Patent Publication Number: US-10760776-B1

Title: Baffle trim mask system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to baffles for recessed lighting. The present disclosure more particularly relates to a mask for quickly and economically altering the aesthetic appearance of a baffle. 
     Related Prior Art 
     Conventional recessed lighting baffles provide a set aesthetic appearance from the moment the baffle is purchased from a retailor and installed within a structure. Changing the aesthetic appearance of a baffle typically requires changing the baffle. In some examples, changing a baffle requires the user to remove a light bulb and then either: i) remove internal springs that secure the baffle to an extent of the recessed light fixture or ii) pull down on the baffle to permit the user to remove torsion springs that are connected to the baffle from torsion spring bracket that is connected to the recessed light fixture. The performance of these steps can be challenging for an end user. 
     Additionally, removing and replacing the baffles may not be feasible because the user may not be able to purchase a baffle that fits the model of the recessed light fixture due to the fact that the manufacture stopped producing baffles for that specific product due to its age. In addition, removing and replacing the baffles may not be desired because the user may not be able to find a baffle with the desired aesthetic appearance. Further, the process of removing and replacing each and every baffle throughout a structure may be time consuming and expensive. 
     Moreover, offering a lighting or ventilating unit with baffles that have different aesthetics typically entails providing different products with different SKUs. Alternatively, offering a lighting or ventilating unit with baffles that have different aesthetics could be accomplished by offering the lighting or ventilating product without a baffle and separately offering a variety of baffles that have different aesthetics. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an improved system for providing lighting or ventilating systems with baffles of different aesthetics and which allows users to easily and economically update the aesthetic appearance of a baffle after it is installed within a structure. 
     The description provided in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with the background section. The background section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     A lighting system is disclosed comprising a baffle having a wall extending from an upper end to a lower end, and a lip extending from the wall lower end to a lip outer edge and defining a lip face; a mask configured to couple to the baffle and cover the lip face; and wherein the mask provides aesthetics different from the aesthetics of the lip face. The wall can be annular and the wall upper end of the wall can define an aperture. The wall can be annular and convex between the wall upper end and the wall lower end. The mask can comprise an outer flange defining an outer edge and an inner end; at least one finger extending from the outer flange outer edge; and an inner flange extending from the outer flange inner end. Each of the at least one mask fingers can be configured to engage the baffle lip outer edge and the mask inner flange can be configured to engage the baffle wall adjacent the wall lower end. The mask can comprise an outer flange defining an outer edge and an inner end; an inner flange extending from the outer flange inner end; and at least one rib extending from the inner flange. Each of the at least one ribs can be configured to engage the baffle wall adjacent the wall lower end to create a force fit of the mask to the baffle. Each of the at least one ribs can be configured to engage a receptacle defined in the baffle wall to hold the mask to the baffle. The lighting system can be configured to move air from the baffle wall lower end to the baffle wall upper end. 
     A mask is disclosed and is configured to couple to a lighting baffle comprising a wall extending from an upper end to a lower end and a lip extending from the wall lower end to a lip outer edge and defining a lip face, the mask comprising an outer flange defining an outer edge and an inner end and having aesthetics different from the aesthetics of the lip face; and an inner flange extending from the outer flange inner end, wherein the mask is configured to couple to the baffle and cover the lip face. The mask can comprise at least one finger extending from the outer flange outer edge. The at least one mask finger can be configured to engage the baffle lip outer edge and the mask inner flange can be configured to engage the baffle wall adjacent the wall lower end. The inner flange can be configured to create a force fit against the baffle to couple the mask to the baffle. The mask can comprise one of a rib or a nub on the inner flange to couple the mask to the baffle. 
     A baffle kit is disclosed comprising a lighting baffle having a wall extending from an upper end to a lower end and a lip extending from the wall lower end to a lip outer edge and defining a lip face, a first mask configured to couple to the baffle and cover the lip face, wherein the first mask provides aesthetics different from the aesthetics of the lip face; and a second mask configured to couple to the baffle and cover the lip face, wherein the second mask provides aesthetics different from the aesthetics of the lip face and the first mask. Only portions of the first mask need provide aesthetics different from the aesthetics of the lip face. The mask can comprise an outer flange defining an outer edge and an inner end; an inner flange extending from the outer flange inner end; and only portions of the outer flange need provide aesthetics different from the aesthetics of the lip face. The mask can comprise an outer flange defining an outer edge and an inner end; an inner flange extending from the outer flange inner end; and at least one finger extending from the outer flange outer edge. The mask can comprise an outer flange defining an outer edge and an inner end; an inner flange extending from the outer flange inner end; and the inner flange can be configured to create a force fit against the baffle. The baffle can be configured to permit movement of air from the baffle wall lower end to the baffle wall upper end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a baffle and mask system in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an outtake of a portion of the view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a baffle and mask system in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective exploded view of another alternative embodiment of a baffle and mask system in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective exploded view of an additional alternative embodiment of a baffle and mask system in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11A  a bottom elevational view of a first label for the mask outer flange face. 
         FIG. 11B  a bottom elevational view of a second label for the mask outer flange face. 
     
    
    
     In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components in each figure may be required, and one or more implementations may include additional components not shown in a figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized within the scope of the subject disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, one exemplary baffle system  1  is depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  for use with a lighting fixture. Exemplary alternative embodiments are depicted in  FIGS. 5-8 . In some instances, the lighting fixture is a portion of a ventilation system such as the lighting and ventilating systems disclosed in the following U.S. Patent Numbers all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,175,309; 7,455,432; 8,434,916. In other instances, the lighting fixture is not a portion of a ventilation system. 
       FIGS. 1-4  depict an exemplary baffle system  1  comprising a baffle  10  and a mask  100  configured to be coupled to the baffle  10 . The baffle  10  can be a pre-existing baffle to which the mask  100  is retrofit, or the baffle  10  and the mask  100  can be provided together. The baffle  10  can be provided with a plurality of masks  100  with different aesthetics to provide choice among the different aesthetics of the plurality of masks  100  to be applied to the baffle  10 . 
     As depicted in various of the  FIGS. 1-4 , the baffle  10  comprises a wall  12  extending from an upper end  12   a  to a lower end  12   b . The wall  12  extends about an area in which a lighting element (not depicted) would be located. The wall upper end  12   a  defines an upper aperture  13  through which the lighting element may extend into a socket (not depicted). The wall lower end  12   b  defines a lower aperture  15 . A lighting element may be engaged with or disengaged from a socket through the upper and lower apertures  13 ,  15 . When the baffle system  1  is a portion of a ventilation system, the upper and lower apertures  13 ,  15  can also permit movement of air through the baffle  10 . The wall  12  can extend about the area in which a lighting element would be located in a circular manner defining annular upper and lower apertures  13 ,  15 . The wall  12  can alternatively extend in other manners to form upper and lower apertures  13 ,  15  that have different shapes. For example, the shape of the upper and lower apertures  13 ,  15  can include an oval, a rectangle, a square or any other polygon. 
     As best depicted in  FIG. 3 , the wall  12  can extend from the upper end  12   a  to the lower end  12   b  to define a cone such that the upper aperture  13  is smaller than the lower aperture  15 . In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the wall is also convex between the upper end  12   a  and the lower end  12   b , forming a truncated convex cone. Other shapes and configurations of the baffle wall  12  are also contemplated. For example, the upper and lower apertures  13 ,  15  can be of any relative size to each other and the wall can extend from the upper end  12   a  to the lower end  12   b  in a straight or concave manner. 
     The wall  12  defines an inner surface  12   c  and an outer surface  12   d . The inner surface  12   c  is configured to act as a reflector for the light emitted by the lighting element inserted therein. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , the inner surface  12   c  is a stepped configuration. The inner surface  12   c  can be of any color or configuration, or comprise any coating (e.g., metallic) to facilitate the desired reflective characteristics and aesthetic appearance. 
     A lip  14  extends from the wall lower end  12   b  outward in a substantially radial manner from a lip inner end  14   a  to a lip outer edge  14   b . The lip  14  is depicted as angled slightly upward from radial toward the wall upper end  12   a . Various lip angles are within the scope of this disclosure. The lip  14  defines a lip face  14   c  and an opposing lip rear  14   d . The lip  14  defines a height at its outer edge  14   b.    
     Upon installation of the baffle  10  in a ceiling, the lip  14  is intended to cover and hide any gap between the wall  12  and the hole cut in the ceiling to accommodate the baffle  10 . The length of the lip  14  between the inner end  14   a  and the outer edge  14   b  should be sufficient to cover any such gap. The lip rear  14   d  would face the adjacent ceiling and any gaps between the wall  12  and the ceiling. The lip rear  14   b  would therefore be hidden from sight after installation. However, the lip face  14   c  would face outward and exposed to view, unless and until covered by the mask  100 . The lip face  14   c  can therefore be of any aesthetic appearance desired, including, but not limited to, the color, configuration, or coating of the wall inner surface  12   c . In one configuration, the lip face  14   c  can be of a standard color and configuration desired by the largest number of consumers so as to allow the majority of consumers to obtain their desired aesthetics with the lip face  14   c  without need for the mask  100 . 
     The mask  100  provides a structure, which facilitates a quick, easy and inexpensive change of the aesthetics of the lip face  14   c . The mask  100  covers a lip face  14   c  to hide its aesthetics and replaces those aesthetics with those of the mask  100 . The mask  100  can be applied to a pre-existing baffle  10  to hide and change the aesthetics of the lip face  14   c  of that pre-existing baffle  10 . For example, upon upgrading various aspects of the decor of a surrounding room, a user might which to alter the aesthetics of the lip face  14   c  of that pre-existing baffle  10  accordingly. For example, the aesthetics of the mask  100  could be chosen to match or contrast the aesthetics of the upgraded decor depending on the taste of the consumer. 
     Alternatively, a kit can be provided to consumers comprising a baffle  10  with a first mask  100  and second mask  100 ′ of different aesthetics than the first mask  100  and the lip face  14   c  of the baffle  10 . Additional masks of different aesthetics than any other mask or the baffle lip face can also be provided. The kit then affords a consumer the opportunity to install the baffle  10  alone or with any one of the various masks  100 , thus allowing the consumer to choose an aesthetic without the need of providing the consumer more than one baffle  10 . This results in savings associated with providing more than one baffle to the consumer and the costs of shipping multiple baffles. Another benefit of the disclosed system is that a user can create a light fixture with a unique appearance, wherein the lip face  14   c  of the baffle  10  is different than the appearance of the inner surface  12   c  of the baffle  10 . This enables the user to keep the desired reflective properties of the inner surface  12   c  of the baffle  10 , while changing the appearance of the baffle  10  that is most prominent to the user&#39;s view. 
     The mask  100  of this disclosure can be accomplished in various configurations. Three different configurations are depicted in the figures.  FIGS. 1-4  depict a first embodiment of the mask  100 .  FIGS. 5-6  depict a second embodiment of the mask  100 ′ in which like reference numerals as used as the first embodiment for like elements with an ′ added.  FIGS. 7-8  depict a third embodiment of the mask  100 ″ in which like reference numerals as used as the first embodiment for like elements with an ″ added. Other configurations are also contemplated and will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The mask  100  of the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  comprises an outer flange  102  having an inner end  102   a  and an outer edge  102   b  and defining an outer flange face  102   c  and an outer flange inner surface  102   d . The mask  100  also comprises an inner flange  104  extending from the outer flange inner end  102   a  and upward into the corresponding baffle  10 . The outer flange outer edge  102   b  defines the outer perimeter of the mask  100  and a plurality of fingers  106  extend from the outer edge  102   b . The embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4  comprises four fingers  106  spaced equidistant from one another about the outer flange outer edge  102   b . Fewer or greater fingers  106  and/or different spacing of the fingers are also within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the fingers  106  may completely surround the outer flange outer edge  102   b.    
     The fingers  106  each comprise a catch  106   a  that extends inward and towards the inner end  102   a  of the outer flange  102 . These fingers  106  are configured and designed to facilitate the coupling of the mask  100  to the baffle  10 . Specifically, to couple the mask  100  to the baffle  10 , a user applies an upwardly directed force on the mask  100 . This upwardly directed force causes the fingers  106  to temporarily deform/flex outward away from the inner end  102   a  of the outer flange  102 . The user will continue to apply the upwardly directed force on the mask  100  until the bottom edge of the catch  106   a  passes the lip rear  14   d  at which point the catch  106   a  will return and/or snaps back to its undeformed position. When the catch  106   a  returns and/or snaps back into this undeformed position, an audible sound or click may be heard by the user signaling that the mask  100  is coupled to the baffle  10 . After the finger has returned to its undeformed position, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , the finger  106  will extend along the height of the baffle lip outer edge  14   b . The catch  106   a  will extend inward from the finger  106  over the lip rear  14   d.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , an extent of the catch  106   a  extends past the outer edge  14   b  of the lip  14  and over a portion of the lip  14 . It should be understood that extent of the catch  106   a  that extends past the outer edge  14   b  in the connected position may vary from 0.05 inch to 0.25 inch. While not shown, it should be understood that when the mask  100  is coupled to the baffle  10 , the catch  106   a  is in close proximity (e.g., less than 0.5 inch) or in some installations in direct contact with the bottom surface of the ceiling of the structure. This configuration ensures that the user cannot see a substantial gap (e.g., more than 1 inch) between the ceiling of the structure and the baffle  10  and mask  100  combination, which helps ensure that the user cannot see the recessed lighting fixture. In other words, the mask  100  does not hang down from the lip  14  of the baffle  10  in a manner that forms a substantial gap (e.g., more than one inch) between the mask  100  and the lip face  14   c.    
     In some embodiments, the baffle  10  may include notches (not depicted) are formed within the lip rear  14   d  or at the lip outer edge  14   b . These notches may be configured to ease or guide the fingers  106  into place. As indicated above, the number of fingers  106  can vary so long as the purpose of coupling the mask  100  to the baffle  10 . 
     The mask inner flange  104  is configured to accommodate and conform to the baffle wall inner surface  12   c  adjacent to the wall lower end  12   b  so as to provide an accommodating fit and, preferably, leave minimal transition between the inner flange  104  and the baffle wall  12  such as by tapering the inner flange from a lower end  104   a  toward an upper end  104   b . In the disclosed embodiments, the inner flange  104  extends upward into the baffle  10  until the first step in the inner surface&#39;s  12   c  stepped configuration. It should be understood that the inner flange  104  may extend: i) the entire length of the wall  12 , ii) a length that is greater than half of the entire length of the wall  12 , iii) a length that is greater than a plurality of steps, iv) a length that is between the length of the inner flange  104  shown in  FIG. 4  and the length of the finger  106  or v) a length that is less than the length of the finger  106 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the mask inner flange  104  can be configured to create a force fit of the inner face  104   d  of the mask inner flange  104  against the baffle wall  12  such as by configuring the angle between the mask inner flange  104  and the fingers  106  to be less than the angle between the baffle wall  12  and the baffle lip  14 . In an alternative embodiment, the force fit between the mask inner flange  104  and the baffle wall  12  could alone be sufficient to couple the mask  100  to the baffle  10  and the fingers  106  could be removed. 
     In addition to the above requirements, the mask is generally configured to nest with the baffle lip  14  and cover the baffle lip  14  to allow the aesthetics of the mask outer flange face  102   c  to replace the aesthetics of the baffle lip  14 . When the mask  100  is coupled to the baffle  10 , the mask inner flange will define a system lower aperture  115  through which any inflowing air would pass. 
     The mask  100  can provide new aesthetics to the baffle  10  by way of being a different color and/or have a different surface texture and/or have a different surface coating. Any manner of different aesthetic is within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the mask  100  may be designed to match patterned wallpaper, Venetian plaster, other types of faux finishes, custom ordered paint colors, concrete (e.g., colored or non-colored), wood, brick, stone, metal, or other types of finishes that may be used on an interior wall of a structure. To create these various finishes, the mask  100  may be formed (e.g., injection molded) and then a label (e.g. label  200  or label  300 ) or coating may be applied to all or any portion of the mask outer flange face  102   c  and/or the mask inner flange inner face  104   c . Alternatively, a label or coating may be applied to the mask  100  during the formation (e.g., molding of the mask  100 ). This alternative method of manufacturing the mask  100  utilizes a molding process known as in-mold labeling in which the label is integrally formed as a part of the mask  100 . It should be understood that other manufacturing techniques are contemplated by this disclosure, including in-mold decoration, gas assisted injection molding, inkjet printing, in-mold coating, in-mold film processing, pad printing, vacuum deposition of materials onto the mask  100 , or other types of additive manufacturing. 
     The system  1 ′ of  FIGS. 5-6  is similar to the system  1  of  FIGS. 1-4  and provides a different configuration mask  10 ′ to couple to the same baffle  10 . The mask  10 ′ of the system  1 ′ provides a plurality of ribs  108  extending from outer face  104   d ′ of the mask inner flange  104 ′. The ribs  108  increase the force fit between the mask inner flange  104 ′ and the baffle  10 . The ribs  108  can be of any configuration to facilitate the increased force fit. 
     The system  1 ″ of  FIGS. 7-8  is similar to the system  1  of  FIGS. 1-4  and provides a different configuration mask  10 ″. The mask  10 ″ of the system  1 ″ provides a plurality of nubs  110  extending from outer face  104   d ″ of the mask inner flange  104 ″. The nubs  110  can act to increase the force fit between the mask  100 ″ and the baffle  10 . Alternatively, the nubs  110  can be received into a corresponding plurality of receptacles  112  in the baffle  10 . The receptacles  112  can be pre-existing or formed at the time of installation. The receptacles  112  are depicted as a through-hole in the baffle wall  12 , but could also be an indent in the wall inner face  12   c.    
     The system  1 ″′ of  FIGS. 9-10  is similar to the system  1  of  FIGS. 1-4  and provides a different configuration mask  100 ′″. The mask  100 ′″ of the system  1 ″′ provides a plurality of fingers  106 ′″ extending upward from outer edge  102   b ′″ of the mask outer flange  102 ′″. Each finger  106 ′″ includes a catch  106   a ′″ is located at the distal end of the finger and is configured similar to the configuration of catch  106   a  in the system  1  of  FIG. 104  and sized to allow the mask  100 ′″ to be placed over the lip outer edge  14   b  of the baffle  10  such that the finger catches  106   a ′″ snap over the lip outer edge  14   b  to retain the mask  100 ′″ to the baffle  10 . Unlike the mask  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 , the mask  100 ′″ depicted in  FIGS. 9-10  also includes a peripheral wall  114  extending upward from the outer edge  102   b ′″ of the mask outer flange  102 ′″ to substantially the same height as the fingers  106 ′″ and extends around substantially the entire perimeter of the mask outer flange  102 ′″ between the fingers  106 ′″. The distal end of the peripheral wall  114  is thus configured to come into contact with a ceiling in which the baffle  10  is installed. In this configuration, the peripheral wall  114  hides the outer edge  14   b  of the baffle lip  14 . Although two fingers  106 ′″ are depicted in  FIGS. 9-10 , any other number of fingers  106 ′″ is contemplated as within this disclosure. Additionally, depending on the rigidity of the material from which the mask  100 ′″ is comprised, one or more slots (not depicted) in the peripheral wall  114  at locations between the finger  106 ′″ may be defined in order to provide additional flexibility to the mask  100 ′″ to assist in the finger catches  106   a ′″ moving around the lip outer edge  14   b  during installation or removal. 
     While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure. For example, such modifications to the disclosed embodiments include altering the size or shape of the mask outer flange  102 . Specifically, the mask outer flange  102  may extend between 0.2 and 3 inch past the outer edge  14   b  of the baffle  10 . This configuration allows the mask  100  to cover any openings in the ceiling that the baffle  10  was not able to cover. Alternatively, the mask  100  may have a shape that is different from the shape of the baffle  10 . For example, the baffle  10  may have annular upper and lower apertures  13 ,  15 , while the shape formed by the inner and outer edges  102   a ,  102   b  may be a square. In another example, the baffle  10  may have annular upper and lower apertures  13 ,  15 , while the shape formed by the outer edge  102   b  may be a square and the shape formed by the inner edge  102   a  may match the lower aperture  15 . 
     In addition, modifications to the disclosed embodiments include the addition of diffusers or other types of optics that are positioned between the inner edge  102   a  of the mask  100 . These diffusers or optics alter or change the light that is emitted by the light bulb when the light passes through these substances. It should be understood that if a diffuser or another type of optic were utilized in connection with the mask  100  and a ventilation product, then the diffuser or optic would need to be able to allow a sufficient amount of air pass through the diffuser or optic to enable the ventilation product to properly function. 
     Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention. The word exemplary is used to mean serving as an example or illustration. To the extent that the term include, have, or the like is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprise as comprise is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. 
     Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases. 
     All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. In addition, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. 
     A phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, each of the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” refers to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C. 
     In one aspect, a term coupled or the like may refer to being directly coupled. In another aspect, a term coupled or the like may refer to being indirectly coupled. Terms such as top, bottom, front, rear, side, horizontal, vertical, and the like refer to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, such a term may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. 
     The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, and drawings are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “said” and similar references in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. An element proceeded by “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional same elements. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure. 
     Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.