Patent Document

INTRODUCTION 
     The present invention relates to vehicle parts and components, and the preferred embodiments relate, e.g., to systems and methods for mounting batteries and/or the like within vehicles, especially within, e.g., trucks, tractors and/or commercial vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In various vehicles, especially in trucks, tractors and commercial vehicles, there is often a need to mount batteries and/or other components within the vehicle. 
     An illustrative conventional vehicle within which batteries and/or the like are mounted is shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown, the vehicle  100  includes a forward cab section  200  for accommodating a vehicle operator and a chassis frame  300  having generally parallel frame members  310 A and  310 B extending substantially the entire length of the vehicle and having a plurality of cross-members (not shown) connecting between the frame members  310 A and  310 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more deck plate  330 , such as, e.g., deck plates  330 A and/or  330 B in the illustrated example, are commonly supported upon the frame members  310 A and  310 B. Among other things, the deck plate(s) can provide a) a surface upon which an individual can walk, b) a surface upon which physical items can be supported, and c) a protective surface for vehicle components there-under, such as, e.g., the drive shaft of the vehicle extending to the rear wheels W. 
     With trucks, trailers and/commercial vehicles, space within the vehicle frame is typically at a premium because the space typically must support assorted components, such as, by way of example, air tanks, service lines, fuel tanks, fuel and electrical lines, hydraulic lines and systems, drive trains and accessories, and/or the like. 
     In addition, such vehicles often carry multiple batteries, such as, e.g., three or four heavy duty batteries, for such purposes as providing adequate cranking power to start a large diesel engine, providing adequate power for lighting and accessories, and/or the like. Accordingly, a typical vehicle has also been equipped with a sturdy battery box for securely mounting and housing such batteries on the vehicle. This type of battery box occupies substantial space that significantly contributes to the problem of optimally locating the various necessary and desired components upon the vehicle. 
     Ideally, all components are mounted accessibly and at the same time positioned to leave adequate room for a comfortable operating compartment and an engine compartment of sufficient space to afford access to the engine and to other vehicle components, such as power steering and air conditioning units which are typically located in engine compartments. Further, all of the vehicle components should be sufficiently nested within or otherwise supported by the frame to allow adequate road clearance and to minimize interference with air currents generated by a moving vehicle. They should also be positioned to keep vehicle wind drag to a minimum for economy which is important for profitable vehicle operation. 
     An illustrative battery box structure in the background art is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,167, of Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation (the &#39;167 patent). The &#39;167 patent shows: “[a]n over-the-highway truck or tractor vehicle having an elongate rail forming a portion of a vehicle frame and an improved battery box in the form of a unitary molded container defining multiple sides of a battery retention space.” See Abstract. The &#39;167 patent describes, among other things, “[s]tructure including a lower step fixedly connected to the rail [that] supports the container.” Id. 
     While a number of systems and methods exist in the art, there is a continued need in the art for improved methods for mounting batteries and/or the like in trucks, tractors and/or other commercial vehicles. As set forth below, the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide notable advancements over the above references and other existing systems and devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention overcomes various deficiencies and problems found in the above and/or other background art. 
     Among other things, in some preferred examples, a vehicle with an improved battery box mounting structure is provided that includes: a) two frame members extending lengthwise along the vehicle; b) a battery box between the two frame members, the battery box including a base having a bottom wall with upwardly extending perimeter walls and a cover with downwardly extending perimeter walls; c) a plurality of bracket members attaching the battery box between the two frame members, wherein the bracket members are each fixedly attached to only one of the two frame members and are flexibly attached to the battery box so as to accommodate relative movement between the battery box and the frame members. 
     In some examples, the bracket members being flexibly attached includes the bracket members being mounted to the battery box with at least one resilient member between the bracket members and the battery box and/or includes the bracket members being mounted to the battery box with tolerance in movement between the bracket members and the battery box. In some configurations, the tolerance in movement includes at least one protrusion on one of the battery box or the brackets that is loosely received within at least one hole of the other of the battery box and the brackets. In some instances, the bracket members are generally U-shaped and wherein one leg of the U-shape is fixed to at least one of the frame members and another end of the U-shape is attached to the base of the battery box at a side opposite to a battery receptacle within the battery box, such that the U-shape extends beneath the receptacle. In preferred embodiments, the bracket members being flexibly attached includes the bracket members being mounted to the battery box with at least one resilient member between the bracket members and the battery box. 
     According to yet some other examples, a battery box assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a) a base having a bottom wall and outwardly tapered perimeter walls, the perimeter walls including at least one cutout portion; b) a cover configured so as to be mounted over the base and having outwardly inclined perimeter walls; c) the outwardly inclined perimeter walls of the cover extending over but spaced apart from the at least one cutout portion so as to form an air vent into an interior of the battery box. In the preferred implementations, the assembly further includes a plurality of bracket members adapted to attach the battery box between parallel frame members of a vehicle. 
     According to yet some other examples of the invention, a method for mounting a plurality of batteries within a vehicle is performed that includes: a) providing a vehicle having two frame members extending lengthwise along the vehicle; b) providing a battery box for a plurality of batteries between the two frame members, the battery box including a base and a cover; c) connecting the battery box in between the two frame members via a plurality of bracket members, including fixedly attaching each the bracket members to only one of the two frame members and flexibly attaching each the bracket members to the battery box so as to accommodate relative movement between the battery box and the frame members. 
     According to yet some other examples, a method for mounting a plurality of batteries within a vehicle is performed that includes: a) providing a vehicle having two frame members extending lengthwise of the vehicle; b) attaching a plurality of brackets to the frame members; c) lowering a battery box onto the brackets; d) fixing the battery box onto the brackets while accessing the battery box from only above the frame members. In some examples, the method further includes providing the battery box as a pre-assembled module containing a plurality of batteries and wiring between the batteries. In some examples, the method further includes providing the battery box as a pre-assembled module including a disconnect switch and/or a jump stud. In yet some other examples, the method further includes flexibly attaching the bracket members to the battery box so as to accommodate relative movement between the battery box and the frame members. In some preferred examples, the method further involves that the fixing the battery box onto the brackets while accessing the battery box from only above the frame members includes screwing a nut onto a stud that extends up from one of the brackets and through a hole in the battery box. 
     The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by a way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative vehicle within which battery boxes according to some of the preferred embodiments can be implemented; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a base of a battery box being mounted between frame members of a vehicle according to some illustrative embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 8(A)  showing a portion of a bracket assembly for a battery box structure according to some illustrative embodiments; 
         FIG. 4(A)  is a top perspective view of a base of a battery box according to some preferred embodiments similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  without batteries therein, and  FIG. 4(B)  is a top perspective view of the battery box base shown in  FIG. 4(A)  with batteries therein; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of another embodiment showing a battery box base as mounted between frame members of a vehicle; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the battery box similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  with a cover thereon; 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a battery box similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  with a side thereof cut-away to facilitate viewing the interior of the battery box for illustrative purposes; 
         FIG. 8(A)  is a top perspective view of a battery box similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  with mounting brackets attached thereto; and 
         FIG. 8(B)  is a top front perspective view of a battery box similar to that shown in  FIG. 5  along with an integrated jump stud and disconnect switch according to some illustrative embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and that such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments of the invention, a battery box  500  is provided that can be mounted between two generally parallel frame members  310 A and  310 B in a truck, tractor or the like (such as, by way of example, similar to that depicted in  FIG. 1 ). As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the preferred embodiments, the battery box  500  is mounted to the frame members  310 A and  310 B using bracket members  600 . As best shown in  FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) , the battery box  500  preferably includes a cover  520  which is omitted in  FIG. 2  so as to allow for viewing inside the battery box. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the battery box  500  is preferably configured so as to support a plurality of batteries. In the illustrated and non-limiting example, four such batteries B 1 , B 2 , B 3  and B 4  are depicted. 
     In some preferred embodiments, the battery box  500  can be mounted between such frame members  310 A and  310 B and, in turn, a deck plate  330  (e.g., see  330 A and/or  330 B in  FIG. 1 ) can be located there-over. 
       FIGS. 2 to 4(B)  and  6  to  8 (A) show a first preferred embodiment of the invention in which an illustrative battery box  500  is mounted between the two frame members  310 A and  310 B. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the battery box  500  in this first preferred embodiment includes a substantially rectangular container base  510  having a generally cylindrical hump  511  extending lengthwise along the floor of the base  510  to accommodate a drive shaft of the vehicle. 
     In this embodiment, the hump  511  includes three extensions  512 ,  513  and  514  extending upwardly there-from. The extensions  512 ,  513  and  514  preferably include substantially flat upper surfaces for providing interior support beneath a cover  520  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6  to  8 (A)). In addition, extensions  512  and  514  may also provide a place to attach a bracket  510 LP to secure the batteries as described below. While three extensions  512 ,  513  and  514  are shown in the illustrated embodiment, in some other examples, the extensions can be combined to form less than three extensions (such as, e.g., one or two extension(s)), while in other embodiments more than three extensions can be used. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) , the container base  510  preferably includes a bottom wall  510 BW and four walls including a front wall  510 FW, left and right side walls  510 SW, and a rear wall  510 RW. Each of the four perimeter walls preferably is inclined relative to the bottom wall  510 BW so as to form an obtuse angle with the bottom wall, that is, angle slightly outwards, as best seen in, e.g., in  FIGS. 3 and 7 . The four perimeter walls and the cylindrical hump define receptacle spaces to receive batteries. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) , the upper ends of the container base  510  preferably include cutout portions  510 CO. In the preferred embodiments, the cutout portions  510 CO are located proximate the comers of the base  510  as shown. In other embodiments, however, the cutout portions can be at different locations around the perimeter of the base  510 . 
     In some preferred embodiments, the container base  510  further includes side depressions  510 SD as best seen in  FIG. 6 . Among other things, the side depressions  510 SD can be employed to add to the rigidity of the structure and/or so as to help delineate sections in which the batteries reside. 
     In addition, in some preferred embodiments, the bottom wall  510 BW includes depressions  510 BD as best seen in  FIG. 6 . Among other things, the bottom depressions  510 BD can be employed to add to the rigidity of the structure, to provide fluid drainage from the battery storage areas, and/or for other purposes. As for fluid drainage functionality, the depressions  510 BD can be formed, e.g., so as to angle downwards to openings  510 BDO as best seen in  FIG. 6 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 6 , a plurality of bracket members  600  is provided to mount the base  510  to the frame members  310 A and  310 B. In the preferred embodiments, the bracket members  600  are configured so as to a) be fixedly attached to one of the frame members  310 A or  310 B, b) to extend underneath and support the bottom wall  510 BW of the base  510  of the container, and c) to extend up to at least one of the extension portions  512 / 513 / 514  so as to provide support there-under without interfering with the clearance space provided by the extension portions. 
     In the preferred embodiments, as shown, rather than utilizing bracket members that span completely between the frame members  310 A and  310 B, the bracket members  600  are preferably configured so as to extend only partially across the width of the bottom wall  510 BW between the frame members  310 A and  310 B. As shown in  FIG. 6 , four brackets are provided with the ends of laterally adjacent brackets  600  preferably spaced from one another a distance d. Among other things, using two brackets  600  rather than one bracket to span between frame rails enables the battery box  500  to accommodate relative movement of the frame members  310 A and  310 B during normal driving conditions (e.g., twisting, parallelogramming, etc.). 
     To further account for relative movement and/vibration between parts during normal use of the device, one or more resilient members, such as, e.g., a resilient member (e.g., a rubber cushion) or grommet can be provided in between the base  510  and the brackets  600 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , a resilient member or grommet  510 G can be located between a lower end of the bottom wall  510 BW and the bottom segment  604  (discussed below) of the bracket  600 , and another resilient member or grommet  510 G can be located between the container base  510  and the distal portion  601  (discussed below) of the bracket  600 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3  (in broken lines) and  6 , the bottom wall of the base  510  preferably includes a plurality of protrusions  510 BWP that are arranged to be received within holes  600 H cutout of the brackets  600 . In the illustrated embodiment, two protrusions are arranged to extend into two respective holes  600 H in each respective bracket  600 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , the diameter of the protrusions  510 BWP is preferably smaller than the diameter of the holes  600 H, such as, e.g., by an amount d 2  depicted, so as to accommodate some relative motion between the bracket  600  and the base  510 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the preferred embodiments, the bracket  600  is formed so as to have a first region (such as, e.g., portion  601 ) that is attached to an underside of the base  510  (such as, e.g., using a threaded stud R that is fixedly attached to the portion  601  and a lock nut N and/or any other appropriate connectors) so as to enhance the support at the upward extensions (e.g.,  512  or  514 ), a second region (such as, e.g., including the portions  602 ,  603 ,  605  and  606 ) that extends beneath the bottom of the container  510 , and a third region (such as, e.g., the portion  607 ) that is attached to a frame member  310 A or  310 B (such as, e.g., using bolts B and/or any other appropriate connectors). In the preferred embodiments, the brackets  600  are substantially U-shaped, as shown, and include mounting regions proximate the upper ends of the respective arms as shown. While the figures depict some illustrative arrangements of the brackets  600 , such as, e.g., including portions  601  to  607  shown as segments in some illustrative and non-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that these are just some illustrative examples and that the brackets  600  can be modified so as to be formed of a single piece of metal bent to an appropriate shape and to have a variety of shapes and configurations depending on circumstances in other embodiments of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) , in some preferred embodiments, locking brackets  510 LP can be removably mounted on the container base  510  so as to retain the batteries B 1  to B 4  in the battery box during operation of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiments, the locking brackets  510 LP are fastened to the upper ends of the extensions  512  and  514  and inserted in slots in the sidewalls  510 SW. By way of example, the brackets  510 LP can be attached using any appropriate connectors, such as, e.g., bolts, screws, clasps and/or the like. In prior battery boxes, brackets for retaining batteries extended over corner portions of the batteries, resulting in corner-loading on the cases of the batteries. In the preferred embodiments, however, the brackets  510 LP advantageously extend over substantially the mid-sections of the batteries as shown. In this manner, the brackets  510 LP do not impart unnecessary loads on the battery cases inside the battery box  500 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 (A) and  8 (B), in the preferred embodiments, the battery box  500  includes a cover or lid  520 . In the preferred embodiments, the cover  520  includes a generally planar top wall  520 TW, a depending front wall  520 FW, left and right depending side walls  520 SW and a depending rear wall  520 RW. Among other things, the depending front wall  520 FW, depending side walls  52 SW and depending rear wall  520 RW are preferably constructed so as to angle outwards slightly relative to the top wall  520 TW as best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 7 . As a result, the container base  510  flares outward in an upward direction while the cover  520  flares outward in a downward direction as shown providing a gap between the depending walls of the cover and the walls of the base. In the preferred embodiments, the depending walls  520 FW,  520 SW and  520 RW are preferably sized so as to facilitate locating of the cover over the top of the base  510  (such as, e.g., with the depending walls locating the cover in position over the base  510 ). In addition, preferably the depending walls  520 FW,  520 SW and  520 RW are configured so as to extend over the entire or substantially the entire height of the cutout portions  510 CO, as shown in the figures. 
     In some preferred embodiments, the cover is configured so as to distribute a load applied on the top of the cover  520  towards the sides adjacent the frame members and over the brackets. Among other things, by way of example, such a construction can provide assistance in the event that, e.g., an individual steps on the cover  520  or otherwise applies a load over the cover  520 . By way of example, as shown in  FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) , the cover  520  can include a stepped configuration  520 ST proximate the side edges. Moreover, in some embodiments, the cover  520  can even be made so as to rest only the sides  510 SW (without deflection of the cover  520 ) such that less force is applied along a center of the battery box in many circumstances. 
     Among other things, by extending the depending walls  520 FW,  520 SW and  520 RW over the cutout portions  510 CO, air vent passages VP can be advantageously formed between the cover  520  and the base  510  while the cover  520  can still be configured so as to substantially obstruct and cover the base  510 . In that regard, the air vents VP are preferably formed by the oppositely inclined depending walls of the cover  520  and the walls of the base  510 , such that even though the depending walls extend downward over the walls of the base  510 , a vent path VP is still formed there-between as best seen in  FIG. 7 . Among other things, this provides for a more aesthetic appearance because the interior of the battery box is obstructed from view and also provides for, among other things, enhanced shielding of the interior of the battery box from external objects, weather or the like. By way of example, fluid flow over the cover  520  due to, e.g., spillage, leakage, rain and/or other conditions will have a reduced likelihood of entering the battery box due to the overhanging vent structure according to the preferred embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8(A)  to  8 (B), in some embodiments at least one latch mechanism(s)  520 L is provided to help retain the cover  520  upon the base  510 . In this regard, in the preferred embodiments, the latch mechanism  520 L is fixedly attached to one of the cover  520  or the base  510  and includes a distal end that is releasably engaged/disengaged with the other of the cover  520  or the base  510 . In some preferred embodiments, the latch mechanism includes a flexible or resilient material, such as, e.g., a rubber or the like that is pivotally attached to one of the cover  520  or the base  510  and that includes an engagement member on a distal end thereof, while the other of the cover  520  or the base  510  includes a catch  510 C that can releasably engage with the engagement member. By way of example, the engagement member can include, e.g., a widened region that can be engaged within a hook or the like on the catch  510 C. For example, in use, the resilient member can be stretched (e.g., manually by an individual) and the widened region can be located within the hook so as to retain the cover  520  or the widened region can be removed from the hook so as to release the cover  520 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latch mechanism  520 L is mounted on the base  510  and the catch member  520 C is mounted on the cover, but in other embodiments, as described above, this arrangement can be reversed. Among other things, the use of a flexible latch mechanism has some advantages related to, e.g., a) the ability to use non-conducting materials for the battery box, including the latch mechanism, b) the enablement of lightweight and long-lasting materials to be employed, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , this figure shows another embodiment of the invention in which an illustrative battery box  500  is mounted between the two frame members  310 A and  310 B. In this illustrative example, the battery box  500  is similarly depicted as including a substantially rectangular container base  510  and a generally cylindrical hump  511  extending lengthwise along the floor of the base  510 . In order to allow for wiring and/or venting, a plurality of cut-outs  510 WH can be provided proximate respective battery locations as shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  also depicts an illustrative manner of wiring the batteries contained within the battery box enclosure  500  according to some illustrative and non-limiting embodiments. Various other wiring methods can be employed as would be appreciated by those in the art. In addition, while  FIG. 5  shows an embodiment that is slightly modified from that shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4(B)  and  6  to  8 (B), the wiring methods used in  FIG. 5  can be employed within any of the embodiments shown herein where appropriate. Moreover, while  FIG. 5  does not depict a cover  520 , it should be understood that the device of  FIG. 5  can include an appropriate cover  520  similar to that described above. 
       FIG. 8(B)  depicts yet another embodiment of the invention which is generally similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  and which includes an integrated jump stud JS (e.g., a jump plug or battery connector) and a disconnect switch DS. Although such a jump stud JS and disconnect switch DS can be integrated in some embodiments, in some preferred embodiments, such as, e.g., shown in the other figures, jump stud and disconnect switch integration is not employed. In some other preferred embodiments, such as, e.g., shown in  FIG. 5 , another bracket member  700  can be employed for mounting jump stud and/or disconnect switches or the like. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , in some preferred embodiments of the invention, the battery box can be easily and efficiently mounted upon the vehicle frame members  310 A and  310 B. In the preferred embodiments, the ease of mounting is enhanced by constructing the battery box components in a manner to allow an individual to install the battery box without any need to access the battery box components from beneath the frame members  310 A and  310 B. In contrast, prior battery boxes have required an individual to access the battery box from beneath the battery box in order to mount it onto the vehicle. In this regard, as described above, in the preferred embodiments, the brackets  600  can be initially attached to the frame members  310 A and  310 B as shown in  FIG. 2 . Then, the battery box  500  can be lowered onto the brackets such that the protrusions  510 BWP fit into the holes  600 H and such that the stud R fixed to the portion  601  extends upward through a corresponding receiving hole  510 R formed in the base  510 . Thereafter, the nut N can be threaded onto the top end of the stud R from above the battery box assembly so as to retain the battery box  500  fixedly upon the frame members  310 A and  310 B. As a result of this unique mounting structure, the battery box can be easily and efficiently mounted upon the frame members  310 A and  310 B. 
     In addition, in some of the preferred embodiments described above, the battery box  500  can be mounted in a manner that enhances the durability of the device, such as, e.g., by isolating the battery box from vibration and/or by accommodating loads applied to the frame structure that result in, e.g., twisting, rolling, bending, or parallelogramming of the frame members. In some embodiments, the stiffness of the battery box structure can be about ⅙ or less of the stiffness of a typical frame cross-member, resulting in, among other things, longer durability. 
     In addition, in some of the preferred embodiments described above, the battery box can be easily and efficiently mounted as a pre-assembled, self-contained module. By way of example, in some preferred embodiments, the battery box  500  can include, e.g., batteries mounted therein along with wiring between the batteries (such as, e.g., similar to that shown in  FIG. 5 ). In addition, as described above, in some embodiments, the battery box can include pre-assembled jump studs and/or disconnect switches integrated therein. In such cases, the wiring associated with such pre-assembled components can be readily contained and located inside the battery box. As a result, the battery box  500  can operate as an easy and efficient module that can be readily installed upon a vehicle. Moreover, as described above, the wiring, connections and other components located inside the battery box can be well maintained and isolated from external contaminants due to, among other things, the unique venting structure as described above (such as, e.g., in which the vent paths VP are substantially obstructed from the environment). 
     In the preferred embodiments, the battery box  500 , including the base  510  and the cover  520  can be formed using plastics, polymers, fiber glass and/or the like materials. Among other things, materials having some resiliency and non-conductive properties are preferable for such components. Nevertheless, various other embodiments can include a variety of other materials depending on circumstances. In addition, in the preferred embodiments, the brackets  600  are formed of metal material(s), such as, e.g., aluminum, stainless steel and/or any other appropriate material(s) as would be suitable for purposes described herein as would be understood by those in the art based upon the present disclosure. 
     BROAD SCOPE OF THE INVENTION 
     While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to.” In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “or example.”

Technology Category: 7