Abstract:
A framing member has a first structural member being made from a first resilient material with the first structural member having a base portion and a first flange arm portion at an end thereof. The first flange arm portion is connected to the base portion and the base portion has a curved notch. The curved notch is adjacent to the first flange arm. The framing member has a second flange extending from the curved notch with a second insulating material contacting a portion of the first flange arm, the base portion, the second flange, and the curved notch. The second insulating material prevents heat transfer through the framing member.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/528,231 filed on Dec. 9, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to composite framing members for insulated panels. More particularly, the present invention relates to framing members that are made of two or more materials that provide for increased strength, a uniform amount of insulation, and ease of assembly and a reduced amount of heat transfer through the framing member. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
   Metal framing members are known in the art. One such metal framing member is U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,804 to Attalla. Attalla discloses a framing member that has stiffening sections to ensure that a lighter or cheaper gauge of galvanized steel can be used for manufacture of the framing member. The framing member is a rectangular member that manufactured in a “C” shape. The “C” shaped member has an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface. The interior surface of the “C” shaped member has a number of stiffening members thereon. The stiffening members are a number of “U” shaped protrusions in the otherwise rectangular smooth cross section of the interior surface. The stiffening members provide structural integrity so a manufacture may use a thinner or cheaper gauge of galvanized steel for a thirty percent cost savings during manufacture of the framing members. 
   A problem with such a framing member is that although the stiffening member provides structural integrity so a manufacturer may use a thinner gauge of galvanized steel, it is difficult to introduce insulation in such a rectangular or “C” shaped configuration. The “C” shaped configuration has a deep interior. Thus, the deeper interior has too large of a filling space to introduce an expensive insulation. This would increase costs associated with introducing insulation therein. Moreover, the spaces attributed to the stiffening members would causes difficulty in the fluid flow of a second insulating material therein. These empty filling spaces would cause spaces in filled insulating material and thus poor construction and a weak composite. 
   Another framing member is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,248 to Beliveau. Beliveau discloses an insulating panel for a ceiling structure. The insulating panel has a rigid body with a top surface and a bottom surface and a number of framing members. The number of framing members are each in the insulating panel. The number of framing members are each disposed flush with the bottom surface of the insulating panel. Each of the framing members has a body with a “U” shaped cross section. Each of the framing members has a first arm and a second arm with angled ends extending from the body for anchoring the framing member&#39;s body into the insulating panel. 
   Beliveau discloses that the body further has an elongated protrusion or rectangular slot in a centermost portion of the “U” shaped cross section. The slot is for receiving a fastener therein such as the head of a screw. An insulating material is disposed on a top side of the framing member, and the insulating panel is connected to another ceiling joist as is known in the art for home construction. The insulating capacity of Beliveau is small and thus not effective for insulating refrigeration application, because the insulating capacity is limited by a narrower “U” shaped cross section and overall height of the framing member. Moreover, the insulating material such as foam has difficultly flowing therein and overall being introduced between the first arm, the second arm, the angled ends, and the slot. 
   Another framing member is disclosed for sound proofing a wall in U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,912 to Lundberg. Lundberg discloses a skeleton frame and an insulating member being disposed in the spaces between the skeleton frame and a surface covering. The skeleton frame has a body with a “C” shaped cross section with a first flange arm and a second flange arm extending from a base member. The base member has a series of notches therein. The skeleton frame also has an inner flange. The inner flange is between both the first flange arm and the second flange arm. The inner flange has a height that is lower than both the first flange arm and the second flange arm. The inner flange also has an narrow top side slot. The top side slot is disposed through a top of the inner flange. 
   A cam rolling grinding wheel is traversed over the inner flange to produce the narrow top side slot. An insulating material is disposed over the skeleton frame. However, Lundberg discloses that a number of empty spaces result after the insulation is introduced because the insulating material can not (and does not) fill out all of the empty spaces of the skeleton frame. Lunberg discloses that up to three fifths of a height of the skeleton frame will remain unfilled. Moreover, some insulating materials due to the fluid flow properties of the insulating material cannot further traverse (at all) into any narrow top side slot, of the inner flange. Although, this insulating arrangement may be suitable for some applications such as sound insulation, other refrigeration applications require a greater or more fuller and uniform amount of insulation due to quick heat transfer on or at the non-insulated portions of the framing member. 
   On occasion, installers and/or manufacturers where labor is especially costly do not have the time during production to summon another individual to inspect, add, subtract or replace insulation at predetermined parts of the framing member. Often it is difficult because at a first time, the insulation will appear to be at a first height, then at a second time once, the insulation settles therein. Once settling occurs will be holes, or spaces in the aggregated insulation and the insulation will be at a second or lower height in some areas. Such labor is costly, and in order to facilitate finishing the job the installer will undergo the risk of a simple visual inspection and an uneven application of insulation which is very disfavorable especially in the instance of refrigeration equipment. Lack of insulation can result in a loss profits and increased energy costs that are attributed to long term heat transfer in under insulated framing members. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for an framing member that eliminates one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art. 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is a need in the art for a framing member that has a fire retardant skin that at least partially surrounds a core of thermally insulating material. 
   There is a need in the art for a framing member that has one or more series of legs being provided within the skin to enhance the structural strength of the frame member. 
   There is a further need in the art for a framing member with an improved geometry that allows an insulating material to be introduced quickly, and effectively in a filling space in the framing member with high productivity. 
   There is still another need in the art for a framing member with a strong structural integrity with made from two or more materials. 
   There is still another need in the art for a framing member with a strong structural integrity with made from two or more materials with one of the materials being an insulating material suitable for insulation in a “walk in” refrigerator unit or “walk in” freezer unit. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The framing member according to one embodiment of the present invention has a first structural member made from a first resilient material. The first structural member has a base portion and a first flange arm portion at an end thereof. The first flange arm portion is connected to the base portion. The base portion has a curved notch and the curved notch is adjacent to the first flange arm. The framing member also has a second flange extending from the curved notch and a second insulating material contacting a portion of the first flange arm, the base portion, the second flange, and the curved notch. The second insulating material prevents heat transfer through the framing member. 
   In an alternate embodiment of the framing member of the present invention, the framing member has a third flange arm portion. The third flange arm portion is connected to the base portion at a second end with the third flange arm portion being arranged so that said curved notch is disposed between the third flange arm portion and the first flange arm portion. 
   In another alternate embodiment of the framing member of the present invention, the second flange is an inner flange being between the first flange arm portion and the third flange arm portion. 
   In still another embodiment of the present invention, the framing member can have the second flange being a number of inner flanges. The inner flanges are in one embodiment between first flange arm portion and the third flange arm portion. 
   In still another embodiment of the framing member of the present invention, the framing member could potentially have the second inner flange extending from the curved notch with the curved notch having a shape selected from the group consisting of a concave shape, a convex shape, a triangular shape, a recess, a slot, and any combinations thereof. 
   In alternate embodiments, the framing member can have the second inner flange with a greater height than the first flange arm portion and the third flange arm portion. 
   According to another embodiment of the present invention, the framing member has a first structural member made from a first resilient material with the first structural member having a base portion, a first flange arm portion, and a second flange arm portion. The first flange arm portion and the second flange arm portion are connected to the base portion. The base portion has a curved notch with the curved notch being between the first flange arm portion, and the second flange arm portion. The framing member also has a first inner flange having a height greater than both the first flange arm portion and the second flange arm portion with the first inner flange connected to the base portion and the first inner flange extending opposite the base portion from the curved notch. 
   The framing member in this embodiment also has a second inner flange with the height and the second inner flange extending opposite the base portion from the curved notch with the second inner flange substantially parallel to the first inner flange. A first space is defined between the first flange arm portion and the first inner flange and a second space is defined between the first inner flange and the second inner flange. A third space is defined between the second inner flange and the second flange arm portion. The framing member also has a second insulating material disposed in the first through third spaces with the second insulating material for insulating the framing member. 
   In the various embodiments, the framing member may alternatively or additionally have the curved notch being concave relative to the base portion. 
   In alternate embodiments, the framing member may have the curved notch being convex relative to said base portion, and the first inner flange and the second inner flange each having a height less than either the first flange arm portion and the second flange arm portion. 
   According to another alternative embodiment, the framing member has a first structural member made from a first resilient material with the first structural member having a base portion, a first flange arm, and a second flange arm. The first flange arm and the second flange arm are connected to the base portion. The said base portion has a slot therein. The slot has a depth and the slot is between the first flange arm, and the second flange arm. The framing member also has a pair of inner flanges connected to the base portion with the pair of inner flanges extending opposite the base portion from a position that bears a relationship to the slot. A number of filling spaces are created. A second insulating material is disposed in the filling spaces and the second insulating material prevents heat transfer through the framing member. 
   According to still another further embodiment of the present invention of the framing member, the framing member comprises a base portion with a recessed portion, a first flange arm portion connected at a first end of the base portion, and a second flange arm portion connected at a second end. The second end is opposite the first end. The framing member also has an inner flange connected to the base portion at the recessed portion. The inner flange, the first flange arm portion, and the second flange arm portion extend to and do not exceed a predetermined line of demarcation. The inner flange, the first flange arm portion, and the second flange arm portion are made from an injection molded polymer. 
   In the various embodiments of the framing member of the present invention, the recessed portion may have a shape selected from the group consisting of a convex shape, a concave shape, a flat shape, an irregular shape, a “V” shape and any combinations thereof. 
   The method of making the framing member according to one embodiment of the present invention has the step of providing a skin and a number of legs in a desired shape. The method further has the step of introducing a thermally insulating material. Preferably, the material is a thermoset plastic that is reaction injected molded. The liquid material is poured or flowed into the skin. The legs are spaced apart to enhance the flow of the plastic material to substantially all of the interior space of the skin. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and: 
       FIG. 1  is an end view with isometric portions of a first embodiment of a framing member of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an end view with isometric portions of a first embodiment of a framing member of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is another end view of the framing member of  FIG. 1  mating with the framing member of  FIG. 2  with the framing members being made of a first material and with the framing materials being filled with an insulating second material. 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of another embodiment of another framing member mating with still a further embodiment of another framing member with each of the framing members being made of a first material and with the first and second framing members being filled with an insulating second material. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a framing member  10  of the present invention. The framing member  10  most preferably is used in refrigeration units, freezer units, cooling devices or any other appliance, cabinet, or room for storing food, liquids, health products, perishable items or other substances at a low temperature as is known in the art. Alternatively, the framing member  10  is used in any other type of commercial or residential building or static or dynamic construction known in the art such as in a ceiling, a wall, a floor, a foundation, an automobile, a vessel, an aircraft, a truss, a joist, or any other type structure using insulation known in the art. 
   The framing member  10  preferably is made from two or more materials and as shown may have any length known in the art suitable for the desired application. The first material is a resilient durable material and the second material is an insulating material. The framing member  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is shown at an end looking down a length of the framing member. The framing member  10  preferably has a base portion  12 . The base portion  12  shown in cross section at an end of the framing member  10  and extends horizontally a predetermined amount as shown. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the base portion may have any width in a range of 1⅞ inches through 6.0 inches. The base portion  12  preferably has a first outermost end  14  and a second opposite outermost end  16  and a centermost portion  18  being between the first outermost end and the second outermost end. 
   The framing member  10  preferably further has a first outer flange  20 . The first outer flange  20  extends upwardly from the first outermost end  14  in a substantially perpendicular fashion and extends along the length of the framing member  10 . Alternatively, the first outer flange  20  may be disposed extending opposite from the base portion  12  at a predetermined angle for a desired application. 
   The framing member  10  further has a second outer flange  22 . The second outer flange  22  extends upwardly from the second outermost end  16  in a substantially perpendicular fashion and with the first outer flange  20  forms a “U” shaped skin or structure. Again, alternatively like the first outer flange  20 , the second outer flange  22  may be disposed extending opposite from the base portion  12  perpendicularly or at the predetermined angle. The first outer flange  20  and the second outer flange  22  preferably have the same height  24  or in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention are about one and one half inches. However, each may have any height suitable for the application. Each of the first outer flange  20  and the second outer flange  22  terminate at predetermined line of demarcation as indicated by reference numeral  26 . In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the line of demarcation is about one and one half inches from a bottom end of the base portion  12 . 
   The framing member  10  further has a raised portion  28  on the base portion  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the raised portion  28  is shown as an elevated and concave feature relative to the base portion  12  at the centermost portion  18  of the base portion. The raised portion  28  preferably and bulges outward such as an exterior surface of a sphere, and may be formed by a punching or molding operation. The raised portion  28  preferably forms an angle with the base portion  12  of about twenty six degrees. Disposed on an opposite side thereof, the framing member  10  has a notch  30  that is on the base portion  12  of the framing member opposite the raised portion  28 . The notch  30  will be revealed on an exterior surface of the framing member  10 , and along the length or a portion of the length of the framing member  10 . The notch  30  preferably assists with mating the framing member  10  with another structure. 
   The framing member  10  also has a number of inner flanges  32 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the framing member  10  has a first inner flange  34  and a second inner flange  36 . Most preferably, the first inner flange  34  is substantially parallel to both the second inner flange  36 , and each of the first outer flange  20 , and the second outer flange  22 . The first inner flange  34  is preferably spaced apart from the second inner flange  36  by one half of an inch. The first inner flange  34  also has about the same height as the second inner flange  36 . Each of the first and the second inner flanges  34 ,  36  extends opposite from the base portion  12 . Each further extends from the raised portion  28  of the centermost portion  18  of the base portion  12 . A significant aspect of the present invention is that both the first inner flange  34  and the second inner flange  36  each have a height that does not exceed the first line of demarcation  26 . Preferably, the first inner flange  34  and the second inner flange  36  preferably each terminate at the predetermined line of demarcation as indicated by reference numeral  26 . The first inner flange  34  and the second inner flange  36  preferably extend along the length of the framing member  10  into the page and may be solid members, or discontinuous and segmented members  340 ,  360  isometrically disposed along the length of the framing member  10 . 
   The framing member  10  thus provides for a plurality of filling spaces  38  for the productive introduction and filling of the second material into the framing member. Preferably, the second material is a suitable insulation material, however alternatively, the second material may be any other composite related material known in the art for imparting one or more properties such as strength or fire proofing to the framing member  10 . The filling spaces  38  of the framing member  10  are preferably filled to the line of demarcation  26  with a thermally insulating material. For example, thermally insulating material may be polyurethane or other thermally insulating material known in the art. Preferably, thermally insulating material is a liquid that can be poured or flowed and reaction molded into the filling spaces  38  of the framing member  10 . One unexpected advantage of the present invention is it has been found that the framing member  10  and the geometry of the filling spaces  38  enhance the flow or migration of the liquid plastic to fill substantially all of the filling spaces therein. 
   In the embodiment shown, the framing member  10  preferably has a first filling space  40 , a second filling space  42 , and a middle filling space  44 . The first filling space  40  in one non-limiting embodiment is about 1.4375 inches in width. The second filling space  42  in one non-limiting embodiment is also about 1.4375 inches in width. The middle filling space  44  in one non-limiting embodiment is one half of an inch in width. The middle filling space  44  may alternatively be used as a channel for which to mate with a second mating member (not shown) or another structure such as a refrigeration panel, wall or another structure. As can be understood by the drawings, each of the filling spaces  38  is advantageous over the prior art and sufficiently large relative to the prior art to fill with the second material without adding additional pressure, or increasing costs associate with a time consuming inspection of whether any narrow channel has been filled with insulation. Most preferably, the filling spaces  38  are suitable such that the second material will be filled and terminate at the predetermined line of demarcation as indicated by reference numeral  26  for a strong, resilient, and insulated composite framing member  10 . 
   The framing member  10  of the present invention preferably is made as a fire retardant material that has a predetermined cross-sectional shape, which is of any desired shape. For example, one or each of the base portion  12 , the first outer flange  14 , the second outer flange  16 , and the number of inner flanges  32  may be constructed of TELENE® reaction injected molded polymer available from Cymetech of Huntsville, Ala. Alternatively, the one or each of the base portion  12 , the first outer flange  14 , the second outer flange  16 , and the number of inner flanges  32  may be made from a composite, a galvanized steel, a metal, an aluminum, a fire retardant wood, a thermoplastic, a thermoset, a polymer, or any other resilient material known in the art. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown another end view of another second embodiment of the framing member generally represented as reference numeral  110  for the sake of clarity. The framing member  110  preferably is also made from two or more materials and like the embodiment of  FIG. 1  may have any length known in the art suitable for the desired application. 
   The framing member  110  preferably has a base portion  112  with a first outermost end  114  and a second opposite outermost end  116  and a centermost portion  118 . The framing member  110  of this embodiment further has a recessed portion  128 . The recessed portion  128  preferably forms a convex feature like the interior of a sphere with the base portion  112  at the centermost portion  118 . The recessed portion  128  commences at about one inch from an end of the framing member  110  and forms an angle of about 26.57 degrees with a perpendicular axis intersecting the base portion  112 . A bulged portion  130  of the framing member  110  extends outward opposite the recessed portion  128  and has a width of about seven eighths of one inch. 
   The framing member  110  of  FIG. 2  further has a third outer flange  120  that extends substantially perpendicular from the first outermost end  114  and further has a fourth outer flange  122  that extends substantially perpendicular from the second outermost end  116 . The third outer flange  120  and the fourth outer flange  122  both have a complementary height that is about the same and is about one inch. Each of the outer flange  120  and the fourth outer flange  122  have a height that does not exceed a line of demarcation represented by reference line numeral  126 . The outer flange  120  and the fourth outer flange  122  are in one non-limiting embodiment about three and one half inches away from one another. 
   The framing member further has a number of inner flanges  132  that extend from the recessed portion  130  of the base portion  112 . The framing member  110  may have two or more inner flanges and preferably has a third inner flange  134  and a fourth inner flange  136 . As in  FIG. 1 , third inner flange  134  and fourth inner flange  136  preferably extend along the length of framing member  110  into the page and may be solid members, or discontinuous and segmented members  1340 ,  1360  disposed along the length of framing member  110 . Each of the third inner flange  134  and the fourth inner flange  136  provide strength and extends from the recessed portion  128  of the framing member  110 . Each of the third inner flange  134  and the fourth inner flange  136  has a height that does not exceed the line of demarcation  126 . One or all of the base portion  112 , the first outer flange  114 , the second outer flange  116 , and the number of inner flanges  132  may be constructed of TELENE® reaction injected molded polymer. 
   Alternatively, the one or each of the base portion  112 , the first outer flange  114 , the second outer flange  116 , and the number of inner flanges  132  may be alternatively made from a composite, a galvanized steel, a metal, an aluminum, a fire retardant wood, a thermoplastic, a thermoset, a polymer, or any other resilient material known in the art. 
   In this manner, the framing member  110  has a fourth filling space  138 , a fifth filling space  140 , and a sixth middle filling space  142 . The fourth filling space  138  in one non-limiting embodiment has a width of about 1.25 inches. The fifth filling space  140  in one non-limiting embodiment has a width of about 1.25 inches and a sixth middle filling space  142  has a width of about ⅞ inches, however it may have any width in the art. The second insulating material like the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is preferably filled in one or all of the fourth filling space  138 , the fifth filling space  140 , and the sixth middle filling space  142 . The sixth middle filling space  142  may be alternatively not be filled with insulation and instead be used to connect or otherwise mate with another or mating member (not shown) of another structure for example of an insulated wall or refrigeration unit. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown framing member  10  (in an inverted position) being connected to framing member  110 . In one embodiment, the bulged portion  130  of the framing member  110  mates and connects with the notch  30  on the exterior surface of the framing member  10  as shown by reference arrow A. Moreover, the insulation or the second material is disposed in the first filling space  40 , the second filling space  42 , the fourth filling space  138 , and the fifth filling space  140 , and optionally in the middle filling space  44 , and the sixth middle filling space  142  as shown. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown another embodiment of the framing member generally represented by reference numeral  200  being shown in an inverted position. The framing member  200  preferably has a first outer flange  202  and a second outer flange  204 . The first outer flange  202  and the second outer flange  204  preferably are about the same height, and each may have any suitable height known in the art. The first outer flange  202  and the second outer flange  204  each terminate at a predetermined line of demarcation  206 . 
   The framing member  200  has a base portion  208 . The base portion  208  has an aperture  210  therein. The base portion  208  also has a recessed portion  212  in a centermost portion of a base portion. The recessed portion  212  is preferably a concave feature in the base portion  208 . The framing member  200  also has a first inner flange  214  and a second inner flange  216  that extend from the recessed portion  212 . In this embodiment, the first inner flange  214  and the second inner flange  216  are further connected to one another at a location at or on the line of demarcation  206  by an intermediate inner flange  218 . The intermediate inner flange  218  extends along a space  220  being between the first inner flange  214  and the second inner flange  216 . The intermediate inner flange  218  is a resilient member made from the same or a different material than that of the first inner flange  214  and the second inner flange  216 . The intermediate inner flange  218  further is disposed laterally at the line of demarcation  206  to connect the inner flanges  214 ,  216 . Preferably, the intermediate inner flange  218  has a flat topside that does not exceed the line of demarcation  206 . 
   The framing member  200  further has a first filling space  222  and a second filling space  224  and the intermediate mating space  220 . The framing member further has a protruding portion  226  that extends opposite the recessed portion  212 . The protruding portion  226  may be an arm, or a bulbous feature in the exterior of the framing member  200  to mate with another complementary sized member. The intermediate mating space  220  extends through and communicates with the aperture  210  through the protruding portion  226 . The protruding portion  226  is preferably for mating with another second member. The framing member  200  may have another rectangular shaped beam, or other structural member inserted through the aperture  210  and rested in the intermediate mating space  220 . Preferably, a suitable insulating material is disposed in the first filling space  222  and the second filling space  224 . The insulating material preferably is introduced and fills both the first filling space  222  and the second filling space  224  to the line of demarcation  206 . As discussed above in one non-limiting embodiment, the insulating material may be a urethane insulation. 
   Disposed below the framing member  200  is another embodiment of the framing member generally represented as reference numeral  300 . The second framing member  300  shown in  FIG. 4  preferably mates with the framing member  200 . The second framing member  200  has a base portion  302  with an elevated portion  304 . Extending from first the elevated portion  304  is a first inner flange  306  and a second inner flange  308 . The second framing member  300  further has a intermediate flange member  310  connecting the first inner flange  306  and the second inner flange  308  at a line of demarcation  312 . The second framing member  300  further has a first outer flange  314  and a second outer flange  316 . Each of the first outer flange  314  and the second outer flange  316  has a height that does not exceed the line of demarcation  312 . A first filling space  318  is formed between the first outer flange  314  and the first inner flange  306 . A second filling space  320  is formed between the second outer flange  316  and the second inner flange  308 . The suitable insulating material is disposed in the first filling space  318  and the second filling space  320  to the line of demarcation  312  to form a composite structure as shown. 
   The second framing member  300  on an exterior side of the base portion  302  opposite the elevated portion  304  has a corresponding notch  326 . The corresponding notch  326  has complementary dimensions to the protruding member  226  of the framing member  220 . The notch  326  further communicates with an intermediate slot  322  for receipt of the structural member therein such as a beam. The intermediate slot  322  facilitates fastening the second framing member  300  to another structure. The corresponding notch  326  of the second framing member  300  preferably engages with the protruding member  226  of the framing member  200  as indicated by reference arrow A. 
   It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. The preferred embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the invention. Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the invention.