U.S. patent application number 15/855853 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-05 for replaceable sleeve system for shoe.
The applicant listed for this patent is JOSEPH P. THEISEN, KAREN E. THEISEN. Invention is credited to JOSEPH P. THEISEN, KAREN E. THEISEN.
Application Number | 20180184752 15/855853 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62708259 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180184752 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THEISEN; KAREN E. ; et
al. |
July 5, 2018 |
REPLACEABLE SLEEVE SYSTEM FOR SHOE
Abstract
A replaceable cap sleeve system is described herein which
remedies the cost of acquiring multiple pairs of footwear by
providing flexibility to match apparel. The system includes a base
shoe structure having only a projecting heel, an insole, an
outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and heel area, a
removable toe sleeve adapted to extend over at least a portion of
the toe area and insole of the base shoe structure, but which is
attached to the underside of the base shoe structure at a location
on the outsole, and a separate, removable heel sleeve adapted to be
fastened over the projecting heel of the base shoe structure. A
completed shoe for wear is realized that covers toes of a wearer
and supports the wearer's heel with the toe and heel sleeves
installed on the base shoe structure.
Inventors: |
THEISEN; KAREN E.; (NOVATO,
CA) ; THEISEN; JOSEPH P.; (SAN FRANCISCO,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THEISEN; KAREN E.
THEISEN; JOSEPH P. |
NOVATO
SAN FRANCISCO |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62708259 |
Appl. No.: |
15/855853 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62440159 |
Dec 29, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/24 20130101;
A43B 23/24 20130101; A43B 13/28 20130101; A43B 3/244 20130101; A43B
13/36 20130101; A43B 21/42 20130101; A43B 3/242 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20060101
A43B003/24; A43B 21/42 20060101 A43B021/42; A43C 11/24 20060101
A43C011/24; A43B 23/24 20060101 A43B023/24; A43B 13/28 20060101
A43B013/28 |
Claims
1. A replaceable sleeve system adapted to complete a shoe for wear,
comprising: a base shoe structure having only a projecting heel, an
insole, an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and heel
area, a removable toe sleeve adapted to extend over at least a
portion of the toe area and insole of the base shoe structure, but
which is attached to the underside of the base shoe structure at a
location on the outsole, and a separate, removable heel sleeve
adapted to be fastened over the projecting heel of the base shoe
structure, wherein a completed shoe for wear is realized that
covers toes of a wearer and supports the wearer's heel with the toe
and heel sleeves installed on the base shoe structure.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the toe sleeve further includes:
a material vamp structure form-fitted to the toe area, and a throat
formed within the vamp for receiving the toes of a wearer therein,
and a connector element attached to the toe sleeve for securing the
toe sleeve.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the toe sleeve further includes
an inner surface that contacts a portion of the outsole with the
toe sleeve attached to the base shoe structure
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve is friction held
to the projecting heel of the base shoe structure.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve includes a
quarter that forms the upper rear and rear sides of the completed
shoe to support the heel of the wearer.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve includes a
counter which provides stiffening while maintaining shape of the
heel sleeve on the completed shoe.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve includes an ankle
strap to assist securing the heel sleeve to the base shoe structure
and wearer of the completed shoe.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the heel sleeve further includes
a hollow projecting heel adapted to receive the projecting heel of
the base shoe structure therein, the hollow projecting heel
form-fitted to the projecting heel of the base shoe structure.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the heel sleeve further includes
a heel tip connected to the bottom of the hollow projecting heel,
the heel tip including a rod element that extends upward within the
hollow projecting heel to engage a bore formed in the underside of
the projecting heel of the base shoe structure as the projecting
heel of the base shoe structure is inserted into an opening in the
heel sleeve.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a male connector
affixed to a portion of the toe sleeve, a female connector affixed
to the outsole above the instep area where the outsole meets the
projecting heel of the base shoe structure, the female connector
having a slot which receives the male connector therein to secure
the toe sleeve to the base shoe structure.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the male connector further
includes: a flange extension surface connected to an inner surface
of the toe sleeve at an upper rear end thereof, a wall
perpendicular to the flange extension and connected to a flexible
arm extending rearward of the toe sleeve, the flexible arm
terminating in a disc-shaped snap connector that is to be received
in the female connector.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the female connector further
includes: a connector body, a vertical wall attached to the
connector body and forming a front of the female connector, a slot
provided therein that is to receive the snap connector and flexible
arm therethrough, the slot opening up into a channel formed in the
interior of the connector body to permit lateral travel of the
flexible arm with snap connector, and a generally circular recess
formed in the connector body, the recess and snap connector
engaging in a snap-fit relation to secure the toe sleeve to the
base shoe structure.
13. A replaceable sleeve system adapted to complete a shoe for
wear, comprising: a base shoe structure having a projecting heel,
an insole, an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and
heel area, the base shoe structure having a first connector
attached thereto on an underside thereof, a removable toe sleeve
adapted to extend over at least a portion of the toe area and
insole of the base shoe structure, the toe sleeve having a second
connector attached thereto, the first connector on the underside of
the base shoe structure adapted to receive the second connector
therein to secure the toe sleeve to the base shoe structure, and a
separate, removable heel sleeve attached over the projecting heel
of the base shoe structure by a friction fit.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second connector further
includes: a flange extension surface connected to an inner surface
of the toe sleeve at an upper rear end thereof, a wall
perpendicular to the flange extension and connected to a flexible
arm extending rearward of the toe sleeve, the flexible arm
terminating in a disc-shaped snap connector that is to be received
in the first connector.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first connector further
includes: a connector body, a vertical wall attached to the
connector body and forming a front of the first connector, a slot
provided therein that is to receive the snap connector and flexible
arm of the second connector therethrough, the slot opening up into
a channel formed in the interior of the connector body to permit
lateral travel of the flexible arm with snap connector, and a
generally circular recess formed in the connector body, the recess
and snap connector engaging in a snap-fit relation to secure the
toe sleeve to the base shoe structure.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the heel sleeve includes an
ankle strap to assist securing the heel sleeve to the base shoe
structure and wearer of the completed shoe.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the heel sleeve further
includes: a hollow projecting heel adapted to receive the
projecting heel of the base shoe structure therein, and a heel tip
connected to the bottom of the hollow projecting heel, the heel tip
including a rod element that extends upward within the hollow
projecting heel to engage a bore formed in the underside of the
projecting heel of the base shoe structure as the projecting heel
of the base shoe structure is inserted into an opening in the heel
sleeve.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein a completed shoe for wear is
realized that covers toes of a wearer and supports the wearer's
heel with the toe and heel sleeves installed on the base shoe
structure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/440,159 to Karen E. Theisen, filed Dec. 29, 2016, pending. The
entire contents of this provisional application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] The example embodiments in general are directed to a
replaceable sleeve system for a shoe comprising at least a toe
sleeve, with or without a heel sleeve, each adapted for connection
to a base shoe structure to create a complete shoe.
Related Art
[0003] According to the National Shoe Retailers Association and the
U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2014 the global footwear industry had
annual revenues exceeding $52 billion dollars. Women's casual and
dress shoes accounted for about 30% of that market share, or over
$15.6 billion dollars.
[0004] A 2010 survey conducted of 3000 women by gocompare.com and
later reported in Glamour magazine indicated that the average woman
will buy 469 pairs of shoes in her lifetime, spending over $25,000
or about $53 per pair, on average. The average woman has about 19
pairs of shoes at any given time.
[0005] A more recent 2013 survey of 2352 women over the age of 18
conducted by VoucherCodesPro.co.uk echoed the 2010 survey. Namely,
the study found that ladies owned about 20 pairs of shoes on
average, yet they only placed five (5) pairs of these shoes into
their regular rotation. The top excuse for neglecting their shoes
was that the shoes were too uncomfortable (64% said that the shoes
were either too tight on their feet or heels too high).
[0006] However, the next largest excuse (at 55%) or reason that the
women were not wearing many of their shoes, was because it was too
hard to match the shoes to their outfit. Accordingly, what is
desired is a shoe or system that allows a person greater
flexibility in their shoe styles or designs so as to appropriately
match the apparel of the person, which may also assist the person
in conserving their annual outlay for footwear by purchasing fewer
pairs of shoes.
SUMMARY
[0007] An example embodiment of the present invention is directed
to a replaceable sleeve system adapted to complete a shoe for wear.
The system includes a base shoe structure having only a projecting
heel, an insole, an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area
and heel area, a removable toe sleeve adapted to extend over at
least a portion of the toe area and insole of the base shoe
structure, but which is attached to the underside of the base shoe
structure at a location on the outsole, and a separate, removable
heel sleeve adapted to be fastened over the projecting heel of the
base shoe structure. A completed shoe for wear is realized that
covers toes of a wearer and supports the wearer's heel with the toe
and heel sleeves installed on the base shoe structure.
[0008] Another example embodiment is directed to a replaceable
sleeve system adapted to complete a shoe for wear, where the system
includes a base shoe structure having a projecting heel, an insole,
an outsole, and an instep area between a toe area and heel area,
the base shoe structure having a first connector attached thereto
on an underside thereof. The system also includes a removable toe
sleeve adapted to extend over at least a portion of the toe area
and insole of the base shoe structure, the toe sleeve having a
second connector attached thereto, the first connector on the
underside of the base shoe structure adapted to receive the second
connector therein to secure the toe sleeve to the base shoe
structure, and a separate, removable heel sleeve attached over the
projecting heel of the base shoe structure by a friction fit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Example embodiments will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying
drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference
numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are
not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a right-side perspective view of sleeve system in
a disassembled state that is adapted for building a shoe according
to an example embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the system FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of only the male and female
connectors to illustrate connective engagement between the
connectors in more detail.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the male connector of FIG.
3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the male connector of FIG.
3.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a right-side elevational view of the male
connector of FIG. 3, the left-side elevational view being a mirror
image thereof.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the female connector of FIG.
3.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the female connector of FIG.
3.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a left-side elevational view of the female
connector of FIG. 3, the right-side elevational view being a mirror
image thereof.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a digital photograph of a prototype system
showing the toe sleeve and base shoe structure of the assembly
disassembles, so as to see the male and female connectors in better
detail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the following description, certain specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various
example embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the
art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures
associated with manufacturing techniques have not been described in
detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the
example embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0021] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the
specification and claims that follow, the word "comprise" and
variations thereof, such as "comprises" and "comprising," are to be
construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as "including, but
not limited to."
[0022] Reference throughout this specification to "one example
embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature,
structure or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the
appearances of the phrases "in one example embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the
particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.
[0023] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless
the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term "or" is generally
employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly
dictates otherwise.
[0024] As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms
"correspond," "corresponds," and "corresponding" are intended to
describe a ratio of or a similarity between referenced objects. The
use of "correspond" or one of its forms should not be construed to
mean the exact shape or size. In the drawings, identical reference
numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative
positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to
scale.
[0025] As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms
"sleeve," "is understood as a single or double open-ended
protective covering or tube fitting over or enclosing a portion of
foot apparel. A sleeve may be understood alternatively and/or
occasionally be referred to herein as any of a sheath, case,
covering, jacket, shell or skin.
[0026] The example embodiments to be described in more detail below
are directed to a removable or interchangeable sleeve system that
includes, in one example, a base shoe structure, with a toe sleeve
and a heel sleeve adapted for connection to the base shoe structure
such as high-heeled women's shoes to complete assembly thereof. In
accordance with the example embodiments, the toe and heel sleeve is
capable of being changed as desired without affecting the base shoe
structure, thereby affording a means whereby the appearance of a
shoe can be altered, as desired.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 10, there is shown a sleeve
system 100 adapted for building a shoe according to an example
embodiment. System 100 include a base shoe structure 110, a toe
sleeve 120 and a heel sleeve 130. An upper rear end of the toe
sleeve 110 include a male connector 140. A female connector 150 is
connected to the outsole 118 on the underside of the base shoe
structure 110 and located at an upper end of the instep area 119.
The female connector 150 is designed to receive the male connector
140 therein so as to secure the toe sleeve 120, over the toe cap
111 and toe area 112 of the base shoe structure 110, to the outsole
118 thereof.
[0028] Once secured, the toe sleeve 120 provides a throat or
opening 123 that permits insertion of the toes, which are covered
by the vamp 121 of the toe sleeve 120. Although not shown in the
drawings, at least part of the material that makes up the vamp 121
may be configured as an elastic portion to allow for give or
flexibility in the width of the toe sleeve 120, i.e., for comfort
so that the toe cap 111 on the base shoe structure does not pinch
the toes. Once attached, the outsole 122 of the toe sleeve 120
partially covers the outsole 118 of the base shoe structure 110 and
becomes the ground contacting surface subjected to weight bearing
forces of the wearer, along with the heel tip of the heel sleeve
130. The material of the toe sleeve 120 may be formed of any type
of covering or material formed of plastics, leather, textile
fabrics, or other suitable materials.
[0029] The base shoe structure 110 on its top surface has only an
insole 113 with a toe area 112 and a heel area 114 thereon, it
includes no vamp or toe area material whatsoever to secure toes of
a wearer therein. This is provided only by the toe sleeve 120. The
base shoe structure 110 also has an outsole 118 which arches
through the instep area 119 up to where it meets a heel breast 117
of a projecting heel 115 provided between a heel tip 116 and the
heel breast 117. However, the base shoe structure 110 includes no
quarter or counter to secure a wearer's heel therein. This is
provided by the attachable heel sleeve 130.
[0030] The heel sleeve 130 include a hollow projecting heel 131
formed into a quarter 132 and a counter 133. The quarter 132
comprises the upper rear and rear sides of the heel sleeve 130 that
covers the heel of the wearer. The counter 133 offers stiffening
while maintaining shape for the heel sleeve 130. Heel sleeve 130
also includes an ankle strap 135. To install the heel sleeve 130 on
the base shoe structure, the heel tip 116 of projecting heel 115 is
inserted into the opening 134 of the heel sleeve 130 until it is
seated completely within the hollow projecting heel, so that the
quarter 132 covers the outside surface of the heel breast 117 and
the counter 133 with strap 135 extends upward at the rear of heel
area 114. The heel sleeve 130 is held onto the base shoe structure
110 by friction created in the opening 134 between the heel 115 of
the base shoe structure 110, and the hollow projecting heel 131 of
the hell sleeve 130, a "friction fit". Also, the securing of the
ankle strap 135 around the ankle of the wearer provides additional
means of holding the heel sleeve 130 onto the base shoe structure
110. In an example, the hollow projecting heel 131 of heel sleeve
130 may be form-fitted to the shape of the projecting heel 115.
[0031] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a solid heel tip 136, which
may be formed of a metal such as steel or a hard plastic, is
attached to the bottom of the heel sleeve 130. Namely, this small
heel tip 136 is generally cylindrically shaped and has the same
outside diameter as that of the heel sleeve 130, and is attached to
the bottom of hollow projecting heel 131 by suitable fasteners,
adhesives, and the like. A rod 137 extends from a top surface of
the heel tip 136 within the interior of the hollow projecting heel
131. As the heel sleeve 130 is pulled up over the projecting heel
115 of the base shoe 110, rod 137 is received in a bore 138 that is
formed in the underside of the heel tip 116 of the base shoe 110,
as best shown in FIG. 2. This secures the heel tip 136 to the heel
of the base shoe structure 110. Heel tip 136 is provided so as to
contact the ground and transmit the weight or load of the wearer to
the inner, structural projecting heel 115 of the base shoe
structure 110
[0032] In the example shown, the projecting heel 115 and hollow
heel 131 of the heel sleeve 130 are shown embodied as a thin,
elongate heel or "stiletto" styled heel. However, it should be
understood that both the heel 115 of the base shoe structure 110
and the heel 131 of the heel sleeve 130 could be arranged in any
shape or dimension. Components of the base shoe structure 110, the
toe sleeve 120, and heel sleeve 130, like most men's and women's
dress shoes, may be made of leather, usually entirely, including
the uppers/outers, lining, and sole, though for more durability at
the expense of elegance, many shoes are made with rubber soles. One
or more of the base shoe structure 110, the toe sleeve 120, and
heel sleeve 130 may also be fabricated from non-leather materials
(plastic, synthetic leather). Typical raw materials include
plastic, leather, wood, fabric, animal hides or combinations
thereof, paper (for patterns and labels), and various cements and
glues, depending on the component materials. Fasteners such as
nails, screw nails, and tacks are typically used to hold the fabric
or leather in place and to attach the projecting heel 115 to the
shank of base shoe structure 100.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 3-9, the male connector 140, female
connector 150, and the engagement therebetween to connect the toe
sleeve 120 to the base shoe structure 110 is described in further
detail. The male connector 140 includes an L-shaped flange 141
having a flange extension surface 142 (forming a horizontal part of
the L-shape) that connects or is otherwise attached to via any type
of fastener, adhesive, sewn stitch, and the like to toe sleeve 120.
The flange extension surface 142 can be attached to an inner
surface 124 of the toe sleeve at an upper rear end 125 thereof, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the outsole 122 at an upper rear end 125
s shown in FIG. 10, or to both surfaces. A wall 143 of the flange
141 that is perpendicular to flange extension 142 is connected to a
flexible arm 144 extending rearward of the toe sleeve 110. The
flexible arm terminates in a disc-shaped snap connector 145 that is
to be received by female connector 150. The snap connector 145
includes a circumferential vertical wall 146 and has a bottom
surface 147, which may be flat or beveled.
[0034] The female connector 150 includes an L-shaped flange 151
having a flange wall 152 (forming a vertical part of the L-shape)
that includes a central opening or slot 156 at the front of female
connector 150 therein that is to receive the snap connector 145 and
flexible arm 144 therethrough. A rearward facing flange 153 is
integral with and forms part of the connector body 154. As best
shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the "top" surface of the flange 153 and
connector body 154 is attached, via any type of fastener, adhesive,
sewn stitch, and the like, so as to be substantially flush up
against the underside of the base shoe structure 110 on outsole
118. Namely, female connector 150 is attached or otherwise integral
with outsole 118 at a location that is the upper end of the instep
area 119 to where it meets the heel breast 117 of heel 115.
[0035] The slot 156 opens up into an elongate channel 155 formed in
the interior of connector body 154 to permit lateral travel of the
flexible arm 144 with snap connector 145 of the male connector 140
therethrough. The snap connector 145 is received through the
channel and flex engages a generally circular recess 157 with
vertical sidewalls 158 formed in the connector body 154. As the
flexible arm 144 flexes to snap fit the snap connector 145 in place
in recess 157, the vertical side walls 146 of the snap connector
146 engage and form an interference fit with the sidewalls 158 of
the recess 157, such that a portion of the bottom surface 147 of
snap connector 145 extends through the recess 157 and is accessible
on the outside of female connector 150. Accordingly, the engagement
is a snap-in connection and the male connector 140 can be removed
simply by pressing bottom surface 147 up into recess 157 so as to
be able to remove male connector 140 from the channel 155 and slot
156 of female connector 150.
[0036] Although the male/female connector arrangement has been
described for connecting the toe sleeve 120, and a friction-fit
arrangement has been described to attach the heel sleeve 130, these
are merely exemplary; there are various means of fastening the
sleeves 120, 130 to the base shoe structure 110 to arrive at the
system 100. In one alternative, fasteners such as hook-and-loop
fasteners (i.e., Velcro) may be used to secure the toe sleeve 120
and heel sleeve 130 to the base shoe structure 110. To facilitate
friction-based securement, additional elastic material may be
employed in the heel sleeve 130.
[0037] In a further variant, the fastening means may be magnetic,
such as the use of one or more magnets embedded in the materials of
the base shoe structure 110, toe sleeve 120, and heel sleeve 130.
Exemplary magnets may include any of Neodymium magnets, Samarium
cobalt (SmCo) magnets, also known as rare earth magnets, Alnico
magnets, which are largely comprised of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni),
and cobalt (Co), aluminum and other trace amounts of elements such
as copper (Cu) and titanium (Ti) to tailor the alloy's magnetic and
mechanical properties. In an example such magnets could exhibit a
pull force in a range of between about 1.6 to 4.9 pounds. In yet a
further example construction, system 100 may be configured with one
or more magnets exhibiting a pull force in a range of between about
2.0 to 3.0 pounds.
[0038] The example sleeve system 100 may substantially reduce the
number of pairs of footwear a person buys annually. Women may often
buy many pairs of high heeled shoes, ostensibly due to the damage,
such as scuff marks, incurred on the toe and/or heel, simply due to
normal wear. The sleeves 120, 130 of system 100 eliminate this
issue as the sleeves 120, 130 are easily replaceable, thereby
lengthening the life span of the base shoe structure 110.
[0039] The present invention, in its various embodiments,
configurations, and aspects, includes components, systems and/or
apparatuses substantially as depicted and described herein,
including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets
thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and
use the present invention after understanding the present
disclosure. The present invention, in its various embodiments,
configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices in the
absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various
embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the
absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices,
e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing
cost of implementation.
[0040] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to
limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the
foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the
invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments,
configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the
disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or
aspects of the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments,
configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This
method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an
intention that the claimed invention requires more features than
are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of
a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect.
Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this
Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a
separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0041] Moreover, though the description of the invention has
included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or
aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations,
combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the
invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those
in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is
intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments,
configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including
alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures to those
claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or
equivalent structures disclosed herein, and without intending to
publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
* * * * *