U.S. patent application number 12/948529 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for cargo restraint device.
This patent application is currently assigned to LOGISTICK, INC.. Invention is credited to James Doster, John W. Doster, Thomas E. KANCZUZEWSKI, Donald J. Nagy, John E. Townsend.
Application Number | 20120121358 12/948529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46047894 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120121358 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KANCZUZEWSKI; Thomas E. ; et
al. |
May 17, 2012 |
CARGO RESTRAINT DEVICE
Abstract
A device for engaging an elongated support for restraining cargo
selectively in containers having different widths. The device
comprising a strip, a sleeve including four walls extending
generally perpendicularly from the top strip surface defining a
first cavity. The sleeve having a rigid platform within the first
cavity extending substantially parallel to and spaced from the top
strip surface. A compressible insert receivable in the sleeve. The
compressible insert including a separable portion to be removed for
reducing the size of the compressible insert. The compressible
insert may be comprised of foam, may have a block configuration and
may be scored for facilitating removal of the separable portion of
the compressible insert. The device may also include gussets. The
device is configures to transfer to shear stress at least some of
the tensile force applied by the elongated support. A method of
restraining cargo with an elongated support selectively in
containers having different internal widths using the device.
Inventors: |
KANCZUZEWSKI; Thomas E.;
(South Bend, IN) ; Doster; John W.; (Granger,
IN) ; Townsend; John E.; (Paw Paw, IN) ; Nagy;
Donald J.; (South Bend, IN) ; Doster; James;
(South Bend, IN) |
Assignee: |
LOGISTICK, INC.
SOUTH BEND
IN
|
Family ID: |
46047894 |
Appl. No.: |
12/948529 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
410/152 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/15 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/152 |
International
Class: |
B60P 7/15 20060101
B60P007/15 |
Claims
1. A device for engaging an elongated support for restraining cargo
selectively in a first container having a first width or a second
container having a second width that is less than the first width
and configured to transfer to shear stress at least some of the
tensile force applied by the elongated support, the device
comprising: a strip having a bottom strip surface with an adhesive
disposed thereon for securing the device selectively to a wall of
the first container or to a wall of the second container, and a top
strip surface; a sleeve including four walls extending from the top
strip surface generally perpendicular to the top strip surface
defining a first cavity, the sleeve having a rigid platform within
the first cavity surrounded by the four walls and extending
substantially parallel to and spaced from the top strip surface,
the platform defining within the first cavity a second cavity; and
a compressible insert receivable in the second cavity, the
compressible insert engaging the platform to define within the
second cavity a third cavity for receiving an end of the elongated
support, the compressible insert including a separable portion to
be removed for reducing the size of the compressible insert and
thereby increasing the size of the third cavity when being used to
restrain cargo in the first container.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the compressible insert has a
block configuration.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the compressible insert is scored
to facilitate removal of the separable portion of the compressible
insert.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the compressible insert is
comprised of foam.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the platform defines an aperture
for providing access to the compressible insert.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the strip defines a pry slot to
facilitate removal of the device from the wall.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the four walls
includes a frangible portion to facilitate breakage of the
container to remove the elongated support.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the four walls
includes a pair of lines of reduced thickness for facilitating
breakage of the device to remove the elongated support from the
device.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the four walls and the platform
define a bore extending from the bottom surface of the strip to the
platform.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the sleeve further includes a
plurality of gussets within the bore interconnecting the four walls
and the platform for transferring to shear stress at least some of
the tensile force applied by the elongated support.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes a plurality
of parallel gussets for transferring to shear stress at least some
of the tensile force applied by the elongated support.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein there are three gussets, one
gusset being disposed between the other two gussets, and wherein
two of the four walls are parallel to each other, each of said
other two gussets being collinear with a respective one of said two
of the four walls.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein the gussets are arcuate.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes a tab
adjacent the platform for engaging the compressible insert.
15. The device of claim 1 further including a handle associated
with an end of the strip to facilitate removal of the device from
the wall of the first or second container.
16. The device of claim 15 wherein the handle and the strip define
a bore when the device is secured to the wall of the first
container or second container to facilitate manual grasping of the
handle.
17. A device for engaging an elongated support for restraining
cargo selectively in a first container having a first width or a
second container having a second width that is less than the first
width and configured to transfer to shear stress at least some of
the tensile force applied by the elongated support, the device
comprising: a strip having a bottom strip surface with an adhesive
disposed thereon, the bottom strip surface securable selectively to
a wall of the first container or to a wall of a second container,
and a top strip surface; a sleeve including four walls extending
from the top strip surface generally perpendicular to the top strip
surface defining a first cavity, the sleeve having a rigid platform
within the first cavity surrounded by the four walls and extending
substantially parallel to and spaced from the top strip surface,
the platform defining within the first cavity a second cavity; and
a compressible insert comprising a foam block receivable in the
second cavity, the foam block engaging the platform to define
within the second cavity a third cavity for receiving an end of the
elongated support, the foam block being scored to form a separable
portion to be removed for reducing the size of the foam block and
thereby increasing the size of the third cavity when being used to
restrain cargo in the first container.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein the platform defines an aperture
for providing access to the compressible insert.
19. A method of restraining cargo with an elongated support
selectively in a first container having a first internal width or
in a second container having a second internal width that is less
than the first internal width, the method including: securing a
cargo restraint device on a wall of the selected of the first or
second container, the cargo restraint device comprising a strip
having a bottom strip surface having an adhesive disposed therein
for securing to the wall of the selected of the first or second
container and a top strip surface, a sleeve extending generally
perpendicularly from the top strip surface, the sleeve having a
platform substantially parallel to and spaced from the strip, the
platform defining a first cavity, and a compressible insert having
a block configuration and including a separable portion to be
removed for reducing the size of the compressible insert, the
compressible insert receivable in the first cavity to define within
the first cavity a second cavity; removing the separable portion of
the compressible insert if the selected of the first or second
container is the first container; placing the compressible insert
into the first cavity; and inserting an end of the elongated
support into the second cavity so that the end engages the
compressible insert and the compressible insert engages the
platform and so that the cargo restraint device transfers to shear
stress at least some of the tensile force of the elongated
support.
20. The method of claim 19 further including: securing an other
cargo restraint device on an other wall of the selected of the
first or second container, the other cargo restraint device
comprising a strip having a bottom strip surface having an adhesive
disposed therein for securing to the other wall of the selected of
the first or second container and a top strip surface, a sleeve
extending generally perpendicularly from the top strip surface, the
sleeve having a platform substantially parallel to and spaced from
the strip, the platform defining a first cavity, and a compressible
insert having a block configuration and including a separable
portion to be removed for reducing the size of the compressible
insert, the compressible insert receivable in the first cavity to
define within the first cavity a second cavity; removing the
separable portion of the compressible insert of the other cargo
restraint device if the selected of the first or second container
is the first container; placing the compressible insert of the
other cargo restraint device into the first cavity of the other
cargo restraint device; and inserting an other end of the elongated
support into the second cavity of the other cargo restraint device
so that the end of the other cargo restraint device engages the
compressible insert of the other cargo restraint device and the
compressible insert of the other cargo restraint device engages the
platform of the other cargo restraint device and so that the other
cargo restraint device transfers to shear stress at least some of
the tensile force of the elongated support.
21. A device for engaging an elongated support for restraining
cargo selectively in a first container having a first width or a
second container having a second width that is less than the first
width and configured to transfer to shear stress at least some of
the tensile force applied by the elongated support, the device
comprising: a strip having a bottom strip surface with an adhesive
disposed thereon for securing the device selectively to a wall of
the first container or to a wall of the second container, and a top
strip surface; a sleeve including four walls extending from the top
strip surface generally perpendicular to the top strip surface
defining a cavity; and a compressible insert receivable in the
cavity, the compressible insert including a separable portion to be
removed for reducing the size of the compressible insert and
thereby increasing the size of the cavity when being used to
restrain cargo in the first container.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein the compressible insert is
scored to facilitate removal of the separable portion of the
compressible insert.
Description
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a device and
method for restraining cargo within a container.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cargo transported for commercial and other uses is often
shipped in semi-trailers or other trucks, railcars, ships, aircraft
or other shipping vehicles. In most instances, shifting or
translation of cargo within the shipping vehicle can occur during
shipping which can lead to damage. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,533,513,
6,086,299 and 5,494,389, disclose cargo retention devices that have
been well received in the shipping industry. A pair of such cargo
retention devices may be secured on opposed walls of the shipping
vehicle, and an elongated support in the form of a wood beam or the
like is positioned across the bed of the shipping vehicle and
engaged with the cargo retention devices to secure cargo.
[0003] A problem associated with these devices may arise when the
shipping vehicles have different internal widths. For example, the
elongated support commonly used with these devices in semi-trailer
applications is an 8' long 2''.times.4'' wood beam, but the inside
width of semi-trailers (i.e., the distance between the inside walls
of the semi-trailers) may vary several inches. For example, the
inside width of semi-trailers having insulated walls is typically
in the range of about 98'' to about 1001/2 and the inside width of
semi-trailers not having insulated walls is typically in the range
of about 1001/2'' to about 102''. A cargo restraint assembly that
performs optimally for a semi-trailer of the smaller internal width
is not likely to perform optimally for a semi-trailer of the
greater internal width because, with the greater internal width,
the elongated support is looser relative to the cargo restraint
devices and the cargo restraint devices are therefore not able to
as effectively transfer tensile force applied by the elongated
support to shear stress.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure is directed to a device for engaging
an elongated support for restraining cargo selectively in
containers having different width. For example, the device may be
used to restrain cargo selectively in a first container having a
first internal width or a second container having a second internal
width that is less than the first internal width and configured to
transfer to shear stress at least some of the tensile force applied
by the elongated support. The device may comprise a strip having a
bottom strip surface having an adhesive disposed thereon for
securing the device to a wall of the first container or to a wall
of the second container, and a top strip surface; a sleeve
including four walls extending from the top strip surface generally
perpendicular to the strip surface defining a first cavity, the
sleeve having a rigid platform within the first cavity surrounded
by the four walls and extending substantially parallel to and
spaced from the top strip surface, the platform defining within the
first cavity a second cavity; and a compressible insert receivable
in the second cavity, the compressible insert engaging the platform
to define within the second cavity a third cavity for receiving an
end of the elongated support, the compressible insert including a
separable portion to be removed for reducing the size of the
compressible insert and thereby increasing the size of the third
cavity when being used to restrain cargo in the first container.
The compressible insert may be comprised of foam, may have a block
configuration and may be scored for facilitating removal of the
separable portion of the compressible insert. The four walls and
the platform may define a bore extending from the bottom surface of
the strip to the platform. The device may also include gussets.
[0005] The present disclosure is also directed to a method of
restraining cargo with an elongated support selectively in a first
container having a first internal width or in a second container
having a second internal width that is less than the first internal
width. The method includes securing a cargo restraint device on a
wall of the selected of the first or second container, the cargo
restraint device comprising a strip having a bottom strip surface
with an adhesive disposed thereon for securing to the wall of the
selected of the first or second container and a top strip surface,
a sleeve extending generally perpendicularly from the top strip
surface, the sleeve having a platform substantially parallel to and
spaced from the strip, the platform defining a first cavity, and a
compressible insert having a block configuration and including a
separable portion to be removed for reducing the size of the
compressible insert, the compressible insert receivable in the
first cavity to define within the first cavity a second cavity;
removing the separable portion of the compressible insert if the
selected of the first or second container is the first container;
placing the compressible insert into the first cavity; and
inserting an end of the elongated support into the second cavity so
that the end engages the compressible insert and the compressible
insert engages the platform and so that the cargo restraint device
transfers at least some of the tensile force applied by the
elongated support to shear stress. The method may also include
securing an other cargo restraint device on the other wall of the
selected of the first or second container in a like manner.
[0006] Features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth
in part in the description which follows and the accompanying
drawings described below, wherein an embodiment of the disclosure
is described and shown, and in part will become apparent upon
examination of the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a partial view of a semi-trailer and a cargo
restraint assembly in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of
the present disclosure being used to restrain cargo in the
semi-trailer, including an exploded view of the cargo restraint
assembly;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one of the cargo
restraint devices of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the cargo restraint
device of FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 4 is bottom plan view of the cargo restraint device of
FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the cargo restraint device of
FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the sleeve member of the cargo
restraint device of FIG. 2; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of the cargo
restraint devices of FIG. 1 stacked together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a cargo restraint assembly 10 restraining
cargo in a container in the form of a semi-trailer. The cargo
restraint assembly 10 includes a pair of cargo restraint devices 12
in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the present
disclosure and an elongated support 14. The pair of cargo restraint
devices 12 is secured to opposed walls of the semi-trailer and is
engaged with the elongated support 14, with the elongated support
extending across the bed of the semi-trailer. The cargo restraint
assembly 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is used for
limiting the shifting of cargo being transported by or within the
semi-trailer, or by or within any other shipping vehicle or other
container, such as, for example, any type of truck, railcar, ship
or aircraft or other shipping vehicle.
[0015] Each cargo restraint device 12 may have any suitable
construction. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, for example, each cargo
restraint device 12 in accordance with the illustrated embodiment
of the present disclosure comprises generally a sleeve member 16
and a compressible insert 18. Each sleeve member 16 includes a
sleeve 20, an elongated strip 22 having a bottom surface 24 and a
top surface 26, a handle 28 disposed at an end of the strip 22, and
a plurality of side gussets 32 and a plurality of end gussets 34
for adding strength and rigidity to the sleeve and transferring to
shear stress at least some of the tensile force applied by the
elongated support 14. Each cargo restraint device 12 may be
constructed of any suitable material such as any suitable plastic
or other material.
[0016] Each cargo restraint device may also include an adhesive 36
disposed on the bottom surface 24 for securing the bottom surface
24 to the wall of the semi-trailer. The adhesive 36 may be in any
suitable form. The adhesive 36 may, for example, be in the form of
an acrylic based or rubber based adhesive. A removable release
liner may also be included. After removal of the release liner, the
cargo restraint device 12 can be pressed against one of the walls
of the semi-trailer to secure it to the wall. The adhesive 36 may
be instead disposed directly on the rear surface, may be in the
form of a two-sided tape with a removable release liner, or may be
in any other suitable form.
[0017] The sleeve 20 extends from the top surface 26 generally
perpendicular to the strip 22. The sleeve 20 comprises a pair of
opposed side walls 40 and 42 and a pair of opposed end walls 50 and
52. The walls 40,42, 50 and 52 extend from the top surface 26
generally perpendicular to the strip 22 and define a cavity 54
sized and configured to receive an end of a 2''.times.4''. The
sleeve 20 also includes a platform 60 extending generally parallel
to the strip 22 and spaced from the strip approximately 11/4'' or
any other suitable distance. The platform 60 defines an aperture 62
for providing easy access to the compressible insert 18 during
assembly of the cargo restraint assembly 10 and to reduce
manufacturing costs. The walls 40, 42, 50 and 52 surround the
platform. The walls 40, 42, 50 and 52 and the platform 60 define
within the cavity 54 a cavity 64 for receiving the compressible
insert 18 and the elongated support 14. The inside of the end wall
50 includes a pair of tabs 66 extending the height of the cavity 64
for engaging the compressible insert 18 to retain it within the
cavity 64.
[0018] A pair of arcuate gussets 70 extend from the side walls 40
and 42 of the sleeve from the end wall 52 towards the top surface
26 of the strip 22. Each arcuate gusset 70 and a respective side
wall 40 and 42 are collinear. The sleeve 20 also includes an
additional arcuate gusset 72 disposed between the pair of arcuate
gussets 70. The gussets 70 and 72 extend parallel to each other and
terminate at a boundary wall 74. The gussets 70 and 72 add strength
and rigidity to the sleeve 20 and transfer to shear stress at least
some of the tensile force applied by the elongated support 14.
[0019] The platform 60, the strip 22 and the walls 40, 42, 50 and
52 define a bore 80 opposite the cavity 64. A plurality of internal
gussets 82 extend with the bore 80 on an angle from the side walls
40 and 42 to the platform 60 to add strength and rigidity to the
sleeve 20 and transfer to shear stress at least some of the tensile
force applied by the elongated support 14.
[0020] The side wall 42 includes a pair of lines of reduced
thickness 84 that extend generally perpendicular to the strip 22
and define a frangible portion 86. The lines 84 extend generally
parallel to each other and are spaced relative to each other. The
lines 84 enable the frangible portion 86 to be readily broken to
facilitate removal of the cargo restraint device 12 after use. For
example, a tool such as a crow bar or other tool can be inserted
into the cavity 64 adjacent the elongated support 14 to break the
frangible portion 86.
[0021] The strip 22 includes a rail 90 extending substantially
about its perimeter also to add strength and rigidity to the strip
22 and transfer at least some of the tensile force applied by the
elongated support 14 to shear stress. The strip 22 also includes a
lip 92 on its top surface 26 for providing stackability of two
cargo restraint devices 12 as shown in FIG. 7 and as described in
more detail below.
[0022] The strip 22 also includes a raised surface 94 that defines
a pry slot 96 for facilitating removal of the cargo restraint
device 12. After use, any suitable tool can be inserted into the
pry slot 96 and upon application of force the cargo restraint
device 12 can be separated readily from the wall of the
semi-trailer.
[0023] The compressible insert 18 may be constructed of any
suitable material and may have any suitable configuration and
dimensions. The illustrated compressible insert 18 is constructed
of foam. The compressible insert 18 is sized to be received snugly
within the cavity 64 and thus may have a cross section having
dimensions substantially the same as the dimensions of the cross
section of a 2''.times.4'' or other elongated support. The
compressible insert 18 may have a height of 33/4'' or may have any
other suitable height. The compressible insert 18 may have a
generally rectangular block configuration with six flat sides. The
compressible insert 18 may have any other configuration, including,
for example, any other block configuration, and any other suitable
dimensions in accordance with other embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0024] When the compressible insert 18 is received by the cavity
64, it defines within cavity 64 a cavity 100 for receiving the end
of the elongated support 14. The compressible insert 18 is scored
about its perimeter to form a separable portion 98 of the
compressible insert 18 that can be readily removed to reduce the
height of the insert 18 and thereby increase the size of the cavity
100. Thus the intact compressible insert 18 can be used in
semi-trailers or other containers with a certain internal width and
the shortened compressible insert can be used in semi-trailers or
other containers having a slightly greater internal width. The
insert 18 may include any other suitable structure for forming a
removable portion in accordance with other embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0025] The gussets 32 and 34 may have any suitable configuration
and any suitable number. The illustrated gussets 32 extend on an
angle from the respective side wall 40 and 42 to the strip 22. The
illustrated gussets 34 extend on an angle from the end wall 50 to
the strip 22. The gussets 32 and 34 add strength and rigidity to
the cargo restraint device 12 and transfer to shear stress at least
some of the tensile force applied by the elongated support 14.
[0026] The handle 28 is disposed at one end of the strip 22 and is
configured to facilitate manual removal of the cargo restraint
device 12 from the wall of the semi-trailer after use. The handle
28 has a semi-circular construction. The handle 28 is joined to the
strip 22 by a pair of bosses 108 that have a sloping top surface.
The handle 28 extends generally parallel to the strip 22 and the
handle and strip 22 and the wall define an opening 110 to
facilitate manual grasping of the cargo restraint device 12 when it
is secured to a wall for removal from the wall.
[0027] The cargo restraint device 12 in accordance with the
illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure provides many
benefits. With its design, the cargo restraint device 12 is better
able to transfer at least some of the tensile force imposed by the
elongated support to shear stress and to withstand the shear
stress.
[0028] The cargo restraint assembly 10 is also more effective than
prior art products because it can perform well in semi-trailers or
other containers of different sized internal widths. Because of the
design of cargo restraint devices 12, the cargo restraint assembly
10 is better able to withstand the loads imposed by the elongated
support 14 during installation and during cargo transport in trucks
having different internal widths. For example, the raised platform
60 with the gussets 82 provide a structure that effectively
transfers at least some of the tensile force of the elongated
support 14 to shear stress and also increases the shear strength of
the cargo restraint device 12. The gussets 70 and 72 also provide
similar benefit.
[0029] Further, the ability to remove a portion of the compressible
insert 18 to shorten its height enables the cargo restraint devices
12 to continue to be effective in transferring this tensile force
to shear stress when a wider semi-trailer is used without having to
change the size of the elongated support 14. For example, in
application, as relating to semi-trailers, the compressible insert
18 can have a height of about 33/4'' and can have a score around
some or all the perimeter half way of its height (see, e.g., FIG.
1). For semi-trailers having an internal width of about 98'' to
1001/2'', the compressible insert 18 can be used with its full
height. For semi-trailers having an internal width of about
1001/2'' to 102'', a half portion of the compressible insert 18 can
be removed to accommodate the greater internal width.
[0030] Accordingly, the cargo restraint assembly 10 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure also includes a method
of restraining cargo selectively in semi-trailers or other
containers of different widths with an elongated support. For
example, the method may include restraining cargo selectively in a
first container having a first internal width or in a second
container having a second internal width that is less than the
first internal width. The method includes securing the cargo
restraint device 12 on the wall of the selected of the first or
second container, the cargo restraint device comprising the strip
22 having the bottom surface 24 having the adhesive 38 disposed
therein for securing to the wall of the selected of the first or
second container and the top surface 26, the sleeve 20 extending
generally perpendicularly from the top surface, the sleeve having
the platform 60 substantially parallel to and spaced from the
strip, the platform defining a first cavity, and the compressible
insert 18 having a block configuration and including a separable
portion to be removed for reducing the size of the compressible
insert, the compressible insert receivable in the first cavity to
define within the first cavity a second cavity; removing the
separable portion of the compressible insert if the selected of the
first or second container is the first container; placing the
compressible insert into the first cavity; and inserting the end of
the elongated support 14 into the second cavity so that the end
engages the compressible insert and the compressible insert engages
the platform and so that the cargo restraint device transfers to
shear stress at least some of the tensile force of the elongated
support. The method may also include securing the other cargo
restraint device on the other wall of the selected of the first or
second container in a like manner. The steps of the method in
accordance with the present disclosure may be performed in any
order and with or without additional steps.
[0031] The cargo restraint device 12 in accordance with the
illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure also provides
stackability benefits for storage purposes as illustrated in FIG. 7
where two cargo restraint devices 12 are shown stacked together.
For stacking purposes, each of the two cargo restraint devices 12
are inverted relative to each other, and each of the lips 92 is
received within the cavity 54 of the other cargo restraint device,
with the lead end of the wall 52 of the each cargo restraint device
being received by a gap 112 defined by the boundary wall 74 and the
lip 92 of the other cargo restraint device.
[0032] While embodiments have been illustrated and described in the
drawings and foregoing description, such illustrations and
descriptions are considered to be exemplary and not restrictive in
character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments
have been shown and described and that all changes and
modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are
desired to be protected. The description and figures are intended
as illustrations of embodiments of the disclosure, and are not
intended to be construed as having or implying limitation of the
disclosure to those embodiments. There are a plurality of
advantages of the present disclosure arising from various features
set forth in the description. It will be noted that alternative
embodiments of the disclosure may not include all of the features
described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of
such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily
devise their own implementations of the disclosure and associated
methods, without undue experimentation, that incorporate one or
more of the features of the disclosure and fall within the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims.
* * * * *