Abstract:
A watercraft system is provided. The watercraft system includes a hull and a plurality of removable pods. Each pod has a different operational characteristic to alter the configuration of the watercraft depending on which pod is inserted. The hull has a pod opening for receiving a selected one of the removable pods. A method and apparatus for transitioning various ones of the pods between different positions is also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/015,718, filed Jun. 23, 2014, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to watercraft and more particularly to watercraft such as kayaks and canoes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Recreational watercraft such as kayaks have become increasingly popular for recreational activities. Kayakers have typically used a paddle to propel the kayaks. Unfortunately, many people cannot paddle a kayak for long distances or at all due to various physical conditions. Further, if a person is using the kayak to fish, paddling limits the usefulness of the kayak as the kayaker typically must use both hands to paddle the kayak and thus cannot hold the fishing pole. 
         [0004]    Additionally, it has become very popular to fish from kayaks as a kayak can be maneuvered into many areas that a typical boat for fishing cannot, such as shallow water or heavy water vegetation. Due to the benefits of the maneuverability of the kayak many fisherman who would not otherwise use a kayak have become drawn to their use. Some of these fishermen would prefer a method to reduce the amount of paddling required to get to and from their fishing spot, but do not want to lose the shallow water capabilities of a traditional kayak. 
         [0005]    Further, it is desired to avoid having to purchase a large number of kayaks for being able to perform various activities. 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the present invention provide improvements over the current state of the art in recreational watercrafts. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a modular recreational watercraft that can be configured for various different operational modes by swapping different removable pods. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a modular watercraft in the form of a modular kayak including a hull and a plurality of removable pods is provided. The hull has a seating area and a pod opening extending through the hull. The hull includes a removable pod interface arrangement. The hull may be a single component or a plurality of components coupled together. The plurality of removable pods are configured to be mounted within the pod opening. Each removable pod has at least one functional feature different than the other removable pods. Each pod has a hull interface arrangement configured to cooperate with the removable pod interface arrangement to mount the removable pod within the pod opening. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the plurality of removable pods includes an electric motor pod. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, an electric power source is located remote from the pod opening. An electric wiring system operably connects the electric power source to the electric motor pod. The electric wiring system includes, at least, a portion extending within the hull. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the electric wiring system includes at least one releasable electrical connector between the electric power source and the electric motor pod to permit disconnecting and reconnecting the electric motor pod to the electric power source. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the electric motor pod includes a propeller. The electric motor pod, when mounted in the pod opening, is transitionable between a first position and a second position thereby adjusting a position of the propeller with regard to a bottom of the hull. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, in the first position, the propeller extends bellow the bottom of the hull a further distance than in the second position. In some more particular embodiments, the propeller does not extend at all below the hull in the second position. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the propeller is located within the pod opening in the second position and at least flush with a bottom surface of the bottom of the hull. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, a prop mechanism is interposed between the hull and the electric motor pod to secure the electric motor pod in the second position. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the electric motor pod pivots between the first position and the second position. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the pod opening is located in front of the seating location. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the plurality of removable pods includes an electric motor pod including an electric motor with a propeller, a floor pod that has a top surface that generally aligns with a surrounding top surface of a floor of the hull, a pedal drive pod including a pedal drive arrangement for providing pedal powered propulsion, and a storage pod having an accessible internal cavity. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the removable pod interface includes a pin receiving cavity and a hull interface arrangement of at least one of the removable pods includes an outward extending pivot pin configured to mate with the pin receiving cavity. The components define a pivoting interface therebetween to permit the at least one of the removable pods to pivot between a first position and a second position relative to the hull. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, a locking interface between the hull and the at least one of the removable pods is pivotable to selectively prevent pivoting motion of the removable pod relative to the hull from the first position to the second position. The removable pod being inserted further into the pod opening in a direction extending from a top of the hull toward a bottom of the hull in the first position than in the second position. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the pod opening is generally elongated in a direction between a front and a rear of the hull. The pod opening further includes a laterally extending recess on at least on side. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the hull includes a stepped interface adjacent the pod opening and at least one of the removable pods includes a cooperating stepped interface that interacts with the stepped interface of the hull when the removable pod is inserted within the pod opening. The interaction of the stepped interfaces inhibits water from passing through the pod opening between the hull and the removable pod. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, a method of converting a kayak is provided. The method includes removing a first pod having from a pod opening of a hull of the kayak, the pod opening being forward of a seating area of the kayak and securing a second pod in the pod opening of the hull, the second pod being different than the first pod. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the second pod is an electric motor pod. The step of securing includes operably connecting the electric motor pod to a power supply remote from the pod opening via an electrical wiring system. The wiring system includes a releasable connector for selectively disconnecting and reconnecting the electric motor pod from the power supply. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, a method of adjusting a position of a propulsion pod of a kayak is provided. The method includes transitioning the propulsion pod of the kayak from a first position wherein a propulsion mechanism is located, at least in part, below a bottom surface of a bottom of a hull of the kayak to a second position wherein the propulsion mechanism is at least flush with and above the bottom surface of the bottom of the hull. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the propulsion mechanism is a rotating propeller. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the method includes securing the propulsion pod in the second position using a prop extending between the propulsion pod and the hull. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the step of transitioning includes pivoting the propulsion pod from the first position to the second position prior to the step of securing the propulsion pod in the second position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective illustration of a watercraft system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional illustration of the hull assembly of the watercraft system of  FIG. 1  taken about line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional illustration of the hull assembly of the watercraft system of  FIG. 1  taken about line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the hull assembly of  FIG. 1  without any removable pods mounted therein; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  a top view of the hull assembly of  FIG. 1  without any removable pods mounted therein; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is an enlarge top view of the foot area of the hull assembly of  FIG. 1  illustrating the pod opening extending therethrough; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective illustration of the watercraft of  FIG. 1  having the electric motor pod mounted in the hull assembly; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective illustration of the watercraft of  FIG. 1  having the electric motor pod mounted in the hull assembly; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged top illustration of the watercraft of  FIG. 1  having the electric motor pod mounted in the hull assembly; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective illustration of the electric motor pod of the watercraft system including additional mounting features of the watercraft system for securing the electric motor pod to the hull assembly; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective illustration of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged and partially explode illustration of the electric motor pod and the clip retainer for mounting the electric motor pod to the hull assembly; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is similar to  FIG. 12  having the electric motor pod rotated into a second position relative to the clip retainer and having the prop positioned to secure the electric motor pod in an up position (or landing position); 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  illustrates the electric motor pod in the landing position relative to the hull assembly; 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  a top perspective illustration of the watercraft of  FIG. 1  having the floor pod mounted in the hull assembly; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective illustration of the watercraft of  FIG. 1  having the floor pod mounted in the hull assembly; 
           [0046]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged top illustration of the watercraft having the floor pod mounted in the hull assembly; 
           [0047]      FIG. 18  is a top perspective illustration of the floor pod; 
           [0048]      FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective illustration of the floor pod; 
           [0049]      FIG. 20  is a top perspective illustration of the storage pod; 
           [0050]      FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective illustration of the storage pod; and 
           [0051]      FIG. 22  is a top perspective illustration of the pedal drive pod. 
       
    
    
       [0052]    While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0053]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a modular recreational watercraft system illustrated in the form of a modular kayak system  100  (also referred to simply as a “modular kayak  100 ”). The modular kayak system  100  includes a hull assembly  102  (also referred to simply as a “hull  102 ”) and a plurality of removable pods (including an electric motor pod  104 , a floor pod  106  and a storage pod  108 ) selectively attachable to the hull assembly  102  to modify the functionality and options of the kayak while in use on the water. While three removable pods are illustrated, alternative removable pods are contemplated including a pedal drive pod that allows for pedal propulsion. 
         [0054]    Typically, at least in a kayak, the hull assembly  102  will be a hollow body that may be rotomolded, vacuum formed, or otherwise formed. 
         [0055]    The removable pods  104 ,  106 ,  108  are removably mounted to the hull assembly  102  within a pod opening  110 . The pod opening  110  is positioned forward of a seat area  112  within a floor or standing section  114  of the hull assembly  102 . With additional reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pod opening  110  extends entirely through the floor section  114  forward of the seat area  112 . As such, the pod opening  110  is a hole that extends through the hull assembly  102 . More particularly, the pod opening  110  will extend through a top surface of the floor section  114  and a bottom surface of the hull assembly  102 . 
         [0056]    The floor section  114  forward of the seat area  112  is generally where a user will stand, such as while fishing, or where the user&#39;s feet/legs will be positioned while paddling. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 4-6  further illustrate the hull assembly  102  without any removable pod mounted within the pod opening  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pod opening  110  is generally elongated along the fore-aft axis  116  of the hull assembly  102 . The pod opening  110  includes a recessed pocket or laterally formed cut expanded region  118  configured to accommodate mounting and removal of removable pods, and particularly, removable pods, such as the electric motor pod  104 , configured to provide propulsion mechanisms. Each removable pod will generally be shaped and sized to mate with the cross-sectional shape of the pod opening  110 . 
         [0058]    With principle reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5  and  6 , the hull assembly  102  includes a plurality of inward extending shelf portions  120 ,  122 . These shelf portions  120 ,  122  provide stepped features in the sidewalls that define, at least in part, the pod opening  110 . The shelf portions  120 ,  122  also provide axially upward facing surfaces against which corresponding stepped surfaces or shelves of a removable pod will abut when installed. These shelves  120 ,  122  prevent the removable pods from passing straight through the pod opening  110 . The stepped interface between the hull assembly  102  and the removable pods also inhibits the ingress of water into the floor area  114  of the hull assembly  102 . Generally, the sidewalls bounding the pod opening  110  will also include a slight inward taper (when moving from the top surface  126  toward the bottom surface  128 ) to further facilitate insertion and mounting of the removable pods within the pod opening  110 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate the electric motor pod  104  mounted within the pod opening  110 . A power supply  130  (typically a battery) is mounted rearward of the seat area  112 . An electrical system  134  releasably operably electrically connects the electric motor pod  104  to the power supply  130 . Preferably, a portion of the electrical system  134  runs within the interior of the hull assembly  102 . Additionally, a connector  136  is preferably interposed between the electric motor pod  104  and the power supply  130  to facilitate easy removal of the electric motor pod  104  from the hull assembly  102 . Further connectors may be provided between the power supply  130  and the electrical system  134  to facilitate removal of the power supply  130  from the hull assembly  102 . 
         [0060]    The electric motor pod  104  provides propulsion to the kayak using an electric motor  137  and a propeller  138  (see e.g.  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  10  and  11 ). Additional electric components such as speed control, circuit breaker, or emergency kill switch may be included in the system. 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the electric motor pod  104  includes a housing  140  that is sized and shaped to be inserted within the pod opening  110  of the hull assembly  102 . More particularly, the housing has an elongated central region  142  and a laterally extending projection portion  144 . The projection portion  144  will mate with recess  118  when mounted within the pod opening  110 . 
         [0062]    Additionally, the housing  140  defines first and second shelf portions  146 ,  148  that interface with shelves  120 ,  122  when the electric motor pod  104  is fully mounted in the pod opening  110 . The first and second shelf portions  146 ,  148  define stepped profiles within the sidewalls of the housing  140 . As noted above, the interface between or cooperation of the stepped configuration of the sidewalls of the hull assembly  102  and the sidewalls of the housing  140  help inhibit the ingress of water into the watercraft. 
         [0063]    The interaction between the shelves  120 ,  122 ,  146 ,  148  also helps locate and seat the housing  140  within the pod opening  110 . 
         [0064]    A bottom side of the housing  140  includes a hull bottom portion  150 . The hull bottom portion  150  is configured to match with the bottom surface  128  of the hull assembly  102 , such as if the pod opening  110  did not exist. This hull bottom portion  150  is rearward of the electric motor  137 . The hull bottom portion  150  also includes at least part of the projection portion  144 . 
         [0065]    With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 11 , the bottom of the housing  140  includes a recessed cavity  152  that is forward of the electric motor  137  or at least forward of the propeller  138 . The recessed cavity  152  provides a location for a depth finder or fish finder transducer or other sensor to be located. 
         [0066]    The electric motor pod  104  is releasably mountable within the pod opening  110 . With reference to  FIG. 12 , a portion of an interface  154  between the hull assembly  102  and the electric motor pod  104  is shown in exploded form. The interface  154  provides a hinged arrangement that permits the electric motor pod  104  to pivot relative to the hull assembly  102 . 
         [0067]    In this embodiment, the interface  154  includes a removable pod interface arrangement that includes, at least, a pair of pin retainers  156  (one on each side of the pod opening (see  FIG. 3 )) and a hull interface arrangement that includes a pair of cooperating pins  158  (one on each side of the electric motor pod  104  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). 
         [0068]    The pin retainers  156  are removably attached components removably attached to the floor area  114 . However, in other embodiments, they could be directly molded into the rest of the hull assembly  102 . The pin retainers  156  define slots  160  that define open mouths that face rearward toward the seat area  112  of the watercraft. The slots  160  are sized and configured to receive pins  158 . 
         [0069]    When mounting the electric motor pod  104 , the pod may be inserted into the pod opening  110  at an angle and then rotated to a fully mounted position. 
         [0070]    To facilitate use of the kayak in shallow water or while approaching shore, the electric motor pod  104  is transitionable, and more particularly pivotable, between first and second positions through the interface  154  about axis  155  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). The first position would be fully inserted or mounted position where the electric motor  137  and propeller are located within the water when the kayak is in the water. Preferably, in the first position, the propeller extends, at least in part, below the bottom surface  128  of the hull assembly. More preferably, the propeller  138  is entirely below the hull assembly  102  when in the first position so as to maximize the amount of propulsion provided by the electric motor pod  104 . 
         [0071]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the electric motor pod  104  in the first position. 
         [0072]    In the second position (also referred to as an “up position” or a “landing position”), see e.g.  FIG. 14 , the propeller  138  is preferably drawn up into the pod opening  110  and that propeller is above the bottom surface  128  of the hull assembly  102 . At most, the propeller may become flush with the bottom surface  128  of the hull assembly  102 . In this position, the propeller is protected from being damages in shallow waters. 
         [0073]    Recess  118  of the pod opening  110  helps facilitate transitioning the electric motor pod  104  to the second position. The recess  118  accommodates a blade of the propeller  138  if the blades extend perpendicular to a vertical axis, i.e. on opposite sides of the fore-aft axis  116  such that they would have a dimension from tip-to-tip that would be greater than the width of the pod opening. During the transition, one of the propeller&#39;s blades may hit the bottom surface  128  of the hull assembly  102  opposite recess  118  causing the propeller  138  to rotate. The other free blade will pass through recess  118  and allow the electric motor pod  104  to continue to transition upward and toward the second position. 
         [0074]    Interface  154  is located proximate a forward end of the pod opening  110  to secure a first end of the housing  140  within the pod opening  110 . Proximate a rearward end of the pod opening  110 , a latch arrangement  162  is provided that selectively engages the housing  140  of the electric motor pod  104  to secure the opposite end of the housing  140  in within the pod opening  140 . When engaged with the housing  140  of the electric motor pod  104 , the latch arrangement  162  prevents the electric motor pod  104  from pivoting about axis  155  from the first position to the second position. Latch arrangement  162  rotates about axis  163  to selectively engage the housing  140 . 
         [0075]    The housing includes a cooperating abutment in the form of shelf portion  164  over which the latch arrangement  162  extends when the latch arrangement  162  is in a locked state. In the unlocked state, the shelf portion  164  is free of latch arrangement  162 . The shelf portion  164  includes a rib  165  that cooperates with a corresponding groove  167  in the bottom of the latch arrangement  162  to prevent unintentional unlocking of the electric motor pod  104 . 
         [0076]    In alternative embodiments, the groove and rib could be reversed. Further, alternative locking arrangements could be provided. 
         [0077]    To secure the electric motor pod  104  in the second position, a prop  166  is pivotally connected to housing  140 . The prop  166  is pivotally connected to the housing  140  at a first end  168  for rotation about axis  170 . Opposite the first end  168 , the prop  160  has a distal free end  172 . The distal free end  172  will press against a contact zone  140  of the hull assembly  102  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 ) to secure the electric motor pod  104  in the second position. 
         [0078]    An abutment  178  extends outward from housing  140  and prevents over rotation of the prop  166  when it is transitioned to a position to secure the electric motor pod  104  in the second position. When the prop  166  transitions from its first position ( FIG. 12 ) when the electric motor pod  104  is in its fully inserted position (the first position) to its second position ( FIG. 13 ) when the electric motor pod  104  is in its second position (a retracted position), the prop  166 , and particularly distal end  172 , will transition through an over-center state such that the weight of the electric motor pod  104  in the second position will not bias the prop  166  back toward the first position ( FIG. 12 ). Instead, the user must lift the electric motor pod  104  and then transition the prop  166  back toward the position in  FIG. 12  before transitioning the electric motor pod from the second position back to the first position. 
         [0079]    The electric motor pod  104  includes a handle  180 . Handle  180  assists a user when transition the electric motor pod  104  between the first and second positions as well as provides a handhold for the user when attempting standup or sit down in the watercraft. 
         [0080]    The electric motor pod  104  in this embodiment also includes a storage compartment  182  which is accessible through cover  184 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 15  illustrates the floor pod  106  installed in the hull assembly  102 . The floor pod  106  fills the pod opening  110  and provides an open floor area  114  forward of seat area  112 . The floor pod  106  has a top surface  186  that forms part of the floor and aligns with the top surface  126  of the floor area  114  when mounted in the pod opening  110 . 
         [0082]    The floor pod  106  is generally a hollow housing (typically formed of plastic) that again matches the shape of the cross-section of the pod opening  110 . 
         [0083]    With reference to  FIG. 16 , the floor pod  106  has a bottom surface  188  that generally aligns with the bottom surface  128  of the hull assembly  102 . The floor pod  106  includes a recessed cavity  190  on a bottom side proximate a forward end. This recessed cavity  190 , again, can accommodate a sensor (e.g. transducer) for a fish or depth finder. 
         [0084]    The floor pod mounts to the hull assembly  102  in the same way as the electric motor pod  104  discussed above. More particularly, the floor pod  106  includes pins  191  that cooperate with pin retainers  156 . The floor pod  106  also includes shelf portions  192 ,  194  that cooperate with the shelves  120 ,  122  of the hull assembly  102  to locate the floor pod  106  and inhibit water ingress. The floor pod  106  also includes shelf portion  196  that cooperates with latch arrangement  162  to secure the floor pod  106  within pod opening  110 . 
         [0085]      FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate a storage pod  108 . The storage pod is similar to the electric motor pod  104  in that it will extend vertically upward from the top surface  126  of the floor area  114  of the hull assembly  102 . It is similar to the floor pod  106  in that it has a bottom surface  200  that matches the contours of the bottom surface  128  of the hull assembly  102 . 
         [0086]    The housing  204  of the storage pod is generally hollow and provides an internal cavity  206  that provides a storage area that is accessible via removable cover  208 . 
         [0087]    Housing  204  also includes a recessed region  210  similar to the prior pods configured to receive a depth or fish finder transducer or sensor. 
         [0088]    The storage pod  108  is mounted to the hull assembly  102  using pins  212  and can be latched in place using latch arrangement  162 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 22  illustrates a further removable pod for providing propulsion to the watercraft in the form of a pedal drive pod  220 . The pedal drive pod  220  includes a housing  222  for mounting in pod opening  110  of the hull assembly  102  in a manner as described above. The pedal drive pod  220  has a prop mechanism provided by prop  224  similar to the electric motor pod  104  facilitate moving the pod  220  between two separately fixable positions (i.e. down for propulsion and up for approaching a shore or shallow water). 
         [0090]    The pedal drive pod  220  includes a propeller  230  operably coupled to a pair of foot pedals  232 ,  234  via a transmission arrangement  236 . The user can pump the foot pedals  232 ,  234  in a reciprocating forward-reward motion to drive the propeller  230  to propel the watercraft. 
         [0091]    The transmission arrangement  236  may be reversible, such as by external switch  244  to change the direction of rotation of the propeller  230  so as to allow for backing up the watercraft. 
         [0092]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , the watercraft may include a rudder  250  that is operably coupled to foot controls  252 . The rudder  250  can be used to control the direction of travel of the watercraft, such as, when the electric motor pod  104  is being used. 
         [0093]    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. 
         [0094]    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) is 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. 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 the invention and does not pose 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. 
         [0095]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.