Abstract:
An electrical coupling is for a vehicle and trailer assembly. The coupling is supplied with electricity and comprises a light source for illuminating an area adjacent the coupling.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application of PCT/AU2011/001431, filed May 2, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to power and/or signal transmitting coupling arrangements between vehicles and auxiliary equipment such as a trailer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    When attempting to couple trailers and other auxiliary equipment to vehicles, it can often be a requirement that power and/or signals be transmitted to that auxiliary equipment. Particularly for trailers and other mobile equipment, both power and signals are required to be transmitted for the purpose of replicating the vehicle lighting (e.g. brake lights and indicators) that the mobile equipment might obscure when attached behind the vehicle. 
         [0004]    In order to transmit power and/or signals, an electrical system of the auxiliary equipment must be coupled with a system of the vehicle. Generally, this requires the alignment and coupling of a coupling element of the auxiliary equipment with a coupling element of the vehicle. Particularly at night, locating and aligning coupling elements can be very difficult. This problem also exists where vehicles are under a roof, or are large enough to obscure much of the light that would otherwise enable visibility of the coupling elements. 
         [0005]    In addition, many countries require auxiliary equipment to be coupled with the vehicle by a ball joint or universal coupling and also by a shackle, the latter being provided in the event that the former fails. When visibility is poor, alignment of ball joints and universal couplings can be time consuming. Similarly, since shackles tend to be connected to the vehicle at an underside of a trailing assembly, there is often poor visibility for effecting coupling of the shackle, even during daylight hours. 
         [0006]    It is desired therefore to provide an apparatus for improving visibility at least during coupling. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention there is provided an electrical coupling for a vehicle and trailer assembly, the coupling being supplied with electricity and comprising a light source for illuminating an area adjacent the coupling. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the light source is powered by a battery or lighting system of the vehicle or a battery housed within the coupling element. 
         [0009]    The vehicle may be a driven vehicle as hereinafter discussed, or may be a trailing vehicle such as a trailer. In this regard, the term ‘vehicle’ will be understood to include within its scope both driven and trailing, or auxiliary, vehicles. Moreover, the word “trailer” will be understood to mean something that trails behind a vehicle, whether or not it is a flat bed trailer, boat trailer, mobile light system or any other piece of equipment capable of trailing, or being towed behind, a vehicle in the intended manner. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, the present invention improves the visibility of couplings and/or shackle points of vehicles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a vehicle to which is attached a socket in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a close-up view of the socket shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , to which a boat trailer has been mechanically coupled, the boat trailer also being electrically coupled to the socket; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a close-up view of the socket shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show front and rear exploded views respectively of a socket of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the socket according to  FIGS. 3 and 4  in a closed condition; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the socket of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of an electrical coupling system or socket according to the present invention mounted on a vehicle; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7A  is a close-up view of the electrical coupling system of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a coupling arrangement or socket according to the present invention in an open configuration; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  shows a coupling arrangement or socket according to the present invention in a closed configuration; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment of a coupling arrangement or socket according to the present invention attached to a vehicle; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10A   2 A is a close-up view of the socket shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the vehicle of  FIG. 10 , to which a boat trailer has been mechanically coupled, the boat trailer also being electrically coupled to the socket; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11A  is a close-up view of the socket shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show front and rear exploded views respectively of a socket of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a side cross-sectional view of the socket according to  FIGS. 12 and 13  in a closed condition; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the socket of  FIG. 14 ; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary process flow for activating/deactivating the light source of the socket shown in any one of  FIGS. 1 to 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    A vehicle  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a tow ball  12  to which auxiliary equipment such as a trailer  14  (see  FIG. 2 ) can be attached. The vehicle  10  is fitted with a coupling element, presently socket  16 , which comprises a light source  18 : the light source provides light in the vicinity of the socket  16 . 
         [0032]    To provide power to the light source  18 , the socket  16  is electrically connected to the lighting circuit (not shown) of the vehicle  10 , the lighting circuit being for controlling the lights of the vehicle  10 . It will be appreciated the socket  16  may instead house a battery (not shown) or be connected to the battery or other electrical system of the vehicle, in order to provide power to the light source  18 . 
         [0033]    As discussed above, the trailer  14  is coupled to the vehicle mechanically through the tow ball  12 , and is also coupled with the vehicle  10  through an electrical coupling formed by the coupling of first and second coupling elements, those elements presently being socket  16  and plug  20 . The socket  16  is attached to the vehicle  10 , and the plug  20  is attached to the trailer  14 , the plug  20  being receivable in the socket  16 . The socket  16  and plug  20  can use any appropriate electrical connection, such as a standard seven- or thirteen-pin round or flat connection, to which a standard plug, such as plug  20 , can connect. 
         [0034]    The socket  16  has a closed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1A , in which a cover, comprising a lid or dust cover  22 , is closed thereby protecting the electrical coupling from environmental conditions. The socket  16  also has an open condition, as shown in  FIG. 2A , in which the lid  22  hinges open to expose an aperture  24  in which the plug  20  is received to electrically connect the vehicle  10  and trailer  14 . The aperture  24  is a standard connection aperture and need not be described in any further detail. 
         [0035]    The lid or cap  22  includes tines  26  between which is defined an arcuate surface  28  (see  FIG. 4 ). The arcuate surface  28  rests against the rear of the plug  20 , with a flange  30  of the plug  20  being retained behind the tines  26  between the tines  26  and the aperture  24 . In this manner, the tines  26  and arcuate surface  28  prevent inadvertent removal of the plug  20  from the socket  16 . 
         [0036]    The socket  16 , as shown in exploded view in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , includes a housing comprising a rear housing or backing plate  34  for mounting to e.g. a bumper bar of the vehicle  10 , and a front housing  32 , the electronics and lighting systems of the socket  16  (discussed below) being housed in the housing members  32 ,  34 . 
         [0037]    The rear housing  34 , and thus the socket  16 , can be mounted to the vehicle  10  in any known manner e.g. using hex-key screws driven into the bumper bar through apertures  36 . 
         [0038]    The rear housing  34  is substantially rectangular, having rounded ends, though the shape of the rear housing  34  may be adapted to suit a particular arrangement of light source  18  and aperture  24 , and a particular shape of the bumper bar or other feature of the vehicle  10  to which the socket  16  is intended to be attached. 
         [0039]    To the rear of the housing is a cable gland seal  38  that fits around a cable (not shown) that electrically connects the vehicle  10  to the socket  16 . The cable gland seal  38  and cable are retained in place by a cable gland cap  40  in a known manner. 
         [0040]    A printed circuit board (PCB) backing plate  42  is sandwiched between the housing portions  32 ,  34  and is fixed in position when the front surface of the rear housing  34  is connected with the front housing  32  by an ultrasonic weld bead  44  that is coextensive with a periphery of the front housing  32 . It will be appreciated that any appropriate means may be used for connecting front and rear housing portions. 
         [0041]    The PCB backing plate  42  provides the electronic circuit controlling connection of the lighting system of the vehicle  10  to the pins or main terminals  46  and to the light source  18 . 
         [0042]    The light source  18  includes one or more, presently two, LEDs. Further, the two LEDs shown in  FIG. 3  are high power LEDs capable of being operated in both a high power (bright) mode and a low power (dim) mode. The LEDs  18  are mounted to the PCB  42  in a known manner. 
         [0043]    A light permeable panel or cover, presently lens cover  48 , is received in a stepped section  50  of the front housing  32  by a friction fit. The light permeable cover  48  at least partially prevents exposure of an internal volume of the housing to atmosphere while allowing light from the light source to escape the housing. 
         [0044]    When the front housing  32  is mounted to the rear housing  34  the LEDs  18  emit light through the lens cover  48  and out of the socket  16  though apertures in the stepped section  50 . In this manner, the lens covers  48  protects the LEDs from damage (e.g. by dust) and also ensures that light can pass from the socket  16  whilst the socket  16  remains water tight. 
         [0045]    Within the aperture  24  is a standard arrangement of terminals  46  that seat into respective sleeves or apertures  52 . The terminals  46  are sealed in the apertures  52  by main terminal ring seals  54  in a known manner. Similarly, the lid  22  is mounted to the front housing  32  by a pin  54  in a known manner. 
         [0046]    In order to activate the LEDs  18 , one or more vehicle conditions may need to be satisfied. In the present case, those conditions include the taillights of the vehicle  10  being switched on, indicating that the headlights are on and thus that visibility is poor. The conditions also include the lid  22  being moved to an open condition (see  FIG. 2A ) thus indicating that a plug  20  is intended to be coupled with the socket  16 . 
         [0047]    To determine whether the lid  22  is in the open or closed condition, a reed switch  56  is attached to the PCB  42 , the reed switch  56  being activated by the removal of a magnetic field supplied by a magnet  58  attached to the lid  22 . As the lid  22  is moved to the open condition, the magnet  58  is distanced from the reed switch  56  thereby removing (or sufficiently reducing) the magnetic field applied to the switch  56 . The switch  56  thus activates, satisfying a second condition for illumination of the LEDs  18 . 
         [0048]    It will be appreciated that the alternative reed switch, namely a reed switch that is active upon application of a magnetic field, may be used with appropriate reconfiguration of the PCB  42  or programs built into a microprocessor in the socket  16  (discussed below). 
         [0049]    The socket  16 , as shown in rear exploded view in  FIG. 4 , further includes an integrated cable gland  60  within a cable (not shown) and cable gland  38  are received, the cable gland  38  surrounding the cable. An internal thread of the cable gland cap  40  engages an external thread of the integrated cable gland  60  to fix the cable to the socket  16 . 
         [0050]    The lens cover  48  is sealed to the housing  32  by an adhesive (e.g. silicon) applied to a groove  62  which groove  62  is substantially coextensive with the periphery of the lens cover  48 . It will be appreciated that any other sealing method may be used as appropriate. 
         [0051]    The front housing portion  32  is sealed to the rear housing portion  34  by an ultrasonic weld bead  64 . 
         [0052]    For the purpose of illustration, the socket  16  is shown in cross-section in an assembled, closed condition in  FIG. 5  and in perspective in an assembled, closed condition in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0053]    An alternative embodiment of a coupling element in accordance with the present teachings, namely socket  66 , is shown in  FIGS. 7 to 9 . Features of the present socket  66  that are the same as features of the previously described embodiment, namely socket  16 , will have the same reference numerals. 
         [0054]    The socket  66  is provided with a series of small light sources, in the present case LEDs  68  as shown in  FIG. 7A , surrounding the aperture  24  for providing light to improve visibility when connecting/disconnecting the plug  20  from the socket  66 . The present LEDs  68  are not high power LEDs as previously described, but may be capable of emitting light at various intensities thereby providing for a dim condition and a bright condition as described above. 
         [0055]    The LEDs  68  may be powered by a battery or electrical system of the vehicle  10 , such as that which powers the tail lights and/or indicators. In this regard, the LEDs  68  may automatically switch on when the headlights of the vehicle  10  are illuminated, indicating that visibility is low, and/or may be illuminated when the reverse lights of the vehicle  10  are illuminated, to improve visibility in an area behind the vehicle  10 . 
         [0056]    Alternative power sources for the LEDs  68  may include solar cells or a battery (not shown) housed within, or in communication with, the socket  66 . The battery may be charged by an electrical system of the vehicle  10  or may be replaceable. 
         [0057]    The socket  66  may also be adapted to assist in mechanical coupling/decoupling, by providing further LEDs  70  that illuminate, for example, a shackle mounting  72  on the bumper bar  74  of the vehicle (see  FIG. 8 ). The further LEDs  70  direct light downwardly to illuminate an area underneath the vehicle  10 . 
         [0058]    The further LEDs  70  may be powered by the same power source as that which powers the LEDs  68 . 
         [0059]    When not in use, the LEDs  68  of the socket  66 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , may be switched off unless certain conditions, such as the headlights or reverse lights of the vehicle  10  being in use, are met. When in the closed configuration as shown, the lid  22  is hinged back over the aperture  24  to protect the aperture  24  from ingress of contaminants such as dust and dirt. In order to make immediately apparent whether the socket  18  is in the closed or open configuration, a further LED  76  may be provided on the outer surface  78  of the lid  22 , which LED  76  is illuminated when the lid  22  is in the closed configuration. 
         [0060]    It will be appreciated that LEDs may be provided on the sockets  16 ,  66  in positions convenient to illuminate any area behind the vehicle  10 , as required. Moreover, LEDs may be provided in the plug  20 , and be illuminated by a battery and/or solar cell on the trailer  14 , or any other power source as appropriate, including a power source that could be used to power the socket  16 ,  66 . 
         [0061]    Placing LEDs on the plug  20  will enable the plug  20  to be located in times of poor visibility. Furthermore, the series of LEDs  68  may comprise a single LED or any number of LEDs as appropriate. Moreover, the LEDs may be colour-coded depending on their application (e.g. white when in use with the reverse lights of the vehicle  10  or red when flashing in sync with hazard lights as discussed below). 
         [0062]    A further embodiment of a socket  80  in accordance with the present teachings is shown in  FIGS. 10 to 15 , the socket  80  providing a rectangular (straight) connection rather than a circular connection  16 ,  66  provided by the sockets  16 ,  66  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 9 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 10  shows the socket  80  mounted to the rear of a vehicle. The socket  80  is in a closed condition with lid  82  against housing  84 . A close-up view of the socket  80  is provided in  FIG. 10A . 
         [0064]      FIG. 11  shows the socket  80  coupled with a trailer  14 , the plug  86  of the trailer  14  being coupled to the socket  80 . The manner in which the plug  86  connects with the socket  80  will be widely known in the art and need not be reiterated herein. 
         [0065]    The socket  80 , as shown in exploded view in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , includes a housing comprising a rear housing or backing plate  88  for mounting to e.g. a bumper bar of the vehicle  10 , and a front housing  84 , the electronics and lighting systems of the socket  80  (discussed below) being housed in the housing members  84 ,  88 . 
         [0066]    The rear housing  88 , and thus the socket  80 , can be mounted to the vehicle  10  in any known manner e.g. by screws received through apertures  89  (see  FIG. 15 ). 
         [0067]    The rear housing  88  is substantially rectangular, having a rounded bottom end and a flat top end though, as discussed above in relation to socket  80 , the shape of the rear housing  88  (and front housing  84  for that matter) may be adapted to suit a particular arrangement of light source  18  and aperture  90 , and a particular shape of the bumper bar or other feature of the vehicle  10  to which the socket  80  is intended to be attached. 
         [0068]    To the rear of the housing is the same cable gland seal  38  and cable gland cap  40  arrangement as discussed in relation to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and need not be further detailed. 
         [0069]    A PCB backing plate  92  is fitted to the front surface of the rear housing  88  by an ultrasonic weld bead  94 . The PCB backing plate  92  includes apertures  96  through which screws extend to join the front housing  84  with the rear housing  88 , thereby to house the light source  18  and other components of the socket  80 . 
         [0070]    As with PCB backing plate  42 , PCB  92  provides the electronic circuit controlling connection of the lighting system of the vehicle  10  to the pins or main terminals  98  and to the light source  18 . 
         [0071]    The light source  18  again includes two high power LEDs capable of being operated in both a high power (bright) mode and a low power (dim) mode. The LEDs  18  are mounted to the PCB  92  in a known manner. 
         [0072]    A stepped section  50  is again provided for receiving lens cover  48  and has the same function as the lens cover  48  described in relation to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0073]    Within the aperture  90  is a standard straight arrangement of terminals  98  that seat into respective sleeves or apertures  100 . 
         [0074]    The terminals  98  are protected, when the socket  80  is not in use, by lid  82 , the lid being mounted to the front housing  84  by a pin  102  in a known manner. 
         [0075]    The LEDs  18  are again activated based on the satisfaction of various conditions of the socket  80  as discussed above, and the reed switch  56  and magnet  58  act in the same manner as previously discussed. 
         [0076]    As with the socket  16  as shown in  FIG. 4 , the socket  80  as shown in rear exploded view in  FIG. 13  further includes an integrated cable gland  60  within a cable (not shown) and cable gland  38  are received, the cable gland  38  surrounding the cable. The lens cover  48  is again sealed to the housing  84  by an adhesive applied to a groove  104  substantially coextensive with the periphery of the lens cover  48 , and the front housing  84  is sealed to the rear housing  88  by ultrasonic weld beads  94 ,  106 . Again, it will be understood that any appropriate sealing means may be used. 
         [0077]    Of note is that the shape of a cutaway  108  in the PCB  48  may be adapted to accommodate a fastener of fastener sleeve  110  the shape of which may change depending of the arrangement of front and rear housing portions  32 ,  34 ,  84 ,  88 . 
         [0078]    For the purpose of illustration, the socket  80  is shown in cross-section in an assembled, closed condition in Figure and in perspective in an assembled, closed condition in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0079]    In the present embodiment, the socket  16 ,  66 ,  80  contains connections for five wires between the trailer  14  and vehicle  10 : these wires connect between terminals  46 ,  98  and include wires for ground (GND), reverse (REV), taillight (TAIL), and left and right hand indicators (LEFT, RIGHT). 
         [0080]    The LEDs  18  are only able to be switched on when the headlights or parking lights of the vehicle  10  are on as this indicates that visibility may be poor. Whether or not the headlights or parking lights are on is detected by current passing through the TAIL connection. 
         [0081]    With regard to the arrangement of the reed switch  56  and magnet  58 , the magnet  58  is positioned on the front lid or cover  22 ,  82 , and the switch  56  is positioned on the backing plate  42 ,  92  to which the LEDs  18  are mounted. The reed switch  56  has an off condition, in which the lid  22 ,  82  is in the closed position and the magnet  58  is closest to the reed switch  56 , and an on condition, in which the lid  22 ,  82  is open and the magnet  58  is thereby distanced from the reed switch  56 . Thus the presence of a magnetic field deactivates the reed switch  56 . 
         [0082]    Activation of the reed switch  56  by removal of the magnetic field causes the LEDs  18  to turn on in a low power (i.e. dim) mode to provide good visibility for a user to connect a plug  20  to the socket  16 ,  66 ,  80 . The LEDs  18  remain on for a predetermined period of time (e.g. 60 seconds) and then switch off to preserve the life of the LEDs  18 . 
         [0083]    The LEDs  18  may also be illuminated depending on the state of the left and right indicators of the vehicle  10 . For example, if the left and right indicators are both flashing, indicating that the hazard lights are on, then the LEDs  18  can be illuminated in sync with the hazard lights. 
         [0084]    If the vehicle  10  to which the socket  16 ,  66 ,  80  is attached reverses, the LEDs  18  are switched to a high power mode until the vehicle  10  is no longer in reverse gear (as indicated by current passing through the REV connector). In an alternative embodiment, the LEDs  18  may be illuminated in high power mode if the vehicle  10  is put into reverse, then out of reverse and back into reverse within a certain period of time (e.g. 5 seconds) as this would indicate the intention of the driver to have the LEDs  18  illuminated and would avoid illumination of the LEDs  18  when unnecessary or undesirable e.g. when reversing during daylight hours. 
         [0085]    A temperature sensor and/or an over-power sensor (not shown) is/are incorporated into the PCB  42 ,  92  to switch off or otherwise isolate the LEDs  18  if they become too hot or if a power spike is experienced. If the LEDs  18  are switched on for reversing and the temperature sensor senses that the temperature of the LEDs  18  has reached a predefined threshold, then the LEDs  18  may be switched onto low power mode until they cool down. In this manner, damage to the LEDs  18  can be controlled or avoided. 
         [0086]    To achieve the above functionality, a microcontroller is incorporated into the electronics (e.g. mounted to the PCB backing plate  42 ,  92  to which the LEDs  18  are mounted) and is programmed to control the conditions under which the LEDs  18  are illuminated (e.g. hazard light conditions as discussed above) and the period of time for which the LEDs  18  are illuminated. 
         [0087]    The microcontroller or the circuit on the PCB  42 ,  92  may include circuit protections (e.g. switches) that reconfigure/reroute connections used to control the conditions under which the LEDs  18  are illuminated, to protect against e.g.:
       Reverse polarity due to incorrect trailer wiring;   Voltage surges (e.g. power spikes as discussed above) from events such as jump starting;   Electrical noise from the vehicle electronics that may interfere with trailer light electronics; and   Electrical noise from the trailer light electronics that may interfere with vehicle electronics.       
 
         [0092]    The electronics in the socket  16 ,  66 ,  80  may also include other features:
       Reverse speaker that beeps to indicate that the vehicle  10  is reversing;   Reverse camera for transmitting an image of what is behind the vehicle  10  to a display visible to the driver;   Proximity sensors for indicating (e.g. acoustically) to the driver when objects are within a certain distance from the rear of the vehicle  10 , the tone altering depending on how close the object(s) is/are.       
 
         [0096]    The basic functionality and general operating process of a socket  16 ,  66 ,  80  as described herein is shown in the flowchart in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0097]    The PCB or module  42 ,  92  powers on by switching on of a taillight of the vehicle  10  (at  112 ). This does not necessarily mean that the LEDs  18  are switched on but that a condition for the LEDs  18  to be switched on has been satisfied. 
         [0098]    The state of the reed switch  56  is checked (at  114 ). This check can determine if (a) the reed switch  56  in is the on or off condition or (b) whether there has been a change in condition of the reed switch  56 . Depending on the manner in which the conditions for illumination of the LEDs  18  have been programmed, conditions (a) and (b) of the reed switch  56  may have different effects. 
         [0099]    If there is a change of state of the reed switch  56  (at  116 ) and any other relevant conditions are satisfied (e.g. the headlights of the vehicle  10  being switched on) to permit for illumination of the LEDs  18 , then the LEDs  18  are switched on for a predetermined period of time (at  118 ). The period of time is presently  60  seconds though any desired period of time may be used. 
         [0100]    The process then enters a loop during which it determines whether the REV signal is on or off (at  120 ). If the REV signal is off but the predetermined time period is yet to expire (at  122 ), the REV signal is again queried. If the REV signal is off and the predetermined time period expires (at  122 ), the LEDs  18  are switched off (at  124 ) and the process awaits a change in state of the reed switch  56  (at  114 ). 
         [0101]    If the REV signal is on the module or program on the microprocessor (discussed below) enters a loop of checking the temperature of the LEDs (at  126 ) and maintaining high power mode (at  128 ) or switching to low/half power mode (at  130 ) as appropriate, and thereafter re-checking whether the REV signal is active (at  132 ). 
         [0102]    Once the taillight is switched off the module or socket  16 ,  66 ,  80  powers down. 
         [0103]    It will be appreciated that any piece of auxiliary equipment may be attached to the vehicle  10  as appropriate, though the piece of auxiliary equipment in the present embodiment in a boat trailer  14 . 
         [0104]    It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0105]    In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 
         [0106]    It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.