Abstract:
A paddle support assists in rowing a vessel. The paddle is retained in the upper portion of a support that has a base section that rests, preferably unattached or at least readily releasably attached on the floor of a vessel. The support allows the paddle to be freely manipulated unencumbered by attachments to the vessel. The paddle support may be attached to webbing suspended across an opening in the vessel so that a base of the support is attached near the center of the webbing. The paddle support may also be attached to a harness suspended across an opening in the vessel so that the upright support is attached near the center of the harness. The use of the webbing or harness facilitates use of the support with a watertight skirt or covering stretched over the opening of a vessel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to a paddle support for a vessel to allow a rower to rest a paddle while rowing a vessel or at rest. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The use of paddle supports and oar locks to assist in rowing a vessel is well known in the prior art. Typically, these devices provide support for an oar or paddle and may also provide leverage to the rower during operation. These devices may be attached to the outer hull of a vessel, or they may be mounted on the floor of the vessel with a post that extends upward to engage a paddle or an oar at a height which facilitates the individual rower. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Paddle supports can be removably or permanently attached to a vessel during operation. This requires the paddle to be fixed in a position prior to operation. While this may provide the rower with both leverage and support, it also restricts his range of motion when manipulating the paddle. If a rower accidentally removes the paddle from the support he must direct his time and attention to returning the paddle to the operating position within the support. Thus, these devices require the rower to make a conscious effort to return the paddle to the support before rowing may continue. 
     In addition, these devices do not allow the rower to reposition the support laterally without either removing and reattaching the support or making some other type of adjustment. Further, a rower may find it necessary from time to time to push the vessel away from fixed objects such as rocks or piers, or to push debris away from the vessel itself. In these situations, the necessity to remove and replace the paddle in the support may become problematic. This may be especially so when the vessel is moving rapidly through areas with many fixed objects, i.e., areas of rivers and streams containing rapids. In these situations, the ability of the rower to quickly and freely manipulate the paddle may be crucial in preventing injury to the rower as well as damage to the vessel. 
     This invention provides an apparatus and method for supporting a paddle during operation of a vessel. The paddle support of this invention utilizes a free standing support section that is removably attached to the paddle. The paddle support need not be attached to the vessel. This allows the rower to manipulate the paddle freely with the support attached. The paddle support is made up of a retainer at the top portion for retaining the paddle, an upright support section that may be adjusted or set to a proper height to facilitate the rower and a base section that rests freely on the floor of the vessel. This arrangement allows the support to be manipulated laterally to facilitate the comfort of the rower and allows the paddle to be lifted vertically by the rower without encumbrances. This is especially advantageous in situations involving fast moving water, such as rapids, in that the rower can quickly manipulate the paddle to push off of rocks and obstructions, returning just as quickly to rowing the vessel. 
     The paddle support of this invention may be adjusted in height to facilitate the comfort of the individual rower. This aides in reducing arm fatigue, by allowing the rower to operate the paddle in a range of motion which is most comfortable. It also allows the rower to rest the weight of the paddle and the rower&#39;s arms on the support during periods when the vessel is not being actively rowed. 
     In vessels such as canoes and kayaks, a rower may use a skirt to prevent water from entering the vessel. Typically, the skirt would cover the area between the rower&#39;s body and the edge of the inside of the vessel; for example, the exposed cockpit area of a kayak. The paddle supports of the prior art are not particularly conducive for use with a skirt, because the support must either be attached a considerable distance from the rower&#39;s body, or must penetrate the skirt itself, creating a point where water may enter the vessel. In addition, because the supports of the prior art are in a fixed position and attached to the vessel itself, there is greater possibility of injury to the rower when operating in rough water conditions. One embodiment of the current invention alleviates this condition, allowing for use of the paddle support with a skirt. In this embodiment, a piece of webbing is removably attached to the outer hull of the vessel extending across the opening covered by the skirt in front of the rower. The upright support portion of the paddle support is then attached to the webbing at the center portion of the vessel opening. The webbing is maintained in tension over the opening by the force exerted by the rower&#39;s arms, paddle and support itself bearing down on the center of the webbing. In this way the support may be maintained close to the rower&#39;s body without interfering with the water tight skirt. The height of the support may be varied by manipulating the upright support section itself or by adjusting the overall length of the webbing suspended over the opening. In another embodiment, a harness made up of one or more flexible plates may be utilized in lieu of webbing to extend across the vessel opening and hold the upright support in place. Lastly, the apparatus and method of this invention allows for easy removal and storage of the paddle support. This in turn, facilitates the easy handling and transporting of the vessel, in that the entire paddle support apparatus is removed from the vessel leaving no outward projections which could hinder mounting and transporting on a vehicle. 
     These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like elements are labeled with like numbers and in which; 
     FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a typical vessel with rower, paddle and paddle support according to this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is another exemplary embodiment of a vessel, paddle and paddle support of this invention; 
     FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a retainer for fixing the paddle on the upper portion of the support; 
     FIG. 3B is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the retainer having a center section of the paddle in place with two clamp retainers on either side of the retainer to prevent lateral movement of the paddle; 
     FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a retainer having a ball and pin quick release mechanism; 
     FIG. 3D is an embodiment of the retainer in an opened position illustrating the mounting holes for fixing the retainer on top of the upright support; 
     FIG. 4A is an exemplary embodiment of an upright support; 
     FIG. 4B is another exemplary embodiment of an upright support having telescoping sections that may be adjusted to a desired height; 
     FIG. 4C is another exemplary embodiment of the upright support having individual sections that can be removed to adjust the height of the support; 
     FIG. 4D is an exemplary embodiment of a fully assembled paddle support having a retainer with quick release ball and pin, an adjustable upright support and suction cup base; 
     FIG. 5A is an exemplary embodiment of the base of the support; 
     FIG. 5B is another exemplary embodiment with a base of the support having an extended threaded portion for adjusting the overall height of the paddle support; 
     FIG. 5C is another exemplary embodiment of the base of the support having a suction cup to maintain contact with the bottom of the vessel; 
     FIG. 5D is an exemplary embodiment of a swiveling base connection having a ball and socket type arrangement; 
     FIG. 6A is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having webbing attached to the outside edge of a typical vessel; 
     FIG. 6B is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having webbing attached at the base of the support for suspending the device over the opening of a vessel; 
     FIG. 6C is an embodiment of the paddle support of this invention with webbing suspended over the opening of a typical vessel; and 
     FIG. 6D is another embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having an outside retaining clip mountable to the edge of the vessel which is then attached by hook and loop fastener system to the webbing of the paddle support. 
     FIG. 6E is another embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having a safety break away system with a separate clamp and hook and loop fastener system. 
     FIG. 7A is an exemplary embodiment of a harness with flexible overlapping plastic plates used for attaching the paddle support to the vessel. 
     FIG. 7B is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention with a harness suspended over the opening of a vessel. 
     FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the harness showing the overlapping apertures of the individual overlapping plates. 
     FIG. 7D is an embodiment of the harness as seen from the top further showing the series of holes found on each flexible plastic plate. 
     FIG. 7E is an embodiment of the harness as seen from the bottom further showing the series of holes found on each flexible plastic plate. 
     FIG. 8A is an exemplary embodiment of the harness having a non-adjustable length for use with the paddle support of this invention. 
     FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the harness shown in FIG.  8 A. 
     FIG. 9A is an exemplary embodiment of the harness of this invention having end sections slideably connected by dowels to a center section to allow the overall length of the harness to be adjusted. 
     FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the harness as shown in FIG.  9 A. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a paddle support  40  in use. The paddle support  40  is located in a vessel  10  with a paddle  20  mounted on the upper portion of the paddle support  40 . The rower  30  may manipulate the paddle  20  in a full range of operational motion while resting the weight of the paddle  20  and the rower&#39;s arms on the paddle support which ultimately transmits the load to the base of the vessel. 
     FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view of a typical vessel  10  with the paddle support  40  shown in place. The paddle  20  is mounted to the top of the paddle support  40  by a retainer  50  at the upper portion of the support  40 . The support  40  has a base member  110  that rests freely on the bottom of the vessel  60 . In this embodiment the paddle support  40  is not attached to the vessel in any way. This allows the rower the freedom to manipulate the paddle  20  with paddle support  40  connected in any way necessary without the encumbrance of having the paddle  20  physically attached to the vessel  10 . Those skilled in the art recognize that the support  40  may be used with a wide variety of vessels and is not limited to the vessel shown. 
     FIG. 3A shows a typical embodiment of a retainer  50  having a retainer screw  55  which fixes the retainer  50  to the top of the support  40 . In the preferred embodiment the retainer  50  is of a flexible material that fits around the paddle  20  allowing the paddle to rotate about the point that is fixed by the retainer  50 . The fit between the retainer and paddle is sufficiently lose to allow the paddle to rotate about its longitudinal axis. In this way a rower may rotate the paddle in an effort to lower wind resistance when the paddle is out of the water. The paddle  20  may be installed in the retainer by removing the retainer screw  55 , placing the paddle in the retainer  50  and then reinstalling the screw  55  until the paddle  20  is held snugly in place. 
     FIG. 3B is a typical embodiment of a retainer  50  showing a section of the paddle  20  in place. The paddle  20  is mounted within the retainer  50  and held in place by the retainer screw  55  which is mounted on the paddle support  40 . In this embodiment retainer clamps  70  are in place on the paddle  20  on either side of the retainer  50  to prevent lateral motion of the paddle  20  within the retainer  50 . This allows the rower to maintain greater control over the paddle  20  while in use. The retainer clamps  70  may be of a rigid or flexible material and held in place with the use of screws or clips, or they may be permanently affixed to the paddle  20  by an adhesive. One skilled in the art will recognize that the paddle may be prevented from moving laterally in the retainer by various other means. For example, the retainer  50  may be permanently affixed to the paddle  20  by a screw or a clip. 
     FIG. 3C is another embodiment of the retainer  50  of this invention having a removable pin and ball arrangement for the quick placement and removal of the paddle  20  from the support  40 . The retainer  50  is held in place on top of the support  40  by a ball  80  having a pin  48  that inserts in a support hole  95 . This embodiment allows the rower to place the paddle  20  in the retainer  50  without the use of any tools. The paddle  20  is put in place by opening the retainer  50 , placing the paddle  20  in the retainer  50  aligning the upper and lower retainer holes  90  and  100  over the support hole  48  and placing the pin  95  through the holes  90  and  100  into the support hole  95 . In this embodiment the ball  80  is of a plastic or other hard material. However, in other embodiments the ball  80  may be used to house or mount other useful items such as a compass, clock, or light. 
     FIG. 3D shows a typical retainer  50  of this invention having lower retainer holes  100  and upper retaining holes  90  for fixing the paddle in the retainer  50  and the retainer  50  on the upper support  40 . The upper support holes  90  allow for adjustment of the retainer  50  to accommodate a paddle  20  of varying shaft diameters, and also to adjust the range of motion of the paddle  20 . 
     FIG. 4A is a typical support  40  of this invention. The support  40  of this invention acts in a similar manner to a crutch, in that it is not connected to the base of the Kayak in any way. The retainer  50  is mounted at the top of the support  40  and a base  110  is mounted at the bottom of the support  40 . The support of this embodiment is of a fixed height and is not adjustable. 
     FIG. 4B shows an embodiment of an adjustable support of this invention having an upper support section  41  telescopically connected to a lower support section  42  for adjusting the overall height of the support  40 . The upper support section  41  is fixed in place in relation to the lower support section  42  by an adjusting ring  43  which is rotated to lock the upper support  41  and lower support  42  in place. This embodiment of the support  40  allows the rower to quickly and easily adjust the overall height of support prior to, or during use. 
     FIG. 4C is another embodiment of the support  40  of this invention having removable individual modular sections  45 . Each section has a threaded male connection  46  which may be inserted into a corresponding threaded female connection  49 . In this embodiment the support sections  45  may be removed or replaced to suit a comfortable support height for the rower. When the desired number of individual sections  45  have been assembled a base  110  may be mounted on the male connector  46  and the retainer  50  may be mounted via the female connector  49  on the upper most individual support  45 . While this embodiment uses threaded male and female connectors  46  and  49 , one skilled in the art will recognize that various other types of connectors may be utilized between the individual support sections  45 . For example, a post and hole arrangement may be used relying on an interference fit between the post and hole to connect the supports, or various other quick release type fittings could be utilized to accomplish the same result. 
     FIG. 4D is an exemplary embodiment of a fully assembled paddle support of this invention. The support  40  of this embodiment is adjustable having an upper support section  41  telescopically connected to a lower support section  42  for adjusting the overall height of the support  40 . The retainer  50  is held is place on top of the support  40  by a ball  80  having a pin  48  that inserts in a support hole  95 . The lower portion of the support  40  is connected to the suction cup base  140  via a swiveling base connection having a ball  160  connected to a shaft  150  that connects to the support  40 . The ball is inserted into a retainer cylinder  170  that is mounted on a suction cup base  140 . 
     FIG. 5A is an exemplary embodiment of a base portion for the paddle support. The base  110  has a base cushion  120  of soft or deformable material, such as rubber or foam for making contact with the bottom portion of the vessel. The base cushion prevents the base from freely sliding on the bottom portion of the vessel, while also preventing damage to the vessel. The base is not connected to the shell of the vessel in any way. The support  40  may be removably attached to the base  110  by a threaded male and female connection. 
     FIG. 5B is another embodiment of a base section for the paddle support of this invention having a base  110  with a cushion support  120  connected to the support  40  by a variable height threaded connection  130 . In this embodiment the threaded connection  130  allows the user to also adjust the total height of the support by extending the elongated threaded connection  130 . In this way the user may make minor corrections in height without adding additional support sections or making other adjustments. 
     FIG. 5C is an exemplary embodiment of a suction cup base  140  connected to support section  40  for making contact with the bottom of the vessel  60 . The support  40  may be connected to the suction cup  140  by an elongated threaded connection  130  for making minor height adjustments in the support. As discussed previously, other means for connecting the support  40  with a base section may be utilized. In this embodiment the suction cup  140  provides the rower with the ability to temporarily fix the paddle support to the bottom of the vessel yet still be able to remove the paddle and paddle support with a moderate amount of force when necessary. In addition, due to the flexible nature of the suction cup  140  the rower is provided the further advantage of being able to rotate the support  40  about the fixed point of the suction cup, allowing lateral movement of the paddle. 
     FIG. 5D is an embodiment of a swiveling base connection for connecting the support  40  to a base section having a ball  160  connected to a shaft  150  that connects to the support  40 . The ball is inserted into a retainer cylinder  170  having retention holes  180 . The retainer cylinder  170  is mounted to a variable base fitting  190  which may then be connected to a base section. The ball  160  is removably connected to the retention cylinder by an interference fit, thus allowing the support  40  to rotate, ultimately allowing lateral motion of the paddle  20 . 
     FIG. 6A is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having webbing  200  attached to the outer edge of the vessel  10 . The support  40  is mounted to the center of the webbing, thus suspending the support over the opening of the vessel  10 . The paddle  20  is mounted on the support via retainer  50  and is prevented from moving laterally by retainer clamps  70  which are in place on either side of the retainer  50 . 
     FIG. 6B is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having webbing  200  attached between the base  110  and the support  40  through a hole  230 . The webbing  200  is adjustable in length by utilizing two adjustment buckles  210 . At the outer ends of the webbing there are two secondary adjustment buckles  240  connected to velcro hook and loop fastener systems  220 . The velcro hook and loop fastener systems  220  are utilized to attach the webbing to the outer hull of the vessel  10 . There is an additional velcro attachment  250  at the upper portion of the support  40  for holding the webbing in place when not being utilized. The webbing  200  allows the paddle support to operate without the base  110  touching the bottom of the vessel. This is especially useful when the rower is utilizing a skirt in conjunction with an opening of a kayak to prevent water from entering the kayak. In this situation it is not necessary for the base  110  to rest on the bottom of the vessel  10  as the load of the paddle  20  and paddle support of this invention will be transferred to the webbing, which is attached to the outer hull of the vessel  10 . Additionally, the height of the support may be adjusted with the use of the buckles  210  to arrive at a comfortable height for the rower. 
     FIG. 6C is an exemplary embodiment of a paddle  20  installed in the paddle support of this invention on a vessel  10 . In this embodiment the support  40  is suspended over the opening of the kayak  15  by the webbing  200 , which is attached by the Velcro hook and loop fastener system  220  to the outer portion of the hull of the vessel. By adjusting the webbing  200  to a proper position, the rower, while sitting in seat  5 , can support the weight of the paddle  20  and the paddle support of this invention while allowing the use of a skirt over the opening of the vessel. This arrangement allows room for the rower&#39;s legs to fit below the webbing. The webbing  200  is a flexible material that allows the support  40  to rotate freely about the mounting hole  230  located in the webbing. 
     FIG. 6D is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having a retainer  50  mounted on support  40  which is also mounted to the webbing  200 . The webbing is adjustable via the two adjustment buckles  210 . In this embodiment two outer retaining hooks  270  are attached to the rim of the vessel  260 . The outer retaining hooks  270  are secured to the webbing  200  by hook and loop fastener systems  220 . This arrangement allows the device to be broken apart to allow a quick exit of the rower in an emergency situation. It also allows the rower to attach the paddle support of this invention to a vessel without attaching a hook and loop fastener system to the vessel itself. In the event that a vessel tipped over, the rower would simply break the hook and loop bond by hand and exit the vessel. The hook and loop bond may also be broken by a sufficient amount of force exerted by any body part. The amount of force required to break the hook and loop bond may be adjusted by varying the area of hook and loop fastener system used with this invention. 
     FIG. 6E is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having a safety break away system. The retainer  50  is mounted on the upright support  40  which is connected to a center portion of the webbing  200 . The webbing is adjustable in length via two adjustment clamps  280  and hook and loop fastener systems  290 . The webbing  200  is threaded through the adjustment clamps  280  and then folded back on itself and held in place via the hook and loop fastener system  290 . In this way the overall length of the webbing  200  may be adjusted. The clamp  280  is secured to an additional section of webbing  295  which is then connected to the retaining hooks  270  via the hook and loop fastener system  220 . In the event that a vessel tipped over, the rower would have an added advantage of a second hook and loop fastener system  290  which could be broken to exit the vessel. The amount of force required to break the hoop and loop bond may be adjusted by varying the error or hook and loop fastener system used with this invention. The additional hook and loop fastener system  290  is also advantageous in that it allows a rower to make quick adjustments in the length of the webbing  200  and also eliminates any additional parts that may be needed to adjust the overall length of the webbing  200 . 
     FIG. 7A is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support  40  of this invention having overlapping flexible plastic harness plates  310  attached to the bottom of the support  40  through two overlapping holes  325  of the corresponding plates  310 . The reach -L- of the harness  300  is adjusted by selecting the appropriate overlapping holes  325  and inserting base screw  320  through the holes  325 . The harness  300  comprises of a base screw  320  disposed through two overlapping holes  325  of the flexible plastic plates  310  from the bottom side. The flexible plastic plates  310  each have a hooked end  315  used to attach the harness  300  to a rim  260  of a vessel  10 . A hexagonal nut  340  is utilized from the top side of the harness  300  to secure the base screw  320  to the harness  300  as well as keep the two flexible plastic plates  310  together. A removable individual modular section  45  of the support  40  is attached by a threaded female connector end  49  to the base screw  320 . The threaded male connector end  46  on the top portion of the support  40  can be connected to other support pieces  45  as needed to reach a comfortable height -h- for the rower  30 . 
     FIG. 7B is an exemplary embodiment of the harness  300  attached to the vessel  10 . Furthermore, the harness  300  is attached to the paddle support  40  of this invention which is further attached to the retainer  50  of the invention. The flexible plastic plates  310  are attached by the hooked ends  315  to the rim  260  of the vessel  10 . When the appropriate length -L- is determined for the harness  300 , the base screw  320  is passed through corresponding overlapping holes  325  of the plates  310 . The hexagonal nut  340  is then attached to the base screw  320  from the top side of the harness  300 . The threaded base screw  320  is then attached to the threaded female connector end  49  of the removable individual modular section  45 . Subsequent support pieces  45  may be added to reach the desired height -h-. Once the desired height -h- is reached, the retainer  50  is attached and finally the paddle  20 . 
     FIG. 7C is an exemplary embodiment of the harness  300  with the overlapping flexible plastic plates  310  to show the overlapping holes  325  which allow length -L- to be adjusted to fit the harness  300  onto various sized vessels  10 . The hooked ends  315  of the flexible plastic plates  310  are used to attach the harness  300  to the rim  260  of the vessel. Various overlapping holes  325  can be seen on the top plate  310 . Corresponding holes  325  are also located on the bottom plate  310 . The base screw  320  is passed through holes  325  and secured by a hexagonal nut  340 . The base screw  320  is then attached to the threaded female connector end  49  of the removable individual modular section  45 . FIG. 7C shows the removable individual modular section  45  attached with the threaded male connector end  46  of the section  45  open to be attached to other sections  45  to attain the desired height -h-. 
     FIG. 7D is an exemplary embodiment of the harness  300  with the overlapping flexible plastic plates  310  as seen from a top view. The hooked ends  315  are disposed on both ends of the harness  300 . The various holes  325  on the top plate  310  overlap with the holes  325  on the bottom plate  310 . On one of the holes  325 , the base screw  320  has been inserted and attached to the removable individual modular section  45  having threaded male connector end  46 . 
     FIG. 7E is an exemplary embodiment of the harness  300  with the overlapping flexible plastic plates  310  as seen from a bottom view. The hooked ends  315  are disposed on both ends of the harness  300 . The various holes  325  on the bottom plate  310  overlap with the holes  325  on the top plate  310 . The base screw  320  is inserted through two of the overlapping holes  325 . 
     In operation, the plates  310  are adjusted to the proper length -L-. The hooked ends  315  can be snapped over the rim  260  of the vessel  10 . The flexible nature of the plates  310  assists in snapping the hooked ends  315  into place. When the rower  30  desires to remove the harness  300 , the rower  30  can lift or kick out the flexible plate  310  by pushing the plates  310  from below. The flexible nature of the plates  310  allows the harness  300  to flex upwardly to release the hooked ends  315  from the rim  260  of the vessel  10 . 
     FIG. 8A is an exemplary embodiment of the harness  300  having a non-adjustable length -L- for use with the paddle support  40  of this invention. The harness  300  may be constructed of a flexible or rigid material and manufactured in various predetermined lengths to be fitted to the rim of a vessel. The hooked ends  315  allow the harness to be retained on the rim of the vessel. The hooked ends  315  may be of a flexible material to allow the harness  300  to fit over the rim of a vessel, or the hooked ends  315  may be of a rigid material such that the harness  300  may be slid in a longitudinal direction to fit onto the rim of the vessel. The hole  350  accommodates the paddle support and may be retained in place with a base screw on the bottom of the harness and a hexagonal nut on the top of the harness as in previous embodiments. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the harness  300  having a fixed length -L- with hooked ends  315  and hole  350 . 
     FIG. 9A is an exemplary embodiment of the harness  300  of this invention having an adjustable length -L-. The center section  380  has a hole  350  to accommodate the paddle support. The center section  380  is slideably connected to the end sections  370  by cylindrical dowels. The overall length of the harness  300  may be adjusted by sliding the end sections  370  inward or outward such that the hooked ends  315  engage the rim of the vessel. The center section  380  and end sections  370  may be constructed of a rigid material or of a flexible material. The dowels  360  are slideably connected to the center section  380  and the end sections  370  via holes  385  in the center section and holes  375  in the end sections. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the harness  300  shown in FIG.  9 A. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.