U.S. patent application number 17/840242 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-29 for knife accessory for hot stick.
The applicant listed for this patent is Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. Invention is credited to Joseph M. Debaker, Scott M. Hangartner, Andrew M. Tuchscherer.
Application Number | 20220311224 17/840242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006402625 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220311224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tuchscherer; Andrew M. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2022 |
Knife Accessory for Hot Stick
Abstract
A hot stick accessory with an attachment interface engageable
with multiple types of attachment interfaces, including an
shotgun-type attachment interface and a universal-type attachment
interface. The accessory includes any of several operative
components, such as a knife. The interface includes an attachment
member with a first aperture and a plurality of second apertures
arranged in an arc shape about the first aperture.
Inventors: |
Tuchscherer; Andrew M.;
(Wauwatosa, WI) ; Hangartner; Scott M.; (Hartland,
WI) ; Debaker; Joseph M.; (Greenfield, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation |
Brookfield |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006402625 |
Appl. No.: |
17/840242 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16239005 |
Jan 3, 2019 |
11394183 |
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17840242 |
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PCT/US2018/067192 |
Dec 21, 2018 |
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16239005 |
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62609769 |
Dec 22, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25G 1/12 20130101; H02G
1/02 20130101; H02G 1/005 20130101; B25G 3/36 20130101; B25G 3/38
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02G 1/02 20060101
H02G001/02; B25G 3/38 20060101 B25G003/38; B25G 3/36 20060101
B25G003/36; H02G 1/00 20060101 H02G001/00; B25G 1/12 20060101
B25G001/12 |
Claims
1. An attachment for a hot stick comprising: an operative
component; a handle rigidly coupled to the operative component; and
an attachment component rigidly coupled to the handle, the
attachment component comprising: a hook receptacle configured to
receive a shotgun-type hot stick attachment interface, the hook
receptacle defined in part by an arc-shaped component extending
from an end of the hook receptacle; a plurality of teeth
receptacles configured to receive a universal-type attachment
interface, wherein: the plurality of teeth receptacles is arranged
in an arc around the hook receptacle; side edges of each of the
plurality of teeth receptacles are radially aligned with a center
point; and an interior edge of each of the plurality of teeth
receptacles is between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm from the center
point.
2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the hook receptacle has a
length between 11.6 mm and 12.0 mm along a first axis and between
12.0 mm and 12.4 mm along a second axis perpendicular to the first
axis.
3. The attachment of claim 2, wherein the hook receptacle has a
length of 11.8 mm along the first axis and 12.2 mm along the second
axis.
4. The attachment of claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral edge of
the arc-shaped component is between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm from the
center point.
5. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the side edges of a given
teeth receptacle are 15 arc degrees apart with respect to the
center point, and neighboring side edges of neighboring teeth
receptacles are 15 arc degrees apart with respect to the center
point.
6. The attachment of claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral edge of
the arc is 10.05 mm from the center point.
7. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the interior edge of each of
the plurality of teeth receptacles is 10.05 mm from the center
point.
8. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the operative component
comprises a blade.
9. An elongated tool comprising: an elongated structure; an
attachment member detachably engaged with a first end of the
elongated structure, the attachment member comprising: a blade; an
attachment component rigidly coupled to the blade, the attachment
component comprising: a hook receptacle defined in part by an
arc-shaped component extending from an end of the hook receptacle;
and a plurality of teeth receptacles, wherein: the plurality of
teeth receptacles are arranged in an arc around the hook
receptacle; and an interior edge of each of the plurality of teeth
receptacles is between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm from a center point
located within the hook receptacle.
10. The elongated tool of claim 9, wherein the hook receptacle has
a length between 11.6 mm and 12.0 mm along a first axis and between
12.0 mm and 12.4 mm along a second axis perpendicular to the first
axis.
11. The elongated tool of claim 9, wherein an outer peripheral edge
of the arc-shaped component is between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm from
the center point located within the hook receptacle
12. The elongated tool of claim 9, wherein neighboring side edges
of neighboring teeth receptacles are 15 arc degrees apart with
respect to the center point.
13. The elongated tool of claim 9, wherein the plurality of teeth
receptacles comprises five teeth receptacles.
14. The elongated tool of claim 9, wherein the attachment member
comprises a handle, and wherein the blade and the attachment
component are rigidly coupled to opposing ends of the handle.
15. A method of using a hot stick attachment comprising: engaging a
first hot stick with a hot stick attachment, the first hot stick
comprising a first attachment interface, the hot stick attachment
comprising: an operative component; an attachment component rigidly
coupled to the operative component, the attachment component
comprising: a hook receptacle that receives the first attachment
interface of the first hot stick, the hook receptacle is defined in
part by an arc-shaped component extending from an end of the hook
receptacle; a plurality of teeth receptacles, wherein: the
plurality of teeth receptacles are arranged in an arc around the
hook receptacle; side edges of each of the plurality of teeth
receptacles are aligned with a center point and the side edges of a
given teeth receptacle are 15 arc degrees apart with respect to the
center point; and an interior edge of each of the plurality of
teeth receptacles is 10.05 mm from the center point; disengaging
the hot stick attachment from the first hot stick; and engaging the
hot stick attachment with a second hot stick comprising a second
attachment interface that engages with the plurality of teeth
receptacle.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first attachment interface
of the first hot stick is a shotgun-type interface and the second
attachment interface is a universal-type attachment interface.
17. The method of claim 15, the method further comprising:
disengaging the hot stick attachment from the second hot stick;
engaging the hot stick attachment with a third hot stick comprising
a third attachment interface that engages with the plurality of
teeth receptacles, the second attachment interface of the second
hot stick is a universal-type interface and the third attachment
interface of the third hot stick is a universal-type attachment
interface
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of teeth
receptacles comprise five teeth receptacles.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the hook receptacle has a
length between 11.6 mm and 12.0 mm along a first axis and between
12.0 mm and 12.4 mm along a second axis perpendicular to the first
axis.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein an outer peripheral edge of the
arc-shaped component is 10.05 mm from a center point located within
the hook receptacle
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/239,005, filed Jan. 3, 2019, which is a continuation of
International Application No. PCT/US2018/067192, filed Dec. 21,
2018, which claims priority from U.S. Application No. 62/609,769,
filed Dec. 22, 2017, the contents of each of which are incorporated
herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to elongate poles, such as
hot sticks. More particularly this disclosure relates to
accessories for elongate poles.
[0003] Hot sticks are extensions made of non-conductive material
(e.g., fiberglass) and are typically used by linemen to reach
overhead power utility cables. Some hot sticks include an
attachment interface to which a variety of different accessories
may be secured. There are at least two standard design types of
interfaces for hot sticks: shotgun or universal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This disclosure describes various accessories for elongate
poles, such as hot sticks. The accessories are compatible with both
the shotgun-type interface design type and the universal-type
interface design type, including being compatible with at least
several of the universal-type versions.
[0005] In one embodiment, an attachment for a hot stick comprises
an operative component, such as a blade, a handle rigidly coupled
to the operative component, and an attachment component rigidly
coupled to the handle. The attachment component comprises a hook
receptacle configured to receive a shotgun-type hot stick
attachment interface. The hook receptacle has a diameter between
11.6 mm and 12.0 mm along a first axis and between 12.0 mm and 12.4
mm along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The hook
receptacle is defined in part by an arc-shaped component extending
from an end of the hook receptacle. A peripheral edge of the
arc-shaped component is between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm from a center
point that is located within the hook receptacle.
[0006] The attachment component also comprises a plurality of teeth
receptacles configured to receive a universal-type attachment
interface. The plurality of teeth receptacles are arranged in an
arc around the hook receptacle. The side edges of the plurality of
teeth receptacles are radially aligned with the center point and
are 15 arc degrees apart with respect to the center point.
Neighboring side edges of neighboring teeth receptacles are 15 arc
degrees apart with respect to the center point. An interior edge of
the plurality of teeth receptacles is between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm
from the center point.
[0007] In another embodiment, an elongated tool, such as a hot
stick, comprises an elongate handle at a first end and an
attachment engageable with a second end of the handle opposite the
first end. The attachment comprises a blade and an attachment
component rigidly coupled to the blade. The attachment component
comprises a hook receptacle defined in part by an arc-shaped
component extending from an end of the hook receptacle. An outer
peripheral edge of the arc-shaped component is between 9.85 mm and
10.25 mm from a center point located within the hook receptacle.
The attachment component also comprises a plurality of teeth
receptacles that are arranged in an arc around the hook receptacle.
Side edges of the plurality of teeth receptacles are aligned with
the center point and the side edges of a given teeth receptacle are
15 arc degrees apart with respect to the center point.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method of using a elongated tool,
such as a hot stick, is described. The method comprises engaging a
first hot stick with a hot stick attachment, the first hot stick
comprising a first attachment interface. The hot stick attachment
comprises an operative component, such as a blade, and an
attachment component rigidly coupled to the operative component.
The attachment component comprises a hook receptacle configured to
receive the hot stick attachment of the first hot stick. The hook
receptacle is defined in part by an arc-shaped component extending
from an end of the hook receptacle. An outer peripheral edge of the
arc-shaped component is between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm from a center
point located within the hook receptacle. The attachment component
also comprises a plurality of teeth receptacles arranged in an arc
around the hook receptacle. The side edges of the plurality of
teeth receptacles are aligned with the center point and the side
edges of a given teeth receptacle are 15 arc degrees apart with
respect to the center point.
[0009] The method further comprises disengaging the hot stick
attachment from the first hot stick and subsequently engaging the
hot stick attachment with a second hot stick. The second hot stick
comprises a second attachment interface that engages with the
plurality of teeth receptacles.
[0010] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the
detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or
recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the
written description included, as well as the appended drawings. It
is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the following detailed description are exemplary.
[0011] The accompanying drawings are included to provide further
understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and,
together with the description, serve to explain principles and
operation of the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user with a hot stick in a
work environment, according to an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hot stick with a
universal-type attachment interface, according to an
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a knife accessory, according
to an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of a knife accessory, according to an
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of a knife accessory showing various
dimensions, according to an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a knife accessory,
according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of an attachment member of a knife
accessory, according to an embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hot stick including a
shotgun-type attachment interface, according to an embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hot stick including a
shotgun-type attachment interface coupled to a knife accessory,
according to an embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hot stick including a
universal-type attachment interface, according to an
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hot stick including a
universal-type attachment interface coupled to a knife accessory,
according to an embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a hot stick including a
universal-type attachment interface coupled to a knife accessory,
according to an embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a universal-interface type
accessory interface, according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of
an accessory for a hot stick are shown. Attachment types for
extension poles, such as hot sticks, have generally been of two
design types: a shotgun-type or a universal-type. The universal
type includes several versions, such as the Salisbury spline, the
Chance spline, the Hastings spline(s) and the Kearney spline. This
disclosure describes various embodiments that are compatible with
both the shotgun-type interface and the universal-type interface,
including being compatible with multiple versions of the
universal-type interface.
[0026] One embodiment of the disclosure provides, in one aspect, a
knife including a handle including a first end and a second end
opposite the first end. A blade extends from the first end of the
handle, and an attachment component, shown as an attachment member,
extends from the second end of the handle. The attachment member
includes a first aperture extending through the attachment member
and a plurality of second apertures extending through the
attachment member. The first aperture is partially defined by an
arc component that extends from an end of the attachment member.
The second apertures are arranged in an arc shape about a center
located within the first aperture.
[0027] The second apertures are axially centered around a
center-point within the hook receptacle, although the center-point
is necessarily the center of hook receptacle. The second apertures
have a width of around 15 degrees of arc ("15 arc degrees") with
respect to the center-point, and a further 15 degrees of arc
separate neighboring second apertures. The distance from the
center-point to an outer periphery of the arc component is
generally equivalent to the distance from the center-point to the
outer edges of the second apertures.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1-2, an extension pole for use with
various attached tools, shown as hot stick 10 for interacting with
electrical wires, is shown. Hot stick 10 includes general
attachment interface 12 that is one of shotgun-type attachment
interface 14 or universal-type attachment interface 22. Attachment
interface 12 couples knife accessory 100 to hot stick 10. Knife
accessory 100 is coupled to hot stick 10 via universal-type
attachment interface 22 on hot stick 10. In this embodiment
accessory 100 is shown as knife accessory 100 and comprises blade
120, although it is contemplated that accessory 100 can comprise
other operative components other than blade 120 (e.g., clamps).
[0029] FIGS. 3-7 illustrate various embodiments of knife accessory
100. Knife accessory 100 includes handle 104 having first or front
end 108, second or rear end 112 opposite the front end 108, and
grip area 116 disposed between front and rear ends 108, 112. Blade
120 extends from front end 108 of handle 104. Blade 120 is rigidly
coupled to handle 104, but in other embodiments, blade 120 is
pivotally coupled to handle 104 so as to be pivotable between an
extended position and a retracted position. In other embodiments,
blade 120 is a removable blade coupled to a blade carrier. In the
illustrated embodiment, blade 120 includes smooth cutting edge 124
that has a curved, generally hook-shaped contour. In other
embodiments, cutting edge 124 has other shapes and is entirely or
partially serrated.
[0030] Knife accessory 100 further comprises attachment member 128
extending from rear end 112 of handle 104. Attachment member 128
comprises first aperture or hook receptacle 132 and a plurality of
teeth receptacles or second apertures 136 arranged in an arcuate
shape about center 140. There are five second apertures 136 in the
illustrated embodiment, and second apertures 136 are evenly spaced
along arc 144 that is between about 90 degrees and about 180
degrees in length. In some embodiments, arc 144 is between about 90
degrees and about 120 degrees in length. In some embodiments, a
greater or lesser number of second apertures 136 than the five
apertures 136 depicted in FIGS. 3-7 may be provided (e.g., seven
apertures 136).
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, first aperture 132 and second
apertures 136 are closed (i.e. apertures 132, 136 have no gaps in
their respective perimeters). First aperture 132 is generally
D-shaped and defined by arc-shaped component 164, and second
apertures 136 are generally trapezoidal. However, it is
contemplated herein that apertures 132, 136 may have other shapes.
In an alternative embodiment, first aperture 132 comprises an
opening or gap in its perimeter. In such an embodiment, a gate
(e.g., spring loaded) may be provided to close the gap such that
the gate can be opened to selectively allow a fastener to be
inserted into or removed from the first aperture through the
gap.
[0032] Turning to FIG. 5, in one embodiment length 240 of knife
accessory 100 is 244.6 mm and blade 120 curves to 53.0 mm from edge
184 of handle 104. Handle 104 has a length 246 of 137.6 mm along
the longitudinal axis of knife accessory 100, and a width 244 of
41.2 mm. Attachment member 128 extends for a distance 248 of 29.0
mm past handle 104 along the longitudinal axis of knife accessory
100. Attachment member 128 has a thickness of 3.0 mm, or more
generally attachment member 128 has a thickness between 2.9 mm and
3.1 mm. These dimensions are not intended to limit the scope of the
overall disclosure and instead are provided to illustrate the
details of one particular embodiment.
[0033] Blade 120 includes tang 148 that extends into handle 104
toward rear end 112. Attachment member 128 includes tang 152 that
extends into handle 104 toward front end 108. In the illustrated
embodiment, tang 148 has an enlarged end portion 156, and tang 152
has an enlarged end portion 160. Blade 120 and attachment member
128 are separate components in the illustrated embodiment, and may
be made of metal (e.g., steel) via a stamping process or a forging
process. In other embodiments, blade 120 and attachment member 128
may be integrally formed together as a single piece.
[0034] Turning to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is a specific
embodiment of attachment member 128. Attachment member 128 includes
hook receptacle 132 and teeth receptacles shown as second apertures
136. Second apertures 136 are arranged in an arc around center 140.
Center 140, shown as center point 140, is located within hook
receptacle 132, although in this embodiment center 140 is not the
center of hook receptacle 132. Interior edge 170 is 10.05 mm from
center 140 and exterior edge 172 is 17.5 mm from center 140. More
generally, distance 260 from interior edge 170 to center 140 is
between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm, and distance 258 from exterior edge
172 to center 140 is between 17.3 mm and 17.7 mm. The remaining
apertures 142 in attachment member 128 have a diameter of 6.0 mm,
and are used to fixedly couple attachment member 128 to handle
104.
[0035] First side edges 174 and second side edges 176 of second
apertures 136 are radially aligned with center 140. Angle 202
between first side edges 174 of neighboring teeth receptacles 178,
180 is 30 degrees. Angle 200 between neighboring side edges of
neighboring second apertures 136 (e.g., second side edge of first
teeth receptacle 178 and first side edge of second teeth receptacle
180) is 15 degrees.
[0036] Length 252 of attachment member 128 is 66.7 mm along
longitudinal axis 182, and length 250 of hook receptacle 132 along
longitudinal axis 182 is 11.8 mm. More generally, length 250 of
hook receptacle 132 along longitudinal axis 182 is between 11.6 mm
and 12.0 mm. Width 254 of attachment member 128, which is
perpendicular to longitudinal axis 182, is 36 mm, and width 256 of
hook receptacle 132, which is perpendicular to longitudinal axis
182, is 12.2 mm. More generally, width 256 of hook receptacle 132,
which is perpendicular to longitudinal axis 182, is between 12.0 mm
and 12.4 mm. Radial length 262 from center 140 to outer peripheral
edge 184 of exterior arc-shaped component 164 is 10.05 mm. More
generally, radial length 262 from center 140 to outer peripheral
edge 184 is between 9.85 mm and 10.25 mm.
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 8-9, a shotgun-type attachment
interface 14 includes a pivoting hook 18 that is engageable with a
loop or ring on an accessory. To attach knife accessory 100 to hot
stick 8 with a shotgun-type attachment interface 14, the user
extends the hook 18 of the shotgun-type attachment interface 14
through the first aperture 132, then pivots the hook 18 to a closed
position. Hook 18 is then retracted toward shotgun-type attachment
interface 14, pulling attachment member 128 of knife accessory 100
within receiving aperture 16 (best shown FIG. 9).
[0038] Turning to FIGS. 10-13, a universal-type attachment
interface 22 includes a guide plate 26 and a plurality of
projections or teeth 30 extending from guide plate 26 and arranged
in a circular or arcuate shape. To attach knife accessory 100 to a
hot stick with a universal-type attachment interface 22, the user
aligns teeth 30 of attachment interface 22 with second apertures
136 and inserts teeth 30 into second apertures 136. The user then
inserts fastener 20 through first aperture 132 and through slot or
aperture 46 in attachment interface 22, and tightens fastener 20 to
lock teeth 30 in place within second apertures 136.
[0039] Universal-type accessory 34 includes a guide plate 38 and
corresponding teeth 42 that are engageable with teeth 30 on
attachment interface 22 in an interlocking manner to couple
accessory 34 to attachment interface 22 in a variety of different
rotational positions. Attachment interface 22 and accessory 34 each
include a slot or aperture 46, 48, respectively, in guide plate 26,
38 that can receive a fastener 20 (e.g., a nut and bolt). Fastener
20 presses guide plates 26, 38 toward one another to lock accessory
34 in a desired rotational position. In some embodiments, the
second apertures 136 may be replaced with a corresponding plurality
of projections or teeth (such as teeth 42 of accessory 34
illustrated in FIG. 13).
[0040] Thus, attachment member 128 allows knife accessory 100 to be
attached to two types of attachment interfaces 12, including a
shotgun-type attachment interface 14 and a universal-type
attachment interface 22. As such, knife accessory 100 can be
conveniently attached to any type of hot stick to facilitate
performing a wide variety of tasks (e.g., cutting insulation on
overhead wires).
[0041] In one embodiment, knife accessory 100 includes a blade 120
that is pivotably coupled to handle 104, allowing blade 120 to be
at least partially retracted into a blade receiving area between
the opposing sides of handle 104. Attachment member 128 is also
pivotably coupled to handle 104, allowing attachment member 128 to
also be partially retracted into an attachment member receiving
area the opposing sides of handle 104. In one exemplary embodiment,
attachment member 128 and blade 120 may be aligned on different
planes so that when attachment member 128 and blade 120 are both
retracted into handle 104, then attachment member 128 and blade 120
do not interfere with the position of the other respective
component within handle 104. In another exemplary embodiment,
attachment member 128 and blade 120 are coplanar and pivot on the
same plane but handle 104 is sufficiently long so that both
attachment member 128 and blade 120 can be retracted within handle
104 without interfering with the position of the other respective
component within handle 104.
[0042] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more
independent aspects of the invention as described. For example, for
each of the measurements provided (e.g., length of hook receptacle
132 along longitudinal axis 182 is between 11.6 mm and 12.0 mm
generally in one or more embodiments), for various embodiments the
distance measurements have a margin of error tolerance (e.g., for
manufacturing allowances) that expands the range 0.5 mm in either
direction. In various other embodiments the distance measurements
have a margin of error tolerance (e.g., for manufacturing purposes)
that expands the range 1.0 mm in either direction. Similarly, for
each angle (e.g., 15 degrees between sidewalls of a given teeth
receptacle 136), for various embodiments the angle measurements
have a margin of error tolerance (e.g., for manufacturing
allowances) of one degree in either direction from the specified
angle. In various other embodiments the angle measurements have a
margin of error tolerance (e.g., for manufacturing allowances) of
two degrees in either direction from the specified angle.
[0043] It should be understood that the figures illustrate the
exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that
the present application is not limited to the details or
methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the
figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for
description purposes only and should not be regarded as
limiting.
[0044] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various
aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is
to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and
arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are
illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been
described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements
shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or
elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise
varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions
may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process,
logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced
according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions,
modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the
design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various
exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0045] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended
that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its
steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method
claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps
or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or
descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order,
it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In
addition, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include
one or more component or element, and is not intended to be
construed as meaning only one. As used herein, "rigidly coupled"
refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the
components move together in a fixed positional relationship when
acted upon by a force.
[0046] Various embodiments of the invention relate to any
combination of any of the features, and any such combination of
features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the
features, elements or components of any of the exemplary
embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination
with any of the features, elements or components of any of the
other embodiments discussed above.
* * * * *