Patent Publication Number: US-11020644-B2

Title: Swing mechanics shoulder harness system and associated systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/567,425 entitled “SWING MECHANICS SHOULDER HARNESS AND BARREL AX,” filed Sep. 11, 2019, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/849,982 entitled “MAGNETIC SHOULDER HARNESS WITH BARREL AX,” filed May 20, 2019, and further claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/886,959 entitled “VELCRO HITTER FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL,” filed Aug. 14, 2019, the contents of which being incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Swing training aids are beneficial in training an operator the proper biomechanics of swinging a swinging device such as a baseball bat, a golf club, or other sports apparatus. Notably, a swing, such as a baseball swing, can be separated into six distinct stages, such as the stance; stride; coiling; swing initiation; swing acceleration; and follow-through. Swing training aids help teach an operator the correct biomechanical movements for swinging the swinging device through a particular stage of the swing or, alternatively, through multiple stages of the swing. Correspondingly, training an operator on how to master the most efficient and effective biomechanical sequence of movements when swinging a swinging device may be difficult without repeatable reinforcement of an ideal biomechanical movement. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A swing training system is described. The swing training system includes a shoulder harness system comprising a wrist attachment and at least one coupling member having a first end configured to couple to the wrist attachment and a second end configured to couple to one of a shoulder portion of a chest portion of the shoulder harness system, where the shoulder harness system is configured to maintain a chest-to-arm position of an operator and detach from one of the shoulder portion or the chest portion of the shoulder harness system in response to a predefined amount of force being exerted by the operator during a swing motion using a swinging device. 
     The swing training system further comprises at least one of a light system comprising a first light emitting device configured to couple to the wrist attachment and a second light emitting device configured to couple to a bottom end of the swinging device; and a stride training system comprising a foot harness configured to secure a foot magnet to a bottom of a foot of the operator and a target magnet plate, wherein the foot magnet and the target magnet plate are configured to form a magnetic coupling and emit an audible noise when the foot magnet comes into physical contact with the target magnet plate. 
     The swing training system may further include a ball configured to connected to a vest or a shirt of the operator to rest the swinging device next to a desired position on a body of the operator and maintain a degree of separation between the operator and the swinging device. 
     The first light emitting device may be coupled to the wrist attachment, the first light emitting device being sized and positioned to shine light across a chest of the operator during the swing motion. The second light emitting device may be coupled to a bottom end of the swinging device, the second light emitting device being sized and positioned to shine light at a ground surface during the swing motion. The first light emitting device may be configured to emit light of a first color and the second light emitting device may be configured to emit light of a second color, the second color being a different color than the first color. The first light emitting device may include a first light emitting element, a first switch, and a first battery, and the second light emitting device may include a second light emitting element, a second switch, and a second battery. The batteries may include replaceable or rechargeable batteries. In some embodiments, the batteries (e.g., the first battery and the second battery) are chargeable using a universal serial bus (USB) port connection, an electrical outlet connection, or other suitable connection. 
     The at least one coupling member comprises a double-sided strip hook-and-loop fastening strip or a rigid member formed of metal. The wrist attachment may be a first wrist attachment to be worn on a first wrist of the operator, where the swing training system further comprises a second wrist attachment to be worn on the second wrist of the operator. Further, the at least one coupling member is a first coupling member and a second coupling member, a first end of the first coupling member is configured to be secured to the first wrist attachment, and a second end of the first coupling member is configured to removably attach to the shoulder portion, and a first end of the second coupling member is configured to be secured to the second wrist attachment, and a second end of the second coupling member is configured to removably attach to the chest portion. The second end of the first coupling member comprises a first magnet configured to magnetically couple to the shoulder portion, and the second end of the second coupling member comprises a second magnet configured to magnetically couple to the chest portion. 
     The swing training system may further include a collar configured to detechably attach to a shaft of a swinging device, the collar comprising a first portion detachably attached to a second portion, the collar further comprising an elongated substantially horizontal surface projecting from at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the elongated substantially horizontal surface being adapted to contact a ball. 
     A method is provided that includes providing the swing training system as described above, positioning the shoulder harness system on the operator; and performing, by the operator, a swing using the shoulder harness system and at least one of the light system or the stride training system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shoulder harness system acting as a swing training aid and worn on an operator according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an enhanced view of the shoulder harness illustrating a coupling member according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3-8  are various perspective views of the shoulder harness according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate various views of a swing cycle with an operator wearing the shoulder harness according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a battle ax that may be used with or in place of the shoulder harness according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is an example of a circuit for a noise emitting device that may be implemented in the shoulder harness according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate various views of a swing cycle with an operator wearing the shoulder harness according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate various enhanced views of a wrist band and a coupling member according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a photograph showing an operator wearing a shoulder harness and a double-sided hook-and-loop fastening strip that comprises hook-and-loop fasteners on both sides that can be worn as a wristband according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a photograph of the wristband of  FIG. 15  that comprises hook-and-loop fasteners on both sides according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a photograph showing an operator wearing a shoulder harness and a double-sided hook-and-loop fastening strip that comprises hook-and-loop fasteners on both sides that can be worn over a lead shoulder according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 18 and 19  are photographs showing operators wearing a shoulder harness having a light system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  are photographs showing illustrating the light system described herein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 22  is a photograph of an operator using a stride training system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 23  is a photograph of a bottom of a shoe of an operator, where a magnet is positioned on the bottom of the shoe for use in the stride training system of  FIG. 22  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 24  is a photograph of a target magnet for use in the stride training system of  FIG. 22  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  are photographs showing an operator using the stride training system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 27  is a photograph of a ball that can be connected to a vest or a shirt of an operator player to rest a bat or club next to a desired position on the body according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 28  is a photograph of a magnetic attachment for use with the wrist band of the shoulder harness system described herein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 29  is a photograph of a swinging device attachment for use with a swinging device and the shoulder harness system described herein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 30-33  are various photographs of the shoulder harness system worn on an operator and shown relative to a swinging device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 34  is a photograph of a stride box for the stride training system described herein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a swing mechanics shoulder harness, barrel ax, light system, stride training system, and ball system that can be used in various combinations to train an operator, such as an athlete, the proper biomechanics of a swing. As noted above, obtaining efficient swing mechanics is difficult to develop in both young and advanced athletes alike. To that end, swing training aids are beneficial tools to help teach the proper biomechanics of a swing. Swing training aids promote muscle-memory and reinforce the correct swing sequencing and timing to promote the efficient delivery of the maximum amount of force to a ball or other object. 
     Various embodiments are described herein for a shoulder harness that can be used to train proper biomechanics of a swing. The shoulder harness and/or barrel ax provides an alternative to currently available swing training aids, for instance, as the shoulder harness is easier to couple wrist portions to the harness while simultaneously holding a swinging device, as opposed to currently available products that requires an operator to loop connectors to various attachment components that are located on either the swinging device or other parts of the operator. Also, the currently available products may prematurely interrupt the swing sequence because it is easy for the connectors to slip off and become detached from the various attachment components, thereby, interrupting the operator and requiring the operator to reset their swing by resetting the swing training aid. Moreover, currently available products also physically prevent the operator from completing all six stages of a swing due to the harness or the connectors physically impeding completion of the swing. 
     In the context outlined above, the embodiments described herein are directed to a shoulder harness and/or a barrel ax for training an operator a preferred biomechanical swing movement to efficiently deliver the maximum amount of force to an object, such as a baseball, a golf ball, cricket swing, tennis swing, etc. The shoulder harness and/or the barrel ax provide an alternative swing training aid because, in some embodiments, the shoulder harness utilizes magnetic couplers or hook-and-loop fasteners that couple to a harness worn by an operator. When a predetermined force is exerted at a predetermined stage of a swing, the couplers are configured to decouple from at least a portion of the harness, or decoupling entirely, allowing the operator to accelerate from the stance through the other stages of the swing sequence. All six stages of the swing can be accomplished. 
     Furthermore, the barrel ax portion is configured to provide visual feedback to the operator of when the operator is making square contact with an object relative to the swinging device. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the strength of the coupling force may be adjusted by a plurality of coupling means, which may include a magnet in some embodiments, adding layers of padding to the padded member that covers the coupling section, or by adjusting the length of the coupling member on the wrist attachment. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the coupling means of the wrist attachment is a hook and loop strap that may connect to either the shoulder portion or the chest portion of the shoulder harness. 
     Accordingly, a swing training system is provided that includes a shoulder harness. The shoulder harness may include a shoulder portion configured to be worn about a shoulder of an operator, a chest portion configured to be worn about a chest of the operator, at least one wrist attachment configured to be worn on a wrist of the operator, and at least one coupling member. The at least one coupling member may include a first end and a second end. The first end of the at least one coupling member can be configured to be secured to the at least one wrist attachment and the second end of the at least one coupling member configured to detachably attach to one of: the shoulder portion or the chest portion. The at least one coupling member is configured to maintain a chest-to-arm position of the operator and detach from one of the shoulder portion or the chest portion in response to a predefined amount of force being exerted by the operator during a swing motion. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one wrist attachment includes a first wrist attachment to be worn on a first wrist of the operator and a second wrist attachment to be worn on the second wrist of the operator, where the at least one coupling member is a first coupling member and a second coupling member, a first end of the first coupling member is configured to be secured to the first wrist attachment, and a second end of the first coupling member is configured to removably attach to the shoulder portion, a first end of the second coupling member is configured to be secured to the second wrist attachment, and a second end of the second coupling member is configured to removably attach to the chest portion. 
     In some embodiments, the second end of the first coupling member can include a first magnet configured to magnetically couple to the shoulder portion; and the second end of the second coupling member comprises a second magnet configured to magnetically couple to the chest portion. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second end of the first coupling member comprises a first plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO) that are configured to couple to the shoulder portion; and the second end of the second coupling member comprises a second plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO) configured to couple to the chest portion. 
     Further, in some embodiments, the coupling member includes a noise emitting device configured to emit a noise when the at least one coupling member decouples from the shoulder portion or the chest portion. Also, the shoulder portion can include a first padded member configured to be positioned on the shoulder of the operator; and the chest portion can include a second padded member configured to be worn on the chest of the operator. The at least one coupling member can be at least one cylindrical rod in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the swing training system further includes a collar configured to detechably attach to a shaft of a swinging device, the collar comprising a first portion detachably attached to a second portion, the collar further comprising an elongated substantially horizontal surface projecting from at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the elongated substantially horizontal surface being adapted to contact a ball. For instance, the cylindrical collar can be configured to secure to a shaft of a baseball bat or a golf club. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an operator  10  wearing a shoulder harness system  100  according to various embodiments. The operator  10  is shown holding a swinging device  15 , which can include a baseball bat, a golf club, a cricket bat, or other swinging device as can be appreciated. While many embodiments are described herein with reference to baseball, the invention is not so limited unless limited by the appended claims. The relative sizes of various components of the shoulder harness system  100 , as shown in the figures, are not intended to be limiting, as the individual components of the shoulder harness system  100  can vary in size and/or proportions as compared to each other in various embodiments, as will be appreciated. 
     In various embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  includes a shoulder portion  106 , a chest portion  109 , one or more wrist attachments  112   a ,  112   b  (collectively “wrist attachments  112 ”), and one or more coupling members  115   a ,  115   b  (collectively “coupling members  115 ”). The shoulder portion  106  is configured to be worn about a shoulder of the operator  10 . Similarly, the chest portion  109  is configured to be worn about a chest of the operator. The wrist attachments  112  are configured to be worn on wrists of the operator  10 . For instance, in embodiments in which only a single wrist attachment  112  is employed, the wrist attachment may be secured to one of the left wrist or the right wrist of the operator  10 . Alternatively, in embodiments in which two wrist attachments  112  are employed, a first wrist attachment  112   a  may be secured to the left wrist of the operator  10  and the second wrist attachment  112   b  may be secured to the right wrist of the operator  10 , or vice versa. In some embodiments, the shoulder portion  106  and the chest portion  106  make up a shirt, a vest, or other wearable. 
     For instance, in embodiments in which the shoulder portion  106  and the chest portion  106  make up a vest, on the vest, a plurality of slots can be provided that are cut into various parts of vest or shirt being used for the coupling members  115  to attach to (e.g., a detachably attachment). For example, in the slots, a first end of a coupling member  115  can wrap around a respective one of the slots where a second end of the coupling member  115  can affix to the wrist attachment  112 . 
     The coupling members  115  can be configured to detachably attach to the wrist attachments  112  and/or can be configured to detachably attach to one of the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109 . For instance, in embodiments in which two coupling members  115  are employed, a first coupling member  115   a  can be configured to couple a first wrist portion  112   a  to the shoulder portion  106  of the shoulder harness system  100 , and a second coupling member  115   b  can be configured to couple the second wrist portion  112   b  to the chest portion  106 , or vice versa, while the operator  10  is in an initial phase of a swing (e.g., when the operator  10  is in the stance position). However, the coupling members  115  are sized and positioned to detach from one or more of the components of the shoulder harness system  100 , for instance, in response to a predetermined amount of force being exerted during a swing or, in other words, in response to a predetermined stage of a swing being reached. 
     More specifically, the coupling members  115  are sized and positioned to maintain a chest-to-arm position of the operator  10  during a stance or other preliminary phase of a swing. In some embodiments, the coupling members  115  are rigid members, such as metallic or rigid plastic members. In other embodiments, the coupling members  115  are flexible straps. In any event, the coupling members  115  are configured to detach from one of the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109 , for instance, in response to a predefined amount of force being exerted by the operator during a swing motion. In some embodiments, the coupling members  115  are configured detach from the wrist portions  112  instead of the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109 . In further embodiments, the coupling members  115  are configured detach from all of the wrist portions  112 , the shoulder portion  106 , and the chest portion  109 . In these embodiments, the coupling members  115  can simply fall to the ground during the swing. Additional views of the shoulder harness system  100  relative to an operator  10  and swinging device  15  are shown in  FIGS. 30-33 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , an enhanced perspective view of a wrist attachment  112  and a coupling member  115  are shown. The wrist attachment  112  can include a wrist strap  118 , where the coupling members  115  extend between the wrist strap  118  and a shoulder portion  106  or chest portion  109 . In some embodiments, the coupling member  115  is secured to the wrist attachments  112 , the shoulder portion  106 , and/or the chest portion  109  using one or more magnets  125 , a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO), or other suitable coupling mechanism. 
     The shoulder harness system  100  can include a magnet  125  positioned on or near the coupling member  115 . As can be appreciated, the magnet  125  creates a detachable connection with another component of the shoulder harness system  100 , such as the wrist attachment  112 , shoulder portion  106 , and/or chest portion  109 . To this end, the coupling member  115  can detachably attach to other components of the shoulder harness system  100  made of or comprising a magnetic material, such as the shoulder portion  106 , the chest portion  109 , or a magnet positioned in the wrist strap  118 . 
     In some embodiments, the magnet  125  can include a circular magnet, or other suitable shape. Further, the magnet  125  can include an aperture in which the coupling member  115  is positioned such that the magnet  125  is capable of moving along a body of the coupling member  115 . A rod  128 , having a diameter greater than that of the coupling member  115 , can prohibit movement of the magnet  125  beyond a predetermined distance. To this end, in some embodiments, the distance (and strength) of the magnet  125  from the shoulder portion  106  and/or chest portion  109  is adjustable by the operator  10 . In other words, the force between the coupling member  115  and the wrist attachment  112  (or the coupling member  115  and the shoulder portion  106  or chest portion  109 ) is adjustable and variable. 
     The wrist strap  118  may include a band of material configured to be placed on the wrist of the operator  10 , such as nylon, polyester, cotton, or other suitable fabric. In various embodiments, the wrist strap  118  may be made of any of a plurality of stretchable materials suitable for securing around the wrist of an operator including terrycloth fabric, moisture wicking fabric, corded fabric, plastic, silicon, other materials, and/or combinations thereof. The wrist strap  118  may be secured around the wrist of an operator by any of a plurality of connection mechanisms, such as a hook-and-loop strap, snap fasteners, elastic materials, side release buckles, other connectors, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the rod  115  can include a cylindrical, longitudinally-extending member having a female threaded screw body therein. The coupling member can include a male threaded screw body that engaged with the female threaded screw body of the rod  115 . A screw head  131  may retain the coupling member  115  to the wrist attachment  118  or other component in some embodiments (e.g., in embodiments in which the coupling member  115  is not detachably attachable to the wrist attachment  118 ). 
     In various embodiments, the wrist strap  118  may also include a piece of padded material positioned over the screw head  131  when the screw head  131  is positioned in the wrist strap  118 . The padded material aids in securing the screw head to the wrist strap  118  and to protect the wrist of the operator. 
     The coupling members  115  may include a first end  134  and a second end  137 . The first end  134  of the coupling member  115  can be configured to be secured to the wrist attachment  112  and the second end  137  of the coupling member  115  can be configured to detachably attach to one of the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109 . The coupling member  115 , when coupled between the wrist attachment  112  and one of the shoulder portion  106  and the chest portion  109 , is configured to maintain a chest-to-arm position of the operator  10  and detach from one of the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109  in response to a predefined amount of force being exerted by the operator  10  during a swing motion. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  collectively, perspective views of the shoulder harness system  100  are shown, with the coupling member  115  removed for explanatory purposes. The shoulder portion  106  of the shoulder harness system  100  may be positioned on either the right or left shoulder of an operator  10 , as may be appreciated. The shoulder harness system  100  further includes a chest strap  140  that is configured to be positioned across the chest of the operator  10 , for instance, under the arm opposite the shoulder on which the shoulder harness system  100  is placed, and around the back of the operator to connect to the shoulder harness system  100 . A connection mechanism of the chest strap  140  may be made of any of a plurality of materials suitable for connecting to the shoulder harness system  100  including, but not limited to, hook and loop connectors, snap fasteners, side release buckles, button and buttonholes, sewed connections, other connection devices, and/or combinations thereof. 
     In embodiments in which a magnet  125  is used to magnetically couple the coupling member  115  between a wrist attachment  112  and the shoulder portion  106 , the shoulder portion  106  can include a magnetic plate  143  that, in some examples, can be removably coupled to the shoulder harness system  100 . As such, the shoulder portion  106  of the shoulder harness  109  can include a plate coupling mechanism  146 , such as multiple hook-and-loop fasteners, to couple the magnetic plate  143  to the shoulder portion  106 . While  FIG. 3  does not show the magnetic plate  143 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates where the magnetic plate  146  can be positioned when secured to the shoulder harness  1  system  00 . For instance, the magnetic plate  146  can be positioned on top of the plate coupling mechanism  146 . 
     The shoulder harness system  100  can further include a padded member  149  that may be configured to cover the magnetic plate  143  and the plate coupling mechanism  146  that is attached to either the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109  of the shoulder harness system  100 . In various embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  may have a first padded member  146   a  located at the shoulder portion  106  and a second padded member  146   b  located at the chest portion  109  of the chest strap  113 . In other embodiments, additional layers of padding may be added or removed to the padded member  146  to increase or decrease the coupling force of the wrist attachment  112 , as will be discussed, to the at least one coupling section  143 . In various embodiments, the magnetic plate  143  and/or the magnet  125  may be at least partially made of a material suitable for magnetic coupling, such as stainless steel, iron, aluminum, other materials, and/or a combination thereof. 
     As noted above, in various embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  may include a single chest strap  140  that wraps around the front chest of the operator  10 , under an opposite arm, around the back of the operator  10 , and reattaches to the shoulder harness system  100  using a suitable coupling mechanism. In other embodiments, the chest strap  140  may include multiple straps configured to wrap around the operator  10 , such as the torso of the operator  10 , and detachably attach to the shoulder harness system  100  by any of a plurality of attaching mechanisms, including hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners, side release buckles, other devices, and/or combinations thereof. To this end, the shoulder harness system  100  may be worn on either the right or left shoulder of an operator  10  and the chest strap  140  can be wrapped around the torso of the operator  10  and, for instance, under the opposite arm. 
     The wrist attachment  112  may include an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion of the wrist attachment  112  may include a piece of fabric or other padded material configured to secure over the screw head  131 , or other suitable connector, positioned on the inner side of the wrist strap  118 . Furthermore, the inner material may partially provide padding for the wrist of the operator  10  from the screw head  131  or other connector. The inner portion of the wrist strap  118  may be made of any of a plurality of materials including, but not limited to, foam, felt, other fabric materials, and/or a combination thereof. The outer portion of the wrist strap  118  can include banded material that secures around the wrist of the operator  10 . The outer portion may be made of any of a plurality of materials including moisture-wicking fabric or other materials. In various embodiments, the wrist attachment may secure around the wrist of an operator  10  by any of a plurality of connection mechanisms including but not limited to being partly made of an elastic material, a side release buckle, a snap fastener, hook and loop connector, other means, and a combination thereof. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , the magnetic plate  143  is shown having fasteners  150  (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners) that engage with the plate coupling mechanism  146  to secure the magnetic plate  143  to the shoulder harness system  100 .  FIG. 6  shows the magnetic plate  143  being positioned on the shoulder harness system  100 , such that the magnetic plate  143  can be used to form a magnetic coupling with the coupling member  115 . 
     In various embodiments, the magnet  125  and/or the magnetic plate  143  can include a predetermined magnetic field strength. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, the magnet  125  may be interchanged with other magnets of varying magnetic field strengths to adjust the force required to decouple the wrist attachment  112  from the shoulder harness system  100  by the operator  10  while performing a swing action. In other embodiments, the coupling member  115  may be formed of a magnetic material such that the coupling member  115  itself has magnetic characteristics. 
     In some embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  may include a noise emitting device (not shown) that may be configured to emit a noise when a predetermined event occurs. In various embodiments, the noise emitting device may be a bell and clapper, wherein the clapper is a cylindrical member that surrounds the connector and slidably moves along the length of the connector to strike a bell that is located on the coupling member  115 . Thus, the noise emitting device may emit a noise when the coupling member  115  decouples from the shoulder harness system  100  by a force being exerted on the wrist attachment  112 , thereby causing the clapper to strike the bell. As can be appreciated, a ringing of the bell or other noise emitted by the noise emitting device can instruct the operator  10  of the stage of the swing in which the coupling member  115  is released from the shoulder harness system  100 . 
     In other embodiments, the noise emitting device may include an electronic device comprising at least one electronic circuit (or computing device, such as a microcontroller) that comprises, or is otherwise coupled to, a speaker by any number of a plurality of communication mediums including a physical connection, BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, other communication mediums, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  includes a sensor (e.g., radar, laser, resistance sensor, etc.) that detects when the coupling member  115  has decoupled from the shoulder harness and emits a noise via the speaker in response thereto. 
       FIGS. 7-12  show various perspective views of the shoulder harness system  100 . More specifically,  FIGS. 7 and 8  show an operator  10  attaching an auxiliary coupling section  160  to the chest portion  109  of the shoulder harness system  100 . In various embodiments, the auxiliary coupling section  160  may be attached to any location along the length of the chest strap  140  as the shoulder harness system  100  may be worn on either the right or left shoulder of the operator  10 . Consequently, the auxiliary coupling section  160  may need to be repositioned on the chest strap  140 , for instance, depending on whether the shoulder harness system  100  is worn on the left or right shoulder of the operator  10  so that the operator  10  may couple at least one wrist attachment  112  to the auxiliary coupling portion  160 . Furthermore, the auxiliary coupling section  160  may be attached to the chest portion  109  by any of a plurality of attaching mechanisms, including hook and loop connectors, snap fasteners, side release buckles, other fasteners, other connectors, and/or combinations thereof. 
     Now, operation of the shoulder harness system  100  relative to an operator  10  (a person wearing the shoulder harness system  100 ) is discussed. Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9C , an operator  10  is shown in various stages of a swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system  100 . More specifically,  FIG. 9A  shows an operator  10  in the stance stage of the swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system  100 . Next,  FIG. 9B  shows the operator  10  in the swing acceleration stage of the swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system  100 . Notably, the coupling members  115  are sized and positioned to maintain an arm-to-chest position, or other similar relative positioning, in a stance stage and a swing acceleration stage until a predetermined amount of force is exerted during the swing or, in other words, in response to a predetermined stage of a swing being reached.  FIG. 9C  shows the operator  10  in the follow through stage of the swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system  100 . 
     In various embodiments, each of the first wrist attachment  112   a  and the second wrist attachment  112   b  are detachably attached to the shoulder portion  106  and the chest portion  109 , respectively. When the operator  10  of a swinging device, such as a baseball bat, progresses through the stages of the swing, the first wrist attachment  112   a  and the second wrist attachment  112   b  are configured to break away from and detach from the shoulder portion  106  and the chest portion  109  of the shoulder harness system  100 . 
     Specifically, the first wrist attachment  112   a  and the second wrist attachment  112   b , and the coupling member(s)  115  attached thereto, are configured to detach from the shoulder harness system  100  at a predetermined point when the operator  10  exerts a predetermined amount of force upon the first wrist attachment  112   a  and the second wrist attachment  112   b  while the operator  10  progresses from the stance stage, through the coiling phase, and into the swing initiation phase and the arms of the operator accelerate from a predetermined position and into the swing acceleration stage of the swing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a barrel ax  200  is shown in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, where the barrel ax  200  may be employed with or in place of the shoulder harness system  100 . The barrel ax  200  includes a cylindrical collar body  203  that may include a first portion  206  (e.g., a first half), a second portion  209  (e.g., a second half), and an elongated surface  212  projecting from the cylindrical collar body  203 . In some embodiments, the barrel ax  200  includes a clamping portion  212  located on each longitudinal end of each of the first portion  206  and the second portion  209 . The barrel ax  200  emulates a real axe, requiring the operator  10  to make contact with a narrow range of the projecting, elongated surface  212 , the ideal location of the baseball bat or other swinging device. 
     As may be appreciated, and as shown in  FIG. 10 , the first portion  206  and the second portion  209  of the cylindrical collar body  203  may be configured to affix to and clamp around a swing device, such as a baseball bat, golf club, cricket bat, or other swinging device. In various embodiments, each of the first portion  206  and the second portion  209  may include a clamping portion  215 , where the clamping portion  215  of the first portion  206  is configured to align with the clamping portion  215  of the second portion  209  to secure around the shaft of a swinging device. 
     In other embodiments the battle ax  200  may be configured to secure around the shaft of a swinging device by a plurality of clamping means including bolts, straps, connectors, other means, and/or a combination thereof. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner surface of each of the first portion  206  and the inner surface of the second portion  209  may also include a padded material that consists of foam, silicon, felt, other materials, or combinations thereof that aid the battle ax  200  to grip the swinging device and to prevent the battle ax  200  from damaging the swinging device, further dampening impact with a baseball or other object. The elongated surface  212  projecting from the body of the barrel ax  200  is configured to provide an operator  10  with a visual indicator of the alignment of the swinging device throughout the swing device. Thus, giving visual feedback to the operator  10  of whether the operator  10  is making square contact with an object throughout the swing sequence. 
     In other embodiments, the barrel axe  200  may be a substantially flat raised segment that has fabric material on the ends configured to secure around the shaft of a swinging device. The substantially flat raised segment may be directly placed on a surface of a swinging device and attached to the swinging device by any of a plurality of means including hook and loop straps, side release buckles, snap fasteners, other means, and/or a combination thereof. The raised segment may perpendicularly extend from the surface of the swinging device and may be intended to contact an object. The raised segment may also provide an indication to an operator of when the swinging device is making “square” contact with an object during the swing sequence. 
     In further embodiments, the edge of the barrel ax  200  can include a noise emitting device that emits noise or performs a similar function. To this end, in some embodiments, the barrel axe  200  can include two plates separated by a spring or any other method to create a noise when a ball strikes the edge of the barrel ax  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , shown is an example of an electronic circuit  1700  that may be one possible embodiment of the noise emitting device  1115 ,  1123  for the at least one wrist attachment  1103 . The electronic circuit may include at least a power source  1703 , a resistor  1706 , a sensor  1709 , and a speaker  1712 . The power source  1703  may be any of a plurality of power sources  1703  suitable for powering an electronic circuit including a battery. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor  1709  may be a magnetic sensor wherein the magnetic sensor detects when the wrist attachment  1103  decouples from either the first coupling section  203  or the second coupling section  206 . Furthermore, in other embodiments, the electronic circuit  1700  may be capable of connecting to external speakers via any of a plurality of means to emit a noise to alert the operator of a predetermined event. The electronic circuit may connect to an external speaker through wired connection, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, other means, and/or a combination thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , an operator  10  is shown in various stages of a swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system  100 . Again, the coupling members  115  are sized and positioned to maintain an arm-to-chest position, or other similar relative positioning, in a stance stage and a swing acceleration stage until a predetermined amount of force is exerted during the swing or, in other words, in response to a predetermined stage of a swing being reached. 
     As can be appreciated, in embodiments in which hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO) are employed, when separated or ripped apart during a swing, a substantial noise is emitted, letting the operator  10  know of the separation. When the noise is heard, this can help the operator  10  realize when they are engaging the hands to the ball. 
     In embodiments in which magnets are employed, the operator  10  can hear the magnet click when they connect the coupling member  115  to the wrist attachment  112  and/or the shoulder portion  106  or chest portion  109 . The fact that the operator  10  does not have to start with a connected apparatus is distinguishable from prior systems. Instead, the operator  10  can connect the hook-and-loop, magnetic, or other fasteners in the swing with ease. Further, if the operator  10  starts with his hands low or high they time the toe touch (which is the stride landing) with the magnet clicking the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109  (e.g., in instances in which the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  106  include metal). 
     In some embodiments, the wrist attachment  112  has a base screw which connects to the desired region the operator  10  desires. The shoulder harness system  100  places focus on the shoulder instead of the rotator cuff. Further, in some embodiments, the magnets can simply be changed with stronger pull force which will strengthen the whip action during a swing. 
     While many embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a swinging motion for baseball, the shoulder harness system  100  is not limited to swinging activities or sports that require swinging motions. For instance, in some embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  can be employed to assist when arm-to-body positioning for throwing motions, such as pitching in baseball, cricket, and other sports require overhead throwing motions. 
     Notably, with respect to batting and swinging motions, the shoulder harness system  100  can provide a short bat path, which teaches young and veteran players where to hold bat and trains muscle memory (muscle memory movements). The shoulder harness system  100  provides players and coaches with an entire region on the outside portion of the shoulder to choose a comfortable position for each player&#39;s needs. For instance, players have different arm lengths and growth spurts that require adjustable hand positions for player comfort. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , enhanced views of a wrist attachment  112  and a coupling member  115  are shown. As noted above, the coupling member may include a first end  303  and a second end  306 . The first end  303  of the coupling member  115  can be configured to be secured to the wrist attachment  112 , and the second end  306  of the coupling member  115  can be configured to detachably attach to one of: the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109 . The coupling member  115  is configured to maintain a chest-to-arm position of the operator  10  and detach from one of the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109  (and/or the wrist attachment  112 ) in response to a predefined amount of force being exerted by the operator  10  during a swing motion. 
     In some embodiments, the coupling member  115  can include a vertically-protruding body  309  having a head (not shown) positioned on an inside of the wrist attachment  112 , where the vertically-protruding body projects out of a recess or other aperture in the wrist attachment  112 . The head can have a body wider than the vertically-protruding body  309  (and wider than the aperture) to secure the coupling member  115 , whereas a nut  312  or similar device can secure the coupling member  115  to the wrist attachment  112 . As such, in some embodiments, the vertically-protruding body  309  includes a threaded vertically-protruding body on which a nut  312  can be threadably coupled. 
     Specifically,  FIG. 14  shows an attachment device  315  positioned on a distal end of the coupling member  115  (e.g., the second end  306 ). The attachment device  315  can include a magnet in some embodiments. However, in some embodiments, the attachment device  315  includes a hook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro®. 
     As the hook-and-loop fasteners of the attachment device  315  is included therewith, players who disconnect their hands before the big muscles transfer energy, will be able to hear the mistake, thereby also making coaching more effective. The ripping noise should be heard near contact. Further, in embodiments, in which magnets are employed, a noise is made when connecting to a metal plate on the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109 . Advanced players can use this feature to use the noise for timing the “separation” and landing phase of swing. The magnets can be interchangeable with stronger magnets, creating stronger whip action resulting in exit velocity. This can also be considered a strength trainer for the square whip contact through ball. The wristbands will have interchangeable screws for players and coaches desired hand position in stance. Some players want their hands closer to body and some like more space. Some may want to experiment. With the spacing system, players can train to find the position that works for them best. As such, in some embodiments, the attachment device  315  can include any magnetic or non-magnetic device that emits a sound when attached or detached from the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 15 , a photograph is shown that includes an operator  10 , such as a baseball player, softball player, cricket player, or other athlete, wearing the shoulder harness system  100 . In various embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  may include double-sided hook-and-loop fastening strips  505   a ,  505   b . A top side of the double-sided hook-and-loop fastening strips  505  is shown in  FIG. 16 . Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16  collectively, each of the double-sided hook-and-loop fastening strips  505  may include a flat, longitudinally extending body having hook-and-loop fasteners, for instance, on both the top side and the bottom side. As such, a first one of the hook-and-loop fastening strips  505   a  may be worn as a wristband, as shown in  FIG. 15 , whereas a second one of the hook-and-loop fastening strips  505   b  can also be placed over a lead shoulder to facilitate a follow through motion, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 17 . The hook-and-loop fastening strips  505  are sized and positioned such that the width around the wrist and/or the shoulder can be adjusted. 
     Accordingly, the coupling members  115  of the shoulder harness system  100  can include the hook-and-loop fastening strips  505  in some embodiments. More specifically, the hook-and-loop fastening strips  505  can be configured to detachably attach to the wrist and/or can be configured to detachably attach to one of the shoulder portion  106  or the chest portion  109 . For instance, in embodiments in which two hook-and-loop fastening strips  505  are employed, a first one of the hook-and-loop fastening strips  505   a  can be configured to couple a wrist portion  112  to the shoulder portion  106  of the shoulder harness system  100  via the second one of the hook-and-loop fastening strips  505   b , while the operator  10  is in an initial phase of a swing (e.g., when the operator  10  is in the stance position). However, the coupling members  115  are sized and positioned to detach from one or more of the components of the shoulder harness system  100 , for instance, in response to a predetermined amount of force being exerted during a swing or, in other words, in response to a predetermined stage of a swing being reached. 
     The hook-and-loop fastening strip  505  can also be placed over a lead shoulder to facilitate a follow through motion, as shown in  FIG. 17 . Specifically,  FIG. 17  is a photograph showing an operator  10  wearing the shoulder harness system  100  and the hook-and-loop fastening strip  505  that comprises hook-and-loop fasteners on both sides. The hook-and-loop fastening strip  505  is shown being worn over a lead shoulder of the operator  10 . 
     In further embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  may include, or be used in conjunction with, a light system  520 .  FIGS. 18 and 19  are photographs showing operators  100  wearing the shoulder harness system  100 , where the shoulder harness system  100  includes the light system  520  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In various examples, the light system  520  includes a first light emitting device  525  and/or a second light emitting device  530  affixed to the operator  10 , swinging device  15 , or a part of the swing training system  100 . 
     As shown in the non-limiting example of  FIG. 18 , the first light emitting device  525  may be positioned on the wrist attachment  112 , such that, when the operator  10  conducts a swing, a light beam shines across a chest or other desired location of the operator  10 . In some embodiments, the first light emitting device  525  includes a clip or other connecting device configured to attach to a side or distal end of the wrist attachment  112 . In further embodiments, the first light emitting device  525  is coupled to the wrist attachment  112  via hook-and-loop fasteners or other suitable connection mechanism. 
     Similarly, in some embodiments, the second light emitting device  530  includes a clip, hook-and-loop fastener, or other connecting device configured to attach to the second light emitting device  525  to a bottom, distal end of a swinging device, such as a baseball bat, softball bat, golf club, tennis racket, cricket bat, or other device. 
     Each of the first light emitting device  525  and the second light emitting device  530  can include a switch, a battery, and a light emitting element, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a laser device (e.g., a laser pointing device). In some embodiments, the first light emitting device  525  emits light of a first color (e.g., red) while the second light emitting device  530  emits light of a second color (e.g., blue). In some embodiments, each of the first light emitting device  525  and the second light emitting device  530  can be toggled via the switch to adjust the color being emitted by the LED or other light emitting element. 
     During a swing operation, the first light emitting device  525  is sized and positioned on the wrist attachment  112  such that light emitted by the first light emitting device  525  shines across the chest, for instance, during an initial stage of a swing as well as during a majority of the swing operation. Photographs or videos of the operator  10  can be captured and the course of the light appearing across the chest, or other body surface area of the operator  10 , can be monitored to analyze a swing. 
     The second light emitting device  530  is sized and positioned on the bat such that light emitted from the second light emitting device  530  points at a ground surface, for example, towards a ball or field they want to hit to, incentivizing the operator  10  to whip the light from the knob back to the chest. In further embodiments, a series of lines or markings on a mat or ground surface can be implemented to create dots that the operator  10  connects with light emitted from the second light emitting device  530  affixed to the bottom of the bat. 
       FIGS. 19, 20, and 21  are photographs showing illustrating the light system described herein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 19  illustrates a wrist attachment  112  having a first light emitting device  525  coupled thereto, that emits a beam of light  535  on the operator  10 .  FIG. 20  shows the second light emitting device  530  coupled to a bottom end of a swinging device  15 , such as a bat, using one or more hook-and-loop fasteners to emit a beam of light. The second light emitting device  530  is shown as being decoupled from the swinging device  15  in  FIG. 21 . 
     In various embodiments, a laser light map may be employed. For instance, a metal disk, a series of metal discs, or other appropriate material may create a path for lights on the light emitting devices  525 ,  530  to follow during a swing, essentially simplifying the training for the player in any sport. The metal disk or other object may be positioned on the operator  10  or on a ground surface. As such, the shoulder harness system  100  may be used for baseball, softball, tennis, badminton, lacrosse, cricket, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the light system  520  can be used to point and direct a ball towards a direction of a light or laser beam. Imagine, for example, a rifle scope on the front side arm aiming at a target. A light emitting device  525  can attach to the wrist attachment  120  for the purpose of aiming the ball. Additionally, the light emitting device  525  can be affixed to various positions on a bat or other swinging device  115 , including the top cap to light the area where a barrel of the bat or other swinging device  115  will point towards. 
       FIG. 22  is a photograph of an operator  10  using a stride training system  550  that can be used independent of or in conjunction with the shoulder harness system  100  described herein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The stride training system  550  can include a foot harness  555  that secures a foot magnet  560 , for instance, to a bottom of a shoe  565  or foot of the operator  10 , as well as a target magnet plate  570 . 
       FIG. 23  is a photograph of a bottom of a shoe of the operator  10 , where the foot magnet  560  is shown being positioned on the bottom of the shoe for use in the stride training system  550  of  FIG. 22  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 24  is a photograph of a target magnet plate  570  for use in the stride training system  550  of  FIG. 22  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIGS. 25 and 26  are photographs showing an operator  10  using the stride training system  550  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22-26  collectively, the foot magnet  560  can be secured to the foot harness  555  using a hook-and-loop fastening strip in various embodiments. A portion of the hook-and-loop fastening strip may be removed, for instance, to provide an aperture (e.g., a circular-shaped aperture) in or through which the foot magnet  560  can be positioned such that the foot magnet  560  can come into contact with and magnetically couple to the target magnet plate  570 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , the target magnet plate  570  can be set a predetermined distance on a ground surface from a lead foot of the operator  10 , requiring the operator  10  to step forward and make contact with the target magnet plate  570  during a swing. The materials of the target magnet plate  570 , the foot harness  555 , the foot magnet  560  and other components of the stride training system  550  can be selected such that, when contact is made, an audible noise is emitted, notifying the operator  10  of successful contact. In further embodiments, a small electrical circuit can be employed with a small speaker to emit an audible noise upon successful contact (e.g., through a change in impedance of a change of resistance as may be appreciated). 
     In further embodiments, the stride training system  550  can also work on the back foot as well as the front foot, and the target magnet plate  570  can be placed in front of the back foot behind the back foot, in front of the front foot, or behind the front foot, for instance, depending on what the objective of the operator  10 . 
     While the embodiments described above include a batter using the stride training system  550 , it is understood that the stride training system  550  can also work with throwing motions, such as an overhead or underhand throw (e.g., a baseball or softball pitch, a cricket bowl, or other similar action). To this end, the target magnet plate  570  can be set a predetermined distance on a ground surface from a lead foot of the operator  10 , requiring the operator  10  to step forward and make contact with the target magnet plate  570  during a pitching motion. When contact is made, an audible noise is emitted, notifying the operator  10  of successful contact. 
     In further embodiments, the stride training system  550  can be used with a stride box  700 , as shown in  FIG. 34 . The stride box  700  includes a plurality of members oriented relative to each other that define a space in which a stride of a swing takes place by the operator  10  using the stride training system  550 . For instance, the stride box  700  can prevent the operator  10  from stepping beyond a predefined distance and can include a rectangular or square-shaped box. The stride box  700  includes a first member  705  and a second member  710  that are parallel to one another, as well as a third member  715  and a fourth member  720  also parallel to one another. The third member  715  and the fourth member  720  are perpendicular to the first member  705  and the second member  710 . In some embodiments, the first member  705 , the second member  710 , the third member  715 , and the fourth member  720  are adjustable relative to one another and detachably attached to one another. As such, the stride box  700  can be adjusted to an operator  10  based on their stride length. 
     In some embodiments, the third member  715  (e.g., the front bar) can be removed to allow for an opening or a foot landing. In some embodiments, the fourth member  720  (e.g., the rear bar) can be similarly removed to allow for an opening or a foot landing. To this end, in some embodiments, the stride box  700  can have one end opened and/or closed as desired. Additionally, the stride box  700  can be used with pitching motions, as opposed to purely batting or swinging motions. The stride box  700  can be formed of PVC, metal, or other suitable material. 
       FIG. 27  is a photograph of a ball  590  that can be connected to a vest or a shirt of an operator  10 , for instance, to rest a swinging device  15  (e.g., bat or club) next to a desired position on the body according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, which maintains an ideal degree of separation between the operator  10  and the swinging device  15 . In some embodiments, the ball  590  attaches to the shoulder portion of the shoulder harness system  100 . In addition to the ball  590 , other objects may be coupled thereon that a player desires to connect such that the operator  10  can maintain a comfortable connection to the body. 
     Specifically, the ball or object can be a replacement for the wrist attachment  112 . For instance, an operator  10  can press a swinging device  15  to the ball  590  or similar object and work on maintaining that connection to an appropriate point in a swing. For instance, a baseball bat can press against the ball  590  in a batter&#39;s stance. 
       FIG. 28  is a photograph of a magnetic attachment for use with the wrist band  112  of the shoulder harness system  100  described herein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, a wrist and/or foot band as described herein can include a magnet receptacle to connect to a hook-and-loop fastener strip with a magnet disposed therein. 
       FIG. 29  is a photograph of a swinging device attachment  600  for use with a swinging device  15  and the shoulder harness system  100  described herein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The swinging device attachment  600  can include straps  605 ,  610  that are configured to be positioned around and secure laterally extending sides of the swinging device attachment  600  to the swinging device  15 . The straps  605 ,  610  may include hook-and-loop fastener straps or other suitable connecting straps. The swinging device attachment  600  may be wrapped around a bat, a club, or other swinging device  15  to train an operator  10  to hit using certain spots of the bat, club, or other swinging device  15 . Further, the swinging device attachment  600  may slide over an outer edge of a swinging device  15 , like a sock, while including openings that are designed to get an operator  10  or other player to hit a certain spot of the bat, club, or other swinging device  15 . 
     The material of the swinging device attachment  100  (e.g., also referred to as a “sweet spot trainer”) can include plastic fibers, Velcro® material, leather, cloth, a combination thereof, or other suitable material that can slide over the club, bat, or other swinging device  15 . For instance, the swinging device attachment  100  can act as a sock or other cover having one or more holes cut therein that define a “sweet spot,” or an ideal spot for the swinging device  15  to make contact with a ball or other object to be contacted. 
     The components described herein can be implemented together or in various combinations as a single swing training device or a single swing training system. In various embodiments, the shoulder harness system  100  as well as the components described herein for use with the shoulder harness system  100  can be used in augmented reality environments, virtual reality environments, etc., for instance, in conjunction with augmented reality systems, virtual reality systems, etc. To this end, in various embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., fiducial markers or location approximately sensors) may be positioned on a vest or other portion of the shoulder harness system  100  for virtual reality purposes, such as a remote control, for gaming and training with appropriate sensors in a virtual situation. 
     It is understood that disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present. 
     Although embodiments have been described herein in detail, the descriptions are by way of example. The features of the embodiments described herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments, certain features and elements can be added or omitted. Additionally, modifications to aspects of the embodiments described herein can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined in the following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equivalent structures.