Patent Publication Number: US-2023160627-A1

Title: Wall panel for an appliance

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/679,538, filed Feb. 24, 2022, entitled “WALL PANEL FOR AN APPLIANCE”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/766,169, filed on May 21, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,274,874, entitled “WALL PANEL FOR AN APPLIANCE,” which is a National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2017/067025, filed on Dec. 18, 2017, entitled “WALL PANEL FOR AN APPLIANCE,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to wall panels for an appliance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a cabinet with a plurality of walls and a compartment area for storing food within the cabinet. A door is configured to seal the compartment area. A refrigeration component is disposed within the cabinet. A wall panel is positioned within the cabinet and includes a three-dimensional molded surface with non-uniformly spaced peaks and valleys and a lighting structure. The wall panel extends from a lower end of the compartment area to an upper end of the compartment area. The wall panel separates the compartment area from the refrigeration component and is coextensive with one of the plurality of walls of the cabinet. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes a cabinet that has a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls and a compartment area for storing food within the cabinet. A door is configured to seal the compartment area. A storage structure is disposed within the compartment area. The appliance also includes a wall panel. The wall panel is co-extensive with the back wall of the cabinet and extends a full height and width of the back wall of the cabinet. The wall panel includes a three-dimensional molded surface. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes a cabinet that defines a compartment area for storing food within the cabinet. A door is operably coupled with the cabinet. A wall panel is disposed within the cabinet. The wall panel is co-extensive with a back wall of the cabinet and extends a full height and width of the back wall of the cabinet. The wall panel includes a three-dimensional molded surface with irregular alternating peaks and valleys that extend from a first side end of the wall panel to a second side end of the wall panel. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and features according to the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a side perspective view of a refrigerator incorporating a wall panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a partial side perspective view of the refrigerator incorporating a wall panel, with various components removed, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a partial side perspective view of the refrigerator, with the wall panel and various components removed, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is another partial view of a portion of a wall panel in a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 A  is yet another partial view of a portion of a wall panel in a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 B  is an exploded view of area IV B in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  4 C  is a cross-sectional view taken across line IV C in  FIG.  4 B ; 
         FIG.  5    is a partial side perspective view of a portion of wall panel on a door of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is another partial side perspective view of a portion of a wall panel in a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a front elevation view of another refrigerator incorporating a wall panel, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the wall panel in the refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is another top perspective view of a portion of the wall panel in the refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a block diagram of control circuitry, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  11    is a flowchart depicting a wall panel lighting system method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides a wall panel for an appliance, such as for refrigerator  10  shown in an illustrated embodiment. The disclosure also provides various structures and components related to a wall panel. According to aspects described herein, the wall panel may be configured as a false wall that extends a full height and width of a wall of a compartment within the appliance. As described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 11   , according to various embodiments, the wall panel may serve as a “false wall” within a refrigerator compartment and cover or obscure one or more refrigeration components that may be contained within, or visible within, the refrigerator cabinet. In addition, the wall panel may be configured as an aesthetic piece, such as a colored panel or a panel having a three-dimensional molded pattern, to distinguish the wall panel from other surfaces or interior walls of the refrigerator. The wall panel may be configured to provide both a streamlined aesthetic appearance and also provide better depth perception within the refrigerator compartment for a user. In some embodiments, the wall panel may be configured as a lighted wall panel that moves from a dimly lit state to a fully lit state, or vice versa, based on a user&#39;s interaction with the refrigerator, such as when opening a door. 
     Accordingly, the present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and method steps related to a wall panel for an appliance, such as refrigerator  10 . The apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. In addition, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. It should be further understood, however, that while a refrigerator has been described for purposes of illustration, aspects of the present disclosure apply to any type and style of appliance contemplated in the art, including but not limited to, freezers, beverage storage compartments, ovens, and microwaves. 
       FIG.  1    depicts an exemplary refrigerator  10 , according to an illustrated embodiment set forth herein. Refrigerator  10  includes an outer frame or cabinet  12  that defines or incorporates one or more internal cavities or compartments  14  for cooling food items. Cabinet  12  includes an interior surface  16  and an exterior surface (not shown). Interior surface  16  includes a top wall or top surface  18 , a pair of side walls, side surfaces  20 , a bottom surface  21  ( FIG.  2 B ) and a back wall or back surface  22 . Interior compartment  14  may further incorporate one or more compartment storage structures  32  for storing food items. Compartment storage structures  32  may be configured in a variety of ways, and in some cases may include, but are not limited to, shelves, drawers, and the like, for holding food items. In the illustrated embodiment, refrigerator  10  is a built-in style refrigerator, streamlined to appear as a portion of surrounding cabinetry, however the present disclosure is not limited to a specific style of refrigerator or appliance. 
     Refrigerator  10  may also incorporate one or more doors  24  for accessing the one or more compartments  14 . Door  24  may be operably coupled to cabinet  12  via a hinge assembly  28  to alternately seal and provide access to compartment  14 . Door  24  may also incorporate one or more storage structures  34  for holding food items. Door  24  storage structures  34  may also take many forms, including shelves, drawers, or other compartments for holding food items. 
     In at least one embodiment, refrigerator  10  may further include one or more wall panels within cabinet  12  to provide a seamless backdrop and disguise one or more of refrigerator components, such as refrigerator components shown and described with respect to  FIG.  2 B . For example, as discussed in more detail below, refrigerator  10  may incorporate one or more interior wall panels, such as wall panel  30 . Refrigerator  10  may also incorporate one or more door panels, such as door skin or panel  26 . 
       FIG.  2 A  depicts an enlarged perspective view of a portion of refrigerator  10 .  FIG.  2 B  depicts a similar view as  FIG.  2 A , with a wall panel  30 , and both compartment storage structures  32  and door storage structures  34  removed, for illustration. As depicted in  FIG.  2 B , refrigerator  10  may include one or more refrigerator components that may serve to provide cool air to compartment  14 . In particular, refrigerator  10  may include evaporator coils  44  for removing heat from compartment  14 , compressor  52 , and condenser coils  48  for dissipating heat outside of refrigerator  10 , air vents  46  for moving air within compartment  14 , expansion valve  50 , water lines  56 , and control circuitry  54 . Control circuitry  54  may be configured to control the refrigerator components as well as various other electrical or mechanical refrigerator components of refrigerator  10 , such as lights or alarms. Furthermore, while the various refrigerator components depicted in  FIG.  2 B  may be depicted as being disposed within, or partially within, compartment  14 , one or more of the components may reside on an external surface of cabinet  12 . For example, condenser coils  48  may be disposed externally to cabinet  12  to dissipate heat. 
     It should be noted that refrigerator  10  and its various components are shown for purposes of example and illustration, and are not limiting features of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that aspects of the present disclosure apply to other types of refrigerators or refrigerator configurations, such as a French-door style refrigerator, side-by-side refrigerator, or any other type of configuration contemplated in the art. Additionally, refrigerator  10  may include more or fewer components, such as additional water lines, temperature control devices or the like, additional storage structures, including shelves, drawers, doors, or other types of refrigerator compartment storage. Accordingly, it should be understood that refrigerator  10  and its described refrigerator components are only exemplary of the types of components that may be included in a refrigerator, and the absence or addition of other structures or refrigerator components does not affect the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize the many configurations of components and structures that may be employed in a refrigerator  10 , and that aspects of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein or as depicted in the figures. 
     As previously noted, refrigerator  10  may include one or more substantially planar wall panels, such as wall panel  30 . In some cases, the wall panels may serve as false walls that are co-extensive with an interior surface of cabinet  12 , i.e. extending along the entirety of the interior surface, such as back surface  22  or door  24 . In some cases, the wall panels may hide or obscure refrigerator components which would otherwise be visible within compartment  14 . The wall panels may also create an aesthetic “wallpaper feel” within compartment  14 , and provide better depth perception, allowing food items to stand out more readily to the user. 
       FIG.  2 A  depicts refrigerator  10  with both compartment storage structures  32  and door storage structures  34  removed for illustration. According to an illustrated embodiment, refrigerator  10  includes a wall panel  30  that covers back surface  22  and provides a false back wall to compartment  14 . Wall panel  30  may be co-extensive with back surface  22  such that it extends the full height and width of back surface  22 . Wall panel  30  may extend from bottom surface  21  to top surface  18  of cabinet  12 , as well as between pair of side surfaces  20 . In other words, wall panel  30  may include a lower end  42  that is proximate bottom surface  21 , an upper end  36  that is proximate top surface  18 , a right side end  38  that is proximate a right side surface  20 , and a left side end  40  ( FIG.  4 A ) that is proximate opposite left side surface  20 . Accordingly, wall panel  30 , as fully depicted in  FIG.  2 A , may create an entire back false wall of compartment  14 . Additionally, one or more wall panels similar to wall panel  30  may be positioned against any of side surfaces  20 , top surface  18 , or bottom surface  21  in a similar manner as wall panel  30 , to create one or more false walls for the side, top, or bottom surfaces, respectively, of compartment  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2 A , wall panel  30  may be configured to extend behind, and independently of, one or more compartment storage structures  32 , allowing for ease of replacement and further contributing to a clean and streamlined appearance within compartment  14 . Specifically, in some cases, compartment storage structures  32  may be secured independently of wall panel  30 , such as within compartment  14  via compartment mounting structures  33 , or by other means as would be contemplated by a skilled artisan. 
     In some embodiments, refrigerator  10  may also include a panel that serves as a false wall on an interior surface of door  24 , similar to wall panel  30 .  FIGS.  1 ,  2 A, and  5    depict a door panel  26  which may be co-extensive with an interior surface  25  of door  24 . In at least one embodiment, door panel  26  may include a door panel upper edge  62 , a door panel lower edge  64 , a door panel right side edge  58 , and a door panel left side edge  60 , each of which are proximate to respective side edges of interior surface  25  of door  24 . Accordingly, door panel  26 , as fully depicted in  FIG.  2 A , may extend the entire height and width of door  24 , creating a false wall for door  24 . Similar to wall panel  30 , door panel  26  may also be configured to extend behind, and be installed independently of, one or more door storage structures  34 . Similar to wall panel  30 , the independent configuration and installment allows for ease of replacement and contributes to a clean and streamlined appearance on the interior of door  24 . Accordingly, in some cases, door storage structures  34  may be secured on an interior surface of door  24  via one or more mounting structures  35 , or by any other methods contemplated by a skilled artisan, such as by welding, adhesive or other known methods. 
     As noted above, in some embodiments, wall panels may be configured to provide both functional and aesthetic elements for refrigerator  10 . For example, in some cases wall panels may hide or disguise one or more refrigerator components or structures disposed behind the panel, such as the refrigerator components depicted in  FIG.  2 B . Referring to the illustrated embodiment, wall panel  30  may hide one or more refrigerator components that are disposed within cabinet  12 , or are visible from an interior surface  16 , creating a clean aesthetic look and feel within compartment  14 . Accordingly, referring to  FIG.  2 B  as viewed with wall panel  30  removed for purposes of illustration, it may be seen that wall panel  30  may provide a false back wall for compartment  14  serving to hide one or more refrigerator components that would be otherwise visible to a user within compartment  14 . Similarly, door panel  26 , may serve to hide one or more refrigerator components located on, or visible from an interior surface  25  of door  24 . 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, wall panel  30  and door panel  26  may include a design or other pattern that provides a wallpaper-like feel within compartment  14 . In some cases, a wall panel may include a contrasting color, a contrasting sheen such as a mirrored or highly reflective surface, a pattern, a lighted surface, or a three-dimensional molded design. Incorporating such a surface may provide a streamlined look, and in some cases give an apparent structure to the surface, creating better depth perception within compartment  14 . In addition, the design or pattern may help to distinguish wall panel  30  and door panel  26  from the other walls of the refrigerator. 
     In at least one embodiment, a wall panel  30  may include a three-dimensional molded wave pattern, such as shown more specifically in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS.  3  and  4 A- 4 C . For example, referring to  FIGS.  4 B and  4 C , wall panel  30  may include a molded three-dimensional wave pattern. As best seen in the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  4 C , taken across line IV C in  FIG.  4 B , wall panel  30  includes a compartment facing side  70  and a cabinet facing side  72 . Compartment facing side  70  may exhibit a pattern peak  66 , jutting outward from cabinet facing side  72 , and pattern valley  68 . In some cases, cabinet facing side  72  may include a flat surface, as shown in  FIG.  4 C . However, in other cases, cabinet facing side  72  may include a three-dimensional molded surface similar to the molded surface of compartment facing side  70 . In still other cases, cabinet facing side  72  may include a three-dimensional molded surface to align or match with one or more refrigeration components disposed beneath. Of course, it will be understood that the molded three-dimensional wave pattern of the illustrated embodiment is only one embodiment of many contemplated herein, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific patterns shown or described herein. 
     In some embodiments, refrigerator  10  may include further provisions that create an overall appearance of a larger and wider, or brighter, compartment  14 . For example, refrigerator  10  may include one or more walls having a highly reflective or mirrored surface. In some cases, surfaces within compartment  14  may incorporate an actual mirror, providing a reflective surface which creates a larger look. In other cases, surfaces within compartment  14  incorporate a high-gloss black or other reflective color. In at least one embodiment, refrigerator  10  includes a reflective mirrored side surface  20  as shown in  FIG.  6   . The reflective mirrored side surface  20  may reflect light within compartment  14 , creating a more even distribution and allowing the consumer to view items that may otherwise be hidden. 
       FIGS.  7 - 9    depict another embodiment of an appliance, refrigerator  100 , which incorporates aspects of the present disclosure. Similar to refrigerator  10  in  FIG.  1   , refrigerator  100  may also include an outer frame or cabinet  102  that defines or incorporates one or more internal cavities or compartments  104  for cooling food items. Cabinet  102  includes an interior surface  106  and an exterior surface (not shown). Interior surface  106  includes a top surface  108 , a pair of side surfaces  110 , a bottom surface  112  ( FIG.  9   ) and a back surface (not shown). Interior compartment  104  may further incorporate one or more compartment storage structures  118  for storing food items. Compartment storage structures  118  may be configured in a variety of ways, and in some cases may include but are not limited to shelves, drawers, and the like, for holding food items, as depicted. Refrigerator  100  may also incorporate one or more doors  114  for accessing the one or more compartments  104 . Doors  114  may be operably coupled to cabinet  102 , to alternately seal and provide access to compartment  104 . Further, as discussed in more detail below, refrigerator  100  may incorporate one or more wall panels, including but not limited to a lighted wall panel  116  disposed behind compartment storage structures  118 . 
     In at least one embodiment, wall panel  116  provides a false back wall for compartment  104 , covering a back surface (not shown) of cabinet  102 . Similar to wall panel  30  described above, wall panel  116  may be co-extensive with a back surface of cabinet  102  such that it extends the full height and width of the back surface. Thus, wall panel  116  may extend from bottom surface  112  to top surface  108  of cabinet  102 , as well as between pair of side surfaces  110 . In other words, wall panel  116  may include a lower end (not shown) that is proximate a bottom surface of cabinet  102 , an upper end  126  that is proximate a top surface  108 , a right side end  128  that is proximate a right side surface  110  ( FIG.  8   ), and a left side end  129  ( FIG.  9   ) that is proximate an opposite left side surface  110 . Accordingly, wall panel  116 , as depicted in  FIG.  7   , may create an entire back false wall of compartment  104 . Additionally, in other embodiments, one or more wall panels similar to wall panel  116  may be positioned against any of side surfaces  110 , top surface  108  or bottom surface  112  in a similar manner as wall panel  116  to create one or more false walls for the side, top or bottom surfaces  110 ,  108 ,  112 , respectively, of compartment  104 . Similar to previous embodiments, wall panel  116  may also be configured to extend behind, and be installed independently of, one or more compartment storage structures  118 , allowing for ease of replacement and contributing to a clean and streamlined appearance within compartment  104 . 
     Wall panel  116  may also be configured to provide both functional and aesthetic elements for refrigerator  100 . For example, wall panel  116  may serve to hide or disguise one or more refrigerator components or structures disposed behind the wall panel  116 , such as one or more refrigerator components (not shown), similar to embodiments described above. In at least one embodiment, wall panel  116  may also incorporate one or more lights or lighting structures  124  in proximity to wall panel  116  to provide light to compartment  104 . For example, referring to  FIG.  7   , lighting structures  124 , such as a light strip, may be provided behind wall panel  116 . However, in other embodiments, lighting structures may be disposed in other locations near wall panel  116 , or incorporated in a surface of wall panel  116 . 
     Wall panel  116  may be comprised of a glass, plastic, or other material that allows light from lighting structures  124  to illuminate wall panel  116 . For example, wall panel  116  may include a semi-opaque glass surface that allows light to shine through, yet prevents a user from seeing through wall panel  116  to a back surface of cabinet  102 . In at least one case, wall panel  116  may be comprised of a milky white glass material, giving compartment  104  a larger feel. 
     Lighting structures  124  may be configured as would be contemplated by a skilled artisan. For example, lighting structures  124  may include an incandescent light source, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp or bulb, an LED strip, a fluorescent light, or other source of light. In at least one embodiment, lighting structures  124  comprise an LED light strip that is coupled with control circuitry  122  for control and provision of light, as described in more detail below. 
     In operation, wall panel  116  may be configured to transition from a dimly lit condition to a fully lit condition when a user opens door  114 , or otherwise interacts with refrigerator  100 . Thus, in at least some embodiments, refrigerator  100  may include control circuitry  122 , including a controller  130  described below, coupled to and configured to communicate with and control various components and systems of refrigerator  100 , including lighting structures  124 . For example,  FIG.  10    depicts exemplary and simplified controller  130  which may be configured to receive inputs from various components of refrigerator  100 , such as various sensors and systems, and also to control a variety of components in refrigerator  100 , such as cooling components, lights, sounds, and other components as would be known by a skilled artisan. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a controller  130  may be configured to activate lighting structure  124  associated with lighted wall panel  116 . 
     Controller  130  may be configured as would be understood in the art, and at the very least includes a processor  132  and memory  134 . Processor  132  may be configured to run various control algorithms and routines present in memory  134 , such as door ajar logic routine  140 . However, it will be understood and appreciated that controller  130  may include various other analog or digital circuitries that would be known in the art, and the depiction in  FIG.  10    is for illustrative purposes only, and is simplified for understanding of the concepts pertinent to aspects described herein. Furthermore, controller  130  may include many different logic routines for control of various systems within refrigerator  100 , including systems for control of lighting structures  124  and wall panel  116 , and that door ajar logic routine  140  is only exemplary of one such embodiment of many contemplated herein. 
     Controller  130  may be coupled to a variety of sensors and systems within refrigerator  100 . In at least one embodiment, refrigerator  100  includes at least one door ajar detection system  136 , configured to detect when a user opens one or both of doors  114 . As noted, however,  FIG.  10    is a simplified depiction of a controller  130  which may be associated with refrigerator  100 , and it will also be appreciated that refrigerator  100  may include a variety of other known sensors and mechanisms for gathering information for controller  130 , or for controlling various aspects of refrigerator  100 , including the systems and processes described herein as well as those not discussed herein. 
     Controller  130  may be configured to receive inputs from the various sensors and systems to make decisions and control aspects or various components of refrigerator  100 . In one aspect, controller  130  may receive an indication that a door  114  is in an open position. Such inputs may inform various control routines, such as door ajar logic routine  140 , as described in more detail below. The various inputs may also facilitate control of components, such as the actuation and control of lighting structures  124 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , door ajar logic routine  140  may be implemented by controller  130  according to an embodiment described herein. Specifically, at step  142 , controller  130  may be configured to receive input from door ajar detection system  136  indicating whether one or both of doors  114  are in an open position. If doors  114  are not open, door ajar logic routine  140  will continue looping. However, if doors  114  are open, at step  144 , controller may activate lighting structures  124 . At step  146 , controller  130  may be configured to receive input from door ajar detection system  136  indicating whether one or both of doors  114  are subsequently closed. If doors  114  have not been closed, door ajar logic routine  140  will continue looping through step  144 . However, if doors  114  have been closed, at step  148 , controller  130  may deactivate lighting structures  124 , and continue to the beginning of door ajar logic routine  140 . 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer of the display mirror, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer of the appliance. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.