Patent Publication Number: US-11643152-B2

Title: Automotive vehicle with folding tailgate

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present disclosure claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/899,076, filed on Jun. 11, 2020, and entitled “AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE WITH FOLDING TAILGATE,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein. 
     INTRODUCTION 
     The present disclosure relates to tailgates for automotive vehicles. 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Automotive vehicles typically have a storage area, which may be typically located in the rear of the vehicle. Some types of automotive vehicles, including trucks such as without limitation pickup trucks, may have an open storage area, referred to as a storage bed, cargo bed, or simply a bed. In such vehicles, access to the bed is provided via a tailgate located at a rear portion of the bed, which opens by rotating backward and downward to rest in a horizontal position. A tailgate is connected to the vehicle by hinges at opposing sides of the base of the tailgate to allow for opening and closing. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a currently-known vehicle  101  includes a conventional tailgate  105 . The vehicle  101  includes a bed  103  and the conventional tailgate  105 . The conventional tailgate  105  has one or more hinges  107 . The hinges  107  allow the tailgate  105  to rotate about 90 degrees or so from a closed position (shown in  FIG.  1   ) out and away from the bed  103  to an open position where the tailgate  105  is disposed horizontally. The tailgate  105  encloses an area of the bed  103  when the tailgate  105  is in an upright (that is, closed) position. When the conventional tailgate  105  is in a down (that is, open) position, its then rear facing edge protrudes rearward from the vehicle bed  103  by a distance—such as, for example, 16-24 inches or so—thereby entailing a user to stand such a distance away from the bed  103  at the rear in order to access cargo in the bed  103 . 
     That is, in currently-known tailgate designs, an open tailgate  105  can help contribute to acting as an obstacle to accessing the bed  103  because the open tailgate  105  can extend outward in a rearward direction, thereby contributing to limiting access to the bed  103 . 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed embodiments include automotive vehicles with a folding tailgate and folding tailgates for an automotive vehicle. 
     In a non-limiting embodiment, an illustrative automotive vehicle with a folding tailgate includes a bed, a rail positioned along an edge of the bed, and a folding tailgate at a back of the bed. The folding tailgate includes: a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion and the second wall portion being rotatably connected to one another; a first latch attached to the first wall portion; a guide member attached to the first wall portion and configured to move along the rail in a manner that is constrained by the rail; a rotatable latch attached to the second wall portion; and a first hinge attached to the second wall portion and movably attachable to the vehicle. 
     In another non-limiting embodiment, an illustrative folding tailgate for an automotive vehicle includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion and the second wall portion being rotatably connected to one another. A first latch is attached to the first wall portion. A guide member is attached to the first wall portion and is configured to move along a rail disposed at a rear of a vehicle, the guide member being configured to move along the rail in a manner constrained by the rail. A rotatable latch is fixedly attached to the second wall portion. A first hinge is attached to the second wall portion and is movably attachable to the vehicle. 
     In another non-limiting embodiment, another illustrative folding tailgate for an automotive vehicle includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion and the second wall portion being rotatably connected to one another. A first latch is attached to the first wall portion and is configured to engage with a complementary latch part at a first portion of an automotive vehicle to lock the tailgate in a closed position at the automotive vehicle. A guide member is attached to the first wall portion and is configured to move along a rail disposed at a rear of the automotive vehicle, the guide member being configured to move along the rail in a manner constrained by the rail. A rotatable connection mechanism is attached to the second wall portion and is configured to attach to a second portion of an automotive vehicle, the tailgate being configured to open and close via folding movement of the first wall portion and the second wall portion relative to one another. 
     Further features, advantages, and areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a vehicle with a conventional tailgate. 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  are perspective views of an illustrative folding tailgate. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  are perspective views of another illustrative folding tailgate. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of an illustrative rail for a folding tailgate. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a plan view of another illustrative folding tailgate. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a perspective view of the folding tailgate of  FIG.  5 A . 
         FIG.  6 A  is a side plan view in partial perspective of an illustrative sliding roller hinge for a folding tailgate. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a front plan view of the sliding roller hinge of  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIG.  7 A  is a plan view of an illustrative rotatable latch for a folding tailgate. 
         FIG.  7 B  is a perspective view of an illustrative holder for the rotatable latch of  FIG.  7 A . 
         FIG.  7 C  is a perspective view of the rotatable latch of  FIG.  7 A  being held by the holder of  FIG.  7 B . 
         FIG.  8 A  is a plan view of an illustrative rotatable latch for a folding tailgate. 
         FIG.  8 B  is a perspective view of an illustrative holder for the rotatable latch of  FIG.  8 A . 
         FIG.  8 C  is a perspective view of the rotatable latch of  FIG.  8 A  being held by the holder of  FIG.  8 B . 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a vehicle with an illustrative tailgate. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings generally indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It will be noted that the first digit of three-digit reference numbers and the first two digits of four-digit reference numbers correspond to the first digit of one-digit figure numbers and the first two digits of two-digit figure numbers, respectively, in which the element first appears. 
       FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate an illustrative folding tailgate  205  according to the disclosure. In this example, tailgate  205  may have two parts—a first (e.g., sliding) wall portion  209  and a second (e.g., rotating) wall portion  211 . The first wall portion  209  and second wall portion  211  are movable relative to one another and connected to one another, e.g., via a centrally located hinge mechanism  214  (e.g., one or more hinges) that joins them, and their movement may be constrained and guided by a guide member  225  connected to the first wall portion  209  at a bottom thereof, e.g., a translating hinge such as a sliding hinge or rolling hinge, e.g., with one or more bearings, for example, that rides in or along a rail or track  217  positioned at a bottom rear edge of the bed  203 . The rail or track  217  is shown in dotted line in  FIG.  2 B  since it is hidden from the perspective of the bed  203 . 
     A width W 1  of first wall portion  209  in a horizontal side-to-side direction may be the same as a width W 2  of the second wall portion  211  in such horizontal direction (left to right direction). First wall portion  209  and second wall portion  211  may also have a same thickness T 1  in a front-to-rear direction and a same height H 1  in an upright direction (e.g., upright when the tailgate  205  is closed). The dimensions of W 1 , W 2 , H 1  and T 1  may depend on a height and a lateral width of the bed  203  and can be suitably chosen accordingly. For example, for a bed  203  with a width in a range of about 48-72 inches and a height of about 18-30 inches, W 1  and W 2  may each be in a range of about 24-36 inches, H 1  may be in a range of about 18-30 inches, and T 1  may be in a range of about 3-6 inches. These dimensions are merely illustrative, and other dimensions may be used. Second wall portion  211  may include one or more brackets  216  that connect to a sidewall  203 A of bed  203  via one or more side hinge mechanisms  218  (e.g., one or more hinges). The tailgate  205  and sidewall of the bed  203  may also include a latching mechanism for locking the tailgate  205  in a closed position, e.g., comprising a latch  221  that mates with a complementary latch part at a sidewall of the bed  203 . The latch  221  may be controllable by a manual button or other release mechanism at handle  213 , or via any suitable powered mechanism, such as an electromechanical actuator. 
       FIG.  2 A  shows tailgate  205  in a closed position. In a closed position, first wall portion  209  and second wall portion  211  may contact each other along a split line  212 , the split line  212  illustrating a boundary between the first wall portion  209  and the second wall portion  211  when the tailgate  205  is in a closed position.  FIG.  2 B  shows tailgate  205  in a partially open position, as viewed from the bed  203 . In an open position, first wall portion  209  and second wall portion  211  may rotate away from each other at a split line  212  via one or more centrally located hinge mechanisms  214  that connect the first wall portion  209  and the second wall portion  211 . When open, tailgate  205  may provide access to bed  203 . In an open position of tailgate  205 , first wall portion  209  may slide along the edge of the bed  203  and rotate away from the bed  203 , while the second wall portion  211  rotates away from the bed  203 . The first wall portion  209  and second wall portion  211  may fold toward one another in an opening movement such that center-side portions thereof move outward (rearward) from the bed  203 , in an accordion-like fashion, thereby opening the tailgate  205  and enabling access to the bed  203  such that the user may have access while standing at a rear bumper  210  of the vehicle  201  instead of having to stand away from the bumper  210 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , first wall portion  209  may slide toward the second wall portion  211 , while second wall portion  211  may rotate without undergoing sliding motion. In this example, a handle  213  may be positioned on first wall portion  209 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , first wall portion  209  may be on the left side of the vehicle  201 , while second wall portion  211  may be on the right side of the vehicle  201 . In another example, first wall portion  209  may be on the right side of the vehicle  201 , while second wall portion  211  may be on the left side of the vehicle  201 . Two handles  213  may be used—one handle  213  on first wall portion  209 , and another handle  213  on second wall portion  211 . 
       FIGS.  3 A,  3 B and  3 C  illustrate an example of a folding tailgate  305  according to the disclosure that is like the illustrative tailgate  205  shown in the example of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . Similar to the example of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , vehicle  301  may be equipped with a bed  303  and a tailgate  305 . Tailgate  305  may be a folding tailgate like that described in the example of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . Folding tailgate  305  may have a first wall portion  309  that slides toward an opposing side of vehicle  301  via a rail or track  317 , and a second wall portion  311  that rotates without undergoing sliding motion. The first wall portion  309  and second wall portion  311  are movable relative to one another and connected to one another, e.g., via a centrally located hinge mechanism  314  (e.g., one or more hinges) that joins them, and their movement may be constrained and guided by a guide member (not shown), e.g., a translating hinge such as a sliding hinge or rolling hinge with one or more bearings, for example, that rides in or along a rail or track  317  positioned at a bottom rear edge of the bed  303 . Tailgate  305  may have a one or more handles  313  located at the center of tailgate  305 .  FIG.  3 A  shows tailgate  305  in a closed position.  FIG.  3 B  shows tailgate  305  in an open position in connection with a lateral folding and sliding operation, as viewed from behind the vehicle  301 . In an example, to open tailgate  305 , first wall portion  309  may rotate from its closed position (position shown in  FIG.  3 A ) and slide laterally in a horizontal direction toward an opposite side the vehicle  301 . In this example, second wall portion  311  may rotate from its closed position (position shown in  FIG.  3 A ) but may not undergo sliding motion. In an open position shown in  FIG.  3 B , access to bed  303  may be unobstructed. With tailgate  305  in an open position, a user may approach the vehicle  301  from the back and have full access to bed  303  while standing at a bumper  310  of the vehicle  301  instead of having to stand away from the bumper  310 . Additionally, with tailgate  305  in an open position, an open tailgate may not obstruct a view of a license plate  315 . The tailgate  305  may be configured to open with lateral folding and sliding motion as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B . In addition to opening with the lateral folding and sliding motion as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B , the tailgate  305  may further open with a downward rotating motion by virtue of hinge mechanisms such as described hereinbelow, i.e., the same tailgate  305  may be configured to open in two different ways depending on the choice of the user by virtue of hinge mechanisms such as described hereinbelow. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example of a rail  417  for a folding tailgate  405 . Rail  417  may have a groove  419 . In an example, a first wall portion  409  may slide toward second wall portion  411 . Attached to a left side of the first wall portion  409  may be a first latch  421 , e.g., a non-rotatable latch and a guide member  425 , e.g., a translating hinge such as a sliding hinge or a rolling hinge. Non-rotatable latch  421  may include a claw  422  that engages with a vertically oriented striker (not shown) located at inner left side of the vehicle so that the tailgate  405  will lock onto the vehicle when tailgate  405  is in a closed position. Claw  422  may be a double claw or single-claw configuration, for example, that is configured to close on striker from the side or the front, depending on operation, and may be configured to close manually or electrically with electromechanical actuation. Claw  422  may be configured such that sufficient clearance is provided relative to a complementary striker on which it latches so that the claw  422  and striker do not jam in a manner that might preclude complete closure of the tailgate  405  when closing laterally from left to right. The latching of the claw  422  on the striker may be accomplished electromechanically, or the latching may be provided mechanically, e.g., via a plunger on the tailgate  405  near latch  421  that may press against a mating surface at the side of the vehicle when the tailgate  405  is closed laterally, the plunger being connected to a linkage that closes the claw  422 . Non-rotatable latch  421  may unlock from the vehicle when tailgate  405  is in an open position, e.g., via a connector rod of a locking mechanism that is operable via a handle at the tailgate  405 . When tailgate  405  is in a closed position, guide member  425  may fit into a reinforced receptacle at the left vehicle wall in order to secure the bottom left portion of the tailgate  405 . Guide member  425  may translate away from the left wall of the vehicle when tailgate  405  folds open toward an open position, e.g., by sliding or rolling along the rail  417  during opening. Guide member  425  may have one or more portions  642 , e.g., one or more sliding surfaces or one or more rollers, that engage with the groove  419  of rail to enable translation of guide member  425  along the rail  417 . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  illustrate another example of a folding tailgate  505  according to the disclosure. In this example, tailgate  505  may have a first wall portion  509  and a second wall portion  511 . A handle  513  may be allocated at a first wall portion  509 . Tailgate  505  may have four connections with a vehicle, which may include a first latch  521 , e.g., a non-rotatable latch, a second latch  523 , e.g., a rotatable latch, a guide member  525 , e.g., a translating hinge such as a sliding hinge or rolling hinge, and a non-translating hinge  527 . 
     Non-rotatable latch  521  may be located at the upper left portion of the first wall portion  509 , which is the translating part of the tailgate  505 . Non-rotatable latch  521  may lock onto the vehicle to constrain or lock the tailgate  505  in a closed position. To open the tailgate  505 , non-rotatable latch  521  may be unlocked from the vehicle by operating, e.g., depressing, a release lever (not shown) at the handle  513  or by operating an electronic control, e.g., a release button on an electronic vehicle key. When tailgate  505  is in a closed position, non-rotatable latch  521  may be in contact with a complementary locking portion at the vehicle. During opening of the tailgate  505  as a folding tailgate, non-rotatable latch  521  may release from the vehicle. 
     Rotatable latch  523  may be located at the upper portion of the second wall portion  511 , e.g., in a cut-out portion of the tailgate that permits rotatable latch  523  to mate with a complementary connecting portion at the vehicle wall as explained further below. Rotatable latch  523  may lock onto the vehicle to constrain or lock the tailgate  505  in a closed position. To open the tailgate  505  as a folding tailgate, rotatable latch  523  may provide for rotation of the second wall portion  511  with respect to the vehicle and with respect to the first wall portion  509 . When tailgate  505  is in a closed position, rotatable latch  523  may be secured to a complementary locking portion at the vehicle. When tailgate  505  is opened laterally as a folding tailgate, rotatable latch  523  may remain secured to the vehicle. 
     Guide member  525  may be located at the bottom portion of the first wall portion  509 . Guide member  525  may fit into a distal portion of a rail or may fit into a reinforced receptacle at the vehicle when tailgate  505  is in a closed position. When tailgate  505  is in an opened laterally as a folding tailgate, guide member  525  may disengage from a distal end of the rail in which it rides or from a reinforced receptacle at the vehicle. When tailgate  505  opens laterally as a folding tailgate, guide member  525  may translate along the edge of the bed of the vehicle, and guide member  525  may maintain contact with the rail of the vehicle in which it rides. 
     Non-sliding hinge  527  may be located at the bottom portion of the second wall portion  511 . Non-sliding hinge  527  may be connected to the vehicle when tailgate  505  is closed. Non-sliding hinge  527  may be rotatably connected to the vehicle when tailgate  505  is open as a folding tailgate. When tailgate  505  is open as a folding tailgate, non-sliding hinge  527  may maintain contact with the vehicle. 
     When tailgate  505  is operated to open and close laterally in a folding manner as described above, sliding hinge  525  may move along the rail toward non-sliding hinge  527 , and non-rotatable latch  521  may move toward rotatable latch  525 . Second wall portion  511  may rotate about the axis connecting rotatable latch  523  and non-sliding hinge  527 . Sliding part  509  may rotate about the axis connecting non-rotatable latch  521  and sliding hinge  525 , while maintaining connection to second wall portion  511 , which may force first wall portion  509  to move toward second wall portion  511 . 
     Additionally, sliding hinge  525  and non-sliding hinge  527  may be configured to permit tailgate  505  to open as a hinged tailgate in an up-and-down manner (e.g., similar to a conventional tailgate shown in  FIG.  1   ) in addition to opening as a laterally folding tailgate as described above. When tailgate  505  opens downward as a hinged tailgate, first wall portion  509  and second wall portion  511  may move as an interconnected unit, their planes remaining oriented in an upright direction. First wall portion  509  and second wall portion  511  may be configured to lock together at the surfaces where they join when closed, e.g., via any suitable releasable latching mechanism (e.g., which may be released by handle  513  when operated in a laterally folding manner) in order to further secure first and second wall portions  509  and  511  together when operated as a downward opening rotating tailgate, if desired. When tailgate  505  is opened downward as a hinged tailgate, non-rotatable latch  521  and rotatable latch  523  may separate from the vehicle. When tailgate  505  opens as a hinged tailgate, sliding hinge  525  and non-sliding hinge  527  may maintain contact with the vehicle. When tailgate  505  opens downward as a hinged tailgate, sliding hinge  525  and non-sliding hinge  527  may allow for rotation of tailgate  505  around the axis connecting sliding hinge  525  and non-sliding hinge  527 . 
     Therefore, the combination of non-rotatable latch  521 , rotatable latch  523 , sliding hinge  525 , and non-sliding hinge  527  may allow for tailgate  505  to operate both as a laterally folding tailgate and as a hinged tailgate, such as illustrated in  FIGS.  3 B and  3 C . This design may help contribute to allowing for a combination of benefits of each design. When tailgate  505  opens as a folding tailgate, an unobstructed access to the bed of the vehicle may be provided. Furthermore, an unobstructed view of the license plate may be provided. When tailgate  505  opens as a hinged tailgate, it may provide for additional seating area and for a support surface for placement or removal of items to or from the bed of the vehicle. Separate control buttons or releases may be provided at the handle(s)  513  of the tailgate  505  so as to control which mode of opening/closing—lateral folding or up-and-down hinged motion—as desired. 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  illustrate an example of a sliding hinge  625 , made of a suitable metal alloy such as steel, for example, for a folding tailgate, which may be located at position of sliding hinge  525  of  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . Sliding hinge  625  may have a support plate  631  that attaches to the tailgate with fasteners  655 , such as screws, bolts, rivets, welds, or any suitable fastener. There may be one, or two, or three, or a larger number of fasteners  655 . For example, in some embodiments four fasteners may be used. Support plate  631  may be connected to a stationary shaft  633  of the sliding hinge  625 . Sliding hinge  625  may have a rotatable shaft  635 , which may be connected to the stationary shaft  633  using a swivel joint  637 . A distal portion  639  of rotatable shaft  635 , e.g., which may have a second diameter smaller than that of the rotatable shaft  635  closer to the swivel joint  637  and which may protrude longitudinally along a rotation axis of the of the rotatable shaft  635 , may carry a slider  641 , e.g., which may protrude perpendicularly from the longitudinal direction (rotational axis) of rotating shaft  635 . 
     When the tailgate is operated as a laterally folding tailgate, slider  641  inserted into the rail of the tailgate may slide along the groove of the rail. The slider  641  may have contact surfaces  642  that ride along such groove. The slider  641  may also carry rollers such as shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  at  525 . 
     When the tailgate is operated as a hinged tailgate that rotates downward to open, rotatable shaft  635  may rotate in the direction shown by the arrow in  FIG.  6 A  with respect to the stationary shaft  633  around the swivel joint  637 . 
       FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  illustrate an example of a rotatable latch  723 , which may be positioned near an upper right corner of folding tailgate  705 . Rotatable latch  723  may be fixedly attached to a second wall portion  711   a , e.g., inset from an outer edge of right side of tailgate  705 . First wall portion  709  may be connected to second wall portion  711  such as described previously herein. Rotatable latch  723  may be engaged with a rotatable latch holder  743 . Rotatable latch holder  743  may be fixedly attached to the vehicle, e.g., with fasteners such as described elsewhere herein. Rotatable latch holder  743  may have a roller housing  745  and a roller  747  or striker to which rotatable latch  723  connect as discussed further in connection with  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C . A non-sliding hinge  727  may be provided below rotatable latch  723  at a same side of the second wall portion  711  and adjacent to a bottom edge of the second wall portion  711 . 
       FIGS.  8 A,  8 B, and  8 C  illustrate an example of a rotatable latch  823  for a folding tailgate. Rotatable latch  823  may engage with a rotatable latch holder  843 . Rotatable latch holder  843  may have a roller housing  845  and a roller  847  or striker. Rotatable latch holder  843  may have two or more bolts  849  for fastening to the vehicle. Rotatable latch  823  may have a stud bolt  851  which when extended (as shown in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 C ) permits the rotatable latch  823  to be locked. When rotatable latch  823  is locked, tailgate may open as a laterally folding tailgate, but may not open downwardly as a hinged tailgate. When stud bolt  851  is retracted (not shown), the rotatable latch  823  may be unlocked. When rotatable latch  823  is unlocked, tailgate may open downwardly as a hinged tailgate. Rotatable latch  823  may have a nose portion  857  and a bridge portion  859  attached to a base portion  861 . Rotatable latch  823  may have a latch housing  863  and a plunger  865  that cooperates with a lock  867  to lock and release rotatable latch  823 , e.g., via a linkage operated by a handle such as handle  313 / 513 , or the latch may be operated electrically with electromechanical actuation. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates another example of a folding tailgate  905 . In an example, tailgate  905  for a vehicle  901  may have a transverse first (e.g., sliding) wall portion  969  and a transverse second (e.g., rotating) wall portion  971 . In this example, a split line  973  between the transverse sliding first wall portion  969  and the transverse rotating second wall portion  971  may be horizontal. In this example, when the tailgate  905  opens as a folding tailgate, the tailgate  905  may open downward such that the top edge of the transverse sliding part  969  may stay over the bottom edge of the transverse rotating second wall portion  971 . 
     Various disclosed tailgates may have a hinge at the midpoint to allow the structure to fold in half and slide along a railing along the plane perpendicular to the fold. It also can hinge along the railing, like a traditional tailgate. Each of the four corner hinges may have separate boundary conditions. One may release for traditional tailgate drop and for sliding motion. Another may release for traditional tailgate drop and rotate during sliding motion. Another may hinge for traditional drop and release and slide laterally. Another may hinge for traditional drop and rotate during sliding motion. In addition, another example could have the system slide up and down instead of left and right. The movement of the tailgate in this manner may help contribute to increasing the ease of access to the truck bed, but more specifically may help contribute to preventing obstruction from the bed storage bin. Because such a tailgate slides, it could easily be moved with one hand, like the sliding door on a minivan. 
     The rolling mechanisms and hinges can be made from suitable materials such as steel, aluminum alloy, composite materials, plastics, and combinations thereof selected for their performance related to various factors such as, without limitation, potential wear and tear, forces to which they may be subjected, and the like. 
     In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. It should also be understood that as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Finally, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meanings of “and” and “or” include both the conjunctive and disjunctive and may be used interchangeably unless the context expressly dictates otherwise; the phrase “exclusive or” may be used to indicate situation where only the disjunctive meaning may apply. In addition, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “about” and/or “approximately” refers to ±10% of the quantity indicated, unless otherwise indicated. In addition, use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible. 
     The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. Additional features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims. 
     While the disclosed subject matter has been described in terms of illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter as set forth in the claims.