ADJUSTABLE BED POSTS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/667,366, filed Jul. 3, 2024, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

This application also claims priority to and benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202421506733.8, filed Jun. 28, 2024, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a bed, and more particular to adjustable bed posts configured to support and provide height adjustment for a bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sleep is critical for people in every aspect of their lives. Beds are necessary furniture for people to sleep on. A bed generally includes a bed frame, a mattress placed on the bed frame, and bed posts fixedly installed on the bed frame to support the bed.

Conventional bed posts are typically fixed in height or use modular stacking components that require disassembly to alter the elevation of a bed frame. These designs are inconvenient, labor-intensive, and require high machining precision. Additionally, they may result in instability if not properly aligned.

Thus, it is beneficial and desirable for people to have bed posts that are adjustable in the height. In addition, it is also beneficial and desirable that the bed posts can be easily assembled to improve assembly efficiency and increase the user's assembly experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objectives of the invention is to provide adjustable bed posts that enable height adjustments without disassembly, and to ensure stability, reduce part complexity, and simplify manufacturing.

In one aspect, the invention relates to an adjustable bed post comprising an outer tube and an inner tube moveably engaging with the outer tube.

The outer tube comprises a hollow cylindrical outer tube body and a guide mechanism formed on the outer tube body. The guide mechanism comprises one or more guide slot structures. Each guide slot structure comprises a longitudinal movement slot extending along an axial direction of the outer tube body, a plurality of positioning slots distributed along the axial direction of the outer tube body on one side of the longitudinal movement slot, and a plurality of transverse connection slots respectively connecting the plurality of positioning slots to the longitudinal movement slot.

The inner tube is slidably received within the outer tube, The inner tube comprises a cylindrical inner body, and one or more positioning pins axially extending out from the inner body and respectively engaged with the one or more guide slot structures. Each positioning pin is configured to be moveably received in a selected positioning slot of the corresponding guide slot structure, and is slidable within the corresponding guide slot structure between the longitudinal movement slot and the positioning slots for height adjustment of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.

In one embodiment, when adjusting the height, manipulating the inner tube to displace each positioning pins from the selected positioning slot to the longitudinal movement slot; sliding the inner tube axially to a desired height, and re-engaging each positioning pin into a different positioning slot to secure the desired height.

In one embodiment, the outer tube further comprises an internal liner (endcap) formed on the outer tube body at the first end, and a connecting bolt formed on the endcap and axially extending out of the outer tube body, wherein the connecting bolt is configured to secure the adjustable bed post to a bed frame.

In one embodiment, each positioning slot is an oblong-shaped slot elongated in the axial direction of the outer tube body.

In one embodiment, each connection slot connects to a central region of the corresponding oblong positioning slot.

In one embodiment, each positioning slot has a height that is higher than that of each transverse connection slot.

In one embodiment, the guide mechanism comprises two guide slot structures symmetrically formed on opposing sides of the outer tube body, and the one or more positioning pins includes two positioning pins configured to engage with the two guide slot structures respectively.

In one embodiment, the two positioning pins are defined by opposite ends of a horizontal cross pin that traverses through the inner tube body.

In one embodiment, the two positioning pins are defined by two ends of a U-shaped elastic spring positioned inside the inner tube body and biased outwardly to engage with the two guide slot structures.

In one embodiment, the guide mechanism comprises a single guide slot structure and a row of longitudinally aligned through-holes formed on opposing sides of the outer tube body, each through-holes being corresponding to each positioning slot of the single guide slot structure one by one, wherein as assembled, a screw passes through a through-hole aligned with a selected positioning slot and threadably engages with the inner tube body to lock the height of the adjustable bed post.

In one embodiment, the inner tube further comprises a retaining sleeve attached on the inner tube body at an insertion end. The retaining sleeve comprises an insertion segment configured to fit within the inner tube body; and a retention segment extending from the insertion segment and comprising a plurality of radially outwardly extending tooth-shaped structures configured to engage with an inner wall of the outer tube body.

In one embodiment, each tooth-shaped structure comprises a sloped guide surface at an upper end to facilitate insertion of the inner tube into the outer tube.

In one embodiment, the adjustable bed post further comprises a foot pad mounted on a bottom end of the inner tube for protection and wear resistance.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows schematically an exploded, perspective view of a bed post according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of part 1A of the bed post shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows schematically a perspective view of a pin shaft used in a bed post according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows schematically a perspective view of a U-shaped elastic spring used in a bed post according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows schematically a perspective view of a retaining sleeve used in a bed post according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows schematically a perspective view of a bed post according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows schematically another perspective view of the bed post according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting and/or capital letters has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term are the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted and/or in capital letters. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting,” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on,” “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” to another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on the “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of lower and upper, depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprise(s)” and/or “comprising,” or “include(s)” and/or “including” or “has (have)” and/or “having” or “contain(s)” and/or “containing” when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

As used herein, “around,” “about,” “substantially” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the terms “around,” “about,” “substantially” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

As used in this specification, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical OR. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in detail hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings. The description below is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention includes particular examples, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the invention.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1-7. In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to an adjustable bed post (leg) for a bed. The adjustable bed post comprises an inner and outer telescoping tubular structure, wherein the outer post (tube) includes axially aligned guide slots and positioning slots, and the inner post (tube) includes pins that engage the slots for selective height adjustment. A stabilizing sleeve with radially projecting teeth maintains alignment between the tubes. An optional locking screw provides additional post-adjustment fixation. The design allows easy, tool-free adjustment, enhances structural stability, and simplifies manufacturing and assembly.

Unlike conventional segmented or detachable bed posts, this invention introduces a telescopic inner-and-outer tubular structure with integrated guide slots and positioning pins that enable direct height adjustment without disassembling the bed posts from the bed frame.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the adjustable bed post 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the adjustable bed post 100 includes an outer tube 110 and an inner tube 120 moveably engaging with the outer tube 110 with a telescoping mechanism that allows for controlled extension and retraction of the inner tube 120 in the outer tube 110 for height adjustment in a linear fashion.

The outer tube 110 comprises a first (top) end 111a, a second (bottom) end 111b, a hollow cylindrical outer tube body 112 defined between the top end 111a and the bottom end 111b, and a guide mechanism formed on the outer tube body.

The guide mechanism comprises one or more guide slot structures 113.

Each guide slot structure 113 comprises a longitudinal movement slot 114 extending along a direction of the axis 119 of the outer tube body 112, a plurality of positioning slots 115 distributed along the axial direction 119 of the outer tube body 112 on one side of the longitudinal movement slot 114, and a plurality of transverse connection slots 116 respectively connecting the plurality of positioning slots 115 to the longitudinal movement slot 114.

The inner tube 120 is slidably received within the outer tube 110 in a telescoping form. The inner tube 120 comprises a first (top) end 121a, a second (bottom) end 121b, a cylindrical inner body 122 defined between the top end 121a and the bottom end 121b, and one or more positioning pins 124 axially extending out from the inner body 122 and respectively engaged with the one or more guide slot structures 113 of the outer tube 110. In one embodiment, the top end 121a of the inner tube 120 is inserted into the bottom end 111b of the outer tube 110. Therefore, the top end 121a of the inner tube 120 is also referred as an insertion end of the inner tube 120 in the disclosure.

Each positioning pin 124 is configured to be moveably received in a selected positioning slot 115 of the guide slot structure 113, and is slidable within the guide slot structure 113 between the longitudinal movement slot 114 and the positioning slots 115 for height adjustment of the inner tube 120 relative to the outer tube 110.

In operation, when the post (bed) height needs to be adjusted, a user can rotate the inner tube 120 to displace the positioning pin 124 from the selected positioning slot 115 in which the positioning pin 124 is received to the longitudinal movement slot 114. In this position, the positioning pin 124 can be slidably moving along the longitudinal movement slot 114 so as to adjust the height of the inner tube 120 relative to the outer tube 110, thereby adjusting the height of the bed post. When the positioning pin 124 is moved in the longitudinal movement slot 114 to a desired position, the inner tube 120 is rotated to re-engage the positioning pin with a positioning slot corresponding to the desired position of the positioning pin 124 to secure the desired height.

In other words, in the exemplary embodiment, the height adjustment of the bed post 100 is achieved by an integrated rotation-and-slide mechanism, which enables adjustment of the bed height without tools and without removing the bed posts.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in one embodiment, each positioning slot 115 is an oblong-shaped slot elongated in the axial direction 119 of the outer tube body 112. Each connection slot 116 connects to a central region of the corresponding oblong positioning slot 115. Each positioning slot 115 has a height, H, that is higher than the height, h, of the transverse connection slot 116, which ensures that, when inserted into a positioning slot 115, the positioning pin 124 is well received and secured in the positioning slot 115, thereby preventing the positioning pin 124 from sliding randomly after being inserted into the positioning slot 115 and achieving the fixation of the positioning pin 124.

In some embodiments, the guide mechanism formed on the outer tube 110 comprises two guide slot structures 113 symmetrically formed on opposing sides of the outer tube body 110, and the one or more positioning pins 124 formed on the inner tube 120 includes two positioning pins 124 configured to engage with the two guide slot structures 113, respectively of the outer tube 110. As such, the cooperation of two guide slot structures 113 of the outer tube 110 and two positioning pins 124 of the inner tube 120 makes the support more stable both during and after adjustment, thereby avoiding the occurrence of unilateral tilting.

When the guide mechanism includes the two guide slot structures 113 symmetrically formed on the opposing sides of the outer tube body 112, there are two embodiments of positioning pins utilized for adjustment and security.

In one embodiment, the two positioning pins 124 are formed by opposite ends 124 of a horizontal cross pin shaft 123 (FIG. 3) that traverses through the inner tube body 122. Through holes for the pin shaft 123 to pass through are defined on the inner tube body 122. The two opposite ends 124 of the pin shaft 123 extend oppositely out the inner tube body 122 via the through holes when the pin shaft 123 passes through the inner tube body 122 (FIG. 1), thereby serving as the two positioning pins 124. The positioning pins 124 formed in this way is directly in the form of the pin shaft 124, which is convenient for processing.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the two positioning pins 124 are defined by two ends 142 of a U-shaped elastic spring/bracket 141. In this exemplary embodiment, the U-shaped clastic spring 141 is positioned inside the inner tube body 122 with two sides of the U-shaped spring 141 abutting respectively against the inner wall of the inner tube body 122, so that the two ends 142 of the U-shaped elastic spring/bracket 141 are extending out of the inner tube body 122 to engage with the two guide slot structures 113. This design of the two positioning pins 21 utilizes the elastic effect of the U-shaped spring 141 to keep the positioning pins 124 in a fixed position, avoiding the positioning pin 124 from moving back and forth during use.

The use of the shaft-defined or U-shaped spring positioning pins simplifies alignment when adjusting the height.

The dual slot and dual pin system featuring two symmetrically placed guide slots on the outer tube and corresponding dual positioning pins on the inner tube enhances stability and ease of alignment during adjustment, an improvement over single-slot designs.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, in one embodiment, the inner tube 110 further comprises a retaining sleeve 125 attached on the inner tube body 122 at the insertion end 121a. The retaining sleeve 125 comprises an insertion segment 126 configured to fit within the inner tube body 122, and a retention segment extending from the insertion segment 126 and comprising a plurality of radially outwardly extending tooth-shaped structures 127 configured to engage with an inner wall of the outer tube body 112.

The insertion segment 126 is in the shape of a circular tube, and the retention segment is composed of a plurality of tooth structures 127 distributed along the circumferential direction of the insertion segment 126 and extending horizontally outward. A gap is defined between two adjacent tooth structures 127, and the outer contour lines of each tooth structure 127 are on the same circle. The outer wall of each tooth structure 127 fits the inner wall of the outer tube body 112. The design of the retaining sleeve 125 on the inner tube body 122 is to maintain the relative position between the inner tube body 122 and the outer tube body 112 through the retaining sleeve 125. Since the inner tube body 122 and the outer tube body 112 need to be slidably matched, it is inevitable that there will be a gap between the inner tube body 122 and the outer tube body 112. Therefore, the retaining sleeve 125 is provided to avoid the shaking of the inner tube body 122 caused by the gap between the inner tube body 122 and the outer tube body 112, thereby ensuring the normal use of the entire bed post.

In one embodiment, each tooth-shaped structure 127 comprises a sloped guide surface 128 at an upper end to facilitate insertion of the inner tube 120 into the outer tube 110. The design of the sloped guide surface 128 plays a guiding role when the inner tube body 122 is inserted into the outer tube body 112, ensuring that the inner liner tube 120 can be smoothly inserted into the outer tube body 112.

A uniquely designed retaining sleeve with circumferentially arranged tooth-like extensions/structures ensures concentric alignment between inner and outer tubes and minimizes wobble due to manufacturing clearance, without requiring tight tolerances.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 the adjustable bed post 100 further comprises a foot pad 130 mounted on the bottom end 121b of the inner tube 110. The foot pad 130 is designed to protect the inner tube body 122 and prevent the inner tube body 122 from directly contacting the ground and causing friction and wear.

In addition, the outer tube 110 further comprises an internal liner (endcap/end-cover) 117 formed on the outer tube body 112 at the top end 111a, and a connecting bolt 118 formed on the center of the endcap 117 and axially extending out of the outer tube body 112. The connecting bolt 115 is configured to secure the adjustable bed post to a bed frame or bed body.

When using the bed post, first selecting the corresponding positioning pin 124 according to the initial height requirement and inserting it into the corresponding positioning slot 115, and then using the connecting bolt 118 to fix the bed post to the bed frame or bed body.

Subsequently, when the height of the bed post needs to be adjusted, lifting the bed frame so as to lift the bed post upward off the ground, and then moving the inner tube body 122 to make the positioning pin 21 move up and down in the positioning slot 115, and when the positioning pin 21 moves to the connecting slot 116, rotating the inner tube body 2 to displace the positioning pin 21 from the positioning slot 115 to the movement slot 114, and then moving the inner tube body 122 to make the positioning pin 124 slide up and down in the movement slot 114, when the positioning pin 21 slides to the positioning slot 115 of the specified height, rotating the inner tube body 122 to make the positioning pin 124 slide through the connecting slot 116 into the corresponding positioning slot 115, and then the bed frame can be lowered to complete the height adjustment.

In addition to using two guide slot structures to adjust the height of the bed post, another structure can also be utilized to achieve the height adjustment.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the adjustable bed post 200 is shown according to another embodiment of the invention. The adjustable bed post 200 is similar to the adjustable bed post 100 disclosed above, except that the outer tube 110 has a single guide slot structure 113 formed on one side of the outer tube body 112 and a row of longitudinally aligned through-holes 151 formed on an opposing side of the outer tube body 112. Each through-holes 151 is corresponding to a positioning slot 115 of the single guide slot structure 113 one by one. As assembled, a screw, e.g., a butterfly-type screw 152, passes through a through-hole 151 aligned with a selected positioning slot 115 and threadably engages with the inner tube body 122 to lock the height of the adjustable bed post 200. In this design, the inner tube body 122 is provided with a threaded through hole that matches the butterfly screw 152. The outer tube body 112 and the inner tube body 122 are engaged by the guide slot structures 113 on one side and the through-holes 151 on the other side and secured by the butterfly screw 152. This can achieve the height adjustment and make the bed post more stable after adjustment, thereby reducing undesirable effects such as shaking. The butterfly screw mechanism allows for redundant manual locking via a separate set of holes, increasing post-adjustment stability and safety.

The invention provides, among other things, the following technical features and advantages.

Integrated axial adjustment mechanism: The adjustable bed post utilizes a single-unit telescoping structure with inner and outer tubes and a novel guide slot structure including a longitudinal movement slot, multiple side-positioning slots, and transverse connection slots, allowing in-place height adjustment of the bed post without disassembly.

Dual positioning pins mechanism: The adjustable bed post includes a unique dual-pinning system with either shaft-linked positioning pins or U-shaped spring linked positioning pins, enabling stable and symmetric engagement of the inner and outer tubes for height stability.

The use of the U-shaped spring or shaft-defined positioning pins simplifies alignment when adjusting the height.

Interlocking retaining sleeve with tooth structures: The inner tube features a retaining sleeve with radially extending tooth-like structures, enhancing axial alignment and preventing unwanted wobbling between the inner and outer tubes.

One-sided adjustment and one-sided fixing design: A variant embodiment of the adjustable bed post uses a guide slot structure on one side for height adjustment and through-holes on the opposite side for locking the outer tube to the inner tube, e.g., with a butterfly screw, offering both convenience and enhanced stability.

Simplified height adjustment without disassembly: Departing from conventional segmented or screw-on leg designs, this invention allows direct in situ adjustment of bed post height using the integrated slot-and-pin design, improving user experience and efficiency.

Combination of U-spring elastic holding and geometric slot design: The use of a U-shaped spring to maintain pin position, in combination with asymmetric slot geometry, where the positioning slot is higher than the connection slot, prevents slippage and allows secure engagement, which is not taught or suggested in prior art.

Enhanced structural alignment via retaining sleeve: The interlocking tooth-structured retaining sleeve between the inner and outer tubes maintains coaxial alignment without the need for tight machining tolerances, offering both manufacturing tolerance flexibility and operational reliability.

Dual locking mechanism with butterfly screw integration: The additional fixing through-holes formed on one side of the outer tube body that is opposite to the side of the guide slot structures, combined with a tool-free butterfly screw, provide a second layer of locking to prevent post-slippage under dynamic loads, this dual-mechanism concept is not commonly found in similar designs.

Ease of manufacturing and assembly: The design of the adjustable bed post according to the invention reduces the number of components compared to segmented adjustable posts, lowering production costs and simplifying assembly.

Improved user convenience: According to the adjustable bed post, height adjustment is achieved by an integrated rotation-and-slide mechanism. Users can adjust the bed height without tools and without removing the bed post, making it ideal for adjustable beds in residential, healthcare, or hospitality industries.

Versatility and compatibility: The integrated threaded bolt allows easy retrofitting into various bed frames, enhancing the adaptability of the adjustable bed post.

Increased product stability and longevity: The dual-locking and guiding mechanisms significantly reduce wobble and wear, leading to a longer service life and improved safety during use.

This invention can be widely used in hospital beds, smart beds, children's furniture, and adjustable home furniture. The design improves usability, reduces production cost, and enhances product stability.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.