U.S. patent application number 17/388930 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for shoestring with gripping regions.
The applicant listed for this patent is Travis ANDERSON. Invention is credited to Travis ANDERSON.
Application Number | 20220031023 17/388930 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005798047 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220031023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ANDERSON; Travis |
February 3, 2022 |
SHOESTRING WITH GRIPPING REGIONS
Abstract
A shoestring made from elastically deformable silicone defines a
constant taper between opposite end portions and a center portion,
is narrowest at the center portion, and increases in size in an
axial direction between the center portion and each end portion.
The center portion may be configured with a length which is
approximately one half of the total length of the shoestring. The
end portions may each be configured with a length which is
approximately one quarter of the total length of the shoestring.
Each end portion may also define a convex end with a tapering
cross-section in an axial direction away from the center portion,
and may be colored differently than the center portion.
Inventors: |
ANDERSON; Travis; (Gulfport,
MS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ANDERSON; Travis |
Gulfport |
MS |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005798047 |
Appl. No.: |
17/388930 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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63060497 |
Aug 3, 2020 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 9/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43C 9/00 20060101
A43C009/00 |
Claims
1. A shoestring, comprising: a center portion; a first end portion
on a first side of the center portion; and a second portion on a
second side of the center portion opposite the first side, wherein
the shoestring is made from elastically deformable silicone and
defines a first taper from the first end portion to the center
portion.
2. A shoestring according to claim 1, wherein the shoestring
defines a second taper from the second end portion to the center
portion.
3. A shoestring according to claim 2, wherein the first taper and
the second taper are identical.
4. A shoestring according to claim 2, wherein the first taper and
the second taper are constant.
5. A shoestring according to claim 4, wherein the cross-section of
the shoestring increases in size in an axial direction between the
center portion and the first end portion.
6. A shoestring according to claim 5, wherein the first end portion
includes an additional taper defining a constant reduction in cross
section in an axial direction at a convex end.
7. A shoestring according to claim 6, wherein the convex end
includes a cross-section no larger than a cross-section of the
center portion.
8. A shoestring according to claim 1, wherein the center portion is
colored with a first color, and the first and second end portions
are each colored with a second color different from the first
color.
9. A shoestring according to claim 8, wherein an intensity of the
second color increases along each of the first and second end
portions in an axial direction away from the center portion.
10. A shoestring according to claim 9, further comprising: a first
aglet attached to the first end portion; and a second aglet
attached to the second end portion, wherein the first and second
aglets are colored with a third color different from the first and
second colors.
11. A shoestring according to claim 8, wherein the first and second
end portions each have a respective length which is approximately
one quarter of a total length of the shoestring, and the center
portion has a length which is approximately one half of the total
length of the shoestring.
12. A shoestring according to claim 1, wherein the shoestring is
narrowest at the center portion, and progressively thicker toward
each of the first and second end portions.
13. A shoestring according to claim 12, wherein a cross section of
the shoestring at a midpoint of the center portion defines an outer
diameter which is less than half of an outer diameter of a cross
section of the shoestring at the first end portion.
14. A shoestring according to claim 13, wherein the shoestring has
an overall length of approximately thirty-three inches, a
cross-section with an outer diameter of approximately 0.25 inches
at the midpoint, and a cross-section with an outer diameter of
approximately 0.6 inches at the first end portion.
15. A shoestring according to claim 1, wherein the center portion,
the first end portion, and the second end portion are integrally
formed with one another.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/060,497, filed Aug. 3, 2020 and titled AESTHETIC
SHOESTRING WITH GRIPPING REGIONS, the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to shoestrings, and more
particularly, to shoestrings having variable cross-sections for
aiding knot formation and preventing knot slippage.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Shoestrings, shoelaces, and other forms of laces for
footwear (herein, "shoestrings") are used to tighten and secure
sneakers, shoes, boots, etc., to a user's feet. Each shoestring
typically includes separate strings woven together into a flat
elongated weave structure. Each end of the weave structure includes
a plastic sheath (e.g, an aglet) which encloses and compresses the
end of the shoestring. The sheath provides rigidity and durability
to the weave structure, and assists a user with gripping the
shoestring to tie a knot and/or lace a shoe when the user feeds a
shoestring through eyelets or loops in the shoe. Once the user
laces the shoestring through the various eyelets, he or she then
pulls each end to tighten the lacing, usually while wearing the
shoe. The user then creates and crimps a knot from the ends of the
shoestring atop the shoe, thereby maintaining a desired tightness
level. Shoestrings are typically made from textured polyester, spun
polyester, nylon, and/or polypropylene. The aglet is typically made
from a hard plastic configured to be pushed or pulled through the
eyelet.
[0004] Although both children and adults learn how to tie
shoestrings at a very young age, and often do so daily, when they
employ the process described above, various problems can arise that
result in the shoelaces loosening or becoming completely untied.
Such unintentional loosening and untying often requires refitting,
retightening, and retying of the shoestrings, particularly when
knots users have tied (e.g., bow knots) slip during use.
[0005] Shoestring knots can come untied for a number of reasons.
For example, the length of the shoestring at one end may be
relatively short. This causes the user to create a bow knot with
one shoestring end too close to the center of the knot, a condition
which allows that end to slip through the center of the knot.
Additionally or alternatively, other portions of the knot (e.g.,
the inner portions of the loops of the bow knot) may slip during
use due to a lack of friction between tied portions of the knot.
When the shoestring is wet, this increases the overall surface
contact area of the knot, which can actually improve the grip
thereof despite the difference between the coefficient of static
friction for a wet shoestring and that for a dry shoestring.
However, as the shoestring is repeatedly exposed to water over
time, the individual strings of the weave can expand, contract,
and/or loosen, which can degrade the shoestring, and ultimately,
cause additional knot slippage. As shoestrings repeatedly become
wet and dry, their quality wears. This coupled with repeated
tension, compression, and other forces applied to the shoestrings
may cause them to break as the forces between individual strings of
the weave changes.
[0006] For young adults engaged in sports and other activities,
older adults rushing through their daily grind, and children with
limited attention spans, untied shoelaces are relatively common.
Improvements are thus needed in the art which help maintain
shoestring knots, increase shoestring durability and longevity, and
enhance the overall wearing experience.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This summary is not intended to identify or point to
essential features or limit the scope of the subject matter claimed
herein. The present invention relates to shoestring systems and
methodologies with at least the following objectives:
[0008] To facilitate lacing and tying of shoestrings in a manner
that prevents knot slippage;
[0009] To provide a shoestring having an adjustable length, greater
durability, and a customizable aesthetic appearance;
[0010] To provide relatively large gripping surfaces for grasping
and tying a shoestring;
[0011] To provide a shoestring with a varying cross-section along
center and end portions thereof for improving knot stability,
customization, and aesthetic appearance;
[0012] To provide a customizable shoestring adorned with various
indicia, insignias, colors, and the like; and
[0013] To enhance the overall experience of tying and wearing
shoestrings on various types of footwear.
[0014] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a
shoestring includes a center portion, a first end portion on a
first side of the center portion, and a second portion on a second
side of the center portion opposite the first side. The shoestring
is made from elastically deformable silicone, and defines a first
taper from the first end portion to the center portion, and a
second taper from the second end portion to the center portion.
[0015] In certain embodiments, the first and second tapers may be
constant and identical to one another such that the cross-section
of the shoestring is symmetrical about the center portion, and
increases in size both from the center portion to the first end
portion and from the center portion to the second end portion. In
certain embodiments, each of the first and second end portions may
include an additional taper in an axial direction toward a convex
end. The additional taper may be a constant or nonuniform. A
portion of the convex end may define a cross-section no larger than
a cross-section of the center portion.
[0016] In yet other embodiments, the center portion may be colored
with a first color, and each of the first and second end portions
may be colored with a second color different from the first color.
The intensity of the second color may increase in the axial
direction along each of the first and second end portions, away
from the center portion, to further highlight the end portions.
[0017] Various other objects, advantages, features, and
characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of
operation and functions of related structural elements, and the
combination of parts and economies of development and manufacture,
will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
upon consideration of the detailed description below with reference
to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this
invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as
appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and
exemplify the invention. Accordingly, a further understanding and a
more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the
attendant aspects thereof may be readily obtained as the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, where:
[0019] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a shoestring in accordance
with the invention, including a center portion having a first
color, two colored end portions having a second color, and a pair
of aglets at respective ends of each end portion;
[0020] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a shoestring similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1A, but with
different colored center and end portions;
[0021] FIG. 2A is a side view of the shoestring of FIG. 1A;
[0022] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the center portion of the
shoestring of FIG. 2A;
[0023] FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of one end portion of the
shoestring of FIG. 2A;
[0024] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a shoestring in accordance with the invention, showing a center
portion having a first color, and two colored end portions having a
second color and tapered ends with no aglets;
[0025] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of a shoestring, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3A,
but with different colored center and end portions;
[0026] FIG. 4A is a side view of the shoestring of FIG. 3A;
[0027] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the center portion of the
shoestring of FIG. 4A; and
[0028] FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of one end portion of the
shoestring of FIG. 4A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0029] The present invention provides a stretchable shoestring
which, in both relaxed and unrelaxed states, has a cross-section
which varies along its length. The cross-sectional size of the
shoestring gradually increases from a center/middle portion thereof
toward and through all or part of end portions on opposite sides of
the shoestring. The shoestring is preferably entirely made of, or
at least partially made of, an elastically deformable silicone
material or silicone rubber material which, in a relaxed state,
returns to its original length, shape, and size after stretching,
compressing, torsion, and/or bending thereof. The silicone
shoestring may be formed in a variety of lengths depending on the
shoe type and shoe size needed.
[0030] During use, when a user ties a shoestring knot, the larger
dimensions of the shoestring at each end (e.g., the larger gripping
regions on end portions of the shoestrings, which have larger
cross-sections) and the elasticity/compressibility of the silicone
material create a stronger and more durable gripping force over a
larger contact area of the knot. This effect combined with the
silicone material itself (which has a relatively high coefficient
of friction) and the tapered cross section of the shoestring
reduces or prevents slippage of a knot tied in the shoestring.
Since the cross-sectional area of the shoestring increases from the
center portion toward the end portions, a knot which slips will
catch additional material (e.g., more material with more surface
area will need to pass through the knot for the knot to come
undone), which enables the knot to resist slippage during use.
[0031] Since woven strings wear down over time, use of silicone
material helps prevents erosion, saves money, and increases the
longevity of the shoestring. As the shoestring described herein is
preferably made from silicone, it is also non-porous, and thus
minimizes or prevents the shoestring from carrying harmful
materials or residue such as contaminated water, viruses, and the
like.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the variance of the cross-sectional
size of the shoestring may be constant per unit length (e.g., the
shoestring may define a constant increase or decrease in cross
sectional area, circumference, or a dimension along a given axial
length). This provides a constant taper between a center/middle
portion of the shoestring and each end portion of the shoestring.
The constant taper gives the shoestring a unique aesthetic
appearance which may be further enhanced through customized
coloring of the center and end portions of the shoestring as
further discussed below. In other embodiments, the taper of the
shoestring in certain sections between the middle portion and the
end portions thereof may be nonuniform. The shoestring coloring may
be customized, for example, to advertise and/or show support for a
particular sports team, club, league, or organization.
[0033] The present invention is particularly useful for children,
as they tend to be less focused on tying their sneakers correctly,
and more focused on the appearance of their sneakers and/or the
activity at hand. The aesthetic appearance of the shoestring and
the coloring along different sections thereof help to focus
children on the tying process, and on highlighting a particular
brand, athlete, team, or individual expression. The shoestring
described herein may also be utilized by professional sports teams,
leagues, etc., to promote their brands.
[0034] The shoestring is also useful for adult footwear, sneakers,
dress shoes, boots, and the like. As formal dress shoes tend to
have shorter, narrower shoestrings, they are more likely to slip
during use. In such embodiments, the taper of the shoestring may be
adjusted so that the visible portion of the shoestring remains thin
and/or has a constant cross-section, whereas a small portion of the
ends of the shoestring may be configured with larger cross sections
for better gripping and knot formation with larger surface contact
areas. Alternatively, the taper of the shoestring may be constant,
even for formal dress shoes, between the central and end portions
thereof.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1A, a shoestring 10 in accordance with the
present invention includes a center portion or center region 12, a
first end portion or end region 14, a second end portion or end
region 16, an aglet 18 at first end portion 14, and an aglet 20 at
second end portion 16. Shoestring 10' (FIG. 1B) is identical to
shoestring 10, except that corresponding portions of shoestring 10'
are formed with different colors than those of shoestring 10. For
example, first and second end portions 14, 16 of shoestring 10 may
be colored yellow and center portion 12 of shoestring 10 may be
colored black, while first and second end portions 14', 16' of
shoestring 10' may be colored blue and center portion 12' may be
colored red. Aglets 18, 18', 20, 20' may be silver, gold, or clear
colored, and respectively extend from, collinear with, ends 14,
14', 16, 16'. Other colors and color combinations of shoestring 10
may be utilized.
[0036] In certain embodiments, the particular colors utilized in
shoestring 10 may be more pronounced (e.g., more intense) at end
portions 14, 16 than at center portion 12, whereby end portions 14,
16 are more visible to a viewer from far away, and more prominently
displayed (See also, FIG. 3A, further discussed below) since end
portions 14, 16 may be used to form a knot when the user ties his
or her laces. In other embodiments, color intensity of the end
portions 14, 16 may increase in the axial direction away from
center portion 12. In yet other embodiments, the color intensity
utilized on center portion 12 may be more pronounced than on end
portions 14, 16. Different colors and color intensities may be
utilized at different regions of shoestring 10 for customization
purposes.
[0037] As shown, shoestring 10 may be tubular or conically shaped
with a tapering, generally circular or elliptical cross-section
between first end portion 14 and center portion 12, and between
second end portion 16 and center portion 12. Shoestring 10 may be
constructed to be narrowest at center portion 12, progressively
thicker toward end portions 14, 16, and may be configured with a
constant taper from center portion 12 to each end portion 14, 16.
For example, the increase in the diameter of the cross section of
shoestring 10 along a unit length (L) of the axis of shoestring 10
may be constant (e.g., a steady increase) between first end portion
14 and center portion 12, and between second end portion 16 and
center portion 12. It will be appreciated that this constant taper
provides shoestring 10 with a unique aesthetic appearance and
symmetry, both in relaxed and unrelaxed (e.g., stretched)
states.
[0038] It will also be appreciated that the constant taper of
shoestring 10 between center portion 12 and each end portion 14, 16
provides shoestring 10 with symmetry about center portion 12. Thus,
when shoestring 10 is gripped at gripping regions (e.g., at end
portion 14, 16) and stretched (e.g., placed in tension), it will
experience relatively identical elastic deformation on both sides
of center portion 12. Additionally, the cross section of center
portion 12 will thin out as shoestring 10 stretches, and thus will
be even less visible than end portions 14, 16, which will also
elongate and thin out. Center portion 12, despite thinning out when
stretched, will still be functional for its intended purpose of
gripping the tongue and shoe between eyelets along the tongue of
the shoe. Since the center portion 12 is not grasped by the user
when tightening the shoestring 10 or when tying, for example, a
bow-knot, the fact that it is comparatively thinner (and even more
so during tightening) is inconsequential to its function, yet
allows the shoestring 10 to be elongated in the event that one end
of shoestring 10 (e.g., a region at the axial end of end portion 14
or end portion 16 which needs to be tied into a knot) is relatively
short. In such situations, either of end portion 14, 16, which each
have larger cross sections than center portion 12, can be further
stretched.
[0039] Other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., a flat rectangular
cross-section) may be utilized with a similar taper along the
length of shoestring 10 or particular sections thereof. In yet
other embodiments, shoestring 10 may be defined with a taper on one
side of center portion 12 but not the other side, or with a taper
along particular axial and with no taper along other axial
segments.
[0040] As discussed above, shoestring 10 may be made from
elastically deformable and compressible silicone which, when placed
under tension, torsion, and/or bending, has a spring bias toward
its original shape (e.g., the relaxed state shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B).
Shoestring 10 is preferably made from 100% silicone (e.g., 100%
vulcanized silicone, pure silicone, etc). Silicone composites (e.g.
silicone plus other suitable materials) may alternatively be
utilized. Thus, when shoestring 10 is threaded through a standard
eyelet, first and second ends 14, 16 may compress to fit through
each eyelet, and spring back to their full size once pulled through
the eyelet. Additionally, shoestring 10 may elongate when pulled at
each end 14, 16 during lacing and tightening as described
above.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, it will be appreciated that center
portion 12 of shoe string 10, which is defined with a smaller
cross-section than that of first and second ends 14, 16, is
configured to interface with a standard or non-standard tongue on a
shoe, and that ends 14, 16, which have relatively larger
cross-sections, may be grasped by the user and tied with larger
gripping regions. The increased cross-sectional size of ends 14, 16
create more surface area contact over which forces are applied when
a bow-knot is tied using ends 14, 16 (and thus help prevent knot
slippage). The decreased cross-sectional size of center portion 12
also reduces material requirements and the weight of shoestring 10
while maintaining the functionality thereof.
[0042] In one embodiment, shoestring 10 may have an overall length
of approximately thirty-three inches (e.g., 32.8-33.2 inches), an
outer diameter of approximately 0.25 inches (e.g., 0.23-0.27
inches) at a midpoint 22 thereof, an outer diameter of
approximately 0.6 inches (e.g., 0.58-0.62 inches) at each end 14,
16, and aglets 18 having a length of approximately 0.5 inches
(e.g., 0.48-0.52 inches) and an outer diameter of approximately
0.28 inches+/-0.02 inches. Thus, the outer diameter of aglet 18 may
be equal to or slightly larger than that of midpoint 22 of
shoestring 10.
[0043] It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the outer
diameter of midpoint 22 of shoestring 10 is slightly less than half
of the outer diameter of first and second ends 14, 16, and that the
diameter of shoestring 10 may increase slightly more than half an
inch between center portion 12 and each end 14, 16 over a distance
of approximately 16.5 inches.
[0044] It will be appreciated that the length and diameter of
shoestring 10 may be varied, and that other dimensions and shapes
may be utilized in accordance with the dimensions of standard
eyelets for sneakers and boots. For example, for hiking shoes,
shoestring 10 may have a length of 45 inches and be configured with
a similar taper along the length thereof to provide even thicker
ends. It will also be appreciated that when shoestring 10 has a
circular cross section along its length and a constant taper in the
size of a radius thereof between center portion 12 and either end
portion 14, 16, a circumference (C) of shoestring 10 in a relaxed
state will vary as a function of:
.DELTA.C=2*.pi.*.DELTA.radius
[0045] between center portion 12 and each end portion 14, 15, where
AC is the change in circumference, .pi. is equal to approximately
3.14, and A radius is the change in the size of the radius. Thus,
if a constant taper is desired between and along center portion 12
and end portion 14, and between and along center portion 12 and end
portion 16, then the overall length of shoestring 10 will impact
the size thereof at end portion 14, 16 where shoestring is tied. It
will be appreciated that when creating or customizing shoestring
10, if a particular size/radius is desired at end portions 14, 16,
as well as a constant taper in the cross-section and a desired
minimum cross-section/radius at center portion 12, then the
magnitude of the taper (e.g., the change in radius or circumference
over a given length of the shoestring 10) can be deduced using the
formula above.
[0046] In certain embodiments, shoestring 10 may be configured to
receive items which hook onto each end portion 14, 16 to
personalize shoestring 10. The larger thickness of end portions 14,
16 provide greater surface area to adorn the knot portion and ends
of shoestring 10. For example, sports teams may advertise team
names, logos, indicia, and/or emblems on shoestring 10. Shoestring
10 thus provides enhanced gripping and knotting capabilities,
increased durability and longevity, material reduction, tightness
adjustments, and a unique yet modifiable aesthetic appearance.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 3A-4C, in another embodiment a shoestring
100 may be configured with all of the same characteristics and
material(s) as shoestring 10 described above, except that colored
end portions 114, 116 may be proportionately longer than end
portions 14, 16 of shoestring 10, and colored center portion 112
may be proportionately shorter than center portion 12 of shoestring
10. For example, colored end portions 114, 116 may each be
approximately one quarter of the total length of shoestring 100,
and colored center portion 112 may be approximately one half of the
total length of shoestring 100. Colored end portions 114, 116 of
shoestring 100 may be two to two and a half times longer than
colored end portions 14, 16 of shoestring 10. Other lengths and
proportions of end portions 114, 116 and center portion 112 may be
utilized.
[0048] As shown, shoestring 100 may be configured without aglets,
and instead have convex ends 118, 120 (See FIG. 4C) made from the
same material as center portion 112 and ends 114, 116. Convex ends
118, 120 may be tapered in the axial direction (in the direction
away from center portion 112) to be smaller in diameter than end
portions 114, 116 as shown, in order to better fit through eyelets
in sneakers, shoes, or other footwear, and to assist with lacing
shoestring 100 to such footwear. In other words, shoestring 100 may
be configured with a constant taper between end portion 114 and
center portion 112, between end portion 116 and center portion 112,
along a portion of end portion 114 at convex end 118, and along a
portion of end portion 116 at convex end 120 as shown. In certain
embodiments, convex ends 118, 120 may define respective cross
sections which are the same size as or smaller than the cross
section of center portion 112. (along which the cross-section
decreases). In other embodiments, center portion 112 may include a
cross-section at a midpoint thereof which is the narrowest
cross-section of the entire shoestring 100.
[0049] In this manner, convex ends, which may taper to a point or
knub/protuberance as shown, may be more easily threaded through
standard eyelets in footwear and/or through loops of items which
attach to shoestring 100. For example, once shoestring 100 is laced
on a shoe but not yet tied, various types of indicia may be
attached to shoestring 100 by threading convex ends 118, 120
therethrough (e.g., through a small plastic or metal circular
attachment hook or looped end to which the indicia is attached). In
this manner, various forms of logos and advertisements may be
threaded along shoestring 100.
[0050] Shoestring 100' (FIG. 3B) is identical to shoestring 100,
except that shoestring 100' is formed with different colors than
shoestring 100. For example, similar to the differences in coloring
between shoestring 10 and shoestring 10', first and second ends
114, 116 of shoestring 100 may be colored yellow and center portion
112 of shoestring 100 may be colored black, while first and second
ends 114', 116' of shoestring 100' may be colored blue and center
portion 112' may be colored red. Other colors and color
combinations of shoestring 100 may be utilized.
[0051] The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the
specific terminology selected, and it will be understood that each
specific element referenced includes all technical equivalents
which operate in a similar manner. However, techniques, methods,
systems, and operating structures in accordance with the invention
may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which
may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiments.
Consequently, the specific structural, functional and step-by-step
details disclosed herein are merely representative. The embodiments
herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled
in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood
that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the embodiments. The detailed
description disclosed herein is therefore not to be taken in a
limiting sense.
[0052] It will be understood that the above-described embodiments
and arrangements are merely illustrative of the many possible
specific embodiments which represent applications of the present
invention, and that numerous and varied other arrangements and
configurations can be readily devised without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention and equivalents thereof
* * * * *