Patent Publication Number: US-2020298737-A1

Title: Multi-planar upholstery fastener for seating assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an upholstery fastener for a seating assembly, more specifically to an upholstery fastener for a seating assembly for a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Current fastener designs for coupling upholstery with cushions of a vehicle seating assembly include fasteners that are positioned along the cushion. Many current fastener designs cover only a singular geometric planar surface for adhesion. Because the fasteners only cover a single plane, the fasteners may fail to provide enough surface area for adhesion of the upholstery to the fasteners to fully secure the upholstery to the cushion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fastener for coupling upholstery with padding of a seating assembly is provided. The fastener may include a plurality of elongated members. The plurality of elongated members may include a base member and one or more wing members. A plurality of flexible arms may extend between two or more of the plurality of elongated members. The plurality of flexible arms may operably couple the one or more wing members with the base member. A plurality of retention features may extend outward from each of the plurality of elongated members. The plurality of retention features may be configured to engage with a looped material. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the one or more wing members including a first wing member and a second wing member, the first wing member positioned laterally opposing the second wing member;   the one or more wing members oriented perpendicular to the base member;   the plurality of flexible arms interspaced along an edge of the base member and an edge of one wing member; and/or   each of the plurality of retention features including an engagement portion, the engagement portion extending at least partially parallel with the respective elongated member.       

     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a fastener assembly for a seating assembly is provided. The fastener assembly may include a plurality of fasteners positioned within a cavity defined by padding. Each of the plurality of fasteners may include a plurality of elongated members. A plurality of arms may extend between two or more of the plurality of elongated members. A plurality of retention features may be positioned on each of the plurality of elongated members. The plurality of retention features may be configured to engage with a looped material. A connection member may extend between one or more of the plurality of fasteners. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the plurality of elongated members including a base member positioned between first and second wing members;   each of the plurality of retention features positioned on the first and second wing members extending outward from the respective wing member and toward the base member;   the connection member being flexible, wherein the plurality of fasteners and the connection member form a flexible chain of fasteners; and/or   each of the plurality of fasteners positioned within a cavity defined by padding, wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is operably coupled to an inner wall of the cushion.       

     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a seating assembly is provided. The seating assembly may include padding operably coupled to one of a seat base and a seatback. The cushion may include an inner wall at least partially defining a cavity. Upholstery may be operably coupled to the cushion. A fastener may be positioned within the cavity of the cushion. The fastener may include a plurality of elongated members positioned along the inner wall. The plurality of elongated members may include a base member, a first wing member, and a second wing member. A flexible arm may extend between two or more of the plurality of elongated members. A plurality of retention features may extend outward from each of the plurality of elongated members. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the inner wall including a bottom wall and a sidewall;   the base member operably coupled to the bottom wall and one of the first wing member and the second wing member is coupled to the sidewall;   the cavity extending from a first end of the cushion to a second end of the cushion;   the cavity having a substantially rectangular cross-section, and further wherein the cavity is in communication with an opening defined by a top surface of the cushion;   the upholstery including a looped material coupled to a lower surface of the upholstery;   the upholstery coupled to the cushion such that the lower surface of the upholstery abuts the top surface of the cushion, wherein the looped material and a portion of the upholstery extends through the opening and into the cavity;   the plurality of retention features including engagement portions configured to engage with the looped material;   each of the plurality of elongated members defining a recess, wherein the plurality of retention features are positioned at least partially within the recess; and/or   each of the first and second wing members being movable between a first position and a second position to complement a cross-sectional shape of the cavity.       

     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a seating assembly within a vehicle, according to various examples; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the seating assembly of  FIG. 1  removed from the vehicle and including a cut-away view of padding beneath upholstery; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line of  FIG. 2  showing padding for the seating assembly of  FIG. 1  including a fastener; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the fastener of  FIG. 3 , according to various examples; 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view of the fastener of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top perspective view of the fastener of  FIG. 3  showing various positions of the fastener; 
         FIG. 5  is a top profile view of a plurality of fasteners, according to various examples; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a fastener coupled to a mold for padding, according to various examples; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the fastener and the cushion of  FIG. 6  with the mold removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     The following disclosure generally describes an upholstery fastener for a vehicle seating assembly. The fastener may be positioned within a cavity defined by padding of the seating assembly. The fastener may include a plurality of elongated members, including a base member and at least one wing member. An arm may be configured to couple the base member with the wing member. The arm may be one of a plurality of arms. Each arm may also be flexible to allow movement of the wing member between a first position and a second position. A plurality of retention features may be positioned on one or more of the plurality of elongated members. The retention features may be configured to engage with a looped material positioned on a lower surface of upholstery for the seating assembly. When the upholstery is inserted within the cavity, the looped material engages with the retention features, coupling the upholstery with the cushion. The fastener having the base member and at least one wing member provides an improved grip as compared to fasteners with only the base member. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , reference numeral  10  generally designates a fastener for coupling upholstery  14  with padding  18  of a vehicle seating assembly  20 . The fastener  10  may include a plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may include a base member  24  and one or more wing members  26 ,  28 . A plurality of flexible arms  32  may extend between two or more of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The plurality of flexible arms  32  may operably couple the one or more wing members  26 ,  28  with the base member  24 . A plurality of retention features  36  may extend outward from each of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The plurality of retention features  36  may be configured to engage with a looped material  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the seating assembly  20  is shown disposed within a front portion  50  of a vehicle  54 . The seating assembly  20  includes a seat base  58  and a seatback  62  and may include a headrest  66 . In various examples, the seating assembly  20  may be coupled to a track assembly  70  positioned within the vehicle  54 . In other examples, the seating assembly  20  may be coupled to a floor  74  of the vehicle  54 . It will be understood that the seating assembly  20  may be coupled to a plurality of tracks, a swivel plate, a pitching mechanism, a platform, or any other feature(s) configured to couple the seating assembly  20  with the vehicle  54  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the vehicle  54  may be any type of vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a van, etc. It is also contemplated that the concept set forth in this disclosure may be utilized in the front portion  50  of the vehicle  54 , as well as in a rear portion  78  of the vehicle  54 , depending on the configuration of the vehicle  54 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the padding  18  may be positioned on the seating assembly  20 , including the seat base  58 , the seatback  62 , the headrest  66 , or any other portion of the seating assembly  20 . The padding  18  may be a foam material, a polyester material, or any other material configured to support and provide comfort for an occupant of the seating assembly  20 . The padding  18  may include at least one seat base cushion  84  and at least one seatback cushion  86 . The seat base cushion  84  may be divided into a plurality of sections  88  by retention trenches  92 . Each of the retention trenches  92  may extend from a first side of the seat base cushion  84  to a second side of the seat base cushion  84 . In various examples, the retention trenches  92  may extend laterally across the seat base cushion  84 . In other examples, the retention trenches  92  may extend longitudinally across the seat base cushion  84 . Likewise, the seatback cushion  86  may be divided into a plurality of sections  88  by retention trenches  92 . Each of the retention trenches  92  may extend from a first side of the seatback cushion  86  to a second side of the seatback cushion  86 . In various examples, the retention trenches  92  may extend laterally across the seatback cushion  86 . In other examples, the retention trenches  92  may extend longitudinally across the seatback cushion  86 . It is contemplated that the padding  18  may also include padding  18  positioned on the headrest  66 , laterally of the seat base cushion  84 , or laterally of the seatback cushion  86 . It is also contemplated that any of the padding  18  may include retention trenches  92 . Further, it is contemplated that the seating assembly  20  may be any type of seating assembly  20  not limited to the exemplary seating assembly  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the upholstery  14  may be positioned over the padding  18 . The upholstery  14  may include a lower surface  96  positioned to contact a top surface  104  of the padding  18 . In other examples, the upholstery  14  may be positioned so that the lower surface  96  is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from the top surface  104  of the padding  18 . A space  106  may be defined between the upholstery  14  and the padding  18 . The space  106  may be configured to house other layers of padding, heating layers, trim layers, or any other layer or layers of the seating assembly  20 . In still other examples, the space  106  may be negligible such that the lower surface  96  of the upholstery  14  is substantially flush with the top surface  104  of the padding  18 . 
     The looped material  40  may be coupled to the lower surface  96  of the upholstery  14 . Alternatively, the looped material  40  may be integrally formed with the lower surface  96  of the upholstery  14 . The looped material  40  is positioned on the lower surface  96  of the upholstery  14  such that the looped material  40  is oriented between the upholstery  14  and the padding  18 . The looped material  40  may be threads, fabric, or any other material or materials defining looped portions. In various examples, the looped material  40  may be positioned across the lower surface  96  of the upholstery  14  along a seam  100  configured to align with one of the retention trenches  92 . In other examples, the looped material  40  may be positioned across a substantial portion of the lower surface  96  of the upholstery  14 . In still other examples, the looped material  40  may be positioned across the entirety of the lower surface  96  of the upholstery  14 . 
     The upholstery  14  may be operably coupled to one or more of the padding  18  by at least one fastener  10  positioned within a cavity  108  defined by the padding  18 . Where the upholstery  14  is coupled to the padding  18  by the fastener  10 , the upholstery  14  may extend into the cavity  108 , as discussed elsewhere herein. When the upholstery  14  is positioned at least partially within the cavity  108 , the looped material  40  may be engaged with the fastener  10  to couple the upholstery  14  with the padding  18 . It will be understood that the upholstery  14  may be fabric, leather, or any other material for covering the seating assembly  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view of one of the retention trenches  92  of the seat base cushion  84  is shown. The configuration may apply to any portions of the padding  18 . The retention trench  92  may have inner walls  124 ,  126 ,  128 . The inner walls may include a bottom wall  124 , a first sidewall  126 , and a second sidewall  128 . According to various examples, the first and second sidewalls  126 ,  128  may be oriented perpendicularly to the bottom wall  124 . In other examples, the first and second sidewalls  126 ,  128  may be positioned at an incline relative to the bottom wall  124 . 
     The inner walls  124 ,  126 ,  128  of the retention trench  92  may define the cavity  108 . The cavity  108  may be defined along at least a portion of the retention trench  92 . As discussed elsewhere herein, the retention trench  92  may extend from the first side of the seat base cushion  84  to the second side of the seat base cushion  84 . The cavity  108  may likewise be defined from the first side of the seat base cushion  84  to the second side of the seat base cushion  84 . Where the first and second sidewalls  126 ,  128  are perpendicular to the bottom wall  124 , the inner walls  124 ,  126 ,  128  of the retention trench  92  may define the cavity  108  having a substantially rectangular cross-section. 
     The top surface  104  of the seat base cushion  84  and the retention trench  92  may at least partially define an opening  140  in communication with the cavity  108 . The opening  140  may be elongated and may extend in tandem with the cavity  108  from the first end of the seat base cushion  84  to the second end of the seat base cushion  84 . Where the first and second sidewalls  126 ,  128  are perpendicular to the bottom wall  124 , a width of the opening  140  and the cavity  108  may be substantially constant. Where the first and second sidewalls  126 ,  128  are inclined inward toward the bottom wall  124 , the width of the opening  140  and the cavity  108  may increase from the opening  140  toward the bottom wall  124  of the retention trench  92 . Where the first and second sidewalls  126 ,  128  are inclined outward away from the bottom wall  124 , the width of the opening  140  and the cavity  108  may decrease from the opening  140  toward the bottom wall  124 . It will be understood that any width or combination of widths may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the fastener  10  is shown positioned within the cavity  108  of the padding  18  ( FIG. 3 ) and removed from the cavity  108  of the padding  18  ( FIG. 4 ). The fastener  10  may include a plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28 . Each of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may have a pair of ends  144 ,  146 ,  148  and a pair of edges  154 ,  156 ,  158 , respectively. The ends  144 ,  146 ,  148  may be shorter or the same length as the edges  154 ,  156 ,  158 . The plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may include the base member  24  and one or more wing members  26 ,  28 , as discussed elsewhere herein. The one or more wing members  26 ,  28  may include a first wing member  26  and a second wing member  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first wing member  26  may be positioned proximate and coupled to one of the pair of edges  154  of the base member  24 . The second wing member  28  may be positioned proximate and coupled to the other, laterally opposing edge  154  of the pair of edges  154  of the base member  24 . In other words, the first wing member  26  may be positioned laterally opposing the second wing member  28 . According to various examples, each of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may have a generally rectangular shape. Where the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  have a generally rectangular shape, each pair of ends  144 ,  146 ,  148  may be positioned perpendicular to the respective pair of edges  154 ,  156 ,  158 . In other examples, each of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may have a generally oblong shape. Where the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  have a generally oblong shape, each of the pairs of ends  144 ,  146 ,  148  may be at least partially nonlinear or rounded. In still other examples, each of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may have any other shape configured to complement the shape of the retention trench  92  of the padding  18 . It is contemplated that each of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may have a different shape from the rest of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28 . Each of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may define a recess  160  ( FIG. 4A ). Each recess  160  may be shaped to complement the overall shape of the respective elongated member  24 ,  26 ,  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may be positioned along the inner walls  124 ,  126 ,  128  of the cavity  108  of the padding  18 . The plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  may be coupled to the inner walls  124 ,  126 ,  128  of the cavity  108  of the padding  18 , as discussed elsewhere herein. The base member  24  may be operably coupled to the bottom wall  124  of the cavity  108  of the padding  18 . Similarly, the first wing member  26  and the second wing member  28  may be coupled to first and second sidewalls  126 ,  128 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 4A , the plurality of retention features  36  may be positioned on one or more of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28 . Each of the plurality of retention features  36  may be positioned at least partially within the recess  160  of the respective elongated member  24 ,  26 ,  28 . A base portion  164  of each of the plurality of retention features  36  is coupled with the respective elongated member  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The base portion  164  extends outward from the elongated member  24 ,  26 ,  28  and may be integrally formed with an engagement portion  168 . The engagement portion  168  may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion  164  and may include a rounded corner or a linear corner. In various examples, the engagement portion  168  of each of the plurality of retention features  36  may curve back towards the respective elongated member  24 ,  26 ,  28  in a hook shape. In other examples, the engagement portion  168  of each of the plurality retention features  36  may be positioned to extend towards one of the pair of ends  144 ,  146 ,  148  of the respective elongated member  24 ,  26 ,  28 . In still other examples, the engagement portion  168  of each of the plurality of retention features  36  may be positioned to extend towards one of the pair of edges  154 ,  156 ,  158  of the respective elongated member  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The plurality of retention features  36  of the base member  24  may include more than one engagement portion  168  to define a two-pronged retention feature  36 , in various examples. In other examples, the plurality of retention features  36  of the base member  24  may be omni-directional and extend in any number of directions. 
     In some examples, the engagement portion  168  of each of the plurality of retention features  36  positioned on the first wing member  26  and the second wing member  28  may be configured to extend in the same direction (e.g., towards the base member  24 , away from the base member  24 ). Where the plurality of retention features  36  of the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  extend toward the base member  24 , the direction of the plurality of retention features  36  allows for insertion of the upholstery  14  and loop material  40  into the cavity  108  to couple the upholstery  14  to the padding  18  without engaging the plurality of retention features  36  of the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  with the loop material  40  prior to the loop material  40  engaging with the plurality of retention features  36  of the base member  24 . The engagement of the loop material  40  with the plurality of retention features  36  located on the base member  24  prior to engaging the plurality of retention features  36  on the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  may improve retention of the loop material  40  with the fastener  10  within the cavity  108  while preventing premature hook-to-loop engagement. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-4A , according to various examples, the plurality of retention features  36  may be positioned along each of the elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  in a plurality of columns and/or a plurality of rows. In other examples, the plurality retention features  36  may be positioned in offset rows. In still other examples, the plurality of retention features  36  may be positioned in any configuration, including various patterns and non-uniform configurations. Each of the plurality of retention features  36  may be one size or different sizes, depending on the configuration of the plurality of retention features  36 . As discussed elsewhere herein, each of the plurality of retention features  36  may be configured to engage with the looped material  40  positioned on the lower surface  96  of the upholstery  14 . The engagement portions  168  of each of the plurality of retention features  36  may be configured as hooks or hook-shaped members to hook to, or otherwise be received by, one or more of the loops of the looped material  40  (e.g., Velcro®). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 4B , the plurality of arms  32  may extend between two or more of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28 . For example, an arm  32  may extend between one of the pair of edges  154  of the base member  24  and the proximate edge  156  of the first wing member  26 . Any number of arms  32  may be used, such as, for example, using one arm  32  to couple the base member  24  to the first wing member  26  and a second arm  32  to couple the base member  24  to the second wing member  28 . In other words, the plurality of arms  32  may operably couple the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  with each of the pair of edges  154  of the base member  24 , respectively. A default position of each of the plurality of arms  32  may be configured to orient one of the first wing member  26  and the second wing member  28  substantially perpendicular with base member  24 . The plurality of arms  32  may be flexible such that the plurality of arm  32  may allow the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  to move between a first position A and a second position B, as shown in  FIG. 4B . The flexibility of the plurality of arms  32  allows the fastener  10  to be adjusted to complement the shape of the cavity  108  (see  FIG. 3 ). When each of the plurality of flexible arms  32  is positioned such that the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  are in the first position A, the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  may be inclined toward the base member  24 . When each of the plurality of flexible arms  32  is positioned such that the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  are in the second position B, the first and second wing members  26 ,  28  may be inclined away from and outward of the base member  24 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the fastener  10  may be one of a plurality of fasteners  10 . The plurality of fasteners  10  may be positioned within the cavity  108  of the retention trench  92  of the padding  18 . The plurality of fasteners  10  may include any number of fasteners  10 . The fasteners  10  may be spaced apart by a predetermined spacing. The spacing may be constant across the plurality of fasteners  10 . Alternatively, the spacing may be varied. Each of the fasteners  10  may be the same or different sizes. In various examples, the plurality of fasteners  10  may be individually positioned within the cavity  108 . In other examples, the plurality of fasteners  10  may be interconnected to form a flexible chain of fasteners  180 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each of the fasteners  10  may be interconnected by connection members  184  extending from the base member  24  of each fastener  10  to the base member  24  of the neighboring fastener  10 . The connection members  184  may be positioned in pairs between the fasteners  10  and may be flexible to provide maneuverability of the chain of fasteners  180 . Each of the connection members  184  may be selected and sized to provide predetermined spacing between each of the fasteners  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , each fastener  10  may be integrally formed with inner walls  124 ,  126 ,  128  of the retention trench  92  of the padding  18  using a mold tool  190 . The mold tool  190  may be configured to form the retention trench  92  of the padding  18  and to subsequently define the cavity  108  and corresponding opening  140 . One or more of the plurality of elongated members  24 ,  26 ,  28  of the fastener  10  may include a metallic material  194 . The metallic material  194  may extend along at least a portion of the respective elongated member  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The metallic material  194  may be configured to engage with magnets  198  positioned on the mold tool  190 . When the metallic material  194  engage with the magnets  198  of the mold tool  190 , the fastener  10  is secured to the mold tool  190 . Once the fastener  10  is secured to the mold tool  190 , a foam material, or other soft polymer material, may be poured to form the padding  18 . The mold tool  190  may be used with any mold configured to form padding  18  and may be removed once the padding  18  has been formed. When the mold tool  190  is removed, the fastener  10  remains embedded within, and coupled to, the foam of the padding  18  and positioned within the cavity  108 . 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described concepts, and other components, is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated. 
     As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point. 
     The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts, or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, and the nature or numeral of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes, or steps within described processes, may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further, it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims, unless these claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.