Patent Publication Number: US-11377864-B2

Title: Compression post with visual indication system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/510,499, filed Jul. 12, 2019, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to building construction. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a compression post comprising a visual indication system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Compression posts are commonly used in building construction and can provide support for ceilings and/or elevated floors during construction, such as before proper support structures are built in place. Typically, a compression post extends between the floor and the ceiling of a single level of a building and can be compressed therebetween to hold the compression post in place, which prevents the compression post from being moved out of place by accidental contact with a worker or construction equipment, shifting of the building during construction, or even seismic events. Compression posts must be properly compressed to provide the necessary structural support; however, typical compression posts do not indicate to a user/installer whether the compression post is properly or improperly compressed. When the compression post is not properly compressed, it can be moved out of place. For example, a construction worker can accidentally run into the compression post, knocking the compression post out of position and potentially destabilizing the building, even causing the collapse of a portion or all of the building. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts off the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description. 
     Disclosed is an indicator for a compression post comprising a leg configured to engage a support plate of the compression post; and an indication portion supported by the leg and comprising; a first visual indicator configured to indicate that the compression post is in an uncompressed configuration; and a second visual indicator configured to indicate that the compression post is in a compressed configuration. 
     Also disclosed is a compression post for a building comprising a post outer shell defining a hollow interior and comprising a first section and a second section; an inner post slidably engaged with at least the second section of the post outer shell; and a visual indication system configured to indicate when the compression post is in a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration. 
     Also disclosed is a method for using a compression post, the method comprising providing a post outer shell and an inner post, the post outer shell comprising a first section and a second section, the inner post slidably engaged with at least the second section, wherein the compression post is in an uncompressed configuration; showing a first visual indicator of a visual indication system in the uncompressed configuration; moving the second section away from the first section to slide the second section along the inner post and to compress a spring and placing the compression post in a compressed configuration; and revealing a second visual indicator of the visual indication system in the compressed configuration. 
     Additionally, disclosed is an indicator for a compression post includes a leg defining an upper end and a lower end, the lower end configured to engage a support plate of the compression post; and an indicator bracket comprising a central portion coupled to the leg at the upper end and an indication portion oriented distal to the leg, the central portion defining a bend extending away from the leg such that the indication portion is laterally offset from the leg, the indicator defining a first visual indicator configured to indicate that the compression post is in either a compressed configuration or an uncompressed configuration. 
     A compression post for a building is also disclosed, the compression post comprising a substantially vertical post outer shell comprising an upper section and a lower section, wherein an upper fastener ledge extends from the upper section and a lower fastener ledge extends from the lower section, each of the upper fastener ledge and the lower fastener ledge oriented at an acute angle relative to horizontal, the upper fastener ledge substantially parallel to the lower fastener ledge; a substantially vertical inner post extending through the upper section and slidably engaging the lower section; and a fastener extending through the lower fastener ledge and abutting the upper fastener ledge, the fastener oriented about perpendicular to the upper fastener ledge and the lower fastener ledge. 
     Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a compression post comprising an indicator, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the compression post is in an uncompressed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an indicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the compression post of  FIG. 1  in a compressed configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the compression post of  FIG. 1  in the compressed configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a top plate of the compression post of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof. 
     As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise. 
     Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances. 
     As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
     The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect. 
     Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods. 
     Disclosed in the present application is a compression post and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Example aspects of the compression post can comprise a post outer shell and an inner post slidably received within at least a portion of the post outer shell. The compression post can further comprise a visual indication system for indicating when the compression post is properly compressed. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed compression post is described in but a few exemplary aspects among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first aspect of a compression post  100  according to the present disclosure. The compression post  100  can be positioned to extend between a ceiling and a floor of a building (not shown). As illustrated, the compression post  100  can comprise two support plates: a top plate  102  for engaging the ceiling and a bottom plate  104  for engaging the floor. The compression post  100  can also comprise a post outer shell  110  and an inner post  140 , which together can extend between the top plate  102  and the bottom plate  104 . In some aspects, each of the top plate  102  and bottom plate  104  can comprise a gripping pad  106  for improved grip strength with the ceiling and floor, respectively. The gripping pad  106  can be formed from a non-slip material, such as, for example, rubber. Example aspects of the post outer shell  110  can be substantially rectangular in shape and can define a hollow interior. The inner post  140  can also be substantially rectangular in shape and can be received within the hollow interior of the post outer shell  110 . Each of the inner post  140  and post outer shell  110  can define a substantially square cross-sectional shape. However, in other aspects, the inner post  140  and post outer shell  110  can define any other suitable shape, such as cylindrical, and any other suitable cross-sectional shape, such as circular. Furthermore, example aspects of the inner post  140  and post outer shell  110  can be formed from a metal material, such as, for example, steel. In other aspects, the inner post  140  and post outer shell  110  can be formed from another metal material, such as aluminum, iron, a plastic material, or any other suitable material known in the art. 
     As shown, in example aspects, the inner post  140  can extend beyond a top end  112  of the post outer shell  110  and can engage the top plate  102 . In some aspects, the inner post  140  can comprise a foot  142  at a top end  144  thereof, and the foot  142  can be pivotably coupled to the top plate  102 . The pivotable connection between the foot  142  of the inner post  140  and the top plate  102  can accommodate for slight vertical misalignment of the compression post  100  or for non-parallel floors and ceilings, if present. Further, according to example aspects, the inner post  140  can be configured to slide within the post outer shell  110 , or portions thereof. According to example aspects, the post outer shell  110  can define a first section, such as an upper section  114 , and a second section, such as a lower section  124 , that can be spaced from the upper section  114 . The inner post  140  can extend through both of the upper and lower sections  114 , 124 , as shown. According to example aspects, the upper section  114  of the post outer shell  110  can define one or more upper holes  116  defined therethrough on both sides of the upper section  114 . The lower section  124  of the post can also define one or more lower holes  126  defined therethrough on both sides of the lower section  124 . In the present aspect, the upper and lower holes  116 , 126  can be spaced vertically along the upper section  114  and lower section  124 , relative to the orientation shown. 
     In example aspects, a first bolt (not shown) can extend through one of the upper holes  116  and through a corresponding hole  146  through the inner post  140  to hold the upper section  114  in place relative to the inner post  140 . In some aspects, multiple holes  146  can be defined through the inner post  140  to allow for the height of the compression post  100  to be adjusted. Specifically, the position of the inner post  140  relative to the upper section  114  can be selectively adjusted and the length of the compression post  100  can be selectively adjusted to accommodate varying distances between the floor and ceiling. 
     Similarly, a second bolt (not shown) can optionally extend through one of the lower holes  126  and can serve as a stop against a lower end (not shown) of the inner post  140 . In some aspects, the first bolt or the second bolt can extend through one of the lower holes  126  and through another hole  146  in the inner post  140  in order to hold the lower section  114  in place relative to the inner post  140 , such as for transportation of the compression post when not in use. Nuts can hold each of the bolts in place on the upper section  114  and the lower section  124 , respectively. In some aspects, the bolts can be replaced with any other suitable device, such as a cotter pin, clevis pin, hitch pin, or a spring-loaded button mounted inside the inner post  140 . 
     In example aspects, the upper section  114  can define an upper fastener ledge  118  extending therefrom and the lower section  124  can define a lower fastener ledge  128  extending therefrom. In some aspects, each of the upper and lower fastener ledges  118 , 128  can each be oriented at an obtuse angle α with respect to the post outer shell  110  and to a vertical direction. As such, the upper and lower fastener ledges  118 , 128  can be substantially parallel to one another. A fastener, such as a threaded bolt  150 , as shown, can engage each of the upper fastener ledge  118  and lower fastener ledge  128 . The threaded bolt  150  can define a bolt head  152  and a threaded tail  154  extending therefrom. In example aspects, the threaded tail  154  of the threaded bolt  150  can extend through an opening (not shown) in the lower fastener ledge  128  and a distal end  156  of the threaded tail  154  can abut the upper fastener ledge  118  distal from the bolt head  152 . In the present aspect, a nut  130  and a washer  132  can be affixed to the lower fastener ledge  128 , as shown, for example, by welding. The nut  130  and washer  132  be aligned with the opening, such that the nut  130 , the opening, and the washer  132  can define an engagement assembly  133  through which the threaded tail  154  of the threaded bolt  150  can extend. In other aspects, the nut  130  and washer  132  can be affixed to the lower fastener ledge  128  by an adhesive or any other suitable fastener known in the art. According to example aspects, as shown, the nut  130  can be affixed to a lower surface  134  of the lower fastener ledge  128  and the washer  132  can be affixed to an upper surface  136  of the lower fastener ledge  128 . Example aspects of the nut  130  can comprise threading configured to mate with the threading of the threaded bolt  150 . Furthermore, as shown, example aspects of the threaded bolt  150  can comprise a snap ring  138  coupled thereto proximate the distal end  156  thereof, which can prevent the threaded bolt  150  from disengaging the engagement assembly  133 , as described in further detail below. 
     The threaded bolt  150  can be loosened or tightened within the threaded nut  130  to move the upper section  114  and lower section  124  away from or towards one another, respectively. For example, when the threaded bolt  150  is tightened in the threaded nut  130 , the distal end  156  of the threaded tail  154  can be pressed against the upper fastener ledge  118  to move the lower section  124  away from the upper section  114 . On the other hand, when the threaded bolt  150  is loosened in the threaded nut  130 , the threaded bolt  150  can move away from the upper fastener ledge  118 , reducing the force applied to the spring  190  and allowing the spring  190  to bias the lower section  124  towards the upper section  114 . According to example aspects, the snap ring  138  of the threaded bolt  150  can abut the washer  132  when the threaded bolt  150  is significantly loosened in order to prevent the threaded bolt  150  from disengaging the engagement assembly  133 . The upper and lower fastener ledges  118 , 128  are oriented at the angle α, as described above, and the threaded bolt  150  extends orthogonal to the ledges  118 , 128 , which can cause the upper section  114  and lower section  124  to push laterally in opposite directions against the inner post  140  as the threaded bolt  150  is tightened and the upper and lower section  124  are pushed apart. These lateral forces increase friction forces between the sections  114 , 124  and the inner post  140  to further hold the inner post  140  in place relative to the post outer shell  110 . 
     According to example aspects, the compression post  100  can be oriented in an uncompressed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a compressed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the compression post  100  can comprise a visual indication system  160  configured to indicate when the compression post  100  is fully in the compressed configuration. Example aspects of the visual indication system  160  can comprise a window  162  defined in the lower section  124  of the post outer shell  110  and an indicator  164  positioned within the hollow interior of the lower section  124  of the post outer shell  110  adjacent to the window  162 . In one aspect, in the uncompressed configuration, a first visual indicator  166  of the indicator  164  can be visible through the window  162 , and in the compressed configuration, a second visual indicator  268  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the indicator  164  can be visible through the window  162 . For example, in one particular aspect, the first visual indicator  166  can be a first color, such as red, and the second visual indicator  268  can be a second color, such as white, or can match the color of the post outer shell  110 . In some aspects, the second visual indicator  268  can simply be a portion of the indicator  164  that is not the first visual indicator  166  and simply blends with the rest of the compression post  100 . The visual appearance of the first visual indicator  166  can indicate that the compression post  100  is not fully compressed, while the visual appearance of the second visual indicator  268  can indicate that the compression post  100  is fully and properly compressed in the compressed configuration. In another aspect, the indicator  164  can include any suitable words, indicia, or any other markings to indicate that the compression post  100  is in either the compressed configuration or uncompressed configuration. Furthermore, in some other aspects, the indicator  164  can define additional visual indicators. For example, in one aspect, a third visual indicator (not shown) can be provided to indicate that the compression post is in a partially compressed configuration, in between the uncompressed configuration and the compressed configuration. 
     Example aspects of the compression post  100  can comprise a fastener, such as a bolt  180 , for movably coupling the post outer shell  110  to the indicator  164  of the visual indication system  160 . The bolt  180  can be fixedly secured to the post outer shell  110  through a hole (not shown) defined through the post outer shell  110 . Example aspects of the bolt  180  can be slidably received within a slot  270  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the indicator  164 , such that the post outer shell  110  can slide relative to the indicator  164 . According to example aspects, the inner post  140  can be configured to terminate within the lower section  124  at a location above the visual indication system  160 , such that the inner post  140  does not interfere with the visual indication system  160 . Furthermore, in example aspects, as shown, a spring  190  can extend between the bottom plate  104  of the compression post  100  and the bolt  180 . The spring  190  can be a compression spring, for example, and can define a spring force. However, in other aspects, the spring  190  can be another type of spring. The spring  190  can wrap around a leg  172  of the indicator  164  as shown, and can extend between the bottom plate  104  and the bolt  180  received through the slot  270 . In the uncompressed configuration of the compression post  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the spring force of the spring  190  can bias the bolt  180  upward within the slot  270  and away from the bottom plate  104 . Because the bolt  180  can be fixedly secured to the post outer shell  110 , the post outer shell  110  can consequently also be biased upward and away from the bottom plate  104 . As such, the spring  190  can bias the compression post  100  to the uncompressed configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an example aspect of the indicator  164  is shown. Example aspects of the indicator can comprise a leg  172 . The leg  172  can generally define an upper end  274  and a lower end  276 , as shown. The lower end  276  of the leg  172  can be connected to or mounted on the bottom plate  104  of the compression post  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The leg  172  can extend generally upward from the bottom plate  104 , relative to the orientation shown. According to example aspects, the slot  270  of the indicator  164  can be defined in the leg  172 . In some aspects, the slot  270  can be oriented proximate the upper end of the leg  172 , as shown; however, in other aspects, the slot  270  can be oriented at any other suitable location along the leg  172 . Example aspects of the indicator  164  can further comprise an indicator bracket  277 . The indicator bracket  277  can generally define a central portion  278  coupled to and extending generally upward from the upper end  274  of the leg  172 , relative to the orientation shown, and an indication portion  280  distal from the leg  172 . In the present aspect, the central portion  278  and the indication portion  280  can be monolithically formed; however, in other aspects, the central portion  278  and indication  280  can be separately formed and coupled together. According to example aspects, the central portion  278  can be attached to the leg  172  by a fastener  279 , such as, for example, a bolt or screw. In some aspects, as shown, the central portion  278  can also comprise an arm  282  extending therefrom and configured to engage a notch  284  defined in the upper end  274  of the leg  172 . 
     The indication portion  280  can comprise the first visual indicator  166  and the second visual indicator  268 . In the present aspect, the second visual indicator  268 , which, when visible through the window  162  can be indicative that the compression post  100  is in the compressed configuration, can be located on the indication portion  280  proximate to the central portion  278  of the indicator bracket  277 . The first visual indicator  166 , which, when visible through the window  162  can be indicative that the compression post  100  is not in compressed configuration, can be located on the indication portion  280  adjacent to the second visual indicator  168  and distal to the central portion  278 . In some aspects, the indication portion  280  can be substantially parallel with the leg  172 . Furthermore, as shown, some example aspects of the central portion  278  can define a bend  286 . The bend  286  can extend between the leg  172  and the indication portion  280  at an angle β relative to each of the leg  172  and indication portion  280 . As such, the indication portion  280  and the leg  172 , while parallel to one another, can be vertically misaligned, relative to the orientation shown, which can push the indication portion  280  towards or against the window  162 . 
     As described above, the spring force of the spring  190  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) can bias the compression post  100  to the uncompressed configuration. Referring to  FIG. 3 , in the compressed configuration, the spring force can be overcome and the spring  190  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) can be compressed. To move the compression post  100  from the uncompressed configuration to the compressed configuration, a force exceeding the spring force of the spring  190  must be applied to the spring  190 . In the present aspect, to apply a force to the spring  190 , the threaded bolt  150  of the compression post  100  can be rotated, such as with a drill or socket wrench, to push the threaded bolt  150  against the upper fastener ledge  118  and to move the lower section  124  of the post outer shell  110  away from the upper section  114  of the post outer shell  110 . The lower section  124  of the post outer shell  110  can slide downward along the inner post  140 , relative to the orientation shown. The first bolt can be engaged with one of the upper holes  116   a,b  of the upper section  114  and one of the holes  146  defined through the inner post  140 , such that the inner post  140  can be fixed relative to the upper section  114  of the post outer shell  110 . Thus, because the inner post  140  can be fixedly attached to the top plate  102  of the compression post  100 , the inner post  140  and the upper section  114  of the post outer shell  110  can remain stationary as the lower section  124  moves downward, relative to the orientation shown, and away from the upper section  114 . 
     As the lower section  124  moves away from the upper section  114 , the lower section  124  can be moving towards the bottom plate  104  of the compression post  100 . As such, the bolt  180  fixedly attached to the lower section  124  can slide downward, relative to the orientation shown, within the slot  270  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the indicator  164  and can move towards the bottom plate  104 . The spring  190  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) can be sandwiched between the bolt  180  and the bottom plate  104 , such that the spring  190  can be compressed as the bolt  180  moves towards the bottom plate  104 . Furthermore, as the lower section  124  of the post outer shell  110  moves downward relative to the indicator  164 , which can be fixedly connected to the bottom plate  104  by the leg  172  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the indicator  164 , the window  162  of the lower section  124  can also travel downward relative to the indicator  164 . As such, the window  162  can move past the first visual indicator  166 , which can be seen through the window  162  in the uncompressed configuration, and can move towards the second visual indicator  268 . The threaded bolt  150  can be rotated to compress the spring  190  until the first visual indicator  166  is no longer visible and only the second visual indicator  268  is visible through the window  162 , which can indicate that the compression post  100  is fully and properly compressed in the compressed configuration. For example, in one aspect, the compression force can be about 200 psi in the compressed configuration; however, in other aspects, the compression force can be any other suitable amount to properly compress the compression post  100  in the compressed configuration. Furthermore, as the spring  190  is compressed, the spring force of the spring  190  can resist the compression and can attempt to expand, applying a generally downward force against the bottom plate  104 , relative to the orientation shown, and applying a generally upward force against the bolt  180 , relative to the orientation shown, which can be transmitted to the top plate  102 . As such, the compression post  100  can apply a force to both the floor and the ceiling of the building, fixing the compression post  100  in place to resist forces acting against it. It should be noted that, in other aspects of the compression post  100 , the visual indication system  160  can be located at the upper section  114  of the compression post  100 , as opposed the lower section  124 . For example, the window  162  can be defined in the upper section  114  and the indicator  164  can be coupled to the top plate  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in some aspects, the compression post  100  can further comprise a bracket  400  coupled to the lower section  124  of the post outer shell  110 . As shown, the bracket  400  can be coupled to the lower section  124  at a position above the window  162  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). According to example aspects, the bracket  400  can be configured to engage a panel (not shown), such as, for example, a wire panel. The panel can be configured to support personnel (e.g., construction workers) above the floor of the building. In other aspects, the compression post  100  can include additional brackets  400  for supporting additional panels and/or the bracket  400  can be positioned at any other suitable location along the compression post  100 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the top plate  102 . Example aspects of the top plate  102  can comprise a netting hook  500 , as shown. The netting hook  500  can define an opening  502  between the netting hook  500  and the top plate  102 . According to example aspects, the netting hook  500  can be configured to engage a safety netting (not shown) to support the safety netting above the floor of the building. For example, the safety netting can be a worker safety netting for protecting a worker in the event of a fall or can be a debris netting for capturing debris. In some aspects, the bottom plate  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) can also comprise a netting hook  500  for engaging a safety netting. 
     One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.