Abstract:
A stroller with a pivotable front wheel assembly. When folding the stroller, the front wheel assembly may pivot, exposing a flat surface which may be rested on the ground for easier storage of the stroller. A drive rod may drive the front wheel assembly to rotate during folding. A slider may move away from the front wheel assembly during folding, moving a rear tube into place and ultimately causing the drive rod to drive the front wheel assembly to rotate. A lock mechanism may be included to lock the frame into configuration.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a U.S. national application filed under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/CN2014/077477, filed May 5, 2014, which claims priority to Chinese National Application No. 201310230941, filed Jun. 9, 2013, the entire disclosures of which applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to strollers, and more specifically to a stroller with a pivotable front wheel assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Strollers (e.g. baby strollers) are often ridden by infants and children, and have multiple deploying and folding configurations. These configurations may include a deployed configuration, wherein the stroller can be ridden, and a folded configuration. Ideally, the stroller should occupy less space, in the folded configuration thereby allowing easier storage. 
     One type of commercial available stroller available has a front wheel assembly and a front foot tube that are fixedly connected to each other with an included angle larger than 90 degrees between axes thereof. As a result of this arrangement, the frame cannot stand straight up once the stroller is folded, which means a person must stoop down to lay the stroller on the ground. Another kind of stroller in the market has a frame with a front foot tube and a handle tube displaceable relative to each other so that a standing point can be formed with respect to the front wheel assembly by projecting the handle tube beyond the front end of the front foot tube or by projecting the front end of the front foot tube beyond the front wheel assembly. However, with either of these two kinds of frames for making the stroller stand, the length of the frames cannot be reduced. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a stroller with a pivotable front wheel assembly that can be turned when folding the stroller. 
     One embodiment of a stroller in accordance with the present disclosure may include a frame, a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly, the frame comprising a front foot tube, a rear foot tube, a seat tube, a drive rod and a slider, the slider being slidably connected with the front foot tube, the lower end of the front foot tube being pivotably connected to the front wheel assembly, an upper end of the rear foot tube being pivotably connected to the slider, the lower end of the rear foot tube being fixedly connected with the rear wheel assembly, the two ends of the seat tube being pivotably connected to the front foot tube and the rear foot tube, respectively, the two ends of the drive rod being pivotably connected to the rear foot tube and the front wheel assembly, respectively, the frame having at least two configurations, a folded configuration and a deployed configuration, and the frame comprising a locking mechanism for keeping the frame in the deployed configuration, wherein in folding of the frame, the slider slides upwards relative to the front foot tube, and a lower end of the rear foot tube is driven by the seat tube and moves towards the front foot tube, and the drive rod drives the front wheel assembly to rotate around a pivot point of a lower end of the front foot tube. 
     Another embodiment of a stroller in accordance with the present disclosure may include a frame, the frame having at least a deployed configuration and a folded configuration, the frame including a front foot tube and a front wheel assembly pivotably connected to the front foot tube, wherein the front wheel assembly in the folded configuration comprises a substantially flat portion, the substantially flat portion being substantially perpendicular to the front foot tube. 
     A stroller with a pivotable front wheel assembly includes a frame, a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly, the frame including a front foot tube, a rear foot tube, a seat tube, a drive rod and a slider, the slider being slidably connected with the front foot tube, the lower end of the front foot tube being pivotably connected to the front wheel assembly, the upper end of the rear foot tube being pivotably connected to the slider, the lower end of the rear foot tube being fixedly connected with the rear wheel assembly, the two ends of the seat tube being pivotably connected to the front foot tube and the rear foot tube, respectively, the two ends of the drive rod being pivotably connected to the rear foot tube and the front wheel assembly, respectively, the frame having two configurations, a folded configuration and a deployed configuration, and the frame comprising a locking mechanism for keeping the frame in the deployed configuration, wherein in folding of the frame, the slider slides upwards relative to the front foot tube, and the lower end of the rear foot tube is driven by the seat tube and moves towards the front foot tube, and the drive rod drives the front wheel assembly to rotate around the pivot point with the lower end of the front foot tube. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, further, during folding of the frame, the included angle between the front wheel assembly and the axis of the front foot tube becomes gradually smaller; and when the frame is in the folded configuration, the included angle between the front wheel assembly and the axis of the front foot tube is smaller than or equal to 90 degrees, and the front wheel assembly can form a frame standing surface. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, further, the stroller further comprises a handle tube telescopically inserted in the upper end of the front foot tube. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, further, the frame further comprises a transmission mechanism comprising an upper rack, a lower rack and a gear. The gear is pivoted in the front foot tube, the upper rack is fixedly connected with the lower end of the handle tube and inserted in the front toot tube and being engaged with the gear. The slider is sleeved on the front foot tube. The lower rack is engaged with the gear. A through slot is formed in the front foot tube at a position where the lower rack and the gear are engaged. The upper part of the lower rack passes through the through slot and being engaged with the gear, and being located outside the front foot tube and fixedly connected with the slider. During rotation of the gear, the upper rack and the lower rack move in opposite directions. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, further, the locking mechanism comprises a clamp, an elastic element, a pin and an unlocking pull rod. The clamp is an integrally formed piece with two ends and is arranged in a slotted hole formed in an inner cavity of the slider. A locking hole is formed in the front foot tube on a contact surface where the front foot tube and the slider slide relative to each other and engage with the first end of the clamp. The elastic element is arranged in the slotted hole. The unlocking pull rod is pivotably connected to the slider and provided with a spiral groove on the inner side. An elongated slotted hole is formed at the lower part of the slider. One end of the pin is pivotably connected to the second end of the clamp and the other end of the pin passes through the elongated slotted hole and is inserted into the spiral groove on the inner side of the unlocking pull rod. When the frame is deployed in a locked configuration, the first end of the clamp is pushed by the elastic element and engages with the locking hole to restrict the front foot tube and the slider from sliding relative to each other. When the frame is folded, the unlocking pull rod is rotated so that the radius of the curved surface of the spiral groove engage with the other end of the pin to cause the other end of the pin to move downwards, compressing the elastic element and causing the first end of the clamp to be separated from the locking hole, and the front foot tube and the slider are capable of sliding relative to each other. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, further, the frame further comprises a safety locking device, which comprises an unlocking cross bar, a hooked plastic piece and an elastic element. The two ends of the unlocking cross bar are pivotably connected to the unlocking pull rod, respectively. The elastic element is pivotably connected to the seat tube by a pivot shaft. The hooked plastic piece is fixedly connected with the elastic element. When the frame is in a fully deployed configuration, under a force of the elastic element, the hooked plastic piece approaches the unlocking cross bar and hooks the unlocking cross bar. In order for the unlocking cross bar to be lifted, the hooked plastic piece must be released from the unlocking cross bar. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, further, both the clamp and the slider are made of plastic material, steel or aluminum alloy. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, further, the handle tube, the front foot tube, the rear foot tube, the seat tube and the drive rod are made of steel or aluminum alloy. 
     In one embodiment, during folding of the frame, the front wheel assembly rotates around a movable pivot point on the front foot tube. This movement can be continuous while the frame is folding. After folding, the included angle between the front wheel assembly and the front foot tube is shorter than it was prior to folding. The front wheel assembly forms a stroller frame standing surface to achieve the functions of enabling the stroller frame to stand and reducing the length of the folded frame. As a result, a user does not has to stoop down to place the stroller. Also, because the total length of the folded frame is shorter due to the rotation, the stroller is more convenient and easier to store. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       By way of example, various embodiments of the disclosed device will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stroller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the stroller shown in  FIG. 1  in the deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the stroller shown in  FIG. 1  in the process of transitioning from the deployed configuration to a folded configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the stroller shown in  FIG. 1  in the folded configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a slider and a built-in locking mechanism of the stroller shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a slider with a clamp inserted into a front foot tube of the stroller shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of an unlocking pull rod for use with a slider of the stroller shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a profile view of a clamp for use with a slider of the stroller shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Technical schemes of the present disclosure will be further described in more detail with reference to the specific embodiments and the drawings. 
       FIGS. 1-8  are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a stroller with a pivotable front wheel assembly of the present disclosure. As shown in the figures, the stroller comprises a frame, a front wheel assembly  7  and a rear wheel assembly  8 . 
     The frame comprises a front foot tube  2 , a rear foot tube  4 , a seat tube  5 , a drive rod  6  and a slider  31 . The front wheel assembly  7 , the rear wheel assembly  8 , the front foot tube  2 , the rear foot tube  4 , the seat tube  5 , the drive rod  6  and the slider  31  are all provided in pairs and arranged symmetrically. 
     As shown especially in  FIGS. 1-4 , the slider  31  is slidably connected with the front foot tube  2 . The lower end of the front foot tube  2  is pivotably connected to the front wheel assembly  7 . That is, pivot holes are formed at the lower end of the front foot tube  2  and the upper end of the front wheel assembly  7 , respectively, and the lower end of the front foot tube  2  is pivotally connected with the front wheel assembly  7  by a pivot shaft. The upper end of the rear foot tube  4  is pivotably connected to the slider  31 , and the lower end of the rear foot tube  4  is fixedly connected with the rear wheel assembly  8 . This can be done by way of threaded connection, buckled connection, or other methods used in the art. 
     The two ends of the seat tube  5  are pivotably connected to the front foot tube  2  and the rear foot tube  4 , respectively. The two ends of the drive rod  6  are pivotably connected to the rear foot tube  4  and the front wheel assembly  7 , respectively. 
     The frame has two configurations, a folded configuration and a deployed configuration. When transitioning from the deployed configuration to the folded configuration, the slider  31  slides upwards relative to the front foot tube  2 . Since the upper end of the rear foot tube  4  is pivotably connected to the slider  31 , the rear foot tube  4  moves upwards. Also, the lower end of the rear foot tube  4  is driven by the seat tube  5  and moves towards the front foot tube  2 . 
     Since the two ends of the drive rod  6  are pivotably connected to the rear foot tube  4  and the front wheel assembly  7 , respectively, the drive rod  6  causes the front wheel assembly  7  to rotate around the pivot point at the lower end of the front foot tube  2 . The rotation direction of the front wheel assembly  7  can be set depending the particular application of the stroller. For example, the direction can be towards or away from rear wheel assembly  8 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the included angle between the front wheel assembly  7  and the axis of the front foot tube  2  is reduced through folding. The angle may be larger than 90 degrees in the deployed configuration, but less than 90 degrees in the folded configuration. As a result, when the frame is in its folded configuration, the front wheel assembly  7  forms a surface on which the frame can stand vertically. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a handle tube  1  is telescopically inserted in the upper end of the front foot tube  2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, sliding of the slider  31  can slide manually relative to the front foot tube  2 . In one embodiment there may be a transmission mechanism, comprising an upper rack  22 , a lower rack  32  and a gear  21 . 
     The gear  21  is pivoted in the front foot tube  2 , and an opening is formed on the wall of the front foot tube  2  below the position where the gear  21  is pivoted, according to the needs of the particular application. The upper rack  22  is fixedly connected with the lower end of the handle tube  1  by way of threaded connection, buckled connection, or other methods known in the art. The upper rack  22  is inserted in the front toot tube  2  and engaged with the gear  21 . The front foot tube  2  is sleeved with the slider  31 . The lower rack  32  is arranged in an inner cavity of the slider  31  and fixedly connected therewith by way of threaded connection, buckled connection, or other methods known in the art. The lower rack  32  is engaged with the gear  21  at the opening below the position where the front foot tube  2  is pivotably connected to the gear  21 . During rotation of the gear  21 , the upper rack  22  and the lower rack  32  move in opposite directions. 
     When the handle tube  1  moves downwards, the slider  31  is pushed by the gear  21  and slides upwards relative to the front foot tube  2  to fold the frame. When the handle tube  1  moves upwards, the slider  31  is pushed by the gear  21  and slides downwards relative to the front foot tube  2  to deploy the frame. 
     When the slider  31  moves upwards relative to the front foot tube  2 , the handle tube  1  is pushed by the gear  21 , moves downwards, and retracts into the front foot tube  2  to fold the frame. When the slider  31  moves downwards relative to the front foot tube  2 , the handle tube  1  is pushed by the gear  21 , moves upwards, and projects out of the front foot tube  2  to deploy the frame. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking mechanism  3  comprises a clamp  33 , a spring  35 , a torsional spring  36  and an unlocking pull rod  37 . The locking mechanism  3  may also be provided in pairs and arranged symmetrically. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the clamp  33  is an integrally formed piece, having a first end  51  opposite to the contact surface of the front foot tube  2 , and a second end  53  passing through a slotted hole on the slider  31  and being movably connected with a spiral groove on the inner side of the unlocking pull rod  37 . The clamp  33  is provided with a spring support portion  52  in a middle position. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the clamp  33  may also be in other shapes so as to combine with an elastic piece to form a locking structure. For example, a structure with a protrusion is formed, the protrusion serves as a supporting part of an elastic piece, and the elastic piece is arranged in the slotted hole and abuts against the protrusion and forces one end of the clamp  33  into a positioning hole. Other mechanisms known in the art may also be used. 
     The first end  51  of the clamp  33  may also be additionally provided with a steel mount to reinforce locking strength. The second end  53  may also be provided with a radial steel mount  34  passing through an elongated slotted hole on the slider  31 . Because the second end  53  is movably connected with the spiral groove on the inner side of the unlocking pull rod  37 , this arrangement may reinforce the pulling effect with respect to rotation of the spiral groove (after insertion into the spiral groove). 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower rack  32  and the slider  31  may be formed integrally or connected in a buckled manner. Mechanisms known in the art may be used for this connection. 
     The clamp  33  is arranged in an inner cavity of the lower rack  32  and is mounted in the slotted hole of the inner cavity of the slider  31  together with the lower rack  32 . The spring  35  is arranged between the spring supporting portion  52  of the clamp  33  and the bottom of the inner cavity of the lower rack  32 . The clamp  33  may also be arranged in the slotted hole of the inner cavity of the slider  31 . 
     The front foot tube  2  is provided with a locking hole for use in conjunction with the first end  51  of the clamp  33  in the inner cavity of the lower rack  32 . 
     The unlocking pull rod  37  and the torsional spring  36  are pivotably connected to the slider  31  by a pivot shaft. Under the force of the torsional spring  36 , the unlocking pull rod  37 , when in a static configuration, is adjacent to the rear foot tube  4 . The unlocking pull rod  37  is provided with a spiral groove on the inner side. The second end  53  of the clamp  33  passes through an elongated slotted hole on the slider  31  by means of a pin  34  and then is movably inserted into the spiral groove on the inner side of the unlocking pull rod  37 . 
     In the deployed configuration of the frame, under the thrusting force of the spring  35 , the clamp  33 , in conjunction with the locking hole of the front foot tube  2 , restricts the front foot tube  2  and the slider  31  from sliding relative to each other. When the frame needs to be folded, the unlocking pull rod  37  is rotated around the pivot point with the slider  31 , so that the second end of the clamp  33  rotates at the distal end of the spiral groove of the unlocking pull rod  37  through the pin  34  and is oriented closer to the proximal end of the spiral groove of the unlocking pull rod  37 . This causes the first end  51  of the clamp  33  to be separated from the locking hole, so that the front foot tube  2  and the slider  31  can slide relative to each other to fold the frame. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pull rope may also be connected at the second end of the clamp  33 , and unlocking is therefore implemented by pulling the pull rope. Other mechanisms known in the art may be used. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an unlocking cross bar  38  may be connected between the left and right symmetrical unlocking pull rods  37 . The unlocking cross bar  38  can be lifted by hand, causing the unlocking pull rods  37  to rotate such that the frame can be released from the locked configuration. Meanwhile, the torsional spring  36  additionally provided between the unlocking pull rod  37  and the slider  31  ensures that the unlocking pull rod  37  and the unlocking cross bar  38 , when in a static configuration, always lean against the outer side of the rear foot tube  4  and are adjacent to the seat tube  5 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, to prevent the risk of the unlocking pull rod  37  folding the frame unintentionally, a safety locking device is arranged between the unlocking cross bar  38  and the seat tube  5 . The safety locking device comprises a hooked plastic piece  39 , an unlocking cross bar  38  and a spring  40 . The hooked plastic piece  39  and the spring  40  together are pivotably connected to the seat tube  5  by a pivot shaft. The spring  40  drives the hooked plastic piece  39  to approach the unlocking cross bar  38  and hook the unlocking cross bar  38 . When the frame is in a fully deployed configuration the hooked plastic piece  39  is kept close to the unlocking cross bar  38  the force of the spring  40 . The hooked piece  39  hooks the unlocking cross bar  38 . In order for the unlocking cross bar  38  to be lifted, the hooked plastic piece  39  must first be released from the unlocking cross bar  38 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, after the unlocking cross bar  38  is lifted, the unlocking pull rod  37  is caused to rotate. As a result, the clamp  33  is pulled and is separated from the locking hole of the front foot tube  2 . Also, the unlocking cross bar  38  is further pulled to cause the slider  31  to slide on the front foot tube  2  and causes the rear end of the seat tube  5  to turn upwards. Consequently, the hooked plastic piece  39  turns upwards simultaneously. After the frame is folded, the unlocking cross bar  38  is released, and due to the force of the torsional spring  36 , the unlocking cross bar  38  automatically approaches the rear foot tube  4 . When the frame is deployed, the handle tube  1  is lifted, and gravity causes the slider  31  to slide downwards along the front foot tube  2 . The seat tube  5  drives the rear tube  4  into its deployed position. As part of the deployment of the frame, the first end  51  of the clamp  33  drops into the locking hole on the front foot tube  2 , and the seat tube  5  returns so that the hooked plastic piece  39  is simultaneously pressed towards the unlocking cross bar  38  and hooks the unlocking cross bar  38 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the front foot tube  2  is pivotably connected to the front wheel assembly  7 . The front foot tube  2  is connected with the handle tube  1  by the transmission mechanism. The rear foot tube  4  is slidably connected with the front foot tube  2  by the slider  31 . The rear foot tube  4  is moveably connected with the front wheel assembly  7  by the drive rod  6 . The rear foot tube  4  is movably connected with the front foot tube  2  by the seat tube  5 . 
     To unlock the frame, the unlocking cross bar  38  can be lifted by hand to cause the unlocking pull rod  37  to rotate. As a result, the first end  51  of the clamp  33  is separated from the locking hole on the front foot tube  2 , and the unlocking cross bar  38  is further lifted to pull the slider  31  to slide on the front foot tube  2  through the unlocking pull rod  37 , such that the handle tube  1  fixedly connected with the upper rack  22  is caused to retract into the front foot tube  2  through transmission of the gear  21 . Meanwhile, the slider  31  causes the rear foot tube  4  to move upwards when sliding upwards along the front foot tube  2 , and the rear foot tube  4  is pulled by the seat tube  5  to approach the front foot tube  2 . During the process in which the rear foot tube  4  moves upwards and approaches the front foot tube  2  forwards, the front wheel assembly  7  is driven by the drive rod  6  connected with the rear foot tube  4  to rotate about the movable pivot point with the front foot tube  2 , so that the included angle between the front wheel assembly  7  and the axis of the front foot tube  2  is reduced from an angle larger than 90 degrees to one less than or equal to 90 degrees. Also, the front wheel assembly  7  forms a surface on which the stroller frame can stand. In addition, overall frame length is shortened, thereby making storage easier. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the front foot tube  2  can be divided into two parts, an upper part and a lower part of the front foot tube, which are pivotably connected to each other, and the lower part of the front foot tube is fixedly connected with the front wheel assembly  7 . 
     The unlocking cross bar  38  can be lifted by hand to cause the unlocking pull rod  37  to rotate, so that the first end  51  of the clamp  33  is separated from the locking hole on the front foot tube  2 . The unlocking cross bar  38  is further lifted to pull the slider  31  to slide on the front foot tube  2  through the unlocking pull rod  37 . As a result, the handle tube  1  (fixedly connected with the upper rack  22 ) is caused to retract into the front foot tube  2  through transmission of the gear  21 . Meanwhile, when the slider  31  slides upwards on the front foot tube  2 , it causes the rear foot tube  4  to move upwards. The rear foot tube  4  is pulled by the seat tube  5  to approach the front foot tube  2 . During the process in which the rear foot tube  4  moves upwards and approaches the front foot tube  2 , the front wheel assembly  7  and the lower part of the front foot tube  2  are driven by the drive rod  6  (connected with the rear foot tube  4 ) to rotate around the pivot point with the upper part of the front foot tube  2 . Consequently, the included angle between the front wheel assembly  7  and the axis of lower part of the front foot tube  2  and the axis of the upper part of the front foot tube  2  is reduced from an angle larger than 90 degrees. As a result, the front wheel assembly  7  and the lower part of the front foot tube  2  together form a surface on which the stroller frame can stand vertically for ease of storage. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the front wheel assembly  7  is not designed in pairs, but is a single front wheel assembly. The front foot tube extends to be intersected with the front wheel assembly to divide each front foot tube into two parts, an upper part and a lower part, which are movably pivotably connected to each other by a pivot shaft. The front wheel assembly is fixedly connected to the lower end of the front foot tube, and the lower part of the front foot tube is movably connected with the rear foot tube by a drive rod. When folding of the frame, the drive rod drives the lower part of the front foot tube to rotate around the pivot point with the upper part of the front foot tube, and the lower part of the front foot tube forms a frame standing surface. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, both the clamp  33  and the slider  31  are made of plastic material or steel. The handle tube  1 , the front foot tube  2 , the rear foot tube  4 , the seat tube  5  and the drive rod  6  are made of steel or aluminum alloy. The front foot tube  2 , the rear foot tube  4  and the handle tube  1  are integrally formed tubes. 
     In embodiments of the present disclosure having a pivotable front wheel, during folding of the frame, rotation of the front wheel assembly around the movable pivot point with the front foot tube can be implemented continuously. As a result, the included angle between the front wheel assembly and the front foot tube is shortened. The front wheel assembly forms a stroller frame standing surface to enable the stroller frame to stand and reduce the length of the frame. Meanwhile, driven by the gear transmission mechanism, the handle tube retracts into the front foot tube, to further shorten the folded frame. Consequently, a user does not has to stoop down to store the stroller. Also, since the length of the folded frame is shortened, the stroller is more convenient and easier to store. 
     Finally it should be noted that the above embodiments are only intended for illustrative purposes and do not limit the technical solution of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure is described in details with reference to some embodiments, a person of ordinary skilled in the art should understand that the particular embodiments of the present disclosure can be modified or some technical features can be substituted equivalently. Such modifications and substitutions should also be encompassed in the scope of the technical solution claimed by the present disclosure. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various other embodiments of and modifications to the present disclosure, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. These other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although the present disclosure has been described herein in the context of a particular implementation in a particular environment for a particular purpose, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present disclosure may be beneficially implemented in any number of environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present disclosure as described herein.