Patent Publication Number: US-2015076295-A1

Title: Support stand for video-photographic accessories

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Italian patent application PD2013A000250 filed on Sep. 16, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a support stand used to support video-photographic equipment and video-photographic accessories, having the characteristics stated in the pre-characterising clause of the principal claim. 
     Preferably the support stand according to the invention is of the telescopic column type. 
     TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND 
     The stand according to this invention has preferred but not exclusive application in the sector of video-photographic recording, in particular in the events sector, where the need to support various types of video-photographic equipment and/or accessories is known. 
     It is for example necessary to support lighting or sound equipment on supports which can be adjusted for height, but can easily be transported from one place to another in a folded configuration as compactly as possible, and which can easily be deployed in the desired position. 
     It is also required that column stands provide an effective and stable support on the ground and also that the overall dimensions during the stage in which the stands are transported and stored is as small as possible. 
     For this purpose stands are provided with a plurality of supporting legs, normally three, hinged to a column so that they can be unfolded from the column when in use in such a way as to form suitable supporting elements for the stand and when necessary can be folded back onto the column itself to reduce the overall dimensions of the stand. 
     For this purpose each leg comprises two arms hinged respectively to a collar and a sleeve which in use are both located externally to the column. 
     The sleeve is shaped in such a way as to receive the column and support it, and is normally fixed to the base thereof, while the collar can slide along the column in order to be moved between a position close to the sleeve in which the legs are extended from the column in such a way as to support it, and a distal position in which the legs are folded back on the column. 
     The collar is provided with a screw locking device to tighten/release the collar onto/from the column to prevent/allow movement of the collar along the column and lock the stand in the desired open or closed configuration. 
     In some versions provision is made for attaching/releasing the sleeve to/from the column in such a way that the column can be separated from the supporting legs for example to use the supporting legs to support various columns, to use the single column as a “giraffe” microphone holder, holding it with the two arms in an almost horizontal position, or to further reduce the weight and dimensions of the stand while it is being transported. 
     In this case the sleeve is provided with a screw coupling device which can be operated to lock/release the sleeve on/from the column in order to secure the column to the sleeve, or conversely, to allow relative movement between the sleeve and column. 
     Although convenient the screw locking system has a number of defects, in particular it requires a particular length of time in order to lock/release the column and sleeve. 
     The operation of locking/releasing the column is quite long and is particularly inconvenient for the operator, particularly because, as mentioned, it is necessary to support the weight of the column. 
     Therefore the operations of separating the legs from the column and vice versa of inserting the column in the sleeve and locking the column in the sleeve can be particularly laborious, especially when the column and equipment is heavy and when conversion from one working configuration to the other needs to be quick. 
     SUMMARY 
     The problem underlying this invention is that of providing a column stand structurally and functionally designed to overcome the abovementioned limits with reference to the cited known art. 
     In particular, one object of the invention is to provide a column stand in which the operations of attaching/releasing the column to and from the supporting base are quicker and simpler and are also safe for the operators. 
     This problem is resolved through this invention by a column stand as described herein. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described herein, which form the subject of the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any conception and specific embodiment disclosed herein may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that any description, figure, example, etc. herein is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is by no means intended to define the limits the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment illustrated by way of indication and without limitation with reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of a column stand constructed according to this invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a magnified view of a detail in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatical view of the detail in  FIG. 2  in a second operating configuration, 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the stand in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view from above of a supporting base for the stand in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 6  is a view from above of a detail of the supporting base in  FIG. 5 , 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view along the plane VII-VII in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Additional aspects, advantages and/or other features of example embodiments will become apparent in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments provided herein are merely exemplary and illustrative and are not limiting. Numerous embodiments of modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of this disclosure and equivalents thereto. 
     Any references mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Any references herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each was specifically and individually indicated as having been incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Unless otherwise noted, technical terms are used according to conventional usage. 
     As used herein, “a” or “an” may mean one or more. Also as used herein in the claim(s), when used in conjunction with the word “comprising”, the words “a” or “an” may mean one or more than one. As used herein “another” may mean at least a second or more. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms include pluralities and plural terms include the singular. 
     In the figures,  1  indicates as a whole a column support stand constructed in accordance with this invention. 
     Stand  1  comprises a telescopic column  2  formed of a plurality of portions of tube placed within an adjacent tube in such a way that they can move with respect to each other along a longitudinal axis X of column  2 , and a supporting base  10  to provide a stable support for stand  1  on the ground, as will be more particularly described below. 
     The portion of tube comprises an outer portion  3 , an inner portion  4  and a plurality of intermediate portions  5 , the number of which will be selected on the basis of specific construction requirements and/or the height which has to be reached by stand  1 . Similarly the length of individual portions  3 - 5  will be selected on the basis of the overall height which has to be reached by stand  1 . 
     Portions  3 - 5  may be extracted from each other in such a way as to allow stand  1  to pass from a retracted configuration in which each tube portion is substantially housed within all of the adjacent portion, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and an extended configuration in which the tube portions are largely drawn out from the adjacent portion. 
     Internal portion  4  is provided at its free edge  4   a , with an attachment member  6  for an item of video-photographic equipment or an accessory which has to be supported by stand  1  according to the invention. 
     Video-photographic equipment or video-photographic accessories such as for example lighting equipment or sound equipment or other equipment can be supported using the stand according to the invention, as previously stated. 
     Each portion  3 - 5  is also provided with a stop member  7  to limit the travel of each portion  3 - 5  with respect to the adjacent portion in which it is housed, and to lock portion  3 - 5  in any desired position in relation to the adjacent portions. 
     Also outer portion  3  is provided on a base portion  3   a  which when in use is designed to be placed on the ground, that is on the part opposite to the attachment member  6  for the equipment which has to be supported, with a coupling device  30  to couple outer portion  3  and therefore column  2  to supporting base  10 , as will be more particularly described below. 
     Base portion  3   a , which when in use is intended to be inserted in supporting base  10 , is bounded by a free edge  3   b  and forms the base of column  2 . 
     Coupling device  30  can be adjusted between a coupling configuration W illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in which coupling device  30  acts together with supporting base  10 , to couple column  2  to supporting base  10  when column  2  is inserted into supporting base  10 , and a release configuration W′ illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in which coupling device  30  does not interact with sleeve  15  and column  2  is released from supporting base  10 . In this configuration column  2  and supporting base  10  can be moved with respect to each other and even separated, as will be more particularly described below. 
     Supporting base  10  comprises a collar  13  which is intended to house outer portion  3 , a sleeve  15  into which column  2  is inserted, and three supporting legs all indicated by  12 , which are intended to support stand  1 . 
     Supporting legs  12  are hinged to collar  13  and sleeve  15  respectively in such a way that they can move between an extended position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , in which legs  12  are at a distance from column  2  and positioned in such a way as to impart the necessary stability to stand  1 , and a folded position which is useful for transport and storage, not shown, in which legs  12  lie along column  2  in such a way as to reduce the overall dimensions of stand  1 . 
     Collar  13  can slide along the longitudinal axis X of column  2  so as to vary the configuration of supporting legs  12 . 
     Each supporting leg  12  comprises a first arm  14  hinged at a first end  14   a  thereof to collar  13  and hinged at the opposite end  14   b  to an intermediate portion  16   c  of a second arm  16  of leg  12 . 
     Second arm  16 , which is only partly shown in the figures, is hinged at a first end  16   a  thereof to sleeve  15  and is provided at the opposite end, not shown, with supporting feet, also not shown in the figures, intended to improve the stability of stand  1  on the ground. 
     Second arm  16  may be telescopic to further increase the stability of stand  1 . 
     Supporting base  10  also comprises a locking device  11  on collar  13 , to lock/release collar  13  onto/from outer portion  3  to prevent/allow relative movement collar  13  and outer portion  3 , and to lock outer portion  3  and supporting base  10  in the desired working configuration. 
     Collar  13  comprises an annular member  17  to which first ends  14   a  of first arms  14  of legs  12  are hinged, and is shaped in such a way as to form a housing cavity  18  for housing the column  2 , the cross-section of which may be varied through locking device  11  in such a way as to lock/release collar  13  on/from column  2 . 
     In the version illustrated, annular member  17  is in the shape of an open ring in which opposite ends  17   a ,  17   b  are associated with a locking device, in the version illustrated a screw locking device  11 , through operating which the opposite ends  17   a ,  17   b  of annular member  17  may be moved apart/together to vary the size of housing cavity  18  to allow/prevent relative movement between collar  13  and column  2 . 
     When the opposite ends  17   a ,  17   b  of annular member  17  are at a distance from each other, collar  13  can slide on column  2  in the direction of longitudinal axis X. In this way, the first end  14   a  of first arm  14  is moved along outer portion  3  and the conformation of legs  12  of supporting base  10  is consequently changed. 
     Conversely, when the opposing ends  17   a ,  17   b  of annular member  17  are brought together, collar  13  is located in a desired position on column  2  and legs  12  are locked in a corresponding desired configuration. 
     Sleeve  15  of supporting base  10  has a generically open cylindrical shape at the longitudinally opposite ends, and extends between a first edge  15   a , which in use faces collar  13  and defines an opening  8  through which column  2  is inserted in sleeve  15  and removed therefrom, and a second opposite edge  15   b  which in use faces the ground. 
     Sleeve  15  is also shaped in such a way that its inner surface  19  defines a housing cavity  20  housing column  2  comprising in the direction of longitudinal axis X a first cavity portion  21  provided by the part of base sleeve  15  which when in use faces collar  13 , and a second cavity portion  22  provided by the part of base sleeve  15  which when in use faces the ground, which has a larger cross-section than first cavity portion  21 . 
     In a longitudinally intermediate position between the first and second cavity portions  21 ,  22  there is also provided a stop member  23 , in the version illustrated shaped as a projection projecting from inner surface  19  towards receiving cavity  20 . 
     First cavity portion  21  is therefore defined between first edge  15   a  and stop member  23 , the second cavity portion  22  is defined between stop member  23  and second edge  15   b.    
     Second cavity portion  22  is dimensioned in such a way as to house column  2  with coupling device  30  in coupling position W to couple the column to supporting base  10 , as will be more particularly described below, while first cavity portion  21  is on the contrary dimensioned in such a way as to house column  2  with coupling device  30  in release position W′. Stop member  23  abuts against coupling device  30  of outer portion  3  to prevent movement of column  2  with respect to sleeve  15  in the direction indicated by arrow F in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , as will be more particularly described below. 
     Three supporting teeth  24 , provided in second cavity portion  22  and projecting from internal surface  19  into second cavity portion  22  and providing the supporting members for column  2  when the latter  2  is inserted into sleeve  15 , are also provided on the inner surface  19  of base sleeve  15 . 
     Supporting teeth  24  are provided in a longitudinally intermediate position between stop member  23  and edge  15   b  of the sleeve which when in use faces the ground. 
     Teeth  24  are arranged circumferentially apart on inner surface  19 , preferably but not necessarily equally spaced. In other versions which are not shown a number of supporting teeth other than three for example four, may be provided. 
     Coupling device  30  of the column  2  comprises an abutting element  31 , formed in this embodiment by an abutting tooth which can move radially in column  2  in both the directions of arrow F 1  in  FIG. 3  between the coupling configuration W illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in which an end portion  40  of abutting tooth  31  projects radially from column  2 , and release configuration W′ illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which abutting tooth  31  is retracted within column  2 . 
     End portion  40  of abutting tooth  31  is capable of interacting with first edge  15   a  of sleeve  15  when column  2  is inserted in sleeve  15 . 
     End portion  40  comprises a curved wall  31   a , facing first edge  15   a  when column  2  is inserted in sleeve  15 , and this is shaped in such a way as to move with respect to first edge  15   a  when column  2  is inserted in sleeve  15 , to progressively push abutting tooth  31  from coupling position W to release position W′. 
     In a version not shown wall  31   a  may be inclined in such a way as to slide with respect to first edge  15   a  when column  2  is inserted in sleeve  15 . 
     In the portion facing abutting tooth  31 , first edge  15   a  may be provided with an inclined or curved wall in such a way as to encourage the sliding of abutting tooth  31  when column  2  is inserted into sleeve  15  to progressively push abutting tooth  31  from coupling position W to release position W′. 
     The provision of at least one inclined or curved wall between the mutually facing walls of end portion  40  and first edge  15   a  makes it possible to guide the movement of abutting tooth  31  from coupling position W to release position W′, when column  2  is inserted in sleeve  15 . 
     The mutually facing walls of end portion  40  and first edge  15   a  therefore form a guide and a counter device to guide the movement of abutment tooth  31  from coupling position W to release position W′ when column  2  is inserted in sleeve  15 . 
     When column  2  is inserted into sleeve  15 , in coupling configuration W, abutting tooth  31  abuts against inner surface  19  of sleeve  15  coupling column  2  to sleeve  15 , while in release configuration W′ abutting tooth  31  is moved away from inner surface  19  of sleeve  15  and the column can be moved with respect to sleeve  15 . 
     Coupling device  30  also comprises a thrust element associated with abutting tooth  31 , arranged so as to push abutting tooth  31  so that it projects outward from column  2 , or with end portion  40  which projects radially with respect to column  2 . 
     In the version illustrated the thrust element comprises a spring  32 , which is loaded to push abutting tooth  31  into coupling configuration W. 
     Through the force of spring  32 , when column  2  is inserted in supporting base  10 , abutting tooth  31  is therefore pushed to abut against inner surface  19  of sleeve  15 , as will be more particularly described below. 
     Coupling device  30  also comprises an actuating element  33  which can be moved in the direction of longitudinal axis X of column  2  to cause radial movement of abutting tooth  31  against the force of spring  32 , as more particularly described below. 
     By acting on actuating element  33  it is possible to move abutting tooth  31  from coupling configuration W to release configuration W′, as more particularly described below. 
     In the version shown, actuating element  33  comprises an actuating pushbutton  33   a , provided on the free edge  3   b  of outer portion  3  and can be moved in the direction of arrow F in  FIG. 3  to move abutting tooth  31  from coupling configuration W to release configuration W′. 
     Actuating pushbutton  33   a  comprises a moving member projecting from free edge  3   b  towards the interior of outer portion  3  and shaped in the form of a wedge  35  whose base  35   a  is fixed to actuating pushbutton  33   a  and the tip  35   b  of which projects within outer portion  3 . Wedge  35  is arranged in such a way that its radial dimension increases progressively towards actuating pushbutton  33   a.    
     Between base  35   a  and tip  35   b , wedge  35  is provided with an inclined surface  35   c  which is intended to slide on a corresponding inclined surface, not shown in the figures, provided on abutting tooth  31  when actuating pushbutton  33   a  is moved between coupling configuration W and release configuration W′. 
     Inclined surface  35   c  of wedge  35  and the inclined surface of abutting tooth  31  form a slide and counter device capable of aiding and guiding movement of actuating pushbutton  33   a  and abutting tooth  31  in coupling device  30 . 
     When actuating pushbutton  33   a  is pushed in the direction of arrow F, that is placed in release configuration W′, wedge  35  is likewise pushed towards the interior of column  2 , the dimension of inclined surface  35   c  in the radial direction corresponding to abutting tooth  31  increases, and inclined surface  35   c  exerts a force opposite to the force exerted by spring  32  on the corresponding inclined surface of abutting tooth  31  such as to progressively push abutting tooth  31  towards the interior of column  2 . 
     When coupling device  30  is moved between coupling configuration W and release configuration W′ and vice versa, the inclined surfaces of wedge  35  and abutting tooth  31  slide over each other in such a way as to guide the movement of coupling device  30 . 
     As mentioned, this sliding causes radial movement of abutting tooth  31  towards the interior of column  2  respectively, or conversely towards the exterior of the same. 
     Inclined surface  35   c  of wedge  35  and the inclined surface of abutting tooth  31  are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis by an angle a which is preferably between 15° and 75°, and preferably between 40° and 50°. 
     The provision of inclined surfaces makes it possible to improve the relative movement between wedge  35  and abutting tooth  31  or the action of actuating element  33   a.    
     The provision of inclined surfaces makes it possible to aid the movement of coupling device  30  between coupling configuration W and release configuration W′, or to assist the release of column  2  by the user. 
     Coupling device  30  also comprises a supporting element  34  provided within outer portion  3  and shaped in such a way as to form a sliding cavity  37  in a position opposite wedge  35 , shaped in such a way as to receive and couple with the shape of wedge  35 . 
     When actuating pushbutton  33   a  is in release configuration W′, wedge  35  is substantially inserted within sliding cavity  37 , the corresponding facing surfaces abut against each other and abutting tooth  31  is inserted within column 2  and the latter can be moved in the direction of arrow F to be slid out of base sleeve  15 . 
     When actuating pushbutton  33   a  is in coupling configuration W, wedge  35  is partly inserted within sliding cavity  37 , the corresponding facing surfaces being at a distance from each other and end portion  40  of abutting tooth  31  projects radially with respect to column  2  and abuts against inner surface  19  of sleeve  15  when column  2  is inserted in sleeve  15 . In this configuration column  2  is locked on supporting base  10 . 
     When no force is exerted on actuating pushbutton  33   a  by the user, spring  32 , acting on abutting tooth  31 , moves the latter outside column  2  and operating pushbutton  33  in the direction of arrow F 2 , that is it places the coupling device in coupling configuration W. 
     This makes it possible for column  2  to be automatically coupled to supporting base  10 , increasing the safety of stand  1 , as will be more particularly described below. 
     Conversely, in order to release column  2  from supporting base  10  it is necessary to act on coupling device  30 , exerting a force in the direction of arrow F on actuating pushbutton  33  so as to overcome the force of spring  32  in order to bring it into release configuration W′. 
     Column  2  is therefore prevented from being inadvertently released from base  10 . 
     Actuating pushbutton  33  is provided on a suitable position on column  2  so that it can be accessible to the user and at the same time undesired operation of actuating pushbutton  33  are prevented. 
     In the version illustrated actuating pushbutton  33  is located on the free edge  3   b  of outer portion  3  in such a way that it can be positioned in the vicinity of sleeve  15  facing the ground when column  2  is inserted in support  10 . 
     Thanks to the conformation of supporting legs  12 , actuating pushbutton  33  is raised off the ground and is therefore accessible to the user, but is not exposed to any accidental impacts while stand  1  is in use. 
     Sleeve  15  of supporting base  10  is normally made of plastics material or aluminium, and is produced by moulding. 
     In order to manufacture supporting teeth  24  during the pressing stage, channels which are not shown in the figures are made in inner surface  19  of sleeve  15 . The width of abutting tooth  31  must be greater than the width of the channels in order to prevent column  2  from undesirably sliding from sleeve  15 . 
     In a version of stand  1 , which is not shown, the coupling device is provided on the sleeve of the supporting base and is intended to couple the portion of the column with supporting base  10 . 
     Again in this case the coupling device can be moved between a coupling configuration in which the coupling device acts together with the column to couple the column with the supporting base when the column is inserted in the supporting base, and a release configuration in which the coupling device does not interact with the column. 
     The coupling device may comprise an abutment element which in this case may also be formed by an abutment tooth which can move radially within the sleeve, such that in the coupling configuration an end portion of the abutment tooth projects radially within the sleeve to abut against the column, while in the release configuration the abutment tooth is positioned in the sleeve in such a way that it does not interact with the column. In this version the outer surface of the column is provided in its base portion with a cavity to receive the abutment tooth in the coupling configuration and a stop member able to abut against the abutment tooth to prevent movement of the column with respect to the sleeve in the direction of the longitudinal axis. 
     Again in this case at least one inclined or curved wall is provided between the mutually facing walls of the end portion and the first edge of the sleeve to guide movement of the abutment tooth from the coupling position to the release position when the column is inserted into the sleeve. 
     Again in this version the coupling device further comprises a thrust element associated with the abutting tooth, arranged so as to push the abutment tooth so that it projects within the sleeve. 
     Again in this version provision is made for an actuating element for the coupling device associated with the sleeve which can be moved to cause radial movement of the abutting tooth against the action of the thrust, that is from the coupling configuration to the release configuration. 
     In order to use stand  1  the user inserts column  2  into supporting base  10  with coupling device  30  in coupling position W, that is with the end portion  40  of abutting t tooth  31  projecting radially with respect to column  2 , that is first in collar  13  and then in sleeve  15 . 
     When column  2  is inserted into sleeve  15  in the direction indicated by arrow F 2 , end portion  40  or its curved wall  31   a  abuts against first edge  15   a  of sleeve  15 . 
     Progressive pushing of column  2  in the direction of arrow F 2  causes relative movement between first edge  15   a  of sleeve  15  and the curved wall of the end portion, which progressively pushes abutting tooth  31  towards the interior of column  2  and finally into release configuration W′. 
     Curved wall  31   a  is shaped to assist the movement of abutting tooth  31  within column  2 . 
     As insertion of column  2  into base sleeve  15  continues, abutment tooth  31  is first moved to the position of cavity portion  21  and then overcomes stop member  23  and is therefore moved to second cavity portion  22 , which, as mentioned, has a larger cross-section than first cavity portion  21 . 
     When column  2  is supported on supporting teeth  24 , abutting tooth  31  is positioned relative to second cavity portion  22  and may project radially with respect to column  2 , through the force of spring  32 , so that end portion  40  abuts against second cavity portion  22 . Because column  2  is supported on supporting teeth  24  coupling device  30  is moved into coupling configuration W by spring  32  without any further action being required on the part of the user. 
     In this position stop member  23  prevents movement of column  2  in the direction indicated by arrow F; movement in the opposite direction being prevented by supporting teeth  24 , and column  2  is stably coupled with supporting base  10 . 
     In the case where it is desired to release supporting base  10  from column  2 , it is necessary to act on actuating pushbutton  33   a  after having moved upper sleeve  13  away, pushing the button in the direction of arrow F, moving it into release position W′ in such a way as to progressively insert wedge  35  into sliding cavity  37 . 
     After this movement wedge  35  moves over the surface of abutting tooth  31 . The inclined surface of wedge  35  moving on the corresponding inclined surface of abutting tooth  31  progressively moves abutting tooth  31  within column  2 , progressively moving it away from inner surface  19  of sleeve  15 . 
     By holding actuating pushbutton  33   a  in release position W′ it is possible to move column  2  in the direction of arrow F, extracting it from sleeve  15 . 
     Moving column  2  in the direction of arrow F, after stop member  23  has been overcome, or when abutting tooth  31  is in the location of first cavity portion  21 , it is possible to release actuating pushbutton  33   a  and to continue to slide column  2  because the conformation of first cavity portion  21  prevents coupling device  30  from adopting coupling configuration W, despite the thrust of spring  32 . 
     When the column is extracted from sleeve  15 , spring  32  pushes the end portion of abutment tooth  31  to project radially with respect to column  2 . 
     The provision of actuating pushbutton  33  assists the release of column  2 . 
     This invention thus overcomes the above mentioned problem described with reference to the cited known art. 
     Although the invention has been described in example embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the inventions herein may be practiced other than as specifically described. Thus, the present embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it is intended that such modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.