Adjustable Starting Block System

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a starting block system, and more specifically to an adjustable starting block system having an adjustable starting pedal.

BACKGROUND

Starting blocks typically include angled pedals that are used by sprint athletes or runners to brace their feet against, at the start of a race. The use of starting pedals allows the runners to push off with maximum force for the best acceleration. Starting pedals also help the runners to put the runner's body in the proper body posture for maximum acceleration.

A runner may position the starting pedals on tracks or a rail that may be placed on the ground. The rail may include slots that enable the runner to securely attach the starting pedals with the rail. Typically, conventional pedals are adjustable within specific angle positions, such as between 45 to 75 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 depicts an example starting block system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of a starting pedal of a starting block system at a top position, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a first side view of a starting pedal at a top position, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an isometric view of a starting pedal of a starting block system at a bottom position, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a second side view of a starting pedal at a bottom position, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a starting pedal of a starting block system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

The present disclosure is directed to a starting block system including starting pedals and a rail (or an elongated track). The starting pedals may be attached to the rail that may include slots and teeth. The slots may be formed between adjacent teeth. The starting pedal may facilitate the user to brace the user's feet against, at the start of a race, and may be adjusted to a plurality of angle locations. The starting pedal may enable the user to push off against the starting pedal with maximum force for the best possible acceleration, and put the user's body in the proper body posture for maximum acceleration.

Each starting pedal may include a pedal face that provides support to the user's foot, and a supporting structure that is pivotally connected to the pedal face. The supporting structure may include a base plate, a first side plate and a second side plate. The first side plate and the second side plate may be attached perpendicular to the base plate at a base plate side edge, thereby forming a “U-shaped” structure. The first side plate may be disposed at a predefined distance or gap from the second side plate. The predefined distance or gap between the first side plate and the second side plate may be greater than a pedal face width, which enables the pedal face to rotate and move below a top portion of the first side plate and the second side plate, thereby enabling the pedal face to be adjusted at lower angle positions as well (e.g., at 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees etc.).

Each of the first side plate and the second side plate may include a side plate proximal portion and a side plate distal portion. At the side plate proximal portion, the pedal face may be pivotally connected via a hinge. At the side plate distal portion, the first side plate and the second side plate may include a plurality of grooves or notches that may enable the pedal face to be locked/positioned at a desired angle position as per user's requirements.

In some aspects, the side plate distal portion may include a curved surface that may include a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion may include a first set of grooves and the horizontal portion may include a second set of grooves. The first set of grooves may correspond to a first set of angle positions, and the second set of grooves may correspond to a second set of angle positions. For instance, the second set of grooves may correspond to pedal face's lower angles (e.g., 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees) and the first set of grooves may correspond to pedal face's higher angles (e.g., between 30 degrees to 50 degrees). Stated another way, the second set of grooves may enable the user to position the pedal face at the lower angles and the first set of grooves may enable the user to position the pedal face at the higher angles.

In further aspects, the pedal may include a locking mechanism configured to lock the pedal face at the desired angle position. The locking mechanism may engage with the supporting structure to lock the pedal face at the desired angle position. The locking mechanism may include a platform plate and a pin. The pin may engage with the plurality of grooves (including the first set of grooves and the second set of grooves), to lock the pedal face at the desired angle position.

In another embodiment, the starting pedal may not include the second set of grooves on the horizontal portion, and may instead include a plurality of ridges on the base plate. The ridges may correspond to a third set of angle positions that may be the same as the second set of angle positions, which may enable the starting pedal to be positioned at the lower angles. Thus, the first set of grooves may enable the pedal face's adjustment at the higher angle positions (e.g., between 30 degrees to 50 degrees) and the ridges may enable the pedal face's adjustment at the lower angle positions (e.g., between 15 degrees to 25 degrees).

The present disclosure describes adjustable starting pedals that may be adjusted to a number of different angle positions (e.g., between 15 to 50 degrees or more), which may enable a user to use the starting block system or the starting pedals as a learning aid as well as for professional running. In addition, the starting pedals provide stability at different angle positions. The user may gradually increase the angle to higher angles (e.g., 45 degrees or 50 degrees) when the user is proficient in using the starting block system or the starting pedals.

Illustrative Embodiments

The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown, and not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 1 depicts an example starting block system 100 (or system 100) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 2-5.

The system 100 may include a rail 102 and starting pedals including a first pedal 104a and a second pedal 104b. The rail 102 may be an elongated track that may be positioned on ground (e.g., before a starting line of a race track). In some aspects, a user (e.g., a sprint athlete or runner, not shown) may position the rail 102 on the ground before the starting line of a race track. After positioning the rail 102 on the ground, the user may place/attach the starting pedals on the rail 102 to facilitate/assist the user in starting the run. Specifically, the starting pedals may facilitate the user to brace the user's feet against, at the start of a race. The starting pedals may enable the user to push off against the starting pedals with maximum force for the best possible acceleration, and put the user's body in the proper body posture for maximum acceleration.

In some aspects, the rail 102 may have an elongated U-shaped body including a rail base 106, and rail sidewalls. The rail sidewalls may be perpendicular to the rail base 106, and each rail sidewall may include a plurality of slots 108 and teeth 110. The slots 108 may be formed in between two adjacent teeth 110. Specifically, adjacent teeth 110 may be disposed a predefined distance away from each other forming a “gap” between the adjacent teeth 110. The gaps that are formed between the adjacent teeth 110 are the slots 108.

In some aspects, the slots 108 and the teeth 110 may be disposed along a rail sidewall length. The slots 108 and the teeth 110 may be disposed at a predetermined portion of the rail sidewall length. For example, the slots 108 and the teeth 110 may cover 50-90% of the rail sidewall length. The teeth 110 may have any length, height, width, and thickness. Further, as described above, each tooth may be disposed at an equal distance from adjacent teeth. Furthermore, the rail 102 may be made of any material. For instance, the rail 102 may be made of steel or aluminum.

As described above, the user may attach the starting pedal (i.e., the first pedal 104a and the second pedal 104b) on the rail 102 to facilitate/assist the user in starting the run. The first pedal 104a and the second pedal 104b may be connected/attached to the rail 102 via one or more slots associated with the plurality of slots 108 (e.g., by using retaining clips 112 located at a pedal side surface), to prevent slippage of the first pedal 104a and the second pedal 104b on the rail 102 during usage. The first pedal 104a and the second pedal 104b may be positioned on opposite sides of the rail 102/rail base 106 to enable the user to push each of the user's foot against the first pedal 104a/second pedal 104b. In some aspects, the first pedal 104a may be a front pedal that may be disposed in proximity to a rail front portion and attached to a left rail sidewall, and the second pedal 104b may be a rear pedal that may be disposed in proximity to a rail rear portion and attached to a right rail sidewall, or vice versa. The first pedal 104a and the second pedal 104b may be made of any material. For instance, the first pedal 104a and the second pedal 104b may be made of steel or aluminum.

In some aspects, the pedal 104a, 104b may include a pedal face 114a, 114b and a supporting structure 116a, 116b that provides support to the pedal face 114a, 114b. The pedal face 114a, 114b may be located on a pedal front portion, and may provide support or grip to a user's foot to enable the user to push the user's foot against the pedal 104a, 104b. In some aspects, the pedal face 114a, 114b may include rubber pads to provide support to the user's foot. The pedal face 114a, 114b may be pivotably connected to the supporting structure 116a, 116b, via a hinge 118. The term “pivotably” connected, as used in the present disclosure, means that the pedal face 114a, 114b can axially rotate relative to the supporting structure 116a about the hinge 118. In an exemplary aspect, the pedal face 114a, 114b may pivotably rotate about the hinge 118, between 15 degrees to 180 degrees relative to the ground surface on which the pedal 104a, 104b may be placed. In some aspects, the hinge 118 may be located towards a pedal face bottom end, and a pedal face top end may pivotally rotate about the hinge 118.

In some aspects, the first pedal 104a and the second pedal 104b may be repositionable pedals that may be adjusted (e.g., the angle of the pedal face plane may be adjusted) to any desired angle relative to the ground surface by the user. The user may adjust the pedal face 114a, 114b at any position by changing the pedal face's angle (or tilting the pedal face 114a, 114b relative to the ground). In an exemplary aspect, the pedal face's angle may range from 15 to 50 degrees. For example, the user may adjust the angle to 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, or 50 degrees relative to the ground surface, based on user's requirement/preference. In further aspects, the angle may range from 15 degrees to 70 degrees.

In some aspects, the pedal face 114a, 114b may pivotally rotate between a top position and a bottom position. The user may rotate and position/adjust the pedal face 114a, 114b at the top position, the bottom position, or any intermediary position between the top position and the bottom position. In an exemplary aspect, the pedal face 114a, 114b may be at the bottom position when the pedal face 114a, 114b is at 15 degrees (as an example) relative to the ground, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The pedal face 114a, 114b may be at the top position when the pedal face 114a, 114b is at 50 degrees (as an example) relative to the ground, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some aspects, the system 100 may be used as a learning aid. For instance, the user may set the pedal face's angle to 15 degrees (or any other inclination angle) when the user may be starting to use the system 100. The user may gradually increase the pedal face's angle to 45 degrees or 50 degrees when the user is proficient in using the system 100.

In some aspects, the supporting structure 116a, 116b may include a base plate 120, a first side plate 122a and a second side plate 122b (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4). The first side plate 122a and the second side plate 122b are connected to the base plate 120 at opposite side edges (left side edge and right side edge) of the base plate 120 via a fastening mechanism such as welding. The base plate 120 may be located parallel to the rail base 106 (and hence parallel to the ground surface) when the pedal 104a, 104b may be connected to the rail 102. In some aspects, an underside or a bottom surface of the base plate 120 may contact the ground surface when the pedal 104a, 104b may be positioned on the ground. The first side plate 122a and the second side plate 122b may be positioned perpendicular to the base plate 120, thereby forming a “U-shaped” structure. In some aspects, the first side plate 122a and the second side plate 122b may have an inverted “V-shaped” structure forming a top portion 124a, 124b.

In some aspects, the first side plate 122a is positioned on the base plate 120 at a predefined distance from the second side plate 122b. For instance, a gap “G” may exist between the first side plate 122a and the second side plate 122b. In some aspects, the gap “G” may be greater than a width “W1” of the pedal face 114a, 114b, which may enable the pedal face 114a, 114b to pivotally move below the top portion 124a, 124b and “into” the space between the first and second side plates 122a, 122b, to adjust the pedal face 114a, 114b at one or more lower angle positions such as 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees etc., as shown in FIG. 4. At such positions, the pedal face 114a, 114b may be located between the first side plate 122a and the second side plate 122b, and may not contact the top portion 124a, 124b. In addition, at such positions, entire pedal face 114a, 114b may be below the top portion 124a, 124b. At the bottom position (or one or more other lower angle positions), a distance “D1” between a pedal face top edge and the ground may be less than a distance “D2” between the top portion 124a, 124b and the ground, as shown in FIG. 5. At the top position (or one or more other higher angle positions), the pedal face 114a, 114b may be above the top portion 124a, 124b, as shown in FIG. 2. At the top position, a distance “D3” between the pedal face top edge and the ground may be greater than the distance “D2” between the top portion 124a, 124b and the ground, as shown in FIG. 3.

The first side plate 122a and the second side plate 122b may include a side plate proximal portion and a side plate distal portion. The pedal face 114a, 114b may be pivotally connected to the supporting structure 116a, 116b at the side plate proximal portion via the hinge 118. At the side plate distal portion, the side plate 122a, 122b may include a plurality of grooves or notches, which may enable the user to position the pedal face 114a, 114b at the desired position (or at the desired angle such as 15 degrees, 20 degrees, and so on).

In some aspects, the side plate 122a, 122b may include a first surface 126a and a second surface 126b that may be connected at the top portion 124a, 124b to form the inverted “V-shaped” structure. In an exemplary aspect, the first surface 126a and/or the second surface 126b may be curved surfaces having an arc shape, although the present disclosure is not limited to such a shape. In some aspects, the second surface 126b may include the plurality of grooves or notches. In an exemplary aspect, the second surface 126b may include a vertical portion “V” and a horizontal portion “H”. Stated another way, the vertical portion “V” and the horizontal portion “H” may be part of the second surface 126b associated with the side plate 122a, 122b. The horizontal portion “H” may be substantially parallel to the ground, and the vertical portion “V” may be positioned at an angle “A” (shown in FIGS. 3 and 5) relative to the horizontal portion “H”. In some aspects, the angle “A” may be greater than or equivalent to 90 degrees.

The vertical portion “V” may include a first set of grooves 128 and the horizontal portion may include a second set of grooves 130. The first and second sets of grooves 128, 130 may collectively form the plurality of grooves described above. In some aspects, the first set of grooves 128 may correspond to a first set of angle positions from a plurality of angle positions associated with the pedal face 114a, 114b relative to the ground surface, and the second set of grooves 130 may correspond to a second set of angle positions from the plurality of angle positions. In an exemplary aspect, the second set of grooves 130 may correspond to lower angles (e.g., 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees) associated with the pedal face 114a, 114b relative to the ground surface, and the first set of grooves 128 may correspond to higher angles (e.g., between 30 degrees to 50 degrees) associated with the pedal face 114a, 114b relative to the ground surface. Stated another way, the second set of grooves 130 may enable the user to position the pedal face 114a, 114b at the lower angles, and the first set of grooves 128 may enable the user to position the pedal face 114a, 114b at the higher angles. Each groove may enable angle increment of the pedal face 114a, 114b by a predefined count of degrees (e.g., by 5 degrees).

In some aspects, a vertical portion length may be greater than a horizontal portion length. In some aspects, the first set of grooves 128 may be distributed along an entire vertical portion length. Alternatively, the first set of grooves 128 may be distributed in a portion of the vertical portion length. Similarly, the second set of grooves 130 may be distributed along an entire horizontal portion length. Alternatively, the second set of grooves 130 may be distributed in a portion of the horizontal portion length. In some aspects, a count of grooves in the first set of grooves 128 may be greater than a count of grooves in the second set of grooves 130. Alternatively, the count of grooves in the first set of grooves 128 may be less than or equivalent to the count of grooves in the second set of grooves 130.

In further aspects, the pedal 104a, 104b may include a locking mechanism that may enable the user to lock the pedal face 114a, 114b at a desired angle position from the plurality of angle positions described above. The locking mechanism may engage with the supporting structure 116a, 116b to lock the pedal face 114a, 114b at the desired angle position. In some aspects, the locking mechanism may be attached to a pedal face back surface (via a fastening mechanism), and may be located at an edge opposite to the edge at which the hinge 118 may be located. For example, the locking mechanism may be located towards the pedal face top edge. The user may rotate the pedal face 114a, 114b about the hinge 118 at the pedal face bottom edge, and may lock the pedal face 114a, 114b at the desired angle position via the locking mechanism located towards the pedal face top edge. In other aspects, the locking mechanism may be located between the pedal face top edge and the pedal face bottom edge, as shown in FIG. 2.

In some aspects, the locking mechanism may include a platform plate 132 and a pin 134. The platform plate 132 may be a rectangular plate that may be attached to the pedal face back surface or a pedal face underside portion. In some aspects, the platform plate 132 may have a width “W2” that may be equivalent to the width “W1” of the pedal face 114a, 114b, and less than the gap “G”. The user may rotate the platform plate 132 relative to the pedal face back surface to change the pedal face's angle position relative to the ground surface. In an exemplary aspect, the user may rotate the platform plate 132 to make the platform plate 132 disposed at an angle “B” relative to the pedal face back surface (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5). The angle “B” may be less than or equivalent to 90 degrees, and may vary based on the pedal face position relative to the ground surface. For instance, the angle “B” may be less when the pedal face 114a, 114b may be positioned at the lower angle position, and the angle “B” may be high when the pedal face 114a, 114b may be positioned at the higher angle position, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5.

One edge (e.g., a proximal edge 136, as shown in FIG. 2) of the platform plate 132 may be attached to the pedal face back surface, and another edge (e.g., a distal edge) of the platform plate 132 may include the pin 134 that may engage with the supporting structure 116a, 116b. In an exemplary aspect, the proximal edge 136 may be pivotally attached to the pedal face back surface such that the platform plate 132 may rotate relative to the pedal face 114a, 114b about the proximal edge 136. The pivotal connection may enable the user to rotate the platform plate 132 relative to the pedal face 114a, 114b and engage the pedal face 114a, 114b with the supporting structure 116a, 116b, thereby enabling the user to adjust the pedal face's angle to any desirable angle.

In some aspects, the pin 134 may engage with the plurality of grooves (including the first set of grooves 128 and the second set of grooves 130) located on the second surfaces 126b of the first side plate 122a and the second side plate 122b, to lock the pedal face 114a, 114b at the desired angle position. The pin 134 may be a protrusion (of any shape) that may extend from the distal edge of the platform plate 132, which may engage with the grooves 128, 130 to lock the pedal face 114a, 114b at the desired angle position. For example, the user may insert the pin/protrusion in a groove to secure the pedal face 114a, 114b at the desired position/angle. In some aspects, the pin 134 may engage with the second set of grooves 130 to lock the pedal face 114a, 114b at the lower angle position (e.g., at 15 degrees, 20 degrees, or 25 degrees), and the pin 134 may engage with the first set of grooves 128 to lock the pedal face 114a, 114b at the higher angle position (e.g., 30 degrees-50 degrees).

In operation, to adjust the pedal face 114a, 114b at a first desired position (e.g., at the bottom position), the user may insert the pin 134 in a first groove (from the second set of grooves 130) that corresponds to the bottom position (e.g., at 15 degrees angle). To adjust the pedal face 114a, 114b at a second desired position (e.g., at the top position), the user may take out the pin 134 from the first groove, rotate the pedal face 114a, 114b about the hinge 118, and insert the pin 134 in a second groove (from the first set of grooves 128) that corresponds to the top position (e.g., at 50 degrees angle). In this manner, the user may adjust the angle or positions of the pedal face 114a, 114b as per the user's requirements.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a starting pedal 600 of the system 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The starting pedal 600 may include a pedal face 602 and a supporting structure 604. The dimensions/structure/function of the pedal face 602 may be the same as the dimensions/structure/function of pedal face 114a, 114b described above. The dimensions/structure/function of the supporting structure 604 may be similar to the dimensions/structure/function of the supporting structure 116a, 116b described above. The additional features of the supporting structure 604 are described below.

The supporting structure 604 may include a base plate 606, a first side plate 608a and a second side plate 608b (similar to the base plate 120, the first side plate 122a and the second side plate 122b described above). The first side plate 608a and the second side plate 608b may include vertical portions having a set of grooves 610 that may be similar to the first set of grooves 128 to lock the pedal face 602 at the higher angle positions (e.g., from 30 to 50 degrees). In some aspects, the first side plate 608a and the second side plate 608b may not include the horizontal portion and/or the grooves similar to the second set of grooves 130 described above. The starting pedal 600 may further include a locking mechanism having a platform plate 612 and a pin 614, which may be similar to the platform plate 132 and the pin 134. One edge (e.g., a proximal edge) of the platform plate 612 may be attached to the pedal face back surface.

In some aspects, the base plate 606 may include a base plate proximal portion and a base plate distal portion. The base plate proximal portion may be located towards a hinge 616 (same as the hinge 118). Stated another way, the hinge 616 may be located at the base plate proximal portion. The base plate distal portion may include a plurality of ridges 618 (or teeth) to lock the pedal face 602 at the lower angle positions. The ridges 618 may correspond to a third set of angle positions from the plurality of angle positions described above. In some aspects, the third set of angle positions may be the same as the second set of angle positions described above. Stated another way, the third set of angle positions may be the same as the pedal face's lower angle positions (e.g., 15 degrees, 20 degrees, etc.) described above. In some aspects, the ridges 618 may be disposed along an entire base plate width. In addition, the ridges 618 may be disposed at a base plate length portion. For instance, the ridges 618 may cover 10-40% of a base plate length.

Adjacent ridges may be disposed at a predefined distance away from each other, forming a “gap” between the adjacent ridges. The platform plate 612 (or the pin 614) may engage with the gap (or the ridges 618) to lock the pedal face 602 at the lower angle positions (e.g., at 15 degrees, 20 degrees, and 25 degrees). For instance, the pedal face 602 may be at 15 degrees from the ground when the platform plate 612 (or the pin 614) may engage with a first gap located at an edge (e.g., a distal edge) of the base plate distal portion. Further, the pedal face 602 may be at 20 degrees from the ground when the platform plate 612 (or the pin 614) may engage with a second gap disposed adjacent to the first gap towards the base plate proximal portion. In this manner, each adjacent ridge (or adjacent gaps between the ridges) may enable pedal face's angle increment by a predefined count of degrees (e.g., 5 degrees).

In some aspects, the set of grooves 610 may enable pedal face's adjustment at the higher angle positions (e.g., between 30 degrees to 50 degrees), and the plurality of ridges 618 may enable pedal face's adjustment at the lower angle positions (e.g., between 15 degrees to 25 degrees).

In operation, to adjust the pedal face 602 at a first desired position (e.g., at the top position), the user may insert the pin 614 in a groove (from the set of grooves 610) that corresponds to the top position (e.g., at 50 degrees angle). To adjust the pedal face 602 at a second desired position (e.g., at the bottom position), the user may take out the pin 614 from the groove, rotate the pedal face 602 about the hinge 118, and insert the platform plate 612/pin 614 in a gap (or between the ridges 618) that corresponds to the bottom position (e.g., at 15 degrees angle).

It may be appreciated that the locking mechanism (e.g., an entire distal edge associated with the platform plate 612) rests on the base plate 606 for the lower angle positions and not on the side plate 608a, 608b (e.g., on the grooves on the side plate). In this manner, the user may adjust the pedal face's angle or position as per the user's requirements. In addition, engaging the platform plate 612 with the base plate 606 (e.g., the ridges 618) may provide more stability as the pedal face 602 is not resting on a single point and the force/stress is distributed for the lower angle positions.

In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “example” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.

With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.