Patent Publication Number: US-2006012138-A1

Title: Child carrier having an electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/789,296, filed Feb. 27, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/113,310, filed Mar. 29, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and this application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/663,336, filed Mar. 18, 2005, which also is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to child carriers and, particularly, to formed or molded child carriers having seats for children. More particularly, the present invention relates to formed or molded child carriers that provide entertainment for children.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Child carriers include strollers, shopping carts, attachments to shopping carts, and molded carts commonly used at super markets, home center stores, retail stores, theme parks and zoos. Each year thousands of children are injured in shopping cart, as well as other retail stroller, accidents. Generally, the child becomes bored with the shopping experience and tries to get out of the child carrier. A fall out of a carrier can cause severe injury. In addition, injuries occur when the child pinches his or her fingers in the moving mechanism of a typical seat or when the child reaches out of the carrier to grab something.  
      Many child carriers are simply wire or plastic mesh constructions that function as containers to carry consumer goods through a store and secondarily provide a seat for a child. Many of these carriers provide seats that are both uncomfortable and easy to escape. If a child becomes bored or uncomfortable, the chances for injury increase. In addition, many of the seats fold or utilize moving pieces that can easily pinch a small child&#39;s fingers.  
      Many child carriers also employ a seat that attaches to a pre-existing cart making the cart/carrier combination larger and heavier than typical child carriers, thus requiring more effort to push and maneuver the cart/carrier combination. Some of these carriers provide rearward looking seats that in many cases make it difficult for the child to observe where the carrier is going.  
      Other child carriers provide a more comfortable seat but still provide nothing to entertain the child. The child therefore has the tendency to become restless, potentially injuring himself or herself or misbehaving, making shopping more difficult. For example, child carriers used in commercial settings such as shopping malls and in entertainment settings such as zoos and theme parks are often shaped to peak the child&#39;s interest but once inside the child quickly becomes bored making the shopping or entertainment experience less enjoyable for the adult.  
      It is therefore desirable to provide a child carrier that provides an inviting place for a child to sit and also provides some form of entertainment to occupy the child&#39;s attention.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      According to the present invention, a child carrier includes a seat portion including a seat, a backrest, and a floor. The child carrier further includes a substantially rigid body at least partially surrounding and supporting the seat portion. The rigid body also includes substantially solid side surfaces and at least partially defines a panel. In addition, the child carrier provides a plurality of wheels supporting the body, and an electronic device supported by the body.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, a child carrier provides a substantially rigid basket including a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, and a base. The child carrier further includes a body defining a basket portion, a seat portion, and a push portion, the basket disposed substantially within the basket portion. In addition, the child carrier provides a plurality of wheels supporting the body and the basket, and an electronic device coupled to the body.  
      In another aspect, the child carrier includes one or more headphone jacks that receive a signal from the electronic device. In addition, the electronic device is a radio, a video display device, a computer, or video game player, or the like. Further, the electronic device in many aspects is interactive allowing the child to play and interact with the device.  
      In yet another aspect, the seat portion is disposed between the basket portion and the push portion such that the seat is above the base of the basket. In addition, in some aspects, a first side wall, a second side wall, a rear wall, the panel and the rear wall of the basket substantially surround the seat and the floor.  
      Thus, for example, the present invention contemplates a shopping cart adapted to carry a rider, the shopping cart comprising a substantially rigid body defining a seat portion and a basket portion, the seat portion including a plurality of walls and a seat, and an electronic device disposed at least partially within the seat portion, wherein the electronic device comprises a display and an interactive device. The electronic device may comprise a game. The display may comprise a flat screen, a plasma screen, a computer screen, or a television screen. The interactive device may comprise a steering wheel, which may be attached to one or more of the plurality of walls. The interactive device may comprise a joystick. The shopping cart may further comprise an electrical connector for receiving a headphone plug, wherein the electronic device produces a signal that is directed to the electrical connector. The shopping cart further may comprise a battery for supplying power to the electronic device.  
      The present invention also contemplates a shopping cart adapted to carry a rider, the shopping cart comprising a substantially rigid body defining a seat portion and a basket portion, the seat portion including a plurality of walls and a seat, and an electronic device disposed at least partially within the seat portion, wherein the electronic device comprises an audio device. The audio device may comprise a radio receiver, for example, tuned to a pre-determined frequency or an MP3 player. The audio device may broadcast music or a story. The shopping cart further may include an electrical connector for receiving a headphone plug, wherein the electronic device produces a signal that is directed to the electrical connector.  
      The present invention also contemplates a shopping cart adapted to carry a rider, the shopping cart comprising a substantially rigid body defining a seat portion and a basket portion, the seat portion including a plurality of walls and a seat, and an electronic device disposed at least partially within the seat portion. The electronic device may comprise a video display coupled to a video cassette recorder or a digital videodisk player, a video display device coupled to an audio/video receiver, an audio/video storage device coupled to an audio/video playback device, or any combination thereof. The shopping cart further may comprise an electrical connector for receiving a headphone plug, wherein the electronic device produces a signal that is directed to the electrical connector.  
      The present invention also encompasses a shopping cart adapted to carry a rider, comprising a substantially rigid body having a front portion and a rear portion, a substantially rigid basket received within an opening defined in the front portion of the body, the basket having a base attached to the body and front, rear, and side walls, a seat disposed along the body adjacent the basket, a panel mounted in front of the seat, and a plurality of wheels attached to the body. The seat region may comprise an audio/video playback device positioned along the panel for access by the rider and an electronic device mounted along the rear portion of the body.  
      Additional features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cart in accordance with the invention having an electronic device;  
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the cart of  FIG. 1 , showing another location for the electronic device;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the seat portion of the cart of  FIG. 1 , showing another location for the electronic device;  
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the cart of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cart of  FIG. 1  having an open rear portion;  
       FIG. 6  is a section view of two nested carts in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary dashboard including an electronic device that may be used in a child carrier in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a front and rear perspective view of an exemplary attachable panel including an audio/visual device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a front and rear perspective view of an exemplary integral panel including an audio/visual device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an exemplary shopping cart including a dashboard having an audio/visual device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another exemplary shopping cart including a dashboard having an audio/visual device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 12  is an exemplary electronic card including various components for use in a system in accordance with some aspects of the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  is another exemplary electronic card including various components for use in a system in accordance with some aspects of the present invention;  
       FIG. 14  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system according to some aspects of the present invention;  
       FIG. 15  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system according to some aspects of the present invention;  
       FIG. 16  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system according to some aspects of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of another child carrier in accordance with the invention, having an electronic device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIGS. 1 through 4  illustrate a shopping cart  5  in accordance with the invention. The cart  5  includes a plurality of wheels  10 , a basket  15 , a body  20 , and a push bar  25 . The wheels  10 , or castors, engage the body  20  and support the cart  5  on the ground. The push bar  25  engages a rear portion  30  of the body  20  providing a convenient surface to push and steer the cart  5 . The basket  15  is supported and partially surrounded by the body  20 .  
      The exemplary carrier illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  uses four wheels  10  located near the extreme corners of the body  20  to support the cart  5 . The wheels  10  are fairly standard in the industry, and therefore not critical to the invention. The wheels  10  are placed apart from one another to ensure that the cart  5  remains stable even when loaded with merchandise and children. The carrier of  FIG. 1  employs four wheels  10 , other carriers use only three, while still others use five, six our even more wheels  10 . Generally, the rear wheels  10  are aligned and fixed so that they rotate about a common axis. The front wheels  10  on the other hand are generally free to pivot allowing a front portion  35  of the cart  5  to maneuver easily through the narrow aisles commonly found in grocery stores and the like. Other carriers use wheel arrangements in which all of the wheels  10  are pivotable allowing for a more maneuverable cart  5 .  
      The basket  15  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  has a base  40 , a front wall  45 , a rear wall  50 , and two sidewalls  55 . A plurality of lateral and transverse wires  57  cross one another to define each wall  45 ,  50 ,  55  and the base  40 . The wires  57  firmly connect to one another using known attachment processes (e.g., welding, soldering, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like). The wires  57  are typically, steel or aluminum, but may be formed from other materials (e.g., magnesium, titanium or other metals, composites, or plastics). Generally, the wires  57  are painted or coated with a material to prevent injury and to protect the wires  57  from damage. In one aspect, the four walls  45 ,  50 ,  55 , and base  40  are made together as a single component. A plurality of U-shaped wires  58  are arranged laterally and transversely to completely define the base  40  and to define the vertical wires of the walls  45 ,  50 ,  55 . A plurality of ring-shaped wires  59  intertwine with the U-shaped wires  58  to complete the basket  15 . The wires  58 ,  59  are attached to one another or to a basket frame to complete the one-piece basket  15 . Other aspects employ multiple pieces to complete a basket  15 . For example, an aspect that requires a pivotable rear wall  50  would require the rear wall  50  be made separately from the remainder of the basket  15 . It is thus contemplated that the basket  15  can be assembled from any number of individual components. It should also be noted that while a wire mesh basket  15  is shown and discussed herein, the carrier of the present invention may include a solid basket or a basket  15  formed from sheets of plastic rather than wires  57 . For example, multiple sheets of plastic formed in any common manner can be attached to one another at adjacent edges to define a basket  15 . In this example, each wall  45 ,  50 ,  55  along with the base  40  would be separate components attached to one another to complete the basket  15 .  
      The basket  15  fits within an opening  60  defined by the body  20 . The front portion  35  of the body  20  is shaped to accept the basket  15  therein while providing support to the basket  15 . The body defines side walls that at least partially cover the side walls of the basket. In one aspect, the side walls cover at least about 10 percent of the surface area of each of the basket sides. In another aspect, the side walls of the body cover at least about 40 percent of the surface area of the basket sides. Once installed, the basket  15  is fixedly attached to the body  20 .  FIG. 4  illustrates one possible attachment mechanism. In  FIG. 4 a  brace  65  extends across the bottom of the body  20  to partially support the front wheels  10 . A hook-shaped bolt  70  engages the wires  57  of the base  40  of the basket  15  and extends through a hole in the brace  65 . A nut (not shown) threads onto the end of the hook-shaped bolt  70  fixedly attaching the basket  15  to the body  20 . In another aspect (not shown), bolts and washers extend through the wires  57  of the base  40  of the basket  15 . The washers engage the basket  15  while the bolts engage the body  20  firmly clamping the basket  15  to the body  20 . In still another aspect, the basket  15  simply sits in the basket opening  60  provided by the body  20 . In this aspect, the basket  15  can be removed easily to facilitate storage, nesting of the carts, or delivery of groceries or other products to a vehicle or home.  
      The body  20  defines the front portion  35 , a seat portion  75 , and the rear portion  30 . The front portion  35  defines the basket opening  60  in which the basket  15  sits when the components are assembled. The seat region  75 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , is disposed above and behind the front portion  35  and further includes a seat  80 , a back wall  85 , a floor  90 , and two sidewalls  95 . In addition, a rear kick panel  100  extends from the floor  90  to the seat  80 . The seat  80  is sized to support two small children in the seated position. The seat  80 , along with the back wall  85 , supports the children while the sidewalls  95  obstruct their exit from the cart  5 . The children&#39;s legs extend into a chamber  105  defined by the two side walls  95 , the rear wall  50  of the basket  15 , and the rear kick panel  100 . The chamber  105  thus completely surrounds the child&#39;s legs further enhancing the safety of the cart  5 .  
      Viewing  FIG. 3 , the seat portion  75  further includes a panel  110  attached to the basket  15  or in some aspects to the body  20 . To contain the child further and to provide for entertainment, the panel  110  is disposed such that it may be immediately in front of a child seated in the seat  80 . Electronic devices  115 , which will be discussed in more detail below, may be attached to or disposed in the front panel  110  to entertain the child. In addition, some aspects employ seat belts (not shown) that allow the shopper to strap the child to the seat  80  if desired. In some constructions, the panel  110  can be removably attached to the cart. The removability would allow the cart owner to remove and securely store the panels  110  if they contain an electronic device. In addition, the removability would allow for easier maintenance and changes to the electronic device.  
      Many processes and materials are available to manufacture the body  20 , but the preferred technique involves the use of a rotomolded plastic. Rotomolding allows the body  20  to be manufactured as a substantially rigid single piece rather than multiple pieces, eliminating weaknesses and reducing cost. Other aspects use processes such as injection molding and hot forming. In addition, while it is important to manufacture a lightweight body, other aspects use materials other than plastic. For example, fiberglass or other composites are light and provide sufficient strength and durability and therefore would be suitable material substitutes. While it is preferable that the body  20  be made in a single operation, other aspects employ several sections manufactured separately and then assembled to one another to complete the body  20 .  
      As illustrated herein, the body is generally formed to resemble an object (e.g., race car, rocket, air craft, boat, dinosaur, and the like) that may be familiar to a child. The body may include a paint scheme, decals, or other accoutrements that further enhance the desired theme. As a result, the child&#39;s experience may be enhanced, thereby making the shopping experience more enjoyable for the shopper.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates an assembled shopping cart  5  in accordance with some aspects of the invention. The body  20  covers a portion of the sides  55  of the basket  15  but leaves the front  45  and the top  117  open. In another aspect, the body  20  extends around the basket  15  substantially covering all the walls  45 ,  50 ,  55  leaving only the top  117  fully exposed. To entertain children seated in the seat portion  75  of the cart  5 , one or more steering wheels  120  may be attached to the panel  110  to allow the child to play during the shopping experience.  
      If desired, the child carrier may include an electronic device  115  for entertaining the child while the child is seated in the carrier or walking along side it. More than one electronic device may be provided to entertain multiple children. While various electronic entertainment devices are described herein, it should be understood that various other electronic devices of entertaining the child are contemplated hereby.  
      In one aspect, the electronic device comprises an audio system. The audio system may include one or more of a variety of components including, but not limited to, a cassette player, compact disc player, minidisk player, digital audio player (e.g., MPEG1-MPEG4, MP1-MP3 player, ACC player, OGG player), radio receiver, satellite radio receiver, internal broadcasting system, or any other audio device or combination of devices. One or more headphones and jacks may be provided to minimize disturbance of other children in the carrier or other patrons. It is contemplated that one or more.  
      In one example, two headphone jacks are provided within the cart. The jacks may connect to a radio receiver tuned to the frequency of the store&#39;s internal broadcast or to any desired frequency. The child can thus listen to music, stories, narratives, plays, monologues, dialogues, audio books, audio comic books, or other entertainment, or any combination thereof provided by the store through the headphones without the sound disturbing other patrons. As one having ordinary skill in the art will realize, headphones can be used for the audio output of any device described herein.  
      In another aspect, the electronic device comprises a computer or video game. The computer or video game is coupled to the cart  5  in a position that allows a seated child to play the game. A joystick or other interactive device can be coupled to the body  20  of the cart  5  to allow the child to interact with the game. In addition, the steering wheels  120 , described above can be interconnected with the game to provide input if desired. A person skilled in the art will realize that many commercially available technologies (e.g., flat screens, plasma screens, closed-circuit television, MP3 players, computers, and the like) can be adapted to the cart  5  or child carrier of the present invention to provide entertainment for children. Small rechargeable batteries  122  hidden within the cart  5  can power many, if not all, of these technologies.  
      According to another aspect of the present invention, the electronic device comprises an audio/video system. In one aspect, a video display is provided in addition to the audio device previously described. The audio/video system may be positioned in any suitable location in the cart or mounted thereto, as needed for the child to view the video output. The controls for the audio/video system may be accessible by the child or, alternatively, may be positioned outside of the child&#39;s reach to prevent tampering. In such an instance, the controls may be located on the handle of the carrier or otherwise, where it is accessible only by the parent or guardian.  
      Likewise, the video display and speakers may be positioned in any suitable location in the carrier. As shown in  FIGS. 7-11 , which depict various exemplary dashboards ( FIGS. 7, 10 , and  11 ), mountable panels ( FIG. 8 ), integral panels ( FIG. 9 ), and carriers ( FIG. 10  and  11 ), the video display and speakers may be integral with the carrier, extending therefrom, or attached thereto, as desired. For example, where the carrier is a shopping cart shaped as a car, truck, rocket ship, spacecraft, or otherwise, the video display may be positioned in the dash board as shown in  FIGS. 7, 10 , and  11  or in a toy control panel of the toy vehicle.  
      The audio/video system may contain numerous different components, as will be appreciated readily by those of skill in the art. For example, the video display may receive a broadcast from within the store or over the airwaves, or may be coupled to a video cassette recorder, digital videodisk (DVD) player, or the like to allow the display of any entertainment desired.  
      In one aspect, the system includes a portable memory device containing media content for viewing by the child. The portable memory device may be a flash card, memory stick, jump drive, memory card, pen drive, or any other suitable media storage device. If desired, the device may include a combination integrated circuit and memory device, commercially available from, for example, Matrix Semiconductor, Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.). The content may be music videos, cartoons, movies, television shows, or any other media content suitable for entertaining a child. The portable memory device may contain multiple viewing options, or may contain a single program for viewing. In either of such instances, the portable memory device may be replaced or updated on a periodic basis to change the content.  
      In another aspect, the system includes a permanent memory device containing media content for viewing by the child. As with a portable memory device, a permanent storage device may be replaced or updated on a periodic basis to change the content.  
      The portable storage device may be contained in a housing or otherwise, with the audio/video unit. The system may be integral with the child carrier, may be provided with the child carrier, or may be provided as a separate unit that may be adapted for and mounted to a pre-existing child carrier. It is contemplated that all or a portion of the system may be replaced readily. Thus, for example, if the system breaks or otherwise becomes damaged, the entire system contained within the housing can be removed and replaced with an entire new system. As another example, the individual components of the system, such as the portable or permanent storage device, are accessible readily and may be replaced as needed or desired.  
       FIGS. 12 and 13  depict exemplary electronic cards  160  for various systems according to the present invention. The exemplary cards  160  include numerous interconnected components, including a memory device. It will be understood that the cards are illustrative only, and are not intended to limit the type of cards used or content thereon. In each of the examples presented, the card includes a flash card  165  for storing the media content. The card of  FIG. 13  also includes a feature  170  for receiving information from an internet service provider (ISP).  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , one example of a system according to various aspects of the present invention includes a plurality of carts  5 , each of which contains an electronic card such as the card shown in  FIG. 12 . The flash card  165  in each cart  5  is replaced periodically by store personnel P to change the media content available for viewing in the cart  5 .  
      In other aspects illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the system includes wireless streaming content, for example, Wi-Fi  175 . In such aspect, a server  180  may be placed within the retailer, amusement park, or other establishment. The server  180  may be used to transmit content to individual carts  5 . This presents an advantage over systems in which the content is provided and updated manually. Often, the retailer or other provider forgets to change the content for a long period of time, or has difficulty tracking which carriers have been updated and which have not. Additionally, the server is provided with a source of AC power and, therefore, continuously receives and transmits information. It is contemplated that more than one retailer or provider may be interconnected, so that each retailer or provider receives the content from a central provider at approximately the same time.  
      In one variation of this aspect, the content is transmitted from the server to the cart or child carrier, where it is stored on a portable memory device or storage medium, for example, a flash card. When the provider wants to change the content, the server is programmed to transmit the new content to the cart or child carrier. The system may be designed to overwrite the old content, or may be designed to add the content. In some cases, the cart or child carrier might need to be brought within a predetermined distance of the server for the new content to be delivered.  
      In another variation of this aspect, the content is periodically or continuously transmitted to the cart child carrier. In this instance, the content may be changing more frequently as the child views the video and listens to the audio.  
      In the system illustrated in  FIG. 15 , each store includes a server  180 . The media content is provided to each store on a flash card, CD-ROM, or other storage device. The content is stored on the server  180 . A Wi-Fi signaler  175  is connected to the server  180 . As each cart  5  passes within a specified distance, for example, 150 feet, of the signaler  175 , the media content is transmitted to the cart  5 , received by a wireless receiver on the cart, and stored on the flash card or other memory device housed on the cart.  
      In contrast, the system of  FIG. 16  uses an ISP  185  to transmit the media content to each store over the Internet via a modem  190 . The media content is downloaded onto the server  180  by each store. As each cart  5  passes within a specified distance, for example, 150 feet, of the Wi-Fi signaler  175 , the media content is transmitted to the cart  5 , received by a wireless receiver on the cart, and stored on the flash card or other memory device housed on the cart.  
      In addition to the above-described devices, another aspect of the cart  5 , shown in  FIG. 2 , employs a small computer (e.g., PDA, calculator, micro-computer, etc.) powered by a rechargeable battery  122 . The computer is supported by the cart  5  in a position that allows the shopper to easily view the display. The computer can be used as a calculator to aid the shopper, or can be programmed with locations of various products within the store, or shopping center, to aid the shopper in locating desired products. In another aspect (not shown), the computer is coupled to a portable bar code reader allowing the shopper to scan products as they are placed in the cart  5 . This greatly aids the shopper in maintaining a budget, and allows a shopper to review items placed in the cart  5  on the computer screen rather than having to search through the various products within the basket  15 .  
       FIG. 17  shows another aspect of the invention in which an electronic device  115  is provided in a child carrier  125  suitable for carrying children in a retail or other shopping environment. The child carrier  125  does not have a basket like the carts  5  of the previous aspects but rather performs the function of carrying and entertaining the child. The child carrier  125  has a seat region  130  having a push bar  135 , a seat  140 , and a steering wheel  145 , surrounded by the body  150 . The body  150  is supported by a plurality of wheels  155 . The electronic device  115  is disposed within the body  150  and supported such that children seated within the child carrier  125  can easily access and interact with the electronic device  115 . For example, the device  115  could be a television monitor that receives a signal from within the store. The monitor could display cartoons, stories, or educational programs that are of interest to young children. Other aspects of the child carrier  125  include a basket (not shown) to aid the shopper. The basket could be hung from the push bar  135  or supported in some other convenient manner.  
      In another aspect (not shown), the body is shaped to resemble an animal and the child carrier is used in a zoo or carnival setting. The electronic device could be a radio receiver able to pick up a broadcast emanating from within the zoo. Further, the radio receiver could receive a different signal based on its location allowing, the audio to describe the particular animals in the area.  
      As a person having ordinary skill in the art will realize, many electronic devices can be adapted to operate within a child carrier or cart as described herein. Thus, any of the systems, devices, and methods described herein may be used with a cart, a child carrier, or any other similar apparatus. In addition, a person having ordinary skill in the art will realize that an electronic device as described herein can be adapted to fit within any molded body commonly used in child carriers. In addition, child carriers that use tubular frames may employ electronic devices disposed within a formed panel or piece that attaches to the child carrier. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to only those aspects described herein.  
      Accordingly, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that, in view of the above detailed description of the invention and the appended documents and figures, the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the above detailed description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.  
      While the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to specific aspects, it is to be understood that this detailed description is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed description set forth herein is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other aspects, adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements of the present invention.