Patent Publication Number: US-8522969-B2

Title: Appliance storage and organizer device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to electrical appliance organizers and, more particularly, to an appliance storage and organizer device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The prior art discloses various devices and apparatuses for holding, storing, and/or organizing electrical appliances, tools, implements, and the like. However, none of the prior art devices disclose, show, or teach an appliance storage and organizer device comprising a housing adapted for receiving and retaining electrical hair care appliances, a means for organizing and preventing entanglement of electrical cords of the electrical hair care appliances, and a plurality of hoods and retaining posts. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for an improved device for storing and organizing electrical appliances. The development of the appliance storage and organizer device fulfills this need. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,694, issued in the name of Denny;   U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,554 B1, issued in the name of Udofiah;   U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,074, issued in the name of Bryson et al.;   U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,396, issued in the name of Reeder et al.;   U.S. Patent Application no. 2009/0139887 A1, published in the name of Furey et al.;   U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,372 B2, issued in the name of Ennals et al.;   U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,073 B2, issued in the name of Whiteside et al.;   U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,594, issued in the name of Schwartz;   U.S. Patent Application no. 2001/0028208 A1, published in the name of Reilly;   U.S. Patent Application no. 2007/0151899 A1, published in the name of Chun;   U.S. Patent Application no. 2010/0084306 A1, published in the name of Chiang; and   U.S. Patent Application no. 2009/0173648 A1, published in the name of Geneva.   

     Consequently, a need has been felt for an improved appliance storage and organizer device having a means for organizing and preventing entanglement of a number of electrical cords of a number of electrical appliances. This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by the products, inventions and methods previously or presently available. In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe an appliance storage and organizer device comprising a housing which includes a plurality of walls forming an enclosure; at least one of the plurality of walls includes a plurality of holes each being sizably configured for receiving an electrical appliance; a means for organizing an electrical cord of an electrical appliance; a plurality of hoods each being associated with a respective one of the plurality of holes; a plurality of socket retainers; and a plurality of retaining posts, the device of the present invention providing unanticipated and nonobvious combination of features distinguished from the products, inventions and methods preexisting in the art. The applicant is unaware of any product, method, disclosure or reference that discloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an appliance storage and organizer device is disclosed, wherein the appliance storage and organizer device comprises a housing comprising a plurality of walls forming an enclosure having a hollow interior. The housing more specifically comprises a front wall opposing a rear wall, a first end wall opposing a second end wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. 
     At least one of the plurality of walls includes a plurality of holes defined therethrough, the plurality of holes being sizably configured for receiving and retaining an electrical appliance. Each of the plurality of holes includes an arcuate hood extending integrally from, or suitably affixed to, the mouth of each hole, the hoods each providing a guide support against which an appliance housing portion abuts. 
     A plurality of retaining posts is provided in order to enhance fixed securement of an electrical appliance when inserted through a respective hole. 
     A means for organizing an electrical cord of an electrical appliance is provided for organizing and preventing entanglement of an electrical cord of an electrical appliance, and for organizing and preventing entanglement of a number of electrical cords of electrical appliances, respectively, with a number of other electrical cords of electrical appliances. 
     An alternate embodiment is disclosed wherein the device of the present invention includes a plurality casters connected to at least one wall of the plurality of walls. 
     A second alternate embodiment is disclosed wherein the device of the present invention includes a handle suitably mounted to one of the plurality of walls, wherein handle is preferably a telescopic handle. 
     A third alternate embodiment is disclosed wherein the device of the present invention includes at least one drawer adapted and configured to be slidably opened/withdrawn from the housing and closed/inserted into housing without coming into contact with other device elements. 
     A fourth alternate embodiment is disclosed wherein the device of the present invention includes a means for mounting the device to a vertical surface. 
     A fifth alternate embodiment is disclosed wherein the device of the present invention includes at least one electrical outlet, wherein the at least one outlet is electrically connected to a power cord and a power cord plug. The power cord plug is receivable within a standard electrical wall outlet in order to electrically couple the at least one electrical outlet to a source of electrical power. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a right, frontal perspective view of an appliance storage and organizer device, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  with a partial cut-away section, illustrating the hollow interior; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom end perspective view of an appliance storage and organizer device illustrating a recessed bottom wall in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a right, frontal perspective view of the appliance storage and organizer device showing the plurality of holes disposed with a heat resistant sleeve, in accordance to one embodiment of the present invent; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the front wall of the appliance storage and organizer device illustrating the plurality of hoods and retaining posts, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a left side elevational view of the front wall illustrating the hoods, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the rear wall illustrating a plurality of cord storage and retractor mechanisms, in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a right, frontal perspective view of the appliance storage and organizer device showing a plurality of apertures oriented adjacent, respectively, to each of the plurality of holes, in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged elevational view of one of the plurality of apertures illustrating a socket retainer, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of a cord and female socket of each cord storage and retractor mechanism, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  are perspective views of various electrical hair care appliances; 
         FIG. 12  is a right, frontal perspective view of the appliance storage and organizer device illustrating an interior space formed in one of the plurality of walls for accommodating and retaining a personal article, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the appliance storage and organizer device illustrating removable attachment of a plurality accessory retainer channels to one of the walls of the appliance storage and organizer device, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a left, rear perspective view of the appliance storage and organizer device shown mounted with a plurality of coasters and a telescopic handle, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom plan view of the appliance storage and organizer device illustrating means for attaching the device to a vertical surface, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a right, frontal perspective view of the appliance storage and organizer device shown with a pair of drawers, in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention 
         FIG. 17  a right, frontal perspective view of the appliance storage and organizer device shown with an electrical outlet, in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a left side elevational view of the appliance storage and organizer device illustrating an opening through which the power cord and power cord plug of the electrical outlet extends, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , and  8 , an appliance storage and organizer device  10  is shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the appliance storage and organizer device  10 , hereinafter referred to as “device  10 ”, comprises a housing  20  comprising a plurality of walls  21  forming an enclosure  21   a  having a hollow interior  30 . The plurality of walls  21  each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The housing  20  is manufactured from a lightweight, rigid material, preferably wood. Alternatively, housing  20  may be constructed of a lightweight, rigid material selected from the group comprising plastic, thermoplastic, metal or a metallic-plastic composite. Preferred plastic or thermoplastic materials include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyolefin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or blends thereof, and ABS/Nylon blend. In the event plastic is the selected fabrication material, the housing  20  may fabricated utilizing a common molding process such as injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, or other molding and fabricating methods. 
     The device  10 , more specifically, comprises a housing  20  having a front wall  22  opposing a rear wall  24 , a first end wall  26  opposing a second end wall  27 , a bottom wall  28 , and a top wall  29 . Each of the front wall  22 , rear wall  24 , first end wall  26 , second end wall  27 , and/or the bottom wall  28  may be further defined as having a non-skid lower surface or base  32 , or disposed with a non-skid element  33 . The first end wall  26  and second end wall  27  are joined contiguously by the front wall  22 , rear wall  24 , bottom wall  28  and top wall  29 , thereby forming the hollow interior  30 . It is envisioned, in accordance to one embodiment, that bottom wall  28  may be recessed, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . It is further envisioned that one wall  21  of the plurality of walls  21  may be detachably coupled to enclosure  21   a , thereby providing user with quick, easy, and efficient access to hollow interior  30  when desired. 
     The top wall  29  is pitched at an angle from horizontal. The pitch of the top wall  29  may be described in a variety of ways, dependent upon the perspective of the observer. If viewed from the front wall  22 , the pitch of the top wall  29  forms an incline from an upper edge  22   a  of front wall  22  to an upper edge  24   a  of rear wall  24 . Conversely, if viewed from the rear wall  24 , the pitch of the top wall  29  forms a decline from the upper edge  24   a  of rear wall  24  to the upper edge  22   a  of front wall  22 . 
     The first end wall  26  and second end wall  27  each defines an acclivitous upper edge  26   a  and  27   a , respectively, when viewed from the front wall  22  of housing  20 , thereby facilitating the above-described pitch of top wall  29  when joined thereto. 
     The bottom wall  28  is preferably defined as being planar for balanced placement atop a horizontal surface  5 , such as a countertop  6 , vanity, and the like, thereby allowing for the housing  20  to be positioned stationary atop a desired horizontal surface  5 . 
     At least one of the plurality of walls  21  includes a plurality of holes  40  defined therethrough. The plurality of holes  40  each includes a mouth  41  providing direct passage through hollow interior  30  to the bottom wall  28 . The plurality of holes  40  may each be disposed with a heat resistant sleeve  40   f . Alternatively, the housing  20  may be constructed of a rigid, heat resistant material. The wall  21  having the plurality of holes  40  further includes a plurality of apertures  90  defined therethrough and each of the apertures  90  being oriented adjacent each of the plurality of holes  40 , respectively. 
     Referring now more specifically to  FIGS. 1-6 , and  11 A- 11 C, in accordance to the preferred embodiment, the front wall  22  includes a plurality of holes  40  defined spatially therethrough. The front wall  22  further includes a plurality of apertures  90  defined therethrough and each of the apertures  90  being oriented adjacent each of the plurality of holes  40 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The apertures  90  are sized so as to allow an electrical plug to pass freely therethrough. 
     The plurality of holes  40  defined through front wall  22  may be of varying geometric shapes and sizes. For purposes of this disclosure, each of the plurality of holes  40  is sizably configured for receiving an electrical appliance  60 , and more particularly, an electrical hair care appliance  62 , wherein electrical hair care appliance  62  includes, but is not limited to, a hair dryer  64 , hair curler  66 , hair straightening iron or flat iron  68 , and the like. The electrical appliances  60  each having an electrical cord  63  terminating into an electrical plug  63   a  for secured engagement with a standard electrical wall outlet (not shown) supplying electrical power. 
     Significantly, the holes  40  are dimensionally-shaped to closely conform to an outer configuration, respectively, of a particular appliance  62  housing portion  62   a , i.e., the barrel  64   a  of a hair dryer  64 , the rod  66   a  of a hair curler iron  66 , and the legs  68   a  of a flat iron  68 . For example, holes  40   a - 40   c  may be dimensionally-shaped and configured for receiving a hair dryer  64  in a semi-snug, conformational manner. By way of further example, holes  40   d - 40   e  may be dimensionally-shaped and configured for receiving a hair curler iron  66  and/or a flat iron  68  in a semi-snug, conformational manner. In accordance to the foregoing examples, holes  40   a - 40   c  have a greater diametric measure than a diametric measure of holes  40   d - 40   e.    
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of holes  40  includes an arcuate hood  50  extending integrally from, or suitably affixed to, the mouth  41  of each hole  40  defined through the front wall  22  in order to provide a guide support  54  against which appliance  62  housing portion  62   a  abuts. The hood  50  extends angularly downward from an upper portion of the mouth  41  of each hole  40  and into the hollow interior  30 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , hood  50  joins the mouth  41  at vertex A, forming an acute angle of approximately between 30°-80°, and preferably, approximately between 55°-62°. The hood  50  conjunctively serves as a means for guiding a selected appliance  62  through a selected hole  40  and for holding selected appliance  62  in removably-secured engagement with hood  50 , thereby preventing dislodgement of appliance  62  until user desires to remove appliance  62  from its respective hole  40 . 
     In order to enhance fixed securement of an appliance  62  when inserted through a respective hole  40 , a plurality of retaining posts  120  are provided. The retaining posts  120  are provided in pairs  121 , and wherein each pair  121  of retaining posts  120  is suitably mounted to a lower surface  22   b  of the front wall  22 . The retaining posts  120  of each pair  121  are spaced in linear alignment and flank the perimeter of each hole  40  from opposing sides of the perimeter. Each post  120  of each pair  121  of retaining posts  120  defines an incurvate configuration being flexibly-resilient. Each pair  121  of retaining posts  120  extends downwardly appositional from the lower surface  22   b . The pairs  121  of retaining posts  120  are each configured to frictionally engage the appliance  62  housing portion  62   a  of a selected appliance  62  as the appliance  62  housing portion  62   a  is inserted through a selected hole  40 . As an outer surface of the appliance  62  housing portion  62   a  engages a pair  121  of retaining posts  120 , the pair  121  of retaining posts  120  undergoes outward flexion, thereby causing a compression force to be applied by the pair  121  about the external circumferential sidewall of housing portion  62   a . Upon removal of appliance  62  housing portion  62   a  from the selected hole  40 , the pair  121  of retaining posts  120  flexibly returns to a resting orientation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-11   c , a cord storage and retractor mechanism  70  is disclosed. The cord storage and retractor mechanism  70  is configured for retracting the excess electrical cord  63  of an electrical appliance  60  through an aperture  90  in the housing  20 . 
     In accordance to the preferred embodiment, the number of cord storage and retractor mechanisms  70  is equal to the number of holes  40  defined through housing  20 . In an exemplary embodiment, the number of holes  40  is five and the number of mechanisms  70  is five ( FIGS. 1 and 7 , respectively). The cord storage and retractor mechanisms  70  are each configured so as to be substantially identical. Therefore, for purposes of brevity and obviating redundancy, only one cord storage and retractor mechanism  70  shall be described hereinbelow. 
     The cord storage and retractor mechanism  70  comprises a spring-biased drum or mandrel  72  for retracting an elongated cord  74  therearound. The elongated cord  74  has a free end affixed with a female socket  76  adapted for securably receiving an electrical plug  63   a  of an electrical appliance  60 . The mandrel  72  is mounted to a wall  21  of housing  20  opposing the wall  21  through which a plurality of holes  40  is defined. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the mandrel  72  is mounted via a bracket  78  to an inner surface  24   b  of the rear wall  24  of housing  20 . 
     In order to provide user with quick, easy, and efficient access to the female socket  76  of each respective elongated cord  74  of the cord storage and retractor mechanism  70 , a plurality of socket retainers  80  is provided. Each mechanism  70  of the plurality or sum of retractor mechanisms  70  has a respective socket retainer  80  associated therewith. For purposes of brevity and obviating redundancy, only one socket retainer  80  shall be described hereinbelow. 
     The socket retainer  80  is adapted and configured for allowing the elongated cord  74  to be removably attached thereto. The socket retainer  80  comprises a flexibly-resilient arm  82  having a lower end  83  suitably affixed or molded integral perpendicularly to an inner edge  92  of each respective aperture  90 . Socket retainer  80  further comprises an upper end  84  bifurcating into a pair of curvilinear impingement arms  86  having divergently protruding ends  87 . In a resting position, the impingement arms  86  are engaged in biased contact providing a neck retaining void  88  for receiving a neck  77  of the female socket  76  of the elongated cord  74 . The neck retaining void  88  is defined as having a generally oval-shaped configuration. Each aperture  90  is sized so as to allow an electrical cord  63   a  and/or female socket  76  to pass adjacent of socket retainer  80  therethrough. 
     In order to facilitate removable attachment of elongated cord  74  to socket retainer  80 , the neck  77  of female socket  76  is inserted perpendicularly between protruding ends  87  of impingement arms  86  and driven in a direction towards neck retaining void  88  with a force sufficient to open impingement arms  86  and until neck  77  is positioned within neck retaining void  88 . Positioned inside neck retaining void  88 , the neck  77  is constricted by the impingement arms  86 , thereby removably attaching the elongated cord  74  to socket retainer  80 . More specifically, once neck  77  is positioned inside neck retaining void  88 , the impingement arms  86 , being returnably resilient, flexibly re-engage biased contact with one another squeezing or compressing neck  77 , thereby removably attaching the elongated cord  74  to socket retainer  80  in a manner which provides user with quick, easy, efficient, and unobstructed access to the female socket  76  for functional purposes and advantages to be described hereinbelow. 
     In addition, the impingement arms  86  provide an abutment against which a rear wall  79  of female socket  76  engages, thereby preventing retraction by elongated cord  74  on mandrel  72 , until such retraction is desired by user. Thus, the curvilinear impingement arms  86  provide a means for retaining the elongated cord  74  (female socket  76 ) so as to prevent its retraction or wounding on mandrel  72  and out of the reach of user. 
     In order to organize the electrical cord  63  of an electrical appliance  60  after placing the electrical appliance  60  into a respective one of the holes  40 , the electrical plug  63   a  of the electrical cord  63  is secured to the female socket  76  of the elongated cord  74 . Female socket  76  is grasped and removed from socket retainer  80  by pulling female socket  76  through the protruding ends  87  of impingement arms  86 . Female socket  76 , with secured electrical cord  63  of appliance  60 , is released, thereby facilitating retraction of electrical cord  63  and appliance  60  on a respective one mandrel  72 . Thus, the cord storage and retractor mechanism  70  provides a means for organizing and preventing entanglement of an electrical cord  63  of an electrical appliance  60 , and for organizing and preventing entanglement of a number of electrical cords  63  of electrical appliances  60  with a number of other electrical cords  63  of electrical appliances  60 . 
     In the event user desires to employ the use of a desired electrical appliance  60 , user pulls the electrical cord  63  of the desired electrical appliance  60 , grasps the female socket  76 , and inserts the neck  77  of female socket  76  perpendicularly between the protruding ends  87  of impingement arms  86  driving the neck  77  in a direction towards neck retaining void  88  until positioning neck  77  within the neck retaining void  88 . Next, user detaches the electrical plug  63   a  of the desired electrical appliance  60  from the female socket  76  and secures electrical plug  63   a  to a wall outlet (not shown). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of walls  21  includes an interior space  100  having a shape and dimension for accommodating and retaining a personal article  110 , i.e., cellular phone  112 , a personal digital assistant (PDA) organizer, an iPOD, a portable radio, a pager, or other hand-held mobile electronic devices, in a semi-snug manner. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the top  29  includes an interior space  100  having a shape and dimension for accommodating and retaining a cellular phone  112 . The interior space  100  is defined as having a downwardly-sloped floor  102  from which two opposing sidewalls  103 ,  104  upwardly depend, the two sidewalls  103 ,  104  joined by a lower end wall  105  providing a retainer support for the cellular phone  112 . The two sidewalls  103 ,  104  and end wall  105  extend upwardly from the floor  102  to a height being flush with an upper surface  29   a  of the top wall  29 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     In accordance to another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of walls  21  (shown herein as top wall  29 ) includes a plurality of accessory retainer channels  130  for accommodating and retaining accessories  140 , i.e., hair care accessories  142 , such as a hair brush  143 . The plurality of accessory retainer channels  130  may be defined as longitudinal recesses in the wall  21  and being aligned in series. 
     Alternatively, in reference to  FIG. 13 , the plurality of accessory retainer channels  130  may be molded as a unitary mold  132  adapted to be received within a mold mortise  136  formed in wall  21  (shown herein as top wall  29 ), and removably affixed thereto. The channels  130  of unitary mold  132  are defined as longitudinal recesses aligned in series. In further accordance to this embodiment, the unitary mold  132  includes a perimeter  133  defining an outwardly extending lip  133   a  providing a support ledge for engaging an upper surface of wall  21  (top wall  29 ) defined as a perimeter  137  of mold mortise  136 , and thereby allowing the plurality of accessory retainer channels  130  to be supported by wall  21  (top wall  29 ). The unitary mold  132  includes a base  134  which is received by mold mortise  136  in a frictional-fit type manner, thereby detachably affixing the plurality of accessory retainer channels  130  to wall  21  (top wall  29 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14-15 , in accordance to yet another embodiment, the device  10  of the present invention may comprise a plurality casters  150  connected to at least one wall  21  of the plurality of walls  21 . Preferably, casters  150  are connected to opposing bottom corner edges of rear wall  24 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     The device  10  of the present invention may be attached to a vertical surface, such as a wall (not shown), via passage of a fastener (not shown) through an elongated void  160  defined through a wall  21  of the enclosure  21   a , and preferably through the elongated void  160  defined through rear wall  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Alternatively, a bracket device  162  may be mounted to the rear wall  24  of enclosure  21   a  to facilitate attachment of the device  10  to a wall. 
     The device  10  of the present invention may include a handle  190  suitably mounted to one of the plurality of walls  21  of enclosure  21   a , wherein handle  190  is preferably a telescopic handle  192 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , the device  10  of the present invention may include at least one drawer  170  adapted and configured to be slidably opened/withdrawn from enclosure  21   a  and closed/inserted into enclosure  21   a  and into hollow interior  30  without coming into contact with other device  10  elements, particularly, the holes  40 , hoods  50 , and cord storage and retractor mechanism(s)  70 . The at least one drawer  170  is positioned between the upper edge  22   a  of front wall  22  and hole  40   a  and/or between hole  40   c  and a lower edge of front wall  22 . The at least one drawer  170  preferably includes a handle  172 . 
     Referring now more specifically to  FIGS. 17-18 , at least one electrical outlet  180  is provided, wherein each outlet  180  is electrically connected to a power cord  184  and power cord plug  186 , the plug  186  is receivable within a standard electrical wall outlet (not shown) in order to electrically couple the at least one electrical outlet  180  to a source of electrical power. The at least one electrical outlet  180  is mounted to one of the plurality of walls  21  of enclosure  21   a . In accordance to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one electrical outlet  180  is mounted to the front wall  22  of enclosure  21   a.    
     Each outlet  180  includes at least one female receptacle  182  for receiving an electrical plug  63   a  of an appliance  60 . The at least one electrical outlet  180  incorporates ground fault interrupter (GFI) circuitry (not shown) to protect against electrical shock. 
     The power cord  184  and power cord plug  186  extend outwardly from the hollow interior  30  of enclosure  21   a  through an opening  188  in a wall  21  of enclosure  21   a . In accordance to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 18 , second end wall  27  is provided with the opening  188  through which power cord  184  and plug  186  extend. 
     It is envisioned that the various embodiments, as separately disclosed, are interchangeable in various aspects, so that elements of one embodiment may be incorporated into one or more of the other embodiments, and that specific positioning of individual elements may necessitate other arrangements not specifically disclosed to accommodate performance requirements or spatial considerations. 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims. 
     Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions. 
     Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. It is intended that the application is defined by the claims appended hereto.