Patent Publication Number: US-11035637-B2

Title: Firearm suppressor

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Firearms can produce undesirable levels of acoustic noise during use. When using a firearm, for example, it can be desirable to reduce acoustic noise levels because the sound produced by firing the firearm can provide information as to the location of a firearm operator and/or can damage or impair the hearing of the operator or bystanders. To reduce acoustic noise levels, sound reducing devices such as sound suppressors, mufflers, and the like are commonly used. Suppressors typically operate through diverting gases and energy into chambers surrounding a bore line of the device. A wide variety of chamber designs and baffles have been used to redirect gases. Common suppressor baffles include a series of forward expanding frustoconical shapes which divert a portion of gases away from the bore line. Despite improvements and refinements in suppressor designs, numerous problems remain which reduce performance of the suppressors and accompanying firearms. For example, most suppressors result in a reduced muzzle velocity, changed point of projectile impact, substantial weight increase, and other factors which limit their desirability in certain applications. 
     SUMMARY 
     Thus, there is a need for a firearm suppressor capable of reducing acoustic noise levels produced by a firearm while having a minimal effect on a speed and/or trajectory of a projectile. Accordingly, a firearm suppressor and associated systems are provided which provides improved performance. Such a firearm suppressor can comprise an outer shell, and a suppressor core disposed inside the outer shell. The suppressor core can have a projectile passageway for a projectile from a firearm to travel through. The projectile passageway can extend along a longitudinal axis or boreline. The suppressor core can also include a central support rib disposed along the longitudinal axis. In addition, the suppressor core can include a first baffle and a second baffle spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and supported by the central support rib. The first and second baffles can be oriented at different angles from one another. The first and second baffles and the central support rib can at least partially define the projectile passageway. The first and second baffles and the central support rib can also at least partially form two different sized expansion chambers on opposite sides of the central support rib in fluid communication with the projectile passageway to receive discharge gases associated with the projectile. 
     Furthermore, a firearm suppressor core in accordance with the principles herein can comprise a projectile passageway for a projectile from a firearm to travel through. The projectile passageway can extend along a longitudinal axis. The firearm suppressor core can also comprise a central support rib disposed along the longitudinal axis. Additionally, the firearm suppressor core can comprise a first baffle and a second baffle spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and supported by the central support rib. The first and second baffles can be oriented at different angles from one another. The first and second baffles and the central support rib can at least partially define the projectile passageway. The first and second baffles and the central support rib can also at least partially form two different sized expansion chambers on opposite sides of the central support rib in fluid communication with the projectile passageway to receive discharge gases associated with the projectile. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a firearm suppressor system including a firearm suppressor mounted on a corresponding firearm, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views of the firearm suppressor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the firearm suppressor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a suppressor core of the firearm suppressor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a left side view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5B  is a right side view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5C  is a top view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5D  is a bottom view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5E  is a back (attachment) end view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5F  is a front (discharge) end view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a suppressor core of a firearm suppressor in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7A  is a left side view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7B  is a right side view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7C  is a top view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7D  is a bottom view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7E  is a cross-sectional view of the suppressor core of  FIG. 6  including an over-barrel expansion chamber in accordance with another example of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     These figures are provided merely for convenience in describing specific embodiments of the invention. Alteration in dimension, materials, and the like, including substitution, elimination, or addition of components can also be made consistent with the following description and associated claims. Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to certain examples, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. Examples discussed herein set forth firearm suppressor and associated systems that can reduce acoustic noise levels produced by a firearm while having a minimal effect on a speed and/or trajectory of a bullet or projectile. 
     With the general embodiments set forth above, it is noted that when describing a firearm suppressor, or the related method, each of these descriptions are considered applicable to the other, whether or not they are explicitly discussed in the context of that embodiment. For example, in discussing the firearm suppressor per se, the system and/or method embodiments are also included in such discussions, and vice versa. 
     It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a chamber” includes one or more of such outer chambers and reference to “a baffle” includes one or more of such baffles. 
     Also, it is noted that various modifications and combinations can be derived from the present disclosure and illustrations, and as such, the following figures should not be considered limiting. 
     In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below. 
     As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. 
     As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures or elements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent” may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near or close to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context. 
     As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. 
     Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims unless otherwise stated. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plus function are expressly recited in the description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given herein. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a firearm suppressor system  100 . In accordance with one example of the present disclosure, the firearm suppressor system  100  can comprise a firearm  102  and a firearm suppressor  101  coupled to a muzzle end  103  of the firearm, from which a projectile, such as a bullet, and discharge gases exit the firearm upon firing. As described herein, the firearm suppressor  101  can at least temporarily trap discharge gases from the firing of a projectile and divert away from the projectile&#39;s path to reduce or prevent alteration of a trajectory or a speed of the projectile by the discharge gases. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIGS. 2A-3  illustrate the firearm suppressor  101  separate from the firearm  102 .  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show perspective views of the firearm suppressor  101  and  FIG. 3  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the firearm suppressor  101 . The firearm suppressor  101  can include an outer shell  110  and a suppressor core or insert  120  ( FIG. 3 ) disposed within the outer shell  110 . An entrance end  111  of the firearm suppressor  101  can receive the muzzle end  103  of the firearm  102  and a projectile can exit the firearm suppressor  101  via an exit end  112  opposite the entrance end  111 . The firearm suppressor  101  can include a coupling feature  113  ( FIG. 3 ) adapted to couple with a mating coupling feature of the firearm  102 . The coupling feature can be any mechanism which secures the suppressor to the muzzle end of the firearm in longitudinal alignment. The coupling feature can be a threaded coupling although other coupling mechanisms can also be used such as, but not limited to, locking detents, channel-groove interface, cam and groove couplings, and the like. End caps  115 ,  116  can secure internal components (e.g., the suppressor core  120 ) within the outer shell  110 . The end caps  115 ,  116  and the outer shell  110  can include any suitable coupling feature, such as threaded interfaces, to facilitate removably coupling the end caps  115 ,  116  and the outer shell  110 . In some embodiments, the end caps  115 ,  116  can be permanently attached to the outer shell  110 , such as via a weld. The end cap  115  can have an aperture or opening  117  configured to receive the muzzle end  103  of the firearm  102  to facilitate coupling the firearm suppressor  101  to the firearm  102 . The end cap  116  can have an aperture or opening  118  configured to allow the projectile to pass through upon exiting the firearm suppressor  101 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-3 ,  FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective of a suppressor core  120  in accordance with an example of the present disclosure, which can be disposed in the outer shell  110  of the firearm suppressor  101 . Various other views of the suppressor core  120  are shown in  FIGS. 5A-5F . The outer shell  110  can be sized to receive the suppressor core  120  such that an inner surface  119  of the outer shell  110  can be in contact with the suppressor core  120 . The suppressor core  120  can be adapted to be a permanent fixture within the outer shell  110  or exchangeable for another suppressor core to accommodate a range of firearm calibers and allow for cleaning of the suppressor core. For example, the suppressor core  120  can be adapted to accommodate a range of firearm calibers (e.g. 5.56 mm, 6.8 mm, 7.62 mm, 5.45 mm, and the like). Thus, the suppressor core  120  can be used as an exchangeable component of the firearm suppressor  101  or as a permanent fixture of the firearm suppressor  101 . The end cap  116  is shown associated with the suppressor core  120 . The end cap  116  and the suppressor core  120  can be separate components or integrally formed as a monolithic (i.e., single unitary) component. 
     In one aspect, the entire suppressor core  120  can comprise a monolithic (i.e., single unitary) component, such as a single component manufactured from a single piece of stock material, which can increase longevity and reliability of the suppressor core  120 . It should be recognized, however, that the suppressor core  120  can be constructed in any suitable manner and can include any number of individual components or elements. The suppressor core  120  can be made from any suitable material, such as carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, steel, stainless steel, and the like. High temperature metal alloys such as, but not limited to, STELLITE, INCONEL, KOVAR, MONEL, and other high temperature alloys, or high nickel alloys can also be suitable. 
     The suppressor core  120  can include a projectile passageway  121  for a projectile from the firearm  102  to travel through. The projectile passageway  121  can extend along a longitudinal axis  104  of the firearm suppressor  101 . The suppressor core  120  can also include baffles  122 - 125  spaced apart along the longitudinal axis  104 . In addition, the suppressor core  120  can include a central support rib  126  disposed along the longitudinal axis  104 . The baffles  122 - 125  can be supported by the central support rib  126 . The baffles  122 - 125  and the central support rib  126  can at least partially define the projectile passageway  121 . The suppressor core  120  can also include outer support ribs  127 ,  128  on opposite sides of the central support rib  126  coupled to radially outermost portions of the baffles  122 - 125 . 
     In one aspect, the projectile passageway  121  can comprise a cylindrical configuration. In some embodiments, the cylindrical configuration can comprise a circular cross section, although any suitable cross-section can be incorporated. The projectile passageway  121  can exhibit a constant diameter along the longitudinal axis  104  of the firearm suppressor  101 . The size of the projectile passageway  121  can be sized sufficiently large enough and free of obstructions so that a projectile may travel without impediment through the suppressor core  120 . The size of the projectile passageway  121  can vary depending on the caliber of the firearm  102 . For example, the larger the caliber of the firearm  102 , the larger the projectile passageway  121 . As a general guideline, the inner diameter of the projectile passageway  121  can be from 10% to 30% larger than an outer diameter of the corresponding projectile. 
     The baffles  122 - 125 , the central support rib  126 , and the outer support ribs  127 ,  128  of the suppressor core  120  can at least partially form expansion chambers  130   a - b ,  131   a - b ,  132   a - b ,  133   a - b  isolated from one another, but in fluid communication with the projectile passageway  121  to receive discharge gases associated with the projectile. The baffles  122 - 125  can be solid partitions with apertures for the projectile passageway  121 . The baffles  122 - 125  can form a forward boundary of one expansion chamber and can also form a rearward boundary of an adjacent expansion chamber. The expansion chambers  130   a - b ,  131   a - b ,  132   a - b ,  133   a - b  can be in fluid communication with the projectile passageway  121  via longitudinal openings  114   a - d  in the central support rib  126 . It should be recognized that the suppressor core  120  can include any number of expansion chambers. 
     The outer shell  110  can also serve to form the expansion chambers  130   a - b ,  131   a - b ,  132   a - b ,  133   a - b . The outer shell  110  (i.e. outer cylindrical casing) and the baffles  122 - 125  can be disposed and formed such that outer perimeters of the baffles  122 - 125  meet the inner surface  119  of the outer shell  110  to form outer peripheral boundaries of the expansion chambers  130   a - b ,  131   a - b ,  132   a - b ,  133   a - b . For example, the baffles  122 - 125  can include curved periphery edge profiles that are configured to match the curvature of the inner surface  119  of the outer shell  110 . The baffles  122 - 125  can contact the outer shell  110  so that discharge gasses can only flow through the projectile passageway  121  to move through the suppressor core  120 . 
     The expansion chambers  130   a ,  131   a ,  132   a , and  133   a  are on opposite sides of the central support rib  126  from the expansion chambers  130   b ,  131   b ,  132   b , and  133   b . The baffles  123 - 125  can be slanted or angled such that the expansion chambers opposite one another about the central support rib  126  have different sizes or asymmetry (i.e., in reflection) about the central support rib  126 . For example, the baffles  123 ,  124  forming chambers  131   a ,  131   b  can be oriented at different angles  143 ,  144  relative to the longitudinal axis  104  from one another. For example, the angle  143  can be less than 90 degrees and the angle  144  can be greater than 90 degrees. As a general rule, the angle  143  can range from about 60° to 88°, and most often from 75 to 85°. Supplementary angle  144  can thus range from 120° to 92°, and most often from 105 to 95°. In one aspect, the baffles  123 ,  124  can be oppositely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis  104 . For example, a supplementary angle  144 ′ to angle  144  can be equal to the angle  143 , but oriented opposite the angle  143  relative to the longitudinal axis  104 . Radially outermost ends of the baffles  122 - 125  can be spaced from each other. The result is a relatively smaller trapezoidal shaped chamber  131   a  and a relatively larger trapezoidal shaped chamber  131   b  radially opposite one another as a differential trapezoidal chamber pair. 
     In addition, the baffle  125  can be oriented at an angle  145  relative to the longitudinal axis  104 . In some embodiments, the angles  143 ,  145  can be equal, thus orienting the baffles  123 ,  125  at the same angle. The slant or angle direction of the baffles  123 - 125  can alternate sequentially along the longitudinal axis  104 . As a result, not only can the size of expansion chambers opposite one another about the central support rib  126  differ, but the sizes of the expansion chambers  131   a ,  132   a ,  133   a  and the expansion chambers  131   b ,  132   b ,  133   b  on a same side of the central support rib  126  can alternate between relatively small and large along the longitudinal axis  104 . Alternating chamber slant angles along a longitudinal direction allows for a substantially reduced resonant affect as projectiles pass along the suppressor. Accordingly, the projectile speed and trajectory (e.g. yaw) with respect to the longitudinal axis can be stabilized and adverse effects can be reduced. 
     In one aspect, the expansion chambers  130   a - b ,  131   a - b ,  132   a - b ,  133   a - b  are fluidly isolated from one another, except via the openings  114   a - d  of each expansion chamber in the central support rib  126  that fluidly couple the expansion chambers to the projectile passageway  121 . Thus, discharge gases that enter the expansion chambers can be trapped, at least temporarily, in the expansion chambers, only exiting the expansion chambers through the openings in which the gases entered each expansion chamber. One benefit of this configuration can be little or no alteration of a trajectory or a speed of the projectile by the discharge gases, which can be diverted away from the projectile by the baffle structures described herein. In addition, the differently sized or asymmetric expansion chamber pairs isolated by, and opposite one another about, the central support rib  126  can slow down and cool the discharge gas flow as well as minimize or cancel out resonance, which can reduce the noise of gun shots. Discharge gases from conventional prior art suppressors often causes resonance, which can alter the bullet&#39;s speed and trajectory as well as negatively impact sound suppression. The asymmetric expansion chamber pairs of the present invention can substantially reduce such negative resonant effects. The central support rib  126  not only isolates expansion chambers, but can also be configured to provide increased strength and structural integrity for the suppressor core  120 , which can enable other features (e.g., baffles and walls) to be thinner thereby increasing expansion chamber size and/or reducing weight and improving reliability. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the firearm suppressor  101  can include an over-barrel sleeve  150  configured to fit radially outward of a barrel of the firearm  102 . The over-barrel sleeve  150  can at least partially form or define, along with the outer shell  110 , an over-barrel expansion chamber  151 . In one aspect, the baffle  122  can be configured to direct a portion of the discharge gasses rearward into the over-barrel expansion chamber  151 , such as with rearwardly curved or angled radially outward portions  152  adjacent and coupled to the outer ribs  127 ,  128 . With its relatively large volume, the over-barrel expansion chamber  151  may serve as a primary expansion chamber. In some embodiments, the over-barrel expansion chamber  151  can include one or more baffles (not shown) to capture discharge gas in the chamber  151 . 
     In one aspect, the suppressor core  120  can have an entrance portion  129  adapted to facilitate coupling (e.g., via the coupling feature  113 ) the suppressor core  120 , and therefore the suppressor  101 , to the firearm  102 . The over-barrel sleeve  150  can be removably coupleable with the entrance portion  129  or integrally formed as a monolithic structure with the suppressor core  120 . The over-barrel sleeve  150  can be configured such that a gap is maintained between the firearm barrel and the over-barrel sleeve  150 . The over-barrel expansion chamber  151  can have substantial overlap with a muzzle and/or a barrel of the firearm  102  when coupled to the muzzle end of the firearm. Although the over-barrel expansion chamber  151  can extend over the barrel any length, lengths often run from 1 to 16 inches, and in some cases 4 to 9 inches. 
     The increased volume provided by the enlarged over-barrel expansion chamber  151 , compared to that of a firearm suppressor with no over-barrel chamber, can accumulate and/or accommodate a higher volume of discharge gases to ensure that enough discharge gases are diverted away from and behind the projectile so that speed and/or trajectory of the projectile are not affected by the firearm suppressor and additional acoustic suppression can be obtained. Such a configuration may be beneficial for higher powered bullets, which typically produce more discharge gases than smaller, less powerful bullets. Although the illustrated firearm suppressor embodiment includes an over-barrel expansion chamber, it should be recognized that some embodiments of firearm suppressors may not include over-barrel expansion chambers. In such cases, the suppressor can include a rear end cap which is generally coplanar with the entrance portion  129  of the suppressor core  120  and which mates with the corresponding outer housing. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective of a suppressor core  220  in accordance with an example of the present disclosure, which can be disposed in an outer shell of a firearm suppressor as disclosed herein. Various other views of the suppressor core  220  are shown in  FIGS. 7A-7D , although primary reference is made to  FIGS. 6 and 7A . The suppressor core  220  is similar in many respects to the suppressor core  120  discussed above. In this case, the suppressor core  220  includes secondary baffles  260   a ,  261   a ,  262   a ,  262   a ′,  263   a ,  260   b ,  261   b ,  261   b ′,  262   b ,  263   b  disposed in one or more expansion chambers  230   a - b ,  231   a - b ,  232   a - b ,  233   a - b . The secondary baffles can be of any suitable size and can have any suitable configuration. In addition, any number of secondary baffles can be included in an expansion chamber. In some embodiments, the relative size and/or configuration of the secondary baffles and the expansion chambers can influence the number of secondary baffles in a given expansion chamber. For example, two secondary baffles  262   a ,  262   a ′ and  261   b ,  261   b ′ can be disposed in the respective expansion chambers  232   a ,  231   b , which are relatively large compared to the smaller expansion chambers  232   b ,  231   a . One (e.g., only a single) secondary baffle  261   a ,  262   b  can be disposed in the smaller expansion chambers  231   a ,  232   b , respectively. In addition, one (e.g., only a single) secondary baffle  260   a ,  263   a ,  260   b ,  263   b  can be disposed in respective expansion chambers  230   a ,  233   a ,  230   b ,  233   b.    
     In one aspect, the secondary baffles can be supported by baffles  223 - 225 . For example, the secondary baffles  262   a ,  262   a ′ disposed in larger expansion chamber  232   a  can be supported by both baffles  224 ,  224  forming the expansion chamber  232   a , and the secondary baffles  261   b ,  261   b ′ disposed in larger expansion chamber  231   b  can be supported by both baffles  223 ,  224  forming the expansion chamber  231   b . The secondary baffles  260   a ,  261   a ,  260   b ,  262   b  disposed in the smaller expansion chambers  230   a ,  231   a ,  230   b ,  232   b  can be supported by the baffle  223 ,  224 ,  223 ,  225  forming the respective expansion chambers  230   a ,  231   a ,  230   b ,  232   b  that is located toward the exit or distal end of the suppressor. Thus, the secondary baffles  260   a ,  261   a ,  260   b ,  262   b  disposed in the smaller expansion chambers  230   a ,  231   a ,  230   b ,  232   b  can extend opposite a direction of travel of the projectile. In some embodiments, secondary baffles  263   a - b  can be supported by and extending from an end cap  216 . In addition, the secondary baffles can include curved transition surfaces to blend or smooth a transition between the secondary baffles and the supporting baffles and/or end cap. 
     The secondary baffles  260   a ,  261   a ,  262   a ,  262   a ′,  263   a ,  260   b ,  261   b ,  261   b ′,  262   b ,  263   b  can each be oriented at an angle  246 ,  247  relative to a longitudinal axis  204  of the firearm suppressor. The angles  246 ,  247  can range from about 20° to 45°, and most often from 25° to 35°. Oppositely extending secondary baffles be oriented at the same or different angles  246 ,  247  within each chamber. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the secondary baffles  261   a ,  262   a  extend in generally opposite directions within each chamber. The angles  246 ,  247  are equal and therefore the secondary baffles  261   a ,  262   a  can be parallel to one another. 
     In one aspect, the secondary baffles  260   a ,  261   a ,  262   a ,  262   a ′,  263   a ,  260   b ,  261   b ,  261   b ′,  262   b ,  263   b  may be laterally spaced or separated from an outer shell (not shown) disposed about the suppressor core  220 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the secondary baffles may not extend to an outer periphery of the suppressor core. In other words, the secondary baffles are not laterally coextensive with the baffles  222 - 225  and/or end cap  216  such that lateral spaces or gaps are present in the expansion chambers between side walls of the secondary baffles and lateral sides of the expansion chambers formed by an outer shell. 
       FIG. 7E  shows a cross-sectional view of the suppressor core  220  having an over-barrel expansion chamber  270  similar to the configuration outlined with respect to  FIG. 3 . More specifically, the over-barrel expansion chamber  270  can extend rearwardly and radially about the barrel of the firearm. The suppressor core  220  can be mounted to a muzzle end of a firearm via a complimentary muzzle coupling  272 . As such, the over-barrel expansion chamber can be suspended about the barrel without contacting outer surfaces of the barrel. Gases following a projectile can first enter the over-barrel expansion chamber  270  via a preliminary expansion region  274  adjacent the boreline. This region is shaped to direct gases rearward into the over-barrel expansion chamber  270 . 
     It is to be understood that the above-referenced embodiments are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.