COMPONENT FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a component for a vehicle interior.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] The present application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/336,322 filed May 13, 2016 entitled "Console for Vehicle Interior." The entirety of this application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known in motor vehicles to provide a component (e.g. vehicle trim component, console, center console, floor console, storage compartment, arm rest, etc.) for the vehicle interior. It is also known to provide a storage compartment within the component. It is further known to provide a cover (e.g. door, tambour door, shade, blind, roller blind, etc.) to cover or expose an opening within the component to facilitate access to the storage compartment. It would be advantageous to provide an improved component for a vehicle interior with a cover in a configuration to provide consistent force to open the cover and/or with a cover in a configuration to provide a brake for the cover. SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention relates to a component for a vehicle interior. The component may comprise a base and a cover coupled to the base configured for movement from a closed position to an open position through an intermediate position. At least one of the cover or the base may comprise a brake configured to prevent the cover from moving from the intermediate position to the open position. The brake may comprise at least one of (a) a spring, (b) a spring clip, (c) a clip, (d) a brake mechanism. The cover may comprise the brake; the brake may be configured to contact the base in the intermediate position to prevent the cover from moving from the intermediate position toward the open position. The cover may comprise the brake; the brake may be configured to contact the base as the cover moves from the intermediate position to the open position. The cover may be configured for movement from the open position to the closed position through the intermediate position; the component may comprise a gap between the brake and the base as the cover moves from the open position to the intermediate position. The cover may comprise the brake; the base may comprise a rib; the brake may be configured to contact the rib to prevent the cover from moving from the intermediate position toward the open position. The brake may be configured to allow the cover to move from the closed position to the intermediate position. The cover may comprise the brake; the component may comprise a gap between the brake and the base as the cover moves from the closed position to the intermediate position. The component may comprise at least one of (a) a vehicle trim

component, (b) a console, (c) a floor console, (d) a center console, (e) a storage compartment, (f) an arm rest. The cover may comprise at least one of (a) a door, (b) a tambour door, (c) a shade, (d) a blind, (e) a roller blind. The component may comprise a storage compartment; the cover may be configured to selectively cover and uncover the storage compartment. The spring may be configured to provide a spring force to prevent the cover from moving from the intermediate position toward the open position unless an external force is applied to the cover to overcome the spring force. At the open position the spring may be configured to substantially remove the spring force. The brake may comprise a mechanism configured to provide a braking force to prevent the cover from moving from the intermediate position toward the open position unless an external force is applied to the cover to overcome the braking force. At the open position at least one of the mechanism or the base may be configured to remove the braking force. The base may comprise a first guide and a second guide; the first guide may be configured to guide movement of the mechanism to provide the braking force; the second guide may be configured to guide movement of the mechanism to remove the braking force. The mechanism may comprise a pin; the base may comprise a track; the pin may be configured to move within the track to guide movement of the cover relative to the base. The track of the base may comprise a first track section and a second track section; the first track section may be configured to guide movement of the cover to provide the braking force; the second track section may be configured to guide movement of the cover to remove the braking force. The mechanism may comprise a spring configured to bias the mechanism to prevent contact between the mechanism and the base to remove the braking force.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a component for a vehicle interior. The component may comprise a base and a cover coupled to the base configured for movement from a closed position to an open position through an intermediate position. The cover may be configured to slide against the base to prevent the cover from moving from the intermediate position to the open position. At least one of the base or the cover may be configured to provide a gap between the base and the cover as the cover moves from the closed position toward the intermediate position.

[0006] The present invention also relates to a component for a vehicle interior. The component may comprise a base, a cover coupled to the base configured for movement from a closed position to an open position through an intermediate position and a mechanism coupled to the base or the cover. The mechanism may be configured to provide a force to the base or the cover to prevent the cover from moving from the intermediate position to the open position. The mechanism may be configured to remove the force from the base or the cover as the cover moves from the open position toward the intermediate position.

[0007] The present invention further relates to a component for a vehicle interior. The component may comprise a base and a cover coupled to the base configured for movement from a closed position to an open position through an intermediate position. The cover may be configured to require a substantially constant force to the move the cover from the closed position to the intermediate position and from the intermediate position to the open positon.

FIGURES

[0008] FIGURE 1 A is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] FIGURE IB is a schematic perspective cut-away view of a vehicle showing the interior of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] FIGURE 2 is a schematic perspective exploded partial view of a component of a vehicle interior according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0011] FIGURE 3 A is a schematic perspective partial view of a vehicle interior having a vehicle interior component according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] FIGURES 3B to 3F are schematic perspective views of a cover for a component of a vehicle interior between a closed position and an open position according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] FIGURE 3G is a schematic diagram providing a graph representational of the force to open a cover of a component of a vehicle interior at different positions according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] FIGURES 4A to 4E are schematic partial side views of a cover of a component of a vehicle interior between a closed position and an open position according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] FIGURES 5A to 5E are schematic detail side views of a cover of a component of a vehicle interior between a closed position and an open position according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIGURE 6A is a schematic perspective exploded partial view of a component of a vehicle interior according to an exemplary embodiment. [0017] FIGURE 6B is a schematic perspective detail view of a pin according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0018] FIGURES 7A to 7E are schematic partial side views of a cover of a component of a vehicle interior between a closed position and an open position according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0019] FIGURES 8A to 8E are schematic detail side views of a cover of a component of a vehicle interior between a closed position and an open position according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0020] FIGURES 9A to 9E are schematic partial side views of a cover of a component of a vehicle interior between an open position and a closed position according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] FIGURES 10A to 10E are schematic detail side views of a cover of a component of a vehicle interior between an open position and a closed position according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0022] FIGURE 11 A is a schematic partial side view of a pin of a cover of a component of a vehicle interior within a track according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0023] FIGURE 1 IB is a schematic perspective detail view of a pin of a cover of a component of a vehicle interior within a track according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0024] FIGURE 12A is a schematic perspective partial view of a vehicle interior having an interior vehicle component according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] FIGURES 12B to 12F are schematic perspective views of a cover for a component of a vehicle interior between a closed position and an open position according to an exemplary embodiment. [0026] FIGURE 12G is a schematic diagram providing a graph representational of the force to open a cover of a component of a vehicle interior at different positions according to an exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 1 A and IB, a vehicle V is shown including an interior with a component or floor console FC. Floor console FC may comprise a cover shown as a tambour door TD and a compartment shown as a storage compartment beneath tambour door TD. Tambour door TD is configured to move between a closed position and an open position to facilitate access to the storage compartment.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURE 2, a component 10 (e.g. vehicle trim component, console, center console, floor console, storage compartment, arm rest, etc.) for a vehicle interior is shown. The component 10 may comprise a base 100 a cover 110 (e.g. door, tambour door, shade, blind, roller blind, etc.) and a brake 112. According to an exemplary embodiment, component 10 may comprise a storage compartment and cover 110 may be configured to cover and uncover the storage compartment. According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of cover 110 or base 100 may comprise a brake 112. According to an exemplary embodiment, base 100 may comprise a rib 104 on a back wall of base 100 and a track 108.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment, cover 110 may be supported by track 108 on base 102. As shown schematically in FIGURE 2, track 108 may comprise a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion connected by a curved portion. According to an exemplary embodiment, track 108 may comprise a stop 109 configured to stop movement of cover 110 at an open position. According to an exemplary embodiment, brake 112 may comprise a spring or spring clip and may be configured to provide a spring force to prevent cover 110 from moving from the intermediate position toward the open position unless an external force is applied to cover 110 to overcome the spring force. According to an exemplary embodiment, brake 112 may be configured to substantially remove the spring force when cover 110 is in the open position. According to an exemplary embodiment, as cover 110 moves between a closed position and an open position, brake 112 may engage rib 104. (See FIGURES 4A to 4E and 5A to 5D.)

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment, brake 112 may be configured to prevent the cover from moving from the intermediate position to the open position. According to an exemplary embodiment, brake 112 may be configured to contact base 100 in the intermediate position to prevent cover 110 from moving from the intermediate position toward the open position. According to an exemplary embodiment, brake 112 may be configured to contact the base as the cover moves from the intermediate position to the open position. According to an exemplary embodiment, brake 112 may comprise a brake mechanism (see mechanism 220 in FIGURE 6) configured to provide a braking force to prevent cover 110 from moving from the intermediate position toward the open position unless an external force is applied to cover 110 to overcome the braking force.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 3 A to 3F, is component 10 and cover 110. As shown schematically in FIGURES 3B to 3F, cover 110 may be configured to slide between a closed position and an open position on track 108. As shown schematically, a hand H pulls cover 110 from the closed position (FIGURES 3 A and 3B) to the open position (FIGURE 3F). As shown schematically in FIGURES 3B to 3F, rib 104 may create resistance to cover 110 as the cover slides between the closed position and the open position. (See also FIGURES 4A to 4E and 5A to 5D.) A graph represented in FIGURE 3G shows the force F hand H needs to exhibit on cover 110 along each phase of movement of cover 110 from the open position of FIGURE 3B to the closed position of FIGURE 3F through the positions shown schematically in FIGURES 3C to 3E. According to an exemplary embodiment, cover 110 may be configured to require a substantially constant force to move from the closed position to the intermediate position and from the intermediate position to the open positon. As shown schematically in FIGURE 3G, the force F required to move cover 110 from the closed position to the open position may be substantially constant along the path of movement.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 4A to 4E and 5 A to 5D, cover 110 may be configured to slide between the closed position and the open position. As shown schematically in FIGURES 4A and 5 A, cover 110 is shown at the closed position. According to an exemplary embodiment, cover 110 may be configured for movement from the open position to the closed position through the intermediate position and component 10 may comprise a gap between brake 112 and base 100 as cover 110 moves from the open position to the intermediate position. As shown schematically in FIGURE 5A, when the cover is in the closed position, a gap Gl exists between brake 112 and rib 104 and cover 110 may be substantially supported by the horizontal portion of track 108. The friction between cover 110 and track 108 may be overcome by an external force to initiate sliding of cover 110 toward the open position. According to an exemplary embodiment, the external force may be supplied by a hand H (see FIGURES 3B to 3F) or a vehicle occupant.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 4B and 5B, cover 110 is shown between the closed position and an intermediate position. As shown schematically, cover 110 may be substantially supported by the horizontal portion of track 108. Gap Gl between brake 112 and rib 104 may be reduced to a gap G2. According to an exemplary embodiment, the gap between brake 112 and rib 104 may be continuously reduced from gap Gl through at least gap G2 until cover 110 reaches the intermediate position and brake 112 contacts rib 104. The friction between cover 110 and track 108 may be overcome by the external force to continue sliding cover 110 towards the intermediate position. (Force between brake and rib must also be overcome).

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 4C and 5C, cover 110 is at the intermediate position. As shown schematically, brake 112 contacts rib 104 and may be compressed by rib 104 as cover 110 moves toward the open position. According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 4C and 5C, resistance (e.g. friction, engagement, etc.) may be developed between cover 110 and rib 104 through brake 112. According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 4C and 5C, cover 110 may be substantially supported by the resistance between brake 112 and rib 104.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 4D and 5D, cover 110 is between the intermediate position and the open position. As movement continues along the path of travel from the intermediate position towards the open position, brake 112 may be horizontally compressed or vertically lengthened (see FIGURES 5C and FIGURE 5D) as more of cover 110 is transitioned from the horizontal portion of track 108 to the vertical portion of track 108. The compression or lengthening of brake 112 increases the friction between cover 110 and rib 104. As shown schematically in FIGURES 4D and 5D, cover 110 may be guided by the vertical portion of track 108 and supported by the friction between brake 112 and rib 104.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 4E and 5E, cover 110 is at the open position. Brake 112 may be compressed and cover 110 may be supported by stop 109 on track 108. According to an exemplary embodiment, brake 112 may be configured to be disengaged from rib 104 at the open position. [0037] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 6A and 6B, is a component 20 (e.g. vehicle trim component, console, center console, floor console, storage compartment, arm rest, etc.) for a vehicle interior. As shown schematically in FIGURE 6A, component 20 may comprise a base 200, a cover 210 (e.g. door, tambour door, shade, blind, roller blind, etc.), and a brake, brake mechanism, or mechanism 220. According to an exemplary embodiment, base 200 may comprise a rib 204 on a back wall of base 200, a first track 206, and a second track 208. First track 206 may comprise a stop 209. As shown schematically in

FIGURE 6A, first track 206 may comprise a first guide or track section 2061 and a second guide or track section 2062 (see FIGURE 11 A). Second track 208 may comprise a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion connected by a curved portion. According to an exemplary embodiment, cover 210 may be supported by second track 208 on base 202. As shown schematically in FIGURES 6A and 6B, mechanism 220 may comprise a mount 222a, a housing 222b, a first spring 228 (shown as a torsion spring), a second spring 224 (shown as a spring clip) and a pin or pin follower 226. According to an exemplary embodiment, cover 210 may comprise mechanism 220. According to an exemplary embodiment, base 200 may comprise mechanism 220. Mechanism 220 may be configured to engage with first track 206 and rib 204 on base 20. Pin 226 may be configured to engage with first track 206 on the back wall of base 202. According to an exemplary embodiment, mount 222a may be attached to the underside of cover 210 and housing 222b may be attached to mount 222a. First spring 228 may be assembled onto the core of mount 222a between mount 222a and housing 222b. (See FIGURE 6 A.) According to an exemplary embodiment, first spring 228 may be installed under a bias tending to rotate mechanism 220 away from rib 204. Second spring 224 may be attached to housing 222b and rotate with housing 222. As cover 210 moves between a closed position and an open position, second spring 224 engages with rib 204. (See FIGURES 7 A to 7E and FIGURES 8A to 8E.)

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 7A to 7E and FIGURES 8 A to 8E, the path of cover 210 may be configured to slide from a closed position to an open position relative to base 200. As shown schematically in FIGURE 7A and 8A, mechanism 220 is attached to the underside of cover 210. According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 7A to 7E and FIGURES 8A to 8E, pin 226 may follow first track 206 through first and second track sections 2061 and 2062 (see FIGURE 11 A) as cover 210 travels between the closed position and the open position.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 7A and 8 A, cover 210 is at the closed position. When the cover is in the closed position, a gap G3 is provided between second spring 224 and rib 204; pin 226 is shown in an upper portion of first track 206 and cover 210 is shown to be substantially supported by the horizontal portion of second track 208. According to an exemplary embodiment, the friction between cover 210 and second track 208 may be overcome by an external force to initiate sliding of cover 210 toward the open position. According to an exemplary embodiment, the external force may be supplied by a vehicle occupant.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 7B and 8B, cover 210 is between the closed position and the intermediate position. As shown

schematically, cover 210 may be substantially supported by the horizontal portion of second track 208 and pin 226 is in a lower portion of first track 206 just above a junction between first and second track sections 2061 and 2062. As cover 210 moves through the junction between first and second track sections 2061 and 2062, pin 226 may transition into first track section 2061. A step 206a at the junction between first and second track sections 2061 and 2062 may keep pin 226 from transitioning into second track section 2062 as cover 210 moves from the closed position to the open position. (See FIGURE 1 IB.) According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 8A and 8B, gap G3 between second spring 224 and rib 204 may be reduced to a gap G4. According to an exemplary embodiment, the gap between second spring 224 and rib 104 may be continuously reduced from gap Gl through at least gap G2 until cover 210 reaches the intermediate position and second spring 224 contacts rib 204. According to an exemplary embodiment, the friction between cover 210 and second track 208 may be overcome by the external force to continue sliding cover 210 towards the intermediate position.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 7C and 8C, cover 210 is in the intermediate position. As shown schematically in FIGURES 7C and 8C, second spring 224 contacts rib 204 and may be compressed by rib 204 as cover 210 moves past the intermediate position. According to an exemplary embodiment, resistance (e.g. friction, engagement, etc.) may be developed between cover 210 and rib 204. As shown schematically in FIGURES 7C and 8C, cover 210 is guided by the vertical portion of second track 208 and supported by the friction between second spring 224 and rib 204; pin 226 is in an upper portion of first track section 2061.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 7D and 8D, cover 210 is between the intermediate position and the open position. As movement continues along the path of travel from the intermediate position towards the open position second spring 224 may be horizontally compressed or vertically lengthened as more of cover 210 is transitioned from the horizontal portion of second track 208 to the vertical portion of second track 208. According to an exemplary embodiment, the compression or lengthening of second spring 224 may increase the friction between cover 210 and rib 204. As shown schematically in FIGURES 7D and 8D, cover 210 may be guided by and/or substantially supported by the vertical portion of second track 208 and the friction between second spring 224 and rib 204 when pin 226 is in a lower portion of first track section 2061.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 7E and 8E, cover 210 is in the open position. As shown schematically in FIGURES 7E and 8E, when cover 210 in the open position, second spring 224 may be released (e.g. uncompressed and/or disengaged) from rib 204 and cover 210 may be supported by pin 226 resting at stop 209 on first track 206.

[0044] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 9A to 9E and FIGURES 10A to 10E, the path of cover 210 may be configured to slide from the open position to the closed position relative to base 200. As cover 210 moves from the open position to the closed position, mechanism 220 may be configured to travel within a path through second track section 2062 and second spring 224 may be disengaged from rib 204. See also FIGURE 11 A.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURE 9A, mechanism 220 is attached to the underside of cover 210; pin 226 on housing 222b of mechanism 220 follows second track section 2062 of first track 206 as cover 210 travels between the open position and the closed position. According to an exemplary embodiment, first spring 228 inside housing 222b of mechanism 220 may be biased to rotate mechanism 220 away from rib 204. According to an exemplary embodiment first spring 228 may be biased at the time of installation. As shown schematically in FIGURES 9A and 10A, cover 210 is in the open position with pin 226 of mechanism 220 at stop 209 on the bottom of first track 206 and second spring 224 is disengaged from rib 204.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 9B and 10B, cover 210 is between the open position and the closed position with pin 226 within second track section 2062. According to an exemplary embodiment, as cover 210 moves between the open position and the closed position, pin 226 may follow second track section 2062 of first track 206 away from rib 204 with second spring 224 disengaged from rib 204.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 9C and IOC, cover 210 is between the open position and the closed position with pin 226 in first track 206 just above the junction between first and second track sections 2061 and 2062. According to an exemplary embodiment, as cover 210 moves up second track section 2062 and reaches the junction with first track section 2061, pin 226 may exit the second track section 2062 of first track 206. According to an exemplary embodiment, pin 226 may exit the second track section 2062 by transitioning down from a higher plane at step 206A to a lower plane of first track section 2061 and the upper portions of track 206. See FIGURE 1 IB.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURE 9D and 10D, cover 210 is between the open position and the closed position with pin 226 in the upper portion of first track 206. According to an exemplary embodiment, as cover 210 continues to move from the open position to the closed position, pin 226 may follow along first track 206 and second spring 224 may remain disengaged from rib 204. As shown schematically in FIGURES 9E and 10E, cover 210 is at the closed position. As shown schematically in FIGURES 9E and 10E, cover 210 may be substantially supported by the horizontal portion of second track 208 and second spring 224 may be disengaged from rib 204. [0049] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 11 A and 1 IB, path of pin 226 is shown as cover 210 may move from the closed position to the open position and back to the closed position. As shown schematically in FIGURE 11 A, as cover 210 moves from the closed position to the open position, pin 226 may be configured to travel sequentially through opening positions 226a, 226b, 226c, 226d, and 226e of first track section 2061. According to an exemplary embodiment, mechanism 220 may be configured to rotate second spring 224 away from rib 204 at an open position 226f. As shown schematically in FIGURE 11 A, cover 210 may move from the open position to the closed position; pin 226 on mechanism 220 may be configured to travel sequentially through closing positions 226g, 226h, and 226i of second track section 2062. As show schematically in FIGURES 11 A and 1 IB, second track section 2062 merges with first track section 2061 of first track 206. Second spring 224 may be configured to be disengaged from rib 204 as cover 210 travels from the open position to the closed position. (See also FIGURES 9A to 9E.) As shown schematically in FIGURE 1 IB, a step 206a may be provided at the point or junction where first and second track sections 2061 and 2062 merge together. Step 206a may be configured to offset at least a portion of second track section 2062 into a higher plane relative to first track section 2061 and the upper portions of first track 206 so as to prevent pin 226 from entering second track section 2062 under the force of second spring 2024 as cover 210 moves from the closed position to the open position. See also FIGURES lOA to 10E.

[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in FIGURES 12 A to 12F, is a conventional embodiment of a component 30 for a vehicle interior having a cover 310 and a track 308. As shown schematically in FIGURES 12B to 12F, cover 310 may be configured to slide between a closed position and an open position on track 308. Track 308 may comprise a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion connected by a curved portion. As shown schematically in FIGURE 12B, cover 310 is at the closed position and may be guided by and/or supported by the horizontal portion of track 308. As shown schematically in FIGURE 12C, cover 310 is partially opened by hand H of a vehicle occupant in movement towards the open position. As shown schematically in FIGURE 12D, cover 310 is at an intermediate position. At the intermediate position, cover 310 may be guided by and/or supported by the vertical portion of track 308. As shown schematically in FIGURES 12D and 12F, cover 310 drops unassisted (e.g. under force of gravity) into the open position upon release of hand H.

[0051] Referring now to FIGURE 12G, a schematic and representational graph of the force from hand H required to move cover 310 from the open position to the closed position is shown according to the conventional embodiment shown schematically in FIGURES 12A to 12 F. At point 12B, cover 310 is at the closed position and at point 12D cover 310 is at the intermediate position. Between points 12B and 12D, an external force F is required to move cover 310 from the closed position toward the open position. At point 12F, cover 310 is at the open position. Between points 12D and 12F through point 12E, cover 310 may fall/drop to the open position under the force of gravity without external force from hand H.

* * *

[0052] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the inventive concepts and inventions as described in this application and as shown in the figures above is illustrative only. Although some embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.

[0053] It is important to note that the system and method of the present inventions can comprise conventional technology (e.g. as implemented in present configuration) or any other applicable technology (present or future) that has the capability to perform the functions and

processes/operations indicated in the FIGURES. All such technology is considered to be within the scope of the present inventions and application.