 26
located on the medial side of the shoe to prevent pronation.
[0051] The present invention also contemplates further embodiments
of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 6-19. Referring
first to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an embodiment of the present
invention in which a midsole 66 nests within a cradle 64. The
cradle 64 and midsole 66 are modified versions of the cradle 14 and
midsole 16 in that they extend the full length of the footwear
construction. In this configuration, the cradle 64 includes
integrally formed forepart 68 continuous with the heel portion 108
and having an extended shape in the form of the forepart of a shoe
sole. This forepart 68 of the cradle 64 best illustrated in FIGS. 6
and 7 is formed with pods 78 generally but not substantially
identical to the pods 28 in the previously described embodiment.
These pods 78 are arranged peripherally around the heel portion 108
of the cradle 64 and provides functions similar to the functions of
the pods 28 in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-5. In this embodiment
however, the pods 78 while not completely disassociated from one
another, are defined substantially one from the other so that they
essentially provide independent compressive function when
differential pressures are applied by downwardly applied force.
[0052] Additionally, through apertures 80 may be formed in the
bottom of the cradle 64 for purposes hereafter described.
Additional openings or apertures 82 are also provided in the
forepart 68 of the cradle.
[0053] The midsole 66 is formed with a shape similar to the shape
of the cradle 68 with the lower surface best illustrated in FIG. 7,
shaped in size to nest snugly with the upper surface of the cradle
64. Additionally, projections or bosses 88 extend outwardly from
the bottom of the midsole with these bosses 88 shaped, sized and
positioned to engage various apertures 82 and 80. This
configuration assures a snug and secure interconnection between the
two components and facilitates the assembly of these units. The
forepart 68 of the midsole 66 may be provided with a series of
outwardly projecting flanges 90 shaped and sized to engage the
upper edge 92 of the forepart 68 of the cradle 64 so as to assist
in locating and aligning the cradle and midsole.
[0054] Further details and specifics of the interrelationship of
these components may be better understood from a consideration of
the engineering drawings best illustrated in FIGS. 9-22. FIGS. 9-21
illustrate one embodiment of a midsole 16 and cradle 14 that is
similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 where at least
one of the cradle 14 and the midsole 16 only extend into an instep
region of the foot before tapering. In contrast, the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 20-22 show a cradle 14 and midsole 16
combination that both extend substantially the full length of the
footwear, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Furthermore, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20-22 includes a
support plate 120 positioned between the cradle 14 and the midsole
16. In one embodiment, the support plate 120 is made of a material
that is more rigid than the midsole 16 and/or the cradle 14 and the
support plate may provide additional reinforcement to a foot. It
should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the midsole may
rest directly on the cradle 14 and a support plate 120 may not be
provided, as the invention is not limited in this respect. It
should further be appreciated that in some embodiments, the midsole
16 may nest within the cradle 14 and there may be one or more
additional components that may be layered between the cradle 14 and
the midsole 16. As shown, in one embodiment, an outsole 130 may be
positioned underneath the cradle 14.
[0055] While several embodiments of the invention have been
described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the
art will readily envision a variety of other means and structures
for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results or
advantages described herein, and each of such variations,
modifications and improvements is deemed to be within the scope of
the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art
would readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and
configurations will depend upon specific applications for which the
teachings of the present invention are used. Those skilled in the
art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than
routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to
be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way
of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims
and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically described. The present invention is directed
to each individual feature, system, material and/or method
described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems, materials and/or methods, provided that such
features, systems, materials and/or methods are not mutually
inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present
invention. All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions or
usage in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary
meanings of the defined terms.
[0056] In the claims (as well as in the specification above), all
transitional phrases or phrases of inclusion, such as "comprising,"
"including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "composed of,"
"made of," "formed of" "involving" and the like shall be
interpreted to be open-ended, i.e. to mean "including but not
limited to" and, therefore, encompassing the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
Only the transitional phrases or phrases of inclusion "consisting
of" and "consisting essentially of" are to be interpreted as closed
or semi-closed phrases, respectively. The indefinite articles "a"
and "an," as used herein in the specification and in the claims,
unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to
mean "at least one."
* * * * *