Patent Publication Number: US-10760862-B2

Title: Bolt stop assemblies

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/743,316, filed Oct. 9, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure generally relates to bolt stops for bolt action firearms. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bolt action firearms are unique weapons consisting of a bolt coupled to an operating handle that is cycled within the firearm&#39;s receiver when a user manually advances/retracts and rotates the bolt. When the user manually advances the bolt, the bolt pushes a round (consisting of a projectile and casing) towards the bolt action firearm&#39;s chamber and then, after the projectile is discharged, the user manually retracts the bolt rearward towards an ejection port to extrude the spent casing. Generally, the bolt moves longitudinally within the receiver to load rounds and unload casings. In some instances, the bolt action firearm has a bolt stop to prevent the bolt from unintentionally being completely removed from the bolt action firearm receiver by the user. Typically, bolt stops protrude from the side of a bolt action firearm receiver and are attached with a pin perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore and the receiver. Additionally, conventional bolt stops can easily snag on objects and be difficult to operate when inserting or removing the bolt from the receiver. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for improving the profile of bolt stops as well as improving the methods of operation for inserting and removing the bolt from the bolt action firearm&#39;s receiver. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike. The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating examples of the disclosure, in which the use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or identical items. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include elements, components, and/or configurations other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some of the elements, components, and/or configurations illustrated in the drawings may not be present in certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is perspective partial x-ray cross-sectional view of a bolt stop assembly according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective partial x-ray cross-sectional view of the bolt stop assembly according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective partial x-ray cross-sectional view of the actuating bolt stop and a series of lugs coupled to a bolt in a closed position according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective partial x-ray cross-sectional view of the actuating bolt stop and a series of lugs coupled to a bolt in an open position according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the series of lugs, the actuating bolt stop, and a receiver in a closed position according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the series of lugs, the actuating bolt stop, and a receiver in an open position according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the actuating bolt stop assembly according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an exterior rear view of the actuating bolt stop according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is an interior rear view of the actuating bolt stop according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the actuating bolt stop according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the actuating bolt stop according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is an exterior view of the actuating bolt stop according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is an interior view of the actuating bolt stop according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12A  is a side view of a bolt head having a series of lugs according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12B  is a rear perspective view of a bolt head having the series of lugs according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides for an actuating bolt stop disposed within a receiver aperture to rotate about a pivot pin fixated on a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to both the longitudinal axis of the bore and the receiver of a bolt action firearm. In this manner, the forces applied to the bolt stop upon a manual bolt cycle may not cause a shearing force to be applied to a pivot pin. That is, as described herein, most of the forces passing from the bolt to the bolt stop are then passed on to the receiver, also referred to as the action, at the interface between the bolt stop and the receiver. One benefit to a pivot pin in parallel alignment with the receiver about which the bolt stop rotates may be to significantly increase the strength of the bolt stop assembly by almost completely removing one possible failure point, that is, a bolt stop pivot pin placed in a latitudinally (e.g., perpendicular) relationship to the receiver. For example, if the pivot pin were to be disposed latitudinally, the pivot pin may encounter shear force from the bolt contacting the bolt stop. 
     Further, the present disclosure provides for a bolt stop configured to sit flush with the exterior of the receiver. For example, the exterior surface of the bolt stop (e.g., the surface exposed to the environment outside the receiver) may be aligned with the exterior surface of the receiver, following to the shape of the exterior surface of the receiver at the position of the bolt stop. One benefit of a flush surface between the bolt stop and the receiver may include that the bolt stop may not be accidentally activated. A second benefit may include that no other object may get caught or snagged on the bolt stop. 
     In some embodiments, a bolt stop assembly may include an actuating bolt stop, a bolt having a series of lugs, and a bolt handle operatively connected to the bolt disposed in a receiver. In this manner, the bolt stop assembly may be configured to stop the bolt on a user&#39;s rearward stroke towards the butt of a bolt action firearm during a manually operated bolt cycle. That is, as the bolt is manually rotated and retracted back towards the butt of the bolt action firearm to eject the spent casing (i.e., one-half of the bolt cycle), the series of lugs passes the ejector port of the receiver, and the bolt stop may be configured to contact at least one lug to stop the rearward movement of the bolt to prevent the bolt from being removed from the receiver. 
     In some embodiments, the bolt stop may rest in a biased position under a spring load so that a portion of the bolt stop engages at least one lug of the bolt to prevent the bolt from leaving the receiver. For example, the bolt stop may rotate between a closed position (e.g., under load of a bolt stop spring in an extended position) and an open position (e.g., in an actuated position whereby the bolt stop pivots or rotates to prevent engagement with any of the lugs of the bolt as the bolt moves rearward). As previously mentioned, the bolt stop may be in the closed position where the bolt stop may be partially disposed within the interior of the receiver and configured to contact or engage the bolt (e.g., one or more lugs of the bolt). In an open position, the bolt stop may be rotated about the pivot pin so that the portion of the bolt stop that contacts the bolt is rotated or pivoted out of the path of the bolt (e.g., one or more lugs of the bolt). In the open position, the bolt may then slide completely out of the receiver and thus the bolt action firearm. The bolt can be re-inserted and secured back into the bolt action firearm in two ways: (i) in the open position; and (2) in the closed position. In the open position, a user aligns and inserts the series of lugs into the channels within the receiver and slides the bolt into the receiver. The series of lugs may be slid past the open bolt stop, with the bolt stop being held in the open position, and then the user can cease actuating the bolt stop so that it returns to the closed position, thereby securing the bolt within the receiver. Alternatively, in the closed position, a user aligns and inserts the series of lugs into the channels within the receiver and slides the bolt into the receiver. The series of lugs may be slid into contact with the bolt stop, which is in the closed position, and as a lug (or lugs) contacts the bolt stop, it contacts a chamfered surface of the bolt stop. The bolt stop may be configured to rotate or pivot into the open position from the closed position as the at least one lug slides along the chamfered surface of the bolt stop, overcoming the biased closed position. Once the series of lugs has passed the bolt stop, the bolt stop may then return to the closed position under the biased load of the bolt stop springs—thus, securing the bolt within the bolt action firearm. 
     Bolt Stop Assembly 
     In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 , a bolt stop assembly  100  is provided. The bolt stop assembly  100  includes a bolt action firearm with a receiver  104 , a bolt  114 , an operating bolt handle (not shown) and an actuating bolt stop  130 . The bolt stop assembly  100 , and more specifically, the actuating bolt stop  130  is configured to work in tandem with the receiver  104  to secure the bolt  114  within the receiver  104 . For example, as discussed herein, the actuating bolt stop  130  may include a closed position  150  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3A ). That is, the actuating bolt stop  130  may be operably rotated within the interior of the receiver  104  (e.g., within a channel  106  of the receiver  104 ). In some instances, as the bolt  114  slides within the receiver  104 , the actuating bolt stop  130  in the closed position  150  may engage one of the series of lugs  122 , thereby preventing the bolt  114  from being removed from the receiver  104  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3A ). Further, the actuating bolt stop  130  may be manually rotated into an open position  151  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3B ). In the open position  151 , the actuating bolt stop  130  may not prevent the bolt  114  from exiting the receiver  104  and being removed from the bolt action firearm. That is, in the open position  151 , the bolt  114  may slide past the actuating bolt stop  130  out of the receiver  104 . One benefit of the bolt stop assembly  100  may include providing a user with an operable and easy way to ensure that the bolt  114  is secured within the receiver  104  of a bolt action firearm. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3B , the receiver  104  may include a breech end  108  and a muzzle end (not shown). The internal volume of the receiver  104  extends between the breech end  108  and the muzzle end. For instance, a longitudinal axis  120  provides for the internal path of the receiver  104  volume. The receiver  104  is a housing for a substantial portion of the bolt  114 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the receiver  104  provides for a plurality of channels  106 . The channels  106  extend longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis  120  and are configured to receive a series of lugs  122  on the bolt  114 . In some instances, the cross-sectional area of the plurality of channels  106  complement the shape of the series of lugs  122 . That is, as the bolt  114  and the series of lugs  122  go through a manual bolt cycle, the plurality of channels  106  may provide a path through the receiver  104  to travel from the muzzle end of the receiver  104  to the breech end  108  of the receiver  104 . The plurality of channels  106  may be rectangular cross-sections. In other instances, the plurality of channels  106  may be another shape, such as square, semi-circular, or triangular. Additionally, as discussed herein, when in the closed position  150 , at least a portion of the actuating bolt stop  130  may extend into the plurality of channels  106  to prevent the bolt  114  from sliding along the plurality of channels  106 . 
     In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a cross-sectional view of the series of lugs  122 , the actuating bolt stop  130 , and a receiver  104  is shown. The receiver  104  may include an aperture  128  configured to complement the shape of the actuating bolt stop  130 . For example, the aperture  128  may be a rectangular cross-section formed in the receiver  104  to receive the actuating bolt stop  130 . The aperture  128  may be configured to give partial access to the interior of the receiver  104  (e.g., into the plurality of channels  106 ). For example, the aperture  128  may be formed in the receiver  104 . The aperture  128  may partially be carved within the receiver  104  to create a cavity, and the aperture  128  may partially be open to the internal volume of the receiver  104 . In some instances, the aperture  128  provides support for the actuating bolt stop  130  as forces are applied to the varying surfaces of the actuating bolt stop  130 . For example, a biasing member  156  (e.g., a compression spring, torsion spring, a extension spring) may be disposed within the aperture  128  and configured to rotate the actuating bolt stop  130  about the pin hole  152 . The aperture  128  may provide a path for the actuating bolt stop  130  moves within when rotating about a pivot pin  154  disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis  120 . In other instances, the sidewalls of the aperture  128  may counteract against any forces acting on the bolt stop  130  in the direction of the longitudinal axis  120 . One particular force acting on the actuating bolt stop  130  and the sidewalls of the aperture  128  may include a force from the movement of the bolt  114 . Specifically, a force from the interaction of the actuating bolt stop  130  and the series of lugs  122 . The actuating bolt stop  130  can be in the closed position  150  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 4A ) or in the open position  151  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 4B ), and the force may act upon the actuating bolt stop  130  in the closed position  150 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3B , the bolt  114  with a bolt handle operatively coupled thereto (not shown), is configured to allow a user to manually advance the bolt to put a round into the chamber of a barrel, and once the round is fired the user can retract the bolt to expel a spent round casing through an ejector port (not shown) on the receiver  104 . The bolt  114  may be a cylinder coupled to the series of lugs  122 , where the bolt  114  and the series of lugs  122  are disposed within the receiver  104 . In some instances, the bolt  114  includes a distal end  116  and a proximate end  118  extending along the longitudinal axis  120 . The series of lugs  122  may be coupled to the distal end  116  of the bolt  114 . A bolt handle coupled to the bolt  114  may be configured for a user to manually cycle the bolt  114  through the receiver  104  to unload a spent casing and reload a new round for discharging from the bolt action firearm. For example, the bolt  114  may start from a rearward position (i.e., retracted towards the butt of the bolt action firearm). From the magazine (not shown) coupled to the bolt action firearm&#39;s chassis (not shown) and through receiver  104 , a round may protrude into the path of the bolt  114 . The bolt  114  may be guided by the plurality of channels  106  within the receiver  104 . As the bolt  114  is manually advanced towards the muzzle end of the receiver  104 , the bolt  114  catches the protruding round and advances the round into the chamber. The bolt  114  may then be manually turned within the receiver  104  once the series of lugs  122  enters the chamber at the muzzle end of the receiver  104 . The manual rotation may lock the bolt  114  into place, and the firing pin may then be ready to strike the primer of the round. After the projectile is fired, a user may manually rotate and retract the bolt handle coupled to the bolt  114  to unload the spent casing. For example, the user may manually rotate the bolt  114  via the bolt handle to unlock and rotate the series of lugs  122  back to the plurality of channels  106 . The bolt  114  may then be manually retracted to the first rearward position as the series of lugs  122  are guided along the plurality of channels  106 . The spent casing may then expel from the ejector port, and the cycling process may start again. In some instances, the actuating bolt stop  130  discussed herein may prevent the bolt from exiting the receiver  104  as the bolt approaches the butt of the bolt action firearm. For example, the actuating bolt stop  130  may contact one or more of the series of lugs  122  and may act as an obstacle within one or more of the plurality of channels  106  to prevent removal of the bolt. When a user activates the bolt stop into the open position  151 , the bolt stop will no longer obstruct the path of the lugs and the bolt  114  may then be manually withdrawn from the receiver  104 . Thereafter, the bolt  114  may be reinserted into the receiver  104  after disengaging from the receiver  104 . For example, the distal end  116  of the bolt  114  may be placed within the receiver  104  and the series of lugs  122  may align with the plurality of channels  106 . In the open position  151 , the bolt  114  may be manually slid back into the receiver  104  and be secured once the actuating bolt stop  130  is actuated to the closed position. In the closed position, as the bolt  114  travels within the receiver  104 , the second surface  126  of the series of lugs  122  may contact a chamfered surface  142  of the actuating bolt stop  130 . The second surface  126  of the series of lugs  122  may engage and slide along the chamfered surface  142  of the bolt stop, pushing or forcing the bolt stop  130  to rotate about pivot pin  154 , thereby allowing the bolt to pass the bolt stop  130 . In some instances, the actuating bolt stop  130  may rotate back into the closed position under the force of the biasing member  156  once the series of lugs  122  passes the actuating bolt stop  130  within the plurality of channels  106 . That is, the actuating bolt stop  130  rotates back into place and provides a temporary obstacle for the bolt  114  from being removed from within the receiver  104 . 
     In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 3A-4B and 12A-12B , the bolt  114  is coupled to an actuating bolt head  123  having a series of lugs  122 . In some instances, the series of lugs  122  is configured to traverse the plurality of channels  106  within the receiver  104 . For example, the series of lugs  122  may be rectangular protrusions from the bolt  114  configured to complement the plurality of channels  106  within the receiver  104 . In other instances, the series of lugs  122  may be square, semi-circular, or triangular. As depicted in  FIGS. 12A-12B , the series of lugs  122  are disposed on the bolt head  123 , operatively connected to the bolt  114 . The series of lugs  122  are each disposed 120 degrees from each other. In other instances, the series of lugs  122  may be disposed more or less than 120 degrees from each lug on the bolt  114 . The series of lugs  122  may include a first surface  124  configured to contact the forward surface  138  (e.g., as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 ) of the actuating bolt stop  130 . In some instances, the contact between the forward surface  138  and the series of lugs  122  may prevent the bolt  114  from being removed from the receiver  104 . The first surface  124  may be perpendicular to the surface of the bolt  114 . In other instances, the first surface  124  may be at a different angle from the surface of the bolt  114 . The series of lugs  122  may include a second surface  126  configured to contact the aft surface  140  and the chamfered surface  142  of the actuating bolt stop  130 . That is, the second surface  126  may be disposed towards the distal end  116  of the bolt  114 , opposite the first surface  124  of the series of lugs  122 . For example, as previously discussed, the second surface  126  may be configured to contact the chamfered surface  142  of the actuating bolt stop  130 . 
     Actuating Bolt Stop 
     In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 5-11 , the actuating bolt stop  130  includes an exterior surface  132  and an opposed interior surface  134 . For example, the exterior surface  132  may be disposed on the exterior of the bolt action firearm, and more specifically, on the exterior surface of the receiver  104 . Conversely, the actuating bolt stop  130  may include an opposed interior surface  134  to the exterior surface  132  that is disposed on the interior of the bolt action firearm. That is, the opposed interior surface  134  may be exposed within the interior of the receiver  104 . Each surface may interact with the user and the bolt  114  to secure or disengage the bolt  114  from within the receiver  104 . For example, the exterior surface  132  may include a textured surface  144 . The textured surface  144  may signal a location on the actuating bolt stop  130  for a user to apply force for operation. In some instances, the textured surface  144  may include a series of shaped protrusions. In other instances, the textured surface  144  may be knurling, a series of indented surfaces, ridges, or some other surface. The exterior surface  132  around the textured surface  144  may be smooth and level. In some embodiments, the exterior surface  132  of the actuating bolt stop  130  is flush with the external surface of the receiver  104 . That is, the curvature of the receiver  104  is matched by the curvature of the exterior surface  132  of the actuating bolt stop  130 . As previously discussed, one benefit of a exterior surface  132  flush with the receiver  104  may include anticipating and preventing possible snags on other objects by the actuating bolt stop  130 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuating bolt stop  130  includes a plurality of side surfaces. The plurality of side surfaces may include a forward surface  138  and an aft surface  140 , among others. As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the forward surface  138  is disposed towards the muzzle end (not shown) of the receiver  104  and the aft surface  140  is disposed towards the breech end  108  of the receiver  104 . In other instances, the forward surface  138  and the aft surface  140  may be disposed in a plurality of other directions within the receiver  104 . As discussed herein, the forward surface  138  may be configured to contact the series of lugs  122  to prevent the bolt  114  from sliding from the receiver  104 . In some instances, the forward surface  138  may be a flat surface configured to be partially disposed within the plurality of channels  106  of the receiver  104 . In other instances, the forward surface  138  may have a textured, ridged, or some other complementary surface to the series of lugs  122 . On the opposite side of the forward surface  138 , may be the aft surface  140  of the actuating bolt stop  130 . The aft surface  140 , opposed from the forward surface  138 , may be configured to contact the series of lugs  122  when the bolt  114  is being manually inserted into the receiver  104 . For example, the aft surface  140 , along with the interior surface  134 , may include a chamfered surface  142 . The chamfered surface  142  may be an angled surface configured to contact the series of lugs  122 . In other instances, the chamfered surface  142  may be a curved surface. The chamfered surface  142  may complement a second surface  126  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 12A ) of the series of lugs  122 . As the second surface  126  of the series of lugs  122  contacts the chamfered surface  142 , the interaction may rotate the actuating bolt stop  130  from within the receiver  104 . That is, the actuating bolt stop  130  may not be an obstacle to the bolt  114  as the bolt  114  is manually pushed from the aft surface  140  towards the forward surface  138  of the actuating bolt stop  130 . 
     In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , the interior surface  134  includes an indented surface  146 . In some instances, the indented surface  146  is a rounded indention in the interior surface  134  of the actuating bolt stop  130  configured to receive a biasing member  156  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 4A-4B ). In other instances, the indented surface  146  may be another shaped indention or include a fastener to secure the biasing member  156  against the actuating bolt stop  130 . As discussed herein, the biasing member  156  may apply force against the indented surface  146  to rotate the actuating bolt stop  130  about a pivot pin  154 . 
     In some embodiments, the pin hole  152  is configured to receive the pivot pin  154  (as shown in  FIGS. 1-3B ). For example, the pin hole  152  may align with an aperture on the receiver  104 , and the pivot pin  154  may be threaded within the aperture and through the pin hole  152 . Pivot pin  154  may alternatively be a coil spring pin or some other pin of a similar ilk. In some instances, the pin hole  152  may be cylindrical. In other instances, the pin hole  152  may be rectangular, square, triangular, or some other shaped cross-section. In some embodiments, the actuating bolt stop  130  may rotate about the pin hole  152 . For example, the pin hole  152  may be disposed in a parallel direction as the longitudinal axis  120  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The pivot pin  154  may be embedded within the pin hole  152  along a parallel axis to the longitudinal axis  120  and the actuating bolt stop  130  may rotate about the pin hole&#39;s offset axis. One benefit of the direction in which the pin hole  152  is disposed may include avoiding high shear stresses on the pivot pin  154 . That is, a force acts substantially on the actuating bolt stop  130  once the series of lugs  122  applies force to the forward surface  138  or the aft surface  140  of the actuating bolt stop  130 . For example, as the series of lugs  122  applies force to the forward surface  138  of the actuating bolt stop  130 , the aft surface  140  may react to the applied force by contacting the side of the receiver  104 . The interaction between the plurality of side surfaces of the actuating bolt stop  130  and the receiver  104 , therefore, may relieve the shear forces on the pivot pin  154 . That is, in some instances, no shear, normal, or other force may act on the pivot pin  154 . In this manner, the force from the series of lugs  122  may act on the actuating bolt stop  130 , and the actuating bolt stop  130  may then act on the receiver  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuating bolt stop  130  is at least partially disposed within the aperture  128  of the receiver  104  and configured to manually rotate between an open position  151  and a closed position  150 . Each position may be configured to secure or allow the series of lugs  122  disposed on the bolt  114  to move or not move past the actuating bolt stop  130 . For example, in a closed position  150  the actuating bolt stop  130  may be partially disposed within at least one of the plurality of channels  106  within the receiver  104 . That is, at least the forward surface  138  of the actuating bolt stop  130  may be disposed within the plurality of channels  106 . In the closed position  150 , the actuating bolt stop  130  may prevent any further rearward movement of the series of lugs  122  past the actuating bolt stop  130  along the plurality of channels  106 . Conversely, the actuating bolt stop  130  may include an open position  151  configured to allow further movement of the series of lugs  122  within the plurality of channels  106  of the receiver  104  for removal of bolt  114 . For example, the actuating bolt stop  130  may rotate about the pivot pin  154 , against a biasing member  156  disposed within the indented surface  146  of the interior surface  134 . In some instances, the rotation of the actuating bolt stop  130  may remove the actuating bolt stop  130  from being an obstacle for the series of lugs  122  within the plurality of channels  106 . The biasing member  156  may be configured to apply a constant force to the actuating bolt stop  130  to rotate the actuating bolt stop  130  back to the closed position  150  from the open position  151 . For example, the biasing member  156  may be a spring disposed within the aperture  128  of the receiver  104  and against the indented surface  146  of the actuating bolt stop  130 . The biasing member  156  may be disposed against the indented surface  146 . In other instances, the biasing member  156  may be disposed against any surface of the actuating bolt stop  130 . For example, the actuating bolt stop  130  may be disposed within a second aperture  129  on one side of the actuating bolt stop  130  to rotate the actuating bolt stop  130  between an open position  151  and a closed position  150 . The biasing member  156  may be a plurality of other springs, fasteners, or mechanisms that apply a constant force (e.g., tension spring, rubber, etc.). For example, the biasing member  156  may be a torsion spring within the pin hole  152  configured to rotate the actuating bolt stop  130  between an open position  151  and a closed position  150 . 
     Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. 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 certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may 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.