U.S. patent application number 15/551398 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-01 for bassinet and cradle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Stokke AS. Invention is credited to Lina AKER, Hilde ANGELFOSS, Robert MYRENE.
Application Number | 20180055243 15/551398 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55586371 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180055243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ANGELFOSS; Hilde ; et
al. |
March 1, 2018 |
BASSINET AND CRADLE
Abstract
A bassinet, including a hammock and a framework, the hammock
having a first pair of opposing panels, a second pair of opposing
panels and a bottom panel. At least one of the first or second pair
of opposing panels is connected to the framework and each of the
first and second pair of opposing panels is connected to the bottom
panel so that the bottom panel is suspended in a predetermined
orientation relative to the framework. Each panel of the first pair
of opposing panels is capable of flexible deformation where the
bottom panel is displaced in relation to the framework while the
relative orientation of the bottom panel and the framework remains
constant.
Inventors: |
ANGELFOSS; Hilde; ( LESUND,
NO) ; AKER; Lina; ( LESUND, NO) ; MYRENE;
Robert; ( LESUND, NO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stokke AS |
LESUND |
|
NO |
|
|
Family ID: |
55586371 |
Appl. No.: |
15/551398 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
February 15, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NO2016/050025 |
371 Date: |
August 16, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 7/04 20130101; A47D
9/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47D 9/00 20060101
A47D009/00; A47D 7/04 20060101 A47D007/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 16, 2015 |
NO |
20150227 |
Claims
1. A bassinet comprising: a hammock and a framework; wherein the
hammock has a first pair of opposing panels, a second pair of
opposing panels and a bottom panel; wherein at least one of the
first or second pair of opposing panels are connected to the
framework and wherein the first and second pair of opposing panels
each are connected to the bottom panel such that the bottom panel
is suspended in a predetermined orientation relative to the
framework; and wherein each panel of the first pair of opposing
panels is capable of flexible deformation such that the bottom
panel is displaced in relation to the framework while the relative
orientation of the bottom panel and the framework remains constant,
and wherein each panel of the first pair of opposing panels
comprises a folded and/or creased material, wherein the folds
and/or creases in the material deform during displacement of the
bottom panel.
2. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the first and the
second pair of opposing panels are oriented in a substantially
vertical direction and wherein the bottom panel is oriented in a
substantially horizontal direction such that the first and second
pairs of opposing panels and the bottom panel form an open box.
3. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the direction of
displacement of the bottom panel is substantially parallel to a
panel of the first pair of opposing panels.
4. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the second pair of
opposing panels are rigid.
5. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein each panel of the
second pair of opposing panels is capable of flexible deformation
such that the bottom panel is displaced in relation to the
framework in a direction which is substantially parallel to the
plane of a panel of the second pair of opposing panels.
6. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the framework
comprises a rectangular frame and wherein the bottom panel is
suspended parallel to a plane defined by the rectangular frame.
7. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the framework
comprises transverse support beams and/or longitudinal support
beams.
8. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or the
second pair of opposing panels comprise respective fastening
sections for fastening the first and/or the second pair of opposing
panels to the framework.
9. The bassinet according to claim 1, the bassinet further
comprising a rigid board which is insertable into a pocket formed
in the bottom panel.
10. The bassinet according to claim 1, further comprising a stand
adapted for receiving the framework of the bassinet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Bassinets and cradles are used for babies and small
children, allowing them to lie flat to sleep and nap in a safe and
sheltered environment. A cradle may offer the possibility of a
rocking feature, usually from side to side to keep the baby
content, and for soothing or calming the baby such as to more
easily fall asleep.
[0002] The rocking movement is often instigated by an adult gently
rocking or pushing the cradle, although some cradles have automated
devices.
[0003] A number of cradles have been made for the purposes
mentioned above; however, the movement in current cradles does not
seem to keep all babies soothed and calm.
PRIOR ART
[0004] The cradles presently on the market are mainly based on two
different principles for allowing movement of the baby or small
child lying in the cradle. The first movement is a rocking-chair
movement or inverted pendulum provided by a set of curved bands, or
rockers, mounted to the bottom part of the cradle. The second
movement is a simple pendulum movement provided by a bassinet part
of the cradle being suspended from two opposing supports in the
head and front end of the bassinet, allowing the bassinet to swing
from side to side.
[0005] In both of these prior art types of cradles, the baby's body
moves along a curved trajectory, i.e.
[0006] a mattress supporting the baby does not stay in a horizontal
direction but is tilted during the swinging motion of the
cradle.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An objective of the invention is to provide a cradle
providing a more pleasant movement pattern for the baby, rather
than only a pendulum swing or rocking-chair movement of previous
cradles. More specifically, the objective is to provide a movement
which is natural for the baby and closer to that experienced in the
womb.
[0008] Further, an objective of the invention is to provide a
cradle in which a baby or infant may initiate movement of the
cradle by their own movement, such as by limb movements.
[0009] Another objective of the invention is to provide a cradle
wherein a bassinet portion of the cradle may be moved and
positioned onto different types of supports, while maintaining the
same movement ability.
[0010] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a
cradle bassinet with the combination of safe restraints preventing
the baby rolling out of the cradle while at the same time providing
sufficient aeration for the baby and a swinging motion feature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention concerns a bassinet and cradle according to
claim 1. Further embodiments are apparent from the dependent
claims. These and other objects are achieved with a cradle
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] The bassinet and cradle of an embodiment of the present
invention is based on an open box shaped hammock with side panels
of a suitable material, such as a fabric of quality suitable for
contact with babies and small children. There are at least four
side panels and one bottom panel making up the box shape, wherein
the side edges of the side panels are attached to one and another
and all side panels are connected to the bottom panel at their
bottom edge. In addition, at least two opposing side panels are
attached at their upper edges to a support structure, such as a
frame. The bottom panel may accommodate a mattress to support the
baby or child placed in the bassinet or cradle.
[0013] However, a box-shaped hammock construction on its own will
not provide the ability of the bassinet to swing in relation to the
support structure in any cyclic manner, but only yield or partly
deform when exposed to external forces such as a push. In order to
provide a swinging feature, at least two of the opposite side
panels are flexible so that they may be deformed in their own
plane, i.e. stretched and/or compressed in a direction which
extends along the plane of the substantially two-dimensional panel.
Very few woven fabrics, if any, have such characteristic as the
weaving would need to be very loose and the friction between the
threads extremely low.
[0014] According to embodiments, the material in at least two side
panels may be folded or creased in the vertical direction to create
vertical folds or creases which provide translational flexibility
and wherein each fold or crease will function as a separate
pendulum. The folds or creases provide means for the side panels to
support a cyclic swinging motion of the bottom panel in parallel
translation wherein the bottom panel mainly remains horizontal
throughout all swing deflections.
[0015] By constructing the remaining two opposing side panels of
rigid material, the bassinet or cradle will be limited to swing in
one plane, perpendicular to the rigid panels. The elastically
deformable side panel pair of the bassinet or cradle may be chosen
as either the longitudinal panel pair in order to obtain a
head-to-toe swing direction, or they may be the shorter transversal
panel pair in order to obtain side-to-side swing direction.
Alternatively, all four panels could be made elastically deformable
in order to enable a swinging motion of the bottom panel in two
perpendicular directions in the horizontal plane.
[0016] The unique head-to-toe swinging motion obtained by the
folded or creased longitudinal side panels according to an
embodiment, together with the maintaining of a substantially
horizontal bottom panel carrying the baby mattress, has proven
surprisingly calming for some babies. The reason is thought to be
the resemblance of the motion the baby experiences in the womb.
[0017] In the following description, it is assumed that the bottom
panel, which forms a support surface for a baby to be placed into
the bassinet or cradle according to the present invention, is
oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, and that the side
panels are oriented in a substantially vertical direction. For the
purpose of the present invention, the terms "horizontal" and
"vertical" also encompass inclined directions, wherein e.g. a
bottom panel is inclined to provide a resting surface with the
baby's head being slightly higher than its feet, or wherein side
panels extend at an angle to the vertical direction in order to
connect e.g. a wider and/or longer support frame to a narrower
and/or shorter bottom panel suspended below the support frame.
Further, in the following description, the term "longitudinal" is
used to define a direction extending horizontally along a longer
side of the bassinet, i.e. in general a head-to-toe direction of a
baby placed in the bassinet. Similarly, the term "transverse" is
used to define a direction extending horizontally along a shorter
side of the bassinet, i.e. in general a side-to-side direction of a
baby placed in the bassinet
[0018] An aspect of the present invention provides a bassinet
comprising a hammock and a framework. Therein, the hammock has a
first pair of opposing panels, a second pair of opposing panels and
a bottom panel. The panels may e.g. be formed from a fabric
material. At least one of the first or second pair of opposing
panels are connected to the framework, and the first and second
pair of opposing panels each are connected to the bottom panel such
that the bottom panel is suspended in a predetermined orientation
relative to the framework. Each panel of the first pair of opposing
panels is capable of flexible deformation such that the bottom
panel is displaced in relation to the framework while the relative
orientation of the bottom panel and the framework remains constant.
The bottom panel can swing due to the flexible deformation of the
panels of the first opposing pair while the orientation of the
bottom panel relative to the framework (and thus also relative to
the ground) remains constant. Thus, a baby mattress provided on a
horizontal bottom panel remains in a horizontal orientation at all
times during the swinging motion.
[0019] The first and second pairs of opposing side panels may be
attached to each other in order to secure a baby from falling out
of the bassinet. Additionally, the side panels may be formed from
air permeable material in order to ensure good aeration to a baby
placed in the bassinet.
[0020] According to embodiments, each panel of the first pair of
opposing panels comprises a folded and/or creased material, wherein
the folds and/or creases in the material deform during displacement
of the bottom panel. Thus, each fold or crease forms an individual
pendulum which allows a swinging motion of the bottom panel due to
a deformation of the fold or crease. Alternatively, the panels of
the first pair of opposing panels may be formed from a number of
parallel, substantially vertical strings or strips of fabric,
which, just like the above-described folds and creases, serve as
individual pendulums for enabling a horizontal swinging motion of
the bottom panel.
[0021] The first and the second pair of opposing panels may be
oriented in a substantially vertical direction and the bottom panel
may be oriented in a substantially horizontal direction such that
the first and second pairs of opposing panels and the bottom panel
form an open box. In this case, the folds and/or creases in the
material of the first pair of opposing panels may then be provided
in a vertical direction in order to allow a swinging motion of the
horizontal bottom panel. In the context of the present description,
the term "vertical folds and/or creases" is to denote folds and/or
creases, wherein the fold lines extend in a substantially vertical
direction, so that the length of the folded material in the
longitudinal direction has been shortened when compared to a
non-folded, non-creased state of the material of the panel.
[0022] With the provision of vertical folds and/or creases, it can
be ensured that the side panels do not deform in a vertical
direction, since the material of the side panels is not elasticated
or deformable and since the vertically oriented creases or folds do
not deform in a vertical direction. Hence, the bottom panel can be
stably suspended below the framework by the flexible side panels,
without the bottom panel dipping or bouncing in a vertical
direction. The vertically aligned folds and/or creases enable an
elastic deformation of the side panel in a horizontal direction by
opening/closing the individual folds and/or creases, thus enabling
the swinging motion of the bottom panel in a horizontal
direction.
[0023] The direction of displacement of the bottom panel may be in
a plane which is substantially parallel to a panel of the first
pair of opposing panels. Thus, the first pair of opposing panels,
which may e.g. extend in a substantially longitudinal direction,
deform in their own plane, e.g. by the material of the panels
stretching or by the folds and creases provided in the material of
the panels deforming. The bottom panel, which is attached to the
panels, is then displaced in the longitudinal direction by the
deformation of the panels.
[0024] According to embodiments, the second pair of opposing panels
may be rigid, thus restricting the displacement of the bottom panel
to a direction parallel to a plane of the first opposing pair of
panels.
[0025] Alternatively, each panel of the second pair of opposing
panels may be capable of flexible deformation such that the bottom
panel is displaced in relation to the framework in a plane which is
substantially parallel to the plane of a panel of the second pair
of opposing panels. Thus, a side-to-side swinging motion in a
transverse direction may be achieved if the opposing panels that
extend in a transverse direction are elastically deformable. With
two pairs of elastically deformable panels, the bottom panel may be
displaced in a number of different directions in the horizontal
plane, allowing for a more complex swinging motion, while the
orientation of the bottom panel relative to the framework remains
constant.
[0026] According to embodiments, the framework may comprise a
rectangular frame and the bottom panel may be suspended parallel to
a plane defined by the rectangular frame. Alternatively, the
framework may comprise a frame in a non-rectangular shape. The
bottom panel may be suspended in a predetermined orientation
relative to the framework, so that, in use, the bottom panel is
suspended in a horizontal or in an inclined orientation in order to
provide a suitable support surface for a baby.
[0027] The framework may comprise transverse support beams and/or
longitudinal support beams. According to some embodiments, the
framework may comprise only one pair of opposing support beams,
thus providing a stretcher-like structure, wherein only one pair of
opposing side panels is attached to respective support beams, and
wherein, before use of the bassinet, the support beams may be
secured to a further support structure, such as e.g. a stand.
[0028] According to embodiments, the first and/or the second pair
of opposing panels may comprise respective fastening sections for
fastening the first and/or the second pair of opposing panels to
the framework. The fastening sections may be releasably fastened to
the framework, such as e.g. by zippers, buttons, Velcro.TM.
fasteners or the like.
[0029] The bassinet may further comprise a rigid board which is
insertable into a pocket formed in the bottom panel in order to
form a firm support surface for the baby. A mattress may be
provided on the bottom panel.
[0030] According to another aspect, the present invention provides
a system comprising the bassinet as described above and a stand
adapted for receiving the framework of the bassinet. The stand may
e.g. comprise longitudinal and/or transverse support beams attached
to legs, wherein the support beams support the respective
longitudinal and/or transverse support beams of the framework.
DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a raised perspective view of a cradle bassinet
according to the invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the cradle bassinet in FIG. 1 in longitudinal
side view.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows the cradle bassinet in FIG. 2 in a state of
swinging.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a raised perspective view of cradle according
to the invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows the cradle in FIG. 4 in longitudinal side
view.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows the cradle bassinet in FIG. 5 in a state of
swinging.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows a raised perspective view stand for the cradle
bassinet in FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows a bottom perspective view of a frame of the
cradle bassinet in FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows a raised perspective view baby bed with
indication of area for attachment of the cradle bassinet in FIG.
1.
[0040] FIG. 10 shows a detail view of the attachment of the cradle
bassinet in FIG. 1 onto the baby bed in FIG. 9.
[0041] FIG. 11 shows a raised perspective view of the base frame in
FIG. 8 turned upside down onto the soft bassinet parts and the
fastening of a first set of panels to the frame.
[0042] FIG. 12 shows the parts in FIG. 11 and the fastening of a
second set of panels to the frame.
[0043] FIG. 13 shows the flipping of the ensemble in FIG. 12 and
the insertion of a cradle base plate into a bottom panel of the
bassinet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] In the further description, the following terms will be used
which should be understood as follows unless otherwise
specified.
[0045] The term "longitudinal" is to be interpreted as the mainly
horizontal direction parallel to the plane of symmetry of an
objects largest dimension. For the present bassinet, the
longitudinal direction generally coincides with a head-to-toe
direction of a baby placed on a baby support surface of the
bassinet. The term "lateral", "cross" or "transverse" is to be
interpreted as the generally horizontal direction parallel to the
plane of symmetry of the an objects shortest dimension. For the
present bassinet, the transverse direction generally coincides with
a side-to-side direction of a baby placed on the baby support
surface of the bassinet. The term "inward" is to be interpreted as
the mainly horizontal direction towards any of the planes of
symmetry of an object.
[0046] The invention will in the following be illustrated by
examples of embodiments as shown in the attached figures, none of
which are limiting for the invention.
[0047] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the bassinet 1 according to
the invention, which comprises a hammock 10 and a rigid support
structure 20. The hammock 10 comprises a first and second pair of
opposing parallel vertical side panels 11, 12 and a bottom
horizontal panel 13, which are flexibly connected together in the
shape of an open box. The top edges of the side panels 11, 12 are
connected to the support structure 20 which in this embodiment
comprises a rectangular rigid frame comprising a first and second
pair of opposing parallel beams 21, 22.
[0048] The first opposing side panels 11 are in this embodiment
made up of a vertically creased or folded material. The total
length of the material is greater than that of the effective length
of the side panel providing a non-smooth surface with mainly
vertical creases or fold lines running from the support structure
20 down to the bottom panel 13 like a curtain. Thus, the material
making up the first opposing side panels 11 is dimensioned longer
in a longitudinal direction than the actual side panel 11 and is
shortened by introducing vertical crease or fold lines in order to
create the vertical folds or creases shown in FIG. 1.
[0049] The first side panels 11 may be made of any suitable
material. A light and air permeable fabric is preferred, in order
to allow air to flow through the panel and provide good circulation
of air to the baby while being flexible enough to allow parallel
swinging of the bassinet. Further, respective neighbouring panels
11 and 12 may be connected to each other at their side edges in
order to ensure that the baby is securely contained within the
bassinet 1 and cannot fall out.
[0050] The second opposing side panels 12 in this embodiment are
made up of a rigid, semi-rigid, or substantially non-stretchable
material.
[0051] In FIG. 2, the bassinet 1 is viewed from a side view,
showing one of the first side panels 11 of the hammock 10 and the
support structure 20. In the state shown, the hammock is in its
starting position hanging straight down from the support structure
20. In FIG. 3, the bottom panel 13 has been moved to the right side
in relation to the support structure by a translational parallel
displacement thereof. The displacement of the bottom panel is
caused by the folds and/or creases in the material of the side
panel 11 deforming. This sideways and mainly parallel movement
allows for the bottom panel 13, onto which a mattress 5 may be
placed, to swing back and forth to the left and right of the
starting position shown in FIG. 2.
[0052] The translational parallel movement has the ability to
emulate a swinging motion which is more natural for the baby than a
single pendulum or inverted pendulum motion. In this embodiment,
the swinging motion is enabled by the deformation of the
longitudinal side panels 11 of the bassinet 1, hence providing a
swinging motion in the longitudinal direction, such as from head to
toe. However, the motion may also or alternatively be provided in
the transversal direction for swinging sideways by providing
elastically deformable transverse side panels 12, or by
dimensioning the panels 11, 12 accordingly.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows the bassinet 1 of FIG. 1 mounted onto a stand
30. The stand 30 may be a standalone structure onto which the
bassinet may be attached, either permanently or detachably.
Alternatively, the stand 30 may comprise the support structure 20
and the hammock 10 may then be attached directly to the stand,
either permanently or detachably.
[0054] In FIG. 5, the cradle 1 is shown from a side view, showing
one of the first side panels 11 of the hammock 10, the support
structure 20 and the stand 30. In the state shown, the hammock 10
is in a starting position hanging straight down from the support
structure 20. In FIG. 6, the bottom panel 13 has been moved to the
right side in relation to the support structure 20 by a
translational parallel displacement thereof, similar to that of
FIG. 3.
[0055] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of the stand 30, comprising a
top rectangular rigid frame with a first and second pair of
opposing parallel beams 31, 32 and four legs 33.
[0056] FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of the framework 20 in detail.
In this embodiment, the framework 20 comprises a rectangular frame
comprising longitudinal beams 21 and cross beams 22. The cross
beams 22 are extended in a horizontal direction in order to form
support surfaces which can rest on suitably positioned structures.
Further, the longitudinal beams 21 form side walls for securing the
bassinet 1 e.g. on the longitudinal beams 31 of the stand 30 of
FIG. 7. With the side walls of the cross beams 22 resting against
respective outside surfaces of the longitudinal beams 31 of the
stand 30, the bassinet 1 is secured against any inadvertent
slipping or movement in the transverse direction relative to the
stand 30. A similar construction may be provided for the cross
beams 22 of the framework 20.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, a baby bed 40 has longitudinal sides 42
and transverse sides 41. FIG. 10 shows the bassinet 1, wherein the
cross beams 22 of the framework 20 are resting on respective top
surfaces of the longitudinal side walls 42 of the baby bed 40.
Therein, the horizontally extending support surfaces of the cross
beams 22 of the framework 20 provide a secure support for the
bassinet 1 on a variety of different baby beds, even if the
respective widths and/or the spacing of the side walls 42 differ by
a few centimetres between different makes and models of baby
beds.
[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the side panels 12 are
located close to the side walls 42 of the baby bed 40, so that only
a very limited swinging motion is possible. According to some
embodiments, however, the transverse panels 12 may be elastically
deformable in addition to, or instead of the longitudinal panels 11
being elastically deformable, thus enabling a side-to-side swinging
motion of the bottom panel 13. If the bassinet 1 is then placed at
a distance away from the transverse side walls 41 of the baby bed
40, a side-to-side swinging motion of the bottom panel 13 could be
achieved when the bassinet 1 is secured on the side walls 42 of the
baby bed 40.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 11, the bassinet 1 may be assembled by
placing the framework 20 onto the side panels 11, 12 of the hammock
10. In the example shown, the framework 20 has been turned
upside-down to allow the fastening sections 11', 12' of the side
panels to be fastened in an area which will not be visible during
use of the bassinet 10. The fastening sections 11', 12' may be
fastened to the framework 20 using e.g. zippers (as shown in FIG.
12), buttons, Velcro.TM. fasteners or the like. As shown in FIG.
13, before use, the framework 20 with the hammock 10 attached
thereto is flipped over again. In order to provide a suitably
supportive bottom panel 13, a rigid cradle base board 14 may be
inserted into a pocket formed in the bottom panel 13 of the hammock
10. Additionally, a mattress (not shown) may be placed on top of
the bottom panel 13 in order to provide a comfortable support
surface for a baby.
[0060] A further embodiment comprises a stretcher-like structure of
the bassinet. Therein, the hammock is not suspended from a
rectangular frame as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 11 to 13, but is
attached via a single pair of side panels to two opposing beams,
which extend e.g. in the longitudinal or in the transverse
direction of the bassinet. Thus, the bassinet resembles a stretcher
in that a fabric hammock is suspended from two parallel and
opposing support beams.
[0061] Prior to use, the bassinet according to this embodiment may
then be placed onto a further support structure, such as e.g. the
stand 30 of FIG. 7 or the baby bed 40 of FIG. 9, and the two
opposing beams may be secured to the support structure. Therein,
the rigid panels of the hammock may be attached to the two opposing
beams, and the flexibly deformable panels of the hammock may be
attached to the bottom panel at their lower edge and move freely at
their upper edge. In order to ensure the stability of the vertical
folds and/or creases in the side panel material, a string or a
strip of non-stretchable fabric may be attached to the top end of
the elastically deformable side panels. With this embodiment, a
swinging motion of the bottom panel can be achieved using very
little force Thus, this embodiment enables a baby to initiate the
swinging motion of the bassinet e.g. by kicking his/her legs.
[0062] Alternatively, the flexible panels may be attached to the
opposing beams, so that the unattached rigid panels may be used for
stiffening the overall hammock structure, even though these panels
are not attached to a support framework at their respective top
ends.
[0063] It should be noted that the description and drawings merely
illustrate the principles of the proposed device and its associated
use and manufacturing method. It will thus be appreciated that
those skilled in the art will be able to devise various
arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown
herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included
within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited
herein are principally intended expressly to be only for
pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the
principles of the proposed methods and systems and the concepts
contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be
construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited
examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting
principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as
specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *