U.S. patent application number 12/686515 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for cushion clip.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Toshio IWAHARA, Haruhisa KAMIYA, Atsushi KOBAYASHI, Junya UKAI, Reiko YAMAMOTO.
Application Number | 20100192335 12/686515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42396497 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100192335 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
UKAI; Junya ; et
al. |
August 5, 2010 |
CUSHION CLIP
Abstract
A cushion clip may include a hollow cushioning portion having a
substantially circular central opening, and an engagement portion
that is integrated with the cushioning portion. The cushioning
portion has a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion. The side
wall portion,has cone-shaped outer and inner surfaces that are
linearly tapered from a proximal end thereof toward a distal end
thereof. The side wall portion has a top portion that is formed in
the distal end thereof. The top portion has a radially inwardly
projected inner periphery that defines the central opening
therein.
Inventors: |
UKAI; Junya; (Okazaki-shi,
JP) ; KAMIYA; Haruhisa; (Anjo-shi, JP) ;
IWAHARA; Toshio; (Okazaki-shi, JP) ; YAMAMOTO;
Reiko; (Anjo-shi, JP) ; KOBAYASHI; Atsushi;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON THUENTE CHRISTENSEN PEDERSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER, 80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Assignee: |
DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Okazaki-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
42396497 |
Appl. No.: |
12/686515 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/591.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16F 9/0481 20130101;
F16F 1/426 20130101; Y10T 24/45225 20150115; F16F 1/3732 20130101;
F16F 1/373 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/591.1 |
International
Class: |
A44B 99/00 20100101
A44B099/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 2009 |
JP |
2009-008607 |
Claims
1. A cushion clip that is constructed to be attached to an
attachment hole formed in either of a stationary member and a
movable member while the cushion clip is positioned therebetween,
so as to absorb an impact that can be produced when the movable
member moves toward the stationary member, comprising: a hollow
cushioning portion that is capable of absorbing the impact and has
a substantially circular central opening, and an engagement portion
that is integrated with the cushioning portion and is capable of
engaging the attachment hole, wherein the cushioning portion has a
bottom wall portion and a side wall portion, wherein the side wall
portion has cone-shaped outer and inner surfaces that are linearly
tapered from a proximal end thereof toward a distal end thereof,
wherein the side wall portion has a top portion that is formed in
the distal end thereof, and wherein the top portion has a radially
inwardly projected inner periphery that defines the central opening
therein.
2. The cushion clip as defined in claim 1, wherein the side wall
portion has a thickness that is reduced from the proximal end
thereof toward'the distal end thereof.
3. A cushion clip comprising: a hollow cushioning portion having an
opening, and an engagement portion that is connected to the
cushioning portion, wherein the cushioning portion has a bottom
wall portion and a side wall portion, wherein the side wall portion
has cone-shaped outer and inner surfaces that are linearly tapered
from a proximal end thereof toward a distal end thereof, wherein
the side wall portion is thinned in the distal end thereof, wherein
the side wall portion has a top portion that is formed in the
distal end thereof, and wherein the top portion is radially
inwardly projected to define the opening therein.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese patent
application serial number 2008-8607, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a cushion clip. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a cushion clip that
is attached an attachment hole formed in either of a stationary
member and a movable member while the cushion clip is positioned
therebetween, so as to absorb an impact that can be produced when
the movable member moves toward the stationary member.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] This type of cushion clip is already known. Generally, in
such a cushion clip, a cushioning portion that is capable of
absorbing an impact is integrated with an engagement portion that
is capable of engaging an attachment hole formed in a stationary
member or a movable member. Further, in the cushion clip thus
constructed, the cushioning portion is formed of a soft resin
material and has a hollow and substantially cylindrical shape. When
the movable member moves toward the stationary member, the
cushioning portion is elastically deformed and compressed between
the stationary member and the movable member. As a result, the
impact can be absorbed. Thus, the cushion clip is capable of
providing an impact absorbing function.
[0006] The cushion clip may preferably be used to absorb an impact
that can be generated when a door (cover) of a glove box of a
vehicle is closed. The cushion clip used in the glove box may
provide following functions in addition to the impact absorbing
function.
[0007] (1) The cushion clip can prevent the door of the glove box
from vibrating while the vehicle is moving.
[0008] (2) The cushion clip can prevent the door from directly
contacting the glove box even when the door is strongly pushed by
hand or elbow of a passenger or the like, so as to prevent noise
generation and damage of the door and/or the glove box.
[0009] (3) The cushion clip can absorb a dimensional error of the
door, so as to prevent rattling of the door resulting from its
inaccurate positioning due to the dimensional error of the
door.
[0010] (4) The cushion clip can have a good appearance in size and
shape when the door is opened.
[0011] Therefore, the cushion clip used in the glove box is
required to have the following characteristics in order to provide
the functions described above.
[0012] (a) When the door is closed, the cushion clip can be
appropriately compressed, so as to generate a reaction force that
is capable of preventing the glove box from vibrating.
[0013] (b) The cushion clip can generate a large reaction force
when a large load is applied thereto.
[0014] (c) In order to generate a desired (required) reaction force
regardless of magnitude of the dimensional error of the door, the
cushion clip can generate a substantially constant reaction force
over a wide range of amount of compression.
[0015] (d) The cushion clip is small and not have an irregular
shape.
[0016] If the cushion clip does not have the characteristics
described above, various problems can be produced. For example, the
door of the glove box cannot be sufficiently prevented from
vibrating. This may lead to noise generation. Further, the door
cannot be smoothly closed.
[0017] Thus, the cushion clip used in the glove box is required to
have the following characteristics with regard to a relation
between the reaction force and the amount of compression.
[0018] (i) In an initial compression period of the cushion clip, as
the amount of compression is increased, the reaction force can be
quickly increased such that the desired reaction force can be
quickly obtained.
[0019] (ii) In a middle compression period of the cushion clip,
which corresponds to a period after the reaction force reaches a
lower limit of the desired reaction force, as the amount of
compression is increased, the reaction force can be slowly or
gently increased.
[0020] (iii) In a terminal compression period of the cushion clip,
which corresponds to a period after the reaction force reaches an
upper limit of the desired reaction force (after the amount of
compression reaches a desired amount of compression), as the amount
of compression is increased, the reaction force can be quickly
increased.
[0021] Further, a relation between the reaction force and the
amount of compression in an ideal cushion clip is shown in FIG. 7
as an ideal reaction force line. As will be apparent from FIG. 7,
the ideal reaction force line may preferably include an initial
compression range (a range A-B), a middle compression range (a
range B-E) and a terminal compression range (a range E-).
[0022] A reaction force at a point B in the ideal reaction force
line corresponds to the lower limit of the desired reaction force
(which will be referred to as a minimum reaction force). When the
cushion clip is compressed until the minimum reaction force can be
generated, the cushion clip is capable of effectively preventing
the door of the glove box from vibrating and generating noise while
the vehicle is moving. Further, a reaction force at a point E in
the ideal reaction force line corresponds to the upper limit of the
desired reaction force (which will be referred to as a maximum
reaction force). When the cushion clip is compressed until the
maximum reaction force can be generated, a lock device of the door
cannot be easily unlocked. Further, when the cushion clip is
further compressed until a reaction force greater than the maximum
reaction force is generated, the lock device of the door is
subjected to an excessive load. This may lead to malfunction of the
lock device.
[0023] Thus, the desired reaction force substantially corresponds
to a reaction force between the minimum reaction force and the
maximum reaction force. As will be appreciated from FIG. 7, the
middle compression range (the range B-E) of the ideal reaction
force line is very wide. That is, in the ideal cushion clip, a
range R of the amount of compression in which the desired reaction
force can be generated is very wide. This means that the ideal
cushion clip can generate the desired reaction force over a wide
range of the amount of compression. Further, the range R of the
amount of compression may be referred to as an effective stroke of
the ideal cushion clip.
[0024] A known cushion clip is taught, for example, by Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-153083. The cushion clip
includes a hollow cushioning portion. The cushioning portion has a
protrusion that is formed in a bottom wall portion thereof.
[0025] Further, another known cushion clip is taught, for example,
by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-225093. The
cushion clip includes a cushioning portion having an accordion side
wall. The cushioning portion has a protrusion that is formed in a
bottom wall portion thereof.
[0026] A cushion clip is shown in FIG. 8, which cushion clip has
the substantially same construction as the cushion clip taught by
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-153083. The cushion
clip 101 includes a cushioning portion 110 that is capable of
absorbing an impact, and an engagement portion 120 that is capable
of attaching the cushioning portion 110 to a stationary member. The
cushioning portion 110 is made of a soft material having
elasticity. Conversely, the engagement portion 120 is made of a
hard material having a predetermined rigidity. Further, the
cushioning portion 110 has a side wall portion 112 having a
cone-shaped outer surface 170 and a vertically extending
cylindrical inner surface 180. In addition, the cushioning portion
110 has a cavity portion 140 that is defined by the inner surface
180 of the side wail portion 112. The cushioning portion 110 has a
substantially circular opening 160 that is defined by an upper end
periphery 112a of the side wall portion 112. Further, the
cushioning portion 110 has a bottom wall portion 113 that is
integrated with the side wall portion 112. The bottom wall portion
113 has a projection 190 that is upwardly projected from the bottom
wall portion 113 toward the circular opening 160.
[0027] In the cushion clip 101, the side wall portion 112 can be
deformed due to compressive performance thereof, so as to generate
a reaction force. Therefore, when a load applied to the cushion
clip 101 is changed, the reaction force generated by the deformed
side wall portion 112 can be changed in a quadratic curve. As a
result, a range of amount of compression in which desired reaction
force can be generated is very narrow. Therefore, the cushion clip
101 cannot generate the desired reaction force over a wide range of
the amount of compression. That is, an effective stroke of the
cushion clip 101 is very short.
[0028] It is, accordingly, one object of the present invention to
provide improved cushion clips.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a
cushion clip is constructed to be attached to an attachment hole
formed in either of a stationary member and a movable member while
the cushion clip is positioned therebetween, so as to absorb an
impact that can be produced when the movable member moves toward
the stationary member. The cushion clip may include a hollow
cushioning portion that is capable of absorbing the impact and has
a substantially circular central opening, and an engagement portion
that is integrated with the cushioning portion and is capable of
engaging the attachment hole. The cushioning portion has a bottom
wall portion and a side wall portion. The side wall portion has
cone-shaped outer and inner surfaces that are linearly tapered from
a proximal end thereof toward a distal end thereof. The side wall
portion has a top portion that is formed in the distal end thereof.
The top portion has a radially inwardly projected inner periphery
that defines the central opening therein.
[0030] According to the aspect of the invention, in an initial
compression period of the cushioning portion, the side wall portion
of the cushioning portion can be deformed in a compression
direction. Therefore, in the initial compression period, a reaction
force generated by the deformed side wall portion can be increased
quickly. Conversely, in a middle compression period of the
cushioning portion, the side wall portion of the cushioning portion
can be deformed outwardly without being substantially deformed in
the compression direction. Therefore, in the middle compression
period, the reaction force generated by the deformed side wall
portion can be gently changed. In addition, the side wall portion
can be smoothly and constantly deformed until the top portion of
the side wall portion contacts the bottom wall portion of the
cushioning portion. Therefore, the cushioning portion can
constantly generate a desired reaction force over a very wide range
of amount of compression. That is, an effective stroke of the
cushion clip is very long. Therefore, it is not necessary to
enlarge the whole of the cushion clip in order to lengthen the
effective stroke of the cushion clip. In addition, the cushion clip
can be deformed without being substantially bent over.
[0031] Optionally, the side wall portion may have a thickness that
is reduced from the proximal end thereof toward the distal end
thereof.
[0032] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily understood after reading the following
detailed description together with the accompanying drawings and
the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a cushion clip
according to a representative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cushion
clip;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cushion clip,
which view illustrates a condition in which the cushion clip is in
an initial compression period;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cushion clip,
which view illustrates a condition in which the cushion clip is in
an initial stage of a middle compression period;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cushion clip,
which view illustrates a condition in which the cushion clip is in
a stable stage of the middle compression period;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cushion clip,
which view illustrates a condition in which the cushion clip is in
a final stage of the middle compression period;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating an ideal reaction force line
of an ideal cushion clip; and
[0040] FIG. 8 is a partially sectional elevational view of a
conventional cushion clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] A detailed representative embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0042] As shown in, for example, FIG. 3, a representative cushion
clip 10 may preferably be positioned between a box main body 50 (a
stationary member) of a glove box of a vehicle and a cover or door
54 (a movable member) of the glove box while the cushion clip 10 is
secured to the box main body 50, so as to absorb an impact that can
be produced when the door 54 is closed. The cushion clip 10 is
composed of a cushioning portion 20 that is capable of absorbing
the impact, and an engagement portion 40 that is capable of
engaging an attachment hole 52 formed in the box main body 50. The
cushioning portion 20 and the engagement portion 40 may preferably
be integrated with each other.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the cushioning portion 20 of the cushion
clip 10 is formed as an integrally formed hollow member that is
composed of a bottom wall portion 24 and a side wall portion 22.
The side wall portion 22 has a cone-shaped outer surface 26 that is
linearly tapered upwardly (i.e., from a proximal end 22a of the
side wall portion 22 toward a distal end 22b of the side wall
portion 22), and a cone-shaped inner surface 28 that is linearly
tapered upwardly (i.e., from the proximal end 22a of the side wall
portion 22 toward the distal end 22b of the side wall portion 22).
Further, the outer and inner surfaces 26 and 28 may preferably be
tapered upwardly such that the side wall portion 22 has a thickness
that is reduced from the proximal end 22a thereof toward the distal
end 22b thereof. Further, the cushioning portion 20 has a cavity
portion 32 that is defined by the inner surface 28 of the side wall
portion 22. In addition, the cushioning portion 20 has a
substantially circular central opening 25 formed in an upper or top
portion 30 that is formed in the distal end 22b of the side wall
portion 22. The opening 25 is defined by an inner periphery 30a of
the top portion 30 and is continuous with the cavity portion
32.
[0044] Further, as will be apparent from FIG. 2, the inner
periphery 30a of the top portion 30 is radially inwardly projected.
That is, the top portion 30 is thicker than the side wall portion
22. Therefore, a lower end 30b of the top portion 30 has a
thickness greater than the thickness of the distal end 22b of the
side wall portion 22. As a result, the opening 25 that is defined
by the inner periphery 30a of the top portion 30 has a diameter
smaller than the inner diameter of the distal end 22b of the side
wall portion 22.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side wall portion 22 has one
or more (two in this embodiment) vent holes 23 passing
therethrough. The vent holes 23 are respectively formed so as to be
positioned closer to the bottom wall portion 24. Further, the vent
holes 23 are arranged and constructed so as to not affect
deformation characteristics of the cushioning portion 20.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the engagement portion 40 of the cushion
clip 10 is composed of a disc-shaped base portion 42 that is
embedded in the bottom wall portion 24 of the cushioning portion
20, and an engagement leg 44 that is projected downwards. The
engagement leg 44 is shaped to be inserted into the attachment hole
52 formed in the box main body 50 (FIG. 3).
[0047] The cushioning portion 20 is formed of elastomer.
Conversely, the engagement portion 40 is formed of polypropylene.
That is, the cushioning portion 20 and the engagement portion 40
are integrally formed by two-color molding of elastomer and
polypropylene.
[0048] Next, an operation of the cushion clip 10 thus constructed
will now be described in detail.
[0049] First, as shown by broken lines in FIG. 3, the cushion clip
10 is attached to the box main body 50 by inserting the engagement
let 44 into the attachment hole 52 of the box main body 50.
[0050] Thereafter, a load is applied to the door 54, so that the
door 54 starts to move toward the box main body 50. When the door
54 contacts the cushioning portion 20 of the cushion clip 10, the
door 54 starts to compress the cushioning portion 20. At this time,
as shown by solid lines in FIG. 3, the side wall portion 22 can be
deformed in a compression direction while the outer and inner
surfaces 26 and 28 are arcuately curved outwardly. In this
condition, a reaction force generated by the compressed cushioning
portion 20 (the deformed side wall portion 22) can be quickly
increased in proportion to an amount of compression of the
compressed cushioning portion 20.
[0051] This condition is referred to as an initial compression
period of the cushioning portion 20, which corresponds to the
initial compression range (the range A-B) of the ideal reaction
force line shown in FIG. 7.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, after the initial compression period of
the cushioning portion 20 is completed, the side wall portion 22 of
the cushioning portion 20 can be deformed to have a cylindrical
shape. In this condition, the reaction force generated by the
compressed cushioning portion 20 can be gently increased.
[0053] This condition is referred to as an initial stage of a
middle compression period of the cushioning portion 20, which
corresponds to an initial range (a range B-C) in the middle
compression range (the range B-E) of the ideal reaction force line
shown in FIG. 7.
[0054] As previously described, in the cushion clip 10, the outer
and inner surfaces 26 and 28 are tapered upwardly such that the
side wall portion 22 of the cushioning portion 20 can be reduced
upwardly in thickness. Further, the lower end of the top portion 30
has a thickness greater than the thickness of the distal end 22b of
the side wall portion 22. That is, the cushioning portion 20 is
constructed such that the upper end of the side wall portion 22 can
be deformed most easily. Therefore, in the initial stage of the
middle compression period of the cushioning portion 20, the distal
end 22b of the side wall portion 22, that is continuous with the
lower end 30b of the top portion 30, is arcuately flexed in
vertical cross section while the top portion 30 of the side wall
portion 22 can be depressed inwardly downwardly. Conversely, a
substantial portion of the side wall portion 22 can simply be
deformed outwardly without being deformed in the compression
direction. Thus, the substantial portion of the side wall portion
22 can be deformed cylindrically so as to extend in parallel with
the compression direction.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, when the cushioning portion 20 is
further compressed, the substantial portion of the side wall
portion 22 of the cushioning portion 20 can be deformed outwardly
while it is deformed in the compression direction. In this
condition, the reaction force generated by the compressed
cushioning portion 20 can be gently increased.
[0056] This condition is referred to as an intermediate stage of
the middle compression period of the cushioning portion 20, which
corresponds to an intermediate range (a range C-D) in the middle
compression range (the range B-E) of the ideal reaction force line
shown in FIG. 7.
[0057] In the intermediate stage of the middle compression period
of the cushioning portion 20, the cylindrically shaped side wall
portion 22 of the cushioning portion 20 can be flexed at a flexure
portion while it is arcuately deformed outwardly. As will be
recognized, because the side wall portion 22 has the thickness that
is reduced from the proximal end 22a thereof toward the distal end
22b thereof, as the load applied to the door 54 is changed, the
side wall portion 22 can be smoothly and constantly flexed due to
flexural performance thereof while the flexure portion is gradually
moved downwards. Therefore, even when the load applied to the door
54 is changed (increased), the reaction force generated by the
deformed side wall portion 22 can be gently changed (increased)
while the amount of compression of the cushioning portion 20 can be
increased. Thus, in this stage, a desired reaction force can be
generated. Further, because no obstacle (e.g., projection) is
positioned in the cavity portion 32 of the cushioning portion 20,
the side wall portion 22 can be smoothly and constantly flexed
until the top portion 30 of the side wall portion 22 contacts the
bottom wall portion 24 of the cushioning portion 20.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 6, when the cushioning portion 20 is
further compressed, the cushioning portion 20 reaches a condition
in which the top portion 30 of the side wall portion 22 contacts
the bottom wall portion 24 of the cushioning portion 20. In this
condition, the reaction force generated by the compressed
cushioning portion 20 reaches an upper limit of the desired
reaction force.
[0059] This condition is referred to as a final stage of the middle
compression period of the cushioning portion 20, which corresponds
to a final point (a point E) in the middle compression range (the
range B-B) of the ideal reaction force line shown in FIG. 7.
[0060] When the cushioning portion 20 is further compressed after
the cushioning portion 20 reaches the final stage of the middle
compression period thereof (after the top portion 30 of the side
wall portion 22 contacts the bottom wall portion 24 of the
cushioning portion 20), the side wall portion 22 can be flexed due
to compressive performance thereof and not flexural performance
thereof. Therefore, when the load applied to the door 54 is
changed, the reaction force generated by the deformed side wall
portion 22 can be sharply changed.
[0061] This condition is referred to as a terminal compression
period of the cushioning portion 20, which corresponds to the
terminal compression range (the range E-) of the ideal reaction
force line shown in FIG. 7.
[0062] According to the above embodiment, in the intermediate stage
of the middle compression period of the cushioning portion 20,
which corresponds to the intermediate range (the range C-D) in the
middle compression range (the range B-E) of the ideal reaction
force line, the side wall portion 22 can be smoothly and constantly
flexed until the top portion 30 of the side wall portion 22
contacts the bottom wall portion 24 of the cushioning portion 20.
Therefore, the intermediate stage of the middle compression period
of the cushioning portion 20 is very wide. Thus, the cushioning
portion 20 can generate the desired reaction force over a very wide
range of amount of compression thereof. That is, an effective
stroke of the cushion clip 10 is very long. In addition, in this
stage, the cushion clip 10 can be deformed without being
substantially bent over.
[0063] Further, the cushioning portion 20 is formed of elastomer.
Therefore, the cushioning portion 20 may have excellent
deformability and shock absorbability. Conversely, the engagement
portion 40 is formed of polypropylene. Therefore, the engagement
portion 40 may have high rigidity so as to be stably attached to
the attachment hole 52. In addition, the cushioning portion 20 and
the engagement portion 40 are integrally formed by two-color
molding. Therefore, the cushioning portion 20 and the engagement
portion 40 can be securely connected to each other.
[0064] Naturally, various changes and modifications may be made to
the present invention without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the side wall
portion 22 of the cushioning portion 20 is shaped so as to have the
thickness that is reduced from the proximal end 22a thereof toward
the distal end 22b thereof. However, the side wall portion 22 of
the cushioning portion 20 may have a uniform thickness over the
entire length thereof provided that the outer and inner surfaces 26
and 28 of the side wall portion 22 are respectively tapered
upwardly.
[0065] Further, the cushioning portion 20 can be formed of, for
example, rubber, soft resin or other such materials. Conversely,
the engagement portion 40 can be formed of hard resin, for example,
polyacetal resin. In addition, the cushioning portion 20 and the
engagement portion 40 can be integrally formed by multi-color
molding or insert molding. Moreover, the cushioning portion 20 and
the engagement portion 40 can be integrally formed by single-color
molding of rubber or elastomer.
[0066] A representative example of the present invention has been
described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This
detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill
in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the
present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed
invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed
in the foregoing detail description may not be necessary to
practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead
taught merely to particularly describe detailed representative
examples of the invention. Moreover, the various features taught in
this specification may be combined in ways that are not
specifically enumerated in order to obtain additional useful
embodiments of the present invention.
* * * * *