Patent Publication Number: US-11375836-B2

Title: Device for sock placement over and removal from a foot of a user

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Many individuals find difficulty in placing socks over their feet and/or removing socks from their feet. For example, geriatrics, disabled persons, and/or others may experience difficulty or inability in reaching their hands toward their feet, even from a seated position, to facilitate placement of socks over their feet and/or to facilitate removal of socks from their feet. 
     For at least the foregoing reasons, there is an ongoing need and desire for improved sock placement over and removal from a foot of a user. 
     The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Implementations of the present disclosure extend to devices for facilitating both placement of a sock over a foot of a user and removal of a sock from a foot of a user. 
     Some embodiments include a multi-functional device that comprises a device body defined by a first wall that includes a first inner face and a first outer face, a second wall that includes a second inner face and a second outer face, and a third wall that includes a third inner face and a third outer face. The second wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a first interface on a first lateral side of the first wall. Similarly, the third wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a second interface on a second lateral side of the first wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall at least partially extend between a first end of the device body and a second end of the device body. 
     The multi-functional device also comprises a hook arranged on the device body. The hook is configured to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user. The multi-functional device also comprises a plurality of ridges arranged on the device body. The plurality of ridges is configured to: (1) when a sock is arranged over the device body, provide frictional force between at least a portion of the sock and the device body to facilitate placement of the sock over a foot of a user, and (2) provide a grip holdable by a user to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user. 
     Some embodiments include a multi-functional device that comprises a device body defined by a first wall that includes a first inner face and a first outer face, a second wall that includes a second inner face and a second outer face, and a third wall that includes a third inner face and a third outer face. The second wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a first interface on a first lateral side of the first wall, and the third wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a second interface on a second lateral side of the first wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall at least partially extend between a first end of the device body and a second end of the device body. The first end of the device body is configured to retain a sock to facilitate placement of the sock over a foot of a user. The multi-functional device also comprises a hook arranged on the second end of the device body. The hook is configured to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user. 
     Some embodiments include a multi-functional device that comprises a device body defined by a first wall that has a first inner face and a first outer face, a second wall that has a second inner face and a second outer face, and a third wall that has a third inner face and a third outer face. The second wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a first interface on a first lateral side of the first wall, and the third wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a second interface on a second lateral side of the first wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall at least partially extend between a first end of the device body and a second end of the device body. A second outer edge of the second wall and a third outer edge of the third wall form corresponding grooves configured to retain a sock to facilitate placement of the sock over a foot of a user. The multi-functional device also comprises a hook arranged on the second end of the device body. The hook is configured to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the teachings herein. Features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a device for sock placement and removal; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear plan view of the device for sock placement and removal; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom elevation view of the device for sock placement and removal; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates right elevation view of the device for sock placement and removal; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top elevation view of the device for sock placement and removal; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a left side view of the device for sock placement and removal; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the device for sock placement and removal with a strap attached thereto. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Implementations of the present disclosure extend to devices for sock placement over and removal from a foot of a user. 
     In some implementations, a multi-functional device comprises a device body defined by a first wall that includes a first inner face and a first outer face, a second wall that includes a second inner face and a second outer face, and a third wall that includes a third inner face and a third outer face. The second wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a first interface on a first lateral side of the first wall. Similarly, the third wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a second interface on a second lateral side of the first wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall at least partially extend between a first end of the device body and a second end of the device body. 
     The multi-functional device also comprises a hook arranged on the device body. The hook is configured to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user. The multi-functional device also comprises a plurality of ridges arranged on the device body. The plurality of ridges is configured to: (1) when a sock is arranged over the device body, provide frictional force between at least a portion of the sock and the device body to facilitate placement of the sock over a foot of a user, and (2) provide a grip holdable by a user to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize, in view of the present disclosure, that at least some of the disclosed embodiments may be implemented to address various shortcomings associated with conventional devices for assisting users in placing socks over feet and/or devices for assisting users in removing socks from feet. 
     For example, conventional techniques for assisting users in placing and removing socks include one device for assisting users in placing socks over user feet and a separate device for assisting users in removing socks from user feet. In contrast, at least some implementations of the present disclosure provide a multi-functional device that is configured for facilitating both placement of a sock over a foot of a user and removal of a sock from a foot of a user. Thus, implementations of the present disclosure may allow users to at least partially avoid problems associated with utilizing different devices for sock placement and removal, such as device misplacement, travel bulk, etc. 
     At least some implementations of the present disclosure also provide features that improve sock placement and/or removal functionality, as compared with conventional devices. For instance, many conventional devices are configured to receive a sock and allow users to advance the device over or around their foot to dispose the sock over the user&#39;s foot. However, many users find difficulty in placing a sock over a conventional device for facilitating sock placement over user feet. At least some implementations of the present disclosure provide a tapered device body that enables the device to easily receive a sock in preparation for placement over a foot of a user. 
     Furthermore, many conventional devices fail to facilitate a desired distribution of a sock over a user&#39;s foot. For example, many conventional devices may fail to adequately retain a sock placed thereon as the device is advanced over or around the user&#39;s foot and/or leg. This may cause the sock to become rapidly released from the conventional device and disposed over the user&#39;s foot and/or leg in a manner that results in loose positioning of the sock over the user&#39;s foot and/or failure of the sock to reach a desired height on the user&#39;s leg. 
     Thus, at least some implementations of the present disclosure include ridges that provide frictional force between the device and a sock placed thereon, which may allow the device to release the sock over the user&#39;s foot and/or leg in a controlled manner that facilitates a desirable distribution of the sock over the foot of the user and/or allows the sock to reach a desired height on the user&#39;s leg. The ridges may also provide additional benefits, such as providing a grip for users to hold onto when controlling a hook of the device to facilitate sock removal. 
     Further, at least some implementations of the present disclosure include one or more grooves and/or protrusions positioned on the device body that allow the device to retain the sock during advancement over the foot and/or leg of the user, releasing the sock from the device in a controlled manner as the sock achieves a desired distribution and/or height over the foot and/or leg of the user. 
     Having described some of the various high-level features and benefits of the disclosed embodiments, attention will now be directed to  FIGS. 1 through 6 . These Figures illustrate various supporting illustrations related to the disclosed embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a device  100  configured to facilitate both placement of a sock over a foot of a user and removal of a sock from a foot of a user. In this regard, the device  100  may be regarded as a multi-functional device. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in some instances, the device  100  is at least partially formed by a device body  102 , which includes a first wall  104 , a second wall  106 , and a third wall  108 . In some instances, the first wall  104  may be regarded as a base or bottom wall of the device  100 , and the second wall  106  and the third wall  108  may be regarded as extending vertically or away from the first wall  104  such that the first wall  104  is nonparallel to the second wall  106  and the third wall  108 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates that, in some implementations, the first wall  104  connects to the second wall  106  via an interface  110 , and the first wall connects to the third wall  108  via an interface  112 . For example, the first wall  104  of the device  100  of  FIG. 1  connects to the interface  110  at a first lateral side  114  of the first wall  104 , and the second wall  106  extends from the interface  110 . Similarly, the first wall  104  connects to the interface  112  at a second lateral side  116  of the first wall  104 , and the third wall  108  extends from the interface  112 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the first wall  104 , the second wall  106 , the third wall  108 , the first interface  110 , and the second interface extending at least partially between a first end  118  of the device body  102  and a second end  120  of the device body  120 . For example, the first interface  110  and the second interface  112  that join the various walls mentioned above extend from the first end  118  to the second end  120 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a rear view of the device  100  and shows that, in some instances, the device body  102  forms a substantially U-shaped body. For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates an implementation in which the first interface  110  forms a curved wall that provides an arcuate or curved transition between the first wall  104  and the second wall  106 . Similarly,  FIG. 2  illustrates that the second interface  112  may form a curved wall that provides a corresponding arcuate or curved transition between the first wall  104  and the third wall  108 .  FIG. 2  also demonstrates that the first wall  104  includes a first inner face  202  and a first outer face  204 . Similarly, the second wall includes a second inner face  206  and a second outer face  208 , and the third wall includes a third inner face  210  and a third outer face  212 . 
     As is depicted in the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the device body  102  of the device  100  includes various components/structures that allow the device  100  to facilitate both sock placement over and sock removal from a foot of a user. For instance, to facilitate sock placement over a foot of a user, the first end  118  of the device  100  may be configured to receive a sock such that the sock becomes positioned around the device body  102 . In some instances, the device  100  at least partially retains the sock on the device body  102  for controlled sock placement via a plurality of ridges  122 , grooves  124 , and/or protrusions  126 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  show an example in which the plurality of ridges  122  is arranged near or proximate to the first end  118  of the device body  102  (e.g., within one inch or within a few inches). The example also depicts the grooves  124  formed by outer edges of the second wall  106  and the third wall  108  of the device body  102  (see  FIG. 3  also). Additionally, the example also depicts the protrusions  126  extending outward from the second wall  106  and the third wall  108 . 
     By way of example, a user may advance an opening of a sock over the first end  118  of the device  100  and cause the sock to engage with the various elements disposed on the device body  102 , such as the plurality of ridges  122 , the grooves  124 , and/or the protrusions  126 . For instance, the user may draw the sock over the plurality of ridges  122  and position upper portions of the sock (e.g., sock material surrounding the upper opening of the sock) around the protrusions  126  and within the grooves  124 . When the sock is so positioned about the device body  102 , the device body  102  may provide a space  214  for receiving a foot of a user into the opening of the sock positioned around the device body  102  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     A device  100  may receive a foot of a user (e.g., through the space  214 ) in various ways. For example, in some instances, the device body  102  includes slots  128  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) configured to receive a strap (see  FIG. 7 ) that a user may pull to advance the device  100  over their foot, causing their foot to enter the space  214  into the opening of a sock positioned around the device body  102  (e.g., causing the foot to advance in a direction from the second end  120  toward the first end  118  relative to the device body  102 ). In other instances, the device  100  with a sock positioned thereabout becomes secured to a floor or other permanent structure, and the user advances their foot relative to the secured device  100  through the space  214  and into the opening of the sock (e.g., still causing the foot to advance in a direction from the second end  120  toward the first end  118  relative to the device body  102 ). 
     Regardless of how the device  100  with a sock positioned thereabout receives a user&#39;s foot, the various structures of the device  100  (e.g., the plurality of ridges  122 , the grooves  124 , the protrusions  126 ) may facilitate controlled release of the sock over the user&#39;s foot. For example, the plurality of ridges  122 , the grooves  124 , and/or the protrusions  126  may engage with various portions of the sock positioned about the device body  102  in a manner that provides frictional forces between the various portions of the device body  102  and the various portions of the sock. The frictional forces may cause the portions of the device  100  to at least partially retain the sock positioned about the device  100  as a user&#39;s foot advances through the opening of the sock until forces between the user&#39;s foot and the sock overcome the frictional forces between the sock and the device  100 . 
     In some instances, the various frictional forces between a sock and the various structures of the device  100  (e.g., the plurality of ridges  122 , the grooves  124 , the protrusions  126 ) are sufficiently high such that the forces between the sock and the foot of a user necessary to overcome them are typically only achieved as portions of the sock becomes stretched over the foot of the user during advancement through the space  214  of the device  100 . Accordingly, in some implementations, the various structures of the device  100  of the present disclosure may facilitate a desirable distribution of a sock over a user&#39;s foot. In contrast, conventional devices may fail to provide sufficient frictional force such that forces between the sock and the foot of a user easily overcome conventional frictional forces before the sock becomes stretched over the foot of the user, which may result in an uncomfortable or undesirable fitting of the sock over the foot of the user. 
     It should be noted that although the foregoing example focuses, in at least some respects, on implementations in which the sock disposed over the device body  102  engages with the plurality of ridges  122 , the grooves  124 , and the protrusion  126 , at least some of the benefits described hereinabove may be realized in implementations where the sock engages with fewer than all, or none, of the components of the device body  102  described hereinabove for facilitating placement of the sock over a foot of a user. 
     For example, in some implementations, a sock is long enough to engage with the plurality of ridges  122  but is not long enough to engage with the grooves  124  and/or the protrusions  126 . Furthermore, in some instances, a sock is long enough to engage with the plurality of ridges  122  and the grooves  124  and/or the protrusions  126 , but the user refrains from positioning the sock over one or more of these elements (e.g., because fewer than all of the components may provide sufficient frictional force to facilitate desirable placement of the sock over a foot of a user). Thus, in some instances, a user may position a sock around the device body  102  in engagement with the plurality of ridges  122  and refrain from placing the sock in engagement with the grooves  124  and/or the protrusions  126 . A user may then proceed to advance their foot relative to the device  100  (e.g., through space  214 ) to dispose the sock over their foot, with the ridges providing sufficient frictional force between the device  100  and the sock to facilitate desirable positioning of the sock over the foot. Accordingly, a user may selectively customize use of the device  100  to accommodate different socks and/or situations. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , the device body  102  of the device  100  includes a hook  130 , which is configured to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user.  FIGS. 1 and 3  illustrate an example in which the hook  130  is arranged on the second end  120  of the device body  102 . By way of example, to remove a sock from a foot of a user, a user may position the device  100  such that the first outer face  204  of the first wall  104  of the device body  102  is directed toward a leg of the user, with the second end  120  of the device body  102  oriented toward an opening of the sock. The user may then insert the hook  130  into the opening of the sock between the sock material and the leg of the user, with at least a portion of the device body  102  remaining outside of the sock opening to allow the device  100  to maintain engagement with the sock. With the hook  130  so positioned, the user may advance the device  100  along the leg of the user, thereby causing the device  100  engaged with the sock to apply a force on the sock that at least partially pulls the sock off of the leg of the user. 
     In some instances, in addition to the functionality described hereinabove related to placing a sock over a foot of a user, the plurality of ridges  122  may also advantageously provide additional functionality for facilitating removal of a sock from a foot of a user. For example, the plurality of ridges  122  may provide a grip holdable by a user for manipulating the device  100  to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user as described hereinabove. 
     Thus, in at least some instances, a single device  100  may facilitate both placing of socks over feet of users and removal of socks from feet of users, thus avoiding problems that may arise from utilizing different devices for sock placement and sock removal. 
     Additional details concerning example configurations for the various components of a device  100  according to the present disclosure will now be provided.  FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the device  100 .  FIG. 3  illustrates that, in some instances, the plurality of ridges  122  is arranged proximate to the first end  118  of the device body  102 . However, in some implementations, the plurality of ridges  122  is positioned centrally on the device body  102  or in another configuration relative to the device body  102 . 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates that, in some implementations, the plurality of ridges  122  includes five ridges. However, those skilled in the art will recognize, in view of the present disclosure, that a device  100  may comprise any number of one or more ridges in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure. Furthermore,  FIG. 3  demonstrates that, in at least some instances, the plurality of ridges  122  comprises a linear arrangement of equally spaced parallel protrusions positioned on the first outer face  204  of the first wall  104 . Other configurations for the plurality of ridges  122  are also within the scope of this disclosure, such as any arrangement of protrusions (i.e., ridges) at any spacing that form any combination of linear, curved, zigzag, and/or shaped structures. 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 3  illustrates that, in some instances, the plurality of ridges  122  and the hook  130  are arranged on the device body  102  opposite to one another (e.g., on the first end  118  and the second end  120  of the device body  102 , respectively). It will be appreciated, however, that this arrangement is provided as a non-limiting example. In other examples, the hook  130  is arranged on the same end as the plurality of ridges  122 , or the hook  130  is arranged on a lateral side of the device body that is not opposite to the first end  118  (e.g., extending from the second wall  106  or the third wall  108 ). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example in which at least some ridges of the plurality of ridges  122  extend over the first wall  104  of the device body  102 .  FIG. 4  illustrates right side view of the device  100 .  FIG. 4  furthermore illustrates that, in some implementations, at least some ridges of the plurality of ridges  122  further extend at least partially over the interface  112  and/or the third wall  108 . While  FIG. 4  illustrates the portion of the plurality of ridges  122  on the third wall  108  with the same shape, orientation, and spacing as the plurality of ridges on the first wall  104 , it should be understood that in some embodiments the plurality of ridges  122  on the third wall  108  may employ a different shape, orientation, or spacing than the plurality of ridges on the first wall  104 . Further, in some instances, by symmetry, at least some of the ridges of the plurality of ridges  122  may also extend at least partially over the interface  110  and/or the second wall  106 . Again, the plurality of ridges  122  on the second wall  106  may employ a different shape, orientation, or spacing than the plurality of ridges on the first wall  104 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that various aspects of the ridges of the plurality of ridges  122  (e.g., the number, height, length, and/or shape of the ridges) may be varied in different implementations to provide different frictional forces between a device  100  and a sock disposed thereon. 
       FIG. 4  also illustrates that, in some instances, the hook  130  is arranged on and/or extends from the second end  120  of the device body  102 . In some implementations, the hook  130  comprises a hook end  402  that is arranged planarly offset from the first wall  104  of the device body  102  of the device  100 . In some instances, providing a hook  130  that comprises a hook end  402  that is planarly offset from the first wall  104  of the device body  102  facilitates easy insertion of the hook  130  into an opening of a sock that is positioned around a foot and/or leg of a user. 
       FIG. 4  furthermore illustrates that the hook  130  comprises a curved profile. In some instances, providing a hook  130  that includes a curved profile as shown in  FIG. 4  allows the hook  130  to direct the cuff of a sock into engagement with other portions of the device body  102  to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user. For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the device  100 .  FIG. 5  illustrates that, in some implementations, at least a portion of an edge of the first wall  104  of the device body (e.g., an edge of the first wall  104  at the second end  120  of the device body  102 ) forms depressions  502  on opposing lateral sides of the hook  130 . The depressions  502  may be configured to receive and retain a portion of a sock that surrounds an opening of a sock (e.g., a cuff of a sock). 
     For example, to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user, a user may insert a hook end  402  into an opening of the sock between the cuff of the sock and the leg of the user, as described hereinabove with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 . After initial insertion of the hook end  402  into the sock opening, a user may continue to advance the hook end  402  through the opening of the sock, causing the cuff of the sock to advance along the hook  130  toward the device body  102 . The cuff of the sock may reach the depressions  502  illustrated in  FIG. 5  and become retained therein as the user continues to advance the device  100  to facilitate removal of the sock from the foot of the user. The depressions  502  may therefore aid the device  100  in maintaining engagement with the sock to allow the device  100  to apply force to the sock to facilitate removal of the sock from the foot of the user. Thus, the depressions  502  may enable the device  100  to facilitate easy removal of the sock from the foot of the user. 
     In addition,  FIG. 5  illustrates corresponding grooves  124  formed by an outer edge of the third wall  108  of the device body  102  and by an outer edge of the second wall  106  of the device body  102 . As indicated above, the grooves  124  may be configured to retain respective portions of a sock for facilitating placement of the sock over a foot of a user, as described hereinabove.  FIG. 5  also illustrates corresponding protrusions  126  extending from the second outer face  208  of the second wall  106  of the device body  102  and the third outer face  212  of the third wall  108  of the device body. Similar to the grooves  124  mentioned above, the protrusions may be configured to retain respective portions of a sock for facilitating placement of the sock over a foot of a user, as described hereinabove. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a left side view of the device  100  for sock placement and removal.  FIG. 6  shows that, in some implementations, the grooves  124  comprise substantially U-shaped grooves. In some instances, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the grooves  124  may include non-parallel sidewalls. For example, the groove  124  of  FIG. 6  formed by the outer edge of the second wall  106  of the device body  102  includes a first sidewall arranged toward the first end  118  of the device body  102  and a second sidewall arranged toward the second end  120  of the device body  102 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an implementation in which the first sidewall arranged toward the first end  118  is non-parallel to the second sidewall and is slanted toward the first end  118 . In some instances, providing a sidewall of the grooves  124  that is slanted toward the first end  118  enables a sock disposed about the device body  102  and within the grooves  124  to be released from the grooves  124  as the forces between a foot of a user and the sock increase during placement of the sock onto the foot of the user, as described hereinabove. 
       FIG. 6  also illustrates a protrusion  126  extending from the second wall  106  of the device body  102  and arranged adjacent to the groove  124  formed by the outer edge of the second wall  106 . In particular,  FIG. 6  illustrates the protrusion  126  arranged adjacent to the first sidewall of the groove  124  described above (i.e., a sidewall of the groove  124  that is arranged toward the first end  118  of the device body  102 ). In some instances, by symmetry, a corresponding protrusion  126  extending from the third wall  108  of the device body  102  may be arranged adjacent to a groove formed by the outer edge of the third wall  108 . In some implementations, arranging the protrusions  126  adjacent to the grooves  124  enables the protrusions  126  to complement the grooves  124  in providing frictional force to retain portions of a sock disposed about the device body  102  during placement of the sock over a foot of a user. 
       FIG. 6  furthermore illustrates, that in some instances, the second wall  106  forms a taper  602  proximate to the first end  118  of the device body  102 . In some instances, by symmetry, the third wall  108  forms a corresponding taper  602  proximate to the first end  118  of the device body  102 . Stated differently, the second wall  106  and the third wall  108  may, in some implementations, taper toward the first end  118 . In some instances, providing a device body  102  that forms a taper  602  toward the first end  118  of the device body  102  may facilitate easy placement of a sock over the device body  102  in preparation for placing the sock over a foot of a user, according to the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  also provides an additional view of the slots  128  that are configured to receive respective portions of a strap (see  FIG. 7 ) for facilitating placement of a sock over a foot of a user.  FIG. 7  provides a view of the device  100  with a strap  702  inserted through the slots  128  and affixed to the device body  102 . For example, after positioning a sock around a first end  118  of a device body  102 , a user may use the strap  702  affixed to the slots  128  to pull the device  100  toward a foot of the user to advance the foot through the space  214  formed by the device  100  to place the sock over the foot of the user. 
     Various alterations and/or modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims, and are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. While a number of methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice embodiments of the present disclosure, only certain components and methods are described herein. 
     It will also be appreciated that systems, devices, products, kits, methods, and/or processes, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties, features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments disclosed and/or described herein. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein. 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. While certain embodiments and details have been included herein and in the attached disclosure for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods, products, devices, and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.