Patent Publication Number: US-7913348-B2

Title: Paint brush with increased ferrule paint reservoir

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/825,525, filed Jul. 6, 2007, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/825,516, filed Jul. 6, 2007, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to paint brushes. 
     2. Related Art 
     Traditional paint brushes have an elongated handle with bristles, filaments, or other application medium attached to an end of the elongated handle. Often, the bristles are attached to the handle by way of a sleeve or “ferrule” that circumscribes an end of the bristles and a mating end of the handle. A plug is often placed between the bristles to spread the bristles outward toward the sleeve so that the bristles are wedged between the plug and the sleeve. The bristles and plug are often adhered together by commonly known adhesives, such as epoxy resins and the like. Together the bristles, the plug, and the adhesive form a “knot” that retains the bristles in the sleeve. Additionally, the sleeve can be adhered to the handle by way of a common adhesive, and/or other types of fasteners such as screws, nails, brads, and the like. 
     In use, the bristles or filaments of the paint brushes are dipped into a liquid coating, such as paint, stain, and the like, so that coating is collected on the bristles. The coating can then be transferred from the bristles to a surface by pressing the coating covered bristles onto the surface and moving the brush across the surface. When nearly all of the coating has been transferred from the bristles to the surface, the brush must be dipped back into the coating to collect more coating that can then be transferred to the surface. 
     Many attempts have been made to improve the traditional paint brush. For example, many paint brushes have plastic handles instead of wood handles. Additionally, some paint brushes have hollow handles that can be filled with paint which runs out of the handle and into the bristles while painting so as to reduce the frequency of dipping the brush into the paint. 
     Unfortunately, traditional paint brushes, and even many of the improvements made to such brushes, continue to present problems to painters. For example, frequent dipping of the brush into the paint reduces the overall efficiency of a painter. It will be appreciated that the time required to dip a brush reduces time the painter could be brushing paint onto a surface. Thus, reducing the need to dip the brush to collect more paint increases the productivity and overall efficiency of a painter. Unfortunately, attempts to increase the paint reservoir in a brush, such as the hollow handle that can be filled with paint, are difficult to clean up and can easily become clogged with dried paint. 
     Another common issue with traditional paint brushes is that many painters prefer to use a brush with very fine bristles or filaments with relatively small diameters, because of the feel and precision of the brush during a brush stroke and the smoothness of the surface finish of the resulting coat of paint. Unfortunately, finer bristles and smaller filaments cause a floppier or weaker brush. 
     Yet another problem with traditional brushes is that they have a generally square shape with a brush face oriented perpendicular to the sides of the brush. It will be appreciated that painting many surfaces requires the painter to gradually apply pressure to a brush against the surface so as to blend in or “feather” new paint on top of paint already on the surface. Unfortunately, a brush face perpendicular to the sides of the brush as found on traditional paint brushes makes such feathering difficult to accomplish. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventors of the present invention have recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a method and device for increasing the amount of coating material a brush can hold for transfer onto a surface. In addition, the inventors have recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a method and device for strengthening, stiffening, and shaping the filaments on a brush. 
     Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides for a paint brush including a sleeve circumscribing a portion of a handle and a portion of a plurality of bristles. A plug can be coupled to the handle. The plug can extend away from the handle into the plurality of bristles to form a space between the bristles. The plug can have a concave end that faces the space between the bristles. The concave end and the space together can form a paint reservoir within the plurality of bristles. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the plug can have a flange that extends from the plug into the space between the filaments. The flange can have a greater stiffness than the filaments. In yet another aspect of the invention, the brush can have a shaped brush head. 
     The present invention also provides for a method for making a brush including placing a plurality of bristles through a sleeve. A plug can be inserted into the plurality of bristles to form a space between the bristles. The plug can have a concave end of that faces the space so that the concave end and the space together define a coating reservoir within the plurality of bristles. The plug and the plurality of bristles can be slid into the sleeve so that the plug wedges the bristles against the sleeve. 
     The present invention also provides a method for applying a coating with a brush including dipping a plurality of bristles into a container of coating material such that coating material covers the bristles and fills a reservoir disposed between the bristles. The reservoir can include a concave end of a plug disposed between the bristles. The coating covered bristles can be slid along a surface to transfer the coating from the bristles to the surface. The coating covered bristles can be pressed against the surface to transfer substantially all of the coating in the reservoir to the bristles, including coating in the concave end of the plug. The bristles can be slid again along the surface to transfer additional coating from the reservoir and bristles to the surface. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross section side view of a brush in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away perspective view of the brush of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of a plug of the brush of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cut-away perspective view of a brush in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is perspective view of a plug of the brush of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a plug of the brush of  FIG. 4 , shown with a flange having a relatively thinner cross section; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a plug of the brush of  FIG. 4 , shown with a flange having a relatively thicker cross section; 
         FIG. 8  is a cut-away perspective view of a brush in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is perspective view of a plug of the brush of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cut-away perspective view of a brush in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is perspective view of a plug of the brush of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cut-away perspective view of a brush in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is perspective view of a plug of the brush of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the plug of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cut-away perspective view of a brush in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  is perspective view of a plug of the brush of  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. 
     The embodiments of the present invention described herein generally provide for a paint brush having a greater paint carrying capacity. The paint brush can include a plurality of filaments that collectively form a brush head. A plug can be inserted into an end of the brush head so as to form a space between the plurality of filaments. The space between the filaments can act as a paint reservoir that can store paint in the brush head. The plug can have a concave end that faces the space formed between the filaments. The concave end can increase the size of the paint reservoir so that more paint can be stored in the brush head. 
     It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Additionally, as used herein, “plurality” refers to more than one. For example, a plurality of filaments refers to at least two filaments. 
     As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. The degree of flexibility of this term can be dictated by the particular variable and would be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to determine based on experience and the associated description herein. 
     As used herein, a plurality of components may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. 
     As used herein, the term “filament” refers to any fiber, strand, or string-like element which, when placed with other fibers or strands, can form a brush head. For example, a filament can be a natural fiber, such as animal hair, or a synthetic fiber, such as nylon string, polybutylene strands, and the like. Additionally, the terms filament, fiber, and bristle may be used interchangeably throughout this description. 
     As used herein the term “brush” refers to any collection of filaments or bristles coupled to a handle for purposes of transferring a chemical from the brush to a surface. For example, a brush can be a paint brush that can transfer paint, lacquer, varnish, stain, water sealant, and the like from a container to a surface. 
     Thus, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 , a brush, indicated generally at  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown for use transferring coatings such as paint, stain, lacquer, varnish, clear coat, water sealant, and the like to a surface. In one aspect, the brush  10  can be a paint brush. The brush  10  can have a plurality of filaments  20 , and a plug  50  disposed in the filaments. 
     The filaments  20  can be formed of a natural or synthetic material, and collectively the plurality of filaments  20  can form a brush head, indicated generally at  22 . The brush head  22  can have an application end  24  and an attachment end  26 . 
     It will be appreciated that the application end  24  can be variety of shapes and angles with respect to the longitudinal axis  28  of the brush head. For example, in one aspect, the application end  24  can have an arcuate cross section, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In another aspect, the application end  24  can have a substantially flat cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  28  of the brush head, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, the application end  24  can have an angled orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis  28  of the brush. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the plug  50  can be disposed between the filaments  20  near the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22 . In one aspect, the plug  50  can separate the filaments  20  into approximately equal halves  30  of the brush head  22 , and can form a space  40  between the halves. The space  40  can form a reservoir that can store coating material when the brush  10  is dipped into a coating material. 
     Additionally, the plug  50  can have a concave end  52  formed in the plug. The concave end  52  can extend along a longitudinal length, L, of the plug  50 . The plug  50  can be positioned in the filaments  20  such that the concave end  52  faces, or is open to, the space  40  formed between the filaments. In this way, the concave end  52  advantageously increases the size of the reservoir such that the brush head  22  can store more coating material than a brush head having a plug with a flat end. 
     The plug  50  can be formed a substantially non-permeable material such as a polymer, a closed cell foam, a plastic, and the like. In this way, the plug  50  can resist absorption of the coating material. It will be appreciated that a plug  50  made of a permeable material can absorb the coating material which can make the brush  10  difficult to clean and can cause the plug  50  to swell and deform. When such deformation of the plug occurs, the plug can affect the shape of the brush head. In contrast, the non-permeable material used in the plug  50  of the present invention resists absorption of the coating material and, thus, advantageously retains the size and shape of the brush head  22  and facilitates cleaning of the brush. 
     The brush  10  can also include a sleeve  70  circumscribing the ends of the plurality of bristles  20  forming the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22 . The sleeve  70  can also circumscribe the plug  50  such that the plug can wedge the ends of the plurality of bristles  20  forming the separated halves  30  of the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22  against the sleeve  70 . In this way, the sleeve  70  can clamp and hold the brush head  22  and plug  50  in place. Accordingly, the sleeve  70  can be a ferrule, as known to those of skill in the art. 
     The sleeve  70  can be formed of a suitably rigid plastic or metal material so as to provide the clamping force on the bristles  20  disposed between the plug  50  and the sleeve  70 . Additionally, the sleeve  70  can be formed of a substantially non-permeable material so as to resist absorption of the coating material. 
     The brush  10  can also include a resin  80  disposed within the sleeve  70 . The resin  80  can surround the plug  50  and the ends of the filaments  20  forming the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22 . In this way, the resin  80  can hold the ends of the plurality of bristles  20  and the plug  50  together within the sleeve  70 . The resin  80  can be an adhesive type resin, an epoxy type resin, an epoxy resin with adhesive properties, and the like. Together, the resin  80 , the plug  50 , and the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22 , can form a brush knot, indicated generally at  60 . The brush knot  60  can hold the brush head  22  in place in relation to the sleeve  70 . 
     The brush  10  can also include a handle  90  circumscribed by the sleeve  70  and coupled to the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22  by the sleeve  70 . The handle  90  can have an attachment end  92  and a grip  94 . The attachment end  92  can be circumscribed by the sleeve  70  and can be attached to the ends of the filaments  20  forming the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22 . The resin  70  can attach the attachment end  92  of the handle  90  to the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22 . 
     The grip  94  can extend away from the attachment end  92  of the handle  90  and away from the brush head  22 . The grip  94  can be sized and shaped to be held in the hand of a user. 
     A reinforcement bracket  96  can be disposed within the resin and can extend around the attachment end  92  of the handle  90 . The reinforcement bracket  96  can reinforce the attachment of the handle  90  to the brush head  22 . The reinforcement bracket  96  can be formed of a metal material or a rigid polymeric material. 
     A plurality of fasteners  98  can attach the sleeve  70  to the attachment end  92  of the handle  90 . For example, the fasteners  98  can be nails or brads, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The fasteners  98  can extend through the sleeve  70  and into the attachment end  92  of the handle  90 . Other suitable fasteners, such as staples, screws, and the like can also be used to attach the sleeve to the handle. Additionally, adhesives, such as glue, epoxy, and the like, can also be used to attach the sleeve to the handle. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7 , a brush, indicated generally  100 , is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use in transferring coatings from a container to a surface. The brush  100  can be similar in many respects to the brush  10  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Accordingly, the brush  100  can have a plurality of filaments  20  forming a brush head  22 , a handle  90 , and a sleeve  70  circumscribing the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22  and the attachment end  92  of the handle  90 . 
     Additionally, the brush  100  can have a plug  150  disposed between the filaments  20  and forming a space  140  between the plurality of filaments  20 . The plug  150  can separate the filaments  20  into separated portions  130  of the brush head  22 , and can form the space  140  between the separated portions  130 . The space  140  can form a reservoir that can store coating material when the brush  100  is dipped into a coating material. The plug  150  can also have a concave end  152  that faces the space  140  formed between the filaments  20 . The concave end  152  can increases the size of the reservoir such that the brush head  22  can store more coating material than a brush head  22  having a plug with a flat end. 
     The plug  150  can also have a flange  154  that can extend from a body  156  of the plug  150  through the space  140  between the filaments  20  and into the application end  26  of the filaments. The flange  150  can extend nearly the entire length of the filaments  20 . For example, in one aspect, the filaments  20  can have a length of approximately 4 inches and the flange can extend approximately 3.75 inches into the bristles. In another aspect, the filaments can extend approximately 3 inches from the sleeve  70  and the flange  150  can extend approximately 2 inches from the sleeve. Advantageously, the length of the flange  150  in relation to the length of the filaments  20 , and the extension of the flange  150  into the brush head  22  can be adjusted by pulling the filaments  20  away from the flange  150  and cutting the flange  150  to the desired length within the filaments  20 . 
     The flange  150  can have a thickness, indicated as T. The thickness T of the flange  150  can provide a greater stiffness than the filaments  20  such that the flange  150  can support the filaments  20  and stiffen the brush head  22 . The thickness T can be predetermined according to a desired stiffness of the brush  100 . Thus, the flange  150  can have a relatively smaller thickness, as shown in  FIG. 6 , if a less stiff brush  100  is desired. Alternatively, the flange  150  can have a relatively larger thickness, as shown in  FIG. 7 , if a stiffer brush  100  is desired. 
     The flange  154  can be formed as a separate piece from the body  156  of the plug  150  and then attached to the plug. Alternatively, the flange  154  can be integrally formed with the plug  150  and can be non-permeable to resist absorption of the coating material, and facilitate cleaning of the brush  100 . 
     It is a particular advantage of the embodiments of the brush  100  of the present invention described herein that the flange  154  can increase the stiffness of the brush head  22 . It will be appreciated that finer, thinner, or smaller diameter filaments  20  on a brush provide a better feel and greater precision when transferring a coating material to a surface. Additionally, finer bristles  20  can produce a very smooth coating layer, whereas course or larger bristles can variegate the final coating surface leaving a rougher surface finish. Thus, paint brushes with very fine filaments are highly valued by skilled painters. Unfortunately, the stiffness of the filaments is directly related to the thickness or diameter of the filament so that very fine filaments have a relatively low stiffness. It will be apparent that filaments with low stiffness can collapse and become floppy under the weight of a coating material disposed on the filament. For this reason, filament size has been limited to diameters that can maintain the shape of the brush under the weight of a coating on the filaments. Thus, the flange  154  of the brush  100  of the present invention can, advantageously, reduce the collapse and floppiness of the brush head  22  when the filaments  20  are covered and weighted down with the coating material. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , a brush, indicated generally  200 , is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use in transferring coatings from a container to a surface. The brush  200  can be similar in many respects to the brush  10  and  100  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . Accordingly, the brush  200  can have a plurality of filaments  20  forming a brush head  22 , a handle  90 , a sleeve  70  circumscribing the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22  and the attachment end  92  of the handle  90 , and a plug  250  with a flange  254  extending from a plug body  256  into the application end  26  of the brush head  22 . The plug body  256  can have a concave side  252 . 
     Additionally, the flange  254  can include a plurality of fingers  258  extending from the plug  250  into the plurality of filaments  20 . The plurality of fingers  258  can support the plurality of filaments  20  in order to stiffen the brush head  22 . The plurality of fingers  258  can also allow coating material to flow from the reservoir or space  240  past the fingers  258  to the filaments  20  on the other side of the flange  250 . As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , the fingers  258  can be relatively short extending along an outer end  260  of the flange  250 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10-11 , a brush, indicated generally  300 , is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use in transferring coatings from a container to a surface. The brush  300  can be similar in many respects to the brush  10  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . Accordingly, the brush  300  can have a plurality of filaments forming a brush head  22 , a handle  90 , a sleeve  70  circumscribing the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22  and the attachment end  92  of the handle  90 , and a plug  350  with a flange  354  extending from a plug body  356  into the application end  26  of the brush head  22 . 
     Additionally, the flange  354  can include a plurality of fingers  358  extending from the plug body  356  into the plurality of filaments  20 . The plurality of fingers  358  can support the plurality of filaments  20  to stiffen the brush  300 . The plurality of fingers  358  can also allow coating material to flow from the space  340  or reservoir past the fingers  358  to the filaments  20  on the other side of the flange  350 . As shown in  FIGS. 10-11 , the fingers  358  can be relatively long extending from an outer end  360  or periphery of the flange  350  to a position adjacent the body  356  of the plug  350 . 
     Advantageously, the fingers  258  and  358  can have a predetermined length corresponding to a desired stiffness of the brush. Accordingly, a stiffer brush  200  can have shorter fingers  258 , as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , and a floppier brush  300  can have longer fingers  358 , as shown in  FIGS. 10-11 . Similarly, the flange  254  or  354  can have a varied number of fingers  258  or  358  according to a desired stiffness of the brush. For example, a stiffer brush can have fewer fingers and a floppier brush can have more fingers. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , a brush, indicated generally  400 , is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use in transferring coatings from a container to a surface. The brush  400  can be similar in many respects to the brush  10 ,  100 ,  200 , and  300  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . Accordingly, the brush  400  can have a plurality of filaments  420  forming a brush head  422 , a handle  90 , a sleeve  70  circumscribing the attachment end  426  of the brush head  422  and the attachment end  92  of the handle  90 , and a plug  450  with a flange  454  extending from a plug body  456  into the application end  426  of the brush head  422 . 
     Additionally, the filaments  420  can be positioned to form a brush head  422  into a predetermined shape. For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the filaments  420  forming the brush head  422  can be positioned to form a brush head having a U-shaped cross section. Specifically, in one aspect, the cross section of the brush head  422  that is in a plane, indicated by dashes lines at  430 , perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, indicated by a dashed line at  432 , of the brush  400  or handle  90  can be shaped in the form of the letter U. In this way, the shape of the brush head  422  can have a concave side that can be concave about a longitudinal axis  434  that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the brush  432 . 
     It will be appreciated that a U-shaped cross section facilitates applying an even coating to a wide variety of surfaces since the U-shape of the brush head allows a painter to gradually apply, or feather the coating material to the surface. Thus, it is a particular advantage of the embodiments of the brush  400  described herein that the predetermined shape of the brush head  422  can facilitate the application of a coating material to a surface, and although only a U-shaped cross section brush head  422  is shown, other shapes are considered within the scope of the concepts of the present invention. For example, the predetermined shape of the brush head can be an arc, a semi-circle, a U shape, a V shape, and the like. 
     Conveniently, the predetermined shape of the brush head  422  can be formed by a plug  450  formed of a similar shape. Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , the plug  450  can have a U-shaped cross section, and a U-shaped flange  454  can extend from the plug body  456  into the application end  426  of the filaments  420 . The plug  450  can position the filaments  20  in order to form the predetermined shape of the brush head  422 . In this way, the U-shaped flange  454  can support and position the filaments  420  of the brush head  422  into a U-shape. Thus, the plug  450  and the flange  454  can position the filaments  420  such that the predetermined shape of the brush head  422  can have a U-shaped cross section in a plane  430  that is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis  432  of the brush  400 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 15-16 , a brush, indicated generally  500 , is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use in transferring coatings from a container to a surface. The brush  500  can be similar in many respects to the brushes  10 ,  100 ,  200 ,  300  and  400  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . Accordingly, the brush  500  can have a plurality of filaments  20  forming a brush head  22 , a handle  90 , a sleeve  70  circumscribing the attachment end  26  of the brush head  22  and the attachment end  92  of the handle  90 , and a plug  550  with a flange  554  extending from a plug body  556  into the application end  26  of the brush head  22 . 
     Additionally, the flange  554  can extend from an approximate center of the plug  550  into the plurality of filaments  20 , and the plug body  556  can have a concave side  552   a  and  552   b  on either side of the flange  554 . In this way, a coating reservoir  540   a  and  540   b  can be formed on either side of the flange  554 . Thus, as either side of the brush head  22  is applied to a surface, coating material from the reservoir can be transferred from the reservoir to the brush head and onto the surface. 
     Although the embodiments of brushes described herein, and shown in the figures, only illustrate brush heads having one plug, it will be appreciated that the inventive concepts may be used with brushes that have a sufficiently thick brush head so as to require more than one plug. 
     The present invention also provides for a method for making a brush including placing a plurality of filaments into a sleeve such that ends of the plurality of filaments extend beyond the sleeve. A plug can be inserted into the ends of the plurality of filaments to form a space between the filaments. The plug can have a concave end of that faces the space so that the concave end and the space together define a coating reservoir within the plurality of filaments. The plug and the plurality of filaments can be slid into the sleeve so that the plug wedges the filaments against the sleeve. 
     The method can also include pouring a resin into the sleeve to contact the plurality of filaments and the plug. A handle can then be inserted into the sleeve so that the sleeve can hold the plurality of filaments, the plug, and the handle together. 
     The present invention also provides a method for applying a coating with a brush including dipping a plurality of filaments into a container of coating material such that coating material covers the filaments and fills a reservoir disposed between the filaments. The reservoir can include a concave end of a plug disposed between the filaments. The coating covered filaments can be slid along a surface to transfer the coating from the filaments to the surface. The coating covered filaments can be pressed against the surface to transfer substantially all of the coating in the reservoir to the filaments, including coating in the concave end of the plug. The filaments can be slid again along the surface to transfer additional coating from the reservoir and filaments to the surface. 
     It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth herein.