Abstract:
A roof vent construction which is comprised of an assembly including a cowl, a base, and a cowl retaining member. These elements provide a structure which provides cover for rain and discourages rain and/or debris from entering the vent underneath the cowl, but nevertheless allows for suitable ventilation as needed. One concept relates to the use of a vent structure having a base with ventilation and water/debris channeling features, combined with a cowl that has ventilation features, with the base and vent cooperating to provide particular ventilation paths that provide water drainage. This vent structure may be flat or profiled.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the full benefit and priority of pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/061,336 entitled “Roof Vent Having Labyrinth Features,” filed Jun. 13, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the construction of roofing, it is known to provide roofs made of individual roofing elements. The elements can be flexible, such as asphalt shingles, or rigid, such as clay or concrete tiles. 
         [0003]    It is also known to provide vents in the roofing structure to provide roof ventilation. However, providing such venting can introduce problems relating to the prevention of water being drawn in along with the ventilating airflow. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an improvement of such vents. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Various embodiments of the present invention provide improvements over the prior art by providing an improved roof vent that includes improved ventilation features as well as improved aesthetic features. 
         [0005]    Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a roof vent assembly is provided for use in connection with an inclined roofing support structure and a plurality of tile members supported by the inclined roofing support structure. The roof vent assembly has an interior and an exterior and is configured to be placed into a position among the tiles. The roof vent assembly also defines a vented enclosure to facilitate ventilation of the support structure in either direction along a ventilation path portion that begins at a location within the inclined roofing support structure and continues into an interior cavity of the vented enclosure and then out of the vented enclosure to a location generally above and to the exterior of both the vented enclosure and the inclined roof support structure. The roof vent assembly further defines at least one water discharge opening. The roof vent assembly further comprises: A) a base member generally defining an interior side and an opposite exterior side, and including a generally planar base member body portion having an interior base side and an opposite exterior base side, the base member body portion itself including a plurality of elongate substantially parallel base member ventilation openings therethrough to facilitate airflow between the interior and exterior base sides, the base member also including a plurality of elongate base member baffles extending generally perpendicularly from the interior side of the generally planar base member body portion and extending substantially along the length of and adjacent to the base member ventilation openings, such that each elongate base member ventilation opening has one base member baffle proximate each of its elongate edges, the plurality of base member baffles positioned in pairs intermediate the each of the base member ventilation openings such that an elongate discharge channel is positioned intermediate each of the elongate base member ventilation openings, the elongate discharge channels defined at least partially by a pair of the base member baffles and an intermediate portion of the base member body portion, the discharge channels being in communication with the at least one water discharge opening to facilitate the discharge of water from within the discharge channels out of the roof vent assembly through the water discharge opening; and B) a cowl member defining an interior side and an opposite exterior side, and including a generally planar cowl body portion having an interior cowl side and an opposite exterior cowl side, the cowl member body portion including a plurality of elongate substantially parallel cowl member ventilation openings therethrough to facilitate airflow between the interior and exterior cowl sides, the cowl member also including a plurality of elongate cowl member baffles extending generally perpendicularly from the interior cowl side of the cowl member body portion and extending substantially along the length of and adjacent to the cowl member ventilation openings, such that each elongate cowl member ventilation opening has one cowl member baffle proximate each of its elongate edges. The base and cowl members are further relatively positioned such that their respective interior sides combine to at least partially define the roof vent assembly interior cavity and also positioned such that when the roof vent assembly is installed on an inclined roofing support surface, the elongate discharge channels are likewise inclined, and water falling directly downwardly substantially along a gravity axis under the influence of gravity may fall directly into the roof vent assembly through the elongate cowl member ventilation openings, downwardly into the elongate discharge channels, and be guided under the influence of gravity along the elongate discharge channels and out of the roof vent assembly via the water discharge opening. The base and cowl members are also relatively positioned such that at least a portion of the airflow when passing into the elongate cowl ventilation openings from the exterior of the roof vent assembly is directed laterally relative to the gravity axis, passes along a serpentine path past at least one cowl member baffle and at past least one base member baffle, and finally passes out of the roof vent assembly through at least one of the elongate base member ventilation openings. 
         [0006]    In addition, various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a roof vent assembly for use in connection with an inclined roofing support structure and a plurality of tile members supported by the inclined roofing support structure, the roof vent assembly having an interior and an exterior and configured to be placed into a position among the tiles and to define a vented enclosure to facilitate ventilation of the support structure in either direction along a ventilation path extending from the interior of the inclined roofing support structure, to the interior of the roof vent assembly, and finally to the exterior of the roofing support structure, the roof vent assembly comprising: A) a base member configured for being attached to and supported by the inclined roofing support structure, the base member including a generally planar base member body portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge when installed being substantially horizontally oriented and positioned downslope from the trailing edge, the base member also defining a plurality of base member ventilation openings and comprising a plurality of substantially vertically oriented base baffles, the base baffles extending upwardly from the base member and into the interior of the roof vent assembly, and being disposed adjacent opposite sides of each of the base member ventilation openings; and B) a cowl member configured for mounting substantially vertically above the base member so that the interior of the roof vent assembly is defined at least partially by at least the base and cowl members, the cowl member defining a plurality of cowl member ventilation openings therethrough and also comprising a plurality of substantially vertically oriented cowl baffles extending into the interior of the roof vent assembly, the cowl member ventilation openings also being disposed adjacent opposite sides of each of the cowl member ventilation openings. The cowl member is further configured to be mounted relative to the base member such that each of the cowl member ventilation openings are vertically offset from each of the base member ventilation openings when the vent assembly is installed on an inclined surface, and wherein at least a portion of water or debris entering at least one of the cowl member ventilation openings under the influence of gravity tends to be channeled between a pair of adjacent base baffles positioned below at least one of the cowl member ventilation openings to the horizontally oriented leading edge of the base member body portion, the leading edge being opposite the horizontally oriented trailing edge of the base member, the base member being installed on the inclined roofing support structure such that the leading edge is positioned downslope from the trailing edge. 
         [0007]    Further, various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a roof vent assembly for use in connection with an inclined roof support structure and a plurality of tile members supported by the inclined roofing support structure in a roofing support plane having a slope axis, the vent assembly configured to facilitate air ventilation along a path from extending from the interior of the inclined roof support structure, to an interior cavity defined by the vent assembly, and finally to an exterior environment, the roof vent assembly comprising: A) a base member configured for attaching to and being supported by the inclined roof support structure, the base member comprising: i) a substantially planar base floor portion defining a plurality of elongate base member ventilation openings and comprising an upper side and a lower side opposite the upper side, the lower side being configured for installation facing the inclined roof support structure; and ii) a plurality of elongate base baffle pairs extending from and perpendicular to the upper side of the floor portion, the base baffle pairs alternating in location relative to the base member ventilation openings such that each of the base baffle pairs are disposed intermediate two adjacent base member ventilation openings and each of the ventilation openings are disposed intermediate two adjacent baffle pairs, each of the base baffle pairs combining with a portion of the base floor portion to define elongate drainage channels having their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the slope axis; and B) a cowl member configured for attachment relative to the base member, the cowl member comprising: i) a substantially planar cowl portion defining a plurality of elongate cowl member ventilation openings configured to be positioned generally above the elongate drainage channels when the cowl member is attached relative to the base member and the roof vent assembly is installed, the planar cowl portion comprising an upper side and a lower side opposite the upper side, wherein the lower side is configured for being installed generally above the base floor portion; and ii) a plurality of elongate cowl baffle pairs extending from the lower side of the planar cowl portion, the cowl baffle pairs alternating in location relative to the base member ventilation openings such that each of the cowl baffle pairs is disposed intermediate two adjacent cowl member ventilation openings and each of the cowl member ventilation openings is disposed intermediate two adjacent baffle pairs, wherein: the base member and the cowl member define an interior cavity between the upper side of the base floor portion and the lower side of the planar cowl portion when the cowl member is attached relative to the base member, the base ventilation openings are configured to facilitate air flow between the interior cavity and the inclined roof support structure, the cowl ventilation openings are configured to facilitate air flow between the interior cavity and the exterior environment, and air flowing between the roofing support structure and the exterior environment flows along a serpentine path through the roof vent assembly, the serpentine path extending through each of the base member ventilation openings, above each of the base baffle pairs, below each of the cowl baffle pairs, and through the cowl member ventilation openings. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it is an aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roof structure. 
         [0009]    It is a further aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roofing support structure, which includes at least one roof vent. 
         [0010]    It is a further aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roof vent. 
         [0011]    It is a further aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roof vent that includes improved rain exclusion features. 
         [0012]    It is a further aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roof vent that includes improved wind exclusion features. 
         [0013]    It is a further aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roof vent that includes improved aesthetic features. 
         [0014]    It is a further aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roof vent that includes improved aesthetic features while at the same time including improved functional features. 
         [0015]    It is a further aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roof vent that is economical to manufacture while still providing improved functional and aesthetic features. 
         [0016]    It is a further aspect of various embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved roof vent that is economical to sell while still including improved functional and aesthetic features. 
         [0017]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawing and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Having thus described various embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of an embodiment  10  of the invention, showing the vent  10  in an installation environment, installed amongst flat roof tiles  100 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the embodiment  10  of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 , again in an installation environment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial view of the embodiment  10  of the invention disassembled and laid on an unlabeled flat display surface for viewing purposes. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is another view of the embodiment  10  of the invention disassembled and laid on an unlabeled flat display surface for viewing purposes. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an upper plan view of the base according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  along the A-A line in  FIG. 5  which illustrates the manner in which the vent assembly  10  is configured to provide improved air flow, given the limitations of a relatively thin and flat vent, while also providing improved water and debris resistance and control. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an more specific view of that above, which illustrates the manner in which the vent assembly  10  is configured to provide improved air flow. It should be understood that this figure is not necessarily to scale; deference should be given to the dimensions such as “0.5×, 1.0×” and the like which show one preferred set of relative dimensions intended to maximize appropriate airflow. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a view of the type of  FIG. 7 , except it shows another, “non-flat” embodiment  110  of the invention, having a cowl  120  and a base  130 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Various embodiments of the present invention are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0028]    General Construction and Operation 
         [0029]    Generally described, the vent assemblies described herein include a base, which is attached relative to the supporting roof structure, and a cowl, which is attached to the base and covers a ventilation hole in the base. 
         [0030]    In roof vents, the inventor has noted that in certain instances it is desirable to bring the leading edge of the vent cowl in line with the leading edge of adjacent field tiles. In so doing, a constant shadow line is created on the roof, improving aesthetic integration. However, this has been a challenge to the inventors because of the conflicting functional need to prevent wind driven rain entry through the vent. 
         [0031]    One particular concept according to one embodiment of the present invention is to use internal labyrinths to afford this rain protection. This provides an improvement over the prior art by allowing the cap (a.k.a. “cowl”) to come to the leading edge of the vent, in-line with the leading edge of adjacent roof tiles. This enables a more aesthetic, integrated appearance on the roof. 
         [0032]    Generally, there are two general types of vent assemblies that are included as embodiments of the present invention: a flat vent assembly, and a profiled vent assembly. Profiled vent assemblies may include, but are not limited to a “dual hump” vent assembly and a “triple hump” vent assembly. These assemblies are configured to be used with tiles that have the same general shape; such tiles will be recognized by one skilled in the art. However, it should be understood that various embodiments of the present inventions described herein could be used with other shapes of tiles. Furthermore, a concept shown in association with one vent assembly (e.g., a flat vent assembly) could be used with another vent assembly (e.g., a dual hump vent assembly). 
         [0033]    A more detailed discussion is now made of the various embodiments of the vent assemblies of the present invention. By way of reference, it should be noted that the term “leading” edge is meant to indicate the edge of the tile or tile vent that faces “down” the roof towards the ground. This could also be termed the “lower” or “foot” edge. Conversely, a “trailing” edge is meant to indicate the edge of the tile that faces “up” the roof, away from the ground. This could also be termed the “upper” or “head” edge. In other words, the “leading” edge is positioned downslope (e.g., vertically below) from the “trailing” edge of any particular vent assembly. “Side” edges are the remaining edges that connect the two. 
         [0034]    Flat Vent Assembly Having Vertically Oriented Baffles  10   
         [0035]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1-7 , which illustrate the use of one embodiment, a “flat” vent assembly  10  that includes a cowl  20  and a base  30 . 
         [0036]    Components of Roof Vent Assembly  10 
       Cowl  20 
           Elongate cowl ventilation openings  22     Cowl baffles  25     Tabs  46     Vent front edge vent and discharge openings  47     
           Base  30 
           Elongate base ventilation openings  32     Base baffles  35     Support nodules  37     Drainage (a.k.a., Discharge) channels  55     Supplemental ventilation openings  39     
               
 
         [0048]    Particularly referencing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a roof vent assembly  10  is shown in place on a supporting roof structure amidst a plurality of conventional flat tile members  100 . As may be seen, the flat vent assembly  10  is shaped generally similarly to the flat tile members, so as to blend in as much as possible while still providing ventilation through the roof tile layer. It may be seen that this provides a venting challenge due to the relatively thin nature of the surrounding tiles  100 . Supplemental vent and discharge openings  47 , discussed in more detail elsewhere are shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are each pictorial views of the vent assembly  10  disassembled and laid on an unlabeled flat display surface for viewing purposes. The cowl  20  of the vent assembly  10  is shown upside down in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , exposing its interior surface, with its normally weather-exposed upper surface facing the unlabeled flat surface. In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the base  30  is shown laid alongside the cowl  20 , likewise with its interior surface exposed for purposes of discussion. 
         [0050]    The components  20  and  30  above may be made of various materials without departing from the present invention. For example, they may be made of plastic or other suitable materials such as known in the art. They may be made by use of vacuum forming or injection molding processes. In the event that injection molding is used, due to the improved tolerances, snap-fitting connections may be used at suitable interconnection points for purpose of assembly. Alternately or additionally, glue may be used, particularly if material is used which may be vacuum formed. Additionally, fasteners (not shown) as known in the art such as rivets, screws, or the like may be used. 
         [0051]    Referring now particularly to  FIG. 4 , the base  30  includes a substantially planar base panel member that defines a plurality of elongate, substantially parallel base ventilation openings  32  and a plurality of adjacent base baffles  35  (two baffles per opening, one along each long side of each of the elongate openings  32 ). These baffles  35  provide air and debris control and guidance as discussed elsewhere, and are generally vertically oriented (when installed) and extend upwardly and perpendicular from the surface of the base  30  with one such baffle adjacent and along each side of each base vent opening  32 . In one embodiment, each base baffle  35  extends the length of the base vent opening  32  adjacent the particular base baffle  35 . 
         [0052]    The base  30  also includes a plurality of support nodules  37 , which extend upwardly to provide support to the underside of the primary planar surface of the cowl  20  when the cowl is positioned atop the base  30 . The base  30  also includes two supplementary ventilation openings  39  (see also  FIG. 5 ) towards the head end of the base, to provide supplemental venting as needed. These ventilation openings may be seen to be positioned under the head lap of the next higher tile course when the vent is installed. 
         [0053]    Cowl  20   
         [0054]    Referring now particularly to  FIG. 4 , the cowl  20  includes a substantially planar cowl panel member that defines a plurality of elongate, substantially parallel cowl ventilation openings  22  through its upper surface. The cowl  20  also includes a plurality of vertically oriented cowl baffles  25  that extend downwardly from and perpendicular to the underside of the cowl&#39;s upper surface with one such baffle adjacent and along each long side of each elongate cowl vent opening  22 . 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, each cowl baffle  25  extends the length of a corresponding cowl vent opening  22  adjacent to the cowl baffle  25 . It may be seen that short, unnumbered “end baffles” of sorts also extend along the short sides of the elongate cowl ventilation openings, as well as for the elongate base ventilation openings, except that for some of the elongate base ventilation openings the support nodules  37  do double duty. 
         [0056]    In one embodiment, each of the elongated cowl ventilation openings  22  includes a screen-like barrier as shown. “Screen-like” as used below should be interpreted as providing a barrier which screens out debris while still facilitating air flow. This could include flat screen mesh with criss-crossing type barriers, flat screens having parallel slat-like barriers, louvers, or any other suitable material. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cowl also includes tabs  46 , which serve to partially define the vent front edge vent and discharge openings  47 , which as referenced in detail later are defined by both the cowl  20  and the base  30 . It may be understood that these tabs as shown extend down and preferably contact the base (for support therefrom) and thus preferably the openings  847  are discrete and separate. However, it may be understood that due to manufacturing tolerance limitations this may not be exact, and there may be gaps between some of the tabs and the base. However, it may nevertheless be seen that substantially discrete openings  47  are nevertheless provided. 
         [0058]    Air Flow and Debris Control 
         [0059]    As may be understood, selection of the various vent hole and baffle sizes, positions, and relative locations is but one important feature of the present invention. This includes not only the various elongate baffles and vent holes, but also the ventilation openings  39 , which are configured at least in part to balance the air flow into the bottom of the vent with the airflow out of the front edge of the vent through the vent front edge vent and discharge openings  47  (see  FIG. 2 ). As may be understood the “total area in” of the ventilation openings is to be balanced relatively to the “total area out” (for a given air flow direction—flow out or in to the structure, which may differ depending on conditions). 
         [0060]    Reference is now made particularly to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , which illustrate the manner in which the vent assembly  10  is configured to provide improved airflow, given the limitations of a relatively thin and flat vent, while also providing improved water and debris resistance and control. 
         [0061]    The base ventilation openings  32  and the cowl ventilation openings  22  are positioned to be parallel to each other, but also vertically offset (relative to vertical planes, even when the vents are installed on an inclined surface) from each other when the cowl  20  is installed above the base  30 . When so positioned, air flowing through the vent (between the outside of the vent assembly  10  and below the roofing supporting surface) flows along exemplary serpentine paths “SP” (see  FIG. 7 ) defined by the plurality of baffles  25 ,  35  and ventilation openings  22 ,  32 . 
         [0062]    Exemplary flows “SP” along these serpentine paths are shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . It may be understood that the flow through the vent  10  can be along these paths in either direction, depending on whether air is tending to be flowing into or out of the vented structure. 
         [0063]    This airflow feature, and the structure so providing it, is an important feature of the invention. An exemplary advantage is that water or debris that enters the vent assembly  10  through the cowl ventilation openings  22  tends to be substantially blocked from entering the base ventilation openings  32  by the vertically oriented cowl baffles  25  and base baffles  35 . 
         [0064]    The use of “drainage channels” (a.k.a. discharge channels)  55  is also a particular advantage of the invention. In the particular embodiment shown, for example in  FIG. 7 , each of the plurality of drainage channels  55  is defined by adjacent pairs of vertically oriented base baffles  35  (it way be understood that these and the other baffles  35  are “vertical” although their longitudinal axes are inclined) and an upper surface  54  of the base  30 . As may be seen, the elongated cowl ventilation openings  22  through the upper, primary planar, surface of the vent assembly  10  are open to accepting rain falling directly downwardly, as well as open to accepting debris small enough to pass through the screens (or louvers) of the openings  22 . Such water or debris entering from above into the interior cavity defined between the base  30  and the cowl  20  (through one or more of the cowl ventilation openings  35 ) is channeled (at least partially under the influence of gravity) into the drainage channels  55  which are positioned below the openings. In the vent&#39;s installed position, it may be understood that such channels are inclined (as is the entire vent) to direct this debris and water toward the leading edge  45  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the vent assembly  10 . The lower ends of these channels open into the front edge area of the vent assembly and out of the vent front edge vent and discharge openings  47  of the vent assembly (see  FIG. 2 ), such that water and/or debris tends to be dumped onto the upper surface of the tile in the next course down. This allows the water or debris to escape onto the roof tile surface. 
         [0065]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the vent front edge vent and discharge openings  47  are separated by tabs  46  extending downwardly from the leading edge  45  of the cowl  30 , and the leading edge openings are defined by the base and the cowl leading edges. The tabs  46  are substantially in vertical alignment with the base ventilation openings  32  and, accordingly, are offset from the cowl ventilation openings  22 . Positioning the tabs  46  to be substantially in vertical alignment with the base ventilation openings  32  discourages water and debris being blown “up” a roof from entering the base ventilation openings  32 . In another embodiment, the base  30  may further define a leading wall adjacent each vent opening (not shown) to prevent entrance of wind driven rain and debris into the ventilation openings  32 . 
         [0066]    In addition, this embodiment further provides improved ventilation for warm moist air that may escape from below the roofing support surface (e.g., the attic). In particular, warm moist air that flows upwardly into the base ventilation openings  32  from below the roofing support surface may condense when it enters the vent assembly  10  if the temperature between the baffles  35 ,  25  of the vent assembly  10  is less than the temperature from the space below the roofing support surface. The condensation is channeled toward the leading edge  35  of the vent assembly  10  by the baffles  35 ,  25 . 
         [0067]    Dual Hump Vent Assembly Having Vertically Oriented Baffles  110   
         [0068]    This embodiment contemplates the use of the general baffle and ventilation opening configurations above, adapted for use in a “dual hump” type of vent. It may be understood that this particular embodiment does not have the same space limitations as are present in the flat vent design, and thus only two ventilation openings, one in each “hump” may be required. Reference is now made to  FIG. 8 , which is a view of the type of  FIG. 7 , except it shows another embodiment  110  of the invention, having a cowl  120  and a base  130 . As may be seen, this embodiment includes ventilation openings  122  similar in configuration to those found in the flat vent  10 . As in that configuration, the ventilation openings  122 , here, may also include a screen-like barrier such as flat screen mesh with crisscrossing type barriers, flat screens having parallel slat-like barriers, louvers, or any other suitable material. As may be seen, this embodiment likewise includes cowl baffles  125  and base baffles  135 , both similar in configuration to those found in the flat vent  10 . Adjacent pairs of vertically oriented base baffles  135  further define a plurality of drainage channels  155  that provide the same type of drainage capabilities as provided by the flat vent  10 . 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0069]    It should be understood that although certain configurations of vents have been shown for purposes of illustration, there are other alternative configurations that still manage to be covered by the present invention. For example, any other profiled (not flat) type of vent (such as a “triple hump” or “villa” profile) may likewise be provided and covered by the present invention. 
         [0070]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.