Patent Publication Number: US-9839803-B2

Title: Free-standing fitness device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13,886,422, which will issue Feb. 23, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,265,987. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     This invention was made without the support of the Federal Government. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved fitness device; specifically, the present invention relates to a fitness machine designed to strengthen multiple muscle groups using a unique, combined pull-up/fly movement. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following discussion, certain exercise and fitness systems will be described for background and introductory purposes. Nothing contained herein is to be construed as an “admission” of prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to demonstrate, where appropriate, that the articles and methods referenced herein do not constitute prior art under the applicable statutory provisions. 
     Exercising machines employing suspended weights for providing a resistance to body motions are well known in the art. These machines generally include a frame supporting weights attached to a tether. The tether is connected, in turn, to levers and similar components which are grasped by a user and manipulated. Manipulation against the resistance of the weights forces muscles to exert great effort, and thus increases the strength and/or bulk of the muscles over time. 
     However, compound motions are seldom supported by weight or fitness machines. Compound motions are desirable since they can parallel natural body movement, and enable exercising muscles and groups of muscles that frequently cannot be properly exercised by simple motions. The reason compound motions tend to be ignored and not supported by fitness equipment is that compound motions—particularly advanced compound motions—frequently require great complexity in a machine. For example, a lever may require pivoting about plural axes, or a compound motion may require substantial linear movement followed by a rotating movement. Any combination of these and other motions may be required, and may be further complicated by the requirement for gradual transition from one motion to the next or for a configuration that assures substantial symmetry of movement. 
     What has not been available until now is a stationary fitness device that, in one combined movement, works a myriad of muscle groups including the abdominal, chest, intercoastal, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid, deltoid, bicep, forearm, oblique and gluteus maximus muscles. The present invention meets this unmet need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     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 or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other features, details, utilities, and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the Detailed Description herein including those aspects illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims. 
     The present invention relates to an improved fitness device; specifically, the present invention relates to a stationary fitness machine designed to strengthen multiple muscle groups including the abdominal, chest, intercoastal, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid, deltoid, bicep, forearm, oblique and gluteus maximus muscles using a unique, advanced combined pull-up, fly movement. 
     Thus, the present invention provides a free-standing, suspended, or wall/door mountable, fitness device for use in performing a combination pull-up and fly movement. In one embodiment, the device is free-standing and comprises a floor-engaging member coupled to a central vertical support; and a horizontal pull-up bar able to support at least 400 pounds of weight securely coupled by a central pivot portion to the central vertical support at a height of at least 5′ 9″ from the floor engaging member, wherein the horizontal pull-up bar comprises a right bar member and a left bar member, and wherein the right bar member and the left bar member are pivotally connected to the central pivot portion such that the right bar member and the left bar member may be resistively moved simultaneously from an original position 180° relative to one another to a position 90° forward from the original position. 
     In some aspects of this embodiment, the floor-engaging member comprises a right floor engaging member, a left floor-engaging member and a cross floor engaging member that couples the right and left floor-engaging members; and in some aspects, the central vertical support member further comprises a left outer vertical support, a right outer vertical support and a cross bar support, wherein the cross bar support couples the central vertical support member to the left outer vertical support and the right outer vertical support. In some aspects, the right outer vertical support is coupled to the right floor-engaging member, and the left outer vertical support is coupled to the left floor-engaging member. 
     In some aspects of this embodiment, the right and left bar members comprise handle grips, and in some preferred aspects, the right and left bar members comprise forearm rests. 
     In preferred aspects of this embodiment of the invention, the resistive movement can be adjusted to increase resistance, where in some configurations the resistance can be adjusted manually and in other configurations the resistance can be adjusted digitally. Resistance can be imparted using, e.g., free weights, weight bands, pulley systems, springs, hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems as are known in the art. 
     In some aspects of this embodiment of the invention, at least one back bracing plate is included on the device, and in other aspects, two or more back bracing plates are included. In preferred embodiments, the one or more back bracing plates are padded. 
     Some aspects of the free-standing fitness device include the horizontal pull-up bar securely coupled to the central vertical support at a height of about 5′ 11″ from the floor engaging members, 6′ from the floor engaging members, 6′ 1″ from the floor engaging members, 6′ 2″, 6′ 3″, 6′ 4″, 6′ 5″ or more from the floor engaging members. In some aspects, the horizontal pull-up bar is able to support at least 600, 700, 750, 800, or 900 pounds of weight or more. 
     In some aspects, the free-standing fitness device comprises lift assistance able to support up to 50% or of a user&#39;s weight during a pull-up movement, or 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or up to 100% of a user&#39;s weight during a pull-up movement. In some embodiments, the lift assistance feature of the device may be a bar or platform that a user stands upon, or may be a platform that a user kneels upon. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a fitness device to support a human combination pull-up/fly movement, comprising a horizontal pull-up bar able to support a pull-up movement, wherein the horizontal pull-up bar comprises a right bar member and a left bar member, and wherein the right bar member and the left bar member are pivotally connected to the central pivot portion such that the right bar member and the left bar member may be resistively moved simultaneously in a fly movement. The device can be free-standing, suspended, or wall/door mountable. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of performing a pull-up/fly combination movement, comprising executing an upward pull-up movement using a horizontal pull-up bar; executing a fly movement by pivoting left and right members of the horizontal pull-up bar from an original position 180° relative to one another to a position 90° forward from the original position and back; and executing a downward pull-up movement using the horizontal pull-up bar. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental, front elevational view of one alternative embodiment of a horizontal pull-up bar according to the invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a front elevational view of yet another alternative embodiment of a horizontal pull-up bar according to the invention.  FIG. 4B  is an environmental, front elevational view of the embodiment of the horizontal pull-up bar from  FIG. 4A  where the right and left bar members have been pivoted inward. 
         FIG. 5  is a right-hand side view of the free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  are top plan views showing full ( FIGS. 6A and 6C ) and partial ( FIG. 6B ) bar member positions. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are side plan elevational views of yet another embodiment of a free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device according to the invention.  FIG. 7C  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
         FIG. 8  is yet an additional embodiment of a free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device designed for home use according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features and procedures well known to those skilled in the art have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention. 
     The present invention relates to an improved fitness device; specifically, the present invention relates to a fitness machine designed to strengthen multiple muscle groups including the abdominal, pectoralis, intercoastal, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid, trapezius, deltoid, tricep, bicep, forearm, oblique and gluteus maximus muscles using a unique, combination pull-up fly movement. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a free-standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device  100  according to the invention. Free-standing device  100  comprises a base  114  (floor engaging portion), which comprises in this embodiment a right floor engaging member  116  coupled by a cross floor engaging member  120  to a left floor engaging member  118 . The cross floor engaging member  120  also couples the base  114  to central vertical support  122 . Two general portions of central vertical support  122  are shown in  FIG. 1 : an upper region  122   a  of central vertical support  122  and a lower region  122   b  of central vertical support  122 . In addition, the embodiment of the free-standing fitness device  100  shown in  FIG. 1  additionally comprises a right outer vertical support  124  coupling the right floor engaging member  116  to a cross bar support member  128  and a left outer vertical support  126  coupling the left floor engaging member  118  to the cross bar support member  128 . In alternative embodiments, the floor-engaging member comprises a front floor engaging member, a back floor engaging member and a cross floor engaging member that connect the front and back floor engaging members. Any configuration of the fitness device scaffold may be employed as long as the fitness device supports the horizontal pull-up bar comprising the right and left bar members, and allows the right bar member and the left bar member to be resistively moved simultaneously from an original position 180° relative to one another to a position 90° forward from the original position. 
     The upper region  122   a  of the central vertical support  122  is coupled to the horizontal pull-up bar  102  at central pivot portion  108 . The horizontal pull-up bar  102  further comprises a right bar member  104  and a left bar member  106 , where each of the right and left bar members includes a handle grip  112 . Additionally, the embodiment of the free-standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device  100  shown in  FIG. 1  further includes three back bracing plates (or back supports)  130 . 
     The central pivot portion  108  of horizontal pull-up bar  102  comprises a mechanism that allows the right bar member  104  and left bar member or any variation of mechanical leverage  106  to be resistively moved simultaneously from an original position 180° relative to one another to a position substantially 90° from the original position. Resistance can be imparted using, e.g., free weights, pulley systems, springs, hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems as are known in the art. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the resistive movement would be a movement 90° forward, or to the front of the device (that is, away from central vertical support  122 .) In preferred embodiments, the mechanism requires that the resistive movement be substantially symmetrical. 
     In some embodiments, the free-standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device may include a step to allow users to step up to reach horizontal pull-up bar  102 . In some embodiments, right bar member  104  and left bar member  106  may comprise multiple handle grip positions to accommodate different users. That is, there may be multiple handle grips  112  along each of right bar member  104  and left bar member  106 . As for handle grips  112 , in some embodiments, they can be adjusted, and in preferred embodiments handle grips  112  are made of a padded, non-slip material such as rubber, leather, foam rubber, plastic, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the combination pull-up/fly fitness device will include forearm pads comprised of rubber, plastic, foam, or leather. 
     Thus, the combination pull-up/fly device of the present invention allows one to perform a unique pull-up/fly combination movement, comprising executing an upward pull-up movement using the horizontal pull-up bar; executing a fly movement by pivoting left and right members of the horizontal pull-up bar from an original position 180° relative to one another to a position 90° forward from the original position and back while in the upward pull-up position; and executing the downward pull-up movement using the horizontal pull-up bar. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device according to the invention. As with the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1 , free-standing device  200  comprises a base  214 , comprising a right floor engaging member  216  coupled by a cross floor engaging member  220  to a left floor engaging member  218 . The cross floor engaging member  220  couples the base  214  to central vertical support  222 , where two general portions of central vertical support  222  are shown: an upper region  222   a  of central vertical support  222  and a lower region  222   b  of central vertical support  222 . In addition, the free-standing fitness device  200  shown in  FIG. 2  comprises a right outer vertical support  224  coupling the right floor engaging member  216  to a cross bar support member  228  and a left outer vertical support  226  coupling the left floor engaging member  218  to the cross bar support member  228 . The upper region  222   a  of the central vertical support  222  is coupled to the horizontal pull-up bar  202  at central pivot portion  208 . The horizontal pull-up bar  202  in this embodiment comprises a right bar member  204  and a left bar member  206  each of which has a stepped configuration, where each of the right and left bar members includes a handle grip  212  in the lowered portion of each of the right  204  and left  206  bar members. Additionally, the embodiment of the free-standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device  200  shown in  FIG. 2  further includes one back bracing plate  230 . 
       FIG. 3  is an environmental, front elevational view of one alternative embodiment of a horizontal pull-up bar according to the invention.  FIG. 3  shows an alternative embodiment of the horizontal pull-up bar  302  comprising yet a different stepped configuration, with a central pivot portion  308  (which is coupled to the central vertical support, not shown), a right bar member  304  and a left bar member  306 , where each of the right and left bar members includes a handle grip  312  in the lowered and distal portion of each of the right  304  and left  306  bar members.  FIG. 3  shows an avatar  334  in a position where avatar  334  has completed the pull-up movement and has not yet begun the fly movement. 
       FIG. 4A  is a front elevational view of the embodiment of the horizontal pull-up bar shown in  FIG. 3 . Again, horizontal pull-up bar  402  comprises a central pivot portion  408  (which would be coupled to the central vertical support, not shown), a right bar member  404  and a left bar member  406 , where each right and left bar member includes a handle grip  412  in a lowered and distal portion of each of the right  404  and left  406  bar members. In addition, the horizontal pull-up bar  402  comprises forearm rests or braces  410  which may assist the user in performing the inward fly move.  FIG. 4B  is an environmental, front elevational view of the embodiment of the horizontal pull-up bar from  FIG. 4A  where the right and left bar members have been pivoted 90° inward relative to their initial position. Again, horizontal pull-up bar  402  comprises a central pivot portion  408  (which would be coupled to the central vertical support, not shown), a right bar member  404  and a left bar member  406 , where each right and left bar member includes a handle grip  412  and forearm rests or braces  410 . In addition, an avatar is shown at  434 , where the avatar  434  has completed both the pull-up movement (as has the avatar in  FIG. 3 ) and has completed the fly movement by pivoting the right and left bar members from their original position 180° from one another to 90° inward from their original position. Note that as with the other embodiments shown, the central pivot portion  408  comprises a mechanism that allows for pivoting of the right and left bar members inward in respect to the free-standing device  400  (denoted by arrows  432   a , left to center, and  432   b , right to center). As stated previously, resistance can be imparted using, e.g., free weights, pulley systems, springs, hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems as are known in the art. 
       FIG. 5  is a right-hand side view of the free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Free-standing device  500  comprises a base  514  (floor engaging portion), which comprises in this embodiment a right floor engaging member  516  coupled by a cross floor engaging member  520  to a left floor engaging member (not seen in this embodiment). The cross floor engaging member  520  also couples the base  514  to the lower portion of central vertical support  522   b . The free-standing fitness device  500  shown in  FIG. 5  additionally comprises a right outer vertical support  524  coupling the right floor engaging member  516  to a cross bar support member (not seen) and a left outer vertical support  526  coupling the left floor engaging member (not seen) to the cross bar support member (not seen). The upper region  522   a  of the central vertical support  522  is bent from vertical to horizontal at portion  522   c , and coupled with the horizontal pull-up bar  502  at central pivot portion  508 . As is in the other embodiments shown, horizontal pull-up bar  502  comprises a right bar member  504  and a left bar member  506 , where each of the left and right bar members includes a handle grip  512 . Additionally, the embodiment of the free-standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device  500  shown in  FIG. 5  further includes three back bracing plates (or back supports)  530  attached to a bracing plate support member  536 . 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  are top plan views showing full ( FIGS. 6A  (fully extended) and  6 C (fully contracted)) and partial ( FIG. 6B ) left and right bar member positions. In  FIG. 6A , horizontal pull-up bar  602  comprises a central pivot portion  608 , which is coupled to the central vertical support at  622   c , a right bar member  604  and a left bar member  606 , with avatar  634  in position having completed a pull-up but not having begun the fly movement. Arrows  632   a  and  632   b  show the pivot movement that left and right bar members  606  and  604  will trace in the fly movement.  FIG. 6B  is a top plan view showing partial movement of the left and right bar members  606  and  604  partially pivoted from their original position 180° from one another on the way to a position 90° relative to their original position. Again, horizontal pull-up bar  602  comprises a central pivot portion  608 , which is coupled to the central vertical support at  622   c , a right bar member  604  and a left bar member  606 , with avatar  634  in position having completed a pull-up and in the process of performing a fly movement.  FIG. 6C  is a top plan view showing partial movement of the left and right bar members  606  and  604  completely pivoted from their original position 180° from one another to a position 90° relative to their original position where avatar  634  has the completed fly movement contraction. 
       FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C  are side elevation views of yet another embodiment of a free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device according to the invention.  FIG. 7A  shows a free-standing device  700  comprising a base  714  (floor engaging portion), which comprises in this embodiment a right floor engaging member  716  and a left floor engaging member  718 . The base  714  is coupled to, in this embodiment, two central vertical supports  722   d  and  722   e . In addition, the embodiment of the free-standing fitness device  700  shown in  FIG. 7  comprises a right outer vertical support  724  coupling the right floor engaging member  716  to one central vertical support  722   d  and a left outer vertical support  726  coupling the left floor engaging member  718  to the other central vertical support  722   e . In addition,  FIG. 7A  shows a second right outer vertical support  744  and a left outer vertical support at  746  which couple right floor engaging member  716  to right outer vertical support  724  and left floor engaging member  718  to left outer vertical support  726 , respectively. As stated previously, any configuration of floor-engaging members, vertical supports, horizontal supports, etc., may be employed as long as the fitness device supports the horizontal pull-up bar comprising the right and left bar members, and allows the right bar member and the left bar member to be resistively moved simultaneously from an original position 180° relative to one another to a position 90° from the original position. 
     The upper region of the central vertical supports  722   d  and  722   e  are coupled to horizontal bars  754   a  and  754   b , which are in turn are coupled with central pivot portion  708 . Central pivot portion  708  comprises right pulley wheel mechanism  750   a  and left pulley wheel mechanism  750   b  that are integral parts of a pulley/weight system used to provide weight resistance in this embodiment. Right pulley wheel mechanism  750   a  is coupled to and controls right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  and left pulley wheel mechanism  750   b  is coupled to and controls left horizontal pull-up bar  702   b . Note that in this embodiment, there are essentially two horizontal pull-up bars (that is, there are two separate horizontal pull-up bar members), right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  and left horizontal pull-up bar  702   b . Note that both right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  and left horizontal pull-up bar  702   b  comprise forearm braces  710 . Note that one secondary pulley wheel  752  is shown in  FIG. 7A , as an interior mechanism in left horizontal bar  754   b.    
     Note that  FIG. 7A  also comprises a lift assist bar  760 , which allows a user to kneel on lift assist bar  760  to have a percentage of the user&#39;s weight supported during the combined pull-up/fly motion. Lift assist bar  760  is coupled to weights by weight support lever  762 . Lift assist mechanisms are known in the art, for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,556 to Ropp. The embodiment shown here supports a user in a kneeling position; however, in other embodiments, a lift mechanism may support users in a standing position. In the embodiments shown in  FIG. 7A , a user would face central vertical supports  722   d  and  722   e , kneel upon lift assist bar  760 , grab right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  and left horizontal pull-up bar  702   b , and pivot right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  and left horizontal pull-up bar  702   b  inwardly toward central vertical supports  722   d  and  722   e.    
       FIG. 7B  is an x-ray side plan elevational view of the free-standing device  700  from  FIG. 7A .  FIG. 7B  shows base  714  (floor engaging portion), which comprises a right floor engaging member  716  and a left floor engaging member  718 . The base  714  is coupled to two central vertical supports  722   d  and  722   e . In addition, the embodiment of the free-standing fitness device  700  shown in  FIG. 7B  comprises a right outer vertical support  724  coupling the right floor engaging member  716  to one central vertical support  722   d  and a left outer vertical support  726  coupling the left floor engaging member  718  to the other central vertical support  722   e .  FIG. 7B  shows a second right outer vertical support  744  that couples right floor engaging member  716  to right outer vertical support  724  and a left outer vertical support at  746  that couples left floor engaging member  718  to left outer vertical support  726 . 
     The upper region of central vertical supports  722   d  and  722   e  are coupled to horizontal bars  754   a  and  754   b  (not shown), which are in turn coupled with central pivot portion  708 . Central pivot portion  708  comprises right pulley wheel mechanism  750   a  and left pulley wheel mechanism  750   b . Right pulley wheel mechanism  750   a  is coupled to and controls right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  and left pulley wheel mechanism  750   b  is coupled to and controls left horizontal pull-up bar  702   b . Again, there are essentially two separate horizontal pull-up bars (separate horizontal pull-up bar members), right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  and left horizontal pull-up bar  702   b . Note that the free-standing combination pull-up/fly device shown in  FIG. 7B  also employs a pulley/weight system and both right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  and left horizontal pull-up bar  702   b  comprise forearm braces  710 . Note that here both secondary pulley wheels  752  are shown. The secondary pulley wheels  752  are coupled to weights  766 , which allows a user to adjust the resistance of the fly movement. 
     Note that  FIG. 7B  also comprises a lift assist bar  760 , which allows a user to kneel on lift assist bar  760  to have a percentage of the user&#39;s weight supported during the combined pull-up/fly motion. Lift assist bar  760  is coupled to weights  764  by weight support lever  762 . Weights  764  allow a user to adjust the amount of lift resistance provided. 
       FIG. 7C  is a side view of the free-standing device  700  from  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  FIG. 7C  shows base  714  (floor engaging portion), which comprises a right floor engaging member  716  and a left floor engaging member  718  (not shown). The base  714  is coupled to two central vertical supports  722   d  and  722   e  (not shown).  FIG. 7C  shows a second right outer vertical support  744  that couples right floor engaging member  716  to right outer vertical support  724  (not shown). The upper region of the central vertical support  722   d  is coupled to horizontal bar  754   a , which is in turn coupled with central pivot portion  708 . Central pivot portion  708  is coupled to and controls right horizontal pull-up bar  702   a  (not shown), which comprises forearm brace  710 . Note that here the right secondary pulley wheel  752  is shown. The secondary pulley wheel  752  is coupled to weights  766 , which allows a user to adjust the resistance of the fly movement. 
       FIG. 7C  comprises a lift assist bar  760 , which allows a user to kneel on lift assist bar  760  to have a percentage of the user&#39;s weight supported during the combined pull-up/fly motion. Lift assist bar  760  is coupled to weights  764  by weight support lever  762 . 
     Note that the embodiments of the free standing combination pull-up/fly fitness device shown in  FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C  utilize a pulley and weight system to adjust the resistance for the fly movement and the lift assist mechanism; however, other systems known in the art may be used as an alternative, including, e.g., hydraulic systems, spring systems, and pneumatic systems. 
       FIG. 8  is a side plan view of yet an additional configuration of a combination pull-up/fly fitness device  800 .  FIG. 8  shows base  814  (floor engaging portion), which comprises and is contiguous with a right floor engaging member  816  and a left floor engaging member  818 . The right floor engaging member  816  and a left floor engaging member  818  are coupled to two central vertical supports  842   a  and  842   b , which, in conjunction with central vertical member  822 , form a tripartite vertical support for device  800 . The upper region of the central vertical support  822   a  is coupled to horizontal support  822   c , which is in turn coupled with central pivot portion  808 . Central pivot portion  808  is coupled to and controls right horizontal pull-up bar  802   a , which comprises a forearm brace  810 , and left horizontal pull-up bar  802   b , which also comprises a forearm brace  810 . The embodiment of the combination pull-up/fly fitness device shown in  FIG. 8  comprises a lift assist bar  860 , which allows a user to kneel on lift assist bar  860  to have a percentage of the user&#39;s weight supported during the combined pull-up/fly motion. Lift assist bar  860  is coupled to weight support lever  862 . 
     The preceding merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are primarily intended to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the scope and spirit of present invention is embodied by the appended claims. In the claims that follow, unless the term “means” is used, none of the features or elements recited therein should be construed as means-plus-function limitations pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6.