Patent Publication Number: US-11396965-B2

Title: Restraint gripper cover with lockout breakaway

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to pipe connections. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a lockout breakaway for a mechanical joint pipe connection. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typical mechanical joint pipe connections do not provide for a positive retention mechanism other than friction of the gasket acting on the plain end of the length. The lack of a positive retention mechanism can compromise the seal or lead to the plain end pulling out of the female socket when the connection is subjected to high tension force or effects such as water hammer. Some mechanical joint pipe connections can incorporate a joint restraint mechanism configured to mechanically engage the plain end of the pipe; however, existing joint restraint mechanisms can exert high stresses upon the plain end of the pipe length which can lead to deformation, creep, and cracking of the plain end of the pipe length during installation or operation. Deformation, creep, and cracking can lead to failure of the seal or failure of the pipe length itself which can result in leaks or environmental contamination. 
     Mechanical joint assemblies can use rotatable grippers to engage a pipe surface. During shipping, assembly, and disassembly, various modes of engagement for the grippers may be preferable. For example, an engagement position, a disengaged position, and an intermediate position may be defined. Specially formed covers may aid in preparing these gripper modes. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description. 
     Disclosed is a gland assembly for a piping element, the gland assembly comprising: a gland comprising: an annular ring defining a fastener hole, the annular ring defining a radially inward and a radially outward directionality; and a joint restraint assembly comprising a restraint base, the restraint base attached to the annular ring and defining a restraint pocket, the joint restraint assembly further comprising a gripper disposed within the restraint pocket, wherein the gripper is configured to rotate within the restraint pocket about and between a disengaged position in which the gripper is disengaged from the piping element and an engagement position in which the gripper is engaged with the piping element; and a cover removably attached to the restraint base, the cover comprising: a bottom wall comprising a stop leg; a sidewall; a tab extending from the sidewall, the tab configured to prevent the cover from being pushed onto the restraint base in a fully depressed configuration and to prevent the stop leg from engaging the gripper into the disengaged position. 
     Also disclosed is a method for breaking a tab on a cover, the cover comprising a top wall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and having a stop leg, a sidewall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a tab extending from the sidewall and defining a notch, the method comprising: placing the tab in a slot on a gland for joining piping elements, the gland defining the slot and comprising an annular ring configured to receive one of the piping elements; and twisting the cover to break the tab at the notch. 
     Also disclosed is a method for maintaining a gripper in an intermediate position, the method comprising: placing a cover, the cover comprising a tab, over a restraint pocket of a gland for a piping element, the gland comprising an annular ring, and a joint restraint assembly comprising a restraint base, the restraint base attached to the annular ring and defining the restraint pocket, the joint restraint assembly further comprising the gripper disposed within the restraint pocket, wherein the gripper is configured to rotate within the restraint pocket about and between a disengaged position in which the gripper is disengaged from the piping element, an engagement position in which the gripper is engaged with the piping element, and the intermediate position between the disengaged position and the engagement position, the intermediate position of the gripper configured to engage the piping element, allowing the pipe element to be inserted into the gland but not removed; and pushing down the cover until the tab contacts the gland. 
     Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mechanical joint assembly comprising covers with tabs mounted on a gland assembly, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mechanical joint assembly of  FIG. 1  with the covers removed from the gland assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the cover with tabs of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the cover, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the gland assembly, taken along line  100 - 100  of  FIG. 1 , with a pipe end of a pipe length inserted into the gland assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up perspective view of the mechanical joint assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a mechanical joint assembly defining a slot configured to break the tab, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the mechanical joint assembly of  FIG. 7 , wherein the tab is inserted into the slot in preparation for being broken. 
         FIG. 9A  is a front perspective view of the cover with a tab, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9B  is a side view of the cover of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mechanical joint assembly comprising the cover of  FIG. 9A , wherein the tab is folded sideways in preparation for the cover to be pushed into a fully depressed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof. 
     As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise. 
     Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances. 
     As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
     The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect. 
     Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods. 
     The use of the directional terms herein, such as right, left, front, back, top, bottom, and the like can refer to the orientation shown and described in the corresponding figures, but these directional terms should not be considered limiting on the orientation or configuration required by the present disclosure. The use of ordinal terms herein, such as first, second, third, fourth, and the like can refer to elements associated with elements having matching ordinal numbers. For example, a first light bulb can be associated with a first light socket, a second light bulb can be associated with a second light socket, and so on. However, the use of matching ordinal numbers should not be considered limiting on the associations required by the present disclosure. 
     The mechanical joint restraint disclosed herein can be similar to those described in the following applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/242,059, filed Jan. 8, 2019, entitled “Joint Restraint Device,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/966,796, filed Apr. 30, 2018, entitled “Joint Restraint Device,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/882,512, filed Jan. 29, 2018, entitled “Joint Restraint Device,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/490,926, filed Apr. 19, 2017, entitled “Joint Restraint Device.” These applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Disclosed is a cover for a gland assembly and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed cover is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom. Terms used in the present disclosure can refer to identical terms in the incorporated references. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mechanical joint assembly  44100  comprising covers  35360 . For example and without limitation, the mechanical joint assembly  44100  can comprise the aspects disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/242,059. The mechanical joint assembly  44100  can be used to secure a pipe  104 , such as a plain-end pipe, to a valve  44910 , as shown in the present aspect. In other aspects, the mechanical joint assembly  44100  can secure any other piping element together, for example and without limitation, a coupling, pipe fitting, elbow fitting, a tee, or a wye. A gland  10124  can be an annular ring  125 . With the covers  35360  mounted on the gland  10124 , a pair of blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  can extend towards fasteners  48926  adjacent to each of the respective covers  35360 . The blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  can be sized to provide clearance for a nut  51926  of each respective fastener  48926  to be rotated by hand; however, the blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  are also sized to prevent a tool from being positioned around the nuts  51926 , such as a socket or the open or boxed ends of a hand wrench, for example and without limitation. The sizing of the blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  is configured to allow a user to hand-tighten the nuts  51926  with his or her fingers while the covers  35360  are mounted on the gland  10124  but also to prohibit the user from tightening the nuts  51926  with tools with the covers  35360  mounted on the gland  10124 . Such an arrangement prevents the user from fully tightening an assembling the mechanical joint assembly  44100  without activating joint restraint assemblies  10134  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) because the covers  35360  must be removed to facilitate final tightening of the nuts  51926 , thereby activating the joint restraint assemblies  10134 . The covers  35360  can comprise tabs  56102 , the structure and function of which are described below. Line  100 - 100  defines a cross sectional plane running through a pipe length  102  and a top and a bottom cover  35360  (with respect to the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mechanical joint assembly  44100  of  FIG. 1  with the covers  35360  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) removed from a gland assembly  42100  and the gland  10124  fastened to a first flange  44922  of the valve  44910  by the fasteners  48926  in an assembled configuration. The first flange  44922  can define fastener notches  46012  or fastener holes (not shown). The fasteners  48926  can be inserted through fastener holes (not shown) of the gland  10124  and through either the fastener notches  46012  or fastener holes defined in the first flange  44922  to secure the gland assembly  42100  to the valve  44910 . 
     Tightening of the fasteners  48926  can draw the gland assembly  42100  towards the first flange  44922 , thereby rotating grippers  10232  of the joint restraint assemblies  10134  into the final engagement position, as shown. In the final engagement position, engagement ends  10332  of the respective grippers  10232  can be in full engagement with an outer pipe surface  204  of the pipe length  102 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the cover  35360  in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The cover  35360  can define a pair of opposing sidewalls  50362 , 50364 , a top wall  50390 , a bottom wall  50358 , and a front wall  50394 . The top wall  50390  and the bottom wall  50358  can each extend between the sidewalls  50362 , 50364 . The front wall  50394  can extend between the sidewalls  50362 , 50364  and from the top wall  50390  to the bottom wall  50358 . In the present aspect, the sidewalls  50362 , 50364  can be substantially parallel to one another. In other aspects, the sidewalls  50362 , 50364  can be angled relative to one another. 
     A cover engagement wall  50372  of the cover  35360  can extend rearward from the top wall  50390  and away from the front wall  50394 . A tab stop  50377  can be disposed at or near an end  50380  of the cover engagement wall  50372 . The cover engagement wall  50372  and the tab stop  50377  can be configured to secure the cover  35360  over a restraint base  10334 , such as shown in  FIG. 5 , for example and without limitation. 
     In the present aspect, the bottom wall  50358  can define a curved shape configured to conform to the outer surface  204  of the pipe. The bottom wall  50358  can define a stop leg  50352 , which can be configured to engage a gripper. In the present aspect, the bottom wall  50358  can define a pair of clearance slots  50356 , and the stop leg  50352  can be positioned between the clearance slots  50356 . The clearance slots  50356  can be configured to fit over sidewalls of the restraint base  10334 , so that the cover  35360  can fit over the restraint base  10334 . 
     The stop leg  50352  can define an end  50354  disposed opposite from the front wall  50394 . The stop leg  50352  can define a relief notch  50320  extending frontwards from the end  50354  and toward the front wall  50394 . The relief notch  50320  can be configured to provide clearance between the stop leg  50352  and a pipe length, such as the pipe length  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The pair of blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  can extend outward from the respective sidewalls  50362 , 50364 . In the present aspect, the blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  can be monolithically formed with the respective sidewalls  50362 , 50364 ; however, in other aspects, the blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  can be separate components, which can be permanently or detachably fixed to the respective sidewalls  50362 , 50364 . In other aspects, the blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  may not be ribs, but instead could be a different style or shape of protuberance, such as a post, pyramid, or any other suitable type of protuberance. 
     Each tab  56102 , which in the present aspect can be called a lockout breakaway, can extend from a one of the blocking ribs  50312 , 50314 . Each tab  56102  can extend from a radially outer portion  56104  of the blocking ribs  50312 , 50314  when the cover  35360  is on the gland  10124 . Each tab  56102  can comprise an end  57102 , and a length  57104  can be defined between the end  57102  and a notch  56106  on the tab  56102 . The end  57102  can be configured to contact the gland  10124  when the cover  35360  is in a partially depressed position, thereby preventing the cover  35360  from entering a fully depressed configuration. The notch  56106  can be defined on a radially inward side of the tab  56102 , the notch  56106  configured to aid in breaking away the tab  56102  at a specified position. A portion of the tab  56102  between the end  57102  and the notch  56106  can be called a lockout portion  340 . The tab  56102  can further comprise a connecting portion  350  between the lockout portion  340  and the sidewall  50362 , 50364 . In the current aspect, the tab  56102  extends laterally outward from the sidewalls  50362 , 50364 . In other aspects, such as the one shown in  FIG. 4 , the tab  56102  can also extend laterally inward from the sidewalls  50362 , 50364 . 
     The cover engagement wall  50372  can comprise a groove  310  adjacent to the tab stop  50377 , and the groove  310  can have a length that is parallel to the tab stop  50377 . The cover  35360  can further define additional grooves  320 . The cover engagement wall  50372  can define an indent  330  proximate the tab stop  50377 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the cover  35360  in another aspect in accordance with present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross-section taken along the line  100 - 100  of  FIG. 1 . A tongue  510  can extend radially outward from the gland  10124  on a radially outward portion proximate to the flange  44922 . The gland  10124  can further comprise joint restraint assemblies  10134  which can be equally spaced about a circumference of the annular ring  125  of the gland  10124 .  FIG. 5  demonstrates an intermediate mode or position of the cover  35360  and gripper  10232 . The intermediate position can be one of three modes or positions of engagement, in accordance with one aspect of the current disclosure. A first mode can be an engaged mode (not shown), wherein the cover  35360  is removed and the grippers  10232  can engage the outer pipe surface  204  of the pipe length  102 . A second mode can be the intermediate position, in which the cover  35360  is partially—but not fully—depressed, such that the stop legs  50352  can partially push the grippers  10232 . As such, the grippers  10232  can partially engage the outer pipe surface  204 , aiding the gradual insertion of the pipe and preventing the pipe from being easily removed. The covers  35360  can be shipped in the intermediate mode, in preparation for assembly. The cover  35360  can be secured in the intermediate position by positioning the cover  35360  such that the indent  330  of the cover  35360  receives the tongue  510  of the gland  10124 . In another aspect, the groove  310  may not be present, and the tongue can be received by a sloped end  302  of the tab stop  50377 . 
     The disengaged mode or position can be a configuration in which the stop legs  50352  of the cover  35360  secure the grippers  10232  in a disengaged position, wherein the gripper  10232  is out of contact with the outer pipe surface  204  and the pipe  104  can be removed or inserted without interference. The disengaged mode can comprise a fully depressed position of the cover  35360  with the cover  35360  pushed axially towards the gland  10124 , wherein the tongue  510  on the gland  10124  engages the groove  310  on the cover engagement wall  50372 . The disengaged mode can be useful for removing the pipe  104 , such as for disassembly or reinsertion of the pipe  104  after an incorrect insertion. However, this mode may not be needed for initial assembly. 
     The restraint base  10334  can define a restraint pocket  340 , and the gripper  10232  can be disposed within the restraint pocket  340 , wherein the gripper  10232  is rotatable within the restraint pocket  340  about and between the disengaged position, the engagement position, and the intermediate position between the disengaged position and the engagement position. Having three possible modes of configuration may be confusing to installers, and the cover  35360  with the tab  56102  can facilitate assembly by keeping the covers  35360  and the grippers  10232  in the intermediate mode during shipping and assembly by keeping the cover  35360  from being pushed further towards the gland  10124 . At the same time, having a notch  56106  (shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ) to ease breaking the tab  56102  can allow for relatively easy access to the disengaged mode. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the mechanical joint assembly  44100  of  FIG. 1 , showing a close-up of the cover  35360  with the tab  56102 . Positioning the tab  56102  at the radially outward portion  56104  of the blocking ribs  50312  can allow a slight but helpful tilt (or rotation) of the cover  35360  in a radially inward direction relative to the pipe length  102 . This tilt can bias the grippers  10232  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) to adjust their grip on the pipe  104  during assembly without disengaging the pipe length  102 , allowing for finer adjustments. The tabs  56102  can be configured to maintain the cover  35360  in the intermediate position by pressing against the gland  10124 , thus preventing or resisting the cover  35360  from being further depressed into a third, disengaged position (not shown). 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the mechanical joint assembly  44100 , in accordance with another aspect of the current disclosure. The gland  10124  can comprise slots  58101  at regular intervals on the annular ring  125 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the slots  58101  can be configured to receive the tab  56102  of the cover  35360 , such that twisting the cover  35360  in a direction away from the notch  56106  can break the tab  56102  at the notch  56106 . The slot  58101  can have a depth  58104  similar to the length  57104  of the tab  56102 . The slot  58101  can also extend partially through the annular ring  125  in a portion axially distal from an element flange  122 . The annular ring  125  can comprise portions  58102  between fasteners  48926  that lack, or are devoid of, gland assemblies  42100 . The slots  58101  can, without limitation, be defined on these such portions  58102 . 
     In the orientation as shown in  FIG. 8 , the notch  56106  on the tab  56102  is facing left, and the cover  35360  can be twisted such that the front wall  38394  is pushed towards the right, thereby breaking the tab  56102  or releasing the breakaway. 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the cover  35360  with a tab  56102 , in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. A hinge  60102  can join the tab  56102  to the cover  35360 , such that the tab  56102  can alternatively be configured in a straight configuration or position, as in the current aspect, or in a sideways configuration or position, as shown in  FIG. 10 . When the cover  35360  is installed on the gland assembly  42100  (see  FIG. 10 ), the hinge  60102  can be on a radially outward portion of the tab  56102 . In some aspects, the hinge  60102  can be a living hinge, such that the hinge  60102  is formed monolithically with tab  56102  and/or the cover  35360 . 
     In the present aspect, the tab  56102  can comprise a stop depress leg  60104  and a stabilizer leg  60106 . The stop depress leg  60104  can join to the cover  35360  by the hinge  60102 . The stop depress leg  60104  and the stabilizer leg  60106  can meet at a rigid angle  60108  in a stop depress end  60110 . The angle  60108  can be an acute angle, such as approximately 45 degrees, 30 degrees, 20 degrees, or 15 degrees, such that the stabilizer leg  60106  does not interfere with placing the cover  35360  into the disengaged position when the tab  56102  is in the sideways position. The stabilizer leg  60106  can extend to meet or contact a rear side portion  60112  of the cover  35360 . In the present aspect, the lockout portion  340  can be a portion of the tab  56102  extending away from the sidewalls  50362 , 50364  past the notch  56106 . 
       FIG. 9B  is a side view of the cover of  FIG. 9A . In this view, a stabilizer end  910  of the stabilizer leg  60106  can be seen to contact a rear side  920  of the sidewall  50362  but not a rear side  930  of the rib  50312 . In other aspects, particularly when the tab  56102  extends laterally outward but does not laterally overlap the sidewall  50362  (see  FIG. 3 ), the stabilizer end  910  can contact the rib  50312 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mechanical joint assembly  44100 , comprising the cover  35360  of  FIG. 9A . The covers  35360  can be installed on the gland  10124  during shipping and installation, the cover engagement wall  50372  gripping the tongue  510  of the gland  10124 , and the tab  56102  held in the straight configuration by contact of the stop depress end  60110  of the tab  56102  with the gland  10124  (straight configuration shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B ). The straight configuration can correspond to keeping the cover  35360  and the grippers  10232  in the intermediate position, as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the tab  56102  is in the sideways position, as shown in the current aspect, the tab  56102  does not contact the annular ring  125 , and the cover  35360  may be allowed to fully depress into the disengaged mode or position. Placing the tab  56102  in the sideways position from the straight position while the cover  35360  is in the intermediate position may first require removing the cover  35360  from the gland assembly  42100 , sweeping the tab  56102  to the sideways position, and then replacing the cover  35360  on the gland assembly  42100 . 
     One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.