Patent Publication Number: US-10321766-B2

Title: Lounge cushion

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to accessories for furniture and, in particular, to cushions for use with lounge and patio chairs. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lounge chairs are popular for use outdoors, for example, in yards, patios, beaches, or pool areas. Lounge chairs are often designed to accommodate various resting positions. For example, lounge chairs may be adjusted to support a user in a prone position, a reclined position, or an upright sitting position. Lounge cushions can be used to provide comfort during use of a lounge chair. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows an example lounge chair assembly in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of an example lounge cushion in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of an example lounge cushion in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of the example lounge cushion of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a side elevational view of the example lounge cushion of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another example lounge cushion in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote like elements and features. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a reversible lounge cushion. The reversible lounge cushion includes: an elongate cushion body having an upper cushion portion and a lower cushion portion foldably connected to the upper cushion portion, the upper cushion portion having a top surface and a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, the cushion body defining a cavity adjacent to a top end of the cushion body, wherein the cavity extends between a first aperture on the top surface and a second aperture on the bottom surface; and a permeable screen disposed in the cavity between the first aperture and the second aperture. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a lounge chair assembly. The lounge chair assembly includes a lounge chair frame and a reversible lounge cushion which is removably mounted on the lounge chair frame. The lounge cushion includes: an elongate cushion body having an upper cushion portion and a lower cushion portion foldably connected to the upper cushion portion, the upper cushion portion having a top surface and a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, the cushion body defining a cavity adjacent to a top end of the cushion body, wherein the cavity extends between a first aperture on the top surface and a second aperture on the bottom surface, and a permeable screen disposed in the cavity between the first aperture and the second aperture. 
     Other example embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following detailed descriptions in conjunction with the drawings. 
     Reference is first made to  FIG. 1A , which shows an example lounge chair assembly  100  in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. The lounge chair assembly  100  includes a lounge chair  102  and a lounge cushion  104 . The lounge chair  102  includes a frame  106  which provides structural support for the lounge chair  102  and which defines the general shape of the lounge chair  102 . The lounge chair  102  may include one or more contiguous sections which support different portions of a user&#39;s body when a user sits or lies on the lounge chair  102 . For example, the lounge chair  102  may include a first section  116  for supporting a user&#39;s upper body and a second section  118  (which may or may not be directly connected to the first section) for supporting, at least, the user&#39;s lower body. The frame  106  of the lounge chair  102  may be constructed from various different materials including, among others, wood, plastic, metal alloys, or a combination thereof. 
     The lounge chair  102  is configured to support a user&#39;s body in one or more different positions. For example, the lounge chair  102  may support a user in a prone (i.e. face-down) position, a reclined position, or an upright sitting position. More specifically, the frame  106  of the lounge chair  102  may be adjustable between numerous different configurations to support a user in a supine, prone, or sitting position. In at least some embodiments, the frame  106  includes upper support frame  110  and lower support frame  112  which support a user&#39;s upper body and lower body, respectively, when the user rests on the lounge chair  102 . For example, the upper support frame  110  may support a user&#39;s head and at least a part of the user&#39;s back when the user is sitting or reclined in the lounge chair  102 , while the lower support frame  112  supports, at least, the user&#39;s legs. The upper support frame  110  may be foldable/pivotable with respect to the lower support frame  112  such that the lounge chair  102  can be switched between different configurations. For example, the frame  106  may be adjusted to switch the lounge chair  102  between a horizontal position (in which the upper support frame  110  is generally parallel to and coplanar with the lower support frame  112 ), a reclined position (in which the upper support frame  110  is maintained at a fixed angle with respect to the lower support frame  112 ), and an upright position (in which the upper support frame  110  is generally perpendicular to the lower support frame  112 ). The frame  106  may thus support a supine or prone position of a user, a fully upright position, as well as a range of possible intermediate reclined positions. In the example of  FIG. 1A , the upper support frame  110  and the lower support frame  112  are supported above ground by a plurality of legs  117 . 
     The lounge cushion  104  is removably mounted on the lounge chair frame  106 . In some embodiments, the lounge cushion  104  may be secured to the lounge chair frame  106  using one or more fastening mechanisms, such as Velcro, ties, or toggle fasteners. For example, the lounge cushion  104  may include one or more fasteners that can be tied to parts of the lounge chair frame  106  for maintaining the lounge cushion  104  fixed in position with respect to the lounge chair frame  106 . The lounge cushion  104  is shaped to generally conform to the shape of the body supporting surfaces of the lounge chair  102 . The lounge cushion  104  may, for example, be shaped to include portions corresponding to the upper and lower support frames  110  and  112 , respectively. As shown in the example of  FIG. 1 , the lounge cushion  104  may be sized to substantially cover the body supporting surfaces of the lounge chair  102 . In particular, when the lounge cushion  104  is mounted on top of the lounge chair frame  106 , the lounge cushion  104  may cover substantially the entire length of the lounge chair  102 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1B , which shows a perspective view of an example lounge cushion  200 , and  FIG. 2 , which shows a top view of the lounge cushion  200 . The lounge cushion  200  is suitable for use with a lounge chair, such as lounge chair  102  of  FIG. 1 . The lounge cushion  200  includes an elongate cushion body  202 . In at least some embodiments, the cushion body  202  comprises an elongate pad having one or more of its surfaces covered by a fabric cover. The elongate pad may, for example, include a single cushion or two separate cushions. The fabric cover may be removable (i.e. detachable) from the pad or it may be integral with the pad. The pad may be constructed of an elastic compressible material, such as polyurethane foam (including foam rubber), gel foam, memory foam, or other types of open-cell foams. The fabric cover may be suitable for use in outdoor environments. For example, the fabric cover may be made from fabric that has undergone a chemical treatment process. The fabric cover may be made from, among others, solution-dyed acrylics, acrylic-coated polyesters, vinyl-coated synthetic fiber mesh, olefin, or canvas. 
     The cushion body  202  includes an upper cushion portion  232  and a lower cushion portion  234 . For example, the upper cushion portion  232  and the lower cushion portion  234  may comprise two separate cushions of a pad of the cushion body  202 . When a user sits on the lounge cushion  200  that is mounted on a lounge chair, the upper cushion portion  232  may be configured to support the user&#39;s upper body (i.e. head, back) while the lower cushion portion  234  may be configured to support the user&#39;s legs. In particular, the upper cushion portion  232  and lower cushion portion  234  may generally correspond in position to an upper support section and a lower support section of a lounge chair, such as the upper support frame  110  and lower support frame  112  of  FIG. 1 , when the cushion body  202  is mounted on the lounge chair. 
     The upper cushion portion  232  is foldably connected to the lower cushion portion  234 . That is, the upper cushion portion  232  may fold (pivot) about a connection between the upper cushion portion  232  and the lower cushion portion  234 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the upper cushion portion  232  and the lower cushion portion  234  are connected at a line  235 , and at least one of the cushion portions is foldable along line  235  with respect to the other of the cushion portions. Such a foldable connection between the upper cushion portion  232  and the lower cushion portion  234  may, for example, allow the cushion body  202  to conform to the possible different support positions of a lounge chair on which the lounge cushion  200  is mounted. For example, the cushion body  202  may be switched between a horizontal position (in which the upper cushion portion  232  and the lower cushion portion  234  are arranged to lie generally side-by-side in the same plane), a reclined position (in which the upper cushion portion  232  is maintained at a fixed angle with respect to the lower cushion portion  234 ), and an upright position (in which the upper cushion portion  232  is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the lower cushion portion  234 ), by folding one of the upper cushion portion  232  and the lower upper cushion  235  relative to the other. The upper cushion portion  232  may be freely foldable with respect to the lower cushion portion  234  such that the cushion portions can accommodate various different positions (e.g. horizontal, fully upright, intermediate reclined) of the corresponding lounge chair. The upper cushion portion  232  and the lower cushion portion  234  can thus be supported by the support frames of a lounge chair such that the cushion portions are positioned at an angle (of inclination) with respect to each other. 
     In at least some embodiments, the connection between the upper cushion portion  232  and the lower cushion portion  234  may be provided by a fabric cover which covers a pad of the cushion body  202 . In particular, the upper cushion portion  232  and the lower cushion portion  234  may be separate cushions that are foldably connected (at line  235 ) via a fabric cover. For example, a single fabric cover may include two pockets, separated at line  235 , that are sized to receive an upper cushion and a lower cushion in such a way that, when the cushions are inserted into and secured to the pockets, the upper cushion and the lower cushion are movable in a folding manner relative to each other. 
     The upper cushion portion  232  has a top surface  204  and a bottom surface  206  opposite to the top surface  204 . The top surface  204  and the bottom surface  206  are both adapted to support parts of a person&#39;s body (for example, in both prone and sitting positions). In particular, the lounge cushion  200  may be mounted on a lounge chair such that either the top surface  204  is positioned to contact and support a user&#39;s upper body (i.e. the bottom surface  206  is faced towards the support surface of the lounge chair) or the bottom surface  206  is positioned to contact and support the user&#39;s upper body (i.e. the top surface  204  is faced towards the support surface of the lounge chair). In some embodiments, the distance between the top surface  204  and the bottom surface  206  may exceed 3 inches. In other words, the upper cushion portion  232  may have a thickness of at least 3 inches. For example, the upper cushion portion  232  may have a thickness of between 3.4 and 4.5 inches. In at least some embodiments, the cushion body  202  itself may have a thickness of at least 3 inches. For example, the cushion body  202  may have a thickness of between 3.4 and 4.5 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cushion body  202  defines a cavity  210 . The cavity  210  is positioned adjacent to a top end  211  of the cushion body  202 . The top end  211  is the end of the upper cushion portion  232  that is proximal to a user&#39;s head when the user rests on the cushion body  202 . Specifically, the top end  211  is the end of the upper cushion portion  232  that is distal to or furthest from the connection region (i.e. line  235 ) with the lower cushion portion  234 . In at least some embodiments, the cavity  210  is disposed in spaced relation to the top end  211 . The cavity  210  is designed to receive at least a portion of a user&#39;s face when the user rests in a prone position on the cushion body  202 . In particular, the cushion body  202  provides a cavity for receiving part of a user&#39;s face when the user is lying in a prone position in the lounge chair, thereby obviating the need for the user to turn her neck to the side when lying on the cushion body  202  in the prone position. 
     The cavity  210  extends between a first aperture  220  on the top surface  204  and a second aperture  222  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) on the bottom surface  206 . In particular, the cavity  210  is an opening defined in the upper cushion portion  232  which extends completely through the cushion body  202  between the top surface  204  and the bottom surface  206 . 
     In at least some embodiments, the cavity  210  is substantially centrally disposed between opposed lateral edges of the cushion body  202 . That is, the cavity  210  may be equidistant from the left and right side edges of the cushion body  202 , where the side edges are those edges of the cushion body  202  that are generally perpendicular to the top end  211  and that extend between the top end  211  and a bottom end  212  opposed to the top end  211 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the cavity  210  is in the form of a channel which extends along a central axis of the cushion body  202 , where the central axis is an axis extending longitudinally between the top end  211  and the bottom end  212 . More specifically, the first aperture  220  defines a first end  241  and a second end  242  opposite to the first end  241 , where the first end  241  is the end of the first aperture  220  that is closer to the top end  211  of the cushion body  202 . In at least some embodiments, the first end  241  of the first aperture  220  has a greater width than the second end  242 . In particular, the width of the first aperture  220  may generally decrease from the first end  241  to the second end  242 . This shape of the first aperture  220  may facilitate comfortable placement of parts of a user&#39;s face into the cavity  210  when the user lies in a prone position on the cushion body  202 . The wider portion of the first aperture  220  (i.e. portion that is closer to the first end  241 ) may be suitable for receiving the upper portion of a user&#39;s face, such as the forehead and eyes, while the lower portion of the user&#39;s face (e.g. mouth, chin) can be inserted through the narrower portion of the first aperture  220 , closer to the second end  242 . The lateral edges of the first aperture  220 , which extend between the first end  241  and the second end  242 , can then support and release pressure from the user&#39;s cheekbones. In some embodiments, the width of the first end  241  is greater than 4 inches. For example, the width of the first end  241  may be between 4.5 and 6 inches. In some embodiments, the width of the second end  242  is less than 4 inches. For example, the width of the second end  242  may be between 2.5 and 3.5 inches. The length of the first aperture  220 , or the perpendicular distance between the first end  241  and the second end  242 , may be greater than 6 inches. For example, the length of the first aperture  220  (and, accordingly, the length of the cavity  210 ) may be between 6 and 7 inches. 
     The lounge cushion  200  may include a face cloth  230 . The face cloth  230  may be removably attached to the upper cushion portion  232  to provide a smooth surface that contacts parts of a user&#39;s face when the user lies in a prone position. As shown in  FIG. 1B , the face cloth  230  may include a cutout that corresponds in size and shape to the first aperture  220 . The face cloth  230  can then be attached to the upper cushion portion  232  and positioned to align the cutout with the first aperture  220 , allowing a user to rest parts of their face (e.g. cheekbones) on the face cloth  230  and place other parts of their face (e.g. nose, mouth) in the cavity  210  when lying in the prone position. The face cloth  230  may be attached to the upper cushion portion  232  by using, for example, metal clips, Velcro attachment, or an adhesive. 
     As in the example of  FIG. 1B , the lounge cushion  200  may include fasteners  250 . The fasteners  250  can be used to secure the lounge cushion  200  to a lounge chair. In  FIG. 1B , four fasteners are shown, one at each of the four corners of the lounge cushion body  202 . More specifically, one or more fasteners  250  may be located adjacent to each of the corners of the lounge cushion body  202 . In this way, the fasteners  250  may be used to tie the corners of the lounge cushion body  202  to corresponding portions of a lounge chair, allowing the lounge cushion  200  to be fixed in position relative to the lounge chair. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which shows a bottom view of the lounge cushion  200  of  FIG. 2 . In at least some embodiments, the second aperture  222  has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the first aperture  220 . That is, the shape of the second aperture  222  may be the same as the shape of the first aperture  220 . In particular, the second aperture  222  may have a wider first end and a narrower second end opposite to the first end. The lounge cushion  200  includes a permeable screen  302 . The permeable screen  302  is, at least, gas permeable. The permeable screen  302  is disposed in the cavity  210  between the first aperture  220  and the second aperture  222 . The permeable screen  302  may be integral with the lounge cushion  200  or removably coupled to the cushion body  202 . In some embodiments, the permeable screen  302  is interposed between the first aperture  220  and the second aperture  222 . In particular, the permeable screen  302  is positioned inside the cavity  210  and located partially between the first aperture  220  and the second aperture  222 . The permeable screen  302  is generally parallel to the top and bottom surfaces  204  and  206 . The permeable screen  302  may cover the entirety or only part of the cross-sectional area of the cavity  210 . When a user lies in a prone position on the top surface  204  of the cushion body  202 , at least part of the user&#39;s face is received in the cavity  210 . The permeability of the screen  302  allows for the flow of air into and out of the cavity  210  through the second aperture  222  such that the user may breathe comfortably when in the prone position on the top surface  204 . For example, the permeable screen  302  may include a plurality of holes defined thereon. 
     In some other embodiments, the permeable screen  302  may be positioned outside of the cavity  210 . For example, the permeable screen  302  may be disposed on the bottom surface  206  to cover at least a portion of the second aperture  222 . The permeable screen  302  may be positioned on a fabric cover which covers the bottom surface of a pad of the cushion body  202 . For example, the permeable screen  302  may be positioned on a portion of a fabric cover which covers the bottom surface of the upper cushion portion of the cushion body  202 . The permeable screen  302  may, for example, be removably attached to the fabric cover or it may be integral with the fabric cover. The permeable screen  302  may be positioned such that it covers at least a portion of the second aperture  222 . For example, in some embodiments, the permeable screen  302  may be sized to completely cover the second aperture  222 . In particular, the permeable screen  302  may have greater dimensions than the second aperture  222 . 
     The permeable screen  302  may be constructed from an elastic fabric or any other type of fabric (such as polyester). In some embodiments, the permeable screen  302  may be a mesh which is removably attached to a fabric that covers the bottom surface  206 . For example, the permeable screen  302  may be attached to a fabric covering the bottom surface  206  on both sides of the second aperture  222 . A permeable screen  302  in the form of a mesh may provide structural support for the fabric cover which covers the pad of the cushion body  202 , for example, as a result of the tension created in the mesh. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which shows a side elevational view of the lounge cushion  200  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  corresponds to a side view of the top edge of the cushion body  202 , or the edge of the cushion body  202  which is proximal to a user&#39;s head when the user lies on the cushion body  202 .  FIG. 4  shows a chin support surface  402 . The lounge cushion  200  may include a chin support surface  402  which is adjacent to the top end  211  of the cushion body  202 . In at least some embodiments, the chin support surface  402  comprises a recess in the top surface  204 . For example, as can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the chin support surface  402  may be a depression which extends partially between the top surface  204  and the bottom surface  206 . That is, the chin support surface  402  may be a recess which extends only partially into the cushion body  202 . In some embodiments, the chin support surface  402  may comprise a portion of the top surface  204 . For example, the cavity  210  may be in spaced relation to the top end  211  and the chin support surface  402  may be a portion of the top surface  204  which extends between the top end  211  and the cavity  210 . In some embodiments, the chin support surface  402  may be a raised surface adjacent to the cavity  210 . In particular, the chin support surface  402  may be a surface which is raised and/or angled with respect to the top surface  204  and located adjacent to the cavity  210 . In some other embodiments, the chin support surface  402  may be substantially flush with the top surface  204 . The chin support surface  402  may provide a platform on which a user may rest her chin when lying in a prone position on the top surface  204 . For example, if a user desires to read a book or, more generally, glance in a forward direction while lying in a prone position, the user may rest her chin against the chin support surface  402 . In some embodiments, the chin support surface  402  may extend from a first end wall of the cavity  210  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) towards the top end  211  of the cushion body  202 . That is, the chin support surface  402  may be structurally connected to the cavity  210 . This configuration of the chin support surface  402  may allow a user to transition smoothly from lying prone with her head partially inserted in the cavity  210  to raising her head to rest her chin against the chin support surface  402 . In some cases, the chin support surface  402  may serve to limit the length of the cavity  210 . In particular, the chin support surface  402  may prevent a user&#39;s face from being inserted entirely into the cavity  210 , by supporting at least a portion of the user&#39;s head when the user is lying in a prone position on the lounge cushion  200 . That is, the chin support surface  402  may alternatively serve as a support surface for a user&#39;s forehead when the user is in a face-down position. The chin support surface  402  may be integral with the cushion body  202  or it may be a separate component which can be secured to the cushion body  202  by one or more attachment means. For example, the cushion body  202  may be designed to receive a chin support surface  402  as an add-on component which can be removably attached to the cushion body  202 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which shows a perspective view of another example lounge cushion  500 . The lounge cushion  500  includes an elongate cushion body  502 , which comprises an upper cushion portion  532  and a lower cushion portion  534 . The upper cushion portion  532  has a top surface and an opposed bottom surface. The upper cushion portion  532  defines a cavity  510 , which is similar to the cavity  210  of  FIG. 1B . In particular, the cavity  510  may extend between a first aperture on the top surface of the upper cushion portion  532  and a second aperture on the bottom surface of the upper cushion portion  532 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the lounge cushion  500  includes a pillow  509 . In at least some embodiments, the pillow  509  is movably attached to the cushion body  502 . In particular, the pillow  509  may be attached to the top end  511  of the cushion body  202 . For example, the pillow  509  may be secured to the top end  511  of the cushion body  502  via an attachment member  508 . The attachment member  508  may be movable between different positions, for example, by folding, swinging or pivoting/folding. In some embodiments, the pillow  509  may be moved to different positions relative to the cushion body  502  by folding (or swing, pivoting/folding, etc.) and unfolding the attachment member  508 . For example, the attachment member  508  may be folded to move the pillow  509  to a position in which the pillow  509  covers, at least partially, the cavity  510 . The pillow  509  may, for example, have a width that is greater than the width of the cavity  510  such that the pillow  509  is supported by the top surface of the upper cushion portion  532  on both sides of the cavity  510 . This configuration of using a pillow  509  to cover at least a portion of the cavity  510  may be useful in supporting the head and/or the neck of a user when the user is lying on her back on the lounge cushion  500 . Starting from this position of the pillow  509  partially covering the cavity  510 , the attachment member  509  may be unfolded to remove the pillow  509  from over the cavity  510 . For example, the pillow  509  may be moved to a position in which the pillow  509  does not lie on the top surface of the upper cushion portion  532 . 
     The pillow  509  may support a user&#39;s head and/or neck either when the pillow  509  is positioned to cover at least a portion of the cavity  510  or when the pillow  509  is moved off of the top surface of the upper cushion portion  532 . For example, in some embodiments, the attachment member  508  may be folded/pivoted to an extended position in which the attachment member  508  extends from the top end  511  away from the cushion body  502 . In such a position, the attachment member  508  may be configured to maintain the pillow  509  in spaced relation from the top end  511  of the cushion body  502 , and the combination of the attachment member  508  and the pillow  509  may support at least a portion of a user&#39;s head and/or neck when the user is lying on her back on the lounge cushion  500 . The attachment member  508  may, for example, be sufficiently rigid to support the pillow  509  in a fixed relative position away from the cushion body  502 . In some embodiments, the length of the attachment member  508  may be adjustable. For example, the length of the attachment member  508  may be increased or decreased to accommodate a user&#39;s height. That is, the length of the attachment member  508  in the extended position may be adjusted such that the pillow  509  and the attachment member  508  can support the user&#39;s head and neck when the user lies on her back on the lounge cushion  500 . 
     In at least some embodiments, the attachment member  508  may be of such length as to enable the pillow  509  to be moved to cover, at least partially, the cavity on the bottom surface of the upper cushion portion  532 . For example, the pillow  509  may be configured to move (e.g. by swinging, pivoting/folding, etc. the attachment member  508 ) between being supported on the top surface of the upper cushion portion  532  and being supported on the bottom surface of the upper cushion portion  532 . In some embodiments, the pillow  509  may be moved to cover, at least partially, the cavity  510  either from the top surface or the bottom surface of the upper cushion portion  532 . For example, the pillow  509  may support a user&#39;s face when the user is lying in a prone position on the top surface of the upper cushion portion  532 , by covering the cavity  510  from the top surface, or support a user&#39;s head and/or neck when the user is lying on her back on the bottom surface of the upper cushion portion  532 , by covering the cavity  510  from the bottom surface. 
     In some embodiments, the pillow  509  may be attached to the cushion body  502  by other means. For example, the pillow  509  may be slidably mounted on the top surface of the upper cushion portion  532  such that it may be moved (by sliding) to cover, at least partially, the cavity  510 . The pillow  509  may be secured to the cushion body  502  and located, for example, on the top surface of the upper cushion portion  532  between the top end  511  and the cavity  510  such that it may be slid towards the opening of the cavity  510  when it is desired to cover the cavity  510 . In at least some embodiments, the attachment member  508  may comprise Velcro™ fasteners, zippers, or other means which allow for detachment from the cushion body  502 . In particular, the pillow  509  may be removably attached to the cushion body  502 . 
     The various embodiments presented above are merely examples and are in no way meant to limit the scope of this application. Variations of the innovations described herein will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, such variations being within the intended scope of the present application. In particular, features from one or more of the above-described example embodiments may be selected to create alternative example embodiments including a sub-combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described example embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternative example embodiments including a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.