Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an improved projection television system that integrates entertainment center cabinetry used to store electronic devices, media, and the like, with a projection television enclosure. The system of the present invention accommodates projection televisions of varying screen sizes, while using substantially the same entertainment center cabinetry. Accordingly, in one innovative aspect, the system incorporates interchangeable projection television screens and cabinetry that is adjustable to accommodate screens of different dimensions. The cabinetry is integrated into the enclosure of the projection television set as opposed to being stand alone, or separate, entertainment center cabinetry.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/970/967, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to projection television sets, and more particularly to an integrated, modular projection television set enclosure and entertainment system.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Projection television (PTV) sets are a popular alternative to picture tube television sets, as they provide relatively large viewable screens that cannot be efficiently produced using conventional picture tubes. PTV sets typically include an enclosure housing an optical unit, a mirror, and electronic components for receiving and projecting an image onto a screen assembly mounted on the front of the enclosure. The optical unit typically includes three projection tubes having a cathode ray tube (CRT) optically coupled to a projection lens. The three projection tubes preferably project red, green, and blue images on to the screen of the PTV.  
           [0004]    The conventional PTV enclosures typically include top, bottom, side, front and rear panels and are typically divided into two compartments, an upper and a lower compartment. The CRTs and the printed wiring boards (PWB) are typically mounted in the lower compartment, the mirror and screen are mounted in the upper compartment, and the projection lens tends to extend from the lower compartment to the upper compartment.  
           [0005]    As typical PTV enclosures tend to be larger than picture tube television set enclosures, owners of PTVs tend to purchase or build custom cabinetry to house the PTV and create an entertainment center. The typical entertainment center includes an opening for the PTV enclosure and a tower unit adjacent each side of the opening, and thus the PTV. The tower units, which comprise a plurality of shelves, are used to store consumer electronics used apart and in conjunction with the PTV, such as, e.g., digital video disk players, video cassette records, amplifiers, and a variety of audio components, as well as e.g., DVDs, videotapes, CDs, cassette tapes, and the like. There are, however, several disadvantages with current entertainment centers. First, once the entertainment centers are installed they become limited or fixed in size, unable to accommodate different size PTVs. For example, if the owner of an entertainment center purchases a larger size PTV, the owner would likely need to purchase or build a new entertainment center if the current unit does not accommodate the larger PTV. The cost, however, associated with tearing out and replacing the entertainment center with a larger unit can be quite high especially with custom-built entertainment centers built to fit the specifications of a particular room or wall and PTV. Second, current entertainment centers do not provide convenient or efficient methods for interconnecting various electronic devices and the PTV. In general, connecting and using a large number of devices with the PTV results in a mass of bulky wiring that the owner must then conceal, typically by placing the wiring behind the entertainment center. This results in a potential detraction from one purpose of using an entertainment center, namely, presenting the PTV in a visually pleasing manner. The problem of bulky wiring is heightened if the PTV has audio/visual connections disposed on the front of the console.  
           [0006]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide for a modular, integrated PTV entertainment center system that is expandable, and upgradable, or reducible in size to fit PTVs of a variety of dimensions without the need for replacing the cabinetry or shelving. A user may wish to reduce the size of the system after moving to a smaller living space or rearranging the unit itself to a smaller room. Similarly, a user may desire to increase the size of the system in order to enjoy a PTV having a larger screen size. It would also be desirable to provide for a modular, integrated PTV entertainment center system that reduces the need for bulky and extensive wiring to connect various devices to the PTV.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to an improved projection television (PTV) system that integrates entertainment center cabinetry for storage of electronics devices, media, and the like, with a projection television enclosure. The system of the present invention accommodates projection televisions of varying screen sizes, while using substantially the same cabinetry.  
           [0008]    In one innovative aspect of the present invention, the side panels of the PTV and the inner side panel of the cabinetry of an entertainment center are detachably coupleable to one another.  
           [0009]    In another innovative aspect of the present invention, the side panels of the PTV are integral components of the cabinetry of an entertainment center. A plurality of other side panels and shelving may be utilized to form a customized entertainment system. The system tends to eliminate the need to construct or purchase costly separate structures to house a PTV.  
           [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, the integrated, modular projection television system of the present invention combines a PTV with cabinetry that is integrated into the projection television system. The PTV includes a screen, front and rear panels, and a plurality of side panels that are detachably coupleable to the inner side panel of the cabinetry of the entertainment center. Alternatively, the PTV includes a screen, front and rear panels, and a plurality of side panels, wherein the side panels also function as inner side panels of the cabinet system. The television also includes a mirror and an optical system optically coupled to the screen. The cabinetry portion of the system comprises a plurality of outer side panels that are positioned in spaced relation to the side panels of the projection television set, i.e., the inner side panels of the system, a plurality of shelf panels that may be located at various positions within the cabinet system, top panels that extend over both the cabinet system and the projection television set, rear panels that are located between the inner and outer side panels toward the rear portions of those panels, a bottom panel extending the length of the system, and, optionally, a toe rail that extends along the entire bottom length of the system.  
           [0011]    In another embodiment, the screen of the projection television portion of the system is interchangeable with a substitute screen of a different size. For example, the screen is replaceable with a screen of a larger dimension. After replacement of the screen, substantially the same cabinetry is used with the system, thereby enabling the system to accommodate screens of varying sizes without requiring the acquisition or use of new entertainment center cabinetry.  
           [0012]    In a further embodiment, a bus extends along the inner side panel of the cabinetry to enable communication between electronic components supported in the cabinetry and the PTV. The bus preferably includes a power transmission line and IEEE 1394 wiring.  
           [0013]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 a  is an illustration of an embodiment of the system of the present invention, showing the cabinets of the system unattached to the PTV of the system.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 b  is an illustration of the system of FIG. 1 a  with the cabinets attached to the PTV of the system.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is an illustration of a system of the present invention having cabinetry portions that elevate above the PTV portion of the system.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is an illustration of another embodiment of a system of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the system shown in FIG. 3 that also includes glass doors disposed on the front of the cabinetry portion of the system.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is an illustration of a system of the present invention that is expandable using a plurality of cabinetry portions. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    Referring in detail to the figures, an integrated, modular projection television system  10  of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b . The modular system  10  includes a projection television (PTV)  125  and cabinetry  12  that detachably couples to the PTV  125  using suitable attachment components.  
         [0021]    The PTV  125  of the system  10  includes a typical PTV enclosure  126  comprising an upper compartment  127  and a lower compartment  129  bounded by front  123 , rear, top  121 , bottom  122 , and side  120  panels and a screen  133 . Within the upper compartment  127  of the enclosure  126  is a mirror  131  that is oriented to reflect light images onto the screen  133 . The screen  133  is incorporated, into, placed within, or mounted on the front panel  123  and between the side panels  120  of the PTV  125  of the system  10  in a manner known in the art. A partition  128  divides the upper compartment  127  from the lower compartment  129  and prevents dirt and other contaminants from entering the upper compartment  127 . Within the lower compartment  129  is an optic system that may include a plurality of cathode ray tubes (CRTs)  135 , projection lenses  137  attached to each CRT  135 , and a bracket  139  that holds each projection lens  137  and CRT  135  in place within the lower compartment  129  at its correct angular orientation. Preferably, the CRTs project light images comprising the colors red, green and blue. Alternatively, the optic system may comprise a light source, a color wheel, and a plurality of micro-mirrors.  
         [0022]    As discussed above, the PTV  125  includes a pair of side panels  120 . The side panels are preferably adapted to releasably couple to and become integrated with the cabinetry of an entertainment center. However, to accommodate those customers not wishing to integrate the PTV with cabinetry of an entertainment center, the PTV may be supplied with basic side panels with typical surface finishes to form a typical PTV enclosure. The basic side panels, however, are preferably detachable from the enclosure to allow for the attachment of the side panels  120  of the present invention to enable the PTV  125  to be integrated with the cabinetry of an entertainment center when desired.  
         [0023]    The modular system  10  of the present invention preferably includes cabinetry  12  that is adapted to be releasably coupled to the side panels  120  of the PTV  125 . In FIG. 1 b , the system  10  is shown in operating form, i.e., FIG. 1 b  illustrates a fully assembled system  10  with the cabinetry  12  attached to the PTV  125 . The side panels  120  of the PTV  125  and inside walls  13  of the cabinetry  12  include attachment components adapted to releasably couple the side panels  120  and inside walls  13 . When attached together, the PTV  125  and cabinetry  12  form an integrated system  10  capable of being utilized as an entertainment system housing audio/video components, a bookshelf, and the like. The PTV  125  and cabinetry  12  may be attached to each other using a variety of suitable fasteners or attachment components, such as, e.g., brackets, bolts, screws, dolls, tongue and grooves, and the like. Preferably, the fasteners or attachment components used to attach the side panels  120  of the PTV  125  and the inside walls  13  of the cabinetry  12  do not result in permanent engagement of the PTV  125  and cabinetry  12 . For example, the cabinetry  12  may preferably be detached from the PTV  125  and subsequently attached to a PTV of different size and/or shape. Similarly, the cabinetry  12  may be detached from the PTV  125  and substituted or used with substituted cabinetry portions to form different sized cabinetry. The system  10  of the present invention advantageously provides the PTV user the flexibility in sizing the cabinetry  12  of an entertainment center to fit PTVs of various sizes and not locking the PTV user into sizing a PTV to fit the cabinetry of an entertainment center.  
         [0024]    In order to form an entertainment center, book case, or the like, the cabinetry  12  of the modular system  10  of the present invention preferably includes one or more towers  11  mounted on one or both sides of the PTV  125 . The towers  11  are formed by interconnecting the inside wall panels  13 , which detachably couple to the side panels  120  of the PTV  125 , with top and bottom panels  17  and  19 , and outside wall panels  15 . A plurality of shelves  14  is preferably positioned at various elevations within each tower  11 . The inside surfaces of the side walls  13  and  15  preferably include a plurality of corresponding holes used to position the shelves  14  within the tower  11 . Brackets, dowels or other shelf-supporting components may be inserted and secured into these holes at the levels at which it is desired to position the shelves  14 . A shelf  14  is then placed over the brackets or other shelf-support component at the desired elevation. The shelves  14  and top and bottom panels  17  and  19  may vary in size and shape to allow the customization a system owner may desire. For example, the shelves and panels may be 18″ or 24″ in depth (or some other size) and may be rectangular, curved or some other shape.  
         [0025]    As seen in FIG. 1 b , one embodiment of system  10  further includes a toe rail  20  that extends along the length of the entire system  10  and attaches to the bottom portions of the PTV  125  and the cabinetry  12 . Preferably, the toe rail  20  is temporarily, i.e., not permanently, attached to the cabinetry  12  so that a differently sized toe rail  20  may be substituted if and when the size of the PTV  125  is varied. Also, the toe rail  20  is preferably secured to at least each outside wall  15  of the cabinetry  12 , but may be secured at other points along the bottom edge of system  10 , such as, e.g., to the inside walls  13  and along the bottom portion of the PTV  125 . When utilized, the toe rail  20  assists in maintaining the structural integrity of system  10 . In one embodiment, the toe rail  20  is also designed as a decorative molding for the bottom edge of system  10 .  
         [0026]    Turning to FIG. 2, the cabinetry  12  of the modular the system  10  is shown as extending above the PTV  125 . To add structural integrity to the system  10 , a top rail  22  is provided that attaches to the top of the cabinetry  12 . Preferably, the top rail  22  is temporarily, i.e., not permanently, attached to the cabinetry  12  so that a differently sized top rail may be substituted if and when the size of the PTV  125  is varied. In addition to the top rail  22 , a top panel may be provided, which extends above the PTV  125  between the inside walls  13  or the outside walls  15  of the towers  11 . As a result of the cabinetry  12  extending above the top of the PTV  125 , the system  10  provides a space  24  above the PTV  125  usable for placing consumer electronic components, such as, e.g., a cable controller, a satellite controller, a DVD player, a VCR player, a video game console, an internet appliance, or the like, atop the PTV  125 . Although not shown in FIG. 2, a toe rail similar to the toe rail  20  may also be provided with the system  10  to increase the structural integrity of the system  10  and for decorative purposes.  
         [0027]    The panels, walls, shelves, rails, and the like, of the PTV  125  and cabinetry  12  of system  10  of the present invention may be constructed out of a wood-based material, such as, e.g., particle board. Alternatively, the panels, walls, shelves, rails and the like, may be formed of extruded plastic, polystyrene, and the like. A suitable method of forming panels from polystyrene is described in commonly owned and copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/652,716, entitled “Enclosure for Projection Television Sets,” which is fully incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0028]    Because the side panels  120  of the PTV  125  are not visible when the system  10  is in completed form, the side panels  120  do not need to have finished surface, which tends to reduce manufacturing costs. Similarly, because the surface of the inside walls  13  of the cabinetry  12  adjacent the PTV  125  is also hidden from view after the cabinetry  12  is attached to the PTV  125 , it also may remain unfinished.  
         [0029]    The cabinetry of the system  10  also preferably includes doors  18  that are positioned at the front of the cabinetry  12 . The doors  18  are preferably secured to hinges that are located on a front edge of the inside  13  or outside  15  walls of the cabinetry  12 . When in a closed position, a latch on a front edge of the inside  13  or outside  15  walls of cabinetry  12  secures the door  18  in a closed position. The latch may be, for example, a magnet that attracts a metal plate located on the door  18 , or a catch that secures a protrusion located on the door  18 . Preferably, door  18  is constructed primarily of glass that is set within a frame. The frame is preferably formed from the same material as the other portions of system  10 . When constructed using glass, or a similar material that does not block infrared or radio signals, the door  18  allows signals to be sent by a user from a suitable remote control, to various electronic components and devices, that may be stored within the cabinetry  12  of the system  10 . Also, door handles  16  are preferably provided in order to facilitate the opening and closing of the doors  18 .  
         [0030]    In addition, a preferred embodiment of the system  10  of the present invention includes a bus arrangement providing easy connectivity and communication between individual electronic components housed in the towers  11  and between individual electronic components and the PTV  125 . The bus preferably includes a power transmission line to provide power to the individual electronic components housed in the towers  11 . The bus also preferably includes IEEE wiring to accommodate PTVs and electronic components that are adapted to communicate over such architecture. Preferably, the bus is mounted in or along the inside walls  13  of the cabinetry  12  and is adapted to interconnect to the PTV  125 , a power source, and a signal input. The bus also preferably includes a plurality of communication ports and power outlets disposed along the bus at appropriate elevations within the towers  11  to enable the various electronic components supported on various shelves  14  within the cabinetry to easily connect to the bus to receive power and communicate with other components. The bus advantageously reduces the tangle of wires typically located behind most PTVs and entertainment centers.  
         [0031]    In an alternative embodiment of system  10 , a plurality of access openings are provided along a rear panel and/or in the shelves  14  of the cabinetry  12 . The access openings along the rear panel and in the shelves  14  allow for any necessary wiring or cables to be routed from devices placed within the cabinetry  12  and outside of the cabinetry  12  and subsequently to input/output ports that may be disposed on a rear surface of the PTV.  
         [0032]    The system  10  may further include light fixtures disposed within the cabinetry  12 . In these embodiments, the light fixtures are preferably mounted on the underside of a top panel of the cabinetry  12 . In one embodiment, the system  10  may also include light fixtures disposed on the underside of the top rail  22 .  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 3, an integrated, modular projection television system  100  of the present invention is illustrated. The components of the PTV  125  of system  100  are substantially the same as the PTV  125  described with respect to system  10  with the exception of the side panels. In this embodiment, the PTV  125  includes side panels  141  that also form the innerside panels for the cabinetry  150  of the system  100 . As a result, both the cabinetry  150  and the PTV  125  of this embodiment may preferably be adjustable in size. For example, the PTV  125  owner may desire to increase the screen size of the PTV  125 . A kit, which includes the larger screen and corresponding PTV enclosure panels or extensions, may be provided to the owner to enable the owner to adjust the size of the PTV  125 . By adjusting the size of the PTV  125 , the size of the cabinetry  150  is effectively adjusted. However, the same kit, or a separate kit, which includes appropriately sized shelving or additional shelving and side panels, may be provided to further alter the size or configuration of the cabinetry  150 . This embodiment advantageously provides the PTV  125  owner with greater flexibility in configuring an entertainment center that meets the owner&#39;s current needs.  
         [0034]    The cabinetry  150  of the system  100  includes outer side panels  143  opposite each inner side panel  141 . The inner side panels  141  and outer side panels  143  are connected at a rear edge to a rear panel  145 . A bottom panel  147  is also provided to which each inner side panel  141 , each outer side panel  143 , and each rear panel  145  are attached. The bottom panel  147  also provides a support for the PTV  125  of the system. For example, lower compartment  129  of the PTV  125  is preferably placed on top of bottom panel  147 .  
         [0035]    The system  100  further includes outer top panels  151  that extend between each pair of the inner  141  and outer  143  side panels. Also included with system  100  is a middle top panel  153  that extends between the inner side panels  141 .  
         [0036]    A plurality of shelf panels  149  are also provided that may be positioned at various points between each pair of outer  143  and inner  141  side panels. The outer  143  and inner  141  side panels include a plurality of holes through which brackets or other shelf-supporting means may be inserted and secured. The brackets or other shelf-supporting means are inserted into the holes corresponding to the desired level at which the shelf panels  149  are to be placed. A shelf panel  149  is then placed over the brackets or other shelf-support means at a particular level of holes.  
         [0037]    Turning back to FIG. 3, the illustrated embodiment of the system  100  also includes a toe rail  181  that extends along the length of the entire system  100  and attaches to the bottom area of system  100 . Preferably, the toe rail  181  is secured at least to each outer side panel  143  and bottom panel  147 . The toe rail  181  may also be secured to system  100  at other points, such as, e.g., to the inner side panels  141 . The toe rail  181  assists in maintaining the structural integrity of the system  100  along the bottom edge of the system  100 . The toe rail  181  may also be designed as a decorative molding for the bottom edge of the system  100 .  
         [0038]    Turning now to FIG. 4, the system  100  is shown including doors  191  that attach to the front edges of the inner  141  and outer  143  side panels. As with the system  10 , the doors  191  are preferably constructed primarily of glass that is set within a frame. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 4, door handles  197  are preferably provided in order to facilitate the opening and closing of the doors  191 .  
         [0039]    With respect to materials of manufacture, the panels, i.e., the inner side panels  141 , the outer side panels  143 , the rear panels  145 , the shelf panels  149 , the bottom panel  147 , the outer top panels  151 , and middle top panel  153 , may be constructed of a wood-based material, such as, e.g., particle board, or formed of extruded plastic or polystyrene.  
         [0040]    As with the system  10  discussed above, a preferred embodiment of the system  100  of this embodiment includes a bus arrangement providing easy connectivity and communication between individual electronic components housed in the cabinetry  150  and between individual electronic components and the PTV  125 . The bus preferably includes a power transmission line to provide power to the individual electronic components housed in the cabinetry  150 . The bus also preferably includes IEEE 1394 wiring to accommodate PTVs and electronic components that are adapted to communicate over such architecture. Preferably, the bus is mounted in or along the inner side walls  141  of the cabinetry  150  and is adapted to interconnect to the inputs and outputs of the PTV  125 , a power source, and a signal input. The bus also preferably includes a plurality of communication ports and power outlets disposed along the bus at appropriate elevations within the cabinetry  150  to enable the various electronic components supported on various shelves  149  within the cabinetry to easily connect to the bus to receive power and communicate with other components.  
         [0041]    Turning back to FIG. 3, the system  100  may further include light fixtures  199  disposed within the cabinetry portions  150 . In embodiments that include light fixtures  199 , the light fixtures  199  are preferably mounted on the bottom surface of the outer top panels  151 .  
         [0042]    In another embodiment, the system  100  further includes a plurality of speakers that are components of a surround sound system. Front right, front left, and front center channel speakers may be located atop the outer top panels  151  and the middle top panel  153 , respectively. In this embodiment, the outer top panels  151  and middle top panel  153  preferably include access openings that enable speaker wiring to be routed from the speakers to within the interior of the cabinetry  150 . The speaker wiring is then routable separately or through the bus to an amplifier located within the cabinetry  150  or directly to the projection television if the television is capable of powering external speakers. Additionally, speaker wiring for a rear left channel speaker, a rear right channel speaker, and a subwoofer located external to system  100  may be routed from within the cabinetry  150  through the access openings in the outer top panels  151  and middle top panel  153  and subsequently to those speakers.  
         [0043]    In practice, the present invention enables a user to upgrade to a larger size television, or downsize to a smaller size television, without the need to invest in different size entertainment centers or install new built-in cabinetry to accompany the new television. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, when upgrading to a larger size television to replace one already implemented in the system  100 , a user is provided simply with a suitable larger size screen (not shown), a middle top panel that is substantially equal in length to the larger screen (not shown), and a bottom panel that is substantially equal in length to the length of the larger screen in addition to the cabinetry portions  150  (not shown). The user would then substitute the smaller, first screen  133  with the new, larger screen, the smaller, first middle top panel  153  with the new, longer middle top panel, and the first bottom panel  147  with the new, longer bottom panel. Additionally, if a toe rail  181  was originally used, the user may be provided with, and replace the toe rail  181  with, a new, longer toe rail that is sufficient in length to span the length of the new, longer bottom panel. The new panels are then secured to the other, original panels using suitable methods. For the PTV  125  to properly function, the mirror  131  and optical unit may need to be adjusted or replaced to optimally direct light images originating from the optical unit onto the new screen.  
         [0044]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the width of the cabinetry  150  is varied by substituting the shelf panels  149  with different length shelf panels, the outer top panels  151  with different length outer top panels, the rear panels  145  with different length rear panels, and the bottom panel  147  with a bottom panel that is substantially equal in length to the system  100  incorporating the substitute panels. Further, a substitute toe rail may be provided that is substantially equal in length to the new bottom panel, if a toe rail  181  was originally used or if a toe rail is now desired. Also, substitute doors may be provided that are substantially equal in length to the substitute rear panels. In this embodiment, a user is able to vary the length of system  100  without replacing the PTV  125 .  
         [0045]    Also, as depicted in FIG. 5, an embodiment of the system  50  of the present invention includes a plurality of cabinetry portions that may be attached to any one side of the system  50  to increase the length of the system  50  on one or both sides. The system  50  includes the PTV  125  and cabinetry  32  attachable to the sides of the PTV  125 . The PTV  125  is substantially the same the PTV  125  included with systems  10  and  100 . Additionally, the cabinetry portions  32  are substantially the same as the cabinetry  12  and  150  of systems  10  and  100 . For example, the cabinetry  32  includes side panels  33  that are adaptable for attachment to a side of the PTV  125 . The cabinetry  32  also preferably includes doors  38  positioned at the front of the cabinetry  32  and corresponding handles  36  preferably provided in order to facilitate the opening and closing of the doors  38 . A plurality of shelves  34  are also provided that may be positioned at various elevations within ach the cabinetry  32 . The shelves  34  are adjustably positioned within the cabinetry  32 .  
         [0046]    In the system  50 , however, the cabinetry  32  differs from the cabinetry  12  and  150  of systems  10  and  100  in that the cabinetry  32  includes an outer side panel  35  in spaced relation from at least one of the side panels  33  wherein the outer side panel  35  also includes attachment components or means to attach another cabinetry portion  32  by connecting the side panel  33  of one cabinetry portion  32  with the outer side  35  of the other cabinetry portion  32 .  
         [0047]    The present invention, although depicted as rectangular in shape in, for example, FIG. 1, is capable of being manufactured in a variety of shapes by varying the shapes of the panels. The shape of the present invention may also be varied by manufacturing panels that are attached to other panels at various angles other than ninety degrees.  
         [0048]    The particular examples set forth herein are instructional and should not be interpreted as limitations on the applications to which those of ordinary skill are able to apply this device. Modifications and other uses are available to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the following claims.