U.S. patent application number 15/205957 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-11 for tonneau cover assembly and clamp with grasping tether.
This patent application is currently assigned to Extang Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Extang Corporation. Invention is credited to Mark Alan HICKEY, Brian Paul KOZLOWSKI.
Application Number | 20180009298 15/205957 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60813489 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180009298 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOZLOWSKI; Brian Paul ; et
al. |
January 11, 2018 |
TONNEAU COVER ASSEMBLY AND CLAMP WITH GRASPING TETHER
Abstract
A tonneau cover system can include a cover sized and shaped to
cover the truck cargo box and a spring clamp designed to secure the
cover to the truck cargo box. The spring clamp can include a rod
connected to the cover. The rod can have a rod axis. A clamp body
can be rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod. The clamp body
can include a pair of oppositely disposed catches spaced apart from
the rod axis. The catches can extend in a catch length direction
intersecting the rod axis at a first angle. A grasping tether can
be attached to the clamp body for manually sliding the clamp body
along the rod in a direction away from the cover. Due to the
flexible nature of the grasping tether, potential interference of
the clamp with cargo in the cargo box can be significantly
reduced.
Inventors: |
KOZLOWSKI; Brian Paul;
(Canton, MI) ; HICKEY; Mark Alan; (Howell,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Extang Corporation |
Ann Arbor |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Extang Corporation
Ann Arbor
MI
|
Family ID: |
60813489 |
Appl. No.: |
15/205957 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/02 20130101; B60J
7/198 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60J 7/19 20060101
B60J007/19; B60P 7/02 20060101 B60P007/02; B60J 7/14 20060101
B60J007/14 |
Claims
1. A tonneau cover assembly for a truck cargo box, the tonneau
cover assembly comprising: a cover sized and shaped to cover the
truck cargo box; and a clamp designed to secure the cover to the
truck cargo box, the clamp comprising: a rod connected to the cover
and having a rod axis; a clamp body rotatably and slidably mounted
on the rod, the clamp body comprising a catch spaced apart from the
rod axis in a first direction; and a grasping tether attached to
the clamp body for manually sliding the clamp body along the rod in
a direction away from the cover.
2. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
clamp is designed to secure the cover to the cargo box by engaging
the catch against a distal edge of a downwardly extending inboard
flange of a side wall of the truck cargo box.
3. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
catch extends along a catch axis perpendicular to the first
direction.
4. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 3, wherein the
tether comprises a strap having a greatest cross-sectional
dimension, and wherein the direction of the greatest
cross-sectional dimension extends parallel to the catch axis.
5. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 3, further
comprising a first pin having a first pin axis and a second pin
having a second pin axis, the first pin and the second pin each
coupled to the clamp body and extending parallel to the catch axis,
and wherein the tether comprises a strap having a first closed loop
at a first end extending around the first pin to couple the first
end of the strap to the clamp body and a second closed loop at a
second end extending around the second pin to couple the second end
of the strap to the clamp body.
6. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
clamp body is rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod, and
wherein the catch is a first catch, and wherein the clamp body
comprises a second catch spaced apart from the rod axis in a second
direction generally opposite the first direction.
7. A tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamp
further comprises a spring biasing the clamp body along the rod
axis in a direction toward a proximal end of the rod adjacent the
cover.
8. A tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamp
body further comprises a surface grasping feature positioned to be
located above a distal edge of a downwardly extending inboard
flange of a side wall of the truck cargo box when the catch is
clamped against the distal edge.
9. A tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamp
body further comprises a surface grasping feature positioned to be
located above the catch.
10. A tonneau cover assembly for a truck cargo box comprising a
side wall, the tonneau cover assembly comprising: a cover sized and
shaped to cover the truck cargo box; and a clamp designed to secure
the cover to the side wall of the truck cargo box, the clamp
comprising: a rod having a first end pivotally connected to the
cover and a distal end apart from the cover, the rod having a rod
axis; a clamp body rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod, the
clamp body comprising a first catch spaced apart from the rod axis
in a first direction and extending along a first catch axis, and a
second catch spaced apart from the rod axis in a second direction
generally opposite the first direction and extending along a second
catch axis parallel to the first catch axis; a spring biasing the
clamp body along the rod axis in a direction toward the cover; and
a tether attached to the clamp body for sliding the clamp body
along the rod in a direction away from the cover, the tether
comprising a strap having a greatest cross-sectional dimension,
wherein the direction of the greatest cross-sectional dimension
extends parallel to the first catch axis and the second catch
axis.
11. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 10, further
comprising a first pin having a first pin axis and a second pin
having a second pin axis, each pin being coupled to the clamp body
with each pin axis extending parallel to the first catch axis and
the second catch axis, and wherein the strap has a first closed
loop at a first end extending around the first pin to couple the
first end of the strap to the clamp body and a second closed loop
at a second end extending around the second pin to couple the
second end of the strap to the clamp body.
12. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein the
greatest cross-sectional dimension extends parallel to the first
pin axis and to the second pin axis.
13. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 10, wherein the
first pin axis is spaced from the rod axis in the first direction
and the second pin axis is spaced from the rod axis in the second
direction.
14. The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 10, wherein the
clamp is designed to secure the cover to the cargo box by engaging
the catch against a distal edge of a downwardly extending inboard
flange of a side wall of the truck cargo box.
15. A tonneau cover assembly according to claim 10, wherein the
clamp body further comprises a surface grasping feature positioned
to be located above a distal edge of a downwardly extending inboard
flange of a side wall of the truck cargo box when the catch is
clamped against the distal edge.
16. A tonneau cover assembly according to claim 10, wherein the
clamp body further comprises a surface grasping feature positioned
to be located above the catch.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to tonneau cover assemblies,
including clamps for coupling the tonneau cover to a truck cargo
box.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] Tonneau covers can be used to cover the cargo box of a
pickup truck to protect cargo therein, to prevent dirt, debris and
other environmental contaminants from entering the cargo box, and
to improve the aesthetic quality of the cargo box and truck. Such
tonneau covers can be coupled to the side wall of the pick-up truck
by a clamp extending downwardly from the tonneau cover that can be
positioned to engage a downwardly extending flange or other portion
of the side wall in a locked position.
[0004] Such tonneau cover clamps must be rotated or otherwise
positioned with respect to the downwardly extending side wall
flange while in an unclamped configuration. The overall unclamped
rigid length of some clamps is typically so large that cargo within
the cargo box can interfere with, or even prevent, the proper
positioning of the clamp. After proper positioning, the clamp must
be moved from its unclamped configuration to a clamped
configuration. During such movement, the overall intermediate rigid
length of some clamps can be so large that cargo within the cargo
box can interfere with or prevent movement of the clamp into the
clamped configuration.
[0005] In the clamped configuration, the overall clamped rigid
length of some clamps typically extends appreciably below the lower
edge of the downwardly extending flange and into the cargo box. As
a result, the clamp can engage cargo within the cargo box which can
interfere with cargo insertion or removal. In addition, in-transit
movement of cargo can result in unwanted engagement of the cargo
with the clamp. In extreme cases, cargo and clamp engagement could
potentially result in damage to any of the cargo, clamp, tonneau
cover and/or the truck side wall.
[0006] As one example, a spring clamp typically includes a rigid
grasping handle that contributes significantly to the overall rigid
length of such clamps. In addition, such rigid grasping handles
result in rigid members of the clamp extending appreciably below
the lower edge of the downwardly extending flange and into the
cargo box in the clamped configuration. Applicant has identified
and minimized such problems by limiting at least one of the overall
unclamped, intermediate, and clamped rigid lengths, and the
distance rigid elements, such as a rigid grasping handle, extends
below the lower edge of the downwardly extending side wall
flange.
SUMMARY
[0007] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
tonneau cover assembly for a truck cargo box can include a cover
sized and shaped to cover the truck cargo box and a clamp designed
to secure the cover to the truck cargo box. The clamp can include a
rod connected to the cover. The rod can have a rod axis. A clamp
body can be rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod. The clamp
body can include a catch spaced apart from the rod axis. The catch
can extend in a first direction intersecting the rod axis. A
grasping tether can be attached to the clamp body for manually
sliding the clamp body along the rod in a direction away from the
cover.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
tonneau cover assembly for a truck cargo box including a side wall
can include a cover sized and shaped to cover the truck cargo box
and a clamp designed to secure the cover to the side wall of the
truck cargo box. The clamp can include a rod that can have a first
end pivotally connected to the cover and a distal end apart from
the cover. The rod can have a rod axis. A clamp body can be
rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod. The clamp body can
include a first catch spaced apart from the rod axis in a first
direction intersecting the rod axis. The clamp body can further
include a second catch spaced apart from the rod axis in a second
direction opposite the first direction. A spring can be adjacent
the distal end of the rod and biasing the clamp body along the rod
axis in a direction toward the cover. A tether can be attached to
the clamp body for sliding the clamp body along the rod in a
direction away from the cover. The tether can be a strap having a
greatest cross-sectional dimension. The direction of the greatest
cross-sectional dimension can extend perpendicular to the first and
second directions and to the rod axis.
[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example tonneau cover
system with a spring clamp in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of one exemplary embodiment of a
spring clamp for the tonneau cover system of FIG. 1 in an unclamped
position, with a partial cross-sectional view of a cargo box.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side plan view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating
the clamp of FIG. 2 in a clamped position, with a partial
cross-sectional view of a cargo box.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp and partial
perspective view of the cargo box of FIG. 2, with the clamp in a
clamped position.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the clamp of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the clamp of FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the clamp of FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another exemplary
embodiment of a spring clamp for the tonneau cover system of FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of yet another exemplary
embodiment of a spring clamp for the tonneau cover system of FIG.
1.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of another exemplary
embodiment of a spring clamp for the tonneau cover system of FIG.
1
[0023] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0025] FIGS. 1-8 illustrate one exemplary tonneau cover system 10
for covering a truck bed or cargo box 11 in accordance with the
present disclosure. In some cases, the truck bed or cargo box 11
can be part of a pickup truck 13 as shown. The cargo box 11 can
include side walls 17 that can have an outer wall 16, a ledge 18
extending inboard from the outer wall 16 and a flange 20 extending
downwardly from the ledge 18 and spaced inboard from the outer wall
16. The flange 20 can include a lower, or downwardly disposed or
facing distal edge 22.
[0026] In some embodiments, tonneau cover 15 can include a fabric,
textile or other flexible material 14 supported on a frame 31
disposed about the cargo box 11. Frame 31 can include a hinges 33
that divide the tonneau cover 15 into a plurality of sections 12 so
that the tonneau cover is foldable between a deployed arrangement
covering the truck box 11 (FIG. 1) and a folded arrangement wherein
the sections 12 are stacked, allowing access to the truck box 11.
The single dashed lines extending side-to-side from hinges 33 in
FIG. 1 indicate fold lines between the sections 12. The frame 31
can comprise one or more bow members 35. The bow member can include
a central rib 27 connected to the frame periphery by a connecting
member 39. Alternately, the tonneau cover can comprise a plurality
of generally rigid panels that are hingedly connected and form
sections that are suitably deployed for covering the cargo bed and
folded to allow access thereto, in which case a channel member
similar to connecting member 29 can be affixed in a recess within a
panel for purposes of mounting a clamp. Other tonneau cover 15
configurations are, of course, possible.
[0027] In some embodiments, member 39 can comprise a C-shaped
cross-section defining a longitudinal internal channel 28 with a
longitudinally extending central opening 30. The coupling member 32
can be rotatably and slidably retained within the channel 28. The
clamp 26 can include an elongate member that can be a rod 34 and
that can be coupled to the coupling member 32. The coupling member
32 can have a rectangular planar shape, or can have a barrel shape,
or other configuration. The rod 34 can extend out of the channel 28
through the opening 30 to pivotably couple the clamp 26 to the
connecting member 29. In some embodiments, the rod 34 can be a
partially or fully threaded rod 34. In alternate embodiments, the
connecting members 29 can comprise a rod portion extending between
the central rib 27 and periphery, and the coupling member 32 of the
clamp 26 can be a collar that surrounds and rides along the rod
portion of such a connecting member 29.
[0028] The spring clamp 26 can include a housing or body 36
slidably mounted on the rod 34 against the biasing force of a
spring 38 positioned on the rod 34. In some embodiments, the
elongate member can be a threaded rod 34 and the spring 38 can be
mounted on the rod 34 between a threaded nut 40 and the housing 36.
The housing 36 can include a channel or catch 42 positioned to
receive the downwardly disposed distal edge 22. As illustrated, the
clamp body 36 can include a pair of oppositely disposed catches 42.
The position of the clamp body 36 along the threaded rod 34 can be
adjusted by repositioning the threaded nut 40 as required to
accommodate for different overall lengths of different flanges 20
of different truck side walls 17.
[0029] In some embodiments, the clamp body 36 can include a surface
grasping feature 44, which can be designed to provide added
friction when the body 36 is grasped by a user during movement
between the latched and unlatched position and against the biasing
force of the spring 38. For example, such a surface grasping
feature 44 can include a series of lines or other features that
serve to roughen the surface to provide a surface of the clamp body
36 with added grasping friction.
[0030] The spring clamp 26 further includes a grasping tether 48
attached to the clamp body 36. The grasping tether 48 can be formed
of a strap member or other flexible material. When the grasping
tether 48 extends below the downwardly disposed distal edge 22 of
the flange 20, its flexible nature reduces the possibility of a
problematic interaction or contact between the 26 and the cargo
within the cargo box 11 of the truck 13.
[0031] In some embodiments, pins 52 can be used to couple the
grasping tether 48 to the clamp body 36. For example, the tether 48
can include a strap having closed loops 54 provided at opposite
ends of the strap 48. The pins 52 can extend through the closed
loops 54 of the strap 48 and through apertures 56 in the clamp body
36 to couple the grasping tether 48 to the clamp body 36. In some
cases, the closed loops can be formed by sewing or otherwise
joining necessary portions of the strap 48 together at a central
joining region 58. Thus, the grasping tether 48 can have a fully or
partially closed configuration, which reduces the size of any open
loop portions 54, 60, which can also reduce the possibility of a
problematic interaction or contact between the clamp 26 and the
cargo within the cargo box 11 of the truck 13.
[0032] With particular reference to FIGS. 5-7, the rod 34 can
define a central, longitudinal rod axis 62. The catches 42 can be
spaced apart from the rod axis 62 and can extend along or in a
catch width axis or direction 66. One catch 42 can be spaced apart
from axis 62 in a first direction 64, and the other catch can be
spaced apart from axis 62 in a second direction 65 that can be
generally opposite the first direction 64.
[0033] Each catch 42 can also extend along or in a catch width axis
or direction 66 that can be parallel to each other. Also, the catch
axis 66 can be parallel to the central or main axis of the pins 52.
In some embodiments, the grasping tether 48 can have a primary or
greatest cross-sectional dimension 68 that can extend parallel to
the catch width axis direction 66.
[0034] Operation of the spring clamp 26 can be described with
respect to the example clamp 26 of FIGS. 1-8. To clamp the tonneau
cover 15 to the side wall 17 of the cargo box 11 a user can grasp
the grasping tether 48 and, if necessary, can position the clamp 26
adjacent the flange 20 of the side wall 17. Knowing the orientation
of the grasping tether 48 relative to the catches 42, the user can
properly orient the clamp (FIG. 2) relative to the flange 20 of the
side wall 17 by feel. For example, when the greatest
cross-sectional dimension 68 of the grasping tether 48 extends in a
direction perpendicular to the catch length direction 64, a user
can readily orient one of the catches 42 properly relative to the
distal edge 22 of the flange 20 of the side wall 17. This example
clamp 26 includes two oppositely oriented catches 42, so any time
the greatest cross-sectional dimension 68 of the grasping tether 48
is aligned parallel to the distal edge 22, one of the catches 42 is
properly oriented. Thus, there is no need for the user to see the
clamp 26 during the clamping operation.
[0035] A user can then pull down on the grasping tether 48 against
the biasing force of the spring 38 so that the clamp body 36 moves
away from the tonneau cover 15, and away from the proximal end 50
of the rod 34, and in a direction toward the distal end 51 of the
rod 34. When the clamp body 36 is sufficiently moved in this way so
that the catch 42 clears the downwardly facing distal edge 22 of
the flange 20, the user can pivot the clamp 26 via coupling 32 so
that the catch 42 is positioned under the flange 20 in preparation
for latching.
[0036] In this position, as the user releases or reduces the
downward manual force provided via the grasping tether 48, the
biasing force of the spring 38 causes the clamp body 36 to move
upward toward the downwardly disposed distal edge 22 of the flange
20. As such, the biasing force of the spring 38 causes the clamp
body 36 to move toward the tonneau cover 15, and toward the
proximal end 50 of the elongate member 34.
[0037] As should be apparent, the only upwardly directed force the
clamp 26 is capable of exerting against the downwardly disposed
distal edge 22 is provided by the spring 38. Thus, the maximum
force that the clamp 26 can exert during the clamping operation is
limited to the biasing force that the spring 38 can provide. Thus,
the clamp 26 can help insure that the clamping force exerted on the
flange 20 during the clamping operation is insufficient to
permanently deform the flange.
[0038] When unlatching the clamp 26, a user can again manually
grasp the grasping tether 48 and can pull the clamp body 36 away
from the tonneau cover 15 and the proximal end 50 of the rod 34,
downwardly, or toward the distal end 51 of the rod 34. Once the
catch 42 can clear the downwardly disposed distal edge 22 of the
flange 20, the user can pivot the clamp 26 so that the catch 42 is
positioned adjacent the flange 20. In this position, continued
release of the grasping force will continue to move the clamp body
36 upward, toward the proximal end 50 of the rod 34, and toward the
tonneau cover 15.
[0039] Although not to scale, FIG. 3 illustrates that the only
rigid portion of the clamp 26 that extends below the downwardly
disposed distal edge 22 of the flange 20 of the side wall 17 is
that portion of the clamp body 36 associated with the catch 42.
Although the grasping tether 48 extends below the catch 42 of the
clamp body 36, the grasping tether 48 is flexible in nature. As
such, the limited extent that any rigid portion of the spring clamp
26 extends below the distal edge 22, while still providing a
grasping feature in the form of a flexible grasping tether 48,
provides ease of operation while significantly reducing the
possibility of problematic interactions between the spring clamp 26
and cargo being stored in the cargo box 11. Joining the grasping
tether 48 together in the central joining region 58, or otherwise
reducing the size of the any open loop portion 60 of the grasping
tether 48, can further reduce the possibility of such problematic
interactions.
[0040] It is possible that, in some circumstances, cargo positioned
within the cargo box 11 could interfere with manual grasping and
manipulation of the clamp 26 via the grasping tether 48 during a
clamping or unclamping operation. In such circumstances, a user can
manually manipulate and operate the spring clamp 26 using the
surface grasping feature 44. The surface grasping feature 44 is
positioned above the distal edge 22 of the flange 20, increasing
its usability in such circumstances. The discussion above regarding
positioning, orienting and operating the spring clamp 26 during
clamping and unclamping operations using the grasping tether 48 can
also be accomplished using the secondary surface grasping feature
44.
[0041] FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a second, third, and fourth
exemplary embodiment, respectively, of a clamp 26 that can be used
alternatively or additionally in a tonneau cover system 10 for
covering a truck bed or cargo box 11 in accordance with the present
disclosure. As illustrated, the same reference numerals are used in
FIGS. 9-11 as were used with respect to FIGS. 1-8 to identify
corresponding elements, even though the illustrated elements may
have somewhat different shapes or functions. Accordingly, much of
the discussion provided above with respect to the first exemplary
embodiment will not be repeated here with respect to the second and
third exemplary embodiments. Thus, the description below focuses on
particular structural or functional differences of these additional
example embodiments, while other differences will be apparent from
the drawings themselves.
[0042] As illustrated with the example spring clamps 26 of FIGS.
9-11, the coupling member 32 can have alternative shapes, such as
the illustrated generally rectangular plate-shaped coupling member
32. In addition, the clamp bodies 36 can be shaped to further
reduce the distance that the rigid clamp body 36, or any other
rigid member of the clamp 26, extends below the distal edge 22 of
the flange 20 of the side wall 17 (relative to the clamp body 36 of
FIGS. 2-8) when the clamp 26 is clamped thereto. For example, as
illustrated with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10, the pins 52
that couple the grasping tether 48 to the clamp body 36 can be
moved upwardly and outwardly, adjacent the upper-most portion of
the catch 42 to provide such reduced rigid member extending
distance below the distal edge 22.
[0043] As illustrated with the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 9 and
11, the grasping tether 48 can have a full open loop configuration.
The grasping tether 48 can also be coupled to the clamp body 36
using alternative methods. For example, the grasping tether 48 can
extend through a tether coupling slot or channel 70 extending
through the clamp body 36. In the example of FIG. 9, the grasping
tether 48 is oriented with the greatest cross-sectional dimension
of the strap (and of the channel 70) extending parallel to the
length direction 64 of the catch 42, and perpendicular to the width
direction 66 of the catch. In the example of FIG. 11, the grasping
tether 48 is oriented with the greatest cross-sectional dimension
of the strap (and of the channel 70) extending perpendicular to the
length direction 64 of the catch 42, and parallel to the width
direction 66 of the catch 42. Such an orientation can make it
easier to slide cargo in and out of the cargo box 11; particularly
when the grasping tether 48 has a full open loop configuration.
[0044] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth, such
as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to
provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present
disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may
be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be
construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example
embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures,
and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
[0045] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0046] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0047] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0048] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"
"beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be
used herein for ease of description to describe one element or
feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be
intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use
or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the
spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Similarly, although use of the terms "length" and "width" imply
relative orientations with the "length" extending away from the
center (e.g., rod axis), they do not imply any particular relative
dimensions of the catch; e.g., that the catch is larger in the
"length" direction than in the "width" direction.
[0049] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *