Abstract:
A pivoting retainer that may be used by itself or in a plurality of applications may include a tab and a housing, the tab including a shaft configured to be received in a channel within the housing. A coupling device may be at an end of the shaft such as an expanding mushroom-type connection or a locking nut with a compression spring. The retainer may include a plurality of male detents and a second plurality of female detents to index the tab in a plurality of angular configurations about the housing. In one embodiment, the tab may include a plurality of flexing fins to provide a springing action to hold the male detents within respective female detents. Exemplary uses for pivoting retainer may include at the end of one or more arms of a cord-wrapping apparatus and at the end of one or more shelves or hooks for holding objects.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application 61/498,699, filed Jun. 20, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It may be convenient for a person to store various articles in different ways, e.g., to wrap cords up so that they are in a compact configuration, or to place a ladder on hooks installed on a wall so that it is out of the way. The storage device may move over time or allow the stored item to become loose, or the stored item itself may shift. While storing these items reduces clutter, it would be useful if the storage device does not allow for the stored item to fall or allow for unintended cluttering of the area around where it is stored. 
         [0003]    Additionally, it sometimes can be awkward to store items, e.g., sometimes they are bulky or heavy. This may make both the initial storage of the object and the subsequent retrieval of the object for future use difficult or cumbersome. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a storage solution that addresses the problems of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure is directed a pivoting retainer that may include a tab having an arm and a shaft; a housing having a channel configured to receive the shaft; the tab including a plurality of circumferentially spaced detents; and the housing including a plurality of circumferentially spaced mating detents. The detents disposed on the tab may comprise male detents, and the mating detents on the housing may comprise female detents, although the reverse is possible. 
         [0006]    The tab also may include a retaining element at a distal end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the retaining element may comprise a plurality of tines having a split therebetween, wherein the housing comprises a lip proximate an exit of the channel, and wherein the tines are configured to engage the lip to retain the tab in a coupled configuration with the housing. In another embodiment, the retaining element may comprise a nut coupled to an end of the shaft. 
         [0007]    The tab further may include a plurality of fins circumferentially spaced proximate a base of the shaft, there being a gap behind the fins. The fins may be configured to flex when the tab is rotated and the detents are separated from the mating detents. Fins further may be configured to return to a substantially unflexed configuration when the detents reengage the mating detents. In addition, the detents may be disposed on said plurality of fins, and the mating detents may be disposed on a flange within the channel. Moreover, there may be an unequal number of detents and mating detents. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, an apparatus for wrapping and retaining a cord may include a base having a center, a plurality of arms extending outward from the base, each arm having a proximal end proximate the base and a distal end opposite the proximal end; and a retainer at a distal end of each arm, the retainer having an initial configuration extending away from the center; wherein at least one retainer is pivotable from the initial configuration. This cord-wrap apparatus also may include a handle extending outward from the base, the handle disposed between the arms. Additionally, each arm further may include a shelf portion facing away from the center, wherein at least one retainer is pivotable to provide unimpeded access to the shelf in a direction generally aligned with the shelf. Moreover, a channel may be disposed beneath the shelf, where the retainer comprises a housing coupled within the channel. 
         [0009]    In still another embodiment, a system for hanging objects may include: at least one base portion, a plurality of arms extending away from the at least one base portion, each arm having a proximal end proximate the at least one base portion and a distal end opposite the proximal end; and a retainer at a distal end of each arm, wherein each retainer is pivotable to provide generally unimpeded access to an upper surface of each arm in a direction generally aligned with each upper surface. 
         [0010]    At least one arm may comprise a shelf and a plurality of braces below the shelf, there being a channel formed between the braces. Additionally, the retainer may comprise a tab having a shaft, and a housing having a channel configured to receive the shaft, where the channel is configured to receive the housing. At least one brace may include a slot, and the housing may include a tab, the tab configured to operatively engage the slot to couple the housing to the channel. Moreover, the tab may include a plurality of detents and the housing may include a plurality of mating detents, wherein the detents and mating detents index the tab in a plurality of circumferential configurations. 
         [0011]    These and other features and advantages are evident from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of a pivoting retainer. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a reverse, perspective view of the retainer of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the retainer of  FIG. 1  in a coupled configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the retainer of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side, section view through section B-B of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the housing of the retainer of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view of a second embodiment of a pivoting retainer. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a reverse, perspective view of the retainer of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the retainer of  FIG. 7  in a coupled configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the retainer of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a side, section view through section A-A of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a cord wrapping apparatus including a pivoting retainer. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a system for holding objects including a plurality of pivoting retainers. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a system for holding objects including a plurality of pivoting retainers. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cord wrapping apparatus including a pivoting retainer. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a second, rear perspective view of the cord wrapping apparatus of  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    As seen in  FIGS. 1-6 , pivoting retainer  10  may include tab  20  rotatable with respect to housing  40 . Tab  20  may include arm  22  pivotable between a retaining configuration and a releasing configuration. Tab  20  also may include shaft  24  insertable into channel  42  of housing  40 . Both shaft  24  and channel  42  preferably may be substantially cylindrical, although shaft  24  and channel  42  may have any configuration that allows for rotation of shaft  24  relative to channel  42 . 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, end  25  of shaft  24  may terminate in a retaining element  26 , so that tab  20  may be operatively coupled to housing  40 . During use, retaining element  26  may keep tab  20  from moving laterally with respect to housing  40 , although retaining element  26  may allow for separability of tab  20  from housing  40 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-11 , retaining element  26  may include a washer or nut  23 , e.g., a friction nut that couples to shaft  24  to prevent shaft  24  from backing out of housing  40 . Retaining element  26  also may include compression spring  27  that bears against interior of housing  40 , to assist in biasing tab  20  in one of a plurality of stop positions. 
         [0030]    Returning to  FIGS. 1-6 , retaining element  26  preferably may be integrally formed with shaft, e.g., a plurality of tines  28  with a split  30  between tines  28 . Split  30  may extend partially along length of tines, preferably along substantially the entire length of tines  28 , and still further may extend beyond tines  28  into a portion of shaft  24 . As such, split  30  may allow for compression of tines  28  when shaft is inserted into channel  42 . 
         [0031]    Tines  28  may expand radially outwardly from distal end  29  toward intersection with shaft  24 . As shaft  24  progresses along channel  42 , it eventually may encounter lip  44 , i.e., a change in radial dimension from that of channel  42 . Lip  44  may coincide laterally with an exit  46  of channel  42 . Alternatively, lip  44  may appear as a step radially outward from the walls of channel  42 , with another change in radial dimension experienced at exit  46 . In these embodiments, maximum radial dimension of tines  28  may be larger than maximum radial dimension of channel  42  so that when tines  28  pass lip  44 , split  30  may widen, which may separate tines  28 , operatively coupling tab  20  to housing  40 . Once separated, rear surface  31  of tines  28  may bear against lip  44  if an opposite lateral force is exerted on tab  20 , preventing removal of tab  20  unless a user compresses tines  28  to provide sufficient clearance with lip  44 . 
         [0032]    Base  32  of shaft  24 , i.e., the portion of shaft  24  proximate arm  22  may include a spring feature  34 , which may be separate from shaft  24  but preferably is formed integrally with shaft  24 . For example, shaft  24  may include one or more spring fins  36  disposed generally circumferentially about shaft  24 , preferably a plurality of spring fins  36  generally equally circumferentially disposed about shaft  24 . 
         [0033]    Fins  36  may have a relatively small thickness, e.g., between about ¼ and about ½ as thick as larger diameter base  32  of shaft  24 . There may be a gap  37  between fins  36  and a remainder of base  32 , i.e., on the side of fins  36  nearer to arm  22 . Gap  37  may have a thickness generally equal to thickness of fins  36 . 
         [0034]    Housing  40  may include entrance  48  at an end generally opposite from exit  46 . Flange  50  may be proximate entrance  48 , e.g., spaced laterally inward from entrance  48 . 
         [0035]    When tab  20  is operatively coupled to housing  40 , arm  22  may be generally coincident with face  49  of housing proximate entrance  48 . A thickness of entrance between face  49  and flange  50  may be substantially equal to, or slightly smaller than a distance from arm  22  to forward face of fins  36 , which may result in a slightly compressive force being exerted by housing  30  on tab  20  to maintain arm  22  in a desired configuration. 
         [0036]    Retainer  10  further may include one or more sets of male and female detents to provide rest positions for tab  20  and to index tab  20  in a predetermined number of incremental circumferential positions. Male detents  60  may be disposed on tab  20  and female detents on  62  may be disposed on housing  40 , but a reverse configuration also is possible. 
         [0037]    As seen in  FIGS. 1-6 , male detents  60  may be disposed on fins  36 , and female detents  62  may be disposed on flange  50 , inside housing  40 . Detents  60 ,  62  may be located in other or additional areas. For example, as seen in the embodiment of  FIGS. 7-8 , male detents may be disposed around arm  22  while mating female detents  62  may be disposed on face  49  of housing  40 . 
         [0038]    As arm  22  is rotated, male detents  60  may push out of female detents  62  and rotate about housing until a new, respective set of female detents  62  are reached. Male detents  60  then drop into new set of female detents  62 , holding arm  22  in the new configuration. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , this may occur without tab  20  moving laterally relative to housing  40 , because fins  36  may flex rearward into gap  37 , releasing male detents from female detents. When new female detents are reached, fins  36  may spring back to original positions, opening up gap  37  and seating male detents. 
         [0039]    Conversely, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 7-10 , tab  20  may move laterally away from housing  40  slightly, freeing male detents and compressing spring  27 . When new female detents are reached, compression spring may return to its original position, holding male detents in new female detents. 
         [0040]    Cord Wrap Embodiment 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 12 , retainer  10  may be incorporated into an apparatus  100  for wrapping, retaining, and/or unwinding a body such as a cord, cable, hose, etc. For exemplary purposes only, wrapping apparatus may be referred to herein as a cord wrap  100 . Cord wrap  100  may comprise base  102  and a plurality of arms  104  extending generally outward from base  102 . 
         [0042]    Cord wrap  100  preferably is sturdy, while remaining lightweight and simple to manufacture. For example, substantially all of cord wrap  100  may be made of a single type of material such as sheet metal. Base  102  may be a stamped, single sheet of sheet metal, whereas arms  104 , handle  108 , braces  112 , and one or more of retainers  140  may be one or more pieces of sheet metal, which may be stamped to form openings, bent into desired configurations, and/or welded or otherwise coupled to itself to form various components. 
         [0043]    Base  102  may include a plurality of openings  130 , such as for receiving a plurality of fasteners to couple base  102  to a wall. Openings  130  may include a larger opening portion  132  below a smaller opening portion  134 . Larger opening portion  132  may be sized to receive a head of a standard fastener. Smaller opening portion  134  may be smaller than fastener head, but still sized to receive the shank of a fastener. As such, when coupling base  102  to wall, larger opening portions  132  may pass around fastener heads, then base  102  may be lowered, allowing fastener shanks to bear on smaller opening portions. 
         [0044]    Openings  130  may be located on base so as to provide for easy installation of fasteners in wall and for distributed loading of base. For example, a first plurality of openings may be substantially vertically aligned, and a second plurality of openings may be substantially horizontally aligned. Thus, a user may need to know only the distance between openings and then install fasteners in the wall in a level configuration to ensure that openings  130  will align with installed fasteners. 
         [0045]    At least a portion  103  of base may extend out laterally wider than the rest of base  102 , which may increase stability of base  102  against the wall, thereby leading to less movement of cord wrap  100  during wrapping and unwrapping. Base  102  also may include an opening  105 , which may be located between arms  104  and underneath handle  108 , discussed below. 
         [0046]    As seen in  FIG. 12 , both base  102  and opening  105  may be generally diamond-shaped, although one or both of base  102  and opening  105  may be shaped differently. 
         [0047]    Between arms  104 , apparatus  100  may include a flange  106  separated from base  102 , so as to form a handle  108  for cord wrap  100 . Handle  108  may extend outward a smaller amount than arms  104 , which may reduce the amount of material necessary to form cord wrap  100  while increasing the relative surface area available for holding cord. 
         [0048]    Each arm  104  may include a shelf portion  110  against which cord may bear when wrapped. Shelf portion  110  may have any configuration that allows for wrapping and retention of cord. For example, each shelf portion  110  may be substantially planar and may have a thickness generally equal to thickness of handle  108 . Here, shelf portion  110  may lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to base  102 , although shelf portion alternatively may be angled acutely or obtusely with respect to base  102 . In still another configuration, shelf portion may be generally convex, which may increase the amount of available surface area against which cords may bear. 
         [0049]    Each arm  104  further may include one or more braces  112 , which may extend from proximal end  114  proximate base  102  outward toward distal end  116 . When moving from distal end  116  toward proximal end  114 , brace  112  may extend away from shelf  110  an increasing amount, i.e., a distance between shelf  110  and a bottom portion  118  of brace  112  may be smaller near distal end  116  than near proximal end  114 . Brace  112  further may include a void  120  near proximal end  114 , which may allow brace to retain rigidity and strengthening properties while reducing weight and the amount of material required to form cord wrap  100 . 
         [0050]    While one brace  112  on each arm  104  may be sufficient, cord wrap  100  preferably includes a plurality of braces for each arm  104 , e.g., two braces  112 , one on each side of shelf portion  110 , so as to form a channel  122  underneath shelf portion  110  and between braces  112 . 
         [0051]    At least one, and preferably both, of arms  104  may include a retainer  140  extending away from distal ends  116  of arms. Retainers  140  may extend away from a center of base  102  to form a second plurality of channels  142 , which may be bounded on a plurality of sides and preferably may be open on at least one side, although channels  142  may be fully bounded, provided they form an opening large enough for cord to pass through for winding and unwinding. As seen in  FIG. 12 , channels  142  may be bounded on three sides by base  102 , shelf portions  110  of arms  104 , and retainer  140 . 
         [0052]    One of retainers may be fixedly mounted or coupled to arm  104  and/or shelf  110 . For example, retainer  140  may be integrally formed with shelf  110 . 
         [0053]    Additionally, at least one of retainers  140  may be substantially similar to pivoting retainer  10  described above. Here, housing  40  may be configured to fit within channel  122  under shelf portion  110  formed by braces  112 . One or more of braces  112  may include a slot  113  or other opening that may be configured to couple with one or more tabs  41  extending outward from housing  40 . 
         [0054]    When coupled to braces  112 , retainer may be substantially fixedly mounted, while still permitting rotation of arm  22 . 
         [0055]    Storing cable may involve winding the cord around arms  104  repeatedly until an end of cord is reached or a desired amount of cord is wound. At any point in time before, during, or after winding, arm  22  may be rotated away from other arm  104 , forming channel  142  to prevent movement of wound cord away from base  102 . When cable removal is desired, arm  104  may be rotated at least about 90 degrees in either direction and preferably up to about 180 degrees. In any of these configurations, channel  142  may disappear and no impediment may remain along length of shelf  110 . As such, a plurality of cord windings may be removed from cord wrap  100  at a single time. 
         [0056]    Turning to  FIGS. 15-16 , a second cord wrap  300  embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, cord wrap  300  may include a base  302  having openings  330  configured to receive fasteners so as to releasably mount cord wrap  300  to a wall. Cord wrap  300  may include a panel  306  extending away from base  302 , preferably along one side of base  302 . In addition, cord wrap also may include a flange  309  extending at an opposite side of panel  306 . Base  302  and flange  309  may be substantially parallel to one another, and panel  306  may be substantially perpendicular to at least one of base  302  and flange  309 . 
         [0057]    Base  302  may include an opening  305 , and material from opening  305  may be used to form a first handle  308 . For example, instead of completely separating material when forming opening, material at one edge of opening  305  may be retained and bent away from base. This material may be bent a second time, forming handle  308 . As such, handle  308  may have a first component proximate base  302  that is substantially perpendicular to base  302  and a second component that is substantially parallel to base and that extends away from opening  305 . In use, the user then may grip the base  302  and the substantially parallel portion of handle  308  in order to carry cord wrap  300 . 
         [0058]    Similarly, panel  306  may include a second opening  305 ′, and material from second opening  305 ′ may be used to form second handle  308 ′. This material may be bent inward at the edge of opening  305 ′ closer to flange  309 , which may cause handle  308 ′ to extend substantially parallel to flange  309 . Thus, the user may grip both handle  308 ′ and flange  309  in order to carry cord wrap  300 . 
         [0059]    An arm  304  may be disposed proximate at least one, and preferably both, of an upper and lower end of panel  306 . Arm  304  may extend inwardly from panel  306 , between base  302  and flange  309 . Arm  304  may comprise a shelf portion  310 , which preferably is substantially perpendicular to panel  306 , and a second portion  307 , which may be substantially perpendicular to shelf portion  310  and substantially parallel to panel  306 . 
         [0060]    As seen in  FIGS. 15 &amp; 16 , arm  304  may be formed from panel material by bending a portion of panel inward, resulting in formation of channel  342 , which may extend inward from the top or bottom edge of panel  306 . Channel  342  may be bounded by edge of panel  306  and/or base  302  on one side and retainer  340  at an opposite side. 
         [0061]    As with cord wrap  100 , in cord wrap  300 , at least one retainer  340  may comprise retainer  10 , where housing  40  is disposed within channel  322  formed by arm  304 . One retainer  304  alternatively may be fixed, e.g., formed as an end of flange  309 . 
         [0062]    Cord wrap  300  further may include one or more scallops  350  formed inward along an edge of flange  309 . Scallops  350  may be sized and otherwise configured to receive plugs at each end of a cord. For example, to wrap cord, a first plug may be inserted within one of scallops  350 . Cord then may be wrapped around arms  304  and flange until a second end of cord is reached, with the second plug being inserted into another scallop  350 . During this process, retainer  10  may be rotated toward flange  309  to form an opening into channel  342 . Alternatively, retainer  10  may be rotated away from flange to form a side of channel  342 , and cord may be wrapped through the top opening of channel  342 . 
         [0063]    In order to remove cord, retainer  10  may be rotated toward flange  309 , opening channel in the direction away from base  302 . If cord ends are held within scallops  350 , these also may be removed. Wrapped cord then may be slid off arm  304  and, once free, out of channel  342  proximate  340 . As such, the user may remove the entire cord (or a desired portion) without the need to unravel the cord to do so. 
         [0064]    Ladder Hook Embodiment 
         [0065]    In a second embodiment, as seen in  FIGS. 13-14 , retainer  10  may be incorporated into one or more hooks  200  for storing objects such as ladders, chairs, pipes, lumber, etc. For the sake of convenience only, these are described herein as ladder hooks  200 . 
         [0066]    Ladder hooks  200  may include a base  202 , with a plurality of arms  204  extending outward therefrom. In one embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 13 , a plurality of arms  204  may be coupled via a shared base  202 , and in a second embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 14 , arms  204  each may include their own base  202 ′. 
         [0067]    When hooks share a base  202 , that base  202  may span the distance between arms  204  and further may include an opening  205  between arms  204 . As seen in  FIG. 13 , both base  202  and opening  205  may be generally diamond-shaped, although one or both of base  202  and opening  205  may be shaped differently. Base  202  also may include a plurality of openings  230  configured to receive fasteners for mounting base  202  to a wall. 
         [0068]    When hooks each have their own base  202 ′, each base  202 ′ may extend behind a respective arm  204  and above that arm  204 . At least one opening  230  may be disposed in the portion of base  202 ′ above arm  204 , which may increase a shear component of loading on fastener caused by loading on arm  204 , thereby increasing an overall holding strength of hook  200 . 
         [0069]    Arms  204  of ladder hooks  200  may be similar to arms  104  of cord wrap  100 , i.e., each arm  204  may include a shelf portion  210  that may have any configuration that allows for storage and retention of items. For example, each shelf portion  210  may be substantially planar. 
         [0070]    Shelf portions  210  may be substantially level, providing for level storage of ladder or other objects resting on shelf portions  210 . Thus, shelf portions  210  may lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to base  202 , although shelf portion alternatively may be angled acutely with respect to base  202 , which may bias object to be stored toward wall. 
         [0071]    Each arm  204  further may include one or more braces  212 , which may extend from proximal end  214  proximate base  202  outward toward distal end  216 . When moving from distal end  216  toward proximal end  214 , brace  212  may extend away from shelf  210  an increasing amount, i.e., a distance between shelf  210  and a bottom portion  218  of brace  212  may be smaller near distal end  216  than near proximal end  214 . Brace  212  further may include a void  220  near proximal end  214 , which may allow brace to retain rigidity and strengthening properties while reducing weight and the amount of material required to form ladder hook  200 . 
         [0072]    While one brace  212  on each arm  204  may be sufficient, ladder hook  200  preferably includes a plurality of braces for each arm  204 , e.g., two braces  212 , one on each side of shelf portion  210 , so as to form a channel  222  underneath shelf portion  210  and between braces  212 . 
         [0073]    At least one, and preferably both, of arms  204  may include a retainer  240  extending upward from distal ends  216  of arms. Retainers  240  may prevent objects from sliding off shelf portions  210  and onto the floor or other objects that may be located near where ladder hooks  200  are mounted, e.g., a user&#39;s vehicle if hooks are mounted in a garage. 
         [0074]    One of retainers  240  may be fixedly mounted or coupled to arm  204  and/or shelf  210 . For example, retainer  240  may be integrally formed with shelf  210 . Preferably, however, each retainer  240  may be substantially similar to pivoting retainer  10  described above. Here, housing  40  may be configured to fit within channel  222  under shelf portion  210  formed by braces  212 . One or more of braces  212  may include a slot  213  or other opening that may be configured to couple with one or more tabs  41  extending outward from housing  40 . 
         [0075]    When coupled to braces  212 , retainer  240  may be substantially fixedly mounted, while still permitting rotation of arm  22 . 
         [0076]    Storing ladders or other objects may involve rotating retainer  240  downward at least about 90 degrees so that arm  22  may not inhibit access to shelf  210 . While rotating arm  22  out of the way may save only a slight amount of height necessary for raising the object to be placed on shelf portion  210 , the object may be heavy or awkward to handle so this height savings may be useful to the user. Additionally, once a portion of the object is placed on shelf portion  210 , the user may be able to slide the remainder of the object onto the shelf portion instead of having to attempt to maneuver all of it up and over retainers  240 . Then, once the object is loaded sufficiently, arms  22  may be rotated back until at least a portion of arm  22  extends upward past distal end  216  of shelf portion and, preferably, until arm  22  is substantially vertical. 
         [0077]    Like cord wrap  100 , ladder hooks  200  preferably are sturdy, while remaining lightweight and simple to manufacture. For example, substantially all of ladder hooks  200  may be made of a single type of material such as sheet metal. Base  202  may be a stamped, single sheet of sheet metal, whereas each arm  204  with its respective braces  212  may be one or more pieces of sheet metal, which may be stamped to form openings, bent into desired configurations, and/or welded or otherwise coupled to itself to form various components. 
         [0078]    It should be appreciated that retainer  10  may be used in a variety of applications in which placing arm  22  in a retaining configuration may inhibit movement of one or more objects, whereas converting arm  22  into releasing configuration may allow for easier removal, translation, or other relative movement of those objects. 
         [0079]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific exemplary embodiment and method herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment and method, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.