Patent Publication Number: US-9849332-B1

Title: Exercise device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The entire contents of Taiwan Patent Application No. 105129183, filed on Sep. 8, 2016, from which this application claims priority, are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly relates to an exercise device providing ergonomic paths and variable strides. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Without limiting the disclosed embodiments, a stair stepper, is an exercise device to elevate the heart rate, burn calories and improve cardiovascular endurance. 
     On a typical stair stepper, a user stands on two platforms supported by a given level of resistance. The user lifts alternating feet, as if walking up a set of stairs, so as to build muscle in legs and gluteus. The stair stepper is also a lower-impact training machine compared to a treadmill, making it useful for those with leg injuries. However, the stair stepper should be used with caution because inadequately activating will place additional stress on the knees. 
       FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  show two conventional stair steppers.  FIG. 1A  shows a convention stair stepper with an axis  21  and a pedal  20  coupling with the axis  21  via a rod  22 , so that the pedal  20  moves along a path P.  FIG. 1B  shows another conventional stair stepper with two axis  21  and a pedal  20  coupling with the two axis  21  via two rods  22 , so that the pedal  20  moves along a path P. Noticed that the both paths P are an arc with a center pointing away the user, and the paths P are not ergonomic and thus cannot simulate the real stepping, striding, or stair-climbing. 
     US patent US20120077645 discloses a stair stepper, in which the crank arm exerts force to the linking units, so that the pedal link coupled with the linking units can be moved forward and backward. Each pedal link has a rollable anti-friction member to pivotally couple with the pedal. When the pedal link is moved forward, the rollable anti-friction member drags the pedal climbing forwardly and upwardly along the ramp rod. However, the climbing force of the pedals is unsufficient, and thus the design is not a good solution to simulate stepping, striding, or stair-climbing. 
     The detail of conventional steppers can also refer to Taiwan patent 1458519, entitled “adjustable stepper,” and Taiwan patent 1442955, entitled “stepper,” the entire contents of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein for reference. 
     In addition, conventional steppers typically suffer from a “dead point” problem. The dead point is a point that when a crank and a link of a linking mechanism are operated to be overlapped, it is difficult to further move the crank. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one general aspect, the present invention relates to an exercise device having ergonomic paths and variable strides and being designed to overcome the “dead point” problem. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, an exercise device is provided with a frame, two first swing arms, two second swing arms, two pedals, a resistance, two cranks, two link rods, two limiting rods, and two upper linking assemblies. The frame includes a base and a supporting structure, wherein the base is arranged on a supporting plane or ground and the supporting structure is arranged on the base. The two first swing arms are respectively arranged at a left side and a right side of the supporting structure, and each first swing arm has a first end pivotally coupling with the supporting structure. The two second swing arms couple with the two first swing arms, and each first swing arm has a second end pivotally coupling with a first end of one corresponded second swing arm. The two pedals couple with the two second swing arms, and each second swing arm has a second end coupling with one corresponded pedal. The resistance device is mounted on the supporting structure and has a driving wheel with an axle for providing a resistance. The two cranks are respectively arranged at a left side and a right side of the resistance device, and each crank has a first end coupling with the axle of the driving wheel. The two link rods couple with the two cranks and the two second swing arms, each link rod pivotally coupling to one corresponding second swing arm via a pivot, each link rod having a first end to couple a second end of one corresponded crank. The two limiting rods movably couple to two link rods, each limiting rod having an end pivotally coupling with the base, each link rod having a second end with a roller to slide on one corresponding limiting rod. The two upper linking assemblies are respectively arranged at a left side and a right side of the supporting structure, each upper linking assembly having an end with a handle to be held by a user and having another end pivotally coupling to the first end of one corresponding link rod or pivotally coupling to a portion between the first end and the second end of one corresponding link rod. Accordingly, each pedal has an elliptical moving path. 
     In an embodiment, an angle between a major axis of the elliptical moving path and a horizontal plane is greater than 40°. 
     In an embodiment, each second swing arm further comprising a connecting member to couple with the corresponding link rod, and the pivot of the second swing arm is at an upper end of the connecting member, so that a distance is between the pivot and the second swing arm. 
     In an embodiment, each upper linking assembly comprises an upper rod, a first linking arm, and a second linking arm, and wherein a first end of the upper rod has the handle to be held by the user, a second end of the upper rod couples to the first linking arm, a first end of the first linking arm pivotally couples to the supporting structure via a pivot, a second end of the first linking arm pivotally couples to a first end of the second linking arm, and a second end of the second linking arm pivotally couples to the first end of one corresponding link rod or pivotally couples to a portion between the first end and the second end of one corresponding link rod. 
     In an embodiment, each upper linking assembly comprises an upper rod, a first linking arm, a second linking arm, a third linking arm, a fourth linking arm, and a transporting member, and wherein a first end of the upper rod includes the handle to be held by the user, a second end of the upper rod couples with the first linking arm, a first end of the first linking arm pivotally couples to the supporting structure via a pivot, a second end of the first linking arm pivotally couples to a first end of the second linking arm, a second end of the second linking arm pivotally couples to a first end of the transporting member, a first end of the third linking arm pivotally couples to the supporting structure via a pivot, a second end of the third linking arm couples to a side of the transporting member, a first end of the fourth linking arm pivotally couples to a second end of the transporting member, and a second end of the fourth linking arm pivotally couples to the first end of one corresponding link rod. 
     In an embodiment, the exercise device further comprises an angle-adjustment device to movably couple a first end of each of the two limiting rods, and a second end of each of the two limiting rods pivotally couples to the base. 
     In an embodiment, the angle-adjustment device comprises a motor, a screw, and a tube, the tube has internal thread to engage with the screw, and the motor can drive the screw to rotate, so that the tube is moved along the screw in a direction toward the motor or away from the motor. 
     In an embodiment, an end of the motor pivotally couples to the base, an end of the tube couples to a horizontal linkage, and the first end of each of the two limiting rods couples to the horizontal linkage. 
     In an embodiment, the angle-adjustment device is a manually controlled device and comprises an inner tube, an outer tube, a controller, and a support, and wherein the inner tube is arranged within the outer tube, an end of the outer tube pivotally couples to the base, an end of the inner tube movably couples to the first end of each of the two limiting rods, the controller couples to the support and the controller can be manually placed into one of a plurality of positioning recesses of the outer tube, and the support couples to the inner tube and can drag the inner tube moving within the outer tube. 
     In an embodiment, each limiting rod is arc-shaped with a center toward a portion of the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show two conventional stair steppers and their moving paths. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view showing an exercise device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a partially perspective view showing the exercise device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view showing an exercise device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an exercise device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view showing the exercise device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view showing the exercise device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a partially perspective view showing an exercise device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view showing the exercise device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view showing the exercise device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view showing an exercise device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view showing the exercise device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view showing an exercise device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view showing the exercise device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view showing the exercise device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view showing the exercise device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a partially enlarged view showing the exercise device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a partially enlarged view showing the exercise device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments of the invention are now described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, instances of which are to be interpreted to be to scale in some implementations while in other implementations, for each instance, not. In certain aspects, use of like or the same reference designators in the drawings and description refers to the same, similar or analogous components and/or elements, while according to other implementations the same use should not. According to certain implementations, use of directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, front, clockwise, and counterclockwise, are to be construed literally, while in other implementations the same use should not. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process operations and components are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. While drawings are illustrated in detail, it is appreciated that the quantity of the disclosed components may be greater or less than that disclosed, except where expressly restricting the amount of the components. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are side and partially perspective view, respectively, showing an exercise device  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The exercise device  1  comprises a frame  10 , two first swing arms  11 , two second swing arms  12 , a resistance device  13 , two cranks  14 , two link rods  15 , two limiting rods  16 , two upper linking assemblies  17 , and two pedals  18 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , preferably the frame  10  may comprise, but is not limited to, a base  101  and a supporting structure  102 . The base  101  is placed on a supporting plane or ground. The supporting structure  102  is arranged on the base  101 . Both the two first swing arms  11  and the two second swing anus  12  are arranged at a left side and a right side of the frame  10 , respectively. Each first swing arm  11  and each second swing atm  12  include two ends, a first end and a second end, in which the first end of the first swing atm  11  pivotally couples with the supporting structure  102  via a pivot  1101 , and the second end of the first swing arm  11  pivotally couples with the first end of one corresponded second swing arm  12 . And the second end of the corresponded second swing arm  12  couples with one corresponded pedal  18 . Without limiting the scope of the present invention, a post  103  may be arranged on the supporting structure  102 , in which one end of the post  103  couples with the supporting structure  102 , and the other end of the post  103  couples with an operating interface (not shown) allowing the user to control the exercise device  1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the two cranks  14  are respectively arranged at a left side and a right side of the resistance device  13 . The resistance device  13  comprises a driving wheel  132  with an axle  130 , and each crank  14  and each link rod  15  include two ends, a first end and a second end. The first end of each crank  14  couples with the axle  130 , and the second end of each crank  14  pivotally couples with the first end of one corresponding link rod  15 . And the second end of the corresponding link rod  15  includes a roller  151 . In addition, each second swing arm  12  pivotally couples with one corresponding link rod  15  via a pivot  121 . For example, each second swing arm  12  includes a connecting member  122  and the pivot  121  is at an upper end of the connecting member  122 . Accordingly, a distance, e.g., 8-20 cm, is between the pivot  121  and the second swing arm  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the two limiting rods  16  movably couples with the two link rods  15 , respectively. In this embodiment, each limiting rod  16  includes a first end to couple with the supporting structure  102  and includes a second end to couple with the base  101 , and the second end of each link rod  15  includes the roller  151  that can slide forward and backward on one corresponding limiting rod  16 . Preferably, each limiting rod  16  is arc-shaped with a center toward a portion of a user, e.g., foot or shank of the user. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the two upper linking assemblies  17  are respectively arranged at a left side and a right side of the supporting structure  102  and couples with the two link rods  15 . Each upper linking assembly  17  may comprise, but is not limited to, an upper rod  171 , a first linking arm  172 , a second linking arm  173 , a third linking arm  174 , a fourth linking arm  175 , and a transporting member  176 . A first end of the upper rod  171  includes a handle  1710  to be held by the user, and a second end of the upper rod  171  couples with the first linking arm  172 . A first end of the first linking arm  172  pivotally couples to the supporting structure  102  via a pivot  1721 , and a second end of the first linking atm  172  pivotally couples with a first end of the second linking arm  173 . A second end of the second linking arm  173  pivotally couples to a first end of the transporting member  176 . A first end of the third linking arm  174  pivotally couples to the supporting structure  102  via a pivot  1021 , and a second end of the third linking arm  174  couples to a side of the transporting member  176 . A first end of the fourth linking arm  175  pivotally couples to a second end of the transporting member  176 , and a second end of the fourth linking arm  175  pivotally couples to the first end of one corresponding link rod  15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when a user stands on two pedals  18 , a resistance is given by the resistance device  13 . The operating interface (not shown) mounted on the post  103  can determine the resistance. In this embodiment, the resistance device  13  may further include a flywheel  134  in addition to the driving wheel  132 . The driving wheel  132  has the axle  130  with bidirectional bearing (not shown) coupling with the first end of the two cranks  14 . The motion of the pedals  18  will drive the driving wheel  132 , which then drives the flywheel  134  to rotate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the exercise device  1  has the above-mentioned mechanism such that a moving path P of the pedals  18  is an elliptical or substantially elliptical shaped, which differs from the conventional steppers. In addition, an angle θ is between a major axis of the elliptical moving path of each pedal  18  and the horizontal plane, and the angle θ is greater than 40°, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, the angle θ is between 40° and 65°. According to some other embodiments of the present invention, the angle θ is greater than 50°, or, the angle θ is between 45° and 70°. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view showing an exercise device  2  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that each upper linking assembly  17  merely includes the upper rod  171 , the first linking arm  172 , and the second linking arm  173 , and omits the third linking arm  174 , the fourth linking arm  175 , and the transporting member  176 . In addition, the first end of the second linking atm  173  pivotally couples to the second end of the first linking arm  172 , and the second end of the second linking arm  173  pivotally couples to a portion between the first end and the second end of one corresponding link rod  15 , e.g., coupling to the front one-third portion of the corresponding link rod  15 . In addition, the connecting member  122  of the exercise device  2  has an outline slightly different from but the same function as the connecting member  122  of the exercise device  1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view and  FIGS. 6 and 7  are side views showing an exercise device  3  according to a third and also a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The exercise device  3  differs from the exercise device  1  in that the exercise device  3  further includes an angle-adjustment device  19 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 , an end of the angle-adjustment device  19  couples to the base  101 , and another end of the angle-adjustment device  19  moveably couples to the two limiting rods  16 . The angle-adjusting device  19  may comprise, but is not limited to, a motor  191 , a screw  192 , and a tube  193 . The motor  191  can drive the screw  192  to rotate, and the tube  193  has internal thread to engage with the screw  192 . When the motor  191  drives the screw  192  to rotate in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction, the tube  193  is moved along the screw  192  in a direction toward the motor  191  or away from the motor  191 . In addition, a horizontal linkage  161  may further be included, where an end of the tube  191  pivotally couples to the horizontal linkage  161 , the first end of each of the two limiting rods  16  couples to the horizontal linkage  161 , and the second end of each of the two limiting rods  16  pivotally couples to the base  101  via a pivot  1011 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the motor  191  drives the screw  192  to rotate, the tube  193  is moved along the screw  192  in a direction toward the motor  191 . At this state, the tube  193  drags the limiting rods  16  via the horizontal linkage  161 , such that the angle between the limiting rod  16  and the horizontal plane is decreased, the angle θ 1  between the major axis of the elliptical moving path P 1  and the horizontal plane is a minimum angle, and the stride of the exercise device  3 , i.e., the length of the major axis of the elliptical moving path P 1  is a minimum stride. In this embodiment, the angle θ 1  is about 43°, and the stride is about 29 cm. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , when the motor  191  drives the screw  192  to rotate, the tube  193  is moved along the screw  192  in a direction away from the motor  191 . At this state, the tube  193  pushes the limiting rods  16  via the horizontal linkage  161 , such that the angle between the limiting rod  16  and the horizontal plane is increased, the angle θ 2  between the major axis of the elliptical moving path P 2  and the horizontal plane is a maximum angle, and the stride of the exercise device  3  of the elliptical moving path P 2  is a maximum stride. In this embodiment, the angle θ 2  is about 59°, and the stride is about 36 cm. The user may control the angle-adjustment device  19  via the operating interface to obtain a suitable inclined angle and stride. The exercise device  3  can provide a moving path that is optimum for the user. The other details of the exercise device  3  are the same as the exercise device  1  and therefore are omitted for simplicity. 
       FIG. 8  is a partially perspective view and  FIGS. 9 and 10  are side views showing an exercise device  4  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The exercise device  4  differs from the exercise device  3  in that each upper linking assembly  17  of the exercise device  4  merely includes the upper rod  171 , the first linking arm  172 , and the second linking arm  173 , and omits the third linking arm  174 , the fourth linking arm  175 , and the transporting member  176 . In addition, the first end of the second linking arm  173  pivotally couples to the second end of the first linking arm  172 , and the second end of the second linking arm  173  pivotally couples to a portion between the first end and the second end of one corresponding link rod  15 , e.g., coupling to the front one-third portion of the corresponding link rod  15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , when the motor  191  drives the screw  192  to rotate, the tube  193  is moved along the screw  192  in a direction toward the motor  191 . At this state, the tube  193  drags the limiting rods  16  via the horizontal linkage  161 , such that the angle between the limiting rod  16  and the horizontal plane is decreased, the angle θ 1  between the major axis of the elliptical moving path P 1  and the horizontal plane is a minimum angle, and the stride of the exercise device  4 , i.e., the length of the major axis of the elliptical moving path P 1  is a minimum stride. In this embodiment, the angle θ 1  is about 43°, and the stride is about 29 cm. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 10 , when the motor  191  drives the screw  192  to rotate, the tube  193  is moved along the screw  192  in a direction away from the motor  191 . At this state, the tube  193  pushes the limiting rods  16  via the horizontal linkage  161 , such that the angle between the limiting rod  16  and the horizontal plane is increased, the angle θ 2  between the major axis of the elliptical moving path P 2  and the horizontal plane is a maximum angle, and the stride of the exercise device  4  of the elliptical moving path P 2  is a maximum stride. In this embodiment, the angle θ 2  is about 59°, and the stride is about 36 cm. The user may control the angle-adjustment device  19  via the operating interface to obtain a suitable inclined angle and stride. The other details of the exercise device  4  are the same as the exercise device  1  and therefore are omitted for simplicity. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are side views showing an exercise device  5  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Most of features of the exercise device  5  are the same as features of the exercise device  4 , and the difference between them is the coupling between the upper linking assembly  17  and the link rod  15 . In this embodiment, the second end of the second linking arm  173  pivotally couples to the first end of one corresponding link rod  15 . In addition, the first end of the first linking arm  172  pivotally couples to the post  103  via a pivot  1721 . The other details of the exercise device  5  are the same as the exercise device  4  and therefore are omitted for simplicity.  FIG. 11  shows that the motor  191  drives the screw  192  to move the tube  193  along the screw  192  in a direction toward the motor  191 .  FIG. 12  shows that the motor  191  drives the screw  192  to move the tube  193  along the screw  192  in a direction away from the motor  191 . The above-mentioned features of the exercise device  5  can also be applied to any one of the other embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  are side views showing an exercise device  6  according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Most of features of the exercise device  6  are the same as features of the exercise device  4 , and the difference between them is the coupling between the second swing arm  12  and the link rod  15 . In this embodiment, the second swing arm  12  couples to one corresponding link rod  15  via a pivot  121 , so that the second swing arm  12  and the corresponding link rod  15  can rotate around the pivot  121 . Comparing with the exercise device  4 , the exercise device  6  does not include the connecting member  122  ( FIG. 9 ), and the pivot  121  is at the second swing arm  12 . Experimental results show that the connecting member  122  allows the operation of the pedals  18  smoother due to a wider portion at two ends of the elliptical moving path. The other details of the exercise device  6  are the same as the exercise device  4  and therefore are omitted for simplicity. The above-mentioned features of the exercise device  6  can also be applied to any one of the other embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  are side views and  FIGS. 17 and 18  are partially enlarged views showing an exercise device  7  according to seventh embodiment of the present invention. n. Most of features of the exercise device  7  are the same as features of the exercise device  4 , and the difference between them is the angle-adjustment device  19 . In this embodiment, the angle-adjustment device  19  includes an inner tube  194 , an outer tube  195 , a controller  196 , and a support  197 . The inner tube  194  is arranged within the outer tube  195 , where an end of the outer tube  195  pivotally couples to the base  101 , and an end of the inner tube  194  movably couples to the first ends of the limiting rods  16  via the horizontal linkage  161  ( FIG. 8 ). In addition, the controller  196  couples to the support  197  and the controller  196  can be manually placed into one of a plurality of positioning recesses  198  of the outer tube  195 . In addition, the support  197  couples to the inner tube  194  and can drag the inner tube  194  moving within the outer tube  195 .  FIGS. 17 and 18  show the controller  196  being operated to move the controller  196  and the support  197 .  FIG. 15  show the controller  196  and the support  197  being moved to a positioning recess  198  near the base  101 , and  FIG. 16  show the controller  196  and the support  197  being moved to a positioning recess  198  far from the base  101 . 
     Because the moving path P 1 /P 2 /P 2  of the exercise devices  1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7  has no inflection point, the operation of the exercise devices  1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7  will be quite smooth. Compared with the conventional non-ergonomic moving path, the moving path P 1 /P 2 /P 2  of the exercise devices  1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7  is ergonomic. In addition, the two pedals  18  of the exercise devices  1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7  can be moved when the crank  14  and the link rod  15  are overlapped, therefore the “dead point” deficiency of conventional steppers has been overcome. 
     The intent accompanying this disclosure is to have each/all embodiments construed in conjunction with the knowledge of one skilled in the art to cover all modifications, variations, combinations, permutations, omissions, substitutions, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments, to the extent not mutually exclusive, as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Corresponding or related structure and methods disclosed or referenced herein, and/or in any and all co-pending, abandoned or patented application(s) by any of the named inventor(s) or assignee(s) of this application and invention, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, wherein such incorporation includes corresponding or related structure (and modifications thereof) which may be, in whole or in part, (i) operable and/or constructed with, (ii) modified by one skilled in the art to be operable and/or constructed with, and/or (iii) implemented/made/used with or in combination with, any part(s) of the present invention according to this disclosure, that of the application and references cited therein, and the knowledge and judgment of one skilled in the art. 
     Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that embodiments include, and in other interpretations do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, or interpretations thereof, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     All of the contents of the preceding documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Although the disclosure herein refers to certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments have been presented by way of example rather than limitation. For example, any of the particulars or features set out or referenced herein, or other features, including method steps and techniques, may be used with any other structure(s) and process described or referenced herein, in whole or in part, in any combination or permutation as a non-equivalent, separate, non-interchangeable aspect of this invention. Corresponding or related structure and methods specifically contemplated and disclosed herein as part of this invention, to the extent not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one skilled in the art, including, modifications thereto, which may be, in whole or in part, (i) operable and/or constructed with, (ii) modified by one skilled in the art to be operable and/or constructed with, and/or (iii) implemented/made/used with or in combination with, any parts of the present invention according to this disclosure, include: (I) any one or more parts of the above disclosed or referenced structure and methods and/or (II) subject matter of any one or more of the inventive concepts set forth herein and parts thereof, in any permutation and/or combination, include the subject matter of any one or more of the mentioned features and aspects, in any permutation and/or combination. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.