Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a modular wall box system configured to be mounted substantially flush with respect to the wall. The assembly includes a plurality of wall surfaces, each wall surface includes a single gang opening that accommodates an AC electrical wiring device or a low voltage telecom device. At least one removable flange cover is configured to be removably coupled to the mounting flange. At least one modular connector can be inserted within the single gang modular device opening and includes a slidable engagement portion. The slidable engagement portion slidably engages a lateral edge of the wall surface forming the single gang modular device opening such that the at least one modular connector is slidably moveable to any vertical position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/349,673 filed on Jan. 7, 2009, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to electrical device housing assemblies, and particularly to recessed electrical device housings. 
     2. Technical Background 
     With the advent of commercial electronics, consumers have sought to purchase various types of electronic equipment to provide entertainment for themselves and their families. Home entertainment electronics initially included nothing more than a radio receiver or a record player. But by the early 1950&#39;s, many homes included a black and white television set. The only electrical connection for radios and televisions was a simple electrical plug that was inserted into an electrical outlet for 120 VAC electrical power. Media content was delivered to the radio or the television by RF signals broadcast over the air. Over time, however, home entertainment systems increased in complexity as new kinds of audio-visual electronics were introduced. 
     Nowadays, broadcasting RF television signals directly to the TV receiver has become largely passé. Most home entertainment systems typically include a cable-TV or a satellite television receiver. The cable-TV set may receive service from the curb via a coaxial feed or via a fiber optic feed. Both types of units (i.e., cable or satellite) provide low voltage audio-visual signals to the television by way of a cable. The media content can be provided by a number of sources including “game stations,” a DVD or “Blu-ray” player, a computer, and/or a “surround-sound” audio system. If the consumer is an audiophile, he or she may have audio preamplifiers, CD players, “IPods®,” or other such devices. 
     Many modern homes are now wired to include low voltage telecommunications wiring to avoid having various kinds of unsightly telephony, coaxial, and/or HDMI wiring visible throughout the home. Thus, a home entertainment system may require multiple AC power outlets and multiple telecommunications outputs to accommodate all of these wires. 
     As those skilled in the art will appreciate, an electrical wiring device must be enclosed in a device box for safety reasons. An AC electrical duplex receptacle is often designed to fit in a single gang device box. But AC electrical wiring devices come in all sizes and a single gang device box can accommodate multiple devices. For instance, a single gang device box can accommodate a switch and dimmer assembly, and a switch in combination with a single receptacle outlet. On the other hand, multi-gang electrical wiring device boxes may be employed. One example of this is when two or more electrical duplex receptacles are required; two duplex receptacles are often mounted side-by-side in a two-gang device box. If three such devices are employed, a three gang device box may be required, and so on and so forth. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that low voltage telecommunication wiring devices typically do not require device boxes. Instead, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an adapter  1  may be employed to mount the low voltage electrical wiring device to the wall. The user typically removes a rectangular portion of dry-wall where telecommunications service is desired. The telecom wires are inserted through the rectangular aperture of the adapter  1  and it is then inserted into the wall opening. The adapter includes a pair of screw-type mounting brackets  2 . When adapter  1  is in place, the installer will turn the screw brackets  2  such that the flange  4  captures the drywall there between. At this point, a low voltage telecommunication device is mounted to the adapter  1  by mounting screws that are inserted into the threaded screw holes  3 . 
     Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that there must be a physical barrier between AC power devices and low voltage telecom devices to prevent AC power from being inadvertently propagated on telecom wiring. Such an occurrence is unexpected and would lead to shock or electrocution. Thus, conventional wiring systems include a device box for AC electrical wiring devices and a separate adapter for low voltage telecom wiring. Both the AC electrical device and the telecom device are typically mounted flush with the drywall. This is undesirable because it is both unsightly and potentially dangerous, since an electrical plug extending perpendicularly from the wall may become partially exposed for various reasons. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of another approach that has been considered. In this view, an old work mounting box  1  includes a first opening  6 - 1  that is dedicated to an AC electrical wiring device and a second opening  6 - 2  that is dedicated to telecommunications devices. While this represents an improvement over the device depicted in  FIG. 1 , there are several drawbacks. First, the box  1  offers no modularity because first opening  6 - 1  is dedicated to accommodating a device box for an AC electrical wiring device and the second opening  6 - 2  is dedicated to telecommunications devices (Note that connection tabs  6 - 3  accommodate the mounting screws for a telecom device). Moreover, the mounting surface  7 - 2  is not employed. In addition, the 2-gang opening  6 - 2  is parallel to the frame  1 - 1  (and hence the drywall). However, this is not an efficient use of space and results in a relatively large non-compact device box. 
     What is needed is a compact modular housing assembly that is configured to efficiently accommodate either AC electrical devices or telecom devices in a single recessed compartment, or both AC electrical devices and telecom devices in a single recessed compartment while providing the requisite electrical isolation between AC power devices and telecom devices. Moreover, a modular housing assembly is needed that can adaptively accommodate the wide variety of electrical wiring devices and telecom devices described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the needs described above by providing a compact modular housing assembly that is configured to efficiently accommodate either, or both, AC electrical devices and low voltage telecom devices in a single recessed compartment while providing the requisite electrical isolation between AC power devices and low voltage telecom devices. The present invention also provides a modular housing assembly that includes an adaptive connector that accommodates the wide variety of electrical wiring devices and telecom devices previously described. 
     One aspect of the present invention is directed to a modular wall box system includes a housing structure that has a rectangular frame portion configured to be mounted substantially flush with respect to the wall upon installation of the system. The rectangular frame portion includes an upper frame member, a lower frame member, a first upright frame member interconnecting the upper frame member to the lower frame member at one end thereof and a second upright frame member interconnecting the upper frame member to the lower frame member at second end thereof. The frame also includes a recessed roof portion connected to the upper frame member and a recessed floor portion connected to the lower frame member such that the recessed roof portion is substantially parallel to the recessed floor portion. A plurality of wall surfaces is connected between the roof portion and the floor portion to form a recessed device mounting volume. Each wall surface of the plurality of wall surfaces includes a single gang modular device opening configured to accommodate either an AC electrical wiring device or a low voltage telecom device. A first wall surface of the plurality of wall surfaces is connected to the first upright frame member and extends away from the upper frame member and the lower frame member at a first acute angle. And a second wall surface of the plurality of wall surfaces is connected to the second upright frame member and also extends away from the upper frame member and the lower frame member at a second acute angle such that each of the plurality of wall surfaces are not coplanar with respect to any other one of the plurality of wall surfaces devices. At least one mounting flange is formed in at least one of the upper frame member, lower frame member, first upright frame member or second upright frame member. The at least one mounting flange includes a plurality of mounting elements configured to mount the housing structure to the wall. At least one removable flange cover is configured to be removably coupled to the at least one mounting flange after the housing structure is mounted to the wall. The at least one removable flange cover is configured to cover the plurality of mounting elements when the at least one removable flange cover is coupled to the at least one mounting flange. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a modular wall box system includes a housing structure that has a rectangular frame portion configured to be mounted substantially flush with respect to the wall upon installation of the system. The rectangular frame portion includes an upper frame member, a lower frame member, a first upright frame member interconnecting the upper frame member to the lower frame member at one end thereof and a second upright frame member interconnecting the upper frame member to the lower frame member at second end thereof. The frame also includes a recessed roof portion connected to the upper frame member and a recessed floor portion connected to the lower frame member such that the recessed roof portion is substantially parallel to the recessed floor portion. A plurality of wall surfaces is connected between the roof portion and the floor portion to form a recessed device mounting volume. Each wall surface of the plurality of wall surfaces includes a single gang modular device opening configured to accommodate either an AC electrical wiring device or a low voltage telecom device. A first wall surface of the plurality of wall surfaces is connected to the first upright frame member and extends away from the upper frame member and the lower frame member at a first acute angle. And a second wall surface of the plurality of wall surfaces is connected to the second upright frame member and also extends away from the upper frame member and the lower frame member at a second acute angle such that each of the plurality of wall surfaces are not coplanar with respect to any other one of the plurality of wall surfaces devices. At least one mounting flange is formed in at least one of the upper frame member, lower frame member, first upright frame member or second upright frame member. The at least one mounting flange includes a plurality of mounting elements configured to mount the housing structure to the wall. At least one removable flange cover is configured to be removably coupled to the at least one mounting flange after the housing structure is mounted to the wall. The at least one removable flange cover is configured to cover the plurality of mounting elements when the at least one removable flange cover is coupled to the at least one mounting flange. At least one modular connector is configured to be inserted within the single gang modular device opening. The at least one modular connector includes a slidable engagement portion disposed at either end thereof. The slidable engagement portion is configured to slidably engage a lateral edge of the wall surface forming the single gang modular device opening such that the at least one modular connector is slidably moveable to any vertical position within the single gang modular device opening. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a conventional low voltage telecom adapter; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a conventional housing assembly; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are isometric views of the modular housing assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4E  include various views of the modular connector depicted in  FIGS. 3B ; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are plan views illustrating the progressive installation of the modular connector depicted in  FIGS. 4A-4E  into the modular housing assembly depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view showing the installation of a telecom device into the modular housing assembly depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view showing the installation of a device box and an AC electrical duplex outlet into the modular housing assembly depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate the modular housing assembly depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the fully assembled modular housing assembly including both an AC electrical wiring device and two low voltage telecom devices in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  illustrate the modular housing assembly depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the fully assembled modular housing assembly including only AC electrical wiring devices in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate the modular housing assembly depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the fully assembled modular housing assembly including two AC electrical wiring devices and one low voltage telecom devices in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate the modular housing assembly depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the fully assembled modular housing assembly including only low voltage telecom devices in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12A-12D  are directed to various views of a modular connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 13A-13E  are directed to various views of a modular connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. An exemplary embodiment of the modular housing assembly of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3A-3B , and is designated generally throughout by reference numeral  10 . 
     As embodied herein and depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B , isometric views of the modular housing assembly  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.  FIG. 3A  shows the modular housing assembly without the modular connector  100  attached thereto. The modular housing assembly  10  includes a frame portion  12  that is substantially flush with the drywall when the assembly  10  is installed. The frame  12  includes a top aesthetic flange cover  20  and a bottom aesthetic flange cover  22 . The aesthetic flange covers ( 20 ,  22 ) cover the mounting flanges  12 - 1  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) such that the mounting screws  12 - 2  are hidden from view. Thus, the flange covers ( 20 ,  22 ) provide an aesthetically pleasing finish that consumers appreciate. Reference is made to co pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/247,896, filed on Oct. 11, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for a more detailed explanation of designer flange covers  20 ,  22  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     The modular housing assembly  10  is a three gang assembly that includes a recessed region having three planar device mounting surfaces ( 14 - 1 ,  14 - 2 , and  14 - 3 ), a planar roof portion  16 , and a planar floor surface  18 . Thus, in this embodiment, the assembly  10  is a three-gang assembly that accommodates any combination of AC wiring devices  50  or low voltage telecom devices  60 . See, e.g.,  FIGS. 6-11  for a few non-limiting examples of the permutations possible with the present invention. The roof  16  and the floor  18  are quadrilateral surfaces such that none of the mounting surfaces ( 14 - 1 ,  14 - 2 , and  14 - 3 ) are disposed in the same plane. Moreover, the modular housing assembly  10  can be configured as an N-ganged housing assembly, wherein N is greater than or equal to 2. By way of example, the present invention contemplates 3, 4, or 5 gang modular assemblies  10 . 
     The housing assembly  10  is modular in two ways. First, the openings  140  may accept either an AC electrical device  50  or a low voltage telecom device  60 . Second, the modular connector  100  may be employed as a means to mount low voltage telecom devices within an opening  140  or it may be used to modularize a single gang opening  140  such that it can accommodate more than one electrical wiring device. 
     Each type of device is described in greater detail below, but it is sufficient to note at present that the term electrical wiring device is configured to conduct AC electrical power (e.g., 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 15 A). Examples of electrical wiring devices include outlet receptacles (e.g., 120 VAC, 240 VAC, etc.), ON/OFF light or fan speed switches, dimmers, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), surge protective devices (SPDs), transient voltage suppressors (TVSSs), electrical charging devices, arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), proximity sensors, and combinations thereof. The term telecom device refers to telecom devices  60  that propagate low voltage (or optical) information carrying signals that typically do not have the capability of shocking or electrocuting a consumer. Examples of telecom devices include, but are not limited to, coaxial sockets, telephone sockets, data sockets, RCA ports, HDMI ports, USB ports, S-Video ports, low voltage ports, DC voltage ports, etc., as a person skilled in the art would understand to be low voltage devices. 
     In reference to  FIG. 3B , the modular housing assembly  10  is shown with an AC electrical device box  5  installed in the opening  140  within the planar surface  14 - 3 . The other openings  140  corresponding to planar surfaces  14 - 1  and  14 - 2  include the modular telecom connectors  100 . In the one embodiment ( FIGS. 3A-3B ), each device opening  140  may include a center notch  142  to provide clearance for each wall plate screw and side detents  144  that are configured to mate with the modular connectors  100 . Moreover, there are no connection tabs that would prevent modular connectors  100  from engaging with assembly  10 . 
       FIG. 3B  also shows the assembly  10  with the aesthetic flange covers ( 20 ,  22 ) removed. Thus, the frame  12  includes upper and lower mounting flanges  12 - 1 . Each mounting flange  12 - 1  accommodates mounting screws  12 - 2  that actuate the screw brackets  11  (not shown in this view) that attach the assembly  10  to the drywall. Each mounting flange  12 - 1  also includes attachment slots  12 - 3  that register and mate with snap-in elements (not shown) associated with the aesthetic cover plates  20 ,  22 . A registration slot  12 - 3  is also included at each end of the flange  12 - 1 . The registration slot  12 - 3  mates with a registration snap-in element on the corresponding aesthetic cover plate such that the appropriate snap-in element mates with its corresponding slot  12 - 3 .  FIG. 3B  also shows marking holes  12 - 4  disposed at each corner of the frame  12  within the mounting flange  12 - 1 . 
     As embodied herein and depicted in  FIGS. 4A-4E , various views of the modular connector  100  depicted in  FIG. 3B  are disclosed. In  FIG. 4A , the modular connector  100  is shown to include a body portion  100 - 1  that includes retainer elements  100 - 2  extending upwardly therefrom. The retainer elements  100 - 2  are inserted into the detent portions  144  depicted in  FIG. 3B . A boss portion  100 - 7  is disposed between the retainer elements  100 - 2  and may be configured to snap into the center notch  142  of the opening  140 . A channel may be formed by, and between, the retainer elements  100 - 2  and the boss  100 - 7 . In some embodiments, retainers  100 - 2  may be included along the lower portion of the body member  100 - 1 . In this case, the modular connector  100  can be used to modularize a single gang opening to accommodate a plurality of electrical wiring devices within a single gang opening. 
     The boss  100 - 7  includes an upper threaded screw hole  100 - 5  that accommodates a wall plate mounting screw and a lower threaded screw hole  100 - 6  that accommodates a device ( 50 ,  60 ) mounting screw. Gussets (i.e., strengthening ribs)  100 - 8  are attached between the rear side of body  100 - 1  and boss  100 - 7  to provide lateral support for the centrally disposed boss  100 - 7 . 
     The connector  100  includes an engagement device  102  formed at either end thereof. The engagement device  102  includes a wing structure  100 - 3  disposed along the front surface of the body member  100 - 1  and a center finger element  100 - 4  opposing the wing structure  100 - 3  (See  FIG. 4B ) to form a channel  100 - 9  that accommodates the planar mounting surfaces  14  disposed on either side of the opening  140 . As explained in greater detail below, the channel  100 - 9  allows the modular connector  100  to slide up and down within the opening  140 . 
       FIG. 4C  is a rear view of the modular connector  100  that shows in greater detail the four gusset members  100 - 8  configured to support the boss  107 .  FIGS. 4D and 4E  are isometric views that show the rear side and front side, respectively, of the modular connector  100 . 
     As embodied herein and depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5C , various views illustrating the progressive installation of the modular connector  100  into the modular housing assembly are disclosed. In  FIG. 5A , the modular connector  100  is inserted at an angle such that edges of the opposing sides of planar surface  14  fit within the respective channels  100 - 9 . The modular connector  100  is leveled (See  FIG. 5B ) and slid into place (See  FIG. 5C ). Clearly, additional modular connectors  100  may also be employed to modularize the opening  140  in the manner previously described. 
     In reference to  FIG. 6 , an exploded view showing the installation of a telecom device  60  into the modular housing assembly  10  is disclosed. In this view, the frame  12  is mounted within an opening in the drywall using the screw brackets shown in  FIG. 3B . Then, the modular connectors  100  are inserted into the opening  140  formed in planar surface  14 - 1 . The telecom device  60  is mounted to the modular connector  100  with the mounting screws  62 , which are inserted at either end thereof. The telecom device  60  is shown in this example to include a telephony jack  60 - 1 , a coaxial connector  60 - 2  and various S-ports  60 - 3 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 7 , an exploded view showing the installation of a device box  5  and a single-gang sized electrical wiring device (e.g., AC electrical duplex outlet) into the modular housing assembly  10  is disclosed. This embodiment shows the versatility of the present invention because the device box  5  is shown as an old work device box that also includes screw brackets  5 - 1 . Thus, the modular connector  100  can be omitted from the installation and the device box  5  is inserted directly into the opening  140  formed in planar surface  14 - 3 . Alternatively, the modular connector  100  may be employed in conjunction with a device box  5  configured to be connected to connector  100 . In either event, once the device box is inserted into opening  140  and mounted to assembly  10 , the electrical wiring device  50  is inserted into the device box and mounted thereto via the mounting ears  50 - 1 . Then, the wall plate  52  is disposed over the electrical wiring device  50  and attached via screws  52 - 1  and  52 - 2  to complete the installation. 
     In reference to  FIGS. 8A-8B , a fully assembled modular housing assembly  10 , including one AC electrical wiring device  50  and two telecom devices  60 , is disclosed in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 7A  shows a front elevation view, and  FIG. 8B  shows a sectional view through the drywall. In the sectional view, the wall board is shown as being disposed between the screw brackets  12 - 2  and frame  12 . As shown in this view, screw brackets  12 - 2  have not yet been tightened down. Note that because planar surface  14 - 3  is angled inwardly, the device box  5  also extends within the wall cavity at an angle and fits easily there within. The same is true for planar surface  14 - 1 . Planar surface  14 - 2  is recessed and parallel to the drywall surface. If the wall cavity is relatively shallow, the consumer may opt to use planar surface  14 - 2  for the telecom devices. If the wall cavity is more spacious, this issue is not of concern. In any event, the present invention advantageously gives the consumer multiple mounting options. 
     In reference to  FIGS. 9A-9B , a fully assembled modular housing assembly  10  including three electrical wiring devices  50  is disclosed in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 9A  shows a front elevation view, whereas  FIG. 9B  shows a sectional view through the drywall. In the sectional view, the wall board is shown as being disposed between the screw brackets  12 - 2  and frame  12 . 
     In reference to  FIGS. 10A-10B , a fully assembled modular housing assembly  10  including two AC electrical wiring devices  50  and one low voltage telecom device  60  is disclosed in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 10A  shows a front elevation view, whereas  FIG. 10B  shows a sectional view through the drywall. Again, in the sectional view, the wall board is shown as being disposed between the screw brackets  12 - 2  and frame  12 . 
     Finally,  FIGS. 11A-11B  show a fully assembled modular housing assembly that includes three telecom devices  60  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 11A  shows a front elevation view, whereas  FIG. 11B  shows a sectional view through the drywall. Once again, the wall board is shown as being disposed between the screw brackets  12 - 2  and frame  12  in the sectional view. 
     As embodied herein and depicted in  FIGS. 12A-12D , various views of a modular connector  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention are disclosed. Many of the features of modular connector  200  are analogous to those of connector  100  depicted in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 12A , a front elevation view is provided such that the threaded screw holes  200 - 5  and  200 - 6  are visible. The left side of the connector  200  includes a channel  200 - 9  that is configured to accommodate the edge of the planar surface  14  that forms opening  140 . At the right side of the connector  200 , a spring clip  202  is formed by portions  200 - 3  and  200 - 4 .  FIG. 12B  is a side view of the modular connector  200  and more clearly shows the “C-shaped” channel  200 - 9  at the right end thereof. Connector  200  includes a boss  200 - 7  for the threaded screw holes  200 - 5  and  200 - 6 . The boss  200 - 7  is again supported by gussets  200 - 8 .  FIG. 12C  is a rear view that shows the gussets  200 - 8  in greater detail. Comparing  FIG. 12B  and  FIG. 12D , the center portion  220 - 4  of the spring clip  202  and the end portions  200 - 3  are configured to separate when an edge of the planar surface  14  is inserted therebetween. Note also that a lower ledge  200 - 40  of the center portion  200 - 4  functions as a stop that abuts the edge of the planar surface  14  that forms opening  140 . 
     As embodied herein and depicted in  FIGS. 13A-13E , various views of a modular connector  300  in accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. These embodiments are quite similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . The difference between the two embodiments is the gripping clip  302  which includes an outboard grip member  300 - 3  and an inboard grip member  300 - 4 . Like the previous embodiments, the gripping clip  302  captures an edge of the planar surface  14  forming opening  140  there within. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 13A and 13C , the gripping clip  302  is formed at either end of the longitudinal body member  300 - 1 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 13D and 13E , the gripping clip  302  is only formed at one end of the longitudinal body  300 - 1 . 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. 
     The recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. 
     All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not impose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. 
     No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.