SPORTS TRAINING DEVICE AND METHOD

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/485,947, filed on 20 Feb. 2023, and entitled “SPORTS TRAINING DEVICE AND METHOD. The disclosure of the prior Application is considered part of and is incorporated by reference into this patent application.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a sports training device, and more particularly to a device that can improve a player's stick control by encouraging the use of the upper hand during play.

Sports that use sticks such as hockey can be a fast-paced and physically demanding sport, requiring a combination of skills such as speed, strength, and agility. One of the most crucial skills required in hockey is stick handling. Stick handling refers to the ability to control the stick, pass the puck, and shoot accurately. Other such sports include lacrosse and field hockey for example.

To become an accomplished hockey player, it is essential to master stick handling skills. A player must be able to handle the stick with precision and speed while on the ice. Stick control is a critical factor that determines the level of a player's success on the ice. The ability to control the hockey stick is the foundation of a player's performance in hockey.

In hockey, players use both hands to hold the stick. The lower hand provides the power, while the upper hand provides the control. Players often rely too heavily on the lower hand, resulting in a choppy and ineffective style of play. Using the upper hand to control the stick is a more effective and efficient way of playing hockey. Training aids of the prior art are difficult to install on a sports stick because the are typically of a fixed geometry and cannot be applied over the head of a stick (blade, basket, etc.) or over the top of the stick handle because of handling features (knobs, tape, etc.).

What is needed is a sports training device for use with a sporting stick that solves the deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY

In In one general aspect, a sports training device may include a main body having a first main body end and a second main body end, the main body having a first elongated half cylinder and a second elongated half cylinder, a first side positioned along a length of the first elongated half cylinder and along a length of the second elongated half cylinder, a second side positioned along the length of the first elongated half cylinder and the length of the second elongated half cylinder, and a hinge positioned along the first side configured to rotatably couple the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder between an open position and a closed position.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The sports training device where the main body may include an elongated hollow cylinder in the closed position and a first aperture is positioned on the first main body end and a second aperture is positioned on the second main body end. The sports training device where the main body is configured to receive a handle of a sports stick within any of the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder in the open position. The sports training device where the main body is configured to releasably capture the handle of the sports stick between the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder and within the elongated hollow cylinder in the closed position. The sports training device where the main body is configured to translate along a length of the handle in the closed position. The sports training device where at least a portion of an inside of the main body has a shape substantially similar to the handle and configured to prevent rotation of the sports training device relative to the handle in the closed position. The sports training device where the main body is configured to rotate about the handle in the closed position. The sports training device where the sports stick is any of an ice hockey stick, a lacrosse stick and a field hockey stick. The sports training device the hinge may include a plurality of knuckles distributed along the length of the first side, each of the plurality of knuckles having a passage therethrough, the plurality of knuckles on the first elongated half cylinder positioned adjacent to the plurality of knuckles on the second elongated half cylinder, and a hinge pin positioned within the passage in the plurality of knuckles. The sports training device may include a face positioned along the length of the second side, and at least one closure device positioned along the face to releasably position the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder in the closed position. The sports training device where the closure device may include any of a hook and loop fastener, a magnetic attraction force, a spring, and a hook. The sports training device may include a plurality of pockets distributed along the face, a plurality of magnets having a positive polarity end and a negative polarity end, the plurality of magnets having the positive polarity end facing outward positioned in the plurality of pockets of the first elongated half cylinder, the plurality of magnets having the negative polarity end facing outward positioned in the plurality of pockets of the second elongated half cylinder, and where the plurality of magnets in the first elongated half cylinder and the plurality of magnets in the first elongated half cylinder provide a magnetic attraction force to releasably position the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder in the closed position. The sports training device where in the magnetic attraction force is selected to allow the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder to be placed in the open position when the sports training device translates along a handle of a sports stick and strikes a bottom end of the sports stick. The sports training device may include a first raised boss positioned on the face of a first end of the first elongated half cylinder and a first recess positioned on a second end of the first elongated half cylinder, a second raised boss positioned on the face of a first end of the second elongated half cylinder and a second recess positioned on a second end of the second elongated half cylinder, and where the first raised boss positioned on the face of the first end of the first elongated half cylinder and the first recess positioned on a second end of the first elongated half cylinder respectively engage with the second raised boss positioned on the face of the first end of the second elongated half cylinder and the second recess positioned on a second end of the second elongated half cylinder in the closed position. The sports training device where the first aperture and the second aperture may include a tapered first aperture and a tapered second aperture configured to allow the sports training device to translate along a length of a handle of a sports stick in the closed position without catching against the handle. The sports training device where the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder are identical. The sports training device may include a planar section positioned between the first main body end and the second main body end on the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder include. The sports training device may include a first circular section positioned on a first end of the planar section and a second circular section positioned on a second end of the planar section. The sports training device may include a non-slip surface on at least a portion of the main body. The sports training device configured to be used by a player for improving stick control and reducing chopping.

In one general aspect, a method may include providing a sports training device having a main body having a first elongated half cylinder and a second elongated half cylinder, where the main body further may include a first side and a second side positioned along a length of the first elongated half cylinder and along a length of the second elongated half cylinder, and a hinge configured to rotatably couple the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder between an open position and a closed position.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method may include positioning the sports training device in the open position, disposing a handle of the sports stick within any of the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder, and positioning the sports training device in the closed position and releasably capturing the handle within the sports training device. The method may include grasping, by the player, the sports training device in a first hand and a top portion of the sports stick in a second hand, translating and rotating the sports training device with the first hand, and controlling the sports stick with the second hand. The method may include positioning a plurality of magnets along the second side of the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder, providing a magnetic attraction force between respective pairs of the plurality of magnets, and releasably positioning the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder in the closed position. The method may include detecting a poor technique of the player having the player releasing a grip on the sports training device, translating the sports training device along the handle, impacting the sports training device against an end of the sports stick, overcoming the magnetic attraction force, positioning the sports training device into the open position, and releasing the sports training device from the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of a sports training device in an open position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an end view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a section view of a sports training device taken along cut line 7-7 of FIG. 6 in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a sports training device in an open position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inside surface of a half of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an outside surface of a half of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is bottom view of a half of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a right side view of a half of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is an end view of a half of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is detail view of inset 160 of FIG. 13 showing a top view of a boss of a half of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is detail view of inset 170 of FIG. 15 showing an end view of a hinge of a half of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a partial cross section detailed view of inset 190 of FIG. 7 showing a pair of mating magnets of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a partial cross section view taken along cut line 180-180 of FIG. 16 showing a pocket and a boss of a half of a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a sports training device in an open position showing a handle of a sporting stick positioned inside in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a left side perspective view of a sports training device in a closed position showing a handle of a sporting stick positioned inside in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a right side perspective view of a sports training device in a closed position showing a handle of a sporting stick positioned inside in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a side view of an ice hockey stick including a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a rendering of an ice hockey player gripping an ice hockey stick including a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is an end view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a side view of a lacrosse stick including a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a side view of a field hockey stick including a sports training device in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 28 is a is a top view of a sports training device in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a sports training device designed to improve a player's stick control. The device is particularly useful for ice hockey, field hockey, and lacrosse players but can be used in other sports and other areas of endeavor as well. Referring to FIGS. 1-4 there is shown a sports training sleeve 1 comprised of a hollow cylinder having a first half 2 and a second half 3 rotatably connected by hinge 4. As will be disclosed in more detail herein after, sports training sleeve 1 is configured to be clamped around a sporting stick and can be further configured to slide along the length of the sporting stick as well as rotate about the sporting stick and is gripped by the player's lower hand. The length L (FIG. 1) of the sports training sleeve 1 can be about the same length or longer than the player's hand, and in some embodiments can measure 7 inches, which allows the player to grip the cylinder comfortably while using the upper hand to control the stick.

The sports training sleeve 1 can be made of a lightweight and durable material that can withstand the rigors of play. The material can be aluminum, plastic, or composite, depending on the sport and the player's preference. The sports training sleeve 1 is configured to fit slidably and rotatably over the sporting stick, with the player's lower hand gripping the cylinder. The cylinder can include a non-slip surface on the outside surface, ensuring a secure grip for the player. The inside of the cylinder of sports training sleeve 1 can include a padded material to cushion the sporting stick from the cylinder.

The hinge 4 of the sports training sleeve 1 allows the first half 2 and the second half 3 to be placed in an open position (FIG. 3), allowing the sports training sleeve to be positioned over a sporting stick where sliding it over an end of the stick is not possible. Such situations where sliding it over an end of the stick is not possible include the blade or head of the stick on one end and a grip, tape or cap on the other end. The sports training sleeve 1 can be easily installed on the stick by placing the sports training sleeve in an open position and the closing the two halves over the stick in a closed position. The sports training sleeve 1 can include a closure device or a releasable locking mechanism such as a spring, hook and loop fasteners magnets or the like to ensure that the sports training sleeve stays in place during play and does not come unattached from the stick, allowing the player to focus on improving their stick control.

In the case of embodiments used in the field of ice hockey, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that sports training sleeve 1 is configured to force the player to control the sporting stick with the upper hand, resulting in better stick control and less chopping. The lower hand provides the power, while the upper hand provides the control. Players often rely too heavily on the lower hand, resulting in a choppy and ineffective style of play. Using the upper hand to control the stick is a more effective and efficient way of playing sports.

Referring next to FIGS. 5-9, similar to that disclosed herein above, there is shown another embodiment of sports training sleeve 1 in a releasably closed position. Sports training sleeve 1 comprises an elongated body 60 having a length L wherein the outer shape of the elongated body includes a first cylindrical section 61 on a first end and a second cylindrical section 62 on a second end. The first half cylindrical section 61 and the second half cylindrical section 62 have the same outside diameter 63 and the same inside diameter 59, which inside diameter in some embodiments can be 1.4375 inches. The first half cylindrical section 61 and the second half cylindrical section 62 transition to a main body 64. The main body 64 comprises an elongated hollow tubiform or semi cylindrical shape that includes a hand grip 65 positioned in the middle of the main body between main body ends 66, 67. For purposes of the present disclosure, the term elongated hollow cylinder will be used to refer to main body 64. Hand grip 65 comprises a planar section along the elongated hollow cylinder. Main body ends 66, 67 of the main body 64 are circular in cross sectional shape and have a diameter 68, which in some embodiments can measure 2.25 inches, which is larger than outside diameter 63, which in some embodiments can be 1.813 inches, comprised of the first half cylindrical section 61 and the second cylindrical section 62 and wherein the ends transition into the hand grip 65. The hand grip 65 is comprised of a pair of opposing parallel planar sections 69, 70 joined by a pair of arcs 71, 72 having the same outside diameter 68 as the main body ends 66, 67 of the main body 64. The hand grip 65 is configured to allow a user to comfortably and securely grip the sports training sleeve 1 in that the shape can resemble a sporting stick handle and the circular ends 66, 67 of the main body 64 prevent the users hand from sliding along the length L of the sports training sleeve.

As disclosed herein above and in more detail herein after, the sports training sleeve 1 is configured to translate along a sporting stick handle as well as rotate about the handle. The sports training sleeve 1 of the present disclosure is physically different in many ways from prior art training aids, the inventiveness of which will become more evident with further reference to FIGS. 10-19. Although similar to that disclosed herein above with reference to FIGS. 1-4, sports training sleeve 1 of FIGS. 5-19, with specific reference to FIGS. 10-19, is comprised of two identical elongated half cylinders 100 joined along its length L on a first side by a hinge 101 and releasably secured along a second side by a plurality of matching magnets 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b, 104a and 104b. Other aspects of the inventiveness of the sports training sleeve of the current disclosure will be disclosed in more detail herein after. The two elongated half cylinders 100 of the sports training sleeve can advantageously be identical and should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the two halves can be produced using the same mold in the case of injection molding as a manufacturing technique. The inside surface 105 of the main body 64 of the sports training sleeve 1 has contours that substantially match the outside shape (offset by material thickness) as disclosed in detail herein above. A portion of the length of the first side of the main body 64 includes a closed knuckle 106, 107 on either end and a pair of slotted knuckles 108, 109 positioned there between. The closed knuckles 106, 107 and the slotted knuckles 108, 109 of the two elongated half cylinders 100 cooperate to form the hinge 101 with a hinge pin 110 that runs through holes 117 (FIG. 17) in the closed knuckles and slots in the slotted knuckles wherein the holes and slots comprise a passage for the hinge pin, which in some embodiments the passage can be 0.0625 inches in diameter and the hinge pin can be 0.063 inches in diameter and 4.25 inches long. In some embodiments hinge pin 110 can be a metal rod such as is commercially available as part number 87131 from K&S Precision Metals. The hinge 101 is configured to rotatably couple the two elongated half cylinders 100 and allows the sports training sleeve to be rotated between an open position and a closed position and which function will be disclosed in more detail herein after. The second side of the sports training sleeve 1 includes a face 111 positioned perpendicular to arc 71. A plurality of pockets 112, 113, 114 distributed along and penetrating into the face 111 and configured to securely position a magnet in each of the plurality of pockets. The magnets 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b, 104a and 104b can comprise rare earth magnets having a cylindrical shape such as ⅛×¼ Inch Neodymium Rare Earth Cylinder/Rod Magnets N42 commercially available from Element Magnets Inc. As can best be seen with reference to FIG. 18, advantageously the plurality of pockets 112, 113, 114 can comprise a frustoconical shape sized such that the cylindrical magnets fit within a pocket in an interference fit with a top portion of the cylindrical magnet flush or nearly flush with the face 111. In some embodiments, the plurality of pockets 112, 113, 114 can be 0.125 inches in diameter and 0.250 inches deep. In some embodiments, each magnet can produce a magnetic attraction force of 0.67 pounds. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-19, each half of the sports training sleeve includes three magnets for releasably positioning the sports training sleeve in a closed position. When two elongated half cylinders 100 of the sports training sleeve 1 are chosen for assembly, one half is chosen having magnets with a first polarity (positive) end facing outwards and a second half is chosen having a second opposite polarity (negative) end facing outward. This can best be seen with reference to FIG. 19. When the two elongated half cylinders 100 of the sports training sleeve 1 are rotated from the open position to the closed position, for installing the sports training sleeve on a sporting stick for example, the sports training sleeve 1 is held releasably closed by a force of 4 pounds due to the magnetic attraction of the cooperating pairs of magnets. It should be appreciate by those skilled in the art that the number and strength of the magnet pairs are selected to provide a preselected release force. In some embodiments

Still referring to FIGS. 10-19, the structural integrity of sports training sleeve 1 is further enhanced by the presence of raised boss 115 (see FIGS. 16 and 18) and recess 116 on face 111 of the main body 64. In the embodiment shown, raised boss 115 is positioned adjacent to pocket 114 and recess 116 is positioned adjacent to pocket 112. When the two elongated half cylinders 100 are assembled and in the closed position, the raised boss 115 on one half mate with the recess 116 on the other half, providing linear alignment and stability, ensuring the sports training sleeve 1 maintains its shape and stability during use.

The operation of sports training sleeve 1 can be seen with reference to FIGS. 20-22. In FIG. 20, sports training sleeve 1 is in the open position with an example sporting stick 120 disposed within one elongated half cylinder 100. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that sports training sleeve 1 can be installed on an intermediate portion of sporting stick 120 without regard to the end of the sporting stick because the elongated half cylinders 100 can be separated by rotating them about hinge 101 thus avoiding a blade or knob or the like.. Now with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, a user can slidably and rotatably releasably capture the sporting stick 120 within the elongated half cylinders 100 of sports training sleeve 1 by rotating the halves about hinge 101 and engaging respective pairs of magnets 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b and 104a, 104b. Once releasably positioned within sports training sleeve 1, the sporting stick can be manipulated by a user and slid along the length of the handle of the sporting stick and rotated about the handle. The user can remove sports training sleeve 1 from the handle of sporting stick 120 by prising the elongated half cylinders 100 apart and breaking the magnetic attraction of magnet pairs 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b and 104a, 104b.

Now with reference back to FIG. 13, the embodiment of sports training sleeve 1 shown further includes tapered inside ends 121, 122. Tapered ends 121, 122 transition from a first radius proximate main body to a larger radius at the ends. The first radius can comprise a 0.72 inch radius and the second larger radius can comprise a 0.9 inch radius forming taper angle 130 relative to centerline 131. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, when the elongated half cylinders 100 are in the closed position, taper ends 121, 122 form tapered apertures and enable sports training sleeve 1 to slide along sporting stick 120 without catching the inside edges of the taper ends thereby avoiding damage to the sporting stick and smooth linear translation of the sports training sleeve.

Referring to FIG. 23, there is shown sports training sleeve 1 positioned on a shaft 50 of an ice hockey stick 51. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that devices of the prior art cannot be installed on shaft 50 because those devices would not slide over either the knob 52 on the top end or the blade 53 on the bottom end of ice hockey stick 51. However, sports training sleeve 1 can advantageously be installed on shaft 50 by rotating a first half 100 and a second half 100 relative to each other about hinge 101 into the open position (FIG. 20) and placing the shaft 50 within one half 100 and positioning the sports training sleeve into the closed position (FIGS. 21, 22). With the sports training sleeve 1 in the closed position on shaft 50 it can slide up and down the shaft in the direction of arrow 54 and rotate about the stick.

Referring now to FIG. 24, there is shown an example of an ice hockey player 80 skating and holding ice hockey stick 81. Sports training sleeve 1 is positioned on shaft 820 of hockey stick 81 and is grasped by player 80 with the player's lower hand 83 (the left hand in this example) while the player's upper hand 84 is shown gripping the top of hockey stick 81. The sports training sleeve 1 can slide up and down shaft 82 in the direction of arrow 86 and can be used during practice for improving stick control and reducing chopping. The sports training sleeve 1 is particularly useful for younger players who are still developing their stick handling skills. The device can be used in various drills to improve stick control, such as stickhandling drills, passing drills, and shooting drills. Another non-obvious advantage of sports training sleeve 1 is that if a player releases the grip on the sports training sleeve, it will slide down the stick and strikes against the top of blade 85 thus a coaching staff to detect that the player is using poor technique. The plurality of matching magnets 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b, 104a and 104b (FIG. 20) are configured such that when such an impact occurs the elongated half cylinders 100 are forced open and the sports training sleeve is liberated from the hockey stick 81. When sports training sleeve 1 is liberated from the hockey stick 81 it becomes evident to a coach that the player is using a poor technique and not training properly and remedial training can be applied.

The sports training sleeve 1 is easy to use and requires no special training for installation. The player 80 simply grips the hand grip 65 with their lower hand 83 and uses the upper hand 84 to control the stick 81. Over time, the player 80 will develop better stick control, resulting in a more efficient and effective style of play. The sports training sleeve 1 is suitable for players of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals, and can be used in various sports where stick control is essential.

Referring next to FIG. 25, there is shown an implementation of sports training sleeve 1 wherein the internal cavity of the cylinder is configured to match the shaft of a sporting stick to which it is installed. In this particular example, internal cavity 90 is rectangular in shape and can comprise dimensions of approximately 2″ by 3″ to accommodate the shaft of a standard ice hockey stick. Other shapes of internal cavity 90 are contemplated by implementations of sports training sleeve 1 of the present disclosure such as oval, octagonal and other custom shapes. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such shaped internal cavities 90 would prevent sleeve 1 from rotating on the to which it is installed but would permit the sliding motion disclosed herein above.

Referring next to FIG. 26, there is shown sports training sleeve 1 positioned on a shaft 600 of a lacrosse stick 610. Like the ice hockey stick 51, sports training sleeve 1 cannot be installed on shaft 60 without first rotating first half 100 and second half 100 about hinge 101 into the open position (FIG. 20) because the sports training sleeve (and prior art devices) would not slide over either the knob 620 on the top end or the scoop 630 on the bottom end of lacrosse stick 610 in the closed position. With the sports training sleeve 1 in the closed position on shaft 600 it can slide up and down the shaft in the direction of arrow 640 as well as rotate about the shaft.

Referring next to FIG. 27, there is shown sports training sleeve 1 positioned on a bow portion of shaft 270 of a field hockey stick 271. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that sports training sleeve 1 cannot be installed on bow portion of shaft 270 without first rotating first half 2 and second half 3 into the open position (FIG. 20) because the cylinder would not slide over either the knob 272 on the top end or the scoop 273 on the bottom end of field hockey stick 271. With the sports training sleeve 1 in the closed position on shaft 270 it can slide up and down the shaft 270 in the direction of arrow 274 as rotate about the shaft.

Referring now to FIG. 28, there is shown an implementation of sports training sleeve 1 of the present disclosure. In this implementation, sports training sleeve 1 includes an alternative grip 1000 positioned between a first end 1010 and a second end 102.0 It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that grip 100 of this implementation of sports training sleeve 1 would advantageously provide better grip and comfort to a player during use. The size and shape of grip 1000 could be customized for different players and attributes.

In summary, the sports training sleeve 1 of the present disclosure provides a unique and effective sports training device that can help players improve their stick control. The device is lightweight, durable, and easily installed, allowing it to be used on a variety of sporting sticks. The optional non-slip surface and locking mechanism ensure a secure grip, while the sliding action encourages the use of the upper hand, resulting in less chopping and a smoother, more efficient style of play. The sports training sleeve 1 is suitable for players of all skill levels and can be used during practice or games for improving stick control and enhancing overall performance on the field or ice.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, and/or the like, depending on the context. Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification.

Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and/or the like), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”).