Patent Publication Number: US-11047649-B2

Title: Firearm accessory mount

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/224,919 filed Dec. 19, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/996,720 filed Jan. 15, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Accessories, such as scopes, are often mounted on firearms to aid the operator in accurately aiming the firearm. A common type of scope is a telescopic sight which includes optical components that magnify the target, and also typically include a visual element such as a reticle that identifies a specific location at which the firearm is currently aimed. Firearm scopes can be secured to the firearm using a scope mount. More specifically, at least some scope mounts are secured to a firearm by fastening to a mounting rail located at or adjacent to an upper receiver of the firearm. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure generally relates to a firearm scope mount. Various aspects of the firearm scope mount are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects. 
     One aspect is a method of manufacturing a firearm accessory mount, the method comprising: securing a raw amount of material; shaping the raw amount of material to generate accessory rings positioned on a mounting base along a common axis; forming apertures through the accessory rings along a single axis; and at least substantially dividing each of the accessory rings into receivers and caps. 
     Another aspect is a firearm accessory mount comprising: a mounting base comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the mounting base comprising a firearm fastener; a proximal receiver extending from the mounting base proximal end; a proximal cap substantially divided from the proximal receiver, the proximal receiver and the proximal cap being connected by a manually separable sliver of material, the proximal cap and the proximal receiver defining an internal passageway oriented about a first longitudinal axis; a distal receiver extending from the mounting base distal end; and a distal cap substantially divided from the distal receiver, the distal receiver and the distal cap being connected by a manually separable sliver of material, the distal cap and the distal receiver defining an internal passageway oriented about the first longitudinal axis, the distal internal passageway being concentrically aligned with the proximal internal passageway. 
     Yet another aspect is a method of ensuring alignment of proximal and distal receiving structures, the method comprising: shaping the proximal and distal receiving structures while both are rigidly secured with respect to each; forming apertures within the proximal and distal receiving structures along a single axis from a single direction; and creating dividing channels through the proximal and distal receiving structures, the proximal dividing channel and the distal dividing channel being co-planar. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a firearm according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a scope mount according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a method for making a scope mount according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.\ 
         FIG. 4  shows a right side perspective view of a raw extrusion of material secured in a clamp and ready for machining by a machining tool. 
         FIG. 5  shows a left side perspective view of the raw extrusion of material secured in the clamp and ready for machining by the machining tool, shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a left side perspective view of a partially machined raw extrusion of material shown in  FIG. 4  secured in the clamp. 
         FIG. 7  shows a right side perspective view of the partially machined raw extrusion of material shown in  FIG. 6  secured in the clamp. 
         FIG. 8  shows a right side perspective view of partially machined raw extrusion of material shown in  FIG. 6  secured in the clamp and having been bored with a boring tool. 
         FIG. 9  shows a left side perspective view of partially machined raw extrusion of material shown in  FIG. 8  secured in the clamp and having been bored with the boring tool. 
         FIG. 10  shows a right side perspective view of the bored and partially machined raw extrusion of material shown in  FIG. 9  having been cut with a cutting tool. 
         FIG. 11  shows a left side perspective view of the bored and partially machined raw extrusion of material shown in  FIG. 9  having been cut with the cutting tool. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the bored and cut scope rings shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of the bored and cut scope ring shown in  FIG. 12 , showing the cap folded upwards away from the base. 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged perspective view of the bored and cut scope ring shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , showing the cap snapped off of the base. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of an example firearm system  90 . In this example, the firearm system  90  includes a firearm  100 , a scope  102  and an accessory mount  104 . The illustrated scope  102  is secured to the firearm  100  with the accessory mount  104 . The illustrated firearm  100  can be any firearm that fires projectiles, such as bullets or shot, and can support a scope with a mount. For example, the illustrated firearm  100  can be a rifle, a shotgun or a pistol. The illustrated firearm  100  is defined by an upper receiver and a lower receiver, and includes a barrel, a trigger and a stock. 
     The illustrated scope  102  can be any scope that functions to enhance the accuracy of a user&#39;s aim while using the firearm  100 . The illustrated scope  102  can have a central narrow mounting section extending between front and rear expanded magnification sections containing lenses. 
     The illustrated accessory mount  104  functions to secure the scope  102  to the firearm  100 . The accessory mount  104  can be secured to the upper receiver of the firearm  100 , for example to a mounting rail. The illustrated accessory mount  104  can have a pair of rings, front and rear, that support the scope  102 . The rings of the illustrated accessory mount  104  receive the narrow section of the scope  102 . The illustrated accessory mount  104  can alternatively support a variety of different accessories used with firearms, for example cylindrical accessories such as laser sights. 
     Another example firearm system  90  includes the firearm  100  and the mount  104 , but does not include the scope  102 . In this example, the firearm system  90  is configured to receive a scope  102 , or other accessories, but the scope is not included. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a mount  120  which can function similarly to the mount  104  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The illustrated mount  120  can have a mounting base  108 , a rear mounting ring  106   a  and a front mounting ring  106   b.    
     The illustrated mounting base  108  has a front end and a rear end. The illustrated mounting base  108  can have a fastener  116 , or plurality of fasteners, that receives and secures to a firearm. The fastener of the illustrated mounting base  108  can secure to an upper receiver of a firearm, for example through a mounting rail mounted to the firearm. 
     The illustrated rear mounting ring  106   a  is secured to and extends upwardly from the rear end of the mounting base  108 . The illustrated front mounting ring  106   b  is secured to and extends upwardly from the front end of the mounting base  108 . 
     The illustrated rear mounting ring  106   a  can have an internal passageway  114   a  defined by a lower receiver  112   a  and an upper cap  110   a . The lower receiver  112   a  and the upper cap  110   a  are separable from each other and can be secured to each other with a fastener  118   a  or plurality of fasteners, for example a tightening screw and nut, or clip. The illustrated internal passageway  114   a  can have a shape resembling a circle to snugly engage an accessory, such as a scope, that is secured therein. The illustrated lower receiver  112   a  can define a lower section of the internal passageway  114   a  and the upper cap  110   a  can define the upper section of the internal passageway. In use, the upper cap  110   a  is disengaged from the lower receiver  112   a  so that a section of an accessory can be set within the lower section of the internal passageway  114   a  within the lower receiver. The upper section of the internal passageway  114   a , as defined by the upper cap  110   a , is then set around the accessory, so that the upper cap engages the lower receiver  112   a  on either side of the accessory. A fastener  118   a , or fasteners, is then tightened between the upper cap  110   a  and the lower receiver  112   a  to ensure that the accessory is secured within the internal passageway  114   a.    
     The illustrated front mounting ring  106   b  can be geometrically and functionally similar to the rear mounting ring  106   a  described above. The rear mounting ring  106   a  and the front mounting ring  106   b  function together to receive and support the scope described with respect to the rear mounting ring. 
     The illustrated front mounting ring  106   b  can have an internal passageway  114   b  defined by a lower receiver  112   b  and an upper cap  110   b . The lower receiver  112   b  and the upper cap  110   b  are separable from each other and can be secured to each other with a fastener  118   b  or fasteners, for example a tightener screw and nut, or clip. The illustrated internal passageway  114   b  can have a shape resembling a circle to snugly engage an accessory, such as a scope, that is secured therein. The illustrated lower receiver  112   b  can define a lower section of the internal passageway  114   b  and the upper cap  110   b  can define the upper section of the internal passageway. In use, the upper cap  110   b  is disengaged from the lower receiver  112   b  so a section of the accessory can be set within the lower section of the internal passageway  114   b  within the lower receiver. The upper section of the internal passageway  114   b , as defined by the upper cap  110   b , is then set around the accessory, so that the upper cap engages the lower receiver  112   b . A fastener  118   b  or fasteners is then tightened between the upper cap  110   b  and the lower receiver  112   b  to ensure that the accessory is secured within the internal passageway  114   b.    
     In order to maintain accuracy of aiming an accessory, such as a scope or laser sight, that would be mounted to a firearm by the illustrated mount  120 , it is important that the rear internal passageway  114   a  and the front internal passageway  114   b  are concentrically aligned and oriented with respect to a common axis. Such concentric orientation and alignment reduces any errors between the direction of an accessory and the direction of a firearm. 
     A raw piece of aluminum can have internal stresses which are imparted when an extrusion is created. By machining a large amount of material, such as the gap between two scope rings for use on a firearm, small springing or distortions can occur. Example methods for manufacturing firearm accessory mounts can cause inaccuracies when using the mount on a precision weapon. An example inaccuracy includes how the accessory clamps interact with bases. In one example, the accessory clamps (the small pieces which retain the accessory from the top) are machined separately from the cradle. By doing so the surfaces which clamp and secure the accessory are not concentric to each other, causing uneven clamping force on the accessory, for example the scope tube. Additionally, another error occurs in that the bore of one accessory ring is not concentric to the bore of the other ring on the same mount. Accordingly, additional improvements are desired which reduce the stresses during manufacturing to ensure a high level of accuracy during operation. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example method  140  for making a firearm accessory mount. In this example, the method includes operations  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 , and  160 . In some embodiments the operations  150 ,  152 ,  154 , and  156  are performed by a manufacturer, while the operations  158  and  160  are performed by another, such as by an installer or an end user, for example. In another embodiment, the method  140  may be entirely performed by the manufacturer. In yet other embodiments, the operations may be divided among several people or companies. 
     In this example the method  140  begins with an operation  150  in which a material is secured. In some embodiments the material can be rigid and durable, yet able to be extruded and cut into, for example plastic or metal. More specifically, the example material can be aluminum or steel. The material can be secured  150  with a machining clamp, for example a fixing device with a pair of opposing jaws that tighten toward each other, or a vice. In another possible embodiment, the material is held in an alternative manner that achieves positional stability, such as during the subsequent forming operation  154 . Securing  150  the material allows a user to maintain an exact orientation or the material during the remaining steps of the method  140 . An example of operation  150  is illustrated and described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The operation  152  is performed to shape the material. In some embodiments the shaping includes generating accessory rings and a mounting rail. In an example illustrated in further detail herein, two accessory rings are formed that are aligned along a common axis. The accessory rings are left connected at bottom ends to a mounting rail that extends between the two accessory rings. The shaping operation  152  is performed with the material secured in the securing operation  150 . The shaping operation  152  can be performed with a shaper that forms and shapes the metal from the raw extrusion form into a predetermined geometry. An example shaper can be a lathe and a CNC machine. The shaping operation  152  transforms the raw extrusion of material into the general geometry of an accessory mount. An example of the shaping operation  152  is illustrated and described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The operation  154  is performed to form apertures through the receiving structures to form the accessory rings. In some embodiments the aperture is formed along a single axis and from one direction. In some embodiments the accessory rings are concentric with each other along the single axis. The forming operation  154  can be completed with a forming tool that forms apertures in the receiving structures to form the accessory rings. An example forming tool can be a lathe, a boring machine or a drill bit. The forming operation  154  is performed with the material secured in the securing operation  150 . An example of the operation  154  is illustrated and described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     The forming operation  154  is completed after the shaping operation  152  in at least some embodiments to reduce springing or distortion between the accessory rings. If the apertures were formed before the shaping process, springing or distortion can result in misalignment of the aperture from one accessory ring to the other. 
     The operation  156  is performed to substantially divide the formed accessory rings into bases and caps. The dividing operation  156  can be performed with a dividing tool which divides metal, for example a saw or a laser. The dividing tool can divide the pair of accessory rings along a common plane so that the bases are identical and the caps are identical. The caps are retained onto the bases with a thin sliver section of undivided material that is not divided by the dividing tool. The dividing operation  156  is performed with the material secured in the securing operation  150 . The dividing operation  156  is completed after the forming operation  154  to ensure alignment and consistency of geometry between the accessory rings. By completing the forming operation  154  of the accessory rings with the bases and caps still connected, the aperture concentricity is maintained allowing for a tighter fit to the accessory. Also, any stresses or movement which occurs during the shaping operation  152  of the material does not adversely affect the final product, such as misalignment of the caps and the bases. 
     The operation  158  is performed to snap the caps apart from the bases. The snapping operation  158  can be completed by breaking the section of undivided material between the bases and caps. A user can perform the snapping operation  158  manually by hand. The snapping operation  158  can be performed separately from operations  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156 , for example by an end user to which the shaped, formed and divided scope mount has been removed from the securing device and delivered. 
     The operation  160  is performed to buff or sand the snapped-apart bases and caps to remove any residue of the undivided material. The buffing operation  160  can be performed with a buffing tool, for example with a buffing wheel or sanding wheel. The buffing operation  160  is performed after the snapping operation  158 . The buffing operation  160  can be performed separately from operations  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156 , for example by an end user to which the shaped, formed and divided accessory mount has been removed from the securing device and delivered. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of the securing operation  150  described in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a securing device  210 , a machine  212 , a shaping tool  214  and a raw extrusion of material  216 . As illustrated, a raw extrusion of material  216  secured in a securing device  210 , for example a clamp. The illustrated raw extrusion of material  216  can have an elongated block-like geometry that extends along an axis X. A machine  212  that powers alternative interchangeable tools, such as drill bits, is illustrated to secure and operate a shaping tool  214  for shaping the raw extrusion of material  216 . An example shaping tool  214  can be a machining bit operable within the machine  212 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of the securing operation  150  described in  FIG. 3 , and illustrated in  FIG. 4 , as viewed along a different orientation.  FIG. 5  illustrates a securing device  210 , a machine  212 , a shaping tool  214  and a raw extrusion of material  216 . As illustrated, the raw extrusion of material  216  is secured in the securing device  210  so that the machine  212  can use the shaping tool  214  to shape the raw extrusion of material into a different geometry. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example of the shaping operation  152  described in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a securing device  210 , a machine  212 , a shaping tool  214 , a raw extrusion of material  216 , a mounting base  217  and a pair of receiving structures  219 . The raw extrusion of material  216  remains secured in the securing device  210 . The shaping tool  214  powered by the machine  212  is shown to have shaped a section of the raw extrusion of material  216  into a pair of receiving structures  219  separated along, and supported by a mounting base  217 . The pair of receiving structures  219  and mounting base  217  can have geometries resembling the pair of accessory rings and mounting base illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As depicted, the pair of receiving structures  219  are aligned concentrically along the axis X. An unshaped portion of the raw extrusion of material  216  is not removed from the securing device  210  during shaping by the shaping tool  214 . The shaping tool  214  shapes the raw extrusion of material  216  into the pair of receiving structures  219  and mounting base  217  from a variety of angles with respect to the axis X. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of the shaping operation  152  described in  FIG. 3 , and illustrated in  FIG. 6 , as viewed along a different orientation.  FIG. 7  illustrates a securing device  210 , a machine  212 , a shaping tool  214 , a raw extrusion of material  216 , a mounting base  217  and a pair of receiving structures  219 . As illustrated, the unshaped portion of the raw extrusion of material  216  is secured in the securing device  210  so that the machine  212  can use the shaping tool  214  to form the raw extrusion of material into a different geometry that includes the pair of receiving structures  219  and the mounting base  217 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example of the forming operation  154  described in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a securing device  210 , a machine  212 , a forming tool  220 , a raw extrusion of material  216 , a mounting base  217 , a pair of accessory rings  218  and apertures  222  therein. The portion of unshaped raw extrusion of material  216 , illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , is secured in the securing device  210  along the axis X. The shaped accessory rings  218  are supported along the mounting base  217 . A forming tool  220  is secured to the machine  212  after the shaping tool  214  was removed. The forming tool  220  forms apertures  222  within the receiving structures to form accessory rings  218 . An example forming tool  220  can be a boring bit operable within the machine  212 . As illustrated, the formed apertures  222  can be concentric with each other along the axis X. The illustrated accessory rings,  218  and apertures  222  can have geometries resembling the accessory rings and apertures described in the example illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The forming tool  220  forms the apertures  222  along the axis X from a single direction, for example from the distal ring  218  toward the proximal ring, as the distal ring is distal from the unshaped portion of the raw extrusion of material  216 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the forming operation  154  described in  FIG. 3 , and illustrated in  FIG. 8 , as viewed along a different orientation.  FIG. 9  illustrates a securing device  210 , a machine  212 , a forming tool  220 , a raw extrusion of material  216 , a mounting base  217 , a pair of accessory rings  218  and apertures  222  therein. As illustrated, the unshaped portion of the raw extrusion of material  216  is secured in the securing device  210  so that the machine  212  can use the forming tool  220  to form the apertures  222  through the receiving structures to form the pair of accessory rings  218  secured to the mounting base  217 . 
     The forming operation  154  can cause springing (or elastic springback) or distortion of the material  216  due to the friction caused by the mechanical motion of the forming tool  220 . If the forming operation  154  is performed before the shaping operation  152 , such springing or distortion of the material  216  can cause over-stress of the material and thus misalignment of the apertures from one accessory ring to the other. However, by performing the forming operation  154  after the shaping operation  152 , such springing or distortion of the material  216  is reduced due to the reduced material in the accessory rings  218 , and alignment and concentricity of the accessory rings is greatly improved. Performing the shaping operation  152  before the forming operation  154  allows the accessory rings  218  to return to a natural free state without stresses which would otherwise move the accessory rings when being formed. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example of the dividing operation  156  described in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the securing device  210 , the machine  212 , the unshaped portion of the raw extrusion of material  216 , the mounting base  217 , the accessory rings  218  and formed apertures  222  defining internal passageways, a dividing tool  232 , an upper cap  234  and a dividing channel  236 . A dividing tool  230  can be secured to the machine  212  after the forming tool  220  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) is removed. The dividing tool  230  generates a dividing channel  236  into the accessory rings  218 . An example dividing tool  232  can be a cutting saw, for example with a 0.016 in thickness, operable within the machine  212 . The dividing channel  236  substantially (i.e., nearly entirely) divides each accessory ring  218  into a lower receiver extending from the mounting base  217  and an upper cap  234 . The dividing channel  236  extends substantially through each accessory ring  218 , leaving a sliver of material undivided (or uncut) to maintain the connection between the lower receivers and the upper caps  234 . This sliver of uncut material is further described in  FIGS. 12 and 13  below. The illustrated accessory rings,  218 , lower receivers and upper caps  234  can have geometries resembling the accessory rings, lower receivers and upper caps described in the example illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In an example, the lower receiver of the accessory rings  218  and the upper caps  234  each have an equal portion of the circumference of the formed apertures  222 , such that the lower receiver is half and the upper cap is half. The dividing tool  232  forms the dividing channel  236  that substantially divides the pair of accessory rings  218  into lower receivers and upper caps  234  through engagement with the accessory rings along an axis that is parallel with the axis X. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example of the dividing operation  156  described in  FIG. 3  and illustrated in  FIG. 10 , as viewed along a different orientation.  FIG. 10  illustrates the securing device  210 , the machine  212 , the unshaped portion of the raw extrusion of material  216 , the mounting base  217 , the accessory rings  218  and formed apertures  222  defining internal passageways, a dividing tool  232 , an upper cap  234  and a dividing channel  236 . As illustrated,  FIG. 11  shows the securing device  210 , the machine  212 , the unshaped portion of the raw extrusion of material  216 , the accessory rings  218 , the apertures  222 , the mounting base  217 , the dividing tool  232 , the upper caps  234  and the dividing channel  236 . 
     The unshaped portion of the raw extrusion of material  216 , accessory rings  218  and mounting base  217  ( FIGS. 4-11 ) can thereafter be removed from securing device  210 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates one of the pair of accessory rings  218  on the mounting base  217 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The following description is also applied to the other accessory ring  218  in the pair illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The illustrated accessory ring  218  shows the aperture  222  defining the internal passageway between an upper cap  234  and a lower receiver  237 . The dividing channel  236  substantially divides the lower receiver  237  and the upper cap  234 , leaving a sliver  239  of material undivided (or uncut) between the lower receivers and the upper caps. As illustrated, the sliver  239  of undivided material remains connecting the lower receiver  237  and the upper cap  234 . In some embodiments the sliver  239  has a thickness and a height in a range from about 0.003 inch to about 0.005 inch. As contemplated, the upper cap  234  and the lower receiver  237  remain attached to each other by this sliver of material  239  until a user is ready to install an accessory, for example a scope or laser sight, onto a firearm. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the accessory ring on the mounting base  217  that is shown in  FIG. 12 . The following description is also applied to the other accessory ring  218  in the pair illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . As illustrated, when the dividing tool  232  described in  FIGS. 10 and 11  has completed the dividing process, the upper cap  234  can be bent or folded away from the lower receiver  237 . As illustrated, the sliver  239  of material connects the divided upper cap  234  and the lower receiver  237 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates the snapping operation  158  and the buffing operation  160  described in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the accessory ring on the mounting base  217  that is shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The following description is also applied to the other accessory ring  218  in the pair illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . As illustrated, the upper cap  234  can be snapped off of the lower receiver  237 , which remains secured to the mounting base  217 . The upper cap  234  can be snapped off of the lower receiver  237  manually with a user&#39;s hands, for example through a toggling or pivoting motion, or with a blunt object such as a piece of wood, because the sliver  239  of the remaining undivided material is minimal and in at least some embodiments does not require tools to be broken. 
     When the upper cap  234  is snapped off of the lower receiver  237 , residue from the undivided sliver  239  of material remains on the upper cap and/or the lower receiver. This remaining residue of undivided material  239  can then be buffed out by a buffing tool, for example a buffing tool that would be familiar to a person of ordinary skill in the art, to render the surface smooth and free of residue, for example as illustrated on the surface of the upper cap  234 . In use, as illustrated in the examples described in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper cap  234  and lower receiver  237  can be secured on opposing sides of a firearm accessory, for example a scope or laser sight, and the mounting base  217  can be secured to a firearm. 
     Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more embodiments.