Patent Publication Number: US-9894825-B2

Title: Middle mounted implement tractor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/830,020 entitled MIDDLE MOUNTED IMPLEMENT TRACTOR and filed on May 31, 2013, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of agricultural equipment; more particularly, to the field of tractors; and, more particularly still, to a tractor having a middle implement mount. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Since the early days of agriculture, farmers have toiled to increase their productivity and the amount of crops they can produce. Although there have been many major improvements along the way, perhaps one of the most significant has been the development of the tractor. This multi-function machine has freed farmers from the limitations of horses, oxen, etc., and greatly increased the productivity of farmers. 
     Over time, tractors gradually replaced horses and oxen for pulling agricultural machines or “implements” through the fields. Most such implements where initially “rear-mounted” as it was much easier for a horse or ox to pull, rather than push, a machine through the field, and so tractors initially pulled such rear-mounted implements as well. However, as tractors—and the agricultural equipment industry as a whole—developed, it became apparent that implements no longer had to remain rear-mounted. Ingenious new designs appeared that allowed implements to be mounted to the front of a tractor and be effectively “pushed” through the fields. Although such mounting means can still be found, others chose to mount implements in a middle or “belly” configuration in which the implement is located between the front and rear wheels of the tractor. This middle mounting has the same primary advantage that front mounting had over rear mounting: the operator or driver of the tractor can view the implement working the field; make adjustments immediately as they are needed; and, at the same time, he can see the upcoming features of the field ahead. With a rear mounted implement, the driver can either view the upcoming field or can turn around and watch the implement. Additionally, middle mounting avoids some of the problems of front mounting, namely: gauge wheels on the implement are not necessary, better depth (or height) control can be achieved, the weight of the implement and implement-work-forces are more evenly distributed between the front and rear tractor wheels, and a middle mounting tractor can get the implement closer to ditch banks or fences when pulling forward to them or when backing up to them and pulling away. 
     Although a number of middle mounting systems exist in the art, they have limitations and deficiencies that have caused such systems to remain niche applications with the vast majority of tractors and implements utilizing the rear and/or front mounting systems. For example, one major deficiency present in the art is that there is no easy way to change middle mounted implements. Such implements can be disconnected from a tractor, but then have to be slid to the left or right of the tractor in order to avoid the tractor&#39;s wheels. Similarly, to attach a new implement, the implement has to be slid into place from the side. As implements can often be big, bulky, heavy, generally unwieldy and difficult to move, this has been a serious limitation in the art. What is needed is a tractor that can be driven directly into position over a middle mounted implement, thereby removing the need to slide the implement into position under the tractor. 
     Another need that this invention addresses is that of a tractor designed to carry one or more material tanks so that an operator may apply bulk seed, pesticides, or fertilizer while using various implements. Currently available farm tractors are good at carrying or pulling farm implements, but tanks must be “added on” in the form of saddle tanks and front or rear extended tanks. Alternatively, many currently available self-propelled sprayers do have tanks inherently built into their design, but theses vehicles do not have the capability to use implements. The current invention has embodiments that can accomplish either or both: easily loading and unloading of a plurality of consumables carriages for handling material tank(s), while also having the ability to handle a variety of implements in a middle mounted fashion while providing for simply and easy mounting/unmounting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the frame assemblies; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the frame assemblies and an implement connection bar with a movable frame in a lowered, wheels-down position; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the frame assemblies and an implement connection bar with a movable frame in a raised, wheels-down position; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the front wheel assembly; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the front wheel assembly; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the frame assemblies; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, showing the tractor preparing to approach a middle mounted implement; 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, showing the tractor having lowered its dolly wheels and with a movable frame in a raised, wheels-up position to attach a middle mounted implement thereto; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, showing the tractor having lowered its dolly wheels and with a movable frame in a raised, wheels-up position approaching a middle mounted implement; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, showing the tractor having raised its dolly wheels and with a movable frame in a lowered, wheels-down position having attached a middle mounted implement; 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting front and rear attachment bars locked into place; 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting alternative front and rear attachment bars locked into place; 
         FIG. 9C  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting disconnected front and rear attachment bars; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left side dolly wheels assembly in a raised position; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left side dolly wheels in a partially lowered position; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left side dolly wheels in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the cab interior configuration showing the fold-down nature of the main dash; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a left side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the main dash in a deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 15A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left rear caster wheel; 
         FIG. 15B  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left rear caster wheel; 
         FIG. 15C  illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left rear caster wheel; 
         FIG. 16A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage, highlighting a consumables carriage assembly and the left rear caster wheel; 
         FIG. 16B  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the rear caster wheels; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting a frame mover mechanism with the movable frame in a raised position; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting a swinging motion of a left cab door; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting a swinging motion of a rear cab door; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage, highlighting a loaded consumables carriage with a closed loading ramp; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage, highlighting a loaded consumables carriage with an open loading ramp; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage, highlighting an open loading ramp and a truck carrying a consumables carriage ready to be loaded; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage, highlighting a consumables carriage being loaded; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage, highlighting a first consumables carriage being loaded and a second consumables carriage awaiting loading; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a left side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an un-burdened consumables carriage; and 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a front, right side knee assembly for a front wheel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. Furthermore, lists and/or examples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples. 
     Exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying Figures. The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawing Figures in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that in some cases well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the frame assemblies: the front frame assembly  100 , the mounting frame assembly  200 , the middle frame assembly  300 , and the rear frame assembly  400 . The front frame assembly  100  and the mounting frame assembly  200  together comprise the movable frame assembly  250 . 
     The front frame assembly  100  comprises the fixed forward frame assembly and associated frame components: the front wheel assembly, two sets of parallel pivoting arms, and the first and second front wheels  2  and  3 . The front wheel assembly pivots on a pivot point  108  at the center of the width of the machine. This pivot point  108  allows the front axle to “float” side to side, meaning the right tire  3  can travel vertically up or down over uneven ground while the left tire  2  can travel the opposite way, thus allowing the tractor to maintain all four main wheels on the ground while traversing rough terrain. 
     Two sets of parallel pivoting arms on each side of the tractor connect the front frame assembly  100  to the mounting frame assembly  200 . The first set on each side are called the W arms. On the left side are the first top W arm  113  and the first bottom W arm  114 , and on the right side are the second top W arm  115  and the second bottom W arm  116 . These arms are responsible for bearing the weight of the movable frame assembly  250  when in the lowered, wheel-down position and they also serve as the connecting point for the hydraulic cylinders (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) which raise and lower the front frame assembly  100  relative to the mounting frame assembly  200 . 
     The second sets of parallel pivoting arms on each side of the tractor are called the stabilizing arms, or “S” arms. On the left side are the first top S arm  121  and the first bottom S arm  122 , and on the right side are the second top S arm  123  and the second bottom S arm  124 . These S arms  121 ,  122 ,  123 , and  124  provide strength and support for the pivotal axle frame  107  and wheel knees  105  and  106  ( 105  is not visible in  FIG. 1 , see  FIG. 4 ). The S arms are not designed to carry the weight of the tractor; instead, they work to keep the wheel knees  105  and  106  vertical and counteract any rearwards force experienced by the knees  105  and  106 . The connections between the S arms and the knees need to be able to pivot; thus, a ball joint, or other multi-axis pivot, is preferred between these components. The S arms and many other components can be attached using pins or any other suitable connector(s). 
     The fixed forward frame assembly  109  is located near the very front of the tractor, above the axle frame  107  and attached to it at the pivot point  108 . It extends laterally to either side of the pivot point  108  and upwards to first and second Weight-bearing arms, or “W” arms, attachment clevises  111  and  112 . Each W arm attachment clevis  111  and  112  locates two pivot points for the forward end of a pair of parallel pivoting W arms  113 / 114  and  115 / 116 . The W arms are responsible for bearing the weight of the front portion of the movable frame  250  and any implement attached thereto. A secondary responsibility of the W arms is to maintain the stability of the fixed forward frame assembly  109 . 
     The second set of parallel arms, the S arms, in conjunction with the pivotal point  108  maintains the strength and position of the axle frame  107  and the knees  105  and  106 . The knees connect to the spindles and ultimately the front wheels  2  and  3 . By using parallel S arms that pivot at their forward and rearward ends, the front axle will float side-to-side about the center pivot point  108 . One purpose of these arms is to provide strength members when the tractor is moved forward or backward. For example, as the tractor is moving forward and the operator turns the steering wheel sharply to the right or left without simultaneously applying the necessary amount of individual rear wheel brake, the tractor, instead of turning may tend to go forward with the front tires “plowing” or skidding. Of course, simply applying an appropriate rear brake (left rear if turning left, right rear if turning right) during the turn will cause the front end to turn with the front tires carving the turn in the desired direction. Without the S arms, when plowing occurs during a turn, a large amount of force is applied to the knees  105  and  106 , axle frame  107 , pivot point  108 , and onwards through the front frame assembly  100  to the clevises  111  and  112 , the W arms, and back to the movable frame assembly  250 . By including the S arms, the same force that occurs during a plowing episode will travel directly from the knees  105  and  106  to the movable frame assembly  250 , eliminating all the stresses on the other parts mentioned above. 
     The forward ends of the S arms are pivotally connected to vertical extensions  118  and  119 , which are attached to the knees  105  and  106 , respectively (see also  FIG. 4 ). The S arms are located just to the inside of the W arms on both the left and right sides of the tractor. It is important to note that the vertical extensions  118  and  119  of the knees  105  and  106  are located to the outside of the steering bell cranks  189  and  190 , respectively (see  FIG. 5 ), so as not to interfere with the steering mechanism. The rear of each S arm is pivotally connected to the mounting frame assembly  200  using pins that allow each S arm to pivot up and down. These same pivot pins can be used to mount the W arms to the mounting frame assembly  200  as well. 
     The mounting frame  200  comprises the attachment mounts for the middle mounted implements, extendable frame components, and movable frame assemblies. The middle frame  300  comprises the vertical frame attachment components for the movable frame assemblies and associated frame components that tie the cab  360 , rear wheels  4  and  5 , and rear frame  400  to the movable frame  250 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the frame assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 , and  400  and an implement connection bar  540  with a movable frame assembly  250  in a lowered, wheels-down position. Notice that the bottom portion of the front wheel  2  is at approximately the same ground level as the bottom portion of the rear wheel  4 . Because of the pivoting mounting pins connecting the W arms and S arms to the mounting frame assembly  200 , the front wheels hydraulic lift system  160  can raise or lower the front wheels  2  and  3  to: (i) adjust the angle at which the entire tractor rides relative to the ground, or (ii) account for the raising or lowering of the entire movable frame assembly  250 . The front wheels hydraulic lift system  160  comprises a front frame assembly connector  161 , a mounting frame assembly connector  163 , and a front wheels lift hydraulic cylinder  162  therebetween. In other embodiments, a second front wheels hydraulic lift system is employed in tandem with the first  160  on the right side of the tractor  1000 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the frame assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 , and  400  and an implement connection bar  540  with a movable frame in a raised, wheels-down position. By comparing  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it should be apparent that one of the features of the instant invention is that the tractor operator can easily control how high the movable frame assembly is positioned relative to the ground. Thus, if a particular implement is taller than another implement, the operator can adjust the tractor to handle either implement simply by raising or lowering the movable frame assembly  250  and then raising or lowering the front wheel assembly  100  accordingly. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 3  are the first implement attachment point  221  and the second implement attachment point  223 . On the other side of the tractor are corresponding third and fourth attachment points. See  FIGS. 9A and 9B  as well as  FIGS. 7A-B  and  8 A-B for more information concerning implement attachment. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the front wheel assembly  100 . The steering is designed to pivot the front wheels  2  and  3  a full ninety degrees to the left and right (one hundred and eighty degrees total); this motion can be powered by first and second hydraulic cylinders  197  and  198  located on both sides. In another embodiment, a single cylinder powers both sides. In yet another embodiment, a motive source besides hydraulics is used. On the machine&#39;s left is the first steering hydraulic cylinder  197 ; it is connected to a first idler arm  195  (a second steering hydraulic cylinder  198 , and a second idler arm  196  are mirrored on the right side). The idler arms  195  and  196  are connected to a first and second link  191  and  192  at a steering pivot point  193  and  194 , respectively. The first and second links  191  and  192  are connected at their other ends to a first and second bell cranks  189  and  190  (see  FIG. 5 ) using a first and second knee pivot point  187  and  188  (see  FIG. 5 ). Each bell crank  189  and  190  sits atop a rotating shaft  185  and  186 , respectively, that are each attached to the front spindles  104  and  103  (see  FIG. 26  for a view of  104 ;  103  is the spindle on the opposite side). 
       FIG. 26  illustrates a perspective view from the rear showing the front right knee assembly. As can be seen in close-up in  FIG. 26 , the rotating shaft  186  fits within the wheel knee  106 . The pivotal axle frame  107  is attached to the wheel knee  106  as is the vertical extension  119 . The rotating shaft  186  can turn within the wheel knee  106 . Since the spindle  104  is attached to the rotating shaft  186 , it should be clear that by turning the shaft  186 , the operator also rotates the spindle  104 . And as the spindle  104  is attached to the front wheel  3 , the wheel  3  is consequently turned as well. 
     When the first and second steering hydraulic cylinders are actuated (they operate oppositely: when one pushes out, the other retracts in, and vice-versa), they operate on their respective front wheel assembly  100  components in order to turn the front wheels. In one embodiment, the components are adjusted so that when a wheel is the inside wheel of a turn, it has a slightly tighter turn radius than the outer wheel and vice-versa. 
     The front wheels may be powered, either hydraulically or otherwise, to provide front wheel drive and/or all wheel drive. In one embodiment, hydraulic motors using planetary gears are emplaced within both front wheel housings and hydraulic lines running to each wheel provide power. The fixed forward frame assembly can have grill work, lights, etc. on the front and may have provisions for one or more saddles for additional sprayer tanks and/or other items. In another embodiment, extendable axles or spindles can be incorporated into the front wheels to increase or decrease the distance between the front wheels. Furthermore, the front frame assembly  100  and any cross frame members in the other frame assemblies  200 ,  250 ,  300  and  400  could be constructed using telescoping components or sliding components such that the overall width of the tractor  1000  could be increased or decreased as desired. Similarly, in another embodiment, the pivotal axle frame  107  could be split into two components, each having its own pivot point  108 , and each component mounted to one half of a similarly split forward frame assembly  109  and then these two halves of the front assembly could be drawn together or expanded by the use of hydraulics or other means. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the front wheel assembly. This view highlights a few different components from  FIG. 4 , specifically: the first and second links  191  and  192  are connected at their other ends to first and second bell cranks  189  and  190  using first and second knee pivot points  187  and  188 . Each bell crank  189  and  190  sits atop a rotating shaft  185  and  186 , respectively, that are each attached to the front spindles. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the frame assemblies  100 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 , and  400 . The connection points between the movable frame assembly  250  and the middle frame  300 , as well as the middle frame&#39;s components can be seen more clearly in this view. 
     The mounting frame assembly  200  comprises a pair of forwardly extendable beams  211  and  212  that attach to the front frame assembly  100  at their forward ends. The opposite ends of extendable beams  211  and  212  fit inside of receiving beams  213  and  214 . Although not shown, extension hydraulics could be attached between the extendable beams and the receiving beams in order to move the extendable beams in and out of the receiving beams  213  and  214 . This extension feature of the current invention is helpful in configuring the tractor to accommodate middle mounted implements of various lengths without having them interfere with the front frame assembly  100 . By retracting the extendable beams within the receiving beams, the overall length and wheel base of the tractor can be reduced, allowing for tighter turning radii and smaller parking/storage areas. Also, because the implement attachment points (see  FIG. 3 , items  221  and  223 ) are mounted on either side of the extension point, implements can have varying distances between their mounting bars and still be compatible with the instant invention. The adjustment beams  215  and  216  are used to narrow the frame assembly and as attachment points for the vertical sliders  217  and  218 . The sliders surround the main vertical beams  311  and  312  of the middle frame  300 . When the operator chooses to raise or lower the movable frame assembly  250 , the sliders  217  and  218  roll on bearings  220  up and down the main vertical beams  311  and  312 . Although only a single set of bearings  220  is shown in  FIG. 6 , it is contemplated that at least four sets of bearings  220  could be used on each vertical slider  217  and  218 : one on each slider pin  232  and  234  located on either side of the vertical beam, and two more on the second set of pins below the top set (see  FIG. 17  for possible location of additional pins). Note that this is for the right slider  218 , but it would also apply to the left slider  217  (see pins  231  and  233 , for example). 
     Also shown in  FIG. 6  are additional middle frame components  310 ,  312 ,  314  and  318 . 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , showing the tractor preparing to approach a middle mounted implement  500 . Note that the dolly wheel assembly  700  is visible in the cut-out box described by the dashed lines. The dolly wheel assembly  700  is shown in its folded position. A large upward pointing arrow shows the direction in which the movable frame  250  will be displaced in order to raise the frame above the middle mounted implement  500 . Similarly, a large downward pointing arrow shows the direction in which the dolly wheel assembly will be extended to support the front half of the tractor as the movable frame is raised off the ground. 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , showing the tractor having lowered its dolly wheels  700  and with a movable frame  250  in a raised, wheels-up position to attach a middle mounted implement  500 . The large forwards pointing arrow shows the direction in which the tractor will move in order to put the middle mounted implement in correct position for attachment to the tractor. 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , showing the tractor having lowered its dolly wheels  700  and with a movable frame  250  in a raised, wheels-up position approaching a middle mounted implement  500  in the direction indicated by the large arrow. 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , showing the tractor having raised its dolly wheels (they are now hidden from view) and with a movable frame  250  in a lowered, wheels-down position having attached a middle mounted implement  500  thereto. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting front and rear attachment bars  530  and  540  locked into place. The locking mechanism for the front attachment bar  530  utilizes a front lock  531  shaped so as to engage the front attachment bar  530  and lock it into place against the front attachment point  221 . This is accomplished via the forward pushing action of a front lock hydraulic  535 , transfer of that motion through a front lock transfer bar  533  via a transfer bar pin  534 , causing the bottom of the transfer bar  533  to move rearward. The bottom of the transfer bar  533  is attached to a front lock link  532  which is itself attached to the front lock  531 . Thus, when the bottom of the transfer bar is moved rearwards, it pulls the link  532  and the front lock  531  rearwards as well, engaging the front attachment bar  530  between the front lock  531  and the front attachment point  221 . 
     Once the front attachment point  221  is locked in place, the operator of the tractor can retract the extendable beam  211  into the receiving beam  213 , thereby engaging the rear attachment bar  530  against the rear attachment point  223 . A rear lock  543  can then be placed on the rear attachment bar  540  to ensure it stays in place. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9A  a chain is shown, in other embodiments, other locking means are contemplated. 
     Although  FIG. 9A  only shows the left side of the tractor, a similar apparatus can be utilized on the right side. It is also important to understand that, in one embodiment, the attachment bars  530  and  540  are built onto or pre-attached to each implement that is to be used with the tractor  1000 . In another embodiment, the attachment bars  530  and  540  are not permanently affixed to the implements but can instead be interchanged. In any case, since the bars  530  and  540  serve as the means of connection between implements and the tractor, they must be built to withstand extreme forces and punishment. In yet other embodiments, other means of connecting the implements to the tractor are contemplated. 
       FIG. 9B  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting alternatively shaped and sized front and rear attachment bars  530  and  540  locked into place. Notice that the shapes and sizes of the attachment bars  530  and  540  can vary and yet remain compatible with the attachment components shown in  FIG. 9A . 
       FIG. 9C  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting disconnected front and rear attachment bars  530  and  540 . In this view, it is apparent that the front lock  531  has been unlocked and swung forward to disconnect the front attachment bar  530  from the front attachment point  221 . The front lock link  532  allows the front lock  531  to swivel such that the entire front lock  531  can be swung downwards, far away from the front attachment bar  530  to allow plenty of working-room when positioning the tractor relative to the middle mounted implement in order to mount the implement thereon. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the left side dolly wheels assembly  700  in a raised position. The right side dolly wheels could be a mirror image or a duplicate. 
     The dolly wheels assembly  700  utilizes dolly wheels  701  and  702  on an axle  705 . Retainer pins  707  and  709  retain the wheels on the axle (other wheel retention mechanisms are contemplated). The lower strut  711  connects the axle to the rest of the assembly. As can be seen by the dashed-line continuation of the lower strut  711 , a significant portion of the lower strut  711  is retained inside the upper strut  715  when the dolly wheels assembly  700  is in a raised position. 
     As the dolly hydraulic cylinder  713  extends, the force is transferred to extend the lower strut  711  by swinging down the upper extension members  731  and  741  which are attached to the dolly cylinder  713  via the cylinder cross member  735 . The lower extension members  733  and  743  are attached to the upper extension members  731  and  741  which are attached at their other ends to the dolly side beams  314  and  717 , respectively. The beams  314  and  717  are a part of the middle frame assembly  300 . All of the aforesaid connections are pivotally attached via pins, or some similar method that allows the attachment points to pivot. Thus, as the hydraulic cylinder  713  extends, the upper extension members  731  and  741  and lower extension members  733  and  743  are forced to scissor open. This scissoring action causes the extension members to extend downwards, causing the lower strut  711  to be drawn out of the upper strut  715 , thereby extending the dolly wheels  701  and  703  downwards and forwards. It is important to note that the upper strut  715  is attached to the frame of the tractor with a pivot pin  721  as well. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the left side dolly wheels in a partially lowered position. Some of the components of the dolly wheels described above are illustrated in this view. Specifically, the scissoring action of the upper extension member  731  relative to the lower extension member  733  is apparent as they extend partially downwards. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the left side dolly wheels in a lowered position. Some of the components of the dolly wheels described above are illustrated in this view. Specifically, the scissoring action of the upper extension member  731  relative to the lower extension member  733  is apparent when comparing this view to  FIG. 12  as the extension members  731  and  733  are fully extended downwards here. 
     The dolly wheel assemblies  700  are provided to allow the operator to detach an implement and attach another one without having to slide the implement under the movable main frame assemble from the side or zigzagging the tractor over the implement from the side. The dolly wheels consist of left and right side pairs that may be raised and lowered using hydraulic cylinders. They are located underneath the front area of the cab floor and are connected to the frame. Similar to retractable landing gear on aircraft, these wheels are normally in the raised position; tucked up underneath the cab. They are lowered using a scissor and sliding action so that they touch the ground just in front of the cab as seen in  FIG. 12  and will support the weight of the entire front portion of the tractor. 
     For normal operations, the dolly wheels remain in the upper position. The lowering operation begins with the extension of the hydraulic cylinder which is pivotally connected at its rearward end to the rear main frame. As the forward end of the cylinder extends, it causes a scissor action extension with parallel arms which are pivotally connected. Note that the forward ends of the extension members  731  and  741  are pivotally connected to the middle frame assembly  300 . The forward ends of the extension members  733  and  743  are pivotally connected to a lower strut  711 . This action begins to lower both struts which telescope towards the front and downwards, allowing the double pairs of dolly wheels to contact the ground below and slightly ahead of the cab. Retracting the cylinder reverses this motion raising the dolly wheels. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the cab interior configuration showing the fold-down nature of the main dash  800 . The broken line shows the main dash  800  in its stored position while the double-ended arrow depicts the directions of movement for the unfolding/folding motions. The result of unfolding is the main dash  800  shown in its fully deployed position in  FIG. 13 . Also shown are the operator and passenger seats  880  and  882 . In other embodiments, more conventional, non-folding dash components may be utilized. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a left side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the main dash  800  in a deployed configuration. There are a number of representative switches, gauges, controls, etc., that are shown as potential environmental variables. The main dash  800  could itself employ any number of configurations of controls, dials, gauges, etc. In one embodiment, the main dash  800  may contain an electronic touch screen computer  810  and a first and second steering wheel  820  and  825  (preferably slaved to one another so that if either is turned the other turns as well) for turning the front wheels. The electronic touch screen computer  810  can include readouts of all important tractor systems, characteristics, use statistics, etc. It can be actuated by touch to change readouts and perform functions throughout the tractor, implements, consumables carriage, etc. Possible display items include, but are not limited to: miles per hour, fuel level, fuel use per hour, engine temperature, hydraulic fluid temperature, ambient temperature, GPS coordinates, auto-drive control and alignment systems, implement controls (such as setting the depth the implement works the soil), spraying metrics (such as coverage, rate of use, remaining amounts), video images from one or more cameras mounted on the tractor and/or implements, etc. A dash hinge  805  is visible as is the dash support  803  and dash lock  801 . 
     A unique main dash  800  can be positioned forward of the operator&#39;s seat  880  and might be described as a lap console. This console can pivot at a point  805  on its right side to facilitate raising it to allow the operator to be seated or to leave the seat. When the operator is seated, the lap console can be pivotally lowered to a position which can span across the operator&#39;s lap, just above his legs to allow for comfortable movement. When this console is lowered it will click into a horizontal position with a dash lock  801  that can be similar to a seat belt type connector. This connection can also be part of a larger automatic seat belt restraining mechanism located underneath the lap console and continuing down both sides of the seat. Such a system would employ a seat belt that will remain loose above the operator (underneath the console) until it will be actuated (and thus tightened) in the event of a crash or rollover. 
     The lap console contains two small steering wheels  820  and  825  in place of a conventional single large steering wheel normally positioned directly in front of the operator. In one embodiment, the two small steering wheels—one for the left hand and one for the right hand—can be placed in front of the arm rests on each side of the operator&#39;s seat  880 . These steering wheels can be linked together so the operator may steer with either hand (or both) at any time. An electronic touch screen computer  810  can be placed between the steering wheels directly in front of the operator. This touch screen can be used for controlling many of the tractor&#39;s functions as well as all currently available “apps” or applications, such as GPS guidance, sprayer setup and information systems, browsing the Internet, communications, video images from one or more cameras mounted on the tractor and/or implements, and telemetry. Also contained in the lap console can be a plurality of switches  830  for controlling the tractor functions such as lifting and lowering the moveable frame and dolly wheels and controlling functions of a sprayer, planter, etc. Sensors/positioners can be attached throughout the tractor  1000  and automated responses can be programmed in based on readings/conditions/alerts or the system can provide data back to the operator so he can respond manually. The system can also employ GPS to assist the operator in guiding the tractor during field operations. 
       FIG. 15A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left rear caster wheel assembly  555 . Load bearing caster wheels  551  are positioned in the rear of the tractor on both sides and follow the same wheel tracks as the rear tires. The caster wheels  551  are located to the rear of an elongated arm  560  which pivots up and down at a point  561  on a shaft  562  connected to the rear main frame. The weight of the rear of the tractor, and in particular, the weight of the consumables carriage carried thereon, is transmitted to the caster wheels through an adjustable air bag  570  placed near the center of the elongated arm. Air bags are chosen over a coil spring so that the operator may adjust the amount of weight that is placed on the caster wheels with the remainder of the weight being placed on the rear wheels. This adjustment can be accomplished by switches, valves, and gauges from the cab. 
       FIG. 15B  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left rear caster wheel assembly  555 . The same components as in  15 A are shown, except for the addition of the shaft  562 . The shaft  562  can be an axle-like rod that extends out from the frame. This leads out to a pivot point  561  that has a lynch pin or large cotter pin. The wheel  551  itself can be a simple wheel and tire, as known in the industry. In another embodiment, standard aircraft tires, for example, fifteen or sixteen ply, can be used. The caster wheel pin that goes up through the elongated arm  560  can have a keeper pin. The wheel can spin through 360 degrees+like a typical caster. 
       FIG. 15C  illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor, highlighting the left rear caster wheel assembly  555 . In one embodiment, the air bags  570  are able to displace the rear frame assembly up to fifteen inches vertically in height, or more. 
       FIG. 16A  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage  1000 , highlighting a consumables carriage  1200  and the left rear caster wheel assembly  555 . The consumables carriage  1200  is shown in  FIG. 16A  as already loaded onto the tractor  1000 . Given that one, two, or more carriages can be loaded on the rear frame assembly  400  of the tractor  1000 , and, depending on the carriages&#39; contents, they can weigh hundreds to thousands of pounds each, the utility of the castor wheel assemblies  555  becomes more apparent. 
       FIG. 16B  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting the rear caster wheels  555 . Note that the height of each caster wheel  551  relative to the rear frame  400  can be adjustable independently. Furthermore, either or both of the assemblies can be easily removable. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting a frame mover mechanism  1100  with the movable frame  250  in a raised position. The moveable frame  250  is movable up or down with respect to the rear frame assembly  400  and the ground below. In the up or raised position, the movable main frame  250  is designed to “carry” an implement above the ground for transporting or turning at the end of the field. When lowered, the movable frame  250  allows the implement to assume its “in the ground” working position. 
     In order to effect movement of the moveable frame  250  via the frame mover mechanism  1100 , a number of subcomponents can be employed as follows. The movable frame  250  can be connected, via one or more chains  1135  or other stout but flexible means, to a pivoting mount  1142  on the middle frame assembly  300  near the rear of vertical beams  311  and  312  (note, only one apparatus is shown in  FIG. 17 , however, a second similar apparatus (or more than two) can be emplaced on the middle frame  300  as desired). Located to the outside and rearward of the vertical beam  311  is a mounted hydraulic cylinder  1138 . Atop this cylinder is a roller chain idler sprocket  1139 . A roller chain  1135  passes over this sprocket and its rearward end is connected to the middle frame assembly  300  while its forward end is connected to the rear of the moveable frame assembly  250 . When the one or more cylinders  1138  extend, the moveable frame  250  will rise. Similarly, when they retract, the movable frame  250  will be lowered. Although the frame mover mechanism  1100  is illustrated in  FIG. 17  as being positioned in close proximity to the vertical beams  311  and  312 , it can be placed further back on the middle frame  300  (requiring, of course, that the rear end of the moveable frame assembly also be extended past the vertical beams  311  and  312 ) in order to take advantage of principles of leverage, as needed. 
     Additionally, the movable frame  250  can be repositionable via direct hydraulic action or any other suitable means. Because of the potentially large weight of the movable frame  250  and attached assemblages and implements, a system of counterweights may also be attached further back from the vertical beams  311  and  312  on the movable frame  250 . In such a case, the cylinder assembly can be repositioned inboard or outboard to avoid any needed rearward extension of the movable frame  250 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the movable frame  250  is connected to the middle frame  300 . In alternate embodiments, because the middle frame  300  can be fixedly connected to the rear frame  400 , the frame mover mechanism  1100  can be connected to the rear frame  400  instead of or in addition to the middle frame  300 . 
     The embodiment of the frame mover mechanism  1100  illustrated in  FIG. 17  is adapted to allow the movable frame  250  (and any middle mounted implement attached thereto) to float as the tractor moves. Thus, if a middle mounted implement where to impact concrete, bedrock, or another similarly non-giving impediment, the entire movable frame  250  would rise up and allow the implement to traverse over the impediment without causing the entire tractor to be violently flung upwards. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting a swinging motion of a left cab door  362  on the cab  360 . 
     The cab door  362  is shown in  FIG. 18  in the closed position. To open the door, a handle or other actuator (not shown) is used to free the door from the surrounding cab, and then the door  362  swings or slides front to rear without needing to employ a track. Instead, long swing arms  364  and  365  are used. They pivot at points near their top ends  361  and  363  and their bottom ends, and being attached to the door  362 , they carry the door backwards as they swing back. The broken lines in  FIG. 18  illustrate the position of the swing arms  364  and  365  when the door  362  is in the open position. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor  1000 , highlighting a swinging motion of a rear cab door  366 . The rear cab door  366  can open by swinging to the right to provide access in and out of the rear of the cab. This door can be located to the rear of the second seat  882  which can pivot forward at its floor mount, thereby providing a pathway to the rear door  366 . This rear door not only provides an egress but also access to the consumables carriages (particularly any sprayer tanks, associated valves, etc.). In a similar fashion as the main cab door  362  in  FIG. 18 , the rear door  366  can be hung using two parallel bars  367  and  368  which pivot at points  373  and  374 . When the door opens, it swings slightly downwards and then goes back into the same level position, but offset a considerable distance to the right. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage  1000 , highlighting a loaded consumables carriage assembly  1200  with a closed loading ramp  1250 . The consumables carriage  1210  rides on track rails  1220  mounted on the rear frame  400 . When the loading ramp  1250  is in its upright, closed position, the carriage  1210  is secured onto the tractor  1000 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 , only one consumables carriage is shown; in other embodiments, two, three, or more carriages are contemplated. The carriages can carry tanks, sprays, seeds, or any other agricultural product (or similar items) as needed. 
     For example, the consumables carriage assembly  1200  can include a choice of different containers. In  FIG. 20 , a dry container  1230  for seed or dry fertilizer is shown. Additionally, liquid tanks such as tank  1236 , may contain water, liquid fertilizer, or sprayer solutions. Another option would be pressurized tanks for materials such as anhydrous ammonia. As contemplated in the embodiment of  FIG. 20 , two consumables carriages  1210  are placed side-by-side behind the cab  360 . The side-by-side configuration allows for more flexibility as the carriages can be loaded separately onto the track rails  1220 . 
     The carriage system allows an operator to transfer the whole system at once from a flatbed trailer or truck onto the tractor. The consumables carriage  1210  comprises a flat, pallet-like top on rollers and can be constructed to be interchangeable and easily swapped in and out. An air system or other means for moving seeds, sprays, and other consumables can be placed underneath the carriage assembly  1200  to move the seeds and other consumables to the middle mounted implement (or other locations). For example, the implement can be a sprayer boom and liquids are transferred from the consumables carriage tank  1236  to the sprayer boom. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage  1000 , highlighting a loaded consumables carriage assembly  1200  with an open loading ramp  1250 . The ramp has a hinge  1251  that allows it to be swung downward by retraction of the ramp hydraulics  1257  that are attached to the ramp  1250  by a ramp arm  1255 . The ramp hydraulics  1257  can be attached to the rear frame  400  by a ramp clevis and pin  1259  or by other means. It is contemplated that manual and/or automated locking mechanisms can be used to lock the ramp in various positions as well as to lock/unlock the carriages  1210  to/from the tractor  1000 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage  1000 , highlighting an open loading ramp  1250  and a truck  1300  carrying a consumables carriage  1210  ready to be loaded. 
     The consumables can be transferred to and from a flatbed truck or trailer to the tractor using a plurality of roller-equipped transfer carriages  1210 . Since the transfer system is automated, an operator may quickly exchange empty tanks for full ones, or change to a different type of tank without leaving the field. 
     In a working operation, the truck or flatbed trailer, etc., with carriages secured to the bed would travel to a location such as a seed dealer or fertilizer distributor and they would place the prefilled material tanks (such as the seed, fertilizer, etc.) on top of the carriages with a forklift (which is necessary for all customers buying pallets of items). After the material tanks are secured to the carriages, the driver proceeds to the field and approaches the rear of the tractor  1000 . The tractor operator then reverses the tractor to the side of the trailer as in  FIG. 22  and lowers the loading ramps  1250  with the ramp hydraulics  1257  (only one cylinder is shown in  FIG. 22 , but each ramp can be equipped with a cylinder, or two or more ramps could be actuated using a single cylinder). Aligning the lowered ramps with the rollers on the carriage  1210 , the operator allows the rearward end of the ramps to rest on the flatbed just touching the first roller  1211  and then uses the loading system to move the carriages  1210  onto the tractor  1000 . Although not shown in  FIG. 22 , it is contemplated that the entire carriage assembly  1200  on the back of the tractor  1000  may be constructed such that it can slide left and right in order to easily line up the heavy carriages on the truck  1300  with the loading ramps  1250 . Alternatively, the track rails  1220  and loading ramps  1250  can be the only components that shift side-to-side. 
     Built into the tractor is a means to hydraulically move the carriages  1210  from the flatbed trailer or truck  1300  onto the rear frame  400  of the tractor and then back to the truck  1300  when necessary. The loading means comprises a hydraulic loading cylinder  1270  and a load hook  1272 . Built into the carriages  1210  are a serious of hook pins  1212 . In order to load a carriage  1210  from a truck  1300  to the tractor  1000 , the load cylinder  1270  is extended and the load hook  1272  is placed around a hook pin  1212 . The cylinder is then retracted, thereby pulling the carriage and its load up onto the loading ramp  1250 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , multiple iterations of retracting the cylinder and moving the load hook to progressively more distant hook pins  1212  may be necessary to load the carriage completely onto the tractor  1000 . In another embodiment, winches may be utilized to pull the carriages onto the tractor. 
     In order to ensure that the carriages  1210  do not roll backwards, automatic brakes can be built into the wheel systems they use such that any unwanted down or back motion is restricted while loading. It is contemplated that multiple carriages  1210  can be loaded onto the tractor  1000 . Additional hydraulic loading cylinders  1270 , ramps  1250 , etc. may be utilized. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage  1000 , highlighting a consumables carriage  1210  being loaded. As noted in the  FIG. 22  description above, multiple iterations of moving the loading cylinder  1270  and load hook  1272  to more distant load pins  1212  may be necessary to move the carriage  1210  all the way onto or off of the tractor  1000 . In  FIG. 23 , the carriage  1210  has been moved almost completely off the truck and onto the load ramp  1250 . Further retraction of the load cylinder  1270  should move the carriage almost halfway onto the track rails  1220  and then only a single additional iteration should be required to finish the load process. As can be seen by the angle at which the tanks, etc. are placed while the carriage is being loaded, the materials on the carriages should be strapped down prior to attempting to load them onto the tractor  1000 . 
     Once the carriages are in place on the tractor, the operator makes the necessary connections to allow the consumable products to move to the implement. In the case of a dry product such as seed or fertilizer, the operator opens the door on the bottom of the material tank, letting the product flow into a funnel type receiver built into the tractor. From there, perhaps using an air transfer method, the material can be moved forward through piping to the implement in the center of the tractor. Liquid material can be transferred using currently available pumping and piping to a sprayer boom or implement such as a liquid fertilizer applicator. 
     It should be noted that when the carriages are in place on the rear of the tractor, they are positioned above the mechanical parts of the tractor which include the engine, transmission, hydraulic pumps, etc. None of these components are illustrated in the drawing Figures for clarity in illustrating the other components. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a middle mounted implement tractor and a consumables carriage  1000 , highlighting a first consumables carriage  1210  being loaded and a second consumables carriage  1410  awaiting loading. As can be seen in this top plan view, each carriage  1210 / 1410  can utilize two loading ramps  1250 . In a standard configuration, there is room for four loading ramps and two carriages on the rear frame  400  of the tractor  1000 . In other configurations, a single carriage or three or more can be loaded. 
     The first carriage  1210  that is being loaded in  FIG. 24  is utilizing a pair of loading cylinders  1270 . In other embodiments, a single loading cylinder may be used. Also shown in  FIG. 24  is a third loading cylinder  1270  attached to the waiting carriage  1410 . Once the middle loading cylinder  1270  has finished loading the first carriage  1210 , it can be retasked to assist in the loading of the waiting carriage  1410 . 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a left side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an un-burdened consumables carriage  1210 . The carriage is shown in  FIG. 25  without any material tanks or other consumables for clarity. The carriage top  1213  is a generally flat surface that is similar to a pallet. A standard pallet is used to support a load while it is moved, but a pallet requires a forklift or loader to lift and move it. Similar to a pallet, the carriage  1210  supports a load, but does not need a loader to move it from a trailer to the tractor (see loading descriptions above for more information). In another embodiment, lock down means or tie-downs could be added to the carriage  1210  so a standard pallet of materials could be placed directly on the carriage top  1213  and then locked down or otherwise secured to the carriage  1210 . Alternatively, individual consumables could be moved from a pallet and onto a carriage before being secured thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , a series of rollers  1211  are attached along the bottom of the carriage  1210  in two rows. These rollers match the spacing of the loading ramps and track rails on the tractor  1000  so the carriages can be easily rolled off and on the tractor  1000 . As discussed above, an automatic braking system can be incorporated in the rollers such that any unwanted movement can be halted during the load/unload processes. For example, the hook pins  1212  shown in  FIG. 25  could be fixed attachment points rather than just pins in an alternate embodiment, and the load hook  1272  could be configured to lock on to individual hook pins  1212 . 
       FIG. 26  illustrates a perspective view from the rear showing the front right knee assembly. As can be seen in close-up in  FIG. 26 , the rotating shaft  186  fits within the wheel knee  106 . The pivotal axle frame  107  is attached to the wheel knee  106  as is the vertical extension  119 . The rotating shaft  186  can turn within the wheel knee  106 . Since the spindle  104  is attached to the rotating shaft  186 , it should be clear that by turning the shaft  186 , the operator also rotates the spindle  104 . And as the spindle  104  is attached to the front wheel  3 , the wheel  3  is consequently turned as well (see  FIGS. 4 and 5  for more information). 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above “Detailed Description” section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described systems, articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.