A DEVICE FOR CARRYING SHOES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present patent application claims priority to pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 1 1/786,208, which was filed on April 11, 2007.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to luggage capable of carrying one or more shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently, suitcases and other luggage use large cavities within the luggage, oversized compartments or pockets, or shoe-tree devices to store footwear. Such storage devices often fail to protect shoes from damage that can occur when other objects within the luggage come into contact with the shoes. Moreover, the material such apparatuses are constructed of can damage parts of the stored shoes, diminishing the aesthetic effect of the shoes.

[0004] Further, such luggage typically prevents a traveler from storing shoes in a way that permits the traveler to easily view multiple pairs of shoes at the same time. For example, pockets within a suitcase typically prevent a traveler from viewing shoes until after the shoes are extracted from the luggage. Consequently, a traveler often cannot easily view all the packed shoes while stored within an opened piece of luggage when selecting an outfit to wear on a particular day.

[0005] In some circumstances, a traveler may choose to take her shoes out of her luggage when she has arrived at a transitory destination, such as a hotel room, unpack her shoes and temporarily store them in a closet or on the floor of the room. When the

traveler is prepared to leave such a location, she may forget to repack all her shoes. As a result, the shoes may be lost or the traveler may incur unexpected and undesired expenses to recover the lost shoes. Further, such storage locations may expose the shoes to dirt or other conditions that decrease the aesthetic effect of the shoes. [0006] A new device is needed that permits a traveler to carry one or more pairs of shoes within a carrying case such that the shoes are not scuffed or damaged. Such a device would ideally permit a traveler to store her shoes when traveling and display the shoes within the opened luggage once she has reached a particular destination. The device should also permit the traveler to easily view all her packed shoes at one time without having to remove them from the opened luggage and expose them to the potentially dirty conditions that may exist at her transitory destination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] I provide a device for carrying shoes. The device can have a body and at least one pocket. The body has a first side connected to a second side so the first side can move relative to the second side such that the body can be placed in one or more open positions and a closed position. The first side and the second side have interior surfaces and exterior surfaces. The one or more pockets are attached to the body and are sized and configured to hold at least one shoe. The one or more pockets have a first portion connected to the interior surface of the first side or the interior surface of the second side. A second portion of the at least one pocket is connected to the first portion so the second portion can move relative to the first portion such that the one or more pockets can be placed in an open position or a closed position. The second portion of the at least one pocket is connected to at least one of the body and the at least one pocket such that the second portion extends beyond the first portion of the at least one

pocket so that the second portion is substantially transverse to the first portion of the at least one pocket when the pocket is in the open position.

[0008] In some embodiments, a plurality of flaps or a plurality of strings may be attached between the first portion and second portion of the at least one pocket. [0009] In other embodiments, the device may include a body, one or more pockets, and one or more members. The body has a first side connected to a second side so the first side can move relative to the second side such that the body can be placed in one or more open positions and a closed position. The first side and the second side have interior surfaces and exterior surfaces. The one or more pockets are sized and configured to hold at least one shoe. The one or more pockets have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is connected to one of the first interior surface and the second interior surface and the second portion is connected to the first portion so the second portion can move relative to the first portion such that the one or more pockets can be placed in an open position and a closed position. The second portion of the at least one pocket is connected to at least one of the body and the at least one pocket when the pocket is in the open position such that the second portion extends beyond the first portion of the at least one pocket so that the second portion is substantially transverse to the first portion of the at least one pocket. The at least one member is connected to the body adjacent the one or more pockets. Each member is sized and configured to support the second portion of the at least one pocket when the pocket is in the open position.

[00010] It should be understood that the one or more members may be comprised of at least one type of structural unit such as posts, blocks, beams, brackets, strings, cords and baffles or the like.

[00011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one member may include a plurality of strings. Each string has a first end attached to the body adjacent the pocket and a second end attached to the second portion of the one or more pockets. The plurality of strings are extendable from a first position to a second position. When the strings are in the first position, the pocket may be in the closed position. When the strings are extended to the second position, the pocket can be in the open position. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the strings may be extendable to the second position and retractable from the second position to the first position due to the elasticity of the strings. In alternative embodiments, the strings may be wound on a spool or other device within the body or pocket that is configured to permit portions of the string to be retracted and extended as the second portion of the pocket moves from one position to the other position. In yet other embodiments, the string may simply be housed within the pocket or adjacent the body when the pocket is in the closed position and fully extended when the pocket is in the open position. It should be understood the strings may be elongated plastic bodies, cords, or strands of other pliable material that can support the second portion of the at least one pocket when the at least one pocket is in the open position

[00012] In another embodiment, the device may also include at least one leg that has a first end and a second end. The one or more legs are connected to the body adjacent the first end of the at least one leg such that the one or more legs can move from a first position to a second position. The second end of the at least one leg is adjacent the body when the at least one leg is in the first position. When the at least one leg is in the second position, the second end of the one or more legs extends away from the body such that the second end of the at least one leg is further from the body than it is when the one or more legs are in the first position.

[00013] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the one or more legs may be within the body when the at least one leg is in at least one of the first position and the second position.

[00014] In other embodiments, the at least one pocket may have at least one recess that is sized to receive at least a portion of the one or more members. When the second portion of the one or more pockets is moved to place the pocket in the open position, the one or more members may be releasably connected to the second portion of the one or more pockets by being fitted within respective recesses to support the second portion so the second portion is substantially transverse to the first portion of the pocket. [00015] In another embodiment, the one or more members have a first portion moveably connected to a second portion so the first portion can move relative to the second portion of the one or more members. The first portion may be moved to engage the second portion of the one or more pockets when the one or more pockets is moved to an open position.

[00016] In some embodiments, the at least one member is sized and configured to be moveable from an initial position to a support position so the at least one member can engage the second portion of the at least one pocket when the second portion of the at least one pocket is substantially transverse to the first portion of the at least one pocket. [00017] In one embodiment, the at least one member is connected to the second portion of the at least one pocket such that the at least one member is extendable from a first position to a second position. When the at least one pocket is in the open position, the first portion of the at least one member is in the first position. When the at least one pocket is in the closed position, the first portion of the at least one member may be extended to the second position. In an alternative embodiment, the first portion of the at least one member may be connected to the second portion of the at least one pocket

such that the first portion of the at least one member is in the first position when the pocket is in the closed position and can be extended to the second position when the pocket is in the open position.

[00018] In one embodiment, the first portion of the at least one member may be extended to the second position by being in slidable engagement with the second portion of the at least one member. For example, the first portion may have a pinion that engages a rack located on the second portion of the one or more members. As another example, the first portion may have a spring mechanism, such as a spring motor or a spring clutch, attached to the first portion and the second portion of the at least one member.

[00019] Of course, other mechanisms, including but not limited to mechanisms requiring manual force provided by a user, may also be used to ensure the first portion of the at least one member is extended from the first position to the second position.

For example, the at least one member may have a first portion that is telescopingly connected to a second portion. For such an embodiment, a manual force applied to the first portion may pull the first portion from the first position to an extended second position and may push the first portion from the extended second position to the retracted first position.

[00020] In yet another embodiment, the at least one member can be connected between the first portion and second portion of the at least one pocket. In other embodiments, the at least one pocket may be connected below or above the at least one pocket.

[00021] In other embodiments, at least one wheel, a telescoping handle, at least one strap, or at least one handle may be attached to the body.

[00022] It should be understood that the second portion of the pocket may have an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the second portion of the at least one pocket may be covered by a first material. The first material may be, for example, fabrics such as felt, mesh, nylon, cotton, flannel, polyester, or other materials that are soft and unlikely to detrimentally affect a shoe that may be stored within the pocket.

[00023] In some embodiments, the first and second portions of the at least one pocket may include at least a part of a fastener device. For example, each portion could include at least a part of a zipper, fastening tape, buttons, snaps, hasps, or a plurality of hooks and loops.

[00024] Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred methods of practicing the invention proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00025] In the accompanying drawings I have shown present preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain present preferred methods of practicing the same.

[00026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention illustrating the body in an open position.

[00027] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention showing the body in an open position.

[00028] Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of a third embodiment of the present invention illustrating a leg in a first position.

[00029] Figure 4 is view similar to Figure 3 illustrating a leg of in a second position.

[00030] Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention illustrating a pocket attached to the first interior surface of a body in a closed position.

[00031] Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the pocket in an open position.

[00032] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment, showing the body in an open position.

[00033] Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of a sixth embodiment showing a first portion of a member moveably connected to a second portion of the member

[00034] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a first present preferred member that has one portion moveably connected to a second portion.

[00035] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second present preferred member that has one portion moveably connected to a second portion.

[00036] Figure 1 1 is a fragmentary view of a seventh present preferred embodiment illustrating a leg within the body in a closed position.

[00037] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a third present preferred member that has one portion moveably connected to a second portion.

[00038] Figure 13 is a fragmentary view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention illustrating a pocket attached to the first interior surface of a body in an open position.

[00039] Figure 14 is a fragmentary view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention illustrating a pocket attached to the first interior surface of a body in an open position.

[00040] Figure 15 is a fragmentary view of a ninth embodiment of the present invention, showing a bar that extends through a leg to engage teeth in the body

adjacent the leg to keep the leg in a particular position. A portion of the leg is cut away to illustrate the spring mechanism that biases the bar to an interlocked position against the teeth.

[00041] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a third present preferred member that has a first portion that is telescopingly connected to a second portion in a retracted, first position.

[00042] Figure 17 is a perspective view similar to Figure 16 that illustrates the first portion of the third present preferred member in an extended second position.

[00043] Figure 18 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00044] Referring to Figure 1 , a first present preferred embodiment 1 has a body 4 that has a first side 2 and a second side 3. The body also has a cavity that permits a user to store objects within the body. The first side 2 of the body has an interior surface 10 and the second side 3 has an interior surface 1 1. Pockets 9 are connected to the interior surfaces of the first and second sides 10, 1 1. The pockets 9 have a first portion 15 and a second portion 13. The second portion 13 is moveable relative to the first portion 15 so the pockets may be in an open position, such as the positions of open pockets shown in Figures 1 , 6, 7, 13, 14 and 18 or a closed position, such as the position of closed pockets shown in Figures 2 and 7. As best seen in Figures 1, 6, 13, and 14, the second portion of the at least one pocket is connected to at least one of the body and the at least one pocket when the pocket is in the open position so that the second portion extends beyond the first portion of the at least one pocket such that the second portion is substantially transverse to the first portion 15 of the pocket. The open

position of the second portion 13 may act as a shelf and permits a user to place her packed shoes on the opened second portion 13 so the shoes may be easily viewed by the user without having to be placed on the floor or closet of a hotel room or other transitory location.

[00045] At least one member may be attached to the body adjacent the pockets 9. The members may be posts 17, blocks 19, or flaps 14, as shown in Figure 1. The members may also be other structures that are capable of engaging the second portion of the pocket 13 and supporting the second portion 13 when the pocket is in an open position. When in the open position, the second portion 13 of the pockets should be able to support at least one shoe placed on the second portion 13. [00046] At least a part of a fastener may be provided on at least one of the first and second portions of the pocket 13, 15 to permit the pocket to be opened and closed. The fastener may be at least one zipper 61, buttons 63, snaps, hasps, or other fasteners known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, portions of the fastener attached to the first and second portions of the pocket 13, 15 will mate so the fastener portions may be interlocked to ensure the pocket stays in the closed position and can be unlocked to place the pocket in an open position.

[00047] Handles 7 and straps 8 may be attached to the body 4. Wheels 5 may also be attached to the body so a user may pull a handle 7 or strap 8 and easily move the body when walking.

[00048] The first and second sides 2, 3 of the body are connected so that the body may be moved from an open position to a closed position. Examples of open positions for the body 4 can best be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 7. An example of the body in the closed position is best seen in Figure 9.

[00049] In a second embodiment 20, a telescoping handle 27 that can extend and retract may be attached to the body, as shown in Figure 2. At least one leg 21 can also be attached to the body. The legs 21 may be connected to the body adjacent the first end 29 of the legs so the legs may move from a first position to a second position, as indicated in Figure 2. In the first position, the second end 23 of the legs may be adjacent to the body. When moved to the second position, the second end 23 of the legs may be extended away from the body. Preferably, when the leg is in the second position, the second end 23 of the legs are able to engage a wall or floor to support the body. As indicated by arrows in Figure 2, the leg may be attached to the body so that the leg is rotatable from the first position to the second position and may reside fully along the exterior surface of the body when in the first position. In some embodiments, the legs may be attached along recessed portions of the body that are sized to ensure that the surface of the leg does not protrude substantially beyond the exterior surface of the body when the leg is in the first position.

[00050] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a third embodiment may have legs 31 that have a first end attached to the body 4 such that at least a portion of the leg 31 is housed in the body 4 when the leg is in the first position, as shown in Figure 3. The leg 31 may be moved from the first position to the second position by manipulation of actuator 33, which engages movement mechanism 32 to move the leg 31 from the first position, shown in Figure 3, to the second position, shown in Figure 4. The actuator 33 can also be manipulated when the leg is in the second position to retract the leg back to the first position. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the movement mechanism 32 and actuator 33 can include a rack and pinion.

[00051] As shown in Figure 11, the actuator may also be a bar 100 attached to the leg 101 that is integral with leg 101 and extends out of a slot or hole in the body 4. The

bar 100 may be manipulated by a user to physically slide the leg 101 from the first position, where the leg is substantially housed within the body, to the second position, where at least the second end of the leg extends out of the body. The leg may have teeth 104 that intermesh with resilient teeth 103 inside the body adjacent the leg that ensure the leg cannot move unless a force is applied to the bar 100. [00052] In another embodiment, a bar 201 may be connected to the leg 205 through a hole 202 in the leg, as shown in Figure 15. The bar may engage a spring mechanism 206 within the hole in the leg that biases the bar such that the bar engages teeth 204, which locks the leg in a particular position within the body. The leg 202 may be substantially within the body and adjacent teeth 204 when the leg 202 is in a retracted, first position. A user may pull the bar out of engagement with teeth 204 to reposition the leg to an extended position, where at least the second end 209 of the leg extends out of the body sufficiently to support the body against a surface, such as a floor or wall. [00053] It should be noted that a mechanism that is activated by an actuator to move the legs from a first position to a second position may be, for example, a system that includes intermeshed gears, a spring motor, a spring clutch, or other devices known to those skilled in the art that may extend the leg from the first position to the second position. Of course, as may be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the actuator may be configured to extend all the legs to the second position and retract all the legs to the first position at the same time.

[00054] Of course, it should be understood that an actuator is not needed for some systems that can be used to extend and retract the legs attached to the body 4. For example, leg 21 shown in Figure 2 is located outside the body and may be moved from the first position to the second position by a user manually moving the leg 21.

[00055] As shown in Figure 5, in some embodiments, the pocket 9 can be closed by at least one button attached to the second portion 13 of the pocket that may be fit within a hole in the body adjacent the pocket or in a hole that is located in the first portion of the pocket. As shown in Figure 6, the button can be removed from its hole to open the pocket.

[00056] Another fastener system that may be used to open and close pockets 9 is hook and loop fasteners 79, such as the plurality of hooks and loops fastener sold under the Velcro® trademark. As shown in Figure 7, one portion of a pocket may have a hook portion 77 of a plurality of hooks and loops fastener and the other portion may have the loop portion 75 of the plurality of hooks and loops fastener. The pocket may be closed by placing the hook and loop portions 77, 75 in engagement with each other. When the pocket is opened, a user may manually remove the hook portion from the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener.

[00057] It should be understood that other fastener apparatuses or components may be connected to one or both portions 13, 15 of the pockets to open and close the pockets 9.

[00058] Referring to Figure 7, the members located adjacent the pockets to support the second portion 13 of the pockets when the pockets are in the open position may include various support structures, such as ledge members 53. The ledge members engage the second portion 13 of the pocket when the pocket is in the open position so the second portion 13 is substantially transverse to the first portion 15 of the at least one pocket when the pocket is in the open position. Shoes 95 may be positioned on the second portion 13 when the pocket is in the open position to permit the shoes to be stored in the luggage, but also on display for a user to easily view the shoes that may be selected for wearing with a particular outfit.

[00059] Another support system that may be used to support the second portion 13 of the pocket when the pocket is in the open position is shown in Figures 5 and 6. The second portion 13 of the pocket may have recesses 43. Posts 41 may be located below the pocket to provide support for the second portion 13 when the second portion is moved to open the pocket. The posts 41 may be sized to fit within the recesses 43 such that the posts are interlocked in the recesses.

[00060] Posts 41 may be moveably connected to the interior surface of the body so a user may move the members 41 to engage the second portion 13 of the pocket or the recesses 43 located on the second portion of the pocket when the second portion 13 of the pocket is substantially transverse to the first portion 15. Once the posts 41 are moved to engage the second portion of the pocket, as shown in Figure 6, the second portion can then support at least one shoe placed on top of the second portion 13 when the pocket 9 is in the open position. The posts may be moveable in various ways. For example, the posts could be connected to the body so the posts can be rotated or slid about the body.

[00061] It should be understood that posts 41 can have various shapes and configurations, including but not limited to curved or angled beam-like structures. When the posts are angled or curved beam-like structures, I prefer to have some posts that are connected to the body below the pockets so the posts can be rotated to engage the outer edges of the second portion of the pocket and other posts to be substantially linear to engage the inner edges of the pocket, as shown in Figure 5. Of course, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the pockets may be configured in various other ways to ensure the second portion 13 of the pocket can support at least one shoe when the pocket is in the open position.

[00062] The members may also include strings 69 that support the second portion 13 of the pocket and support the second portion 13 when the second portion 13 is opened to a position that is substantially transverse to the first portion 15, as shown in Figure 13. In other embodiments, the members may be flaps 121 that are located between the first and second portions of the pocket 13, 15, as illustrated in Figure 14. The flaps 121 or string 69 may be attached to the pocket 9 such that the strings 69 or flaps 121 are within the pocket 9 when the pocket is in the closed position and are fully extended when the pocket 9 is in the open position. In other embodiments, the strings or flaps may be configured to be stored adjacent the body when the pocket is in the closed position. It should be appreciated that the strings 69 may be elongated plastic bodies, cords, or strands of other pliable material that can support the second portion of the at least one pocket when the at least one pocket is in the open position [00063] The second portion may have an interior surface 601 and an exterior surface 602. The interior surface is preferably made or covered in a material that is unable to scuff or otherwise damage shoes held within the pocket. The exterior surface 602 may also be made of the same material as the interior surface 601 or may be made of a different material. In some embodiments, the exterior surface 602 of the second portion of the pocket is made of a hard, stiff surface that is capable of maintaining its form without any support structured provided below the second portion 13. For example, the exterior surface 602 of the second portion may be made of a plastic, such as polycarbonate.

[00064] In other embodiments, the exterior surface 602 is made of a flexible material that may be stretched when engaged by members adjacent the pocket that support the second portion 13 of the pocket in a position that is substantially transverse to the first portion 15 when the pocket is in the open position. The stretching of the flexible

material ensures the second portion is stiff and able to act as a shelf that can support one or more shoes. In some embodiments, the interior surface may be covered in a fabric, such as polyester, mesh, felt, nylon, cotton, flannel, and polyester. In other embodiments, the entire second portion 13 is made of mesh. [00065] The members 88 may also be configured so that the members have a first portion 72 that is connected to a second portion 71 so that the first portion 71 may move relative to the second portion 72, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 8. Portion 71 has a cavity sized to releasably retain at least a part of portion 72. Portion 72 can be extended from portion 71 by having a threaded portion 82 that intermeshes with threads 81 of portion 71. Portion 72 can be manually extended from portion 71 by a user that rotates portion 72.

[00066] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 10, one portion 91 of member 99 may be extended from another portion 92 of the member by a spring mechanism 97. The portion 91 may move from a first position that locates portion 91 substantially within portion 92. The spring mechanism 97 may be activated to extend portion 91 to a second position and, thereafter, retract portion 91 back to within portion 92. The spring mechanism may be activated to extend portion 91 by pressing portion 91 further within portion 92.

[00067] In yet another embodiment, member 1 12 may have a first portion 109 that is connected to a second portion 110 so that portion 110 can move from a retracted position to an extended position along connection point 108. A user may rotate portion 110 to extend member 1 12 to engage the second portion 13 of a pocket or may rotate portion 1 10 to shorten the length of member 1 12. In some embodiments, portion 109 may have a hollow or recess sized to receive portion 1 10.

[00068] In other embodiments, a member may simply telescope due to a manual force applied by a user, similarly to some types of portable radio antennas, and positioned below a pocket 9 to support the second portion 13 of the pocket when the pocket is in the open position. For example, portion 301 of a member may be telescopingly connected to a second portion 302 of a member such that portion 301 is extendable from portion 302 when a manual force is applied to overcome the friction between two adjacent member portions, as indicated in Figures 16 and 17. Such members may be positioned below a pocket and be expanded by a user to support the second portion of a pocket when the pocket is in the open position. When the pocket is closed, the members can be retracted to decrease the size of the member to increase the amount of space within the body 4 and, depending upon the length of the extended member, permit the body to the placed in a closed position, as shown in Figure 9. In some embodiments, the outer end 305 of portion 301 may have an interlocking shape 306 that is sized and configured to engage a recess within the second portion of a pocket when the pocket is in the open position and a user extends the first portion 301 from a retracted first position to an extended second position.

[00069] In yet another embodiment, blocks 401 may be provided below pockets 9, as shown in Figure 18, to support the second portion 13 of the pockets 9 when the pockets are in the open position. The blocks 401 may be positioned below the pockets 9 so the blocks 401 support the second portion 13 of the pocket in a position that places the second portion 13 substantially transverse to the first portion 15. It should be noted that the top of each block 401 may also have projections sized and configured to interlock with recesses within the second portion 13 of the pocket to ensure the block 401 may support the second portion 13.

[00070] The blocks may also have cavities 404 that are configured to hold objects, such as shoe polish, cleaning rags, or other shoe maintenance equipment. [00071] It should be understood that members may be sized or configured so the members can support the second portion 13 of a pocket when the pocket is in the open position in various other ways to ensure the second portion of the pocket is capable of being positioned substantially transverse to first portion 15 of the pocket. [00072] All claims in this application, including but not limited to original claims, are hereby incorporated in their entirety into, and form a part of, the written description of the invention. Applicant reserves the right to physically incorporate into any part of this document, including any part of the written description, the claims referred to above including but not limited to any original claims. Patents, patent applications, publications, scientific articles, books, web sites, and other documents and/or materials referenced or mentioned herein are all incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if fully rewritten herein.

[00073] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [00074] The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions, or any portions thereof, to exclude any equivalents now known or later developed, whether or not such equivalents are set forth or shown or described herein or whether or not such equivalents are viewed as predictable, but it is recognized that various modifications are within the scope of the invention claimed, whether or not those claims issued with or without alteration or amendment for any reason. Thus, it shall be understood that, although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modifications and variations of the

inventions embodied therein or herein disclosed can be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the inventions disclosed and claimed herein.

[00075] Specific methods and apparatuses described and depicted herein are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other objects, aspects, and embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of this specification, and are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims. Where examples are given, the description shall be construed to include, but not to be limited to, only those examples. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and from the description of the inventions, including those illustratively set forth herein, it is manifest that various modifications and equivalents can be used to implement the concepts of the present invention without departing from its scope. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Thus, for example, additional embodiments are within the scope of the invention and within the following claims.