Abstract:
In various embodiments, self-adjusting reclinable seating is disclosed. When the user applies a force to the seating by shifting his or her center of gravity, the backrest and seat portions of the seating move in response to the force to recline the seating. The user can return the seating to an upright position by again shifting his or her center of gravity. Such a configuration eliminates the need for manual recline controls. The seating is further configured to continuously vary the angle of the seat and backrest portions relative to the ground as the user moves. In particular, vertical distance between the front of the seat and the ground increases as the backrest reclines. Continuously varying the angle of both the seat and the backrest portions of the seating relative to the ground may improve a user&#39;s seating comfort, for example, by decreasing or eliminating the user&#39;s need to shift position on the seat when reclined.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/247,109, filed Apr. 7, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,084,488, issued Jul. 21, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/942,347, filed Jul. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,247, issued Apr. 8, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/881,012, filed Sep. 13, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,758, issued Sep. 17, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to reclinable seating, and more particularly to self-adjusting reclinable seating. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Reclinable seating has been known for many years. Early solutions to devising seating with a reclining backrest used manual recline controls with prefixed reclining positions, for example, employing notches in the hinged connection between the backrest and the seat or by using notches in the armrests of the seating. These early solutions, although still widely used, are deficient because of their very limited range of recline positions and because many do not permit the seat to move in relation to the backrest. 
     The related art has attempted to solve the deficiencies of manual recline controls with self-adjusting reclinable seating. Self-adjusting reclinable seating does not rely upon prefixed reclining positions. This allows the seating to be positioned anywhere along a range of movement. However, a user may find the positioning of the seat and backrest in the reclining positions in the seating solutions offered by the prior art to be uncomfortable and, consequently, shift his or her position on the seat to accommodate for the backrest&#39;s angle of recline. Accordingly, a need remains for seating that improves user comfort and decreases or eliminates the user&#39;s need to shift position on the seat when reclined. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments, reclinable seating is disclosed that continuously moves the seat and backrest portions relative to the ground as the user moves. When the user applies a force to the seating by shifting his or her center of gravity, the backrest and seat portions of the seating move in response to the force to recline the seating. The seating is preferably configured to compensate for the tendency of the seat portion to tilt downwards as the backrest portion reclines. Preferably, the front portion of the seat inclines upwards as the backrest reclines. In some embodiments, the position of the seat relative to the ground forms an acute angle, and the angle of the seat relative to the ground is substantially maintained as the seat moves forward and the backrest reclines. Alternatively, the angle of the seat relative to the ground can decrease as the backrest reclines. In certain preferred embodiments, however, the vertical distance of the front of the seat relative to the ground increases. The user can return the seating to an upright position by again shifting his or her center of gravity. Such a configuration eliminates the need for manual recline controls. This seating may improve a user&#39;s seating comfort, for example, by decreasing or eliminating the user&#39;s need to shift position on the seat when reclined. 
     The seating can comprise a frame structure to which the backrest portion is pivotably coupled, but the seat portion is not itself pivotally coupled to the frame structure. 
     The seating can comprise a seat portion that rides on a fixed track that does not move with the seat. 
     In seating that comprises side or lateral frame structures generally on either side of the seat portion those structures can be formed from at least front and rear upright members, typically joined at their upper portions by a member at least some of which forms an arm rest. Such seating can also comprise at least one cross member joining either or both of the front and rear upright members. Preferably, the track upon which the seat portion rides is not on or part of the upright members or armrest, but is an additional member. 
     The track can extend generally from the front to the rear portions of the seating between either the front and rear upright members and/or the front and rear cross members. The track can extend generally alongside the seat portion and/or underneath it or in a plane lower than that of the seat portion. Typically, there will be two tracks associated with each seating portion. 
     The rear portion of the seat in some embodiments is not lifted during the reclining of the seating. Some preferred embodiments of the invention seek to enhance comfort of and convenience of use for the user by configuring the seating such that, in use, the front of the seat portion will rise. The plane or angle of the seat portion, with respect to its front, may decrease with respect to the floor or ground as the seating is reclined, or the plane or angle may remain relatively constant. 
     In at least one embodiment, seating comprises a backrest configured to recline from an upright position and a seat hingeably connected to the backrest at the rear portion of the seat. The seat is configured to move in relation to the backrest. The seating also includes a track that extends substantially parallel to the sides of the seat. A guide assembly is fixedly attached to the seat and slideably engaged with the track, such that the guide assembly supports the seat on the track. The guide assembly can extend laterally from a side of the seat or extend downwardly from the bottom of the seat. The guide assembly is configured to slide along the track upon application of a force to the backrest and/or seat. Such seating can be incorporated into furniture, such as a chair, couch, or chaise lounge. 
     Preferably, the guide assembly and track are configured to lift the front portion of the seat as the backrest reclines. For instance, the track can be configured such that at least a portion of the track slopes downward from the direction of the front portion of the seat to the direction of the rear portion of the seat. The guide assembly can be engaged with the track such that the guide assembly is higher on the slope of the track when the backrest is reclined than when the backrest is upright. The guide assembly can include a frictional control, such as a friction member or a knob, for adjusting the amount of friction between the guide assembly and the lower portion of the track. Such frictional control can be used as a tightening mechanism to prevent the guide assembly from sliding on the track, thereby maintaining the seat and backrest in a fixed position. 
     In certain embodiments, the seating includes a frame. The frame can comprise a front member disposed near the front portion of the seat and/or a rear member disposed near the rear of the seat. The track can extend between the front member and the rear member of the frame. In some embodiments, the track adjoins the front member and the rear member of the frame. Alternatively, the track can be connected to either the front member or the back member. The track need not be connected to either the front or back member. 
     When present, the front member can be upwardly extending or it can be laterally extending. Like the front member, the rear member can be upwardly or laterally extending. In some embodiments, a second rear member extends perpendicularly from the rear member and provides support for the backrest. The second rear member can be pivotally connected to the backrest. In some embodiments, the second rear member can comprise a pivot, and the backrest is attached to the pivot. The second rear member could also comprise a generally horizontally-extending bar, and the backrest contacts the bar. 
     The track can optionally comprise at least one stop configured to limit the range of motion of the guide relative to the track. In certain embodiments, the track includes an upper portion and a lower portion separated by one or more generally upward-extending member, such as a bend in the track. The guide assembly can be engaged with the lower portion of the track, which slopes downward from the direction of the front portion of the seat to the direction of the first portion of the seat. The extent of slide of the guide assembly can be limited by the upward-extending member(s) on the track. 
     In some embodiments the seating comprises a backrest configured to recline from an upright position; a seat comprising a front portion and a rear portion and hingeably connected to the backrest at the rear portion of the seat, the seat being configured to move in relation to the backrest; a frame comprising: an upwardly-extending front member disposed near the front portion of the seat, an upwardly-extending rear member disposed near the rear portion of the seat, a pivot member extending generally horizontally from the rear member and connected to the backrest so that the backrest can pivot about the pivot member, and a track extending between the front member and the rear member. The track has an upper portion, a lower portion, and two generally upward-extending bends connecting the upper portion to the lower portion, at least the lower portion of the track sloping downward from the direction of the front member to the direction of the rear member; and a guide configured to support the seat on the track. The guide is fixedly attached to the seat and slideably engaged with the downward-sloping lower portion of the track, such that the guide is configured to slide along the track upon application of a force to the backrest and/or seat, and the guide being configured to be higher on the slope of the track when the backrest is reclined than when the backrest is upright, the extent of slide being limited by the two generally upward-extending bends on the track. 
     In some embodiments there is provided reclinable seating comprising: a backrest configured to recline from an upright position; a seat comprising a front portion and a rear portion and hingeably connected to the backrest at the rear portion of the seat, the seat being configured to move in relation to the backrest and a frame. The frame comprises a front member being disposed near the front portion of the seat, a rear member being generally upright and disposed near the rear portion of the seat, a pivot member extending generally horizontally from the rear member and contacting the backrest so that the backrest can pivot about the pivot member. The seating further comprises track extending from the front member toward the rear member, at least a portion of the track sloping downward from the direction of the front member to the direction of the rear member; and a guide configured to support the seat on the track, the guide being fixedly attached to the seat and slideably engaged with the downward-sloping portion of the track, such that the guide is configured to slide along the track upon application of a force to the backrest and/or seat, and the guide being configured to be higher on the slope of the track when the backrest is reclined than when the backrest is upright. 
     In some embodiments, there is provided reclinable seating comprising: a backrest configured to recline from an upright position; and a seat comprising a front portion and a rear portion and hingeably connected to the backrest at the rear portion of the seat; and a guide fixedly engaged with the seat and slidingly engaged with a track disposed proximate the seat, the guide and track being configured to incline the front portion of the seat as the backrest reclines. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general structure that implements the various features of the disclosed apparatuses and methods will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments and not to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of reclinable seating in an upright position. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the reclinable seating in a fully reclined position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front-perspective view of the reclinable seating comprising supportive straps on the seat and backrest. 
         FIG. 3A and 3B  are front-perspective views of the inner and outer surfaces of the pivot connection between the backrest and seat in the reclinable seating. 
         FIG. 4  is a front-perspective view of the reclinable seating in an upright position. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the reclinable seating showing an alternative position for the guide assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom-perspective view of a track and guide assembly used in the reclinable seating. 
         FIG. 7  is a side-perspective view of a track and guide assembly used in the reclinable seating. 
         FIG. 8  shows a front-perspective view of an example frame for a love seat comprising the reclinable seating. 
         FIG. 9  shows a rear-perspective view of the connection between the inner tracks and the front member of the frame in the example frame of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are reused to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure it which the element first appears. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An example embodiment of reclinable seating  100  is shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . In this example, the seating  100  is a chair. However, the seating  100  can be integrated into a variety of formal and casual, indoor and outdoor seating options, such stationary or swivel rockers or chairs, lounge chairs, action loungers or swivel action loungers, chaise loungers, settees, love seats, couches, and the like. 
     The seating  100  comprises a backrest  112  portion that is configured to recline from an “upright” position, as shown in  FIG. 1A , to a “fully reclined” position, as shown in  FIG. 1B . For more formal dining-type seating, the backrest  112  can be in the range of about 102° to 122° (e.g., around 110°) relative to the ground in the upright position and in the range of about 123° to 143° (e.g., around 133°) relative to the ground in the fully reclined position. For lounge-type seating, the backrest  112  can in the range of about 104° to 124° (e.g., around 113°) relative to the ground in the upright position and in the range of 135° to 155° (e.g., around 145°) relative to the ground in the fully reclined position. The seat  114  is generally in the range of 9° to 16° relative to the ground in the upright position for dining-and deep-type seating. The seat angle for the fully reclined position will be discussed in more detail below. 
     The seating  100  is continuously adjustable, in that a user can position the backrest  112  at any point between upright and fully reclined. The seating  100  also comprises a seat  114  portion. Cushioning can be provided on the seat  114  and/or backrest  112 . However, such cushioning is optional. As shown in  FIG. 2 , for instance, the seat  114  and backrest  112  can comprise transverse straps  210  engaged around supportive tubing. As additional examples, the seat and backrest can comprise a fabric or mesh sling, woven straps, or a solid cast material. Sling, strap, and cast seating are known in the art, and the seating disclosed herein can be integrated with each. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1A , the seat  114  can be connected to the backrest  112  at the rear of the seat  114 , for example, using a hinge, pin, rod, or other suitable pivot  116 , so that the seat  114  can move relative to the backrest  112 . 
     An example pivot  116  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3A , which shows the pivot  116  from the inside-out, and  FIG. 3B , which shows the pivot  116  from the outside-in. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1A , a frame  118  is disposed around the backrest  112  and seat  114 . The example frame  118  includes a front member  120 , rear members  122 , and a track  124 . 
     The front member  120  is located near the front of the seat  114 . Conventional framing components known in the art can be used for the front member  120 . For instance, a front arm post or other suitable generally upright framing component can be used, as shown in  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIG. 4 , two front members  120  can extend upward at a 90° angle relative to the ground. However, any generally upright angle is suitable for use herein. For instance, two front members can be generally trapezoidal relative to each other. Alternatively, a generally horizontal front rail or other non-upright framing component can be used. A front rail  120 ′ is shown in  FIG. 8 , which is discussed in more detail below. Materials commonly used for framing are woods, such as teak, cedar, oak, or the like, metals, such as aluminum, steel, iron, or the like, or synthetic polymers, such as heavy-duty plastics and composites. These materials are suitable for use in the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the rear members  122  are located near the rear of the seat  114 . In this example, the rear members  122  include a first rear member  126  and a second rear member  412 , which is omitted from  FIG. 1A , but shown in the perspective view of  FIG. 4 . Again, conventional framing components can be used for the rear members  122 , and the first rear member can be positioned at any suitable angle. For example, the first rear member  126  can comprise a generally upright member, such as a back upright slat, or a back arm post, as shown in  FIG. 1A . A back rail, crest rail, or other generally horizontal framing component, such as the back rail  414  in  FIG. 4 , is also suitable. Other irregular angles, such as trapezoidal angles, are also suitable for use. 
     In the example embodiment of  FIG. 4 , a second rear member  412  extends substantially horizontally, e.g., generally perpendicularly, from the first rear member  126 . The second rear member  412  is configured to provide support for the backrest  112 , and to provide a pivot connection to the frame  118  that allows the backrest  112  to move in relation to the seat  114 . The second rear member  412  can comprise a hinge, pin, rod, ball and socket, or other suitable pivot connection adjoined to or passing through the backrest  112 . 
     As explained above, the second rear member  412  provides a pivotal connection to the backrest  112 . However, the second rear member  412  could be removed, and the back rail  414  or crest rail extending perpendicularly from the first rear member  126  could serve a similar function. In such an embodiment, the backrest  112  does not pivot about a connection to the frame  118 . Rather, the backrest  112  would abut the frame  118  at the back rail  414 , and pivot about the abutment. 
     Returning again to  FIG. 1A , a track  124  extends from the front member  120  toward (that is, in the direction of) the rear members  122 . Preferably, the track  124  adjoins both the front member  120  and the first rear member  126 , but it need not do so. For instance, the track could contact the front member  120  and the ground. 
     A guide assembly  132  is configured to support the seat  114  on the track  124 . In  FIG. 1A , the guide assembly  132  extends laterally from the side of the seat  114  and engages a portion of the track to the side of the seat  114 . An alternative configuration for the guide assembly  132 ′ is shown in  FIG. 5 . In that example, the guide assembly  132 ′ extends downwardly from the seat  114  and engages a portion of track  124 ′ underneath the seat  114 . Such a track-and-guide assembly configuration can be advantageously incorporated into seating lacking one or more armrests, as explained in detail below. 
     An example guide assembly  132  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . In this example, the guide assembly  132  comprises a connector portion  610  that is fixedly attached to the seat (not shown). Suitable methods for attaching the connector portion  410  and the seat are known in the art and include screwing, bolting, and so on. The guide assembly  132  also includes a slide portion  612 , comprising a device such as a slide shoe or cylinder, which is slideably engaged with the track  124 . In this example, the slide portion  612  includes a first half slide shoe  614  and a second half slide shoe  614 ′ engaged around the track  124 . At least the inner surfaces of the first half slide shoe  614  and the second half slide shoe  614 ′ are made of a durable material having a low coefficient of friction with the track  124 . The coefficient of friction should be sufficiently low to permit the slide portion  612  to easily slide on the track  124  when the user changes his or her center of gravity on the seating  100 . Furthermore, the material should be sufficiently durable to withstand repeated use under heavy loads. DELRIN®, a polyoxymethylene plastic originally manufactured by DuPont, which is hard, yet has a dynamic coefficient of friction against steel in the range of about 0.19 to 0.41, has been used successfully. However, a variety of durable, low-friction materials, such as compositions of rubbers, resins and plastics (e.g., PTFE, HDPE, TEFLON®), ceramics (e.g., BN), metals (bronze, Mb), and/or graphite are also contemplated for use in the slide portion  612 . 
     In certain embodiments, the guide assembly  132  also includes a frictional control  616 , such as a knob, that permits a user to increase the amount of friction between the slide portion  412  and the track  124 . In this example, the frictional control  616  is in the form of a wheel. However, alternative knobs, such as a bar, cubical or spherical member, and the like are also suitable for use. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  the frictional control  616  increases the tightness of the first half slide shoe  614  and a second half slide shoe  614 ′ around the track  124 . Preferably, the frictional control  616  is adjusted so that the amount of friction between the slide portion  612  and the track  124  is large enough such that a user, sitting relatively still in an equilibrium position, will not cause the slide portion  612  to slide along the track  124 . However, the adjustment will preferably keep the coefficient sufficiently low, such that when the user shifts his or her center of gravity, the slide portion  612  will slide along the track  124  in response to the shift. 
     As the slide portion  612  slides along the track  124  in response to changes in the user&#39;s center of gravity, the seat (not shown) and backrest (not shown) will move accordingly to accommodate the user&#39;s position. Thus, once the user adjusts the frictional control  616  to the user&#39;s specific body weight, the seating (not shown) will adjust itself to various positions simply by the user shifting his or her weight. 
     After the initial adjustment, the frictional control  616  no longer needs to be adjusted. However, the frictional control  616  can be adjusted at any time to “lock” the seating  100  into a particular position by increasing the coefficient of friction between the track  124  and the slide portion  612 , such that the slide portion  612  will not move if the user changes his or her center of gravity. 
     Although the frictional control  616  advantageously permits a high degree of customization to a user&#39;s particular weight and center of gravity, it is optional. For example, the materials and configuration of the slide portion  612  can be selected to provide a coefficient of friction that is sufficiently high to permit the slide portion  612  to hold its position when the user stops changing his or her center of gravity for a majority of users, for example, assuming a normal distribution around an average user weight of about 180 lbs (81.6 kg). This configuration would advantageously allow the seating (not shown) to hold an equilibrium position until application of force, as described above, for most users. Materials such as DELRIN® have been found to function without such a frictional control  616 . Such a configuration could be advantageously employed in, for example, the middle section(s) of a couch in which a frictional control is not easily reachable by the occupant; however, it can be employed in any furniture configuration embodying the disclosed seating. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , as the seating  100  moves from the upright position ( FIG. 1A ) to the fully reclined position ( FIG. 1B ), the rear portion of the seat  114  begins to lift upward, because the rear portion of the seat  114  is pivotally connected to the backrest  112 , which itself is rotatably connected to the frame  118 . It was discovered, however, that a user&#39;s comfort can be improved if the angle of the seat  114  relative to the ground is maintained in the range of 8° to 22° when the backrest  112  is fully reclined. Maintaining such an angle decreases a user&#39;s desire to elevate his or her knees when seated in a reclined position if the angle is too steep or, conversely, obviates the user&#39;s feeling of sliding off the seat if the angle is too shallow. Thus, certain embodiments include the realization that reclinable seating  100  should increase vertical distance between the front of the seat  114  and the ground as the backrest  112  reclines, to improve user comfort. Accordingly, some preferred embodiments of the invention seek to enhance comfort of and convenience of use for the user by configuring the seating such that, in use, the front of the seat portion will rise. The plane or angle of the seat portion, with respect to its front, may decrease with respect to the floor or ground as the seating is reclined, or the plane or angle may remain relatively constant. 
     An example method for increasing the vertical distance between the front portion of the seat  114  and the ground as the backrest  112  reclines is explained below. As shown in  FIG. 1A , at least a portion of the track  124  slopes downward, with the higher portion of the slope toward the front member  120  and the lower portion of the slope toward the rear members  122 . The guide assembly  132  is engaged with the track  124  within this downward-sloping portion of the track  124 . When the backrest  112  is in the upright position, as in  FIG. 1A , the guide assembly  132  is engaged with the track  124  near the bottommost portion of the slope. As the backrest  112  reclines, the guide assembly  132  slides up the slope. When the backrest  112  is fully reclined, as in  FIG. 1B , the guide assembly  132  is engaged with the track  124  near the topmost portion of the slope. Such a configuration increases the vertical distance between the front of the seat  114  and the ground as the backrest  112  reclines, permitting the seat  114  to have an angle of 9° to 16° relative to the ground when the backrest  112  is upright, and an angle relative to the ground in the range of 8° to 22° when the backrest  112  is fully reclined. This configuration advantageously improves a user&#39;s comfort throughout the range of movement of the seating  100 . 
     For a user&#39;s safety and/or comfort, it can be desirable to limit the seating  100  movement. As explained above, the rear portion of the seat  114  lifts as the backrest  112  reclines. This motion causes the front portion of the seat  114  to move laterally outward (that is, in a direction away from the backrest). It can be desirable to limit this forward lateral travel to between about 3 in. (7.62 cm) and 8 in. (20.32 cm), for example, to about 4¾ in. (12.07 cm) of forward lateral travel for dining-type seating or about 6.375 in. (16.19 cm) of forward lateral travel for deep-type seating. As another example, it can also be desirable to limit the backward lateral travel of the seat  114  (that is, travel toward the direction of the backrest  112 ). As the seat  114  moves backward, toward the backrest  112 , the backrest  112  will move forward toward the seat  114 . If this motion were not limited, the backrest  112  and seat  114  could fold together, which raises a potential safety concern. 
     Thus, the track  124  can include stops that limit the range of movement of the backrest  112  and/or seat  114 . An example of a stop is an upward-projecting member in the track  124 , such as an upward-projecting bend The example of  FIG. 1A  includes two upward-projecting bends, a front bend  134  and a back bend  136 . The guide assembly  132  cannot travel up the steep angle between the upward-projecting bends and the lower portion of the track  124 . Thus, the front bend  134  limits the forward lateral travel of the seat  114 . The limitation upon lateral travel of the seat  114  also results in a limitation upon the amount that the backrest  112  reclines. Consequently, the front bend also defines the fully reclined backrest  112  position. The back bend  136 , limits the backward lateral travel of the seat  114  (and, consequently, defines the upright backrest  112  position). One or more of these bends can be eliminated if no limitation on the forward and/or backward lateral movement of the seat  114  is desired, other than the limitations created by the pivot connections described herein. Moreover, alternative stops can be employed, such as solid stoppers placed along the track  124 . The guide assembly  132  and track  124 , including the front bend  134  and back bend  136  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 7 . 
     Frame components for a couch or loveseat are shown in  FIG. 8 . The example loveseat has outer armrests, but lacks inner armrests. The sides of the frame include outer tracks  124  extending between upright front members  120  and upright first rear members  126 . The side tracks  124  include a front bend  134  and a back bend  136 . The center of the frame includes inner tracks  124 ′ extending between a laterally-extending front member  120 ′ and an upright first rear member  126 ′.  FIG. 9  shows a detailed rear-perspective view of the connection between the inner tracks and the front member  120 ′ of the frame. A seat and backrest can be engaged with the frame, as described above, between each set of inner and outer tracks. The assembled loveseat would thus comprise a pair of reclining seats and backrests. In the example of  FIG. 8 , downwardly-extending guide assemblies (not shown) can be installed on the bottom of the seats (not shown) to engage the inner tracks  124 ′, while laterally-extending guide assemblies (not shown) can be installed on the sides of the seats to engage the outer tracks  124 . When so installed, the front bends  134  of the outer tracks  124  would limit the forward travel of the seats. A three-person couch can be constructed by adding one or more additional seats and backrests between two outer seats and backrests. The additional seats and backrests can be reclinable or stationary. 
     For purposes of summarizing the inventions and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain items and advantages of the inventions have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such items or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the inventions. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventions may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught or suggested herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. Moreover, various embodiments and features are described herein and it will be understood that the disclosure is intended to include all combinations and selections of those embodiments and features, rather than to be limited to the disclosure to a specific combination or feature that may be disclosed in a particular paragraph hereof.