Lockable steering mechanism for ride-on vehicle

A lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle is provided. The steering mechanism has a steering shaft coupled to a steering link that is coupled to the vehicle's front wheels. A steering wheel is axially fixed to the steering shaft. A lifter guide is rotationally and axially fixed to the steering shaft, and a lifter is rotationally fixed to and axially moveable about the lifter guide. A rotatable locking ring rotates from a first position to a second position. The lifter engages the steering wheel when the locking ring is in the first position to rotationally fix the steering wheel to the steering shaft. The lifter is rotationally decoupled from the steering wheel when the locking ring is in a second position to rotationally decouple the steering wheel from the steering shaft.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to steering mechanisms, and more specifically to a lockable steering mechanism for a ride-on vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Ride-on vehicles are well known in the art. While such ride-on vehicles according to the prior art provide a number of advantages, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present disclosure seeks to overcome certain of those limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present disclosure is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the disclosed subject technology relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, comprising: a base having an opening, a rotatable steering shaft extending through the opening in the base, the steering shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end of the steering shaft being coupled to a steering link that is coupled to front wheels of the vehicle; a lifter guide rotationally and axially fixed to the steering shaft; a lifter rotationally fixed to the lifter guide, the lifter being axially moveable with respect to the lifter guide; a locking ring rotatably coupled to the base, the locking ring rotating on the base from a first position to a second position; and, a steering wheel axially fixed to the first end of the steering shaft, wherein the lifter engages the steering wheel when the locking ring is in the first position to rotationally fix the steering wheel to the steering shaft, and wherein the lifter is rotationally decoupled from the steering wheel when the locking ring is in a second position to allow the steering wheel to be rotationally decoupled from the steering shaft.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, comprising: a steering shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end of the steering shaft being coupled to a steering link coupled to front wheels of the vehicle; a locking ring rotatable with respect to the steering shaft from a first position to a second position; and, a steering wheel axially fixed to a first end of the steering shaft, the steering wheel rotationally fixed to the steering shaft in a first mode when the locking ring is in the first position, and the steering wheel rotationally decoupled from the steering shaft in a second mode when the locking ring is in the second position.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, comprising: a base having a bore; a locking ring rotatably coupled to the base and rotatable between a first locked position and a second locked position; a steering shaft extending through the bore in the base, the steering shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end of the steering shaft being coupled to a steering link; and, a steering wheel axially fixed to the first end of the steering shaft, the steering wheel rotationally fixed to the steering shaft in a first mode when the locking ring is in the first locked position, and the steering wheel rotationally decoupled from the steering shaft in a second mode when the locking ring is in the second locked position.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein when the locking ring is in the second position the front wheels of the vehicle are turned to a specific angle and remain at that angle until the locking ring is moved from the second position.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the steering wheel can be turned when the locking ring is in the second position, and wherein turning of the steering wheel when the locking ring is in the second position does not cause the front wheels to turn.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, when the locking ring is in the second position and the steering wheel is turned, the steering shaft remains rotationally fixed and does not turn.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the lifter has a receiver, wherein the steering wheel has a protrusion that is adapted to mate with the receiver of the lifter, wherein when the locking ring is in the first position the receiver of the lifter mates with the protrusion of the steering wheel and rotationally fixes the steering wheel to the lifter, and wherein when the locking ring is in the second position the receiver of the lifter is spaced an axial distance from the protrusion of the steering wheel and the steering wheel is decoupled from the lifter and rotationally decoupled from the steering shaft.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the locking ring has an opening in a sidewall thereof, wherein the base has a first button and a second button, the first button being positioned within the opening of the locking ring when the locking ring is in the first position, thereby locking the locking ring in the first position, and the second button being positioned within the opening of the locking ring when the locking ring is in the second position, thereby locking the locking ring in the second position.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the first and second buttons can be separately pushed in by the user to disengage the first and second buttons, respectively, from the opening in the locking ring to allow the locking ring to be rotated between the first and second positions.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the lifter is in a first axial position when the locking ring is in its first position, wherein the lifter is a second axial position distinct from the first axial position when the locking ring is in the second position, and further comprising a spring to bias the lifter to the second position.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the lifter has a cam follower surface that mates with a cam surface of the locking ring, and wherein rotation of the locking ring results in the cam surface of the locking ring axially moving the lifter.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, further comprising a stopper that extends from the steering wheel and into an opening of the locking ring, the opening of the locking ring having spaced apart stops that separately engage the stopper to operate as rotation restrictors for the steering wheel.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, further comprising a base, the locking ring rotating about the base.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the locking ring has an opening in a sidewall thereof, wherein the base has a first button and a second button, the first button being positioned within the opening of the locking ring when the locking ring is in the first locked position, thereby locking the locking ring in the first locked position, and the second button being positioned within the opening of the locking ring when the locking ring is in the second locked position, thereby locking the locking ring in the second locked position.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, further comprising a lifter guide and a lifter, the lifter guide being rotationally and axially fixed to the steering shaft, the lifter being rotationally fixed to the lifter guide, the lifter being axially moveable with respect to the lifter guide, wherein the lifter engages the steering wheel when the locking ring is in the first position to rotationally fix the steering wheel to the steering shaft, and wherein the lifter is rotationally disengaged from the steering wheel when the locking ring is in a second position to allow the steering wheel to be rotationally decoupled from the steering shaft.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein the lifter has a receiver, wherein the steering wheel has a protrusion that is adapted to mate with the receiver of the lifter, wherein when the locking ring is in the first position the receiver of the lifter mates with the protrusion of the steering wheel and rotationally fixes the steering wheel to the lifter, and wherein when the locking ring is in the second position the receiver of the lifter is spaced an axial distance from the protrusion of the steering wheel and the steering wheel is decoupled from the lifter and rotationally decoupled from the steering shaft.

The disclosed technology further relates to a lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle, wherein when the locking ring is in the second position the front wheels of the vehicle are turned to a specific angle and remain at that angle until the locking ring is moved from the second position, wherein the steering wheel can be turned when the locking ring is in the second position and turning of the steering wheel when the locking ring is in the second position does not cause the front wheels to turn, and wherein when the locking ring is in the second position and the steering wheel is turned, the steering shaft remains rotationally fixed and does not turn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as one of ordinary skill in the relevant art would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Further, descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the present disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the present disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law.

Referring now to the figures, and initially toFIGS. 1-3A, a ride-on vehicle10is illustrated having a steering assembly12with a lockable steering mechanism14. In various embodiments, the ride-on vehicle10is a battery powered electric vehicle10for children. The vehicle10is operable in two modes, a child steer mode where the child controls the steering of the vehicle10(seeFIGS. 5A-7), and a locked steering mode where the steering wheel is decoupled from the steering shaft and the vehicle10travels in a circle of a fixed diameter (seeFIGS. 8A-9). In the locked steering mode the child is able to rotate the steering wheel to pretend that the child is steering, but because the steering wheel is decoupled from the steering shaft, the steering wheel does not alter or control the path of travel. Typically, the locked steering mode may be preferred for younger children.

In general, in one embodiment, the ride-on vehicle10comprises a chassis16, a vehicle body18, a drive system (not shown), a motor (not shown), rear wheels20, front wheels22, and a steering assembly12. In one embodiment, the steering assembly12comprises a lockable steering mechanism14connected to a steering link24. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3A, the lockable steering mechanism14generally comprises a steering wheel26, a lifter28, a lifter guide30, a steering shaft32, a base34, a locking ring36and a biasing member or spring38. While the base34is shown separate from the vehicle body18in several of the figures, in a preferred embodiment the base34is fixed to or integral with the vehicle body18. When the lockable steering mechanism14is in the child steer mode, movement of the steering wheel26causes the steering shaft32to rotate.

The steering shaft32has a first end33and a second end35. In one embodiment, the steering shaft32extends through the opening63in the base34. The steering shaft32has an offset40adjacent the second end35that is coupled to, and in certain embodiments, secured within an opening42in the steering link24such that rotation of the steering shaft32causes approximately side-to-side linear movement of the steering link24to effectuate turning of the front wheels22. In various embodiments, the steering shaft32is rotatable, such as via the steering wheel26or locking ring36as discussed herein. In one embodiment, the front wheels22are coupled to or connected to the steering link24with steering knuckles44to allow the generally linear movement of the steering link24to cause turning of the front wheels22toward the left and right, respectively, for turning the vehicle10.

As discussed herein, in one embodiment, when the lockable steering mechanism14is in the child steer mode the steering wheel26directly engages the lifter28as shown inFIGS. 5A, 5B and 6. The lifter28is rotationally fixed with respect to the steering shaft32such that when the user turns the steering wheel26the steering shaft32will rotate to control turning of the front wheels22. Conversely, in the locked steering mode the steering wheel26is disengaged from the lifter28, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, such that rotation of the steering wheel26does not cause rotation of the lifter28or steering shaft32. And, in one embodiment, in the locked steering mode the steering shaft32is fixed in a rotated position to retain the front wheels22in a left turn orientation as shown inFIG. 1. Accordingly, in the locked steering mode the vehicle10will turn left in a circle of a predetermined diameter and will not be controlled by the steering wheel26. In one embodiment, the locked steering mode occurs when the locking ring36is in the second position. In this embodiment, the front wheels22of the vehicle are turned to a specific angle and remain at that angle until the locking ring36is moved from the second position.

As shown inFIGS. 3A, 4, 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, the lifter guide30is fixed both axially and rotationally to the steering shaft32. The lifter guide30has a radially extending flange46at a lower end thereof, and a longitudinal key48that extends radially outwardly about a length of the lifter guide30. As shown inFIG. 5A, the flange46of the lifter guide30operates as a stop against an inner tubular member51of the base34. A pin47adjacent a first end33of the steering shaft32, shown inFIGS. 3A and 5A, axially secures the steering shaft32to the steering wheel26, but allows for rotation of the steering wheel26independent of the steering shaft32. Thus, in one embodiment the steering wheel26can be turned when the locking ring36is in the second position, but such turning of the steering wheel26when the locking ring36is in the second position does not cause the front wheels to turn because the steering shaft32remains rotationally fixed when the locking ring36is in the second position.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 6, the lifter28is rotationally fixed to the lifter guide30, but is longitudinally or axially moveable with respect to the lifter guide30. For example, inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the lifter28is in the axially raised position because the lockable steering mechanism14is in the child steer mode, and inFIGS. 8A and 8Bthe lifter28is in the axially lowered position because the lockable steering mechanism14is in the locked steering mode. To allow for the longitudinal or axial movement, the lifter28has an internal longitudinal slot50that receives the longitudinal key48of the lifter guide30. Thus, because of the engagement of the longitudinal key48of the lifter guide30within the longitudinal slot50of the lifter28, the lifter28can move longitudinally or axially but not rotationally with respect to the lifter guide30. As shown inFIGS. 5A and 8A, a spring38is provided within the bore52of the steering wheel26to push against the lifter28and to bias the lifter28down on the lifter guide30. As explained herein, clockwise rotation of the locking ring36causes upward axial movement of the lifter28to move the lifter28from the lowered position to the raised position against the force of the bias spring38(to place the lockable steering mechanism14in the child steer mode), and counterclockwise rotation of the locking ring36in connection with the spring force of the spring38causes downward axial movement of the lifter28to move the lifter28from the raised position to the lowered position (to place the lockable steering mechanism14in the locked steering mode). Thus, the lifter28engages the steering wheel26when the locking ring36is in the first position to rotationally fix the steering wheel26to the steering shaft32, and the lifter28is rotationally decoupled from the steering wheel26when the locking ring36is in a second position to allow the steering wheel26to be rotationally decoupled from the steering shaft32.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 5A-9, the locking ring36resides between the steering wheel26and the base34, and is rotational with respect to the base34and the steering wheel26. In one embodiment, the locking ring36is rotatably coupled to the base34. In one embodiment, the base34has a skirt54, an upper wall56with a smaller outside diameter than an outside diameter of the skirt54, and a shoulder58between the skirt54and the upper wall56. The base34also has a floor that extends between the inner diameter of the upper wall56. In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 5A, 7, 8A and 9, the inner tubular member51of the base34extends from the floor in a direction opposite the upper wall56. The tubular member51has an opening63or bore63, preferably with stops65therein. The stops65may engage the longitudinal key48of the lifter guide30as a rotation restrictor for the steering mechanism14. In one embodiment, pivotally moveable first and second buttons60,62are provided as part of the upper wall56. The buttons60,62are connected to the base34with respective living hinges64that allow the buttons60,62to flex or pivot inwardly under a radially inward force but then to spring back when the force is removed. Finally, two fingers66extend upwardly from the upper wall56and away from the shoulder58.

As best shown inFIGS. 3B and 5A, in one embodiment the locking ring36has a sidewall or an outer wall68with a button opening70in the outer wall68. The button opening70is sized to separately receive the first and second buttons60,62. A shoulder72extends radially inward from a top of the outer wall68, and an annular protrusion74extends away from the shoulder72distal the outer wall68. An annular opening76is provided in the shoulder72between the annular protrusion74and the outer wall68. A cavity78is provided radially inward of the annular protrusion74, and a cam surface80is provided adjacent a wall81of the cavity78of the locking ring36. A bottom82is provided at the lower portion of the cavity78and is connected to the cavity wall81, and a bore84is provided through the bottom82. Stops86extend from an opposing side of the bottom82in a direction opposite the cavity78.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 5A, 7, 8A and 9, the base34is seated on the lifter guide30. Put another way, in one embodiment, the lifter guide30is fitted through the bore63of the tubular member51of the base34such that the flange46of the lifter guide30engages the lower surface of the inner tubular member51and operates as a stop.

Next, in one embodiment the locking ring36is rotationally seated on the base34such that the upper wall56of the base34is provided radially concentrically inward of the outer wall68of the locking ring36and generally radially concentrically outward of the wall81of the cavity78of the locking ring36. In that position the fingers66of the base34extend in the gap between an inner surface of the outer wall68of the locking ring36and the outer surface of the cavity wall81, but generally not entirely through the annular opening76in the locking ring36that leads to the gap. Additionally, the lifter guide30and steering shaft32will be positioned in the bore84of the locking ring36. The locking ring36is generally rotatable about the lifter guide30and steering shaft32between a first locked position, where the button opening70in the outer wall68of the locking ring36receives the first button60of the base34as shown inFIGS. 5A and 7, and a second locked position, where the button opening70in the outer wall68of the locking ring36receives the second button62of the base34as shown inFIGS. 8A and 9. In the first position the lockable steering mechanism is in the child steer position, and in the second position the lockable steering mechanism is in the locked steering mode.

To move the locking ring36from the first position (FIG. 7) to the second position (FIG. 9), in one embodiment, the user pushes the first button60radially inwardly (FIG. 7) to allow the locking ring36to clear the first button60. Next, the user will rotate the locking ring36counterclockwise until the button opening70mates with the second button62. The second button62will snap into the button opening70to rotationally lock the locking ring36in the second position (FIG. 9). To then move the locking ring36from the second position to the first position the user will push the second button62radially inwardly (FIG. 7) to allow the locking ring36to clear the second button62. The user will rotate the locking ring36clockwise until the button opening70mates with the first button60(FIG. 7). The first button60will snap into the button opening70to rotationally lock the locking ring in the first position (FIGS. 5A and 7). In one embodiment the first button60is spaced approximately 135° from the second button62.

Referring toFIGS. 3-4, 5A, 6 and 8A, in one embodiment, the lifter28has a generally tubular upper portion88extending from a lower flange component90. A bore92extends through the lifter28. The bore92has an internal longitudinal slot50that, as explained above, receives the longitudinal key48of the lifter guide30. Thus, because of the engagement of the longitudinal key48of the lifter guide30within the longitudinal slot50of the lifter28, the lifter28can move longitudinally or axially but not rotationally with respect to the lifter guide30. The lower flange component90of the lifter28has a lower cam follower surface94for mating with the cam surface80of the locking ring36. The lower flange component90of the lifter28also has an upper wall96with a pair of receivers98for receiving protrusions100from the steering wheel26as described herein. The protrusions100are adapted to mate with the receivers98.

In one embodiment, the lifter28is fitted concentrically around the lifter guide30as explained above, with the longitudinal key48of the lifter guide30residing in the longitudinal slot50of the lifter28. The cooperation of the longitudinal key48of the lifter guide30residing in the longitudinal slot50of the lifter28only allows for axial or longitudinal movement of the lifter28. The lower flange component90of the lifter28fits partially within the cavity78of the locking ring36such that the lower cam follower surface94of the lifter28mates with the cam surface80of the locking ring36. The geometry of the cam surface80of the locking ring36and the corresponding cam follower surface94of the lifter28is such, as shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, that when the locking ring36is in the first position as shown inFIGS. 5A, 5B, 6 and 7, the lifter28is in its up or raised position (also referred to as the first axial position of the lifter), and when the locking ring36is in the second position as shown inFIGS. 8A, 8B and 9, the locking ring36is in its down or lowered position (also referred to as the second axial position of the lifter). Accordingly, in one embodiment, when the locking ring36is rotated clockwise to the first position the cam surface80of the locking ring36operates to push the lifter28axially or longitudinally upward toward the steering wheel26via the mating of the cam surface80of the locking ring36and the cam follower surface94of the lifter28. In this first position the receivers98of the lifter28mates with the protrusions100of the steering wheel26and rotationally fixes the steering wheel26to the lifter28. As explained herein, in this first position of the locking ring36the vehicle10is in the child steer orientation and the child can steer the vehicle via the steering wheel26. Conversely, in one embodiment, when the locking ring36is rotated counterclockwise to the second position the spring38pushes against the lifter28causing the lifter28to move axially or longitudinally down away from the steering wheel26via the mating of the cam surface80of the locking ring36and the cam follower94of the lifter28. Thus, when the locking ring36is in the second position the receivers98of the lifter28are spaced an axial distance from the protrusions100of the steering wheel26, and the steering wheel26is decoupled from the lifter28and rotationally decoupled from the steering shaft32. Also as explained herein, in this second position of the locking ring36the vehicle is in the locked steering mode and the steering wheel26is decoupled from the steering shaft32and the steering shaft32is locked in a left turn mode so that the vehicle10turns in a left circle.

In one embodiment, the steering wheel26has a user engagement component102(i.e., the wheel-shaped portion102of the steering wheel26) and an extension104extending downward therefrom. The extension104has a bore52, as shown inFIGS. 4, 5A and 8A, and the spring38is provided within the bore52of the steering wheel26to push against the lifter28and to bias the lifter28down on the lifter guide30against the cam surface80of the locking ring36. The steering wheel26also has a flange106extending outwardly adjacent a bottom of the extension104. The flange106has a lower surface108that engages the shoulder72of the locking ring36. Additionally, in one embodiment, a lower wall110of the bore52engages the annular protrusion74of the locking ring36. This helps to allow the locking ring36to be able to rotate with respect to the steering wheel26and vice versa. As shown inFIG. 4, in one embodiment a pair of protrusions100extend into the bore52. Finally, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 4, in one embodiment a stopper112extends from the lower surface108of the steering wheel26. The stopper112may extend into the annular opening76in the locking ring36to engage stops to operate as rotation restrictors for the freely rotating steering wheel26when the steering wheel26is decoupled from the steering shaft32in the locked steering mode.

As shown inFIGS. 5B and 6, in one embodiment, when the locking ring36is the first position and the lifter28is in its axially upward position, the receivers98in the upper wall96of the lifter28mate with and receive the protrusions100of the steering wheel26. In this orientation, when the user turns the steering wheel26, the steering wheel26rotates the lifter28via the engagement of the protrusions100of the steering wheel26in the receivers98of the lifter28to rotate the steering shaft32and turn the front wheels22. This is because, in one embodiment, the lifter28is rotationally fixed to the steering shaft32via the engagement of the longitudinal key48of the lifter guide30residing in the longitudinal slot50of the lifter28. Thus, as explained herein, when the steering shaft32rotates it moves the steering link24to turn the front wheels22of the vehicle10. This is what is referred to as the child steer mode. In the child steer mode various stops operate as steering limiters to limit the amount of rotation available to the steering wheel26and overall steering mechanism14.

Conversely, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, when the locking ring36is the second position and the lifter28is in its axially down position, the receivers98in the upper wall96of the lifter28are spaced an axial distance from the protrusions100of the steering wheel26(seeFIG. 8B). In this orientation, the steering wheel26is decoupled from the lifter28and thus decoupled from the steering shaft32. Further, since the locking ring36is fixed in the second position the lifter28is also fixed in its lowered position. In this lowered position the steering shaft32is fixed in a left turn such that the vehicle10turns left in a circle, whereas the steering wheel26can be freely turned/rotated without having any effect on the steering shaft32or front wheels22.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term “plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Additionally, the term “having” as used herein in both the disclosure and claims, is utilized in an open-ended manner.

To the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.