Patent Publication Number: US-9412344-B2

Title: Stringed instrument apparatus and methods

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to co-owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/515,780 of the same title filed Aug. 5, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to electrically amplified string instruments, and more particularly in one exemplary aspect to instruments (e.g., electric guitars) having various desirable audio properties, and methods of utilizing and manufacturing the same. 
     2. Description of Related Technology 
     A myriad of different configurations of guitars are known in the prior art. In the context of so-called electric guitars, it is generally accepted that there are five (5) main electric guitar types, including: (1) solid body electric guitars; (2) string-through body electric guitars; (3) semi-acoustic electric guitars; (4) chambered electric guitars; and (5) electric acoustic guitars. Solid body electric guitars, as their name suggests, do not include any sort of hollow internal cavities to accommodate vibration. Solid body guitars are generally made of hardwood with a lacquer coating applied to the exterior surface. 
     String-through body electric guitars are typically solid body electric guitars in which the strings are fed through holes drilled into the bottom of the guitar body. Generally speaking, string-through body electric guitars have improved sustain characteristics over standard solid body guitars. 
     Semi-acoustic guitars are hollow bodied guitars that have the electronic pickups mounted directly into the body. As the bodies of hollow bodied guitars tend to vibrate more than solid body guitars, the electronic pickups convert a combination of string and body vibration into an electrical signal. 
     Chambered guitars are essentially solid body guitars with bored holes in the body that are used to reduce the weight of the guitar. As a side effect of this weight reduction, chambered guitars also typically have different tonal characteristics than a solid body guitar. 
     Electric acoustic guitars are essentially acoustic guitars in which the sound of the guitar is amplified with a piezoelectric pickup or with a low mass microphone. They are generally considered more like acoustic guitars than electric guitars as the pickups do not produce an electrical signal directly from the vibration of the strings, but rather from the vibration of the guitar body itself. 
     Each of these types of guitars have different acoustic characteristics, including so-called “sustain” and “timbre” characteristics. The term “sustain” refers generally to the ability of a guitar to hold a note or chord over a given length of time. Generally speaking, guitar players prefer guitars with more sustain; i.e. guitar players desire the ability for a guitar to hold a note over a longer period of time. The term “timbre” refers to an acoustic property that is more subjective in nature than sustain. Timbre is perhaps best characterized as an acoustic property in which a listener can judge that the two sounds, although possessing the same loudness and pitch, are dissimilar. For example, both a guitar and a piano are string instruments that are capable of playing the same note, however a listener can clearly recognize that the sounds are different and that one note was played by a guitar while the other was played with a piano. In the context of electric guitars, timbre will generally range from thicker/warmer tones to brighter or more trebly type tones. The desirability of a particular type of timbre is dependent on a number of differing factors (including the preferences of the musician and the type of music being played), while for sustain characteristics, generally the more sustain, the better. However, the timbre associated with a particular guitar design is not always compatible with the goal of providing improved sustain characteristics for the guitar. Generally speaking, warmer timbres tend to have decreased levels of sustain as compared with brighter or more trebly types of timbre. 
     Accordingly, despite the broad variety of prior art electric guitar configurations, there is a salient need for an electric guitar (and in fact other stringed instruments) design that can provide both: (1) a warmer timbre; and (2) improved sustain performance over prior art guitar designs. Ideally such a solution would possess similar physical characteristics as conventional electric guitar designs, while improving on the durability and the consistency of the sound being produced. Furthermore, methods for manufacturing and using these improved stringed instrument designs are also needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect of the invention, an improved electric guitar apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the electric guitar apparatus includes a body that houses electronic pickups and control electronics therein. The electric guitar apparatus also includes a neck assembly manufactured from a substantially metallic sheet. In one variant, the substantially metallic sheet comprises stainless steel. 
     In another variant, the neck assembly comprises two formed sheet metal channels that are welded together such that they form one or more hollow cavities within the neck assembly. 
     In another embodiment, the electric guitar apparatus comprises: a body; and a neck assembly comprised of two formed metallic sheet metal channels that are joined together such that they form one or more hollow cavities within the neck assembly. 
     In a third embodiment, the electric guitar apparatus further includes a metallic headstock having a filler material disposed therein. 
     In a second aspect of the invention, an improved stringed instrument apparatus is disclosed. 
     In a third aspect of the invention, methods of manufacturing the aforementioned electric guitar apparatus are disclosed. 
     In a fourth aspect of the invention, methods of manufacturing the aforementioned stringed instrument apparatus are disclosed. 
     In a fifth aspect of the invention, methods of using the aforementioned electric guitar apparatus are disclosed. 
     In a sixth aspect of the invention, methods of using the aforementioned stringed instrument apparatus are disclosed. 
     In a seventh aspect of the invention, a stringed instrument manufactured according to the aforementioned manufacturing process is disclosed. 
     In an eighth aspect, an electronic control assembly for use within an electrical stringed instrument is disclosed. 
     In a ninth aspect, a neck assembly for use with an electrical stringed instrument is disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, objectives, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a back view of one embodiment of a neck assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the neck assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of one embodiment of the neck/body joint assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is an end view of the neck/body joint assembly of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is a top view of the neck/body joint assembly of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2D  is a bottom view of the neck/body joint assembly of  FIG. 2B . 
         FIG. 3A  is a top cutaway view of one embodiment of the neck/body assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side cutaway view of the neck/body assembly illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  is a top cutaway view of one embodiment of the headstock assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the headstock assembly of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is a back view of an alternative embodiment of a neck assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the neck assembly of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart diagram of an exemplary method of manufacture in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     All Figures disclosed herein are © Copyright 2011-2012. Mark Delong and John Harrell. All rights reserved. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     Overview 
     The present invention provides, inter alia, improved electric stringed instrument (e.g., guitar) apparatus and methods for manufacturing, and utilizing, the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the electric guitar is constructed almost entirely of type 304 stainless steel sheet metal with a No. 2B finish (cold rolled, annealed, pickled and passivated with a highly polished finish), with the body and neck permanently joined together to produce a one piece (unitary) style guitar construction. Such a construction, as described subsequently herein, possesses many distinct advantages over prior art guitar constructions. 
     This unique construction further results in improved overall consistency of the product. In particular, the construction utilizes a substantially homogenous material throughout the guitar and further includes a stronger, stiffer and straighter neck that, inter alia, allows for a more consistent sound than is possible using traditional manufacturing materials such as wood. Such a construction also offers improved sustain of string vibration, an attribute that is highly desirable to guitar players. The incorporation of a unique supporting structure (e.g. a honeycomb and/or corrugated material) into, for example, the headstock of the instrument contributes to a unique warm timbre when played that has heretofore been unachievable in combination with improved sustain characteristics. The use of metal in a unitary style one-piece construction also offers improved resistance to changes in humidity and/or temperature. Notwithstanding, exemplary embodiment of the electric guitar of the present invention is relatively lightweight, even in view of its all metal construction, while also providing improved aesthetics and overall strength and durability. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of the various embodiments and variants of the apparatus and methods of the invention are now provided. It will be appreciated that while the following exemplary embodiments are described primarily in terms of an electric guitar (e.g., six-string) fabricated substantially from stainless steel, the invention is in no way so limited, and in fact may be readily extended to other types of instruments, and may utilize other types of materials (metal or otherwise) to achieve the desired properties. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the entire outer surface of the electric guitar described subsequently herein, except for the fingerboard, is manufactured from a passivated metal such as highly polished stainless steel (e.g. type 304) which advantageously gives the exterior a very durable mirror-like finish that is impervious to stains of almost any kind, including without limitation ink, paint, perspiration, moisture, solvents, and rust. Furthermore, the use of passivated metal such as stainless steel means that the guitar will not be affected by changes in humidity or temperature. While stainless steel is known to expand with an increase in temperature, the amount of expansion that results under normal weather conditions is not enough to affect the ability of the guitar to stay in tune. Contrast this property with guitars constructed from wood, wherein warping caused by heat and/or humidity can render them unplayable. Herein lies yet another advantage of the exemplary embodiments of the invention; i.e. the ability to stay in tune and require less frequent tuning. 
     Furthermore, as the properties of stainless steel are by nature more homogenous than wood grain, the sound of a guitar made from stainless steel delivers a much more consistent sound from guitar to guitar than is possible with guitars constructed from wood. While primarily discussed and described as being made from stainless steel, for example type 304 stainless steel which is commonly used in commercial kitchens and appliances, it is appreciated that other metallic materials (such as materials that are not made from steel, or different alloys, such as e.g., Cu—Ni or Inconel) could readily be substituted by one of ordinary skill given the present disclosure in order to modify, for example, the tonal characteristics of the electric guitar, the stainless steel embodiments described herein being merely exemplary. 
     Electric Guitar Apparatus 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B , a first exemplary embodiment of a neck assembly  100  in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown and described in detail.  FIG. 1A  illustrates the two-piece construction of the neck assembly, while  FIG. 1B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along  1 B- 1 B. The neck assembly is composed of a backside steel channel  102  that is formed and welded along seams  106  to a top or fretboard side steel channel  104  to which the fretboard  108  is ultimately mounted. The neck assembly is preferably tapered such that the width  110  at one end of the neck assembly is wider than the width  112  at the opposing end of the neck assembly, although this is not a requirement of practicing the invention. The two sections of steel are sized so that they form two (2) interlocking channels of stainless steel. The top or fretboard side steel channel  104  locks around the backside steel channel  102 . The neck is then welded its entire length along the two outer seams  106  created where the two channels meet. This results in a tubular component in which two triangulated tubes run parallel inside a third triangulated tube for the length of the neck component. 
     By constructing the neck of the guitar in this manner, the strength and rigidity of the neck is substantially increased, thereby offering a much more solid and rigid connection to the body of the guitar (see e.g.  FIG. 3A ). This feature results in a marked improvement in the sustain characteristics associated with string vibration. The welds are ground smooth, and the resultant surface is highly polished giving the neck assembly a smooth surface (thereby providing a smooth sliding surface for the user&#39;s hand as it moves up and down the neck, as well as the appearance that it is constructed from a singular piece of stainless steel, which is aesthetically pleasing. 
     The internal design and construction of the neck (and body support structure described subsequently herein), minimizes the amount of forward flex that normally occurs as the strings of the guitar are placed under tension (e.g. during tuning), This design characteristic allows for a much higher degree of accuracy and precision during the setup of the fingerboard. Such a design also advantageously eliminates the need for a truss rod that is used in most guitars to compensate for the forward flex of the neck caused by the tension of the strings. The inclusion of a truss rod can contribute to, inter alia, undesirable tonal characteristics. Elimination of forward flex also contributes markedly to consistency and tonal stability, as referenced elsewhere herein. 
     Furthermore, this illustrated method of construction also minimizes the weight of the neck as compared with solid neck constructions (e.g. hardwood), while retaining the more desirable tonal characteristics of prior art solid neck constructions. In other words, and being somewhat counterintuitive, the illustrated method of construction does not make the guitar sound tinny or hollow, and reduces weight (due to, inter cilia, the elimination of the aforementioned truss rod, and the comparative strength and rigidity of the metal). 
     In addition, the illustrated design allows for a far more consistent finished product than is possible in neck constructions made from wood. 
     Further, the design of the neck allows for the fretboard action (the height of the strings above the fretboard) to be set to a higher degree of precision. In other words, due to the minimized (or eliminated) change or distortion to the straightness of the neck when the tension of the strings tuned to pitch is added, the fretboard action may remain unaffected; this is not true for wood-necked guitars (which will distort upon application of tension to the strings). The lower fretboard action advantageously assist in an ability of the user of the guitar to perform techniques including tapping, legato through pull-offs and hammer-ons (also known as slurs), pinch harmonics, and volume swells. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2D , an exemplary neck assembly/neck block joint  200  construction for an electric guitar is shown and described in detail. In one embodiment, the stainless steel neck assembly  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1B  is ultimately attached to the body of the electric guitar by being welded to the neck block  204  using, e.g., conventional stainless steel welding techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the metalworking arts. The neck block is located and secured at the body end (i.e., the end having larger width  110 ) of the neck. Furthermore, the neck block is sized such that the fretboard side of the neck assembly  210  lies flush with the top surface of the neck block. The neck block is subsequently welded in place. In order to further reinforce the joint, the neck/body joint may also include a neck buttress  206 . The neck buttress, in the illustrated embodiment, is manufactured using three (3) separate pieces of stainless steel sheet metal that are cut and welded together to form a smooth transition from the bottom of the neck block  204  to the body end of the bottom side of the neck assembly  212 . The resultant welds are then ground smooth to give the resultant neck assembly/neck block joint the appearance that it is constructed from a singular piece of stainless steel. The neck buttress also propagates up the full side  202  of the neck assembly as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . Two (2) rectangular tubular structures  208  are also attached to either side of the neck block, and form the supporting structure for coupling the body of the guitar to the neck/body joint. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an exemplary neck/body joint  300  construction for use on an electric guitar is shown and described in detail. The body  306  of the guitar is, in the illustrated embodiment (see  FIG. 3B ), formed using two (2) identical halves that include a top half  310  and a bottom half  308 . Each half is bent and sized so as to form one half of the total thickness of the body. The two halves are then welded together where the two surfaces meet along the centerline.  312  of the sides of the body outer surface. While the use of two identical body halves is desirable (so that essentially a single process can be utilized to manufacture both halves), it is by no means necessary and a near limitless number of body design variations are of course possible. 
     Two (2) rectangular stainless steel tubes run parallel to each other from the neck/neck block joint  200  to the opposing end of the body and form the underlying supporting structure  304  for the body of the guitar. These supporting structures  304  are secured to the neck assembly/neck block joint block assembly  200  by a welded joint  313  that results in a unitary assembly for the body, the neck assembly and the neck block. This unitary construction, along with the supporting structures present within both the neck assembly and body, greatly improves the amount of sustain of string vibration, an attribute that is highly desirable to guitar players. Similar to the other welded joints described herein, the welded joints on the body are ground flush and highly polished so that the resultant structure appears to be formed from a single piece of stainless steel. The supporting structures also optionally include one or more cut-outs  314 , which reduce the weight of the guitar. These cut-outs are also used to join the different volumes present within the guitar, thereby effectively forming a larger cavity within the body of the guitar, which can be used to control the tonal and other characteristics of the instrument as desired. Hence, the guitar can be acoustically “shaped” during construction by varying the size, shape, and/or presence of these cut-outs. 
     In fact, in spite of its metal construction, the exemplary embodiment of the guitar of the present invention is still comparable in weight with other standard prior art electric guitars. For example, in a stainless steel embodiment of the guitar illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-4B  (or alternatively  FIGS. 2A-5B ), the total weight of the guitar is approximately 11.75 lbs., which is comparable with some of the heavier electric guitars constructed of wood and widely accepted as an industry standard, such as the Les Paul manufactured by Gibson, which can weigh on the order of 12.0 lbs. 
     The body of the exemplary embodiment also includes an internal cavity  302  that is sized to accommodate the guitar pickup electronics and other controls common to electric guitars. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an exemplary headstock  400  construction is shown and described in detail. As is conventional, the headstock is located at the opposing end of the neck assembly that is opposite the body. The illustrated headstock includes a number of machine head locations  406 . Machine heads, or tuning keys, are the termination point for the strings of the guitar. The machine heads are in the illustrated embodiment able to rotate, thereby allowing for the tuning of each string on the guitar individually. The headstock is, in an exemplary embodiment, constructed of an outer surface  404  of stainless steel sheet metal. 
     The headstock also includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a filler material  402  (shown in a cutaway view) that is sandwiched between the outer layers of stainless steel. In one embodiment, the filler material  402  comprises a comparatively lightweight corrugated metal structure with the corrugations arranged so as to be orthogonal with the upper  408  and lower  410  surfaces of the headstock. This lightweight corrugated material in the headstock produces a unique and desirable tone that differs from the tonal qualities of existing guitars. The use of the corrugated filter material also eliminates “tinny” sounds, which are commonly problematic in guitars constructed from metal. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the filler material is constructed using a honeycomb structure. In one variant, this structure is arranged such that honeycomb structure walls are orthogonal with the upper and lower surfaces of the headstock. In an exemplary embodiment, the headstock is constructed separately from the neck and welded on to the end of the neck opposite the body. The resulting joint is strengthened by a welded buttress  206  similar to the one found at the opposite end of the neck assembly. The welded joints are then ground down smooth and highly polished in order to give the resultant assembly the look of a unitary stainless steel construction. 
     Furthermore, while the filler material is primarily contemplated as being incorporated into the headstock of the guitar, it is appreciated that its use can be extended to other portions of the guitar. For example, the filler material described herein can be incorporated into the neck assembly of the guitar and/or the body of the guitar, in addition to being incorporated within the headstock of the guitar. Furthermore, it is appreciated that the filler material may be obviated from the guitar design altogether. Such a design choice might be desirable in, for example, guitar designs which desire tinnier or more trebly type of timbre characteristics. These and other variations would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill given the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5B , a second exemplary embodiment of a neck assembly  500  in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown and described in detail.  FIG. 5A  illustrates a two-piece construction of the neck assembly (such as that shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ); however,  FIG. 5B  highlights the differences between the two embodiments by illustrating a cross-sectional view taken along  5 B- 5 B. The neck assembly is composed of a fretboard side steel channel  502  that is formed and welded along seams  506  to a backside steel channel  504 . The fretboard  508  is ultimately mounted to the fretboard steel channel and secured between the supporting structures  514  formed on the ends of the backside steel channel. The neck assembly is preferably tapered such that the width  510  at one end of the neck assembly is wider than the width  512  at the opposing end of the neck assembly, although this is not a requirement of practicing the invention. The two sections of steel are sized so that they form two (2) interlocking channels of stainless steel. The top or fretboard side steel channel  502  is positioned underneath the formed ends of the backside steel channel  502 . The neck is then welded its entire length along the two seams  506  created where the two channels meet. This results in a semi-circular tubular component as well as two triangulated regions that run adjacent to the fretboard disposed between these two triangulated regions. 
     By constructing the neck of the guitar in this manner, the strength and rigidity of the neck is substantially increased, thereby offering a much more solid and rigid connection to the body of the guitar (see e.g.  FIG. 3A ). This feature results in a marked improvement in the sustain characteristics associated with string vibration. The welds are ground smooth, and because the welds are hidden underneath the mounted fretboard, the highly polished surface of the backside steel channel gives the neck assembly a smooth surface (thereby providing a smooth sliding surface for the user&#39;s hand as it moves up and down the neck), as well as the appearance that it is constructed from a singular piece of stainless steel, which is aesthetically pleasing. 
     The internal design and construction of the neck (and body support structure described subsequently herein), minimizes the amount of forward flex that normally occurs as the strings of the guitar are placed under tension (e.g. during tuning). This design characteristic allows for a much higher degree of accuracy and precision during the setup of the fingerboard. Such a design also advantageously eliminates the need for a truss rod that is used in most guitars to compensate for the forward flex of the neck caused by the tension of the strings. The inclusion of a truss rod can contribute to, inter alia, undesirable tonal characteristics. Elimination of forward flex also contributes markedly to consistency and tonal stability, as referenced elsewhere herein. 
     Furthermore, this illustrated method of construction also minimizes the weight of the neck as compared with solid neck constructions (e.g. hardwood), while retaining the more desirable tonal characteristics of prior art solid neck constructions. In other words, and being somewhat counterintuitive, the illustrated method of construction does not make the guitar sound tinny or hollow, and reduces weight (due to, inter alia, the elimination of the aforementioned truss rod, and the comparative strength and rigidity of the metal). 
     In addition, the illustrated design allows for a far more consistent finished product than is possible in neck constructions made from wood. 
     Methods of Manufacture— 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , exemplary embodiments of the method of manufacturing the electric guitar  600  described above with regard to  FIGS. 1A-5B  are now described in detail. 
     At step  602  of the method  600 , the neck assembly illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 1A-1B and 5A-5B  are assembled. In an exemplary embodiment, the neck assembly is formed from two (2) distinct stainless steel sheet metal that includes a backside steel channel that is formed and welded to a top or fretboard side steel channel. A fretboard is then subsequently mounted onto the fretboard side steel channel. 
     At step  604 , the neck block joint illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 2A-2D  is assembled. The neck block is then located and secured at the body end of the neck assembly assembled at step  602 . The neck block joint is, in an exemplary embodiment, sized such that the fretboard side of the neck assembly  210  lies flush with the top surface of the neck block joint. The neck block joint is subsequently welded in place. The joint is then reinforced by assembling a neck buttress at the joint between the neck block joint and the neck assembly. The neck buttress is in an exemplary embodiment manufactured using three (3) separate pieces of stainless steel sheet metal that is cut and welded together to form a smooth transition from the bottom of the neck block joint to the body end of the bottom side of the neck assembly. 
     At step  606 , the body of the guitar illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 3A-3B  is assembled. In an exemplary embodiment, the body is formed using two (2) identical halves. Each half is bent and sized so as to form one half of the total thickness of the body. The body is then reinforced with supporting structures that are sized to accommodate the guitar pickup electronics and other controls common to electric guitars. The guitar pickup electronics and controls are the installed into the guitar before the two halves are welded together. The two halves are, in an exemplary embodiment, welded together where the two surfaces meet along the centerline of the sides of the body outer surface. 
     At step  608 , the headstock illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 4A-4B  is assembled. The illustrated headstock includes a number of machine head locations that are sized to accommodate machine heads, or tuning keys, which are the termination point for the strings of the guitar. The headstock is also, in an exemplary embodiment, constructed of an outer surface of stainless steel sheet metal that includes a special filler material that is sandwiched between the outer layers of stainless steel. In one embodiment, the filler material comprises a corrugated metal structure with the corrugations arranged so as to be orthogonal with the upper and lower surfaces of the headstock. 
     At step  610 , the assembled components of the guitar are joined together to form the finished electric guitar. The headstock assembled at step  608  is assembled to the neck block joint assembly which was assembled at step  604 . These assembled components are then welded to the body of the guitar that was assembled at step  606 . The welds are then ground smooth and highly polished so that the assembled electric guitar appears to be formed from a unitary metallic structure. The strings are then assembled onto the guitar and tuned. 
     It will again be noted that while certain aspects of the invention are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of the invention, and may be modified as required by the particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the invention disclosed and claimed herein. 
     While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. The foregoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.