Abstract:
A children&#39;s ride-on toy includes at least two casters. The ride-on toy has a first caster mount connected to the body, wherein the first caster mount comprises a first caster receptacle, and a second caster mount connected to the body, wherein the second caster mount comprises a second caster receptacle. In at least one embodiment, the first caster has an engagement shaft that is uniquely adapted to engage the first caster receptacle, and the second caster has an engagement shaft that is uniquely adapted to engage the second caster receptacle. In at least another embodiment, a first bushing rotatably engages the first caster and is uniquely adapted to engage the first caster receptacle, and a second bushing rotatably engages the second caster and is uniquely adapted to engage the second caster receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to ride-on toys for children and, more specifically, to caster mounting arrangements for such toys. 
     Children&#39;s ride-on toys are available in a variety of configurations, including, but not limited to wagons, carts, tricycles, bicycles, scooters, cars, trucks and other toys. Ride-on toys generally have two or more wheels that support the toys on surfaces in a rolling fashion. Ride-on toys can be propelled in various ways, but are typically propelled either by an adult standing behind or beside the toy, or by a child sitting in or on the toy. One common manner of propelling a ride-on toy is via a child&#39;s foot power. Foot power can be supplied, for example, through the use of pedals, or by direct contact of feet on a surface such as pavement or grass (“foot-to-floor” toys). Ride-on toys also sometimes have a steering wheel or handle bars for the child to grip, some types of which are functional for steering the ride-on toy and some types of which are not. 
     Children&#39;s ride-on toys are often packaged and purchased in a partially assembled state. In such instances, a consumer, such as a parent or other adult, is expected to complete the assembly of the ride-on toy. In particular, in order to minimize the space occupied by a packaged ride-on toy, the wheels, as well as the various pieces to connect the wheels to the toy body, such as caster assemblies, are often left unattached. For such toys, the wheels, including any associated caster assemblies, must often be attached to the toy after purchase. 
     Caster assemblies for ride-on toys are often designed and intended to be mounted to a specific location on a ride-on toy, such as the right side or the left side. The function of a caster assembly can be impaired if a caster assembly is mounted in an incorrect manner. This can occur, for example, when a caster designed and intended to be mounted on the front right of a ride-on toy is instead mounted on the front left, or vice versa. The resulting impairment of the toy&#39;s function can be frustrating, as is the effort required to disassemble the toy and then reassemble it in the correct manner, if such disassembly is even possible. A need therefore exists for a caster mounting arrangement that discourages or prevents such incorrect assembly of the toy. 
     SUMMARY 
     Ride-on toys of the present invention have wheel mounting arrangements that include at least two casters. 
     In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide children&#39;s ride-on toy comprising a body, a first caster mount connected to the body, a second caster mount connected to the body, a first caster, a second caster, a first wheel rotatably mounted on the first caster, and a second wheel rotatably mounted on the second caster. In preferred embodiments, the first caster is uniquely adapted to engage the first caster mount and the second caster is uniquely adapted to engage the second caster mount. For example, it is preferred that the first caster mount comprises a first caster receptacle and the second caster mount comprises a second caster receptacle. It is also preferred that the first and second caster each comprise a caster stem, an engagement member, an engagement shaft, and a stopper. In some embodiments, the ride-on toy further comprises a first bushing that engages the first caster and a second bushing that engages the second caster. In at least some such embodiments, the first bushing is uniquely adapted to engage the first caster mount, and the second bushing is uniquely adapted to engage the second caster mount. 
     In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a children&#39;s ride-on toy or a kit for a children&#39;s ride-on toy comprising a body, a first caster mount connected to the body, a second caster mount connected to the body, a first caster, a second caster, a first wheel, and a second wheel. Preferably, the first caster mount comprises a first caster receptacle and a first receiver, and the second caster mount comprises a second caster receptacle, a second receiver, and a boss. Additionally, it is preferred that the first caster comprises a caster stem, an engagement member, an engagement shaft, and a stopper, and that the second caster comprises a caster stem, an engagement member, an engagement shaft that is shorter than the first caster receptacle, and a stopper that is smaller in width than the first caster stopper. 
     In a third aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a children&#39;s ride-on toy or a kit for a children&#39;s ride-on toy comprising a body, a first caster mount connected to the body, a second caster mount connected to the body, a first bushing comprising a first engagement member and a first engagement shaft, a second bushing comprising a second engagement member and a second engagement shaft, a first caster that rotatably engages the first bushing, a second caster that rotatably engages the second bushing, a first wheel that rotatably engages the first caster, and a second wheel that rotatably engages the second caster. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the first caster mount comprises a first receiver and a first caster receptacle having a first geometric shape, and that the second caster mount comprises a second receiver and a second caster receptacle having a second geometric shape. 
     The presently preferred embodiments can be further understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the ride-on toy of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view the ride-on toy of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1-2 , taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of a bolster of the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1 through 3 , with the casters correctly assembled thereto. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bolster of  FIG. 4 , with the casters incorrectly positioned thereon. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view the first caster and the first caster mount of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the second caster and the first caster mount of  FIG. 5 , taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the second caster and the second caster mount of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the first caster and the second caster mount of  FIG. 5 , taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of a bolster of the ride-on toy of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded top perspective view of the bolster of  FIG. 10  and embodiments of caster assembly components. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the bolster and caster assembly components of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an assembled top perspective view of  FIGS. 11-12 . 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged perspective view of a first bushing of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged top plan view of the first bushing of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged perspective view of a second bushing of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged top plan view of the second bushing of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A preferred embodiment of the ride-on toy of the present invention is indicated in general at  100  in  FIGS. 1  through.  3 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the ride-on toy  100  features a body  102 , a pair of front wheels  104   a  and  104   b , and a pair of rear wheels  106   a  and  106   b . The ride-on toy  100  also has a steering wheel  108  and a seat  110  upon which a child may sit. In this an embodiment, the steering wheel  108 , while it may be gripped or turned by a child, is non-functional in that it is not connected to the front wheels  104   a  and  104   b . Front wheel  104   a , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 , is rotatably mounted to caster  112 . Front wheel  104   b , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , is rotatably mounted to caster  114 . Casters  112  and  114  are each rotatably engaged by bolster  116 . Bolster  116  is connected to the body of the ride-on toy, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 . Bolster  116  can be attached to the body by at least one fastener, such as snap fit pins  119   a - 119   d  of  FIG. 2 , or any other suitable fastener such as, for example, cotter pins, screws, or clips. Alternatively, bolster  116  can be integrally molded with the body. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate bolster  116 , which includes one embodiment of a first caster mount  138  and a second caster mount  156 . As illustrated, the first and second caster mounts  138  and  156  are components of the bolster  116 . In other embodiments the first and second caster mounts can be separately connected to the body of the ride-on toy, or can be integrally molded with the body of the ride-on toy. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , first caster mount  138  has a first receiver  122  and a first caster receptacle (described below). Second caster mount  156  has a second receiver  120 , a second caster receptacle (described below), and a boss  124 . First caster  112  has a caster stem  126 , a stopper  128 , an engagement shaft (described below), an engagement member  130 , and an axle  132 . Second caster  114  has a caster stem  134 , a stopper (described below), an engagement shaft (described below), an engagement member  118 , and an axle  136 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , engagement member  130  of the first caster  112  engages the first receiver  122 , and the engagement member  118  of the second caster  114  engages the second receiver  120 . The engagement members preferably engage the receivers via a snap fit or press fit. However, the engagement members can engage the receivers in any other suitable manner, such as with hardware including, but not limited to, one or more cotter pins, e-clips, or set screws. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates casters  112  and  114  correctly assembled with, and engaged by, bolster  116 . With respect to first caster  112 , the engagement member  130  and the engagement shaft of the first caster can be inserted into, and are received by the first caster receptacle and the first receiver  122  of the bolster. Engagement member  130  of caster  112  engages receiver  122  in a rotating fashion, thus attaching caster  112  to bolster  116 . Stopper  128  of the first caster  112  abuts bolster  116 . With respect to second caster  114 , engagement member  118  and the engagement shaft of the second caster can be inserted into, and are received by the boss  124 , the second caster receptacle, and the second receiver  120  of the bolster. Engagement member  118  of caster  114  engages receiver  120  in a rotating fashion, thus attaching caster  114  to bolster  116 . The boss  124  preferably has a receiving bore (described below) that receives the stopper of the second caster  114 . The receiving bore preferably has a diameter larger than the second caster receptacle. As shown correctly assembled, casters  112  and  114  are properly oriented such that a first wheel can be rotatably mounted on the first caster  112  at axle  132 , and a second wheel can be rotatably mounted on the second caster  114  at axle  136 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates casters  112  and  114  incorrectly positioned on, and not engaged by, bolster  116 . As illustrated, the engagement shaft of the second caster  114  is shorter in length than the first caster receptacle. Thus, when the engagement shaft and engagement member of caster  114  are inserted into the first caster receptacle, the engagement member of caster  114  is not received or engaged by receiver  122 . Additionally, the stopper  128  of the first caster  112  has a width larger than the diameter of the receiving bore of boss  124 . First caster stopper  128  is thus not received by the receiving bore in boss  124 , and the first caster engagement member  130  is not received or engaged by the second receiver  120 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  thus illustrate that the first caster  112  is uniquely adapted to engage the first caster mount  138 , and the second caster  114  is uniquely adapted to engage the second cater mount  156 . For example, engagement member  130  of the first caster  112  can engage the first receiver  122 , but does not engage the second receiver  120 . Similarly, the engagement member  118  of the second caster  114  engages the second receiver  120 , but does not engage the first receiver  122 . In this manner, an adult attempting to assemble the casters with the ride-on toy will only be able to complete the assembly in the correct configuration. An attempt to complete the assembly in the incorrect configuration would be evident because the casters would not engage the bolster. 
       FIGS. 6 through 9  are cross sectional views of the first and second caster mounts  138  and  156  of bolster  116 , which further illustrate the how the casters are mounted to the bolster in the illustrated preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view the first caster and the first caster mount  138  of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first caster  112  is correctly assembled with the first caster mount  138 .  FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the second caster  114  and the first caster mount  138  of  FIG. 5 , taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 . As illustrated, the second caster  114  is incorrectly assembled with the first caster mount  138 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , first caster mount  138  has a caster receptacle  140  and a receiver  122 . First caster  112  has a caster stem  126 , an engagement member  130 , an engagement shaft  142 , and a stopper  128 . First caster  112  has been inserted into first caster mount  138 , and the engagement member  130  of the first caster  112  is received by and engaged by the receiver  122  of the first caster mount  138 . In this embodiment, engagement member  130  has indented engagement portion  144  and engagement head  146 , which rotatably engage receiver  122  via a snap fit. Engagement shaft  142  of caster  112  is received by first caster receptacle  140 , and can rotate therein. Stopper  128  of caster  112  abuts first caster mount  138 , and prevents caster  112  from being further inserted into first caster mount  138  once appropriate engagement has been achieved. 
       FIG. 7  also illustrates first caster mount  138  with a caster receptacle  140  and a receiver  122 . As described previously, the second caster  114  has a caster stem  134 , an engagement member  118 , an engagement shaft  150  that is shorter than the engagement shaft  142  of the first caster  112 , and a stopper  148  that is smaller in width than the stopper  128  of the first caster  112 . Second caster engagement member  118  has indented engagement portion  152  and engagement head  154 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the engagement shaft  150  of the second caster  114  is shorter in length than the caster receptacle  140  of the first caster mount  138 . As a result of the second caster engagement shaft  150  being shorter than the first caster receptacle  140 , the second caster engagement member  118  is not received by the first receiver  122 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the second caster  114  and the second caster mount  156  of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the second caster  114  is correctly assembled with the second caster mount  156 .  FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the first caster  112  and the second caster mount  156  of  FIG. 5 , taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 . As illustrated, the first caster  112  is incorrectly assembled with the second caster mount  156 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8  and described previously, second caster mount  156  has boss  124 , second caster receptacle  158 , and second receiver  120 . Second caster  114  has a caster stem  134 , an engagement member  118 , an engagement shaft  150 , and a stopper  148 . Engagement member  118  comprises engagement head  154  and indented engagement portion  152 . Engagement member  118  of the second caster  114  engages, preferably rotatably, the receiver  120  of the second caster mount  156 . Boss  124  of the second caster mount  156  has a receiving bore  160 , and the stopper  148  of the second caster  114  is received by the receiving bore  160 . The receiving bore  160  of boss  124  preferably has a diameter larger than the caster receptacle  158  of the second caster mount  156 . 
       FIG. 9  also illustrates second caster mount  156  having boss  124  with receiving bore  160 , second caster receptacle  158 , and second receiver  120 . As described previously, the first caster  112  has a caster stem  126 , an engagement member  130 , an engagement shaft  142 , and a stopper  128  that is larger in width than the stopper  148  of the second caster  114 . Engagement member  130  has indented engagement portion  144  and engagement head  146 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the stopper  128  of the first caster  112  has a width that is larger than the diameter of the receiving bore  160  of the second caster mount  156 . As a result, the first caster stopper  128  is not received by a receiving bore  160  in the boss  124 , and the first caster engagement member  130  is not received by the second receiver  120 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates bolster  200 , which is another embodiment of a bolster that can be connected to the body of a ride-on toy on the present invention, such as the ride-on toy illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . As illustrated, bolster  200  has at least one connection bore  202  that allows for the bolster  200  to be attached to the body of a ride-on toy by at least one fastener, such as, for example, snap fit pins, cotter pins, screws, clips, or any other suitable fastener. Alternatively, bolster  200  can be integrally molded with the body. Bolster  200  includes embodiments of a first caster mount  204  and a second caster mount  206 . As illustrated the first and second caster mounts  204  and  206  are components of the bolster  200 . In other embodiments, the first and second caster mounts  204  and  206  can be separately connected to the body of the ride-on toy, or can be integrally molded with the body of the ride-on toy. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10  first caster mount  204  has a first caster receptacle  208 , and second caster mount  206  has a second caster receptacle  210 . The first caster receptacle  208  has a first geometric shape, and the second caster receptacle  210  has a second geometric shape. The geometric shape of each caster receptacle can be determined from the shape of the cross section of the caster receptacle. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the second geometric shape of the second caster receptacle  210  is different than the first geometric shape of the first caster receptacle  208 . Specifically, first caster receptacle  208  has a geometric shape that is a hexagon, and second caster receptacle  210  has a geometric shape that is a pentagon. Caster receptacles can have any suitable geometric shape, including a circle, a triangle, a square, a trapezoid, a rectangle, a star, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, an n-gon, or an irregular shape. It is preferred that the first geometric shape of the first caster receptacle  208  and the second geometric shape of the second caster receptacle  210  be selected such that each of the corresponding bushings, discussed below, will only engage one of the caster receptacles, and will not fit within the other caster receptacle, even if misaligned. 
       FIGS. 11 through 13  illustrate the assembly of casters  236  and  238  with bolster  200 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  are exploded views, illustrating the separate components in alignment for assembly.  FIG. 13  illustrates the components as assembled. First caster mount  204  has, in addition to a first caster receptacle  208 , a first receiver  212 . Second caster mount  206  has, in addition to a second caster receptacle  210 , a second caster receiver  214 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 through 13 , first caster  236  has a caster stem  240 , a stopper  244 , an engagement shaft  242 , an engagement member  246 , and an axle  248 . Second caster  238  has a caster stem  250 , a stopper  254 , an engagement shaft  252 , an engagement member  256 , and an axle  258 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 11 through 13 , first bushing  216  is assembled with first washer  260  and first caster  236 , and second bushing  218  is assembled with second washer  262  and second caster  238 . In preferred embodiments, casters are assembled with their respective bushings, as well as with any other components, such as, for example, the washers illustrated in  FIGS. 11 through 13 , at the factory, so that a consumer need only attach the pre-assembled caster assemblies to the caster mounts on the body of the ride-on toy. 
     First bushing  216  receives and rotatably engages the first caster  236 , and is received and engaged by the first caster mount  204 . First bushing  216  has first bottom portion  220 , first engagement portion  222 , first top portion  224 , and first through bore  226 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , first bushing  216  can be assembled with first caster  236  and washer  260 , by sliding washer  260  over the engagement shaft  242  of first caster  236  so that it directly abuts stopper  244 , and then attaching bushing  216  by sliding it over engagement shaft  242  of the first caster  236  so that bottom portion  220  directly abuts washer  260 , through bore  226  receives engagement shaft  242 , and top portion  224  receives and engages the engagement member  246  of the first caster  236 . Top portion  224  of first bushing  216  preferably engages engagement member  246  of the first caster  236  by a snap fit or press fit, although any suitable method of engagement can be utilized, such as, for example, with hardware including, but not limited to, one or more cotter pins, e-clips, or set screws. 
     Additionally, first bushing  216  can be assembled with first caster mount by sliding the first bushing  216  into caster receptacle  208  so that top portion  224  of first bushing  216  is received and engaged by receiver  212  of the first caster mount  204 , and the engagement portion  222  of the first bushing  216  is received by first caster receptacle  208  of the first caster mount  204 . Top portion  224  of first bushing  216  preferably engages receiver  212  of the first caster mount  204  by a snap fit or press fit, although any suitable method of engagement can be utilized, such as, for example, with hardware including, but not limited to, one or more cotter pins, e-clips, or set screws. 
     Likewise, second bushing  218  receives and rotatably engages the second caster  238 , and is received and engaged by the second caster mount  206 . Second bushing  218  has second bottom portion  228 , second engagement portion  230 , second top portion  232 , and second through bore  234 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , second bushing  218  can be assembled with second caster  238  and washer  262 , by sliding washer  262  over the engagement shaft  252  of second caster  238  so that it directly abuts stopper  254 , and then attaching bushing  218  by sliding it over engagement shaft  252  of the second caster  238  so that bottom portion  228  directly abuts washer  262 , through bore  234  receives engagement shaft  252 , and top portion  232  receives and engages the engagement member  256  of the second caster  238 . Top portion  232  of second bushing  218  preferably engages engagement member  256  of the second caster  238  by a snap fit or press fit, although any suitable method of engagement can be utilized, such as, for example, with hardware including, but not limited to, one or more cotter pins, e-clips, or set screws. 
     Further, second bushing  218  can be assembled with second caster mount  206  by sliding the second bushing  218  into caster receptacle  210  so that top portion  232  of second bushing  218  is received and engaged by receiver  214  of the second caster mount  206 , and the engagement portion  230  of the second bushing  218  is received by second caster receptacle  210  of the second caster mount  206 . Top portion  232  of second bushing  218  preferably engages receiver  214  of the second caster mount  206  by a snap fit or press fit, although any suitable method of engagement can be utilized, such as, for example, with hardware including, but not limited to, one or more cotter pins, e-clips, or set screws. 
       FIGS. 14-17  further illustrate first bushing  216  and second bushing  218 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , first bushing  216  has first bottom portion  220 , first engagement portion  222 , first top portion  224 , and first through bore  226 . Features to facilitate the engagement of top portion  224  with first receiver  212  of first caster mount  204  are located on the outside of top portion  224 . The features shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  include ridge  266  and indented portion  268 . When bushing  216  is attached or secured within receiver  212  of first caster mount  204 , the receiver  212  engages at least indented portion  268 , and ridge  266  prevents bushing  216  from pulling out of receiver  212 . Top portion  224  of first bushing  216  also includes caster receiver  264 . When first caster  236  is received by first bushing  216 , engagement member  246  of the first caster  236  slides through the first bushing through bore  226  and is engaged by caster receiver  264 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , second bushing  218  has second bottom portion  228 , second engagement portion  230 , second top portion  232 , and second through bore  234 . Features to facilitate the engagement of top portion  232  with second receiver  214  of second caster mount  206  are located on the outside of top portion  232 . The features shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  include ridge  274  and indented portion  276 . When second bushing  218  is attached or secured within second receiver  214  of second caster mount  206 , the receiver  214  engages at least indented portion  276 , and ridge  274  prevents bushing  218  from pulling out of receiver  214 . Top portion  232  of second bushing  218  also includes caster receiver  272 . When second caster  238  is received by second bushing  218 , engagement member  256  of the second caster  238  slides through the second bushing through bore  234  and is engaged by caster receiver  272 . 
     In preferred embodiments, first bushing  216  is uniquely adapted to engage the first caster receptacle  204 , and the second bushing  218  is uniquely adapted to engage the second caster receptacle  206 . For example, the first engagement portion  222  of first bushing  216  and the second engagement portion  230  of the second bushing  218  preferably each have a cross section having a geometric shape. Bushings can have any geometric shape that corresponds to the geometric shape of a caster mount receptacle, such as, for example, a circle, a triangle, a square, a trapezoid, a rectangle, a star, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, an n-gon, or an irregular shape. It is preferred that the geometric shape of the first engagement portion  222  of the first bushing  216  be different than the geometric shape of the second engagement portion of the second bushing. Most preferably, the geometric shapes of each caster receptacle and the engagement portions of each bushing are selected such that each engagement portion of a bushing will only engage its corresponding caster receptacle, and will not fit within the other caster receptacle, even if misaligned. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 14-17 , the geometric shape of the first engagement portion  222  of first bushing  216  is a hexagon, and the geometric shape of the second engagement portion  230  of the second bushing  218  is a pentagon. The geometric shapes of the first and second engagement portions  222  and  230  correspond, respectively, to the geometric shapes of the first caster receptacle  208  and the second caster receptacle  210 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10-13 . In this manner the first engagement portion  222  is received by first caster mount receptacle  208 , but is not received by second caster receptacle  210 . Likewise second engagement portion  230  is received by second caster receptacle  210 , but is not received by first caster receptacle  208 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.