Patent Publication Number: US-2020301258-A1

Title: Fence mount

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/822,139 filed Mar. 22, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to devices configured for engagement with a fence. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a device which is engageable with a fence and provides a mounting platform for one or more other items. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     Certain areas or locations may include one or more fences or sections of fences. Instances may arise when it may be desirable to attach or position one or more items on the fence. For example, it may be desirable to attach cameras, signs, or other objects to a fence. From time to time, it may also be desirable to remove these objects from the fence or change their positioning relative to the fence. 
     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 example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. 
     SUMMARY 
     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 characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one embodiment, a mounting device engageable with a fence includes a mounting platform, a first engaging member extending from the mounting platform and including a number of receptacles configured to receive a portion of a fence wire, and a second engaging member extending from the mounting platform and including a number of receptacles configured to receive a portion of a fence wire. A portion of the first engaging member including the number of receptacles is movable relative to the mounting platform and a portion of the second engaging member including the number of receptacles is movable relative to the mounting platform. 
     In another embodiment, a method for engaging a mounting device to a fence includes positioning a portion of a first engaging member of the mounting device on a first side of the fence and receiving a portion of a fence wire in a receptacle of the first engaging member, and positioning a portion of a second engaging member of the mounting device on the first side of the fence and receiving a portion of a fence wire in a receptacle of the second engaging member. The method also includes maintaining a mounting platform from which the first engaging member and the second engaging member extend on a second side of the fence opposite the first side of the fence. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention 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 invention. The 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. These and other 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 
       To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a mounting device; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment mounting device; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the mounting device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the mounting device of  FIG. 4  including a mounting extension and a recording device; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are perspective views of the mounting device of  FIG. 4  including a mounting extension and a recording device engaged with a fence; and 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective views of a mounting extension. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspects of example embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to devices configured for engagement with a fence and related techniques for use of the same. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a device which is engageable with a fence and provides a mounting platform for one or more other items. Although the embodiments are described in the context of mounting or positioning one or more items relative to a fence, it will be appreciated that embodiments disclosed herein may be employed in other fields and/or operating environments where the functionality disclosed herein may be useful. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be construed to be limited to the exemplary implementations and operating environments disclosed herein. 
     In some forms, the present disclosure relates to a device which is engageable with a fence and provides a mounting platform for one or more other items. In some aspects, the device is engageable with a wire-based fence such as a chain link fence, chicken wire fence, or farm fence, just to provide a few examples. Non-limiting examples of items that may be mounted, temporarily or otherwise, to a fence include phones, cameras, signage, coaching instructions, white boards, or speakers, and the areas where such fences may exist may be indoors or outdoors and include, for example, baseball fields or diamonds, batting cages, tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools, dog parks, multi-purpose sporting fields, golf driving ranges, and building construction sites. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , one non-limiting mounting device  10  includes a mounting platform  12  from which a first engaging member  14  and a second engaging member  16  extend. The mounting platform  10  has a generally planar configuration which extends between a first surface  18  and an opposite second surface  20 . A plurality of mounting holes  22 , only a few of which have been identified for the sake of clarity, extend through the mounting platform  10  and open at the first surface  18  and the second surface  20 . A plurality of slots  24   a - 24   d  also extend through the mounting platform  10  and open at the first surface  18  and the second surface  20 . 
     In the illustrated form, the mounting platform  12  includes a generally octagonal configuration, although forms where the mounting platform  12  may have a square, rectangular, circular or oval configuration are possible. Forms of the mounting platform  12  which are non-planar or partially planar, such as curvelinear, are also possible. The first surface  18  of the mounting platform  12  is flat in the illustrated form, although in other forms it may include variations in its configuration. In some forms for example, the first surface  18  of the mounting platform  12  may include textures, patterns, or other deviations from a flat surface. The second surface  20  of the mounting platform  12  is also flat in the illustrated form, although in other forms it may include variations in its configuration. In some forms for example, the second surface  20  of the mounting platform  12  may include textures, patterns, or other deviations from a flat surface. 
     As best seen in connection with  FIG. 2  for example, the mounting platform  12  also includes surfaces  26  and  28  positioned on opposite sides of the second surface  20 . The surfaces  26  and  28  are recessed relative to the second surface  20  or, stated alternatively, the second surface  20  extends beyond the surfaces  26  and  28 . A concave surface  30  provides a transition between the surface  26  and the second surface  20 , and a concave surface  32  provides a transition between the surface  28  and the second surface  20 . In the illustrated form, the concave surfaces  30  and  32  extend inline with or parallel to the first and second engaging members  14  and  16 , although forms in which one or both of the concave surfaces  30  and  32  extend transversely to the first and second engaging members  14  and  16  are possible. When the mounting device  10  is engaged with a fence, such as a chain link fence for example, a portion of the fence may be positioned on or adjacent to one or both of the concave surfaces  30  and  32 , further details of which will be discussed below in connection with  FIGS. 7 and 8 . For example, with the second surface  20  spacing the concave surface  30  and  32 , the concave surfaces  30  and  32  may be positioned to interact with a chain link fence having a particular mesh size. For example, mesh sizes for chain link fences may include, amongst other sizes, 2 inches, 2¼ inches, 2⅜ inches, and 1¾ inches. Depending on a particular application, the concave surfaces  30  and  32  may be separated by a distance corresponding with the mesh size of the fence to which the mounting device  10  may be engaged. 
     Forms in which the second surface  20  extends entirely across the mounting platform are also possible such that surfaces  26  and  28  are not present. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting platform may be configured such that surfaces similar to surfaces  26  and  28  are positioned on opposite sides of the first surface  18 . 
     As indicated above, a plurality of mounting holes  22  extend through the mounting platform  12 . Forms where a single mounting hole  22  is present or the mounting holes  22  are entirely absent are also contemplated. The mounting holes  22  may be provided in a random or defined pattern, and they may be provided with the same or different sizes. The mounting holes  22  may be configured (e.g., sized and/or shaped) to facilitate engagement of one or more items with the mounting platform  12 , further details of which will be provided below. 
     The slots  24   a - d  are configured to receive and engage with a portion of a securing member  34  which may be used to releasably couple an item  36 , such as a smart phone, camera, or a similar device, to the mounting platform  12 . In the illustrated form, the securing member  34  is engaged with slots  24   b  and  24   d.  Additionally or alternatively, a securing member  34  may be present and engage with slots  24   a  and  24   c.  In one non-illustrated form, only one of slots  24   a - d  may be present and the securing member  34  may passed through the slot and around the mounting platform  12  in order to secure the item  36  to the mounting platform  12 . In addition, the positioning of slots  24   a - d  may be varied relative to the illustrated form. For example, a pair of slots could be positioned opposite of one another and extend inline with or parallel to the first and second engaging members  14  and  16  such that the item  36  secured to the mounting platform  12  also extends inline with or parallel to the first and second engaging members  14  and  16 . In contrast, in the illustrated form, the slots  24   a - d  and the item  36  secured to the mounting platform  12  extend transversely to the first and second engaging members  14  and  16 . The securing member  34  may have any suitable form, and may be, for example, a strap formed of an elastomeric or fabric material. 
     In the illustrated form, the first and second engaging members  14  and  16  extend from the mounting platform  12  along a longitudinal axis L and, as such, may be considered as extending colinearly with one another. However, in other forms, the first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  14  may extend transversely to one another. The first and second engaging members  14  and  16  may be formed integrally with the mounting platform  12  such that the mounting platform  12 , the first engaging member  14 , and the second engaging member  16  are formed as single piece or component. However, one or both of the first and second engaging members  14  and  16  may be a separate component which is coupled with the mounting platform  12  in a suitable fashion. 
     The first engaging member  14  extends from the mounting platform  12  and terminates at end  38 . A plurality of receptacles  40  are positioned on the first engaging member  14  and open in a direction facing the same direction as the first surface  18  faces. The receptacles  40  generally include a U-shaped configuration in the illustrated form, although they may have a different configuration in other forms. The receptacles  40  are positioned adjacent to end  38 , although other variations in the spacing and positioning of the receptacles  40  are possible. While three of the receptacles  40  are illustrated, different numbers of receptacles  40  may be present. For example, in one form, only a single receptacle  40  may be present. The receptacles  40  may be configured (i.e., sized and/or shaped) to interact with a portion of a fence. For example, in some embodiments, the receptacles  40  may be sized and shaped such that a portion of a fence, such as the wire of a chain link fence, may fit inside a receptacle  40  to removably fix the engaging member  14  in a particular position on the fence. The portion of the fence may, for example, be positioned in a receptacle  40  utilizing a press fit configuration where the size of the fence wire may be slightly larger than the receptacles which causes a slight deformation of the receptacle  40  and a resultant clamping action of the receptacle  40  on the portion of the fence. In these and other embodiments, the receptacles  40  may be sized based on a gauge of the wire in the fence. For example, the wires in a chain link fence may be #9, #11, or #11.5 gauge wire. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the receptacles  40  may be sized to interface with multiple gauges of wire. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, one of the receptacles  40  may be configured to interface with one gauge of wire while another one of the receptacles  40  may be configured to interface with another gauge of wire. For example, in some embodiments, the first engaging member  14  may include one receptacle  40  sized to engage with #9 gauge wire, one receptacle  40  sized to engage with a #11 gauge wire, and one receptacle  40  sized to engage with a #20 gauge wire. 
     The second engaging member  16  extends from the mounting platform  12  and terminates at end  42 . A plurality of receptacles  44  are positioned on the second engaging member  16  and open in a direction facing the same direction as the first surface  18  faces. The receptacles  44  generally include a C-shaped configuration in the illustrated form, although they may have a different configuration in other forms. The receptacles  44  are positioned adjacent to end  42 , although other variations in the spacing and positioning of the receptacles  44  are possible. While seven of the receptacles  44  are illustrated, different numbers of the receptacles  44  may be present. For example, in one form, only a single receptacle  44  may be present. The receptacles  44  may be configured (i.e., sized and/or shaped) to interact with a portion of a fence. For example, in some embodiments, the receptacles  44  may be sized and shaped such that a portion of a fence, such as the wire of a chain link fence, may fit inside a receptacle  44 . In some forms, in contrast to the receptacles  40 , the receptacles  44  may receive a portion of the fence without resulting in a tight or press fit engagement with the portion of the fence. For example, the receptacles  44  may be wider than a corresponding receptacle  40  configured to receive the same gauge wire, may be shallower than a corresponding receptacle  40  configured to receive the same gauge wire, or both. However, in some forms the receptacles  44  could also provide this type of engagement. In these and other embodiments, the receptacles  44  may be sized based on a gauge of the wire in the fence. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the receptacles  44  may be sized to interface with multiple gauges of wire. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, one of the receptacles  44  may be configured to interface with one gauge of wire while another one of the receptacles  44  may be configured to interface with another gauge of wire. 
     In some embodiments, the first engaging member  14  may include receptacles  40  on one surface of the first engaging member  14  corresponding with the first surface  18  of the mounting platform  12  but may not include the receptacles  40  on a second surface of the first engaging member  14  corresponding with the second surface  20  of the mounting platform  12 . Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the first engaging member  14  may include the receptacles  40  on both the first surface and the second surface of the first engaging member  14 . Similarly, in some embodiments, the second engaging member  16  may include the receptacles  44  on a first surface of the second engaging member  16  but not on a second surface thereof. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the second engaging member  16  may include the receptacles  44  on both the first surface and the second surface, or may not include the receptacles  44  on either the first surface or the second surface. 
     While the first engaging member  14  includes receptacles  40  and the second engaging member  16  includes receptacles  44 , in some embodiments, both the first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  16  may include receptacles  40 , both the first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  16  may include receptacles  40 , or both the first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  16  may not include receptacles  40  or receptacles  44 . In this last form for example, a surface of the first engaging member  14  and a surface of the second engaging member  16  may engage with a portion of the fence. 
     As will be described in greater detail below, the mounting device  10  may be releasably engaged with a fence. As the mounting device  10  is engaged with the fence, the first engaging member  14 , the second engaging member  16  or both may be flexed or moved relative to the mounting platform  12  to position one or more of the receptacles  40  and/or one or more of the receptacles  44  on parts of the fence. For example, the mounting device  10  may be attached to a chain link fence where the receptacles  40  and the receptacles  44  may interface with the wire of the chain link face. Similarly, at least the portion of the first engaging member  14  including the receptacles  40  may be moved relative to the mounting platform  12  as shown by the direction arrows illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and at least the portion of the second engaging member  16  including the receptacles  44  may be moved relative to the mounting platform  12  as shown by the direction arrows illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  16  may also be moved relative to one another. In one form, the mounting device  10  may be formed of a material, or may be otherwise configured, such that the first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  16  are returned to the illustrated form where the application of a force thereon is absent. 
     An alternative embodiment mounting device  110  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , where like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. The mounting device  110  is substantially similar to the mounting device  10 , although the mounting platform  112  of the mounting device  110  includes a few differences relative to the mounting platform  10 . For example, the mounting platform  112  includes multiple fixation posts  140 A,  140 B,  140 C, and  140 D (collectively the fixation posts  140 ). Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the mounting platform  112  may include other anchor types such as snaps, eyelets, and/or hooks. While the mounting platform  112  is depicted with four fixation posts  140 , in some embodiments, the mounting platform  112  may include a single fixation post  140 , two fixation posts  140 , three fixation posts  140 , or any number of fixation posts  140 . The fixation posts  140  may include a narrow body and a wider spherical-shaped head. In some embodiments, fixation posts  140  may be paired together in order to secure an item to the mounting platform  112 . For example, fixation post  140 A may be paired with fixation post  140 C while fixation post  140 B may be paired with fixation post  140 D. In these and other embodiments, one fixation post  140  of each pair of fixation posts  140  may be positioned on opposite ends of the mounting platform  112 . In some embodiments, the mounting platform  112  may include multiple pairs of fixation posts  140 . In these and other embodiments, one pair of fixation posts  140  may be positioned on ends of the mounting platform  112  that are perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the end of the mounting platform  112  on which another pair of fixation posts  140  are positioned. For example, the ends of the mounting platform  112  on which fixation posts  140 A and  140 C are positioned may be approximately perpendicular to the ends on which fixation posts  140 B and  140 D are positioned. In some embodiments, a device such as, for example, a camera or a smart cellular telephone, may be attached to the mounting platform  112  by placing a strap around the device and connecting the strap to a pair of the fixation posts  140 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  for example, the mounting platform  112  includes a first recessed mounting feature  190 A and a second recessed mounting feature  190 B (collectively the recessed mounting features  190 ). In some embodiments, the recessed mounting features  190  may be depressions in the second surface  20 . In some embodiments, the recessed mounting features  190  may be aligned parallel with the first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  16 . Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the recessed mounting features  190  may be positioned at a different angle relative to the first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  16 . In some embodiments, the first recessed mounting feature  190 A and the second recessed mounting feature  190 B may be separated by a distance. In some embodiments, the first recessed mounting feature  190 A and the second recessed mounting feature  190 B may be configured to interface with a fence. For example, in some embodiments, a chain link fence may have a particular mesh size. For example, mesh sizes for chain link fences may include 2 inches, 2¼ inches, 2⅜ inches, and 1¾ inches, amongst other possibilities. In these and other embodiments, the first recessed mounting feature  190 A and the second recessed mounting feature  190 B may be separated by a distance corresponding with the mesh size of the fence on which the mounting device  110  may be engaged. In these and other embodiments, when the mounting device  110  is attached to a fence, one wire of the fence may be positioned in the first recessed mounting feature  190 A and a second wire of the fence may be positioned in the second recessed mounting feature  190 B. In some embodiments, the first recessed mounting feature  190 A may act as a fence anchor around three sides of a fence wire and the second recessed mounting feature  190 B may act as a fence platform to allow compatibility with the fence&#39;s geometry differences. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the mounting device  110  includes a mounting extension  200  coupled with the mounting platform  112 , and a recording device such as camera  300  is coupled to the mounting extension  200 . It should be appreciated that mounting extension  200  and camera  300  may be similarly mounted to the mounting device  10 , and that the description following herein is also applicable to the mounting device  10 . While the mounting extension  200  is present in  FIG. 6 , forms in which the camera  300  or some other item is directly mounted to the mounting platform  112  are also contemplated. The mounting extension  200  includes a base portion  205  from which a mounting stem  210  extends. A fastener  215  may extend through the base portion  205  and one of the mounting holes  22  where it can engage with a locking component (not shown). For example, the fastener  215  may be in the form of an externally threaded component which engages with an internally threaded component on an opposite side of the mounting platform  112 . Alternatively, the fastener  215  could be configured to engage directly with the mounting holes  22 . For example, the mounting holes  22  could be internally threaded in order to receive and engage with an externally threaded form of the fastener  215 . The mounting extension  200  may be moved between different mounting holes  22  on the mounting platform  112  in order to provide the camera  300  with desired positioning for various different uses or settings. 
     The mounting stem  210  of the mounting extension  200  extends obliquely away from the base portion  205  such that a coupling portion  220  thereof is offset from the base portion  205 . The coupling portion  220  is configured to receive a corresponding structure of the camera  300 , or a case in which the camera  300  is positioned, in order to facilitate engagement of the camera  300  with the mounting extension  200 . The amount by which the coupling portion  220  is offset from the base portion  205  may be sized such that a lens of the camera  300  is positioned in an opening in a fence. For example, when the mounting device  110  is engaged with a chain link fence, the mounting platform  112  may be positioned over an opening defined by wires forming the fence, and the mounting extension  200  may offset the camera  300  from the mounting platform so the lens of the camera is positioned in a different opening defined by wires forming the fence. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate positioning and engagement of the mounting device  110  including the mounting extension  200  and the camera  300  relative to a fence  400 . The fence  400  is illustrative of a chain link fence which includes a wire  405 , or a plurality of wires  405 , defining a plurality of openings  410 . In the illustrated form, the mounting platform  112  of the mounting device  110  is generally positioned over opening  410   a  on a first side of the fence  400 . The first engaging member  14  extends from the mounting platform  112  on the first side of the fence  400  through opening  410   b  of the fence  400  and engages with wire portion  405   a  on a second side of the fence  400 . More particularly, the wire portion  405   a  is positioned in one of the receptacles  40  on the first engaging member  14 . Similarly, the second engaging member  16  extends from the mounting platform  112  on the first side of the fence  400  through opening  410   c  of the fence  400  and engages with wire portion  405   b  on a second side of the fence  400 . More particularly, the wire portion  405   b  is positioned in one of the receptacles  44  on the second engaging member  16 . The mounting extension  200  offsets the camera  300  from the mounting platform  112  such that a lens  305  of the camera  300  is positioned in opening  410   d  of the fence  400 . 
     In the illustrated form, the opening  410   a  is positioned between and immediately adjacent to the openings  410   b  and  410   c.  In other non-illustrated forms, one or both of the first engaging member  14  and the second engaging member  16  may sized such that they extend through an opening  410  that is not adjacent to the opening  410   a.  Since a plurality of receptacles  40  and  44  are provided on the first and second engaging members  14  and  16 , respectively, positioning of the mounting device  110  relative to the fence  400  may be adjusted as indicated by the directional arrows shown in  FIG. 7  by moving the wire portions  405   a  and  405   b  to different ones of the receptacles  40  and  44 . Moreover, positioning of the mounting device  110  may also be adjusted relative to the fence  400  as indicated by the directional arrows shown in  FIG. 8  by sliding the first and second engaging members  14  and  16  along the wire portions  405   a  and  405   b.  Positioning of the mounting device  110  may be adjusted, for example, to change positioning of the camera  300  relative to the opening  410   d  or the subject matter which it is capturing. 
     The mounting devices  10  and  110  disclosed herein could be used to position any suitable item relative to a fence or other structure to which the mounting devices  10  and  110  may be engaged. The items could be mounted directly to the mounting devices  10  and  110  or a component, such as mounting extension  200  may be present, and the item could be mounted to or coupled with the component. An alternative embodiment mounting extension  500  is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The mounting extension  500  includes a base portion  505  from which a mounting stem  510  extends and terminates with a coupling portion  515 . The coupling portion  515  may, for example, be configured to receive a corresponding structure of the camera  300  or a case in which the camera  300  is positioned in order to facilitate engagement of the camera  300  with the mounting extension  500 . In the illustrated form, the coupling stem  510  generally extends orthogonally from the base portion  505 , although some variations are possible. The base portion  505  includes an internally threaded aperture  520  which may threadably receive an externally threaded fastener  525  which is sized and configured to be positioned through one of the mounting holes  22 . The base portion  505  also includes a projection  530  which is sized and configured to be positioned in one of the mounting holes  22 . With this arrangement of the base portion  505 , it may be positioned against the mounting platform  12 ,  112  with the projection  530  positioned in one of the mounting holes  22  and the fastener  525  positioned in a different mounting hole  22 . The fastener  525  may secure the base portion  505  to the mounting platform  12 ,  112 , and the additional presence of the projection  530  in the mounting hole  22  may prevent movement or rotation of the mounting extension  500  relative to the mounting device  10  or  110 . While the projection  530  in the illustrated form has a cylindrical configuration, it should be appreciated that alternative configurations of projection  530  are possible. Moreover, while described in connection with the mounting extension  500 , the mounting extension  200  may also be configured to include a projection structured to prevent rotation of the mounting extension  200 . The mounting extension  200  may also include a threaded aperture configured to receive a threaded fastener in lieu of the fastener  215 , while the mounting extension  500  could include a fastener similar to fastener  215  in lieu of the threaded aperture  520 . 
     Unless specific arrangements described herein are mutually exclusive with one another, the various implementations described herein can be combined to enhance system functionality or to produce complementary functions. Likewise, aspects of the implementations may be implemented in standalone arrangements. Thus, the above description has been given by way of example only and modification in detail may be made within the scope of the present invention. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description. 
     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.). 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 include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). Also, a phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to include 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 present invention 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. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.