Patent Publication Number: US-2023148712-A1

Title: Shoelace arrangement and shoelace guide for shoe

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure generally relates to a shoelace arrangement and a shoelace guide for a shoe. 
     Background Information 
     Generally, a shoe has an upper and a sole. The upper is fixed to the sole, and is configured to receive a wearer&#39;s foot. Typically, the upper has a first portion, a second portion, and an opening between the first portion and the second portion. In some shoes, a tightener is coupled between the first portion and the second portion for applying a tightening force to the upper for tightening the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. There are many types of closures that are used for shoes. One example of a shoe having a reel based tightener is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,019 B2 (assigned to Boa Technology, Inc.). In a reel based tightener, a lacing cord wound on a reel which is rotated to selectively tighten and loosen the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     SUMMARY 
     Generally, the present disclosure is directed to various features of a shoelace arrangement and/or a shoelace guide for a shoe. One object of the present disclosure is to improve the tightening of the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a shoelace arrangement is provided for a shoe. The shoelace arrangement is basically comprises an upper, a shoelace tightener and a shoelace. The upper includes a first surface and a second surface opposite side of the first surface. The shoelace tightener is disposed to the upper. The shoelace is coupled to the shoelace tightener. The shoelace includes a first shoelace portion entirely extending on the first surface, and a second shoelace portion entirely extending on the second surface. The first shoelace portion and the second shoelace portion cross one another via the first surface and the second surface. 
     With the shoelace arrangement according to the first aspect, the shoelace can be easily pulled by the shoelace tightener to tighten the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace arrangement according to the first aspect is configured so that the shoelace tightener includes a reel based tightener. 
     With the shoelace arrangement according to the second aspect, the shoelace tightener can be easily operated to adjust the tightness level using the reel based tightener. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace arrangement according to the first aspect or the second aspect is configured so that the upper includes a first part having a first end connected to the upper and a second end free from being coupled to the upper. 
     With the shoelace arrangement according to the third aspect, the upper can be reliably tightened with the shoelace tightener. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace arrangement according to the third aspect is configured so that the first shoelace portion and the second shoelace portion cross one another adjacent to the second end of the first part. 
     With the shoelace arrangement according to the fourth aspect, the shoelace can be reliably pulled with the shoelace tightener. 
     In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace arrangement according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect is configured so that the first part includes an opening extending from the first surface to the second surface, and the shoelace passes through the opening. 
     With the shoelace arrangement according to the fifth aspect, the first shoelace portion can be easily positioned entirely on the first surface, and the second shoelace portion can be easily positioned entirely on the second surface. 
     In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace arrangement according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect is configured so that the first part includes a strap. 
     With the shoelace arrangement according to the sixth aspect, the upper can be reliably tightened. 
     In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, A shoelace guide is provided for a shoe. The shoelace guide is basically comprises a main body including a first body surface, a second body surface, and a third body surface extending between the first body surface and the second body surface. The main body further includes a first route and a second route. The first route is configured to receive a first shoelace portion of a shoelace. The second route is spaced apart from the first route as view in a first direction perpendicular to the third body surface, and the second route being configured to receive a second shoelace portion of the shoelace. The first route and the second route cross one another as view in a second direction perpendicular to one of the first body surface and the second body surface. 
     With the shoelace guide according to the seventh aspect, the shoelace can be easily pulled by the shoelace tightener to tighten the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace guide according to the seventh aspect is configured so that the main body is made of a resin material. 
     With the shoelace guide according to the eighth aspect, the shoelace guide can be lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace guide according to the eighth aspect is configured so that the resin material includes at least one of polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. 
     With the shoelace guide according to the ninth aspect, the shoelace guide can be made using a variety of resin materials that are suitable for the particular application. 
     In accordance with a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace guide according to any one of the seventh aspect to the ninth aspect is configured so that the first route and the second route passes between the first body surface and the second body surface. 
     With the shoelace guide according to the tenth aspect, the shoelace is at least partially protected by the shoelace guide. 
     In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace guide according to any one of the seventh aspect to the tenth aspect is configured so that the first route includes a pair of first openings in the main body and a first passageway extending between the first openings; and the second route includes a pair of second openings in the main body and a second passageway extending between the second openings. 
     With the shoelace guide according to the eleventh aspect, a first shoelace portion of the shoelace can be easily routed in the shoelace guide along the first route and a second shoelace portion of the shoelace can be easily routed in the shoelace guide along the second route. 
     In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace guide according to the eleventh aspect is configured so that the third body surface includes the first openings and the second openings. 
     With the shoelace guide according to the twelfth aspect, the shoelace guide and the shoelace can be relatively compact. 
     In accordance with a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the shoelace guide according to any one of the seventh aspect to the twelfth aspect is configured so that the main body is a one-piece member. 
     With the shoelace guide according to the thirteenth aspect, the shoelace guide can have a relatively simple structure. 
     Also, other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed shoelace arrangement and the disclosed shoelace guide will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the shoelace arrangement and the shoelace guide. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is an outer side perspective view of a shoe (e.g., cycling shoe) having a shoelace arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a top plan view of the cycling shoe illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an inner side elevational view of the shoe illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a partial top side perspective view of a free end portion of a strap of the shoe illustrated in  FIGS.  1  to  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a partial bottom side perspective view of the free end portion of the strap illustrated in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the upper of the shoe illustrated in  FIGS.  1  to  3    showing a first shoelace portion extending on the first surface, and a second shoelace portion extending on the second surface. 
         FIG.  7    is an outer side perspective view of a shoe (e.g., cycling shoe) having a shoelace arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment in which the shoelace arrangement includes shoelace guide. 
         FIG.  8    is an inner side elevational view of the shoe illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged perspective view of a first side of the shoelace guide illustrated in  FIGS.  7  and  8    where the shoelace has been routed through the shoelace guide. 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged perspective view of a second side of the shoelace guide illustrated in  FIGS.  7  and  8    where the shoelace has been routed through the shoelace guide. 
         FIG.  11    is a side view of the shoelace guide illustrated in  FIGS.  7  to  10    where the shoelace has been routed through the shoelace guide. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the footwear field from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Referring initially to  FIG.  1   , a side perspective view of a shoe  10  having a shoelace arrangement  12  in accordance with a first embodiment. The shoe  10  is configured to be put on a wearer&#39;s foot F. The shoe  10  is particularly applicable for cycling. Thus, the shoe  10  constitutes a cycling shoe. However, the shoelace arrangement  12  can be applied to footwear such as shoes for sport use, sneakers, or slippers with straps. Thus, the shoelace arrangement  12  is provided for a shoe. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the shoe  10  is a left shoe. It should be noted that the present specification explains the shoe  10  to be put on the left foot but omits explanation of a shoe to be put on the right foot. Preferably, a right shoe is a mirror image of the shoe  10 . Thus, the shoelace arrangement  12  can be applied to the right shoe. The shoe  10  basically includes a sole  14  and an upper  16 . 
     The sole  14  supports the upper  16 . Specifically, the sole  14  is attached to the upper  16 . The sole  14  can be fixedly attached to the upper  16  in a conventional manner, such as with stitching, adhesives, and/or embedding portions the upper  16  within the sole  14 . Thus, the upper  16  and the sole  14  are integrated together. The sole  14  supports the foot sole. The sole  14  includes an outsole  14   a  and an insole  14   b . The insole  14   b  is provided on the opposite side of the outsole  14   a . The outsole  14   a  faces outside the shoe  10 . For example, the outsole  14   a  touches the ground. The insole  14   b  faces inside the shoe  10 . The insole  14   b  is configured to contact the sole of the wearer&#39;s foot F. The sole  14  can also be provided with a midsole between the outsole  14   a  and the insole  14   b . Optionally, the outsole  14   a  of the sole  14  can be provided with a cleat mounting structure for mounting a bicycle cleat to the bottom of the outsole  14   a.    
     The upper  16  covers the top of the wearer&#39;s foot F. The upper  16  is attached to the sole  14  as mentioned above. Here, the upper  16  is a low-cut style of upper. However, the upper  16  is not limited to the low-cut style, but may be of any style. The upper  16  is made of any suitable natural or polymetric materials. The upper  16  can be formed of an expandable material or a non-expandable material. For example, the upper  16  can be made of a leather material, a nylon mesh and/or any other material that is utilized for conventional uppers. 
     In the first embodiment, the shoelace arrangement  12  is basically comprises the upper  16 , a shoelace tightener  18  and a shoelace  20 . The shoelace tightener  18  is disposed to the upper  16 . The shoelace  20  is coupled to the shoelace tightener  18 . The shoelace tightener  18  is configured to apply a tightening force to the upper  16  for tightening the upper to the wearer&#39;s foot F. Here, the shoelace arrangement  12  further comprises an additional shoelace tightener  22  and an additional shoelace  24 . The additional shoelace tightener  22  is also configured to apply a tightening force to the upper  16  for tightening the upper  16  to the wearer&#39;s foot F. The shoelace tightener  18  can be considered a first shoelace tightener  18  and a shoelace  20  can be considered an upper shoelace  20 . On the other hand, the additional shoelace tightener  22  can be considered a second shoelace tightener  22  and the additional shoelace  24  can be considered a second shoelace  24 . 
     Here, the shoelace tightener  18  includes a reel based tightener. Likewise, the additional shoelace tightener  22  includes a reel based tightener. Reel based tighteners are well known in the footwear industry. For example, a reel based tightener is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,019 B2 (assigned to Boa Technology, Inc.), which can be used for the shoelace tightener  18  and the additional shoelace  24 . Of course, it will be apparent that other types of reel based tighteners as well as non-reel based tighteners can be used as needed and/or desired. 
     Basically, the shoelace tightener  18  includes a base portion  18   a , a reel portion  18   b  and a knob portion  18   c . The base portion  18   a  is fixed to the upper  16 . The reel portion  18   b  is rotatable mounted to the base portion  18   a . At least a first end of the shoelace  20  is attached to the reel portion  18   b . A second end of the shoelace  20  is attached to either the base portion  18   a  or the reel portion  18   b . The knob portion  18   c  is connected to the reel portion  18   b  to rotate the reel portion  18   b  relative to the base portion  18   a . A positioning mechanism is provided between to the base portion  18   a  and the reel portion  18   b  to incrementally pull and incrementally release the shoelace  20  from the shoelace tightener  18 . The positioning mechanism of the shoelace tightener  18  can be any type of positioning mechanism such as for example the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,019 B2. 
     Similarly, the additional shoelace tightener  22  includes a base portion  22   a , a reel portion  22   b  and a knob portion  22   c . The base portion  22   a  is fixed to the upper  16 . The reel portion  22   b  is rotatable mounted to the base portion  22   a . At least a first end of the shoelace  20  is attached to the reel portion  22   b . A second end of the shoelace  20  is attached to either the base portion  22   a  or the reel portion  22   b . The knob portion  22   c  is connected to the reel portion  22   b  to rotate the reel portion  22   b  relative to the base portion  22   a . A positioning mechanism is provided between to the base portion  22   a  and the reel portion  22   b  to incrementally pull and incrementally release the additional shoelace  24  from the additional shoelace tightener  22 . The positioning mechanism of the additional shoelace tightener  22  can be any type of positioning mechanism such as for example the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,019 B2. 
     As seen in  FIG.  2   , the upper  14  has a first portion  26 , a second portion  28 , and an opening  30  between the first portion  26  and the second portion  28 . The shoelace tightener  18  and the additional shoelace tightener  22  are provided on the second portion  28  of the upper  16 . The shoelace tightener  18  and the additional shoelace tightener  22  are configured to pull the first portion  26  towards the second portion  28  for tightening the upper  16  to the wearer&#39;s foot F. Here, the upper  16  includes a first part  31  having a first end  31   a  connected to the upper  16  and a second end  31   b  free from being coupled to the upper  16 . Preferably, the first part  31  includes a strap  31   c . The first part  31  is coupled to the first portion  26  and partially overlies the second portion  28 . The first part  31  is coupled to the shoelace tightener  18  by the shoelace  20 . As the reel portion  18   b  of the shoelace tightener  18  by is rotated, the shoelace  20  is pulled to tighten the upper  16  onto the wearer&#39;s foot F, or released to loosen the upper  16  around the wearer&#39;s foot F. 
     Also, the upper  16  includes a second part  32  and a third part  33  connected to the first portion  26  of the upper  16 . The second part  32  and the third part  33  are coupled to the first portion  26 , and partially overlie the second portion  28 . The second part  32  has a shoelace guide  34  and the third part  33  has a shoelace guide  36 . The second portion  28  also has a shoelace guide  38 . The additional shoelace  24  has its ends connected to the additional shoelace tightener  22 . The additional shoelace  24  is further hooked onto the shoelace guides  34 ,  36  and  38  such that the additional shoelace  24  is wound on a reel of the additional shoelace tightener  22  to tighten the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot and unwound from the loosen the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. As the reel portion  22   b  of the additional shoelace tightener  22  by is rotated, the additional shoelace  24  is pulled to tighten the upper  16  onto the wearer&#39;s foot F, or released to loosen the upper  16  around the wearer&#39;s foot F. 
     The upper  16  includes a first surface  40  and a second surface  42  that is an opposite side of the first surface  40 . Here, the first surface  40  is an exterior surface of the shoe  10 . The second surface  42  includes an interior surface of the shoe  10  as a well as the surfaces of the first part  31 , the second part  32  and a third part  33  that overlie portions of the second portion  28  of the upper  16 . 
     The shoelace  20  includes a first shoelace portion  44  and a second shoelace portion  46 . The first shoelace portion  44  entirely extends on the first surface  40 . The second shoelace portion  46  entirely extends on the second surface  42 . Preferably, the second shoelace portion  46  entirely extends on the second surface  42  without contacting the first shoelace portion  44 . The first shoelace portion  44  and the second shoelace portion  46  cross one another via the first surface  40  and the second surface  42 . Here, a first shoelace guide  50  is provided on the first surface  40 , and a second shoelace guide  52  is provided on the second surface  42 . The first shoelace guide  50  is configured to guide the first shoelace portion  44  along a section of the first surface  40 . The second shoelace guide  52  is configured to guide the second shoelace portion  46  along a section of the second surface  42 . The first shoelace guide  50  and the second shoelace guide  52  cross one another via the first surface  40  and the second surface  42 . Preferably, the first shoelace guide  50  and the second shoelace guide  52  cross one another adjacent to the second end of the first part. Here, the first shoelace guide  50  and the second shoelace guide  52  are tubes that are made of a material having a low coefficient friction such as a smooth resin material. Preferably, the resin material includes at least one of polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Alternatively, the first shoelace guide  50  and the second shoelace guide  52  can be made of a loop provided to the first part  31  of the upper  16 . 
     In the first embodiment, the first part  31  includes an opening  54 . The opening  54  extends from the first surface  40  to the second surface  42 . The shoelace  20  passes through the opening  54 . In this way, the strap  31   c  of the first part  31  separates the first shoelace portion  44  from the second shoelace portion  46 . Optionally, a shoelace guide  56  is provided to the inside of the upper  16  for receiving the second shoelace portion  46 . Here, the shoelace guide  56  is a tube that is made of a material having a low coefficient friction such as a smooth resin material. Preferably, the resin material includes at least one of polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Alternatively, the first shoelace guide  50  and the second shoelace guide  52  can be made of a loop provided to the first part  31  of the upper  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  7  to  11   , a shoe  110  (e.g., cycling shoe) having a shoelace arrangement  112  is illustrated in accordance with a second embodiment. The shoe  110  basically includes a sole  114  and an upper  116 . Similar to the first embodiment, the shoelace arrangement  112  is basically comprises the upper  116 , a shoelace tightener  118  and a shoelace  120 . Also, similar to the first embodiment, the shoelace arrangement  112  further comprises an additional shoelace tightener  122  and an additional shoelace  124 . In the second embodiment, the shoe  110  is identical to the shoe  10 , except that the shoelace arrangement  112  has been modified to include a shoelace guide  125  for the shoe  110 . In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity. 
     As seen in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the upper  114  has a first portion  126 , a second portion  128 , and an opening  130  between the first portion  126  and the second portion  128 . The shoelace tightener  118  and the additional shoelace tightener  122  are provided on the first portion  126  of the upper  116 . In particular, the upper  116  includes a first part  131  having a first end  131   a  connected to the upper  116  and a second end  131   b  free from being coupled to the upper  116 . Preferably, the first part  131  includes a strap  131   c . The first part  131  is coupled to the first portion  126  and partially overlies the second portion  128 . The first part  131  is coupled to the shoelace tightener  118  by the shoelace  120 . Also, the upper  116  includes a second part  132  and a third part  133  connected to the first portion  126  of the upper  116 . The second part  132  and the third part  133  are coupled to the first portion  216 , and partially overlie the second portion  128 . The second part  132  has a shoelace guide  134  and the third part  133  has a shoelace guide  136 . The second portion  128  also has a shoelace guide  138 . The additional shoelace  124  has its ends connected to the additional shoelace tightener  122 . The additional shoelace  124  is further hooked onto the shoelace guides  134 ,  136  and  138 . Thus, similar to the first embodiment, the shoelace tightener  118  and the additional shoelace tightener  122  are configured to pull the first portion  126  towards the second portion  128  for tightening the upper  116  to the wearer&#39;s foot F. 
     Here, the shoelace guide  125  is attached to the strap  131   c  at the second end  131   b . The shoelace guide  125  can be considered a part of the upper  116 . The shoelace  20  includes a first shoelace portion  144  and a second shoelace portion  146 . The shoelace guide  125  is configured to avoid contact between the first shoelace portion  144  and the second shoelace portion  146 . In particular, the shoelace guide  125  basically comprises a main body  160 . The main body  160  includes a first body surface  162 , a second body surface  164 , and a third body surface  166  extending between the first body surface  162  and the second body surface  164 . The first shoelace portion  144  is primarily disposed on the first body surface  162 . The shoelace portion  146  is primarily disposed on the second body surface  164 . 
     More specifically, as seen in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the main body  160  further includes a first route R 1  and a second route R 2 . The first route R 1  is configured to receive the first shoelace portion  144  of the shoelace  120 . The second route R 2  is spaced apart from the first route R 1  as view in a first direction D 1  that is perpendicular to the third body surface  166 . The second route R 2  is configured to receive the second shoelace portion  146  of the shoelace  120 . The first route R 1  and the second route R 2  cross one another as view in a second direction D 2  that is perpendicular to one of the first body surface  162  and the second body surface  164 . Here, the first route R 1  and the second route R 2  passes between the first body surface  162  and the second body surface  164 . 
     In the second embodiment, the main body  160  is made of a resin material. Preferably, the resin material includes at least one of polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Also, preferably, the main body  160  is a one-piece member. However, the main body  160  could be made of two or more piece joined together. Here, the main body  160  has an attachment portion  168  for attaching the strap  131   c . The strap  131   c  can be made of two layers that are sewn to the attachment portion  168  of the main body  160  of the shoelace guide  125 . 
     Also, the first route R 1  includes a pair of first openings  170 ,  172  in the main body  160  and a first passageway  174  extending between the first openings  170 ,  172 . Here, the first passageway  174  opens partially on the first body surface  162  and the second body surface  164 . The second route R 2  includes a pair of second openings  180 ,  182  in the main body  160  and a second passageway  184  extending between the second openings  180 ,  182 . Here, the second passageway  184  opens partially on the first body surface  162  and the second body surface  164 . Preferably, the third body surface  166  includes the first openings  170 ,  172  and the second openings  180 ,  182 . 
     In accordance with one possible modification of the first embodiment, the first shoelace guide  50  and the second shoelace guide  52  can both be provided on the first surface  40  such that the first shoelace portion  44  and the second shoelace portion  46  cross one another on the first surface  40 . Also, in this modification, the first shoelace guide  50  and the second shoelace guide  52  can be combined into a single shoelace guide. In ether case, the first shoelace portion  44  and the second shoelace portion  46  can be guided such that the first shoelace portion  44  and the second shoelace portion  46  do not contact at the cross over point. On the other hand, the shoelace guide can be configured such that the first shoelace portion  44  and the second shoelace portion  46  contact at the cross over point. However, if the first shoelace portion  44  and the second shoelace portion  46  contact at the cross over point, then the tightening forces will increases due to the frictional contact of the first shoelace portion  44  and the second shoelace portion  46  during tightening of the shoelace  20 . 
     In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts unless otherwise stated. 
     It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that the directional terms “inner side” and “inboard side” refer to the right side of a shoe for the left foot, and the left side of a shoe for the right foot. In other words, the inner side or the inboard side is the side of the shoe facing the shoe on the other foot of the wearer. Similarly, the terms outer side” and “outboard side” refer to the left side of the shoe for the left foot and the right side of the shoe for the right foot. The outer side or the outboard side is the side of the shoe facing away from the shoe on the other foot. As well, the terms “inner side” and “inboard side” are used interchangeably with respect to the present disclosure. Similarly, the terms “outer side” and “outboard side” are also used interchangeably with respect to the description of the present disclosure. 
     The phrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means “one or more” of a desired choice. For one example, the phrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means “only one single choice” or “both of two choices” if the number of its choices is two. For another example, the phrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means “only one single choice” or “any combination of equal to or more than two choices” if the number of its choices is equal to or more than three. Also, the term “and/or” as used in this disclosure means “either one or both of”. 
     Also, it will be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, for example, a first component discussed above could be termed a second component and vice versa without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     The term “attached” or “attaching”, as used herein, encompasses configurations in which an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to the intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with another element, i.e. one element is essentially part of the other element. This definition also applies to words of similar meaning, for example, “joined”, “connected”, “coupled”, “mounted”, “bonded”, “fixed” and their derivatives. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean an amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. 
     While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. Unless specifically stated otherwise, components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.