Patent Publication Number: US-2022225567-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for mounting a flail mower

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/139,547, filed Jan. 20, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to tractor mounted implements. More particularly, in one example, the present disclosure relates to a mounting frame and assembly for tractor mounted implements carried in front of a tractor. Specifically, in another example, the present disclosure relates to a mounting assembly operable to connect an implement to the forward end of a tractor while allowing for lateral pivoting of the implement about a longitudinal pivot axis. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tractors are commonly used in many areas including agricultural, landscaping, snow-clearing, and other similar lines of work, and in both residential and commercial applications. Often, these tractors carry or are otherwise connected to one or more implements on the forward end and/or the rearward end thereof. Some examples of tractor mounted implements can include plows, earth engaging equipment, power brushes, mower attachments, and/or other similar landscaping and/or maintenance-type attachments. As used in smaller applications, such as residential and/or small commercial applications, tractors are particularly useful for mowing, other landscape maintenance, snow removal, and/or surface cleaning and preparation applications. 
     One of the more common uses of a tractor mounted implement is the use of a mowing attachment such as a flail mower or the like, which may be connected to a forward end of a tractor and driven by the tractor over an area to be mowed. These implements may vary in size and operation; however, it is common to use such implements over uneven or sloped terrains. 
     Typically, a forward-mounted tractor implement such as a flail mower includes a series of wheels and/or ground engaging skids to allow the implement to track the ground surface. When operated on a flat surface, these wheels and/or skids help support the implement at a proper operational height. When used with a mowing implement, this can help keep the cut of the associated landscaping at a substantially even height, thus providing a uniform appearance and allowing for regular maintenance. 
     When operated on uneven or sloped terrain; however, the use of wheels, and/or skids may cause an uneven operation of the associated implement. Where the implement is a mower, for example, this may result in an uneven cut and or further damage to the terrain. Typically, the issue arises in that the wheels and/or skids of the implement that track the ground may cause the implement to move or bounce as the slope and condition of the terrain changes. Alternatively, the implement may ride on one edge thus raising the opposite side off of the ground. For example, when utilizing a mowing implement on sloped terrain, current attachment assemblies maintain the mowing attachment in a level configuration. Where one side is in contact with a ground surface, such as on the high side of the terrain, that side of the mower may cut closer to the ground surface. On the opposite side, the mower may cut at a higher length, or on larger slopes, may disconnect from the ground surface entirely, Thus, on the high side of the slope, the vegetation to be cut too short and the mower may contact the ground surface, which may further damage the ground or the mowing attachment. At the same time, on the low side of the slope, the vegetation may be left too long, or may not be cut at all. 
     Current solutions typically involve various applications of shocks, springs, or the like to allow some vertical movement of the tractor implement as the implement is operated over uneven terrain. Other times, the attachment between the implement and the tractor is intentionally loosened or not fully secured to allow some play in the attachment mechanism, again, with the purpose of allowing some vertical movement of the implement. In both instances, these current solutions fall short as in they are inconsistent, and in the instance of loosened attachment points, may be dangerous to an operator, bystanders, and/or property as the loose attachment may cause failure and/or injury. Further, the addition of shocks, springs and other similar measures increase the cost, maintenance requirements, and probability of failure during operation while only minimally addressing these issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure addresses these and other issues by providing a method and apparatus for attaching a forward-mounted implement that may allow pivotal movement of the implement around a longitudinal axis to better maintain proper operational height when operating on uneven or sloped terrain. Further provided, the attachment mechanism of the present disclosure may allow for a secure and safe attachment to an associated tractor or other similar vehicle while simultaneously providing for a reduced production cost and less maintenance requirements. 
     In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide an attachment frame for a tractor mounted implement comprising: a first side member operable to connect to a frame of a tractor; a second side member spaced laterally apart from the first side member operable to connect to the frame of the tractor; a first cross member disposed between the first and second side member; and a second cross member forward of and connected to the first cross member operable to connect an implement to the first cross member, wherein the second cross member and the implement are rotatable relative to the first cross member about a longitudinal axis defined by a longitudinal centerline of the attachment frame. 
     In another aspect, and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method of maintaining a level orientation of an implement relative to a ground surface comprising: traversing a ground surface in a first condition with a tractor carrying an implement thereon; traversing the ground surface in a second condition with the tractor and implement; rotating the implement about a longitudinal axis defined by a centerline of an attachment frame connecting the implement to the tractor from a first position wherein the implement is generally horizontal relative to a cross member of the attachment frame to a second position wherein the implement is angled relative to the cross member of the attachment frame in response to the change of the ground surface from the first condition to the second condition; and biasing the implement back to the first position with a spring assembly when the level of the ground surface reverts to the first condition. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  ( FIG. 1 ) is a side elevation view of a tractor and a forwardly-mounted implement utilizing an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  ( FIG. 2 ) is a top right side isometric perspective view of an implement and attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  ( FIG. 3 ) is a top right isometric perspective close-up view of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  ( FIG. 4 ) is an overhead plan view of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  ( FIG. 5 ) is a bottom plan view of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  ( FIG. 6 ) is a right side elevation view looking in the direction of the line indicated in  FIG. 4  according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  ( FIG. 7 ) is a right side elevation cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the line indicated in  FIG. 4  according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  ( FIG. 8 ) is a right side elevation cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the line indicated in  FIG. 4  according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  ( FIG. 9 ) is a rear elevation cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the line indicated in  FIG. 4  according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10A  ( FIG. 10A ) is a rear partial cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the line indicated in  FIG. 4  according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10B  ( FIG. 10B ) is a rear cross-sectional operational view of a pivot assembly of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11A  ( FIG. 11A ) is a rear elevation operational view of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11B  ( FIG. 11B ) is a rear cross-sectional operational view of a pivot assembly of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11C  ( FIG. 11C ) is a left side elevation operational view of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12A  ( FIG. 12A ) is a rear elevation operational view of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12B  ( FIG. 12B ) is a rear cross-sectional operational view of a pivot assembly of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12C  ( FIG. 12C ) is a left side elevation operational view of an attachment mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an attachment for connecting a forward-driven implement to a tractor is shown and generally indicated at  10 . At its most basic, the attachment system  10  includes an implement  12  connected to a tractor  14  using an attachment frame assembly  16 . 
     With references to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , implement  12  may be any implement  12  suitable for connection to a tractor, and although depicted and described herein as a front-driven implement, implement  12  may likewise be attached to a tractor  14  in any suitable position according to the desired implementation. For simplicity and clarity in the disclosure, implement  12  will be described generally as a flail mower; however, the attachment frame assembly  16  may be utilized with any suitable implement as will become apparent herein. 
     Implement  12  may include at least one ground-engaging member, which may be a wheel, a skid, a ski, or other suitable ground-engaging devices. Such ground-engaging surfaces are depicted and referenced herein as wheels  18  and skids  20 . Collectively, these ground-engaging members may define the operational height of implement  12  as discussed further herein. Where implement  12  is a flail mower, wheels  18  and/or skids  20  may be adjusted to set the cut height of the mower, aka the height at which vegetation will be cut by the blades of the flail mower. 
     Implement  12  may further include a body  22  which may house one or more operational aspects of the implement. For example, where implement  12  is a flail mower, body  22  may house the blades, axles, and/or various drive and operational components. Implement  12  may further include a power system  24  which may be or include a power take-off (PTO) system  24 . PTO  24  may further include a driveshaft  26  and other standard drive components, generally indicated at  28 . PTO  24  may be powered via connection to one or more systems carried by tractor  14  according to the desired implementation. According to one aspect, PTO  24  may be powered by a belt-driven system, generally shown at reference  30  in  FIG. 2 . According to another aspect, PTO  24  may be chain-driven, hydraulically powered or may utilize any other suitable power transfer system as dictated by the desired implementation. According to another aspect, PTO  24  may be connected to a separate motor, such as a motor carried by implement  12 , to power suitable aspects of implement  12 , again as dictated by the desired implementation. 
     Implement  12  may further include one or more frame components generally indicated at  32  and may further include one or more adjustment mechanisms indicated generally at  34 . It will be understood that these components, namely, frame components  32  and/or adjustment mechanisms  34 , may vary depending on the type, size, and/or desired operation of implement  12  and may be configured or constructed according to known configurations and/or operation as dictated by the desired implementation and the particulars of any specific implement  12  employed with attachment system  10 . It will be further understood that the adjustment mechanisms  34  may include one or more different types of adjustment mechanisms  34  that may allow for any suitable adjustments to implement as desired. According to one non-limiting example, adjustment mechanisms  34  may include operational height adjustment mechanisms as well as any suitable or desired adjustment system to raise or lower implement  12  from a stowed position to a deployed position and vice versa. Adjustment mechanisms  34  are therefore contemplated to include any suitable frame members, attachment mechanisms or fasteners, support members or structures, as well as any necessary and/or suitable adjustment means such as hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic actuators or the like. For purposes of clarity and simplicity in this disclosure, adjustment mechanisms  34  are understood to be included and operate according to known principles and will be omitted from further discussion herein unless specifically stated otherwise. Further, some structures and components described below may include mounting or attachment points for adjustment mechanisms  34  as needed, and will be omitted from discussion for clarity. It will be understood that these mounting and/or attachment points may be modified as necessary. 
     Frame components  32  of implement  12  may connect or otherwise secure implement  12  to the attachment frame assembly  16 , which will be discussed in further detail below. Generally, frame components  32  may include any necessary or desired elements to support implement  12  and its various elements, and may vary in size, type, configuration, placement, and connection as dictated by the type of implement  12  used and the operational and structural needs thereof. Accordingly, as discussed herein, frame components  32  of implement  12  are discussed generally and attachment of other components thereto and removal therefrom may be accomplished by any suitable means, unless specifically stated otherwise. 
     Tractor  14  is shown in  FIG. 1  and generally referenced as a tractor; however, it will be understood that tractor  14  may be any suitable powered vehicle capable of supporting, powering, and/or moving an implement  12  as discussed herein. According to a few non-limiting examples, tractor  14  may be a lawn tractor, a landscape tractor, a skid steer, a truck, an ATV or UTV, or any other suitable vehicle. Tractor  14  may further include a tractor frame  35  including one or more frame components operable to connect to attachment frame assembly  16  as discussed further herein. The components of tractor frame  35  may be standard components and include any suitable members for operable connection to a forward implement. It will be understood that the connection between tractor frame  35  and attachment frame assembly  16  may be accomplished through any suitable or desired means. Accordingly, reference to tractor frame  35  will be understood to include any suitable components for operable connection to the elements and components of attachment frame assembly  16 , unless specifically stated otherwise. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-9 , attachment frame assembly  16  is shown and will be described in more detail. At its most basic, attachment frame assembly  16  may provide several advantages which will be discussed further with regards to the operation thereof. 
     Attachment frame assembly  16  may generally include three sections, namely, the mount frame section, or mount frame  36 , pivot assemblies  38 , and spring assembly  40 . Mount frame  36  may have a first side member  42  spaced apart from a second side member  44  and defining therebetween a transverse direction. Mount frame  36  may further include a first cross member  46 , an upper transverse support  48  and a lower transverse support  50 . Upper transverse support  48  may be spaced apart from lower transverse support  50  and may define a vertical direction therebetween. Mount frame  36  may further include a second cross member  52  which may be generally parallel to first cross member  46  and may extend transversely between the outermost edges or sides of implement  12  as discussed further herein. First and second cross member  46  may be pivotally connected to each other as discussed further below. 
     Attachment frame assembly  16  may be generally symmetrical about a center line indicated in  FIG. 3  as line C, which may extend longitudinally through a midpoint of attachment frame assembly  16 , except for spring assembly  40 , which may be positioned to one side of attachment frame assembly  16  without a counterpart on the opposite side. Attachment frame assembly  16  may be symmetrical about center line C in that a first side thereof may be a mirror image to a second side thereof, again excluding spring assembly  40 . Accordingly, where features or components are substantially similar or identical to their opposite side counterpart, such components will be similarly numbered with the reference letter A (referring to the first side which may be defined as the left side as oriented in  FIG. 3 ) or with the reference letter B (referring to the second side which may be defined as the right side as oriented in  FIG. 3 ). For example, first side member  42  may have a rear arm  54 A while second side member  44  may likewise have a rear arm  54 B. It will be understood that although first side is indicated and discussed herein as the left side and second side is indicated and discussed herein as the right side given that the majority of components are symmetrical and mirror imaged, either side of center line C could be designated the first or second side. For purposes of clarity, this disclosure will limit its discussion to components on the first side being to the left of center line C (as viewed by an operator of the tractor  14  and as oriented in  FIG. 3 ) and components on the second side being disposed on the right of center line C, unless specifically stated otherwise. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 3-9 , but as most easily seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , first and second side members  42 ,  44  include the rear arm  54 , which may generally define the rearward most portion of first and second side members  42 ,  44 , which may otherwise be understood to be the portion closest to tractor  14  and the portion that interacts with tractor frame  35 . Rear arm  54  may be spaced apart from a front arm  56  and may define generally therebetween a longitudinal direction, which may be substantially parallel to center line C and substantially parallel to the direction of travel for tractor  14  when connected to an implement  12  via attachment frame assembly  16 . Front arm  56  may extend forwardly and over second cross member  52  and may define a rotational maximum for second cross member  52  to prevent damage to implement  12  and to other components of attachment system  10 , as discussed further herein. According to one aspect, front arm  56  may allow for a maximum of thirty degrees of rotation to either the left or the right side relative to the horizontal plane P, as discussed below. 
     First and second side members  42  and  44  may have an outer face  58  which may be generally oriented away from center line C and may have an inner face  60  oriented towards the center line C of attachment frame assembly  16 . First and second side members  42  and  44  may further be oriented with front arm  56  at the top  62  of first and second side members  42  and  44 . First and second side members  42  and  44  may further include a lower portion, or bottom  64 , spaced vertically apart from top  62  which may include a lower pivot mount  66  for operational connection to lower pivot arms  116  as discussed further below. First and second side members  42  and  44  may be constructed of any suitable material including steel or other similar metals, or the like. 
     Second side member  44  may differ from first side member  42  in placement and orientation within frame  35 , but also in the inclusion of upper and lower spring assembly mounts  68  and  70 , respectively, for operational connection to second spring stop arm  152 , as discussed further below. The upper and lower spring assembly mounts  68 ,  70  may be omitted from first side member  42  when spring assembly  40  is oriented to the second side of center line C. It will be understood; however, that in applications and/or implementations with spring assembly  40  mounted to the left side of center line C or in applications and/or implementations with more than one spring assembly  40  employed, first side member  42  may be modified or otherwise provided with similar spring assembly mounts  68 ,  70  as dictated by the specific implementation thereof and as discussed further herein. 
     First and second side members  42  and  44  may further include a rear mounting slot  72  and mounting pins  74  for use in a standard connection with tractor frame  35  of tractor  14 . Both of first and second side members  42  and  44  may further include any shape or configuration for operation connection to the various components and need not be limited specifically to the configuration shown but instead may be modified according to the desired implementation. 
     First cross member  46  may extend laterally or transversely between first and second side members  42  and  44  and may include any suitable mounting hardware, as needed, to connect first cross member  46  to the inner faces  60 A and  60 B of first and second side members  42 ,  44 , as needed. According to one aspect, first cross member  46  may be welded to the inner faces  60 A,  60 B of side members  42 ,  44 . According to another aspect, first cross member  46  may be connected to side members  42  and  44  through any other suitable means, including but not limited to bolts, screws, rivets or the like. Alternatively, first cross member  46  may be integrally formed with first and second side members  42  and  44 . 
     According to one aspect, first cross member  46  may be tubular with a square cross section as depicted in  FIG. 8 . According to another aspect, first cross member  46  may be formed from multiple separate components and/or may be a single member with any suitable cross section. Where first cross member  46  is chosen as a tubular member having a square or substantially square cross section, first cross member  46  may include a top face  76  spaced vertically apart from a bottom face  78  and a rear face  80  spaced longitudinally apart from a front face  82 . 
     First cross member  46  may also include upper mounting flanges  84 A and  84 B extending upwards from top face  76 , with upper mounting flange  84 A just to the left of center line C and upper mounting flange  84 B disposed just to the right of center line C such that center line C may pass between upper mounting flanges  84 A and  84 B. Upper mounting flanges  84 A and  84 B may be affixed to one or more of top face  76 , front face  82 , and/or bottom face  78  of first cross member  46  and may provide an attachment point to center pivot linkage  106 , as discussed further below. 
     First cross member  46  may likewise include lower mounting arms  86 A and  86 B, which may extend downwards from bottom face  78  of first cross member for operational attachment to lower pivot mount  66 A and  66 B and lower pivot linkages  116 A and  116 B, as discussed further herein. 
     Upper and lower transverse supports  48  and  50  may be further connected to first cross member  46  and may extend between first and second side members  42  and  44  to provide support and additional structural integrity for first cross member  46  and first and second side members  42  and  44 . According to one aspect, upper transverse support  48  may extend rearwardly from first cross member  46  and may be affixed through welding, adhesives, or any suitable attachment means to the rear face  80  of first cross member  46  and may be substantially planar with the top face  76  of first cross member  46 . Upper support  48  may also be connected to or rest on top  62 A and  62 B of first and second side members  42  and  44 , or alternatively may be affixed or connected to infer faces  60 A and  60 B thereof. Upper support  48  may be affixed or connected to first and second side members  42 ,  44  through any suitable means including welding, adhesives, bolts, rivets, screws, or any other suitable attachment mechanism. 
     Similarly, lower transverse support  50  may extend rearwardly from first cross member  46  and may be generally planar with the bottom face  78  of first cross member  46 . As with upper support  48  and lower support  50  may be likewise affixed or otherwise attached to first and second side members  42  and  44  through any suitable means including welding, adhesives, bolts, rivets, screws, or any other suitable attachment mechanism. According to one aspect and as shown in the figures, upper and lower transverse supports  48  and  50  may be welded to first and second side members  42  and  44  and first cross member  46  which may include additional supports or welding points for structural integrity thereof. 
     Second cross member  52  may run substantially parallel to first cross member  46  and may likewise be formed as a tube having a square cross section. It will be similarly understood, however, that second cross member  52  may have any suitable shape and/or cross section. Second cross member  52  may be laterally symmetrical about center line C and may extend beyond the first and second side members  42  and  44 , extending out to the outermost edges of implement  12 . Where implement  12  is a flail mower, second cross member  52  may substantially define the back end of the flail mower. 
     Second cross member  52  may have a first end, which may be a left end, i.e. to the left of center line C and a second end, which may be a right end, for operational attachment to one or more frame components  32  of implement  12 . According to one aspect, second cross member  52  may attach to frame components through removable means, as best seen in  FIG. 2 , such as bolts or the like. According the another aspect, second cross member  52  may be more permanently attached to frame components  32  of implement  12  such that second cross member  52  could be considered to be one of the frame components  32  of implement  12  and may attach and detach from mount frame  36  or, more particularly, from first cross member  46  as discussed further herein. According to this aspect, each implement  12  to be utilized with this attachment system  10  may have a separate second cross member  52  attached to a rearward end therefrom for operable attachment to and detachment from frame  16  and first cross member  46 , as desired. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, second cross member  52  is depicted and described as a length of tubular steel having a square cross section (as best seen in  FIGS. 6-9 ) which, again, is intended as a non-limiting example. According to this aspect, second cross member  52  may therefore have a top face  88  spaced vertically apart from a bottom face  90  and a rear face  92  spaced longitudinally apart from a front face  94 . The length of cross member  52  may be determined based on the operational width of the implement  12  being used therewith and may vary according to the operational needs thereof. 
     Second cross member  52  may have upper mounting plates  96 A and  96 B, which may be affixed or attached to one or more of the top face  88 , bottom face  90 , and/or front face  94  of second cross member  52 . Upper mounting plates  96  may be sized and configured to operably connect to upper pivot assembly  102 , as discussed further below. Upper mounting plate  96 A may be the mounting plate to the left of center line C while upper mounting plate  96 B may be to the right of center line C. As best seen in  FIG. 3 , mounting plates  96 A and  96 B may be placed slightly further away from center line C than upper mounting flanges  84 A and  84 B of first cross member  46  such that mounting plates  96 A and  96 B are laterally outside of mounting flanges  84 A and  84 B. Mounting plates  96  may include a substantially U-shaped bracket  98  extending inwardly towards center line C which may further facilitate operable connection with upper pivot assembly  102 , as discussed below. Brackets  98  may extend inwardly towards center line C such that the bottom of the U-shaped bracket  98  provides a mounting plane which is parallel to and substantially planar to mounting flanges  84 A and  84 B. This substantially shared plane may allow for proper alignment of pivot assembly  102  components. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , second cross member  52  may further include lower mounting arms  100  similar to mounting arms  86  (extending downward from bottom face  90  thereof). Specifically, lower mounting arms  100  may be arranged in pairs and affixed to and extended downward from second cross member  52  for operational connection to lower pivot assemblies  104 A and  104 B, and may be affixed or otherwise attached to bottom face  90  of second cross member  52  through any suitable means such as welding, adhesive, or other similar attachment methods. 
     Included in attachment frame assembly  16  are three pivot assemblies  38  namely, upper pivot assembly  102  and two lower pivot assemblies  104 A and  104 B. As discussed below, pivot assemblies  38  may work in unison to allow pivotal movement of second cross member  52  relative to first cross member  46  about substantially central and longitudinal axis generally defined by center line C. This rotation about this longitudinal axis may allow implement  12  to have vertical and lateral movement relative to first cross member  46 . 
     Upper pivot assembly  102  may be best seen in  FIGS. 3, 4, and 9  and may include an upper pivot linkage  106  and an upper pivot ball  108 . Pivot linkage  106  may be a longitudinally extending plate that may be secured on a rearward end  110  between upper mounting flanges  84 A and  84 B and secured in place therein by any suitable means including by bolts  112 , as shown in the figures, or by any other suitable mechanism. According to another aspect, pivot linkage  106  may be welded and/or integrally formed with upper mounting flanges  84 A and  84 B as to constitute a single piece unit. Pivot linkage  106  may then extend forward and above second cross member  52  and may have a housing  107  formed in or fixed thereto that may contain upper pivot ball  108  therein. Housing  107  may be integrally formed with linkage  106 , or may alternatively be fixedly connected thereto via welding or any other suitable attachment mechanism. Therefore, as used herein, further reference to pivot linkage  106  is understood to include housing  107  therewith, unless specifically stated otherwise. Upper pivot ball  108  may then be aligned with brackets  98 A and  98 B and secured thereto with a pivot bolt  114 . Bolts  112  may differ from pivot bolts  114  in that bolts  112  may be designed or employed for securing two components together with no movement therebetween while pivot bolts  114  may be designed for securing a pivot ball such as upper pivot ball  108  or lower rear and front pivot balls  122  and  124  (discussed below) while not impeding or otherwise affecting the rotational movement thereof. 
     Upper pivot ball  108  may be a standard and commercially available hitch ball that may be secured within housing  107  in the pivot linkage  106  through known means including a tensioning screw or lock screw (not shown) or through any other suitable mechanism. According to one aspect, pivot ball  108  may be a ball joint commercially available from Danuser Machine Company or other similar type ball joints. Movement of pivot ball  108  within housing  107  of pivot linkage  106  may allow for partial rotational movement transverse to pivot linkage  106  and housing  107 , as discussed herein with reference to the movement of implement  12  and second cross member  52  relative to first cross member  46 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 3-9 , but as best seen in  FIGS. 5-9 , lower pivot assemblies  104 A and  104 B may be substantially similar to each other (but for their placement in mount frame  36 ) and may include a lower pivot linkage  116 , with  116 A representing the lower pivot linkage  116  to the left of center line C and connected to first side member  42  and with  116 B representing the lower pivot linkage  116  to the right of center line C and connected to second side member  44 . Lower pivot linkages  116 A and  116 B may be rigid or semi-rigid and may extend longitudinally from a rearward end  118  (closest to the tractor  14 ) to a forward end  120  (furthest from the tractor  14 ). Lower pivot linkages  116 A and  116 B may include a housing  117  at each end  118  and  120  thereof connecting linkages  116 A and  116 B to a lower rear pivot ball  122  and a lower front pivot ball  124 , respectively. As with linkage  106  and housing  107 , lower linkages  116 A and  116 B may be integrally formed with housings  117  at each end, or may alternatively be fixedly connected thereto via welding or any other suitable attachment mechanism. Similarly, as used herein, further reference to pivot linkages  116 A and  116 B are understood to include housings  117 , unless specifically stated otherwise. Rear and front pivot balls  122  and  124  may be substantially identical to each other and to upper pivot ball  108  of the upper pivot assembly  102  but for their location within pivot assemblies  38  and/or attachment frame assembly  16  overall. 
     Lower pivot linkages  116 A and  116 B may be sized such that rear pivot balls  122 A and  122 B may be aligned between the lower pivot mounts  66 A and  66 B of first and second side members  42  and  44  and the lower mounting arms  86 A and  86 B extending downward from first cross member  46 , as previously discussed herein. Rear pivot ball  122  and lower pivot linkage  116  may then be secured in position by pivot bolts, such as pivot bolts  114  or the like. 
     Similarly, lower pivot linkages  116 A and  116 B may extend forward such that the front pivot ball  124  may be aligned with and between lower mount arm pairs  100 A and  100 B extending downward from second cross member  52  and may be secured therein via pivot bolts  114 . This configuration, as best seen in  FIG. 5 , allows for pivot linkages  116  to be placed between first and second side members  42  and  44  closer to center line C while both allowing pivotal movement of second cross member  52  relative to first cross member  46  while also helping to support attachment frame assembly  16  for a more secure attachment between first and second cross members  46  and  52 . 
     Lower pivot linkages  116  may permit rotational movement of second cross member  52  and implement  12  as discussed further herein, but may further limit or prevent movement in other directions. For example, the rigid nature of lover linkages  116  may prevent front-to-back or side-to-side movement of second cross member  52  and implement  12 , while still allowing rotational movement about the pivot axis defined by centerline C, as discussed herein. 
     As previously discussed herein, the elements and components of attachment frame assembly  16  described up through this point in the disclosure may be generally symmetrical and/or mirror-imaged about center line C but for spring assembly  40 , which may be placed to one side of center line C. As depicted in the figures and discussed herein, spring assembly  40  may be located to the right of center line C, outside of second side member  44 . However, it will be understood that the positioning of spring assembly  40  could be reversed such that spring assembly  40  may be located to the left of center line C in a similar position outside of first side member  42 . According to another aspect, where desired or advantageous, a second spring assembly  40  may be provided such that two spring assemblies  40  may be employed to either side of center line C. Therefore, the following discussion of such spring assembly  40  may be understood to be applicable to any configuration including configurations with a single spring assembly  40  as disposed on either side of center line C, or in configurations employing more than one spring assemblies  40 . According to one aspect, where implement  12  includes a PTO system  24 , as shown in the figures, the weight of that PTO system  24  may be offset wholly or in part but the placement of spring assembly  40  on the opposite side of implement  12 . For example, where implement  12  is a flail mower having a PTO system  24  on the left side thereof, the placement of the spring assembly  40  on the right side thereof may further facilitate the weight balance about centerline C to keep implement level during transport and operation. 
     Spring assembly  40  may be, at its most basic, a biasing mechanism, which may bias the second cross member  52 , and therefore implement  12 , into a substantially level orientation wherein top face  88  of second cross member  52  is substantially coplanar with top face  76  of first cross member  46 . As discussed further below, in relation to the operation of attachment system  10 , the biasing force of spring assembly  40  ensures that rotational movement of second cross member  52  and thereby implement  12  only occurs when sufficient forces act upon implement  12  as to overcome the biasing force, thus reducing unwanted bouncing and/or unintentional rotation thereof. 
     Accordingly, spring assembly  40  may include an upper spring  126 , an upper spring mount  128 , a side plate  130 , a lower spring  132 , and a lower spring mount  134 , Upper and lower spring mounts  128 ,  134  may be connected to a spring mount plate  136 . 
     Upper spring  126  may be any suitable spring, such as a torsion spring, and may be coiled around a centrally located upper spring bolt  142 , which may substantially define a pivot axis about which upper spring  126  may rotate when force is applied. Upper spring mount  128  may further include an upper spring catch flange  138  which may interact with a first leg  140  of upper spring  126 . A second leg  144  of upper spring  126  may then extend rearwardly from the upper spring  126  coil and may interact with a top edge  146  of first spring stop arm  148  and a top edge  150  of second spring stop arm  152 . The combination of first and second spring stop arms  148 ,  150 , and the upper spring catch flange  138  may keep the legs  140 ,  144  of upper spring  126  under tension to provide downward biasing force to the second cross member  52  and implement  12 . This downward biasing force may be in the rotational direction opposite arrows AA, BB, and CC shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C . 
     Similarly, lower spring  132  may be any suitable spring, such as a torsion spring, and may be coiled around a centrally located lower spring bolt  158 , which may substantially define the pivot axis about which lower spring  132  may rotate when force is applied. Lower spring mount  134  may further include a lower spring catch flange  154  which may interact with a first leg  156  of lower spring  132 . A second leg  160  of lower spring  132  may then extend rearwardly from the lower spring  132  coil and may interact with a bottom edge  162  of first spring stop arm  148  and a bottom edge  164  of second spring stop arm  152 . The combination of first and second spring stop arms  148 ,  150 , and the lower spring catch flange  154  may keep the legs  156 ,  160  of lower spring  132  under tension to provide upward biasing force to the second cross member  52  and implement  12 . This upward biasing force may be in the rotational direction opposite arrows DD, EE, and FF shown in  FIGS. 12A-12C . 
     Spring assembly  40  may be carried by second cross member  52  such that side plate  130  and spring mount plate  136  may be welded or otherwise attached to one or more of top face  88 , rear face  92  and/or front face  94  of second cross member  52  for support thereof. Upper and lower spring bolts  142  and  158  may then be operable to connect upper spring mount  128 , lower spring mount  134  and spring mount plate  136  to side plate  130  while also extending through the coils of upper and lower springs  126  and  132  to secure upper and lower springs  126 ,  132  in position between the spring mounts  128 ,  134  and side plate  130 . Additional bolts or attachments may be provided to further secure spring assembly  40  together. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , additional bolts  112  may be employed to further secure spring mounts  128 ,  134  to spring mount plate  136 . 
     Side plate  130  may then extend rearwardly from second cross member  52  and may include first spring stop arm  148  thereon, such that side plate  130  and first spring stop arm  148  may form an integral unit. Other than second spring stop arm  152 , spring assembly  40  may be entirely disconnected from mount frame  36  and/or pivot assemblies  38  but for the interaction of upper and lower springs  126  and  132  with second spring stop arm  152 . Second spring stop arm  152  may be disconnected from the remainder of spring assembly  40  in that it may be attached to, or otherwise carried by, outer face  60 B of second side member  44  at the upper spring assembly stop mount  68  and lower spring assembly top mount  70 , as discussed previously herein. 
     As discussed further below in more detail, the interaction of second arm  144  of upper spring  126  and second arm  160  of lower spring  132  with first and second spring stop arms  148  and  152  may provide the aforementioned biasing force to attachment frame assembly  16 . 
     Having thus described the elements and components of attachment system  10 , the operation and advantages thereof will not be discussed. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10A  through  FIG. 12C , attachment system  10  is shown in various operational configurations. At its most basic, attachment system  10  provides a longitudinal pivot axis that is generally defined by the center line C of attachment frame assembly  16 . This central axis is parallel to and generally defines the direction of travel for tractor  14  with implement  12  and attachment frame assembly  16  connected thereto. 
     With current or previous systems, when tractor is operated on a substantially even or flat ground surface, an implement attached thereto would remain horizontally level and may follow the ground; however, in such prior systems, when the ground surface is uneven or slanted, these current implements maintain their level orientation relative to tractor, not relative to ground. Accordingly, when the ground surface is slanted or uneven, one side of an implement connected thereto may be operated at a different height relative to the ground surface, which may cause an uneven application of the implement. Where the implement is, as discussed herein, a flail mower (or other mowing attachment), this may result in uneven cut height and/or damage to the ground surface as the current systems do not allow for horizontal adjustment. According to one simplified example, where the ground surface is sloped downwards right to left from the perspective of the operator of the tractor, a current system would provide that the right of the implement would remain in contact with the ground surface while the left side may raise up and may no longer contact the ground surface. Accordingly, current systems either result in uneven application of the implement, or alternatively tend to require multiple passes from multiple angles on uneven or sloped terrain to achieve a uniform application and result. Multiple passes; however, require additional time, expense, and danger as the additional passes and angles increase the chance of an accident occurring due to the uneven terrain and the number of times that terrain must be traversed. 
     With the attachment system  10  of the present disclosure, an implement  12  may be operated to more closely follow or track the terrain on which it is being used to provide a more consistent and level application of the implement regardless of the level and/or slope of that terrain. 
     With reference then to  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B , when operated on a level and even surface, implement  12  may be generally maintained in a horizontal and level position by spring assembly  14 . This generally horizontal or level position may be a first position of the implement  12  and is based on the position of an imaginary midline M that laterally bisects first cross member  46 , as seen in the figures, to the ground surface  166  on which the implement  12  is being operated, and not relative to the tractor  14 . Specifically, the horizontal position is considered when the height H 1  of the midline M relative to the ground surface  166  on the left side of first cross member  46  is equal to height H 2  relative to the ground surface  166  on the right side thereof, as best seen in  FIG. 10A . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 10B , a horizontal axis A defined by pivot bolt  114  in upper pivot assembly  102  may be substantially parallel to the midline M of first cross member  46 . Further, the distance D 1  between the top face  88  of second cross member  52  and the forward arm  56 A of first side member  42  is equal to the distance D 2  between the top face  88  of second cross member  52  and the forward arm  56 B of second side member  44  when in this first position. 
     In the horizontal first position in particular, upper spring  126  may be positioned to provide biasing force on the top edges  146  and  150  of first and second spring stop arms  148  and  152 , respectively. This may maintain the top edges  146  and  150  in generally a level position wherein the top edges  146  and  150  are substantially positioned in the same plane. Likewise, lower spring  132  may provide biasing force to the bottom edges  162  and  164  of first and second spring stop arms  148  and  152 , respectively. Again, biasing these spring stop arms  148  and  152  into a position wherein the bottom edges  162  and  164  thereof are aligned and generally co-planar. Thus, in this position, both first and second cross members  46  and  52  are generally parallel and level relative to each other while upper pivot ball  108  is maintained in a generally level position. 
     With reference to  FIG. 11A  through  FIG. 11C , when the implement  12  is operated on a slope or on uneven ground wherein the right side (again from the perspective of the operator on tractor  14 ) is higher than the left side of implement, the ground surface may cause force to be applied to the right side wheel  18  and/or skids  20  of implement  12 , thus driving the right side up in the direction of arrow AA as seen in  FIG. 11A . In this configuration, the right side of implement  12  may be raised while causing the left side of implement  12  to be lower relative to the tractor  14 ; however, relative to the ground surface, the height H 1  of midline M of first cross member  46  is larger than height H 2 , thus providing that first cross member  46  is angled relative to the ground surface  166 , while second cross member  52  (and thereby implement  12 ) maintains contact with and is level relative to the ground surface  166 . Put another way, second cross member  52  and implement  12  track the ground surface while the first cross member  46  remains fixed relative to the tractor  14 . In this position, which may be a second position of the implement  12 , the second cross member  52  may likewise be angled relative to the first cross member  46 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 11B , horizontal axis A defined by pivot bolt  114  in upper pivot assembly  102  may now be angled in a first direction relative to midline M of first cross member  46 . This angle (represented by angle A 1  defined above plane P, representing a parallel plane to midline M) may vary depending upon the slope of the ground surface  116 , with the maximum angle being defined by the position of forward arm  56 B in this first direction. According to one aspect, angle A 1  may have a maximum value of thirty degrees above the horizontal plane P. According to another aspect, angle A 1  may be any value between zero and approximately thirty degrees above the horizontal plane P, as defined by the placement of forward arm  56 B and the amount of upwards force applied to the right side of implement  12 . When implement  12  and second cross bar  52  are rotated as shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C , the distance D 1  between the top face  88  of second cross member  52  and the forward arm  56 A of first side member  42  is greater than the distance D 2  between the top face  88  of second cross member  52  and the forward arm  56 B of second side member  44 . 
     Further, in this second position shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C , the ground surface may exert sufficient force on the right side of implement  12  to overcome the biasing force asserted by upper spring  126 , thus driving the first spring stop arm  148  upwards and moving the second arm  144  of upper spring  126  from its position wherein it is engaged with the top edge  150  of second spring stop arm  152 . This may allow rotational movement of pivot balls  108 ,  122 A,  122 B,  124 A, and  124 B as well as the related angular movement of the related pivot linkages  106 ,  116 A, and  116 B. 
     When the implement is returned to more even or level ground, the biasing force provided by upper spring  126  of spring assembly  40  may cause the implement to return to a substantially horizontal or level position (e.g. to the first position as seen in  FIG. 10A ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 12A through 12C , when implement  12  is then operated on a ground surface  166  wherein the left side (again relative to the view of the operator of tractor  14 ) is higher than the right side, the ground surface  166  may similarly exert force on the left side of implement  12 , thus causing the left side to rotate upwards in the direction of arrow DD in  FIG. 12A . Again, in this position, which may be a third position, first cross member  46  may maintain a fixed orientation relative to tractor  14 , but may be angled relative to ground surface  166  as illustrated by the fact that height H 1  of midline M on the left side is now smaller than height H 2  on the right, relative to the ground surface  166 , as seen in  FIG. 12A . As with the second position, in this third position, second cross member  52  is likewise angled relative to first cross member  46 , albeit in a direction opposite that of the second position. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 12B , horizontal axis A defined by pivot bolt  114  in upper pivot assembly  102  may now be angled in a second direction relative to midline M of first cross member  46 . This angle (represented by angle A 2 , again defined above plane P) may vary depending upon the slope of the ground surface  116 , with the maximum angle being defined by the position of forward arm  56 A in this second direction. According to one aspect, angle A 2  may have a maximum value of thirty degrees above the horizontal plane P. According to another aspect, angle A 2  may be any value between zero and approximately thirty degrees above the horizontal plane P, as defined by the placement of forward arm  56 A and the amount of upwards force applied to the left side of implement  12 . When implement  12  and second cross bar  52  are rotated as shown in  FIGS. 12A-12C , the distance D 1  between the top face  88  of second cross member  52  and the forward arm  56 A of first side member  42  is less than the distance D 2  between the top face  88  of second cross member  52  and the forward arm  56 B of second side member  44 . 
     In this third position, the force exerted from the ground surface on the left side of implement  12  may overcome the biasing force of lower spring  132 , again causing a separation of the first spring stop arm  148  and second spring stop arm  152 , such that the top and bottom edges  146 ,  150 ,  162  and  164  thereof are no longer co-planar. Again, as discussed above, this may likewise cause pivot balls  108 ,  122 A,  122 B,  124 A, and  124 B to rotate and pivot linkages  106 ,  116 A, and  116 B to move angularly to allow for the rotation of implement  12 . When implement  12  is returned to a level surface, the biasing forces applied by spring assembly  40  will again cause implement  12  to return to a horizontal and level position (e.g.  FIG. 10A ). 
     The use of biasing springs  126 ,  132  helps ensure that implement  12  does not bounce when encountering small or minor imperfections or obstructions, thus preventing an uneven application of implement  12 . For example, where implement  12  is again a flail mower, without the biasing force of spring assembly  40 , when a wheel  18  encounters a rock or a small depression it may cause implement  12  to bounce, thus affecting the cut height momentarily and resulting in an uneven cut, or uneven spot. Accordingly, the presence of spring assembly  40  helps ensure that implement  12  remains both level relative to the ground surface, i.e. parallel to the ground surface, while also maintaining its position without bouncing or “slop” in the application thereof. 
     Additionally, the inclusion of spring assembly  40  may ensure that the transitions of implement  12  and second cross member  52  between positions may be incremental and continuous as tractor  14  and implement  12  traverse the ground surface  166  and as the ground surface changes in condition (i.e. as ground surface  166  changes between level, sloped, uneven, and/or any combinations thereof). 
     Similarly, the inclusion of spring assembly  40  and the biasing forces provided therefrom may allow implement  12  to maintain a level orientation when raised for transport but not otherwise in operation. In this instance, this would prevent the edges or sides of implement from contacting the ground when cornering or turning the tractor  14  but otherwise not employing or operating the implement  12 . 
     While spring assembly  40  may generally maintain the rotational positions of implement  12  and second cross member  52  relative to first cross member  46 , there may be instances where the slope of the ground surface  166  exceeds the rotational capability of implement  12  and second cross member  52 . In these instances, the inclusion of forward ends  56  of first and second side members  42  and  44 , and their positioning over second cross member  52 , may function as a rotational maximum stop. Put another way, forward ends  56  of side members  42 ,  44  may prevent over-rotation of implement  12  and second cross member  52  by mechanically blocking second cross member  52  from rotating beyond the structural limits of mounting frame  36 , pivot assemblies  38 , and/or spring assembly  40 , thus preventing damage thereto. 
     Accordingly, the advantages of the present attachment system  10  include that the tractor  14  and implement  12  need fewer operational passes over an area with uneven or sloped terrain, thus reducing time, cost, maintenance, and danger, while simultaneously providing for a uniform application of the implement  12  to the operational area. Further, the present system  10  has the advantage of reducing or eliminating the need or motivation to loosen or modify connections, thus increasing safety for the operator and/or bystanders, while also providing for less wear, resulting in a longer life for the implement  12 , tractor  14 , and attachment frame assembly  16 . 
     While described herein with regards to forward mounted implements, it will be understood that similar principles may be applied for side or rearward mounted implements. It will be further understood that the operation may change slightly for implements other than flail mowers; however, the same principles as discussed herein will still apply. 
     Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. 
     While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. 
     All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. 
     The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise. 
     Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. 
     If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
     As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. 
     Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result. 
     In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.