Abstract:
A lock protection for a light vehicle is selectively engageable to a light vehicle docking stand for securing thereto. The lock protection comprises a body selectively covering a lock of the light vehicle. The body is movable with respect to the lock between a first position and a second position. When in the first position the body prevents access to the lock. When in the second position the body allows access to the lock. When the vehicle is disengaged from the docking stand, the body is movable to the second position. When the vehicle is engaged to the docking stand, the body is maintained in the first position by the docking stand. A lock and lock protection assembly is also presented.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present relates to protections of locks and more specifically to protections of locks of lights vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Bicycles that are part of sharing programs are typically locked at various bicycle docking stands (also sometimes referred as ‘bicycle stands’, ‘bicycle racks’, ‘dock points’ or ‘docking stations’). The docking stands can be found at various locations in a city having such sharing program. The docking stands are designed to cooperate only with bicycles of the sharing program. A locking system secures the bicycles to the docking stands. Although the docking stands are placed at locations which are usually convenient to the user, there are situations where the user needs to secure his/her bicycle at places where the docking stands are not available or are prohibitory far away. In those cases, the user uses a flexible cable to temporarily lock, for example, the bicycle to a pole. 
         [0003]    The flexible cable is provided with the bicycle upon rental. One end of the bicycle lock is fixedly attached to the bicycle, and another end of the flexible cable is free. The user typically surrounds the pole with the flexible cable and attaches the free end to a lock provided on the bike. The lock includes an aperture (i.e. female portion) that receives the free end of the flexible cable (i.e. male portion). To secure the free end with the flexible cable, the user engages the free end of the flexible cable into the aperture of the lock until it secures thereto. To release the flexible cable, the user uses a key provided with the bicycle upon rental. 
         [0004]    When the flexible cable is not in use, it is stored into a space defined between a handlebar and a basket of the bicycle. When the flexible cable is stored, the lock is typically vulnerable to degradations, either environmental or voluntary. Environmental degradations include dirt or water that would clog the aperture of the lock that receives the free end of the flexible cable. Voluntary degradations include chewing gums incrusted in the aperture of the lock. 
         [0005]    Such degradations could result in the lock and, therefore, the flexible cable being inoperative, which would cause discomfort to the user, as he/she could not secure his/her bicycle whenever wished. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for a device that would at least decrease some of the degradations undergone by locking mechanisms on light vehicles. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present to overcome at least some of the inconveniences mentioned above. 
         [0008]    In a first aspect, a lock protection for a light vehicle is provided. The light vehicle is selectively engageable to a light vehicle docking stand for securing thereto. The lock protection comprises a body selectively covering a lock of the light vehicle. The body is movable with respect to the lock between a first position and a second position. When in the first position the body prevents access to the lock. When in the second position the body allows access to the lock. When the vehicle is disengaged from the docking stand, the body is movable to the second position. When the vehicle is engaged to the docking stand, the body is maintained in the first position by the docking stand. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect, when the vehicle is disengaged from the docking stand, the body is movable to the first position. 
         [0010]    In an additional aspect, the lock further comprises a spring. When the vehicle is disengaged from the docking stand, the spring forces the body to the second position. 
         [0011]    In a further aspect, the body is a ring, and the lock protection further comprises a flange connected to the ring. 
         [0012]    In an additional aspect, when the vehicle is engaged to the docking stand, the flange abuts against the docking stand thereby maintaining the body in the first position. 
         [0013]    In a further aspect, when the body is in the first position, the flange is in a first position. When the body is in the second position, the flange is in a second position. The second position of the flange is vertically above the first position of the flange. 
         [0014]    In an additional aspect, when the body is in the second position, the aperture of the lock protection is adapted to be aligned with the aperture of the lock. When the body is in the first position, the aperture of the lock protection is adapted to be offset from the aperture of the lock. 
         [0015]    In a second aspect, a lock and lock protection assembly for a light vehicle is provided. The light vehicle is selectively engageable to a light vehicle docking stand for securing thereto. The lock and lock protection comprises a lock comprising an aperture. A lock protection comprises a body having an aperture. The body selectively covers the aperture of the lock. The body is movable with respect to the lock between a first position and a second position. When in the first position the body prevents access to the lock. When in the second position the body allows access to the lock. When the vehicle is disengaged from the docking stand, the body is movable to the second position. When the light vehicle is engaged to the docking stand, the body is maintained in the first position by the docking stand. 
         [0016]    In a further aspect, when the body is in the second position, the aperture of the lock is aligned with the aperture of the lock protection. When the body is in the first position, the aperture of the lock is offset from the aperture of the lock protection. 
         [0017]    In an additional aspect, the lock is cylindrical. The body of the lock protection is a ring disposed around the lock. 
         [0018]    In a further aspect, the lock protection further includes a flange connected to the body. When the vehicle is engaged to the docking stand, the flange abuts against the docking stand thereby maintaining the body in the first position. 
         [0019]    In an additional aspect, when the body is in the first position, the flange is in a first position. When the body is in the second position, the flange is in a second position. The second position of the flange is vertically above the first position of the flange. 
         [0020]    Embodiments of the present can have at least one of the above-mentioned aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. 
         [0021]    Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    For a better understanding of the present, as well as other aspects, and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view taken from a rear, right side of a bicycle and a docking stand; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view taken from a top front, right side of a frame of the bicycle of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view taken from a top rear, right side of a basket of the bicycle of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view taken from a bottom, rear, left side of a lock and lock protection of the bicycle of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the lock and lock protection of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a close-up view of a front of the bicycle of  FIG. 1  showing the lock protection of  FIG. 4  in a first position; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a close-up view of the front of the bicycle and the docking stand of  FIG. 1  showing the lock protection of  FIG. 4  in a second position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a pedal powered bicycle  100  having a lock protection  500  will be described. Although the lock protection  500  will be described herein in association with the bicycle  100 , it is contemplated that other types of light vehicles (motorized or not, having one or more wheels or track) could be used. For example, a motorcycle or a scoot bike could be used. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term ‘pedal powered’ is not limited to vehicles powered exclusively by pedaling but that it also comprises vehicles provided with both pedals and motors such as Velosolex™ and mopeds. 
         [0031]    The bicycle  100  is part of a bicycle sharing program that enables a user to rent a bicycle. The bicycle sharing program includes a bicycle kiosk (not shown) which manages the renting of the bicycles  100 . Each bicycle  100  cooperates with any one of a plurality of docking stands  300  (only one being shown in  FIG. 1 ) associated with the bicycle kiosk. Several associations of the bicycle kiosk and the plurality of docking stands  300  are disposed at various locations throughout an area having such bicycle sharing program. The different locations enable the user to rent the bicycle  100  at one location and drop it at another location. The docking stand  300  will be described in more detail below. 
         [0032]    The bicycle  100  comprises a hollow frame  102 , front  106  and rear  108  wheels connected to front  102   a  and rear  102   b  of the frame  102  respectively, a seat assembly  110  mounted onto the rear  102   b  of the frame  102  and a handlebar  150  mounted onto the front  102   a  of the frame  102 . It is contemplated that some or all of the front wheels  106 , rear wheels  108  and seat assembly  110  could be removably connected to the frame  102 . 
         [0033]    The frame  102  which will be described in greater detail below is connected at the front  102   a  to a fork assembly  104 . The fork assembly  104  receives therebetween the front wheel  106 . The fork assembly  104  is made of an aluminum alloy and is hollow. It is contemplated that the fork assembly  104  could be fixed to the frame  102 . It is also contemplated that the fork assembly  104  could be plain and made of a material other than an aluminum alloy. For example, the fork assembly  104  could be made of plastic. 
         [0034]    Each of the front and rear wheel  106 ,  108  includes a corresponding front and rear wheel frame  122 ,  132  and a corresponding front and rear tire  124 ,  134 . Although the tires  124 ,  134  are shown in the Figures to be adapted for road use, it is contemplated that the tires  124 ,  134  could be off-road tires. The front wheel frame  122  is connected to the fork assembly  104  by a front hub  128 . A plurality of spokes  126  extends between the front hub  128  and the front wheel frame  122 . Similarly, the rear wheel frame  132  is connected to the rear  102   b  of the frame  102  by a rear hub  138 , and a plurality of spokes  136  extends between the rear hub  138  and the rear wheel frame  132 . Reflective panels  140  are disposed onto the spokes  126 ,  136 . The reflective panels  140  reflect light which helps the bicycle  100  to signal its presence. The front and rear wheels  106 ,  108  are each protected by front and rear wheel protectors  118 ,  119 . It is contemplated that the reflective panels  140  and/or the front and rear wheel protectors  118 ,  119  could be different than shown in the Figures. It is also contemplated that the reflective panels  140  and/or the front and rear wheel protectors  118 ,  119  could be omitted. 
         [0035]    The handlebar  150  allows the user to steer the bicycle  100 . The handlebar  150  comprises a right handle  152  and a left handle  154  each adapted to be gripped by a hand of the user. The handlebar  150  is operatively connected to the front wheel  106  so that when the user rotates the handlebar  150  clockwise, the front wheel  106  rotates towards the right hand side, and the bicycle  100  steers right. Similarly, when the user rotates the handlebar  150  counter clockwise, the front wheel  106  rotates towards the left hand side, and the bicycle  100  steers left. The right handle  152  includes a gear shifter  156  and a front brake lever  158 . The left handle  154  includes a rear brake lever  159  and a bell  157 . The front brake lever  158  activates a front brake  161 , and the rear brake lever  159  activates a rear brake  163 . The handlebar  150  is hollow and houses cables operatively connecting the front and rear brake levers  156 ,  159  to the front and rear brakes  161 ,  163 . It is contemplated that the handlebar  150  could include more or less features than recited above. The front and rear brakes  161 ,  163  will be described below. 
         [0036]    The bicycle  100  is propelled via left and right pedals  142  disposed below the seat assembly  110 . The user typically disposes each of his/her feet onto the pedals  142 . A drive assembly  160  is connected to the pedals  142  by left and right crank arms  144 . The drive assembly  160  includes a sprocket  162  operatively coupled to the rear wheel  108  by a chain  170  extending therebetween. To propel the bicycle  100 , the user pushes onto the pedals  142  so as to initiate a rotation of the pedals  142 . The rotation of the pedals  142  rotates the sprocket  162  which moves the chain  170  and transmits power to the rear wheel  108 . The drive assembly  160  includes other components typical of drive assemblies for bicycles which will not be described herein. It is contemplated that the pedals  142  could have feet guards. 
         [0037]    A gear shifting unit  180  allows the user to shift gears. The gear shifting unit  180  is mounted to the frame  102  near the rear hub  138 . The gear shifting unit  180  is actuated by the user via the gear shifter  156  located on the right handle  152 . The gear shifter  156  and the gear shifting unit  180  are connected together by a gear cable (not shown) disposed inside the frame  102  which, as mentioned above, is hollow. The gear shifting unit  180  is a typical gear shifting unit for bicycles and will not be described in greater details. When the user desires to change gears, he/she operates the gear shifter  156 , which via the cable changes a position of the gear shifting unit  180 . 
         [0038]    The front brake  161  is connected to the front wheel  106  near the front hub  162 . The rear brake  163  is connected to the rear wheel  108  near the rear hub  172 . The front and rear brakes  161 ,  163  are typical brakes for bicycles and will not be described in details herein. It is contemplated that the bicycle  100  could have only the front brake  161  or only the rear brake  163 . 
         [0039]    The seat assembly  110  includes a seat  112  connected to a seat post  114 . The seat post  114  is slideably engaged into a seat tube (not shown) for adjusting a height of the seat  112 . The seat tube is fixedly connected to a seat tube  104  of the frame  102 . The seat post  114  is connected to a seat-anti theft system (not shown). It is contemplated that the bicycle  100  could not have the seat-anti theft system. 
         [0040]    A basket  200  is disposed at a front of the bicycle  100 . The basket  200  allows the user to dispose items (not shown) therein and to carry them during a bicycle trip for example. The basket  200  will be described below. 
         [0041]    It is contemplated that the bicycle  100  could comprise one or more lights to help signal the presence of the bicycle  100 . The lights could be operatively connected to a power source via a dynamo or a battery. It is also contemplated that the bicycle  100  could include other features typical of such vehicles. 
         [0042]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the bicycle  100  features an electronic lock which is used to lock the bicycle  100  to the docking stands  300 . The electronic lock includes a male portion  312  disposed on a front of the bicycle  100  and a female portion  313  disposed on the docking stand  300 . When a user engages the bicycle  100  into any one of the docking stands  300 , the male portion  312  engages with the female portion  313  and the electronic lock is locked. To unlock the electronic lock, the user uses a key (in the shape of a card) of the bicycle sharing program. An embodiment of the locking system is described in the United States Patent Publication Serial No. 2009/0266673 by Dallaire et al., incorporated herein by reference. It is also contemplated that the user could unlock the bicycle  100  by way other than using the key. For example, the user could use a code. 
         [0043]    The docking stand  300  includes an upright post  302  having a vertical indentation  304 . The vertical indentation  304  receives a front portion of the front wheel  106  when the bicycle  100  is locked to the docking stand  300  (partially shown in  FIG. 7 ). The docking stand  300  includes the female portion  313  of the locking system. It is contemplated that the docking stand  300  could have a shape other than the one shown in the Figures. The shape of the docking stand  300  could for example depend on where the male portion  312  is mounted to the bicycle  100 . Also, the docking stand  300  could have various shapes depending on the type of bicycle it receives. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the hollow frame  102  comprises a hollow down tube  103 , the hollow seat tube  104  and a pair of hollow left and right chain stays  106 ,  107 . The down tube  103 , the seat tube  104  and the chain stays  106 ,  107  are connected to each other by a hollow bottom bracket shell assembly  101 . The bracket shell assembly  101  connects to the pedals  162 . The hollow frame  102  further comprises a pair of left and right seat stays  108 ,  109  connecting the seat tube  104  to the chain stays  106 ,  107 . 
         [0045]    The hollow down tube  103 , the hollow seat tube  104 , the chain stays  106 ,  107  and the seat stays  108 ,  109  are each made of an aluminum alloy. It is contemplated that the hollow frame  102  could be made of a material other than an aluminum alloy. For example, the hollow frame  102  could be made of an alloy having at least one of aluminum, magnesium, titanium or the like. In another example, the frame  102  is made of carbon fiber, fiberglass or a thermoplastic such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polycarbonate. It is contemplated that the hollow down tube  103 , the hollow seat tube  104 , the chain stays  106 ,  107  and the seat stays  108 ,  109  could be made of material different from each other. 
         [0046]    The down tube  103  has a generally oval cross-section defining a box beam profile. A shape of the cross-section is chosen so that the weight of the user riding the bicycle  100  do not strain and deform the down tube  103 . It is contemplated that the down tube  103  could have a cross-section other than an oval cross-section. For example, the down tube  103  may have a generally circular, square or rectangular cross-section. The down tube  103  connects to the handlebar  150  and the fork assembly  104  at a front  105  thereof. 
         [0047]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the basket  200  includes a basket frame  202  and basket panels  204 . The basket frame  202  is made of hollow aluminum tubes, and the basket panels  204  of perforated aluminum sheets. The basket panels  204  are welded to the basket frame  202 . The basket  200  forms a L-shape, leaving left and right side exposed. A front of the basket  200  has a plurality of protrusions  206 . It is contemplated that the basket  200  could be made of a material other than aluminum. For example, the basket  200  could be made of plastic. It is also contemplated that the basket  200  could be formed differently from basket frame and basket panels. For example, the basket panels  204  could be omitted. In another example, the basket frame  202  is two or more sheets instead of tubes. It is also contemplated the basket panels  204  could not be perforated. It is contemplated that the basket frame  202  and basket panels  204  could be integrally formed. It is also contemplated that the basket  200  could have a shape different from a L-shape. For example, the basket  200  could have a U-Shape or could right and left walls. It is also contemplated that the protrusions  206  could be omitted. It is contemplated that the protrusions  206  could have a shape different from the one shown in the Figures. For example, the protrusions  206  could be hooks. It is also contemplated that the protrusions  206  could be disposed in a fashion different from shown in the Figures. 
         [0048]    A bungee cord  210  extends across a top of the basket  200 . The bungee cord  210  helps to retain the items that may be placed in the basket  200 . The bungee cord  210  is connected to a first bracket  410 . The first bracket  410  has two apertures  412  which receive the bungee cord  210 . The bungee cord  210  is removably engaged with the protrusions  260  of the basket  200 . Positions of the protrusions  260  allow different positions of the bungee cord  210  which in turn allow to accommodate items of different sizes. It is contemplated that the bungee cord  210  could be omitted. It is contemplated that more than one bungee cord  210  could be provided on the bicycle  100 . It is also contemplated that the first bracket  410  could not receive the bungee cord  210 . 
         [0049]    The basket  200  is connected to the fork assembly  104  via a second bracket  420 . The second bracket  420  is screwed to the handlebar  150  at points  414  and is welded the basket frame  202 . The first bracket  410  is screwed to the handlebar  150  with the second bracket  420  at the points  414 . The first bracket  410  is disposed vertically above and forward of the second bracket  420 . A space  416  created between the first bracket  410  and the second bracket  420  allows to store a flexible cable lock  450 . The flexible cable lock  450  will be described below. It is contemplated that the second bracket  420  could be welded to the fork assembly  104  instead. It is also contemplated that the first bracket  410  could be welded to the second bracket  420 . It is also contemplated that the first bracket  410  could not be forward of the second bracket  420 . It is also contemplated that the first bracket  410  and the second bracket  420  could be integrally formed together to form a single bracket. It is contemplated that the first bracket  410  could be omitted. It is contemplated that the first bracket  410  could have a shape different from the one shown in the Figures. For example, the first bracket  410  could be larger than shown in the Figures. 
         [0050]    The flexible cable lock  450  includes a cable body  452 , a first end  454  fixed to the bicycle  100  and a second end  456  free. The cable body  452  is a metal cable covered with plastic and flexible enough to allow the cable lock  450  to be positioned in different ways. The cable lock  450  is used to secure the bicycle  100  at locations where the docking stands  300  are not available. The cable lock  450  can, for example, be disposed around a pole to secure the bicycle  100  to the pole. The free end  456  is selectively received in a lock  460 . It is contemplated that the cable lock  450  could have the first end  454  free from the bicycle  100 . 
         [0051]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4 to 7 , the lock  460  and lock protection  500  will be described. 
         [0052]    Referring more specifically to  FIG. 4 , the lock  460  is disposed vertically below the basket  200 . The lock  460  is connected to the bicycle  100  via a bracket  461  and a tube  462 . The bracket  461  is welded to the first bracket  410  and to an end  463  of a casing  464  of the lock  460 . The tube  462  is welded to the first bracket  410  and to the casing  464 . It is contemplated that the lock  460  could be disposed elsewhere on the bicycle  100 . For example, the lock  460  could be disposed on the fork assembly  104 . It is also contemplated that the lock  460  could be connected to the bicycle  100  in other ways. For example, the lock  460  could be screwed to the frame  102 . It is also contemplated that the tube  462  could be replaced by a bracket. 
         [0053]    As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the casing  464  has apertures  465  and  466  on a side wall thereof, and an aperture  467  on a top thereof. The aperture  465  selectively receives the second end  456  of the cable lock  450 . The aperture  466  receives a screw  480 . As mentioned above, the end  463  of the casing  464  is closed as it is welded to the bracket  461 . An other end  468  of the casing  464  is open and has an indentation  469 . The indentation is defined by walls  469   a  and  469   b . It is contemplated that the indentation  469  could be replaced by a slot or by two outward extending walls. 
         [0054]    The lock  460  further includes a lock barrel  470  slideably engaged in the casing  464  and retained inside the casing  464  by a flange  471  at one end thereof. The lock barrel  470  has an aperture  473  aligned on a side wall thereof with the aperture  465  of the casing  464  to selectively receive the second end  456  of the cable lock  450 . The lock barrel  470  has an aperture  475  which selectively receives a key  490 . The lock barrel  470  has an aperture  477  on the side wall thereof which selectively receives the screw  480 . 
         [0055]    The key  490  is used to unlock the second end  456  from the lock  460 . When the cable lock  450  is not in use, the key  490  is retained by the lock  460 . When the user desires to use the cable lock  450 , he/she inserts the second end  456  of the cable lock  450  inside the apertures  465 ,  473 , the key  490  becomes unlocked from the lock  460 , and the second end  456  of the cable lock  450  becomes retained by the lock  460 . It is contemplated that the key  490  could be free from the lock  460  even when the second end  456  is removed from the lock  460 . It is also contemplated that the lock  460  could have a way to secure the cable lock  450  to the lock  460  using something else than the key  490 . For example, a code could be used. 
         [0056]    The lock protection  500  includes a ring  502  and a flange  504 . The ring  502  is engaged around the casing  464 . The ring  502  has a tooth  503  extending radially inwardly therefrom. The tooth  503  is received in the indentation  469 . Upon rotating the lock protection  500  relative to the casing  464  (arrows  601 ,  603 ), the tooth  503  travels in the indentation  469  between the walls  469   a ,  469   b . The walls  469   a ,  469   b  thus define maximum and minimum positions of the lock protection  500  relative to the casing  464 . The lock protection  500  further includes an aperture  506  which, as will be described below, is in selective alignment with the apertures  465 ,  473 . It is contemplated that the lock protection  500  could be shaped differently. For example, the flange  504  could be shorter, or could be disposed at an angle with respect to the ring  502  different than shown in the Figures. 
         [0057]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an operation of the lock protection  500  will be described. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the bicycle  100  is in use, disengaged from the docking stand  300 , the lock protection  500  can be moved (arrows  601  and  603 ) to an open position. In the open position, the aperture  506  of the lock protection  500  is aligned with the aperture  465  of the lock  460 . In the open position, the free end  456  of the cable lock  450  can be inserted in the aperture  465 . When the bicycle  100  is in use, disengaged from the docking stand  300 , the lock protection  500  can be moved to positions other than the first position, where the lock protection  500  covers partially or totally the aperture  465  of the lock  460 . This could be the case for example, when the user does not use the cable  450 , yet desires to protect the lock  460 . It is contemplated that when the bicycle  100  is in use, the lock protection  500  could be positioned by default to the open position. This could for example be achieved by spring loading the lock protection  500 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , when the bicycle  100  is not in use, the user engages the bicycle  100  with the docking stand  300 . Upon inserting the front wheel  106  into the vertical indentation  304  of the docking stand  300 , the flange  504  of the lock protection  500  abuts a protrusion  307  of the docking stand  300  and is moved in the direction of the arrow  601  until the tooth  503  abuts the wall  469   b  of the indentation  469 . The lock protection  500  rotating relative to the lock  460  forces the lock protection  500  to be in a closed position. In the closed position, the aperture  506  of the lock protection  500  is not aligned with the aperture  465  of the lock  460 , and the lock protection  500  covers the aperture  465  of the lock  460 . In the closed position, the free end  456  of the flexible cable  450  cannot be inserted in the aperture  465 . When the bicycle  100  is engaged with the docking stand  300 , the lock protection  500  cannot be moved to positions other than the closed position since the tooth  503  abuts the wall  469   b  of the indentation  469 . It is contemplated, however, that when the bicycle  100  is engaged with the docking stand  300 , the lock protection  500  could be moved to positions other than the position shown in  FIG. 7 , as long as the lock protection  500  covers the aperture  465  of the lock  460 . 
         [0060]    Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.