Patent Publication Number: US-9424820-B2

Title: Transformable stand with an improved foot operated pitch changing mechanism for stringed instruments

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The disclosed subject matter is in the field of guitar effects. More specifically, this subject matter includes improvements to pedal or lever operated mechanisms that change the pitch of an instrument&#39;s string by raising and/or lowering its tension. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Stringed instruments, like guitars, make sounds when a string vibrates. The pitch of a vibrating string&#39;s sound is dependent on many things, including the string&#39;s thickness, tension strength, and length. Thus, stringed instruments create a range of sound pitch via varying such physical characteristics of their strings. 
     Guitars typically have a preset pitch range that is determined by suspending a plurality of strings between the pegs, tuning keys or fine pitch changers at the end (keyhead) of a guitar&#39;s neck and the guitar&#39;s bridge. Some musicians seek to alter the preset pitch range of a guitar. However, in order to manually change the pre-determined pitch range on a guitar, the strings must be individually tuned by physically tightening or loosening the pegs, tuning keys or fine pitch changers. This manual tuning is usually too awkward and time consuming to be done during a performance and as a result, the performer is limited to single pitch range during the duration of the musical performance with any single instrument. 
     Pitch-changing mechanisms for stringed instruments are known. See, e.g., Fender: U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,188 A, Fender: U.S. Pat. No. 2,973,682 A, and Franklin: U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,935. For instance, pedal steel guitars are stringed musical instruments wherein the pitch of one or more strings may be manipulated via the movement of pedals or levers which are mechanically linked to the end of the strings to effectively slacken or tauten the string. With the advent of pitch-changing mechanisms, such as those used by a pedal steel guitar, the pitch of strings on a stringed instrument can be easily manipulated, up and/or down. In the case of the pedal steel guitar, the ability to mechanically change the pitch of a string by pressing a foot pedal or knee lever provides a wider range of pitches to musicians without tedious and time-consuming tuning. 
     Although capable of seamlessly adjusting the pitch of a stringed instrument, such pitch-changing mechanisms are often complex and cannot be utilized with a regular guitar. Actually, present pitch-changing mechanisms, such as those in a pedal steel guitar, must typically be built-in physical components of the instrument. As a result, current pitch-changing mechanisms cannot be utilized by an ordinary guitar without destructive modification. Stated differently, traditional guitars cannot be played like a pedal steel guitar without permanent modification. As a result, musicians who desire to incorporate the unique sounds of a pedal steel guitar with the sounds of a traditional, fixed-pitch guitar would need access to both (1) a pedal steel guitar and (2) a regular fixed-pitch guitar. 
     In view of the foregoing, a need exists for a pitch changing mechanism that transforms an existing fixed-pitch guitar into an instrument with pedal-activated pitch changing capabilities without destructive modifications. Thus, with the disclosed improvements described herein, existing guitars can be easily converted to a pitch-changing device and vice versa without professional installation through the use of a transformable stand, foot pedal assembly, and a string pitch changer. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed are apparatus and related methods for changing the pitch of a stringed instrument, such as a standard, fixed-pitch, resonating or Dobro-type guitar, by attaching the stringed instrument onto a transformable stand comprising a foot pedal assembly and string pitch changing mechanism. In one embodiment, the apparatus and related methods involve affixing the strings from an existing guitar to an improved pitch-changing mechanism, such as disclosed string pitch changer housing, that does not require the deconstruction of the guitar body. Rather, the existing guitar is securely placed on its back on a transformable stand with the use of specially designed plates that hold the instrument with screws, securing the body of the instrument to the stand. 
     The guitar strings are routed across a replacement roller nut and roller bridge and connected to the string pitch changer mechanism that is operated by the foot pedal mechanism. In use, the placement of pressure on the pedals results in the pitch changing capabilities of the guitar. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stringed musical instrument securely placed to a transformable stand with a foot operated string pitch changing mechanism; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the transformable stand of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the stand; 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded perspective view of the stand of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a zoom-in view of a strap; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective and partial exploded view of a frame of the stand of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a musical instrument; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a musical instrument; 
         FIG. 5  is a zoom in view of a keyhead of a musical instrument; 
         FIG. 5A  is a zoom-in view of a keyhead of a musical instrument; 
         FIG. 6  is a zoom-in perspective view of a pedal assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pitch changer housing; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the pitch changer housing; 
         FIG. 8A  is an environmental view of a pitch changer; 
         FIG. 8B  is another exploded view of the pitch changer housing; 
         FIG. 9  is another exploded view of the pitch changer housing; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section of an instrument on a stand; 
         FIG. 10A  is a zoom-in view of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 10B  is an alternate zoom-in view of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 10C  is an alternate zoom in view of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a compression spring; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an instrument on a stand; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a pitch changer; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross section of the pitch changer of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross section of the pitch changer of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross section of the pitch changer of  FIG. 13 ; and, 
         FIG. 17  is a cross section of the pitch changer of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed assemblies, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of their scope, for the disclosed assemblies may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Disclosed are preferred embodiments of an improved pitch-changing apparatus and method for retrofitting the pitch-changing apparatus to existing stringed musical instruments. More particularly, disclosed are pitch-changing apparatus and related methods for existing stringed instruments via a pedal mechanism for raising and lowering the pitch of the individual strings of a stringed musical instrument. The details of the disclosed tuning apparatus are disclosed with reference to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a musical instrument  2000  (e.g., a Resonating or “Dobro” guitar) coupled to a pitch-changing apparatus  1000 .  FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the pitch-changing apparatus  1000  with the musical instrument  2000  drawn in see-through broken lines to illustrate the structure of the apparatus  1000 . As shown in the figures, the apparatus  1000  comprises six subassemblies or components: (1) the base frame  1100 ; (2) the leg assembly  1200 ; (3) the truss rod assembly  1300 ; (4) the pedal assembly  1400 ; (5) the string pitch changer housing  1500 ; and (6) the bridge housing  1600 . 
     The Base Frame  1100   
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base frame  1100  is the central component of the apparatus  1000 . In the preferred embodiment, the base frame  1100  is positioned atop of the leg assembly  1200  and may optionally support the truss rod assembly  1300  at one end and the string pitch changer housing  1500  on the other end. As discussed in greater detail below, the base frame  1100  is configured to transfer the mechanical movement of the foot pedal assembly  1400  to the string pitch changer housing  1500  so that the tautness of the strings of an instrument  2000  may be manipulated. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the base frame  1100 . As illustrated, the base frame  1100  is defined by: two parallel beams  1110 ; an end piece  1120  for coupling one end of the two parallel beams  1110 ; a support plate  1130 , and a cross bar  1140  that spans between the two parallel beams  1110  (one is depicted in a cut-away). Structurally, the two parallel beams  1110 , the end piece  1120 , and the cross bar form a rectangle. The support plate  1300  is preferably positioned over the cross bar  1140  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  the frame  1100  may be coupled to the truss rod assembly  1300  (the connecting component of the truss rod assembly  1300  is shown in  FIG. 3  in broken lines). Referring back to  FIG. 3 , one end of the base frame  1100  is configured to receive the string pitch changer housing  1500  in an upright position between the beams  1110  and adjacent to the cross bar  1140  in the manner shown. Suitably, the base frame  1100  features a plurality of bell cranks  1150  that are pivotally mounted between the beams  1110 . The bell cranks  1150  are configured to pivot around an axis  1151 . Each bell crank  1150  features a rod puller  1152  that may be positioned at any location on the crank  1150  between the beams  1110 . Alternatively, multiple rod pullers  1152  could be provided on a crank between the beams. Suitably the rod pullers  1152  are configured to align with the pitch changers  1510  of the pitch changer housing  1500 . In operation, the bell crank  1150  transfers the mechanical movement of a foot pedal rod  1450  to corresponding string pitch changer rod  1590 . The frame  1100  is configured to be supported by the leg assembly  1200 . 
     The Leg Assembly  1200   
       FIG. 2  illustrates the leg assembly  1200 . The leg assembly is defined by a T base  1210  and three telescoping legs  1220 . The height of the telescoping legs may be adjusted to accommodate users of differing height or use in standing or sitting positions. Preferably, two of the three legs interact with the support plate  1130  of the base frame  1100  while the other leg interacts with the end piece  1120  to support the frame  1100 . In a preferred embodiment, the T frame  1210  is configured to pivotally support, the foot pedal assembly  1400 . In other embodiments, four or more legs might be used for the leg assembly  1300 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows another embodiment of a guitar stand without pitch changing capabilities.  FIG. 2B  shows an exploded view of the guitar stand  1000 A. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the leg assembly  1200  may be used to create a guitar stand  1000 A for a guitar  2000 . In this embodiment ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ), the leg assembly  1200  is positioned underneath a support surface  1100 A that supports the guitar  2000 . In a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  1000 A, the guitar  2000  may be secured to the support surface  1100 A via two straps  3000  (or draw clamps) secured to the underside of the support surface and a nub  2500  at the bottom of the instrument  2000  and at the top of the instrument at the intersection of the guitar  2000  neck and body and illustrates the strap  3000 .  FIG. 2C  shows the strap, which has a plurality of apertures for adjusting the length of the strap relative to the guitar  2000  to be supported on the stand  1000 A. 
     The Truss Rod Assembly  1300  and the Bridge Housing  1600   
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the truss rod assembly  1300  and an installed bridge housing  1600 . As shown, the truss rod assembly  1300  is defined by the truss rod  1310 , a neck plate  1320 , and a roller nut plate  1330  plus roller nut  1331 . As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , the neck clamp is configured to be coupled to the frame  1110  over the end piece  1120 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  depict the appropriate placement and assembly of the truss rod  1300  so that the neck  2100  of the stringed musical instrument  2000  is supported on the transformable stand  1000  (not shown).  FIG. 4  depicts an exploded truss rod  1300  in position for installation on a stringed instrument  2000 .  FIG. 5  depicts a fully assembled truss rod  1300  onto a stringed musical instrument  2000 . In one embodiment, a truss rod  1310  is placed at the bottom of the neck  2100  of the stringed musical instrument  2000  to help support and reduce stress that may placed upon the neck  2100  during the playing of the stringed musical instrument  2000  affixed to the apparatus  1000  (see FIG.  1 ). 
     In the depicted embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 , a truss rod assembly  1300  contains a roller nut plate  1330  and a neck plate  1320  on both ends of the truss rod  1310  to attach to both ends of the neck  2100  of the stringed musical instrument  2000  onto the apparatus (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The ends of the rod may be threaded so that the length of the rod may be effectively lengthen or shortened to accommodate instruments with variously dimensioned necks  2100 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the neck plate  1320  can be attached to the frame  1100  so that the guitar  2000  may be fully supported and secured onto the apparatus  1000 . Furthermore, in another embodiment, a bridge housing  1600  with brass rollers  1610  replaces the existing bridge on the stringed musical instrument. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the installation of the truss rod assembly  1300 . In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the roller nut plate  1330  has two roller nut clamp screws  1331  that span the width of neck of the stringed musical instrument. Preferably, the roller nut plate  1330  is placed beneath the keyhead of the neck  2100  of the stringed musical instrument  2000 . Correspondingly, a roller nut assembly  1332 , which consists of roller nut housing  1333  ( FIG. 5 ) and brass and gauged rollers  1334  ( FIG. 5 ), is placed over the neck  2100  and coupled to the roller nut plate  1330  via roller nut screws  1331 . In the preferred embodiment, the screws  1331  are tightened so that the roller nut assembly  1332  may be securely placed over the neck  2100  of the stringed instrument  2000 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  for installation of the truss rod assembly  1300 , a neck plate  1320  on the truss rod  1310  has two clamp screw posts  1321  that span the width of the neck  2100  of the stringed musical instrument  2000 . The neck plate  1320  is placed beneath the neck  2100  of the stringed instrument  2000  where the neck  2100  of the stringed musical instrument  2000  connects to the body  2200 . Continuing with installation, a neck clamp plate  1322  with two screw holes located at opposite ends are placed over the neck  2100  and positioned to align with the clamp screw post  1321 , allowing the screws  1325  to be placed through the neck clamp plate  1320  and the clamp screw post  1321  so that the neck  2100  may be firmly secured onto the base frame (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     It should be noted that the truss rod assembly  1300  is an optional feature of the apparatus  1000 .  FIGS. 4A and 5A  respectively illustrate installation of the roller nut  1332  without a truss rod assembly ( 1300   FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In this embodiment, the roller nut  1332  replaces the nut of the guitar that is adjacent to the keyhead of the guitar  2000 . Suitably, the roller nut assembly  1332  will fit into the groove that results from removal of said nut, as shown. 
     Pedal Assembly  1400   
       FIG. 2  shows the foot pedal assembly  1400 .  FIG. 6  shows a zoom-in view of the foot pedal assembly  1400  depicted in  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the foot pedal assembly  1400  is defined by foot pedals  1410 , quick-connect ball joints  1420 , foot pedal rods  1450 , and floor stop  1430 . The foot pedal  1410  is suitably pivotally mounted to the T frame  1210  of the leg  1200  assembly (see  FIG. 2 ). In operation, pressing down on the foot pedal  1410  pulls the attached pedal rod  1450  which is connected to a bell crank  1150  on the frame  1100  of the transforming stand  1000 . As discussed above, the crank  1150  in the housing frame  1100  translates the motion of the foot pedal rod  1450  to the string pitch changer  1290  (this will be discussed in greater detail below) (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring still to  FIG. 6 , In a preferred embodiment, the pedal rod  1450  features a turnbuckle (not shown) for lengthening or shortening the rod  1450  whereby the pitch change of an instrument may be calibrated to the depth of pedal  1410  depression. Suitably, other full stops (e.g., a floor stop for instance) is be incorporated and similarly calibrated so that pedal depression does not result in cabinet drop (or bending of the instrument  2000  body under the torque caused by pedal depression). 
     The String Pitch Changer Housing Assembly  1500   
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a string pitch changer housing assembly  1500 . The housing assembly  1500  is also depicted in place on the apparatus  1000  in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the assembly  1500  is defined by a plurality of pitch changers  1510  (usually one per string of the instrument  2000  ( FIG. 1 )) within a housing  1520  with a stop bar  1530  and a pivot plate  1560 . The top of the pitch changer  1510 , which is suitably designed to raise the tension of a string  1510  when activated, incorporates a string catch  1511 , for coupling the pitch changer  1510  to a string  2500  of a musical instrument (not shown in  FIG. 7 ).  FIG. 1  illustrates an installed housing assembly  1500 . As shown, strings  2500  are secured to the key head of an instrument  2000 , passed over the gauged brass rollers  1334  of the roller nut housing  1333  and rollers  1610  of the bridge housing  1600  before being mechanically coupled to the pitch changer  1510  via the string catch  1511 . As discussed later below, the connection of the strings to the pitch changer  1510  allows the foot pedal assembly  1200  ( FIG. 2 ) to tighten or loosen the strings to produce varied pitch sounds. In other words, the Pitch changer housing assembly  1510  is an integral tuning member that converts existing stringed musical instruments, like fixed-pitch, standard, resonating or “Dobro” guitars, to stringed instruments with pitch changing capabilities operated by the foot pedal assembly  1200  ( FIG. 2 ). In a preferred embodiment, the housing is coupled to the guitar via a screw into the bottom of the guitar house and at the top of the body where the neck and guitar meet. 
       FIG. 8  is a partially exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a string pitch changer housing  1500  with a single pitch changer  1510  depicted.  FIG. 9  is a full exploded view of the first embodiment of a string pitch changer housing assembly  1500  with the pitch changer  1510  exploded. As shown in these figures in the context of  FIG. 1 , the strings  2500  are suitably each placed into each individual string pitch changer  1510 .  FIG. 8A  illustrates the coupling of a string  2500  with the string catcher  1511  of the pitch changer  1510 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each individual string pitch changer  1510  can be removed or replaced from the string pitch changer housing  1500  without disturbing other pitch changers  1510 . Suitably, the pitch changers  1510  float within the housing  1520  and are retained therein by a retaining rod  1540  provided through a slot  1514  in the pitch changer  1510 .  FIG. 8B , a partially exploded view of the housing  1500 , shows the retaining bar  1540  disposed in the slot  1514  of the changers  1510 .  FIG. 9  shows an individual string pitch changer  1510  comprising a raise lever  1512  and a lowering lever  1513  connected by a pin  1580 . Suitably, the levers  1512 / 1513  are pivotable around the pin  1580 . Suitably the lowering lever  1513  interacts with a pivot plate  1560  disposed in pivot groove  1531  in the lower bar  1513 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , each of the raise lever  1512  and lower lever  1513  are mechanically coupled to a pitch changer (or “pull”) rod  1590  that are also mechanically coupled to a bell crank  1150 . As set forth in detail below, the pivot bar  1530  interacts with the pivot groove  1531  to shift the location of the raise bar  1512  when the changer rod  1590  of the lowering lever  1513  is pulled. Each pull rod  1590  features a nylon tuning screw  1591  to adjust the effective length of the rod relative to the pitch changer  1510 . Suitably, the lowering lever  1513  is mechanically coupled to a compression spring  1570  extending from the cross bar  1140  of the frame  1100  (not shown) so that the lever  1513  may also have a rest position against the stop bar  1530  of the assembly housing  1530 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts a cross section of a musical instrument installed in the apparatus  1000 .  FIGS. 10A through 100  respectively depict operation of the string pitch changer  1510  within the string pitch changer housing  1500  at the circled portion of  FIG. 10 . Specifically,  FIG. 10A  illustrates a neutral pitch changer  1510 ,  FIG. 10B  illustrates a pitch changer  1510  with the raiser lever  1512  being pulled by its rod  1590 , and  FIG. 100  illustrates a pitch changer  1510  with the lowering lever  1513  being pulled. Referring first to  FIG. 10A , the string pitch changer  1510  is normally positioned with the lowering lever  1513  forced against the stop plate  1530  via the spring  1570  and the pivot plate  1560  positioned within the pivot grove  1531 . As shown, the pivot plate  1560  features a rounded or curved edge that cooperates with the pivot groove  1531 . In  FIG. 10B , the rod  1590  pulls the raiser lever  1512  to pivot around the pivot pin  1580 . As the raiser lever  1512  moves, the pivot plate  1560  does not interact within the pivot groove  1531  so that the lowering lever  1513  does not move. When the raise bar  1512  so moved, the strings are pulled taught via the raiser lever  1512 . When the raise bar  1512  is released, the tension of the string will return the raiser lever  1512  to its initial position shown in  FIG. 10A . Finally, in  FIG. 10C , the lowering arm  1513  is being pulled by the rod  1590 . As shown in the zoom-in, the pivot plate  1560  interacts with the pivot grove  1531  so that the lowering lever  1513  rotates around the curved edge of the pivot plate  1560 . This rotation moves the raise bar  1512  toward the bridge assembly  1600  ( FIG. 1 ) to allow the string tension to relax. Referring now to  FIGS. 10A and 100 , after the lowering rod  1590  has been pulled and released, the compression spring is suitably configured to push the changer  1513  back to the position of  FIG. 10A . Suitably, the spring strength must exceed the tension of the string so that the changer  1510  can move back to its initial position against stop bar  1530 . In a preferred embodiment, the spring force is adjustable via a threaded nut  1571  that adjusts the compression of the spring whereby the compression force of the spring may be modified or changed to accommodate strings of different diameters. An image of the compression spring and the adjustment nut  1571  is shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pitch changer  1510 . As shown, the pitch changer housing (not shown) features a stop plate  1530 , a pitch changer  1510  with a string catch  1511  and a pivot grove  1531 , a compression rod  1571  and spring  1570  with a pivot  1571  for pushing the changer  1510  against the stop plate  1530 , and apertures  1512  for mechanically coupling the changer  1510  to a bell crank (not shown) and foot pedal (not shown). 
       FIGS. 18 through 21  are cross sections of the pitch changer  1510 .  FIG. 18 through 21  illustrate a typical operation of the pitch changer  1510 . Specifically:  FIG. 18  shows a cross section of the pitch changer  1510  in a neutral position with a guitar string in a low string catch  1511 ;  FIG. 19  shows a cross section of the pitch changer  1510  in a pulled position with the string in the lower catch  1511 ;  FIG. 20  shows a cross section of the pitch changer  1510  in a neutral position with a guitar string in a high string catch  1511 ; and,  FIG. 21  shows a cross section of the pitch changer  1510  in a pulled position with the string in the high catch  1511 . Regardless of whether the string is positioned in the low or high catch  1511 , operation is the same, but the effects are different. When the string is positioned in the low catch  1511  ( FIGS. 18 and 19 ), pulling the pitch changer  1510  results in reduced tension of the spring. The compression spring  3670  pushes the changer  1510  back against the stop plate  1530  when the pull is released. Conversely, pulling the pitch changer  1510  when the string is in the high catch  1511  ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ) increase the tension of the string. The tension of the string will pull the changer  1510  back to the stop plate  1530  upon release of the tension. 
     Other features will be understood with reference to the drawings. While various embodiments of the method and apparatus have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams might depict an example of an architectural or other configuration for the disclosed method and apparatus, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that might be included in the method and apparatus. The disclosed method and apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features might be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations might be implemented to implement the desired features of the disclosed method and apparatus. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein might be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise. 
     Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. 
     Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.