Patent Publication Number: US-9889910-B2

Title: Fender hanger device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,792, filed on May 13, 2016, entitled “FENDER HANGER DEVICE”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Additionally, this application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/405,529, filed on Oct. 7, 2016, entitled “FENDER HANGER DEVICE”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to the field of devices for positioning boat fenders. More specifically, this patent specification relates to devices configured to dispose a boat fender in a plurality of positions for use with boating vessels including, sail or power boating for commercial or pleasure use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When bringing a small boat or pleasure craft, of which many types exist, adjacent to a dock, it is important to safe guard the hull preventing direct contact with the dock structure. The dock structure is usually a type of horizontal platform, which many vary in height off the water dependant on many factors. It also may consist of vertical or diagonal supports. 
     Currently, when a boat is docked, the protective fenders must be placed in an aspect opposite of the point of contact. A horizontal platform dock requires a vertical fender. On the other hand, a vertical support column or pier post requires a horizontal fender, and a diagonal support needs an opposingly diagonal fender. 
     Current fender hanger devices are so configured to only address the need of one dock type at a time, necessitating a time consuming reconfiguration to convert to an opposite or variant aspect need. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a novel device configured to quickly protect a boats hull, but one that requires no apparatus change out, or time consuming readjustments. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A fender hanging device is provided which is configured to dispose a boat fender in a plurality of positions for use with boating vessels including, sail or power boating for commercial or pleasure use. In some embodiments, the device may include a back plate coupled to a first arm and to a second arm. A cavity may be formed between the back plate, the first arm, and the second arm. A channel may separate the first arm and second arm. An upper limiter may be coupled to the back plate opposite the first arm and second arm, and a block aperture may pass through the upper limiter. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include a flexible linkage having a body with one or more linkage fasteners coupled to the body. A fender retainer may be coupled to the flexible linkage, and the fender retainer may have an annular frame. A fender may be coupled to the annular frame, and the fender may be movable between a first position, a second position, and/or any number of other positions. 
     In further embodiments, the device may comprise a hanger block, a flexible linkage, a fender retainer, and a fender. The fender may be coupled to the flexible linkage, preferably via the fender retainer. The flexible linkage may be removably coupled to the hanger block at various locations along the length of the flexible linkage. By removably coupling the flexible linkage to the hanger block at different locations, the fender may be positioned at various distances or positions from the hanger block while being supported by the hanger block. Optionally, the fender may be movably coupled to the flexible linkage via a fender retainer, thereby allowing the fender to be positioned in two or more positions or orientations relative to the flexible linkage, such as between a first position and a second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front perspective view of an example of a hanger block of a fender hanger device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front elevation view of another example of a hanger block of a fender hanger device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  shows a rear elevation view of another example of a hanger block of a fender hanger device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a sectional, through line  4 - 4  shown in  FIG. 3 , elevation view of another example of a hanger block of a fender hanger device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional, through line  5 - 5  shown in  FIG. 3 , elevation view of another example of a hanger block of a fender hanger device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an example of a fender hanger device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a front elevation view of an example of a fender retainer fender hanger device with a fender in a first position according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a front elevation view of an example of a fender retainer fender hanger device with a fender in a second position according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of another example of a fender hanger device according to various embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     A new device for positioning boat fenders is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
     The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.  FIGS. 6 and 9  illustrate examples of a fender hanging device (“the device”)  100  according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a hanger block  11 , a flexible linkage  31 , a fender retainer  41 , and a fender  51 . The fender  51  may be coupled to the flexible linkage  31 , preferably via the fender retainer  41 . The flexible linkage  31  may be removably coupled to the hanger block  11  at various locations along the length of the flexible linkage  31 . By removably coupling the flexible linkage  31  to the hanger block  11  at different location, the fender  51  may be positioned at various distances or positions from the hanger block  11  while being supported by the hanger block  11 . Optionally, the fender  51  may be movably coupled to the flexible linkage  31  via a fender retainer  41 , thereby allowing the fender  51  to be positioned in two or more positions or orientations relative to the flexible linkage  31 , such as between a first position  71  ( FIG. 7 ) and a second position  72  ( FIG. 8 ). 
       FIGS. 1-5  depict examples of a hanger block  11  according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, a hanger block  11  may comprise a back plate  12  which may be coupled to a first arm  13  and to a second arm  14 . A cavity  15  may be formed between the back plate  12 , the first arm  13 , and the second arm  14 . A channel  16  may separate the first arm  13  and second arm  14 . An upper limiter  17  may be coupled to the back plate  12  opposite the first arm  13  and second arm  14 , and a block aperture  18  may pass through the upper limiter  17 . 
     A back plate  12 , first arm  13 , second arm  14 , and/or upper limiter  17  may be configured in any shape and size. Generally, the back plate  12  may be used to couple a first arm  13 , second arm  14 , and/or upper limiter  17  together while maintaining the position of the first arm  13 , second arm  14 , and/or upper limiter  17  relative to each other. Preferably, the back plate  12 , first arm  13 , second arm  14 , and/or upper limiter  17  may be made from of comprise substantially rigid materials such as metal and metal alloys, wood, hard plastics, hard rubber, fiber glass, carbon fiber, resins, or any other generally rigid and durable material for use in marine environments. 
     The fender block  11  may comprise a channel  16  which may be shaped to allow portions of a flexible linkage  31  ( FIGS. 6-9 ), such as the body  32 , to pass through the channel  16 , while preventing other portions of the flexible linkage  31 , such as a linkage fastener  33 , from passing through the channel  16 . A channel  16  may be formed by one or more elements of the hanger block  11 . In some embodiments, a channel  16  may be formed into or by a first arm  13 , second arm  14 , and/or back plate  12 . In further embodiments, the channel  16  may comprise a forward portion  19  and a bottom portion  20 . A forward portion  19  may enable the body  32  of a flexible linkage  31  to pass through the channel  16  by being moved towards and away from the back plate  12 , while a bottom portion  20  may enable the body  32  of a flexible linkage  31  to pass through the channel  16  by being moved towards and away from the upper limiter  17 . 
     In preferred embodiments, the channel  16  may be formed by a first arm  13  and a second arm  14 . The first arm  13  may comprise a first channel surface  21  and the second arm  14  may comprise a second channel surface  22 . The channel surfaces  21 ,  22 , may define the portions  19 ,  20 , of the channel  16 . By moving the body  32  of a flexible linkage  31  between the channel surfaces  21 ,  22 , the flexible linkage  31  may be moved into, out of, and through the channel  16 . In preferred embodiments, the channel surfaces  21 ,  22 , may be separated from each other by a distance that is approximately greater than or equal to the width of the body  32  of the flexible linkage  31  and that is approximately less than the width of a linkage fastener  33  coupled to the body  31  of the flexible linkage  31 . In this manner, the body  31  may be moved into, out of, and through the channel  16 , while the one or more linkage fasteners  33  may not be moved into, out of, and through the channel  16 , thereby allowing a linkage fastener  33  to limit the movement of the flexible linkage  31  through the channel  16 . 
     The hanger block  11  may comprise a cavity  15  which may be formed between the back plate  12 , the first arm  13 , and/or the second arm  14 . The cavity  15  may be shaped to receive portions of a linkage fastener  33  while the body  32  of the flexible linkage  31  is disposed within the channel  16 . A first arm  13  may comprise a first cavity surface  23 , a second arm  14  may comprise a second cavity surface  24 , and a back plate  12  may comprise a plate surface  25 . In some embodiments, a cavity  15  may be formed and bounded by a first cavity surface  23 , a second cavity surface  24 , and/or a plate surface  25 . The surfaces  23 ,  24 ,  25 , may be complementarily shaped to portions of the linkage fasteners  33  to increase the amount of surface area contact between the hanger block  11  and a linkage fastener  33  while the body  32  of the flexible linkage  31  is disposed within the channel  16 . 
     An upper limiter  17  may be coupled to the back plate  12  opposite the first arm  13  and second arm  14 , and a block aperture  18  may pass through the upper limiter  17 . The block aperture  18  may be shaped to allow portions of a flexible linkage  31  ( FIGS. 6-9 ), such as the body  32 , to pass through the block aperture  18 , while preventing other portions of the flexible linkage  31 , such as a linkage fastener  33 , from passing through the block aperture  18 . In this manner, the flexible linkage  31  may be slidably coupled within the block aperture  18 . Preferably, a block aperture  18  may be oriented towards the cavity  15  to enable portions of the body  31  disposed within the block aperture  18  to be moved towards and away from the cavity  15 . In preferred embodiments, a block aperture  18  may be generally cylindrical in shape having a width that is approximately greater than or equal to the width of the body  32  of the flexible linkage  31  and that is approximately less than the width of a linkage fastener  33  coupled to the body  31  of the flexible linkage  31 . In this manner, the body  31  may be moved through the block aperture  18 , while the one or more linkage fasteners  33  may not be moved through the block aperture  18 , thereby allowing a linkage fastener  33  to limit the movement of the flexible linkage  31  through the block aperture  18 . In alternative embodiments, a block aperture  18  may be configured as a channel similar to the channel  16  with the upper limiter  17  split into two arms similar to the first  13  and second  14  arms. 
     In some embodiments, the block aperture  18  may comprise one or more beveled edges  26 . A beveled edge  26  may be generally complementarily shaped to portions of the linkage fasteners  33  to increase the amount of surface area contact between the hanger block  11  and a linkage fastener  33  while the body  32  of the flexible linkage  31  is disposed within the block aperture  18 . For example, a beveled edge  26  may be generally concave shaped to receive portions of a generally spherical linkage fastener  33 . 
     In some embodiments, a hanger block  11  may comprise one or more prongs such as a first prong  27  and a second prong  28 . The prongs  27 ,  28 , may be positioned anywhere on the hanger block  11  such as on the back plate  12 . Preferably the prongs  27 ,  28 , may be configured to removably couple the hanger block  11  to objects such as a fender  51  and fender retainer  41 . In some embodiments, a hanger block  11  may comprise a first prong  27  and a second prong  28  which may be separated from each other and configured to be removably coupled to a fender aperture  52 ,  53 , of a fender  51  by inserting the prongs  27 ,  28 , into the fender aperture  52 ,  53 . The prongs  27 ,  28 , may frictionally engage with the fender aperture  52 ,  53 , to maintain the coupling between the hanger block  11  and fender  51 . Optionally, a prong  27 ,  28 , may comprise a barb  29  which may protrude away from the prong  27 ,  28 , and further frictionally engage with or increase the frictional engagement between a prong  27 ,  28 , and a fender aperture  52 ,  53 , into which it is inserted. Preferably, a prong  27 ,  28 , and/or a fender aperture  52 ,  53 , may be made from a flexible material to allow the prongs  27 ,  28 , and/or fender aperture  52 ,  53 , to flex in order to facilitate coupling and uncoupling of the prongs  27 ,  28 , and fender aperture  52 ,  53 . In further embodiments, the prongs  27 ,  28 , may be configured to snap onto, around, or attach to each other or to the annular frame  42  so that the fender retainer  41  and hanger block  11  may be removably coupled together. 
     As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , in some embodiments, the hanger block  11  may comprise one or more cushions  61  which may be positioned anywhere on the hanger block  11  such as on the back plate  12  opposite the arms  13 ,  14 . A cushion  61  may absorb impacts and/or provide a resilient cushioning layer to prevent the hanger block  11  from damaging objects such as boat hulls. A cushion  61  may be configured in any shape and size. In some embodiments, a cushion  61  may comprise a resilient material such as silicone foams, silicone rubber, rubber foams, urethane foams including plastic foams, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or elastomer materials such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, or any other suitable elastomer or resilient material including combinations of materials which may be suitable for use in marine environments. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-9 , in some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a flexible linkage  31  which may be used to couple a fender  51  to a hanger block  11 . The flexible linkage  31  may comprise an elongate body  32  of any length with one or more linkage fasteners  33  positioned along the body  32 . In preferred embodiments, an elongate body  32  may be any type of rope suitable for use in a marine environment, such as Nylon Rope, Polypropylene Rope, Polyester rope, Manila Rope, hemp rope, Parachute Cord, and the like. In other embodiments, an elongate body  32  may be any type of cable, chain, string, strap, or the like which may be elongated, having a width greater than its length, and flexible or bendable in materials or construction. 
     A flexible linkage  31  may comprise one or more linkage fasteners  33  which may be positioned anywhere along the body  32 . In some embodiments, a linkage fastener  33  may comprise a knot or other contortion of the body  32 . In other embodiments, a linkage fastener  33  may comprise a generally rigid material that may be formed into a substantially spherical, cuboid, pyramidal, or other 3D shape having a width greater than the width of the body  32 , thereby allowing the linkage fastener  33  to function as a catch or stop for limiting the movement of the body  32  through a channel  16  and/or a block aperture  18 . 
     In some embodiments, a flexible linkage  31  may comprise a body fastener  34  which may be used to secure or couple the body  32  to objects such as railings, dock cleats, boat cleats, and the like. In some embodiments, a body fastener  34  may be formed by tying portions of the body  32  into a loop which may be placed around and through objects. In further embodiments, a body fastener  34  may comprise a hook, carbineer, buckle, hook and loop type fastener, or any other type of type of fastener which may be used to couple the body  32  to one or more objects. 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a fender  51  which may be coupled to a flexible linkage  31 . A fender  51  may be a bumper used to absorb the kinetic energy of a boat or vessel berthing against a jetty, dock, pylon, quay wall, or other vessel. Fenders  51  may be configured to prevent damage to vessels and berthing structures. To do this, fenders  51  have high energy absorption and low reaction force. Fenders  51  are typically manufactured out of rubber, foam elastomer, or plastic. Fenders  51  may comprise one or more fender apertures, such as a first fender aperture  52  and a second fender aperture  53 , which may be used to secure the fender  51  to objects such as a flexible linkage  31  and/or a fender retainer  41 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an example of a fender hanger device  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the device  100  comprises a hanger block  11  supporting a fender  51  in a second position  72  (generally horizontally) via two flexible linkages  31 . A first flexible linkage  31  may be coupled to the first fender aperture  52 , such as with a linkage fastener  33 , by tying the body  32 , or any other suitable method, and to the hanger block  11  preferably, by positioning the body  32  through the channel  16  and block aperture  18 . A second flexible linkage  31  may be coupled to the second fender aperture  53 , such as with a linkage fastener  33 , by tying the body  32 , or any other suitable method, and to the hanger block  11  preferably, by positioning the body  32  through the channel  16 . Each flexible linkage  31  may be removably coupled to the hanger block  11  by inserting its respective body  32  through the channel  16  with a linkage fastener  33  received in the cavity  15 . 
     The distance between the hanger block  11  and the first fender aperture  52  and second fender aperture  53  may be changed by engaging or removably coupling different linkage fasteners  33  of the flexible linkages  31  in the cavity  15  of the hanger block  11 . By changing the distance between the hanger block  11  and the first fender aperture  52  and/or second fender aperture  53 , the fender  51  may be moved between the first  71  (generally vertical) and second  72  (generally horizontal) positions into any number of positions or angles relative to the hanger block  11 . Additionally, the distance between the hanger block  11  and the body fastener  34  may be changed by selecting which linkage fastener  33  or by positioning a linkage fastener  33  below block aperture  18  so that while the body  32  of the flexible linkage  31  is slidably coupled within the block aperture  18 , the linkage fastener  33  limits the movement of the body  32  through the block aperture  18 . 
     As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , in some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a fender retainer  41  which may be used to couple a fender  51  to a flexible linkage  31 . A fender retainer  41  may be used to facilitate the positioning of a fender  51  into a first  71 , second  72 , or any other position. In some embodiments, a fender retainer  41  and a fender  51  may be integrally formed or molded together. In other embodiments, a fender  51  may comprise a first fender aperture  52  and a second fender aperture  52  which may be used to couple a fender retainer  41  to a fender  51 . For example, a first fender aperture  52  and the second fender aperture  53  may both receive a portion of the fender retainer  41 . 
     A fender retainer  41  may comprise an annular frame  42  to which a fender  51  and a flexible linkage  31  may both be coupled to. In some embodiments, the annular frame  42  may be substantially rigid and able to maintain a substantially circular or ring shape while being supported by a flexible linkage  31 . The annular frame  42  may be made from or comprise a substantially rigid material such as steel alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, any other type of metal or metal alloy, various types of hard plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, nylon, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) also known as acrylic, melamine, hard rubbers, fiberglass, carbon fiber, resins, such as epoxy resin, wood, other plant based materials, or any other material including combinations of materials that are substantially rigid. In other embodiments, the annular frame  42  may be substantially flexible and not able to maintain a substantially circular or ring shape while being supported by a flexible linkage  31 . The annular frame  42  may be made from or comprise a substantially flexible material such as rope, cable, chain, string, strap, webbing, or any other material including combinations of materials that are substantially flexible and able to be malleable in shape. 
     In some embodiments, a fender  51  may be movably coupled to the fender retainer  41  so that the fender  51  may be moved relative to the fender retainer  41 . For example, portions of the annular frame  42  may be slidably received through the first fender aperture  52  and second fender aperture  53  of the fender  51  thereby allowing the fender  51  to be moved between a first  71  and second  72  position. In this manner, a fender  51  coupled to the flexible linkage  31 , via a fender retainer  41 , may be movably coupled to the flexible linkage  31 . 
     In some embodiments, a fender retainer  41  may be movably coupled to the flexible linkage  31  so that the fender retainer  41 , and therefore a fender  51  coupled to the fender retainer  41 , may be moved relative to the flexible linkage  31 . For example, portions of the annular frame  42  may be slidably or movably coupled to the flexible linkage, optionally via a linkage fastener  33 , thereby allowing the fender retainer  41  and fender  51  to be moved between a first  71  and second  72  position. In this manner, a fender  51  coupled to the flexible linkage  31 , via a fender retainer  41 , may be movably coupled to the flexible linkage  31 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of another example of a fender hanger device  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the device  100  comprises a hanger block  11  supporting a fender  51  in a first position  71  (generally vertically) via a flexible linkage  31  and a fender retainer  41 . The body  32  of the flexible linkage  31  may be coupled to the flexible linkage  31  via the fender retainer  41 . Additionally, the body  32  may also be removably coupled to the hanger block  11  by inserting the body  32  through the channel  16  with a linkage fastener  33  received in the cavity  15 , while the body  32  may also be slidably coupled within the block aperture  18  with a linkage fastener  33  limiting the movement of the body  32  through the block aperture  18 . The fender  51  may be movably coupled to the fender retainer  41  and/or the fender retainer  41  may be movably coupled to the flexible linkage  31 . 
     The distance between the hanger block  11  and the first fender aperture  52  and second fender aperture  53  may be changed by engaging or removably coupling different linkage fasteners  33  of the flexible linkage  31  in the cavity  15  of the hanger block  11 . By changing the distance between the hanger block  11  and the first fender aperture  52  and/or second fender aperture  53 , the fender  51  may be moved between the first  71  (generally vertical) and second  72  (generally horizontal) positions into any number of positions or angles relative to the hanger block  11 . Additionally, the distance between the hanger block  11  and the body fastener  34  may be changed by selecting which linkage fastener  33  or by positioning a linkage fastener  33  below block aperture  18  so that while the body  32  of the flexible linkage  31  is slidably coupled within the block aperture  18 , the linkage fastener  33  limits the movement of the body  32  through the block aperture  18 . 
     While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device  100  such as a hanger block  11 , flexible linkage  31 , linkage fasteners  33 , optional fender retainer  41 , optional prongs  27 ,  28 , and/or any other element discussed herein may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device  100 . 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.