Patent Publication Number: US-11022405-B2

Title: Bullet-proof backpack

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to backpacks. More specifically, the disclosure relates to bullet-proof backpacks that protect the head and neck. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Gun fire in schools, universities, entertainment districts and other public places has become all too commonplace. If an active shooter enters a public place, people must take immediate measures to protect themselves. Bullet-proof vests may provide protection, but most people do not wear bullet-proof vests to public areas such as schools or entertainment districts. Moreover, bullet-proof vests may not protect the head and neck of a user. 
     Bullet-proof backpacks may be more convenient in that they may also be used to carry objects and belongings like books, papers and supplies. Moreover, such bullet-proof backpacks are often brought to schools, universities and public events. 
     However prior art bullet-proof backpacks may not protect the neck and head of a user. Additionally, bullet-proof backpacks may not protect the left and right shoulders of a user. Moreover, bullet-proof backpacks may not protect the pelvic region of a user. Further, neither the bullet proof backpack nor the bullet proof vest may protect the entire body of a user. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a bullet-proof backpack that can protect at least a portion of the head and neck of a user. There is also a need for a bullet-proof backpack that can protect the left and right shoulders of a user. Further there is a need for a bullet-proof backpack that can protect the pelvic region of a user. Moreover, there is a need for a bullet-proof backpack that can protect the entire body of a user. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a bullet-proof backpack that protects at least the back of a user&#39;s neck and a back portion of the user&#39;s head from gun fire. In certain embodiments, the backpack may also protect the entire head of a user from gun fire. The backpack may also protect the left and right shoulders and pelvic region of a user. When worn on the back of a user, the bullet-proof backpack may include sections that are movable from a stored position to a deployed positon, which enable the backpack to protect larger regions of a user&#39;s body. When the movable sections of the bullet-proof backpack are in the deployed position and a user is in a seated position, the bullet-proof backpack may act as a full body shield. 
     A bullet-proof backpack in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes a back protection section having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The back protection section is sized to cover a portion of a user&#39;s upper back when the backpack is worn by the user. The bullet-proof backpack also includes a neck protection section having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The neck protection section is movably connected to the backpack and operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. When the neck protection section is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack. When the neck protection section is in its deployed position, it covers a back of the user&#39;s neck and a back portion of the user&#39;s head when the backpack is worn by the user. 
     Another bullet-proof backpack in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes a back protection section and a neck protection section. The back protection includes a backpack portion and a back protection panel. The backpack portion has storage compartments for carrying items of interest to the user. The back protection panel is disposed between the backpack portion and the user&#39;s upper back when the backpack is worn by the user. The back protection panel has bullet-proof material integrated therein. The back protection panel is sized to cover a portion of a user&#39;s upper back when the backpack is worn by the user. The neck protection panel of the bullet-proof backpack also has bullet-proof material integrated therein. The neck protection panel is movably connected to the backpack and is operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. When the neck protection panel is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack. When the neck protection panel is in its deployed position, it extends upward from the backpack to cover a back of the user&#39;s neck and a back portion of the user&#39;s head when the backpack is worn by the user. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a rear perspective view of an example of a bullet proof backpack, having a back protection section and a neck protection section wherein the neck protection section is in a stored position, according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 1 , according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a rear perspective view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 1 , having the neck protection section in a deployed position, according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 3 , according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a rear perspective view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 3 , having a left side protection section and a right side protection section, wherein the left and right side protection sections are in a deployed position, according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a side view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 5 , according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 7A  depicts a rear perspective view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 5 , having a pelvic protection section, wherein the pelvic protection section is in a deployed position, and wherein a user is wearing the backpack in a standing position, according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 7B  depicts a rear perspective view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 7A , wherein the user is wearing the backpack in a sitting position, according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a side view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 7A , according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a rear perspective view of an example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 3 , having a head protection section pivotally connected to an upper end of the neck protection section, and wherein the head protection section is in a deployed position, according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a side view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 9 , according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 11A  depicts a rear perspective view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 9 , having a left side protection section, a right side protection section and a pelvic protection section, wherein the left side, right side and pelvic protection sections are in a deployed position, and wherein a user is wearing the backpack in a standing position, according to aspects described herein; 
         FIG. 11B  depicts a rear perspective view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 11A , wherein the user is wearing the backpack in a sitting position, according to aspects described herein; and 
         FIG. 12  depicts a side view of the example of the bullet proof backpack of  FIG. 11A , according to aspects described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain examples will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein. One or more examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the methods, systems, and devices specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting examples and that the scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one example maybe combined with the features of other examples. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms “substantially”, “approximately”, “about”, “relatively,” or other such similar terms that may be used throughout this disclosure, including the claims, are used to describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing from a reference or parameter. Such small fluctuations include a zero fluctuation from the reference or parameter as well. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ±10%, such as less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a rear perspective view ( FIG. 1 ) and a side view ( FIG. 2 ) of an example of a bullet proof backpack  100  is depicted, in accordance with aspects described herein. The backpack  100  has a back protection section  102  and a neck protection section  104 . 
     A pair of adjustable backpack straps  106  are also attached to the backpack  100  and sized to fit over the shoulders of a user  116  (see  FIG. 7A ). The backpack straps are operable to position and securely hold the backpack  100  to the user&#39;s back. 
     The back protection section  102  includes a backpack portion  108  and a back protection panel  110 . The backpack portion  108  includes one or more storage compartments (not shown) for carrying items of interest to the user  116 . 
     The back protection panel  110  is disposed between the backpack portion  108  and the user&#39;s upper back (see  FIG. 7A ) when the backpack  100  is worn by the user  116 . The back protection panel  110  in this example has bullet-proof material integrated therein and is sized to cover a portion of a user&#39;s upper back when the backpack  100  is worn by the user  116 . 
     More than one configuration of the back protection panel  110  is within the scope of this invention. For example, the back protection panel  110  may be a solid panel or may be a flexible fabric that is secured to a framed border. 
     The bullet proof material may be any appropriate material used to deter the penetration of different types of bullets. For example, the bullet proof material may be fibers composed of one or more combinations of nylon, polyethylene or aramid. The bullet proof material may also be composed of brand name fabrics such as, for example, Kevlar®, Spectra®, Twaron®, or Dyneena®. The bullet proof material may also be composed of carbon nanotubes or multiple layers of graphene sheets. The bullet proof material may be any combination of bullet proof materials listed herein and any other appropriate material depending on design parameters. 
     Though the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  describes the back protection panel  110  of the back protection section  102  as having bullet proof material, other configurations of the back protection section  102  are also within the scope of this invention. For example, the backpack portion  108  of the back protection section  102 , may also include bullet proof materials. Further, the back protection section  102  may only include a bullet proof backpack portion  108  and may not have a back protection panel  110 . 
     The neck protection section  104  of the bullet proof backpack  100  also has bullet-proof material integrated therein. In this example, the neck protection section  104  is illustrated as a neck protection panel  104  and will be referred to herein as the neck protection panel for purposes of clarity. 
     More than one configuration of the neck protection panel  104  is within the scope of this invention. For example, the neck protection panel  104  may be a solid panel or may be a flexible fabric that is secured to a framed border. 
     The neck protection panel  104  is movably connected to the backpack  100  and is operable to move from a stored position (as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to a deployed position (as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     When the neck protection panel  104  is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack  100 . In this specific example, the neck protection panel  104  is stored between the back protection panel  110  and a user&#39;s upper back when the backpack  100  is being worn by the user  116 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a rear perspective view ( FIG. 3 ) and a side view ( FIG. 4 ) of the example of the bullet proof backpack  100 , having the neck protection panel  104  in a deployed position, is depicted according to aspects described herein. When the neck protection panel  104  is in its deployed position, it covers a back of the user&#39;s neck and a back portion of the user&#39;s head when the backpack  100  is worn by the user  116 . 
     The neck protection panel  104  may be slidably connected to the backpack  100 . More specifically, the neck protection panel  104  may be slidably connected to the back protection panel  110  through a spring system (not shown). The spring system may be operable to slidably extend the neck protection panel from the stored position to the deployed position. 
     Alternatively, the neck protection panel  104  may be pivotally connected to the backpack  100  via a joint system (not shown). The joint system may be operable to pivotally rotate the neck protection panel  104  from the stored position to the deployed position. 
     Though this example illustrates the neck protection section  104  as being a neck protection panel  104 , other configurations of the neck protection section are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the neck protection section  104  may be a fabric hooded section sewn to the top of the backpack portion  108 . The hooded portion may include bullet proof materials integrated therein. The hooded portion may be operable to be manually thrown over a user&#39;s head to protect the neck and head simultaneously. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a rear perspective view ( FIG. 5 ) and a side view ( FIG. 6 ) of another example of a bullet proof backpack  200  is depicted according to aspects described herein. In this example, the bullet proof backpack  200  includes the same or similar features discussed in  FIGS. 1-4 , wherein the same or similar features are labeled with the same reference numbers. Additionally the backpack  200  includes a left side protection section  112  and a right side protection section  114 . The left and right side protection sections  112 ,  114  are illustrated in a deployed position in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     In this specific example, the left and right side protection sections  112 ,  114  are illustrated as left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114 . More than one configuration of the left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  are within the scope of this invention. For example, the left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  may be solid panels or may be composed of a flexible fabric that is secured to a framed border. 
     The left side protection panel  112  and the right side protection panel  114  each have bullet proof material integrated therein. The left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  each are movably connected to the backpack  200  and each are operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. 
     When the left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  are in their stored positions, they are each stored against a portion of the backpack  200 . For example, in much the same way that the neck protection panel  104  is stored, the left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  may also be stored between the back protection panel  110  and a user&#39;s upper back when the backpack  200  is being worn by the user  116 . 
     When the left side protection panel  112  is in its deployed position, it covers a portion the user&#39;s left side when the backpack is worn by the user  116 . When the right side protection panel  114  is in its deployed position, it covers a portion the user&#39;s right side when the backpack is worn by the user  116 . 
     More specifically, when the left side protection panel  112  is in its deployed position, it covers a portion of the user&#39;s left side and a back portion the user&#39;s left shoulder when the backpack  200  is worn by the user  116 . When the right side protection panel  114  is in its deployed position, it covers a portion of the user&#39;s right side and a back portion the user&#39;s right shoulder when the backpack  200  is worn by the user  116 . 
     When the left side protection panel  112  is in its deployed position, it extends horizontally leftward from the backpack  200  when the backpack  200  is worn by the user  116 . When the right side protection panel  114  is in its deployed position, it extends horizontally rightward from the backpack  200  when the backpack  200  is worn by the user  116 . 
     The left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  may be slidably connected to the backpack  200 . More specifically, the left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  may be slidably connected to the back protection panel  110  through a spring system (not shown). The spring system may be operable to slidably extend the left and right side protection panels from the stored position to the deployed position. 
     Alternatively, the left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  may be pivotally connected to the backpack  200  via a joint system (not shown). The joint system may be operable to pivotally rotate the left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114  from the stored position to the deployed position. 
     Though this example illustrates the left and right side protection sections  112 ,  114  as being left and right side protection panels  112 ,  114 , other configurations of the left and right side protection sections are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the left and right side protection sections  112 ,  114  may each be a fabric side cover section sewn to the sides of the backpack portion  108 . The fabric side cover sections may include bullet proof materials integrated therein. The fabric side cover sections  112 ,  114  may each be operable to be manually wrapped around a user&#39;s left and right sides respectively to protect the sides of a user  116  when in the deployed position. The fabric side cover sections  112 ,  114  may or may not cover the user&#39;s left and right shoulders. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 , a rear perspective view ( FIGS. 7A and 7B ) and a side view ( FIG. 8 ) of another example of a bullet proof backpack  300  is depicted according to aspects described herein. In  FIG. 7A , a user  116  is wearing the backpack  300 , when in a standing position. In  FIG. 7B , the user  116  is wearing the backpack  300 , when in a sitting position. In this example, the bullet proof backpack  300  includes the same or similar features discussed in  FIGS. 5-6 , wherein the same or similar features are labeled with the same reference numbers. Additionally the backpack  300  includes a pelvic protection section  118 . The pelvic protection section  118  is illustrated in a deployed position in  FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 . 
     In this specific example, the pelvic protection section  118  is illustrated as a pelvic protection panel  118 . More than one configuration of the pelvic protection panel  118  is within the scope of this invention. For example, the pelvic protection panel  118  may be a solid panel or may be composed of a flexible fabric that is secured to a framed border. The pelvic section  118  may also be composed of a flexible fabric with no framed border, such that is will bend or fold when a user is sitting down. 
     The pelvic protection panel  118  has bullet proof material integrated therein. The pelvic protection panel  118  is movably connected to the backpack  300  and is operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. 
     When the pelvic protection panel  118  is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack  300 . For example, in much the same way that the neck protection panel  104  is stored, the pelvic protection panel  118  may also be stored between the back protection panel  110  and a user&#39;s upper back when the backpack  300  is being worn by the user  116 . 
     When the pelvic protection panel  118  is in its deployed position, it covers a back portion the user&#39;s pelvic region when the backpack is worn by the user  116 . When the pelvic protection panel  118  is in its deployed position, it extends vertically downward from the backpack  300  when the backpack  300  is worn by the user  116 . 
     The pelvic protection panel  118  may be slidably connected to the backpack  300 . More specifically, the pelvic protection panel  118  may be slidably connected to the back protection panel  110  through a spring system (not shown). The spring system may be operable to slidably extend the pelvic protection panel from the stored position to the deployed position. 
     Alternatively, the pelvic protection panel  118  may be pivotally connected to the backpack  300  via a joint system (not shown). The joint system may be operable to pivotally rotate the pelvic protection panel  118  from the stored position to the deployed position. 
     Though this example illustrates the pelvic protection section  118  as being a pelvic protection panel  118 , other configurations of the pelvic protection section are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the pelvic protection section  118  may be a fabric back cover section sewn to the bottom of the backpack portion  108 . The fabric back cover section may include bullet proof materials integrated therein. The fabric back cover section  118  may be operable to be manually pulled down over a user&#39;s pelvic region to protect the pelvic region of the user  116  when in the deployed position. 
     Referring more specifically to  FIG. 7A , when the user is in the standing position, and all protection sections  104 ,  112 ,  114 , and  118  are in their deployed positions, the backpack  300  covers most of the user&#39;s body, with only the user&#39;s legs being exposed. Referring more specifically to  FIG. 7B , when the user is in the sitting position, and all protection sections  104 ,  112 ,  114 , and  118  are in their deployed positions, the backpack  300  substantially covers the user&#39;s entire body, including the user&#39;s legs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a rear perspective view ( FIG. 9 ) and a side view ( FIG. 10 ) of another example of a bullet proof backpack  400  is depicted according to aspects described herein. In this example, the bullet proof backpack  400  includes the same or similar features discussed in  FIGS. 1-4 , wherein the same or similar features are labeled with the same reference numbers. Additionally the backpack  400  includes a head protection section  120 . The head protection section  120  is illustrated in a deployed position in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     In this specific example, the head protection section  120  is illustrated as a head protection panel  120 . More than one configuration of the head protection panel  120  is within the scope of this invention. For example, the head protection panel  120  may be a solid panel or may be composed of a flexible fabric that is secured to a framed border. 
     The head protection panel  120  has bullet proof material integrated therein. The head protection panel  120  is movably connected to the backpack  400  and is operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. 
     When the head protection panel  120  is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack  400 . For example, the head protection panel  120  may be pivotally connected to an upper end of the neck protection panel  104  at a pivot joint  122 . The pivot joint  122  may allow the head protection panel  120  to be folded flat against the neck protection panel  104  when the head protection panel  120  is in its stored position. The head protection panel  120  and neck protection panel  104  each in their stored positions, may be stored against a portion of the backpack  400 . In this specific example, the head and neck protection panels  120 ,  104  may be stored between the back protection panel  110  and a user&#39;s upper back when the backpack  400  is being worn by the user  116 . 
     When the head protection panel  120  is in its deployed position, it covers a top portion the user&#39;s head when the backpack  400  is worn by the user  116 . When the head protection panel  120  is in its deployed position, it extends outwardly from the pivot joint  122  over the top portion of the user&#39;s head when the backpack  400  is worn by the user  116 . 
     Though this example illustrates the head protection section  120  as being a head protection panel  120 , other configurations of the head protection section are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the head protection section  120  may be a fabric helmet section sewn to the upper end of the neck protection panel  104 . The fabric helmet section may include bullet proof materials integrated therein. The fabric helmet section  120  may be operable to be manually pulled down over a user&#39;s head to protect the head of the user  116  when in the deployed position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12 , a rear perspective view ( FIGS. 11A and 11B ) and a side view ( FIG. 12 ) of another example of a bullet proof backpack  500  is depicted according to aspects described herein. In  FIG. 11A , a user  116  is wearing the backpack  500 , when in a standing position. In  FIG. 11B , the user  116  is wearing the backpack  500 , when in a sitting position. In this example, the bullet proof backpack  500  includes the same or similar features discussed in  FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 , wherein the same or similar features are labeled with the same reference numbers. Additionally the backpack  500  includes a head protection section  120 . The head protection section  120  is illustrated in a deployed position in  FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12 . 
     In this specific example, the head protection section  120  of backpack  500  is illustrated as a head protection panel  120 . More than one configuration of the head protection panel  120  is within the scope of this invention. For example, the head protection panel  120  may be a solid panel or may be composed of a flexible fabric that is secured to a framed border. 
     The head protection panel  120  has bullet proof material integrated therein. The head protection panel  120  is movably connected to the backpack  500  and is operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. 
     More specifically, in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12 , the bullet-proof backpack  500  includes the back protection section  102  and the neck protection section  104 . The back protection section includes the backpack portion  108  and the back protection panel  110 . The back protection panel  110  has bullet-proof material integrated therein. 
     The adjustable backpack straps  106  are also connected to the backpack  500 . The backpack straps  106  are adjustable to fit over the shoulders of a user  116 . 
     The neck protection section  104  of backpack  500  is configured as a neck protection panel  104 . The neck protection panel  104  has bullet-proof material integrated therein. When the neck protection panel  104  is in its deployed position, it extends upwards from the backpack  500  to cover a back of the user&#39;s neck and a back portion of the user&#39;s head when the backpack  500  is worn by the user. 
     The backpack  500  also includes a head protection section  120  having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The head protection section  120  is configured as a head protection panel  120 . The head protection panel  120  is pivotally connected to an upper end of the neck protection panel  104  at a pivot joint  122 . When the head protection panel  120  is in its deployed position, it extends forward from the pivot joint  122  to cover the top portion of the user&#39;s head. 
     The backpack  500  also includes a left side protection panel  112  having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The left side protection panel  112  is movably connected to the backpack  500  and is operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. When the left side protection panel  112  is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack  500 . When the left side protection panel  112  is in its deployed position, it covers a portion of the user&#39;s left side and a back portion of the user&#39;s left shoulder when the backpack  500  is worn by the user  116 . 
     The backpack  500  also includes a right side protection panel  114  having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The right side protection panel  114  is movably connected to the backpack  500  and operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. When the right side protection panel  114  is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack  500 . When the right side protection panel  114  is in its deployed position, it covers a portion of the user&#39;s right side and a back portion of the user&#39;s right shoulder when the backpack  500  is worn by the user  116 . 
     The bullet proof backpack  500  also includes a pelvic protection panel  118  having bullet proof material integrated therein. The pelvic protection panel  118  is movably connected to the backpack  500  and operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. When the pelvic protection panel  118  is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack  500 . When the pelvic protection section  118  is in its deployed position, it extends downwards from the back protection panel  110  to cover a back portion of the user&#39;s pelvic region when the backpack  500  is worn by the user  116 . 
     Referring more specifically to  FIG. 11A , when the user  116  is in the standing position, and all protection sections  104 ,  112 ,  114 ,  118  and  120  are in their deployed positions, the backpack  500  covers most of the user&#39;s body, with only the user&#39;s legs being exposed. Referring more specifically to  FIG. 11B , when the user is in the sitting position, and all protection sections  104 ,  112 ,  114 ,  118  and  120  are in their deployed positions, the backpack  500  substantially covers the user&#39;s entire body, including the user&#39;s legs and the top portion of the user&#39;s head. 
     Though this example illustrates the pelvic protection section  118  as being a pelvic protection panel  118 , other configurations of the pelvic protection section are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the pelvic protection section  118  may be a fabric back cover section sewn to the bottom of the backpack portion  108 . The fabric back cover section may include bullet proof materials integrated therein. The fabric back cover section  118  may be operable to be manually pulled down over a user&#39;s pelvic region to protect the pelvic region of the user  116  when in the deployed position. 
     It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail herein (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. 
     Although the invention has been described by reference to specific examples, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the described examples, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims.