Patent Publication Number: US-7210740-B2

Title: Reclining chair

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/960,299, filed Oct. 6, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/509,402, filed Oct. 6, 2003, entitled Airplane Passenger Seat, the content of each is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention pertains to a reclining chair in general and, more particularly, to a reclining chair for use as a passenger seat in an aircraft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to increase the comfort of a person seated in a chair, manufacturers have long made chairs with a backrest that is capable of reclining several degrees with respect to a vertical position. Today, seats with a reclining backrest are used in homes, offices, and vehicles; including aircraft and buses. While offering greater comfort than a straight back chair, known recliners are limited in that their backrests are, for the most part, not capable of fully reclining to a horizontal position. Although some seats, such as certain aircraft seats, are capable of fully reclining, these seats are constructed so that a space exists between the seat and back cushion when the backrest is fully reclined. Furthermore, the known recliners are incapable of reclining to a fully horizontal position so as to form a flat sleeping surface. For this reason, a chair capable of reclining to a full horizontal position would be an important improvement in the art. 
     In addition to being able to fully recline to a bed-like sleeping platform, seats that are installed in vehicles such as buses, mobile homes and aircraft must also be able to absorb dynamic loads that may be imparted on the seat as a result of gravitational forces generated by changes in speed and direction of the vehicle. In order to obtain maximum comfort for the occupant in these types of situations, the seat frame must be able to absorb these forces so as to limit their impact on the occupant. Furthermore, under the standards set forth in FAR § 25.562, in order to be certified as airworthy, the seat frame must be able to absorb the forces without separating from the floor of the aircraft in an emergency such as a crash landing. For this reason, a seat that is capable of absorbing dynamic loads imparted on the seat as a result of changes in the direction or speed of a vehicle would be an important improvement in the art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a chair comprised of a base assembly, a seat frame located above the base assembly, a seat attached to the seat frame, and a seat back connected to the seat frame. In various embodiments, the seat, in particular an aircraft seat, includes features such as an energy absorbing base assembly, a fully reclining seat back and a seat that increases its angle with respect to the horizontal as the seat back reclines, thereby forcing one back into the seat. The seat and seat back is also capable of achieving a fully horizontal position when the seat back is fully reclined. 
     These and other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side view showing the internal frame and components of one embodiment of a chair that is the subject of this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded side view showing the components of one embodiment of the chair. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the base assembly of the chair. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a base rail used in conjunction with the base assembly of the chair that is the subject of this invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the seat frame assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the seat frame side rail. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the seat frame and seat back rail with the seat back in a neutral vertical position. 
         FIG. 7(   a ) is a close-up side view of the point where the backrest rail of the seat back connects with the side rail of the seat frame. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the backrest rail. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view showing the seat back in the fully reclined position. 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up view of the pivot arm when the seat back is in the upright position. 
         FIG. 11  is a close-up view of the pivot arm when the seat back is in the fully reclined position. 
         FIG. 12  is a close-up view of the pivot member connecting the backrest rail of the seat back with the side rail of the seat frame. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the pivot member. 
         FIG. 14(   a ) is a side view of the pivot member. 
         FIG. 14(   b ) is a bottom view of the pivot member. 
         FIG. 14(   c ) is top view of the pivot member. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the framework of the chair that is the subject of this invention. 
         FIG. 15(   a ) is a close-up view showing the pivot member connecting the backrest rail of the seat back with the side rail of the seat frame. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the seat articulator. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the ramp bars of the seat articulator. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the seat pan. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the side rail of the seat frame, seat pan, and the backrest rail when the seat back is in the 52° cradle position. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the side rail of the seat frame, seat pan, and the backrest rail when the seat back is in the upright position. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the side rail of the seat frame, seat pan, and the backrest rail when the seat back is in the fully horizontal reclined position. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the underside of the seat frame, seat pan, and the backrest rails when the seat back is in the fully horizontal reclined position. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view showing the frame of the seat back. 
         FIG. 24  is a front view of the seat back frame showing the backrest rails, support beams and torque box. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the top of the seat back assembly. 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the seat back assembly. 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view showing the top side of the torque box. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing a side panel of the torque box. 
         FIG. 29  is a side view of the torque box. 
         FIG. 30  is a side view of the arm rest assembly. 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the arm rest assembly. 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the mounting block. 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the top support frame used in the arm rest. 
         FIG. 34  is a close-up view of the guide slot positioned in the bottom support frame. 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the guide slot. 
         FIG. 36  is a side view of the arm rest assembly without the bottom support frame. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the bottom support frame. 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view of the components of the arm rest assembly showing support brackets of approximately equal length. 
         FIG. 39  is a side view of the components of the arm rest assembly showing support brackets of different length. 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of the components of the arm rest assembly. 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of the top support frame of the arm rest assembly showing the mounting blocks attached at each end. 
         FIG. 42  is a close-up perspective view of the mounting block attachment point. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a reclining chair  10 , in particular, a chair  10  for use in a vehicle such as an aircraft or bus. The chair, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is comprised of a base assembly  12 , a seat frame  14  located above the base assembly  12 , a seat  16  attached to the seat frame  14 , and a seat back  18  connected to the seat frame  14 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the base assembly  12  which includes a first and second base rail  20 ,  22  that are spaced apart from and substantially parallel  26  to each other. Each base rail  20 ,  22  has an elongated portion  24  that defines at least one opening  26 . Additionally, each of the base rails  20 ,  22  has a first end  28  that terminates in a first leg member  30 . In one embodiment, the first leg member  30  is angled downward at approximately a 45° angle from the elongated portion  24 . A second leg member  32  is also angled downward at approximately 45° from the elongated portion  24  of each base rail  20 ,  22 . This second leg member  32  is located proximal to a second end  34  of the elongated portion  24 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . A tubular mounting bracket  36  connects the first base rail  20  to the second base rail  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The mounting bracket  36  has a first end  38  and a second end  40  with the first end  38  received in the at least one opening  26  in the first base rail  20  and the second end  40  received in the at least one opening  26  in the second base rail  22 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, each of the base rails  20 ,  22  has two openings  26 ,  42 . In this version, the first opening  26  is located approximately midway along the length of the base rail  20  and a second opening  42  is located proximal to the second end  34  of the base rail  20 . 
     The first and second leg members  30 ,  32  of the base rails  20 ,  22  may be capable of attaching to a floor fitting  44 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As such, the first and second leg members  30 ,  32  may terminate in a pair of attachment prongs  46 . These attachment prongs  46  may be spaced apart from one another so as to allow for attachment to a fitting  44  secured to the floor of the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a first and second tubular mounting bracket  36 ,  37  may be used to connect the base rails  20 ,  22 . Each of these mounting brackets  36 ,  37  has a first end  38  and a second end  40 . In order to connect the base rails  20 ,  22 , the first and second end  38 ,  40  of the first tubular mounting bracket  36  is placed in the first opening  26  of the first and second base rail  20 ,  22 , and the first and second end  38 ,  40  of the second tubular mounting bracket  37  is placed in the second opening  42  of the first and second base rail  20 ,  22 , respectively. 
     When in operation, the angling of the leg members  30 ,  32  helps the base rails  20 ,  22  to absorb energy during a dynamic event. This reduces the structural loading on the base rails  20 ,  22  during pitch and roll, thereby helping to reduce aircraft floor warping in the event of a major dynamic load. 
     Furthermore, the prongs  46  of the leg members  30 ,  32  in one embodiment allow the base rail to be attached to an articulating foot fitting similar to the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/944,487, filed Sep. 17, 2004, entitled Attachment Assembly for Mounting a Seat to the Floor of a Vehicle, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. This also helps the base rails  20 ,  22  to absorb dynamic loads by allowing the rail  20 ,  22  to rotate slightly with respect to the floor of the vehicle in the event of an abrupt stop caused by an emergency or crash. 
     In yet another version, the first and second leg members  30 ,  32  are attached to the elongated portion  24  of the base rail  20 . In still another version, the second leg member  32  extends from the second end  34  of the base rail  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a seat frame  14  is located above the base assembly  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the seat frame  14  includes elongated first and second side rails  50 ,  52  that are spaced apart from and substantially parallel to one another. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a seat back connection point  54  is defined by an opening in the side rail proximal to a first end  56  of the side rail. This seat back connection point  54  is usually elevated with respect to a top edge  58  of the side rail  50 , and at least one connection bracket  60  connects the first side rail  50  to the second side rail  52 . Attachment points  62  used to connect the seat frame  14  to the chair  10  may be located proximal to each of the side rails  50 ,  52 . These attachment points may be displaced downward from a bottom edge  64  of the side rail  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     When in use, the seat frame  14  is positioned above the base assembly  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The seat frame  14  may be adapted to connect directly with the base assembly  12 , or it may be mounted to a tracking assembly  66 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . By mounting the seat frame  14  to a tracking assembly  66 , the seat frame  14  is capable of moving laterally with respect to the base assembly  12 . 
     A seat back  18  is connected to the seat frame  14 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The seat back  18  includes a first and second backrest rail  68 ,  70  like the one shown in  FIG. 8 . The second backrest rail  70  is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first backrest rail  68 . Each of the backrest rails  68 ,  70  have a front and back edge  72 ,  74 . A first and second end  76 ,  78  distal from one another connect the front and back edge,  72 ,  74  and a pivot point is defined by a opening  80  proximal to the front edge  72  and first end  76 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  7 ( a ) and  9 – 11 , a pivot arm  82  extends from the back edge  74  of the seat back  18 . The pivot arm  82  has an end point  84  that extends below the pivot point  80  of the backrest rail  68  when the seat back  18  is in a substantially vertical position, as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  7 ( a ) and  10 , and forward of the pivot point  80  when the seat back  18  is in a horizontal position, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 . A pivot member  86  passes through both the opening  80  in the backrest rail  68  and the opening  54  in the side rail  50  of the seat frame  14 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . This pivot member  86 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14(   a–c ), has a seat belt anchor  88  located at one end. This eliminates the need for a separate seat belt anchor component and additional mounting hardware. The pivot member  86  is installed through the backrest side rail  68  from the inside face  90  of the rail  68 . In one version of the pivot member  86 , a nylon washer  92  is installed on the pivot member  86  on either side of the backrest rail  68  and a jam nut  94  is threaded onto the screw  86  before the pivot member  86  is threaded through the seat frame rail  50 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . This leaves the end of the pivot member  86  which serves as the seat belt anchor  88  exposed on the outside of the seat frame side rail  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  15  and  15 ( a ). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS.  15  and  23 – 26 , at least one support beam  150  extends between the first and second backrest rails  68 ,  70 . A torque box  152  may also be positioned between the first and second backrest rails  68 ,  70 , as shown in FIGS.  15  and  23 – 26 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 27–29 , the torque box  152  has a rectangular shaped cross section and may include a first and a second section  154 ,  156 , each having at least three sides  158 ,  158 ( a ),  160 ,  160 ( a ),  162 ,  162 ( a ) with a fourth side defined by a channel  164 . The first and second sections  154 ,  156  are positioned opposite each other, as shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 , so that two sides  160 ,  162  of one of the first and second sections  154 ,  156  are received in the channel  164  of the other one of the first and second sections  154 ,  156 . At least one opening  166  exists in the side  158  of the first section  154  opposite the channel  164  to receive a headrest support bracket  168 . 
     The torque box  152  serves as the primary structural member of the seat back  18 . Because of its box shape, the torque box  152  is able to transfer shoulder harness induced loading from the backrest rail  68  nearest the harness to the opposite backrest rail  70  in the forward facing static and dynamic test conditions. In contrast to existing seat designs that utilize torque tubes, the torque box  152  has a rectangular cross section that allows for a wider separation between headrest support brackets  168 , particularly for a headrest utilizing longer brackets. Furthermore, the torque box  152  provides sufficient space to house an inertial reel (not shown), electric headrest mechanism (not shown) and longer headrest support brackets  168 . 
     When in operation, as the seat back reclines, there is a tendency for the unsupported side of the seat back  18  to drop away from the seat occupant. The torque box  152 , which can be used with both electric and non-electric type headrests, prevents this from happening because the torque box  152  is attached to each backrest rail  68 ,  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 23–29 , thereby providing support for both sides of the seat back  18 . Furthermore, the square bottom shape of the torque box  152  allows the bottom edge of the seat back  18  to track around the rear edge of the bottom cushion while the seat back  18  is reclining, thereby eliminating the gap between the seat back  18  and the bottom cushion. 
       FIGS. 1–2 ,  16  and  17  show a chair  10  that includes a seat articulator  96  that has a first and second ramp bar  98 ,  100  separated from and substantially parallel to one another. Although first and second ramp bars  98 ,  100  are illustrated, fewer or additional ramp bars may be provided. Each of the ramp bars  98 ,  100  has a first end,  102  and a second end  104  with a ramp member  106  therebetween. Each ramp member  106  includes an incline portion  108  and a decline portion  110 . In one version of the embodiment, the ramp member  106  may be located proximal to the second end  104  of the ramp bar  98 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 17 , each ramp member  106  includes first and second incline portions and first and second decline portions such that the ramp member  106  is generally diamond-shaped, however, the ramp member  106  may be configured otherwise, for example with poly-linear, curvilinear, etc. incline and decline portions. As shown in  FIG. 22 , the second end  104  of each ramp bar  98  is positioned on a roller  112  attached to the seat frame  14  while the first end  102  of each ramp bar  98  is attached to the seat back  18 , particularly the pivot arm  82  ( FIG. 2 ). The bottom edge of the ramp bars  98 ,  100  are supported on the rollers  112  of the seat frame. Furthermore, the rollers  112  are configured on the seat frame  16  proximate its front end to be substantially proximate the ramp members  106 . Thus, as the seat back  18  reclines from a generally upright orientation to a generally horizontal orientation, the pivot arms  82  project forward of the bottom end of the respective backrest rails  68 ,  70 , moving the ramp bars  98 ,  100  forward toward the front of the seat frame  16 . Simultaneously, the lower incline and decline portions of the ramp members  106  traverse the stationary rollers  112  such that the second ends  104  move vertically, first upward and then downward. 
     A seat pan  114  which is positioned on the seat pan articulator  96  has a first and second side  116 ,  118  spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other, as shown in  FIG. 18 . Each side of the seat pan  114  has a first end  120  that is pivotally connected to the seat frame  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , and a roller  122  attached proximal to a second end  124 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . Although two seat pan rollers  122  are illustrated, fewer or additional seat pan rollers may be provided to correspond with the configuration of the at least one ramp bar. These rollers  122  are positioned on the respective ramp bars  98 ,  100 , as shown in  FIG. 20 , to contact the upper incline and decline portions of the ramp member  106 . As the ramp bars  98 ,  100  move forward due to the reclining of the seat back  18 , the upper incline and decline portions of the ramp members  106  traverse the rollers  122  such that the second end  124  moves vertically, first upward and then downward, along with vertical movement of the ramp bars  98 ,  100  of the seat articulator  16 . 
     When in a neutral, upright position, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the seat back  18  is oriented approximately 14° from the vertical. When in operation, an occupant can recline the seat back  18  using any known mechanical or electrical system. As the seat back  18  reclines from 14° to approximately 52°, the seat pan  114  correspondingly raises to create a “cradled” position. This results from the ramp bars  98 ,  100  moving forward as the seat back  18  reclines, thereby raising the seat pan  114  as the ramp portion  106  rides up the roller  122 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , after approximately 52°, the rollers  122  reach the apex of the ramp portion  106  and begin rolling down the ramp. This causes the ramp bars  98 ,  100  to continue to move forward as the seat back  18  reclines further. This allows the seat pan  114  to move back to the horizontal position where the occupant achieves a fully berthed seat condition with the seat at a full recline position 90° from the vertical, as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 21 . 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 19–22 , the seat has three transition points as it travels through approximately 76° of rotation so as to achieve a truly horizontal position when the seat is fully reclined. These transition points are the upright position where the seat back is approximately 14° from the vertical, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the midway or “cradled” position at 52° from the vertical, as shown in  FIG. 20 , and the fully flat bed position where both the seat back and the seat pan are 90° from the vertical, as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . When the seat back  18  reclines, the occupant&#39;s weight tends to have a horizontal aft component and his back a vertical forward component. These two forces balance each other out causing one to adhere to the seat. The further the seat back  18  reclines, the more lift is generated as the back moves from an upright position generating a forward component, to a more horizontal position, thereby increasing the vertical component. By articulating the seat pan, the horizontal aft component of the seat becomes more downward, thereby offsetting the increased vertical component of the reclined seat back. 
     A fully horizontal position can be achieved because, as shown in  FIGS. 7–11  and  19 – 22 , the location of the pivot axis has been advanced forward towards the leading edges of the backrest front edge so as to minimize any gaps or mismatches of the backrest and the bottom cushions of the chair during full recline. This location of the pivot point eliminates the requirement for a seat pan lifter to align the surface of the bottom cushion with the surface of the back cushion when using the chair as a bed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the seat back pivot arm  82  is capable of providing a mechanical advantage during the inclining of the seat from a full recline position. This is because by lengthening the pivot arm  82 , a longer moment arm is provided that, in the reclined position, provides for a stronger restoring moment to the seat back as the seat is returned to the upright position. This eliminates the need for the occupant to pull the seat back to the upright position. 
     In another embodiment, the invention involves a chair  10  comprised of a base assembly  12 , a seat frame  14  located above the base assembly  12 , a seat  16  and seat back  18  are attached to the seat frame  14 . Additionally, an arm rest  126 , as shown in  FIGS. 30 ,  38 ,  39  and  40 , is attached to the seat frame  14 , wherein the arm rest  126  includes a top and bottom support frame  128 ,  130  separated from one another, as shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 . The top support frame  128 , as shown in  FIGS. 30 ,  31  and  33 , may define a channel  132  proximal to the bottom support frame  130 . A mounting block  136  is pivotally attached at one end of the top support frame  128  and a support bracket  140  is attached to the mounting block  136  and connected to the bottom support frame  130 . A spring  170  is attached to an end of the support bracket  140  connected to the bottom frame  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 38 ,  41  and  42 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 30 ,  31  and  36 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40 , and  41 , a positioning member  142  extends from the top support frame  128 . The positioning member  142  has a guide pin  144  that extends from an end  146  distal to the top support frame  128 . A guide slot  148  that is capable of receiving the guide pin  144  is attached to the bottom support frame  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 34 and 36 . 
     The chair  10 , described in accordance with this invention, may be suitable for use as a passenger seat in any vehicle including, without limitation, an aircraft, bus or mobile home. In one embodiment, the top and bottom support frames  128 ,  130  of the arm rest  126  may be substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, the guide slot  148  may be in the shape of the letter M, as shown in  FIG. 35 , and may be manufactured using a plastic-like material. 
     In one embodiment, the mounting block  136 , as shown in  FIG. 32 , and the bottom support frame  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 31 and 37 , each define an opening  137 ,  134 , respectively. In this embodiment, one end of the support bracket  140  is received in the opening  137  in the mounting block  136 , while a second end is received in the opening  134  in the bottom support frame. 
     In one embodiment, the top support frame  128  has a first end  138 , and a second end  139 . A mounting block  136  is pivotally connected at each of the first and second ends  138 ,  139 . As shown in  FIG. 37 , the bottom support frame  130  also has a first and a second end  152 ,  154  with an opening  134 ,  135  at each end. A support bracket  140  is attached to the respective mounting block  136  at each end  138 ,  139  of the top support frame, the support brackets  140  extend, respectively, through the opening  134 ,  135  at each end of the bottom support frame  130 , thereby connecting the top support frame  128  to the bottom support frame  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 . 
     When in use, the guide pin  144  is positioned in the nadir of the v-shaped portion of the M-shaped guide slot  148 . By lifting up on the arm rest  126 , an occupant can lift the guide pin  144  off of the nadir and guide the pin  144  up the slots to the top of the leg portion of the M. The occupant then lowers the arm rest  126  and the guide pin  144  travels down the respective leg of the M to a new, lower position. During this movement, the spring  170  acts as a dampener to prevent various components of the arm rest  126 , in particular the bottom support frame  130  and the mounting plate  176  from slamming together. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 35 , one leg of the M can be shorter than the other, thereby allowing for an intermediate height position for the arm rest  126 . 
     The bottom support frame  130 , which is attached to the seat frame  14 , may be a CNC machined guide and the M-shaped guide slot  148  may be manufactured of plastic-like material, thereby reducing the amount of noise caused by the movement of the arm rest  126 . 
     The structure of the arm rest  126  allows for the manufacture of arm rests  126  having various profiles as one is able to vary the height of the support brackets  140  in order to adjust the angle of the top support frame  128 . This is accomplished by pivoting the mounting block  136  about its attachment point  172  in the opening or slot  174  in the top support frame  128 , as shown in  FIGS. 41 and 42 . 
     Because, in one embodiment, the sides of the top support frame  128  extend beyond the top surface, as shown in  FIG. 33 , the mounting block  136  is free to pivot up and down to accommodate the lengthening or shortening of the support bracket  140 . This allows one to change the profile of the arm rest  126 , as shown in  FIGS. 38 ,  41  and  42 . 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.