Patent Publication Number: US-10327488-B2

Title: Race bib protective pocket

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/921,368 (now abandoned), entitled “RACE BIB PROTECTIVE POCKET,” filed Oct. 23, 2015 as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/090,794, entitled “RACE BIB PROTECTIVE POCKET,” filed Nov. 26, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,173,441, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/803,935, entitled “IMPROVED POCKET TO PROTECT AND VIEW A RACE NUMBER DURING ADVENTURE RACES,” filed Mar. 21, 2013, the disclosures of which are all incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to semi-translucent protective pockets for use with apparel, and, more particularly, to lightweight, semi-translucent protective pockets for use with athletic apparel to hold substantially two-dimensional objects such as race bibs, race numbers or other athlete-identifying numbers or indicia. The present invention also relates to methods for providing a memento from a competitive athletic event (e.g., a race) using the protective pockets disclosed herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Participants in competitive athletic events such as marathons and various adventure and endurance obstacle course races, such as Tough Mudder®, are assigned individual numbers or other alpha-numeric identifiers that are printed on substantially two-dimensional rectangular pieces of material (e.g., paper, Tyvek, etc.). These objects are known as race bibs and have a minimal thickness (e.g., see race bib  30  in  FIG. 5 ), so they are being described herein as “substantially two-dimensional” to denote same. 
     Race bibs are typically secured to race participants&#39; apparel with one or more ordinary safety pins, which can inadvertently become opened during the race, resulting in the loss of the race bib (e.g., it is torn off) and/or the participant being stuck with the sharp point of the pin. The use of safety pins can also damage or ruin the sports apparel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a lightweight, semi-translucent protective pocket comprising a first fabric having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a second fabric having a perimeter including first, second, third and fourth sides, and having a plurality of spaced apertures; and a border member extending along the first, second and third sides of the perimeter. The border member is secured to one of the surfaces of the first fabric. The first and second fabrics cooperate to form the protective pocket therebetween. The protective pocket has an opening adjacent the fourth side of the perimeter. 
     The protective pocket is configured to removeably receive a substantially two-dimensional object and maintain the substantially two-dimensional object in a substantially vertical planar orientation, so that it is substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of said first fabric. In one specific example, the substantially two-dimensional object is a race bib. 
     The plurality of spaced apertures allows the exposure of the substantially two-dimensional object to elements encountered during a race. The plurality of spaced apertures also facilitates visibility of the substantially two-dimensional object therethrough. 
     In one embodiment, the first fabric is an item of apparel, or a portion of such an item, and the second fabric is a mesh member. In another embodiment, the first fabric is a backing that is preferably made of a solid sheet of non-mesh material, and the second fabric is a mesh member, wherein the backing is attached to an item of apparel. 
     In one embodiment, the protective pocket includes a mesh member that is removeably secured to an item of apparel. This embodiment of the protective pocket has a border member including a first border member portion secured to an outer surface of the apparel item and having first closure means, and a second border member portion secured to a perimeter of the mesh member and having second closure means. The second closure means is engageable with the first closure means to removeably secure the mesh member to the apparel item, and form the protective pocket therebetween. 
     The present invention also relates to methods for providing a memento from a competitive athletic event (e.g., a race) using protective pockets disclosed herein. The method includes at least the steps of providing a race bib having athlete-identifying numbers or indicia thereon; placing the race bib in a protective pocket before the competitive athletic event (the protective pocket including a mesh member), such that the athlete-identifying numbers or indicia of the race bib face outwardly so as to be visible through the mesh member; exposing at least a portion of the race bib to elements encountered during the competitive athletic event (e.g., mud), wherein the memento is formed by the deposition of the elements on the race bib; and removing the memento from the protective pocket after the competitive athletic event. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a protective pocket according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as used with a shirt by a race participant; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental view of a protective pocket according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as used with shorts by a race participant; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of one of the protective pockets of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and includes partial cutaways showing the protective flap thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the protective pocket of  FIG. 3 , as taken along lines  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the protective pocket of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as being used with a race bib in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the protective pocket according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and includes a partial cutaway showing the hook and loop fasteners thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is an environmental view of a protective pocket according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as used with shorts; 
         FIG. 8  is an environmental view of the protective pocket of  FIG. 7 , with the mesh member partially removed from the border member on the shorts; and 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the protective pocket of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified drawings set forth presently disclosed embodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the detailed description. This disclosure presents illustrative embodiments by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the presently disclosed invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. In addition, any measurements, specifications and the like shown in the figures are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first race participant W with a protective pocket  10  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The protective pocket  10  is attached to a shirt  20 , which has opposed first (i.e., outer) and second (i.e., inner) surfaces, and contains a race bib  30 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a second race participant W with a protective pocket  10 ′ attached to a pair of shorts  40 , and containing a race bib  30 ′. The protective pockets  10  and  10 ′ illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are made of one or more lightweight materials. The protective pockets  10  and  10 ′ are each configured to removeably receive a substantially two-dimensional object therein, such as the race bib  30 , and secure the substantially two-dimensional object in place on the bodies of participants W and W. The protective pockets  10  and  10 ′ are each further configured to maintain the substantially two-dimensional object in a substantially vertical planar orientation, in which the substantially two-dimensional object is (a) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent surface of the shirt  20 , shorts  40 , or other apparel item, and (b) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent body part of the race participant W or W′ (e.g., a torso or leg), as further explained below. It is understood that all of the structural and functional features described below in connection with the protective pocket  10  are also descriptive of the protective pocket  10 ′, unless indicated otherwise. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , the protective pocket  10  includes a substantially rectangular mesh member  22 , through which the race number or other alpha-numeric identifier printed on the race bib  30  is visible (see  FIG. 1 ). The mesh member  22  has a perimeter  24  including first, second, third and fourth sides  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  and  24   d , respectively. The protective pocket  10  further includes a border member  25  that extends along the first, second and third sides  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c  of the perimeter  24 . The border member  25  is attached (e.g., using stitches, adhesive, or other known attachment means) to the shirt  20  (or another apparel item, such as shorts (see  FIG. 2 ), a tank top, pants, a jacket, a sports bra, yoga pants, yoga shorts, boy shorts, a track and field jersey, a triathlon jersey and a cycling jersey), in order to secure the mesh member  22  thereto. The shirt  20  constitutes a first fabric, and the mesh member  22  constitutes a second fabric. Once secured to the shirt  20  via the border member  25 , the mesh member  22  cooperates with the shirt to form the protective pocket  10  therebetween. 
     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 , the protective pocket  10  includes an opening  26  along the “top” of the mesh member  22 , adjacent to and defined on one side by the fourth side  24   d  of the perimeter  24 , and adjacent to and defined on the opposite side by the shirt  20 . The opening  26  of the protective pocket is dimensioned so as to receive the race bib  30  therethrough (see  FIG. 5 ), as further discussed below. Once a participant in a competitive athletic event has received his or her race bib (i.e., prior to or at the event), he or she pulls the fourth side  24   d  of the perimeter  24  away from the shirt  20 , so as to access the opening  26  of the protective pocket  10 . The participant then inserts the race bib  30  through the opening  26 , and moves the fourth side  24   d  of the perimeter  24  towards the shirt  20  until touching same in order to close the opening  26 , whereupon the race bib  30  is secured within the protective pocket  10 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 5 , the protective pocket  10  and its opening  26  may be formed with dimensions that are slightly larger than a standard size race bib  30 , so as to easily receive the race bib  30  therein. A standard size race bib may be, for example, 8″ by 6″ or a similar size. Protective pockets  10  may be made for different sizes of race bibs. In an alternate embodiment, the protective pocket  10  and its opening  26  are formed with dimensions that are large enough to receive any utilized size of race bib (or other substantially two-dimensional object) therein. 
     As indicated above, the protective pocket  10  is configured to maintain the race bib  30  (or other substantially two-dimensional object) in a substantially vertical planar orientation while it is contained in the protective pocket  10 . The race bib  30  is thereby maintained in an “upright” position such that it is (a) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent surface of the shirt  20 , or other apparel item, and (b) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent body part of the race participant W (e.g., a torso, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). This positioning also improves the visibility of the race number or other alpha-numeric identifier printed on the race bib  30  through the mesh member  22 . In order to facilitate this positioning of the race bib  30  within the protective pocket  10 , the mesh member  22  is tightly secured to the shirt  20  (i.e., via the border member  26  along the first, second and third sides  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c  of the perimeter  24 ) so as to allow limited movement between open and closed positions. In other words, the protective pocket  10  can only be opened wide enough to receive a substantially two-dimensional object, e.g., the race bib  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     In an embodiment, the protective pocket  10  includes closure means by which to maintain opening  26  in a closed position, in order to better secure the race bib  30  in the protective pocket  10 . Such closure means may be hook and loop fasteners  28 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 . Alternative closure means known in the art may also be used, including, but not limited to, a zipper, buttons and snaps. A separate piece of fabric may be provided as a covering (not shown) to protect the closure means. For example, a protective flap  27  may be secured to the protective pocket  10  over the closure means (see  FIG. 3 ). If the protective flap  27  has a double panel construction with open ends, it may also function as an auxiliary compartment for receiving small objects (e.g., pens, lip balm, etc.). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the mesh member  22  is partially opaque, but includes a plurality of spaced apertures  29  through which the number (or other identifying indicia) on the race bib  30  is visible. The apertures  29  in the mesh member  22  facilitate the partial exposure of the race bib  30  such that it can be stained by elements encountered during the race, such as mud. The race participant may thereby keep the stained race bib  30  as a memento of the race. 
     The mesh member  22  may be made of different types of mesh material, so long as the mesh material is (a) flexible and elastic enough to expand when the protective pocket  10  is opened to insert the race bib  30  through the opening  26 , and then return to its unexpanded state, but also (b) rigid enough to maintain the race bib in the upright position, as discussed above. Such materials include polyester and nylon. The mesh member  22  may also have any one of several different mesh styles, aperture patterns, and/or aperture sizes of the suitable mesh materials known in the art. The mesh used in making the mesh member  22  is also lightweight. 
     Another embodiment of the protective pocket  110  is illustrated with an apparel item  120  (e.g., a shirt, shorts, etc.) in  FIG. 6 . The elements illustrated in  FIG. 6 , which correspond to the elements described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred, while new elements are designated by non-corresponding reference numerals. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 6 , the first fabric of the protective pocket  110  is a substantially rectangular backing  112  having opposed first (i.e., front) and second (i.e., rear) surfaces  114  and  116 , respectively. The backing  112  is preferably made of a solid sheet of non-mesh material (e.g., cotton, polyester, rayon, etc.) The second fabric of the protective pocket is a substantially rectangular mesh member  122 , which is similar to the mesh member  22  of the embodiment described above, and may have a smaller surface area than the rectangular backing  112 . The mesh member  122  has a perimeter  124  including first, second, third and fourth sides  124   a ,  124   b ,  124   c  and  124   d , respectively. The protective pocket  110  further includes a border member  125  that extends along the first, second and third sides  124   a ,  124   b  and  124   c  of the perimeter  124 . The border member  125  is attached (e.g., using stitches, adhesive, or other known attachment means) to the front surface  114  of the rectangular backing  112 , whereby the mesh member  122  cooperates with the front surface  114  to form the protective pocket  110  therebetween. The rear surface  116  of the rectangular backing  112  is attached (e.g., using stitches, adhesive, or other known attachment means) to the item of apparel  120  in order to ultimately secure the mesh member  122  thereto. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the protective pocket  110  includes an opening  126  along the “top” of the mesh member  122 , adjacent to and defined on one side by the fourth side  124   d  of the perimeter  124 , and adjacent to and defined on the opposite side by the front surface  114  of the rectangular backing  112 . The opening  126  is dimensioned so as to receive a race bib (not shown) therethrough, similar to the opening  26  of the protective pocket  10  illustrated in  FIG. 5  and discussed above. Once a participant in a competitive athletic event has received his or her race bib (i.e., prior to or at the event), he or she pulls the fourth side  124   d  of the perimeter  124  away from the item of apparel  20 , so as to access the opening  126  of the protective pocket  110 . The participant then inserts the race bib (not shown) through the opening  126 , and moves the fourth side  124   d  of the perimeter  124  towards the apparel item  120  until touching same to close the opening  126 , whereupon the race bib is secured within the protective pocket  110 . 
     The protective pocket  110  is configured to maintain the race bib (or other substantially two-dimensional object) in a substantially vertical planar orientation while it is contained in the protective pocket  110 . The race bib is thereby maintained in an “upright” position such that it is (a) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent surface of the apparel item  120 , and (b) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent body part of the race participant (e.g., a torso or leg). This positioning also improves the visibility of the race number or other alpha-numeric identifier printed on the race bib through the mesh member  122 . In order to facilitate this positioning of the race bib within the protective pocket  110 , the mesh member  122  is tightly secured to front surface  114  of the rectangular backing  112  (i.e., via the border member  126  along the first, second and third sides  124   a ,  124   b  and  124   c  of the perimeter  124 ) so as to allow limited movement between open and closed positions. In other words, the protective pocket  110  can only be opened wide enough to receive a substantially two-dimensional object, e.g., the race bib. 
     In an embodiment, the protective pocket  110  includes closure means by which to maintain opening  126  in a closed position, in order to better secure the race bib in the protective pocket  110 . Such closure means may be hook and loop fasteners  128 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Alternative closure means known in the art may also be used, including, but not limited to, a zipper, buttons and snaps. A separate fabric covering may be provided to protect the closure means, such as the protective flap  27  described above in connection with the protective pocket  10 . 
     Like the mesh member  22  described above, the mesh member  122  is partially opaque, but includes a plurality of spaced apertures  129  through which the number (or other identifying indicia) on the race bib is visible. The apertures  129  in the mesh member  122  facilitate the partial exposure of the race bib such that it can be stained by elements encountered during the race, such as mud. The race participant may thereby keep the stained race bib as a memento of the race. The mesh member  122  may be made of any of the same mesh materials described above in connection with the mesh member  22 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the illustrated embodiment of protective pocket  110  includes first and second compartments  131  and  133 , respectively, which are separated by stitching  135 . The first compartment  131  is dimensioned to contain a race bib, as described above, while the second compartment  133  is configured to contain another object, such an illuminated glow stick (not shown). Both of the disclosed embodiments of the protective pocket  10  and  110  may have one or more compartments. 
     In another embodiment, the protective pocket  110  is secured to the apparel item  120  from the inside thereof. A substantially rectangular cut-out having a surface area equal to or approximately equal to that of the mesh member  122  is formed in the apparel item  120 . The protective pocket  110  is then positioned against an inside surface of the apparel item  120  such that the mesh member  122  protrudes through the cut-out, but the entire rectangular backing  112  remains inside the apparel item  120 . The rectangular backing  112  is then secured to the apparel item  120  such that only the mesh member  122  is visible from the outside of the apparel item  120 . 
     In another embodiment, the protective pocket is configured to be removeably or permanently secured to an apparel item, or a racing belt. The protective pocket may be secured via hook and loop fasteners, a zipper, buttons, snaps, or any alternative closure means known in the art. Such an embodiment of a protective pocket  210  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9  with an apparel item  240  (e.g., shorts as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , a tank top, pants, a jacket, a shirt, a sports bra, yoga pants, yoga shorts, boy shorts, a track and field jersey, a triathlon jersey and a cycling jersey etc.). The elements illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , which correspond to the elements described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by two hundred, while new elements are designated by non-corresponding reference numerals. 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 7-9 , the protective pocket  210  includes a substantially rectangular mesh member  222 , through which the race number or other alpha-numeric identifier printed on a race bib  230  is visible (see  FIG. 7 ). The mesh member  222  is similar to the mesh member  22  of the embodiment described above. The mesh member  222  has a perimeter  224  including first, second, third and fourth sides  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  and  224   d , respectively. 
     The protective pocket  210  further includes a two-part border member  225  that includes a first border member portion  225   a  that is secured to (e.g., using stitches, adhesive, or other known attachment means) an outer surface of the apparel item  240 , and a second border member portion  225   b  that is secured to (e.g., using stitches, adhesive, or other known attachment means) the perimeter  224  of the mesh member  222 . The first and second border member portions  225   a ,  225   b  include complimentary first and second closure means  225   c ,  225   d , respectively, by which a user (e.g., a participant in a competitive athletic event) removeably secures the race bib  230  in the protective pocket  210 , between the mesh member  222  and the apparel item  240 . The complimentary closure means  225   c ,  225   d  may be hook and loop fasteners, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Alternative closure means known in the art may also be used, including, but not limited to, a zipper, buttons, snaps, or any alternative closure means known in the art. 
     The apparel item  240  constitutes a first fabric, and the mesh member  222  constitutes a second fabric. In an alternative embodiment, the first fabric is a backing (not shown) that is attached to the apparel item  240 . The backing may be similar to the backing  112  of the embodiment described above. 
     Once secured to the apparel item  240  via the closure means  225   c ,  225   d  of the first and second border member portions  225   a ,  225   b , the mesh member  222  cooperates with the apparel item  240  to form the protective pocket  210  therebetween to contain the race bib  230  therein, as further disclosed below in connection with  FIGS. 7-9 . 
     After a participant in a competitive athletic event has received his or her race bib  230 , he or she moves one or more of the first, second, third and/or fourth sides  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c ,  224   d  of the perimeter  224  of the mesh member  222  away from the apparel item  240 , so as to at least partially separate the mesh member  222  from the apparel item  240  (see  FIG. 8 ). In doing so, the participant separates the first and second border member portions  225   a ,  225   b  from one another, at least partially, by disengaging the first and second closure means  225   c ,  225   d.    
     The participant then positions the race bib  230  adjacent the apparel item  240   240  (e.g., on the outer surface thereof), so as to be surrounded by (i.e., within) the first border member portion  225   a . Next, the participant moves the displaced one or more of the first, second, third and fourth sides  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  and  224   d  of the perimeter  224  towards the apparel item  240  until the second border member portion  225   b  fully engages and is secured to the first border member portion  225   a  via complimentary closure means  225   c ,  225   d , whereupon the race bib  230  is secured within the protective pocket  210 . 
     The protective pocket  210  is configured to maintain the race bib  230  (or other substantially two-dimensional object) in a substantially vertical planar orientation while it is contained in the protective pocket  210 . The race bib  230  is thereby maintained in an “upright” position such that it is (a) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent (e.g., outer) surface of the apparel item  240 , and (b) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent body part of the race participant (e.g., a torso or leg). This positioning also improves the visibility of the race number or other alpha-numeric identifier printed on the race bib  230  through the mesh member  222 . 
     Like the mesh member  22  described above, the mesh member  222  is partially opaque, but includes a plurality of spaced apertures  229  through which the number (or other identifying indicia) on the race bib  230  is visible. The apertures  229  in the mesh member  222  facilitate the partial exposure of the race bib  230  such that it can be stained by elements encountered during the race, such as mud. The race participant may thereby keep the stained race bib  230  as a memento of the race. The mesh member  222  may be made of any of the same mesh materials described above in connection with the mesh member  22 . 
     In another embodiment, the protective pocket includes two cords secured at opposite sides thereof (e.g., one cord at each of two opposed corners) and in between the first and second fabrics. The ends of the cords opposite those secured to the protective pocket include closure means, such as toggles or rope locks. The cords are inserted through the race bib and thereby used to secure the race bib in place (e.g., proximate an upper side of the protective pocket). 
     The present invention also relates to methods for providing a memento from a competitive athletic event (e.g., a race) using protective pockets disclosed herein. The method includes at least the steps of providing a race bib having athlete-identifying numbers or indicia thereon; placing the race bib in a protective pocket (as described above) before the competitive athletic event (the protective pocket including a mesh member having a perimeter and being secured to an outer surface of an apparel item worn during the competitive athletic event), such that the athlete-identifying numbers or indicia of the race bib face outwardly so as to be visible through the mesh member; exposing at least a portion of the race bib to elements encountered during the competitive athletic event (e.g., mud), wherein the memento is formed by the deposition of the elements on said race bib; and removing the memento from the protective pocket after the competitive athletic event. 
     When the method uses the protective pocket  10  or  110  (see  FIGS. 3-6 ), the foregoing race bib placing step includes inserting the race bib  30  into the protective pocket  10  or  110  via the opening  26  or  126  thereof. When the method uses the protective pocket  210  (see  FIGS. 7-9 ), the foregoing race bib placing step includes moving at least a portion of the perimeter  224  of the mesh member  222  away from the apparel item  240 , so as to at least partially separate the mesh member  222  from the apparel item  240 , thereby separating the first and second border member portions  225   a ,  225   b  from one another, at least partially, by disengaging the first and second closure means  225   c ,  225   d  thereof; positioning the race bib  230  adjacent the outer surface of the apparel item  240 , so as to be surrounded by the first border member portion  225   a ; moving the displaced portion of the perimeter  224  towards the apparel item  240 ; and securing the first border member  225   a  portion to the second border member  225   b  portion via the first and second closure means  225   c ,  225   d.    
     It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For example, the opening of the protective pocket may be formed on the “bottom” or on one of the left- or right-hand sides of the mesh member rather than the top (as disclosed above), it being understood that the designations first, second, third and fourth sides are arbitrary, and may each be used to describe any side of the mesh member. 
     Further, while a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many additional modifications and/or alternative embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.