Patent Publication Number: US-10786028-B2

Title: Helmet vent adapter

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of helmets and more particularly to the field of bicycle helmets. 
     SUMMARY 
     One illustrative embodiment is related to an apparatus comprising a helmet. The helmet can include at least one vent. A vent adapter can be configured to secure into the at least one vent. The vent adapter can include a first attachment surface and a second attachment surface. A mount can be configured to secure into the vent adapter. The mount can include a first attachment portion configured to mate with the first attachment surface. The mount can also include a second attachment portion configured to mate with the second attachment surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a helmet in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a helmet with vent adapter installed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the helmet with vent adapter of  FIG. 2  also with mount clip  310  installed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a mount clip assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a vent adapter in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the vent adapter of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the vent adapter of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the vent adapter of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a section view of the vent adapter of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of a mount body in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the mount body of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the mount body of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the mount body of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the mount body of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a rear view of a second attachment device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the second attachment device of  FIG. 15  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the second attachment device of  FIG. 15  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of the second attachment device of  FIG. 15  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the second attachment device of  FIG. 15  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of a device mount in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the device mount of  FIG. 21  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of the device mount of  FIG. 21  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of the device mount of  FIG. 21  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 24  is a top view of a clip lever in accordance with an illustrative embodiment 
         FIG. 25  is a front view of clip lever of  FIG. 24  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 26  is a side view of the clip lever of  FIG. 24  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the clip lever of  FIG. 24  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded perspective view of a mount assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a helmet with camera attached in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 30  is a section view of the helmet with camera attached in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. 
     The present disclosure is directed to a helmet vent adapter. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exploded perspective view of a helmet  100  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The helmet  100  can have a helmet shell  110 . The helmet shell  110  can enclose, fully or partially, a helmet core (not shown). Straps  111  can be attached to the helmet shell  110 , the helmet core, or both. The straps  111  can include strap links  112  and buckle  113 . 
     The helmet shell  110  can be made of, for example, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, metal or any other material. The fiber can be a carbon fiber. In other embodiments, fibers such as aramid (e.g., Kevlar™), fiberglass, boron fibers, ceramic fibers, nylon, or any other fiber can be used. The fiber can be a combination of fibers. A resin system of the fiber reinforced plastic can be, for example, an epoxy. The resin can be fortified with particulate, nanotubes, fibers, and nanostructures. In one embodiment, the fiber reinforced plastic can be a thermoset. In another embodiment, the fiber reinforced plastic can be a thermoplastic. The helmet shell  110  can include bismaleimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimide, polyamide, polyetheretherketone, polystyrene, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyls, acrylics, and/or polycarbonates. 
     The helmet core can be made of, for example, a foam such as expanded polystyrene. The helmet core can include, for example, a reinforcement (not shown) embedded in the foam such as a plastic grid or fiber reinforced plastic lacing. The reinforcement can hold the foam together and provide structural rigidity. 
     The helmet shell  110  can include vents  120  and  125 . The vents  120  and  125  can be openings that allow air from an outside of the helmet  100  to and inside of the helmet  100 . The vents  120  and  125  can also extend through the helmet core. The vents  120  and  125  can allow air to enter the helmet  100  to cool a user&#39;s head. 
     A vent adapter  130  can be configured to attach to vent  125 . In one embodiment, the vent adapter  130  can include attachment devices  135 . The attachment devices  135  can include, for example, a wedge shape attached to a body of the vent adapter  130  by a living hinge (i.e., a flexible portion). Thus, when the vent adapter  130  is inserted into the vent  125 , the wedges can pass over an outside surface of the vent  125  and can snap behind or into at least one locking surface of the vent  125 . The vent adapter  130  can include at least one opening to allow air to enter the helmet  100  to cool a user&#39;s head. In one embodiment, the opening is approximately matches the shape and size of the vent  125 . The vent adapter  130  can be adapted for any vent on a helmet. 
     The vent adapter  130  can be made of, for example, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, metal or any other material. The fiber can be a carbon fiber. In other embodiments, fibers such as aramid (e.g., Kevlar™), fiberglass, boron fibers, ceramic fibers, nylon, or any other fiber can be used. The fiber can be a combination of fibers. A resin system of the fiber reinforced plastic can be, for example, an epoxy. The resin can be fortified with particulate, nanotubes, fibers, and nanostructures. In one embodiment, the fiber reinforced plastic can be a thermoset. In another embodiment, the fiber reinforced plastic can be a thermoplastic. The vent adapter  130  can include bismaleimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimide, polyamide, polyetheretherketone, polystyrene, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyls, acrylics, and/or polycarbonates. 
     A mount clip  140  can be configured to attach to vent adapter  130 . In one embodiment, the mount clip  140  can include an attachment device  145  and a release mechanism  147 . The attachment device  145  can include, for example, a wedge shape attached to a body of the mount clip  140  by a living hinge (i.e., a flexible portion). The release mechanism  147  can include, for example, a wedge shape configured to spring into a locking portion or behind a ledge and to swing out of the locking portion or past the ledge. Thus, when the mount clip  140  is inserted into the vent adapter  130 , the wedges can pass over an outside surface of the vent adapter  130  and can snap behind or into at least one locking surface of the vent adapter  130 . In on embodiment, the mount clip  140  can include at least one opening to allow air to enter the helmet  100  to cool a user&#39;s head. In one embodiment, the base of the mount clip  140  approximately matches the shape and size of an opening of the vent adapter  130 . The mount clip  140  can be adapted for any vent adapter on a helmet. 
     The mount clip  140  can be made of, for example, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, metal or any other material. The fiber can be a carbon fiber. In other embodiments, fibers such as aramid (e.g., Kevlar™), fiberglass, boron fibers, ceramic fibers, nylon, or any other fiber can be used. The fiber can be a combination of fibers. A resin system of the fiber reinforced plastic can be, for example, an epoxy. The resin can be fortified with particulate, nanotubes, fibers, and nanostructures. In one embodiment, the fiber reinforced plastic can be a thermoset. In another embodiment, the fiber reinforced plastic can be a thermoplastic. The mount clip  140  can include bismaleimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimide, polyamide, polyetheretherketone, polystyrene, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyls, acrylics, and/or polycarbonates. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the mount clip  140  can clip directly into the vent  125 . In another alternative embodiment, the helmet shell  110  is not required and the vent adapter  130  can clip directly into the helmet core or to a reinforcement of the helmet core. In another alternative embodiment, the helmet shell  110  is not required and the mount clip  140  can clip directly into the helmet core or to a reinforcement of the helmet core. 
     Advantageously, the vent adapter  130  can provide a secure means of attaching a mount clip while preserving ventilation. Advantageously, a mount clip configured to clip directly into a vent reduces the complexity of attaching a camera to a helmet. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a helmet  200  with vent adapter  230  installed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The helmet  200  can have a helmet shell  210 . The helmet shell  210  can enclose, fully or partially, a helmet core (not shown). 
     The helmet shell  210  can include vents  220  and  225 . The vents  220  and  225  can be openings that allow air from an outside of the helmet  200  to and inside of the helmet  200 . The vents  220  and  225  can also extend through the helmet core. The vents  220  and  225  can allow air to enter the helmet  200  to cool a user&#39;s head. 
     A vent adapter  230  can be installed (clip into) into vent  225  via attachment devices (not shown). The vent adapter  230  can include at least one opening to allow air to enter the helmet  200  to cool a user&#39;s head. The vent adapter  230  can be adapted for any vent on a helmet. An exposed surface  235  of the vent adapter  230  can be configured to blend into the shape of the helmet shell  210 , thereby minimizing protrusions. Thus, a user can choose to not install or remove a mount clip so that the helmet  200  substantially retains its looks and ventilation characteristics. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the helmet  200  with vent adapter  230  of  FIG. 2  also with mount clip  310  installed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. As discussed above, the helmet  200  can have a helmet shell  210 . The helmet shell  210  can include vents  220  and  225 . A vent adapter  230  can be installed (clip into) into vent  225  via attachment devices (not shown). 
     A mount clip  310  can be installed (clip into) into vent adapter  230  via attachment devices (not shown). An exposed surface  330  of the mount clip  310  can be configured to blend into the shape of the vent adapter  230  and the helmet shell  210 , thereby minimizing protrusions. The mount clip  310  can include a release mechanism for detaching the mount clip  310  from the vent adapter  230 . The mount clip  310  can include a mounting point  340  for attaching devices such as mount adapters, cameras, lights, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exploded perspective view of a mount clip assembly  400  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The mount clip assembly  400  can include a mount base  405 . The mount base  405  can include a mounting point  480 , a first attachment device  470  and a sliding mount  457  for a second attachment device  450 . The mount base  405  can be configured to match or blend into a surrounding vent adapter and/or helmet shell. 
     The mounting point  480  can include fingers  485 . One of the fingers  485  can be configured to retain a nut  410 . The fingers  485  can include openings  415  to accept a bolt  430  that can thread into the nut  410 . The bolt  430  can be manipulated using a knob  420 . When the knob  420  is tightened, the fingers  485  can be drawn together between the knob  420  and the nut  410 . 
     The first attachment device  470  can include a living hinge  472  and a wedge clip  475 . The second attachment device  450  can include a wedge clip  452 . A spring  460  can be captured between the second attachment device  450  and the mount base  405 . The second attachment device  450  can be attached to the sliding mount  457  such that pressing on a manipulation surface  455  of the second attachment device  450  will slide the wedge clip  452  away from and past its corresponding clipping surface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a front view of a vent adapter  500  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a side view of the vent adapter  500  of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of the vent adapter  500  of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a top view of the vent adapter  500  of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a section view of the vent adapter  500  of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The vent adapter  500  can include a vent adapter body  510 . The vent adapter body  510  can be configured to correspond to a vent as discussed above. 
     The vent adapter body  510  can include an opening  520 , a retaining flange  530  and a gripping flange  540 . The retaining flange  530  can conform to an upper surface of a vent. The retaining flange  530  can prevent the vent adapter  500  from pulling through the vent. A user can use the gripping flange  540  to assist with the insertion and removal of the vent adapter  500  from a vent. 
     The opening  520  can substantially match a shape of a corresponding vent; however, the opening  520  can be any shape. The opening  520  can include a first clipping surface  560  and a second clipping surface  570 . When a mount clip is inserted through opening  520 , attachment devices of the mount clip can capture and lock against the first clipping surface  560  and a second clipping surface  570 . 
     Attachment devices  550  can be attached to the vent adapter body  510 . Each attachment devices  550  can include a living hinge portion  552  and a retention portion  554 . In one embodiment, when the vent adapter  500  is inserted into a vent, the retention portions  554  push toward the center of the vent causing the living hinge portions  552  to deflect, until the vent adapter body  510  is seated and the living hinge portions  552  spring the retention portions  554  outward. When the vent adapter  500  is inserted and seated, the vent adapter  500  can be secured to the helmet between retaining flange  530  and the attachment devices  550 . Alternatively, a vent adapter can be molded directly into a helmet. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a top view of a mount body  1000  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a side view of the mount body  1000  of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a bottom view of the mount body  1000  of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a front view of the mount body  1000  of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a perspective view of the mount body  1000  of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The mount body  1000  can include a base  1010 . The base  1010  can include a retaining flange  1005 . The base  1010  and the retaining flange  1005  can be configured to match or blend into a surrounding vent adapter and/or helmet shell. Alternatively, the base  1010  and the retaining flange  1005  can be configured to correspond to a vent as discussed above. 
     The base  1010  can include a mounting point  1080 , a first attachment device  1070  and a sliding mount  1057  for a second attachment device (not shown). The base  1010  can include an opening  1052  for coupling the second attachment device to the sliding mount  1057 . Rails of the second attachment device can be matched to the sliding mount  1057 . 
     The mounting point  1080  can include fingers  1085 . One of the fingers  1085  can include a nut recess  1011 . The fingers  1085  can include openings to accept a bolt that can thread into a nut placed in the nut recess  1011 . Alternatively, on or more of the fingers  1085  can include a threaded opening. 
     The first attachment device  1070  can include a living hinge  1072  and a wedge clip  1075 . The living hinge  1072  and a wedge clip  1075  can be configured to clip into a clipping surface, for example, first clipping surface  560 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a rear view of a second attachment device  1500  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a top view of the second attachment device  1500  of  FIG. 15  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 17 , a side view of the second attachment device  1500  of  FIG. 15  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 18 , a front view of the second attachment device  1500  of  FIG. 15  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a perspective view of the second attachment device  1500  of  FIG. 15  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The second attachment device  1500  can include a body  1510 . The body  1010  can include a manipulation surface  1555 , upper slide rails  1540 , lower slide rails  1545 , post  1560 , and wedge clip  1552 . 
     The upper slide rails  1540  and the lower slide rails  1545  can capture a slide mount of a mount body such that the second attachment device  1500  can move when the manipulation surface  1555  is pressed. The upper slide rails  1540  can be located, for example, on the bottom of the body  1010 . The post  1560  can locate the wedge clip  1552 . The lower slide rails  1545  can be located, for example, on the top of the wedge clip  1552 . The post  1560  can include a spring seat  1570 . The wedge clip  1552  can be configured to clip into a clipping surface, for example, second clipping surface  570 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , a top view of a device mount  2000  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 21 , a perspective view of the device mount  2000  of  FIG. 21  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 22 , a side view of the device mount  2000  of  FIG. 21  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 23 , a front view of the device mount  2000  of  FIG. 21  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The device mount  2000  can be coupled to a mounting point of a mount body, for example, mounting point  1080 . The device mount  2000  can be configured to hold cameras, lights, etc. 
     The device mount  2000  can include a body  2010 , fingers  2120 , mounting tabs  2050 , and clip lever pivot holes  2130 . The fingers  2120  can include openings  2115  to match openings in the fingers of a corresponding mounting point of a mount body, for example, mounting point  1080 . The mounting tabs.  2050  can be configured to hold a device such as cameras, lights, etc. The clip lever pivot holes  2130  can be used to attach a clip lever to the body  2010 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 24 , a top view of a clip lever  2400  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 25 , a front view of clip lever  2400  of  FIG. 24  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 26 , a side view of the clip lever  2400  of  FIG. 24  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Referring now to  FIG. 27 , a perspective view of the clip lever  2400  of  FIG. 24  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The clip lever  2400  can include a body  2410 . The body  2410  can include a manipulation surface  2420 , a pivot hole  2430 , and a retaining wedge  2440 . The clip lever  2400  can be coupled to a device mount, for example, device mount  2000 , by a pin through the pivot hole  2430  an corresponding clip lever pivot holes of the device mount. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 28 , an exploded perspective view of a mount assembly  2800  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The mount clip assembly  2800  can include a mount base  2805  and a device mount  2890 . The mount base  2805  can include a mounting point  2880 , a first attachment device  2870  and a sliding mount  2857  for a second attachment device  2850 . The mount base  2805  can be configured to match or blend into a surrounding vent adapter  2897  and/or helmet shell. The device mount  2890  can include a device mounting point  2892 . 
     The mounting point  2880  can include fingers  2885 . One of the fingers  2885  can be configured to retain a nut  2810 . The fingers  2885  can include openings to accept a bolt  2830  that can thread into the nut  2810 . The bolt  2830  can be manipulated using a knob  2820 . When the knob  2820  is tightened, the fingers  2885  can be drawn together between the knob  2820  and the nut  2810 . The device mounting point  2892  can include device fingers  2893  that mate with fingers  2885 . 
     The first attachment device  2870  can include a living hinge  2872  and a wedge clip  2875 . The second attachment device  2850  can include a wedge clip  2852 . A spring  2860  can be captured between the second attachment device  2850  and the mount base  2805 . The second attachment device  2850  can be attached to the sliding mount  2857  such that pressing on a manipulation surface  2855  of the second attachment device  2850  will slide the wedge clip  2852  away from and past its corresponding clipping surface  2898 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 29 , a perspective view of a helmet with camera attached  2900  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The helmet with camera attached  2900  can include a helmet  2910 , a vent adapter  2920 , a mounting clip with device mount  2930 , and device  2940 . As discussed above, the vent adapter  2920  can be clipped into the helmet  2910 . As discussed above, the mounting clip with device mount  2930  can be clipped into the vent adapter  2920 . As discussed above, the device  2940  can be secured to the mounting clip with device mount  2930 . Advantageously, the device  2940  is securely attached to the helmet  2910 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 30 , a section view of the helmet with camera attached  3000  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The helmet with camera attached  3000  can include a helmet  3010 , a mounting clip  3020 , a device mount  3030 , and device  3040 . As discussed above, the mounting clip  3020  can be clipped into the helmet  3010 . The device mount  3030  can be coupled to the mounting clip  3020 . The mounting clip  3020  can include a first attachment device  3015  that can clip into a helmet shell  3017  of the helmet  3010 . The mounting clip  3020  can include a second attachment device  3019  that can clip into a helmet shell  3017  of the helmet  3010 . 
     As discussed above, the device  3040  can be secured to the mounting clip with device mount  3030 . Advantageously, the device  3040  is securely attached to the helmet  3010 . 
     One or more flow diagrams may have been used herein. The use of flow diagrams is not meant to be limiting with respect to the order of operations performed. The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.