Patent Publication Number: US-2016223307-A1

Title: Bullet and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/960,737 to Jonathan Lawrence Bray, filed Aug. 6, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. This application also claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/742,181 to Jonathan Lawrence Bray, filed Aug. 6, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to improvements to bullets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Potential advantages of frangibility in a bullet are known and are discussed throughout U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,819, entitled Obstacle Piercing Frangible Bullet, issued to Huffman on Jun. 9, 1998 (“Huffman”), which patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that it teaches. Frangibility, however, may undesirably limit the penetration ability of a bullet, especially hollow-point bullets, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,485 B2, entitled Method Of Making A Non-Lead Hollow-point Bullet and issued to Vaughn, et al., on Oct. 7, 2003 (“Vaughn”), which patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that it teaches. In fact, Vaughn at Col. 2, lines 47-49 expressly teaches-away from introducing frangibility into hollow-point bullets. 
     Potential advantages of hollow-point bullets, which are designed to expand in diameter during penetration of the target, are known and discussed throughout the background section of U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. US20050126422 A1 filed by Lamm, entitled Bullet With Booster Filling And Its Manufacture and published on Jun. 16, 2005 (“Lamm”), which publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that it teaches. Lamm suggests inserting a cylinder of relatively soft elastomer inside the concave portion of a hollow-point bullet to improve its expansion in hard targets by hydraulically transmitting pressure outward to the interior surfaces of the concave portion, while also preventing clogging of the concave portion with debris from intermediate barriers. Lamm notes at paragraph [0039] that frangibility as discussed in Huffman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,819) teaches away from Lamm&#39;s radially-expanding hollow-point bullets. 
     As noted throughout the art, there remains much room for improvement in bullet design, since improvements in one aspect (such as frangibility or expansion), often tend to reduce performance in another aspect (such as penetration). 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided are new and improved bullets, which may comprise in certain example embodiments a hybrid bullet comprising both a highly frangible portion comprising very hard and brittle material adapted to fragment into sharp pieces upon impact with a target, and a hollow-point portion adapted to radially expand upon impact with the target. In certain example embodiments a hard, frangible insert may be at least partially inserted into the concave portion of a hollow-point bullet, wherein the insert may be adapted to urge the radial outward expansion of the hollow-point portion while also being adapted to fragment inside a target. In certain example embodiments the hollow-point portion may comprise a conventional hollow-point bullet, such as a copper-jacketed lead bullet having a partially hollowed-out leading end portion, for instance. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise a generally conical or wedge-shaped portion extending longitudinally into the concave portion of the hollow-point bullet, such that the insert would tend to apply a radially-outward force on one or more interior surfaces of the concave portion when the bullet impacts a target. 
     In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of at least 5. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 6. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 6 to about 7. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 7. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 7.5 to about 8. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 8. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 8.5. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 9 to about 9.5. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 9.5 to about 10. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 10. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of greater than 10. 
     In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: orthoclase, titanium, manganese, germanium, niobium, rhodium, uranium. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: glass, fused quartz, iron pyrite, silicon, ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, opal, peridot. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: osmium, quartz, rhenium, vanadium. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: emerald, hardened steel, tungsten, spinel. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: topaz, cubic zirconia. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: chrysoberyl, chromium, silicon nitride, tantalum carbide. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: corundum, silicon carbide (carborundum), tungsten carbide, titanium carbide. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: boron, boron nitride, rhenium diboride, stishovite, titanium diboride. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: diamond, carbonado. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: nanocrystalline diamond (hyperdiamond, ultrahard fullerite). In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a gemstone, either naturally-occurring or man-made. 
     Also provided in various example embodiments is a kit adapted to allow a user to modify a conventional hollow-point bullet, such as a copper-jacketed lead bullet, to become a hybrid bullet. In various example embodiments a kit may comprise one or more hard, frangible inserts that may comprise generally conical or wedge-shaped portions sized and shaped to extend longitudinally into the hollow-point concave portion, such that the insert would tend to apply a radially-outward force on one or more interior surfaces of the hollow-point concave portion when the hybrid bullet impacts a target. In various example embodiments a kit may comprise means for attaching hard, frangible inserts into the concave portions of conventional hollow-point bullets. In various example embodiments said means may comprise liquid silicone, glue, a pliable polymer or any suitably deformable material having adhesive qualities. 
     Further provided in various example embodiments is a method of creating hybrid bullets as described herein. The hard, frangible inserts may be affixed or removably affixed into the concave portions of hollow-point bullets using any appropriately strong means, such as liquid silicone, glue, or a pliable polymer or any suitably deformable material having adhesive qualities. Alternatively or additionally, the hard, frangible insert may be affixed to the bullet by crimping or otherwise mechanically deforming at least a portion of the bullet, such as an outer jacket, to mechanically engage the hard, frangible insert with the bullet. A method is also provided including the steps of providing a bullet, forming a concave portion in a leading end of the bullet, providing a hard, frangible insert adapted to be at least partially inserted into the concave portion, and affixing the insert at least partially into the concave portion using any of the means described above. 
     Further details regarding example embodiments of the invention are provided below with reference to the accompanying example figures. Additional aspects, alternatives and variations as would be apparent to persons of skill in the art are also disclosed herein and are specifically contemplated as included as part of the invention, which is limited not by any example but only by the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following figures illustrate certain aspects of the design and utility of example embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example frangible member and example hollow-point member being assembled into an example bullet assembly according to certain embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the example bullet assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing the parts assembled. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the example bullet assembly of  FIG. 2  being assembled into an example shell casing according to certain embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the example bullet assembly of  FIG. 3  showing the parts assembled into an example cartridge. 
         FIG. 5  is a rotated side elevation section view of the example bullet assembly of  FIG. 2  shown after being fired toward an example soft target. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation section view of the example bullet assembly of  FIG. 5  shown beginning to impact the example soft target. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation section view of the example bullet assembly of  FIG. 6  shown beginning to enter the example soft target. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation section view of the example bullet assembly of  FIG. 7  shown continuing to enter the example soft target. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the present invention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described or illustrated embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, device features well known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail in order to not obscure unnecessarily the present invention. The invention is scalable, and is not limited to any particular dimensions or characteristics except where specifically claimed. 
     Example aspects, components and features of various embodiments of the present bullets and their methods of assembly are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 8  and are described below. Turning first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , depicted is an example bullet  100  comprising a frangible member  200 . Frangible member  200  may comprise or consist of material of sufficient hardness and brittleness that the material is adapted to fragment into sharp pieces  290  upon the bullet  100  impacting a target  1000 , an example of which is depicted in  FIGS. 5 through 8 . Target  1000  may be any suitable target that allows at least partial penetration of the bullet  100 , such as a soft target, for instance ballistic gel. Sharp pieces  290  may have a thin edge or a fine point suitable for or capable of cutting or piercing target material  1000 . 
     For example but not by way of limitation, frangible material of sufficient hardness and brittleness to function as claimed may comprise or consist of materials having a hardness on the Mohs scale of at least 5. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 5, such as apatite (tooth enamel), cobalt, zirconium, palladium, obsidian (volcanic glass). In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 5.5, such as beryllium, molybdenum, hafnium. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 6, such as orthoclase, titanium, manganese, germanium, niobium, rhodium, uranium. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 6 to about 7, such as glass, fused quartz, iron pyrite, silicon, ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, opal, peridot. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 7, such as osmium, quartz, rhenium, vanadium. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 7.5 to about 8, such as emerald, hardened steel, tungsten, spinel. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 8, such as topaz, cubic zirconia. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 8.5, such as chrysoberyl, chromium, silicon nitride, tantalum carbide. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 9 to about 9.5, such as corundum, silicon carbide (carborundum), tungsten carbide, titanium carbide. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 9.5 to about 10, such as boron, boron nitride, rhenium diboride, stishovite, titanium diboride. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of about 10, such as diamond, carbonado. In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a material having a hardness on the Mohs scale of greater than 10, such as nanocrystalline diamond (hyperdiamond, ultrahard fullerite). In certain example embodiments the hard, frangible insert may comprise or consist of a gemstone. All references to gemstones, minerals, or other substances include both naturally-occurring or manufactured versions unless otherwise stated. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 through 7 , in certain example embodiments the frangible member  200  may have an outer surface  210  tapering from a larger thickness (or diameter)  220  leading end portion  230  to a smaller thickness (or diameter)  240  trailing end portion  250 . In this description the term “leading end” means the end positioned toward the target  1000  when the bullet  100  is fired toward the target  1000 , while the “trailing end” means the end positioned away from the target  1000  when the bullet  100  is fired toward the target  1000 . In certain example embodiments the tapering outer surface  210  may define a conical, wedge, or similarly-shaped portion  250 . In certain example embodiments the frangible member  200  may comprise a body defining a brilliant cut diamond shape  280 , as that term is broadly understood in the art of gemstones, with a plurality of facets  282 . While certain example shapes and materials are shown and described herein to illustrate general concepts, frangible member  200  may have any suitable outer profile, shape, and dimensions, such as a wedge, diamond, cone, tapered cylinder, trapezoid, or any other suitable shape, and may comprise any suitable materials, as long as frangible member  200  provides the claimed functionality when used in connection with the hollow-point member  300 , described below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 8 , in certain example embodiments bullet  100  may comprise a hollow-point member  300 . In certain example embodiments hollow-point member  300  may comprise a partially hollowed-out leading end portion  310  defining a concave cavity  320  therein having an inner surface  330 . In certain example embodiments hollow-point member  300  may comprise a non-hollowed-out trailing end portion  340 , for instance, a solid portion. In certain example embodiments the leading end portion  310  may be adapted to expand radially outward upon the bullet impacting a target  1000 , as depicted in  FIGS. 5 through 8 . One or more reliefs  312  may be cut or formed into leading end portion  310  to facilitate expansion or “mushrooming” upon impact. 
     In certain example embodiments the hollow-point member  300  may comprise a conventional, off-the-shelf copper-jacketed hollow-point lead bullet, as is known in the art of firearms. Alternatively, any suitable style of hollow-point bullet in any suitable caliber can be used as member  300 , such as, for example: .17 Remington Fireball; 204 Ruger; 218 Bee; 22 Hornet; 22 Long Rifle; 22 PPC; 22 Short; 22-250 Remington; 220 Swift; 221 Remington Fireball; 222 Remington; 223 Remington; 223 WSSM; 224 Boz; 243 Winchester; 243 WSSM; 25 ACP; 25 WSSM; 25-20 Winchester; 250-3000 Savage; 256 Winchester Magnum; Winchester; WSM; 280 British; 280 Remington; 30 Carbine; 30 Herrett; 30-06 Springfield; 30-30 Winchester; 30-40 Krag; 300 Ruger Compact Magnum; 300 Savage; 300 Winchester Magnum; 300 WSM; 303 British; 307 Winchester; 308 Marlin Express; 308 Winchester; 32 H&amp;R Magnum; 32 NAA; 32 rimfire; 32 S&amp;W; 32 S&amp;W Long; 32 Winchester Self-Loading; 32-20 Winchester; 325 WSM; 327 Federal Magnum; 338 Lapua Magnum; 338 Ruger Compact Magnum; 348 Winchester; 35 Remington; 35 Winchester Self-Loading; 351 Winchester Self-Loading; 357 Magnum; 357 SIG; 375 Holland &amp; Holland Magnum; 375 Ruger; 375 RUM; 38 Long Colt; 38 S&amp;W; 38 Special; 38 Super; 38-55 Winchester; 40 S&amp;W; 400 Corbon; 400 H&amp;H Magnum; 401 Winchester Self-Loading; 408 Cheyenne Tactical; 41 Action Express; 41 Remington Magnum; 416 Barrett; 416 Remington Magnum; 416 Rigby; 42 Berdan; 44 AMP; 44 Henry; 44 Magnum; 44 S&amp;W American; 44 Special; 44-40 Winchester; 444 Marlin; 45 ACP; 45 Colt; 45 GAP; 45 Magnum; 45-70; 450 Adams; 450 Marlin; 450 Nitro Express; 454 Casull; 455 Webley; 458 Winchester Magnum; 46 rimfire; 460 S&amp;W Magnum; 460 Weatherby; 465 H&amp;H Magnum; 470 Nitro Express; 476 Enfield; 480 Ruger; 50 Action Express; 50 BMG; 50 Remington; 50-90 Sharps; 500 S&amp;W Magnum; 577 Snider; 577/450 Martini-Henry; 600 Nitro Express; 700 Nitro Express; 10 mm Auto; 11 mm Gras; 11×60 mm Mauser; 11×60 mm Murata; 2 mm Kolibri; 300 AAC Blackout; 5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum; 5.45×39 mm; 5.56×45 mm NATO; 5.56×45 mm NATO SS109; 5.6 mm Gw Pat 90; 5.8×42 mm DBP87; 6 mm PPC; 6.5 Grendel; 6.5 mm JDJ; 6.5×50 mmSR Arisaka; 6.5×52 mm Mannlicher-Carcano; 6.5×55 mm; 6.5×68 mm; 6.8 mm Remington SPC; 7.35×51 mm Carcano; 7.5×55 mm Swiss; 7.5×57 mm MAS; 7.62×38 mmR; 7.62×39 mm; 7.62×51 mm NATO; 7.62×54 mmR; 7.63×25 mm Mauser; 7.65 mm Browning; 7.65×21 mm Parabellum; 7.7×58 mm Arisaka; 7.92 mm DS; 7.92×33 mm Kurz; 7.92×57 mm Mauser; 7 mm Remington Magnum; 7 mm WSM; 7 mm-08 Remington; 7×57 mm Mauser; 8 mm Lebel; 8×53 Rmm Murata; 8×68 mm S; 9.3×62 mm; 9 mm Browning Short; 9 mm Mars; 9×19 mm Parabellum; 9×57 mm Mauser; FN 5.7×28 mm; HK 4.6×30 mm, or any other caliber or style of bullet, jacketed or not, already having a concave hollow-point cavity  320  or capable of having a hollow point cavity  320  cut, swaged, or otherwise formed therein as is known in the art. Some of the foregoing ammunition is mentioned by brand name; all trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. 
     As indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , in certain example embodiments bullet  100  may comprise the smaller thickness  240  trailing end portion  250  of the frangible member  200  extending into the cavity  320  in the leading end portion  310  of the hollow-point member  300 . The frangible member  200  may be affixed or removably affixed into the cavity  320  using any appropriately strong means, such as liquid silicone, glue, or a pliable polymer or any suitably deformable material having adhesive qualities, a suitable amount of which (not shown) may be placed into the cavity  320 , and the frangible member  200  inserted at least partially therein. Alternatively or additionally, frangible member  200  may be affixed into the cavity  320  by crimping or otherwise mechanically deforming at least a portion of the leading end portion  310  of the hollow-point member  300 , such as an outer jacket (not shown) or edge  325 , to mechanically engage the larger thickness (or diameter)  220  leading end portion  230  of the frangible member  200  to the hollow-point member  300 . No specific examples of crimping are shown since this general technique is well known in the art. 
     In certain example embodiments the tapered outer surface  210  of the frangible member  200  may be adapted to transmit radial outward force to the inner surface  330  of the cavity  320  upon the bullet  100  impacting a target  1000 , for instance a radial outward force tending to wedge open the hollow-point cavity  320  during impact, even as the frangible member  200  tends to fracture, as depicted in  FIGS. 6 through 8 . In certain example embodiments the tapered outer surface  210  may define a conical, wedge, or similarly-shaped portion  250  extending into the cavity  320  in the leading end portion  310  of the hollow-point member  300 . For example, in certain example embodiments the tapered outer surface  210  may define a generally conical portion  250  of a brilliant cut diamond shape  280  or other shape extending into the cavity  320  in the leading end portion  310  of the hollow-point member  300 , where the leading end portion  230  of the frangible member  200  may be larger in thickness (or diameter)  220  than the thickness (or diameter)  325  of the opening of the cavity  320  as defined by its sidewall(s)  330 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , also provided in various example embodiments are example methods of assembling a bullet  100 , which methods may comprise providing a hollow-point member  300  comprising a partially hollowed-out leading end portion  310  defining a concave cavity  320  therein having an inner surface  300 , and a non-hollowed-out trailing end portion  340 , wherein the leading end portion  310  is adapted to expand radially outward upon the bullet  100  impacting a target  1000 , using any suitable technique or geometry as is known in the art of hollow-point bullets. In various embodiments example methods may further comprise inserting at least partially into the cavity  320  a frangible member  200  comprising material of sufficient hardness and brittleness that the material is adapted to fragment into sharp pieces  290  upon the bullet  100  impacting a target  1000 , where the frangible member  200  may have an outer surface tapering from a larger thickness  220  leading end portion  230  to a smaller thickness  240  trailing end portion  250 . 
     In various embodiments example methods may further comprise affixing the frangible member  200  with the hollow-point member  300  in a position where: the smaller thickness  240  trailing end portion  250  of the frangible member  200  extends into the cavity  320  in the leading end portion  310  of the hollow-point member  330 ; and the tapered outer surface  210  of the frangible member  220  is positioned to transmit radial outward force to the inner surface  330  of the cavity  320  upon the bullet  100  impacting a target  1000 . This may be accomplished in certain example embodiments by providing the leading end portion  230  of the frangible member  200  with a larger thickness (or diameter)  220  than the thickness (or diameter)  325  of the opening of the cavity  320  as defined by its sidewall(s)  330 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 8 . Specific dimensional relationships among diameters  220 ,  325  can be optimized by testing using various materials and geometries in view of desired properties of the bullet  100 , such as penetration, expansion, and frangibility. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in use, the bullet  100  may form part of a live firearm cartridge  400  by being placed in a shell casing  410  along with propellant  420  such as gunpowder (not shown), and a primer  430  (not shown), as known in the art of firearm ammunition. Such a bullet  100  may then be placed in a firearm (not shown) and fired as depicted in  FIGS. 5 through 8 , causing the bullet  100  to strike a target  1000 , whereupon the frangible member  200  tends to fracture into sharp pieces  290  that tend to be pushed into the target  1000  by the hollow-point member  300 , which itself tends to expand radially outward similar to a regular hollow-point bullet, assisted in its expansion by the radial outward urging of the wedging action of the frangible member  200 , as depicted in  FIGS. 6 through 8 . Alternatively, the bullet  100  may be used in a dummy firearm cartridge for decoration or similar purposes by omitting the propellant. 
     Also provided in various example embodiments is a kit adapted to allow a user to modify a conventional hollow-point bullet  300 , such as a copper-jacketed lead bullet, to become a hybrid bullet  100 . In various example embodiments a kit may comprise one or more hard, frangible inserts  200  as described herein, sized appropriately for one or more specific standard hollow-point bullet(s)  300  to cause the said bullet(s)  300  to function as described and shown herein in  FIGS. 6 through 8  when used as described herein. The kit may further comprise means for attaching the hard, frangible inserts  200  into the concave portions  320  of the conventional hollow-point bullets  300 . In various example embodiments said means may comprise liquid silicone, glue, a pliable polymer or any suitably deformable material having adhesive qualities. The kit may further comprise written instructions for inserting the inserts  200  at least partially into the concave portions  320  of the conventional hollow-point bullets  300  as described herein. 
     The above devices, structures, methods, and functionalities are set forth to illustrate general concepts. Numerous other devices, structures, methods, and functionalities, and combinations and permutations thereof, are contemplated, and are inherently and necessarily disclosed to persons of ordinary skill in the art by the description and drawings herein. 
     Although exemplary embodiments and applications of the invention have been described herein including as described above and shown in the included example Figures, there is no intention that the invention be limited to these exemplary embodiments and applications or to the manner in which the exemplary embodiments and applications operate or are described herein. Indeed, many variations and modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The invention may include any device, structure, method, or functionality, as long as the resulting device, system or method falls within the scope of one of the claims that is allowed by the patent office based on this or any related patent application.