Patent Publication Number: US-2021172468-A1

Title: Mechanical fastener drive tool and system

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/944,089 filed Dec. 5, 2019, and to U.S. Patent Provisional Patent Application No. 62/949,767 filed Dec. 18, 2019, and to U.S. Patent Provisional Patent Application No. 62/972,946 filed Feb. 11, 2020 all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present application relates to mechanical fastener drive systems and related components. 
     2. Background Information 
     A mechanical fastener such as a bolt or screw includes a head portion and a shank portion. The head is configured to mate with a driving element (e.g., a wrench, socket, hex socket head drivers, double spline drivers, Torx drivers, etc.) and at least a portion of the shank is threaded. Some fasteners have a tapered threaded section that permits the fastener to positively engage a work piece. Other fasteners have a threaded shank that is configured to mate with a threaded element such as a nut. 
     Certain applications utilize two different types of mechanical fasteners. In the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) commercial industry for example it is common to use rectangular shaped sheet metal ducts as a conduit for forced air. These ducts are typically formed in sections, and a plurality of duct sections are secured together to form longer spans as needed. Each duct section may be described as having a length that defines the flow path through the duct section, a width that is orthogonal to the length, and a height that is orthogonal to the width and the length. When a duct section is formed, each wall of the sheet metal duct section is formed with an end flange extending outwardly (e.g., perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the duct section). Hence, there is an end flange extending outwardly along each heightwise side wall and along each widthwise side wall, and these end flanges are disposed at each lengthwise end of the duct section. The duct sections are joined together by abutting the end flanges of contiguous duct sections and attaching the end flanges to one another. 
     Two different types of mechanical fasteners are typically used to install HVAC duct sections. A pair of corner flanges are typically disposed at each corner of the rectangular duct sections. The duct sections are typically attached to one another using corner flanges that are bolted to one another with bolt and nut pairs, with the end flanges of the respective sheet metal ducts clamped between the corner flanges. Self-tapping screws having a tapered shank section are often used to attach support strapping and other peripheral components to the duct sections. Very often the bolts used to attach the corner flanges to one another are larger (e.g., greater shank diameter and head size) than the self-tapping screws used to attach end flanges along the heightwise walls and widthwise walls. As a result, it is necessary to use two different tools to drive the corner flange bolts and the end flange screws. A person of ordinary skill in the HVAC industry will appreciate that HVAC duct sections are often assembled at heights (e.g., in or near the ceiling) and often the HVAC duct sections are surrounded by other structural elements within the building. Hence, the duct section installation process can be difficult, and is made more difficult by the need to utilize two different fastener drivers. 
     What is needed is a mechanical fastener drive system that can utilizes a single tool bit for driving two different fastener configurations. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a fastener is provided that includes a shank and a head disposed along a lengthwise axis. The head includes a first drive head and a second drive head. Both the first drive head and the second drive head are configured for engagement with at least one drive tool for rotationally driving the fastener about the lengthwise axis. The first drive head is configured differently than the second drive head. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first drive head may be smaller than the second drive head. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first drive head may be disposed at a first axial position along the lengthwise axis and the second drive head may be disposed at a second axial position along the lengthwise axis, and the first axial position is separated from the second axial position. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first drive head may be disposed axially further away from the shank than the second drive head. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the second drive head may be disposed axially between the shank and the first drive head. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first drive head may be configured as a first hexagon and the second drive head may be configured as a second hexagon, and the second hexagon is larger than the first hexagon. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, at least a portion of the shank may be threaded. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the shank may include a tip end, and a portion of the shank extending from the tip end may be configured for self-threading. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the second drive head may include a cavity, and the first drive head is disposed within the cavity. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, at least a portion of the second drive head may be disposed radially outside of the first drive head. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first drive head may be configured as a first hexagon and the second drive head may be configured as a second hexagon, and the second hexagon is larger than the first hexagon. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a rotary tool bit having a lengthwise extending rotational axis is provided. The tool bit includes a shank and a head. The head is disposed at a lengthwise end of the shank. The head has a distal end surface and an exterior surface disposed radially outside the rotational axis, and the exterior surface is configured with a plurality of first engagement elements circumferentially spaced apart from one another the exterior surface. A female cavity is disposed in the distal end surface, and the female cavity is defined by an interior perimeter wall extending between the distal end surface and a base wall, wherein the interior perimeter wall is configured with a plurality of second engagement elements. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first engagement elements may include a plurality of lobes and channels, and the channels and lobes are alternately disposed around a circumference of the head. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the lobes may extend radially outwardly. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the channels may extend radially inwardly. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the plurality of second engagement elements may be arranged so that at least a portion of the female cavity has a hexagonal shape. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the rotary tool bit may further include a magnet disposed in the base wall of the female cavity. 
     In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, at least a portion of the first engagement elements may axially overlap with the plurality of second engagement elements. 
     The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a present disclosure rotary tool bit embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of the present disclosure rotary tool bit embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic partial sectional view of the present disclosure rotary tool bit embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first fastener embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second fastener embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagrammatic planar side view of a fastener embodiment. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top view of the fastener embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagrammatic planar side view of a fastener embodiment. 
         FIG. 7B  is a top view of the fastener embodiment shown in  FIG. 7A   
         FIG. 8A  is a diagrammatic planar side view of a fastener embodiment. \ 
         FIG. 8B  is a top view of the fastener embodiment shown in  FIG. 8A   
         FIG. 9A  is a diagrammatic planar side view of a fastener embodiment. 
         FIG. 9B  is a top view of the fastener embodiment shown in  FIG. 9A   
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure system includes a rotary tool bit and fasteners configured to be rotationally driven; e.g., driven by a rotary tool bit as described herein, or by other rotational driver bit or tool. Some embodiments of the rotary tool bit have a double drive configuration that permits two different fastener configurations to be driven by the same rotary tool bit without any modifications to the rotary tool bit. The rotary tool bit includes a shank and a head. 
     The head of the rotary tool bit includes an exterior surface extending between a shank end and a distal end. The head exterior surface is configured to positively engage with a first fastener to permit the first fastener to be rotationally driven. For example, the head exterior surface may provide one half of a mating male and female combination with the fastener (e.g., a portion of the first fastener provides the opposite half of the mating male and female combination) to create the positive engagement there between. The head of the rotary tool bit further includes a female cavity disposed in a distal end surface. The female cavity is defined by an interior perimeter wall that is configured to positively engage with a second fastener to permit the second fastener to be rotationally driven. For example, the interior perimeter wall may provide one half of a mating male and female combination with the second fastener (e.g., a portion of the second fastener provides the opposite half of the mating male and female combination) to create the positive engagement there between. The description below details an example of a rotary tool bit configuration to illustrate the utility of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not, however, limited to this particular example. 
     A non-limiting example of a rotary tool bit  20  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The rotary tool bit  20  includes a shank  22  and a head  24 , extending along a lengthwise axis  26 . The shank  22  extends lengthwise between a butt end  28  and a head end  30 . A portion of the shank  22  adjacent the butt end  28  (i.e., “grip portion  32 ”) is configured to be gripped in a rotational driving tool; e.g., gripped in the chuck of the tool (not shown). The grip portion  32  may be cylindrical, or non-cylindrical; e.g., the example shown in  FIG. 1  shows a grip portion  32  having a plurality of planar surfaces that facilitate being gripped within a clamping device. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular grip portion  32  configuration. 
     The rotary tool bit head  24  extends lengthwise between the head end  30  of the shank  22  and a distal end surface  34 , and includes a circumferential exterior surface  36  centered on lengthwise axis  26 . The exterior surface  36  is configured to positively engage with a first fastener to permit the first fastener to be rotationally driven. The exterior surface  36  defines the male portion of a mating male and female combination. As will be described below, the head of the first fastener defines the female portion of this mating male and female combination. The exemplary rotary tool bit  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  includes an exterior surface  36  configured with a plurality of engagement elements for positive engagement with the first fastener. In embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the engagement elements include a plurality of axially extending lobes  38  and channels  40 . The lobes  38  may be described as extending radially outwardly, spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the rotary tool bit head  24  with a channel  40  disposed between each adjacent pair of lobes  38 ; i.e., the lobes  38  and channels  40  are alternately disposed around the circumference of the head  24 . Conversely, the channels  40  may be described as extending radially inwardly, spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the rotary tool bit head  24  with a lobe  38  disposed between each adjacent pair of channels  40 . The lobes  38  and channels  40  are an example of a male configuration operable to positively engage with a first fastener to permit the first fastener to be rotationally driven. The present disclosure is not limited to the lobe  38  and channel  40  configuration shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The rotary tool bit head  24  includes a female cavity  42  disposed in the distal end surface  34 . The female cavity  42  is defined by an interior perimeter wall  44  extending between the distal end surface  34  and a base wall  46 . The interior perimeter wall  44  is configured to positively engage with a second fastener to permit the second fastener to be rotationally driven. The female cavity  42  is a female portion of a mating male and female combination. As will be described below, the head of a second fastener (e.g., a self-tapping screw as shown in  FIG. 5 ) is the male portion of this mating male and female combination. The exemplary rotary tool bit  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  includes an interior perimeter wall  44  configured as a hexagon; e.g., the interior perimeter wall  44  surfaces that form the hexagon may be referred to as engagement elements. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the engagement elements (e.g., lobes  38  and channels  40 ) of the exterior surface  36  axially overlap with the engagement elements of the interior perimeter wall  44 . During use, the hexagonal head of the second fastener is received within the female cavity  42 . The interior perimeter wall  44  of the female cavity  42  (i.e., the female portion) mates with the head of the screw (i.e., the male portion) and creates a positive engagement there between. Once the head of the screw is received within the female cavity  42  of the rotary tool bit head  24 , rotation of the rotary tool bit  20  will cause rotation of the screw in the same rotational direction. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular mating geometry between the rotary tool bit head female cavity  42  and the head of the second fastener; i.e., the present disclosure rotary tool bit head female cavity  42  may have a configuration other than hexagonal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , as indicated above, the rotary tool bit  20  may be used to drive a first fastener; e.g., bolt  48 . The bolt  48  includes a shank  50  and a head  52 , extending along a lengthwise extending axis  53 . At least a portion of the shank  50  is threaded; e.g., threads configured for self-threading into a substrate; e.g., a metallic substrate. The term “self-threading” as used herein refers to a thread type configured to engage and create mating threads in a workpiece that does not include mating threads prior to engagement with the self-threading threads. The head  52  of the bolt  48  has an exterior engagement surface  54  and an end surface  56 . The exterior engagement surface  54  typically has a standard bolt head configuration; e.g., a U.S. or metric sized hexagonal head or the like. A female cavity  58  is disposed within the end surface  56  of the bolt head  52 . The female cavity  58  has an interior perimeter wall  60  and a base wall  62 . The interior perimeter wall  60  is configured to positively engage with a rotary tool bit to permit the bolt  48  to be rotationally driven. The female cavity  58  is the female portion of a mating male and female combination; i.e., using the rotary tool bit  20  described above as an example, the interior perimeter wall  60  has channels  64  configured to receive the lobes  38  of the rotary tool bit head exterior surface  36 , and lobes  66  configured to be received within the channels  40  of the rotary tool bit head exterior surface  36 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , as indicated above, the rotary tool bit  20  may be used to drive a second fastener. For HVAC applications, the second fastener is typically a commercially available screw; e.g., a screw  68  having a head  70  and a threaded shank  72 , extending along a lengthwise extending axis  74 , with self-tapping threads disposed at a tip  75  for engaging a metallic substrate such as sheet metal. The head  70  of the screw  68  typically has a standard configuration; e.g., a U.S. or metric sized hexagonal head or the like. The screw  68  is typically a different size fastener than the bolt  48 , with a head  70  that is smaller than the head  52  of the bolt  48 . The example screw  68  shown in  FIG. 5  has a hexagonal shaped head  70  having opposing surfaces spaced apart from one another by the dimension “X”, whereas the example bolt  48  shown in  FIG. 4  has a hexagonal shaped head  52  having opposing surfaces spaced apart from one another by the dimension “Y”, where “Y” is greater than “X”. 
     In terms of the rotary tool bit  20  described above, the head  70  of the second fastener (e.g., self-tapping screw  68 ) is the male portion of the mating male and female combination with the rotary tool bit head female cavity  42 . During use, the head  70  of the screw  68  is received within the female cavity  42 . The interior perimeter wall  60  of the female cavity  42  (i.e., the female portion) mates with the head  70  of the screw  68  (i.e., the male portion) and creates a positive engagement there between. Once the head  70  of the screw  68  is received within the female cavity  42  of the rotary tool bit head  24 , rotation of the rotary tool bit  20  will cause rotation of the screw  68  in the same rotational direction. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular mating geometry between the rotary tool bit head female cavity  42  and the head  70  of the screw  68 . 
     In some embodiments, the rotary tool bit head  24  may include a magnet  76  disposed in the base wall  46  of the female cavity  42  (See  FIG. 4 ). In those embodiments that include a magnet  76 , the magnet  76  is disposed to be in close proximity to the head  70  of the screw  68  when the aforesaid head  70  is disposed within the female cavity  42  of the rotary tool bit head  24 . When metallic screws  68  are used, the magnet  76  exerts sufficient magnetic attraction to retain the head  70  of the screw  68  within the female cavity  42  and thereby couple the rotary tool bit  20  and screw  68  together. As a result, hands free installation of a screw  68  is facilitated. 
     In some embodiments wherein the rotary tool bit head  24  includes a magnet  76 , the bolt  48  may include a post  78  extending outwardly from the base wall  62  of the female cavity  42  (e.g., see  FIG. 4 ). The post  78  is configured to be in close proximity to the magnet  76  disposed in the base wall  46  of the female cavity  42  of the rotary tool bit head  24  when the rotary tool bit head  24  is received within the female cavity  58  of the bolt head  52 . When metallic bolts  48  are used, the magnet  76  exerts sufficient magnetic attraction to couple the bolt  48  and the rotary tool bit  20  together. As a result, hands free installation of a bolt  48  is facilitated. 
       FIGS. 6-9B  illustrate fastener embodiments according to aspects of the present disclosure. As indicated above, two different types of mechanical fasteners are typically used to install duct sections (e.g., corner flange bolts for connecting duct sections and self-tapping screws for attaching duct support strapping, peripheral flanges, etc.), and very often the bolts used to attach the corner flanges to one another are larger than the self-tapping screws. As a result, under the prior art it is necessary to use two different tools to drive the corner flange bolts and the end flange screws. A person of skill in the art will recognize that HVAC duct work systems are very often mounted and/or installed in the ceiling area of a building, in and around other mechanical system components present within the building. Hence, the installation/mounting work is done at elevated heights and very often in confined spaces that are difficult to work in for a technician. The need to use multiple tools, or to frequently modify a rotational driving tool, as is often the case with prior art systems compounds the degree of difficulty. The fastener embodiments according to the present disclosure, such as but not limited to those shown in  FIGS. 6-9B , provide an alternative solution to this issue, one that facilitates the HVAC duct installation/mounting work. 
     The fastener shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrates a fastener  80  in the form of a bolt that has a shank  82  and a head  84  extending along a lengthwise extending axis  86 . The shank  82  extends lengthwise between a head end  88  and a tip end  90 . In some embodiments, a portion of the shank  82  (extending from the tip end  90 ) includes threads configured for self-threading into a substrate; e.g., a metallic substrate. The shank  82  may be threaded for all, or less than all, of the entirety of the lengthwise distance between the head end  88  and the tip end  90 . The head  84  includes a first drive head  92  and a second drive head  94 . The first drive head  92  is exposed, and disposed axially outside of the second drive head  94 ; e.g., the first drive head  92  may be described as being disposed at a first axial position and the second drive head  94  disposed at a second axial position, and the first axial position is different/separated from the second axial position. The first drive head  92  is configured for positive engagement with a rotational driving tool (e.g., a rotary tool bit, or a socket, etc.). Non-limiting examples of a first drive head  92  configuration include a standard bolt head configuration (e.g., a U.S. or metric sized hexagonal head), or the like. In some embodiments, the first drive head  92  may have the same configuration as the drive head of the self-tapping screws typically used in HVAC applications; e.g., a 5/16 inch hexagonal head. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular first drive head  92  size or configuration. The second drive head  94  extends axially between the first drive head  92  and the shank  82 . The second drive head  94  is configured for positive engagement with a rotational driving tool (e.g., a rotary tool bit, or a socket, etc.). Non-limiting examples of a second drive head  94  configuration include a standard bolt head configuration (e.g., a U.S. or metric sized hexagonal head), or the like. In some embodiments, the second drive head  94  may have the same configuration as the drive head of a bolt typically used to secure HVAC duct corner brackets together; e.g., a 9/16 inch or ⅝ inch hexagonal head. Hence, the second drive head  94  may be configured larger than the first drive head  92  (e.g., a 9/16 inch or ⅝ inch hexagonal head versus a 5/16 inch hexagonal head).  FIG. 6B  diagrammatically illustrates the first and second drive head  92 ,  94  differences by indicating the first drive head has a hexagonal side dimension of “W” and the second drive head has a hexagonal side dimension of “V”, where V is greater than W (V&gt;W). The fastener  80  may, therefore, be driven using either a rotational driving tool configured to drive the first drive head  92  or the second drive head  94 . The present disclosure is not limited to any particular second drive head  94  size or configuration. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate another fastener embodiment according to the present disclosure. The fastener  180  is in the form of a bolt that includes a shank  182  and a head  184  extending along a lengthwise axis  186 . The shank  182  extends lengthwise between a head end  188  and a tip end  190 . In some embodiments, a portion of the shank  182  (extending from the tip end  190 ) includes threads configured for self-threading into a substrate; e.g., a metallic substrate. The shank  182  may be threaded for all, or less than all, of the entirety of the lengthwise distance between the head end  188  and the tip end  190 . The head  184  includes a first drive head  192  and a second drive head  194 . The first drive head  192  is configured for positive engagement with a rotational driving tool (e.g., a rotary tool bit, or a socket, etc.). Non-limiting examples of a first drive head  192  configuration include a standard bolt head configuration (e.g., a U.S. or metric sized hexagonal head), or the like. In some embodiments, the first drive head  192  may have the same configuration as the drive head of the self-tapping screws typically used in HVAC applications; e.g., a 5/16 inch hexagonal head. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular first drive head  192  size or configuration. The first drive head  192  is disposed within a cavity  196  disposed within the second drive head  194 . In some embodiments, the first drive head  192  may be described as being disposed at a first axial position and the second drive head  194  disposed at a second axial position, and at least a portion of the second axial position overlaps (i.e., is radially outside of) the first axial position. The cavity  196  is sized to allow entry of a drive tool (e.g., a socket) for engagement with the first drive head  192 . The second drive head  194  is configured for positive engagement with a rotational driving tool (e.g., a rotary tool bit, or a socket, etc.). Non-limiting examples of a second drive head  194  configuration include a standard bolt head configuration (e.g., a U.S. or metric sized hexagonal head), or the like. In some embodiments, the second drive head  194  may have the same configuration as the drive head of a bolt typically used to secure HVAC duct corner brackets together; e.g., a 9/16 inch or a ⅝ inch hexagonal head. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular second drive head  194  size or configuration. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate another fastener embodiment according to the present disclosure. The fastener  280  is in the form of a bolt that includes a shank  282  and a head  284  extending along a lengthwise axis  286 . The shank  282  extends lengthwise between a head end  288  and a tip end  290 . In some embodiments, a portion of the shank  282  (extending from the tip end  290 ) may include threads configured for self-threading into a substrate; e.g., a metallic substrate. The shank  282  may be threaded for all, or less than all, of the entirety of the lengthwise distance between the head end  288  and the tip end  290 . The head  284  includes a drive head  292  disposed within a cavity  294  disposed within the head  284  of the fastener  280 . The drive head  292  is configured for positive engagement with a rotational driving tool (e.g., a rotary tool bit, or a socket, etc.). Non-limiting examples of a drive head  292  configuration include a standard bolt head configuration (e.g., a U.S. or metric sized hexagonal head), or the like. In some embodiments, the drive head  292  may have the same configuration as the drive head of the self-tapping screws typically used in HVAC applications; e.g., a 5/16 inch hexagonal head. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular drive head  292  size or configuration. The cavity  294  is sized to allow entry of a drive tool (e.g., a socket) for engagement with the drive head  292 . The exterior surface of the fastener head  284  may not be configured to be driven. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate another fastener embodiment according to the present disclosure. The fastener  380  is in the form of a bolt that includes a shank  382 , a head  384 , and a flange portion  386  disposed there between. The shank  382  and head  384  extend along a lengthwise axis  388 . The shank  382  extends lengthwise between a head end  390  and a tip end  392 . In some embodiments, a portion of the shank  382  (extending from the tip end  392 ) may include threads configured for self-threading into a substrate; e.g., a metallic substrate. The shank  382  may be threaded for all, or less than all, of the entirety of the lengthwise distance between the head end  390  and the tip end  392 . The fastener head  384  includes a drive head  394  disposed on an axial side of the flange portion  386 , opposite the shank  382 . The flange portion  386  extends radially outward a greater distance than the drive head  394  and the shank  382 . The drive head  394  is configured for positive engagement with a rotational driving tool (e.g., a rotary tool bit, or a socket, etc.). Non-limiting examples of a drive head  394  configuration include a standard bolt head configuration (e.g., a U.S. or metric sized hexagonal head), or the like. In some embodiments, the drive head  394  may have the same configuration as the drive head of the self-tapping screws typically used in HVAC applications; e.g., a 5/16 inch hexagonal head. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular drive head  394  size or configuration. 
     In each of the fastener embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6-9B , the fastener  80 ,  180 ,  280 ,  380  may be a unitary body. The fastener  80 ,  180 ,  280 ,  380  may include one or more coatings; e.g., oxidation preventative coatings, etc. 
     In each of the fastener embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6-9B , a single drive tool (e.g., a socket) can be used to drive both the corner flange bolts and self-tapping screws typically used in HVAC applications. Consequently, the need for the installer to continuously change drive tools is eliminated. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention. 
     Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. 
     Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “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.