Abstract:
The present invention provides a system and method for firearm storage; and more particularly, a safe and secure handgun mini-vault apparatus for a loaded handgun that allows an authorized user rapid, unobstructed and effortless access to the handgun. The handgun mini-vault system of the present invention not only provides for relative ease of assembly and aesthetically appealing appearance, it also permits access to the handgun without the need to manually manipulate a locking device. The locking system of the present invention utilizes RFID technology to allow authorized users to open the mini-vault by simply waiving an RFID chip in proximity to the mini-vault interrogator.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    In accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present application claims priority as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/174,527, filed Feb. 6, 2014, entitled “Handgun Mini-Vault”, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/761,610, filed Feb. 6, 2013, entitled, “Handgun Mini-Vault”, the contents of the above referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to firearm storage, and more particularly to a safe and secure handgun mini-vault apparatus for a loaded handgun that allows an authorized user rapid, unobstructed and effortless access to the handgun. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Firearm safety is a paramount concern among firearm owners and gun enthusiasts. As a result of this concern, there is a plethora of gun safes on the market, many equipped with high technology locking devices, which range from numerical codes to biometric recognition. Firearm owners largely fall into one of two categories with a substantial overlap between the two categories. In the first category, firearm owners are interested in the firearm from a functional/aesthetic perspective. In the second category, the firearm owners are interested in the firearm as a protection tool for protecting their domiciles. Firearm safes on the market today are designed to lock away firearms from theft and accidental discharge. For example, a safe can easily weigh several hundred pounds, making the safe immovable for a thief. At the same time, safes with electronic code entry panels or mechanical safe combinations make the contents of the safe essentially unreachable for a common thief. 
         [0004]    However, a firearm owner who obtained the firearm for the purpose of protecting his/her domicile would need to reach the firearm quickly and safely. For example, in the middle of a night, upon hearing an intruder approaching a bedroom, the owner may not have time to get out of bed, approach the safe which may be in another room, key in the combination in the dark, open the safe, retrieve the firearm and point it in the direction of the intruder. However, placing the firearm in a drawer near the bed would not provide the safety that would be required by the owner against accidental or unauthorized use of the firearm, e.g., by a minor or thief. 
         [0005]    Therefore, what is needed is a mechanism that allows a firearm owner quick and safe access to his/her firearm, while the firearm is otherwise locked away from unauthorized use. The access mechanism should be operable by a keyed device, such as an RFID which may be placed into a ring, bracelet, key fob, credit card or the like, and may even be implanted into the body of the person who is allowed access to the firearm. Thus, the present invention provides a handgun mini-vault which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art handgun safe systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Briefly, the present invention provides a system and method for firearm storage; and more particularly, a safe and secure handgun mini-vault apparatus for a loaded handgun that allows an authorized user rapid, unobstructed and effortless access to the handgun. The handgun mini-vault system of the present invention not only provides for relative ease of assembly and aesthetically appealing appearance, it also permits access to the handgun without the need to manually manipulate a locking device. The locking system of the present invention utilizes RFID technology to allow authorized users to open the mini-vault by simply waiving an RFID chip in proximity to the mini-vault interrogator. The RFID chip is preferably embedded into a wrist band or the like; however, the RFID chip may be embedded into a key fob, ring, credit card or the like without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention also provides an automatically opening door system, which places the handgun in a position suitable for grasping in an operable position, thereby eliminating the need for manipulating the handgun to ready it for operation. The mini-vault preferably utilizes an internal electrical source such as batteries to provide portability to the device; however, standard electrical current may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. The device also includes a power switch that activates the interrogator for the RFID for a predetermined amount of time to conserve battery power. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a handgun mini-vault. 
         [0008]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a handgun mini-vault that may be secured to a surface in close proximity to the bed of a user. 
         [0009]    It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a handgun mini-vault that utilizes RFID technology to provide access to the interior of the mini-vault. 
         [0010]    It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a handgun mini-vault that places the handgun in a ready position for operation upon opening of the vault door. 
         [0011]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification, and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top right perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrated with a cable tie for securing the mini-vault to an object; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top right perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  illustrated with the mini-vault door in an open position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrated with the button panel of the identification assembly removed; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a right side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrated with the door assembly in an open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of one embodiment of the mini-vault, illustrated with the door assembly in an open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a partially exploded view of the mini-vault illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the mini-vault illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a left side view of the mini-vault illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a section view taken along lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a section view taken along lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a section view taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a section view taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a left side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a section view taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a section view taken along lines  18 - 18  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a section view taken along lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a section view taken along lines  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a left side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is a section view taken along lines  23 - 23  of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is a section view taken along lines  24 - 24  of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  is a section view taken along lines  25 - 25  of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 26  is a section view taken along lines  26 - 26  of  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 27  is a left side view of one embodiment of the mini-vault, illustrated with the door assembly in an open position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 28  is a section view taken along lines  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 29  is a section view taken along lines  29 - 29  of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 30  is a section view taken along lines  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 31  is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 32  is a left side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 33  is a section view taken along lines  33 - 33  of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 34  is a section view taken along lines  34 - 34  of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 35  is a top right perspective view of one embodiment of the door assembly of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 36  is a top view of the door assembly illustrated in  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 37  is a rear view of the door assembly illustrated in  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 38  is a bottom view of the door assembly illustrated in  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 39  is a right side view of the door assembly illustrated in  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 40  is a section view taken along lines  40 - 40  of  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 41  is a partially exploded view of one embodiment of the door assembly; 
           [0053]      FIG. 42  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the latch assembly; 
           [0054]      FIG. 43  is an end view of the latch assembly illustrated in  FIG. 42 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 44  is a left side view of the latch assembly illustrated in  FIG. 42 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 45  is a section view taken along lines  45 - 45  of  FIG. 42 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 46  is an exploded view of the latch assembly illustrated in  FIG. 42 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 47  is a bottom view of the latch assembly, illustrated in a retracted position; 
           [0059]      FIG. 48  is a section view taken along lines  48 - 48  of  FIG. 47 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 49  is a bottom view of the latch assembly, illustrated in an initial interlock position; 
           [0061]      FIG. 50  is a section view taken along lines  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 51  is a bottom view of the latch assembly, illustrated in an extended or locked position; 
           [0063]      FIG. 52  is a section view taken along lines  52 - 52  of  FIG. 51 ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 53  is a top right perspective view of a shroud for the latch assembly; 
           [0065]      FIG. 54  is a top view of the shroud illustrated in  FIG. 53 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 55  is a section view taken along lines  55 - 55  of  FIG. 54 ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 56  is a top right perspective view of the release assembly; 
           [0068]      FIG. 57  is a partially exploded view of the release assembly; 
           [0069]      FIG. 58  is a top right perspective view of the release assembly; 
           [0070]      FIG. 59  is an exploded view of the release assembly illustrated in  FIG. 58 ; 
           [0071]      FIG. 60  illustrates an RFID chip embedded into a wrist band for operation of the present invention; 
           [0072]      FIG. 61  illustrates an RFID chip embedded into a key fob; and 
           [0073]      FIG. 62  illustrates an RFID chip embedded into accredit card. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0074]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0075]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-61 , the present invention provides a system and method for firearm storage, and more particularly a safe and secure handgun mini-vault apparatus for a loaded handgun. The mini-vault  100  includes a box assembly  2 , a door assembly  4 , an identification assembly  6 , a weapon cartridge  8 , and an optional securing cable  10 . 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , the box assembly is illustrated. The box assembly  2  generally houses the identification assembly  6 , the weapon cartridge  8  and the release assembly  18  ( FIGS. 56-59 ), and functions as the predominantly visible portion of the mini-vault  100 . The box assembly  2  is typically a five paneled parallelepiped structure having one open side  12  for access to the contents of the box assembly. The box assembly is preferably constructed of a durable material such as steel, however, other materials that are suitable for use in safe construction may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. The box assembly preferably includes an offset lip  14 , which extends around the perimeter of the open side  12 . The offset lip  14  is adapted to cooperate with the door assembly  4 , which includes a perimeter lip  16 . The offset lip  14  and the perimeter lip  16  overlap each other to prevent wires, pry bars and the like from achieving unwanted access to the inside of the box assembly. Positioned adjacent the open side  12  is the control panel  20  for the identification assembly  6 . The control panel  20  is removable ( FIG. 2 ) to reveal a battery compartment  22 , electronic circuit cover  24  and bypass lock  26 . The battery compartment is provided to give the mini-vault portability to operate in places where grid power is not available through power inlet jack  28 . Should there be no power available through the power inlet jack  28  or from the battery compartment  22 , the bypass lock  26  may be operated with a bypass key as illustrated in  FIG. 33 . The circuit boards (not shown), including the interrogator for the RFID identification, are positioned below the circuit cover  24 . The circuit cover  24  is formed from the same material as the box assembly  2  to prevent unauthorized access to the circuitry. The control panel  20  preferably includes a plurality of buttons  30  arranged in a similar layout to a human hand. Individuals who do not have access to the RFID tags that have been keyed to the device may use the buttons to open the mini-vault  100 . The access code for the buttons is programmable after purchase to eliminate duplication of codes in mini-vaults from the factory. 
         [0077]    Referring to  FIGS. 35-41 , the door assembly  4  is illustrated. The door assembly  4  is constructed to enclose the open side  12  of the box assembly  2  and prevent unwanted access to the interior thereof. The door assembly generally includes a hinge  52 , a weapon cartridge pivot pin  38 , gas spring tabs  39  and the latch assembly  54 . The door member  56  is preferably constructed from a durable material such as steel, however, other materials that are suitable for use in safe construction may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. The door member  56  includes perimeter lips  16  about three sides thereof with the hinge  52  extending across the rear edge. The perimeter lips  16  overlap the offset lip  14  of the box assembly when the door assembly  4  is in a closed position. The hinge  52  is preferably a piano type hinge, which extends substantially entirely across the rear portion of the mini-vault  100  and includes a plurality of apertures for fasteners or weldments. Depending tabs  40  are provided for attachment of the gas springs  50  ( FIG. 8 ). In this manner, the gas springs  50  are allowed to open the door assembly while pivoting around gas spring pins  41 . The latch assembly  54  is constructed and arranged to interlock with the box assembly  2  in a latched condition while allowing the door assembly  4  to spring open when desired. The latch assembly  54  is secured to the inner surface of the door member  56 , and includes a cover member  58  to cover and protect the latch assembly  54 . 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the mini-vault  100  is illustrated in an open position. In the preferred embodiment, the door assembly will automatically open to about forty-five degrees with respect to the box assembly upon the proximate passing of the proper RFID. The weapon cartridge  8  is pivotally secured to the bottom surface of the door assembly to pivot about half as much as the door assembly. In this manner, the weapon cartridge  8 , and thus the grip of the weapon (not shown), is presented about midway between the door assembly and the box assembly for easy grasping. In the preferred embodiment, the weapon cartridge  8  is a box like structure having an open center chamber  32 . The center chamber  32  includes foam fillers  34  that are constructed and arranged to generally conform to the shape of a weapon, e.g. handgun, and allow the weapon to be easily inserted and removed from the cartridge. The outer surface of the cartridge  8  includes a pair of clamps  36  for securing the cartridge to the door assembly. The clamps  36  cooperate with a pivot pin  38  secured to the bottom surface of the door assembly via depending tabs  40  in a pivoting manner. The clamps  36  are constructed and arranged to allow removal of the cartridge from the mini-vault  100 . Torsion springs  42  are provided to push against the bottom surface of the door assembly  4  to center the weapon cartridge  8  when the door assembly is in an open position. Bumpers  44  are provided on the upper  46  and lower  48  surfaces of the cartridge  8  to prevent the cartridge from unwanted movement during transport of the mini-vault  100 . Gas springs  50  are provided to open the door assembly. The gas springs are constructed and arranged to support the weight of the door assembly, the cartridge and a weapon that may be inside of the cartridge. It should be noted that while gas springs are illustrated, various types of springs could be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIGS. 42-52 , the latch assembly is illustrated. The latch assembly includes frame member  62 , cam member  64 , and locking pins  66 . The frame member  62  provides a mounting structure for the components of the latch assembly that is easily secured to the inner surface  60  of the door member  56 . The cam member  64  is rotatably secured to the frame member  62  via shoulder fastener  68  and nut  70  while bushing  72  assures free rotation of the cam member  64 . The lock pins  66  are secured to the cam slots  74  via rolling cam followers  76 . The rolling cam followers  76  extend through the cam slots  74  and through the ends of the lock pins  66 . The lock pins  66  are secured to the frame member  62  via lock pin bushings  80  for linear movement in response to rotation of the cam member. A spring member  78  biases the cam member so that the lock pins default to an extended or locked position. The cam member  64  also includes a reset slot  84 , which cooperates with reset pin  86  to hold the lock pins  66  in a retracted position until the lock pins pass the catch plates  88  ( FIG. 2 ) on the box assembly  2 . This construction allows the lid to close freely without the need to force the lock pins to the retracted position during closing of the door assembly  4 . The reset slot  84  includes a first width  90  and a second width  92 . The first width  90  is sufficiently wide to allow the reset pin  86  to extend through the cam member  64  while the second width will not allow the reset pin  86  to pass. The reset pin  86  is spring biased to an extended position whereby, when the cam rotates sufficiently to retract the lock pins, the reset pin extends through the cam member, thereby preventing the cam from rotating to a position that extends the lock pins. ( FIGS. 47-50 ) Depression of the reset pin  86  allows the cam to rotate and the lock pins to extend. ( FIGS. 42, 51-52 ) Cam lever  82  provides rotation to the cam member  64  in response to operation of the release assembly  18  ( FIG. 56-59 ) or bypass lock  26  to cause the lock pins to retract. 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIGS. 53-55 , the latch assembly cover  58  is illustrated. The latch assembly cover generally covers and provides protection to the latch assembly  54 . The latch assembly cover  58  includes the reset button  94  which is biased to extend away from the cam member  64 . The reset button  94  is positioned to cooperate with the reset pin  86 , which allows manual and automatic operation of the reset pin with the latch assembly cover in position. In this manner, when the door assembly is closed, the reset button  94  strikes the cover for the release assembly  18  once the door assembly has closed sufficiently for the lock pins  66  to pass the catch plates  88  ( FIG. 2 ) of the box assembly  2 . As described earlier, this construction allows the door assembly to be closed without resistance from the lock pins  66  striking the catch plates. This construction also allows the lock pins  66  to extend much farther past the edges of the catch plates than would be possible if the catch plates deflected the lock pins, providing an enclosure that is resistant to opening upon drops or abuse of the mini-vault. 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIGS. 56-59 , the release assembly  18  is illustrated. The release assembly  18  is generally constructed and arranged to operate the latch assembly  54  to cause the door assembly  4  to open in response to communication with an RFID chip  96 . The release assembly includes an electric motor  98 , a support frame  102 , an offset arm  104 , a guide plate  106 , a release lever  108 , and a release assembly cover  110 . The motor is in electrical communication with the circuit boards  112 ,  114  and control panel  20  and secured to the support frame  102 , which is in turn secured within the box assembly  2 . The motor  98  in the preferred embodiment includes an internal gear reduction, which reduces output shaft speed and increases torque of the motor. The output shaft  116  of the motor extends through the support frame  102  and is secured to the offset arm  104  to cause rotation thereof through a predetermined path. The offset arm  104  includes a follower pin  118 , which extends through the guide plate  106 , which includes guide slot  120  to limit the travel of the offset arm and thus the motor. The release lever  108  is pivotally secured over the pivot pin for rotation thereabout. The release lever includes a second guide slot  124  positioned to cooperate with the follower pin  118  to cause rotation of the release lever  108 . The release lever  108  also includes a release pin  126 . The release pin is positioned to cooperate with the cam lever  82  of the latch assembly  54  to retract the lock pins  66  so they may pass the catch plates  88  under pressure from the gas springs  50 , which allows the door assembly  4  to spring open and present the weapon for the user. Upon the follower pin  118  reaching the distal end of the guide slot  120 , the motor  98  reverses, causing the follower pin to be positioned at the opposite end of the guide slot  120 . The cover  110  provides protection for the release assembly  18  and the circuit boards  112 ,  114  and is generally constructed from a durable material such as, but not limited to steel. The cover  110  includes slot  128 , which allows cam lever  82  to enter into the release assembly for operation thereof. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-14 , operation of the latch assembly in a locked position is illustrated with the cover members  58 ,  110  removed for clarity. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the release mechanism is shown in a home position whereby the release lever  108  and the follower pin  118  are positioned at the first end of the guide slot  120 . In this position, the lock pins  66  are positioned well under the catch plates  88  holding the door assembly  4  in a closed and locked position. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the cam member  64  is rotated, creating a solid link from the distal end of one locking pin to the distal end of the other. This construction prevents the mini-vault from opening as a result of shock being imparted to the device. As illustrated in  FIGS. 13-14 , the reset pin  86  is positioned below the cam member and below the second width  92  of the reset slot which will allow the cam member  64  to be rotated by the release assembly  18 . 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIGS. 15-19 and 27-30 , operation of the latch assembly in an open position with the lid closed and ready to spring open is illustrated with the cover members  58 ,  110  removed for clarity. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the release mechanism is shown in a second position whereby the release lever  108  and the follower pin  118  are positioned near the second end of the guide slot  120 , causing the release pin  126  to move the cam lever  82 , rotating the cam member  64 . In this position, the lock pins  66  are positioned retracted from under the catch plates  88 , releasing the door assembly  4  from a closed and locked position. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the cam member  64  is rotated, causing the reset pin  86  to extend into the first width  90  of the cam slot  74 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 27-30 , the reset pin  86  is extended through the cam member  64 , preventing the cam member from rotating back to the locked position and allowing the gas springs  50  to pop the door assembly  4  open. This also allows the door assembly to be easily closed by holding the lock pins  66  in a substantially open position until the door assembly  4  and thus the lock pins  66  are beyond the catch plates  88 . 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIGS. 21-25 , operation of the latching assembly upon closing the door assembly is illustrated. In this position, the reset pin  86  is positioned within the first width of the reset slot  84  holding the lock pins  66  in an open position. This is maintained until the reset button  94  contacts the release arm cover  110  causing the reset button to push the rest pin through the reset slot  84  allowing the cam member  64  to rotate as a result of the bias provided by the spring  78 . The reset button  94  includes an extension member  130  that is sized to pass through the second width  92  of the reset slot during rotation of the cam member  64 . This construction allows the reset button  94  to push the reset pin  86  away from the cam member during rotation thereof for unencumbered movement of the cam member  64 . 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIGS. 31-35 , operation of the mini-vault  100  if closed and during a power failure is illustrated. In this condition the bypass lock  26  is utilized to operate the latch assembly  54  without operation of the release assembly  18 . The control panel is released from the mini-vault  100  exposing the release lock  26  which is preferably a barrel type tumbler. Rotation of the key causes a lock bar  132  to sweep through a predetermined path which moves the cam lever  82  to the release position allowing the gas springs  50  to open the door assembly. Thereafter restoration of power will allow the mini-vault  100  to function normally. 
         [0086]    Referring to  FIGS. 60-62 , various devices which could have Radio Frequency Identification Chip (RFID)  134  embedded into them for operation of the current device are illustrated. The preferred embodiment utilizes a wrist band  136  which includes a RFID chip  134  that is keyed to the mini-vault for operation thereof. Like the wrist band  136 , the credit card  138  and the key fob  140  also include RFID chips  134  that are suitable for operation of the mini-vault. In this manner the “key” to the mini-vault can be disguised as many different objects that can be easily hidden in plain sight from thieves and burglars. This construction also provides the victim of a burglary the opportunity to reach his handgun in the presence of the criminal without raising suspicion of the criminal. 
         [0087]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention. Some of these potential variations from the preferred embodiment have been identified above. The invention, therefore, is not to be limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, but is to be determined from the appended claims.