Universal Rail Clamp Mount Assembly

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/659,037, filed Jun. 12, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to railways and, more particularly, to techniques for affixing equipment alongside or near railroad tracks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to set up devices or systems for monitoring, managing, controlling, and/or otherwise operating a railroad or railyard, there is often a need for structures that require welding, digging, and/or other civil construction. Despite the need for such structures potentially being only temporary, such structures may indeed be necessary to ensure a railroad or railyard is operating safely and efficiently. Both the civil construction required to install such structures and the civil construction to remove such structures (e.g., when a contract ends) may come at great cost. In some instances, the cost may be exacerbated due to the difficult faced with obtaining the necessary permissions and/or permits to build such structures near railroads or within railyards that may not be owned by the entity monitoring, managing, controlling, and/or otherwise operating the railroad or railyard. For all of these reasons, there is a need for an improved system for mounting devices, systems, or other components within a railyard and/or adjacent to a railway that permits quick and easy installation and/or without having to make meaningful (or lasting) modifications to the existing railroad or railyard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a portable rail clamp mount assembly configured to be installed on a railway without requiring any modification to the existing rail infrastructure. For example, the rail clamp mount assembly described herein may not require any trenching, any tractors, and/or any other modifications to the existing railyard, including any such modifications necessary related to permanent structures, such as poles in cement blocks. In various embodiments, the rail clamp mount assembly may comprise a set of one or more horizontal base components removably attachable to a set of tracks of a railway and at least one vertical component attached to the set of one or more horizontal base components and configured to support railway equipment positioned proximate to the railway. For example, the railway equipment may include one or more devices for operating a railroad or railyard.

As described herein, the rail clamp mount assembly may be configured to be removably attached to the set of tracks without requiring civil work to modify existing rail infrastructure, such as the set of tracks themselves. In various embodiments, the set of one or more horizontal base components are each positioned beneath the set of tracks when attached to the set of tracks. In various embodiments, the set of one or more horizontal base components comprises at least a first base frame and a second base frame. For example, the first base frame and the second base frame may comprise parallel supports running beneath the set of tracks. In various embodiments, each of the set of one or more horizontal base components includes at least one tie configured to engage an outside edge of the set of tracks when attached to the set of tracks. For example, the at least one tie may be configured to be rigidly connected to an outside edge of the set of tracks via a selectively detachable connection. In some embodiments, the at least one tie may comprise a first tie configured to securely grasp a first outside edge of the set of tracks and a second tie configured to securely grasp a second outside edge of the set of tracks, the second outside edge being an outside edge opposite the first outside edge. In some embodiments, at least one of the set of one or more horizontal base components includes a horizontally varying profile for installing the rail clamp mount assembly on uneven ground. In various embodiments, the at least one vertical component is substantially perpendicular to the set of one or more horizontal base components when the rail clamp mount assembly is attached to the set of tracks. In some embodiments, the rail clamp mount assembly may further include a base plate positioned proximate to the connection of the set of one or more horizontal base components and the at least one vertical component.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination thereof, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an example rail clamp mount assembly installed on a set of rails of a railway, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIGS. 2A-2B depicts a schematic view of an example embodiment of rail clamp mount assembly, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIGS. 3A-3C depicts a perspective view, a side view, and a top view of an example embodiment of one or more base components of a rail clamp mount assembly, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIGS. 4A-4C depict a schematic view, a side view, and a top view of an example embodiment of one or more vertical components of a rail clamp mount assembly, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an example embodiment of one or more adjusting components of a rail clamp mount assembly, according to one or more aspects described herein; and

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an example rail clamp mount assembly to which a solar power assembly is mounted adjacent to a set of rails, according to one or more aspects described herein.

These drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. For clarity and ease of illustration, these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.

The invention described herein relates to a portable rail clamp mount assembly configured to be installed on a railway without requiring any modification to the existing rail infrastructure. Accordingly, the rail clamp mount assembly described herein may enable quick and easy installation and uninstallation (e.g., upon expired contract) of a structure to which equipment may be mounted to monitor, manage, control, and/or otherwise operate a railroad or railyard without requiring the civil work to an existing rail infrastructure conventionally necessary to do so. For example, the rail clamp mount assembly described herein may not require any trenching, any tractors, and/or any other modifications to the existing railyard, including any such modifications necessary related to permanent structures, such as poles in cement blocks.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of rail clamp mount assembly 100 installed on a set of rails 60 of a railway, according to one or more aspects described herein. In various embodiments, rail clamp mount assembly 100 may be portable at least in the sense that it may be installed on and selectively removed (or selectively detachable) from a rail 60 already in use. In various embodiments, rail clamp mount assembly 100 may comprise one or more base components 200 and one or more vertical components 300 to which one or more devices or other components for operating a railroad or railyard may be installed adjacent to rail(s) 60. As depicted in FIG. 1, rail 60 extends along a rail-extending axis (i.e., z-axis), and rail clamp mount assembly 100 may be installed perpendicular to rail 60 (i.e., along x-axis).

FIGS. 2A-2B depict a schematic view of an example embodiment of rail clamp mount assembly 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B, in various embodiments, rail clamp mount assembly 100 may comprise one or more base components 200 (depicted from a top view) and one or more vertical components 300 (depicted from a side view on x-y plane) including one or more components 302 that may be permitted to rotate on top of a vertical pole 304.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict each of a perspective view (A), a side view (B), and a top view (C) of an example embodiment of one or more base components 200 of rail clamp mount assembly 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, in various embodiments, one or more base components 200 may include a first and second base frame 210 including ties 230 to engage (i.e., grasp or otherwise be secured to) a base portion 62a and/or 62b of a side of rail 60. In various embodiments, first and second base frame 210 of rail clamp mount assembly 100 may be placed underneath the rail 60 “horizontally” as depicted in the perspective view of FIG. 3A such that ties 230 of the first and second base frame 210 may grasp (e.g., 230a) and/or be secured to (e.g., 230b) a base portion of a side of the rail 60. In various embodiments, ties 230 of the first and second base frame 210 may grasp and/or or be secured to the rail 60 generally perpendicular to the rail 60 from a vertical view of the rail 60.

In various embodiments, first and second base frame 210 may be made of solid steel and/or another material on which some or all of the components of rail clamp mount assembly 100 may be securely mounted. In some embodiments, first and second base frame 210 may comprise a generally rectangular profile. In other embodiments, first and second base frame 210 may include one or more portions with a horizontally varying profile, as described herein and depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B. In various embodiments, first and second base frame 210 may include openings and/or slots for quick and easy installation and uninstallation (or selectively detachable) from a rail 60 already in use. In some embodiments, first and second base frame 210 may include a horizontally varying profile extending along the x-, y- and z-axes. In some embodiments, the horizontally varying profile of first and second base frame 210 may be determined to meet the regulatory standard/requirements for level mounting on uneven ground.

The perspective view of FIG. 3A depicts an embodiment of ties 230, according to one or more aspects described herein. In various embodiments, ties 230 may be configured to be removably affixed to rail 60. In some embodiments, ties 230 may include a first tie 230a and/or a second tie 230b. In various embodiments, second tie 230b may be opposite to a first tie 230a and generally aligned with the one or more base components 200. In various embodiments, first tie 230a may include a configuration to connect to the rail 60 with a generally rounded shape from a cross-sectional view (i.e., x-y plane).

In various embodiments, first tie 230a may be configured to grasp a base portion of a side of the rail 60. The base portion of a side of a conventional rail 60 may often be rounded in shape. Accordingly, in various embodiments, first tie 230a may comprise an engaging portion having a rounded, curved, conical, and/or tapered portion configured to enable first tie 230a to securely grasp a base portion of a side (e.g., as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3A referencing 62a) of the rail 60. In various embodiments, second tie 230b may be configured to grasp a base portion of another side of the rail 60. More specifically, second tie 230b may be configured to grasp a base portion of another side 62b of another track of the rail 60. Accordingly, in various embodiments, second tie 230b may comprise an engaging portion configured to enable second tie 230b to securely grasp a base portion of another side of the rail 60. In various embodiments, the first tie 230a and second tie 230b of ties 230, together, may be configured to securely mount one or more base components 200 to the rail 60 and enable rail clamp mount assembly 100 to provide horizontal structural stability via ties 230 to the rail 60, thereby providing vertical structural stability to the one or more vertical components 300.

In various embodiments, ties 230 may be rigidly connected to a side of the rail 60 via a selectively detachable connection. Particularly, second tie 230b may be configured to securely attach rail clamp mount assembly 100 to rail 60. For example, a bolt or rivet fastening configuration may be utilized on a side of the second tie 230b to affix to the rail 60. In some embodiments, the position at which the bolts/rivets may be used to attach the ties 230 to the rail 60 may be adjusted relative to the rail 60 to enable rail clamp mount assembly 100 to be attached thereto. In some embodiments, a rotating clamp 232 may be configured to provide torque by applying force along a base portion of another side 62b of another track of the rail 60.

In various embodiments, rail clamp mount assembly 100 may be designed based on standardized elements and dimensions. With respect to a rail profile, in some embodiments, two reference rail profiles may be 7.3 inches tall (i.e., 136 lbs/yd rail). In other embodiments, two reference rail profiles may be 6 inches tall (i.e., 100 lbs/yd rail). With respect to a rail gauge, in some embodiments, rail gauge may be in a range between 56.25″ (tight) and 57″ (wide, poorly maintained or in very tight curves). With respect to overall rollingstock maximum envelope, rail clamp mount assembly 100 may be designed based on AAR plate “C”. In various embodiments, one or more base components 200 of the rail clamp mount assembly 100 may include a set (e.g., 2 pieces) of C6X13 standard steel profile with special holes and attachments.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict a schematic view (A), a side view (B), and a top view (C) of an example embodiment of one or more vertical components 300 of rail clamp mount assembly 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. In various embodiments, one or more vertical components 300 may include a base plate 310 and a vertical support 320 to securely mount one or more components 302 and/or a vertical pole 304 to the one or more base components 200 to provide vertically sound structural stability to the one or more components 302 mounted on the rail clamp mount assembly 100.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an example embodiment of one or more adjusting components 400 of rail clamp mount assembly 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. In some embodiments, base plate 310 may include a ballast positioned not at the same level as under the rails, but rather sloping down. In such embodiments, one or more adjusting components 400 may include threaded rods 402, nuts 404, and/or other fastening components to adjust the base plate 310 for both locking and regulation. In some embodiments, a length of threaded bar and/or holes on the base plate 310 may be determined (or drilled) on site during installation. A person skilled person in the art may appreciate the benefits derived from one or more adjusting components 400 (such as, more specifically, threaded rods 402 and/or nuts 404) and would be capable of installing with any length of threaded bar and/or holes on the base plate 310.

A person skilled person in the art may appreciate the benefits derived from rail clamp mount assembly 100 described herein and would be capable of installing and selectively removing rail clamp mount assembly 100 from a rail 60 already in use. In various embodiments, rail clamp mount assembly 100 may be configured as a rail clamp mount system configured to receive, for example, a solar power supply configured to power devices (such as those required to utilize or implement an automated railyard system) and allow such devices to operate independent from a grid and from other infrastructure. Such devices may also be installed on and selectively removed from rail clamp mount assembly 100 itself, allowing rail clamp mount assembly 100 to operate as a “universal” rail claim mount configured to receive any number of types of devices. This will eventually allow systems to be completely dismounted and relocated, for example, when a contract ends and those devices may be moved and repurposed at a different site.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a universal rail clamp mount system 1000 in which a solar power assembly is mounted on rail clamp mount assembly 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. In various embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be configured to include a rail clamp mount assembly 100 installed on a rail 60, a power source 1010 such as a solar panel module 1012, visual and/or audible indicators 1020 (such as a status indicator or a status light), a communication member (such as, for example, an antennae 1032), a safety device (such as, for example, a lightning rod 1042), a motor member 1050, and/or other components for use by universal rail clamp mount system 1000 or to otherwise monitor, manage, or otherwise operate a railroad or railyard.

In various embodiments, power source 1010 may be configured to provide operating power to one or more components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 (or one or more components attached to a rail clamp mount assembly 100 of universal rail clamp mount system 1000). For example, power source 1010 may comprise a battery and/or other power source configured to provide operating power to one or more components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000. In some embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be configured to generate operating power, for example, via a solar panel module 1012. In some embodiments, the solar panel module 1012 may be sufficiently small in size to make rail clamp mount assembly 100 compact such that a rail clamp mount assembly 100 with a solar panel module 1012 may be placed or mounted anywhere near the tracks or right of way. For example, FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 having a solar panel module 1012 when universal rail clamp mount system 1000 is installed at a rail 60, according to one or more aspects described herein.

In various embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be configured to utilize visual and/or audible indicators 1020 to alert nearby personnel, passing or nearby trains, or other entities of the status of the rail and/or the operating status of universal rail clamp mount system 1000. In some embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 (or one or more processors of universal rail clamp mount system 1000) may be configured to cause an audible alarm to sound in response to a position of the switch (e.g., as detected by one or more sensors of universal rail clamp mount system 1000). In some embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be configured to transmit a signal to a locomotive (or other railway vehicle) that causes a notification to be provided within the locomotive (or other railway vehicle) based on a position of the switch. For example, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be configured to cause an audible and/or visual alarm to be provided within the locomotive (or other railway vehicle) in response to determining that the switch points are in fault. In various embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be configured to send messages in real-time to the cloud for supervisory reporting.

In various embodiments, rail clamp mount assembly 100 may include a motor member 1050. In some embodiments, motor member 1050 may include or be connected to a rotating and/or shifting mechanism to allow the position of the solar panel module 1012 to be adjusted and to enhance the power generation efficiency of the solar panel module 1012.

In various embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may further include an extending member 500 configured to extend and retract (or slidably movable) to have communication member 1030, safety device 1040, visual and/or audible indicators 1020, and/or other components for use by universal rail clamp mount system 1000 or to otherwise monitor, manage, or otherwise operate a railroad or railyard. For example, in some embodiments, extending member 500 may be extended to a position, such that communication member 1030 (which may comprise, for example, an antennae), safety device 1040 (which may comprise, for example, a lightning rod), visual and/or audible indicators 1020 (which may comprise, for example, a status indicator or a status light) are higher than a top edge of solar panel module 1012. In other embodiments, the extending member 500 may be extendable in a cascading manner to improve performance/efficiency without requiring any additional space/size requirements.

In various embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may further include a rotating structure 510 configured to pivot (or rotatably movable) to adjust an angle of solar panel module 1012 with respect to a base (i.e., a fixed base or housing), such that solar panel module 1012 may be directed to or placed at a desired angle. In other embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 further include another rotating structure configured to pivot (or rotatably movable) to adjust a direction (i.e., rotate horizontally with an angle) of solar panel module with respect to a base.

In various embodiments, traffic/logistics management system 1100 may include one or more processors configured to provide information processing capabilities in universal rail clamp mount system 1000. As described herein, traffic/logistics management system 1100 may be embodied by a system located remote from universal rail clamp mount system 1000 and/or a control unit (comprising one or more processors) housed within or physically integrated with universal rail clamp mount system 1000. In other words, the functionality of traffic/logistics management system 1100 described herein is to be understood as being performed by one or more processors physically located within or in the same location as universal rail clamp mount system 1000 and/or by one or more processors located remote from universal rail clamp mount system 1000. In various embodiments, the one or more processors may comprise one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, a central processing unit, a microcontroller, an analog circuit designed to process information, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. In various embodiments, one or more processors may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in electronic storage. For example, the one or more processors may be configured to automatically control universal rail clamp mount system 1000 in response to input from sensors and/or one or more other systems associated with a railyard or the rail network 1102.

In various embodiments, the one or more processors may be configured to receive input from one or more components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 (or installed on or mounted to a rail clamp mount assembly 100 of universal rail clamp mount system 1000) and provide various outputs based on the input received. For example, the one or more processors may be configured to cause universal rail clamp mount system 1000 to provide one or more of audible alerts, visual alerts, provide input or instructions to cause one or more actions associated with rail 60 described herein, relay information to a train and/or one or more other remote entities 1104 (e.g., a cloud database), and/or other outputs.

In some embodiments, one or more components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 (including traffic/logistics management system 1100) may be configured to send a signal to the train to cause the train to stop automatically. For example, based on information gathered by universal rail clamp mount system 1000 (such as the position of the switch) and/or other information known, obtained, or gathered by systems communicatively connected to universal rail clamp mount system 1000, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 and/or one or more other systems may be configured to cause a train (or locomotive) to automatically stop to prevent an accident (e.g., based on the current position of the switch as detected using the one or more sensors). In such embodiments, a signal may be sent (for example, from communication member 1030) to a railway vehicle (i.e., a train, locomotive, railcar mover, etc.) to cause the railway vehicle to stop automatically. In some embodiments, the signal to stop the train may be sent responsive to a determination that proper action has not been taken manually before the train is within a predefined distance of a railroad switch. For example, if the train comes within a predefined distance of a railroad switch and proper action has not been taken, a signal may be sent to the railway vehicle to stop the railway vehicle automatically (e.g., without requiring authorization or other input from the operator). In some embodiments, the oncoming railway vehicle may be outfitted with a system configured to automatically stop the train or locomotive based on input from a remote source. In such embodiments, one or more components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 (including traffic/logistics management system 1100) may be configured to send a signal to that system to cause the oncoming train to automatically stop without requiring communication with the train operator. For example, in some embodiments, one or more components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 (including traffic/logistics management system 1100) may be configured to interface with an emergency action system (or device) as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/133,935, entitled “Anti-Collision Device and System for Use with a Rail Car,” filed Apr. 20, 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

In some embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be integrated with or included in a device or a set of connected devices (e.g., which may be positioned in a single location proximate a railroad track). For example, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be integrated with or included in device or set of connected devices comprising a switch gap detection system, a railcar fouling detection system, and/or one or more other systems for monitoring a railway or railyard.

In various embodiments, the components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 or the components of a device or set of devices comprising universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be configured to provide information (such as the status of a switch and/or information obtained by a switch gap detection system, a railcar fouling detection system, and/or one or more other systems integrated with or located proximate to universal rail clamp mount system 1000) to traffic/logistics management system 1100 and/or other systems configured to monitor, manage, or operate a railyard or railway network. For example, in some embodiments, information may be provided to a system configured to autonomously control a railyard by, for example, remotely controlling a rail by sending signals to universal rail clamp mount system 1000.

In various embodiments, rail clamp mount assembly 100 may further include an enclosure 1090 attached to, positioned near or on, or otherwise proximate to first and second base frame 210. In various embodiments, enclosure 1090 may be configured to securely house transceiver 260, power member 1010, and/or one or more other components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000. For example, by positioning transceiver 260 (and/or other communications equipment of universal rail clamp mount system 1000) and/or power member 1010 within an enclosure 1090 that meets the requirements of IP-66 (e.g., such as an electrical cabinet), the components may be protected from a harsh environment in which universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be utilized. For example, areas proximate to railways can be harsh environments in which electrical components may be exposed to dirt, steel, dust, oil, grease, and/or drastic temperature changes. Indeed, such a harsh environment may affect the performance and/or longevity of various components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 (such as one or more position-related sensors 240). Accordingly, enclosure 1090 may increase the reliability of rail clamp mount assembly 100 and/or the frequency with which one or more components of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may need to be replaced by reducing the exposure of one or more components to a potentially harsh environment.

In some embodiments, the universal rail clamp mount system described herein may be modified to operate using one or more alternative mechanisms. For example, as described herein, in various embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may include a clamping arm-based rail clamp mount assembly 100, as described herein and depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B. In other embodiments, universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may include a linear actuator-based remotely activated rail assembly or an electrical winch-based remotely activated rail assembly, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/614,140, entitled “Remotely Activated Rail Switch System,” filed Mar. 22, 2024, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The components of these possible embodiments of universal rail clamp mount system 1000 may be variously combined to form a single universal rail clamp mount system 1000 for use with a rail 60.

In various embodiments, the rail clamp mount assembly described herein may be installed without making any modifications to the existing rail infrastructure. For example, the rail clamp mount assembly may be installed without having to modify or otherwise make lasting changes to the existing switch or surrounding infrastructure. Put differently, in some embodiments, the rail clamp mount assembly may be removably installed such that the rail functions the same way after the rail clamp mount assembly is removed as it did before the rail clamp mount assembly was installed. In some embodiments, installing the rail clamp mount assembly without making any modifications to the existing railway (or railroad) infrastructure may comprise installing the rail clamp mount assembly without removing any components from the existing rail or rail infrastructure. In some embodiments, installing the rail clamp mount assembly without making any modifications to the existing railway (or railroad) infrastructure may comprise installing the rail clamp mount assembly without any welding, digging, and/or other civil construction. Rather, the rail clamp mount assembly may be installed by simply (or only) installing rail clamp mount assembly 100 to the rail.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by this description.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “various embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “other embodiments”, “one series of embodiments”, or the like means that a particular feature, design, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of, for example, the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, whether or not there is express reference to an “embodiment” or the like, various features are described, which may be variously combined and included in some embodiments, but also variously omitted in other embodiments. Similarly, various features are described that may be preferences or requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments.

The language used herein has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.